The analog cutoff does not directly effect cablecos.

In some areas, Comcast will gradually reduce analog channels, while adding digital cable and HD. Customers wanting the no longer available analog channles will have to get an STB or CableCARD tuner. The programming tier known as Limited Basic (10-15 channels) will remain in analog for quite some time, with analog versions of local DTV and a few select national channels.
From that I infer that in some areas they will follow the Calaveras, CA procedure, by moving Expd. channels to Digital format all at once. Is that a correct assumption?

From that I infer that in some areas they will follow the Calaveras, CA procedure, by moving Expd. channels to Digital format all at once. Is that a correct assumption?
That has been my assumption, except when the date comes, everyone is going to need a STB or CableCARD to enable reception of any cable channel, Limited Basic included. I think in Calaveras they are still getting Limited Basic in analog, no STB required. Post 2009, a STB will be required.

Post 2009, a STB will be required.

I assume that the 2009 date is referring to the analog shutoff? With that assumption, there is no FCC-mandated shutoff of cable analog. Only OTA broadcasting. If Comcast wanted to, they can continue analog cable channels indefinitely. Comcast will be transitioning all customers and all channels to digital, but no definite shutoff date has been given.

Calaveras County is a small area population-wise, so the conversion went pretty smooth as I understand it. In areas with greater populations, it probably won't go as smoothly. I'm hoping that they take a few channels at a time and gradually move them to digital to avoid the huge backlash that will surely hit them in many parts of the country. Eventually everyone will have digital boxes, but the conversion would be a lot smoother, and on each customer's own schedule, not all at once.

I assume that the 2009 date is referring to the analog shutoff? With that assumption, there is no FCC-mandated shutoff of cable analog. Only OTA broadcasting. If Comcast wanted to, they can continue analog cable channels indefinitely. Comcast will be transitioning all customers and all channels to digital, but no definite shutoff date has been given.

Calaveras County is a small area population-wise, so the conversion went pretty smooth as I understand it. In areas with greater populations, it probably won't go as smoothly. I'm hoping that they take a few channels at a time and gradually move them to digital to avoid the huge backlash that will surely hit them in many parts of the country. Eventually everyone will have digital boxes, but the conversion would be a lot smoother, and on each customer's own schedule, not all at once.
All good points, but remember that the Limited Basic tier is populated primarily by local channels, channels that will have no analog signal after the shutoff. I would hate to think that a cableco would do the digital>analog conversion of these channels at the headend, thereby using valuable bandwidth to the residence. It also wouldn't make sense to have these stations continue to provide an analog signal just for cable, too costly to maintain both, something they complain about now. It would make more sense to me to do the digital>analog conversion at the point of entry, whether that is outside the residence or by an STB at the display.

IOW, I believe by post 2009, everything going to the residence from cable will be in digital form, and the conversion will happen at the residence.

They will use a box like the Motorola DCT700 or something similar. This box is already being used in Calaveras County, CA

http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/dct700/
DCT700 All-Digital Set-top

It is generally available in ADS markets.

That has been my assumption, except when the date comes, everyone is going to need a STB or CableCARD to enable reception of any cable channel, Limited Basic included. I think in Calaveras they are still getting Limited Basic in analog, no STB required. Post 2009, a STB will be required.

That is the first I heard of Ltd. Basic being encrypted after Feb. '09. What makes you think that? Why don't they do it now?

Now, I would think, if they move to DCA they would encrypt everything.

A good benefit is they wouldn't need security and disconnections at the main cable panels, as one would get nothing w/o a CableCard or STB or DCA to TV or STB.

But, many people aren't even aware of CableCard. :(



Not many people are aware of HDTV :(

Post 2009, a STB will be required.I don't think so.

I don't think so.
So will the cableco convert the digital signal to analog at the headend..? Or will the stations continue to produce an analog signal after 2009...? Neither of those solutions would seem to be cost effective..the only other method I can think of would be a POE type of device at the residence.

That is the first I heard of Ltd. Basic being encrypted after Feb. '09. What makes you think that? Why don't they do it now?

Now, I would think, if they move to DCA they would encrypt everything.

A good benefit is they wouldn't need security and disconnections at the main cable panels, as one would get nothing w/o a CableCard or STB or DCA to TV or STB.
I'm not saying it would be encrypted, only that if you don't have a QAM tuner that there will be no way to see the signals, unless a digital>analog conversion happens somewhere along the line.

On my system, 18 of the 30 Basic channels are local broadcast stations, with 6 of the remaining 12 being community access channels. The other 6 are national cable only channels(Food, Hallmark, C-Span, etc.)

Now, unless those broadcast stations continue to provide an analog signal, something that seems highly unlikely, how are Mom and Pops going to see those signals without some sort of device, or method upstream, to convert the digital signal for use on 100 million plus analog displays...?

Maybe I'm missing something fundamental here, and if so, I'm never too old to learn. :)

So will the cableco convert the digital signal to analog at the headend..? Or will the stations continue to produce an analog signal after 2009...? Neither of those solutions would seem to be cost effective..the only other method I can think of would be a POE type of device at the residence.

A lot of the current cable channels are broadcast currently in digital from the provider, then converted to analog by the cable company. I doubt they would need any additional hardware to take care of the locals, which could even be sent via fiber currently for all I know.

With the number of people who receive analog only cable, I'm not convinced that the digital conversion will be completed for all cable customers in all markets in the next 3 years.

A lot of the current cable channels are broadcast currently in digital from the provider, then converted to analog by the cable company. I doubt they would need any additional hardware to take care of the locals, which could even be sent via fiber currently for all I know.

With the number of people who receive analog only cable, I'm not convinced that the digital conversion will be completed for all cable customers in all markets in the next 3 years.
I don't think it will be either, but it seems extremely wasteful to be sending those analog signals over all that infrastructure, OTOH, I suppose a STB and/or residential POE devices may be more costly.

Plus, with all the major cable companies aggressively moving to all-digital delivery systems, ADS, switched, etc, it just seems silly to continue to use massive amounts of bandwidth for delivery of analog signals.

I don't think it will be either, but it seems extremely wasteful to be sending those analog signals over all that infrastructure, OTOH, I suppose a STB and/or residential POE devices may be more costly.

Wasteful? Yes. However remember that well over half of all of Comcast's subscribers are still analog only. So, that's a lot of people to convince that they need a box now just to continue receiving what they are already happy with. And those are the same customers that will just drop cable if it's too big a problem to switch.

Wasteful? So, that's a lot of people to convince that they need a box now just to continue receiving what they are already happy with.

for anyone that wants digital or HD would have to get a STB or CC, cause most TV only go up to ch 124 "analog"
so I find it fair for those who want to watch QVC (thats wasteful) on analog
should have to get a box.

and free up the bandwidth so we can get more HD channels

Wasteful? Yes. However remember that well over half of all of Comcast's subscribers are still analog only. So, that's a lot of people to convince that they need a box now just to continue receiving what they are already happy with. And those are the same customers that will just drop cable if it's too big a problem to switch.
Some people keep saying this. So, we are talking about people who want to keep there current TV, and not use a box.

So, what will they do, go to satellite...well lookee here... they need boxes. Think they will go OTA, need boxes, again. :eek: :D

It would be a bigger problem to switch to satellite and even moreso to go OTA, as then these people will have to figure out the STB instructions themselves.

I don't if anyone has notice, but if you go to Best Buy, they have all the old analog TVs in the far corner of the building with the widescreen TVs front and center for all to see.
and for every WS LCD, Plasma and DLP TV Sold is one more household that is wanting HD.
I would bet that the number of WS Set vs. Analog sold at Best Buy or CircuitCity is 4:1 if not greater.
And I am sure that the Cable and SAT Companies are seeing this and know there is a market and customer are up for the change to HD from analog.

But I could be wrong and HD isn't nothing more then a fad like the Beta VCR was in the late 70s early 80s.. NOT!!!

Can anyone tell me what will be on MHD? I've seen speculation that Comcast thinks its HD content is more compelling than UHD. I've already started watching L&O SVU besides the Olympics and since it has uninterrupted and uncut movies (compare that with TNT-HD) I believe it would be a useful channel.

Now NatGeoHD would be a different matter.

Rich N.

...I would bet that the number of WS Set vs. Analog sold at Best Buy or CircuitCity is 4:1 if not greater.

If not 16:9 :D

My uneducated guess would be that QVC, etc. pay Comcast to be carried, hence the reason Comcast is more then willing to add more of those channels. As part of the agreement, they probably pay more to be carried on analog as opposed to digital. I would be fine with them moving all the shopping channels and locals to analog, moving the rest to digital. Then they just need to come up with a low cost digital tier along with a low function, non-ugly cable box that people like my parents wouldn't be bothered by. I think Comcast's biggest fear of moving all channels to digital is that then puts them in direct competition with the sat companies since then everybody would have to have a box.

My uneducated guess would be that QVC, etc. pay Comcast to be carried, hence the reason Comcast is more then willing to add more of those channels. As part of the agreement, they probably pay more to be carried on analog as opposed to digital. I would be fine with them moving all the shopping channels and locals to analog, moving the rest to digital. Then they just need to come up with a low cost digital tier along with a low function, non-ugly cable box that people like my parents wouldn't be bothered by. I think Comcast's biggest fear of moving all channels to digital is that then puts them in direct competition with the sat companies since then everybody would have to have a box.

As I recall, QVC, HSN, etc pay the various providers a percent of each sale made from the viewers of that service. Not sure how they track it as I've never made a purchase from one of those channels.

Comcast/Motorola actually have the box you are talking about. It's the DCT700. It's all digital, with only composite and possibly coax outputs on the back, uses the current STB software, etc. You just have to be ADS or all digital to utilize the box, as it won't find the analog channels.

Comcast owns a part of QVC.

Comcast owns a part of QVC.
Comcast, the Philadelphia-based cable-TV company, owns 57.5 percent of QVC and includes QVC's financial results in its own. Liberty, the Englewood, Colo.-based media holding company controlled by its chairman, cable-TV mogul John Malone, owns the remaining 42.5 percent.

A lot of the current cable channels are broadcast currently in digital from the provider, then converted to analog by the cable company. I doubt they would need any additional hardware to take care of the locals, which could even be sent via fiber currently for all I know.

With the number of people who receive analog only cable, I'm not convinced that the digital conversion will be completed for all cable customers in all markets in the next 3 years.
Clipped from Mark Schubin article, link to post below, the underlined section is what I remember reading elsewhere and what I was referring to earlier. As it stands right now, there will be no analog carriage on cable systems, of course it appears that the "problem" is going to be fixed...maybe...

The original 2005 analog cutoff legislation included provisions allowing all cable operators to carry both analog and digital versions of digital broadcasts and smaller cable systems (with capacities of 550 MHz or less) to carry just analog versions (though they were to be permitted to carry digital, too). Approved conversions from digital to analog were permitted “at any location, from the cable head-end to the customer premises, inclusive.” That would seem to include cable-operator-provided set-top boxes.

Those analog conversion and analog carriage provisions were removed from the final bill, still awaiting approval as this is being written. According to at least some cable operators, that means they will not be permitted to offer analog versions of digital broadcasts after the analog cutoff date.

If their interpretation of the legislation is correct and the removed language is taken as a guide, then only owners of digital cable-ready TVs or adapters would be able to watch digital broadcasts via cable. That would probably leave a majority of any broadcaster’s audience without access to station programming after analog cutoff.

Of course, that interpretation of the legislation may well prove to be wrong, and some legislators have already promised to fix the problem (if it exists) with a new law. It’s also possible that the legislation currently stuck in Congress will not be approved or that, after it becomes law, it will be changed, just as the 1997 law was.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7194651#post7194651
Comcast New Technology Test - AVS Forum

My statement regarding QVC was not to stir up a debate to who own it, but to merely point out that there are alot of worthless analog channels that could be removed to make room for good HD channels.
this also goes for all the MTV, Cartoon channels and so on...

this also goes for all the MTV, Cartoon channels and so on...

In your opinion.

My statement regarding QVC was not to stir up a debate to who own it, but to merely point out that there are alot of worthless analog channels that could be removed to make room for good HD channels.
this also goes for all the MTV, Cartoon channels and so on...

Hey don't mess with my cartoon channels :D

Universal-HD disappeared as quickly as it appeared, as soon as the Olympics ended (South Jersey).

Universal-HD disappeared as quickly as it appeared, as soon as the Olympics ended (South Jersey).

If that was the case Sunday noontime /9am PT should have been the case.

Still on in Boston

If that was the case Sunday noontime /9am PT should have been the case.

Still on in BostonGone in Dallas

UHD gone in atlanta, so i guess i hope the next channel they add is UHD!

Gone here in West LA too.

If that was the case Sunday noontime /9am PT should have been the case.

Still on in Boston

Disappeared 2/27/06 in Knoxville

Disappeared 2/27/06 in Knoxville
Bump.........Anybody else?

Gone in Pittsburgh also.

NFL HD isn't though and that was supposed to go away following the Super Bowl.
I was hoping the same for UHD.

never even turned on the channel here (all the guide indicated was night rider and other nonsense). i'd be curious though if it's gone (i sorta hope it is).

UHD is gone in Chicago too... it only was on during the Olympics. Does Comcast have any statement on this?

Gone here in Southern New Jersey. I thought this was a permanant addition?

Well I wrote Comcast about this and here is the response. (Note: I did have both INHD's along with UHD so it didn't replace. I also wrote back and told them that they are going to lose customers as Dish now has 25 HD's and are bringing HD Locals online. I'm sure they don't care)

Dear Brian,

Thank you for contacting Comcast.

I have read your email and would be more than happy to assist you. UHD was
added for the sole purpose of Olympic coverage. It was replacing INHD2
during this time. Since the Olympics are over, INHD2 has returned. There are no
current plans to increase our number of HD channels at this time.

If you have any additional questions, please email us or give us a call at
1-800-Comcast.


Thank you for choosing Comcast.

Sincerely,

Ed
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

**************************************************

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
This channel has now disappeared since the Olympics are over. I was under
the impression this was a permanent addition as Dish HD added this
channel. Is this not the case?

Brian Kushner
856-XXX-XXXX

Comcast replaced INHD2 for the Olympic, which I can't understand is, the only I saw on UHD from the Olympic was hockey.
If I wanted hockey I would turn the channel to INHD1 and watch the San Jose Sharks.. NOT!!!
I would gladly exchange INHD 1 & 2 for TNT-HD and NFL-HD.

I would have to agree with bkuchner, Dish and Direct have more HD channels then Comcast, and if Comcast doesn't get on the ball they WILL BE losing customers, and I am almost ready to make the switch

UHD is gone in Chicago too... it only was on during the Olympics. Does Comcast have any statement on this?

My understanding is Comcast does not have a final agreement/contract for carrying the UHD Channel.

They just made a special/temporary agreement with NBC/Universal so subscribers could see the olympic coverage.

Hopefully they will sign an final agreement so they can carry this full time (of course we have been hoping that they would do this with several HD providers for a long time!)

UHD is off the virtual channel list here, however the channel is still being transmitted. (encrypted, so no one can see it!) Comcast here is not short on bandwidth: no programming was replaced when they added UHD. (well, the channel was previously occupied by the NFL Network in HD) It will be an interesting test to see if they leave the channel up for a while. If the channel is left up for a while, it's either an indication that UHD might make the Comcast line-up permanently before too long, or the engineers are too lazy to pull the channel and they have nothing to put in its place.

In any case, I already got everything I wanted from UHD: Jaws: The Revenge.

UHD is off the virtual channel list here, however the channel is still being transmitted. Comcast here is not short on bandwidth: no programming was replaced when they added UHD. (well, the channel was previously occupied by the NFL Network in HD) It will be an interesting test to see if they leave the channel up for a while.

In any case, I already got everything I wanted from UHD: Jaws: The Revenge.

Bandwith was not a problem in Pittsburgh, either...we had the NFL Network HD and UHD at the same time.

Get ESPN2 HD on there, guys!

I'd like ESPNU, also.

I'm sure they'll get right on that. :D

Did anybody read this part of the CSR's email?

There are no
current plans to increase our number of HD channels at this time.

Did anybody read this part of the CSR's email?

There are no
current plans to increase our number of HD channels at this time.

CSRs know nothing.

It also depend on the meaning of "this time". To a CSR it could mean this day or this hour since they usually never get any advance notice of corporate policy.

For anyone in central Jersey:
Comcast, while trying to convince a friend of mine to keep his HD sevice, told him that they are adding 3 new channels in March. They would, of course, not tell him which channels they were, but it's something.
So, here we are, March 6th, 2006 and no sign of ANY new HD channel here in my Comcast system, Comcast of New Jersey II(Union).

Maybe the CSR was referring to March.... without specifying the year ;-)

Here in Boston, just got the message light today announcing UHD as a permanent add.

UHD still on here as well.

I think we'll get ESPN2 this month because of baseball (Opening Day is 4/2) and MAYBE March Madness.

So, here we are, March 6th, 2006 and no sign of ANY new HD channel here in my Comcast system, Comcast of New Jersey II(Union).

Maybe the CSR was referring to March.... without specifying the year ;-)
...and it will be march for a few more weeks. I was just putting it out there. I never claimed it was a sure thing.

ESPN2 HD should begin a small rollout end of March to mid April as of last news. UHD & Comcast have only signed aprox 14 % of Comcast head end locations so far. Give it some time. The pencil pushers cause more problems then they solve..... Comcast has lot of things planned, and will always try to make there system better then sat. It just takes time...........

Here in Boston, just got the message light today announcing UHD as a permanent add.

One big comment.

A factor why we may not have had it sooner was for the same reason as HDNET/HDNEt movies.

We have UHD,what aboput HDNet?

ESPN2 HD should begin a small rollout end of March to mid April as of last news. UHD & Comcast have only signed aprox 14 % of Comcast head end locations so far. Give it some time. The pencil pushers cause more problems then they solve..... Comcast has lot of things planned, and will always try to make there system better then sat. It just takes time...........

i guess that means no espn2 for south jersey and still no TNT

One big comment.

A factor why we may not have had it sooner was for the same reason as HDNET/HDNEt movies.

We have UHD,what aboput HDNet?

My uneducated guess is that economics (Cuban wants too much) and competition for INHD will make HDNET/Movies very unlikely. Since I can only watch so much TV, I'm more concerned with ESPN2HD for the few sporting events I really want to watch in HD. And NGHD would be nice in 2007 (my understanding is that NGHD is a simulcast like TNTHD and so may take quite a long time in negotiations).

BTW, noticed how the shows in INHD have been so poor lately? INHD is almost all minor sports or minor teams (I know, that will change with MLB, but that is 3 games a week) and INHD2 seems to never have quality shows anymore (even good ones are repeated so many times....how many times have you seen Beavers on?). Very disappointing since it is supposed to compete with HDNET.

Rich N.

BTW, noticed how the shows in INHD have been so poor lately? INHD is almost all minor sports or minor teams (I know, that will change with MLB, but that is 3 games a week) and INHD2 seems to never have quality shows anymore (even good ones are repeated so many times....how many times have you seen Beavers on?). Very disappointing since it is supposed to compete with HDNET. Rich N.

They're filling the hours with old 2nd and 3rd rate movies, played over and over. The channel is turning into a movie channel. I have plenty of movie channels already, thank you.

They're filling the hours with old 2nd and 3rd rate movies, played over and over. The channel is turning into a movie channel. I have plenty of movie channels already, thank you.

True, their movies are not compelling, but I think they still are uncut, uninterrupted like UHD's. Try watching a movie on TNTHD, yecch. It's just too bad there's such a limit on IMAX movies, they are a visual treat.

To me, the only compelling shows on INHD are the NBA and MLB games and I know many people don't care about them. However, they are great if you want to impress people with HD.

Rich N.

True, their movies are not compelling, but I think they still are uncut, uninterrupted like UHD's. Try watching a movie on TNTHD, yecch. It's just too bad there's such a limit on IMAX movies, they are a visual treat.

Fine, then they should turn it into a 24-hour movie channel and be done with it.

IMO there aren't that many significant differences between INHD2 and UHD. People complain about the bad movies on INHD2 but it's not like there aren't any exceptions... "Miller's Crossing" and "Matewan" are not bad films. "Matewan" is a terrific film. So is "Baraka". And the IMAX films usually traslate well to HD (though why they show some of those crappy 3D IMAX films I can't figure). And UHD airs their fair share of stinkers. In the end I'd prefer UHD for two reasons: BSG and INHD's hideous logo, which destroyed some of the things they show like "Baraka". But UHD has presentation problems as well. During their OAR screening of "Lost Highway", an enourmous "TV-MA" indicator appeared periodically and covered nearly a quarter of the picture.

To me, the only compelling shows on INHD are the NBA and MLB games and I know many people don't care about them. However, they are great if you want to impress people with HD.


Their NBA games look like crap this season.

i guess that means no espn2 for south jersey and still no TNT
Actually, not only South Jersey, make it the entire state of New Jersey...

IMO there aren't that many significant differences between INHD2 and UHD. People complain about the bad movies on INHD2 but it's not like there aren't any exceptions...

I've only had UHD a short while, and the movies so far blow away INHD. And that's not meant as a complement to UHD. :p

ESPN2 HD should begin a small rollout end of March to mid April as of last news. UHD & Comcast have only signed aprox 14 % of Comcast head end locations so far.

So is the ESPN2HD signed at 100% of head ends?

So is the ESPN2HD signed at 100% of head ends?

We should know next week if South Phila, Bucks Co., Lancaster County, Lebanon County, Hershey & the 2 Harrisburg Market's are on the list for the roll out.

Is the lack of HDNETMovies on Comcast really about economics? Heck, I'd pay extra to have it, and I know I'm not alone. Their schedules are often more compelling than premium HD channels like HBO or Showtime.

Is the lack of HDNETMovies on Comcast really about economics? Heck, I'd pay extra to have it, and I know I'm not alone. Their schedules are often more compelling than premium HD channels like HBO or Showtime.
It's always about economics... customer requests, available bandwidth, etc. all figure into it, but at the bottom line, it boils down to cost. And that includes the fact that Comcast has a vested interest in the 2 INHD channels which they undoubtedly feel are a substitute, or equal to, HDNet. Even then it's still about the money, INHD is probably far cheaper(due to partial ownership being one reason) than HDNet would ever be.

IMHO INHD/INHD2 are a poor substitute for HDNET.[not pq wise but content wise]

Their NBA games look like crap this season.

At least you get it. Anytime an NBA game is on INHD in Knoxville we loose the station for 2 hours since we do not have NBA tv.

We should know next week if South Phila, Bucks Co., Lancaster County, Lebanon County, Hershey & the 2 Harrisburg Market's are on the list for the roll out.

I've had a good track record with HD in Baltimore, getting TNT right away, and still having Universal HD. Hopefully that will continue with ESPN2.

IMHO INHD/INHD2 are a poor substitute for HDNET. Both have as good to superior content and look much better.IN my honest opinion,you must have very poor signal coming in on INHD,INHD2.

Here's an answer to Comcast's lack of bandwidth problem. Install fiber-optic cable lines in all the towns that you're in, that way bandwidth won't be an issue. Maybe Comcast is too cheap, but they shouldn't complain when their new rival Verizon is doing just that. Verizon will absolutely destroy Comcast in the long run, but only if Comcast chooses to be complacent and allows it to happen. The way it is now, Verizon can keep on adding HD and SD channels and they'll hardly feel it. If Comcast does the same, then they'll be very close to max capacity.

Both have as good to superior content and look much better.IN my honest opinion,you must have very poor signal coming in on INHD,INHD2.That's not what he means. He's talking about content, OAR, unobtrusive channel bug, etc. I agree.

The addition of UHD is heading in the right direction. I give Comcast a cudos for that.

Here's an answer to Comcast's lack of bandwidth problem. Install fiber-optic cable lines in all the towns that you're in, that way bandwidth won't be an issue.All Comcast needs to do is switch to all-digital transmission or switched video, and they'll have all the bandwidth they need, thanks to all of the fiber optic cable that they've already run.

I've only had UHD a short while, and the movies so far blow away INHD. And that's not meant as a complement to UHD. :p

Well, everyone has an opinion. But have you actually seen "Baraka", "Miller's Crossing" or "Matewan" in order to say those films are blown away by the films on UHD? Or the IMAX films "Chronos" or "Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey"? In my opinion, but that's some fine programming there, hideous logo aside. In fact, the only things I saw on UHD when I had it that approach that quality are "Lost Highway" and "Battlestar Galactica". "The Frighteners" is a good movie and it was an open matte Super 35 transfer, but I think they probably cropped the SFX shots. "They Live" was an okay B-Movie but it was cropped. Scarface is way overrated IMO, but I won't knock UHD for showing it, especially OAR. Other than that, all I saw was junk on UHD. Not that the remainder of the INHD programming is any better, but when people say EVERYTHING on the INHD's is worthless, I tend to doubt they are considering the films I mentioned.

That's not what he means. He's talking about content, OAR, unobtrusive channel bug, etc. I agree.


I agree as well, while I've only seen the INHDs briefly I've read quite a bit about their programming/display methods, and after having the HDNets for years, I would say that INHD is no match for HDNet.

ESPN2 HD should begin a small rollout end of March to mid April as of last news. ....

As Marcus said, Northern Maryland has a good record of making new HD channels available as fast as anyone and hopefully that will continue with ESPN2HD.

I'm just glad I'm not a Big 10 fan and will miss the whole tourney in HD.

Rich N.

I'm just glad I'm not a Big 10 fan and will miss the whole tourney in HD.

Rich N.

Check the schedule again. 2 Friday games on ESPN-HD and all 3 weekend games on CBS. That's 5 of the last 7 games that all of us should get in HD.

So what is the story? Is Comcast definitely getting ESPN2HD?? I've been calling about it and no one seems to know

So what is the story? Is Comcast definitely getting ESPN2HD?? I've been calling about it and no one seems to know

They are getting it nationally. The question is which local systems will get it and when. Some still don't have TNT after almost a year.

Some still don't have TNT after almost a year.

Like here in South Jersey, across the river from their corporate headquarters, for example.

Sorry, but your local head end is BROKE, no more $$$$ to spend on Equipment, or Network HD Channel agreements ( ESPN2-HD ).

However as a consolation we will be adding the new ABC & CBS & PBS Shop at Home Networks along with the Buy a Car Network & The Hairclub for Men Network, to your lineup.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Enjoy!

Like here in South Jersey, across the river from their corporate headquarters, for example.
Make it ENTIRE New Jersey state. I know that neither my Comcast System(Comcast of New Jersey II(Union) ) Nor the Comcast of Monmounth/Ocean has TNT-HD.

My system (in Bristol County, MA) is fiber to the node where it switches to copper for distribution to the home.

It's also pretty low utilizaiton for HSI too, and Comcast is the ONLY wired option where we live- too far to get DSL in any flavor.

Sorry, but your local head end is BROKE, no more $$$$ to spend on Equipment, or Network HD Channel agreements ( ESPN2-HD ).

However as a consolation we will be adding the new ABC & CBS & PBS Shop at Home Networks along with the Buy a Car Network & The Hairclub for Men Network, to your lineup.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Enjoy!

it wouldn't shock me if that were true :eek:

They are getting it nationally. The question is which local systems will get it and when. Some still don't have TNT after almost a year.

We don't have TNT-HD in CT anywhere except for New Haven. I was told it wasn't necessarily bandwidth-related and ADS was just finished around the middle of February. UHD was added for the Olympics and has stayed on all systems in CT that are 750mhz and up. Maybe there is hope that we'll see ESPN2HD when it's available nationally as well.

Well, everyone has an opinion. But have you actually seen "Baraka", "Miller's Crossing" or "Matewan" in order to say those films are blown away by the films on UHD? Or the IMAX films "Chronos" or "Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey"? In my opinion, but that's some fine programming there, hideous logo aside. In fact, the only things I saw on UHD when I had it that approach that quality are "Lost Highway" and "Battlestar Galactica". "The Frighteners" is a good movie and it was an open matte Super 35 transfer, but I think they probably cropped the SFX shots. "They Live" was an okay B-Movie but it was cropped. Scarface is way overrated IMO, but I won't knock UHD for showing it, especially OAR. Other than that, all I saw was junk on UHD. Not that the remainder of the INHD programming is any better, but when people say EVERYTHING on the INHD's is worthless, I tend to doubt they are considering the films I mentioned.

Like I said, it's really a "tallest midget" contest, neither channel is showing a ton of great movies. OAR and no bug is a big plus for UHD.

Check the schedule again. 2 Friday games on ESPN-HD and all 3 weekend games on CBS. That's 5 of the last 7 games that all of us should get in HD.

Right, it's just today's games that we're missing in HD. Of course, they're being played while I'm at work and aren't worth DVRing anyway.

IMO there aren't that many significant differences between INHD2 and UHD. People complain about the bad movies on INHD2 but it's not like there aren't any exceptions... "Miller's Crossing" and "Matewan" are not bad films. "Matewan" is a terrific film. So is "Baraka". And the IMAX films usually traslate well to HD (though why they show some of those crappy 3D IMAX films I can't figure). And UHD airs their fair share of stinkers. In the end I'd prefer UHD for two reasons: BSG and INHD's hideous logo, which destroyed some of the things they show like "Baraka". But UHD has presentation problems as well. During their OAR screening of "Lost Highway", an enourmous "TV-MA" indicator appeared periodically and covered nearly a quarter of the picture.

I was pretty disappointed in UHD when we had for the Olympics. I was especially looking forward to BSG, but when I found out they weren't showing new episodes, I lost all interest. I have resorted to SD Sci-Fi Channel and buying the DVDs. Even the DVDs aren't excellent quality, but still better than SD.

We also seem to have a lot of lag or a slow motion effect where everything seems to run at 3/4 speed. Overall, I am just not thrilled with Comcast. My wife complains about Comcast every day, asking to go back to D*, which is becoming a very serious possibility or maybe E* and live with HD-Lite.

We also seem to have a lot of lag or a slow motion effect where everything seems to run at 3/4 speed. Can you explain that in more detail? I've never seen or heard of such a thing.

Can you explain that in more detail? I've never seen or heard of such a thing.That sounds like a varied high/low db signal from Comcast.Call them out and they can test and correct.You do not have to "live" with that.

Anyone heard anything lately?

We never watched network TV, but now some of the series on UHD seem to be pretty good. We've watched several "Medical Investigation" and "L&O SVU" on the DVR. I like UHD's not filling the full hour with self-promotions. Their breaks are significantly shorter than TNTHD's and their hour shows end in 50 minutes. I'm sure as they get more commercials their breaks will take longer, but the FF button hardly gets going before its back to the show.

With the collapse of viable content on the INHD's (until MLB starts) it has been a good addition IMHO.

Sure would like to know what's happening (if anything) on ESPN2HD though.

Rich N.

We should know next week if South Phila, Bucks Co., Lancaster County, Lebanon County, Hershey & the 2 Harrisburg Market's are on the list for the roll out.

Any update?

I just got my new plasma and live in Jersey City in an apartment complex across from downtown Manhattan. I am having trouble deciding between Comcast and DirectTV (which are my two options). I was planning on switching to Comcast from DirectTv (which I have been using on my non-HD TV for the past year) but it sounds like those of you in Jersey are not thrilled with Comcast? One of my worries and the reason I was going to go with Comcast is that I fear I will have trouble getting OTA signals from my apt. I do not have outdoor space and my apartment faces north. Can anyone offer any experience or suggestions? I hate to go out and pay for additional equipment to see if I can get OTA broadcasts only to discover that it does not work. Any help would be appreciated.

OTA is hit or miss until you try you won't be assured anything.

comcast HD-DVR and no contract is IMHO the clincher, nevermind the overall better PQ. I can't see going with directv where you are unless you just want alot of cheap SD channels OR consider sunday ticket more important than everything else.

zoef,

I am a member of the board of my association. We are looking into a Satellite provider that offers HD for apartment complexes. Our current provider, 1-800-Technostores did a crappy job and now all we can get is Dish SD channels.

Would you mind sharing with me the Directv provider that your comples is using?

In my opinion zoef, I would say take a look into the channel offerings Comcast offers in your area and compare them with the ones for Directv. I know there are many in this forum saying that Directv offers HD-lite compared to true HD offered by Comcast. That said, in my area(Comcast of Union(NJ)) the "True" HD channels offered are only PBS and the INHDs and I am not personally too found of either. For Sports, Directv seems to be a better choice, as they offer ESPN2HD, unlike Comcast. A plus for comcast is what chinch said, i.e., the free HD-DVR Moto box. Do you know what the Directv provider in your association charges as far as HD-DVR boxes goes?

Can we try to keep this thread on topic? Many are subscribed hoping that there will soon be word of a new Comcast channel.

Sorry to "take you off topic" although it sounds like there is not much to discuss on the topic at this point. Would you advise what section I should post my off topic inquiry? There are some many subforums that as a newbie I am a bit overwhelmed by this forum.

Sorry to "take you off topic" although it sounds like there is not much to discuss on the topic at this point. Would you advise what section I should post my off topic inquiry? There are some many subforums that as a newbie I am a bit overwhelmed by this forum.

Your best bet is to try the Local HDTV Info & Recption forum and use the search feature to find your local area.

Yeah, I looked on there but could only find local area discussing Comcast not Direct. Oh well, I will try over there. Thanks.

Anyone have any updates on ESPN2HD for the end of March/mid-April rollout on Comcast? I haven't seen anyone talking about it anywhere so I was just curious if things were still on-schedule for the areas with bandwidth to get the channel.

A CSR here in Panama City told me that they were told that we would be getting two more HD channels in the near future. One was ESPN2HD, but they didn't tell them what the other one would be.

Remember this is from a CSR, so take it for what it's worth.

A CSR here in Panama City told me that they were told that we would be getting two more HD channels in the near future. One was ESPN2HD, but they didn't tell them what the other one would be.

Remember this is from a CSR, so take it for what it's worth.

I was just wondering what was happening with ESPN2HD as well. I usually ask every week, just in case new rumors have appeared.

There are some folks on these boards with inside information and hopefully they can give us an update. We've been waiting for ESPN2HD for almost 15 months now. I don't know what the other national channel could be (I'm sure it is not HDNET - money - nor NGHD - need to wait at least a year, then we can push).

Rich N.

Roll out delayed till April / May. Then it will be May / June, then June / July. ect...

Roll out delayed till April / May. Then it will be May / June, then June / July. ect...

even if so, it won't cover my area, just like TNT HD. :(

I just hope ESPN2HD rolls out in time for the World Cup. :confused:

I am in Chicago and just called.....No plans to add any more HD channels at this time.....Blah Blah Blah......

HD customer loyalty are frickle! If Comcast fail to add on more HD channels soon and the Phone companies or others switch on their HD offensive. I for one will drop my comcast cable, phone service and internet access and switch . I paid about $150 to Comcast a month and have spend about 10 grands on my plasma , 60 " RP HDTV and associated furniture and hardware. The insufficient amount of HDTV content is annoying! :mad:

even if so, it won't cover my area, just like TNT HD. :(

maybe we will get lucky

HD customer loyalty are frickle! If Comcast fail to add on more HD channels soon and the Phone companies or others switch on their HD offensive. I for one will drop my comcast cable, phone service and internet access and switch . I paid about $150 to Comcast a month and have spend about 10 grands on my plasma , 60 " RP HDTV and associated furniture and hardware. The insufficient amount of HDTV content is annoying! :mad:

The Verizon trucks were doing something through the entire length of my street last week. Don't know if it was a start for FiOS. But if it was...bye bye Comcast!

The Verizon trucks were doing something through the entire length of my street last week. Don't know if it was a start for FiOS. But if it was...bye bye Comcast!

Could you identify your location? You can put it in your profile. It helps with messages like this so we know where FIOS is going.

Thanks,

Rich N.

E* is running a very clever ad on radio in my area. It's about a guy who just got his HD set and is browsing the HD options on his TV - I do remember that the last 2 messages are something like "Oh, the big game... wait... it is NOT in HD".... and the final one is a sound of channel switching followed by "that's it for HD"? And, in the end, the ad says: "Dish Network, more than twice the number of HD channels than any other provider". Iam telling you, that is the way I feel with what Comcast provide in my area.

Ok, I know some people would say "Ok, but E* is not broadcasting true HD, etc". But, you know what? It is better the "fake-HD" 780p, which, by the way, it is what both ESPNs broadcast, than almost no HD channel options at all, which is the case with Comcast.

Oh well, while I am living in the condo that I own, Comcast is my only option....Anyway, I am just waiting for a little cooling off on the real estate market to move....

You will know when ESPN2HD will be added when you read that the new deal is in place between Comcast and Disney. The overall deal is holding up the addition of ESPN2HD. Until it is completed, there will be no ESPN2HD on Comcast.

The insufficient amount of HDTV content is annoying! :mad:
Huh? Four broadcast networks, portions of other networks, premium movie services, ESPN (only one), local MLB home teams (and many away games), boutique HD channels, etc., etc., etc.

"Insufficient" HD content? Sure, there could be more, but I can't turn on my TV without having something to watch in HD. It's funny what some people get annoyed at.

I just hope ESPN2HD rolls out in time for the World Cup. :confused:

I was hoping for the same thing. Lots of things have to happen for the rollout before the World CUp starts in early June. I seriously doubt the following will happen in the next 73 days.

Disney and Comcast have to rech an agreement
Your local Comcast franchise has to get on the the agreement
Your local Comcast has to have enough bandwidth to add a new national channel (we still don't have TNT-HD)

Maybe and that is a big if they could ararnge something like they did for the Winter Olympics. Who knows whether Comcast thinks that the WC will have more viewers than the Winter Olympics.

Personally I took the plunge and got a ViP622 to complement my HD WC viewing to what Comcast will offer me.

Could be a long wait:

Comcast-Disney Fight Simmers
Carriage beyond TV leads long list of issues

By John M. Higgins -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/20/2006

Comcast's effort to buy Walt Disney Co.'s share of E! Entertainment is generating buzz but is really a sideshow to the broader talks about cable operators' carriage of programming on a variety of new platforms. The outcome could shape the future for all cable operators.

At the center of the long-running negotiations is Comcast's carriage of cable networks, most notably ESPN and Disney Channel. Each is among the most popular—and expensive— basic-cable networks. But the talks extend much further, including video-on-demand (VOD) rights to content from nearly every part of the Disney empire and limitations on how flexibly Disney's networks can funnel their programming through the Internet, cellphones or other distribution schemes.

Resolution of the broader issues is much more financially important to both companies than the disposition of their partnership in E!. Buying the 21% of E! that Comcast doesn't already own would require it to write Disney one check of about $1 billion. But the cable operator pays Disney about that for programming every year.


Additionally, the talks will likely set the pace for other players. Disney collects more license fees from cable and DBS operators than any other programmer, accounting for about a third of distributors' cost for basic-network programming. Comcast is the biggest operator in the U.S., serving 21.5 million subscribers. Disney is engaged in parallel talks with Time Warner Cable, and executives familiar with the discussions say the changing terms of one deal shape the other.

Analysts say they're particularly looking to see how terms are worked out for retransmission consent for Disney's ABC O&Os, as well as for VOD, online and high-definition TV. Disney CEO Robert Iger acknowledges frustration over the slow pace of the talks, which have been dragging on since 2004.

Last month, he told investors, “We're talking about long-term deals with many moving parts in a world that technology is making more and more complex. There are some pretty interesting issues on the table in terms of the role of the distributor versus the role of the programmer.”

Ammunition for broadcasters
Other broadcasters—particularly CBS —will closely examine the deal for clues about how Comcast values those retransmission rights, hoping for ammunition to use in their own negotiations with cable and DBS.

It's safe to say Comcast will continue refusing to pay a straight license fee for the right to retransmit those stations in markets where it has local cable systems. Instead, the company will compensate Disney in some other way, such as better terms for its cable channels.

Disney, Comcast and Time Warner would not discuss the talks on the record last week. All three companies want to avoid the kind of train wreck Disney's 50%-owned Lifetime Television experienced when EchoStar took the women's network dark in January.

The negotiations have been tense. Just two years ago, Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts launched an abortive hostile campaign to take over Disney. Comcast is also increasingly aggressive in TV sports, with its OLN channel challenging ESPN by bidding successfully for hockey rights and unsuccessfully for football.

Billions in ESPN fees
The biggest financial item in the negotiations is ESPN. The $2.90-per- subscriber monthly license fee for ESPN alone should generate $3 billion for Disney this year. Sibling networks including ESPN2 (about 33¢ per subscriber) and ESPNews (4¢) contribute an additional $400 million.

ESPN's days of 20% rate hikes are over, and Comcast and Time Warner are likely to do better than the now standard 7% annual increase. A central question is how much additional distribution the operators might give to ESPN's smaller networks and one it might start up over the next decade.

The second-biggest financial item is Disney Channel. With license fees averaging 80¢ per subscriber monthly, the onetime pay network is among the most expensive basic channels. The channel is distributed on 99% of cable systems and needs to find growth through license fees and future startup networks.

A major goal for Disney is securing more carriage for six-year-old Toon Disney and sibling Soapnet. ABC Family has for years been looking for a substantial rate hike, trying to convince operators that it deserves to be paid to continue substantial improvements in original programming aimed at teens.

The area whose financial impact lies in the future is new media. Comcast is especially hungry to feed VOD and will almost certainly secure rights to offer top ABC series such as Lost and Desperate Housewives for a 99¢ fee. Disney cut a similar deal with Apple's iTunes, and Comcast has its own deal with NBC. The cable giant will also likely secure a better “window” for Disney theatrical releases.

How long will all this take? One senior exec familiar with the talks says they're “essentially done” and could be finalized within 30 days. “But if you had asked a month ago,” he says, “I would have told you the same thing.”

http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6316995.html?display=Search+Results&text=disney

Marcus, thanks for the article. It certainly puts adding ESPN2HD in perspective and gives an understanding why the negotiations are taking years. Of course, it is still frustrating. We've seen how Comcast flexes its muscle in negotiations (see Sinclair) and will not be rushed into a settlement that will negatively impact future negotiations with other content providers. After all, the devil is in the details.

So hopefully we'll get ESPN2HD in time for some MLB in late summer.

Okay, so we know what the status is for ESPN2HD. Any movement for another national HD channel ? (Not counting HDNET, which is a no go, from what I've heard).

Rich N.

Damn, a while ago I was hoping it would up in time for next Sunday, with life long team, White Sox, raising their championship banner, but the game is on ESPN2HD. Luckily, Comcast Sports Net is going to have pregame coverage, so hopefully they can hook me up.

Now I am also hoping that it at least gets done before the World Cup rolls around

What is so freakin special about ESPN2HD ? Do they actually *have* any HD content on it ? ESPNHD is a joke to begin with.

-Ken

What is so freakin special about ESPN2HD ? Do they actually *have* any HD content on it ? ESPNHD is a joke to begin with.

-Ken

Opening night of baseball is something I'd love to see in HD.

What is so freakin special about ESPN2HD ? Do they actually *have* any HD content on it ? ESPNHD is a joke to begin with.

-Ken
Right now ESPN2HD does not have alot of HD content, but once baseball season comes around, they have quite a few games on.

ESPN2-HD seems to really be picking up steam in terms of events. I think you'll see a ton of college football this fall as well as hoops. Does Comcast pay ESPN extra for the HD version? It'd be interesting to see what they'd charge for ESPN2. Comcast doesn't seem to have a good feel for what consumers are really willing to pay for. Example. I'd be perfectly happy paying an extra 2 to 3 dollars a month for ESPN2HD plus one other HD network. Instead, they make me get digital cable if I want HD channels. They're forcing me to pay for stuff I don't want, but won't let me pay extra for what I really want.

ESPN2-HD seems to really be picking up steam in terms of events. I think you'll see a ton of college football this fall as well as hoops. Does Comcast pay ESPN extra for the HD version? It'd be interesting to see what they'd charge for ESPN2. Comcast doesn't seem to have a good feel for what consumers are really willing to pay for. Example. I'd be perfectly happy paying an extra 2 to 3 dollars a month for ESPN2HD plus one other HD network. Instead, they make me get digital cable if I want HD channels. They're forcing me to pay for stuff I don't want, but won't let me pay extra for what I really want.

Comcast refuses to pay extra for HD content. For some reason Comcast does not want to have a higher cost HD tier. I would NOT pay extra for ESPN, I am perfectly happy to watch every Red Sox game on the local HD channel NESN. I would pay extra for HDNET however.

-Ken

What is so freakin special about ESPN2HD ? Do they actually *have* any HD content on it ? ESPNHD is a joke to begin with.

-Ken


ESPN HD used to be a joke. its no longer a joke. They have really stepped up showing all kinds of stuff in HD. I think, right now, they are the leader in HD. They do like almost all basketball in HD. They did the canadian figure skating stuff last saturday in HD, they do *womens* basketball, that noone ever watches in HD. Sportscenter, CollegeGameday, NBA pre shows, etc... all HD. They are doing a fantastic job. The only thing left is pool and poker in HD on that channel...

As a sports fan, I want to see HD games. I don't care that most of ESPN2HD is SD. I watch for the games. If they have a game in which I am interested, I want it to be in HD. And I want to be able to see it. Even if is only 10 MLB games a year, or 5 college FB games. I want the option. 2HD started Jan 2005 and they've been in negotiations for years.

My view is that is enough time to work out an agreement, even one as complex as the article Marcus's post describes.


Rich N.

If I may add, I have a very simple question to you all: Why did you buy your HDTV in the first place? Sorry, but in my case, and I guess in case of many, it was NOT to watch the butterflies, the Polar Bears or the Aussie Wine Trail in HD, much less to watch Ultimate Poker Challenge. In my case, it was to watch NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR, NHL, Fifa World Cup, etc... So even if, let's say, 75% of ESPN2HD was SD programming, I'd be happy to get the remaining 25% on HD instead of all the useless channels Comcrap have been adding recently like the new Encore channels, etc.

Opening night of baseball is something I'd love to see in HD.
Yes. But they put NCAAW on ESPN HD? Which one will have better rating, opening night game or NCAAW game? It just doesn't make any sense.

Yup, it looks like Opening Night will be in SD for Comcast subscribers. Oh well....

As far as making sense, I'm sure there are contractual issues which dictate which ESPN channel the NCAAW championship game and MLB Opening Night are on.

Rich N.

What is so freakin special about ESPN2HD ? Do they actually *have* any HD content on it ? ESPNHD is a joke to begin with.

-Ken

They willhave the buk of the games for the WC from Germany in HD so for me that is content I want to see (other may not so YMMV)

My hopes are not very high to get ESPNHD2 before the WC starts in early June

Why did you buy your HDTV in the first place?

I bought it to watch the regular programming I see in HD. So for me that is Football (NCAA and NFL), Basketball (NCAA and NBA), Soccer (WC and Spanish League), Music, Documentaries, Network Drama, etc. So as you can see everyone has different viewing habits.

US professional sports and Drama are the ones I would say most people watch but IMO those are already well covered in HD and are improving as time goes.

I guess in case of many, it was NOT to watch the butterflies, the Polar Bears or the Aussie Wine Trail in HD, much less to watch Ultimate Poker Challenge.

Believe it or not there are people out there who bought it to see that

:)

cucuy,

Question: Would you have bought your HDTV set if the sports were SD-only?

Re ESPN2HD, I am with you, I have no hope of Comcast adding it prior to the World Cup kickoff. Especially considering that Comcast systems in NJ don't even have TNT-HD!

I can;'t believe there is anyone that actually thought we would have espn2 hd by april, especially if you live in jersey you should know we probably won't have it by 2008 if by then

Shades,

I never believe on it. I think they will carry all these only close to FIOS TV deployment around here, which I do not foresee before late 2007 at best in my area.

Everyone's tastes are different thats for sure. While I do watch local sports (Red Sox, Patriots) I watch very little out of town games. ESPN2HD for me would be at the bottom of the list after every other possible HD channel.

-Ken

Yes. But they put NCAAW on ESPN HD? Which one will have better rating, opening night game or NCAAW game? It just doesn't make any sense.

They probably want the customers who don't have it to call their carriers and complain and try and help the company to pony up and add it.

They did it last year too with Opening Night. It was real annoying last year through the season though to have the baseball or late season basketball games on ESPN2 or have ESPN games without HD, while NHRA, women's basketball, and figure skating, and some uninteresting college football games would be.

Believe it or not there are people out there who bought it to see that :)

I didn't buy mine to see that but I find myself watching it!

cucuy,

Question: Would you have bought your HDTV set if the sports were SD-only?



Probably I still would have bought it assumming at least the network dramas and comedies were on HD in addition with some extra programming like HDNets and DHD which was the case about 3 years ago when I bought my set. Some peolple bought their sets as early as 1998 when the first HDTV was broadcast IIRC

I am very disappointed in Comcast in general. For a company that claims to be in the forefront of Cable Television, their HD programming is kind of stale. The only thing that was added last spring was TNT-HD. They have that INHD Special Events channel, that, for the most part, sits there unused. As a Chicagoan, I am disappointed that opening night for the World Series champion Chicago White Sox will not be in HD.

Same here maxman, I have watched the HD poker, the Polar Bear, etc... But my question was more in the lines of the reason for one to buy an HD set in the first place. I do believe, in case of man, the main driving force behind buying an HD set would be Sports.

I just wish Comcast would get on the ball and add HDNet and ESPN2 HD. I need my soccer fix in High Definition for the World Cup and MLS this summer.

Same here maxman, I have watched the HD poker, the Polar Bear, etc... But my question was more in the lines of the reason for one to buy an HD set in the first place. I do believe, in case of man, the main driving force behind buying an HD set would be Sports.

I got mine soley for movies. Couldn't care less about sports. But I am no better served be Comcast in this regard than are those who care mostly about sports. In fact, now that I live in a place where I can get a satellite dish, I'm just waiting for the right promotional deal to arrive and I'll be switching to DISH, where I'll get 3 times the number of HD channels.

I got mine soley for movies. Couldn't care less about sports. But I am no better served be Comcast in this regard than are those who care mostly about sports. In fact, now that I live in a place where I can get a satellite dish, I'm just waiting for the right promotional deal to arrive and I'll be switching to DISH, where I'll get 3 times the number of HD channels.


I like some sports but like Nathan I am more interested in movies and prime time HD content like Lost and House and 24.

Dish network might have 3 times the channels, but don't they compress the crap out of them loweing the quality ?

-Ken

I can;'t believe there is anyone that actually thought we would have espn2 hd by april, especially if you live in jersey you should know we probably won't have it by 2008 if by then

Well, I certainly did. I thought we'd have it by last September for the pennant races and NCAA FB. Shows how pollyanna I was. They do keep adding digital channels I never watch but have the wonderful opportunity to pay for.

A year from now when we have 2HD we'll be writing about NatGeoHD and HGTV HD. And still having no hope for HDNET.

Rich N.

I like some sports but like Nathan I am more interested in movies and prime time HD content like Lost and House and 24.

Dish network might have 3 times the channels, but don't they compress the crap out of them loweing the quality ?

-Ken
Ken,

From what I understood, the way E* compress the channels only impact the channels that are broadcasted in 1920x1080. It has no impact on the 720p channels, which, at least in my area, are the majority of the channels. If I recall correctly, from the major networks in my area, only NBC broadcasts 1080i, all the other ones are in 720p. As far as the cable channels, the INHDs are 1080i and so is Discovery HD Theather. PBS, I do not remember.

For anyone in central Jersey:
Comcast, while trying to convince a friend of mine to keep his HD sevice, told him that they are adding 3 new channels in March. They would, of course, not tell him which channels they were, but it's something.
Doolittle,

I am just curious: Has your friend switched to D* or E* already? Because today is March 31st and no sign of ANY new HD channel in Comcast NJ lineup...

Ken,

From what I understood, the way E* compress the channels only impact the channels that are broadcasted in 1920x1080. It has no impact on the 720p channels, which, at least in my area, are the majority of the channels. If I recall correctly, from the major networks in my area, only NBC broadcasts 1080i, all the other ones are in 720p. As far as the cable channels, the INHDs are 1080i and so is Discovery HD Theather. PBS, I do not remember.
The last I checked the only channels Dish alters are the Voom HD, the CBS east feed and possibly the locals, but I'm not sure about them. The rest are 1920x1080 or whatever the broadcaster provides them with. With DirecTV, all their HD has been down-rezzed to 1280x1080, although it's currently unknown what their LiL HD channels are being sent at.

Ken,

From what I understood, the way E* compress the channels only impact the channels that are broadcasted in 1920x1080. It has no impact on the 720p channels, which, at least in my area, are the majority of the channels. If I recall correctly, from the major networks in my area, only NBC broadcasts 1080i, all the other ones are in 720p. As far as the cable channels, the INHDs are 1080i and so is Discovery HD Theather. PBS, I do not remember.

Everything where I live is 1080i except ABC.

I'm worried about compression with satellite, though, let's be frank, although Comcast doesn't compress their HD feeds, most of those feeds aren't great: our local PBS station in HD (KQED) has several sub-channels, so their bitrate on the HD channel is low enough that pixelation is frequent during heavy motion scenes; even untouched, the pay movie channels like HBO use too low a bitrate for action movies like The Matrix to avoid pixelization.

But who knows? Maybe after a few months of a satellite, I'll decide it's even worse that Comcast was...

The last I checked the only channels Dish alters are the Voom HD...

That's disappointing, since the only way I could get the Voom channels where I live is via Dish! I'd definitely stay with Comcast if they got those channels and the HDNET duo. (I know, I know, Comcast and HDNET are in a pissing contest and we're likely to never see Comcast carry HDNET.)

Ken,

From what I understood, the way E* compress the channels only impact the channels that are broadcasted in 1920x1080. It has no impact on the 720p channels, which, at least in my area, are the majority of the channels.The only HD channels in 720p are ABC, FOX, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, the brand new National Geographic HD and soon to debut FOX HD. Everything else is 1080i.

We probably won't see any new HD channels on Comcast for quite a while the way they negotiate[very,very,very slowly].

Getting back to the original question in the thread title, what is currently known about the status of negotiations for various channels that Comcast is interested in? And what are they not interested in? Are they even talking to Mark Cuban anymore, or have they written off HDNet altogether?

If you email Mark Cuban (his email address is proudly visible on the Mavericks and HDNet's site, he simply writes back to call your cable provider consistently. There are a lot of rumors out there about the status of negotiations but nothing concrete. The one rumor is that ESPN insists that Comcast also add ESPNU if they want ESPN2HD.

Doolittle,

I am just curious: Has your friend switched to D* or E* already? Because today is March 31st and no sign of ANY new HD channel in Comcast NJ lineup...
He didn't drop comcast, but got rid of the digital/HD package at that time. He couldn't be persuaded to keep it. Frankly, I'm thinking about buying a tuner and getting basic cable + HD networks over QAM, if that's possible. I really can't justify paying so much to watch TV, anymore.

Just for clarity, nobody knows what, when, or if Comcast is adding any new HD channels? You know with all the new HD set out in the general public, this is crazy. Bring on FIOS or bring back VOOM........please.

If you email Mark Cuban (his email address is proudly visible on the Mavericks and HDNet's site, he simply writes back to call your cable provider consistently. There are a lot of rumors out there about the status of negotiations but nothing concrete. The one rumor is that ESPN insists that Comcast also add ESPNU if they want ESPN2HD.

The thing is Comcast wants to put it as part of the Sports tier while ESPN wants Digital Classic

Compromise. Put it on Digital plus.

I want BOTH ESPNU andESPN2HD!

Me too plus FSN-HD

The thing is Comcast wants to put it as part of the Sports tier while ESPN wants Digital Classic

Compromise. Put it on Digital plus.

Unfortunately, that's not a compromise as far as Comcast is concerned. They need more folks like me who subscribe to the Sports Tier ($5 per month) and figure ESPNU would do that. I only subscribe for the 1-2 events each month that I might watch (college football and basketball). It really isn't worth it unless you like soccer.

However, I don't know if the U issue is what is holding up an agreement covering m(b?)illions of dollars between Disney and Comcast.

And tonight I have to watch the baseball game in SD. Now that does suck.

Rich N.

I am personally in awe at how long it has taken Comcast to add ESPN2-HD. This channel has been around for a year now, and i'm just shocked that Comcast hasn't seen it as a major addition to their lineup that is necessary yet.

They're either being cheapskates and they just want to float for a while without adding new HD channels, or they are just oblivious to the fact that a large majority of HD viewers are interested in HD sporting events, and ESPN2 seems to offer quite a few of them. Particularly during the baseball season.


I'm really getting sick of their inaction and i'm even beginning to get those thoughts like "hm, I guess dish network offers ESPN2-HD. Maybe I should check out their options".

I'm in no way married to Cable, even though I do believe Comcast offers some nice things, I just think they're a little too tied up in the "on demand" stuff, which I have frankly NEVER used, even once. The HDTV userbase is rapidly growing though and they should realize it is the future and it is the thing that is driving new sales and subscriptions.

I just got a letter from Comcast saying that they have gone all digital in my area(east Seattle). It also said that there's room now for more HD. So maybe something will happen soon. Maybe not. Maybe the Providers conspired together to not compete with HD. 'Like let's all provide the same 10 HD channels' for ever and ever'.

I saw the blurb about now being "all digital" in last months bill, but nothing was said about HD. (S. Jersey)

anyone know a comcast customer service number for us to voice our displeasure with not having ESPN2 HD???????

I just got a letter from Comcast saying that they have gone all digital in my area(east Seattle). It also said that there's room now for more HD. So maybe something will happen soon. Maybe not. Maybe the Providers conspired together to not compete with HD. 'Like let's all provide the same 10 HD channels' for ever and ever'.

National HD contracts may or may not be implemented in particular local Comcast systems. I don't think that just because one area doesn't have room for additional HD channels they won't get an agreement. Other areas, like mine, are 850 mhz systems and have enough room for several more HD channels. No, the problem is not the uneven level of bandwidth between Comcast systems, but unwillingness to agree on a contract (both sides I'm sure are at fault).

And no conspiracy, either. A provider will want the maximum distribution of a channel and new channels have/will pop up with regularity this year.

Comcast just won't get them for 1-2 years each, as contracts need to be renegotiated.

Rich N.

I have little doubt that Comcast is at fault here. I don't buy into any other theories.


First off, ESPN knows how huge Comcast's customer base is, and they would have every reason to want their HD channel made available to as many people as possible. Also, the fact that Dish Network, and DirectTv have been able to come to agreement with ESPN2-HD, tells me that their demands and cost must not be too high.


So, I believe there is plenty of evidence to assume Comcsat is simply the one dragging their feet in this case. I think they're so wrapped up on "on demand" that they think thats all that matters right now. They seem to be showing little to no interest in really adding HD channels right now. I think they've basically put the HD channels on cruise control and they just aren't concerned with it right now.


Let's face it folks. Adding ESPN2-HD is not like putting a man on the moon. They simply have to sign the contract and flip some switches. I don't buy into any of their stories about why this is taking so long.

Both ESPN and Comcast are at fault, but from everything I have read so far it appears that ESPN is the main culprit. About 9 months ago I read a post on another from an ESPN employee trying to blame Comcast. His claim, all Comcast had to do was buy ESPNU at some normally high per subscriber rate and place ESPNU in the analog tier and they would give ESPN2-HD to Comcast for free. Otherwise Comcast could pay full rate for ESPN2-HD which was apparently pretty expensive according to the employee. There was also an article posted recently, I believe on this forum, talking about how the ABC/Disney/ESPN packages are the most expensive and tightly locked in the industry.

While discussing this very issue with a friend of mine, the suggestion was made that maybe Comcast should just buy the channel. However while speculating on the price and the number of Comcast subscribers, he came up with the number of like $3.50 per subscriber. He figured that the people who do not have the ability to watch the HD channel would scream about a rate increase so refigured the amount for only subscribers with Digital STB and the rate increase was something near $30.00 just to get ESPN2-HD added. I don’t know about you, but I can live with out it for $30.00 per month even though I would watch several events including the entire NHRA session and shows.

By no means am I any fan of Comcast. Matter of fact, I’m looking forward to the possibility of a AT&T FIOS in the next year or so for the Atlanta suburbs. However, having read the above items and knowing how a free market society works, I am taking a different approach if Comcast and Disney can not get to a reasonable contract rate. I think Comcast should drop all Disney and ESPN channels and offer it to its customers as a add on package at the price Disney and ESPN would require for add on. Then we will see the true value of these channels. Of coarse a lot of people would leave Comcast for Satellite, but I don’t think it would be as devastating as number of Advertisers that drop Disney and ESPN with the lose of millions of Comcast subscribers.

I hope by Sept(?) they have added HD to the NFL network which will begin broadcasting games.

We probably won't see any new HD channels on Comcast for
quite a while the way they negotiate[very,very,very slowly].

Tha is probably to fast for Comcast to handle :D

Comcast isn't adding any new HD. They came to the conclusion that HDTV is just a fad along with color programming. They are going to start reducing all their channels to Black and white, a format everyone truly wants.

Comcast isn't adding any new HD. They came to the conclusion that HDTV is just a fad along with color programming. They are going to start reducing all their channels to Black and white, a format everyone truly wants.

I know a way for ESPN2HD to sneak its way on comcast. (at least in boston)

Grab ALL Red Sox/Yankee games EXCLUSIVELY!

This will allow the biggest rivalry in sports to be seen on a national basis. :)

I know a way for ESPN2HD to sneak its way on comcast. (at least in boston)

Grab ALL Red Sox/Yankee games EXCLUSIVELY!

This will allow the biggest rivalry in sports to be seen on a national basis. :)

what? should we have 3 espnHD (the third one to be conceived just for this reason) channels covering these games? one regular camera, one dugout cam, and of course the "above the rim... oops stadium" cam?

you guys are lucky espn is bristol based, no one cares about yankees red sox outside of the two markets. thank god i'm in the west coast, i have the option of watching two very good, very underrated rivalries of a's angels, giants dodgers.

the best things in life doesn't necessarily have to be the flashiest. nor does it need national HD coverage.

bigglare >> LOL

I hope by Sept(?) they have added HD to the NFL network which will begin broadcasting games. I would be shocked if there is no HD for NFL Network games. Remember, they have until November until that package starts. If nothing else, they'll get aired on INHD

I will say one thing, while I love HD and have been constantly calling and emailing Comcast for ESPN2HD, baseball still looks good in SD. It seems as though indoor sports are where the biggest picture quality difference is.

what? should we have 3 espnHD (the third one to be conceived just for this reason) channels covering these games? one regular camera, one dugout cam, and of course the "above the rim... oops stadium" cam?

you guys are lucky espn is bristol based, no one cares about yankees red sox outside of the two markets. thank god i'm in the west coast, i have the option of watching two very good, very underrated rivalries of a's angels, giants dodgers.

the best things in life doesn't necessarily have to be the flashiest. nor does it need national HD coverage.

You could tell you have never lived in the NE. Baseball is a way of life up there (not just Yankees/Redsox). That is why the rivalry is so huge. Up there peeps prob. know more about the a's, angels, giants, and dodgers then most people in cali do. It is just plain different. There is no passion in Cali sports COMPARABLY speaking.

I lived in San Diego where Cox communications covered most padres baseball games in HD. Probably some of the best picture quality of any HD baseball coverage. More so than ESPN.

Most Comcast systems have NFL & NFL-HD. We do...

Baltimore had the preseason games (with a lot of macroblocking), but nothing since.

A poster in another thread mentioned switched video (http://www.bigbandnet.com/news/inTheNews/2005/news_053105a.php) as one technique that could be used to expand HD capacity. Time Warner is doing this, I wonder if Comcast is investigating the possibilty?

I have read articles about Comcast also doing switched video. The new cable boxes that Comcast is purchasing also has Mpeg-4 capability. This will allow them to switch all VOD to the higher compression standard. The question is what will happen to the first generation one-way cable cards. I don't see how they will be compatible with switched video.

my twc system has video switching, and the cable cards miss quite a few channels.

fsn-hd showed up on my cable today... well, it says thats what it is.. all it shows is "Rainbow". what is this channel?

fsn-hd showed up on my cable today... well, it says thats what it is.. all it shows is "Rainbow". what is this channel?

I'm guessing Fox Sports Network.

fsn-hd showed up on my cable today... well, it says thats what it is.. all it shows is "Rainbow". what is this channel?

FSN HD is Fox Sports Network HD, the high-definition service that offers select professional games in HD.

Here is the Programming Guide.

http://msn.foxsports.com/name/HD

what a waiste of a channel. its only on part time...

what a waiste of a channel. its only on part time...

Well, I think it's a good sign though.

Were you previously getting FSN-HD broadcasts on INHD or INHD2?

Here in the Twin Cities we get FSN North's HD broadcasts on one of the INHDs. The program guide never shows the game.

A separate channel for FSN North HD would be welcomed.

what a waiste of a channel. its only on part time...

and they don't list anything about FSN New England,which offers all home Celtic games.

OTOH those game's HD telecasts are produced for FSN-NE BY NESN! and air on INHD2

Comcast in Denver added the UPN network to their HD lineup last week. I don't understand why. It appears to me from UPN's weekly schedule, that the only program in HD is Veronica Mars. However, even that wasn't in HD this week. Why would they waste bandwidth on a network that basically has no HD? We don't even have TNT HD as do other Comcast locations.

Simple.
Comcast sucks. I don't expect they will add anything in next 2 years.
I don't have TNT HD, they don't provide ESPN2 HD. And, they are screwing up the YES HD right now.

Yeah, what's the holdup with new HD channels in NJ? Where are all those new HD channels that they promised?

All world cup soccer games are going to be broadcast on hd including on ESPN2. If Comcast does not add ESPN2 it will be at a huge competitive disadvantage. Hard to imagine watching a big match in sd while possible to watch in hd.

Comcast in Denver added the UPN network to their HD lineup last week. I don't understand why. It appears to me from UPN's weekly schedule, that the only program in HD is Veronica Mars. However, even that wasn't in HD this week. Why would they waste bandwidth on a network that basically has no HD? We don't even have TNT HD as do other Comcast locations.

Do they show any of the Rockies games in HD? That would be my first guess why they would add it.

Is the CW going to be on the current UPN channel? If the WB affiliate is getting it, I don't know why they'd bother putting UPN now.

All world cup soccer games are going to be broadcast on hd including on ESPN2. If Comcast does not add ESPN2 it will be at a huge competitive disadvantage. Hard to imagine watching a big match in sd while possible to watch in hd.

Start imagining. :(

I guess they feel that they would even notice the number of subscribers who would leave them for satellite if they don't add ESPN2HD. It is strange because sports is one area that they have been aggressive in the past, with NBATV-HD and NFL Network HD as well as their many local Comcast Sportsnets.

Comcast is not in a hurry to add ESPN2HD. It is just a small part of large negotiations.

Rich N.

Start imagining. :(

I guess they feel that they would even notice the number of subscribers who would leave them for satellite if they don't add ESPN2HD. It is strange because sports is one area that they have been aggressive in the past, with NBATV-HD and NFL Network HD as well as their many local Comcast Sportsnets.

Comcast is not in a hurry to add ESPN2HD. It is just a small part of large negotiations.

Rich N.
i'm a comcast customer (paying over $135 monthly) and dont' care about ESPN2 HD (or the lamer "classic" that wastes analog space).

alot of this imho comes down to local programming also.

espn is more "national programming" and comcast offers local NHL, MLB, NBA games in HD. i'd rather have more LOCAL SPORTS PROGRAMMING (Yankees/Mets BOTH shown in HD this summer). We should have every Rangers/Devils home game in HDTV.

Comcast should INCREASE local sports programming and cut BACK on ESPN and garbage like that lame UniversalHD channel for the olympics which was deplorable. They need to cater to LOCAL customers alot more and this would help DirecTV defections more than adding lame-duck HD channels.

I wish they would add hgtv-hd. my wife watches hgtv continuously. I could care less about futbol.

I wish they would add hgtv-hd. my wife watches hgtv continuously. I could care less about futbol.10-4 on that!

Really,everybody laughs, but, my set has been on an average of 10 hrts. a day. I dont't really give a d---, but, she never watched the plasma anywhere NEAR this much?!?!

Is the CW going to be on the current UPN channel? If the WB affiliate is getting it, I don't know why they'd bother putting UPN now.
CW will be on in place of UPN, in cities that currently have UPN, otherwise it will be on in place of WB.
Here, I expect WB's Digital/HD channel to be removed from Comcast.

IMO there is terrific HD content out there but typical Comcast, don't want to add it. You have HDnet/HDNet Movies, ESPN2 HD, Voom HD Networks, and NESN HD in New England. Once Verizon comes to my town, I'm gone. Not only are they rumored to be carrying all the above, but also are in contact with other niche channels, such as RealMadrid TV which is right now one of the most watched sports channels in all of Europe.

Comcast in Denver added the UPN network to their HD lineup last week. I don't understand why. It appears to me from UPN's weekly schedule, that the only program in HD is Veronica Mars. However, even that wasn't in HD this week. Why would they waste bandwidth on a network that basically has no HD? UPN has lots of HD programming; they started the TV season with 10 programs in HD. As they merge with The WB this fall, all of the filmed episodic programs will probably be in HD.

For those who need info on programs in HDTV, check the AVS HDTV Programming Synopsis.

comcast offers local NHL, MLB, NBA games in HD.

Can you expand on the HD NHL that is being shown? I'm in Los Angeles, and to my knowledge the only HD NHL is every now and then on INHD, and maybe NBC a couple of times a year.

Comcast in Denver added the UPN network to their HD lineup last week. I don't understand why. It appears to me from UPN's weekly schedule, that the only program in HD is Veronica Mars. However, even that wasn't in HD this week. Why would they waste bandwidth on a network that basically has no HD? We don't even have TNT HD as do other Comcast locations.

Perhaps they feel that there's some competitive advantage to being able to say "we carry all the broadcast networks in HD". After all, they're going to have to do that once analog cuts off.

You think that's odd, something odder is going on in Boston right now. Suddenly, Weatherscan (of all things) has turned up on 845 (the 8XX are where they put the HD here). Doesn't look a bit different from the one on 245 (the Extended Basic neighborhood). Perhaps they're just testing the system in preparation for putting something else up.

Can you expand on the HD NHL that is being shown? I'm in Los Angeles, and to my knowledge the only HD NHL is every now and then on INHD, and maybe NBC a couple of times a year.
Comcast here in north NJ.... 3 local teams (Rangers, Devils and Islanders) really.

i get OLN Monday nite HD feed (broadcast on ch 207 preempting INHD2).

NBC is or will be HD (i haven't really watched the NBC national game yet if they were on - they should be in HD if broadcast as such & for the postseason).

We get no FSN (Fox Sports NY) HD feeds. Only cablevision carries them :(

We get *some* MSG home games in HD. These are HOME games (that MSG also broadcasts in SD) for the Rangers & Devils (& Isles i believe). So if the Devs/Rangers are HOME and scheduled on MSG (not FSN) that might be shown in HD (on channel 207 preempting INHD2).

I believe EVERY home Devils/Rangers game is shot in HD... Cablevision (which owns MSG & FSN) broadcasts EVERY home game for them in HD but not Comcast or Time Warner Cable. I'm not sure about the islanders but they're not on MSG unless they're the road team. Unfortunately very few Devils HOME games are on MSG and hence HD.

MSG/FSN HD for all games would appeal to local fans much, much, much, much more than ESPN2HD.

Hopefully Comcast reps read this and listen to fans of local sports.


Recap of this week...
Monday OLN national game was shown in HD
Yesterday MSG Isles @ Rangers was show in HD

Can you expand on the HD NHL that is being shown? I'm in Los Angeles, and to my knowledge the only HD NHL is every now and then on INHD, and maybe NBC a couple of times a year.Different Comcast service areas have different local HD sports.

Can you expand on the HD NHL that is being shown? I'm in Los Angeles, and to my knowledge the only HD NHL is every now and then on INHD, and maybe NBC a couple of times a year.

Here in Denver, Comcast is the only major service provider that carries the Altitude HD feeds, which airs the Nuggets and Avalanche home games in HD. D* and E* haven't picked it up yet. Champion broadband carries it but they have a limited coverage area. I wish D* and E* would pick it up, because it would give more HD customers in this area a reason to switch and perhaps give Comcast a reason to offer more content (though that's not likely).

Subsequent to my posting here, I called the local UPN station. The lady I spoke with agreed that they have almost no HD programming (Veronica Mars and one other weekly show with the name Chris in it being the exception). They only show about two hours of network programming each weeknight, the balance is local content, some movies, etc., all of which is analog based with no HD. I also called Comcast to complain. The customer service agent said she would file a complaint on my behalf. Asked if I would hear back, said she didn't know. Also asked why other Comcast cities have TNT HD and Denver does not. She said our contracts are part of the Comcast western district. Really got nowhere which is par for the course.

All UPN shows are HD except America's Next Top Model and Smackdown.

Subsequent to my posting here, I called the local UPN station. The lady I spoke with agreed that they have almost no HD programming (Veronica Mars and one other weekly show with the name Chris in it being the exception). They only show about two hours of network programming each weeknight, the balance is local content, some movies, etc., all of which is analog based with no HD. I also called Comcast to complain. The customer service agent said she would file a complaint on my behalf. Asked if I would hear back, said she didn't know. Also asked why other Comcast cities have TNT HD and Denver does not. She said our contracts are part of the Comcast western district. Really got nowhere which is par for the course.

you are complaining because you got more HD content?? even if you get TNTHD, from what i understand, its not a whole lot of true HD anyway. i kinda wish we had UPN-HD in the bay too... but not really. what we should be pressuring are networks to provide more HD content.

All UPN shows are HD except America's Next Top Model and Smackdown.

Yep, even the crappy sitcoms, this is why I miss Enterprise, the show really got good in it's 4th season and looked damn good in HD and they cancel it, now I watch nothing on UPN.

CW will be on in place of UPN, in cities that currently have UPN, otherwise it will be on in place of WB.
Here, I expect WB's Digital/HD channel to be removed from Comcast.
QZ1,

In New York Metro area, Wb will be gone when CW starts. And, if I recall the original statement from CW network, CM would take place of WB in the majority of the cities.

In New York Metro area, UPN will become part of MyNetwork.

Comcast here in north NJ.... 3 local teams (Rangers, Devils and Islanders) really.

i get OLN Monday nite HD feed (broadcast on ch 207 preempting INHD2).

NBC is or will be HD (i haven't really watched the NBC national game yet if they were on - they should be in HD if broadcast as such & for the postseason).

We get no FSN (Fox Sports NY) HD feeds. Only cablevision carries them :(

We get *some* MSG home games in HD. These are HOME games (that MSG also broadcasts in SD) for the Rangers & Devils (& Isles i believe). So if the Devs/Rangers are HOME and scheduled on MSG (not FSN) that might be shown in HD (on channel 207 preempting INHD2).

I believe EVERY home Devils/Rangers game is shot in HD... Cablevision (which owns MSG & FSN) broadcasts EVERY home game for them in HD but not Comcast or Time Warner Cable. I'm not sure about the islanders but they're not on MSG unless they're the road team. Unfortunately very few Devils HOME games are on MSG and hence HD.

MSG/FSN HD for all games would appeal to local fans much, much, much, much more than ESPN2HD.

Hopefully Comcast reps read this and listen to fans of local sports.


Recap of this week...
Monday OLN national game was shown in HD
Yesterday MSG Isles @ Rangers was show in HD
NBC last weekend was HD for the Rangers x Boston game, and they will broadcast Rangers x Flyers in HD this coming weekend.

QZ1,

In New York Metro area, Wb will be gone when CW starts. And, if I recall the original statement from CW network, CM would take place of WB in the majority of the cities.

In New York Metro area, UPN will become part of MyNetwork.
I recall the press releases as well, and I thought it would be UPN being replaced in all cases, but maybe it was just the vast majority, and NY is one of the exceptions? Or maybe you are right.

What will happen to WWOR-HD and al the other UPN-HD channels come September? Will MYNetworkTv have an HD feed? Not that it matters much to me, since Comcast never carried WWOR-HD, but was just wondering.

I just noticed that Sundance West and all of the Encore West channels have disappeared here in South Jersey. Don't know if they are freeing up bandwidth for HD or not since they have also just recently added several new SD channels.

I harass Comcast (in Seattle) once a week to add EPSN2HD and NFLnet-HD.... I hope the have ESPN@HD by the time the World Cup kicks off in June, but given their lazy resposne I am not optomistic.

Anyone have any news?!?

I harass Comcast (in Seattle) once a week to add EPSN2HD and NFLnet-HD.... I hope the have ESPN@HD by the time the World Cup kicks off in June, but given their lazy resposne I am not optomistic.

Anyone have any news?!?

my area cable plant has ESPN2 HD on CH 203 however till they get the ok, it's not going out over the local head end network. Just in the control room and tech office right now.

Have not heard if the new agreement was even signed yet.

my area cable plant has ESPN2 HD on CH 203 however till they get the ok, it's not going out over the local head end network. Just in the control room and tech office right now.

Have not heard if the new agreement was even signed yet.

Well, that's good news in that your area is ready when an agreement is signed and the green light is lit. In Northern Maryland I expect it will be on channel 253.

ESPN2 is not on digital at all in Northen Maryland and the picture is pretty awful on big screen TVs. So this is one addition that I am really anxious for.

What is frustrating is that they (Comcast and Disney) have to agree sometime. I doubt that Comcast will pull all the Disney/ESPN channels off cable. So why does it take so long? I know there are issues (ESPNU on basic, not sports tier for one) but surely by now both sides must be anxious to get it settled. Comcast does work hard to get the best deal so we don't have to pay extra for HD channels, which means we don't get them as fast as the satellites.

I don't think the World Cup will impact discussions, though. Neither will the fact that D* and E* have it. The only events that seemed to bring an urgency to negotiations (CBS O&O, Sinclair and NBC) were the Super Bowls and Winter Olympics. I certainly did appreciate those efforts.


Rich N.

Baltimore got TNT HD just in time for the NBA playoffs. Maybe that will be a factor. They start this weekend. Although ESPN2 has a lot fewer games than TNT.

Marcus,

I haven't seen anywhere indicating that ESPN2 will broadcast the NBA playoffs. All I have seen so far, both in the ESPN and ABC promos, is that the playoffs will be on ESPN and ABC. Of course their promos do not mention TNT, which will also broadcast the playoffs.

Marcus,

I haven't seen anywhere indicating that ESPN2 will broadcast the NBA playoffs. All I have seen so far, both in the ESPN and ABC promos, is that the playoffs will be on ESPN and ABC. Of course their promos do not mention TNT, which will also broadcast the playoffs.

http://hd.espn.com/hd/schedule.jsp

http://www.hdsportsguide.com/nba.php

Comcast does work hard to get the best deal so we don't have to pay extra for HD channels, which means we don't get them as fast as the satellites.


I agree that they are making attempts to get channels at no "extra" cost. However, there are a few complaints that I have:

1. Their lack of bandwidth or willingness to part with some bandwidth is becoming a huge detriment to them in some areas. In Sacramento and all of Northern California, they haven't added a single new national HD channel in over 2 years. Discovery HD Theater was the last HD channel they added to the lineup. We had the preview of Universal HD during the olympics, replacing InHD2. They do have the NBA-TV, NHL-HD, FSN-HD, and CSN games in HD, however they are broadcast on either InHD1 or 2, so no net new additions. My HD package, excepting premiums, is no different right now than D* and E* offered over 3 years ago!

2. Their hard-headedness needs to give at some point and get channels like HDNet onto their system. Time Warner and I believe Cox, who both also own interest in InHD, have both HDNet channels on their systems, so what's the deal with Comcast? They are or will soon be losing a lot of HD customers if they aren't able to bring their channel lineup to an acceptable level.

http://hd.espn.com/hd/schedule.jsp

http://www.hdsportsguide.com/nba.php
Marcus,

Thanks for the posting re ESPN. Still, if you review the ESPN2HD schedule, the only NBA games that seem to be live ones will be on May 5th. All the other ones are something like 3-5am, which to me indicates they will be probably reruns of the same games that will be live on ESPNHD. And this May 5th schedule is really strange, that means 4 NBA games live on National TV on the same day?

Now, UEFA Champions League in HD... Man, if Comcast is smart, they will pick up ESPN2HD even if, for nothing else, to show this match in HD - I am willing to pay even the absurd amount they charge for Boxing, i.e., 50 bucks, just for the privilege of watching the Champions League final in HD.. But we are here talking about Comcast of NJ in my case, so my hopes are really, really low... :-(

Actually, there are three in prime time, one on 4/28 and two on 5/5. And the reruns are sitll in HD.

(Of course if Game 6 isn't necessary they would only have the first one. But nevermind that.)

Huh? Four broadcast networks, portions of other networks, premium movie services, ESPN (only one), local MLB home teams (and many away games), boutique HD channels, etc., etc., etc.

"Insufficient" HD content? Sure, there could be more, but I can't turn on my TV without having something to watch in HD. It's funny what some people get annoyed at.


I agree, the only augument I have with Comcast is the price, it's steep, but they by far have the Best HD content over any other options here in Western Mass

2. Their hard-headedness needs to give at some point and get channels like HDNet onto their system. Time Warner and I believe Cox, who both also own interest in InHD, have both HDNet channels on their systems, so what's the deal with Comcast? They are or will soon be losing a lot of HD customers if they aren't able to bring their channel lineup to an acceptable level.

HDNET and HDNET/Movies are channels that Comcast will not have for many years, if ever. Since they are "stand-alone" Cuban has to charge a significant amount for carriage and there aren't other channels (SD) for Comcast to bargain with. Since we don't have an HD Tier, Comcast has no way to minimize the cost. So we won't be getting it, although I have asked many times. It is sad, but that's the way it is, I'm afraid.

Like many people here, and against all other areas for Comcast, HD customers seem willing to pay more for HD if they don't have to pay more for the SD channels that many of us avoid. Comcast can't institute an HD Tier now, too late, but they could raise the price of the HD DVR by a dollar a month for it. But then some areas don't have available bandwidth to even show HDNET if they got it (some areas still don't have TNT-HD and UHD for example) and that would change the pricing structure for HD by regional area. So it is not as simple as we would like it to be.

But it is true that Comcast is falling behind the satellites in the number of HD channels (although not in quality, see D* and HD-Lite). E* even has the VOOM channels. Will it make a noticeable difference?

Rich N.

I agree, the only augument I have with Comcast is the price, it's steep, but they by far have the Best HD content over any other options here in Western Mass
In NJ they don't even have ALL of the broadcast networks in HD! They do not have UPN, which is the Broadcast network of the Yankees here.

And, yes, insufficient HD content - at least here in NJ, no TNT, no Universal, no ESPN2HD, etc, etc, etc...

Dish Network is running a pretty smart ad on the Path trains here in NJ. they have a Flat Panel TV half-filled and the ad says something like "Missing HD content? Switch to Dish"...

Here in NJ Comcast isn't the best option at all - However, considering that I live in a condo that faces the northern skies, Comcast is my only HD option :-((

...Here in NJ Comcast isn't the best option at all...

I'm in South Jersey and we currently have 16 HD channels, although no TNT or Universal yet. I am assuming you have less in North Jersey?

In NJ they don't even have ALL of the broadcast networks in HD! They do not have UPN, which is the Broadcast network of the Yankees here.

And, yes, insufficient HD content - at least here in NJ, no TNT, no Universal, no ESPN2HD, etc, etc, etc...

Dish Network is running a pretty smart ad on the Path trains here in NJ. they have a Flat Panel TV half-filled and the ad says something like "Missing HD content? Switch to Dish"...

Here in NJ Comcast isn't the best option at all - However, considering that I live in a condo that faces the northern skies, Comcast is my only HD option :-((
Not to defend comcast but too bad "Dish" has no local HD sports or even YES network in SD. Wonder if Dish has the new Mets network?

Those ads are very misleading (people with cable expect all the existing channels plus more if they're going to switch).

UPN9/WB11 are merged this year so that is a moot point really.

I'm in South Jersey and we currently have 16 HD channels, although no TNT or Universal yet. I am assuming you have less in North Jersey? About the Same up north. in NJ Comcast IS the best option if you want full HD and a cheap two-tuner HD-DVR unfortunately :(

maxman,

Only 14, tops, in my area, that if u subscribe to the premiums HBO, Cinemax, Starz and Showtime.

chinch:

Dish does carry SportsNet NY. Not sure if the do in HD, thought.

UPN and WB will indeed merge. But channel 9 will be part of the MY Network and, as far as I know, the Yankees agreement is with NY channel 9, no matter whether NY channel 9 is part of UPN, MYNetwork or whatever...

The HD-DVR is one of the few things that I tip my hat to Comcast. Their "No expensive equipment to buy" is a very clever piece of ad, too. That said, considering Dish's bill and Comcast's bill, even paying 299 upfront for a lease, that investment, based on the Dish HD silver package pays off in 10 months or so, since, if I recall correctly the prices of the package that I have with Comcast to the HD Dish packages, DIsh package is kinda 30-35 bucks cheaper.

Ch9 is a killer here as that means almost every FRI yankees game is not HDTV. i was under the impression WOR9 was shutdowncome the merge? Yankee fans can only hope this is fixed sooner than later.

HD is a mess really and even worse for customers who want local sports in HD

Ch9 is a killer here as that means almost every FRI yankees game is not HDTV. i was under the impression WOR9 was shutdowncome the merge? Yankee fans can only hope this is fixed sooner than later.

HD is a mess really and even worse for customers who want local sports in HD

Just because WOR channel 9 is losing a network affiliation doesn't mean it's shutting down !! I'm sure it will stay on as an independent. I would assume that comcast would drop it from the HD lineup unless they started showing movies in HD or the like...

-Ken

But then some areas don't have available bandwidth to even show HDNET if they got it (some areas still don't have TNT-HD and UHD for example) and that would change the pricing structure for HD by regional area. So it is not as simple as we would like it to be.

I've talked with the big guys at my local Comcast office and I get the whole "we can't do much until all-digital", etc. I'm very aware of their lack of bandwidth, but to date they aren't doing much to rectify the problem. If I at least saw that they were doing something, I would be a lot more understanding. I'm in one of those areas that doesn't have Universal HD, doesn't have TNT-HD, and likely won't be getting ESPN2HD when it is finally available to Comcast, either. They have several analog channels that do nothing but suck bandwidth and have almost no viewers (our channel 2 is all informercials, all the time, for instance).

The pricing structure is no different in areas that aren't carrying different channels. I'm sure keenan will chime in here soon. :)

I've talked with the big guys at my local Comcast office and I get the whole "we can't do much until all-digital", etc. I'm very aware of their lack of bandwidth, but to date they aren't doing much to rectify the problem. If I at least saw that they were doing something, I would be a lot more understanding. I'm in one of those areas that doesn't have Universal HD, doesn't have TNT-HD, and likely won't be getting ESPN2HD when it is finally available to Comcast, either. They have several analog channels that do nothing but suck bandwidth and have almost no viewers (our channel 2 is all informercials, all the time, for instance).

The pricing structure is no different in areas that aren't carrying different channels. I'm sure keenan will chime in here soon. :)
The SF bay area is pretty much the same, although, Comcast seems to have moved along quite steadily with ADS here as some users are already getting 3412s.

You guys are lucky that you're not in Santa Rosa CA, out here we still have more analog channels than digital, we have the lowest HD channel count in the bay area, no OnDemand and various other BS, of course for all this joy, we pay the same price as systems that have everything. And because Comcast and The City are in a pissing contest, nothing is going to change for quite sometime, in fact I expect the rest of the bay area will be fully ADS while were still maintaining the status quo.

Pretty sure Comcast is preserving the Santa Rosa system as a cable TV historical monument. :D

The SF bay area is pretty much the same, although, Comcast seems to have moved along quite steadily with ADS here as some users are already getting 3412s.

You guys are lucky that you're not in Santa Rosa CA, out here we still have more analog channels than digital, we have the lowest HD channel count in the bay area, no OnDemand and various other BS, of course for all this joy, we pay the same price as systems that have everything. And because Comcast and The City are in a pissing contest, nothing is going to change for quite sometime, in fact I expect the rest of the bay area will be fully ADS while were still maintaining the status quo.

Pretty sure Comcast is preserving the Santa Rosa system as a cable TV historical monument. :D

ROFLMBO! :D

For what it's worth. I just called Comcast to make my payment over the phone and I asked about any new HD channels comming soon. CSR said they are hopping to add few by the end of June and he specifically said ESPN2HD (along with ESPNU). Also said there are few other chennels on the bidding table.

I know to take everything a CSR says with a grain of salt, but it was interesting that he noted ESPN2 along with ESPNU which would mean that CSRs are informed of contract negotiations with ESPN.

Two words: World Cup.

Just to clear up something for me, WWOR doesn't show Yankees games in HD right? It's only the national programming four days a week, since the WWE doesn't broadcast Firday Night Smackdown in HD on Friday. I really think that the only reason that South Jersey got WPSG in HD was because the channel shows local sports in HD. If I assume that WWOR did the same, than Comcast and even Cablevision would carry their feed.

I called Comcast about my bill. I asked the rep if there's anything about ESPN2HD and got the same line. We're in negotiations with different carriers.....blah blah blah

I also just found out that WCIU in Chicago is broadcasting tomorrow night's Cubs game in HD but, of course, with Comcast, I will not be able to get it.

Nice to see them broadcasting some NHL playoffs on INHD and NBCHD.

It seems to me that Comcast's priority was the local channels. Now they are taking their time and dragging their feet with anything else.

any word? all is quiet. I'd really like to see national geographic hd and hgtvhd added soon. could care less about espn2.

any word? all is quiet. I'd really like to see national geographic hd and hgtvhd added soon. could care less about espn2.


Wait for FiOS. NGHD is probably at least a year away and I don't even know if HGTVHD is anywhere yet. After a channel becomes available Comcast can't carry it unless they renegotiate their contract with the channel owner. Then it takes a long time, based upon the complexity of the negotiations. That's why we've been waiting 16 months for ESPN2HD. 2HD is only one of many issues with Disney. Figure at least a year after other providers (like the sats) carry it. Although you're not a sports fan, many of us are and 2HD seems like the most wanted national channel right now. Of course, HDNET is not possible at this time.

FiOS is more apt to carry these channels. Unfortunately, I'm in northen Maryland and I'm sure it will be 5 years before we have a choice.

That being said, I was hoping to hear something over the past 2 weeks. But all is quiet, which is very bad, because if progress were being made it would have filtered down to us from those on the board who have some sources in Comcast.

Rats. :(

Rich N.

I have to believe that they'll do something by the time the World Cup starts a la NBC's Universal HD being temporarily added for that event. I am a big baseball fan and am missing out on a lot of HD with 2HD and I also would like to see HDNet.

im a sports fan, but more of a history buff, and since my wife watches hgtv about 20 hours a day, id rather watch it in hd.

Unfortunately, I'm in northen Maryland and I'm sure it will be 5 years before we have a choice.


Not necessarily. Looks like Baltimore County will get FIOS soon.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-te.md.verizon03may03,0,2564304.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

I'm in northwest Baltimore City (just barely) and will seriously consider moving if we don't get it this year.

Not necessarily. Looks like Baltimore County will get FIOS soon.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-te.md.verizon03may03,0,2564304.story?coll=bal-home-headlines


I'm in northwest Baltimore City (just barely) and will seriously consider moving if we don't get it this year.

Marcus:

Right, Baltimore County is on its way. But I live in Harford County, and that's why I was less than optimistic about FiOS. But I admire your dedication to increased HD service at better rates.

Rich N.

It seems to me that Comcast's priority was the local channels. Now they are taking their time and dragging their feet with anything else.

Yeah, locals in HD was the only thing that the sat guys didn't have. So they pushed those to get/keep subs. Now, when the sats get HD locals in full swing... that will be interesting. ;)

I don't even know if HGTVHD is anywhere yet.

I have not read anything about this channel being on a big provider (D*, E*, Comcast) but only some small cable companies and maybe some fios.

HGTVHD is planned to come to E* HD lineup in the 2nd quarter of 06 along with FoodNetworkHD.

And coming to Comcast. Gee who knows maybe in 2 years would be my guess when they start feeling the pressure from DBS providing more HD. Probably in Comcast ESPN2HD is higher priority

Before Comcast even considers adding any more new HD channels nationally, they need to first launch TNT-HD in NJ and any other areas that still dont have it. Also, when they make national agreements they should first make sure that the majority of local systems have the bandwidth to add it.

Before Comcast even considers adding any more new HD channels nationally, they need to first launch TNT-HD in NJ and any other areas that still dont have it. Also, when they make national agreements they should first make sure that the majority of local systems have the bandwidth to add it.

I know how you feel here, but the unfortunate fact of the matter is that some Comcast systems are older and lack the capacity of others. Are you seriously suggesting that those who live in areas with more-recent upgrades should be denied channels that there may be room for until the time (which could be years from now) when Comcast can add it to their least-capable systems? It's not like we're drowning in bandwidth anywhere, but if they can somehow manage to find room for NGC or MHD (although they'll probably do ESPN2 first) in enough places to make the deal worthwhile, I don't see why the customers of those systems should be punished for Comcast's failings elsewhere.

That's exactly what I'm saying. Although I think I should correct one initial point that I made in my previous post. While bandwidth could possibly be a problem in some places, I think here in NJ it's just local Comcast stalling their feet. They had room to add TVONE, Eyewitness News Now (local ABC subschannel) as well as RetroPlex and IndiePlex, but yet can't seem to find the space for TNT-HD. Now you don't have to agree with me, but I think that if Comcast is going to be launching a new channel, that they should make sure that it can be added in all of their service areas. Otherwise, it just causes chaos and hurts the product.

The systems in NJ are fine, my system for example has full Digital Simulcast, Ondemand, HD, DVR, HSI and Digital Voice. It's just that they seem to stall all the time when it comes to HD programming especially. It would be a lot better if Comcast on a national scale didn't carry TNT-HD, because then you could say " well they have no interest in the channel" kinda what they've done with HDNET. But when over 95% of the HD customer base, has a specific national channel, I want to get what I'm paying for.

So yeah to pretty much sum it up. I think that it would be wise of Comcast, to not launch new HD programming nationally until they are sure that all their systems are able to get it. Sure it might cause some heartache but It would be worth it in the end.

That's exactly what I'm saying. Although I think I should correct one initial point that I made in my previous post. While bandwidth could possibly be a problem in some places, I think here in NJ it's just local Comcast stalling their feet. They had room to add TVONE, Eyewitness News Now (local ABC subschannel) as well as RetroPlex and IndiePlex, but yet can't seem to find the space for TNT-HD. Now you don't have to agree with me, but I think that if Comcast is going to be launching a new channel, that they should make sure that it can be added in all of their service areas. Otherwise, it just causes chaos and hurts the product.

The systems in NJ are fine, my system for example has full Digital Simulcast, Ondemand, HD, DVR, HSI and Digital Voice. It's just that they seem to stall all the time when it comes to HD programming especially. It would be a lot better if Comcast on a national scale didn't carry TNT-HD, because then you could say " well they have no interest in the channel" kinda what they've done with HDNET. But when over 95% of the HD customer base, has a specific national channel, I want to get what I'm paying for.

So yeah to pretty much sum it up. I think that it would be wise of Comcast, to not launch new HD programming nationally until they are sure that all their systems are able to get it. Sure it might cause some heartache but It would be worth it in the end.


If I can't have it then you can't either...

NJ has bandwidth limitations. They are working towards a solution.

Here in Baltimore, where bandwidth isn't an issue, I'm glad you're not making our programming decisions.

GoIrish

I'm glad I'm not running your systems either. Considering that I've heard horrific stories about Comcast service in Maryland. Look all I'm saying is that it would be in Comcast's best interest to not make anymore drastic additions in the HD category until problems with other systems are taken care of. I'm tired of hearing about the "bandwidth" issue, because I doubt that there is one. Case in point, them adding 4-5 new SD channels, when they were so called "bandwidth" deprived. Something doesn't add up now does it?