I'm nothing anymore. :)

Mayor of Bickerville, that at least counts for something! :D

Not even. I'm married.

Not even. I'm married.

This reminds me of I, Mudd. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Mudd)

FCC Report & Order, September 14, 2000. The terms are outlined in an earlier agreement, referenced in the FCC order, reached between NCTA and CEA in February 2000.

It is vitally important that folks recognize that the rule is that PSIP must be passed through -- not that it be useful. The rule, as it stands, necessarily would not "help" (for example) map WBZ's HD signal to 804 (the spot in Comcast's line up where they say that they put WBZ), as one might expect/hope. Rather, the rule, as it stands, would have PSIP map the signal to 4-1.
Wonderful, however, Comcast, has had some or all of our local channels not mapped plenty of times over the years. Last I looked, a few days ago, it had been many months that two major affiliates were still not mapped. There were only a few times, when they all were mapped. I guess I could complain to Comcast, and then if no action is taken, complain to the FCC; but I wonder if they would even make Comcast comply.

You must have misread the message you replied to. They aren't required to remap those channels for you. They're technically not even allowed to do as you're suggesting.

You need to complain to the broadcaster. The broadcaster can then advocate for you to the MSO, if the MSO is actually (for some reason) stripping the PSIP that the broadcaster provided out. The MSO is supposed to be doing nothing except passing through what the broadcaster provides (and remember that the broadcaster may be providing a direct feed to the MSO, that is different from the feed you can pick up with an antenna).

I kind of doubt the broadcaster is at fault in the ATL when both ABC and Fox lose PSIP on the same day, coincidentally because they are on the same QAM channel (98). IMO, it's almost always Comcast's fault although there's no way to prove it.

I agree that contacting the broadcaster might help, assuming they care about clear QAM reception or that you can find someone that knows what it is.

I'm nothing anymore. :)

Piffle and tosh. You're a valued (if slightly acerbic) contributor to AVS Forums. This is a honored position (by anyone who matters).

You must have misread the message you replied to. They aren't required to remap those channels for you. They're technically not even allowed to do as you're suggesting.

You need to complain to the broadcaster. The broadcaster can then advocate for you to the MSO, if the MSO is actually (for some reason) stripping the PSIP that the broadcaster provided out. The MSO is supposed to be doing nothing except passing through what the broadcaster provides (and remember that the broadcaster may be providing a direct feed to the MSO, that is different from the feed you can pick up with an antenna).
I see. So, if Comcast is playing by the rules, then it would be the broadcasters that are periodically removing the virtual channel re-mapping from the PSIP; but I wonder why they would do so? It seems foolish to me.

What he's saying is that you need to get the broadcasters to put the heat on Comcast to keep PSIP in the stream, assuming that they put it in the signal that they deliver to Comcast. My guess is that the broadcaster doesn't care about clear QAM reception, just like Comcast.

What he's saying is that you need to get the broadcasters to put the heat on Comcast to keep PSIP in the stream, assuming that they put it in the signal that they deliver to Comcast. My guess is that the broadcaster doesn't care about clear QAM reception, just like Comcast.

Your right, no one cares that is why it is always a mess!

I just got off the phone with Comcast. The date for digital migration in Baltimore City is February 12. Channels above 28 will go digital-only.

Didn't happen. I got this response from Comcast:

The digital transition process in Baltimore City has started and should be completed by the middle of the year. You may have received or should start to receive information about the process and what you need to do to get ready.

Also saw this:

Comcast has switched some, but not all, of its DC and Baltimore area cable TV systems to mostly digital. However, some systems, like Arlington, Reston, Howard, and Baltimore city, await equipment that won't be available until summer.....

http://www.dcrtv.com/

What about Harford County?

What about Harford County?

and Carroll County??

I want to relate a very positive experience with Comcast. My secondary HDTV (a Philips 42PF9630/37 plasma) has a built-in cablecard slot, so I decided to see about getting one installed since I was only getting analog and local HD using direct connection to the coax. They said the cost to install was just $5 with no recurring charge, so of course I agreed. Local techs tried twice, with 5 different cards, to get the thing setup. Still did not want to give me all the channels, and the card refused to accept authorization signal from headend. Well, someone over on the Tivo Community forums mentioned an email address (We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com) to the corporate offices that was great at dealing with these kind of problems. So I decided to give it a try.

I very nice tech got in touch with me by email and asked for the relevant cablecard information. He checked my account and found the local techs had gotten it all wrong on inputting the data for the card, so that was why it would not authorize. Within half and hour I had all my channels! He then called me personally to make sure everything was OK now, and proceeded to inform me they had erroneously setup a second outlet charge (first cablecard is supposed to be free) and was going to remove that from my account. He also said he was going to give me a $30 credit for the trouble with the local installation. I did not have to complain or ask for any of this. Very impressed! So if you need any help with your service and the local office is not getting the job done, email these corporate folks, they are really on the ball!

Looks like it's official (this time): April 7.

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3748/comcastworldofmorelette.jpg (http://img689.imageshack.us/i/comcastworldofmorelette.jpg/)

Those channels listed in the second bullet point, I take it they are not local broadcast channels? Or is Comcast encrypting them as it notes needing a CableCARD further down the page?

Local channels are in red.

Okay, I see them, just wasn't sure as most all the local channels in my area are in the single digits - 2(FOX), 5(CBS), 7(ABC), 9(PBS), and low 2 digits - 11(NBC) etc.

1 On Demand
2 Versus
3 The Golf Channel
4 MASN
5 ESPN2
6 ESPN
7 Comcast SportsNet
8 TCN
9 USA
10 ABC Family
11 WFDC-14 (Univision)
12 WMAR-2 (ABC Baltimore)
13 QVC
14 WNUV-54 (CW Baltimore)
15 WBFF-45 (FOX Baltimore)
16 C-SPAN
17 Sports Overflow/C-SPAN 2
18 Home Shopping Network
19 WHUT-32 (PBS DC)
20 ION
21 WBAL-11 (NBC Baltimore)
22 WMPB-67 (PBS Baltimore)
23 WJZ-13 (CBS Baltimore)
24 WUTB-24 (My Network TV)
25 TV25 True View of Baltimore
26 WETA-26 (PBS DC)
27 AMC
28 TCM
29 Bravo
30 TNT
31 TBS
32 FX
33 Syfy
34 Spike TV
35 A&E
36 Lifetime
37 History Channel
38 Discovery Channel
39 The Learning Channel
40 Animal Planet
41 Discovery Health
42 Cartoon Network
43 Disney Channel
44 Nickelodeon
45 TV Land
46 HGTV
47 Food Network
49 VH1
50 Jewelry TV
51 MTV
52 CMT
53 Travel Channel
54 Hallmark
55 truTV
56 CNN
57 CNN Headline News
58 CNBC
59 MSNBC
60 The Weather Channel
61 Fox News
62 G4
63 E!
64 Comedy Central
65 BET
66 TV One
69 EWTN
70 TBN
71 TV Guide Network
75 Community Media of Baltimore City
76 Baltimore City Government
77 Educational Channel
78 WGN

Channels in bold are already digital.

That's an unusual lineup, or at least something I'm not used to seeing having been in either the LA or SF market most of my life, weird seeing all those low numbers filled up with cablenets and not local OTA stations. :)

From Multichannel News
Comcast In Talks With TiVo About 'Premiere'

Operator Might Port HD DVR Interface to Tru2way Platform

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News

Comcast is discussing the possibility of porting TiVo's Premiere user interface -- designed to provide enhanced search and recommendation features on HDTV sets -- to a tru2way-based platform.

TiVo on Tuesday announced the Premiere and Premiere XL next-generation set-top boxes, code-named Neutron, which the company is positioning as the only device viewers need to access cable, movies, Web content and music from their TVs.

TiVo Central menu"TiVo Premiere interface"The Premiere interface, optimized for 16:9 aspect-ratio screens, is based on Adobe Systems' Flash platform. The guide includes a new video window that shows what's currently playing while a user navigates menus, and also provides an integrated search feature across TV listings, DVR recordings, Internet video like YouTube videos and premium broadband-delivered content from Amazon.com, Blockbuster and Netflix.

"We think the new [TiVo] interface is innovative, and while there are no immediate plans, we are talking with TiVo about how we might use it with our tru2way software platform," Comcast senior director of corporate communications Jenni Moyer said.

Tru2way is the CableLabs specification for interactive TV applications that the six largest U.S. cable operators have committed to rolling out across their footprints, as a way to let third-party consumer electronics access cable guides and other ITV apps without an operator-supplied set-top.

Comcast originally announced its distribution deal with TiVo in March 2005, and the project was beset with delays as the companies struggled to migrate the TiVo interface to a Java-based platform running on Motorola set-tops. Comcast finally launched TiVo service commercially in January 2008.

Last fall, Comcast "reinitiated" marketing across the New England market, which includes Boston, "now that the vast majority of technical hurdles have been cleared," TiVo president and CEO Tom Rogers said on the company's Nov. 24 earnings call. The cable company also has said it plans to make TiVo the "primary" DVR option for customers in at least one tru2way-enabled market, but hasn't identified it yet.

RCN, meanwhile, plans to begin rolling out TiVo Premiere boxes as its primary DVR starting in the second quarter of 2010 across all its markets.

TiVo may provide an update on Comcast's deployments when it reports earnings next Monday for the quarter and fiscal year ended Jan. 31.

39 HD channels added in Richmond.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcast030810.htm

39 HD channels added in Richmond.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcast030810.htm
Wow... nice.

The FCC issued a few orders today, two related to Comcast and one related to Charter, certifying that effective competition was in place in several more communities (and therefore relieving the incumbent service provider of rate regulation for the basic tier of service). In the most notable determination, effective competition for Comcast has been certified for Hancock, MD, based on the competition presented by satellite service service providers.

FCC Reference DA-10-398A1

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5127/comcastnewhdletter.jpg

Kinda off topic but what's with Comcast and the multiple tag lines in their various commercials? Whats with the xfinity thing?

Ken H, I thought it was really short sighted of Tivo not to adopt Tru-2Way for the new boxes in the first place. They are already having to deal with cable card and SDV support issues with the current boxes, would Tru-2Way really be that much more difficult? Doesn't Tru-2Way get rid of the SDV issues (it's kind of built in isn't it?)

I'm not sure why you're assuming that tru2way is so easy to support. That assumption is, quite frankly, utterly mystifying.

Are then any areas where Tru2Way is actually up an running? It's kind of hard to support something that's vaporware.

That's what bit TiVo when they implemented cableCARD support in the TiVo S3 and then later found out that it wasn't possible to enable multistream card support (despite originally advertising the S3 as supporting it).

Are then any areas where Tru2Way is actually up an running? Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Denver.

Ken H, I thought it was really short sighted of Tivo not to adopt Tru-2Way for the new boxes in the first place. They are already having to deal with cable card and SDV support issues with the current boxes, would Tru-2Way really be that much more difficult? Doesn't Tru-2Way get rid of the SDV issues (it's kind of built in isn't it?)Yes, all tru2way devices support SDV.

I agree it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense for TiVo Premier not to be tru2way. My best guess is that TiVo has an upgrade path not ready for market as yet.

Is it easy to implement tru2way, no. Doable, yes.

Comcast will add MASN2 HD on April 7 in Baltimore.

Is it easy to implement tru2way, no. Doable, yes.Agreed.

As a software guy, I suspect Tivo has some hard choices to make and some difficult engineering challenges.

From what I understand of tru2way, it is a 'middleware stack' that runs Java applications downloaded from the cable head end. Those applications have a UI designed by the cable company and provide various services - like program guides, DVR scheduling, Search, VOD navigation, shopping applications etc.

Each implementation tru2way will sit on top of the STB hardware and also includes 2way communication with the head end using standard cableco protocols.

This pretty much duplicates what Tivo already has in place. The new Tivos use a Tivo designed Flash based UI (instead of Java) and use standard internet communication protocols.

So, you end up with two different user interfaces on a 'tru2way Tivo' - one designed and coded by Tivo and one from the cable company. This could be quite jarring to the user - like switching from Windows 7 to Mac OSX depending on what you are doing. Getting around this will probably be very difficult - if even possible.

Comcast to broadcast Masters in 3D:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/comcast-will-broadcast-the-masters-tournament-in-3d-april-7-11/

http://blog.comcast.com/2010/03/masters.html

yet still no Comedy Central HD

yet still no Comedy Central HD

Depends on your location -- we've had Comedy Central HD in Comacast of NJ systems since October 2009 (but still no Turner Classic Movies HD).

We're getting both with 38 others - in on or about 29 days.;)

yet still no Comedy Central HD

A testament to the fact that the one-off is usually an order of magnitude (or two) easier to pull off than doing it every day.

But ya gotta start somewhere. . .

Comcast to broadcast Masters in 3D:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/comcast-will-broadcast-the-masters-tournament-in-3d-april-7-11/

http://blog.comcast.com/2010/03/masters.html

Yes, I created a separate topic because I thought it was important enough, but it should also be referenced here.

Excerpted from Broadcasting and Cable.

Comcast and ESPN will be teaming up with The Masters for 5 days of 3D special broadcast coverage, approximately two hours per day.

3D coverage begins with the Par 3 Contest on April 7 and continuing throughout the four Tournament rounds, Thursday, April 8 - Sunday, April 11.

The coverage uses multiple 3D cameras, and will focus primarily on the back nine holes of the Augusta National course.

The 3D Masters coverage is the first live stereoscopic 3D broadcast to be carried by a U.S. cable operator. It will be delivered across Comcast's national footprint and will also be available through video-on-demand after the tournament.

The 3D Masters coverage will be produced by ESPN using the NEP SS 3D truck. Comcast will ingest the feed at Comcast Media Center in Denver and then transmit it to customers using the 1080i, "side-by- side" frame-compatible 3D HD format. The 3D broadcasts can be received by Comcast's latest HD set-tops and transmitted over HDMI connections to new 3D TV sets without requiring any software update to the set-tops.

Currently (or very soon to be) available 3D products include HDTVs from Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung, and many others.

Agreed.

As a software guy, I suspect Tivo has some hard choices to make and some difficult engineering challenges.

From what I understand of tru2way, it is a 'middleware stack' that runs Java applications downloaded from the cable head end. Those applications have a UI designed by the cable company and provide various services - like program guides, DVR scheduling, Search, VOD navigation, shopping applications etc.

Each implementation tru2way will sit on top of the STB hardware and also includes 2way communication with the head end using standard cableco protocols.

This pretty much duplicates what Tivo already has in place. The new Tivos use a Tivo designed Flash based UI (instead of Java) and use standard internet communication protocols.

So, you end up with two different user interfaces on a 'tru2way Tivo' - one designed and coded by Tivo and one from the cable company. This could be quite jarring to the user - like switching from Windows 7 to Mac OSX depending on what you are doing. Getting around this will probably be very difficult - if even possible.

I believe the hope is that the cableco and TiVo will agree on a plan for TiVo use on their systems, like TiVo & Comcast have done, and there will only be one UI in use, TiVo.

Is there anyone in those markets mentioned with tru2way using it? I can't believe no one, especially in this forum, has not mentioned it yet. Anyone?

Is there anyone in those markets mentioned with tru2way using it? I can't believe no one, especially in this forum, has not mentioned it yet. Anyone?Since it is in test mode, it could be that tru2way customers are subject to NDA's.

I believe the hope is that the cableco and TiVo will agree on a plan for TiVo use on their systems, like TiVo & Comcast have done, and there will only be one UI in use, TiVo.I thought that the Comcast + Tivo agreement was to have Tivo implement their UI on Comcast/Motorola hardware.

Is there an agreement for Comcast to start using Tivo hardware? Does the new Tivo work with OOB data channels, SDV etc. or will that be in a different Tivo box than the Premier?

Comcast Switching 3 More DC Systems To Digital

3/17 - With Montgomery and Loudoun counties area converted to mainly digital, area cable TV giant Comcast has set it sights on three other DC area cable systems for the conversion, which will allow the firm to add a batch of new high-def channels and more broadband services branded with the Xfinity moniker. This spring, Washington DC, Prince George's County, and Reston are being switched over to digital, expect for the most basic tier of local broadcast and public access channels. DC and PG will be done in a two-step process in March and April, while Reston will have a three-step process through May. Reston, we're told, is one of the first Comcast systems to go digital that doesn't use Motorola converter boxes, and therefore is a bit of a more complicated switch. Comcast is providing up to three additional devices for free to subscribers of those three systems, who'll need the gear to continue watching most expanded basic channels, a la ESPN and CNN. Comcast says it hopes to have the remainder of its DC area systems, including Arlington, Alexandria, and Prince William County, converted to digital by later this year.....

http://www.dcrtv.com/

I thought that the Comcast + Tivo agreement was to have Tivo implement their UI on Comcast/Motorola hardware.Correct.

Is there an agreement for Comcast to start using Tivo hardware?Not that I know of. Yet.

Does the new Tivo work with OOB data channels, SDV etc. or will that be in a different Tivo box than the Premier?The Premier does not have tru2way capability, at least now. I've speculated it could be added at some point in the future, but that may or may not turn out to be correct.


The software and firmware stack for any cable DVR is, and always has been, 3 layers; the manufacturer's, the guide and user interface, and the cableco's. With that already the template, TiVo software could replace the guide and user interface, and the cableco's could be downloaded into new non-cableco owned units. I think.

But Tivo didn't put a DOCSIS modem into the Premiere, so they'd have to communicate the 2-way upstream part via IP to the headend or some other Comcast server on the net. Not sure how they'd do tru2way without some trusted path upstream.

Currently (or very soon to be) available 3D products include HDTVs from Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung, and many others.

"Very soon to be" better be very darn soon to be if it's going to help with April 8-11th!

Last I heard, Mits adapter that would be required for this for 2007-2009 sets is not yet on the market for sale.

Last year they announced their new model lineup (when it is expected they'd announced pricing/availability on the 3D adapters too) on April 6th, but very few were available in stores until mid-May.

In fact, Mits original PR on the 3DC-1000 specifies "late spring", which suggests May or early June.

So bully for Comcast on the tech demonstration --but I don't know how many people will see it!

I believe the hope is that the cableco and TiVo will agree on a plan for TiVo use on their systems, like TiVo & Comcast have done, and there will only be one UI in use, TiVo.

The FCC is pushing Sony's and TiVo's "Gateway" proposal (http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2010-03/replacing-the-cablecard-regime/) which would replace both the CableCARD and Tru2Way standard, possibly by 2013.

I don't expect that to happen though as the CableCos will fight that tooth and nail, especially if it doesn't apply to Satellite.

Since it is in test mode, it could be that tru2way customers are subject to NDA's.

So since these Panasonic sets are being sold to the general public at places like Best Buy, do they sell them with a disclaimer that tru2way might not work?

I would think Comcast employees would have already tested it out before announcing these markets were tru2way capable because that would not make sense from a business point of view to advertise something that does not work yet. But then again, this is Comcast we are talking about.

So since these Panasonic sets are being sold to the general public at places like Best Buy, do they sell them with a disclaimer that tru2way might not work?You are probably much closer to a test market (Boston?) than I am in Seattle. Sounds like a field trip opportunity for you ;)

IIRC, in Denver, you couldn't just buy a set and bring it home. The store had to install it in coordination with Comcast - without that, I don't think they would sell to you.

The FCC is pushing Sony's and TiVo's "Gateway" proposal (http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2010-03/replacing-the-cablecard-regime/) which would replace both the CableCARD and Tru2Way standard, possibly by 2013.

I don't expect that to happen though as the CableCos will fight that tooth and nail, especially if it doesn't apply to Satellite.I think you are right - just look at the history (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cablecard) of Cable Card as told in Wikipedia - proposed in 1996, FCC mandated it in 1998, to be delivered in 2000. It first appeared in 2004. Finally admitted to have failed in 2010. Will it take 8 years for a gateway to appear?

With Cable, Telco and Satellite all using different systems, I can't imagine them agreeing quickly to a single solution.

You are probably much closer to a test market (Boston?) than I am in Seattle. Sounds like a field trip opportunity for you ;)

IIRC, in Denver, you couldn't just buy a set and bring it home. The store had to install it in coordination with Comcast - without that, I don't think they would sell to you.

Restrictions as stated above will doom it for sure unless Comcast is providing the service free of charge.

"Very soon to be" better be very darn soon to be if it's going to help with April 8-11th!

Panasonic was quoted yesterday as saying the initial shipments already sold out, but did not specify how many that actually was.


So bully for Comcast on the tech demonstration --but I don't know how many people will see it!Not many.

The software and firmware stack for any cable DVR is, and always has been, 3 layers; the manufacturer's, the guide and user interface, and the cableco's. With that already the template, TiVo software could replace the guide and user interface, and the cableco's could be downloaded into new non-cableco owned units. I think.I suspect that for Tivo to make its software work on non-Tivo, tru2way hardware they would need to re-implement their guide & UI in Java or figure out some other way to run their new Flash based UI on other hardware (which they already chose not to do for the Series 3).

If I understand what they have been testing for years with Comcast, it was a rewrite for non-Tivo hardware. To do this for every type of Cable STB seems inefficient - unless that hardware could support their new Flash solution directly - but tru2way does not.

Also, one of the big benefits of tru2way for the Cableco's is integration of many Java based apps for shopping, travel - whatever. I doubt that they want to give that up - so you still have the two UI problem.

So since these Panasonic sets are being sold to the general public at places like Best Buy, do they sell them with a disclaimer that tru2way might not work??

The 'test market' designation is not referring to 'does the technology work', but to see how the product was received by the public and what kind of interest would develop.

There have been a few AVS members that posted in the various local topics. They have the Panasonic tru2way sets and they work as expected; in addition to all first gen CableCARD functions, they also have access to VOD & PPV. The only other feature difference is SVD compatibility, and since Comcast is not currently using SDV it's an open question, but my guess is that SDV would work as well as the other tru2way functions.

I suspect that for Tivo to make its software work on non-Tivo, tru2way hardware they would need to re-implement their guide & UI in Java or figure out some other way to run their new Flash based UI on other hardware (which they already chose not to do for the Series 3).Makes sense to me.

If I understand what they have been testing for years with Comcast, it was a rewrite for non-Tivo hardware. To do this for every type of Cable STB seems inefficient....They would only have to do it for 3 brands of product; Motorola, Cisco (S/A), and Pace.

Also, one of the big benefits of tru2way for the Cableco's is integration of many Java based apps for shopping, travel - whatever. I doubt that they want to give that up - so you still have the two UI problem.I'm pretty sure they have a workable solution in mind. The question is, will we ever see it?

But Tivo didn't put a DOCSIS modem into the Premiere, so they'd have to communicate the 2-way upstream part via IP to the headend or some other Comcast server on the net. Not sure how they'd do tru2way without some trusted path upstream.That may be a deal killer. Thanks for the info.

They would only have to do it for 3 brands of product; Motorola, Cisco (S/A), and Pace.What about LG, Samsung and Panasonic - I thought all had announced (or talked about) tru2way DVRs?

?

The 'test market' designation is not referring to 'does the technology work', but to see how the product was received by the public and what kind of interest would develop.

There have been a few AVS members that posted in the various local topics. They have the Panasonic tru2way sets and they work as expected; in addition to all first gen CableCARD functions, they also have access to VOD & PPV. The only other feature difference is SVD compatibility, and since Comcast is not currently using SDV it's an open question, but my guess is that SDV would work as well as the other tru2way functions.

Thanks Ken, that was the answer I was looking for and had anticipated.

But Tivo didn't put a DOCSIS modem into the Premiere, so they'd have to communicate the 2-way upstream part via IP to the headend or some other Comcast server on the net. Not sure how they'd do tru2way without some trusted path upstream.

That may be a deal killer. Thanks for the info.Interestingly, the recent FCC proposal (http://www.broadband.gov/plan/4-broadband-competition-and-innovation-policy/#r4-13) for a 'gateway' includes a mechanism (from Tivo) to deal with this. See footnote 129 - as noted by slowbiscuit, it consist of a server in each head end that translates IP messages to the proprietary protocol messages and routes them accordingly. If workable, it eliminates the need for the traditional OOB stuff - and SDV adaptors.

Yep, but since it makes too much sense and frees 3rd party devices to access what they want instead of being under cable's control, it will never happen. Cable will fight this tooth and nail, especially if it doesn't apply to satellite as well.

I don't expect that to happen though as the CableCos will fight that tooth and nail, especially if it doesn't apply to Satellite.And with at least the very last point, I cannot see how anyone could rationally disagree.

So since these Panasonic sets are being sold to the general public at places like Best Buy, do they sell them with a disclaimer that tru2way might not work?Just like a 802.11n wireless adapter has a disclaimer that 'n' protocol might not work, in areas where there are only 802.11g routers?

So since these Panasonic sets are being sold to the general public at places like Best Buy, do they sell them with a disclaimer that tru2way might not work?

I would think Comcast employees would have already tested it out before announcing these markets were tru2way capable because that would not make sense from a business point of view to advertise something that does not work yet. But then again, this is Comcast we are talking about.

As far as I know the TVs are only being sold in stores that are in the markets where Comcast has Tru-2-Way up and running. Also like someone else mentioned I think they make you set up an appointment for install when you buy it.

To me this is kind of goofy. I have friends who are looking to buy a TV right now. I wish they could just buy one of these TVs and then they would have the Tru-2-Way tuner so when Comcast in our area finally has it running they would just have to activate it then. Instead they have to either wait to buy a TV, or buy a TV now without Tru-2Way and know they will have to use a cable box of some type.

Yep, but since it makes too much sense and frees 3rd party devices to access what they want instead of being under cable's control, it will never happen. Cable will fight this tooth and nail, especially if it doesn't apply to satellite as well.Agreed. What is missing in most of these discussions is that the cable companies have a proprietary network, with billions invested. They want and expect nearly complete control of the hardware and software that runs on it. A lot of that control is to keep the content providers/producers happy and secure from real or imagined piracy.

They will guard their networks and content with their corporate lives. I don't see that changing any more than I see FOSS killing Microsoft, Apple and IBM.

If you look at the OCAP spec you can find that the regular internet has equivalents for just about every feature of OCAP - security, protocols, application development etc. OCAP however, is under the control of cable while the internet is not. (To be fair, when OCAP began in the 90's, the internet had not matured and no one knew how it would change with scripting, Flash, HTML5 and so on.)

They don't want to go to open protocols because, as NBC's Zuckerman put it - they don't want to trade "Analog dollars for Digital dimes."

Last weeks' Business Week had an article describing how the cableco's are working hard to lock down content and control its distribution on the internet as well as their proprietary networks. The irony is that even if they fail at maintaining the distribution rights and things like Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and AppleTV take over - the cableco's will still control the delivery to you since they are probably your ISP....

Agreed. What is missing in most of these discussions is that the cable companies have a proprietary network, with billions invested. ... They will guard their networks and content with their corporate lives. I don't see that changing any more than I see FOSS killing Microsoft, Apple and IBM.Good point. And reflexively, I don't see "We The People" stepping up willing to put our collective money where our collective mouths are, raising new taxes to build out a public network (not just for television, but broadband too), changing laws to make that permissible, etc. I see a lot of finger-pointing, expecting other people do essentially harm themselves for the finger-pointers' benefit. I see very little if any real action taken showing that enough people feel this way to end-run the service providers and pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps.

The irony is that even if they fail at maintaining the distribution rights and things like Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and AppleTV take over - the cableco's will still control the delivery to you since they are probably your ISP....Except that the aforementioned finger-pointers are also probably the ones trying to, again, get broadband service providers to harm themselves for the finger-pointers' benefit, and being wholly unwilling to spent their own money (i.e., taxes) to build a network that would deliver service the way these finger-pointers would suggest service should be delivered.

It sure is easy to spend someone else's money! :)

"Very soon to be" better be very darn soon to be if it's going to help with April 8-11th!

Panasonic was quoted yesterday as saying the initial shipments already sold out, but did not specify how many that actually was.


So bully for Comcast on the tech demonstration --but I don't know how many people will see it!Not many.

Good point. And reflexively, I don't see "We The People" stepping up willing to put our collective money where our collective mouths are, raising new taxes to build out a public network (not just for television, but broadband too), changing laws to make that permissible, etc. I see a lot of finger-pointing, expecting other people do essentially harm themselves for the finger-pointers' benefit. I see very little if any real action taken showing that enough people feel this way to end-run the service providers and pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps.

I'm all for taxes to build out things like this. But I'm pretty liberal. When 45% of the country is rallying against taxes all the time, it's hard to get anything really important done, let alone stuff like cable.

Taxes are good. It's your money, used to create things you use. It's no different than buying something in a store. The problem is, taxes aren't being used correctly, not that we have them.

Just like a 802.11n wireless adapter has a disclaimer that 'n' protocol might not work, in areas where there are only 802.11g routers?

I think he meant that Tru2way might never go through, so it might be a dead tech installed in these. Wireless N has been out for years and will continue to work with all N devices.

Good point. And reflexively, I don't see "We The People" stepping up willing to put our collective money where our collective mouths are, raising new taxes to build out a public network (not just for television, but broadband too), changing laws to make that permissible, etc. I see a lot of finger-pointing, expecting other people do essentially harm themselves for the finger-pointers' benefit. I see very little if any real action taken showing that enough people feel this way to end-run the service providers and pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps.
Eventually I expect to see a publicly funded fiber network as a national priority.

It will be seen as just as important as the Eisenhower push for the Interstate system in 1956. It took 48 years to get from the Model T to the need for high speed system of highways - but the web is barely 15 years old.

I hope to be around when this happens, but right now we boomers include too many who tend to be like those who didn't drive in 1956 - we don't use it so why should we pay for high speed internet for our kids? Let's leave it for them to pay for, just like everything else ;)

Comcast Sizes Up 4:1 HD Compression

March 19, 2010 | Jeff Baumgartner | Post a comment

The Comcast Media Center (CMC) conducted a bakeoff this week to evaluate technologies that might eventually pack four MPEG-2 high-definition feeds into one 6MHz-wide channel, Light Reading Cable has learned.

The Colorado-based CMC declined to comment on that work, but it's believed that the Comcast unit is already tapping equipment from Imagine Communications and Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq: HLIT) to deliver some HD channels via a 3:1 compression scheme.

Freeing up space for another HD feed could let the CMC beef up its hi-def content menu or allow its MSO partners, including Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), to free up capacity for other digital services, such as video-on-demand or 3DTV channels.

An industry source said the bakeoff included participation from Arris Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS), BigBand Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: BBND), Harmonic, and Imagine, among others. Those are well established cable suppliers, but, of recent note, Arris boosted its video technology profile through its acquisition of EGT Inc. and has recently talked up the 4:1 HD capabilities of the EGT VIPr2200 encoder. (See Arris Offers 4:1 HD Compression and Arris Gets EGT for a Song .)

Although the CMC is starting to take a closer look at 4:1 HD, there's no timetable for deployments. Multiple sources say a migration in that direction may not occur until next year, and that's if the technology proves itself worthy. Even if it does, it's considered unlikely that the CMC would use the 4:1 compression techinique for all the HD channels it carries.

A priority of that evaluation will be to ensure that the feeds can be squeezed down while also preserving the quality of the HD signal, minimizing artifacts and other elements that can negatively affect the image.

Some heat was put on Comcast in 2008 when a consumer in Virginia negatively compared how some of Comcast's compressed HD channels fared versus those delivered by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) FiOS TV. The blame was largely pinned on Comcast's use of 3:1 HD compression for MPEG-2, but a person familiar with the situation says the channels referenced in that study weren't delivered in that way. However, the compression used at the time on the channels studied were squeezed down to the point that it did have a noticeable effect on the picture quality.

It appears Comcast has gotten a grip on those issues since and has implemented a range of projects to ensure that video quality is up to snuff. The CMC, for example, has launched a Golden Eye program in which "trained observers," who are able to detect small imperfections in video that most other consumers can't, provide subjective video quality ratings. That program is part of a broader grading system the CMC has developed for digital video quality, as described in a white paper presented at the 2009 Cable Show in Washington, D.C.

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=189405&site=lr_cable&f_src=lightreading_gnews

Comcast Sizes Up 4:1 HD Compression

March 19, 2010 | Jeff Baumgartner | Post a comment

The Comcast Media Center (CMC) conducted a bakeoff this week to evaluate technologies that might eventually pack four MPEG-2 high-definition feeds into one 6MHz-wide channel, Light Reading Cable has learned.

The Colorado-based CMC declined to comment on that work, but it's believed that the Comcast unit is already tapping equipment from Imagine Communications and Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq: HLIT) to deliver some HD channels via a 3:1 compression scheme.

Freeing up space for another HD feed could let the CMC beef up its hi-def content menu or allow its MSO partners, including Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), to free up capacity for other digital services, such as video-on-demand or 3DTV channels.

An industry source said the bakeoff included participation from Arris Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS), BigBand Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: BBND), Harmonic, and Imagine, among others. Those are well established cable suppliers, but, of recent note, Arris boosted its video technology profile through its acquisition of EGT Inc. and has recently talked up the 4:1 HD capabilities of the EGT VIPr2200 encoder. (See Arris Offers 4:1 HD Compression and Arris Gets EGT for a Song .)

Although the CMC is starting to take a closer look at 4:1 HD, there's no timetable for deployments. Multiple sources say a migration in that direction may not occur until next year, and that's if the technology proves itself worthy. Even if it does, it's considered unlikely that the CMC would use the 4:1 compression techinique for all the HD channels it carries.

A priority of that evaluation will be to ensure that the feeds can be squeezed down while also preserving the quality of the HD signal, minimizing artifacts and other elements that can negatively affect the image.

Some heat was put on Comcast in 2008 when a consumer in Virginia negatively compared how some of Comcast's compressed HD channels fared versus those delivered by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) FiOS TV. The blame was largely pinned on Comcast's use of 3:1 HD compression for MPEG-2, but a person familiar with the situation says the channels referenced in that study weren't delivered in that way. However, the compression used at the time on the channels studied were squeezed down to the point that it did have a noticeable effect on the picture quality.

It appears Comcast has gotten a grip on those issues since and has implemented a range of projects to ensure that video quality is up to snuff. The CMC, for example, has launched a Golden Eye program in which "trained observers," who are able to detect small imperfections in video that most other consumers can't, provide subjective video quality ratings. That program is part of a broader grading system the CMC has developed for digital video quality, as described in a white paper presented at the 2009 Cable Show in Washington, D.C.

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=189405&site=lr_cable&f_src=lightreading_gnews

That should make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy. I think I'll be sticking with FiOS.

I think he meant that Tru2way might never go through, so it might be a dead tech installed in these.So a better analogy would be the disclaimer Sony put on their Betamax video cassette players, telling customers that Betamax might not "work".

Eventually I expect to see a publicly funded fiber network as a national priority. It will be seen as just as important as the Eisenhower push for the Interstate system in 1956.Our nation has changed a little since Eisenhower.

Our nation has changed a little since Eisenhower.

Nor is it appreciated by most in these later days just how much the interstate system proposal was seen at the time as a national defense priority rather than an economic good. There are still laws on the books, I think, requiring interstates to have long straight stretches every so many miles to land fighters on as temporary air strips to repulse the Russkie invasion. Rapidity of moving troops and supplies to the "front" in defense of the homeland was another major consideration.

Turns out the "law of unintended consequences" doesn't *always* have to work against you.

The tradition in the US is for state and local government to do the kind of thing he proposes (think "public utility"), rather than the federal government. And we've certainly seen some of that. . . .

There is the REA (Rural Electrification Administration) as a federal precedent, and the FCC broadband access plan seems to be moving in that tradtion. . . but that's still largely a subsidy tradition (TVA being a largish, but regional, exception), rather than a federal ownership tradition.

Comcast Sizes Up 4:1 HD Compression



Interesting, thanks.

This is a little bit of a tangent (okay, maybe a lotta bit of a tangent), but in reading that for some reason I suddenly found myself wondering what frequencies the sat companies use to broadcast to their dishes, and if they might not find themselves under pressure at some point to cough some of that up, with generous financial incentives to do so, as mobile gets more rapacious. Certainly the OTA broadcast TV stations are fiercely fighting a rearguard action on that front.

Nor is it appreciated by most in these later days just how much the interstate system proposal was seen at the time as a national defense priority rather than an economic good......Rapidity of moving troops and supplies to the "front" in defence of the homeland was another major consideration.A lesson we learned from the Germans in WWII, with their Autobahn.

Thanks Ken, that was the answer I was looking for and had anticipated.

I assume then you were referring to the casual HDTV buyer who may have bought a tru2way set?

From what I remember, the sales people at the retailers were trained on how to explain the idea to potential buyers.

The sets aren't much more expensive than other comparable high end Panasonic HDTV's, and even if a DBS sub bought one it would still work just like any other HDTV, with an extra 'special' slot.

The sets aren't much more expensive than other comparable high end Panasonic HDTV'sI surely could research it myself, and probably would if I don't get any reply to this today, but I was wondering if anyone is in a position to remember some real numbers for this.

Nor is it appreciated by most in these later days just how much the interstate system proposal was seen at the time as a national defense priority rather than an economic good. There are still laws on the books, I think, requiring interstates to have long straight stretches every so many miles to land fighters on as temporary air strips to repulse the Russkie invasion. Rapidity of moving troops and supplies to the "front" in defense of the homeland was another major consideration.
Geo, hate to burst your bubble - but you should have checked out the fighter claim in snopes (http://www.snopes.com/autos/law/airstrip.asp).

So a better analogy would be the disclaimer Sony put on their Betamax video cassette players, telling customers that Betamax might not "work".

except there were tons of beta tapes. they definitely work. does anyone use tru2way yet?

That should make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy. I think I'll be sticking with FiOS.
I don't mind 4:1 if they can do it right, but hogging entire channels with 3D junk is a waste right now. So if they're using 4:1 to free up space for 3D, it probably won't be good. There's not a lot of HD channels left that Comcast doesn't have - we recently went through the migration and right now the only one I want that's missing is BBC America.

except there were tons of beta tapes. they definitely work. does anyone use tru2way yet?Yes, some people. However, everything is relative. Clearly, people who "lost" the Betamax/VHS war were frustrated, and some of those folks allowed that frustration to drive them to irrational reactions. Similarly, people who "lost" the HD-DVD/Blu-ray war were frustrated, and again some allowed that frustration to drive them to irrational reactions. So if it comes to pass that there is some new DCR standard, or DCAS beats tru2way, or somesuch, that there will be folks who effectively "lose" that war, and will be frustrated, and again some of those folks will probably allow that frustration to drive them to irrational reactions.

I don't mind 4:1 if they can do it rightThat's critical. The problem with 3:1 muxing was that they did it wrong. Once the fixed what they did wrong, the difference between 3:1 and 2:1 became materially imperceptible.

Personally, I'm a little skeptical that technology can go all the way from 2:1 to 4:1 (effectively putting 1080p onto 1.5 MHz) without material degradation, however, I know that there were many folks who didn't believe they would be able to do so with 3:1 (and some even who still refuse to believe that they have :rolleyes: ), so I'd reserve judgment about it until I actually have a chance to see it with my own eyes. I suspect, also, that it'll be better four months after initial introduction than it will be on the day of initial introduction.

There's not a lot of HD channels left that Comcast doesn't haveYes very true.

- we recently went through the migration and right now the only one I want that's missing is BBC America.And we don't have it on FiOS either.

I surely could research it myself, and probably would if I don't get any reply to this today, but I was wondering if anyone is in a position to remember some real numbers for this.Retail pricing for Panasonic 1080p plasma HDTVs, 2009 model year:

TH-50PZ80Q
50" Class tru2way™ technology
$1,699.50

The V10, the most expensive 50" plasma, was $2099.95. Least expensive U1 50" was $1299.95. Other options with spaced out pricing in between.

So, the tru2way was priced to move. I wonder how many they actually made, and sold?

Geo, hate to burst your bubble - but you should have checked out the fighter claim in snopes (http://www.snopes.com/autos/law/airstrip.asp).


Thanks for the link. I heard that one long before the WWW even existed, didn't occur to me to check it. Won't use it again.

But no burst bubble till you knock off the second one as well. Got anything on that?

Thanks for the link. I heard that one long before the WWW even existed, didn't occur to me to check it. Won't use it again.

But no burst bubble till you knock off the second one as well. Got anything on that?It's well known Eisenhower saw the Autobahn in Germany, and could easily see the value for military use in the US.

The concept of a national highway system was initially developed in the early 1920's, from needs recognized by the military during WWI.

Retail pricing for Panasonic 1080p plasma HDTVs, 2009 model year:

TH-50PZ80Q
50" Class tru2way™ technology
$1,699.50

The V10, the most expensive 50" plasma, was $2099.95. Least expensive U1 50" was $1299.95. Other options with spaced out pricing in between.

So, the tru2way was priced to move. I wonder how many they actually made, and sold?
Ken, that tru2way TV is an '08 model, (a 42" version exists also), that came out in ~Oct. '08, rather than ~April '08, when the comparable Panasonic PZ80 was released. So, it was 1/2 year later, and then they kept it 'current' through the '09 model year, which is just ending. So, the TV is now 1-1/2 years old with 2 years old technology.

At first, IIRC, there was $300 premium, it then varied somewhat over time (I don't recall exactly), then 1/2 year after release, the comparable PZ80 was discontinued.

From what I can tell and have read, the '08 PZ80/PZ80Q is comparable to an '09 S14, which I read, was available for $980 + tax at the 'Buy More' 7 weeks ago, but I don't see it anymore. I can't find it online easily, either; though it gives one an idea of the current value of a TV similar to the PZ80Q. The PZ80Q is $1677 delivered from the only online vendor to carry it.

Is a tru2way TV a good deal now? As they used to say, 'only you can make the call'. IMO, no, it is a terrible deal.:(

Thanks for the link. I heard that one long before the WWW even existed, didn't occur to me to check it. Won't use it again.

But no burst bubble till you knock off the second one as well. Got anything on that?Nothing to burst if your 'second one' is the 'defense of the homeland'. To add to Ken's comments, Wikipedia has a good history (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_Highway_System) of the interstate system.
I can also recommend two books on the subject of cross continental travel, one is the history of the 1919 Transcontinental Convoy (http://www.amazon.com/American-Road-Story-Transcontinental-Journey/dp/0805072977/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269127491&sr=8-1) and the second the history of the Lincoln Highway (http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Highway-Street-across-America/dp/0877456763/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269127636&sr=8-5).
(I like history, but in this case I was interested because just 20 years after the Army struggled across the continent, two of my widowed great aunts did it alone in a '37 Chevy. Things changed quickly!)

Starting March 31, MASN will be televised on Comcast systems in Harrisburg, Lykens, Lebanon, Hershey, Millersburg and Elizabethtown in central Pennsylvania. Comcast will also carry MASN 2, MASN HD and MASN 2 HD, additional channels which allow MASN to televise every game of two Major League teams in high definition, even when the teams play simultaneously.

http://masnsports.com/2010/03/masn-launches-on-comcast-in-ha.html

Comcast Adds 39 HD Nets In DC & PG

3/31 - Comcast adds 39 high-def networks in DC and Prince George's County. Including Bravo-HD, CMT-HD, Hallmark Movie Channel-HD, MGM-HD, Nick-HD, and The Weather Channel-HD. The area cable TV giant, via the Xfinity moniker, is in process of coverting three of its Washington area systems - DC, PG, and Reston - to mostly-digital. Montgomery County has already been upgraded. Comcast plans to launch even more HD channels for area customers throughout 2010.....

http://www.dcrtv.com/

I know that there were many folks who didn't believe they would be able to do so with 3:1 (and some even who still refuse to believe that they have :rolleyes: )

raises hand. I certainly don't have eagle eyes but the compression is often very obvious. They'll certainly continue to push the bar as low as possible though and there's not really anything that will change that. I can't see 4:1 being anything but a mess so long as they are using mpeg2.

Comcast increased my monthly bill by about $40, I called them, they are kind enough to only increase $5.
Should I thank them?

raises hand. I certainly don't have eagle eyes but the compression is often very obvious. And when I ask people to describe what they're talking about, they describe artifacts that I've seen on OTA HD channels on FiOS. :rolleyes:

Yankees on YES live game streaming is NOT available for Comcast customers.
shocker!

Yankees on YES live game streaming is NOT available for Comcast customers.
shocker!

It's not available for DirecTV or Dish Network subscribers either. Cablevision, Time Warner, FIOS and Blue Ridge Communications (of whom, I've never heard) only.

That really is a cool service. Is any other team offering it?

It's not available for DirecTV or Dish Network subscribers either. Cablevision, Time Warner, FIOS and Blue Ridge Communications (of whom, I've never heard) only.

That really is a cool service. Is any other team offering it?

I don't know.
The reason I like it is some of Yankees' games are only available on My-9. And I cannot get My-9 HD in my area.

I don't know.
The reason I like it is some of Yankees' games are only available on My-9. And I cannot get My-9 HD in my area.

I'm not sure where you are in Mercer county, but you might plug your ZIP code in here to see if Yankees games are really blacked out for you on mlb.tv. All of the ones I tried from Mercer county listed only the Phillies as blacked out, but I didn't try close to all of them.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp?product=mlbtv&affiliateId=MLBTVREDIRECT

Scroll all the way to the bottom.

I have a regular Motorola HD receiver. Is there a way to only view the HD channels when just surfing through, and can I make the channels that I don't get just not appear as an actual channel? I just got Comcast. Switched over from DirecTV.

I have a regular Motorola HD receiver. Is there a way to only view the HD channels when just surfing through, and can I make the channels that I don't get just not appear as an actual channel? I just got Comcast. Switched over from DirecTV.

Regarding Hd, if you press the menu button, one of the choices should be view HD channels.

Regarding the subscribed channels, there is no way that I know of. I hope someone else does. That is a feature I miss with Comcast. I switched over from Dish almost a year ago. Dish had the ability in the guide for it to only show the channels that you were subscribed to...much cleaner and more useful.

Tivo FTW there.

Tivo FTW there.

Were you responding to my post? If you were are you saying Tivo solves this problem?

Were you responding to my post? If you were are you saying Tivo solves this problem?

Sorry, yes. Tivo allows you to pick and choose which channels show up. Personally I pick only the HD channels I receive, and then only the SD channels that I like, that are not available in HD. But that list is dwindling. :D

I have a regular Motorola HD receiver. Is there a way to only view the HD channels when just surfing through, and can I make the channels that I don't get just not appear as an actual channel? I just got Comcast. Switched over from DirecTV.

Set up a favorites list that contains only the HD channels. You can have more than one favorites list.

I'm moving to a house where I'l have a pick of Comcast, DirecTV and Dish and will simultaneously be upgrading my old set to 3D-capable TV. While Comcast has a very good line-up and it'd be easier to set-up a whole house solution (HTPC with Ceton tuners), they need to voice their 3D HDTV plans more strongly as it seems DirecTV is the one who's pushing the envelope (plus, they do have better-looking HD content, it seems).

I'm moving to a house where I'l have a pick of Comcast, DirecTV and Dish and will simultaneously be upgrading my old set to 3D-capable TV. While Comcast has a very good line-up and it'd be easier to set-up a whole house solution (HTPC with Ceton tuners), they need to voice their 3D HDTV plans more strongly as it seems DirecTV is the one who's pushing the envelope (plus, they do have better-looking HD content, it seems).

directv

Directv +2

Comcast in Baltimore City has added:

MASN2 HD (showing ESPNews in HD)
3DTV (for The Masters)

Set up a favorites list that contains only the HD channels. You can have more than one favorites list.
But can I have my favorites list as my default channel listing? Can I surf though only my channels I have favorited?

I'm moving to a house where I'l have a pick of Comcast, DirecTV and Dish and will simultaneously be upgrading my old set to 3D-capable TV. While Comcast has a very good line-up and it'd be easier to set-up a whole house solution (HTPC with Ceton tuners), they need to voice their 3D HDTV plans more strongly as it seems DirecTV is the one who's pushing the envelope (plus, they do have better-looking HD content, it seems).

I would go with Comcast primarily because you can set it up easier and you aren't committed. Comcast already has the Masters coming up in 3D and will certainly have more content in the future. There are already On Demand movies in 3D. The quality of the channels Comcast doesn't recompress will not be beaten by DirecTV, FiOS or anyone and the channels they do recompress aren't exactly bad any more.

The biggest advantages to cable are that there are no contracts, so if it doesn't suit you then you can drop it easily, and the On Demand service is light years ahead of the satellite providers.

*No contracts unless you sign up for the triple play, in which you would be locked in for either 1 or 2 years. Which, in my area and many others, people would be fine with doing, since we already have Doc3 and WoM.

Comcast in Baltimore City has added:

MASN2 HD (showing ESPNews in HD)
3DTV (for The Masters)

Comcast Harford County also added MASN2 HD (channel 844). Curiously they did not appear to add a corresponding 200 tier mapping for MASN2 (the 200 tier is where HD originated on Harford County, so many residents may not even be aware of the channels available in the 800 tier yet!).

P.S. (We also appear to be getting the MLB package without subscription, as we also got NHL Center Ice)

Comcast Harford County also added MASN2 HD (channel 844). Curiously they did not appear to add a corresponding 200 tier mapping for MASN2 (the 200 tier is where HD originated on Harford County, so many residents may not even be aware of the channels available in the 800 tier yet!).

P.S. (We also appear to be getting the MLB package without subscription, as we also got NHL Center Ice)

The channel number was listed in the flyer I got about new channels coming next week, and they sent a message on the boxes. All the new channels will only be in the 800s. Extra innings is a free preview.

*No contracts unless you sign up for the triple play, in which you would be locked in for either 1 or 2 years. Which, in my area and many others, people would be fine with doing, since we already have Doc3 and WoM.

That is true, but you have to actively seek out a contract, which comes with a rebate card, in most markets. I've just noticed on my TV today that a 3DTV channel has been made available saying programming starts at 3PM. It is pointless for me, but I'd like to see what comes through on my ancient 1080p display. It says" "A Full 3D Capable TV, 3D Stereoscopic Glasses, and HD Set Top Box and a HDMI cable are required." This is for Masters coverage.

Extra innings is a free preview.

I was told the same thing about Center Ice. We have gotten it all season. Love seeing my Sabres every game!

I was looking for a message about MASN2, but never saw one. We do not have WoM yet, just the same HD channels we have had for a while. MASN2 is the first addition since, um, I think CNN-HD. Still no MSNBC, TCM, E!, or those other WoM channels.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5127/comcastnewhdletter.jpg

Analog channels are still there. Guess it will be "about" instead of "on".

What difference does it make if these channels go off analog in a day or two? Some of them will be replaced with a message that you need a DTA to get the digital signal. The space is not needed until April 14.

I see the masters Golf on a split screen on channel 965. Does that mean if I had the glasses it would be in 3d. I did not think that my Samsung LCD was officially 3d ready but maybe it is or maybe Tivo is making it 3D ready. Anyway I have a spit screen image

i live in alameda, ca. my digital channels are disappearing. i have comcast basic and used to be able to pick up hgtv, mtv, vh1, etc. in SD. now, they're gone.

i am not pissed off about that because i only pay basic. but i AM PISSED OFF that i am also losing local HD channel. i can't up CW44, KRON4, and a couple of others. i am going to call and complain.

anyone else in the same boat?

i live in alameda, ca. my digital channels are disappearing. i have comcast basic and used to be able to pick up hgtv, mtv, vh1, etc. in SD. now, they're gone.

i am not pissed off about that because i only pay basic. but i AM PISSED OFF that i am also losing local HD channel. i can't up CW44, KRON4, and a couple of others. i am going to call and complain.

anyone else in the same boat?

You might have better luck asking in the San Francisco Comcast thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=793017&page=214) as there's likely people there it's happening to as well.

It sounds like the digital version of Expanded Basic has been encrypted, it's within the timetable mentioned about a month ago, but you should not have lost any local HD. Best to ask in the local thread.

I see the masters Golf on a split screen on channel 965. Does that mean if I had the glasses it would be in 3d. I did not think that my Samsung LCD was officially 3d ready but maybe it is or maybe Tivo is making it 3D ready. Anyway I have a spit screen image

Unless your HDTV is 3D ready, the glasses will not make any difference.

See this topic for details on The Masters in 3D on Comcast: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1235329

i live in alameda, ca. my digital channels are disappearing. i have comcast basic and used to be able to pick up hgtv, mtv, vh1, etc. in SD. now, they're gone.

i am not pissed off about that because i only pay basic. but i AM PISSED OFF that i am also losing local HD channel. i can't up CW44, KRON4, and a couple of others. i am going to call and complain.

anyone else in the same boat?

When Comcast encrypts the digital channels, sometimes they screw up the local HD channels. As noted, you can check with others in your area to see if they have the same problem.

Two things you can do:
1) Completely delete all previous digital channels from your QAM tuner. Re-scan from scratch. When you look for the HD channels, they may be located on new channel numbers; look at every digital channel you receive, even those over 100.

2) Call Comcast for service. You'll need to find someone who knows what QAM is, and you may have to call more than once.

You will get them back, because it's Comcast corporate policy to provide all local HD in the clear, but it may take time and patience.

Unless your HDTV is 3D ready, the glasses will not make any difference.

See this topic for details on The Masters in 3D on Comcast: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1235329

Ok Thanks

Hi, I am getting a deal for 6 months on Comcast ($30/mo) and I pay for cable TV too (another 55 or so). I want to cut the TV.

1. Does Comcast offer deals on internet if I take just the internet?

2. When you ask for internet only service, they add on a basic package which has all the local channels. Does this include HD channels for local networks?

3. Is there a TIVO device (or another DVR), which can access Comcast's on-demand service?

Thanks.

1.Not if you're a current customer. You will probably have to pay the a-la-carte price.

2.Internet ONLY is usually higher then Internet and Basic cable (local channels only -does include locals in HD) Comcast will elase you a box if you do not have a compatable QAM tuner.

3. On Demand requires THEIR box AND Digital starter

In some markets you can access Comcast's On Demand service with a PC or a Mac pointed at fancast.com, and an @comcast.net e-mail address with password.

Of course, the tier of On Demand available to you is limited by the tier of TV service you buy.

Which means with Ltd. Basic and a Comcast cable box (SD or HD), one could access broadcast channels' OnDemand programs.

Will Comcast add ESPN 3D at launch for the World Cup in 3D?

How many regional Comcast markets even had the 3DTV channel which was used for the Masters? And what equipment do people need to watch Comcast's 3DTV?

Will Comcast add ESPN 3D at launch for the World Cup in 3D?

How many regional Comcast markets even had the 3DTV channel which was used for the Masters? And what equipment do people need to watch Comcast's 3DTV?

According to Comcast, you don't need any new equipment from Comcast. You do need a 3D compatible TV and glasses.

I don't see how this is going to take off as long as glasses are needed (unless they get much cheaper). Is it geared toward people who never watch TV with other people? If I'm having a Super Bowl party, I can't turn on the 3D feed unless I've purchased 20 pairs of glasses.

According to Comcast, you don't need any new equipment from Comcast. You do need a 3D compatible TV and glasses.

I don't see how this is going to take off as long as glasses are needed (unless they get much cheaper). Is it geared toward people who never watch TV with other people? If I'm having a Super Bowl party, I can't turn on the 3D feed unless I've purchased 20 pairs of glasses.

You're worried about the glasses? They seem cheap to me compared to the cost of replacing my not-too-old 46" Sharp LCD. Which I have no plans to do any time soon. :D

You're worried about the glasses? They seem cheap to me compared to the cost of replacing my not-too-old 46" Sharp LCD. Which I have no plans to do any time soon. :D

Now that is a reasonable issue. The manufacturers have now reached @ 50% saturation for digital/HD TV's and are already seeing some decline, not attributed to the economy. That's why they're pushing 3D in its present form. My 52" Toshiba isn't 2 years old yet and it's not going anywhere unless it drops dead during the extended warranty period.

On the other hand, the "glasses" are another issue that will also stifle the move toward 3D.

(I've sold electronics, and I've produced content. It's going to really take something special to get consumers and production companies, including remote truck operators to invest heavily...again, so soon...in new hardware.)

Had the 3D channel until today. The squished dual image looked great!

If I could get prescription 3D glasses I might be on board.

Anybody know what the deal is with the lack of HD news channels on comcast? For example CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, etc.

I live in Sacramento, zip code 95814. Satellite has these channels but comcast does not.

Anybody know what the deal is with the lack of HD news channels on comcast? For example CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, etc.

I live in Sacramento, zip code 95814. Satellite has these channels but comcast does not.

I believe your area is still going through it's World of More transformation, you'll likely have those channels when it's completed. All 3 have been available since toward the end of last year here in the SF bay area.

I believe your area is still going through it's World of More transformation, you'll likely have those channels when it's completed. All 3 have been available since toward the end of last year here in the SF bay area.

The thing is, they have been available here too but on satellite only. I thought maybe the satellite company cut some deals with those channels or something to keep them off comcast.

The thing is, they have been available here too but on satellite only. I thought maybe the satellite company cut some deals with those channels or something to keep them off comcast.

No, it all comes down to the individual carrier and the contracts for those channels. Comcast has an agreement in place to carry all of them you've noted, it's just a matter of your local system freeing up the space to add them. There are cases though where Comcast in one part of the country will not carry some channels that are carried on Comcast systems elsewhere(some of the HBO channels for example), but in the case of those three I believe all Comcast systems will carry them, eventually.

I believe your area is still going through it's World of More transformation, you'll likely have those channels when it's completed. All 3 have been available since toward the end of last year here in the SF bay area.It's s'posed to happen in the Sacramento area by this summer (or thereabouts).

But I wouldn't hold my breath.

Anybody here subscribe to
MLB EI via Comcast in 2010?

The program guide lists GAME HD on channel 460.
The channel aired many games during the "early bird special",
April 5-11.

Suddenly on Monday the 6th the channel was not airing a game, despite
a game being listed in the program guide.

Then yesterday the channel was working just fine.

Very confused!!

Anybody here subscribe to
MLB EI via Comcast in 2010?

The program guide lists GAME HD on channel 460.
The channel aired many games during the "early bird special",
April 5-11.

Suddenly on Monday the 6th the channel was not airing a game, despite
a game being listed in the program guide.

Then yesterday the channel was working just fine.

Very confused!!

Blackout restriction possibly? Where are you and what was the game?

There are tentative plans to show a Nascar race in 3-D.

http://www.wdef.com/news/watch_out_3_d_coverage_of_the_masters/04/2010

I don't have a complete list, but Comcast added a significant # of HD channels today, including:

TCM-HD
Cartoon Network-HD
G4-HD
Spike-HD
E!-HD

And others which I may have glossed over. Were there additional HD rollouts in other markets/regions today also?

We have to have the worst Comcast system, here in east central Illinois. It has been at least a year since we have gotten a new HD channel.

You can not be any worst than the Garden State cable system. Garden state system SUCKS!

We have to have the worst Comcast system, here in east central Illinois. It has been at least a year since we have gotten a new HD channel.

Keep your fingers crossed. I thought we had the worst here, we're halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga and I've been on Directv for a couple of years. The other week I got a flyer from comcast and they have added 97 HD channels, and now I'm considering switching back to Comcast.

Keep your fingers crossed. I thought we had the worst here, we're halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga and I've been on Directv for a couple of years. The other week I got a flyer from comcast and they have added 97 HD channels, and now I'm considering switching back to Comcast.

Think twice :rolleyes: I have Comcast ONLY because they had a really low priced 24 month bundle deal. I get HDTV, DVR, HBO, internet, and phone with long distance for $124.00 a month for 24 months including all taxes, which IS a good deal. That said, Comcast still sucks. I have too many outages of one or more services. Their DVR interface is so outdated that it is pitiful. Same as it was when they first offered DVR around 2004. They send messages about 'updates' but they never happen. My friends DirecTV and Dish Netork make Comcast's DVR look so primitive. Plus they get far more real HD channels. The only way I am staying with Comcast after my 24 months end is if they are way cheaper than the alternatives.

Anybody here subscribe to
MLB EI via Comcast in 2010?

The program guide lists GAME HD on channel 460.
The channel aired many games during the "early bird special",
April 5-11.

Suddenly on Monday the 6th the channel was not airing a game, despite
a game being listed in the program guide.

Then yesterday the channel was working just fine.

Very confused!!

Just checked the online listings here in DC and Ch. 789 is showing up as GAME HD -- could it be that for the first time in the 5 years I've had MLB EI that Comcast is dripping out an HD game a night?

Think twice :rolleyes: I have Comcast ONLY because they had a really low priced 24 month bundle deal. I get HDTV, DVR, HBO, internet, and phone with long distance for $124.00 a month for 24 months including all taxes, which IS a good deal. That said, Comcast still sucks. I have too many outages of one or more services. Their DVR interface is so outdated that it is pitiful. Same as it was when they first offered DVR around 2004. They send messages about 'updates' but they never happen. My friends DirecTV and Dish Netork make Comcast's DVR look so primitive. Plus they get far more real HD channels. The only way I am staying with Comcast after my 24 months end is if they are way cheaper than the alternatives.

I'll probably get a Moxi for the DVR, on-demand has never been a real determining factor anyway. But, what do you mean by 'Real HD Channels'?? As far as outages go, I suffer less outage with Comcast than I do with Directv. Must be my location, but during the summer and all the thunderstorms, I suffer short to moderate outages off and on all summer.

Just checked the online listings here in DC and Ch. 789 is showing up as GAME HD -- could it be that for the first time in the 5 years I've had MLB EI that Comcast is dripping out an HD game a night?

Nice to learn I am not the only person who has noticed.
Game HD is listed on 460 here in the bay area.

So far I have noticed that 1 to 3 games are being shown on GAME HD per night.
Check the indemand.com site for the monthly HD schedule.
Over the weekend I saw the Yankees vs rangers on GAME HD at 10 am.
Thanks for the new blackout restrictions policy, the game was listed in
the MLB EI package that day. Another first!!

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5127/comcastnewhdletter.jpg

Pushed back to 4/21 or 4/24. Analog cut and HD adds on the same day.

Comcast is adding 17 HD channels on or about May 13th to the Comcast of NJ system (also known as the Union system).

http://www.dslreports.com/r0/download/1538290~7f1726abbe4fe5f337962145c2ea90d8/comcast_nj_new_hd_0412100001.pdf

The channels are:
HSN HD (806)
WXTV-HD/Univison (795)
WNJU-HD/Telemundo (796)
WFUT-HD/Telefutura (797)
CNN Headline News HD (816)
Hallmark HD (830)
Style HD (834)
TruTV HD (841)
G4 HD (867)
History International HD (876)
TCM HD (890)
WE HD (836)
TV One HD (865)
Fuse HD (885)
Gospel Music Channel HD (887)
IFC HD (893)
Investigation Discovery HD (899)

There are also some other changes occurring on that date:
Public Access is moving from channel 26 to 96.
The Weather Channel is moving from channel 96 to 95.

Migrating to digital are:
TV Guide (ch 18)
CSPAN (ch 30)

And on June 1st:
SPT is moving from ch 36 to 681, available across all sectors of Comcast of NJ for subscription (it was available in only one area on the system until that date).

I'll probably get a Moxi for the DVR, on-demand has never been a real determining factor anyway. But, what do you mean by 'Real HD Channels'?? As far as outages go, I suffer less outage with Comcast than I do with Directv. Must be my location, but during the summer and all the thunderstorms, I suffer short to moderate outages off and on all summer.

I mean Comcast counts on demand offerings as another HD channel, vs a real on all the time HD channel. We don't even get the weather channel in HD yet on Comcast here, and still only one HD HBO channel as a couple of examples. I am sure someday Comcast will catch up, but they seem to move glacially when it comes to improvements.

Nice to learn I am not the only person who has noticed.
Game HD is listed on 460 here in the bay area.

So far I have noticed that 1 to 3 games are being shown on GAME HD per night.
Check the indemand.com site for the monthly HD schedule.
Over the weekend I saw the Yankees vs rangers on GAME HD at 10 am.
Thanks for the new blackout restrictions policy, the game was listed in
the MLB EI package that day. Another first!!

Well, I may have spoken too soon, though I'm hoping it actually shows up. It's not active on either of my boxes yet. Maybe they still need to eliminate a few more analogs to finish the new channel HD roll out. Saw TeamHD (being used for NBA/MLS) and NHL-HD listed also in the online tv listings, and those aren't active yet either.

so what's the timeline on new hd channels once the digital transition takes place? i got the letter in the mail yesterday saying all but limited basic would be converted to the digital format on june 8th. i figure a week and then we'll get new hd channels? 37 channels are being converted according to the letter.

Comcast removed the first set of analog channels within the last hour.

I have been thinking about leaving Comcast for DirecTV or DISH for quite a while. I have not had the opportunity to compare my Comcast cable to a DirecTV or DISH setup, however the majority of what I've read tells me that both the audio and video via satellite is superior to cable. I also use the DVR feature a lot, so this is an area of concern too. I have a new 50" Kuro Elite HDTV, and a fairly high-end HT set-up so I want to get the best program material I can. In the last couple of months Comcast has been "upgrading" their facilities in my neighborhood with fiber. As I understand it it does not go to the home yet (if ever), but the internet speeds that they are offering now are significantly higher than before. Previously 8MB down was the fastest speed offered (not including their "PowerBoost" feature). Now they are offering up to 50MB down in some areas though the best I can get in my neighborhood is 20MB down and 4MB up (with the PowerBoost). I mention the broadband info only to illustrate that they evidently have made some significant improvements in their facilities. So, would this have any significant impact on my HDTV experience? I have read that DirecTV will be adding a lot of new channels very soon due to a new satellite they have in the air. But frankly I am too ignorant of all the facts to make an intelligent decision. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Should I sit tight? Would DirecTV be better for my needs than DISH? FWIW, the HD picture quality from Comcast can look pretty amazing to my eye...on some shows, but they are in the minority. The audio however, seems to be very irregular. The Dolby Digital sounds really good, very seldom. BTW, I'm not opposed to saving money but frankly I won't base my final decision on price but rather on quality and customer service. Help:confused:

so what's the timeline on new hd channels once the digital transition takes place? i got the letter in the mail yesterday saying all but limited basic would be converted to the digital format on june 8th. i figure a week and then we'll get new hd channels? 37 channels are being converted according to the letter.

I would figurre about a month. Once they drop the analogs give them a month to get the new HD channels up and tweaked and tested out (hidden from subscribers - they won't have the STBs mapped to them). Once they are confident the new channels look good they will activate them on the STBs.

It's actually about a 2 month process. The analog channels that are being reclaimed are split up into 2 groups. The first group of analogs are removed and warning placards are put up in their place on the date mentioned in Comcasts' warning letters. In Bigpatky's example, this will be on June 8th. In about 5 to 6 weeks, sometime in the middle of July, the second set of analogs will be removed. About 2 weeks after that, if everything goes well, the new HD channels will show up. In Bigpatky's case, I would look for the new HD channels sometime in the first 2 weeks of August.

This timeline has been pretty well documented over at BBR.com. It is what I was told to expect before my digital transition started and matched it almost exactly. My first analogs were removed in the first week of August 09 and I had my new HD channels by the first week in October.

I have been thinking about leaving Comcast for DirecTV or DISH for quite a while. I have not had the opportunity to compare my Comcast cable to a DirecTV or DISH setup, however the majority of what I've read tells me that both the audio and video via satellite is superior to cable. I also use the DVR feature a lot, so this is an area of concern too. I have a new 50" Kuro Elite HDTV, and a fairly high-end HT set-up so I want to get the best program material I can. Help:confused:

I'm in the same delimma, more for price than quality. We've had Comcast and its forerunners forever. We're paying @ $100/mo with only a single premium channel, 1-DVR and 1 STB. There's no doubt we can save a lot going to Dish; however, several of our friends have or are in the process of dropping Dish or Direct due to signal blackouts during rain...which we get a lot of in Houston (except last summer).

The Dish DVR is supposed to be the most user friendly, and at this time, only the 2 sat providers offer PPV movies in 1080p. Comcast went the fiber route in our neighborhood several years ago (when it was still Time Warner). They've got an 800mhz system with 1gb head ends. Picture quality is generally good...if the network is sending them full bandwidth signals. We could save some $$$ if I went with their "Triple Play" bundle; however, during hurricane Ike almost 2 yr ago, their system was down in our area for 2 full weeks, before I called their VP/GM and politely explained the use of gas generators to power their neighborhood nodes. (Service was restored within 3 hr.)

From a reliability stand point, I'm still not willing to give them my broadband and phones...as ATT was never down, except the Internet briefly, if their temp generator ran out of gas. Even so, it was only down 30 min or so. Cable TV operators simply do not have the same concept of "reliability" as do the phone companies. Also, neither Dish nor Direct carry all the local channels (not including Sp language) available in HD.

The most apparent PQ issues are with the originator of the programming, especially "live" events. Sometimes, the "back haul" signal from the event to the network headquarters is simply below par, and there is a lot of pixelization before the cable company ever gets the signal. As regards 5.1 audio, there are no set mixing standards and everyone seems to have their own way of balancing channels, etc. It is...what it is.

For right now, I'm sticking with Comcast; however, if I become convinced that there is a real alternative, I might take the leap.

Thanks for your reply! Yeah, I get the reliability mentality, as I have worked in the telecom industry before. They get it, as it is "mission critical" to so many other aspects of our government, etc. As you mentioned rain issues, I live in Savannah, GA and believe me rain is a major concern for me. I'd sort of forgotten that issue. I want to get into this further, but I'm late for a meeting, and won't be back until later this evening. Perhaps I can PM you tonight or tomorrow, if you have the time. Either way, I'll check back in for more input from anyone else.

can anyone that subscribes to one of the sports season packages (nba,mlb,mls) comment on whether you now have an HD team channel after the world of more transition? I'm trying to determine if I might get a game or so a week in HD if I ordered the direct kick package.

can anyone that subscribes to one of the sports season packages (nba,mlb,mls) comment on whether you now have an HD team channel after the world of more transition? I'm trying to determine if I might get a game or so a week in HD if I ordered the direct kick package.

I can now see 2 HD GAME channels. For the previous 4 yrs as a MLB EI subscriber, never did Comcast offer the HD GAME channel.
2010 is the year of change, LOL!!

interesting. if you could check and see if there are any MLS soccer games on those channels on saturday afternoon/night, I'd appreciate it. You should be able to see even if you don't subscribe. If they show a game or two in HD a week I'll most likely pick up that package when we go through the transition.

It's actually about a 2 month process. The analog channels that are being reclaimed are split up into 2 groups. The first group of analogs are removed and warning placards are put up in their place on the date mentioned in Comcasts' warning letters. In Bigpatky's example, this will be on June 8th. In about 5 to 6 weeks, sometime in the middle of July, the second set of analogs will be removed. About 2 weeks after that, if everything goes well, the new HD channels will show up. In Bigpatky's case, I would look for the new HD channels sometime in the first 2 weeks of August.

This timeline has been pretty well documented over at BBR.com. It is what I was told to expect before my digital transition started and matched it almost exactly. My first analogs were removed in the first week of August 09 and I had my new HD channels by the first week in October.

That is not how it is working here in Twin Ciities metro area.

We've received letters with a "network enhancement date" and it states that ALL analogs above channel 23 will be eliminated on that date and we'll need digital equipment to receive the channels above 23.

The date is different depending which area or city the subscriber is in. One area has already had the analogs above 23 shut off on March 29th. One CSR has said this area will get about 40 new HD channels on April 30th - another said May 3rd (I realize CSRs are often wrong).

Looks like it will sometime early next year when our Comcast system here will see any new HD channels. The switchover to digital equipment is November 2009 here. Comcast made the announcement in March, but won't be having the changeover until eight months later. I wish they would have made the period, shorter.

Look what they get in France for $33 a month:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/opinion/21Benkler.html#

Look what they get in France for $33 a month:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/opinion/21Benkler.html#

Good article, and to think the Supreme Court just said corporations are the same as individuals when it comes to the First Amendment with regards to free speech. They essentially made buying your own politician legal.

....not true.

;)

I just noticed that there's 11 new HD channels on my system (Burlington, NJ). I have no idea when they were added because Comcast never tells me when they add channels and unless they show up on my TiVo (which these did not) I can't tell.

804 - HSN HD
830 - HALL HD (HALLMARK HD)
834 - STYLE HD
836 - WE HD
865 - TVONE HD
867 - G4 HD
876 - HISI HD (HISTORY INTERNATIONAL HD)
885 - FUSE HD
887 - GMC HD
893 - IFC HD
899 - ID HD

Other than actually being in my lineup, they aren't listed anywhere that I can tell.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5127/comcastnewhdletter.jpg

The new HD channels were added after midnight.

Look what they get in France for $33 a month:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/opinion/21Benkler.html#
Look what else they get in France: The overall rate of social security and tax on the average wage in 2005 was 71.3% of gross salaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_France

:)

I just noticed that there's 11 new HD channels on my system (Burlington, NJ). I have no idea when they were added because Comcast never tells me when they add channels and unless they show up on my TiVo (which these did not) I can't tell.

804 - HSN HD
830 - HALL HD (HALLMARK HD)
834 - STYLE HD
836 - WE HD
865 - TVONE HD
867 - G4 HD
876 - HISI HD (HISTORY INTERNATIONAL HD)
885 - FUSE HD
887 - GMC HD
893 - IFC HD
899 - ID HD

Other than actually being in my lineup, they aren't listed anywhere that I can tell.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5127/comcastnewhdletter.jpg

The new HD channels were added after midnight.

Is this for the Garden State System of South Jersey?

Look what else they get in France: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_France

:)

At least they GET something for their tax dollars rather than having them burned up in some foreign country. ;)

Recently, Comcast upgraded the software on my Motorola 6416 DVR. After the upgrade, I am unable to simultaneously watch another show on the other tuner when it is recording a pre-programmed recording on the other tuner. I turn on the tv and see a blank screen and hear no sound. When I hit the dvr on-off button, I receive a message about turning off the dvr will stop the recording and asks me if I want to do this or not.

Also, the same no-screen and no-sound treatment when I manually record a show on the fly (actually, I can't remember if this is correct. It may be that I am receiving a picture but no sound).

Is anyone else experiencing this?

I am using a universal remote controller to control the dvr, the tv, and a Sony receiver. I was wondring if the dvr's remote control codes could have changed as a result of the new software, but somehow I doubt it. When it isn't recording, the dvr works properly with my universal remote control.

I don't know what version number, etc. of the new software. What I do notice is that the dvr now places recorded shows of the same series in folders. that is, all of my NBC Nightly News recordings are now located in a folder rather than each one being displayed individually on the main listing of recorded shows.

I contacted Comcast and they "reset" my DVR remotely; however, this did not result in any change to the behavior of the DVR.

Any thoughts on this?

Comcast Still Losing TV Subscribers:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcast042810.htm

At least they GET something for their tax dollars rather than having them burned up in some foreign country. ;)Like France! :)

Seriously, we don't send aid to France anymore... and actually, France devotes over three times as much of its GDP to Foreign Aid for Development Assistance than the we do. :o

Is this for the Garden State System of South Jersey?

I don't know what area Marcus Carr, but I'm in Comcast of Burlington County. I've had most of the channels on his list for a few months now.

Like France! :)

Seriously, we don't send aid to France anymore... and actually, France devotes over three times as much of its GDP to Foreign Aid for Development Assistance than the we do. :o

bicker, you should know, facts are not allowed! ;)

And maxman, you need to look at the fine print. While they lost 82k cable subscribers, they increased the number of HD/DVR subscribers by 353k (edit: many of these are probably existing customers moving up to higher tiers of service), and their cable revenue is STILL up 3.5%, and their video revenue only dropped by 1.8%.

Simply put, the fact that they lost 82k cable subscribers doesn't mean squat. They're doing great and are looking great for the future.

If anyone is interested in looking at their presentation it's available here: http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/CMCSA/903071781x0x369473/9e41603b-149b-4c6b-b5d8-a83ea0b26fe1/Comcast_Q110Slides_4.27.10.pdf

Comcast Still Losing TV Subscribers:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcast042810.htm

They lost 82,000 video subscribers, yet gained (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Continues-To-Beat-Telcos-In-Broadband-Growth-108112)427,000 digital video subscribers (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Continues-To-Beat-Telcos-In-Broadband-Growth-108112) so they're technically gaining subscribers. At least according to their revenue report (http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/CMCSA/903075810x0x369471/6e92536a-8c1e-486a-acd4-868e4d70cb2b/Comcast_Q110_Release_4.27.10.pdf). I'm not sure why they differentiate between "video subscribers" and "digital video subscribers" though.

Recently, Comcast upgraded the software on my Motorola 6416 DVR. After the upgrade, I am unable to simultaneously watch another show on the other tuner when it is recording a pre-programmed recording on the other tuner. I turn on the tv and see a blank screen and hear no sound. When I hit the dvr on-off button, I receive a message about turning off the dvr will stop the recording and asks me if I want to do this or not.

Also, the same no-screen and no-sound treatment when I manually record a show on the fly (actually, I can't remember if this is correct. It may be that I am receiving a picture but no sound).

Is anyone else experiencing this?

You have my sympathy. If it makes you feel better, you should go to tivocommunity.com and read about all the problems that Premiere users are having with their new box. Apparently "quality" is no longer "job 1" at companies anymore.

They lost 82,000 video subscribers, yet gained (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Continues-To-Beat-Telcos-In-Broadband-Growth-108112)427,000 digital video subscribers (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Continues-To-Beat-Telcos-In-Broadband-Growth-108112) so they're technically gaining subscribers. At least according to their revenue report (http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/CMCSA/903075810x0x369471/6e92536a-8c1e-486a-acd4-868e4d70cb2b/Comcast_Q110_Release_4.27.10.pdf). I'm not sure why they differentiate between "video subscribers" and "digital video subscribers" though.

I have a slight feeling that the the digital video subscribers also includes those that have upgraded from analog to digital, which would be a net effect of 0 gained video subscribers.

Except for the fact that they got rid of typically low-margin, no-margin, or at-a-loss subscribers, and gained typically high-margin subscribers.

Oh! ... and don't forget that the same data shows big increases in HSI and digital voice customers -- more reasons for Comcast to be relatively unconcerned about loss of non-digital subscribers.

I just noticed that there's 11 new HD channels on my system (Burlington, NJ). I have no idea when they were added because Comcast never tells me when they add channels and unless they show up on my TiVo (which these did not) I can't tell.

804 - HSN HD
830 - HALL HD (HALLMARK HD)
834 - STYLE HD
836 - WE HD
865 - TVONE HD
867 - G4 HD
876 - HISI HD (HISTORY INTERNATIONAL HD)
885 - FUSE HD
887 - GMC HD
893 - IFC HD
899 - ID HD

Other than actually being in my lineup, they aren't listed anywhere that I can tell.

:mad: Garden State System left out again:mad:

I would probably be more interested in the new second tier HD channels than the first tier. By their stupid drug dealer business model you can't get the second tier without subscribing to the first. But then I recently got a new Bluray player with Vudu, Netflix, Blockbuster streaming on it and Comcast is getting viewed less and less.

Are any of you having issues with Nat Geo Wild going back to Fox Reality? Here in the Jackson MS area, Comcast carried Nat Geo Wild at launch. Now, I'm receiving Fox Reality again.

How do I report incorrect guide listings? Channel 246, HLN HD, has had the listings for KRCB's Create channel for months now. Keep in mind that this is for the Comcast system in Flint, MI, and KRCB is a San Francisco station.

Well, I may have spoken too soon, though I'm hoping it actually shows up. It's not active on either of my boxes yet. Maybe they still need to eliminate a few more analogs to finish the new channel HD roll out. Saw TeamHD (being used for NBA/MLS) and NHL-HD listed also in the online tv listings, and those aren't active yet either.

It's now up and running in DC. Watched Yanks-White Sox in HD tonight (YES feed). Really happy, and they've been doing a good job of putting an HD east coast and west coast game every night. Just irritates me that it took this long.

:mad: Garden State System left out again:mad:

Unfortunately GSS is one of the few (only?) Cisco/SA systems in NJ. Comcast is apparently having problems updating SA systems. I was told they added a bunch of HD channels in the GSS recently, but none of the World of More channels.

Oh and I missed a few channels in my list:

312 - HBO2 HD
316 - HBOZ HD
317 - HBOLA HD


I think with the recent additions, I get around 90 to 100 HD channels now.

Unfortunately GSS is one of the few (only?) Cisco/SA systems in NJ. Comcast is apparently having problems updating SA systems. I was told they added a bunch of HD channels in the GSS recently, but none of the World of More channels.


Here in the Twin Cities the St. Paul system is Motorola - the Minneapolis system is Cisco/SA. The St. Paul World of More conversion is in-work currently and is scheduled to be complete by the end of July. A CSR told me that the Minneapolis conversion would begin immediately after St. Paul is complete.

Unfortunately GSS is one of the few (only?) Cisco/SA systems in NJ. Comcast is apparently having problems updating SA systems. I was told they added a bunch of HD channels in the GSS recently, but none of the World of More channels.

Oh and I missed a few channels in my list:

312 - HBO2 HD
316 - HBOZ HD
317 - HBOLA HD


I think with the recent additions, I get around 90 to 100 HD channels now.

Morac, We have not seen any new HD Channels in over a year. They have taken away channels in the last year and put nothing in there places.
We only have 34 HD channels not counting the pay channels.
We probably pay the same amount for Comcast and you get More! The Garden State Systems gets Less!
I was told we would get more Channels in May. But now I get told we would not see any until some time in 2011.
I am getting very close to dropping Comcast!
I do wish Fios would get in my town!

We only have 34 HD channels not counting the pay channels. Generally, when people talk about "How many HD channels?" they are including the pay channels. For example, FiOS has 72 HD channels not counting the channels on FiOS' so-called "ultimate" tier, such as Showtime, Starz, HBO, etc. However, whenever you hear anyone refer to FiOS (as you did) you figure that they're referring to the "over 100 HD channels" patter, not the "72 HD channels on our Extreme HD tier". Just to be clear, therefore ... your hope for FiOS is access to another 38 HD channels, not another 66+ HD channels. That helps put it a bit better in perspective -- still a lot to gain, but not as much as it might seem doing the apples-to-oranges comparison.

Generally, when people talk about "How many HD channels?" they are including the pay channels. For example, FiOS has 72 HD channels not counting the channels on FiOS' so-called "ultimate" tier, such as Showtime, Starz, HBO, etc. However, whenever you hear anyone refer to FiOS (as you did) you figure that they're referring to the "over 100 HD channels" patter, not the "72 HD channels on our Extreme HD tier". Just to be clear, therefore ... your hope for FiOS is access to another 38 HD channels, not another 66+ HD channels. That helps put it a bit better in perspective -- still a lot to gain, but not as much as it might seem doing the apples-to-oranges comparison.

You are right to a point.
I have had a lot of problems with Comcast in the last 10 years and it is not just me. It is with many people in my town. If you would have come in my town 2 - 3 years ago you would barely see a dish on a house. Now I would put at least 3rd of the home's has a dish. I do see a DIRECTV truck putting up new dish on house about 3 times a week in my town.
Last summer we had a Town meeting with Comcast and it was Comcast who called the meeting to find out why they are losing customers in my town. Every one who was at the meeting complain about the same problems ( cable going out all the time, super slow INTERNET times starting about 4:30 to 11pm, we could have a good looking TV pitcher and then it looks like CRAP, rates going up more than once a year, HD Channels not looking any better than none HD channels most nights, On Demand problems, and the list goes on). Comcast said they would get it resolve and go to each of there customers in my town to see what problems are. I put my name on the list for them to come and see what my complaints are. They never came around and from the people I know who put there names on the list said they never heard back ether. My town said after the meeting they never heard from Comcast also.
If I am paying good money for a service Do not give me Crap! Do not cut back Channels and give nothing in return! Do not raise my rates when you can not make a broken system work! SO ON:mad:

Thanks for letting Me Vent,
Daniel

You are right to a point.
I have had a lot of problems with Comcast in the last 10 years and it is not just me. It is with many people in my town.General Rule: People have problems with service providers. People will make up things to be upset about, if they cannot find enough of them in evidence. We can see this in how many complaints we see posted online that are people complaining about not getting things that were never promised to them. It's a disease, and it is running rampant through our society.

I recently switched from Comcast to FiOS. I've had more problems dealing with FiOS over the last six months than I had dealing with Comcast over the previous two years. Billing is the worst, but try getting someone on the telephone on the weekend, or overnight... Comcast has people there, and they have almost always been able to help me get what I need done done, even including service changes. FiOS: Wait until Monday morning. And even then I cannot tell you how many times in November and December (especially) I got a recording, during M-F 9-5, that I got the "Sorry our office is closed; please call back during business hours," message calling Verizon.

It doesn't take much to find valid complaints about Time Warner (SDV anyone?), Dish Network (crappy PQ?), and the rest.

So sorry, but I'm not impressed, not in the slightest, by people -- even The Consumerist -- claiming that Comcast is significantly worse in terms of service than anyone else. I think that it's simply a reflection of consumer frustration with not being able to dictate both sides of the deal. Comcast is too big to fight back, because of how badly they are presented by an overly-exploitative, overly-sensationalistic media.

To be fair: Comcast happens to suck worse in your part of the country than practically anywhere else. However, recognize that if anyone else was operating the cable infrastructure that is in your area, you're as likely to receive similarly sucky service from them.

bicker1,
I hear what you are saying. But Why can a company this big can not fix a broken system or tell the people who are paying full rates why they are having the on going problems and what they are going to do about them. In my town meeting they said very little and just listen to us. If you buy a new car and have on going problems and the car company can not get it fixed you can get lemon law involved. But Who do we have on are side? I have called Burlington County Consumer affairs about this and they know all about the system problems from other people calling. But they can do nothing because there is no law for this.
Yes I do know there is no perfect system with Comcast, Dircetv, Dish, TW, Fios and so on. But why can't Comcast try to fix the Garden State system that is broke. Every time I talk to a Comcast Service Person or a Comcast Rep. They tell me they Do not know why the system is not getting fixed.

I hear what you are saying. But Why can a company this bigLet me stop you right there. The size of a company is relatively meaningless in this context. Companies of all sizes, from Geppetto by himself crafting a carving, to the largest conglomerates, are responsible for three things: following the law, living up to the explicit promises they make, and serving the best long-term interests of their owners.

Many people blind themselves to the reality of the world by thinking that large companies are in some way obligated to provide more or better service than small companies. In many ways, the opposite is true: Large companies, by virtue of their size, are more readily trustworthy, since where are they going to hide? By contrast, you can only grant smaller companies that kind of trust if you come to know them, or understand how they are rooted to their community.

can not fix a broken systemI don't want to misinterpret what you're asking, so please clarify: What part(s) of the explicit promises they've made to you, specifically, have been broken? Please quote the explicit promise, precisely, and then outline the facts of the situation that you feel constitute the breaking of that promise. Be sure, if you're going to highlight a portion of their promise, to include the portions of their promise that indicate a promise of perfection, if you mean to imply that they've promised something to be perfect.

or tell the people who are paying full rates why...One of the things I've learned as I've gotten older is that, in situations such as you describe, telling people "why" is a pretty worthless, and sometimes counter-productive, gesture. Telling people "why" is a great tool for teaching people, but in the context you're talking about, no one is really interested in learning. It isn't about education. What it is often about is anger and frustration, and trying to teach something to someone who is not interested in learning, and is angry about things not being exactly the way they want them to be, typically will just make matters worse.

they are having the on going problems and what they are going to do about them.Again: I don't want to misinterpret what you're asking, so please clarify: What part(s) of the explicit promises they've made to you, specifically, have been "broken"? Please quote the explicit promise, precisely, and then outline the facts of the situation that you feel constitute the breaking of that promise.

Your specific situation, if I recall correctly, is that you're in an area where the cable infrastructure is both very old (and therefore with lesser capability and lower reliability than the rest of us enjoy) and expensive to upgrade (with perhaps a very low potential for ROI as compared to other things the company can do with that money). You expect things that you're not getting because of these realities, but (and this is the important part) you have never been explicitly promised those things. Your expectations are unfounded. As a result, they don't necessarily need to do anything about them. What will make it necessary for the company to do something about them is either (1) they explicitly promise to do so, or (2) doing so becomes the very best possible investment for the money needed to do so.

In my town meeting they said very little and just listen to us.That is exactly what customer service agents in all industries are trained to do with unreasonably irate customers.

If you buy a new car and have on going problems and the car company can not get it fixed you can get lemon law involved.Very bad analogy because (1) you haven't bought a product -- you're subscribing to a service; (2) unlike with the lemon-car, the service being provided to you generally complies with what the company has promised to provide.

That's not to say that you don't experience outages or other situations that are failures of the service. Keep in mind that no company promises a service free of failures. When (actual) problems occur, report them, and the company will fix them in accordance with their promises. The point here is to differentiate actual failures of the service from all the unfounded expectations that you and your neighbors and your town council have chosen to mix together with what the company actually has promised.

Morac, We have not seen any new HD Channels in over a year. They have taken away channels in the last year and put nothing in there places.
We only have 34 HD channels not counting the pay channels.
We probably pay the same amount for Comcast and you get More! The Garden State Systems gets Less!
I was told we would get more Channels in May. But now I get told we would not see any until some time in 2011.
I am getting very close to dropping Comcast!
I do wish Fios would get in my town!

Don't bother waiting for FIOS as they aren't deploying to any more towns at the moment, so unless you see them laying down wires on polls or digging up lawns, you won't be getting FIOS any time soon.

There's someone at my work place who is in the GSS and he has the same complaints as you (same price for half the channels). Unfortunately there's not much that can be done about that. You can try calling Comcast and see if you can get a price reduction. They may or may not do so though.

You are right to a point.
I have had a lot of problems with Comcast in the last 10 years and it is not just me. It is with many people in my town. If I am paying good money for a service Do not give me Crap! Do not cut back Channels and give nothing in return! Do not raise my rates when you can not make a broken system work! SO ON:mad:

Thanks for letting Me Vent,
Daniel

Daniel, we feel your pain. We're very long term cable subs back before TWC and Comcast bought up all the smaller systems. Obviously, both organizations have outgrown their ability to provide really good service; however, I do see Comcast working hard to catch up...at least in our area (Houston, TX).

All your gripes are legit...costs too much, has flaky system ops software. We had TWC before they and Comcast swapped Dallas and Houston. Now my sister in Dallas complains about TWC.

In Houston, we have a mostly Cisco/SA system, with a Motorola overlay to cover many Moto boxes still in service. We've not yet experienced the all digital changeover, probably because of the dual system overlay. Also, Comcast spent all the $$ and promoted the bejesus out of their 3D Masters coverage; however, they failed to work with any local dealers or their own storefronts to demonstrate the 3D format. Simply an amazing lack of follow through on their part...and the local dealers.

I keep exploring the sat providers, but most of our friends who have had them are changing back to Comcast. Right now...the devil I know is easier to deal with than a whole new set of maladroits. At least I have the email and phone #'s of several of the top execs at the local Comcast division, along with one of their senior engineers.

Regards!

Comcast has developed a Master Channel Lineup (MCLU) that will be deployed across the country over the next year or so. All channels will be grouped by genre.

- 99 and Below: Will remain the same with channel numbers decided by the local market. All channels in this range will be replicated in higher channel numbers.

- 100's: News, Local, and Public Service, Educational, Government.

- 200's: General Entertainment and Lifestyle cable channels (FX, TNT, Discovery, etc)

- 300's: General Entertainment and Lifestyle cable channels (Lifetime, A&E, TLC, shopping channels etc)

- 400's: Music Channels

- 500's: Kids and Religious channels

- 600's and 700's: Sports

- 800's: Movies and PPV

- 900's: Premium channels

- HD channels will move to the 1000's with the same channel number as the SD version + 1000.

- International Channels will be in the 2000's.


A few systems in Indiana will test the new lineup in June. Probably in Tuscon and Salt Lake City, too.

200 available channels for sports? Is Comcast anticipating a huge influx of new sports channels, or maybe even having a MLBEI HD offering, finally?

200 available channels for sports? Is Comcast anticipating a huge influx of new sports channels, or maybe even having a MLBEI HD offering, finally?

Sounds like reasonable speculation to me, but I really don't know one way or the other.

yes it's about time Comcast did this!

Sounds like reasonable speculation to me, but I really don't know one way or the other.

Yes, but the problem is that they still need the physical bandwidth. I think SDV will provide what's needed for a full-bore MLBEI-HD package ala DIRECTV, I don't see it happening with linear channels, there's simply not enough bandwidth.

Sounds like reasonable speculation to me, but I really don't know one way or the other.

MLB EI, NHL Center Ice and NBA Ticket could take about 50 of those if they make them all HD (or more if they offer both the home and away feeds for each game).

200 available channels for sports? Is Comcast anticipating a huge influx of new sports channels, or maybe even having a MLBEI HD offering, finally?

Maybe finally joining the 21st century and offering out-of-market RSNs like satellite and telco? That's one of my biggest hangups with switching back to cable when my E* contract is up.

Maybe finally joining the 21st century and offering out-of-market RSNs like satellite and telco? That's one of my biggest hangups with switching back to cable when my E* contract is up.
We can hope, although as it appears Comcast is not expanding the physical bandwidth in their systems anymore, beyond what they are currently(if you're 750MHz, you'll stay 750MHz), SDV would seem to be the answer, especially for that sort of programming, seems tailor-made for it in fact. SDV, while it appears to have it's issues, is a whole lot more attractive than going to a 4-per QAM, or more, solution - which Comcast has been looking at.

Thank you guys for hearing me out.

bicker1,
The broken system We have. This is what Comcast has said to us in are town meeting. We have a bad Noid I think it is called The main trunk and Box that Comcast send to the sounding towns. They know it is Bad. They tell us it is bad but it will cost 2 million plus dollars to fix and they are not looking to spend that money to fix it. We also have a bad main line in the street and they also said they will not fix it to much money.
Most amplifiers that send the Cable wire to our houses are going bad they are old. to much money again. They also said are feed on a good day might be 400MHz.
So that is what Bad on my Garden State system.

Comcast has developed a Master Channel Lineup (MCLU) that will be deployed across the country over the next year or so. All channels will be grouped by genre.

- HD channels will move to the 1000's with the same channel number as the SD version + 1000.

-

A few systems in Indiana will test the new lineup in June. Perhaps in Tuscon and Salt Lake City, also.

shouldn't it be the other way around

for example HBO-HD would be 900 with HBO-SD being 1900

- HD channels will move to the 1000's with the same channel number as the SD version + 1000.

Let's hope this includes an "auto tune to the HD version" function if you are on an HD box. :)

Let's hope this includes an "auto tune to the HD version" function if you are on an HD box. :)It's not auto tune.

The new guide has a 'Watch in HD' function on the Info banner. If you're on an SD channel that is also available in HD, you simply push the 'OK' button, and it takes you to the HD channel.

I wonder if they are going to repackage via genre instead of the mishmash they have now? Do what people have mentioned that ExpressVu in Canada does.

The broken system We have. So Comcast informs you that it is too expensive to upgrade to improve the reliability and capability of the cable infrastructure. What is your town willing to do to financially motivate some other supplier to agree to come in invest the millions of dollars necessary, when the time comes to renew the franchise agreement? What is your town willing to do now to financially motivate some other supplier to come in and invest the millions of dollars necessary to overlay Comcast's network? If the answer is nothing or some other equivocation that avoids your town doing anything significant to change the situation, then your town has paved the way for the less reliable, less capable cable system to continue operating as such into the future.

Some of the northern New England states are like this. People complain about the way things are but they're unwilling to do anything themselves to make it better. They want someone else to incur the cost of making things better for them, without any justification for that expectation.

Oh, the agony of having to enter four digits!

I don't even remember the SD channel numbers any more. At least that gives room for well over 100 HD channels eventually. (Sunday Ticket in 2014?:D)

Had some four-digit channels in the guide for a while but couldn't view them.

So Comcast informs you that it is too expensive to upgrade to improve the reliability and capability of the cable infrastructure. What is your town willing to do to financially motivate some other supplier to agree to come in invest the millions of dollars necessary, when the time comes to renew the franchise agreement? What is your town willing to do now to financially motivate some other supplier to come in and invest the millions of dollars necessary to overlay Comcast's network? If the answer is nothing or some other equivocation that avoids your town doing anything significant to change the situation, then your town has paved the way for the less reliable, less capable cable system to continue operating as such into the future.

Some of the northern New England states are like this. People complain about the way things are but they're unwilling to do anything themselves to make it better. They want someone else to incur the cost of making things better for them, without any justification for that expectation.

Fios started to do line work last summer on the polls. All they need to do is to come into the neighborhood. Easier said than done. Inside each neighborhood all the utilities are under ground. I am going to my town office this week to find out more on this with Fios.

Good luck. If you feel really strongly about this, you should really apply pressure on your representatives to do what is necessary to get you another option.

Bicker1,
Thank you for all your input.

shouldn't it be the other way around

for example HBO-HD would be 900 with HBO-SD being 1900

???

Ken H said that the HDs will be in the 1000s, so SD HBO will be 900. HD HBO will be 1900....

Comcast has developed a Master Channel Lineup (MCLU) that will be deployed across the country over the next year or so. All channels will be grouped by genre.

- 99 and Below: Will remain the same with channel numbers decided by the local market. All channels in this range will be replicated in higher channel numbers.

- 100's: News, Local, and Public Service, Educational, Government.

- 200's: General Entertainment and Lifestyle cable channels (FX, TNT, Discovery, etc)

- 300's: General Entertainment and Lifestyle cable channels (Lifetime, A&E, TLC, shopping channels etc)

- 400's: Music Channels

- 500's: Kids and Religious channels

- 600's and 700's: Sports

- 800's: Movies and PPV

- 900's: Premium channels

- HD channels will move to the 1000's with the same channel number as the SD version + 1000.

- International Channels will be in the 2000's.


A few systems in Indiana will test the new lineup in June. Probably in Tuscon and Salt Lake City, too.

Will RSN's say in the local range?

Will part time over flows get fixed channle numbers and not shear channels any more?

What will Chicago area do CSN + sd uses cltv (hold over from the analog days and FSN days) And CSN + HD uses info HD (looping help videos) used to be MOJO HD?

Will they add CLTV HD? make CSN + have it's own channle / info sd? CSN + needs to be on the dta's. Why is it missing there?

Where will HD only channels fit in full time ones?

Part time HD only channels stuff like PPV HD (events) PPV HD 2 (events) game 1 HD (sports) game 2 HD (sports) team HD (sports)?

Yes, but the problem is that they still need the physical bandwidth. I think SDV will provide what's needed for a full-bore MLBEI-HD package ala DIRECTV, I don't see it happening with linear channels, there's simply not enough bandwidth.

in demand just added game 2 HD and they are a long way from doing any near direct level of sports pack HD and with the high number of black outs. On directv the rsn are remapped to the sports pack numbers.

And If comcast can even do some thing like have SD and HD on same numbers. How do thing they will be to have the RSN in the guide just have them trun off then have a other number that the out of market people will have to tune to if they have MLB , NHL, NBA packs.

Also Comcast as said they want NFL ST but where is the bandwidth for 12-15 part time HD channels?

???

Ken H said that the HDs will be in the 1000s, so SD HBO will be 900. HD HBO will be 1900....

It should still be the other way around with Hd as the primary channel :)

bicker1,
I hear what you are saying. But Why can a company this big can not fix a broken system or tell the people who are paying full rates why they are having the on going problems and what they are going to do about them. In my town meeting they said very little and just listen to us. If you buy a new car and have on going problems and the car company can not get it fixed you can get lemon law involved. But Who do we have on are side? I have called Burlington County Consumer affairs about this and they know all about the system problems from other people calling. But they can do nothing because there is no law for this.
Yes I do know there is no perfect system with Comcast, Dircetv, Dish, TW, Fios and so on. But why can't Comcast try to fix the Garden State system that is broke. Every time I talk to a Comcast Service Person or a Comcast Rep. They tell me they Do not know why the system is not getting fixed.

I had cable tv at one time through Sammons/Patriot Cable (since acquired by Comcast). The service was pretty bad with an extremely limited of channels and very little HD. Since the acquisition Comcast has upgraded the systems and added more HD but they still suffer in comparison to Dish and Directv. I've had Directv since 1996; had Dish for 6 years - since dropped and got rid of Comcast cable in 2009.

I really like Directv - They have all the out of market sports packages (NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB EI, League Pass, Cricket Pass, Mega Madness...etc.), movies, news channels and local programming I want. I could care less about the other crap channels found on cable & satellite - Tru TV, Spike, TNT, AMC, WE, etc., those channels all have an endless cycle of 10 minutes of programming followed by 8 minutes of the worst commercials in history then back to 5 minutes of programming.

A few systems in Indiana will test the new lineup in June. Probably in Tuscon and Salt Lake City, too.

do you know what systems in Indiana will test the lineup in June?

Bicker1,
Thank you for all your input.

If there is a franchise agreement in your town, then there is liable to be a commission of appointed (by local government) members who are supposed to be responsible for its enforcement. I would start talking to them. I would demand to see the franchise agreement (which should be a public document), and study it carefully. There may be grounds in there for local government to bring legal action at least on reliability issues if not capacity issues. If as many of the parts of that system are breaking down as you indicate, their reliability record might be being impacted enough to be actionable.

Most cable commissions are pretty cosy with the provider. When things are going relatively well, that's not such a problem. When things aren't, some cages need rattling to remind them the public is watching, and cares. All politicians will respond to public pressure if enough of it is brought. The meetings of that commission should also be public. Start showing up at them. Bring a few like-minded friends. Be polite, but insistent.

It certainly wouldn't hurt if the town was willing to chip in where it made sense for the city to do so. Of the items you mention, the obvious one would be to offer to pay for the work needing done on Main street. When the City squawks, citizens could remind them that they've had a franchise fee revenue stream all along, and it would be entirely appropriate to use revenues from that fee to help maintain the system in reasonable ways that the city has the expertise to do (the city may be no good at nodes, but surely they know all about tearing up streets!).

It all comes down to how much you care, and how much time you put into it. Heck, you might find yourself as a member of that commission eventually.

Also Comcast as said they want NFL ST but where is the bandwidth for 12-15 part time HD channels?

All the subscriptoion sports packages like ST are perfect candidates for SDV.

There may be grounds in there for local government to bring legal action at least on reliability issues if not capacity issues. If as many of the parts of that system are breaking down as you indicate, their reliability record might be being impacted enough to be actionable.Perhaps, though I'd figure it isn't likely, but more importantly, you may not like the specified sanctions. The sanction may be warnings, followed by revocation of the contract. That could leave your town without anyone willing to operate the ancient cable system.

Of the items you mention, the obvious one would be to offer to pay for the work needing done on Main street. When the City squawks, citizens could remind them that they've had a franchise fee revenue stream all along, and it would be entirely appropriate to use revenues from that fee to help maintain the system in reasonable ways that the city has the expertise to doThe weak point of that approach, though, is that there may not be enough "citizens" who care enough and are in favor of using town revenues that way as opposed to, perhaps, paying an extra teacher or two at the school. Remember that municipalities can't print money -- they only have so much to go around, and so spending money one way means taking money away from something else.

The weak point of that approach, though, is that there may not be enough "citizens" who care enough and are in favor of using town revenues that way as opposed to, perhaps, paying an extra teacher or two at the school. Remember that municipalities can't print money -- they only have so much to go around, and so spending money one way means taking money away from something else.

That's true, but that's also the point of reminding them of the source of that money in the first place --the subscribers of that system. But sure, it's a political debate at that point. Just one the "pro" side goes into armed with history and a fairness case, and maybe even an "investment for the future" argument on the continuation and even growth of those revenues.

How do I report incorrect guide listings? Channel 246, HLN HD, has had the listings for KRCB's Create channel for months now. Keep in mind that this is for the Comcast system in Flint, MI, and KRCB is a San Francisco station.
Are the wrong channel listings you mentioned seen on the guide or online?

Are the wrong channel listings you mentioned seen on the guide or online?
It was on the guide. However, it appears to have been fixed now.

It should still be the other way around with Hd as the primary channel :)

eventually, someday it will.

Answers on the MCLU new channel locations:

Will RSN's stay in the local range?
All channels currently 99 below will stay where they are and be replicated in higher channel numbers. RSNs will be in the sports section. Each RSN has a separate channel number in the MCLU, so it can facilitate adding out of market RSNs in the future.

Will part time over flows get fixed channel numbers and not share channels any more?
The sports section has a section for RSN overflows that will be used for these overflow channels.

What will Chicago area do CSN + sd uses cltv (hold over from the analog days and FSN days) And CSN + HD uses info HD (looping help videos) used to be MOJO HD?
Local issue. Both CLTV and Info HD would be local channels so they most likely will be in the local section. (100's for CLTV and 1100's for Info HD).

Will they add CLTV HD? make CSN + have it's own channle / info sd? CSN + needs to be on the dta's. Why is it missing there?
Local issue that has nothing to do with the MCLU.

Where will HD only channels fit in full time ones?
HD only channels like MGM HD, Palladia, Universal HD, etc.. will have a channel number in the appropriate genre section in the HD range. Since these are HD only channels there obviously would not be a corresponding 3 digit SD channel number.

Part time HD only channels stuff like PPV HD (events) PPV HD 2 (events) game 1 HD (sports) game 2 HD (sports) team HD (sports)?
PPV 1 and 2 HD have spots in the HD Movies and PPV section (1800's)

Game 1 and 2 and TEAM HD have spots in the HD Sports section (1700's).

Comcast has developed a Master Channel Lineup (MCLU) that will be deployed across the country over the next year or so. All channels will be grouped by genre.

- 99 and Below: Will remain the same with channel numbers decided by the local market. All channels in this range will be replicated in higher channel numbers.

- 100's: News, Local, and Public Service, Educational, Government.

- 200's: General Entertainment and Lifestyle cable channels (FX, TNT, Discovery, etc)

- 300's: General Entertainment and Lifestyle cable channels (Lifetime, A&E, TLC, shopping channels etc)

- 400's: Music Channels

- 500's: Kids and Religious channels

- 600's and 700's: Sports

- 800's: Movies and PPV

- 900's: Premium channels

- HD channels will move to the 1000's with the same channel number as the SD version + 1000.

- International Channels will be in the 2000's.


A few systems in Indiana will test the new lineup in June. Probably in Tuscon and Salt Lake City, too.

Wow, this is almost exactly like my parents Time Warner Cable lineup in Rochester, NY. Copycats!:D

do you know what systems in Indiana will test the lineup in June?
At this time, not specifically.

Don't forget Digital Sub Channels and also Music Choice.
I'm all for Local channels/RSN'S like Chicago TV Land,Central Florida News 13,Show Me Weather,Metro Sports been available to all Cable Systems in every State.

No Channels below 99 would be good like S. Dish,AT@T U-Verse do only if need because more new kind of Channels could come available and need space for them or just for Local ones.

I have a metting with my town Thurday night. Keep fingers cross.

MLB EI, NHL Center Ice and NBA Ticket could take about 50 of those if they make them all HD (or more if they offer both the home and away feeds for each game).

That would be heaven. However, I don't expect it to be anymore than a grouping of channels with room for additions later.

That would be heaven. However, I don't expect it to be anymore than a grouping of channels with room for additions later.

Yes, this is just a new channel mapping scheme, it has nothing to do with any additional bandwidth, same bandwidth - different channel numbering.

if Comcast is basically requiring a box now, why not just have everything be HD and the box can down convert if your TV is SD? Will take up a ton less bandwidth and will put the channels in a lower set of numbers.

That would be heaven. However, I don't expect it to be anymore than a grouping of channels with room for additions later.

That's what I meant -- for FUTURE HD feeds of all the sports package games.

Answers on the MCLU new channel locations:

Will RSN's stay in the local range?
All channels currently 99 below will stay where they are and be replicated in higher channel numbers. RSNs will be in the sports section. Each RSN has a separate channel number in the MCLU, so it can facilitate adding out of market RSNs in the future.

Will part time over flows get fixed channel numbers and not share channels any more?
The sports section has a section for RSN overflows that will be used for these overflow channels.

What will Chicago area do CSN + sd uses cltv (hold over from the analog days and FSN days) And CSN + HD uses info HD (looping help videos) used to be MOJO HD?
Local issue. Both CLTV and Info HD would be local channels so they most likely will be in the local section. (100's for CLTV and 1100's for Info HD).

CLTV and CSN / CSN + are not the same channel in any way and there is a info sd channel in the system as well. So will csn + move to that with CSN + HD at 1000+ as well mirrors in the 600 and 1600? and under this system it will be nice for all systems to stop shearing channels with the rsn over flows. Makes things easy as the rsn over flow is next the main channle and not in other groups far away.

FUTURE HD feeds of all the sports package games. will that open up CSN Philly to dish and directv as comcast uses sats to send out some it's own channels over hits.

if Comcast is basically requiring a box now, why not just have everything be HD and the box can down convert if your TV is SD? Will take up a ton less bandwidth and will put the channels in a lower set of numbers.
The dta's can't do HD or mpeg 4

Dats? You mean the converter boxes? With comcast you need a box anyway, and I know my friend had an HD box on an sdtv and he could view the HD stuff letterboxed.

Dats? You mean the converter boxes? With comcast you need a box anyway, and I know my friend had an HD box on an sdtv and he could view the HD stuff letterboxed.

Not converter boxes, Digital Transport Adapters.

http://digitalnow.comcast.com/Contents/DTA_online_ver_2.pdf

That's true, but that's also the point of reminding them of the source of that money in the first place --the subscribers of that system. That's a pretty weak argument. If that money was supposed to be used mostly for that purpose, then it should have been earmarked. Most people who care enough to even give them matter as much thought as you're expecting them to would readily highlight how such monies go into the general fund deliberately so it can be used for the good of the community as a whole.

But sure, it's a political debate at that point.It doesn't go that far. What you're suggesting is just dismissed out of hand as without foundation and nothing more than self-serving distraction. I wish that wasn't the case.

Just one the "pro" side goes into armed with history and a fairness case, and maybe even an "investment for the future" argument on the continuation and even growth of those revenues.Don't bring up "fairness" when trying to defend directing money to "teevee" instead of directing it to the schools or police protection. You'll lose that one straight-away. And the idea that municipalities will somehow grow revenues from franchise fees is laughable these days.

Dats? You mean the converter boxes? With comcast you need a box anyway, and I know my friend had an HD box on an sdtv and he could view the HD stuff letterboxed.Not converter boxes, Digital Transport Adapters.


To be clear, the DTAs are prohibited from doing HD by law. In other words, b_scott, the government is not allowing Comcast to do what you suggest.

Comcast has developed a Master Channel Lineup (MCLU) that will be deployed across the country over the next year or so. All channels will be grouped by genre.

- 99 and Below: Will remain the same with channel numbers decided by the local market. All channels in this range will be replicated in higher channel numbers.

- 100's: News, Local, and Public Service, Educational, Government.

- 200's: General Entertainment and Lifestyle cable channels (FX, TNT, Discovery, etc)

- 300's: General Entertainment and Lifestyle cable channels (Lifetime, A&E, TLC, shopping channels etc)

- 400's: Music Channels

- 500's: Kids and Religious channels

- 600's and 700's: Sports

- 800's: Movies and PPV

- 900's: Premium channels

- HD channels will move to the 1000's with the same channel number as the SD version + 1000.

- International Channels will be in the 2000's.


A few systems in Indiana will test the new lineup in June. Probably in Tuscon and Salt Lake City, too.

Directv has had channel grouping for years with the Sports packages, movies, pay-per-view, spanish channels, etc. It's nice to see Comcast trying to catch up.

I suspect that there will be some folks who will consider this a downgrade, not a "catch up" -- folks who will whine about having to learn new channels numbers for everything. Their perspective is as valid as the perspective you outlined, and is very likely one reason why Comcast has put-off this sort of thing. (Also, perhaps some older equipment out there couldn't tune in four-digit virtual channel numbers?)

I think I'm typical: I agree with both sides of this. I want the better organization, but I also don't want the channel numbers I've memorized to change.

To be clear, the DTAs are prohibited from doing HD by law.Not for long.

Comcast's channel line-up reflects the following HD channel additions for the Hudson and St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin area and Blaine and Woodbury areas in Minnesota:

761 NBA League Pass HD
762 MLB/NHL HD
810 WGN HD
814 HSN HD
815 QVC HD
820 Travel HD
821 Planet Green HD
830 FX HD
832 TCM HD
833 Hallmark HD
835 Hallmark Movie Network HD
836 Lifetime HD
837 Disney XD HD
840 Nickelodeon HD
841 Weather Channel HD
843 HLN HD
844 Fox News Channel HD
845 MSNBC HD
846 CNBC HD
847 Fox Buisness HD
848 truTV HD
849 Biography HD
850 Style HD
851 Gospel Music HD
852 E! HD
853 MTV HD
854 VH1 HD
855 CMT HD
856 BET HD
857 TV One HD
858 Fuse HD
859 G4 HD
860 Comedy HD
861 Cartoon HD
866 Spike HD
868 ESPNews HD (Must have SEP)
869 ESPNU HD
870 Outdoor Channel HD (Must have SEP)
871 CBS Sports HD (Must have SEP)
872 NHL HD (Must have SEP)
873 MLB HD (Must have SEP)
878 Speed HD (Must have SEP)
880 Bravo HD
881 Encore HD (Must have Prefered)
882 MGM HD
895 History International HD
896 WE HD
897 IFC HD
902 HBO Zone HD (Must have HBO)
903 HBO Latino HD (Must have HBO)
911 Starz Edge HD (Must have Starz)
912 Starz Kids & Family HD (Must have Starz)
913 Starz Comedy HD (Must have Starz)
921 Showtime 2 HD (Must have Showtime)
940 TMC HD (Must have TMC)

I suspect that there will be some folks who will consider this a downgrade, not a "catch up" -- folks who will whine about having to learn new channels numbers for everything. Their perspective is as valid as the perspective you outlined, and is very likely one reason why Comcast has put-off this sort of thing. (Also, perhaps some older equipment out there couldn't tune in four-digit virtual channel numbers?)

I think I'm typical: I agree with both sides of this. I want the better organization, but I also don't want the channel numbers I've memorized to change.

My biggest complaint is that when Comcast does major restructuring of their system like this, they tend to lag on telling anyone when the switch takes place (like when the World of More channels showed up). As such my TiVo will likely not get updated when the switch occurs and all my channels will be screwed up.

I think a re-organization is well overdue though. Right now 400 is music, 300 is pay channels, 600 is Spanish and 700 is sports, but everything else is a mismatch.

To be clear, the DTAs are prohibited from doing HD by law. In other words, b_scott, the government is not allowing Comcast to do what you suggest.

aren't "DTAs" basically converter boxes?

but like someone said, I'm sure that won't stick for long with the HD.

Comcast Adds High Definition Feeds of Univision, TeleFutura and Telemundo to Northern California Channel Line Up in Advance of World Cup Soccer
Hispanic Networks Are Latest Additions to Comcast's Ever Growing HD Channel Slate and Thousands of HD Choices On Demand

LIVERMORE, Calif., May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSK, CMCSA) http://comcastcalifornia.mediaroom.com/, one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications services, today announced that it will launch three new Hispanic high-definition (HD) networks in Northern California on Cinco de Mayo (see below for list of areas, network affiliates and channel numbers). Beginning May 5th, Univision HD (http://www.univision.com/), TeleFutura HD (http://www.univision.com/), and Telemundo HD (http://msnlatino.telemundo.com/) will be available on the Limited Basic HD service level to residential homes and businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area; and Univision HD and TeleFutura HD will launch to Limited Basic HD residential and business customers in Central California.

The addition of the new HD channels, in advance of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, continues Comcast's commitment of launching more HD channels following recent digital upgrades of customers from analog to digital and the launch of XFINITY in California. XFINITY is about offering customers more HD, more speed, more choice and more control over their services.

Comcast customers who currently have access to the standard-definition feeds of Univision, TeleFutura and Telemundo affiliates will automatically receive the HD versions of the networks, if they have HD service and HD equipment. The three HD networks will be available throughout Comcast's Bay Area systems with the exception of Half Moon Bay, Isleton, Mendocino and Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley. The two new HD networks launching in Central California will not be available in the Chico/Oroville, Coalinga, Gustine, Planada or Sonora/Tuolumne areas. In Central California, two Music Choice music channels will move channel locations to make room for the two new HD networks (see details below).

"These are some of the most-watched networks in the country and we're excited to offer their compelling programming, including their coverage of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup, to Comcast's California customers in crystal-clear HD," said Bryan Byrd, Director of Communications for Comcast California. "Comcast continues to deliver the most HD viewing choices with our robust lineup of HD linear channels and thousands of HD choices available to watch at any time via Comcast's video-on-demand library."

Comcast has added more than 80 new channels in the San Francisco Bay Area in the last few months after completing a digital migration which offered digital upgrades to Standard Cable customers to migrate from analog to digital, and converted channels 35 and above to a digitally delivered format. Customers in the Central California Area will experience the same benefits as Comcast's ongoing digital migration reclaims analog bandwidth to allow the company to provide more products and services to customers, such as faster Internet speeds, more networks, dozens of international and multicultural language channels, and more ON DEMAND content.

For more information about Comcast's programming, customers can call 1-800-COMCAST or visit http://www.comcast.com.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

KDTV (Univision) HD 714
KFSF (TeleFutura) HD 716
KSTS-AN (Telemundo) HD 710*

*KSTS-AN (Telemundo) HD will appear on Channel 713 in Berkeley, Brentwood, El Cerrito, Hercules, Pittsburg and Richmond.


MONTEREY

KSMS (Univision) HD 704


FRESNO / VISALIA / MERCED / LOS BANOS DMA

KFTV (Univision) HD 702
KTFF (TeleFutura) HD 712


SACRAMENTO / STOCKTON / MODESTO DMA

KUVS (Univision) HD 705
KTFK (TeleFutura) HD 711


VACAVILLE, FAIRFIELD, TRAVIS AFB & RIO VISTA

KUVS (Univision) HD 705
KTFK (TeleFutura) HD 711


SANTA MARIA

KRMR (Univision) HD 220

Press Release from Comcast California - Online MediaRoom (http://comcastcalifornia.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=362)


With these 3 new local HD channels, there are now 13 local HD channels carried by Comcast in the SF bay area market.

To be clear, the DTAs are prohibited from doing HD by law. In other words, b_scott, the government is not allowing Comcast to do what you suggest.

I thought the Government was only concerned with OTA DTA's. To be more precise, the ones the $40 Coupons addressed.

With these 3 new local HD channels, there are now 13 local HD channels carried by Comcast in the SF bay area market.

STB message this am says that June 1 will bring these HD channels to the Chicago area, again JIT for World Cup. :cool: