Comcast regularly puts 2 and sometimes 3 HD channels into one QAM freq, so this is not surprising (although disappointing). Here in the ATL they don't load more than 2 OTA channels on one QAM.
You can fit two full bit rate ATSC channels onto one QAM channel without any loss or recompression. A QAM channel has twice the bit rate of an ATSC channel.

You can fit two full bit rate ATSC channels onto one QAM channel without any loss or recompression. A QAM channel has twice the bit rate of an ATSC channel.

In virtually all areas where CC has or is in the process of transitioning to an all digital system, they are encoding 3 HD channels per encoder, which does require some recompression. With software allowing real time, variable compression per channel, it generally works better than it should (certainly better than U-verse (especially when delivered to the home via old copper cabling). However, if you try doing what KTRK-13 and other ABC O & O stations are required to do...encoding 2, 720p channels (ABC and Living Well), and you try replacing "Living Well" with say a NASCAR race while football is running on ABC......then you get a major case of compression artifacts on both channels. The same thing happens if more than one of the 3 channels that CC encodes requires a large amount of bandwidth at the same moment. In fact, folks who wonder why QAM channel assignments change more often than one might think reasonable are simply experiencing the results of CC engineers trying to find more compatible channel combinations per encoder.

In short, there's no substitute for greater bandwidth when there are fast moving, highly detailed programs on multiple HD channels.

In virtually all areas where CC has or is in the process of transitioning to an all digital system, they are encoding 3 HD channels per encoder

But does this include OTA ATSC HD channels???

I was told by one of mods here that this is NOT the case, but... :confused:

In virtually all areas where CC has or is in the process of transitioning to an all digital system, they are encoding 3 HD channels per encoder, which does require some recompression. With software allowing real time, variable compression per channel, it generally works better than it should (certainly better than U-verse (especially when delivered to the home via old copper cabling). However, if you try doing what KTRK-13 and other ABC O & O stations are required to do...encoding 2, 720p channels (ABC and Living Well), and you try replacing "Living Well" with say a NASCAR race while football is running on ABC......then you get a major case of compression artifacts on both channels. The same thing happens if more than one of the 3 channels that CC encodes requires a large amount of bandwidth at the same moment. In fact, folks who wonder why QAM channel assignments change more often than one might think reasonable are simply experiencing the results of CC engineers trying to find more compatible channel combinations per encoder.

In short, there's no substitute for greater bandwidth when there are fast moving, highly detailed programs on multiple HD channels.

The packing of 3 HD channels per QAM is done with national HD channels that are sourced from Comcast Media Center in Colorado and have nothing to do with local OTA HD channel transmission. I can't speak for other Comcast markets, but here in the San Fransisco bay area market, which is likely Comcast's second largest market, Comcast does not pack 3 local HD channels per QAM the last time I checked anyway. Each station is afforded the equivalent of one half a QAM channel, essentially 19mb/s. Now, if a station is using multiple sub-channels, such as ABC with their 2 "HD" channels and some SD channels, they still only get 19mb/s worth of bandwidth to squeeze all that data into. If they're only running 1 channel, I think our CBS station, KPIX, is still only using 1 channel, then they can utilize that full 19mb/s worth of bandwidth. There are several other national channels that also are packed only 2 per QAM such as ESPN, TNT and I believe Discovery HD(or what ever it's called now).

But does this include OTA ATSC HD channels???

I was told by one of mods here that this is NOT the case, but... :confused:

As I noted in my last post, to the best of my knowledge, Comcast still does not pack local OTA stations more than 2 per QAM. What those stations do with that bandwidth is up to them, but each station is provided with half of QAM's worth of bandwidth.

Here in CO, our local PBS station crams 3 channels (HD prime program and SD Create and V ME) into one channel. Even OTA the video is the pitts compared to HD (and even better BluRay) disks of the same program. On Comcast we used to see lots of digital artifacts (pixelation, freezes, dropouts, etc.). It was hard to tell if that was Comcast or the source (I'd see similar instances but not as bad OTA). One of the guys here locally has a relatively inexpensive satellite receive setup and gets the Ku-Band national feed. He says the difference is night and day.

Same here with PBS Knowledge and Kids SD channels, but they are very low bitrate so the main HD feed still looks great to me either OTA or on Comcast.

As I noted in my last post, to the best of my knowledge, Comcast still does not pack local OTA stations more than 2 per QAM.
Then it's a mystery why our Comcast is recompressing our CBS affiliate down to 10-11 Mbps. They've been broadcasting a full 18 Mbps HD stream since mid-June and it's the best HD I've seen in years.

Then it's a mystery why our Comcast is recompressing our CBS affiliate down to 10-11 Mbps. They've been broadcasting a full 18 Mbps HD stream since mid-June and it's the best HD I've seen in years.

I suppose anything is possible in any given market. Have you contacted the station to see if they can shed some light on why it's happening?

Maybe things have changed, but a couple of years back I remember the FCC not allowing TV providers to re-compress local TV ATSC stations. Has this changed?

I suppose anything is possible in any given market. Have you contacted the station to see if they can shed some light on why it's happening?

I haven't because I still have my antenna (:)) but I hope others will.

This was the one station in the area which for years refused to let Comcast rebroadcast their HD channel.They have a contentious history.

I live in West Jordan but this likely applies to all of the Salt Lake City area, saw this in my bill for this month....finally getting Fox Soccer HD!

Effective October 31, the following channel changes will take place: BBC America (162) will move from Digital Preferred to Digital Starter. The following HD channels will be dropped but the content will be carried On Demand and standard definition: 5StarMax (733), ActionMax (732), HBO Comedy (731), HBO Family (741), HBO Signature (740), and MoreMax 742). The following channels will be added to the Sports Entertainment Package: Tennis SD (405), Tennis HD (749), Fox Soccer HD (732)and NHL HD (733). The following HD channels will be added to Digital Starter: Oxygen (742), BBC America (740), and Galavision (731). Galavision HD will also be added to Multilatino Max. Fox Soccer HD (732) and NHL HD (733) will be added to Digital referred.

+ Tennis HD (749) (this actually happened last week I believe)
+ Fox Soccer HD (732)
+ NHL HD (733)
+ Oxygen (742)
+ BBC America (740)
+ Galavision (731)

- 5StarMax (733)
- ActionMax (732)
- HBO Comedy (731)
- HBO Family (741)
- HBO Signature (740)
- MoreMax (742)

Interesting. We don't have Tennis or FSC in HD here in Atlanta. We do have NHL, Oxygen and BBC America. Don't know or care about Galavision.

Game2 HD added in Baltimore.

1st time here
Hello everyone
Anyone have problem with comcast reset cable box?
Comcast keep reset my cable boxes every almost week, I'm getting tired of this BS ...from them. If this question already answers, please point it to me
Thank You
BTW I'm from Md.

I live in West Jordan but this likely applies to all of the Salt Lake City area, saw this in my bill for this month....finally getting Fox Soccer HD!



+ Tennis HD (749) (this actually happened last week I believe)
+ Fox Soccer HD (732)
+ NHL HD (733)
+ Oxygen (742)
+ BBC America (740)
+ Galavision (731)

- 5StarMax (733)
- ActionMax (732)
- HBO Comedy (731)
- HBO Family (741)
- HBO Signature (740)
- MoreMax (742)

Got a mailing in DC about set top boxes. Assume this means they're eliminating analogs, freeing up some bandwidth for some more HD channels and (hope) that we'll finally get FSC-HD, and some additional HBO/SHO in HD. Please!

Interesting. We don't have Tennis or FSC in HD here in Atlanta. We do have NHL, Oxygen and BBC America. Don't know or care about Galavision.

Galavision does have soccer matches from MLS and other leagues on there. On that note... come on Comcast hurry up and get Fox Soccer HD here in the Twin Cities.

Game2 HD added in Baltimore.

And in DC.

Also, there are "blank" listings for Chs. 970-972 on the programming guide. Anyone have an idea what's going there?

Game2 HD added in Baltimore.

Wow! We don't even have game1 hd in harford county. What channels are they using for these?

Wow! We don't even have game1 hd in harford county. What channels are they using for these?

787 Team HD
789 Game1 HD
790 Game2 HD

787 Team HD
789 Game1 HD
790 Game2 HD

I hope these show up before hockey season. I want to buy center ice, but would like some hd games.

Nothing showing up here in MA but Game1 HD and Team HD

We have the game1 and game2 channels showing up now. However comcast just called to try and sell me hbo and when I asked about Center Ice the guy insisted it was part of the sports entertainment package at $6.95 a month. Could not convince the guy there was a separate package. Hilarious.

Nothing showing up here in MA but Game1 HD and Team HD

Same. I am not paying $150 or whatever it is for NHL Center Ice with one HD channel.

Does anyone know if they're are going to add more HD channels for Center Ice here in MA?

Here in Savannah, we finally got all of the new HD channels that were promised 7 months ago. We are now fully digital, and have only boxes and adapters.

BBC America is now in HD along with Bloomberg TV in HD in Seattle. It's makes perfect sense for Top Gear in HD.

Did you get Fox Soccer HD by any chance in Seattle? Especially with the US Open Cup finals tonight... good luck by the way Seattle.

Same. I am not paying $150 or whatever it is for NHL Center Ice with one HD channel.

Does anyone know if they're are going to add more HD channels for Center Ice here in MA?

If you're a sports person, you should get DirecTV.

Now that we have BBC America and HDNET in Seattle, is our life complete?
What channel should we be pining for now? I can't think of any.

Why can't I ever get anything to activate without a technician coming to the house!!! Called and ordered Center Ice tonight, I wanted to be able to record the Sabres game at 1:00pm tomorrow while I was at work. They spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to get it to activate remotely... Nothing. They are sending a tech Saturday. I miss tomorrows game... CRAP!

Same. I am not paying $150 or whatever it is for NHL Center Ice with one HD channel.

Does anyone know if they're are going to add more HD channels for Center Ice here in MA?

How much does it cost to go to ONE game? I wanted to get tickets for the Caps/Sabres on 11/26 - would have cost me and my wife over $300 for good seats. For $170 I get the entire season. Seems like a great deal to me, even if it is SD. But I do get two HD channels (once they get the darn thing to activate, that is)

How much does it cost to go to ONE game? I wanted to get tickets for the Caps/Sabres on 11/26 - would have cost me and my wife over $300 for good seats. For $170 I get the entire season. Seems like a great deal to me, even if it is SD. But I do get two HD channels (once they get the darn thing to activate, that is)

with Anik F2 satellite being down there may be no CBC HD tonight on in demand. Directv had that game listed in the guide as being in HD and pulled the HD slot just before it was to start.

Directv does have most the US RSN HD feeds for center ice.

I upgraded to the triple play with HD and sports... they finally had to do a hard reset (remotely) on my box in order to get the channels to show up... then I had to call back because the phone went out when he did that procedure...

I upgraded to the triple play with HD and sports... they finally had to do a hard reset (remotely) on my box in order to get the channels to show up... then I had to call back because the phone went out when he did that procedure...

Yeah, they did that to my boxes too. No go.

Ok, they got the Center Ice to work! Sitting down to watch my Sabres direct from Berlin, in HD no less! Awesome!

Overall i'm pretty happy with Comcast in my area, aside from the amount of time i've spent on the phone when I upgraded...

Just noticed that the Limited Basic channels are no longer available in analog and have a "digital equipment needed" message. Must have happened recently. Should be a lot more room for more HD.

^^Sigh...I got a letter from them last month, and the wording of it implied that analog would be eliminated, but I dismissed it since I though FCC regs required systems to continue offering analog (and yes, I've read accounts here on the forum where some cable cos have shut off analog chs entirely).

Crap...

Ok, they got the Center Ice to work! Sitting down to watch my Sabres direct from Berlin, in HD no less! Awesome!

I haven't checked the price of the NHL package but to me only one HD channel for hockey games just doesn't seem worth whatever they charge.

Just noticed that the Limited Basic channels are no longer available in analog and have a "digital equipment needed" message.How about Limited Basic digital in clear-QAM?

I haven't checked the price of the NHL package but to me only one HD channel for hockey games just doesn't seem worth whatever they charge.

I live 400 miles from my favorite hockey team. Unless they are on versus, NHL network or the NBC game of the week, I don't get to see them without the center ice package. Frankly, even if I got no hd channels, 75 plus Sabres games ( barely $2 per game ) is WAY worth it.

How about Limited Basic digital in clear-QAM?

for local broadcast channels in HD YES! :)

Now that we have BBC America and HDNET in Seattle, is our life complete?
What channel should we be pining for now? I can't think of any.

Well, I pine for NASAHD, CNN International, Al Jazeera English, and HDNET Movies. I'll bet there are more I'd pine for, if I knew of their existence.

i know these channels are added in other areas but New England doesn't have them Boomerang (Cartoon Network Classic) and WGN America HD.

Reportedly, decades ago one could watch barely scrambled pay-per-view with unscrambled audio.

And reportedly a few years ago one could watch/listen all the neighbors' pay-per-view by tuning to the appropriate QAM channel.

Today I am reporting to you kind reader that recent clear-QAM channel-scan picked up more of the similar via the repeating latenight PPV ads which would be considered very 'adult' and objectionable by conservative/family people. Ads similar to these 'adult' previews in hotels which can usually be blocked on request by the 'front desk', leading to the following question:

?? Hypothetically If one were to complain and request comcast to block the objectionable PPV-preview channel(s), could/would/should they do it without restricting one's economy-internet or standard-internet ??

for local broadcast channels in HD YES! :)

In Bucks County (Penna.), we lost the CBS affiliate (KYW) in HD. (Comcast)

Comcast adds HD channels

By DAVID BARRON Copyright 2011 Houston Chronicle
July 25, 2011, 5:26PM

Comcast has added seven high-definition channels to its Houston service and relegated several channels to its On Demand service.

The new HD channels are PBS Kids Sprout (channel 740), Nat Geo Wild (687), Outdoor Channel (708), Oxygen (718), BBC America (730), Big Ten Network (707) and Galavision (650).

Programming from the following HD channels is now available only through On Demand: Starz Edge, Starz Kids & Family, Starz Comedy, 5StarMax, ActionMax, HBO Comedy and Showtime Extreme.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/7668883.html#ixzz1TDhF7Zwt

Looks like this finally happened here in the SF bay area last night. The below are the only premium channels we have left now.

801-HBO-HD Pacific
808-HBO-HD Latino
816-Starz-HD Pacific
825-Showtime-HD Pacific
838-Cinemax-HD Pacific
847-The Movie Channel-HD Pacific

Each one of these channels still costs $19.99 per month though.

Anyone in the Baltimore and/or Harford County area with NHL Center Ice: Are you actually getting two HD channels, or is Game2 (790) just showing up blank? Game1 (789) is working fine...

Anyone in the Baltimore and/or Harford County area with NHL Center Ice: Are you actually getting two HD channels, or is Game2 (790) just showing up blank? Game1 (789) is working fine...

I can vouch that NWIndiana is only receiving one stable CenterIce HD Channel Game HD1(460) even though another is listed within the guide Game HD2(459). Called the office and even had a tech come out to check my signal but no answers yet. Channel 459 had worked sporadically last year but there were instances where my DVR recorded a black screen unbeknownst to me. This year, Ch. 459 has only been a black screen (not even schedule info). Ch. 460 works consistently and I feel comfortable setting my DVR but I still record the SD on another TV just in case.

Looks like this finally happened here in the SF bay area last night. The below are the only premium channels we have left now.

801-HBO-HD Pacific
808-HBO-HD Latino
816-Starz-HD Pacific
825-Showtime-HD Pacific
838-Cinemax-HD Pacific
847-The Movie Channel-HD Pacific

Each one of these channels still costs $19.99 per month though.

Since this isn't happening (at least as yet) in many other parts of the country, maybe your market doesn't support more premium channels?

Since this isn't happening (at least as yet) in many other parts of the country, maybe your market doesn't support more premium channels?

It appears as if we're out of space, again. Even though the bandwidth was increased in the last few years with the WoM/Project Cavalry bandwidth reclamation projects, not long after that, as other national nets(BBCA, Fox Soccer, etc) are added, we'd lose another premium channel until now where we have just the one per network left. While there are 1GHz and 860MHz systems in this market, there are still quite a few 750MHz systems. It's speculated that in the interest of keeping the channel lineup somewhat uniform across the whole market, those who have 860MHz/1GHz systems, while having plenty of bandwidth, are losing out on having more channels due to accommodating that uniformity with the lower bandwidth systems. It is also believed that Comcast expects those who want to see programming from those premiums channels that have been removed use their VOD OnDemand service to view them, of course, this leaves TiVo/Moxi/computer users out in the cold. On the other hand, since those numbers are so small I expect Comcast feels them to be inconsequential.

Also, as I've noted before, the San Francisco bay area market has the first or second highest number of local channels in the nation, all of which use or want bandwidth on the local systems, and that certainly chews up bandwidth as to date Comcast does not further compress those channels, providing them with a full 19.xMHz slots per channel/station.

SDV has also been shelved indefinitely here as well, so there does not appear to be any relief or chance of getting those multiplex channel back anytime soon. Possibly when/if Comcast goes to packing more channels per QAM and/or moves to MPEG4 distribution maybe we'll see them again.

There has not been any sort of announcement about a price reduction/accommodation for the loss of those premium channels either, it's $20 per month per network, whether you get 1 channel(SF bay area) or 5-6 channels per net(other Comcast systems across the country). I expect the Comcast position would be that when we were getting those extra channels we were getting a deal, getting them "for free" in other words, now we're getting what we're paying for and no more.

P.S. While I don't recall where I read it, it has been said that Comcast is reducing the amount of premiums across all their systems, focusing instead on the use of the VOD product for viewing. So while it's not happening everywhere yet, the scuttlebutt is that it's going to. Maybe you might get some insight from your connections with Comcast.

It appears as if we're out of space, again. Even though the bandwidth was increased in the last few years with the WoM/Project Cavalry bandwidth reclamation projects, not long after that, as other national nets(BBCA, Fox Soccer, etc) are added, we'd lose another premium channel until now where we have just the one per network left. While there are 1GHz and 860MHz systems in this market, there are still quite a few 750MHz systems. It's speculated that in the interest of keeping the channel lineup somewhat uniform across the whole market, those who have 860MHz/1GHz systems, while having plenty of bandwidth, are losing out on having more channels due to accommodating that uniformity with the lower bandwidth systems. It is also believed that Comcast expects those who want to see programming from those premiums channels that have been removed use their VOD OnDemand service to view them, of course, this leaves TiVo/Moxi/computer users out in the cold. On the other hand, since those numbers are so small I expect Comcast feels them to be inconsequential.

I'm not sure if the 750MHz systems are an issue here. In our 750MHz part of the Bay Area, we haven't gotten the new lineup at all yet.

I'm not sure if the 750MHz systems are an issue here. In our 750MHz part of the Bay Area, we haven't gotten the new lineup at all yet.

The local thread had some comments about San Mateo area systems show the channels listed but they aren't live yet. Do you not have the channels even listed?

It may not be a bandwidth issue, but then that would support the idea that it's a corporate decision to eliminate all but the main channel with premium networks.

I don't know, I just know that instead of increasing premium channel lineups, we've been decreased to the point where they can't be decreased anymore other than removing the network as an offering with Comcast, at least as far as linear channels go.

The local thread had some comments about San Mateo area systems show the channels listed but they aren't live yet. Do you not have the channels even listed?

It may not be a bandwidth issue, but then that would support the idea that it's a corporate decision to eliminate all but the main channel with premium networks.

I don't know, I just know that instead of increasing premium channel lineups, we've been decreased to the point where they can't be decreased anymore other than removing the network as an offering with Comcast, at least as far as linear channels go.

No, the new channels are not listed (in Comcast's channel lineup), and are not active. As far as I know, there hasn't been any notification that the new lineup is coming anytime soon.

No, the new channels are not listed (in Comcast's channel lineup), and are not active. As far as I know, there hasn't been any notification that the new lineup is coming anytime soon.

Thanks for the info. So do you still have the extra premium channels? If so, I bet they'll disappear when the new channel additions finally do show up. Hopefully they won't, but all Comcast systems in California operate under the same "umbrella" so it would stand to reason they would pretty much follow the same formula.

Per at least one post in the Sacramento/Central Valley thread, it looks like the same thing has happened, only the primary channel for each premium network is left after the recent additions of BBCA, NatGeo Wild, Fox Soccer, etc.

By the way, as far as I know, Comcast here never made any announcement about the new channel additions or the dropping of the premiums, it just happened overnight without notice.

Comcast Launches HD, Full-Screen Versions Of TV Guide Network In Freedom Region

Rollouts Should Be Completed By End Of Q1

Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 10/25/2011 6:15:22 PM

Comcast today began rolling out high-definition and full-screen versions of TV Guide Network in its Freedom Region.

The launch, according to the programmer, manifests in an upgrade to a full-screen from its old scrolling guide format for a number of Comcast customers in the region, including its home market of Philadelphia and New Jersey. The result: TV Guide Network, which counts some 80 million homes around the nation, will add more subs in this Comcast territory.

The digital channel is number 100, while the HD service is positioned on 1316. The staggered rollout, the programmer anticipates, will conclude by the end of first quarter 2012.

As part of an initiative that began more than a year ago, upward of 70% of TV Guide Network subs now receive the full-screen version of the channel.

This provides a better viewing experience, as the network continues its evolution into a general-entertainment service, whose programming roster includes original series, such as Hollywood Moms Night and Wilson Phillips: Still Holding On, both of which will premiere in November, plus entertainment news, red carpet coverage, specials and off-network acquisitions.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/475766-Comcast_Launches_HD_Full_Screen_Versions_Of_TV_Guide_Network _In_Freedom_Region.php

Since this isn't happening (at least as yet) in many other parts of the country, maybe your market doesn't support more premium channels?Seattle and Portland are in a similar situation. As we have added HD channels this year (Fox Soccer Channel, BBC-HD, Bloomberg, etc.), we have had a corresponding drop in HD premium channels, presumably to free up space.

I have contacted Comcast, who have pointed out that most of the programming from these channels is now available OnDemand (which is quite true), but Comcast has not confirmed that the channel drops are due to lack of bandwidth nor will the comment on whether we might see them back if and when the remaining analog channels are dropped locally.

It appears as if we're out of space, again.

So while it's not happening everywhere yet, the scuttlebutt is that it's going to. Maybe you might get some insight from your connections with Comcast.

I'll ask.

My guess is if it was going to happen in the Detroit area, it would happen if they added the newly available Team HD & Game HD channels.


SDV has also been shelved indefinitely here as well, so there does not appear to be any relief or chance of getting those multiplex channel back anytime soon. Possibly when/if Comcast goes to packing more channels per QAM and/or moves to MPEG4 distribution maybe we'll see them again.Does your area still have Limited Basic in analog? That's another area where bandwidth will be reclaimed for other services.

Thanks for the info. So do you still have the extra premium channels? If so, I bet they'll disappear when the new channel additions finally do show up. Hopefully they won't, but all Comcast systems in California operate under the same "umbrella" so it would stand to reason they would pretty much follow the same formula.

Per at least one post in the Sacramento/Central Valley thread, it looks like the same thing has happened, only the primary channel for each premium network is left after the recent additions of BBCA, NatGeo Wild, Fox Soccer, etc.

By the way, as far as I know, Comcast here never made any announcement about the new channel additions or the dropping of the premiums, it just happened overnight without notice.

All the extra premium channels are still there (at least they were the last time I checked, which was in the last day or two). I believe the latest changes did add more channels than were removed, so if our system is full, that would explain why the change hasn't happened yet (and if that's the case, it might not happen until the remainder of the analog channels are removed).

Does your area still have Limited Basic in analog? That's another area where bandwidth will be reclaimed for other services.

Yes we do, the Expanded Basic tier has been switched, but the core Limited Basic lineup is still in both analog and digital.

There is some comment about this subject over at DSL Reports (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r26199053-) from someone, whom I gather from the comments of others there, is in a position, or has access, to know about the situation. The timeline indicated in the linked post is fairly accurate so far, at least for California systems, and it appears for Pacific Northwest systems as well.

I cannot vouch for the veracity of the source though.

Given the bandwidth crunch, is there a possibility they could reinsititute data rate reductions (increase compression) to cram more channels in the available bandwidth?

Just thought I'd ask.

Given the bandwidth crunch, is there a possibility they could reinsititute data rate reductions (increase compression) to cram more channels in the available bandwidth?

Just thought I'd ask.

The present policy is that no more than 2 local broadcast stations are run through a single encoder, offering up to 19mbs, or full broadcast bandwidth to both. Other cable networks may have up to 3 running through a single encoder. Now there are some bandwidth sharing options within the software, and Comcast tries to pair up one high bandwidth net...such as ESPN, with less needy channels, such at Nat Geo. Obviously, there are going to be instances where the total bandwidth available is not enough when all 3 encoded channels need full bandwidth, with the result being pixelization, momentary freeze frames or other digital artifacts.

The principal is not much different than broadcast stations which run an HD signal on their main or .1 channel, then run several subchannels. The success of such an arrangement is no different than what occurs at Comcast. If there's a live football broadcast on .1, plus momentarily busy video on .2 and .3, picture quality is going to be affected. In plain English, issues will occur when you try to put 10 lbs in an eight pound bag!

Whatever happened to Comcast's supposed plan to start places 4 channels per QAM channel? I haven't heard anything about it recently.

Whatever happened to Comcast's supposed plan to start places 4 channels per QAM channel? I haven't heard anything about it recently.

Not a word here either. Hopefully it died a proper death!

The present policy is that no more than 2 local broadcast stations are run through a single encoder, offering up to 19mbs, or full broadcast bandwidth to both.

Well, sometimes Comcast likes to cheat with the locals. Or maybe they're just incompetent. Maybe the official policy really is 2 locals per 256QAM, and an overzealous underling exceeded his authority. An honest bureaucratic snafu.

Here is a post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=20910849#post20910849) from the middle of a discussion about degradation of a Portland Oregon local by Comcast cable compared to its OTA version. I chose to link to that particular post because of the images. Scroll back one post and see the numbers. OTA was 18 Mbps while cable was 10 Mbps. As Charles Barkley might say: "That's embarrassing!"

I just received notice from Comcast that Montgomery County. MD will be discontinuing all analog channels and going all digital on or about December, 6, 2011. At the bottom of the notice Comcast states that the limited basic channels will not be scrambled and can be received with a QAM tuner. Although it is not stated in this communication I assume this also means that we will be adding additional HD channels.

I just received notice from Comcast that Montgomery County. MD will be discontinuing all analog channels and going all digital on or about December, 6, 2011. At the bottom of the notice Comcast states that the limited basic channels will not be scrambled and can be received with a QAM tuner. Although it is not stated in this communication I assume this also means that we will be adding additional HD channels.

They removed the last of the analog channels in Baltimore on 10/6 but no word on new HD yet.

I just received notice from Comcast that Montgomery County. MD will be discontinuing all analog channels and going all digital on or about December, 6, 2011. At the bottom of the notice Comcast states that the limited basic channels will not be scrambled and can be received with a QAM tuner. Although it is not stated in this communication I assume this also means that we will be adding additional HD channels.

Our office has Comcast and they went to all digital month ago and the day they did they added at least 30 more HD channels.

Maybe they are waiting for Montgomery County along with the surrounding counties to eliminate the analog channels before adding more HD - Comcast will probably implement a channels realignment with moving all the HD channels and putting channels into the 1000 to 2000 range. It would be easier for advertising if all the additional channels were added and the channels numbers were standardized at the same time.

Another possibility is the want to withhold the added HD channels until the new year when they announce the annual price increase so as to soften the blow of the increase. But Comcast would never resort to things like that!:eek:

Information on the new 'Barcelona' HD guide upgrade:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=21246362#post21246362

Still no Game or Team HD channels 2-9 in MA :(

hopefully they're added by next march/april when MLB Ex begins.

I don't know what Comcast is doing with game1 and game2 HD here in Harford County, MD. We usually get the HD game on game 1, but sometimes it doesn't show up till part way into the first period. We only seem to get game2 when game1 is carrying the Caps and is blacked out. I've never seen both carrying games at the same time.

Hopefully by next season we will have the full game1 through game9 slate working in HD. And MSG better get things straightened out so we can get Sabres telecasts in HD too!

Cherry Hill, NJ just lost the CBS affiliate KYW-HD from the clear QAM lineup. As usual, no advance notice. I only found out when my recording picked up the wrong channel.
There seems to be an attitude on their part that all will be OK if you use -their- boxes and DVRs.

Sometimes you have to do a rescan as Comcast sometime moves channels around.

Still Wondering why Bristol County, MA doesn't have WLVI-DT and WFXT-DT, all surrounding counties with comcast in Southeastern Massachusetts have them :mad:

Comcast wants to eliminate all clear QAM and scramble them.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=21338165#post21338165

Comcast wants to eliminate all clear QAM and scramble them.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=21338165#post21338165

They may also want to require Digital Starter for the HD feeds of locals.

The biggest issue I have with this (other than the obvious, QAM becoming obsolete AND hanging a box on every TV) is Comcast's "free" boxes NOT supporting HD. For that, we'll have to pay.

Carl-
You get any notice yet on when they're pulling the remaining analogs in NCC? Looks like Delaware's low on the rung of conversion this time around.

The biggest issue I have with this (other than the obvious, QAM becoming obsolete AND hanging a box on every TV) is Comcast's "free" boxes NOT supporting HD. For that, we'll have to pay.
They're getting ready to roll out HD DTAs, the Moto box was just approved by the FCC. Whether it'll be free so it replaces the SD DTA (doubtful) and what channels it will get are still open questions.

I don't see Comcast encrypting the HD locals until these boxes get out there because of the backlash that will ensue, I'm sure lots of folks are using clear QAM on secondary sets.

When are they going to add BBC-HD (not On Demand, I'm talking about regular cable lineup) to Southern NH??

Comcast sucks.

When are they going to add BBC-HD (not On Demand, I'm talking about regular cable lineup) to Southern NH??

Comcast sucks.

I don't know the exact capacity issues of your system in NH; however, we just got BBC America-HD on Tuesday, along with all the other Xfinity promised channels.

Best holiday regards from Texas

I was notified of needing a DTA come the new year. I picked up the DTA today. They said that tomorrow someone is going to "remove something at the pole" and then I'd be able to self install the DTA.

The DTA I is a DC50XU. It says "xfinity" on it. It has a coax in and coax out.

So does anyone know what this actually means for me? I have just basic cable. I am on the Buena Vista/Glasgow/Lexington system in Virginia.

Will I get more or less channels? Will I still receive HD channels in HD?

Does the implementation of xfinity affect my HSI?

I was notified of needing a DTA come the new year. I picked up the DTA today. They said that tomorrow someone is going to "remove something at the pole" and then I'd be able to self install the DTA.

The DTA I is a DC50XU. It says "xfinity" on it. It has a coax in and coax out.

So does anyone know what this actually means for me? I have just basic cable. I am on the Buena Vista/Glasgow/Lexington system in Virginia.

Will I get more or less channels? Will I still receive HD channels in HD?

Does the implementation of xfinity affect my HSI?

I cannot provide all the answers as we're on a Scientific Atlanta/Cisco based hardware system and I think you all in Virginia are on a Motorola based system; however, some things will be the same:

Your system probably still uses filters at the pole or junction box to keep you from receiving anything other than basic, analog signals. That's why they need to "remove something" so you can use the DTA

You'll install the DTA by connecting the incoming cable in your home to the DTA and the output of the DTA to your TV...

However, you will NOT be able to get HD via the current generation of DTA's, at least that's what occurs with the SA/Cisco DTA's. There will be a new generation of DTA's sometime in 2012 that will allow you to tune to local HD signals.

Hope this helps.

I cannot provide all the answers as we're on a Scientific Atlanta/Cisco based hardware system and I think you all in Virginia are on a Motorola based system; however, some things will be the same:

Your system probably still uses filters at the pole or junction box to keep you from receiving anything other than basic, analog signals. That's why they need to "remove something" so you can use the DTA

You'll install the DTA by connecting the incoming cable in your home to the DTA and the output of the DTA to your TV...

However, you will NOT be able to get HD via the current generation of DTA's, at least that's what occurs with the SA/Cisco DTA's. There will be a new generation of DTA's sometime in 2012 that will allow you to tune to local HD signals.

Hope this helps.

No HD? I find this bizarre. I have a brand new HDTV with an ATSC tuner and it won't give me HD? Some other threads said this and I couldn't believe it would be possible.

I thought there was a law that the new HD channels needed to be passed in clear QAM (not sure of my terminology here).

No HD? I find this bizarre. I have a brand new HDTV with an ATSC tuner and it won't give me HD? Some other threads said this and I couldn't believe it would be possible.

I thought there was a law that the new HD channels needed to be passed in clear QAM (not sure of my terminology here).
You will need a splitter and an old vcr in your setup-cable out from wall to splitter, then, from splitter to the tv's RF, then the other to the DTA, with the coax from that to the vcr. This allows your tv tuner to receive RAW cable to snag the unscrambled QAM channels, and then the DTA's feed can be viewed on the vcr's line input (vcr connected to the tv using composite cables).

You will need a splitter and an old vcr in your setup-cable out from wall to splitter, then, from splitter to the tv's RF, then the other to the DTA, with the coax from that to the vcr. This allows your tv tuner to receive RAW cable to snag the unscrambled QAM channels, and then the DTA's feed can be viewed on the vcr's line input (vcr connected to the tv using composite cables).

OK, so I just need to find the delta between unscrambled QAM and what is on the DTA to see if it is worth it.

I suppose an unsubscribed TiVo HD be useable here instead of the VCR?

No HD? I find this bizarre. I have a brand new HDTV with an ATSC tuner and it won't give me HD? Some other threads said this and I couldn't believe it would be possible.

I thought there was a law that the new HD channels needed to be passed in clear QAM (not sure of my terminology here).
Does your new TV have a QAM tuner as well as an ATSC tuner?
If so, have you checked your settings to make sure it is using the QAM tuner?

An ATSC tuner is for OTA broadcasts, and a QAM tuner is used for cable signals.

From your post it seems there may be some confusion on your part about the difference between the two.

Does your new TV have a QAM tuner as well as an ATSC tuner? If so, have you checked your settings to make sure it is using the QAM tuner?

An ATSC tuner is for OTA broadcasts, and a QAM tuner is used for cable signals. From your post it seems there may be some confusion on your part about the difference between the two.

Yes, it has both. Yes, I was confused.

I am using the QAM tuner. My antenna is not hooked up. I receive my local channels in HD.

I wish I understood what Comcast is trying to achieve here. I understand they are freeing up the spectrum by getting rid of analog, but why can't I just watch the HD channels that I currently receive? I do not think they would intentionally force me back to SD if I use their service correctly.

The clear/local channels can have bizarro channel numbers so it may take a while to find them. If the cable company peeps are nice and or clueful they will have the mappings so that the channel number is the integer portion of the broadcast virtual channel #s well-known by viewers. (plus 0.1).

In addition to the HD/16:9 versions of all the locals, you should find a sequence of SD channels optimized for 4:3 TVs and the DTAs. These SD channels will look horrible on an HD/16:9 screen but OK on some NTSC sets, especially if connected via s-video or composite/baseband-video. The free DTAs do not connect via s-vid or baseband-vid, unfortunately.

I cannot provide all the answers as we're on a Scientific Atlanta/Cisco based hardware system and I think you all in Virginia are on a Motorola based system; however, some things will be the same:

Your system probably still uses filters at the pole or junction box to keep you from receiving anything other than basic, analog signals. That's why they need to "remove something" so you can use the DTA

You'll install the DTA by connecting the incoming cable in your home to the DTA and the output of the DTA to your TV...

However, you will NOT be able to get HD via the current generation of DTA's, at least that's what occurs with the SA/Cisco DTA's. There will be a new generation of DTA's sometime in 2012 that will allow you to tune to local HD signals.

Hope this helps.Not at all. As a matter of fact, misinformation is worse than no information.

Any Comcast video customer can get all the local HD they carry with a QAM tuner, which pretty much all HDTV's have these days. All you have to do is connect the coax directly into the HDTV and do a channel scan.

To use the DTA for standard definition cable channels and continue to get local HD via QAM, a splitter & A/B switch are used to go back and forth between the HDTV tuner, for QAM channels, and the DTA. http://customer.comcast.com/Pages/HelpNFC.aspx?id=article-connecting-digital-adapter-to-hdtv

Depending on what area you're in, the local HD channels in QAM may be on the same channel number as the over-the-air broadcast, or on another channel number assigned by Comcast. Once you see the difference between HD and SD, it shouldn't be too hard to know what channels are local HD. On occasion Comcast system maintenance causes QAM channel numbers to change and a re-scan of the HDTV tuner is required to view again.

Any Comcast video customer can get all the local HD they carry with a QAM tuner, which pretty much all HDTV's have these days. All you have to do is connect the coax directly into the HDTV and do a channel scan.

To use the DTA for standard definition cable channels and continue to get local HD via QAM, a splitter & A/B switch are used to go back and forth between the HDTV tuner, for QAM channels, and the DTA. http://customer.comcast.com/Pages/HelpNFC.aspx?id=article-connecting-digital-adapter-to-hdtv

Ok, I understand and thanks for the link.

What I'm missing is - why is Comcast adding this DTA layer in people's houses? Is it so that they can add encryption to prevent theft?

From my point of view, all they need to do is stop using the analog and make everything digital (whether HD or SD). Spectrum saved, No DTA required.

Ok, I understand and thanks for the link.

What I'm missing is - why is Comcast adding this DTA layer in people's houses? Is it so that they can add encryption to prevent theft? Primarily, yes.

From my point of view, all they need to do is stop using the analog and make everything digital (whether HD or SD). Spectrum saved, No DTA required.If they didn't encrypt the signals, anyone with a QAM tuner (and access to their system) could receive all their channels without paying for them.

If they didn't encrypt the signals, anyone with a QAM tuner (and access to their system) could receive all their channels without paying for them.

So how were they doing this prior to the DTA boxes? And why is the DTA better for them?

I feel like a 3 year old saying "why this, why that". I can adapt faster and sometimes more intelligently when I understand why a change is being made. Thanks for being patient :)

'Better Living Through Modern, Expensive, Electronic Devices'

I love your sig. I had 3 tech arguments with my wife last night. I'm not convinced it is better living, but I can never resist the upgrade :D

So how were they doing this prior to the DTA boxes? And why is the DTA better for them?

I feel like a 3 year old saying "why this, why that". I can adapt faster and sometimes more intelligently when I understand why a change is being made. Thanks for being patient :)

They were doing it with filters (also known as traps) on the poles (the thing they are removing form your pole). Once the DTAs are in place, they can do everything from the office which in theory should save money.

Once the HD DTAs are available, I think most of the complaints will disappear (assuming they are free like the SD ones).

I believe they are free for one to two years, after that the DTA boxes can incur equipment rental charges. Also if you have a HD set with only a DVI input the current HD DTAs will not work with your set since the HD DTAs do not have an analog audio output. I filed a comment about this with the FCC and hopefully they will address this.

They were doing it with filters (also known as traps) on the poles (the thing they are removing form your pole). Once the DTAs are in place, they can do everything from the office which in theory should save money.

Once the HD DTAs are available, I think most of the complaints will disappear (assuming they are free like the SD ones).

And that's also making the assumption that they'll get all the channels in HD that the current SD DTAs get (old expanded basic + some extras). No one knows what the HD DTAs will be authorized for, and some cable industry folks over at dslreports claim it will not get all these channels in HD.

I don't think it makes much sense to have an HD DTA only for locals + junk channels in HD, but that's what they claim.

OK, so I just need to find the delta between unscrambled QAM and what is on the DTA to see if it is worth it.

I suppose an unsubscribed TiVo HD be useable here instead of the VCR?

An unsubbed Tivo HD (or Premiere) would be perfect to get all your HD channels, but you will need to get a Cablecard from Comcast. Tivos work fine without a sub if all you want is an HD STB, and they'll quickly pay for themselves vs. renting one.

And that's also making the assumption that they'll get all the channels in HD that the current SD DTAs get (old expanded basic + some extras). No one knows what the HD DTAs will be authorized for, and some cable industry folks over at dslreports claim it will not get all these channels in HD.

I don't think it makes much sense to have an HD DTA only for locals + junk channels in HD, but that's what they claim.I've said it before and I'll say it again. I've read the claims, and in my opinion they are completely wrong. We shall see.

And that's also making the assumption that they'll get all the channels in HD that the current SD DTAs get (old expanded basic + some extras). No one knows what the HD DTAs will be authorized for, and some cable industry folks over at dslreports claim it will not get all these channels in HD.They could be expecting that based on the fact that you don't often (or ever - I don't know for sure - but I know it's at least common) get every last one of the expanded basic SD channels using an SD DTA, that you'd get using one of their full-fledged tuners.

Presuming a HD DTA could down convert to SD, then Comcast could remove all the SD channels to free up space, leaving just the HD ones. Everyone would need a box or DTA. Those with a SD TV would have the HD channels down-converted to SD.

Presuming a HD DTA could down convert to SD, then Comcast could remove all the SD channels to free up space, leaving just the HD ones. Everyone would need a box or DTA. Those with a SD TV would have the HD channels down-converted to SD.
Everyone already needs a box or DTA. The problem is that there are already a ton of SD DTAs out there, and you better believe Comcast won't pay to swap them all out at once. It'll happen eventually, but not any time soon.

Tennis Channel Wins Program Carriage Complaint Against Comcast

First Time a Network Has Prevailed in a Program Carriage Complaint Against Cable Operator

By John Eggerton -- Multichannel News, 12/20/2011 4:31:46 PM

An FCC Administrative Law Judge has ruled in favor of the Tennis Channel in its program carriage complaint against Comcast.

That is according to a copy of the decision by Administrative Law Judge Richard Sippel. The ruling marks the first time a network has prevailed in a program carriage complaint against a cable operator, and it should mean a big boost in the number of cable subs that can get the channel.

"It is concluded that Tennis Channel has satisfied its burden of proving that Comcast Cable engaged in discrimination in the selection, terms or conditions of carriage on the basis of its non-affiliation with Tennis channel," Sippel concluded.

Comcast will have to pay $375,000 and is prohibited from discriminating against Tennis vis-à-vis Versus (NBC Sports Network as of Jan. 2) or Golf Channel, which Sippel determined were similarly situated, and which are affiliated with Comcast's NBCUniversal.

Tennis currently counts some 30 million subscribers, a total that includes 2.7 million with Comcast. The network's total with the nation's largest distributor could grow sevenfold from the ruling.
Among Sippel's key conclusions:

1. Tennis, Versus and Golf Channel were sufficiently similar--sports channels targeting similar audiences--that disparate treatment constituted discrimination.

2. Comcast's discrimination against Tennis Channel in favor of Golf Channel and Versus was based solely on affiliation. Comcast's explanations for that disparate treatment notwithstanding.

3. Carriage decisions by other MVPDs relative to Tennis to not justify Comcast's placement of the channel on a narrowly penetrated tier.

4. Comcast's disparate treatment unreasonably restrains the channel's ability to compete, including for program rights and what it can charge for advertising.

Sippel did not agree with Tennis Channel that its tier placement threatened its survival, but said that it did not have to show it would go under to show that Comcast had unreasonably restrained its ability to compete.

"This is a long-awaited day for Tennis Channel, and a watershed moment for independent programming networks and viewers who benefit from a true diversity of voices in the American media marketplace," said Ken Solomon,

chairman and CEO, Tennis Channel, in a statement. "Our request has been simple and clear since the beginning: we just want to be treated the same way major operators treat the networks they own that compete with us. From there we're prepared to succeed or fail based on a level playing field."

Sena Fitzmaurice, vice president, government communications, Comcast Corp., pointed out that the decision is still subject to review by the full commission and that it will take its case to an appeals court if necessary.

"We respectfully disagree with the initial decision that was released today in the FCC case involving Tennis Channel," said FitzMaurice.

"Comcast has the contractual right to distribute Tennis Channel as it does currently, and Comcast firmly believes that the exercise of that right to minimize costs to consumers is not discrimination. Many other companies with no ownership interest in Tennis Channel have made similar decisions and some refuse to carry Tennis Channel at all. Moreover, this decision purports to supersede an existing contract between two private parties, which is unprecedented in the program carriage context. The ruling issued today is only an initial decision, and is subject to further review by the full Commission and then, if needed, the U.S. Court of Appeals. We believe it is wrong for Tennis Channel to use the government to impose higher costs and prices on private enterprise and consumers and we look forward to the review process."

Tennis' complaint stems from Comcast's decision to keep the channel on a premium sports tier, rather than position it on a more broadly distributed programming package. Tennis had aruged that Comcast was favoring its own similarly situated networks Versus and Golf by placing them on more widely viewed tiers. Comcast had countered that Tennis was available to virtually every home it services, that its freely negotiated contract permits Tennis carrige on a sports package, and that was honoring those terms.

The FCC designated the complaint for hearing in Oct. 2010, with the Media Bureau concluding that, on its face, Tennis had made its case for discrimination.

Outside mediation of the complaint failed back in November. 2010, triggering the move of the complaint to Judge Sippel, the FCC's own legal Maytag repairman as the only administrative law judge at the commission, and one whose recent high-profile almost-decisions -- involving NFL Network and MASN, have been preempted by settlements between the parties, although he did rule against the carriage complaint of Wealth TV.

The FCC made some changes to its program carriage rules back in August to speed complaints, and allow for true-up payments or standstills, but those did not apply to complaints already in the pipeline.

Bloomberg, which has its own outstanding complaint against Comcast at the FCC, used the opportunity to try and light a fire under the commission. "Today's decision is further proof of what we already know, that Comcast abuses its dominant position against independent programmers like Bloomberg TV," said Greg Babyak, head of government relations for Bloomberg. "FCC Chairman Genachowski was right to require Comcast, as a condition of approving its acquisition of NBC-Universal, to include independent news channels such as Bloomberg TV where there are news neighborhoods. We urge the FCC to act on Bloomberg's complaint that Comcast is refusing to implement the news neighborhooding condition on the NBC-Universal acquisition."

http://www.multichannel.com/article/478206-Tennis_Channel_Wins_Program_Carriage_Complaint_Against_Comca st.php

Comcast had countered that Tennis was available to virtually every home it services, that its freely negotiated contract permits Tennis carrige on a sports package, and that was honoring those terms.
If the contract Tennis Channel freely signed allows the channel to be placed in the sports pack, then this is all a bunch of crap. If you don't like the terms of a contract, don't agree to them!

So what happens now if Comcast chooses to drop Tennis Channel? Do they then get forced to carry it by some FCC judge?

Comcast HD DTA Approved by FCC

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=21379379#post21379379

They may also want to require Digital Starter for the HD feeds of locals.

They "may"? Do you have a link for this? That would suck hard.

My version of "cord cutting" will involve maintaining a subscription for Limited Basic rather than using an antenna (and using TiVos to record), but that won't work if there's no HD.

My version of "cord cutting" will involve maintaining a subscription for Limited Basic rather than using an antenna (and using TiVos to record), but that won't work if there's no HD.
Are you aware of the fact that it's impossible for Tivos to schedule recordings on digital/HD cable channels without a CableCARD?

When DTA is enabled, will all my clear QAM tuners stop working?

When DTA is enabled, will all my clear QAM tuners stop working?

DTA is a piece of hardware, a digital transport adapter. It's used to provide access to Comcast's Expanded Basic tier, which is roughly what used to be available on channels 2-99. Comcast currently uses millions of DTA's across the country. It was implemented as part of the plan (known as Project Cavalry) to eliminate analog channels and free up bandwidth for more HD channels. If your area has ~75 or more standard HD channels, DTA's are used.

The most recent development is the HD DTA, which will not directly mean any change in the channels available in QAM. It simply allows Comcast to use a less expensive box for some HD customers.

For now, Comcast provides all local HD in clear QAM, alomg with the other channels known as their Limited Basic tier. Unfortunately, this may change.

From Multichannel News:
NCTA to FCC: Let All-Digital MSOs Encrypt Basic Tier

Cable Group Files Comments With Agency

By John Eggerton

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association has urged the Federal Communications Commission to allow cable operators that have gone all digital to encrypt their basic tier.

That came in comments Monday on the FCC's proposal to do just that. "Given the substantial public interest benefits and the lack of harms associated with encryption, NCTA endorses the Commission's tentative conclusions and urges it to act expeditiously in amending its rules," according to the cable organization.

It added that allowing basic encryption would largely eliminate theft of service, promote innovation and investment, and reduce polution and fuel consumption by reducing truck rolls to activate or deactivate service (NCTA said Monday that the benefits would outweigh the minimal extra watts consumed by new boxes).

Cable operators also argued that the competition has no similar ban on encryption. "When the encryption rule was adopted in 1994, cable was the dominant MVPD, and there were few competitors," said NCTA. "The situation is dramatically different today. DBS and telco IPTV providers -- each requiring set-top boxes for each of their subscribers -- serve approximately 40% of the marketplace with all-digital service on a fully encrypted basis. Likewise, online video distributors deliver video to customers on an encrypted basis. Netflix alone has 23.8 million subscribers, more than any MVPD. None of these video providers is barred from encrypting or otherwise protecting the content they provide to their customers."
As Multichannel News first reported back in October, FCC chairman Julius Genachowski proposed allowing all cable operators to encrypt digital basic channels, given that the TV industry is going all-digital and that the move would had consumer, environmental and theft-protection benefits.

The commission officially voted Oct. 13 to propose that change and put it out for comment. "We tentatively conclude that allowing cable operators to encrypt the basic service tier in all-digital systems will not substantially affect compatibility between cable service and consumer electronics equipment for most subscribers," the commission said. The FCC has already granted several waivers -- most prominently to Cablevision -- and more are in the hopper from cable operators.

The FCC conceded there was an issue with consumers with basic-only digital who accessed it without set-tops, or second or third sets without digital boxes that would now need new equipment to unscramble a signal. It proposed adopting the conditions it put on the waiver it gave Cablevision to encrypt its basic service in New York.

Those conditions include requiring cable operators to offer "current basic-only subscribers up to two set-top boxes or CableCARDs without charge for up to two years, (b) digital subscribers who have an additional television set currently receiving basic-only service one set-top box or CableCARD without charge for one year, and (c) current qualified low-income basic-only subscribers up to two set-top boxes or CableCARDs without charge for five years." But it also asked whether this was adequate of whether the Cablevision time frames are appropriate.

NCTA had some tweaks to the language of those conditions, but said it had not quarrel with their substance.http://www.multichannel.com/article/477203-NCTA_to_FCC_Let_All_Digital_MSOs_Encrypt_Basic_Tier.php

The net of this means all cableco's may soon be able to encrypt all channels. If they do that, your QAM tuners will become useless.

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you happened to know the most effective place to voice our concern for keeping clear QAM for basic tier to the FCC?

DTA is a piece of hardware, a digital transport adapter. It's used to provide access to Comcast's Expanded Basic tier, which is roughly what used to be available on channels 2-99. Comcast currently uses millions of DTA's across the country. It was implemented as part of the plan (known as Project Cavalry) to eliminate analog channels and free up bandwidth for more HD channels. If your area has ~75 or more standard HD channels, DTA's are used.

The most recent development is the HD DTA, which will not directly mean any change in the channels available in QAM. It simply allows Comcast to use a less expensive box for some HD customers.

For now, Comcast provides all local HD in clear QAM, alomg with the other channels known as their Limited Basic tier. Unfortunately, this may change.

From Multichannel News:
http://www.multichannel.com/article/477203-NCTA_to_FCC_Let_All_Digital_MSOs_Encrypt_Basic_Tier.php

The net of this means all cableco's may soon be able to encrypt all channels. If they do that, your QAM tuners will become useless.

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you happened to know the most effective place to voice our concern for keeping clear QAM for basic tier to the FCC?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=21341699&postcount=551

Good articles on power consumption of STBs:

http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2011-06/least-electric-bill-murdering-dvrs-every-provider

Are you aware of the fact that it's impossible for Tivos to schedule recordings on digital/HD cable channels without a CableCARD?

Why wouldn't I have a CableCARD?

Why wouldn't I have a CableCARD?
Do they offer CableCARDs with Limited Basic service?

Do they offer CableCARDs with Limited Basic service?

Yes they do.

My son-in-law was told that the only HD device for his HTDV is a DVR. There is no cable box for HD. I believe this is BS. Can anyone give me a model number is use. Since I use Tivos, I am not sure.

You can use what I have which I think is pretty good, the Motorola DCH3200 it is an HD non DVR cable box. Another is the Moto DCX3200, or Pace RNG 110.

My son-in-law was told that the only HD device for his HTDV is a DVR. There is no cable box for HD. I believe this is BS. Can anyone give me a model number is use. Since I use Tivos, I am not sure.

Model numbers are going to depend on if the area is a Motorola or a Cisco system. Either way there are non-DVR HD boxes for both type of systems.

Sorry if this is a stupid question. Is UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem PPV in 1080i HD? Im sure comcast stopped broadcasting PPV events in SD years ago; but, just want to be certain.

Sorry if this is a stupid question. Is UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem PPV in 1080i HD?Yes.

Comcast, Disney Reach Major Carriage Pact

ESPN Available Online to XFinity Subscribers

Jon Lafayette (Broadcasting & Cable) -- Multichannel News, 1/4/2012 2:16:47 PM

UPDATED: 2:45 p.m. (ET)

Comcast and The Walt Disney Co. have reached a massive carriage deal that will deliver programming from an array of networks, including ESPN and ABC, to the MSO's customers across a variety of platforms on a long-term basis.

Financial terms of the deal, which covers 25 networks and 70 properties, were not disclosed, although the company said that license fee schedules for different services will be phased in over time.

Under the expansive contract, Comcast's Xfinity TV customers will be able to watch ESPN online for the first time on an authenticated basis.

The agreement also encompasses ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney XD, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN 3D, ESPN GamePlan, ESPN FullCourt and ESPN3. It includes retransmission-consent for seven ABC-owned broadcast television stations (WABC-TV New York, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KGO-TV San Francisco, KTRK-TV Houston, KTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham, and KFSN-TV Fresno) as well as more than 10 high-definition networks.

Disney reached a similar distribution deal with Time Warner Cable in September 2010. In that deal, Time Warner Cable agreed to substantial increases for Disney's cable properties and to pay cash for retransmission of the ABC-owned TV stations.

The Disney-Comcast negotiations were not pushed by retransmission-consent deadlines -- the only renewals due at year-end were for Disney Channel, ABC Family and Disney XD, according to officials at the programmer.

The companies also agreed to collaborate to create new, innovative viewing experiences for Xfinity TV customers.

The deal comes at a time when some programmers and distributors are having disputes over the cost of programming, especially sports programming.

The new agreement also advances the TV Everywhere agenda for the cable business, which allows access to programming to viewers using computers, tablets and smart phones who can show that they subscribe to cable. TV Everywhere is designed to make subscribing to cable more attractive to consumer who might consider getting by on programming available online from non-linear providers such as Netflix, Amazon, Hulu or iTunes.
Watch DisneyChannel and Watch ESPN are covered under the deal, with the latter expected to launch for Comcast subs this spring.

Comcast will also be launching Disney Junior, a new 24-hour basic channel for preschool-age children, parents and caregivers, under the deal. The network is expected to bow early in 2012.

"This landmark deal is a great example of what can be achieved when programmers and distributors collaborate and innovate together to meet the ever-evolving needs of consumers and enhance the viewing experience," Anne Sweeney, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, said in a statement. "By combining the best news, sports and entertainment content available today with cutting-edge technologies, we're able to fully realize our comprehensive TV+ initiative, and introduce a brand new suite of authenticated services to Comcast subscribers."

"Comcast was the first video provider to create technology that enabled us to deliver content to customers where and when they want it across any viewing experience," said Neil Smit, president and CEO, Comcast Cable. "We are very pleased to have reached this unprecedented and innovative, long-term agreement with Disney which embraces the future of entertainment and allows Comcast to continue to bring our vision of TV Everywhere to Xfinity customers whether at home or on the go."

http://www.multichannel.com/article/478503-Comcast_Disney_Reach_Major_Carriage_Pact.php

Nice! now i can finally get to watch ESPN Goal Line and Buzzer Beater.

Also does the Re-transmission of those 7 ABC owned networks mean it will be available across the country like the RSN's?

Probably not!

Also does the Re-transmission of those 7 ABC owned networks mean it will be available across the country like the RSN's?

Unless the natural order of the universe is changing, no, not even a little.

Also does the Re-transmission of those 7 ABC owned networks mean it will be available across the country like the RSN's?
It just means Comcast has secured the rights to carry them in their local markets.

Maybe we'll get the Watch ESPN App since Xfinity doesn't support it yet.

Maybe we'll get the Watch ESPN App since Xfinity doesn't support it yet.

The Watch ESPN service is part of the deal. The article I saw yesterday said a possible spring rollout.

The Watch ESPN service is part of the deal.
As are all of the upcoming Watch(Insert Disney property here) services. It sounds like Comcast basically signed up for everything Disney offers now and through the end of the contract term.

Comcast 'Completes' Docsis 3.0 Rollout

January 5, 2012 | Jeff Baumgartner

Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) has wrapped up its initial deployment of Docsis 3.0, the platform cable operators are tapping into to deliver speed bursts of 100Mbit/s or more while also forming the foundation of an IP video platform.

The rollout is "completed," Comcast CFO and Vice Chairman Michael Angelakis told the audience at Citigroup investor's conference on Thursday in San Francisco. It's unclear if he meant that 100 percent of the MSO's footprint is now truly D3-ready, or if there are still some small pockets that haven't made the leap to wideband.

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) estimated last fall that U.S. cable operators would have D3 deployed to 77 percent of the nation's households by the end of 2011. Comcast alone passes 52.38 million homes and businesses. (See The State of Docsis 3.0.)

Comcast has rolled out D3 at a steady pace ever since it debuted wideband services in April 2008 in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., and its highest-end cable modem speed tiers currently tops out at 105Mbit/s downstream. Comcast has not revealed how many of its 17.81 million high-speed Internet customers subscribe to a D3 tier. Comcast also sells wideband data services to business customers. (See Comcast Enters the Wideband Era .)

While big speeds have grabbed most of the Docsis 3.0 headlines in recent years as MSOs grapple with fiber-to-the-home competition, the technology is also expected to help underpin cable's move to IP video. CableLabs , for example, has been working on ways to optimize D3 for video, including improvements in the way that IP multicast works in the wideband environment so one video stream can be received by multiple destinations -- akin to the way switched digital video (SDV) handles linear video streams in the QAM video world today. (See Docsis 3.0 Tackles Linear IP Video.)

It looks like most of Comcast's markets should have access to spectrum that can be applied toward Docsis 3.0 channel-bonding or toward capacity for more HDTV channels and video-on-demand streams. Angelakis said the deployment of Project Cavalry, Comcast's big analog reclamation initiative, is "pretty much complete." (See Comcast's $1B Bandwidth Plan .)

Comcast has already deployed millions of standard-definition Digital Terminal Adapter (DTA) devices to spur that project along, and evidence is mounting that Comcast is getting close to deploying a new class of DTA that can support hi-def video signals. (See Comcast HD-DTAs Reach the FCC.)

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=216059&site=lr_cable&f_src=lightreading_gnews

So now CINEMAX HD channels are down to 1 from the measly 2 we had this year in Atlanta. And those 2 were down from the few we had the year before. Why does COMCAST diss their premium customers so much? THey give no respect to the Extra Innings/CenterIce subscribers with their no HD. BUt they have room for a bunch of HD channels which show 8 hours of real HD and a lot of infomercials?

So right now, we have 6 HBOs, 4 Starz, 1 Cinemax, 2 Showtimes in HD. Video on demand does not account for many of the missing movies on the other premium channels.

I wish we had Verizon in Atlanta.

It would be nice by April to have the 9 Ex inning Channels INdemand is launching.

Analog reclamation was completed here three months ago. But still no new channels yet.

So now CINEMAX HD channels are down to 1 from the measly 2 we had this year in Atlanta. And those 2 were down from the few we had the year before. Why does COMCAST diss their premium customers so much? THey give no respect to the Extra Innings/CenterIce subscribers with their no HD. BUt they have room for a bunch of HD channels which show 8 hours of real HD and a lot of infomercials?

So right now, we have 6 HBOs, 4 Starz, 1 Cinemax, 2 Showtimes in HD. Video on demand does not account for many of the missing movies on the other premium channels.

I wish we had Verizon in Atlanta.

You still have a lot more Premium HDs than we do in my neck of the woods. when Comcast added addtional "HD" channels (most are pure crap) here this past Fall, they stripped us down to the Primary Western HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax channels and left HBO Latino. Including Encore and Movie Channel (which they have the gall to charge you extra for even if you have the most expensive Premium package), we are down to a grand total of 7 premium HDs and you are right, On Demand, while loaded with programming, is no substitute for linear channels on a program guide. When Comcast CS reps received complaints, they virtually knew nothing about the company's intention to sacrifice the premiums in order to add these sucker channels to attract new HD subscribers. The only good thing to come from this was that when my Triple Bundle's one year promo rate lapsed and my bill would have jumped up significanty, I used the stripping of these channels as leverage to get the promo rate extended for another full year.

On Demand, while loaded with programming, is no substitute for linear channels on a program guide.
How can you make that statement? If all of the programming that would be on the linear channel is available on demand (and I understand that's not the case, but still the majority is) then on demand is clearly the better option. You can watch the programming whenever you want, and a valuable linear channel slot isn't being wasted. It's a win win.

It would be nice by April to have the 9 Ex inning Channels INdemand is launching.

I've long since given up on MLB Extra Innings on cable. I'm with MLB.tv on AppleTV from now on.

How can you make that statement? If all of the programming that would be on the linear channel is available on demand (and I understand that's not the case, but still the majority is) then on demand is clearly the better option. You can watch the programming whenever you want, and a valuable linear channel slot isn't being wasted. It's a win win.
Because On Demand is not as convenient as the straight up program guide. As for your argument in regard to wasted bandwidth, the vast majority of the channels that were added are, by and large, useless and, I would submit, a far greater waste of said bandwidth than the premium HDs ever were. As was stated previously, when you are paying top dollar for your cable package, it's a bit disconcerting to be made to feel that those with basic or even extended packages merit more consideration than you.

Because On Demand is not as convenient as the straight up program guide.
So you're lazy, and want to be told what to watch and went to watch it instead of browsing through a list of available programs and watching them at your convenience.

Comcast Starts to Kiss Analog TV Goodbye

January 6, 2012 | Jeff Baumgartner

In its effort to reclaim analog spectrum, Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) has gotten down to its most basic video service tier.

It's possibly the last phase of Project Cavalry, where Comcast is distributing Digital Terminal Adapter (DTA) devices to shift channels to digital format, freeing up valuable analog capacity. The initial phase converted 35 to 40 channels, and now Comcast is working on the rest -- those in its most basic "B1" packages (an average of about 20 channels, depending on the system). (See Comcast's $1B Bandwidth Plan and Comcast Sends In the All-Digital 'Cavalry'.)

A Comcast spokeswoman estimates that this phase -- which is underway in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Houston, Chicago, Boston and other markets -- is 22 percent complete. It started in March 2010 with Augusta, Ga., which coincidentally is the technical trial site for Xcalibur, a nimble video platform that will rely heavily on the cloud. (See Comcast to Swing Xcalibur Wide in 2012, Comcast Tests Broadband-Fed Xcalibur Service and Comcast Courts the Cloud.)

Customers with older analog TVs will be forced to use set-top boxes to get B1 channels. While some customers will certainly howl about that, Comcast is trying to appease them by offering three free DTAs. (Comcast offers two DTAs and one interactive, VoD-capable set-top for free to customers who subscribe to B2, the advanced basic tier). (See Comcast Seeds Digital Shift With Free Boxes.)

All this reclaimed spectrum is going toward more digital services. The MSO, for example, is increasing its HD lineup to about 120 channels from about 100 in B1 migration markets, while reserving capacity for other future services such as Xcalibur.

Comcast is migrating B1 to digital just as the U.S. cable industry is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to let MSOs encrypt their basic tier once they've gone all-digital. Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) obtained a special waiver from the FCC about a year ago to do so, meaning that customers who use digital TVs with embedded QAM tuners to receive basic channels "in the clear" are now required to use set-tops or TVs that can support the CableCARD, or boxes that support the MSO's new downloadable security system. (See Cablevision Looks to Lock Up Basic Video Tier .)

DTAs don't use CableCARDs, but the models Comcast deploys are capable of activating a content protection scheme called "privacy mode." (See Comcast Lights Up DTA Encryption .)

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=216104&site=lr_cable&f_src=lightreading_gnews

Here are the problems with the HD On Demand as a 100% substitute for the missing premium channels in HD.
1) A lot of movies are missing. Channels like the extra Cinemax and Showtimes show a lot of older or independent movies that are not in the HD On Demand library.
2) Fast Forwarding and reversing is not as convenient as doing that to a recording you make on your DVR.
3) The on demand menus are finicky and will sometimes will error out.
4) Reduces the fun of channel surfing and catching something interesting by accident.

You know what, why not place some of those newer channels that dont have enough HD content into the On Demand library similar to what we have in channels like FEARNET. If you are a new channel, prove yourself in the On Demand library first.

So you're lazy, and want to be told what to watch and went to watch it instead of browsing through a list of available programs and watching them at your convenience.

Hey Bro, nobody hurled an insult at you. You have your opinion and I have mine. And BTW, for over $200/month I resent having any features taken away from me, especially when it's done to add third rate programming.

Anybody in the Henrico, VA 23060 area have the Motorola DCX3400M AnyRoom HD-DVR with Comcast? Trying to verify if Comcast has a multi-room HD-DVR similar to Verizon FiOS in my area.

Looks like I have to go back to Comcast since FiOS will not offer any deals or roll over any of the discounts I got last year to keep me as a customer (other than the $300 visa card). My bill would be going up $70 a month if I stay with FiOS. I hate playing these games.

So you're lazy, and want to be told what to watch and went to watch it instead of browsing through a list of available programs and watching them at your convenience.

I'm disappointed that On Demand doesn't have everything I want to watch. I have a DVR, but there is a limit on what I can record because some programs are on at the same time as others I want to record.

As for your argument in regard to wasted bandwidth, the vast majority of the channels that were added are, by and large, useless and, I would submit, a far greater waste of said bandwidth than the premium HDs ever were. As was stated previously, when you are paying top dollar for your cable package, it's a bit disconcerting to be made to feel that those with basic or even extended packages merit more consideration than you.

AMEN! I would trade all those extra channels for an all-HD premium channel offering.

Hey Bro, nobody hurled an insult at you. You have your opinion and I have mine. And BTW, for over $200/month I resent having any features taken away from me, especially when it's done to add third rate programming.

Also, OnDemand has an additional monthly charge tacked on as you're forced to rent their crappy hardware to even view it. If the quality is equivalent, or better, to a linear channel offering, and I wouldn't have to use, and pay for, some Motorola garbage to view it, I'd probably use OnDemand on a fairly regular basis.

I just called Comcast and they had no clue or answers to my questions.

What cable boxes will work with the Motorola DCX3400M AnyRoom HD-DVR with Comcast?

Can any Comcast cable box access (play) the recorded shows on a Motorola DCX3400M AnyRoom HD-DVR within the same house?

Thanks!

I believe only the DCX 3200 will work with the DCX3400m or DCX3501m for multi room DVR sharing.

So you're lazy, and want to be told what to watch and went to watch it instead of browsing through a list of available programs and watching them at your convenience.

The ondemand interface is beyond archaic. It's slow, ugly, and hard to navigate. The iOS apps make it a bit easier, but I'm sorry it's not laziness. It's a piss poor interface.

The ondemand interface is beyond archaic. It's slow, ugly, and hard to navigate.
I can appreciate this, and understand it. However, it seemed to me that the argument was more against the entire concept of VOD, not just the current interface used to access it.

I returned the Motorola DCT6200 HD box and got the new slim box hoping that the channel change would be faster. But it is in fact slower. Music Choice is much worse. At least with the DCT6200, the Music Choice channel would change audio instantaneously while the still image would take a couple of secs. It didnnt bother me as I could just change the channel if I didnt like the song. With the new box, when ever I change the channel, the screen blanks out and the new channel (audio and video) comes after some 2-3 secs. It is worse for music choice.

I read online that it could be due to HDCP handshake delay. After all these years we still have the HDCP handshake issue? So I used a component cable and set the output resolution on the HD box to 480p (well my projector is only 480p). Absolutely no difference. Same delay. No difference with 480i either.

So I dont think it is the HDCP handshake issue. It is just the cheap box made offshore. They also got rid of the channel number display on the front panel, may be to cut cost?

Anyone noticed this delay between channel change? I have to swap the new box with the old Motorola DCT6200.

I also noticed that in the HD box menu, you cant scroll up and down. If you go to one entry and change something, you have to turn off the box, turn on and then turn off again and hit MENU to go to the HD box menu again. Why change something like the DCT6200 when it was working fine. Sure it was bigger and there was some delay in changing channels but not as bad it is now.

I hope they are still issuing the old DCT6200 box.

Hey there, I have a quick question.

I recently signed up for Comcast Blast internet ($40 a month) and they gave me a little cable box for my TV for free. I hooked it up and noticed that I get a ton of channels (FX, Comedy Central, MTV etc), yet I never signed up for a cable service.

Is this normal? Can I rent an HD box from them and access these channels in HD?

Hey there, I have a quick question.

I recently signed up for Comcast Blast internet ($40 a month) and they gave me a little cable box for my TV for free. I hooked it up and noticed that I get a ton of channels (FX, Comedy Central, MTV etc), yet I never signed up for a cable service.

Is this normal? Can I rent an HD box from them and access these channels in HD?

I cannot tell what part of the country you live in or whether you have Motorola or SA/Cisco hardware; however, it sounds to me as if they've given you a DTA box (Digital TV Adapter) that allows you to receive basic and extended basic channels that used to be delivered in analog, but now all channels are delivered in digital format. However, if you ask for an HD box, they're almost certainly going to charge you for that.

On a side note: The issue of "Cable Ready" HDTV's that are using "SD only" DTA boxes (the only ones available currently) has been brought up, and Comcast says that the next generation of DTA's will allow basic subscribers to receive at least local stations in HD. Delivery, "sometime in 2012".

I returned the Motorola DCT6200 HD box and got the new slim box hoping that the channel change would be faster. But it is in fact slower. Music Choice is much worse. At least with the DCT6200, the Music Choice channel would change audio instantaneously while the still image would take a couple of secs. It didnnt bother me as I could just change the channel if I didnt like the song. With the new box, when ever I change the channel, the screen blanks out and the new channel (audio and video) comes after some 2-3 secs. It is worse for music choice.

I read online that it could be due to HDCP handshake delay. After all these years we still have the HDCP handshake issue? So I used a component cable and set the output resolution on the HD box to 480p (well my projector is only 480p). Absolutely no difference. Same delay. No difference with 480i either.

So I dont think it is the HDCP handshake issue. It is just the cheap box made offshore. They also got rid of the channel number display on the front panel, may be to cut cost?

Anyone noticed this delay between channel change? I have to swap the new box with the old Motorola DCT6200.

I also noticed that in the HD box menu, you cant scroll up and down. If you go to one entry and change something, you have to turn off the box, turn on and then turn off again and hit MENU to go to the HD box menu again. Why change something like the DCT6200 when it was working fine. Sure it was bigger and there was some delay in changing channels but not as bad it is now.

I hope they are still issuing the old DCT6200 box.

Anyone?
BTW the number of the new slim box is RNG110. It is really slow.

I love the DCT6200's. They're still my favorite.

I returned the Motorola DCT6200 HD box and got the new slim box hoping that the channel change would be faster. But it is in fact slower. Music Choice is much worse. At least with the DCT6200, the Music Choice channel would change audio instantaneously while the still image would take a couple of secs. It didnnt bother me as I could just change the channel if I didnt like the song. With the new box, when ever I change the channel, the screen blanks out and the new channel (audio and video) comes after some 2-3 secs. It is worse for music choice.

I read online that it could be due to HDCP handshake delay. After all these years we still have the HDCP handshake issue? So I used a component cable and set the output resolution on the HD box to 480p (well my projector is only 480p). Absolutely no difference. Same delay. No difference with 480i either.

So I dont think it is the HDCP handshake issue. It is just the cheap box made offshore. They also got rid of the channel number display on the front panel, may be to cut cost?

Anyone noticed this delay between channel change? I have to swap the new box with the old Motorola DCT6200.

I also noticed that in the HD box menu, you cant scroll up and down. If you go to one entry and change something, you have to turn off the box, turn on and then turn off again and hit MENU to go to the HD box menu again. Why change something like the DCT6200 when it was working fine. Sure it was bigger and there was some delay in changing channels but not as bad it is now.

I hope they are still issuing the old DCT6200 box.

Anyone?
BTW the number of the new slim box is RNG110. It is really slow.
What kind of response are you looking for? The box you got is a flaming pile of garbage. This is nothing new.

The ondemand interface is beyond archaic. It's slow, ugly, and hard to navigate. The iOS apps make it a bit easier, but I'm sorry it's not laziness. It's a piss poor interface.

Try Cox or Time Warner. They use random channels everywhere for ondemand content so you never know where to even start to look for what you want to watch. With Comcast at least you press the one button on the remote, and you can easily find what you want. Yes it still is the same basic interface as it was in 1999, but it's simple and I found it very easy to navigate and speedy enough with a DCX3400m, or even a DCT3416.

What kind of response are you looking for? The box you got is a flaming pile of garbage. This is nothing new.

I am not looking for instantaneous channel change but at least I would like the video not to blank out for 2-3 secs.

I got the DCX3400 and it is a lot better. Music Choice channel change is instantaneous for audio like the DCT6200 and the change for other channels is a lot faster than DCT6200. Guide is also pretty fast. But there is some issue with the audio. The center channel seems to cut in and out and the volume level keeps changing. So I use the stereo mode on my Denon 3310. It is not my AVR as the RNG110 or DCT6200 were not doing that. I am using optical cable for audio as HDMI gives a hum. I dont like using HDMI anyway to my AVR as I like to hook up the projector straight to the HD box.


I have asked for the DCX3200 (non DVR box). Tech is coming to deliver the box as I have been to the Comcast office 3 times already.

Virginia
Lexington/Buena Vista

Comcast shut off analog today on schedule. Fortunately I am still able to get the HD channels (QAM). Hopefully it stays that was (I am on Basic).

Virginia
Lexington/Buena Vista

Comcast shut off analog today on schedule. Fortunately I am still able to get the HD channels (QAM). Hopefully it stays that was (I am on Basic).

It will for now. But this may change.

Comcast has put in a application to the FCC in conjunction with the HD DTA to scramble all channels. They say it will save money since it will eliminate a truck roll to turn on or shut off service. (Who will pocket the savings?)

Yep, this was the logical next step after getting rid of the remaining analogs (scheduled to happen here by end of next week).

If the HD DTAs are cheap enough we will all pocket the savings vs. renting their overpriced HD STBs, but Comcast certainly will for reduced truck rolls.

Got an automated phone call from Comcast informing me that basic channels will be going all digital soon. I'm hoping that also means more HD channels soon. The big one I'm looking forward to is BBC America HD.

Got an automated phone call from Comcast informing me that basic channels will be going all digital soon. I'm hoping that also means more HD channels soon. The big one I'm looking forward to is BBC America HD.
Wow, I thought they had already converted every system. Guess not.

They removed all analogs here four months ago but still no new HD.

Wow, I thought they had already converted every system. Guess not.

If you mean the limited basic lineup, NOT by a longshot yet...we're STILL waiting on it here, on all CC IL systems...

They removed all analogs here four months ago but still no new HD.

Wow. Is this typical? I would have thought the switch to all digital would have brought new HD within a month.

We still have analog here as well & I have no idea when the switch will be made, yet the Philly market has been all digital for a while now.

Wow. Is this typical? I would have thought the switch to all digital would have brought new HD within a month.

In April and May 2010 we lost Expanded Basic analog and got new HD a week later. Not this time.

Wow. Is this typical? I would have thought the switch to all digital would have brought new HD within a month.

We still have analog here as well & I have no idea when the switch will be made, yet the Philly market has been all digital for a while now.




And from what I've read the Philly market has the most HD channels of any Comcast system.

Here in Colorado Springs and on Comcast (HD service with their standard HD box), we've had a couple of instances where the service flips from the channel being watched to something I believe called Comcast XTRA (Ch 32?). The only way we can get back to the watched channel is turn the cable box off and back on. Trying to change channels doesn't work.

The other thing we've seen periodically is while flipping through channels (or time slots on the same channel) in the HD channel guide, the guide will suddenly change to SD channels. It usually happens when we are looking at the channel in the last row of the guide and try to arrow down to the next guide page or arrow to the right for the next time slot.

Has anyone else experienced either of these little annoyances?

Thanks

Comcast systems in Southeastern Michigan now carry CBET-DT, the Windsor, Ontario affiliate of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (aka CBC/Radio-Canada).

The CBC has a full 24/7 lineup of mostly HD programming, with DD5.1. In particular the Canadian Saturday tradition of watching Hockey Night In Canada is a welcome addition for area HD sports fans, as the Detroit Red Wings are hot on the trail of their 21st consecutive year of making the NHL playoffs.

As a local over-the-air broadcast station, CBET-DT is on the Limited Basic tier of programming and is also in clear QAM.

Seattle area Comcast subs have been fortunate enough to have the Vancouver CBC affiliate CBUT-DT on their systems since September 2009. Due to the population size of the Windsor area and CBC budget issues, CBET-DT didn't go on the air until the Canadian digital television transition in September 2011. Using an entirely new network HD distribution system, the CBC initially had issues with HD primetime broadcasts that were resolved in January of this year.

Prior to the transition CBC affiliates broadcasting digitally were using the 1080i HD format. Since the transition CBC broadcasts exclusively in the 720p HD format.

The following showed up in my April bill:

On April 25 2012, the following new channel will launch on
Limited Basic: Telemundo HD (WWSI HD, Phila) 796. The
following new channels will launch on Expanded Basic:
Bloomberg TV HD 1216, C-SPAN HD 1217, BBC America HD
1225, TV Guide Entertainment HD 1316 and TV Guide
Entertainment 100, EWTN HD 1318, and Sprout HD 1505. The
following will launch on the Digital Preferred Tier: Nat Geo Wild
HD 1262, Smithsonian HD 1265 & Smithsonian 194, GSN HD
1325, Oxygen HD 1334, Ovation HD 1345, Galavision HD
1368, and The Hub HD 1511. The following will launch on
Sports Entertainment Package: Fox Soccer Channel HD* 1512,
Gol TV HD 1513, Outdoor Channel HD 1630 & Outdoor
Channel 728, and Sportsman HD 1631 & Sportsman 736.
*Available to residential and Private View Business Class
customers only. Viewing HD channels requires a subscription
to the HD Technology Fee and a HD television set.

Effective May 15, 2012, H2 will
be added to Digital Economy ch 116 and HD ch 876. Spike TV
will no longer be available on Digital Economy ch 57 and HD ch
827.
Effective April 25, 2012, Bounce TV (WMCN) will be added to
Limited Basic on channel 262. Digital equipment required for
viewing.


I've been waiting practically forever for BBC America HD. Having The Hub HD is another bonus.

My area recently dropped all analog channels so they are adding the new channels very quickly. I've never had channels in the thousands before though. I hope my TiVo can handle that. Actually I hope Comcast publishes the channel changes to Tribune so I can even get the channels on my TiVo.

They removed all the analogs here in October but haven't added any new HD.

I've never had channels in the thousands before though. I hope my TiVo can handle that. Actually I hope Comcast publishes the channel changes to Tribune so I can even get the channels on my TiVo.
Tivo can handle four-digit channel numbers. And Tribune only matters for guide data, you'll be able to tune to the channels no matter what.

And Tribune only matters for guide data, you'll be able to tune to the channels no matter what.

True, but without guide data, TiVo can't record (well it can, but not automatically).

True, but without guide data, TiVo can't record (well it can, but not automatically).
Yep, I dealt with that for the last round of HD additions in my area earlier this year.

Comcast adds 15 channels, completes digital migration

Published on 04/24/2012 - 12:55 pm
Written by Clay Moffitt

Comcast launched 15 new channels, 12 of which will be in high definition, today in its California region, as it completes its digital migration.

Fox Soccer HD (channel 803) headlines the list of new channels that will be available to the residents of the Central Valley.

In addition to Fox Soccer HD, the HD lineup now includes BBC America HD, Bloomberg HD, Galavision HD, GSN HD, GMC HD, H2 (formerly History International) HD, The Hub HD, Investigation Discovery HD, Nat Geo Wild HD, Oxygen HD, and Sprout HD.

The three new standard definition channels are ReelzChannel, BBC World News and Daystar.

http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/technology/1621-comcast-adds-15-channels-completes-digital-migration

I wish Comcast would give us NatGeo Wild HD here in S.E. Michigan. It has lots of great stuff, but the other NatGeo channel, which we DO get in HD, generally sucks.

Just got a reply from The Weather Channel regarding the HD Star (IntelliStar 2) on Xfinity Headends (via email)

Comcast has not initiated their full HD launch yet. It's coming. I believe their rollout should begin sometime over the summer.

Just noticed on the Verizon thread, multi tuner (more than 2) DVRs are coming. Any plans from Comcast to do the same?

Wilmington/New Castle Delaware switches to all digital 06/05. Mixed emotions about this BUT I look forward to more channels coming. Usually about a month later, correct?

Wilmington/New Castle Delaware switches to all digital 06/05. Mixed emotions about this BUT I look forward to more channels coming. Usually about a month later, correct?

We have Comcast at our office and the day they made the switch here they added at least 30 new HD channels.

Just got a reply from The Weather Channel regarding the HD Star (IntelliStar 2) on Xfinity Headends

Yay!

Let's see if they go HD before Turner Classic Movies.

Got a Local Reply about the IS2 this morning from TWC (Via feedback forum (http://feedback.weather.com/forums/131825-tv/suggestions/2787710-hd-star-in-massachusetts-))

we are rolling out HD local service in Xfinity systems nationwide. Massachusetts systems will have local weather in HD later in 2012.

We have Comcast at our office and the day they made the switch here they added at least 30 new HD channels.

Been about 6 months here and still waiting for any additional HD channels. Guess it is different in different areas. Not the best PR to remove channels and then give nothing back in return.

Been about 6 months here and still waiting for any additional HD channels. Guess it is different in different areas. Not the best PR to remove channels and then give nothing back in return.

Where are you?

Where are you?

I am in Southern Maryland, but I understand this is true for all or most of the Baltimore/Washington area.

Comcast cable customers can now watch ESPN on their iPhone/iPad with the WatchESPN app.

Here in Colorado Springs and on Comcast (HD service with their standard HD box), we've had a couple of instances where the service flips from the channel being watched to something I believe called Comcast XTRA (Ch 32?). The only way we can get back to the watched channel is turn the cable box off and back on. Trying to change channels doesn't work.

The other thing we've seen periodically is while flipping through channels (or time slots on the same channel) in the HD channel guide, the guide will suddenly change to SD channels. It usually happens when we are looking at the channel in the last row of the guide and try to arrow down to the next guide page or arrow to the right for the next time slot.

Has anyone else experienced either of these little annoyances?

Thanks

We've had Comcast for a little over a year in the Houston area (changed from Dish - they couldn't give me enough receivers). What a Mistake!

Comcast installed 3 HD DVRs and 2 SD receivers. At least they tried. One HD DVR worked (an Xfinity model). The other two were not Xfinity models - and they kept going back to the truck till they found ones that would work. Within a couple of months, they had to come back to replace the non-Xfinity boxes with - Xfinity boxes.

Oh joy - we had nothing but problems with the 1st one. Pause for more than 30 mins, and it would jump to live and not rewind. Or the DVR function would not work at all - till one calls customer service and spend 20 minutes convincing them the problem exists, and the solution is another 20 minutes of power recycle and signal refresh, etc. A couple months back, one of their Level 2 or 3 techs determined the root cause was a problem inside my house - caused by how the splitters were connected when they installed!

Since then, though, performance is spotty. Several times a week, programs will pixelate on and off. Frequently (several times an hour, especially when using the program guide), video/audio drops out for a couple of seconds. For a while I thought maybe my AVR settings were doing something funky with Comcast's signal - but then discovered it also happened going direct to my plasma (AVR off and out of the loop).

Never mind the MADNESS from their DVR. You can record two programs at once - but can only watch a 3rd if its from the DVR. Try watching a program, and forget that earlier in the week you scheduled two recordings, and when they start up all you can do is cancel one or lose the rest of the one you were watching.

Or leave the room with an NFL game to deal with unexpected visitors - and then return to the game in the 4th quarter and try to rewind to where you left off. It rewinds to where you were, commercials come and you try to skip - but after 10 seconds of FF it jumps to Live. So you try to rewind, misjudge when to hit Play before it reaches its rewind limit and it jumps to Live again - so after 10 minutes of that, you've lost 5 minutes of game time you can never rewind to. And now you're in the middle of another long commercial break to try to skip out of ... 5 seconds at a time.

That's why I'm going to DirecTV and AT&T :) (no FiOS here - bummer :mad:!).

Never mind the MADNESS from their DVR. You can record two programs at once - but can only watch a 3rd if its from the DVR. Try watching a program, and forget that earlier in the week you scheduled two recordings, and when they start up all you can do is cancel one or lose the rest of the one you were watching.

Or leave the room with an NFL game to deal with unexpected visitors - and then return to the game in the 4th quarter and try to rewind to where you left off. It rewinds to where you were, commercials come and you try to skip - but after 10 seconds of FF it jumps to Live. So you try to rewind, misjudge when to hit Play before it reaches its rewind limit and it jumps to Live again - so after 10 minutes of that, you've lost 5 minutes of game time you can never rewind to. And now you're in the middle of another long commercial break to try to skip out of ... 5 seconds at a time.
Most DVRs do this - you only have 2 tuners and limited live buffer space. It's not a Comcast-specific thing. To work around the second problem, hit record instead of pause if you think you'll be away from the TV for a while.

We've had Comcast for a little over a year in the Houston area (changed from Dish - they couldn't give me enough receivers). What a Mistake!

....


There is no such thing as a Xfinity-made DVR. All DVRs Xfinity uses are made by other firms (Motorola, Cisco, PACE, etc.).

The DVR "issues" you describe are common to pretty much every DVR.

Your signal issues are probably due to bad wiring inside your home or on the feed coming in to your home.

Comcast Begins National Rollout of Next-Generation, Cloud Enabled TV Platform X1 in Boston, Reveals Project Dayview

Today, we announced the launch of our next-generation, cloud enabled X1 platform and the X1 Remote App in Boston and revealed Project Dayview. Check back for video showing you the great features these products offer.

http://blog.comcast.com/2012/05/comcast-begins-national-rollout-of-next-generation-cloud-enabled-tv-platform-x1-in-boston-introduces.html

Comcast Begins National Rollout of Next-Generation, Cloud Enabled TV Platform X1 in Boston, Reveals Project Dayview

Today, we announced the launch of our next-generation, cloud enabled X1 platform and the X1 Remote App in Boston and revealed Project Dayview. Check back for video showing you the great features these products offer.

http://blog.comcast.com/2012/05/comc...ntroduces.html

Does this include the Boston (http://blog.comcast.com/2012/05/comcast-begins-national-rollout-of-next-generation-cloud-enabled-tv-platform-x1-in-boston-introduces.html) Area Headends like New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton and Attleboro? or is it just Downtown Boston?

The link is bad...(contains ...)

The link is bad...(contains ...)

I added the good link in my post above.

Oh, the "Boston" link. Didn't expect that to be a link to the story. Thanks...