All appears to be well in Plantation!

Hmm, I'm also in Plantation, and I'm getting video and audio drop outs on ESPN-HD.

Just checked again (Saturday, 1.30 pm) and all seems well!

Over on another forum a member from MA on an ex-Adelphi system recently received a letter in the mail from Comcast saying they were removing HDNET and replacing it with eight other HD channels. Two were of particular interest: FoodTV-HD and HGTV-HD as of June 1st!

So far as I know this is the first time these two channels have been mentioned in anything other than a hope or rumor type of comment. Indeed our own Rudy has mentioned HGTV-HD a couple of times.

This would appear to mean that Comcast now has a national agreement with Scripps which, in turn, would mean they should start showing up in other areas of the country before long. While I would love to see these channels here locally as soon as possible, my guess is it will be the fall some time!

But it just may be enough to stop me from giving serious consideration to another supplier at that time!

Hello JSTRAZZ...


As far as digital television (ATSC) is concerned, I'd just like to mention that the transmission of HD program material is not an FCC requirement. Remember, ALL HD is digital but NOT ALL digital is HD!


HD, either 1080i or 720P, are just 2 of the 18 formats that fall under the digital transmission umbrella, the ATSC umbrella. A digital station can continue to transmit 480i SD video without penalty. That may not be the best business model, but it could happen.

In reference to the "giving up" of the analog channels, that was a forgone conclusion. But there had to be transition time. This was not like going from B&W to color, or adding stereo audio. This is an entirely new system that is not compatible with NTSC. New equipment is needed at both ends: the station end and the viewer end. This is not something that could be done overnight.

At this moment, the majority of TV viewers are unaware of the analog shutdown and how they might be affected. In some cases there are still decisions to be made that will impact the analog TV owner after that February 2009 date.

Thank you for mentioning the change in our curtains. We are continuing to update our equipment to bring South Florida the best possible digital picture and sound.

:o
Hello Don,

Thanks for your response and for enlightening me about the transition to digital. Much of what you said, I was already aware of, however, I mistakenly thought that local broadcasters were "dragging their feet" with regard to broadcasting in Full HD.

I too am glad that you folks at Channel 6 do not "stretch" your 4:3 picture. In fact, channel 6's local broadcasts appear to be the sharpest of the local channels. I hope that the engineers at channels 7 and 10 are monitoring these forums so that they can see how we feel about their distorted pictures.

MOTHER of CHRIST!! this is really getting tiresome!! :mad:

the year is 2007, so someone explain to me how in the heck is comcast NOT showing the De la Hoya - Mayweather PPV in highdef?!!! :mad: :eek: :(

unbelievable!

Rudy, make it happen man....get the head end to make it happen. Comcast in the meadowlands area has it in HD, and DirecTv has it in HD, and so does Dish and FiOS......

Nice language, leave it off this forum.

Maybe they aren't showing it because a huge number of people couldn't care less about paying outrageous sums to watch two uneducated idiots pounding on each other.

MOTHER of CHRIST!! this is really getting tiresome!! :mad:

the year is 2007, so someone explain to me how in the heck is comcast NOT showing the De la Hoya - Mayweather PPV in highdef?!!! :mad: :eek: :(

unbelievable!

Rudy, make it happen man....get the head end to make it happen. Comcast in the meadowlands area has it in HD, and DirecTv has it in HD, and so does Dish and FiOS......

I hear ya bud...I'm equally frustrated that Comcast is not showing ANY MLB EXTRA INNINGS games in HD. In fact, the SD quality of those telecasts is VERY POOR.

WSVN is upconverting (and of course stretching) Fox on their digital channel tonight during their NASCAR coverage. Boo! When I called the station, I was first told that it *must* be a problem with my cable. When I said I was seeing the same thing OTA, the blame shifted to the network. Maybe they are having a problem with their net HD signal and they needed to upconvert. Fine, but the stretching thing just ruins it. Ugh.

The race just got rained out, so hopefully whatever problem they're having tonight will be resolved tomorrow.

WSVN is upconverting (and of course stretching) Fox on their digital channel tonight during their NASCAR coverage. Boo! When I called the station, I was first told that it *must* be a problem with my cable. When I said I was seeing the same thing OTA, the blame shifted to the network. Maybe they are having a problem with their net HD signal and they needed to upconvert. Fine, but the stretching thing just ruins it. Ugh.

The race just got rained out, so hopefully whatever problem they're having tonight will be resolved tomorrow.

WSVN and WPLG always stretch their local portions of the broadcast. The problem is when someone forgets to "flip the switch" back to full HD once the network comes back.

What really frustrates me is when I'm watching Good Morning America, and about 30 seconds before they go into the local break for local weather and news (about two -three times per hour) they take a beautiful HD picture and turn it to crap with their "stretch-o-vision".

No number of calls or e-mails to ether station have resulted in them actually providing a signal as good as the local Palm Beach stations, that do NOT use the stretch on their local broadcast.

WSVN is upconverting (and of course stretching) Fox on their digital channel tonight during their NASCAR coverage. Boo! When I called the station, I was first told that it *must* be a problem with my cable. When I said I was seeing the same thing OTA, the blame shifted to the network. Maybe they are having a problem with their net HD signal and they needed to upconvert. Fine, but the stretching thing just ruins it. Ugh.

The race just got rained out, so hopefully whatever problem they're having tonight will be resolved tomorrow.

Fortunately, I'm able to pick up Channel 29 out of West Palm. They're showing programs in Full HD and not stretching the SD picture. If WSVN and WPLG only knew how ridiculous their picture looks on a quality HD television...

Fortunately, I'm able to pick up Channel 29 out of West Palm. They're showing programs in Full HD and not stretching the SD picture. If WSVN and WPLG only knew how ridiculous their picture looks on a quality HD television...

Well, it is still the SD-stretchy mode today for NASCAR. I may have to climb up into my attic and point my antenna north to WPB for whenever this happens again in the future! Unfortunately, that won't help me with my Comcast DVR since Comcast is stuck with the same signal as what's being broadcast OTA, but at least I could watch true HD if I could pull in the WPB signal.

I'm assuming that this problem is a recent one as the picture was great last weekend and every other race this year....I usually only watch WSVN to see NASCAR or NFL on FOX, and occasionally "The Simpsons", so whatever they want to do with their local programming and news is mostly irrelavent to me. However, you'd think somebody in a position to make a decision there (management, engineering, etc) would be watching their station during network programming and realize, even though they're stretching local programming, that their network programming doesn't look as it should. I'm guessing that if it was something like "American Idol" or "24" that was being aired like this instead of NASCAR, faster action might be taken to correct it. I suspect NASCAR isn't their highest priority HD programming.

It is interesting to note that the two major network stations that DON'T stretch the SD picture (WTVJ & WFOR) are both network O&Os, while the two that do (WSVN & WPLG), are not. This market certainly doesn't get the quality it should with these local digital signals. I mean, this is MIAMI/FT LAUDERDALE (!!) we're talking about, not some teeny-tiny market in the middle of nowhere. It's a shame.

I'll put my soapbox away for now unless somebody else needs it. ;)

WSVN and WPLG always stretch their local portions of the broadcast. The problem is when someone forgets to "flip the switch" back to full HD once the network comes back.

What really frustrates me is when I'm watching Good Morning America, and about 30 seconds before they go into the local break for local weather and news (about two -three times per hour) they take a beautiful HD picture and turn it to crap with their "stretch-o-vision".



Yeah, but that should be an automated process when they switch between their local commercials and the network programming. It shouldn't be a matter of somebody "forgetting".

Now, it could be their automation isn't working or their network HD satellite receiver is on the blink (it happens), and they need to upconvert the SD net feed in order to keep *something* on their digital channel. But I'd much rather have a 4:3 picture with sidebars/curtains and no distortion on the edges than watching a warped picture.

But I know I'm singing to the choir here.

What the hell is up with WSVN this weekend.... no one on the HD switch.

The Simpsons and Family Guy were stretched last night. They better not screw up for 24 tonight.

The Simpsons and Family Guy were stetched last night. They better not screw up for 24 tonight.

If they do...I'll be sending them a NASTY email. This stretch-o-vision thing is getting pretty old.

Just wanted to chime in and say hello. I just hooked up Directv HD out in West Miramar and the pq is GREAT. Just for kicks I plugged in a Phillips Silver Sensor to see how the OTA stuff looks and --WOW! That antenna picks up EVERYTHING! The OTA HD and the Directv local HD's look equally fantastic. I've been switching back and forth to spot any differnces but I really can't tell if there is one.

Now I have a backup for when it storms like crazy and the dish goes out for a few minutes (like it did last night).

In any case, just wanted to pop in and say hi... good info on this thread.. all 168 pages of it!!!

It appears that somebody was working the switch at WSVN yesterday as both House and 24 were shown in HD.

... The OTA HD and the Directv local HD's look equally fantastic. I've been switching back and forth to spot any differnces but I really can't tell if there is one. ...
DirectTV broadcasts HD locals using Mpeg 4 and from all reports the PQ is the equal of OTA PQ. (They broadcast their other HD channels using Mpeg 2 and this where the “HD Lite” comes in).

All the new HD channels supposedly being added this fall and winter (as the result of two new birds) will also be in Mpeg 4, so unless they start screwing around again, the future looks better than the present for DirectTV. It will be interesting to see how Comcast handles this. If they don’t do something fairly dramatic they will start loosing a lot of the high-end subscribers!

Plus, FWIW and from all that I have read, “HD Lite” really only becomes apparent on the larger screen TVs starting between 40 and 50 inches (depending on the quality of the set and your eyes); it’s not very noticeable on smaller TVs.

Monday night I recorded 24 on my JVC DVHS deck which has a built in HDTV digital tuner. Tuesday night when I tried to watch it back for the first time ever I got a blank screen with the message "Unable to play back recording. COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL" I have not read anywhere where FOX was going to start using the broadcast flag to stop recording. I know they sell 24 on Itunes for $2 so if I want to pay I can watch Mondays episode. I am just wondering if this was a mistake on FOX's part or intentional.

Although my DVHS has a HDMI output I have it connceted to my LCD using the analog component connections. My two HDMI inputs are already being used for my DVD and HP digital entertainment center.

Monday night I recorded 24 on my JVC DVHS deck which has a built in HDTV digital tuner. Tuesday night when I tried to watch it back for the first time ever I got a blank screen with the message "Unable to play back recording. COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL" I have not read anywhere where FOX was going to start using the broadcast flag to stop recording. I know they sell 24 on Itunes for $2 so if I want to pay I can watch Mondays episode. I am just wondering if this was a mistake on FOX's part or intentional.

Although my DVHS has a HDMI output I have it connceted to my LCD using the analog component connections. My two HDMI inputs are already being used for my DVD and HP digital entertainment center.

Have you tried playing it via one of the HDMI inputs? If it works, either a HDMI switch or a rearrangement of the other connections might be in order. Why use HDMI for the DVD when component should suffice?

Have you tried playing it via one of the HDMI inputs? If it works, either a HDMI switch or a rearrangement of the other connections might be in order. Why use HDMI for the DVD when component should suffice?

__________________
Bill Brenner


I have never experienced this before. I have wondered if it would play through the HDMI. The HDMI cable is connected to the DVD player two shelves below and may be close enough to try it. The reason I am using the HDMI for the DVD is because it is a Denon 5910 and does an incredible job upconverting to 1080i but you must connect it through the HDMI jack to upconvert to 1080i

Monday night I recorded 24 on my JVC DVHS deck which has a built in HDTV digital tuner. Tuesday night when I tried to watch it back for the first time ever I got a blank screen with the message "Unable to play back recording. COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL" I have not read anywhere where FOX was going to start using the broadcast flag to stop recording. I know they sell 24 on Itunes for $2 so if I want to pay I can watch Mondays episode. I am just wondering if this was a mistake on FOX's part or intentional.

Although my DVHS has a HDMI output I have it connceted to my LCD using the analog component connections. My two HDMI inputs are already being used for my DVD and HP digital entertainment center.

I recorded 24 on Monday as well. I am able to play it back without a problem. Are you recording on OTR or on cable?

I wouldn't put it past FOX to prevent recording of their programs, but if they do, I will NEVER watch FOX again.

I recorded 24 on Monday as well. I am able to play it back without a problem. Are you recording on OTR or on cable?

I wouldn't put it past FOX to prevent recording of their programs, but if they do, I will NEVER watch FOX again.

I recorded it over the air OTA. I do not have cable or satellite. This is the first time it has happened. Jstrazz did you record it OTA in HDTV or from cable in HDTV? If you recorded it from cable or satellite then maybe there was something wrong with WSVN's signal. Maybe their PSIP was messed up and that cause my DVHS not to record it correctly?

I recorded it over the air OTA. I do not have cable or satellite. This is the first time it has happened. Jstrazz did you record it OTA in HDTV or from cable in HDTV? If you recorded it from cable or satellite then maybe there was something wrong with WSVN's signal. Maybe their PSIP was messed up and that cause my DVHS not to record it correctly?


I recorded 24 on cable with my Tivo Series 3 HDTV recorder. I just realized that you used DVHS. Now I'm wondering whether or not a flag would prevent such recordings on that format and on DVD. Interesting.

Last night I turned on my DVHS again and tuned to WSVN OTA. The picture disappeared and turned a blank grey after two seconds but I still had sound. This is during Deco Drive their local program. Every other OTA channel is OK. Either WSVN is sending out the broadcast flag by mistake or their PSIP is messed up and is making my DVHS think it is copy protected. I guess next Monday I will tape Heroes and watch 24 live. Meanwhile Itunes makes $2 as I will download Monday's 24.

Last night I turned on my DVHS again and tuned to WSVN OTA. The picture disappeared and turned a blank grey after two seconds but I still had sound. This is during Deco Drive their local program. Every other OTA channel is OK. Either WSVN is sending out the broadcast flag by mistake or their PSIP is messed up and is making my DVHS think it is copy protected. I guess next Monday I will tape Heroes and watch 24 live. Meanwhile Itunes makes $2 as I will download Monday's 24.

I would email or call the station to find out what's going on with them. In the past, I have found that the engineers at the stations do not even know that there is a problem...until somebody calls and tells them.

I never was able to reach anyone at WSVN but maybe their engineers read this forum. Anyway the problem with my DVHS is gone. I can now again record FOX programs on my JVC DVHS.

Comcast added FoodHD and HGTVHD in Boston. Hopefully, they will be added in South Florida soon.

Comcast added FoodHD and HGTVHD in Boston. Hopefully, they will be added in South Florida soon.
Mike, couldn’t agree with you more! But my guess (and it is just that) is that it will be the fall before we get them. Hope I’m wrong but it seems that we always have to wait a few months after they first appear before our local people decide we can have them. :confused: Really not sure why!

Still we do better than many parts of the country. :p There have been exceptions but they seem to have involved major sporting events.

Maybe Rudy can get some information on these two channels – please! :cool:

On a related note, Discovery is introducing six new HD channels. Four this fall and two next spring. All will be simulcasts of current SD channels. I am pretty certain that I read that Comcast plans to offer them all.

It is important for Comcast to be aggressive in offering new HD channels (and not via VOD). If Direct TV is successful in the launch of their two planned birds a little later this year and does start to offer every current HD channel and every other one that has been announced (including the Weather Channel in HD), and if the picture quality is reasonable, Comcast could very well start to loose many of their high-end subscribers! :eek:

Advanced Cable in Weston added WBFSHD (MyNetworkTV) on 633. The only local HD channel they are missing is CW HD.

New to the thread,

Is PBS still have 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 etc. or did they move to 17.1?
I was able to get pbs before not no more.

17 is a different PBS broadcaster. Last I checked a few days ago, 2 was still there.

Anyone lose ESPN-HD and ESPN2-HD? I'm getting the "this channel will be available shortly" message.

NOpe, mine is fine.

Thanks, Comcast is coming over later this week...

No Yanks v. Mets in HD for me tonight. At least HBO is coming in!

I checked the signal strength, its low. I'll make sure they correct that.

anyone know what channel on dtv fsn florida hd is on?

anyone know what channel on dtv fsn florida hd is on?

There is no set channel. Some of the Marlin FSN HD games are shown on channels 94 or 95. Check the guide.

Hi,

Could anybody please recommend a competent, knowledgeable Dish Network installer in the Miami Beach area? I've had it with Atlantic Broadband and their ever rising prices, lousy service and the whole cable card mess. Sure the picture looks nice, but I can get Dish with everything including HD, locals, premium channels and a VIP-622 DVR for almost $90 less a month than ABB. In my 34-inch tube HDTV, HD-Lite will be just fine...

Also, should I order service first from some place like Sattelitesales.com or let the local installer take care of it? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Francisco

i was wondering if anyone else has the slimline 5lnb dish from dtv installed? i had mine installed yesterday and it shakes a bit in the winds today that were like 15-25 mph. i didnt have any picture breakups but my neighbor who also has the slimline...his dish wasnt moving at all. it a little tremble in the dish we moderate to strong winds ok or normal......or?

i was wondering if anyone else has the slimline 5lnb dish from dtv installed? i had mine installed yesterday and it shakes a bit in the winds today that were like 15-25 mph. i didnt have any picture breakups but my neighbor who also has the slimline...his dish wasnt moving at all. it a little tremble in the dish we moderate to strong winds ok or normal......or?
--------------------
I live near you, and have no problems with "movement" Is your dish braced at all?
You may need a "long" brace, since the LNB assembly seems to be further out
from the reflector than the older stlyle... I don't know if your situation will allow
extra braces........
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=DTVA3-LONGBRACE&xzoom=Large#xview

i just have one monopole from attached from the dish to the roof.

here is a crude drawing of my setup. i'm on the 2nd floor of an apt complext with a 3 foot roof overhang and that is where the dish is installed. the installed had to use a wall mount.....put that on the wall underneath the overhang.........ran a pole out from that then mounted the dish to the end of that. unfortunately he did not secure where the dish pole is attached to the wall mount pole to the side of the overhang like my neighbor has his. his dish doesnt move at all. sorry for the bad drawing. my digital camera is broke.

So many jokes can be made with that one picture.....

no need to be mean jerk

I see you are in a Apt....that probably limits how the dish can be attached, w/o owner
problems....my dish is mounted to the side wall of my house....even so, it is braced with
two monopoles...holes drilled directly into the stucco, which I assumed the owner will
not approve?...the weak link in your set-up appears to be in that long brace pole, back
to the building.....call the installer back and have him take a look at your neighbors
set-up and ask him to duplicate it?

yah....in my picture where the dish is mounted is further away from the end of the hangover than it really is. the dishmount is really just beneath the end of the overhang. my neighbor has that mount also braced to the half bottom portion of the side of the overhang. that is what my installer was supposed to do. he left at 9pm so i was unaware he didnt as i couldnt see the setup completely.

no need to be mean jerk


its the picture i was making the comment on, not the setup... it just looks like a stick person to me... sorry

i know u were making fun of my picture. there's no need for that. i'm not an artist and i dont have a digital camera. someone who criticizes someone just out of the blue when they are doing their best to try and get some feedback isnt very nice. remember that quote...if u cant say anything nice dont say anything at all. i dont need mean responses during this time of stress. i posted in hopes of getting helpful feedback. urs was not helpful or necessary

Hi guys, was anybody lucky to find out if Motorola (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Motorola_6412.JPG) box can be controlled with some other remote control IR/RF from other room ( I have comcast Motorola box in my living room, connecting wall is my bedroom, how can I control that box from my bedroom since I can connect the box to my bedroom flat screen in addition to my primary TV in the living room ? )
The original remote control has limited range and works only from the front of the unit...

Hi guys, was anybody lucky to find out if Motorola (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Motorola_6412.JPG) box can be controlled with some other remote control IR/RF from other room ( I have comcast Motorola box in my living room, connecting wall is my bedroom, how can I control that box from my bedroom since I can connect the box to my bedroom flat screen in addition to my primary TV in the living room ? )
The original remote control has limited range and works only from the front of the unit...

I've used a pair of these for years now, and they work perfectly with all equipment:

http://www.smarthome.com/8210.html

I've used a pair of these for years now, and they work perfectly with all equipment:

http://www.smarthome.com/8210.html

Thanks Rudy, will order, but are you sure it will control comcast Motorola hd box? Did you try those transmitters with it?

Thanks Rudy, will order, but are you sure it will control comcast Motorola hd box? Did you try those transmitters with it?

I've used them with the Motorola HD boxes, and with other devices as well...they control everything. You'll need either a second Motorola remote, or you could just program a universal remote to mimic the commands from the original Motorola remote.

Thanks Rudy, will order, but are you sure it will control comcast Motorola hd box? Did you try those transmitters with it?

That will only control the remote control. You have to hard wire both tvs.

nn

Does anyone here know if Advanced Cable (in the Coral Springs area) broadcasts any of their HD channels in the clear?

Does anyone here know if Advanced Cable (in the Coral Springs area) broadcasts any of their HD channels in the clear?

In Weston the major networks are in the clear, not sure if it isthe same in CS

Hello everyone, new member here, longtime lurker...

I was an Adelphia Cable costumer in Kendall, but now switched to Comcast. i lost HDNET, which I liked, a lot. Do you guys have any idea of what's coming down the pipe in regards to Comcast in Kendall?

My interface does not look like other Comcast subscribers I know. I don't have the TV show on demand like "Heroes""etc... that other people I know seem to get.

Is this change a work in progress, or is Kendall's old Adelphia base getting a short end of the stick here?

I am posting here because this seems to be the only forum talking about Miami HD & Cable issues..

thanks.

Hello everyone, new member here, longtime lurker...

I was an Adelphia Cable costumer in Kendall, but now switched to Comcast. i lost HDNET, which I liked, a lot. Do you guys have any idea of what's coming down the pipe in regards to Comcast in Kendall?

My interface does not look like other Comcast subscribers I know. I don't have the TV show on demand like "Heroes""etc... that other people I know seem to get.

Is this change a work in progress, or is Kendall's old Adelphia base getting a short end of the stick here?

I am posting here because this seems to be the only forum talking about Miami HD & Cable issues..

thanks.

If the other former Adelphia areas are any indication, you should eventually have the same channel lineup and services on your system as other Comcast customers do. In all likelihood, your headend needs to be upgraded to support these services, and that will take some time.

There is a thread over in the HDTV Programming forum that includes a press release about Comcast in the Chicago area going all digital. City by July; suburbs by the end of 2008. This will provide them with the capacity for 120 HD channels. Note, this is not ADS but 100% digital where a box will be required for each outlet.

Here’s the thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=830402

This is obviously something that is going to spread across the entire country and I (and a lot of others, I am sure) would like to know when it may happen here in South Florida!

Rudy, have you heard anything about this?

Actually, I haven't. Would be nice, though, if they could go completely digital here within the next few months so they would have more capacity for HD channels.

Anyone hear anything more about upgrading south FL?

D* is adding a bunch of channels in the fall and I'd love to see Comcast offer at least some of them (& hopefully soon). Here's what they're adding in the fall (if they actually do ;)) and what I'd like to see offered first (highlighted in yellow).

1. A&E
2. National Geographic
3. Bravo
4. NFL Network (would be cool but I could live w/o it for a while)
5. Cartoon Network
6. SciFi Channel (really want this for BSG's final season and the new Flash series)
7. CNN
8. Speed
9. Food Network
10. TBS
11. Big Ten Network (depends if Comcast gets the rights to the channel but if they do I really really want it)
12. The History Channel
13. HGTV (I don't really care about it but know you guys want it ;))
14. The Weather Channel
15. MTV (unless this is the real MTV-HD channel and not what we have now)
16. USA Network
17. Disney Channel
18. Versus HD (this is the GolfVS channel right or another channel?)
19. Toon Disney
20. TLC
21. ABC Family
22. Animal Planet
23. ESPNNEWS HD
24. The Science Channel
25. Starz E/W feeds (east feed would be fine for now)
26. Discovery Channel (I think we have this but not sure if it's the main channel or one of their sub channels)
27. Starz Edge
28. The Tennis Channel
29. Starz Comedy
30. Showtime West
31. Starz Kids & Family
32. The Movie Channel
33. CNBC
34. Chiller

They're also adding more games in HD for the MLBEI package (and some PPV HD channels). Since Comcast retains the rights to it (thanks Kerry) that'd be great if they offered more HD baseball games too (& hopefully in 08 like D* all games in HD).

P.S. Am I the only college basketball fan in south FL? The one thing that might make me switch to D* is if Comcast doesn't get ESPN Full Court again (and hopefully adds the Big 10 channel). Nobody else wants the Full Court package? I'd also like to see ESPNU offered as well in the SD realm.

Hello everyone, new member here, longtime lurker...

I was an Adelphia Cable costumer in Kendall, but now switched to Comcast. i lost HDNET, which I liked, a lot. Do you guys have any idea of what's coming down the pipe in regards to Comcast in Kendall?

My interface does not look like other Comcast subscribers I know. I don't have the TV show on demand like "Heroes""etc... that other people I know seem to get.

Is this change a work in progress, or is Kendall's old Adelphia base getting a short end of the stick here?

I am posting here because this seems to be the only forum talking about Miami HD & Cable issues..

thanks.

If Adlelphia Cable can have HDNET, why Comcast cannot offer HDNET ? HDNET is the best channel on earth at this point. C'mon Comcast, wake up!!!

Does anybody in Broward know a good satellite installer? I’m buying a townhouse next week and getting the 5LNB DirecTV dish mounted and cables run will be a priority. There will be some fishing of cables involved and I may want to add a multiplexer. My experience with installations in the past has been that only the basic out of the box stuff is included. Once the fish tape and multiplexers come out the price goes up. I’m fine with paying extra for extra labor but don’t want to get hosed with an installer that can’t or won’t do the runs I need. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Isy

Is it me, or has WPBT-DT disappeared from the air ?
I get only static when I tune to it, but all the other Miami stations come in just the same as before.
My antenna hasn't moved, and I know they are licensed for 1000kW ERP on digital 18.
Why can't I get the signal ?

Walt

Is it me, or has WPBT-DT disappeared from the air ?
I get only static when I tune to it, but all the other Miami stations come in just the same as before.
My antenna hasn't moved, and I know they are licensed for 1000kW ERP on digital 18.
Why can't I get the signal ?

Walt

Coming in loud and clear here. Possibly off the air when you checked?
If it is still out for you, a scan might be the solution.

Rudy,

any news you can share about additional HD lineups in Comcast here in Broward? anything you can share (ETAs, which Channels, etc) would be greatly appreciated!

Does anyone here know if Advanced Cable (in the Coral Springs area) broadcasts any of their HD channels in the clear?

Yes, ACC in CS does have all the local HD channels in the clear. The premium HD channels are scrambled.

I also get the occasional Video On Demand movies/shows my neighbors order.

Rudy,

any news you can share about additional HD lineups in Comcast here in Broward? anything you can share (ETAs, which Channels, etc) would be greatly appreciated!
rudy???

Ok I am having major problems with my local ota antenna signal ever since I changed to a 5 lnb slimline dish + upgraded to the new Direct HD hr20-100s I have been having major problems.. The thing is that I used to have my hr 10-250 hd tivo there in my family room and my local ota antenna feed ran into the multiswitch which was a 5x8 eagle..... I used to get signal readings from channel 4,6,7 and 10 anywhere from 85-92 and it was always locked... Well Now since I upgraded o new dish / to the New hr 20-100 s direct tv hd dvr I also added the zinwell 6x16 multiswith I had to run my antenna feeds seperately in which they run to a splitter in the attic from there it runs to my bed room and family room.... Now in my bed room it locks in with my hr 10-250 hd tivo but on my hr 20-100s I get signal readings from 80-95 on all these channels in tuner 1 but in tuner 2 it jumps around big time from 85 to 0 and it rearely locks .. my tuner 1 also flat lines some times but its tuner 2 that goes nuts.....
I have heard that the hr 20-700 or 100 series tuner has major problems with multipath issues.. I have a radio shack huge antenna hooked up and its pointed perfectly... Now I havetried removing the spliter and just adding a little coupling/barrel tu run the antenna feed directly to my family roon instead of splitting it 2 ways and that adds 10 percent to my strength but my signal still jumps around and flat lines.. when i move the older hr10-250 to family room I have no prob... help what can I do.. Do i call a atenna specilist to come over my house and fix this prob...Im not really to handy when it comes to certain things..

I am sick, my QAM TUNER cant find ESPN..

It was 49.1

Anyone able to help me??

Thanks!

OK, that sounds like classic multi-path. I did two things to solve mine (aside from having a better tuner). 1. Use a distribution amp for the antenna signal. Radio Shack, $25. Secondly, you'll need to tweak your antenna off one side or another until you bring that multi-path down to acceptable levels.

Ok I am having major problems with my local ota antenna signal ever since I changed to a 5 lnb slimline dish + upgraded to the new Direct HD hr20-100s I have been having major problems.. The thing is that I used to have my hr 10-250 hd tivo there in my family room and my local ota antenna feed ran into the multiswitch which was a 5x8 eagle..... I used to get signal readings from channel 4,6,7 and 10 anywhere from 85-92 and it was always locked... Well Now since I upgraded o new dish / to the New hr 20-100 s direct tv hd dvr I also added the zinwell 6x16 multiswith I had to run my antenna feeds seperately in which they run to a splitter in the attic from there it runs to my bed room and family room.... Now in my bed room it locks in with my hr 10-250 hd tivo but on my hr 20-100s I get signal readings from 80-95 on all these channels in tuner 1 but in tuner 2 it jumps around big time from 85 to 0 and it rearely locks .. my tuner 1 also flat lines some times but its tuner 2 that goes nuts.....
I have heard that the hr 20-700 or 100 series tuner has major problems with multipath issues.. I have a radio shack huge antenna hooked up and its pointed perfectly... Now I havetried removing the spliter and just adding a little coupling/barrel tu run the antenna feed directly to my family roon instead of splitting it 2 ways and that adds 10 percent to my strength but my signal still jumps around and flat lines.. when i move the older hr10-250 to family room I have no prob... help what can I do.. Do i call a atenna specilist to come over my house and fix this prob...Im not really to handy when it comes to certain things..

Comcast is currently offering a digital receiver to current subscribers for $2.99 per month for one year and the installation fee is also waived!

I called about something else but asked about any current promotions for existing subscribers. I am getting one for the bedroom.

Not sure but I believe it’s a DCT 700 (the small one with no lights!)

Comcast is currently offering a digital receiver to current subscribers for $2.99 per month for one year and the installation fee is also waived!

I called about something else but asked about any current promotions for existing subscribers. I am getting one for the bedroom.

Not sure but I believe it’s a DCT 700 (the small one with no lights!)

Everyone in my condo gets one one these (DCT 700) boxes free until January/08, then its $2.99. This promo is for bulk subscribers only.

Ok so du u think that any local radio shack has a distribution amplifier perhaps a 2 way and will that fix multipath... I will try swinging antenna and see if that works its just a shame that the hr20 -700 or 100 has such a ****** tuner while my old hd tivo was awesome and never broke up...

The distrib amp will probably be 6 way, just don't use the unwanted ones. Instead of a 7db loss from a two way splitter, you'll have a 7db gain, a 14db swing in signal strength. I have two H20-600's and two 5th generation integral tuners in a couple of LCD TV's. The 5th gen tuners handle multi-path much better. I believe the -100 and -700 have 4th generation tuners.

If you have unused connectors, I would advise putting terminators on the them.

Walt

I am sick, my QAM TUNER cant find ESPN..

It was 49.1

Anyone able to help me??

Thanks!

I don't know where you live, but here in east Pompano, Comcast took ESPN and ESPN2 HD out of QAM in the clear last summer. We only have the analog available.

Aventura, HAD ESPN HD till last weekend!! Is there any other websites where people list the QAM channels? They are always changing, not too happy about espn hd!!

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I want to see if anybody is as upset with Comcast as I am. I noticed over the weekend HDNet and HDNet Movies are gone! Replaced with TNTHD and MHD (both of which do not work!). So is it true Comcast has taken these channels away from us?

If they have, can I just get a basic HD/DVR and pick up the local HD channels if I pay for standard cable?

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I want to see if anybody is as upset with Comcast as I am. I noticed over the weekend HDNet and HDNet Movies are gone! Replaced with TNTHD and MHD (both of which do not work!). So is it true Comcast has taken these channels away from us?

If they have, can I just get a basic HD/DVR and pick up the local HD channels if I pay for standard cable?

If Comcast took over your previous cable provider, the reason you don't have HDNET is because Comcast does not offer that channel. They don't want to pay the fee charged by them to carry it. :mad:

If you are not receiving TNTHD and MHD, it may be a glitch in your cable box or cable card(s) that needs to be fixed. I had the same problem with A&E HD AND National Geographic HD when they were first launched. It took me TWO months to get the problem fixed with Comcast. Finally a technician who knew what he was doing came to the house, called Technical Support and WHALLA, I had the channels on my cable cards.

That's too bad about Comcast and HDNet. I'll miss the movies channel; but I guess I will end up watching more TNT HD. A comcast guy is coming out to my place tomorrow... it will be interesting to see what happens.

Thanks

Actually, all may not be lost between Comcast and HDNet.

The big problem has been that Mark Cuban (the owner of HDNet) has been asking for a very high fee per subscriber and the only way Comcast could provide that fee was by adding an HD tier or service, something they have refused to do and since Mark had little more to offer as an incentive we ended up with the current stalemate. Additionally, and it is probably just PR talk, Comcast has always claimed that HDNet is pretty low on the list of new channel requests they receive.

However, things are taking an interesting turn in Houston! Comcast recently took over from Time Warner whose customers were able to enjoy HDNet. Rather than actually remove HDNet from the lineup (as they have elsewhere) they have created a (gasp :eek: ) HD tier of service. This new tier currently contains only HDNet and HDNet Movies and will cost subscribers $3.00. I don’t know about you but I’d pay the three dollars for HDNet!

While nothing has been said one way or another, this would seem to be an experiment on Comcast’s part. If it works, this new tier will probably be offered in other parts of the country; if not, it will probably just disappear in time.

If you really want the HDNets, keep letting Comcast know on a regular basis!

great.....so they gonna charge extended digital package, the HD package + DVR box fees, and now HD tier package, in order to get some HD channels!

great, sign me up! :rolleyes:

i'm about to move into a new townhome and where i lived before i didnt have the option for HDTV. just wondering if this is still true? that comcast has the best hd picture quality right now in miami.

HD picture quality IS better on Comcast cable. However, Dish Network has far more HD channels than both Comcast and DirecTV. So I guess one could rank them as follows in terms of value:

Comcast cable (few channels but excellent quality)
Dish Network (more channels but with slightly lower quality than cable)
DirecTV (more channels but with noticeably lower quality than cable)

At the present time, the following summarizes the general feelings of a lot of people (of course, some do have other opinions):

Picture Quality:
Comcast first by quite a margin, then Dish with DirecTV coming in distant third with their infamous HDlite. Comcast does vary by area but overall it seems to rival OTA for the network stations.

Note: Picture Quality is a very subjective thing. It seems the larger the screen the more noticeable the flaws are. Supposedly, DirecTV’s HDlite really only becomes noticeable on screen sizes of 46 to 50 inches up. Also, don’t forget, viewing distant and the basic quality of ones eyes also play a role!

Number of channels:
Dish first primarily because it includes the old Voom channels in its lineup. Comcast would be second with DirectTV, once again, bringing up the rear.

Having said all that, things could change quite drastically later in the year and through next spring. A huge number of channels (about 100) have announced they will start offering an HD version of their SD offerings this fall or next spring and DirecTV has announced it will carry most of them. It will be able to do this as a result of two new birds being launched, one in July and one early next year. The question, of course, is will these new channels be in HDlite or not?

There is a good chance the answer will be not! They will be using MPEG4 for these channels, the same as they use for their local HD channels and most users (but not all) claim the HD locals are as good as OTA. We’ll just have to wait and see. (Oh yes, new equipment will also be required).

Dish claims to have additional capacity available now (for the first new channels to go on air) and will also (supposedly) be launching two new birds. I’m sure they will try to match DirecTV in every way they can.

Comcast is a bit of a question mark. They announce very little and one has to (almost) speculate on what they will do. They will certainly not want to take a back seat but if they continue to emphasis VOD (rather than actual channels) they may very well do just that!

However, when I look at the list of new channels coming there are actually very few that are really important to me. FoodTV-HD and HGTV-HD already exist and they should be available here before too long (just a guess). Of the new ones, the Weather Channel appeals as do the new Discovery HD channels. Of course, the additional HBO and Cinemax HD channels would also be welcome. With the removal of analog channels and the use of switched video (correct name?) Comcast could satisfy me for the next little while and I expect they will continue to lead in the PQ area as well.

There is so much that is going to happen in the world of HD by next spring that unless you absolutely have to do something now, you may just be better off sitting tight and seeing how things play out.

Disclaimer: The above is entirely my personal opinion; please do not consider it as anything but.

hi i am very new at this but i bought a samsung 4254 picture was great ,but because of a blue light always on tv was for our bedroom i exchanged for a panasonic 75u. Well i have to tell you the difference in the picture was losy compared to the samsung . Samsung blows this panasonic away i returned the panasonic and bought the samsung again. My question is why are all the reviews and reports on panasonic so great ,the samsung has better blacks and has better color .I also went to cc where they had both sets side by side thinking it was a bad set , no way the samsung still looked 50% better, you guys have any advice on this thnks biily7

hi i am very new at this but i bought a samsung 4254 picture was great ,but because of a blue light always on tv was for our bedroom i exchanged for a panasonic 75u. Well i have to tell you the difference in the picture was losy compared to the samsung . Samsung blows this panasonic away i returned the panasonic and bought the samsung again. My question is why are all the reviews and reports on panasonic so great ,the samsung has better blacks and has better color .I also went to cc where they had both sets side by side thinking it was a bad set , no way the samsung still looked 50% better, you guys have any advice on this thnks biily7

You were very smart to go back to the Samsung. I've had mine for 6 months now and I am extremely happy with it. Cable technicians that have come to my house have told me it's the best picture that they have seen. BTW, you can turn off the blue light. Look in the menu options or the owners manual.

I think I know the answer but...Does anybody know if Atlantic Broadband is planning to launch any new HD channel soon? Nobody talks about ABB here , looks like I'm the only guy who actually wants a better cable service in Miami Beach..

There’s an article on the Sun-Sentinel web site (7/10/07) that’s says just that:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flpcable0710nbjul10,0,453330.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

Should be up and running by the end of the year (in West Palm Beach and Broward, that is).. One quote is

In South Florida, AT&T will include its signature "U-Verse" cable service in its offerings, Sadler said. In San Antonio, Texas, where U-Verse is available, AT&T offers a $74 package that includes 190 channels, three high-definition receivers, including one with a digital video recorder, and high-speed Internet, according to the Web site.

The article also says that Verizon has no plans to provide service in South Florida.

Things should get very interesting by the end the year! (I have no knowledge but I cannot believe that Comcast will standby and do nothing).

This link provides lots of links to other related sites:

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=23338

There’s an article on the Sun-Sentinel web site (7/10/07) that’s says just that:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flpcable0710nbjul10,0,453330.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

Should be up and running by the end of the year (in West Palm Beach and Broward, that is).. One quote is

In South Florida, AT&T will include its signature "U-Verse" cable service in its offerings, Sadler said. In San Antonio, Texas, where U-Verse is available, AT&T offers a $74 package that includes 190 channels, three high-definition receivers, including one with a digital video recorder, and high-speed Internet, according to the Web site.

The article also says that Verizon has no plans to provide service in South Florida.

Things should get very interesting by the end the year! (I have no knowledge but I cannot believe that Comcast will standby and do nothing).

This link provides lots of links to other related sites:

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=23338





Three cheers for AT&T. Finally we'll get HDNET in our channel lineup, something that Comcast has this "thing" for not providing.

Perhaps Comcast will finally get it's act together in the Customer Service department as well.

I think I know the answer but...Does anybody know if Atlantic Broadband is planning to launch any new HD channel soon? Nobody talks about ABB here , looks like I'm the only guy who actually wants a better cable service in Miami Beach..

Actually there were two of us, but now I'm afraid you're on your own. For eight years I put up with ABB's incredibly lousy service, subpar hardware, clueless support staff, uninformed technicians and uninterested management, not to mention the ridiculously high and ever escalating costs. During that period I wrote dozens of emails, had dozens of phone conversations with people at every level of that organization, both locally and at their headquarters in Massachusetts, and went through what must have been a record-setting number of service calls. And I am only talking about their TV service... don't even get me started on their Internet service (one of their techs once tried to insert a NIC card in the floppy drive of my PC). Believe me, I gave them every chance to make things better, to no avail. The few people I occasionally run into that were a little more knowledgeable eventually left the company for better pastures.

Well, I'm glad to say that's all a bad memory now. Two months ago I took your advice (remember?), cut out the cable, switched to Dish Network and let me tell you, I couldn't be happier. I hired a real professional installer, which was worth every penny, and now I have all the channels I had before plus about 30 new HD channels, about 35 local digital OTA channels and a myriad of new channels that I haven't yet begun to explore. HD picture quality, on my 34 inch Sony, is equal and often superior to ABB's (National Geographic HD and Equator HD look fantastic) and SD programs look definetely better. As for hardware, the VIP-622 dual tuner HD DVR is a vast improvement over the crappy 8300-HD. Sure, it's not at the level of the S3, yet, but it does everything competently without all the cable card hassles we are all so familiar with. Speaking of Tivo, I have my old Series 2 hooked up to a regular 311 receiver for SD recording, so I can use the VIP-622 for HD only. Again, picture quality is much improved. To top it all off, it costs me considerably less a month, and I figure the savings will pay for the initial investment in less then a year. As for Internet, for the same price Bellsouth's DSL Extreme is almost twice as fast, doesn't go down once a day and I don't have to share my connection with the whole island. Couldn't be happier and should have done it years ago. Thanks again for the advice.

The problem with ABB is lack of competition. In a neighborhood like mine (North Bay Village), ABB is the real only option except for the few of us with an still unobstructed line of sight. With condos going up everywhere the situation is just bound to get worse and I have already told my wife that if a building ever blocks my dish we're moving, 'cause I ain't going back to ABB. No, sir, I ain't.....

Cheers

Three cheers for AT&T. Finally we'll get HDNET in our channel lineup, something that Comcast has this "thing" for not providing.

Perhaps Comcast will finally get it's act together in the Customer Service department as well.
I won't be holding my breath waiting on either of them...

There’s an article on the Sun-Sentinel web site (7/10/07) that’s says just that:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flpcable0710nbjul10,0,453330.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

Should be up and running by the end of the year (in West Palm Beach and Broward, that is).. One quote is

In South Florida, AT&T will include its signature "U-Verse" cable service in its offerings, Sadler said. In San Antonio, Texas, where U-Verse is available, AT&T offers a $74 package that includes 190 channels, three high-definition receivers, including one with a digital video recorder, and high-speed Internet, according to the Web site.

The article also says that Verizon has no plans to provide service in South Florida.

Things should get very interesting by the end the year! (I have no knowledge but I cannot believe that Comcast will standby and do nothing).

This link provides lots of links to other related sites:

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=23338


NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

man, I hope its here by football season! also, you guys know of the current HD lineup on them?

Here is the URL of the U-Verse HD lineup.

http://www.att.com/gen/sites/iptv?pid=8695

It'll be interesting to see how much of the area they cover with their initial service offering.

well....perhaps I spoke a bit too soon :o

after browsing thru this site:
http://www.uverseusers.com

looks like the bit rates are more along the lines of HD-lite! :mad:

My personal opinion? Nope. HD on OTA is up to 19 MBs, on Comcast around 15 and on Uverse is something like 6. The bandwidth tells everything.
While I agree with you in principle...your comparisons are not quite apples and apples. OTA and cable TV use MPEG2, whereas Uverse uses MPEG4 AVC (H.264). So, your numbers are a bit misleading...as H.264 doesn't need 19Mbps to achieve the same picture quality as MPEG2 at that rate.

That being said, it's obvious that uverse's HD stream *is* overcompressed, so in a general sense you are absolutely correct even if your numbers don't tell the whole tale.

also, tons of complains about the DVR service:
Three days in and the DVR is driving me crazy. Its so slow and trying to schedule a program is like getting a root canal. Doing it online is even slower. I am sticking it out right now because I do like it so far but they have to fix the DVR soon. Its is a total POS.


:(

Yes, there is a big thread on this at:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=700011&page=1&pp=30&highlight=Uverse

It appears that the service has great potential but AT&T is not able to execute on it yet. I expect they will but I am not sure I want to pay for poor HD quality and the ability to only record one HD show at a time. I do like competition, it is needed and if they get this worked out I will try it. Clearly we will not see Verizon's FIOS service down here, they have already stated they have no plans for doing South Florida.

well....perhaps I spoke a bit too soon :o

after browsing thru this site:
http://www.uverseusers.com

looks like the bit rates are more along the lines of HD-lite! :mad:



also, tons of complains about the DVR service:



:(


Well...looks like I'll be sticking with Comcast for a while.

Everything I heard about the ATT service is pretty bad. Compressed picture (HD lite) and terrible DVR. I wish I had Comcast in my area, you guys don't know ABB. Do you want a much better service and cheapper ? Do like Frenno and go with DishNet and DSL.

Everything I heard about the ATT service is pretty bad. Compressed picture (HD lite) and terrible DVR. I wish I had Comcast in my area, you guys don't know ABB. Do you want a much better service and cheapper ? Do like Frenno and go with DishNet and DSL.

Considering it's going to be brand new to the area, I'd hold judgment before the lines are installed and see what we get. I have a friend who knows someone who works at AT&T and he said they were upgrading their network (not sure for what exactly) across the country. My friend was going to get more info about it and I'll pass it along here if it's anything worth while.

Since it's a brand new network (in our area anyway) I'd hope that they'd install fiber optics and have the capacity for 150-300+ HD channels (MPG4) ready to go. It'd seem pointless to me to install anything less since 2009 is around the corner.

Considering it's going to be brand new to the area, I'd hold judgment before the lines are installed and see what we get. I have a friend who knows someone who works at AT&T and he said they were upgrading their network (not sure for what exactly) across the country. My friend was going to get more info about it and I'll pass it along here if it's anything worth while.

Since it's a brand new network (in our area anyway) I'd hope that they'd install fiber optics and have the capacity for 150-300+ HD channels (MPG4) ready to go. It'd seem pointless to me to install anything less since 2009 is around the corner.

You won't have to worry about capacity as you will only receive the stream you are viewing. This is not an RF based system where all channels are present at all times. You join the multicast for the show you are interested in.

Erik

You won't have to worry about capacity as you will only receive the stream you are viewing. ...
This may very well be true and if it is so much the better.

The killer, for me however, is that only a single HD stream can be handled at any time. You cannot watch one HD program live while recording another at the same time; plus, you cannot record two HD programs at the same time. :eek: A definite show stopper for me.

This needs to be changed and the DVR issues also need to addressed. (I only learned on these problems after I made the original post otherwise I would have mentioned them at that time).

Regardless, I am thrilled at the possibility of another option. It is just, maybe, what Comcast needs to get off it *** and start adding HD channels that are already available. I speak of FoodTV HD and HGTV HD, of course! Plus many other HD channels will become available later in the year and they need to add most of them in a timely fashion. Otherwise they will loose a lot of high-end customers. :(

U-Verse is still in its infancy and I have no doubt that things will improve in time.

Hi guys,
I am getting an HD tv, but dont have the HD package. I was wondering which channels from Advanced Cable Communications i will be able to pick up from the qam tuner on my tv?

I know ABC, NBC, CBS and fox. Any others?


thanks,
Rich

Hi guys,
I am getting an HD tv, but dont have the HD package. I was wondering which channels from Advanced Cable Communications i will be able to pick up from the qam tuner on my tv?

I know ABC, NBC, CBS and fox. Any others?


thanks,
Rich


I also get PBS & My33. In other words, all the local HD's they carry come in unencrypted. Unfortunately ESPN, Discovery, etc, are encrypted.

Does anybody know if and when Comcast is going to include My33 in their HD linup?

Never does a day go by without multiple instances of audio dropouts, video freezes, etc. They're seen on all tv's regardless of what type of box I have it connected to! I keep thinking they'll go away, but never do - it's been 8 months or so that I've been with Comcast after leaving Directv.

What the hell is the problem with Comcast? Can somebody shed any light on these annoying glitches? It's getting old!

I'm on Comcast in Davie. Shenandoah subdivision.

Arrrrrgggghhhhhh.....

Never does a day go by without multiple instances of audio dropouts, video freezes, etc. They're seen on all tv's regardless of what type of box I have it connected to! I keep thinking they'll go away, but never do - it's been 8 months or so that I've been with Comcast after leaving Directv.

What the hell is the problem with Comcast? Can somebody shed any light on these annoying glitches? It's getting old!

I'm on Comcast in Davie. Shenandoah subdivision.

Arrrrrgggghhhhhh.....
Another "happy" Comcast customer...

Can't wait for the satellite and phone companies to get their collective acts together. Cable companies need to be smacked around by some decent competition. IMO of course...

Joe

When it's not glitching out, the PQ of Comcast is the best I've seen for HD programming. I've had Directv & Dish. Also, there are virtually no service interruptions. But what's causing there AV freezes and glitching?

Isn't there a perfect service out there for me? Guess that's asking TOO much...

When it's not glitching out, the PQ of Comcast is the best I've seen for HD programming. I've had Directv & Dish. Also, there are virtually no service interruptions. But what's causing there AV freezes and glitching?

Isn't there a perfect service out there for me? Guess that's asking TOO much...
As far as reception goes, you simply can't beat digital OTA. It's the purest signal available.

As for your "freezes" and "glitches", check every connection/device from the street into your house. If everything's perfect and you still have problems, then it's simply Comcast being "Comcastic". ;)

Joe

I'm getting little tired of the "hiccups" being experience on most of the cable channels with Comcast. Since this problem appears to be happening everywhere (I'm in Wilton Manors), I can only conclude that the problem is at the point of transmission, wherever that is. Are the technicians at Comcast all asleep or do they just not care about their customers?

OK, so it's not JUST me! Have the rest of you guys just accepted these problems as Comcast being Comcast? Well have you?

Is there NO ONE at Comcast monitoring their own broadcasts? Or is it that they just don't give a shiite!

"Comcastic" my hairy bootay!

OK, so it's not JUST me! Have the rest of you guys just accepted these problems as Comcast being Comcast? Well have you?

Is there NO ONE at Comcast monitoring their own broadcasts? Or is it that they just don't give a shiite!

"Comcastic" my hairy bootay!

Why should the techs care? They aren't paid well enough and as far as I know the benefits package is nothing to write home about.

Now, have I accepted these problems at Comcast? NO, I HAVE NOT!!!!! I currently pay less than $20.00 per month for all of my services and have been paying that amount for the better part of a year because of their lousy service. I got off my butt and called them on their service. I went to Philadelphia corporate and talked to the 'President's Council'. They got me someone local in Miramar that looked after my case. When that person dropped the ball, I went to Phillie and complained even louder. I now have a bank of phone numbers of technical support in my address book that no consumer is supposed to have. I will not put up with their lack of customer service and if more people felt that way, a cable company that cared might come along and take their place. BUT PEOPLE DON'T CARE! The only way you hurt them is in their pocketbook. I normally have a bill closer to $90.00 a month and I pay about $20.00. If more people complained and demanded decent service, it might improve...... or they might be replaced by a company that can deliver good, quality service at a reasonable rate. Done ranting. Don't complain here if you aren't screaming at Comcast for bad service!

Chuck

Once Comcast has your subscription money, that's it. Sure, if you want to get a dozen ulcers, you can do what chuck suggests - spend hours of your valuable time each week getting refunds. But nothing will improve until Comcast gets some real competition. And I'm not holding my breath until that happens.

It's simply not worth even $20/month (let alone $90/month) to watch cable-only channels with lousy service. I watch perfect OTA digital/HD for free with no ulcers, no phone calls, and no monthly fees. That's how I hurt Comcast in the pocketbook - I don't subscribe at all to their lousy service. I can live without ESPN, CNN, MTV, VH1, and whatever other stuff y'all pay for.

As long as people keep paying Comcast those monthly amounts, life will be simply "Comcastic" for those folks. And I'm not sure that's a good thing.

Joe

Ahhh.... I love the passionate fire burning within youze 2 guyz over Comcast. I feel you dawgz! Like I said before, I like their PQ over InDirectv, as their HD lite sucked. Their AV glitches are there everyday, at least 3-6 times a day when I'm watching. No they're not awful problems, but why in the hell can't they fix them? Do their engineers see these daily glitches and just scratch their yams and go back to their semi comatose state? Huh? Do they? Well, do they?

Gotta go get some exercise....

Later, dawgz.

Hello everyone,

After watching TV this morning and getting constant glitches in picture and sound I have decided that it's time to take some REAL action. I have sent the following email to Comcast:

"I am getting VERY impatient with the constant picture and sound disruptions that have been occurring constantly for MANY MONTHS. This problem is occurring throughout Broward County, Florida so it is NOT a problem with my equipment and there is NO NEED to send a service technician. I have been on line with many people throughout the area and they are having the SAME PROBLEM. I can only conclude that the problem lies at the point of transmission. If this problem is not resolved and resolved soon, I am going to expose the problem to the media and create a lot of BAD PRESS for Comcast. I do not want to do this, but if it is the only way to get the problem of picture and sound glitches resolved, then that is exactly what I will do."

Let's hope that they listen this time.

Hello everyone,

After watching TV this morning and getting constant glitches in picture and sound I have decided that it's time to take some REAL action. I have sent the following email to Comcast:

"I am getting VERY impatient with the constant picture and sound disruptions that have been occurring constantly for MANY MONTHS. This problem is occurring throughout Broward County, Florida so it is NOT a problem with my equipment and there is NO NEED to send a service technician. I have been on line with many people throughout the area and they are having the SAME PROBLEM. I can only conclude that the problem lies at the point of transmission. If this problem is not resolved and resolved soon, I am going to expose the problem to the media and create a lot of BAD PRESS for Comcast. I do not want to do this, but if it is the only way to get the problem of picture and sound glitches resolved, then that is exactly what I will do."

Let's hope that they listen this time.
That and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee. Comcast already has your monthly subscription $$, so you're history to them. They also know you'll write another check next month because you just can't do without cable. Such is life in the 21st century, eh?

The only way Comcast will do anything is if they lose a _lot_ of subscribers. They've got a monopoly right now and they're taking full advantage of it. You're going to have to dump them and wait until tons of other people dump them as well before anything changes.

So, if there's nothing good on free OTA, I'll read a book or hop on the Internet. I'll be damned if I pay anybody a regular fee for garbage service.

Is Comcast going to air the HD NFL Network games this season? If so, what channel will they be on?

Noticed WPTV 5 in West Palm Beach is now doing local news in HD (not stretch-o-vision).
The weather graphics are great, especially the radar in HD.
I'm really surprised that the network owned stations in Miami (WFOR and WTVJ) are still in glorious SD.

Walt

Noticed WPTV 5 in West Palm Beach is now doing local news in HD (not stretch-o-vision).
The weather graphics are great, especially the radar in HD.
I'm really surprised that the network owned stations in Miami (WFOR and WTVJ) are still in glorious SD.

Walt

I made a recent comment about that as well with regard to WTVJ. An engineer at the station (who monitors this forum) indicated that the engineers at NBC, their parent company, decide when they will be going HD. They are gradually changing their stations over. I hope to see HD on these channels soon.

I made a recent comment about that as well with regard to WTVJ. An engineer at the station (who monitors this forum) indicated that the engineers at NBC, their parent company, decide when they will be going HD. They are gradually changing their stations over. I hope to see HD on these channels soon. FWIW, I recently emailed WFOR asking if they had any HD plans for the near future. They responded that yes they had but could say nothing further!

has anyone had any problems with the audio sync? TNT-HD and a couple of others seem to have lip sync issues now! :mad:

has anyone had any problems with the audio sync? TNT-HD and a couple of others seem to have lip sync issues now! :mad:

Yes, I've notice the same problem with TNT-HD. I thought I was imagining things.

Hi, Newbie here.. No experience with HDTV, so please be patient with me.
I just purchased a 50" Plasma with HDTV tuner in. I have the most basic package. No cable box, just cable from wall to TV
If I scan both analog and digital channels, will I be able to get HD CHannels at no extra cost? If so, do you know what channels?. I live near sweetwater.

Hi, Newbie here.. No experience with HDTV, so please be patient with me.
I just purchased a 50" Plasma with HDTV tuner in. I have the most basic package. No cable box, just cable from wall to TV
If I scan both analog and digital channels, will I be able to get HD CHannels at no extra cost? If so, do you know what channels?. I live near sweetwater.

Yes, after you scan your cable, you will find several local HD channels, wich ones depending on your cable provider.

Hi, Newbie here.. No experience with HDTV, so please be patient with me.
I just purchased a 50" Plasma with HDTV tuner in. I have the most basic package. No cable box, just cable from wall to TV
If I scan both analog and digital channels, will I be able to get HD CHannels at no extra cost? If so, do you know what channels?. I live near sweetwater.

Hello Mamito,

If your new TV has a QAM tuner for cable, you may be able to receive unencrypted HD channels. Most cable providers have their digital channels past channel 100 on their systems. After you complete the scan, you may have to go through them one by one (which may take awhile) to see if the TV picked up any digital and HD signals.

If you have "bare bones" basic, you may only receive analog channels which means that you will have to upgrade your cable subscription or just use an antenna to receive HD channels over the air (which isn't a bad thing either). It's been said throughout this forum that over the air HD has a better picture than cable or even satellite, however, I use both OTA and cable and I don't see any difference.

<snip> It's been said throughout this forum that over the air HD has a better picture than cable or even satellite, however, I use both OTA and cable and I don't see any difference.John, think about it. When you pick up a digital OTA signal, you're receiving it first-hand direct from the broadcast antenna. There's nothing between the signal's origin and you.

With sat or cable, there's always at least one additional retransmission from the provider to your box. That extra step simply cannot improve upon the original OTA signal.

By definition (except for 1080p DVDs), digital OTA is as pure as it gets.

John, think about it. When you pick up a digital OTA signal, you're receiving it first-hand direct from the broadcast antenna. There's nothing between the signal's origin and you.

With sat or cable, there's always at least one additional retransmission from the provider to your box. That extra step simply cannot improve upon the original OTA signal.

By definition (except for 1080p DVDs), digital OTA is as pure as it gets.

I don't think anyone would say that retransmission would improve the OTA signal but for some of us we actually get a better signal via cable than via OTA. For me there is too much interference between the OTA transmitter and my antenna (I don't want to put up a large outdoor one) and I get signal breakup due to weather via OTA as well. For me the picture quality difference between cable and OTA was not sufficiently better to overcome these issues I have getting the OTA signal. Then of course there is the fact that I have a HD DVR which I use for everything, so there are reasons why you might not want to use OTA.

I don't think anyone would say that retransmission would improve the OTA signal but for some of us we actually get a better signal via cable than via OTA. For me there is too much interference between the OTA transmitter and my antenna (I don't want to put up a large outdoor one) and I get signal breakup due to weather via OTA as well. For me the picture quality difference between cable and OTA was not sufficiently better to overcome these issues I have getting the OTA signal. Then of course there is the fact that I have a HD DVR which I use for everything, so there are reasons why you might not want to use OTA.Of course, if your OTA signal isn't good enough to provide a picture and you can't set up a decent antenna, then you've got no choice but to pay for the alternatives.

My problem with sat/cable is that they are nowhere near as dependable as the OTA stations in their transmissions, and sat/cable operators actually require payment for substandard service. :eek:

Just a personal observation: On every system I've seen that receives both OTA channels and sat/cable channels, it's not that difficult to see the better quality of the OTA channels regardless of the set/size.

BTW, what would those reasons for not wanting to use OTA with the HD DVR be?

Joe

FWIW, the DirecTV MPEG4 local stream is as close to OTA as anything I have ever seen - almost indistinguishable.

BTW, what would those reasons for not wanting to use OTA with the HD DVR be?

Joe

Beyond the issue of putting up a antenna the main reason I have stuck with cable is cost. In Weston we are stuck paying Advanced for basic cable regardless of whether we want to or not it is in the town charter until 2010. Looking at other options this is still the cheapest for me and provides sufficient HD stations and quality for me to stick with it. If Advanced didn't have the lock on the basic cable I would probably switch to Direct now that they have improved their service.

BTW - my SO does not see any real need of HD or DVR she is just as happy with 480i and VHS. So additional funding for my HD addiction is a hard sell.

I easily pick up all the Miami stations from my location, with a small bi-directional wing-type antenna. I'm surprised you have trouble getting Miami stations from Weston, you can't be more than 20 miles from the antenna farm, if that.

I can get the stations with my radio shack inside antenna, but I will get some pixelation especially when it is windy or raining. My view to the south east has a number palm trees in the way. In any event I detest commercials so I record 90% of everything I watch and replay w/o them. The antenna does come in quite handy during hurricanes since the cable goes down but OTA frequently stays up.

Hi again folks.. thanks for your help. I scanned my TV and found all local HD channels and several digital one.

Now i'm helping my buddy and need your help again. Is there a site showing the channel list layout ?

My buddy is scanning his TV with QAm and gets several digital channels but non HD

He has scanned several times and sometimes he finds a channel and by the next scan (5 minutes later) this channel is gone and a different comes up.
If we had a channel list layout (his zip is 33155) we could enter manually.

Thanks

Hi again folks.. thanks for your help. I scanned my TV and found all local HD channels and several digital one.

Now i'm helping my buddy and need your help again. Is there a site showing the channel list layout ?

My buddy is scanning his TV with QAm and gets several digital channels but non HD

He has scanned several times and sometimes he finds a channel and by the next scan (5 minutes later) this channel is gone and a different comes up.
If we had a channel list layout (his zip is 33155) we could enter manually.

Thanks

Hi again Mamito,

I was wondering the same thing when I used my QAM tuner to scan for HD/Digital channels. There is no such listing. The cable company is constantly changing the channels...so when you are using QAM, it's simply "pot luck". I gave up on it and eventually just got a cable box for the TV so I can watch a third program while recording two others with my Tivo Series 3.

Is Comcast going to air the HD NFL Network games this season? If so, what channel will they be on?

Channel 406

Hi again Mamito,

I was wondering the same thing when I used my QAM tuner to scan for HD/Digital channels. There is no such listing. The cable company is constantly changing the channels...so when you are using QAM, it's simply "pot luck". I gave up on it and eventually just got a cable box for the TV so I can watch a third program while recording two others with my Tivo Series 3.

There is no channel list layout for qam tuners. Each qam tuner is diffrent so channels can appear on diffrent frequencies even within the same zip code or the same television manufacturer. For instance, I live in 33309 and get
Foxhd on 1.1 CBSHD on 85.4, NBC HD ON 86.1, ABCHD on 86.3 etc. My neighbor gets these same channels, but on diffrent frequencies.

Channel 406
Remember, that while this channel (NFL-HD) seems to be available to all, it is actually part of the Sports and Entertainmnet package and as such will probably not be available for general consumption for very long. (Unless of course, our local Comcast people decide to be different).

For me this a useless channel that is taking up valuable bandwidth (and, yes, I know I am part of a small minority)!

Remember, that while this channel (NFL-HD) seems to be available to all, it is actually part of the Sports and Entertainmnet package and as such will probably not be available for general consumption for very long. (Unless of course, our local Comcast people decide to be different).

For me this a useless channel that is taking up valuable bandwidth (and, yes, I know I am part of a small minority)!

Yes...I'm part of the same minority. I want to see more movie channels in HD; ie, The Movie Channel.

I'm also a baseball fan and would like to see more baseball telecasts in HD. The MLB package only has ONE HD channel and the quality of their SD broadcasts is sub-standard. In fact, it is a down right EYE SORE.:(

Anyone here have Comcast but were Adelphia customers? Any ideas if we're getting new channels? We don't have AEHD nor TBSHD. For some reason I have ShowtimeHD and CinemaxHD but only pay for HBO service.

Anyone here have Comcast but were Adelphia customers? Any ideas if we're getting new channels? We don't have AEHD nor TBSHD. For some reason I have ShowtimeHD and CinemaxHD but only pay for HBO service.

I'm sure Comcast will be changing your channels soon. I'd keep quiet about Showtime HD and Cinemax HD as they may pull them out from under you when they change your channel lineup. We have A&E HD but not TBS HD. I didn't know TBS was available on Cable in HD. We also have TNT in HD. And...we just got the useless NFL network in HD as well. Isn't that exciting?

Yeah I think TBS was only for satellite. I had NFL HD all offseason but it looks like it's blackscreened. Same for Sunshine so I can't see Marlins games.

Just came across HGTV-HD on channel 415! First decent channel addition in awhile (for me - YMMV). Now we just need FoodTV-HD and I'll be happy!

Hey all, DirecTV is adding 70 HD channels this month. What is Comacast's answer to that? 1 extra HGTV-HD , lol. Comcast is again sitting around doing nothing...NOTHING!

Yeah I think TBS was only for satellite. I had NFL HD all offseason but it looks like it's blackscreened. Same for Sunshine so I can't see Marlins games.

Like I said...you're not missing anything by not getting NFL HD. From what I see, they don't actually carry any live NFL games. What's the point? It's like having chocolate ice cream without the chocolate.

I don't know where you live, but you should see Marlins games on FSN Florida or Sun Sports. FSN Florida carries some of the games in HD. When there's no HD programs, the channel is off the air and you get this continuously rotating logo on it (I don't know what I'd do without being able to tune in and watch that). :rolleyes:

If you can't get satellite and are stuck with cable (like I am) you'll have to tough it out until they get everybody off analog and they can add more HD channels. My conservative estimate on that would be around 2015.:rolleyes:

Hey all, DirecTV is adding 70 HD channels this month. What is Comacast's answer to that? 1 extra HGTV-HD , lol. Comcast is again sitting around doing nothing...NOTHING!
That is a very argumentative post that contributes very little. 70 channels of what? Most are not even on the air as yet. It really isn’t the number of channels, it’s the channels that matter to you, personally.

I have been over that list of channels that they will supposedly be adding (note supposedly be adding) and there are very few that appeal to me personally.

Come January I will reevaluate things and see what I want to do. I doubt that Comcast (or Dish) will allow DirecTV to add 70 (plus or minus) channels without some sort of response and since they never announce their plans no one knows - as yet.

And of course there is always the question of picture quality. For that we just have to wait and see.

Come January, if Comcast are offering the channels I am interested in I will stay with them; if not, I will switch but I doubt it will be to DirecTV. I don’t like the idea doing business with a company that lies.

I have the sports package and had NFL HD until yesterday. Anyone else lose this channel?

Not sure of the details but there was a fire somewhere that knocked a few channels, including NFLHD, off the air.

Yeah we were out with A&E-HD until today but NFL-HD is still out. I am pissed that Comcast gave HGTV to Broward and Miami-Dade but not Palm BEach yet. What's up with that? We are also still waiting for Cinemax-HD.

I haven't been able to pick up WHDT-DT (Ch 44) for quite a while now; I used to receive the station just fine before. Are they off the air for some reason, or do I need to rescan? Their web site gives no indication of any outage.

Joe

Hey all, DirecTV is adding 70 HD channels this month. What is Comacast's answer to that? 1 extra HGTV-HD , lol. Comcast is again sitting around doing nothing...NOTHING!

70 HD-lite channels compare to what 15 uncompress HD channels... I'll stick with comcast. :D

70 HD-lite channels compare to what 15 uncompress HD channels... I'll stick with comcast. :D

By the end of the year we will see exactly if those 70 +- channels are LIGHT or not, I doubt they will be compressed since D. dedicated 2 satellites just for HD programming. Comcast's offering in HD is IMHO weak to say the least and they always lag in implementing new HD offerings. I really wish I did not have to switch from Comcast, but if soon they don't have CNN HD or HistoryHD will have no choice...Not to mention HDnet that is the best HD content I have seen.

Yeah we were out with A&E-HD until today but NFL-HD is still out. I am pissed that Comcast gave HGTV to Broward and Miami-Dade but not Palm BEach yet. What's up with that? We are also still waiting for Cinemax-HD.

Don't hold your breath. The Adelphia markets, like us in Boca are getting screwed left and right by Comcast. We don't have any of the features of the Motorola box on the Scientific Atlanta, and they aren't planning on updating the boxes in the near future.

I have read somewhere that the technology does exist to port the Motorola/I-Guide software to the SA 8300HD, but there's nothing in the works yet for us to have comparable service to Broward (or the rest of the Comcast country).

70 HD-lite channels ... :D
Nobody knows that! It’s a wait and see game. The new channels will all be MPEG4 and if the PQ of these channels matches that of their HD locals (which are also MPEG4 and have excellent PQ – so I have read, I’ve not seen) there shouldn’t be a PQ issue at all.

Of more interest, what is going to happen to the current HD channels which are MPEG2 and HDlite. Eventually they will transition to MPEG4 but what happens in the mean time? If they get simulcast that will be OK but if they remain as-is – well! Plus, new subscribers will get the privilege of paying $4.99 a month extra for most of them!

Yep, the current $9.99 HD access fee will give you the HD version (where available) of all SD channels in the package you subscribe to. But if you want access to stand alone HD channels such as HDNET, Universal, etc. you will need to subscribe to the HD Extra pack for $4.99 (existing subscribers are grandfathered in). And this after they promised no price increase for at least this year!

So, at least for now, new subscribers will pay $4.99 for a bunch of HDlite channels and then loose one of them every Sunday afternoon when they remove it so they can appease their ST subscribers! And this after they promised they would not do this, this year!

From what I understand, this HD Extra pack will not be effective until the new channels go live (around the 15th to 19th) so if you are thinking of switching, better do it immediately so you will be grandfathered in!

Edit: Remember that even when these new channels come online, there will be very little HD content for quite awhile. Of course, SD content upconverted to HD resolution looks a lot better than regular SD!

Like I said...you're not missing anything by not getting NFL HD. From what I see, they don't actually carry any live NFL games. What's the point? It's like having chocolate ice cream without the chocolate.

I don't know where you live, but you should see Marlins games on FSN Florida or Sun Sports. FSN Florida carries some of the games in HD. When there's no HD programs, the channel is off the air and you get this continuously rotating logo on it (I don't know what I'd do without being able to tune in and watch that). :rolleyes:

Ok I got NFL HD back today. They were playing Replay where you see a game plus interviews and stuff. I was watching the Cowboys/Giants game which was on NBC HD on Sunday night, but on Replay it was not HD.:confused: BTW, NFL channel has rights to live Thursday games later in the season.

I get a black screen at times with Sun HD but it did work the night I posted so maybe instead of the logo (which I've seen before), I get black screen.

As a former Adelphia customer, I did NOT get HGTV-HD at all. Not even as a pay channel but it looks like we get all the HD channels at no extra cost.

Comcast will have 150 HD Channels by the end of the year...2015 :-)

"Comcast COO and President Steve Burke told TVPredictions.com that the cable operator would offer 32-35 High-Definition channels in the third quarter of 2007."

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastforecast091307.htm

Can anyone in the know confirm that Comcast will add TBS HD before Tuesday so we can watch the Baseball playoffs in glorious HD?

Someone give me some good news please!

DirecTV added it last week :D

So far the new channels have looked to be 1920x1080i, at a bitrate that appears to eliminate motion blur. It looks pretty damned good, when the broadcast source is HD

70 HD-lite channels compare to what 15 uncompress HD channels... I'll stick with comcast. :D

Can anyone in the know confirm that Comcast will add TBS HD before Tuesday so we can watch the Baseball playoffs in glorious HD?

Someone give me some good news please!

I wouldn't count on it. My years of experience indicates that Cable, in general, always comes up a day late and a buck short when it comes to adding new channels in time for any big event. Of course, I'd love to be proven wrong by Comcast and be pleasantly surprised next Tuesday.

One bit of good news, I checked the schedule and TNT is supposed to be simulcasting two or three first round playoff games. It didn't say which ones or what time they'll start however. Fox will be televising the ALCS games so perhaps we'll get those games in HD...unless they decide to "save" their HD equipment for the World Series.

Anyone in the Coconut Creek area pulling in OTA signals?
I moved from Lauderdale Lakes to Coconut Creek (near 441/Sawgrass Exp), from a house to a condo.
My antenna mounting options are limited.
What kind of antenna are you using and are you pulling down the Miami stations?
I tried a Walmart indoor antenna, which didn't pull down any channels.
In the meantime, Im going to see if any smallish outdoor types are available at SolidSignal
Thanks

Anyone in the Coconut Creek area pulling in OTA signals?
I moved from Lauderdale Lakes to Coconut Creek (near 441/Sawgrass Exp), from a house to a condo.
My antenna mounting options are limited.
What kind of antenna are you using and are you pulling down the Miami stations?
I tried a Walmart indoor antenna, which didn't pull down any channels.
In the meantime, Im going to see if any smallish outdoor types are available at SolidSignal
Thanks
If you're on the 1st floor, you might be SOL with an indoor antenna. If you can get up higher, you might have better luck.

Try the indoor antenna with an analog tuner just to see what kind of signals you can receive. If you can't get relatively clear analog signals, chances are poor that you'd receive digital with the same antenna. Also, remember that all digitals except WSVN and WPLG are broadcast on UHF.

Since MIA/FTL stations are all transmitting from the south, try moving your antenna to the southernmost area of your condo if possible. The less interference the better.

Hope this helps,
Joe

Anyone in the Coconut Creek area pulling in OTA signals?
I moved from Lauderdale Lakes to Coconut Creek (near 441/Sawgrass Exp), from a house to a condo.
My antenna mounting options are limited.
What kind of antenna are you using and are you pulling down the Miami stations?
I tried a Walmart indoor antenna, which didn't pull down any channels.
In the meantime, Im going to see if any smallish outdoor types are available at SolidSignal
Thanks

If you are unable to receive the Miami channels with an indoor antenna, you may try pointing the antenna northward to receive channels from West Palm Beach. I used to live in an apartment building (7th floor) that faced north. I couldn't receive Miami over the air no matter what I did...but I received West Palm Beach just fine. It made a great supplement/alternative to cable. I suggest logging on to http://www.Antennaweb.org. It will help you find what channels you can get in your area and what kind of antenna you will need to get them.

Comcast has the channel up and running on 421.

Just in time for Actober playoff action.

Thank you Comcast, though I have no earthly idea why you keep it a state secret on channel additions. What's up with that?

Play ball....

Is that for former Adelphia customers too?

If you're on the 1st floor, you might be SOL with an indoor antenna. If you can get up higher, you might have better luck.

Try the indoor antenna with an analog tuner just to see what kind of signals you can receive. If you can't get relatively clear analog signals, chances are poor that you'd receive digital with the same antenna. Also, remember that all digitals except WSVN and WPLG are broadcast on UHF.

Since MIA/FTL stations are all transmitting from the south, try moving your antenna to the southernmost area of your condo if possible. The less interference the better.
If you are unable to receive the Miami channels with an indoor antenna, you may try pointing the antenna northward to receive channels from West Palm Beach. I used to live in an apartment building (7th floor) that faced north. I couldn't receive Miami over the air no matter what I did...but I received West Palm Beach just fine. It made a great supplement/alternative to cable. I suggest logging on to http://www.Antennaweb.org. It will help you find what channels you can get in your area and what kind of antenna you will need to get them.

When I was in Lauderdale Lakes, I installed a Winegard GS 2200 (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANWGS2200), and it picked up about 90-95% of the MIA/WPB stations. I was able to install it above the roof, and it served me well.
Now at the condo, I'm on the second floor. My porch faces to the WNW, so I should be able to get the MIA/WPB channels (if I orient the antenna to face North/South from the porch railing), but I'll have better luck with WPB (because of distance).
I was recommended to get the Channel Master CM 3010 (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=ANC3010).
But thats one wide antenna @ 55 inches.
I'm hoping to install an antenna, in such a way, that it doesn't protrude into the porch area (at least not too much).
I'll have to think about this...

Ok I have this channel too but of course no sound. At least CW HD had sound. My NFL HD is still in SD though.

It appears that as of yesterday 10/1/07, The Tube is gone at a national level due to "financial issues". The Tube was an all-music-video channel broadcast locally over WSFL-DT 39.2 and WFLX-DT 29.2.

It's truly a shame that The Tube goes while LATV remains.

Just an opinion - flame suit is on. ;)

Joe

Comcast has the channel up and running on 421.

Just in time for Actober playoff action.

Thank you Comcast, though I have no earthly idea why you keep it a state secret on channel additions. What's up with that?

Play ball....

Hasn't shown up on my directory - we're formerly Adelphia, so we're the stepchildren. Highly doubt that we'll get it, but one can hope!

Did anyone else have a "Comcastic" time watching Monday Night Television last night? I recorded Prison Break on Fox and How I met Your Mother on CBS...BOTH of which had "skips" throughout the programs. They were soooooo bad that I couldn't stand watching them. This has been happening ALL TOO FREQUENTLY. I'm going to connect my Tivo Series 3 to an antenna so that at least I can depend on my recorded programs coming out ok.

Hasn't shown up on my directory - we're formerly Adelphia, so we're the stepchildren. Highly doubt that we'll get it, but one can hope!

I'm formerly Adelphia and had it. Albeit, no sound. I'm down in Kendall in Miami though.

It appears that as of yesterday 10/1/07, The Tube is gone at a national level due to "financial issues". The Tube was an all-music-video channel broadcast locally over WSFL-DT 39.2 and WFLX-DT 29.2.

It's truly a shame that The Tube goes while LATV remains.

Just an opinion - flame suit is on. ;)

Joe


I agree, I often watched this channell. Reminded me of the days when mtv played music videos (early to mid 80's). Only this was much better since there were no silly vj's. Too bad. Every time I flip by LATV they are playing a reggaeton video. Every song has the same beat. I can only watch for about 30 seconds.

Any new rumors about Food Network HD? CNN HD? or USA HD? for the Miami area?

Any new rumors about Food Network HD? CNN HD? or USA HD? for the Miami area?

CNN HD and USA HD are live on DirecTV now and Food HD is scheduled for sometime this month. I haven't heard any news on the channel availability with local cable carriers.

CNN HD and USA HD are live on DirecTV now and Food HD is scheduled for sometime this month. I haven't heard any news on the channel availability with local cable carriers.
Food TV HD is currently available in quite a few Comcast areas. (Why they didn’t add it here when they added HGTV-HD is totally beyond my powers of comprehension - unless we non-sports fans had to sacrifice for TBS-HD to appease the baseball fans. Yuk!) CNN-HD is already available in a number of Comcast locations. USA-HD has been announced for a few locations but has yet to show up.

With a few exceptions, it seems that that our local Comcast gets off their rear ends and adds new HD channels about six months after they first appear elsewhere. :( (But, in all fairness, long before other areas of the country get them).

If you want these channels, bombard them with emails and phone calls (just don’t expect any positive responses), around here new channels just show up with no warning whatsoever! But they always seem to show up on Tuesdays with a “To be announced” slot in the guide on Mondays! :rolleyes:

Thanks ISYP & BD. I will check the guide later today, since it is Monday. Any particular time on Tuesdays for the new channels? I am a new Comcast HD subscriber and watching the Canes in HD was awesome!

Any other rumors of additional channels for comcast? It would seem that competition is good for the HD market. Is anyone else having trouble with VOD in HD?

Any other rumors of additional channels for comcast? It would seem that competition is good for the HD market. Is anyone else having trouble with VOD in HD?

I have trouble with VOD in HD AND in SD. Half the time I click on VOD, I get the Error Message about being unable to connect to server. Comcast's VOD is MOST unreliable.

I called Comcast and they told me there are working on VOD and are aware of the problem. It is now working fine.

I just came across this article online about TIVO (http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/10/comcast-customers-to-get-tivo-any-day-now/)

Does anyone think we will be getting TIVO services down in Miami soon?

I just came across this article online about TIVO (http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/10/comcast-customers-to-get-tivo-any-day-now/)

Does anyone think we will be getting TIVO services down in Miami soon?

Wouldn't hold my breath, since Comcast does different things in different places. They've been talking about the New England Tivo test for almost a year now, and finally, the test might start.

I just came across this article online about TIVO (http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/10/comcast-customers-to-get-tivo-any-day-now/)

Does anyone think we will be getting TIVO services down in Miami soon?

It doesn't matter to me at all. I already have TIVO Series 3 HD that I use with Comcast Cable. The only difference is I can't use it with VOD...but who cares, that's so unreliable anyway.

Any rumors about CNN or other channels for Miami?

How does your TiVo Series 3 work with Comcast down here in South Florida?

Anyone know when are the local news styations going to broadcast in HD?

(Stretch-O-Vision on channels 7 and 10 really suck!)

How does your TiVo Series 3 work with Comcast down here in South Florida?

Anyone know when are the local news styations going to broadcast in HD?

(Stretch-O-Vision on channels 7 and 10 really suck!)

My TiVo Series 3 works quite well here. I like it MUCH better than Comcast's DVR. I get about 30 hours of HD on the hard drive and up to 300 hours in SD. I recently connected my indoor antenna to the Tivo box as well...so now I have backup OTA in addition to cable on the TiVo. I also have MyNetwork (channel 33) in HD which is not available on Comcast Cable (yet). In short...I love it and I highly recommend it. If the Series 3 is too pricey for you, then go the TiVo's new Tivo HD. It has a smaller hard drive so you won't get as many hours, but I'm sure you'll love all the other features that it has.

I recently wrote to WTVJ (NBC6) to find out about local news in HD. Since they're owned by NBC, the switchover is in the parent company's hands and they could not tell me when it would happen. If you watch the news on WTVJ, you may notice that their SD picture on their digital channel if very sharp. It's as close to HD as it gets.

As for Stretch-O-Vision on channels 7 & 10, I avoid watching local programs on those stations as much as possible. The only way they'll ever get the message that their obnoxious practice sucks is NOT to watch them.:mad:

I just got through watching the MLB playoff game between the Red Sox and the Indians. Just as a post game interview with David Ortiz was getting underway, the thoughtless morons at WSVN cut if off and put on their Stretch-O-Vision newscast. This the is MOST OUTRAGEOUS disservice to their viewers I have EVER SEEN. For the remainder of the playoffs and World Series, I will be tuning into Channel 29 in West Palm Beach. Thank God I can pick up their signal.

Saw this article today where Comcast is being sued for not providing HD On Demand.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastvod101507.htm

I have to hdtvs and when I select a HD movie from ON DEMAND it's letterboxed in a 4:3 aspect and I have to zoom to get it to fill the 16:9. All the regular HD channels fill the screens automaticly, so I'm pretty sure the ON DEMAND HD isn't HD.

I love living in Sunny Isles. Having no option but ABB, I have to follow the discussions about the 100 HD channels on Directv and Comcast customers complaining about HD PPV and how long will take to get Tivo and new HD channels. We don't have anything like that to talk about, just the Inspiration and the TEVE channels that are moving to other position. BTW, both are analog channels. One of the most expensive cable in US has one the most "el cheapo" programming.

I love living in Sunny Isles. Having no option but ABB, I have to follow the discussions about the 100 HD channels on Directv and Comcast customers complaining about HD PPV and how long will take to get Tivo and new HD channels. We don't have anything like that to talk about, just the Inspiration and the TEVE channels that are moving to other position. BTW, both are analog channels. One of the most expensive cable in US has one the most "el cheapo" programming.

Why can't you get satellite?

Saw this article today where Comcast is being sued for not providing HD On Demand.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastvod101507.htm

I have to hdtvs and when I select a HD movie from ON DEMAND it's letterboxed in a 4:3 aspect and I have to zoom to get it to fill the 16:9. All the regular HD channels fill the screens automaticly, so I'm pretty sure the ON DEMAND HD isn't HD.

Are your cable boxes set up with the correct aspect ratio? If not your HD picture will look like 4:3 letterbox format. To adjust the settings, you have to turn off the cable box and then hit the menu or setup buttons. A special screen comes on giving you options to change the aspect ratio of the source programming and an option to override the SD 4:3 picture. If you did that and you still get a letterboxed 4:3 picture, then yes, you have another problem and should contact Comcast.

As for VOD not working...I hope the courts throw the book at Comcast. My VOD works only once in a while. The rest of the time, trying to access it is an exercise in futility.

jstrazz , I had a similar problem with Comcast VOD. After months of complaining I finally had a service tech come out who figured out that a cable or connector outside the house was loose where the signals fed different homes. Once he replaced something, my VOD has been perfect ever since.

Before this fix, I swapped out boxes and they changed a booster in the garage panel. The VOD was sporatic. Now it works like it supposed to. The y have a tester to measure the VOD strength so you do not lose the connection.

PKinSFLA

jstrazz , I had a similar problem with Comcast VOD. After months of complaining I finally had a service tech come out who figured out that a cable or connector outside the house was loose where the signals fed different homes. Once he replaced something, my VOD has been perfect ever since.

Before this fix, I swapped out boxes and they changed a booster in the garage panel. The VOD was sporatic. Now it works like it supposed to. The y have a tester to measure the VOD strength so you do not lose the connection.

PKinSFLA

I live in an apartment building where the cable wiring is old. They need to rewire the building, but the old hags that run the condo association here will not let it happen. I complained. The cable company cannot do anything until the building is rewired. Unfortunately, nothing in this building is going to be done until the existing cable self destructs. By that time, I'll be out of here and, hopefully, in better building with fiber optic cable. Until then, I'll just have to put up with the intermittent problems with ON DEMAND.

TAKING A WHACK AGAINST COMCAST

Frustrated by Comcast's lousy customer service? Want to do something to get their attention? Here is what one woman did -- with some success:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/17/AR2007101702359.html?nav=

any rumors or news on new channels for Comcast in Miami?

any rumors or news on new channels for Comcast in Miami?Fox Business added on 106 (Digital Classic).

Nothing else has changed since you last asked a few posts ago! :D

BTW: Has any one else noticed that we've heard nothing from Rudy1 recently?

Thanks for the heads up about channel 106. Still hoping to get USA, CNN, and other hdtv channels soon.....

Was hopeful that another channel or two would be added to Comcast today. Tuesday seems like the day that they like to add channels.....oh well.

I hope they add CNN-HD next or History HD, those stimulate your brain and engage your mind :-) Watching Food Network HD would put me asleep...

There's a message on Channel 1 (former Adelphia) that Channel 2 will be PBS and 16 will be PBB. SD I believe.

I was hoping to see CNN-HD so that I could watch "Planet in Peril" on it. I guess that would be too much to ask, since they already gave us TBS-HD in time for the baseball playoffs.

BTW...now that the playoffs are over and the World Series is on FOX, there isn't much reason to watch TBS-HD since they don't seem to have many other programs on in HD...unless you consider Stretch-O-Vision HD.

I'm seriously SERIOUSLY considering putting directv on my house, even though it sucks. But these lame once in a blue moon addition of HD channels is getting to me.

WE NEED MORE HD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad:

Well, according to a post over on the HDTV Programming forum, Richmond, VA will be getting the following HD channels later this year: PBS HD, CNN HD, USA HD, Discovery HD, History Channel HD, Sci-Fi HD and TLC HD.

What is interesting about this is that this first I have seen Discovery HD, Sci-Fi HD and TLC HD mentioned in the same breath as Comcast! What is also interesting is that it’s Richmond! Usually it’s New England and Chicago that get things first!

Maybe there is some hope yet! But Comcast in South Florida really needs to get off its fat rear-end and do something positive in regard to HD!

For those Comcast users who may not follow the HDTV Programming forum there is a multi-page thread entitled What’s the Next HD Channel for Comcast? http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=424081 Be warned, there are over 150 pages in this thread!

The first post is kept up to date (reasonably) with the current offerings. Here are the HD channels currently available and which should be available soon:

Edited by Moderator, 10/12/07

Currently Available Comcast HDTV:
CNN HD
TBS HD
NFL Network HD
Food Network HD
HGTV HD
National Geographic HD
A&E HD
Local Sports Net(s)
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
TNT HD
HD Theater Discovery
MOJO
VSGLF Golf Channel HD / Versus HD
Universal HD
MHD
HBO HD
Cinemax HD
Showtime HD
Starz HD
ABC HD
NBC HD
CBS HD
FOX HD
My Network TV HD
The CW HD
PBS Digital

Coming soon:
USA Network HD
The History Channel HD
Fox Business Channel HD
ESPNews HD

Please note that not all HD channels are available in all areas.

I have bolded the channels we do not yet have available here!

Based on the information in my earlier post we should add Discovery HD, Sci-Fi HD and TLC HD to the “coming soon” list.

The big question for us is: What will our local Comcast do about all this?

I’m giving them till early next year (I think a lot will happen between now and then) and then I’ll be reviewing things.

Any news when the local stations will start broadcasting their news in HD ?

I know ch 5 WPTV in West Palm has been doing it for awhile now...

No idea when locals will start doing HD, but smaller, surrounding markets already have it.

Orlando, Tampa Bay, West Palm, and now Ft. Myers all have at least one station broadcasting local HD. South Florida embarrassingly remains last with nobody doing local HD.

I saw part of the 11pm news last night on WPTV-DT, and the detail on the live studio shots was just awesome. Of course, the downside to this is that you can see every wrinkle and blemish on the anchors' faces... ;)

No idea when locals will start doing HD, but smaller, surrounding markets already have it.

Orlando, Tampa Bay, West Palm, and now Ft. Myers all have at least one station broadcasting local HD. South Florida embarrassingly remains last with nobody doing local HD.

I saw part of the 11pm news last night on WPTV-DT, and the detail on the live studio shots was just awesome. Of course, the downside to this is that you can see every wrinkle and blemish on the anchors' faces... ;)

I recently asked WTVJ in Miami when they'll have local HD. They responded saying that it's up to the engineers at NBC which is there parent company. I was under the impression, however, that it might be fairly soon (maybe early 2008). Don't quote me on that however. It's just my impression. I'm sure that they will have local HD before anyone else in Miami...seeing that WFOR is CBS owned and CBS has yet to broadcast any news programs in HD and WPLG and WSVN seem content with fooling their viewers by broadcasting in Stretch-O-Vision.

Upon my asking, WFOR told me they were working on local HD and had specific plans but could say nothing more!

Upon my asking, WFOR told me they were working on local HD and had specific plans but could say nothing more!

That seems to be the standard response that we get from the local broadcasters. In other words, "Don't hold your breath".:rolleyes:

I'm back home, visiting my mom in Coral Gables. She has an HDTV with a QAM tuner in it and Comcast cable, but not a digital package. When I had her TV do a scan through, it found hundreds of supposed stations but they were all black screens to the best I could tell. Can some one please post a list (or refer me to one) of the stations QAM stations available in the area, comparable to one from my home thread, like http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11981270#post11981270
Thanks so much in advance for any help.

I need help aligning my hd off air antenna. Using the HDTVs by terk. Pointed to 136' from my home in weston. Antenna is mounted on the side of the house, as high as possible which is about 9' off the ground on my single story home. There are no immediate obstacles for the antenna in the 136 direction, although I can see someones patio 200' away and there are surely 1000 more buildings in between the line of sight from the antenna and the station. The antenna is installed using belden 7916a (rg6q solid copper) wire. Properly grounded. Feeds into a leviton 1x8 distribution panel that includes a -5 to +15db amplifier. I HAVENT TRIED THE AMPLIFIER YET.... but as of now I can only receive the following channels. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 6.1, 6.2, 33.1, 35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4, 39.1, 39.2. I AM MISSING THE FOLLOWING CHANNELS that i want... 7.1 & 10.1. I dont know if these channels only broadcase certain times of the day... but when I try to tune into 7.1 and 10.1 I cant obtain a signal on the tv. Using a sony flat panel lcd. So whats yous advice? Tune the amplifier a bit to see what happens? Or move the antenna? Also.. antenna currently leveled at 90' to the ground. UNSURE IF THATS RIGHT EITHER?

The issue with the FOX and ABC stations you listed is that they are in the hi VHF range and you are picking up UHF channels. I too live in Weston and had a similar situation using a Radio Shack U-75R which is a UHF antenna. I was advised to rotate the antenna as the boom can pick up hi VHF. Of course the more you move it the more it may effect picking up stations from the antenna farm. I moved mine about 20 degrees or so and pick up all the local networks including 7.1 and 10.1. What I did lose was not important. BTW, I'm also able to pick up NBC and FOX from Palm Beach County even though it is in the opposite direction of the antenna farm.

I need help aligning my hd off air antenna. Using the HDTVs by terk. Pointed to 136' from my home in weston. Antenna is mounted on the side of the house, as high as possible which is about 9' off the ground on my single story home. There are no immediate obstacles for the antenna in the 136 direction, although I can see someones patio 200' away and there are surely 1000 more buildings in between the line of sight from the antenna and the station. The antenna is installed using belden 7916a (rg6q solid copper) wire. Properly grounded. Feeds into a leviton 1x8 distribution panel that includes a -5 to +15db amplifier. I HAVENT TRIED THE AMPLIFIER YET.... but as of now I can only receive the following channels. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 6.1, 6.2, 33.1, 35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4, 39.1, 39.2. I AM MISSING THE FOLLOWING CHANNELS that i want... 7.1 & 10.1. I dont know if these channels only broadcase certain times of the day... but when I try to tune into 7.1 and 10.1 I cant obtain a signal on the tv. Using a sony flat panel lcd. So whats yous advice? Tune the amplifier a bit to see what happens? Or move the antenna? Also.. antenna currently leveled at 90' to the ground. UNSURE IF THATS RIGHT EITHER?

I use an RCA indoor amplified antenna with rabbit ears for VHF and a loop for UHF. I live in Fort Lauderdale where there is one high rise building that may have an impact on TV reception. I have the same problem with channels 7.1 and 10.1. If I adjust the rabbit ears just right (extending 2 or 3 of the rod sections) I get 10.1 most of the time. 7.1 seems to be a lost cause for me...so I just point my UHF loop toward channel 29.1 in WPB which comes in quite well. BTW, I'm not so sure that an amplified antenna is the answer to poor reception. I've never seen a situation where it does any good.

I was just wondering, with the shutdown of analog TV just around the corner, does anyone know if digital signals are going to get any more powerful? It seems to me that digital TV is going to require far more powerful signals or much better antenna designs in order for OTA reception to be satisfactory.

mrogge--

The channels you are able to receive are all UHF, while the ones you cannot receive (7-1 and 10-1) are VHF. My best guess -- at about 100% certainty -- is that your antenna is UHF only.

Solution: Get a UHF/VHF antenna. It might also help your overall reception to raise the antenna via a higher pole.

As mentioned by others, you have a UHF antenna. I am in Miami and I have trouble with 7.1 and 10.1. I do get some signal with my UHF antenna, however, it is not consistent. I get 90% signal for 29.1, which is FOX in West Palm Beach. The only thing I don't get is the local news. There is no other option for ABC since I believe the Palm Beach affiliate is also VHF.

The Palm Beach ABC station, WPBF=TV is on Channel 16 digital (25-1) and is in Fort Pierce. I have trouble getting it in Coral Springs.

Walt

As mentioned by others, you have a UHF antenna. I am in Miami and I have trouble with 7.1 and 10.1. I do get some signal with my UHF antenna, however, it is not consistent. I get 90% signal for 29.1, which is FOX in West Palm Beach. The only thing I don't get is the local news. There is no other option for ABC since I believe the Palm Beach affiliate is also VHF.

25.1 in WPB is on a UHF frequency (channel 16). The problem with that channel must either be distance or signal strength.

Again, I'm asking...does anyone knows if OTA signals are going to improve before analog shutdown or are these broadcasters putting out the most power allowed by law? Does anybody know of an indoor antenna that will work well within a 30-50 mile radius of a given transmitter? I live in the Fort Lauderdale are which is just a little to far from both Miami and West Palm Beach to get totally reliable OTA reception without an outdoor antenna (which is not an option for me). I'm looking for an alternative to Cable for when I need it.

Comcast sent a letter in Aug indicating grandfathered Adelphia services were no more and to pony up.

I have searched the forum regarding Comcast Miami and their charges. I am wrestling with them now. They have adjusted many duplicate charges, but others they refuse.

I upgraded to Digital Classic and bought a new Tivi HD. I was told that HD would cost $6.95/month add'l, and the 1st cable card was free and the second was $1.95 when I ordered.

In reviewing the billing, they insist the valid charges are $6.95 for HD times two (2 cable cards) and they are charging me $6.99 for the second cable card.

I have discussed with two reps and am ready to go to a supervisor, but wanted to know from other's experiences if this is worth the fight.

Thanks for all the great advice offered in this forum.

I almost switched to DirecTV. I have Bellsouth local and DSL and was going to pay a little under $100 for 250 channels + all movies, 2 DVR HD boxes rentals, and 4 mos NFL ticket. But they wanted $200 deposit so I guess I'm stuck with Comcast paying $120 for all the HD channels (previous Adelphia) and HBO. What do you guys think? I of course was concerned with the whole bad weather thing but I wanted more channels and more bill savings.

Comcast sent a letter in Aug indicating grandfathered Adelphia services were no more and to pony up.

I have searched the forum regarding Comcast Miami and their charges. I am wrestling with them now. They have adjusted many duplicate charges, but others they refuse.

I upgraded to Digital Classic and bought a new Tivi HD. I was told that HD would cost $6.95/month add'l, and the 1st cable card was free and the second was $1.95 when I ordered.

In reviewing the billing, they insist the valid charges are $6.95 for HD times two (2 cable cards) and they are charging me $6.99 for the second cable card.

I have discussed with two reps and am ready to go to a supervisor, but wanted to know from other's experiences if this is worth the fight.

Thanks for all the great advice offered in this forum.

I once wrote an email to them about another issue and threatened to go to the news media and create bad press for them. It must have worked because my issue was miraculously resolved.

It seems that their policies are inconsistent across the board. Your should document your correspondence with them and then threaten to expose the problem to the media.

I almost switched to DirecTV. I have Bellsouth local and DSL and was going to pay a little under $100 for 250 channels + all movies, 2 DVR HD boxes rentals, and 4 mos NFL ticket. But they wanted $200 deposit so I guess I'm stuck with Comcast paying $120 for all the HD channels (previous Adelphia) and HBO. What do you guys think? I of course was concerned with the whole bad weather thing but I wanted more channels and more bill savings.

I think that a $200 deposit is absolutely outrageous! You'd be better off dealing directly with DirecTV. Once the introductory period with AT&T is over, their fees are going to go WAY UP...and you'll never see that $200 deposit that you gave them at the beginning. I'd tell them what they can do with it.:mad:

All of this make free OTA reception sooooooo much more inviting. I wish there was a way to get those satellite channels directly without going through these middlemen. If we weren't all so spoiled with all the extra channels, we could tell these big companies to take a hike. :mad:

No the intro was only $60/mo and then I'd pay $99 permanently.

So it comes out to anywhere from $3 and change to $4 every day to have cable whether you watch it or not. Is it worth it? It's a legitimate question.

Why is HGTV HD gone?

Why is HGTV HD gone?

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home_design/story/301716.html

Anyone else have Dish with local HDs? NBC6 has some like overscan on the left end of the screen that doesn't show on any other stations. Guess I need to try connecting the OTA to see how it looks.

Anyone else have Dish with local HDs? NBC6 has some like overscan on the left end of the screen that doesn't show on any other stations. Guess I need to try connecting the OTA to see how it looks.

For what it is worth, I detect no overscan or other difference between NBC6-DT via DirecTV and OTA.

I only noticed this last night, but did anyone else notice the major compression of Sunday Night Football last night? I thought it was just my dad's DVR, he gets local channels from Directv but when i hooked up my OTA antenna it showed the same thing. Has NBC started compressing even more or has it always been that bad? CBS was perfect as usual earlier in the day with the dolphins game.
< in dania>

Advanced Cable in Weston added History Channel HD (Ch. 660) and TBS HD (Ch. 661).

Still no new channels for Comcast for Miami....Any news on the NHL channel?

Has anyone dropped Comcast here locally for Directv & their mass of new mpeg4 HD channels?

Can someone with a quality conscious eye give me a PQ comparison?

Thanks in advance for feedback.

I've notice that Comcast is advertising that they have more HD programs at a given time than DirecTV. What they DON'T tell you is that they are including the VOD programs, which in my neighborhood don't work half the time. Talk about misleading the public:mad:

I only noticed this last night, but did anyone else notice the major compression of Sunday Night Football last night? I thought it was just my dad's DVR, he gets local channels from Directv but when i hooked up my OTA antenna it showed the same thing. Has NBC started compressing even more or has it always been that bad? CBS was perfect as usual earlier in the day with the dolphins game.
< in dania>

I think NBC has always had the poorest quality HD picture. It almost looks like they're broadcasting in 720P instead of 1080i. CBS has the best picture of all the networks.

I think NBC has always had the poorest quality HD picture. It almost looks like they're broadcasting in 720P instead of 1080i. CBS has the best picture of all the networks.Unless you're watching OTA, picture quality will be affected by your provider, so it's impossible to be objective. OTA, they all look fabulous. Cable or satellite, YMMV.

Man I almost switched to D* but had to put a deposit. My wife was also concerned with the outages of satellite. Isn't it bad down here with the cloudy/rainy weather?

I've notice that Comcast is advertising that they have more HD programs at a given time than DirecTV. What they DON'T tell you is that they are including the VOD programs, which in my neighborhood don't work half the time. Talk about misleading the public:mad:

And if you listen carefully, they tell you that it's a comparison of Comcast in Philadelphia at a point in time where DirecTV had not yet completely launched the HD channels. There's also a disclaimer in there that says that not all Comcast markets have the same programming.

I know that here in Comphia country (Comcast/Adelphia) there's no On Demand HD, very very few HD channels and all in all DirecTV is a much better deal for a lot more HD programming.

Add in a OTA Antenna, and basic cable with a TiVo HD box, and i have the best of both worlds.

With the latest TIVO update, it looks like Tivo To Go is active again. The problem is that virtually every recorded show on the S3 is considered protected when I use Roxio Toast to transfer recordings.

I have Comcast HD Digital service. Even when I use a browser to log in to the S3, it indicates every show is protected, even those on the local channels such as the 6pm news.

I know cablelabs is trying to copy protect everything, but why would shows on local channels, even the non-HD versions show up as protected and unable to transfer to my computer?

I assume its another Comcast issue, like they don't want to figure out what they have to protect, so they just apply it to all programming?

Is anyone else having this issue with TIVO Series 3?

I was just wondering, with the shutdown of analog TV just around the corner, does anyone know if digital signals are going to get any more powerful? It seems to me that digital TV is going to require far more powerful signals or much better antenna designs in order for OTA reception to be satisfactory.[/QUOTE]

In most cases, the power that the digitals are running now, is their final power, except where there is a change of channel to another band, i.e.
VHF to UHF, or UHF to VHF, or High Band VHF to Low Band VHF, etc etc...

The FCC has issued the Final DTV Channel Assignments, you can view them at:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-138A2.xls

Locally, CH 7 digital moves from 8 to 7; CH 10 moves from 9 to 10,
CH 23 moves from 24 to 23; CH 35 moves from 26 to 35; CH 51 moves from 52 (out of the CORE) to 30.

In West Palm Beach CH 5 moves from 55 (Out of the CORE) to 12.

Here is a link to current conditions:

http://www.w9wi.com/tvdb/states/fl.htm

Also be aware that the LP and CA (Class "A") stations are not included
in the Analog Shutdown. Here is the FCC comment on that aspect of
the digital transition:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-220A1.pdf

Tab down to Pg 6, Section B, and you can scan para: 11-19...

We are fortunate that we do not have any Low Band VHF Digital
assignments in South Florida. For interesting reading on that topic check out:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=837880&pp=30

Also, you might want to GOOGLE: WBBM-DT reception problems (that is a
CH 3 digital).

As you consider all the different scenarios, think about this situation:
CH 5 needs to buy a CH 12 digital transmitter. They need to buy a
CH 12 transmitting antenna. They need to buy transmission line for
that antenna. They need to install the antenna and transmission line
on their tower while keeping CH 5 and CH 55 on the air. BUT, how will they be able to test the CH 12 digital transmitter? They will need to ask CH 12
Analog to shut down for a few test periods! CH 5 is not the only station is this situation: Moving to a new digital channel that is currently occupied
by either another digital or an analog station.

A quick comment on UHF v.s. VHF digital: If people are going to be
doing OTA, and possibly even mobile ATSC reception, UHF has the
advantage of a physically smaller antenna for the equivalent gain
of a Low band or High band VHF antenna.



UHF has incredible penetration, but the downside is the FP&L bill!

If you were a broadcaster, what band would you want your final digital
Channel to be in?

With the latest TIVO update, it looks like Tivo To Go is active again. The problem is that virtually every recorded show on the S3 is considered protected when I use Roxio Toast to transfer recordings.

I have Comcast HD Digital service. Even when I use a browser to log in to the S3, it indicates every show is protected, even those on the local channels such as the 6pm news.

I know cablelabs is trying to copy protect everything, but why would shows on local channels, even the non-HD versions show up as protected and unable to transfer to my computer?

I assume its another Comcast issue, like they don't want to figure out what they have to protect, so they just apply it to all programming?

Is anyone else having this issue with TIVO Series 3?

No issues with my TiVo Series 3. I also have Comcast.

I was just wondering, with the shutdown of analog TV just around the corner, does anyone know if digital signals are going to get any more powerful? It seems to me that digital TV is going to require far more powerful signals or much better antenna designs in order for OTA reception to be satisfactory.

In most cases, the power that the digitals are running now, is their final power, except where there is a change of channel to another band, i.e.
VHF to UHF, or UHF to VHF, or High Band VHF to Low Band VHF, etc etc...



Don,
I noticed in the listings that UHF max ERP is 5000 KW Analog, and 1000 KW Digital.
Seems to me, being an old analog radio Engineer that losing 80% of your output power would change the coverage contours. Granted, I'm not up on the latest info, so perhaps I'm wrong (been retired for a while).

Walt

Why is WSVN showing the Dolphins/Steelers game in SD and not in HD? The game is available on ESPNHD.

Why is WSVN showing the Dolphins/Steelers game in SD and not in HD? The game is available on ESPNHD.

Probably because they don't want to pay for the HD coverage. They're only showing the game for people who don't have cable or satellite and can't tune in to ESPN. Of course, with their wonderful stretch-o-vision, their "less knowledgeable" viewers probably thought they were watching HD.

Dumb question of the day.
Who's actually better overall and has more channels, Comcast HD or Direct-TV HD?

I want to get something soon and can't make which one to actually get. I currently have Direct-TV but no HD. I used to have Atlantic Broadband but that is not even an option now. So who really has more and who has the better deal? I'm just going to have to get around the whole signal lost due to intense wind and rain issue with Direct-TV if anything. I've figured both have horrible customer service from others' experiences. oh, and I want cable internet as well.

DirecTV has the most HD channels at the moment, over 70 at this point, not counting pay-per-views, with more coming Q1 of '08. Comcast's local advertising on HD is an outright lie. I've had DirecTV for 8 or 9 years now, and have never experienced any more than a handful of brief rain interruptions in all that time. Rain-fade is not as big of an issue as the cable company advertising would have you belive. And, unless there is a hurricane, wind is not even a consideration at all.

I'd probably be more concerned about the HD quality for DTV but I've heard it has improved. I have Comcast and was going to switch because they have almost every channel I watch in HD. Comcast HD lineup is a joke. However, it may vary depending where in south FL you are.

Who, between the two, has the better signal or rather better looking HD channels? I've read that both compress their HD but who looks better, if that is even possible to know outside of personal preference?

I can't say. I haven't had both to compare in controlled environments. The popular consensus is that Comcast has better quality.

What popular consensus ? I don't usually step out like this because it becomes an emotional battle, but in my experience, and especially since DirecTV launched their new satellite, DirecTV's picture is superior to S. Fl. Comcast.

Also, let's not forget their abysmal performance after the hurricanes. Weeks to months to get back service. In my neighborhood, after Wilma, it took them 4 weeks, and the picture was fuzzy for another 3months.

I can't say. I haven't had both to compare in controlled environments. The popular consensus is that Comcast has better quality.

What popular consensus ? I don't usually step out like this because it becomes an emotional battle, but in my experience, and especially since DirecTV launched their new satellite, DirecTV's picture is superior to S. Fl. Comcast.

Also, let's not forget their abysmal performance after the hurricanes. Weeks to months to get back service. In my neighborhood, after Wilma, it took them 4 weeks, and the picture was fuzzy for another 3months.

WOW! Insane.


Do any of you know if MPEG-4 compression has come to Direct-tv HD yet?

What popular consensus ? I don't usually step out like this because it becomes an emotional battle, but in my experience, and especially since DirecTV launched their new satellite, DirecTV's picture is superior to S. Fl. Comcast.

Also, let's not forget their abysmal performance after the hurricanes. Weeks to months to get back service. In my neighborhood, after Wilma, it took them 4 weeks, and the picture was fuzzy for another 3months.

Don't worry. I don't take opinions to heart. I just read it in other threads on here. Out of curiousity did you have both services on the same TV with the same connection (HDMI, component, AVR?)

No, I did not, my recent comparisons are between my neighbors and myself, we both have 65" RPTVs fed by component input. That's as accurate as I can get, so my opinion is worth as much as you think, or don't think, it is :D

Don't worry. I don't take opinions to heart. I just read it in other threads on here. Out of curiousity did you have both services on the same TV with the same connection (HDMI, component, AVR?)

Yes, MPEG4 started last year, at least, and all the new HD channels are MPEG4

WOW! Insane.


Do any of you know if MPEG-4 compression has come to Direct-tv HD yet?

No, I did not, my recent comparisons are between my neighbors and myself, we both have 65" RPTVs fed by component input. That's as accurate as I can get, so my opinion is worth as much as you think, or don't think, it is :D

LOL, I'll respect it, I just won't get upset about it. Are your TV's similar years?

No, mine is a 1st generation 480i,p, and 1080i only CRT RPTV. His is a latest model DLP, so I would have expect my picture to be worse based on that alone.

I had Comcast, have DirecTv (MPEG4), and OTA. In my opinion the new MPEG4 channels look as good as OTA. I have to agree that Directv had some quality problems in the past (HBO and Showtime HD were both terrible). The new channels look good though.

I had Comcast, have DirecTv (MPEG4), and OTA. In my opinion the new MPEG4 channels look as good as OTA. I have to agree that Directv had some quality problems in the past (HBO and Showtime HD were both terrible). The new channels look good though.

Cool, so I only have to take into account that Direct-tv's signal drops at certain intervals or weather situations and if another contract situation is worth it to me. I mean Comcast doesn't have contracts right? I guess I'd better check on that. All in all Direct-tv might be my only option, as sad as that is, for the best amount of HD channels. Right guys? Too bad there are no other real options.