I couldn't find another thread on this subject. Please forgive me if this has been asked already.

Does anyone know if Time Warner Cable will continue to transmit analog "cable" channels after the DTV switch? I tried contacting TWC but I keep going around in circles because they think I want to know about the over-the-air broadcasts. I have no confusion about what will happen to over-the-air analog TV broadcasts.

What I want clarification from them about is what will happen to the current analog CABLE channels (TV Land, History, TLC, etc). Will these continue to transmit in analog form? I was unable to get through to anyone on this though.

If the answer is yes, they will stop ALL analog signal transmissions, will the digital signals that replace them require *their* box in order to receive the channels? The only thing that should be required is a TV with digital/QAM tuner. To be forced to use their box after the DTV switch is not good.


If it is a local decision, I am in the L.A. /South Bay area.

Thanks.

The current digital transition affect over-the-air broadcast stations only. That said, there is a push in the cable industry to go all-digital, but it's still a few years away from happening. The cable companies definitely want their customers to have to use boxes, but newer TVs have QAM tuners, so I doubt they'll ever be able to completely force boxes.

I am hoping this is the case. Yeah, I am sure the cable companies will use the DTV transition to try to lure more subscribers over to digital service even though they may not have to.



The current digital transition affect over-the-air broadcast stations only. That said, there is a push in the cable industry to go all-digital, but it's still a few years away from happening. The cable companies definitely want their customers to have to use boxes, but newer TVs have QAM tuners, so I doubt they'll ever be able to completely force boxes.

The current digital transition affect over-the-air broadcast stations only. That said, there is a push in the cable industry to go all-digital, but it's still a few years away from happening. The cable companies definitely want their customers to have to use boxes, but newer TVs have QAM tuners, so I doubt they'll ever be able to completely force boxes.

I wouldn't say it is years away. Comcast is doing this in many markets right now, and I'm pretty sure they plan to have it switched over in all of their markets before the end of this year (actually I think I read by the end of this summer).

I haven't heard much about TWC though.

The FCC mandate on this is that cable providers must continue to provide at least over-the-air TV channels to customers in one of these two fashions through February 2012 (and maybe now July 2012):
(1) carry the digital signal in analog format, or (2) carry the signal only in digital format, provided that all subscribers have the necessary equipment to view the broadcast content
The expectation has been that the major cable TV providers will continue to provide option 1 for as long as possible as suddenly handing out a large number of boxes and cable cards is a logistical problem. I do see them slowly pushing people to digital cable as they are doing right now: gradually moving channels from analog to digital packages.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276576A1.pdf
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/87483

Topics merged.

Comcast is doing this in many markets right now, and I'm pretty sure they plan to have it switched over in all of their markets before the end of this year (actually I think I read by the end of this summer).Current Comcast output indicates that this effort will extend through 2010.

Current Comcast output indicates that this effort will extend through 2010.

cable companies are quickly running out of bandwidth when they are adding HD channels. It my understanding that Comcast is solving the problem by going all digital while TW is using SDV. So TW isn't in as big a hurry to go all digital as Comcast is.

We, here in MA, already have practically all the HD channels that are considered important by many viewers, so the pressure to add HD channels is pretty limited at this point. They've got some time (surely through 2010) before they really need to worry about limited bandwidth being a major concern.

cable companies are quickly running out of bandwidth when they are adding HD channels. It my understanding that Comcast is solving the problem by going all digital while TW is using SDV. So TW isn't in as big a hurry to go all digital as Comcast is.

TWC NYC has gone the 'almost' all-digital route. We're down to about 40 analog channels, and plenty of space for the existing 100 HD channels (plus more)

TWC NYC has gone the 'almost' all-digital route. We're down to about 40 analog channels, and plenty of space for the existing 100 HD channels (plus more)

So is NYC the only TWC market that is going the "digital" route? Or are they also implementing SDV as well? Did they issue free set top converter boxes like comcast did for those who only want the basic cable package but have older non hdtv's? Were those digital channels moved to a higher priced tier? Or are they available via a qam tuner?

I believe the only reason TWC NYC has so many HD channels is because the competition is much more fierce. Fios & Directv combined are really starting to put a dent in NYC's divisions earnings. Furthermore the demand for more HD channels is probably much greater than that of other smaller markets.

TWC doesn't have AS much competition in their other markets....We have uverse here in the milwaukee area...but they have yet to aggressively promote their service nor does the entire city have access to it...only a few select areas (non inner city) have access to it. And while uverse is a threat, our division of TWC still believes their service is far more superior

$100 a month for cable, internet and phone for an entire year as a sales tool is pretty hard to beat. TWC continues to dominate the milwaukee area. Our market has gone down the SDV path. No notice of going digital. Still no tuning adapters for tivo users...on the bright side we do have 50 + hd channels. lol

So is NYC the only TWC market that is going the "digital" route? Or are they also implementing SDV as well? Did they issue free set top converter boxes like comcast did for those who only want the basic cable package but have older non hdtv's? Were those digital channels moved to a higher priced tier? Or are they available via a qam tuner?

I believe the only reason TWC NYC has so many HD channels is because the competition is much more fierce. Fios & Directv combined are really starting to put a dent in NYC's divisions earnings. Furthermore the demand for more HD channels is probably much greater than that of other smaller markets.

TWC doesn't have AS much competition in their other markets....We have uverse here in the milwaukee area...but they have yet to aggressively promote their service nor does the entire city have access to it...only a few select areas (non inner city) have access to it. And while uverse is a threat, our division of TWC still believes their service is far more superior

$100 a month for cable, internet and phone for an entire year as a sales tool is pretty hard to beat. TWC continues to dominate the milwaukee area. Our market has gone down the SDV path. No notice of going digital. Still no tuning adapters for tivo users...on the bright side we do have 50 + hd channels. lol

1) no SDV

2) they only eliminated the scrambled "premium" analog channels that needed an analog box... so those people had to switch to digital service. People who had been watching without any box were not affected (other than losing TNT, which wasn't scrambled beforehand)

1) no SDV

2) they only eliminated the scrambled "premium" analog channels that needed an analog box... so those people had to switch to digital service. People who had been watching without any box were not affected (other than losing TNT, which wasn't scrambled beforehand)

Don't we have 2 HD channels that ONLY work on ODN boxes? I would have thought those might be SDV...

So is NYC the only TWC market that is going the "digital" route? Or are they also implementing SDV as well? Did they issue free set top converter boxes like comcast did for those who only want the basic cable package but have older non hdtv's? Were those digital channels moved to a higher priced tier? Or are they available via a qam tuner?

I believe the only reason TWC NYC has so many HD channels is because the competition is much more fierce. Fios & Directv combined are really starting to put a dent in NYC's divisions earnings. Furthermore the demand for more HD channels is probably much greater than that of other smaller markets.


I think Austin and San Antonio are just about caught up with NYC.

I am actually curious if the reason is the population density? Maybe the nodes in NYC serve many, many more people than in the suburbs and the number of channels not being watched is too small for SDV to work?

xnappo

Why the hell can't we ever get a box like this on Time Warner? 1TB, Slingbox, 16:9 program guide. Our current box and software is awful.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/08/dish-networks-vip-922-and-slingguide-unveiled-first-slingload/

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2009/01/ces09-vip_922_duodvr.jpg

TWC will have a box like that around 2025!

ROTFLMAO! Time Warner hardware today barely competes with what Dish had out in 1996! The SA83000HD was alright for it's time, but even next gen boxes are going to have small hard drives without being fully functional.

So is NYC the only TWC market that is going the "digital" route? Or are they also implementing SDV as well? Did they issue free set top converter boxes like comcast did for those who only want the basic cable package but have older non hdtv's? Were those digital channels moved to a higher priced tier? Or are they available via a qam tuner?

I believe the only reason TWC NYC has so many HD channels is because the competition is much more fierce. Fios & Directv combined are really starting to put a dent in NYC's divisions earnings. Furthermore the demand for more HD channels is probably much greater than that of other smaller markets.

TWC doesn't have AS much competition in their other markets....We have uverse here in the milwaukee area...but they have yet to aggressively promote their service nor does the entire city have access to it...only a few select areas (non inner city) have access to it. And while uverse is a threat, our division of TWC still believes their service is far more superior

$100 a month for cable, internet and phone for an entire year as a sales tool is pretty hard to beat. TWC continues to dominate the milwaukee area. Our market has gone down the SDV path. No notice of going digital. Still no tuning adapters for tivo users...on the bright side we do have 50 + hd channels. lol
In June, USA Today reported Los Angeles would join NYC with (nearly) All Digital cable:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-06-12-cable-digital_N.htm
But I haven't heard any reports that this actually happened in L.A.....yet...

There're probably waiting for the "low-cost" DTA (Digital Terminal Adapter),
which has been delayed several times, including waiting for a new FCC Commission
before a final decision is made re. "legality" and "effectiveness" of various encryption schemes
(or non-encryption). One major stumbling block is to have an agreed upon solution which
allows users to readily move from cable system to cable system, as the tru2way OCAP
upgrade has promised (in order to meet Congressional mandates):
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=171808&site=cdn
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=167256&site=cdn
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=168411&site=cdn

The above DTA is not to be confused with the SDV Tuning Adapter, for use
with TiVo to watch SDV channels.

So plugging cable directly into the cable coax will continue to be restricted:
DTV with Clear QAM Tuner: Limited to unencrypted HD local networks + a few more.
DTV with Cable CARD: All encrypted digital channels, EXCEPT SDV.
Any TV or DTV: Whatever Analog channels remain (if any). Local networks are
required to remain until 2011---UNLESS they go to ALL DIGITAL.

Expanded Analog Tier (roughly Ch40-99) can be moved to digital tier anytime
the cable companies determine they want to annoy the large number of customers
still subscribing to this popular service and force them to use multiple DTAs.

NYC has may apt buildings where cable theft only requires rewiring some coax.
Going All Digital (or nearly All Digital) drives a big spike into this illegal activity....
Of course, now the miscreants will be repeatedly breaking into houses to steal DTAs,
which will probably be "bricked" when the theft is eventually reported, forcing them
to break into yet another house, ad nauseum.....

TWC is much better in the Carolinas than the crap they try to serve us here in Ohio. (But the Carolinas TWC isn't any better than D*). I was initially happy when I found out I could have TWC when I moved from South Carolina to Ohio, but after 3 years of TWC, I decided to switch to D* and I'm never going back, no matter the cost.

I had TWC-HD in Raleigh NC for the last 5 years. It was quite good for Picture quality but horrible for service, customer support, and price. I switched to DirectTV recently and I have to say the DirectTV HD picture Quality is FAR superior to TWC-HD picture quality. NBC was always pixilated on TWC. It actually looks like decent HD on DirectTV.
I wouldn’t switch back to TWC for TV even if they paid me the $120 a month I used to give them!

I switched to DirectTV recently and I have to say the DirectTV HD picture Quality is FAR superior to TWC-HD picture quality.

The Carolinas have always passed the HD signal exactly as they receive it so not only is satellite not far superior it is not superior at all.

In June, USA Today reported Los Angeles would join NYC with (nearly) All Digital cable:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-06-12-cable-digital_N.htm
But I haven't heard any reports that this actually happened in L.A.....yet...


It says:
"Meanwhile, Time Warner Cable (TWC) is eliminating analog in areas of New York and Los Angeles where subscribers already need a box to watch TV; it's swapping analog boxes for digital at no charge to customers. "

So, they were switching to all digital somewhere (don't know where) where they need a box just to get analog. /Dan

Why the hell can't we ever get a box like this on Time Warner? 1TB, Slingbox, 16:9 program guide. Our current box and software is awful.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/08/dish-networks-vip-922-and-slingguide-unveiled-first-slingload/

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2009/01/ces09-vip_922_duodvr.jpg

I really don't care about having any of that crap. Except the software part. Navigator is s**t. All I want is a Time Warner box with a larger hard drive. 20 hours of HD was a great thing a few years back, but with all the new HD content being added to TWC, 20 hours is becoming nothing. C'mon, at least 50 hours. Or the same 90 hours the 8300HD can record of SD programming, but for HD programming.

And I don't understand this fascination with a 16x9 guide. I don't want that. Because it will most likely be the same as the generig "TV Guide Onsecreen" built into HDTVs. TVG onscreen actually puts ADs in the program guide!:eek::eek::eek: Pass. I'd rather have the bars.
Besides, I doubt TWC would have a 2 hour program grid rather than a 1 1/2 hour grid. 2 hours makes too much sense and when has TWC ever did anything that makes sense? ;)

I really don't care about having any of that crap. Except the software part. Navigator is s**t. All I want is a Time Warner box with a larger hard drive. 20 hours of HD was a great thing a few years back, but with all the new HD content being added to TWC, 20 hours is becoming nothing. C'mon, at least 50 hours. Or the same 90 hours the 8300HD can record of SD programming, but for HD programming.

And I don't understand this fascination with a 16x9 guide. I don't want that. Because it will most likely be the same as the generig "TV Guide Onsecreen" built into HDTVs. TVG onscreen actually puts ADs in the program guide!:eek::eek::eek: Pass. I'd rather have the bars.
Besides, I doubt TWC would have a 2 hour program grid rather than a 1 1/2 hour grid. 2 hours makes too much sense and when has TWC ever did anything that makes sense? ;)

Did you even click the link? 1TB hard drive is about 6x bigger than the 160gig in the Time Warner Boxes. Roughly 120 hours HD. 3 hours on the guide. What would make you think TWC would just put ads on the guide???

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2009/01/epg.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2009/01/slingguide_detail.jpg

Watch your recordings on your computer/iphone
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2009/01/slingguide_hero.jpg

If that doesn't get your blood pumping I don't know what will. I'll more than likely be switching to a Dish TurboHD package once I buy a house. Cheaper, better box, better guide.

The Carolinas have always passed the HD signal exactly as they receive it so not only is satellite not far superior it is not superior at all.

Sorry, this is untrue. All providers "groom" and or compress the signal the receive to fit it into their lineup via the headend or uplink facility. Some providers do a better job than others. In any case, DirecTV and Dish should be consistent whereas cable ops may vary based on division. Therefore, one market may have HD cable that looks better than D* and vice versa.

Also, the Dish 922 is kinda old news. I posted about it last month with the hopes that the Tru2Way becomes a reality and TWC subscribers would be able to use it in place of the garbage leased equipment.

Sorry, this is untrue. All providers "groom" and or compress the signal the receive to fit it into their lineup via the headend or uplink facility.

Sorry, but this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7352168#post7352168)is from someone who really knows what is true.


"Hey Bob,

I double-dog confirmed with my Engineers we do not rate-shape either the HD or SD feeds we get from Broadcasters in SC. In addition, they informed me that the Charlotte Division was required to receive a license to do so - so someone at WCCB signed off on their strategy.

We look forward to your checking it out next time your in Columbia and confirming this point for all participants."
__________________
Diana Smith
Director of Marketing for Video Services
Read our Phil the Cable Guy Blog!"
.
.
.
.

Sorry, but this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7352168#post7352168)is from someone who really knows what is true.


"Hey Bob,

I double-dog confirmed with my Engineers we do not rate-shape either the HD or SD feeds we get from Broadcasters in SC. In addition, they informed me that the Charlotte Division was required to receive a license to do so - so someone at WCCB signed off on their strategy.

We look forward to your checking it out next time your in Columbia and confirming this point for all participants."
__________________
Diana Smith
Director of Marketing for Video Services
Read our Phil the Cable Guy Blog!"
.
.
.
.

The key word in that statement is 'broadcasters'. That part is true... The OTA networks feeds are NOT rateshaped. However, the cable network stuff IS rateshaped. Here in Raleigh we have 4 QAM's each carrying 3 HD channels... You must rateshape to do that.

Kansas City was upgraded to ODN 3.1.0_11 today. The Navigator looks much different in terms of different skins and is a notably little faster. Will check into new features.

I had TWC-HD in Raleigh NC for the last 5 years. It was quite good for Picture quality but horrible for service, customer support, and price. I switched to DirectTV recently and I have to say the DirectTV HD picture Quality is FAR superior to TWC-HD picture quality. NBC was always pixilated on TWC. It actually looks like decent HD on DirectTV.
I wouldn’t switch back to TWC for TV even if they paid me the $120 a month I used to give them!

It is a known fact that WNCN, the local NBC station in our area, has rotten picture quality on OTA and cable on its HD broadcast compared to the other stations. What is passed through to TWC is the same thing that is transmitted OTA. It is not TWC's fault that the MPEG-2 feed it is given is low quality. If WNCN on satellite HD Lite beats out WNCN's normal MPEG-2 HD feed, something definitely is wrong.

My guess as to why WNCN's picture quality is bad on cable or OTA is that WNCN probably has an obsolete MPEG-2 encoder, or an MPEG-2 encoder whose purpose favors latency over high image quality and is inappropriately used in a broadcast environment. When I was watching the Super Bowl on WNCN, I watched as the grass went from being somewhat sharply detailed to a near-constant shade of green suddenly as the camera panned. This suggests that the motion estimation engine could not look far enough pixel-wise to reuse the images found in the P-frames or the I-frames, forcing it to generate independent macroblocks which use lots of bits. This forces the quality on all the macroblocks down because they must be compressed more heavily to fit the throughput budget. Another piece of evidence for this hypothesis is that when WRAL, the local CBS station which prides itself on HD leadership due to being the first HD station in the USA, broadcasts a football game, and the camera pans quickly, the grass does not degenerate into a constant color, unlike WNCN. This suggests that WRAL's motion estimation engine is capable of reusing macroblocks much farther than WNCN's motion estimation engine can look in order to reuse macroblocks.

My guess as why the satellite company's picture quality is better on DirecTV is that the H.264 encoder at WNCN needed for DirecTV must be much more advanced than the MPEG-2 encoder at WNCN used to encode the signal for the antenna and cable feeds.

Do those of us that are employed need to start buying shares of Media General (NYSE:MEG), WNCN's owners, to tell management to give the funds its engineering departments need to buy better MPEG-2 encoders for WNCN and possibly other stations it owns, and to convert the newscasts to HD in order to get them to start competing with WRAL and WTVD? The only reason I watch WNCN is that it is the only local newscast other than News 14 Carolina that is available at a convenient time in prime time. If WRAL or WTVD starts to compete at the 7PM timeslot, I would go to them for the 7:00 news in a flash. WRAL recently replaced its encoder and now boasts picture quality that nearly rivals HDNet, at least on my very obsolete rear projection CRT HD monitor which requires a set-top box in order to translate any digital TV to component video. It is so old that HDMI was not invented when it was built.

Kansas City was upgraded to ODN 3.1.0_11 today. The Navigator looks much different in terms of different skins and is a notably little faster. Will check into new features.If I interpret your signiture correctly, your external drive survived the upgrade. You might want to add a post to the "8300HD and External SATA" thread. You seem to be the first to not have problems.

Kansas City was upgraded to ODN 3.1.0_11 today. The Navigator looks much different in terms of different skins and is a notably little faster. Will check into new features.

Wish they would upgrade us to the new ODN. We got the new MDN a few weeks back. It's nice. And TWC says on their website that Navigator is being updated. Does that include ODN or is it just MDN??

Kansas City was upgraded to ODN 3.1.0_11 today. The Navigator looks much different in terms of different skins and is a notably little faster. Will check into new features.

Update: Bad news... can only see 1 week of programming in the guide.

The key word in that statement is 'broadcasters'. That part is true... The OTA networks feeds are NOT rateshaped. However, the cable network stuff IS rateshaped. Here in Raleigh we have 4 QAM's each carrying 3 HD channels... You must rateshape to do that.

Exactly. Plus he is taking the word of a TW Marketing Director and they always tell the truth. :rolleyes:

Update: Bad news... can only see 1 week of programming in the guide.

Umm, that's the way it always has been. ;)

That's almost ridiculous for a DVR. TWC here publishes a guide you can buy (monthly subscription) with all the listings for that month. A DVR has the space via the HDD and should be able to cover that time frame as well. Hell, it should be at minimum 14 days!

That's almost ridiculous for a DVR. TWC here publishes a guide you can buy (monthly subscription) with all the listings for that month. A DVR has the space via the HDD and should be able to cover that time frame as well. Hell, it should be at minimum 14 days!

Gee whiz...u are disgruntle.lol u should just hurry and switch to Directv before you slit your wrist. lmao

just kidding.lol

TWC just hasn't done a thing to facilitate me staying while DirecTV has made great strides. I'm kinda holding out for TravelHD on D* as it's about the only network they are missing that I want.

I am always amused by the interest in guide channels. I think I check the guide channel, perhaps, once or twice per year.

I had TWC-HD in Raleigh NC for the last 5 years. It was quite good for Picture quality but horrible for service, customer support, and price. I switched to DirectTV recently and I have to say the DirectTV HD picture Quality is FAR superior to TWC-HD picture quality. NBC was always pixilated on TWC. It actually looks like decent HD on DirectTV.
I wouldn’t switch back to TWC for TV even if they paid me the $120 a month I used to give them!

Pixelation is usually caused by low signal levels not by the provider.

Umm, that's the way it always has been. ;)

Actually I don't think that's the case. Nav was originally advertised having a two week guide well into it's distribution and I think a very few early test markets actually got the two week guide for a while.

He might have been taken in with another failed promise advertised by TWC.

Actually I don't think that's the case. Nav was originally advertised having a two week guide well into it's distribution and I think a very few early test markets actually got the two week guide for a while.

He might have been taken in with another failed promise advertised by TWC.They're still claiming two weeks in Mid Ohio. (My emphasis.)

24 hours a day, seven days a week, there are almost endless programs on TV. Improved DVR controls and features will keep you from missing the best of them. As you explore the DVR menu you’ll discover features that will help you easily record programs. For instance, by linking DVR with the redesigned Navigator™ we make it possible to find shows up to two weeks in advance and set them to record with the touch of a button.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/MidOhio/support/navigator/dvr.html

Edit:

Actually, I just found another page in the same set of documentation that contradicts this.

DVR and Navigator

Use your Digital Video Recorder (DVR) with the Navigator to find shows up to one week in advance and set them to record with the touch of a button.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/MidOhio/learn/cable/navigator/default.html

Exactly. Plus he is taking the word of a TW Marketing Director and they always tell the truth. :rolleyes:

He was talking about broadcast TV as were you. The engineer for all these stations in the area never disputed these facts in the local thread. Time to take your bias to the satellite threads. :rolleyes:

Pixelation is usually caused by low signal levels not by the provider.

In the case of WNCN, it was the broadcast. After they switched encoders, the PQ is much improved. As a matter of fact, I would say it's on par with WRAL (CBS affiliate).

The head engineer at WNCN obviously knows his stuff. He will shut off sub channels and allocate max bandwidth to the HD channel during major sporting events.

Saturday afternoon football was almost unwatchable 2 years ago on WNCN, but now the PQ is great (the football is still not good... :) )

You're welcome to come join the Raleigh-Durham discussion:

Interesting that DirecTV picks our signal up off air at Departure Ave in Raleigh, and Dish picks it up off air off Capital Blvd with regular antennas near Wake Forest. Time-Warner gets their feed directly off my HD switcher via fiber with enough bandwidth to carry several HD channels. There's nothing but a beam of light between us and them.

As for bandwidth, you got 17.2 Mbs for the Super Bowl, and normally I send you 14-15 Mbs. 1080i is fine between 12 and 14 Mbs and my TWC DVR in my office looks great, even frame by frame.

It is a known fact that in some neighborhoods the TWC distribution system has had problems with our QAM frequency and passed other stations just fine. In every report I have gotten and passed on to TWC, they were able to resolve the issue 100% of the time. If you have pixellation and blocking, call them and they can usually ping your box from the Durham headend and know exactly what is happening. If you can't get results with their regular customer service reps, shoot me an email and I'll forward it to them and they will gladly look into it. It is not uncommon for a problem to come and go, so it may take them some time to determine what is going on.

We all read this forum. Not every engineer has the company's blessing to respond, but we all read and try to determine who has legitimate complaints. Engineers will not usually respond well to rants and opinions, but everyone of us will beat the bushes to resolve a real problem. You can certainly search the specs on our Harmonic MV 450 HD encoder. I have another software upgrade currently being shipped to enable the AFD passthrough that instructs the cable and satellite decoders how to down-convert the SD feed you get to letterbox or center cut. That's software version 4.10 if you want to keep track since I'm currently running version 3.85.

I've been a little busy lately, but I'll call TWC in the morning (or they will call me fist after reading this) and we'll see what we can see. Shoot, I'll punch up color bars for a few minutes tomorrow if we think it might show something is whacked.

As for News in HD, we really wanted to do it this month, but it just isn't cheap and easy to do, and money is tighter than I've ever seen it in over 30 years in broadcasting. We hope to do it as soon as the economy gets better and let's hope for later this year. I would stretch the picture for you, but you can do that yourself.

They're still claiming two weeks in Mid Ohio. (My emphasis.)

Yep. Same thing they did here.

Lies, all lies.

He was talking about broadcast TV as were you. The engineer for all these stations in the area never disputed these facts in the local thread. Time to take your bias to the satellite threads. :rolleyes:

I really don't know what your getting at. Satellite compresses signals too and so does cable, that was the point. ALL providers use some type of rate shaping/ "grooming" when they retransmit a signal onto their network. If you believe otherwise then so be it. No bias here.

Actually I don't think that's the case. Nav was originally advertised having a two week guide well into it's distribution and I think a very few early test markets actually got the two week guide for a while.

He might have been taken in with another failed promise advertised by TWC.

I think that's one of their "all talk" things. Just like our website now says that "longer show descriptions are coming soon" as if that takes some long, difficult process to make Navigator equivalent to SARA or Passport of 1999. :rolleyes:

Also, remote DVR management. I assume that is something similar to the Dish DVR article Ben posted above? My question is how are we going to have remote DVR management when certain boxes(cough cough 8300HDC!-see sgnature;)) can't even manage simple tasks like recording shows or even watching TV in the most basic sense of the term.

I really don't know what your getting at. Satellite compresses signals too and so does cable, that was the point. ALL providers use some type of rate shaping/ "grooming" when they retransmit a signal onto their network. If you believe otherwise then so be it. No bias here.

Except for our broadcast networks nobody disagreed with that. Here is what I responded to. -


DirectTV HD picture Quality is FAR superior to TWC-HD picture quality

In June, USA Today reported Los Angeles would join NYC with (nearly) All Digital cable

Well, not sure I call it "nearly." From what I've read, we had something like 70 analogs... they have eliminated about 30 to give us a large HD upgrade. But 40 or so still remain.

Well, not sure I call it "nearly." From what I've read, we had something like 70 analogs... they have eliminated about 30 to give us a large HD upgrade. But 40 or so still remain.

we had 76 before this massive HD addition. (and 4 more before they removed HBO/Showtime/Cinemax/TMC from analog about a year ago)

We now have 35 analog channels with actual content, along with another 14 that just have a black screen, and abut 9 more that have no analog or digital content (just snow)

we had 76 before this massive HD addition. (and 4 more before they removed HBO/Showtime/Cinemax/TMC from analog about a year ago)

We now have 35 analog channels with actual content, along with another 14 that just have a black screen, and abut 9 more that have no analog or digital content (just snow)

The "snow" is digital content.

The "snow" is digital content.

Not always. I can tell the difference... :p

Snow that is gray/black = digital inside

Except for our broadcast networks nobody disagreed with that. Here is what I responded to. -

If you think broadcast channels are not rate shaped to fit on a 256 QAM you are mistaken..:confused:

If you think broadcast channels are not rate shaped to fit on a 256 QAM you are mistaken..:confused:

In Raleigh... recording a broadcast network show OTA and via TWC QAM yields essentially the same file size... only a few bytes of difference.

In Raleigh... recording a broadcast network show OTA and via TWC QAM yields essentially the same file size... only a few bytes of difference.

OK, A 256 QAM is 38mbps, now take three OTA HD broadcast and lets say we average them out to 15mbps each, now that totals out to 45mbps. How do you squeeze that 45mbps on to a 256 QAM...Terrayon rate shifter.(which 95% of the cable companies have) and for the people who think that they have loss-less compression from their cable companies....No one in the industry. Except Verizons FIOS.

OK, A 256 QAM is 38mbps, now take three OTA HD broadcast and lets say we average them out to 15mbps each, now that totals out to 45mbps. How do you squeeze that 45mbps on to a 256 QAM...Terrayon rate shifter.(which 95% of the cable companies have) and for the people who think that they have loss-less compression from their cable companies....No one in the industry. Except Verizons FIOS.

In Raleigh... There are only TWO HD broadcast network streams per QAM. If your system has three.. then they are certainly compressing yours. Now Raleigh DOES have 4 QAM that are carrying 3 HD cable network streams... and you can tell it in the PQ as well as the filesize... about 12 Mbit/sec.

So the bottom line for Raleigh is... Broadcast network HD's are not being rateshaped or otherwise spindled, folded and mutilated while many cable network HD's are.

In Raleigh... There are only TWO HD broadcast network streams per QAM. If your system has three.. then they are certainly compressing yours. Now Raleigh DOES have 4 QAM that are carrying 3 HD cable network streams... and you can tell it in the PQ as well as the filesize... about 12 Mbit/sec.

So the bottom line for Raleigh is... Broadcast network HD's are not being rateshaped or otherwise spindled, folded and mutilated while many cable network HD's are.

True Raleigh has two HDTV channels per QAM, but they also throw in 3 or 4 standard def channels in that same QAM.

True Raleigh has two HDTV channels per QAM, but they also throw in 3 or 4 standard def channels in that same QAM.

Yes... they are carrying the SD subchannels local HD channels. Essentially two 19Mbit streams on one 38Mbit QAM.

Yes... they are carrying the SD subchannels local HD channels. Essentially two 19Mbit streams on one 38Mbit QAM.

No its not one in the same, The analog broadcast for a local station is just that. and the HDTV is just that.

OK, Raleigh has about 40 QAM channels with it being worked as such; VOD=4 QAM's. SDV= 8QAM's. modems & mta's=1QAM, OCAP=1QAM MDN=1QAM, and music choice=1qam. so thats 16 QAM's minus the original 40.That leaves 24 QAM's for the all the rest of the channels. And there is some compression happening.

Example: some of your QAM's look like this ABC-HDTV/Fox-HDTV local with UNC Kids UNC ED, UNC NC,UNC TV, All on one QAM.

Not Sub Channels..sorry.

No its not one in the same, The analog broadcast for a local station is just that. and the HDTV is just that.

OK, Raleigh has about 40 QAM channels with it being worked as such; VOD=4 QAM's. SDV= 8QAM's. modems & mta's=1QAM, OCAP=1QAM MDN=1QAM, and music choice=1qam. so thats 16 QAM's minus the original 40.That leaves 24 QAM's for the all the rest of the channels. And there is some compression happening.

Example: some of your QAM's look like this ABC-HDTV/Fox-HDTV local with UNC Kids UNC ED, UNC NC,UNC TV, All on one QAM.

Not Sub Channels..sorry.

Nowhere in my post did I say analog. The TWC QAM carrying Fox and ABC are carrying 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 50-1, 50-1 and 50-3. Most call the distinct programs on a single Transport Stream subchannels... That content originates in two 19Mbit transport streams delivered over fiber or OTA by the local affiliates and are merged into a single 38Mbit transport stream by the cableco.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_subchannel

scsiraid...PM Sent.....:)

The OTA broadcast networks on TWC NYC are all 2 'full streams' per QAM (including subchannels).
Most of the cable networks are 3 per.... a few are lucky enough to be 2 per.... TNT (not surprisingly) was picked to match with the local MyNetworkTV (WWOR).. also CNN and Animal Planet are a "2 in 1" pairing

ESPN2HD is the only HD channel on 1 QAM with the 6 SD channels for ESPN Full Court.

In other news - long overdo - TWC NYC is getting Starz OnDemand....

In other news - long overdo - TWC NYC is getting Starz OnDemand....

And they should give us the HD POD for Starz... especially seeing as how we've ben essentially paying for it for YEARS.

On second thought, do HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Encore, Movie Channel, Starz all have HD POD offerings at all?

Any help would be great.

I setup a friend of mines HD System. Full HD using Time Warner Cable in Summerville, SC.

He got the new Samsung BP2550 Blu-Ray Player, Samsung LN46A650 LCD TV, and a Yamaha RX-V563BL Receiver.

The issue is that when I turn on the HD-DVR Cable box, it always comes on in 480i/p.

So I cut it of and hit the info and guide buttons on the front of the box and program it for 1080i/p. Then it comes up in full 1080i/p for all channels. All the HD Channels look great, of course the regular channels look like crap.

Anyway, so if I turn of the cable box, it goes back to 480 the next time I turn it on. I have the box set to turn on to 805, which is an HD channel.

What the heck is going on...??

Any help would be great.

I setup a friend of mines HD System. Full HD using Time Warner Cable in Summerville, SC.

He got the new Samsung BP2550 Blu-Ray Player, Samsung LN46A650 LCD TV, and a Yamaha RX-V563BL Receiver.

The issue is that when I turn on the HD-DVR Cable box, it always comes on in 480i/p.

So I cut it of and hit the info and guide buttons on the front of the box and program it for 1080i/p. Then it comes up in full 1080i/p for all channels. All the HD Channels look great, of course the regular channels look like crap.

Anyway, so if I turn of the cable box, it goes back to 480 the next time I turn it on. I have the box set to turn on to 805, which is an HD channel.

What the heck is going on...??
Which cable box do they have? They aren't the same all over the country.

The Scientific Atlantic 8300HD

Hit the Settings button. You should find a place to set your screen resolutions. If your system has Navigator software press Settings, scroll horizontally to Display, scroll up to Output Resolution, and press Select. Chose the resolutions you want sent to your TV then press the C button to save them. If you have SARA or Passport, the procedure will be slightly different (but similar).

Hit the Settings button. You should find a place to set your screen resolutions. If your system has Navigator software press Settings, scroll horizontally to Display, scroll up to Output Resolution, and press Select. Chose the resolutions you want sent to your TV then press the C button to save them. If you have SARA or Passport, the procedure will be slightly different (but similar).

All correct... in addition, with Navigator and an HDMI connection to your TV, you can select Auto and the box will do a one-time query of your TV's EDID information and activate all the resolutions your TV is capable of accepting. In the case of the OPs Samsung (I have a similar model), the box should determine that 480p, 720p and 1080i are all viable output resolutions and activate them. You can leave them this way (I do) or remove one or more of them if you have reason to.

When I got into Settings (Pressing Twice) I have the "Picture Format" option.
Upconvert-1
Upconvert-2
Fixed
Auto HDMI/??? ( I can't remember)

None of them set it to 1080. Upconvert-2 did it once, but then it went back to 480 when I turned it off and on.

I've tried everything. I'm beginning to wonder if it's the Yamaha Receiver interfering with the signal from the TV.

I'll try hook the TV straight to the box next time I'm over.

When I got into Settings (Pressing Twice) I have the "Picture Format" option.
Upconvert-1
Upconvert-2
Fixed
Auto HDMI/??? ( I can't remember)

None of them set it to 1080. Upconvert-2 did it once, but then it went back to 480 when I turned it off and on.

I've tried everything. I'm beginning to wonder if it's the Yamaha Receiver interfering with the signal from the TV.

I'll try hook the TV straight to the box next time I'm over.

Doesn't sound like you have Navigator...

When I got into Settings (Pressing Twice) I have the "Picture Format" option.
Upconvert-1
Upconvert-2
Fixed
Auto HDMI/??? ( I can't remember)...SA 8300 HD Tips & Tricks -- SARA (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=471859) is more than likely the thread for your software. Look in the first post for the Setup Wizard. UG-3 and then Display Format Summary. UG-5/6

v/r,
C-F

If you have navigator you want to go to:

Settings then

Displays (along bottom of screen) then

Output Resolution (along left side of screen) then

press select and choose what you want, then

press select.

If you have navigator you want to go to:

Settings then

Displays (along bottom of screen) then

Output Resolution (along left side of screen) then

press select and choose what you want, then

press select.

Phousley and I already addressed that possibility, but it appears that the OP has SARA, not Navigator, making all of our comments useless to him/her.

Cannon, thanks. I just tried that stuff on my TWC box, looks good. I email my friend the steps to make the changes, so we'll see if it works.

Is there a thread on here for a good cheap Uni Remote, for a Receiver, Blu-Ray, Cable Box, and TV?

Cannon, thanks. I just tried that stuff on my TWC box, looks good. I email my friend the steps to make the changes, so we'll see if it works.

Is there a thread on here for a good cheap Uni Remote, for a Receiver, Blu-Ray, Cable Box, and TV?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=654853

Hi Faster,
I too use Summerville TWC. I change the settings with my remote to 480p when watching old black & white movies. It fills the whole screen better than other options that I've tried.

Sony 52XBR2

Thanks Bernie, just got off the phone with Logitech, pretty much any remote they have will do what I want.

They recommended the 510 or the 550 for a good basic remote.

Thanks Bernie, just got off the phone with Logitech, pretty much any remote they have will do what I want.

They recommended the 510 or the 550 for a good basic remote.

Beware the 510 handles a limited number of devices (5) compared to other models. Tiger Direct still has refurbed 520's (similar to 510 but handles 12 devices) for cheap: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4331481&CatId=358 (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=X3Th4gZi/iQ&subid=1&offerid=101304.1&type=10&tmpid=2405&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.tigerdirect.com%252Fapplicat ions%252FSearchTools%252Fitem-details.asp%253FEdpNo%253D4331481%2526amp%253BCatId%253D358)

I have picked up a few of these 520s for secondary rooms and have had no problems... I use a Harmony One in my main TV room. Most of the Harmony remotes function in much the same manner... its the bells and whistles (e.g., color touch screens, motion sensor auto backlights, rechargeable batteries, favorite channel icons) that differentiate the models.

Oh nice find. I'll have my guy order one of these.

LOL I might order one for me.

All correct... in addition, with Navigator and an HDMI connection to your TV, you can select Auto and the box will do a one-time query of your TV's EDID information and activate all the resolutions your TV is capable of accepting. In the case of the OPs Samsung (I have a similar model), the box should determine that 480p, 720p and 1080i are all viable output resolutions and activate them. You can leave them this way (I do) or remove one or more of them if you have reason to.

My ODN Navigator box does something similar. Whenever the box is reset, it comes back on in 480i after a reboot. Not always though.

I find that extremely annoying as I prefer to have output set at 1080i all the time. The picture takes a huge dump when set to 480i/p.

Cannon, thanks. I just tried that stuff on my TWC box, looks good. I email my friend the steps to make the changes, so we'll see if it works.

Is there a thread on here for a good cheap Uni Remote, for a Receiver, Blu-Ray, Cable Box, and TV?

I use One For All URC 10820:
http://www.amazon.com/One-All-Learning-Universal-Control/dp/B00083ET5G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1236037401&sr=8-3
It is a learning remote with *a lot* of hard buttons, so that you can map most of the operations from the cable DVR and you don't have to look at it to operate. It is very cheap, too ($17).

OFAUSA.COM says the 10820 doesn't support the Yamaha Receivers.

We finally got our 10 new HD channels in CNY! Let's see if I can remember them all:

FoxNews-HD
FoxNewsBusiness-HD
CNBC-HD
Speed-HD
MLB-HD
BigTen-HD
CBSC-HD (college sports?)
USA-HD
SciFi-HD
FX-HD

This officially removes any possibility of me switching to DirectTv (for now). The only other channel I wish was included is CartoonNetwork-HD. Love the Clone Wars!, ugh,.. I mean my son loves it. :)

OFAUSA.COM says the 10820 doesn't support the Yamaha Receivers.

I did not find any mention of this on the web site. Does it specifically exclude Yamahas or are they just not mentioned? Even if no built-in code works for them, the remote is a learning one, you may be able to teach it Yamaha commands.

My manual lists Yamaha both under "Audio Amplifiers" (codes 0078, 0143, 0133, 0504) and "Audio Amp/Tuners" (codes 01767, 0186, 1331, 1276, 1176, 1375).
I have no problem using Denon receiver with code 1360 that was under "Audio Amp/Tuners".

We finally got our 10 new HD channels in CNY! Let's see if I can remember them all:

FoxNews-HD
FoxNewsBusiness-HD
CNBC-HD
Speed-HD
MLB-HD
BigTen-HD
CBSC-HD (college sports?)
USA-HD
SciFi-HD
FX-HD

This officially removes any possibility of me switching to DirectTv (for now). The only other channel I wish was included is CartoonNetwork-HD. Love the Clone Wars!, ugh,.. I mean my son loves it. :)


What's odd is I counted 14 "test" channels. Did they add some PPV or Premium channels? I wouldn't mind a few more HBO's in HD.

Anyhow, I concur with you that we now have a better HD lineup than DirecTV. D* still lacks Travel Channel which is a biggie for me. However, on the downside we still have garbage equipment with abysmal software and that will most likely not change anytime soon.

We finally got our 10 new HD channels in CNY! Let's see if I can remember them all:

FoxNews-HD
FoxNewsBusiness-HD
CNBC-HD
Speed-HD
MLB-HD
BigTen-HD
CBSC-HD (college sports?)
USA-HD
SciFi-HD
FX-HD

This officially removes any possibility of me switching to DirectTv (for now). The only other channel I wish was included is CartoonNetwork-HD. Love the Clone Wars!, ugh,.. I mean my son loves it. :)
We've had those for some time in Summerville, SC. Speed is the best, I'm always recording things on my DVR from that channel. Could really careless about the others, maybe SciFi and USA, but that's it.

I was thinking about DirectTV myself just to save on the monthly cost for the first year. But after talking with several salesmen and pretty knowledgeable Installers, DirectTV does offer as high a quality of HD as Cable does, due to Bandwidth Limitations.

What's odd is I counted 14 "test" channels. Did they add some PPV or Premium channels? I wouldn't mind a few more HBO's in HD.

Anyhow, I concur with you that we now have a better HD lineup than DirecTV. D* still lacks Travel Channel which is a biggie for me. However, on the downside we still have garbage equipment with abysmal software and that will most likely not change anytime soon.

Yeah, I'm also wondering about the missing 4 from the test channels. The flyer I got a few weeks back did say 10+ HD channels coming soon. I also would like some more HBO HD, and hopefully Cartoon Network HD. I wonder if it's even worth my time to call TWC about these. 99.9% of the time the person on the phone has no clue.

I'd bet the CSR wouldn't even know they just added those channels.

I live in Austin TX and I've just recently been given the run-around from AT&T U-Verse, they sold me the whole enchilada and then when they came to install it found out that the phone lines in my area were too old to carry the proper bandwidth (after they competely ran fiber throughout my house...serves them right for not checking) and I checked Verizon and FiOS isn't here yet.

Now I'm looking at Dish and TWC, I live on a pretty heavily treed lot so I'm not sure if Dish is an option either, but, I was wondering how satisfied people with TWC-HD are with the service...I'm only interested in HD and high speed (not phone) and the contract with dish bothers me so I wanted feedback from people who use TWC-HD in this area.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I live in Austin TX and I've just recently been given the run-around from AT&T U-Verse, they sold me the whole enchilada and then when they came to install it found out that the phone lines in my area were too old to carry the proper bandwidth (after they competely ran fiber throughout my house...serves them right for not checking) and I checked Verizon and FiOS isn't here yet.

Now I'm looking at Dish and TWC, I live on a pretty heavily treed lot so I'm not sure if Dish is an option either, but, I was wondering how satisfied people with TWC-HD are with the service...I'm only interested in HD and high speed (not phone) and the contract with dish bothers me so I wanted feedback from people who use TWC-HD in this area.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

One thing you will find if you peruse the various TW threads here is that there seems to be a great level of disparity between different TW systems/divisons. You would be best served finding info from other folks in your area... me telling you that TW is pretty good here in Charlotte (it is) or some of the Ohio or Central NY folks telling you its the pits (it seems that they have some legit gripes) may be relatively meaningless for you down in Austin.

I agree with jcalabria. You need to look at one of the local HD threads for a city closest to you. Here's the Austin, TX Local HD thread if you hadn't read it. This is the best place to find someone who could give you advice on your local options.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=336964

edit: After reading some, it looks like you already found the thread. :)

I'd say that's your best bet. You can't get an answer from this thread about your local TWC.... Like jcalabria said... His is good down in the Carolinas (I had TWC and was happy when I lived in SC). My area's TWC sucks here in Ohio, and pretty much all across Ohio from what I've read on the Ohio threads.

I'd bet the CSR wouldn't even know they just added those channels.

Our TWC website says we're getting 5 new HD channels on the 15th. Just for s&g I decided to ask someone at the payment service center window if we are ever getting any new HD channels. She tells me she hasn't heard anything. They don't even know what is on their own website!!

Our TWC website says we're getting 5 new HD channels on the 15th. Just for s&g I decided to ask someone at the payment service center window if we are ever getting any new HD channels. She tells me she hasn't heard anything. They don't even know what is on their own website!!

My inside observation (admittedly a long long time ago) indicates that the only thing the CSRs are concerned about is which technician they were hooking up with that night ;).

Seriously... its no defense for them not knowing the answer to what you asked, but FYI most CS centers for TW are regional and cover multiple systems... its not like the good 'ol days when they all lived a few blocks from the local cable office and experienced first-hand the same services you were calling in about. Was the local payment center you visited a TW-staffed location or the local shipping/postal center or some other contracted site? We have both around here.

My inside observation (admittedly a long long time ago) indicates that the only thing the CSRs are concerned about is which technician they were hooking up with that night ;).

Seriously... its no defense for them not knowing the answer to what you asked, but FYI most CS centers for TW are regional and cover multiple systems... its not like the good 'ol days when they all lived a few blocks from the local cable office and experienced first-hand the same services you were calling in about. Was the local payment center you visited a TW-staffed location or the local shipping/postal center or some other contracted site? We have both around here.

It is a dedicated TWC office. It's been the same one since the early days of TWC(although it did move down the street a few years back). They have locations throughout the service area, this is the only one I know, as it serves Akron(where I have always lived). AFAIK, they only have Navigator boxes even though there are former Adelphia areas in close enough proximity(the far northern part of our county borders on former Adelphia areas).

Since I apparently am not good enough to get AT&T Uverse (see other thread for that rant), I had a TW tech out again today to try to figure out why my newish Sony 32" 720p LCD with a 8300HD DVR can't hold a signal consistently and why VOD never works until we do a reset on the DVR.

For the first time ever (over the last 4.5 years), the tech shows up with a good meter to check signal strength and a PDA that allows him to pull data about my service from the TW server. Wow. Maybe TW is actually a provider of high speed online services.

After testing signal strength inside and out, he decides the problem is the cable running from the wall to the DVR. Sounds stupid to me, but he replaces the cable and viola! the picture looks the best it ever has in the 4 months we've had the TV. We'll see how long the fix lasts. As always, I remain cautiously optimistic.

Since I apparently am not good enough to get AT&T Uverse (see other thread for that rant), I had a TW tech out again today to try to figure out why my newish Sony 32" 720p LCD with a 8300HD DVR can't hold a signal consistently and why VOD never works until we do a reset on the DVR.

For the first time ever (over the last 4.5 years), the tech shows up with a good meter to check signal strength and a PDA that allows him to pull data about my service from the TW server. Wow. Maybe TW is actually a provider of high speed online services.

After testing signal strength inside and out, he decides the problem is the cable running from the wall to the DVR. Sounds stupid to me, but he replaces the cable and viola! the picture looks the best it ever has in the 4 months we've had the TV. We'll see how long the fix lasts. As always, I remain cautiously optimistic.

Those PDAs are neat... they not only can view your service records, they can add/delete boxes to your account and send out provisioning and diagnostic "hits" to the box. Saves them lots of time having to call a CSR to do it like the old days.

The key is getting an actual union technician and NOT a subcontractor. I have always had good service from the actual techs and never from a sub-contractor.

the key is getting an actual union technician and not a subcontractor. I have always had good service from the actual techs and never from a sub-contractor.

+1

The key is getting an actual union technician and NOT a subcontractor. I have always had good service from the actual techs and never from a sub-contractor.

It's my understanding that the TW employees drive vans with the TW logo painted on the side, the subcontractors normally have a car or truck with a magnetic sign on the side. The employees have the meters, the subs don't. The employess bad-mouth the subs (at least in my area).

Wow I had just the opposite experience. I subcontractor came and figured out the signal strength issues the employee could not.

Anyone else noticing on their DVRs that they can store a lot more HD programming than say, 6 months ago? I used to fill up after only a few shows were recorded, but now I can have a backlog of over 20 shows, all HD and I still have 20% capacity remaining. FYI, this is TW in Syracuse I'm talking about. Are they compressing the signal, can't believe they are savvy enough to have some sort of compression sw on the DVR that compresses when recording, and decompresses when viewing.

I'm wondering if they've improved the encoding techniques or have even updated the codec. I've noticed SDV channels look a lot better with the 3.x ODN. Palladia doesn't have as much blockiness with high motion or flashing lights as it used to. Not sure if they've improved encoding techniques or if it's due to the Nav upgrade. What version of Navigator are you on?

Anyone else noticing on their DVRs that they can store a lot more HD programming than say, 6 months ago? I used to fill up after only a few shows were recorded, but now I can have a backlog of over 20 shows, all HD and I still have 20% capacity remaining. FYI, this is TW in Syracuse I'm talking about. Are they compressing the signal, can't believe they are savvy enough to have some sort of compression sw on the DVR that compresses when recording, and decompresses when viewing.

Hey DCS,

I have felt the quality of our HD had declined recently too, but after they added the 10 new channels the other day, I think the HD quality may have actually improved! I'm not sure how that can be though. I haven't monitored my DVR space, but maybe I'll start to pay attention.

Anyone else noticing on their DVRs that they can store a lot more HD programming than say, 6 months ago? I used to fill up after only a few shows were recorded, but now I can have a backlog of over 20 shows, all HD and I still have 20% capacity remaining. FYI, this is TW in Syracuse I'm talking about. Are they compressing the signal, can't believe they are savvy enough to have some sort of compression sw on the DVR that compresses when recording, and decompresses when viewing.
I have noticed they advertise 35 hours HD instead of 20 hours HD for the DVR now (see the mailings and new website). I suspected lower bitrate (lower quality) and rounding off numbers to their advantage. We will see. I also have seen less blocking problems on HD than when they first started adding stuff last summer. Maybe they are getting things figured out. /Dan

When the new splicer comes out maybe the local Fox bug will be in the 4:3 safe area. The SD feed will no longer be bug free.

What's the deal with only local HD channels being available on QAM? I shouldn't have to rent a box and get digital cable if all I want is ESPN, TNT, TBS, USA, ect in HD. Let me subscribe to expanded basic and include the HD channels with the SD channels. This would allow me to use my HTPC to record shows for free and not have to pay for a their crappy dvr. Does congress have to pass a law that will force cable providers to put ALL HD channels in the clear? I don't get it.

What's the deal with only local HD channels being available on QAM? I shouldn't have to rent a box and get digital cable if all I want is ESPN, TNT, TBS, USA, ect in HD. Let me subscribe to expanded basic and include the HD channels with the SD channels. This would allow me to use my HTPC to record shows for free and not have to pay for a their crappy dvr. Does congress have to pass a law that will force cable providers to put ALL HD channels in the clear? I don't get it.
Don't you know Time Warner Cable is the home of "FREE HD"?? ;)

Does congress have to pass a law that will force cable providers to put ALL HD channels in the clear?

Well, yes. The cable companies will not do it on their own.

What's the deal with only local HD channels being available on QAM? I shouldn't have to rent a box and get digital cable if all I want is ESPN, TNT, TBS, USA, ect in HD. Let me subscribe to expanded basic and include the HD channels with the SD channels. This would allow me to use my HTPC to record shows for free and not have to pay for a their crappy dvr. Does congress have to pass a law that will force cable providers to put ALL HD channels in the clear? I don't get it.

1) have you heard of a cablecard?

2) they should be required to put everything in the clear? you mean nobody should have to pay for tv?

Why stop there? I want to be paid for watching them.

What's the deal with only local HD channels being available on QAM? I shouldn't have to rent a box and get digital cable if all I want is ESPN, TNT, TBS, USA, ect in HD. Let me subscribe to expanded basic and include the HD channels with the SD channels. This would allow me to use my HTPC to record shows for free and not have to pay for a their crappy dvr. Does congress have to pass a law that will force cable providers to put ALL HD channels in the clear? I don't get it.

They are encrypted to prevent cable theft, and because the content providers do not trust us with unencrypted content due to some idiotic pirates who commit massive copyright infringement, therefore requiring the cable companies to encrypt their cable. If it was not for the law forbidding encryption on broadcast stations, I bet that they would be encrypted too to further deter cable theft.

1) have you heard of a cablecard?

2) they should be required to put everything in the clear? you mean nobody should have to pay for tv?

CableCARDs alone do not solve the SDV problem. You need an OCAP device, or a tuning adapter for a unidirectional digital cable product (UDCP) like a PC or TiVo which has a USB port for controlling the tuning adapter in order to tune SDV channels.

they should be required to put everything in the clear? you mean nobody should have to pay for tv?
No, I mean if you already pay for ESPN, USA, Discovery, ect on expanded basic, why should you need to pay extra for a box and get digital cable to get the HD versions of those channels? If they can put ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS, CBS on QAM, why can't they put the other channels on there as well? Makes no sense.

The difference between expanded basic and digital cable with dvr is ~$30. It costs $85 to have digital cable with "free HD" and dvr. That's ridiculous IMO. I'll probably end up just getting the 7.99 basic plan and watching the rest of the shows online. I would just get an antenna but I can't get every channel to come in at all times.

From Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" monologue (3/10/09):

'And Monopoly is 76 years old this week. Monopoly. It was a game invented by Parker Brothers but of course perfected by Time Warner Cable' (dead silence, no laughs). :D

I agree that digital cable (on a digital-tuner-equipped TV) should work just like analog cable on a traditional analog cable-ready TV. I sure hope that someday, I'll be able to plug a digital-tuner TV into cable, and get at least the equivalent of "standard" cable (50-60 channels) using the TV tuner, with no cable box. There's no justifiable reason for every channel (beside locals) to be encrypted.

I don't usually defend TWC, but in this case I will. If they want to put Basic Cable HD channels "in the clear" then they need to seriously rearrange their prices. The reason why I take issue with this is I pay money for settop boxes and digital cable service to get the channels I want. It would be absolute crap to give someone NOT paying for a box or digital service these same channels in the clear, at their same basic service price.

And this is not new either. As far back as I can remember something has always been "encrypted". Even in the analog only days settop boxes were required for premium channels and certain basic cable channels. For awhile, you were not able to get anything outside local channels without a box. Since then they have relaxed it a bit(too much for my taste:mad:).

Now of course I am a fanboy for settop boxes: you get a program guide, clear organized channels and other services(VOD, PPV). I also see the practical reasons behind it. The VOD and PPV services we have are all standardized by the box software we have in our service area. Everyone has the same VOD menus and the same remote to control the functions. Just how is that supposed to work without a STB? Sure, they may be able to have two way communication and download software, but what about hardware? There's always gonna be outdated and better hardware out there. Right now updating hardware is as simple as returning a disposable settop box. That's part of the reason why I do not have satellite or Tivo-I don't want to OWN and maintain the equipment.

I sure hope that someday, I'll be able to plug a digital-tuner TV into cable, and get at least the equivalent of "standard" cable (50-60 channels) using the TV tuner, with no cable box. There's no justifiable reason for every channel (beside locals) to be encrypted.If that were the case, what's to prevent an occupant of one unit in an apartment building from simply putting a splitter on a neighbor's coax and running it into his own apartment and stealing all of the neighbor's channels for free?

Encrypting the channels which are not mandated as required to be free and unencrypted (i.e. the digital equivalent of free local OTA networks) is the cable company's way of preventing such easy theft of their product. Requiring either a CableCard or STB/DVR is their solution and prevention... having nothing to do with whether or not your TV/PC can deal with QAM digital tuning (of unencrypted signals).

Considering you can find just about any tv show at their company website or Hulu, I don't see how cable is going to survive at their current prices. I know a few people who got rid of cable, pay $50 a month for road runner and watch their shows that way. I'm sure a lot of the general public will not want to do this or understand how, but for the young people who grew up in the internet age I don't think this is too far fetched to happen in the next 3-5 years. I don't know anyone under 30 who still keeps a land line when they have a cell phone. Once people realize they can just hook up their computer or media extender and watch shows on the big screen it might change their views about watching tv online.

If that were the case, what's to prevent an occupant of one unit in an apartment building from simply putting a splitter on a neighbor's coax and running it into his own apartment and stealing all of the neighbor's channels for free?


Nothing. It's been that way for a zillion years using analog cable. Most cable systems didn't bother to scramble standard-level analog, at least not the cable systems I've used for many years. Only premium channels were scrambled. Why should digital cable be treated differently, or the signal controlled more tightly, than analog has been? I'm not saying that I expect cablecos to put HBO "in the clear". Premium channels, I understand and support the need to protect. I just resent the move to digital cable being used as an excuse to make users rent cable boxes to get the same basic channels they used to get with no box on analog cable.

And if you can't tell, I *loathe* boxes and 3rd party equipment. It's usually not as good as the tuner/scaler in the display. It uses unnecessary power, requires more cables & hookups, just one more thing to complicate my life.

Considering you can find just about any tv show at their company website or Hulu, I don't see how cable is going to survive at their current prices. I know a few people who got rid of cable, pay $50 a month for road runner and watch their shows that way. I'm sure a lot of the general public will not want to do this or understand how, but for the young people who grew up in the internet age I don't think this is too far fetched to happen in the next 3-5 years. I don't know anyone under 30 who still keeps a land line when they have a cell phone. Once people realize they can just hook up their computer or media extender and watch shows on the big screen it might change their views about watching tv online.

Because most all of what's on Hulu is Free programming to begin with. It's all the same stuff I can get with an antenna minus older archived programs which I could get on DVD anyway. Believe me, I thought of ditching my cable because I get 22 OTA digitals, but I still like programming on Food Network, Travel Channel, Fx, USA and TNT. Now if we had a true regulated Ala Carte system, I would buy the HD channels I wanted and cut out the other 200 channels I never watch.

I would buy the HD channels I wanted and cut out the other 200 channels I never watch.

But it would cost a lot more with administration, billing, etc. costs on a household per channel basis rather than per package basis.

But it would cost a lot more with administration, billing, etc. costs on a household per channel basis rather than per package basis.

That's what they want you to believe. Channels prices would level out according to demand. They could still offer packages, but an Ala Carte system would work if properly run and regulated. Providers would still have a base fee for the labor, administration, etc. If implemented and allowed to operate with impunity it would be set up to fail.

I'm not going to go off topic and debate Ala Carte here, it's just my two cents.

No I figured it out myself. The same idea as the auto companies cutting costs by cutting models.

Nothing. It's been that way for a zillion years using analog cable. Most cable systems didn't bother to scramble standard-level analog, at least not the cable systems I've used for many years. Only premium channels were scrambled. Why should digital cable be treated differently, or the signal controlled more tightly, than analog has been? I'm not saying that I expect cablecos to put HBO "in the clear". Premium channels, I understand and support the need to protect. I just resent the move to digital cable being used as an excuse to make users rent cable boxes to get the same basic channels they used to get with no box on analog cable.

And if you can't tell, I *loathe* boxes and 3rd party equipment. It's usually not as good as the tuner/scaler in the display. It uses unnecessary power, requires more cables & hookups, just one more thing to complicate my life.

People need to realize this is very system dependent. On my system, the ONLY channels in the clear are 2 to 13. Here, that means all the local broadcast channels plus TNT and C-SPAN.

People need to realize this is very system dependent. On my system, the ONLY channels in the clear are 2 to 13. Here, that means all the local broadcast channels plus TNT and C-SPAN.

um
it's a bit more than that...

there are local broadcast channels above 13 - along with a whole bunch of local public access cable networks. (none of them are HD... but you did mention C-SPAN, so i figure you were including SD channels as well)

Our NYC system has always had very little available unscrambled in analog outside the local content (and they have now removed all scrambled analog channels and service to make room for more HD - we now have over 100 HD channels with no SDV) - so there is no reason for us to expect much available unencrypted in digital - since we've always needed a box to get anything significant.

But it's definitely true that a cable systems unencrypted digital lineup should match its unscrambled analog lineup..... people just need to remember when talking in the national thread that we all have different channel lineups and programming levels.

But it's definitely true that a cable systems unencrypted digital lineup should match its unscrambled analog lineup..... people just need to remember when talking in the national thread that we all have different channel lineups and programming levels.

You have to realize that the whole reason that NYC went predominantly digital was to stem the massive theft of service issues they were having with clear (and scrambled) analog channels. Providing the "extended basic" lineup in clear QAM would put them right back where they started... everybody splittiing their neighbors drop and stealing service. Clear QAM full basic service will never be seen in NYC. Using secure digital encryption on ALL channels is the only way they can control this problem.

You have to realize that the whole reason that NYC went predominantly digital was to stem the massive theft of service issues they were having with clear (and scrambled) analog channels. Providing the "extended basic" lineup in clear QAM would put them right back where they started... everybody splittiing their neighbors drop and stealing service. Clear QAM full basic service will never be seen in NYC. Using secure digital encryption on ALL channels is the only way they can control this problem.

I am aware of that reasoning...
But if that was the case then they would've done it like 5 years ago (or even more) - and would've started in areas where cable theft was a problem

It has to do A LOT more with FiOS competition (considering they started the rollout in the first areas of the city to see FiOS)

I am aware of that reasoning...
But if that was the case then they would've done it like 5 years ago (or even more) - and would've started in areas where cable theft was a problem

It has to do A LOT more with FiOS competition (considering they started the rollout in the first areas of the city to see FiOS)

The process (at least the planning, if not implementation) to go all digital in NYC was started as far back as '95, purely based on stemming the theft of service issue. I know this for fact. FiOS may have altered the implementation process, but it was going to happen even if there was no FiOS.

Regardless of the FiOS factor, the theft of service issues will keep nearly everything encrypted.

It's been that way for a zillion years using analog cable. Most cable systems didn't bother to scramble standard-level analog, at least not the cable systems I've used for many years. Only premium channels were scrambled. Why should digital cable be treated differently, or the signal controlled more tightly, than analog has been?
Main reason is that scrambled digital can be turned on/off electronically/remotely by telling the box it is OK to descramble. The analog blocking is at the pole with a filter (one for each channel or a group of channels in a frequency range). /Dan

You have to realize that the whole reason that NYC went predominantly digital was to stem the massive theft of service issues they were having with clear (and scrambled) analog channels. Providing the "extended basic" lineup in clear QAM would put them right back where they started... everybody splittiing their neighbors drop and stealing service. Clear QAM full basic service will never be seen in NYC. Using secure digital encryption on ALL channels is the only way they can control this problem.
Another BIG reason for dropping analog and going digital is bandwidth efficiency.
Two or three HD channels fit in same bandwidth as one analog (or roughly 13 SD).
The extended analog tier ceases to exist as nearly ALL of them are going HD.

I wish TWC was as committed to stopping cable theft in my area as they are in NYC!! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Main reason is that scrambled digital can be turned on/off electronically/remotely by telling the box it is OK to descramble. The analog blocking is at the pole with a filter (one for each channel or a group of channels in a frequency range). /Dan

The same thing can be done by electronically telling an addressable tap to turn on or turn off. This allows the tap to totally deny any signal out, but only if the cable company has installed addressable taps.

Another BIG reason for dropping analog and going digital is bandwidth efficiency.
Two or three HD channels fit in same bandwidth as one analog (or roughly 13 SD).
The extended analog tier ceases to exist as nearly ALL of them are going HD.

Three HD channels in one 256QAM results in overcompressed garbage.

Three HD channels in one 256QAM results in overcompressed garbage.

We have 4 of those QAMs with 3HD's here in Raleigh ....

We have 4 of those QAMs with 3HD's here in Raleigh ....

The only one I know of shares Food HD, HGTV HD, and the National Geographic Channel. What are the other ones?

The FCC should have mandated that televisions be available that can pick up all digital channels without a cable box before they started allowing cable companies to remove all their analog channels.

We have 4 of those QAMs with 3HD's here in Raleigh ....

just 4?

NYC has EVERY hd channel in a 3-in-1 grouping (expect for the local OTA-available networks and TNT - those are 2-in-1 (along with their available subchannels)

(even worse - there is still a ton of unused space from the analog 'shutdown')

The FCC should have mandated that televisions be available that can pick up all digital channels without a cable box before they started allowing cable companies to remove all their analog channels.

Why? Do you know how much that would push back progress? The FCC didn't even mandate that all TVs have digital tuners when the OTA DTV transition was set. Newer TVs were mandated to have digital tuners, but tons of older non-digital sets still exist. Same thing is happening with cable. It will be several years before digital TVs are in the majority. We should not have to wait that long to reclaim bandwidth.

What is up with all this aversion to cable boxes? I hate TVs without a cable box. I only have one in my house and I never use it, mostly for that reason. The picture without a cable box is crap, plus there's no program guide or channel banner.

Why? Do you know how much that would push back progress? The FCC didn't even mandate that all TVs have digital tuners when the OTA DTV transition was set. Newer TVs were mandated to have digital tuners, but tons of older non-digital sets still exist. Same thing is happening with cable. It will be several years before digital TVs are in the majority. We should not have to wait that long to reclaim bandwidth.

What is up with all this aversion to cable boxes? I hate TVs without a cable box. I only have one in my house and I never use it, mostly for that reason. The picture without a cable box is crap, plus there's no program guide or channel banner.

I think you're sadly confused. All new televisions for the two years have had to include digital OTA tuners. This is all before the OTA digital cutoff mandate, again by two years! Why not the same thing for the cable companies and digital cable?

I think you're sadly confused. All new televisions for the two years have had to include digital OTA tuners. This is all before the OTA digital cutoff mandate, again by two years! Why not the same thing for the cable companies and digital cable?

did you miss the whole argument of problems with people stealing service? Its like 5 post of for **** sakes.

Nothing. It's been that way for a zillion years using analog cable. Most cable systems didn't bother to scramble standard-level analog, at least not the cable systems I've used for many years. Only premium channels were scrambled. Why should digital cable be treated differently, or the signal controlled more tightly, than analog has been? I'm not saying that I expect cablecos to put HBO "in the clear". Premium channels, I understand and support the need to protect. I just resent the move to digital cable being used as an excuse to make users rent cable boxes to get the same basic channels they used to get with no box on analog cable.You are actually making the same case FOR some kind of digital solution to this long-existing theft of analog signals by people in apartment buildings, tapping into a neighbor's coax with a splitter. The fact that they did or did not ever get around to clamping down on this problem before now (when it is much simpler using digital encryption methods) doesn't really make the case for why they SHOULD continue to provide their content (premium or otherwise) "in the clear" just because TV tuners could accept it.

The cable companies tried to prevent this analog theft with taps on the poles outside, but aside from scrambling all "basic" cable channels (which as we all know WAS done on premium channels, without customer complaint) the physical cost of trying to fabricate some kind of tamper-proof theft-proof solution to what was provided on analog coax systems was simply cost prohibitive. So they let customers who had cable-ready TV tuners to go ahead and connect direct to the coax without a box, hoping the amount of theft in the system would not be a serious revenue issue.

The current encryption present in the system, even for non-premium channels, which requires a CableCard or STB/DVR in order to tune to those channels (even if your TV has a QAM-capable tuner) is first and foremost a way for them to very cost effectively prevent any kind of theft of signal whatsoever.

Secondarily, and not insignificant, it is most definitely a way for them to increase revenue by obligating you to rent additional hardware (assuming you not satisfied with just in-the-clear OTA local networks from the "basic cable" service, which you could most certainly opt for and not have any additional hardware cost).

Look... Sirius/XM just did something very similar with their Online Internet Radio Stream products. It used to be truly free (assuming you had Internet connectivity and a Sirius/XM account). Starting two days ago, the streams were upped to (a) 128kbps, from either 32kbps or 64kbps, and (b) changed to for-money products, at $2.99/month. No more free listening on the Internet. Customers could now take it (and agree to pay for it) or not. What was "free" before (assuming you had an account) was now seeing an obvious "price increase".

Sure, before the change it was great... to get something of value for free. But in all honesty, there's nothing conceptually wrong with charging for a product or service you provide... with with a pricing method of their own choice. Customer can now choose to "upgrade" at a price, or not. You'll make that decision based on how you see the value of the offering relative to its cost. And they set the cost at a certain point for exactly the same reason, to influence you to buy it by not making prohibitively expensive so that its cost/value ratio exceeds your threshold.

D* and E* have always required receiver hardware per TV (at an obvious cost), as does FIOS and u-Verse (I'm sure), and subscribers of those services have been willing to pay the hardware cost along with the content cost. Honestly, why should the "regular cable company" be different?

The only one I know of shares Food HD, HGTV HD, and the National Geographic Channel. What are the other ones?

I remembered incorrectly... Its 3.. not 4...

777Mhz - HGTV, FoodHD, UHD
657Mhz - TBSHD, HDNET, HDNET Movies
531Mhz - GolfHD, AETVHD, PLDHD

NatGeo is on 771Mhz along with MGMHD.

just 4?

NYC has EVERY hd channel in a 3-in-1 grouping (expect for the local OTA-available networks and TNT - those are 2-in-1 (along with their available subchannels)

(even worse - there is still a ton of unused space from the analog 'shutdown')

Not to mention that we still have about 30 analog that could provide "space" for another 100 HD channels at the 3-in-1 grouping. OR they COULD decide to really compete with FIOS and go to a 2-in-1 scheme.

Not to mention that we still have about 30 analog that could provide "space" for another 100 HD channels at the 3-in-1 grouping. OR they COULD decide to really compete with FIOS and go to a 2-in-1 scheme.

well they are "never" going to get rid of the remaining local analog channels (but as I said, there is still a whole lot of unused space)

well they are "never" going to get rid of the remaining local analog channels

Maybe in 2012.

http://www.avrev.com/news/0907/13.fcc153.shtml

I think you're sadly confused. All new televisions for the two years have had to include digital OTA tuners. This is all before the OTA digital cutoff mandate, again by two years! Why not the same thing for the cable companies and digital cable?

the difference is that the federal government has mandated the OTA conversion, so they can mandate things like ATSC turners. The cable conversion to digital is simply about cable company profits.

Not to mention that we still have about 30 analog that could provide "space" for another 100 HD channels at the 3-in-1 grouping. OR they COULD decide to really compete with FIOS and go to a 2-in-1 scheme.

If they killed 30 analog channels here(TWC NEO), there would still be about 20 or 30 channels left in the analog tier. 30 channels is PLENTY for cheap arses who refuse to buy a digital box for their main TV. 30 channels are PLENTY for that extra TV that it's not worth spending extra for a box. Keep channels like Nick, Disney, Toon on the 30 analog channels, for kids room TVs.

Right now we have crap like GSN, MTV2, VH1 Classic, Lifetime Movies, Discovery Science, Jewelry Television, Big Ten network, TWO separate analog TV Guide Channels, all on analog tier. If they cut that crap alone, we'd be able to get 16 HD channels at the 2-1 way or 24 channels on 3-1. Personally, I'd take the hit in picture quality just to get 24 new channels.

The current encryption present in the system, even for non-premium channels, which requires a CableCard or STB/DVR in order to tune to those channels (even if your TV has a QAM-capable tuner) is first and foremost a way for them to very cost effectively prevent any kind of theft of signal whatsoever.

I know I'm "nit-picking" but the QAM turner can actually tune the channels, but the content can't be displayed until is is decrypted.

What is up with all this aversion to cable boxes? I hate TVs without a cable box. I only have one in my house and I never use it, mostly for that reason. The picture without a cable box is crap, plus there's no program guide or channel banner.

Because a cable box is an annoying thing from the 1980s. Modern TVs and DVRs have QAM tuners in them, yet people are being forced into boxes so that the cable companies can make a $5/mo fee on box rentals. The picture I get without a cable box on clear QAM is just as good as your cable box, and my DVR does a fine job with program guides. By all means, the cable companies should continue encrypting premium channels and require boxes for those, but encryption of basic digital cable for box revenue is not something I'm going to submit to. I will enjoy the broadcast channels in HD for free with my analog cable, and hope the FCC fixes the issue by the time analog cable sunsets. I'm not buying the cable theft argument at all, especially in the world of Bittorent and Hulu.

I think you're sadly confused. All new televisions for the two years have had to include digital OTA tuners. This is all before the OTA digital cutoff mandate, again by two years! Why not the same thing for the cable companies and digital cable?

Hey guys,
You're both incorrect.

#1. I still use $10 HD rabbit ears and an OTA tuner for ALL my locals as the quality over dish for them is horrendous, pretty sure this has been documented (my PBS station is coming in at around 20 MBPS and HBO on Dish is 17, the highest Dish has to offer.), it has definitely been mentioned in many Home Theater Magazine editions.

#2. Many high end TVs (Panasonic's new topof-the-line Premiere and some others) still make TVs without terrestrial tuners or built in speakers because they know most people will hooke them up to surround sound and a Dish or cable.

Not trying to add fuel to your fires here, just don't want misinformation being spread, link to Panasonic's plasma page below.

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Televisions/Plasma-TVs.list.75003_11002_7000000000000005702

Semantics: For the purpose of the law, "televisions" (incl. TV, DTV & HDTV) include on-air tuners.

What you are describing are "MONITORS", or what Panasonic calls an "HDTV MONITOR" such as:
http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PNAEndecaSearchCmd?N=779832097+256882756&Ne=&Ns=&Nr=12001&No=0&Ntt=plasma+monitor&Ntk=SupportSearch&URL=vSupportSearch&cmTag=false&cm_sp=&cn=&catalogId=13401&storeId=15001

Which Panasonic model were you referring to????

All DCR (Digital Cable Ready) DTVs, by definition, support one-way CableCard capability.
And tru2way DTVs are currently available in some test markets with STB/DVR/PCs to follow
(e.g. two-way capable, compatible with SDV, OnDemand, et. al.)...

ALL DCR DTVs also include the mandatory ATSC on-air tuner and an unencrypted QAM
reception capability even if CableCARD is not inserted....

If they killed 30 analog channels here(TWC NEO), there would still be about 20 or 30 channels left in the analog tier. 30 channels is PLENTY for cheap arses who refuse to buy a digital box for their main TV. 30 channels are PLENTY for that extra TV that it's not worth spending extra for a box. Keep channels like Nick, Disney, Toon on the 30 analog channels, for kids room TVs.

Right now we have crap like GSN, MTV2, VH1 Classic, Lifetime Movies, Discovery Science, Jewelry Television, Big Ten network, TWO separate analog TV Guide Channels, all on analog tier. If they cut that crap alone, we'd be able to get 16 HD channels at the 2-1 way or 24 channels on 3-1. Personally, I'd take the hit in picture quality just to get 24 new channels.

Looks like NYC got ODN 3 today, I have to check when I get home but people are saying they got it last night.

Right now we have crap like GSN, MTV2, VH1 Classic, Lifetime Movies, Discovery Science, Jewelry Television, Big Ten network, TWO separate analog TV Guide Channels, all on analog tier. If they cut that crap alone, we'd be able to get 16 HD channels at the 2-1 way or 24 channels on 3-1. Personally, I'd take the hit in picture quality just to get 24 new channels.

Content providers have a big say in what programming will be included in various cable packages. They are a conglomerate of programming. If they have one hit cable TV channel, they will tell the content distributors that, in order to carry this winner of a station, you MUST carry all these crappy loser stations on the basic tier. That is why we, as consumers, are forced to have 5 home shopping channels, and a plethora of other channels which are rarely watched.

By getting these crappy channels on a basic tier, these content providers can get their pennies per household.

I'd actually pay more per channel if I could select the channels that I want, and only the channels I want.

I am currently a TWC subscriber in Sullivan County, NY. I have broadcast basic ($15/mo), and TWC gives me CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, MyN, CW, PBS, ESPN, FX, VH-1, MSNBC, Public Access, FitTV. I was hoping that HD versions of said channels would be in-the-clear, but if they are, those signals are being blocked by filters on the pole.

If I had my way, I'd add maybe 10-15 channels of top of these, and be willing to pay up to $40 / per month to have HD versions of these channels. I don't want to pay $60 per for crap I will never watch. It's just not worth it.

Content providers know they have us consumers and the content distributors by the sack.


Cheers!
-Doug

Looks like NYC got ODN 3 today, I have to check when I get home but people are saying they got it last night.

What is ODN 3 ?

What is ODN 3 ?

New version of Navigator

If they killed 30 analog channels here(TWC NEO), there would still be about 20 or 30 channels left in the analog tier. 30 channels is PLENTY for cheap arses who refuse to buy a digital box for their main TV. 30 channels are PLENTY for that extra TV that it's not worth spending extra for a box. Keep channels like Nick, Disney, Toon on the 30 analog channels, for kids room TVs.

Right now we have crap like GSN, MTV2, VH1 Classic, Lifetime Movies, Discovery Science, Jewelry Television, Big Ten network, TWO separate analog TV Guide Channels, all on analog tier. If they cut that crap alone, we'd be able to get 16 HD channels at the 2-1 way or 24 channels on 3-1. Personally, I'd take the hit in picture quality just to get 24 new channels.

It does not work that way...The laser transmitters are designed for 79 NTSC channels and a 320mhz digital tier stacked above that. (1-GHZ Platform) The digital 256 QAM's are de-rated to be 6dbmv below the analog, if you remove the NTSC an add more QAM's you will over load the transmitter's with compression.

The initial set up requires using a RF meter, OMI meter and setting the laser to achieve correct light levels at the node. The OMI meter is set up for a channel pre load of how many analog + QAM channels total.

Its really not a manner of stripping analog and adding more and more QAM's.

Originally Posted by nickdawg View Post
If they killed 30 analog channels here(TWC NEO), there would still be about 20 or 30 channels left in the analog tier. 30 channels is PLENTY for cheap arses who refuse to buy a digital box for their main TV. 30 channels are PLENTY for that extra TV that it's not worth spending extra for a box. Keep channels like Nick, Disney, Toon on the 30 analog channels, for kids room TVs.

Right now we have crap like GSN, MTV2, VH1 Classic, Lifetime Movies, Discovery Science, Jewelry Television, Big Ten network, TWO separate analog TV Guide Channels, all on analog tier. If they cut that crap alone, we'd be able to get 16 HD channels at the 2-1 way or 24 channels on 3-1. Personally, I'd take the hit in picture quality just to get 24 new channels.

In our house the highlighted channels from nickdawg's post are well watched. What we really need is ala carte and let me decided what I want to buy and watch. the cost to me is not really the issue. It is being able to watch what I want. -- an example, I live in SC and the UM/OK game was not shown in our area at all and the only way to get it was to watch on my computer instead of my 60" HD screen!

Somebody tell TWC it's all about what he wants!

TWC San Diego is going to add more HD channels by the end of this month. More channels are also going SDV for those non Tivo Cable card owners. TWC San Diego already has the Tuning Adapter available for Tivo Series3, HD, and HD XL models. Those that don't have it should go over to the Mira Mesa office and get one. It's safe to say that these new HD channels will be SDV channels. I don't know what channels will be added but KUSI-DT, Travel Channel HD, Planet Green HD, E! HD and maybe a few more might be added soon.

Somebody tell TWC it's all about what he wants!

They are supposed to think like I think. ;)

At least that's what they used to say...

Also, about GSN, TWC NE Ohio is moving that channel to Digital Only on April 29. At the same time, seven new HD services are being added.

I have noticed that there is "no closed captioning" for the CBS shows on the HD on demand channel. The Primetime on demand does have them. Time Warner or CBS need to get that working. Lots of the deaf community have HDTV.

Gail

Is anyone else having problems with Time Warner Road Runner? Mine went out at 8 last night and Windows says its a DNS issue. A google search came up with a bunch of hits saying Time Warner has been targeted by hackers and their DNS servers have been going down. Anyone know what the heck is happening?

I'm in Raleigh, NC.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2206697/posts

Is anyone else having problems with Time Warner Road Runner? Mine went out at 8 last night and Windows says its a DNS issue. A google search came up with a bunch of hits saying Time Warner has been targeted by hackers and their DNS servers have been going down. Anyone know what the heck is happening?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2206697/posts

I was OK in Southeast Charlotte / Matthews area last night and again this morning. I'm also on a RR BizClass connection now (downtown Charlotte) with no issues.

I am currently a TWC subscriber in Sullivan County, NY. I have broadcast basic ($15/mo), and TWC gives me CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, MyN, CW, PBS, ESPN, FX, VH-1, MSNBC, Public Access, FitTV. I was hoping that HD versions of said channels would be in-the-clear, but if they are, those signals are being blocked by filters on the pole.

They give you ESPN on basic cable? How the hell did you get that deal? ESPN is the most expensive channel of all for Time Warner.

TWC San Diego is going to add more HD channels by the end of this month. More channels are also going SDV for those non Tivo Cable card owners. TWC San Diego already has the Tuning Adapter available for Tivo Series3, HD, and HD XL models. Those that don't have it should go over to the Mira Mesa office and get one. It's safe to say that these new HD channels will be SDV channels. I don't know what channels will be added but KUSI-DT, Travel Channel HD, Planet Green HD, E! HD and maybe a few more might be added soon.

HDTV fan, wouldn't KUSI-DT have to be in the clear qam and not SDV, since KUSI is a broadcast station and not a cable channel?

See NFL, DirecTV Extend Sunday Ticket Agreement (http://www.cnbc.com/id/29843136) at CNBC's website. This gets me almost as angry as bonuses for the idiots who wrecked AIG! NFL should be selling this stuff to every pay TV service that wants it like Dish, Comcast, and TWC, not signing exclusivity deals!

I do not want the NFL channel near any pay TV service that it refuses to sell NFL Sunday Ticket.

Congress needs to put a hole in the NFL antitrust exemption so that it does not cover pay TV packages once the financial mess is cleaned up.

Yes it would be in clear along with XHDTV-TD/DT. I bet they are reserving a spot for those 2 channels.

Its interesting up here in North San Diego County's TWC ex-Adelphia system where I live, there used to be a placeholder channel for NBA TV HD on Ch. 713, but is no longer listed and no longer showing up on the cable box. It has been that way for way for a couple of months.

Its interesting up here in North San Diego County's TWC ex-Adelphia system where I live, there used to be a placeholder channel for NBA TV HD on Ch. 713, but is no longer listed and no longer showing up on the cable box. It has been that way for way for a couple of months.

NBATVhd was announced for TWCNYC a few months ago - then never showed up - seems there is a carriage agreement problem...

I have noticed that there is "no closed captioning" for the CBS shows on the HD on demand channel. The Primetime on demand does have them. Time Warner or CBS need to get that working. Lots of the deaf community have HDTV.

GailWe also do not get captioning on the HDNet and CW channels (but CW is finally in HD - no local OTA HD station last time I checked). Almost a show-stopper for anything on those channels for me...

v/r,
C-F

They give you ESPN on basic cable? How the hell did you get that deal? ESPN is the most expensive channel of all for Time Warner.

I did nothing. It is what is offered. SD only, of course, but on the $15 tier.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/MediaLibrary/4/50/Content%20Management/Documents/Learn/CLUs_0109_HudsonValley.pdf

We also do not get captioning on the HDNet and CW channels (but CW is finally in HD - no local OTA HD station last time I checked). Almost a show-stopper for anything on those channels for me...

v/r,
C-F

There are few things in life that really make me angry but when closed caption is not offered when it so easily could be sure frustrates me. I have a deaf family member and lots of deaf friends.

Interesting update from TWC-NYC

On or about March 31, 2009, in the event we are required to cease carriage of HD Net, ch. 798 and HD Net Movies, ch. 797, we plan to launch Smithsonian HD and MAV TV HD in their respective places.

Guess we can add those 2 as known deals done...

What is MAV TV HD?

What is MAV TV HD?

"TV Created by Men for Men"

http://www.mavtv.com/

What is MAV TV HD?

Waste of bandwidth. Even on SDV.

Actually TWC San Diego is putting even more channels to SDV save for locals. They must be desperate. They do have plans to add more HD channels by the end of this month. MAV TV might not be a good idea.

Waste of bandwidth. Even on SDV.

TWC NYC has plenty of space not being used...

GIVE US EVERYTHING! :D

TWC NYC has plenty of space not being used...

GIVE US EVERYTHING! :D

NE Ohio is starting to add HD channels on SDV in April. So far the first batch in April includes Bravo, CNBC, TLC, Anizal Planet, ESPN News and ABC Family. Sadly, I think we might see this channel before we see F/X HD. :(

But at least Discovery, USA, SCIFI are coming next Tuesday!! :D:D:D

NE Ohio is starting to add HD channels on SDV in April. So far the first batch in April includes Bravo, CNBC, TLC, Anizal Planet, ESPN News and ABC Family. Sadly, I think we might see this channel before we see F/X HD. :(

But at least Discovery, USA, SCIFI are coming next Tuesday!! :D:D:D

Oh, now you're getting SCIFI (nee Syfy)? After BSG has run its course? :eek::mad:

Interesting update from TWC-NYC
Guess we can add those 2 as known deals done...

The HDNets get a 9/month extra fee (or 5 bucks if bundled with a DVR). If they drop it, will they drop the additional charges?

Count me WAY PISSED OFF.

The HDNets get a 9/month extra fee (or 5 bucks if bundled with a DVR). If they drop it, will they drop the additional charges?

Count me WAY PISSED OFF.

They are replacing them with 2 new channels (if it happens)

So i'd say no.

They are replacing them with 2 new channels (if it happens)

So i'd say no.

I hear you, but it doesn't stop me from being way pissed that they keep screwing with this package (at one time they added a bunch of SD sports crap, to what was SUPPOSED to be a HD only speciality package... I mean they DID market it as "HDXtra"). If they do drop the HDNets, that's it for this package... and another nail in the TWC coffin once I get access to FIOS.

So MAV-TV and Smithsonian HD would be nationwide addons? I hope TWC San Diego adds more HD channels by the end of this month.

So MAV-TV and Smithsonian HD would be nationwide addons? I hope TWC San Diego adds more HD channels by the end of this month.

:confused::confused::confused:

Is something happening to the HD Net channels or will those two be nationwide additions to the HDTV Tier? Right now I have UHD, HDNET, HDNET Movies and MGMHD in the HDTV Tier.

I hear you, but it doesn't stop me from being way pissed that they keep screwing with this package (at one time they added a bunch of SD sports crap, to what was SUPPOSED to be a HD only speciality package... I mean they DID market it as "HDXtra"). If they do drop the HDNets, that's it for this package... and another nail in the TWC coffin once I get access to FIOS.

Hope they don't do it here; HDNET Movies is my favorite channel.

Hope they don't do it here; HDNET Movies is my favorite channel.

Same here, TWC's "HD Package" of 4 HD channels for $7/month in my area in the past used to mean at least a solid no-commercial channel package including HDNET Movies.
Universal HD, part of this "HD Package" has commercials during its features which is sad, IMO, considering it is part of a optional HD package, but I always had the HDNETs to make it worthwhile.:D

-My guess is TWC thinks if we subscribe to this package already, maybe we won't notice the changes and keep on paying for it.

If NYC's TWC dropped the HDNets, as quoted (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=16114561&postcount=5430) as a possibility, I'd quickly switch back to RCN, killing Road Runner as well. I've had both TWC and RCN cables entering my place, and subscribed to both for several months until recently, dropping RCN when NYC's TWC boosted its HD channels to ~100, (which RCN had approximated several months before). Reads like TWC's familiar negotiating tactic, as when they dropped Disney's ABC years back during a negotiation. -- John

Well here in NE Ohio I finally got the new channels including SCI-F HD!!!!!!!!! and USAHD

Added to TWC NE Ohio:
-Discovery HD
-Disney HD
-Palladia HD
-USA
-SCI-FI

Cable Show 2009: Time Warner Cable Tags Motorola For Multiroom DVR

MSO Expects to Launch Tru2way-Based Multiroom DVR This Year

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 3/31/2009 7:48:41 PM MT

Time Warner Cable is developing a multiroom digital video recorder with Motorola, based on the tru2way interactive cable services specification, the companies announced Tuesday.

The "Follow Me TV" solution, which the MSO expects to launch later this year, will let subscribers access, share and place-shift video recordings throughout the home. The companies' multiroom DVR would be the first tru2way-based system with home-network extensions to be commercially deployed.

"Consumers expect more flexibility and control with today's premium TV services, and we are excited to be offering the whole-home DVR with Motorola," said Louis Williamson, Time Warner Cable senior engineering fellow said in a statement.

Because the DVR solution is based on tru2way, according to Williamson, "it is fully interoperable, providing Time Warner Cable more flexibility and choice in determining what equipment is made available in its footprint."

Time Warner Cable and other cable operators have been actively working on multiroom DVR capabilities, as both AT&T and Verizon emphasize the feature in their marketing--and the telcos point out that cable providers haven't offered it.

Motorola developed the whole-home DVR solution to work its DCX3400-M and Motorola DCX3200-M tru2way-enabled set-tops, which use the Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance (MoCA) home-networking standard.

"As an open specification, tru2way enables the set-top to be a platform for new media mobility applications such as whole-home DVR," said Larry Robinson, vice president of product management with Motorola's Home and Networks Mobility business.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/191049-Cable_Show_2009_Time_Warner_Cable_Tags_Motorola_For_Multiroo m_DVR.php

If NYC's TWC dropped the HDNets, as quoted (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=16114561&postcount=5430) as a possibility, I'd quickly switch back to RCN, killing Road Runner as well. I've had both TWC and RCN cables entering my place, and subscribed to both for several months until recently, dropping RCN when NYC's TWC boosted its HD channels to ~100, (which RCN had approximated several months before). Reads like TWC's familiar negotiating tactic, as when they dropped Disney's ABC years back during a negotiation. -- John

Looks like HDNETs are safe

Well here in NE Ohio I finally got the new channels including SCI-F HD!!!!!!!!! and USAHD

Lousy timing for SCI-FI HD... BSG is over.

Cable Show 2009: Time Warner Cable Tags Motorola For Multiroom DVR



Is this saying it will network through your existing cable outlets in your house?

Cable Show 2009: Time Warner Cable Tags Motorola For Multiroom DVR

MSO Expects to Launch Tru2way-Based Multiroom DVR This Year

Hmmm, I thought they were partnering with Samsung... an awful lot of DVR folk are very anxiously awaiting the first roll out of the 3090 Sammie...

Boy I sure wish you prove to be prophetic Berk... I checked and the HDNets seem to be still be on the air in NYC... but this IS TWC and it wouldn't surprise me if they disappeared later today, tomorrow...

Time Warner Cable is developing a multiroom digital video recorder with Motorola, based on the tru2way interactive cable services specification, the companies announced Tuesday.Anyone know if this is HD?

I would imagine so that it would show capable for HD programming. I wonder if where I live I have an advantage since our Time Warner System in North San Diego County used to be operated by Adelphia and we are already using Motorola S.T.B.s/DVRs.

Cable Show 2009: Time Warner Cable Tags Motorola For Multiroom DVR

MSO Expects to Launch Tru2way-Based Multiroom DVR This Year

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 3/31/2009 7:48:41 PM MT

Time Warner Cable is developing a multiroom digital video recorder with Motorola, based on the tru2way interactive cable services specification, the companies announced Tuesday.

The "Follow Me TV" solution, which the MSO expects to launch later this year, will let subscribers access, share and place-shift video recordings throughout the home. The companies' multiroom DVR would be the first tru2way-based system with home-network extensions to be commercially deployed.

"Consumers expect more flexibility and control with today's premium TV services, and we are excited to be offering the whole-home DVR with Motorola," said Louis Williamson, Time Warner Cable senior engineering fellow said in a statement.

Because the DVR solution is based on tru2way, according to Williamson, "it is fully interoperable, providing Time Warner Cable more flexibility and choice in determining what equipment is made available in its footprint."

Time Warner Cable and other cable operators have been actively working on multiroom DVR capabilities, as both AT&T and Verizon emphasize the feature in their marketing--and the telcos point out that cable providers haven't offered it.

Motorola developed the whole-home DVR solution to work its DCX3400-M and Motorola DCX3200-M tru2way-enabled set-tops, which use the Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance (MoCA) home-networking standard.

"As an open specification, tru2way enables the set-top to be a platform for new media mobility applications such as whole-home DVR," said Larry Robinson, vice president of product management with Motorola's Home and Networks Mobility business.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/191049-Cable_Show_2009_Time_Warner_Cable_Tags_Motorola_For_Multiroo m_DVR.php

My guess is that these boxes will be for Motorola areas inherited from the buyouts of certain Adelphia and Comcast areas gained in the deal with Comcast to liquidate Adelphia's cable areas. Time Warner Cable and Comcast swapped some areas during the Adelphia liquidation because costs can be cut when cable areas are more contiguous instead of fragmented. It makes sense for TWC to buy these boxes for these areas until all of the legacy boxes are replaced with boxes that are capable of DOCSIS Set-top Gateway.

By the way, these boxes are OCAP/tru2way noncompliant. They lack the analog tuners that fully-compliant boxes are required to have. This irks me because this robs the cable company of a chance to save more bandwidth while analog is still present: dump all of the digital simulcast channels into SDV, and add the saved bandwidth to the SDV pool. If the pool gets maxed out, then direct the box to tune into the analog channel for a graceful degradation. Therefore, you will not find these boxes at all in any electronics retailer due to noncompliance, which could cause systems that need analog to fail with these boxes.

Time Warner Cable has added Outdoor Channel HD to systems
throughout North and South Carolina, adding approximately two
million potential homes to Outdoor Channel HD's reach in the
Carolinas alone. Additional key markets include Yuma, Arizona,
Coeur D'Alene and Mountain Home, Idaho and Pullman, Washington.

http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/04-01-2009/0004998709&EDATE=

Time Warner Cable Kicks Off High Definition Launch Campaign

Time Warner Cable Kicks Off High Definition Launch Campaign

Over 30 HD Channels Added In Next Five Months

Akron, OH (MARCH 2009) – Beginning today, Time Warner Cable will rollout five new high definition channels per month. The channels launching today are:

* Palladia HD, channel 469
* Discovery Channel HD, channel 449
* USA HD, channel 443
* SCI FI HD, channel 476
* Disney HD, channel 456

“Time Warner Cable is an industry leader and committed to delivering more high definition offerings for our customers to enjoy,” said Steve Fry, Time Warner Cable Northeast Ohio Division President.

Palladia HD, channel 469, is a music-centric high definition television channel featuring music programming from MTV, VH1 and CMT. Palladia features concert series, events, and original Palladia productions including: VH1 Storytellers, CMT Crossroads, MTV2's $2 Bill, MTV Video Music Awards, VH1 Hip Hop Honors and CMT Music Awards. Original programming includes a weekly music video countdown show, artist interviews, backstage extras and a concert series.

Discovery Channel HD, channel 449, is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network offers a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres, including science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world.

USA HD, channel 443, is a leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows and blockbuster theatrical films.

SCI FI HD, channel 476, is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming.

Disney HD, channel 456, is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies.

More channel additions will be announced as they become available each month. By the end of July, Time Warner Cable customers will have over 30 new HD channels and more than 60 total. Additional HD channels will continue to be added through the end of the year.

http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com/2009/03/first-twc-northeast-ohio-hdtv-wave.html

My wish list in NE OH:
Golf HD (for Tiger)
Versus HD (for NHL playoffs)
MLB HD (for Red Sox)
NFL HD (yea, right!)

Time Warner Cable Kicks Off High Definition Launch Campaign



http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com/2009/03/first-twc-northeast-ohio-hdtv-wave.html

We got 3.1.0_11 in NYC, I wonder what the difference is

We got 3.1.0_11 in NYC, I wonder what the difference is

We're still 3.1.0_11 here in Charlotte, also... apparently 3.1.1_3 breaks the eSATA that sort of worked in 3.1.0_11... haven't heard of any other noticeable differences, probably because most of the 3.1.1_3 upgrades seem to be coming from 2.x.

I think I've only seen 1 or 2 posts from systems upgrading from 3.1.0_11... they would be in best position to notice the differences.

Since I'm not having any problems with 3.1.0_11 I'm not in a rush for an upgrade.

Cable Show 2009: Time Warner Cable Tags Motorola For Multiroom DVR

MSO Expects to Launch Tru2way-Based Multiroom DVR This Year

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 3/31/2009 7:48:41 PM MT

Time Warner Cable is developing a multiroom digital video recorder with Motorola, based on the tru2way interactive cable services specification, the companies announced Tuesday.

The "Follow Me TV" solution, which the MSO expects to launch later this year, will let subscribers access, share and place-shift video recordings throughout the home.

Going from past history, expect to see these boxes by 2011.

TWC is also testing a Samsung HD-DVR. The Samsung SMT-H3090 will have MoCA and a 320 GB HDD. The Samsung boxes are for Navigator areas. I think eventually TWC could replace the Samsung boxes with Moto ones but they seem committed to the Samsung boxes. If your division is deploying the SMT-H3050 HD STB then the SMT-H3090 will also be deployed. The Motorola boxes are for the moto areas that TWC has.

Expect the Samsung SMT-H3090 to debut later this year. Probably the 2nd half of this year.

TWC is also testing a Samsung HD-DVR. The Samsung SMT-H3090 will have MoCA and a 320 GB HDD. The Samsung boxes are for Navigator areas. I think eventually TWC could replace the Samsung boxes with Moto ones but they seem committed to the Samsung boxes. If your division is deploying the SMT-H3050 HD STB then the SMT-H3090 will also be deployed. The Motorola boxes are for the moto areas that TWC has.

Expect the Samsung SMT-H3090 to debut later this year. Probably the 2nd half of this year.

I was hoping they'd start deploying the 3090 sooner... while nothing is written in stone, I expect FIOS to be generally available in my nabe around 3rd quarter; I still would like to experience the 3090...

BTW, long time ago I wrote about a Samsung non DVR my aunt on the UES had, which must have been the 3050. It has a problem with the banner not automatically going away unless more button presses were made. Just found out, she got so annoyed she told them to fix the problem and they simply took the Sammie away and gave her a SA 3250.

Do the Sammy boxes allow firewire recording as the SA/Moto boxes do?

Do the Sammy boxes allow firewire recording as the SA/Moto boxes do?

The connection is there... 'bout all we can say at this point.

May know more soon... a poster in the Charlotte TWC Forum posted that he had just received a 3090 in the TW Concord/Kannapolis system just up the road from here... maybe the rest of the Charlotte division will be rolling them out as well. :D

BTW... his has a 320GB drive! :D:D:D

This sucks... "TWC drops Fearnet on Demand". I was really getting into enjoying the movies being shown on HD Showcase on Demand and was wondering why I couldn't find them anymore on Free Movies on Demand.

http://www.fearnet.com/news/b15240_help_get_fearnet_back_on_time_warner.html

Added to TWC NE Ohio:
-Discovery HD
-Disney HD
-Palladia HD
-USA
-SCI-FI

That's what we got in Kent, OH...only problem is they're all unwatchable (blocky,choppy, pixelated, whatever you want to call it). Along with some existing channels, that are now SDV, I guess.
That's a whole 'nuther story: they really screwed cablecard subscribers by moving STO(Indians) and FSN (Cavs) to SDV. Nice. Not a calculated move to force folks to get boxes, I'm sure.

That's what we got in Kent, OH...only problem is they're all unwatchable (blocky,choppy, pixelated, whatever you want to call it). Along with some existing channels, that are now SDV, I guess.
That's a whole 'nuther story: they really screwed cablecard subscribers by moving STO(Indians) and FSN (Cavs) to SDV. Nice. Not a calculated move to force folks to get boxes, I'm sure.

Do you have a TWC settop box too? If you have a TWC box and it is having that problem, you need to call TWC customer service. I'm having similar problems on the SDV HD channels with my two cable boxes and am currently waiting on yet another service person to come.

Have there been any rumors of negotiations between TWC and WGN America.

I would like to watch the old ALF reruns but figured we would not be getting this channel anytime soon, however i now see WWE will be on WGN so that may speed up the process.

Thanks for any info.

Have there been any rumors of negotiations between TWC and WGN America.

none that i heard of.

Time Warner Cable -- in a Web notice to customers on channel changes -- said the "previously announced possible removal" of HDNet and HDNet Movies on or about March 31, 2009 "will not occur at this time" indicating the MSO is still in talks with HDNet. The cable operator had planned to replace those services with Smithsonian HD and MavTV HD.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/195807-Time_Warner_Cable_Drops_FearNet.php

Do the Sammy boxes allow firewire recording as the SA/Moto boxes do?

I don't think so. I hooked a firewire drive up to my Samsung box a few days ago, and the drive never even powered up. My drive doesn't have a power cord, it is powered by the firewire connection. The drive didn't spin, the HD light didn't illuminate. It didn't appear that the firewire port was providing any power to the drive. So, I think it is somehow inactive.

I don't think so. I hooked a firewire drive up to my Samsung box a few days ago, and the drive never even powered up. My drive doesn't have a power cord, it is powered by the firewire connection. The drive didn't spin, the HD light didn't illuminate. It didn't appear that the firewire port was providing any power to the drive. So, I think it is somehow inactive.

I do not believe the 1394 port is intended for external drives... if functional, it would be for a DV interface. eSATA port is for external mass storage.

I meant realtime recording over firewire to a Windows/MAC with firewire using CapDVHS or VLC. Can be done with SA/Moto boxes.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695&highlight=

I meant realtime recording over firewire to a Windows/MAC with firewire using CapDVHS or VLC. Can be done with SA/Moto boxes.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695&highlight=

I knew what you were asking... but I have no means of testing. Hopefully with the long weekend I'll at least get to test the eSATA on the the Sammy, even though we are still on 3.1.0_11 here for both SA and Sammy and won't be the most up-to-date test possible.

I was responding to RobbK's note about connecting an external firewire drive.

I meant realtime recording over firewire to a Windows/MAC with firewire using CapDVHS or VLC. Can be done with SA/Moto boxes.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695&highlight=

Sorry, I'm new the realm of tinkering with cable boxes. I have a macbook, a firewire cable, and VLC. So, I'll try and give it a shot this weekend. It can't be too difficult.

Sorry, I'm new the realm of tinkering with cable boxes. I have a macbook, a firewire cable, and VLC. So, I'll try and give it a shot this weekend. It can't be too difficult.

As far as I know, what is recorded on a cableco's DVR is the raw bitstream they use from the head end to your box (which when "decoded" produces a mpeg2 stream). Again, as far as I know, there are no codecs available that can decode this particular encoding.

I COULD be wrong, this is what I take logically based on numerous posts I've read, so take it with a grain of salt.

Found this interesting announcement under Oceanic, Time Warner that not only they are in discussions with Smithsonian HD & MAV HD but also with Shorts HD. Has anyone ever heard of Shorts HD and where can I find information about it.

http://www.oceanic.com/products/television

Curious how many are now able to read nearly full resolution from HDNet's Saturday 7:30-7:40 am ET test pattern from various TWC head ends and cable boxes. Wasn't surprised yesterday, after installing a new 1080p HDMI-fed 65" plasma capable of 1920X1080, to have read ~1290+ lines maximum effective horizontal resolution. [Edit: A closer viewing shows it's ~1335 lines, likely from the HDMI input to the plasma versus earlier CRT RPTV measurements.] That's the same result measured several years back with this technique (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424) and a 9"-gun CRT RPTV. A few AVSers have reported reading nearly 1920X1080 from HDNet's resolution wedges (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7359152&&#post7359152), (where B&W-line resolvability at about 10.79 on the converging vertical lines would be close to 1920, or 10.79X100X1.78 = ~1920). Also wonder what Verizon customers are measuring from HDNet? A while back one local Verizon user reported ~1400 lines maximum effective horizontal resolution. -- John

I have a good SNR of 39,9dB at 855MHz which carries no errors or anything it looks like it is blacked out.

Just a black screen.:confused::mad:

ESPNNEWS SD is ok and up and running.:confused::confused:

I have a good SNR of 39,9dB at 855MHz which carries no errors or anything it looks like it is blacked out.

Just a black screen.:confused::mad:

ESPNNEWS SD is ok and up and running.:confused::confused:

39db SNR??? That is a big number... Either your cableco has a very very clean node or you have signal running out your ears. You may need to attenuate. What is the rest of the stuff in DVR Diags? Signal Lock? Program Lock? Search Complete, RS Uncorrected, RS Corrected, Signal Strength?

Here in Staten Island we have like 110 HD channels and it seems every week we are getting more....Navigator still sucks, but the SA8300HD is very buggy, sometimes Versus HD and Golf HD don't come in. I would love to see a new HD-DVR here in SI...even if it's navigator...

TWC NYC:

On or about May 1, 2009 we will launch Smithsonian HD on ch. 789. This service will be part of the HD Xtra tier.

TWC NYC:

On or about May 1, 2009 we will launch Smithsonian HD on ch. 789. This service will be part of the HD Xtra tier.

Let us not forget that originally HDXtra was a set of five HD only channels. It kept losing HD channels until it was basically only the 2 HDNet channels. I consider those 100% must have channels, so I kept paying the freight. Now we are about to return after 2 years to an interesting set of channels, the 2 HDNets, MGM, and now Smithsonian.

Let us not forget that originally HDXtra was a set of five HD only channels. It kept losing HD channels until it was basically only the 2 HDNet channels. I consider those 100% must have channels, so I kept paying the freight. Now we are about to return after 2 years to an interesting set of channels, the 2 HDNets, MGM, and now Smithsonian.

you keep on forgetting the sports HD networks

Tennis, CBS college sports, Big Ten Network, NHL Network

TWC NYC:

On or about May 1, 2009 we will launch Smithsonian HD on ch. 789. This service will be part of the HD Xtra tier.Similar news from TWC LA.

Effective April 27, 2009 MGM HD will be launched on the HD Tier (HD box is required) on channel 421. [presumably a mistake in channel number, as 421 is for HDNet Movies and MGMHD has been previewing on 422 for a while now, where it's also already part of the "HD Channels" subset lineup on the DVR].

Effective April 27, 2009 Hallmark Movie Channel HD will be launched in all areas where it is not currently available on both HD Tier and Movie Tier (HD box is required) on channel 476. [currently available for preview (in the complete channel list) but not yet included in the "HD Channels" subset lineup on the DVR]

We have no announcement yet on Smithsonian HD here on TWC LA.


I'm sure I won't be watching kid-friendly Hallmark Movies, but it joins HDNet, HDNet Movies, [unwatchable] UHD and soon-to-be-official MGMHD in this previously HDNet-centric tier which I've always subscribed to as my support for Mark Cuban's endeavors and the superb audio/video quality of his channels and their content.

Let us not forget that originally HDXtra was a set of five HD only channels. It kept losing HD channels until it was basically only the 2 HDNet channels. I consider those 100% must have channels, so I kept paying the freight. Now we are about to return after 2 years to an interesting set of channels, the 2 HDNets, MGM, and now Smithsonian.

Here in Charlotte, Smithsonian HD is being added to the HD tier and HDNet is being moved from the HD Tier to the "Free hd" digital tier.

I am beginning to notice that the Samsung SMT-H3050 is not catching the signal initially when I tune into a channel. If I go to the next channel and come back, then the channel displays. Anybody else having this problem?

I am beginning to notice that the Samsung SMT-H3050 is not catching the signal initially when I tune into a channel. If I go to the next channel and come back, then the channel displays. Anybody else having this problem?

I have the 3090 DVR and haven't seen that. Don't recall anyone else posting anything in the TW Navigator thread either.

Here in Charlotte, Smithsonian HD is being added to the HD tier and HDNet is being moved from the HD Tier to the "Free hd" digital tier.Seems like the same thing is now scheduled to occur here in TWC/LA on May 27.

They're also bringing in the two local 24/7 HD sports channels, FSW HD and Prime Ticket HD, to replace part-time FSN HD. Unclear yet as to whether this is free "general availability" or part of some non-free tier.

Edit: the TWC/LA programming alerts page makes no mention of HDNet becoming "free hd". Only that its channel number is changing. Its old channel number will be occupied by the new Smithsonian HD.

So it's still unclear whether the channel number change for HDNet represents a reclassification of availability as well, or simply a channel number change.

But then this could just be poor wording. They already have the other confusing announcement describing MGMHD available (in HD Tier) on channel 421 as of May 1, but 421 is HDNet Movies and MGMHD has been on free-preview for a while on channel 422.

I guess only time will tell.

I am beginning to notice that the Samsung SMT-H3050 is not catching the signal initially when I tune into a channel. If I go to the next channel and come back, then the channel displays. Anybody else having this problem?

edit*

i missread ur message

Im not having that problem btw.

Same thing on my Motorola DCH 6416 DVR and on the Motorola DCH 6200 STB on Time Warner Cable San Diego (ex-Adelphia North S.D. County area).

edit*

i missread ur message

Im not having that problem btw.

Are they SDV channels? I've noticed that occasionally it takes a bit longer for the picture to appear when SDV channels are tuned.

Are they SDV channels? I've noticed that occasionally it takes a bit longer for the picture to appear when SDV channels are tuned.

oh i wasn't the one with the no signal issues upon changing channels. I misread a previous user's reply. lol

but it is true that SDV channels take a little bit longer for the picture to appear...but not significantly longer

Has anyone tried hooking up an SATA drive to the Samsung box?

Has anyone tried hooking up an SATA drive to the Samsung box?

I doubt it would work as we have plenty of evidence the issue is in the software, not the hardware. We read about 3.1.0.x and 3.1.1.x both having issues with external drives.

Not to mention it, but a 320G internal drive can make a big difference in needing or not needing an external drive.

There's a long standing bug in my setup that precludes me using an external drive, so I got used to watching the stuff I record quickly so I never have much more than 9-12 hours of recorded content. As long as they are using 320G Sammies when they are available in my market, I doubt I'd feel the need for external drive support right away...

I doubt it would work as we have plenty of evidence the issue is in the software, not the hardware. We read about 3.1.0.x and 3.1.1.x both having issues with external drives.

Not to mention it, but a 320G internal drive can make a big difference in needing or not needing an external drive.

There's a long standing bug in my setup that precludes me using an external drive, so I got used to watching the stuff I record quickly so I never have much more than 9-12 hours of recorded content. As long as they are using 320G Sammies when they are available in my market, I doubt I'd feel the need for external drive support right away...

there are a few eSATA screens in the diagnostics menu that may enable it...I think im gonna buy a "my dvr expander" this weekend and play around with it...the only question now is should i get the 500gb model or the 1tb model. lol

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d142/jcalabria/SMT-H3090/SMT-H3090_Diags21.jpg

Here in Charlotte, Smithsonian HD is being added to the HD tier and HDNet is being moved from the HD Tier to the "Free hd" digital tier.I am sure just a channel change and still part of HD tier. /Dan

I am sure just a channel change and still part of HD tier. /Dan

Then they lie...
May 28, 2009: HD Net will be moved from the HD Plus Tier to the Free HD service
which requires Digital Cable service with an HD Converter and an HDTV. Smithsonian HD
will launch on Channel 294 in the HD Plus Tier.

Source: TWC Charlotte Channel Changes web page
...not much room for interpretation there.

there are a few eSATA screens in the diagnostics menu that may enable it...I think im gonna buy a "my dvr expander" this weekend and play around with it...the only question now is should i get the 500gb model or the 1tb model. lol

I suspect cost per gig is better for the 1T drive than the 500MB drive.

Then again, you'll also have a LOT more recorded stuff that you'll never be able to watch!

Then they lie...
May 28, 2009: HD Net will be moved from the HD Plus Tier to the Free HD service
which requires Digital Cable service with an HD Converter and an HDTV. Smithsonian HD
will launch on Channel 294 in the HD Plus Tier.

Source: TWC Charlotte Channel Changes web page
...not much room for interpretation there.They word it differently there. I hear good things about HDNet and never had the HD tier. That would be great if we get it that way too. Here they just said a channel change. Then I am back to thinking what little you get for the cost of HD tier if they move that out. Thanks, Dan

Smithsonian Channel HD is now live on TWC NYC

I'm also going to miss the NASA coverage of HDNet.

I would miss Bikini Destinations. :)

Unfortunately for those of us in the Rochester NY market HDNet and HDNet movies are being dropped in favor of Smithsonian and RFD HD. No offense to those in the agricultural business, but do we really need an HD channel that shows reruns of Hee-Haw? Particularly if it replaces quality movie programming like that of HDNet movies. I'm also going to miss the NASA coverage of HDNet.

That's terrible.... HDNet is a GREAT channel. And we DO have HD Theater, Discovery HD and NG HD all of which are thematically similar to Smithsonian.

Unfortunately for those of us in the Rochester NY market HDNet and HDNet movies are being dropped in favor of Smithsonian and RFD HD. No offense to those in the agricultural business, but do we really need an HD channel that shows reruns of Hee-Haw? Particularly if it replaces quality movie programming like that of HDNet movies. I'm also going to miss the NASA coverage of HDNet.In addition, from time to time we make certain changes in the services that we offer in order to better serve our customers. The following changes are planned:
ADD:
Smithsonian HD to HD Tier Channel 897
MavTV on HD Tier Channel 909
MOVE: None at this time.
DELETE:
HD Net from HD Tier Channel 899
HD Net Movies from HD Tier Channel 900
CHANGE: None at this time.Similar here in El Paso... But I gave up a while ago. I have stuck with TWC at each city since I got back to the states in 1997, but now I might get satellite. Probably will on the next move, so I can get it in the travel trailer...

v/r,
C-F

Unfortunately for those of us in the Rochester NY market HDNet and HDNet movies are being dropped in favor of Smithsonian and RFD HD. No offense to those in the agricultural business, but do we really need an HD channel that shows reruns of Hee-Haw? Particularly if it replaces quality movie programming like that of HDNet movies. I'm also going to miss the NASA coverage of HDNet.
Some earlier mention of NYC's TWC doing that (dropping the HDNets). Suspect I'd quickly switch to RCN here as a provider for all cable services. If you have the DBS or another option, might tell TWC you plan something similar...then do it. Give 'em a months warning. :-) -- John

Some earlier mention of NYC's TWC doing that (dropping the HDNets)...

I thought there was an issue of an overall carriage agreement between TWC & HDNet, which got signed when we didn't lose them a month ago. Maybe they signed a deal to only have HDNet in certain markets??? That sounds odd to me; something that benefits neither TWC or HDNet.

While I'd say normally one can't complain to the local franchising authority over carriage of one (er, two) channel, there's the "it's carried in other markets, why not ours" argument. The "they are discriminating against us not carrying it" thing.

And no, the chances of your complaints producing any positive results may be nil, but it will get folks at TWC other than CSRs to be on notice. Just make sure your writing takes a very high road; otherwise it only serves to justify them tossing it as the juvenile ranting of a mentally disturbed customer!

Known Deals Done With TWC, Not Available in All Areas

HD PPV
HD Movies OnDemand
HD Adult OnDemand
HD Showcase OnDemand
HBO-HD
HBO2-HD
HBO Family-HD
HBO Comedy-HD
HBO Signature-HD
HBO Zone-HD
HBO Latino-HD
Cinemax-HD
MoreMax-HD
ActionMAX-HD
5StarMAX-HD
ThrillerMAX-HD
WMAX-HD
@MAX-HD
OuterMAX-HD
Showtime-HD
Showtime 2-HD
ShowCase-HD
ShowExtreme-HD
The Movie Channel-HD
TMCxtra-HD
Starz-HD
Starz Comedy-HD
Starz Edge-HD
Starz Kids & Family-HD
Encore-HD
MGM-HD
HDNet
HDNet Movies
Universal-HD
TNT-HD
TBS-HD
Palladia-HD
Food Network-HD
HGTV-HD
A&E-HD
History Channel-HD
Biography-HD
Lifetime Movie Network-HD
Hallmark Movie Channel-HD
CNN-HD
Fox News-HD
Fox Business Network-HD
The Weather Channel-HD
National Geographic-HD
Discovery HD Theater
The Science Channel-HD
The Discovery Channel-HD
The Learning Channel-HD
Animal Planet-HD
Planet Green-HD
Travel Channel-HD
Disney Channel-HD
ABC Family-HD
Toon Disney-HD
Cartoon Network-HD
QVC-HD
Sci-Fi-HD
Bravo-HD
USA-HD
CNBC-HD
E! Entertainment-HD
Style-HD
G4-HD
Crime & Investigation-HD
TV One-HD
FUSE-HD
IFC-HD
AMC-HD
WE-HD
FX-HD
Speed-HD
ESPN-HD
ESPN 2-HD
ESPN News-HD
ESPN U-HD
Versus-HD
Golf-HD
Big Ten Network-HD
The Outdoor Channel-HD
CBS College Sports-HD
The Tennis Channel-HD
NBA TV-HD
NHL Network-HD
MLB Network-HD
Game-HD (MLB Extra Innings & NHL Center Ice in HD)
Team-HD (NBA League Pass in HD)
Smithsonian-HD
RFD-HD
MavTV-HD
Lifetime Television-HD --- (Coming soon to NYC, NY)
Africa Channel-HD --- (Coming soon to NYC, NY)
HSN-HD --- (Coming soon to NYC, NY)
Nickelodeon-HD --- (Coming soon to NYC, NY)
Spike-HD --- (Coming soon to NYC, NY)
Chiller-HD --- (Channel Launch 2009)
Sleuth-HD --- (Channel Launch 2009)



Negotiations Known In Progress With TWC

NFL Network-HD
County Music Channel-HD
MTV-HD
VH1-HD
Comedy Central-HD
BET Jazz-HD
BET-HD
LOGO-HD
MSNBC-HD --- (Channel Launching in June)




Negotiations Unknown With TWC

TBN-HD
World Fishing Network-HD
Wealth TV-HD
WGN-HD
Fuel-HD
Jewlery TV-HD
FTV-HD
ION TV-HD
Cars.TV-HD
Pets.TV-HD
Comedy.TV-HD
MyDestination.TV-HD
ES.TV-HD
Recipe.TV-HD
BBN-HD --- (Channel Launching in Q2 2009)
BBC America-HD --- (Channel Launching in Mid-2009)
OWN-HD (Discovery Health) --- (Channel Launching in 2009)
BTNC-HD --- (Channel Launching in 2009)
Qubo-HD --- (Channel Launching in 2009)
ION Life-HD --- (Channel Launching in 2009)
Fox Soccer Channel-HD --- (Channel Launching in 2009 or 2010)
Fox Reality Channel-HD --- (Channel Launching in 2009 or 2010)
Fox College Sports-HD --- (Channel Launching in 2009 or 2010)
Fox Movie Channel-HD --- (Channel Launching in 2009 or 2010)
Fox Sports En Espanol-HD --- (Channel Launching in 2009 or 2010)
ShowBeyond-HD --- (Channel Launch TBA)
ShowWomen-HD --- (Channel Launch TBA)
ShowFamilyZone-HD --- (Channel Launch TBA)
ShowNext-HD --- (Channel Launch TBA)
FLIX-HD --- (Channel Launch TBA)
SI TV-HD --- (Channel Launch TBA)
MTV2-HD --- (Channel Launch Rumored)
TruTV-HD --- (Channel Launch Rumored)
Headline News-HD --- (Channel Launch Rumored)
Oxygen-HD --- (Channel Launch Rumored)

Spike-HD --- (Coming soon to NYC, NY)

how soon is soon?

how soon is soon?

It HAD been promised for 12/17/08, but then slipped into a "postponed indefinitely" category/