^How are the "teaser rates" that FIOS offers any different than the ones TWC uses?

^How are the "teaser rates" that FIOS offers any different than the ones TWC uses? or the ones that Dish Network or DirecTV uses?

...do you realize you are going to pay more for FiOS than what you think, they are teaser rates to lure you in, then after awhile your gonna be paying more...
Not only does TWC also have teaser rates, they don't give any information to their customers in each monthy statement about which rates are promo's and when the promo rates will expire, this has led to unexpected bill increases a couple of times, and if you call to argue they just tell you "Oh that was a promotional rate" but they dont have anything to show you that proves it, most of my cable bills over the last two years have had different promo rates with zero info about which rates are promos and when they expire...it's all part of TW's attempt to keep consumers from having the information they need to make a well informed choice!

Also, most you people didnt understand me in my last post about FiOS. Forget about the offereings and etc, do you realize you are going to pay more for FiOS than what you think, they are teaser rates to lure you in, then after awhile your gonna be paying more. I dont know about the one person who said they would pay double of what TWC charged if it menat more HD channels, but how many more channels?? Out here in Desert Cities, all the local Networks are in HD and then DISCOVERY and TNT and etc, and it does also make a difference between different divisions, some are better than others and some are worse. For my area, its pretty darn good!!

well I don't see how I could be paying much more anyway since I already pay $130 for just the top digital package, a couple of cheap movie packages and a DVR, and that doesn't include the HD Suite or $40 for Road Runner. Out of that, 13 channels are HD including the 7 locals.

Compare that just to the national FiOS package:

TNT HD
ESPN HD
ESPN 2 HD
NFL Network HD
HD Net
HD Net Movies
Universal HD
Discovery HD
Wealth TV HD
National Geographic Channel HD
MTV HD
Food Network HD
HGTV HD
Lifetime Movie Network HD

HBO HDTV
Cinemax HDTV
Showtime HDTV
TMC HDTV
Starz HDTV

throw in a 15Mb broadband connection (compared to 5Mb) and double the price I pay is still worth it. TWC were going to charge me $45 for installing a DVR before I complained, and they were just replacing an old one which I could have done myself! TW has just as many sneak fees if you don't watch out for them.

Until something like FiOS hits this area or DirectTV make good on their HD promise and gives them competition I don't see any reason they will improve either HD service or broadband speeds any time soon. They have no real incentive to do so and no compulsion to improve things just for the hell of it.

well I don't see how I could be paying much more anyway since I already pay $130 for just the top digital package, a couple of cheap movie packages and a DVR, and that doesn't include the HD Suite or $40 for Road Runner. Out of that, 13 channels are HD including the 7 locals.

Compare that just to the national FiOS package:

TNT HD
ESPN HD
ESPN 2 HD
NFL Network HD
HD Net
HD Net Movies
Universal HD
Discovery HD
Wealth TV HD
National Geographic Channel HD
MTV HD
Food Network HD
HGTV HD
Lifetime Movie Network HD

HBO HDTV
Cinemax HDTV
Showtime HDTV
TMC HDTV
Starz HDTV

throw in a 15Mb broadband connection (compared to 5Mb) and double the price I pay is still worth it. TWC were going to charge me $45 for installing a DVR before I complained, and they were just replacing an old one which I could have done myself! TW has just as many sneak fees if you don't watch out for them.

Until something like FiOS hits this area or DirectTV make good on their HD promise and gives them competition I don't see any reason they will improve either HD service or broadband speeds any time soon. They have no real incentive to do so and no compulsion to improve things just for the hell of it.

Sign me up-I am in a Verizon area and FIOS, if it ever gets here is going to happen for me right away.
We have only 5 HD locals, not 7 because Bev Greenburg and Co. at TWC Milwaukee don't want to add the last two HD locals since the Sinclair agreement was signed THREE MONTHS AGO.
I pay about $30 more than you do, have RR and Dig phone (not included in total) and could care less if it was $50 more instead given more HD channels FINALLY got added, like those FIOS currently has!
FIOS: Sign me up!

Sign me up-I am in a Verizon area and FIOS, if it ever gets here is going to happen for me right away.Don't get too excited - YET. FiOS is being rolled out in some areas (Buffalo, NY for example) JUST as a broadband & phon service. My sister-in-law signed up for it with their "TV Package" and it was DirecTV!! :eek: No word yet on when TV will be lit on the fiber there.

Don't get too excited - YET. FiOS is being rolled out in some areas (Buffalo, NY for example) JUST as a broadband & phon service. My sister-in-law signed up for it with their "TV Package" and it was DirecTV!! :eek: No word yet on when TV will be lit on the fiber there.
yeah, but with a 15 Mb pipe she could get her entertainment through other questionable means pretty quickly

Don't get too excited - YET. FiOS is being rolled out in some areas (Buffalo, NY for example) JUST as a broadband & phon service. My sister-in-law signed up for it with their "TV Package" and it was DirecTV!! :eek: No word yet on when TV will be lit on the fiber there.

Broadband and phone they can offer without approvals, but TV service I believe needs a franchise/license agreement with the local gov.

Broadband and phone they can offer without approvals, but TV service I believe needs a franchise/license agreement with the local gov.
Probably right + they need to make arrangements with the local stations as well.

But, I was primarily sending a "heads up" that not all FiOS has TV (at least YET).

Grrrr Still no ESPN2 in HD on TWC in my area....is D* HD really crappy (I keep reading about this HD-lite they use and if it is I don't want to rob peter to pay paul so to speak).

Grrrr Still no ESPN2 in HD on TWC in my area....is D* HD really crappy (I keep reading about this HD-lite they use and if it is I don't want to rob peter to pay paul so to speak).

Yea, still no ESPN2HD in Southwest Ohio either (which encompasses 2 top 60 markets -- Dayton and Cincinnati). How does E* ESPN2HD + ESPNHD quality compare to D*. The ESPN networks and the occasional college football game on ABC/CBS/NBC is all I really watch anyway.

we just got ESPN2HD added in hawaii!

we're still missing MHD and A&EHD (and the local CBS) but i'm starting to run out of things to complain about.

Reads like a nearly full menu in Hawaii ^^^^. For a fresh complaint topic, might want to consider whether your system/STB is delivering ~1920 lines of effective resolution (http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5667245&&#post5667245) (resolvable detail) from HDNet's Sunday 6:50 am (ET) test patterns. Many, including those on my system (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424), report only measuring ~1300 lines maximum, a 32% reduction. Have only seen one post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8509731&&#post8509731) mentioning ~1920 lines. -- John

ESPN2 showed up as 1597 (TEST3) in Austin this week. Dunno what they are testing but I'm happy its there as long as they don't take it away!

ESPN2 showed up as 1597 (TEST3) in Austin this week. Dunno what they are testing but I'm happy its there as long as they don't take it away!
It's 1636 as of this morning on the guide. Though when I tune to it...blank screen and no sound.

It's 1636 as of this morning on the guide. Though when I tune to it...blank screen and no sound.

It's up and running now.

Bout damn time!

Yea, still no ESPN2HD in Southwest Ohio either (which encompasses 2 top 60 markets -- Dayton and Cincinnati). How does E* ESPN2HD + ESPNHD quality compare to D*. The ESPN networks and the occasional college football game on ABC/CBS/NBC is all I really watch anyway.
I received the following email yesterday from the Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for Time Warner Cable in Southwest Ohio (titles that long should have mandatory abbreviations: VPGPATWCSWOH).
ESPN2 in HD and ESPNU are scheduled to be added to the channel line-up in Southwest Ohio during the third quarter of this year.

The launch dates will be widely publicized.
Apparently SW Ohio is in no hurry whatsoever to get these channels added.

yay! ESPN2HD on TWC in ATX! w00t!

What to heck is MOJO HD? It showed up last night on TWC in the Corning NY area.

Bill G

What to heck is MOJO HD? It showed up last night on TWC in the Corning NY area.

Bill G

MOJO is the new name for INHD1. I'm not from your area so don't know if you had INHD1 or if MOJO is new to your area. Whereas INHD1 was know for more of a generalized HD content, MOJO is aiming for more a male audience.

What to heck is MOJO HD? It showed up last night on TWC in the Corning NY area.

Bill G
INHD is now MOJO.
INHD2 no longer exists.

Last night I turned my TV on and started flipping channels (ESPNHD is my default when I turn the set on).. I hit the plus channel button and arm wrestling was on and I kept going not thinking anything of it.. then the classic double take... THE DUECE IN HD.

Came into work today and everyone had the same reaction.

Thanks Time Warner Austin. Now, get me the NFL network and I'll shut up (for a while)

MOJO (INHD) seems to be blacked out most evenings. (at least 50% of the time)

MOJO (INHD) seems to be blacked out most evenings. (at least 50% of the time)

Hehe, thats not good!! MOJO is certain programming that INHD puts on to attract a different kind of audienece!! I have noticed it mostly is concerts and stuff which INHD is famous for doing, just doing it now under a different name!! I was kinda mad out here when I found out TWC was taking away INHD2 to put UNI-HD on in its place until I found out INHD2 was going to be no longer and that it was all going to be on INHD (MOJO). I got my MOJO, how bout you people!!, lol

MOJO (INHD) seems to be blacked out most evenings. (at least 50% of the time)

I'm going to guess that your system does something special...
like replaces the bandwidth for INHD/MOJO with a temporary HD broadcast of a local sporting event (Red Sox?) that may not have a 24/7 channel on your system...

I've noticed some mentioning ESPN2 HD being added in their markets. This is a good sign, I'm hoping it gets added to NY/NJ TWC soon as well since it was promised by year's end (http://www.timewarnercable.com/InvestorRelations/PressReleases/TWCPressReleaseDetail.ashx?PRID=1649&MarketID=0). :)

I've noticed some mentioning ESPN2 HD being added in their markets. This is a good sign, I'm hoping it gets added to NY/NJ TWC soon as well since it was promised by year's end (http://www.timewarnercable.com/InvestorRelations/PressReleases/TWCPressReleaseDetail.ashx?PRID=1649&MarketID=0). :)

only a few areas have the ability to add it in NY.
TWC is dragging their feet on this.

join us in the local New York thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10446428#post10446428

Time Warner Cable had deployed [switched video] technology in eight divisions at the end of 2006, and it is aiming to have it in three-fourths of all 23 divisions by the end of 2007.

http://multichannel.com/article/CA6439205.html

Thats sweet!! Thats what I was talking about earlier in the forum like a few weeks ago!! Personally, I would get rid of all the shopping channels and the food network and the lifetime crap!! Put those on demand when people want them cuz I doubt most people watch those channels all the time!! they would give my system more bandwith to use!! I also found out my system in Palm SPrings area is getting a 1 GIG upgrade within the next year!! Awesome for me since that means we can add channels when they are available and not wait for bandwith or get rid of something!! Gonna take a lot of hard work though to get everything upgraded!!

Thats what I was talking about earlier in the Personally, I would get rid of all the shopping channels and the food network and the lifetime crap!! Put those on demand when people want them cuz I doubt most people watch those channels all the time!!????

I don't have any actual numbers in front of me or anything, but it always seemed to me that The Food Channel and Lifetime were two of the most popular channels out there.

I doubt if there are too many other channels that are watched more.

I'm going to guess that your system does something special...
like replaces the bandwidth for INHD/MOJO with a temporary HD broadcast of a local sporting event (Red Sox?) that may not have a 24/7 channel on your system...

Our system has NESN (Red Sox) full time. I am really not looking for MOJO, so I may be overestimating its blackouts, but it does seem to be black frequently. Perhaps it is a sporting event that can't be carried or something, but it really does seem to happen a lot. I'll start to take more careful note even though I guess I don't really care as long as 24, Lost, The Office, Idol, and the Red Sox are still available to me. Modern day "concerts" don't really light up my life. Just an old fogie, I guess.

ESPN2 HD coming to NYC on June 14th!!!!


http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/programming/channelchanges.html

TWC still needs more Free HD Programming

ESPN2 HD coming to NYC on June 14th!!!!


http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/programming/channelchanges.html


ESPNHD is also moving off the HDExtra tier....

That'll leave us with 3 channels.....

ESPNHD is also moving off the HDExtra tier....

That'll leave us with 3 channels.....


someone in my local TWC thread said he has many friends who have cancelled their HD pack and are still getting all the channels for free?? Any news of this. I wonder if its a glitch that they will fix in the long run. Or is C/s just playing dumb.

ESPNHD, and ESPN2HD are not part of the HD tier on TWCSC. When ESPN2HD was added ESPNHD moved off the tier. Leaves us with 4 channels on the HD tier.

Wow, a lot of changes for NY:

Manhattan, Brooklyn/Queens, Mount Vernon...

...The following changes are planned for June 14, 2007:

ESPNHD changes from the HDXtra tier to the HD Standard. Kids Thirteen moves from channel 713 to 160; WABC News Now moves from channel 729 to 163; WABC TV Plus moves from channel 730 to 164; WNBC 4 Weather Plus moves from channel 731 to 161; WNBC 4.4 moves from channel 732 to 162. HBO HD moves from channel 701 to 780, Showtime HD will move from 703 to 779, Discovery HD moves from channel 706 to 718, YES HD moves from channel 708 to 730, TNT HD moves from channel 710 to 703, MSG HD moves from channel 712 to 727, CinemaMax HD moves from channel 719 to 776, Starz HD moves from channel 720 to 777, MOJO (formerly INHD) moves from channel 721 to 796, HDNet Movies moves from channel 723 to 797, HDNet moves from channel 724 to 798, ESPN HD moves from channel 725 to 728, Sports Net New York HD moves from channel 741 to 726. ESPN Deportes launches on channel 821, ESPN2HD launches on channel 729, Playboy SVOD launches on channel 335.

The following change is planned for Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens ONLY:
NYC On Demand launches on channel 1111.

The following change is planned for Mt. Vernon ONLY:
Mt. Vernon On Demand launches on channel 1111.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/programming/channelchanges.html

These HD channels that are coming out this year, have been added to the unknown status in the first post of this thread:

Starz Comedy-HD
Starz Edge-HD
Starz Kids & Family-HD
Animal Planet-HD
TLC-HD
The Science Channel-HD
Discovery Channel-HD

TWC still needs more Free HD Programming

Except for the premiums (HBO, etc.), all of the TWC HD channels (17) are free on my system. I pay only $1.75 for the cablecard. Other than the HD channels, I have only analog channels 2 - 74 and don't subscribe to the premiums or digitals.

I've noticed some mentioning ESPN2 HD being added in their markets. This is a good sign, I'm hoping it gets added to NY/NJ TWC soon as well since it was promised by year's end (http://www.timewarnercable.com/InvestorRelations/PressReleases/TWCPressReleaseDetail.ashx?PRID=1649&MarketID=0). :)


It came on our system in Central Texas (Temple) in the last few days. However, I have yet to see an actual HD show on it. Seems to be all SD stuff, at least when I tuned in...

But hey, I'm happy to see them add something...finally!

News
Time Warner Adds Versus HD In Buffalo
The channel is added due to the Buffalo Sabres' NHL playoff drive.
By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (May 8, 2007) -- Time Warner Cable has announced that it will add Versus HD to its high-def lineup in Buffalo.

The cable operator is adding the channel so local hockey fans can watch the Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Ottawa Senators.

Buffalo Business First, a Buffalo-area business journal, reports that the addition of Versus HD is temporary in the Buffalo area.

The Sabres-Senators series begins Thursday night with Versus HD set to broadcast five of the seven games, if the series goes that far.

Time Warner Cable subscribers in Buffalo can watch Versus HD on channel 708, starting May 10, and for the rest of the playoffs.

The cable operator told TVPredictions.com last month that it has obtained the rights to broadcast Versus in high-def. However, Mark Harrad, a Time Warner spokesman, said it's up to the individual Time Warner system whether to add Versus HD.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/versus050807.htm

May not need Versus HD much longer :(

GO WINGS!

I've just sent the following note to the local Time Warner President/General Manager:
-------------------------------

I'm sorry to be contacting you to share two problems, one of which is minor but the other is an unethical business practice that is causing me to seek service elsewhere and to recommend that to others.

The minor problem is that if you set a DVR to record a series on a digital channel, Comedy Central for example, it will eventually switch to the analog version of that channel. The problem occurs if there are two versions of a channel with the same NAME. In this example, if you set a series to record on digital channel 262, it will eventually switch to analog channel 64 because the two channels have the same NAME.

The real reason that I'm writing, though, is because of an unethical business practice that you have just implemented. Beginning this weekend we could only receive INHD and HDNET intermittently. Sometimes we get a message NOT AUTHORIZED, sometimes we get a picture and no sound, sometimes it works normally. Since this seems like a glitch at your transmitter I just spoke to customer service. The rep informed me that what we have been getting for the last six months or more was "a preview", that it was a service that "Comcast provided for free", and that "we should have received a letter three or four months ago" telling us that this service might go away. He also said we could get those channels back for an additional fee!

We don't believe we ever got the letter he referred to, there is nothing on your website that discusses this, and this is a very shoddy way of doing business. The minor fee for those channels isn't driving us away from Time-Warner. But the unethical and crude way of dealing with your subscribers is causing us to explore alternatives and to wish that U-Verse was already available at our address.
------------------------------------

My challenge in finding an alternative prior to U-Verse availability, is that we have five TV's and the satellite advertisements usually feature up to four connections.

While this is not HD related, I feel it's worth posting considering all the issues surrounding ESPN2 HD. The following announcement came via email yesterday from Albany Time Warner Cable:
Time Warner Cable is adding ESPNU and ESPN Desportes to its channel lineup next month.

ESPNU will be added to the sports category on digital cable channel 606.

ESPN Desportes will be available on TWC en Español on channel 915.

These changes are scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, June 19.

I've just sent the following note to the local Time Warner President/General Manager:
-------------------------------
The real reason that I'm writing, though, is because of an unethical business practice that you have just implemented. Beginning this weekend we could only receive INHD and HDNET intermittently. Sometimes we get a message NOT AUTHORIZED, sometimes we get a picture and no sound, sometimes it works normally. Since this seems like a glitch at your transmitter I just spoke to customer service. The rep informed me that what we have been getting for the last six months or more was "a preview", that it was a service that "Comcast provided for free", and that "we should have received a letter three or four months ago" telling us that this service might go away. He also said we could get those channels back for an additional fee!

We don't believe we ever got the letter he referred to, there is nothing on your website that discusses this, and this is a very shoddy way of doing business. The minor fee for those channels isn't driving us away from Time-Warner. But the unethical and crude way of dealing with your subscribers is causing us to explore alternatives and to wish that U-Verse was already available at our address.
------------------------------------

My challenge in finding an alternative prior to U-Verse availability, is that we have five TV's and the satellite advertisements usually feature up to four connections.Most of us paid for them all along. Why should you get them free?

Most of us paid for them all along. Why should you get them free?

We paid for them all along too. In our case it wasn't an optional service. You don't indicate whether those channels are an optional service where you're located or if they are bundled into some other service. Here they have been bundled all along

If TWC said they were raising the price for this service that would be reasonable. If TWC reduced the price that Comcast charged before TWC took over, and then offered HDNET, INHD, UHD at an additional, optional charge that would be reasonable. If TWC notified customers of a price increase approximately a month before implementing it, that would be reasonable. If TWC notified customers that some channels would be dropped and prices would be reduced, that would be reasonable.

Surprising customers is not reasonable. Turning the service on and off intermittently for several days, giving the appearance of a technical problem is not reasonable. Intermittently providing a picture but no sound for several days, giving the appearance of a technical problem is not reasonable. Providing no information on their website about a significant reduction in channels or an increase in price is not reasonable.

sounds like it is a technical problem. the csr may have just made that up because he didn't know what was hapenning.

have you started paying the extra fees? did that fix the problem?

do you know anyone else in your area who has the same problem?

it might be worth getting a technician out to check signal levels etc.

sounds like it is a technical problem. the csr may have just made that up because he didn't know what was happening.

have you started paying the extra fees? did that fix the problem?

do you know anyone else in your area who has the same problem?

it might be worth getting a technician out to check signal levels etc.

I received a prompt reply from the local TWC GM.
Thank you for contacting me. The DVR issue you write about is new to me but I will let our engineering folks know so we may resolve it. As for the programming change, we notified customers of this change and don’t perceive it as either unethical. We do make product and programming changes from time to time as every business does. We don’t want to lose you as a customer and if you are willing, I can have our business specialists contact you to review you product selections and make certain we’re providing the products and services you value at a fair price. This sometimes leads to our customers enjoying more services for less money and everyone wins.

I wrote back:
I'm very willing to talk to someone about saving money.

As for the changes, the problem, in my view, isn't the changes but the way they were communicated (poorly) and implemented (also poorly).

Thanks for your attention,

Someone from TWC will be contacting me.

Don't hold your breath
LOL

I received a prompt reply from the local TWC GM.


Someone from TWC will be contacting me.

I've received a call from a service rep. She put me on some bundled package (they're hard to find online if you're an existing customer). Then was able to give me a discount for being a nice guy. :)

She also said they plan to add more HD channels to the HD tier over the coming year and the expectation is that they'll be included in the price.

To get to the bundles you have to go to "Order Services Online", not "Prices and Packages".

During the process I noticed that TWC is providing 7Mbps download speeds where Comcast had been providing 6Mbps service. I haven't checked the speeds in a while and I don't know when TWC increased the speed, but I will be checking it now.

A couple of other glitches turned up. The rep left me her name and extension, but there seems to be no way to get back to her. And viewing my statement online and clicking "Details" actually shows less information than the summary! She should be getting that fixed too.

During the process I noticed that TWC is providing 7Mbps download speeds where Comcast had been providing 6Mbps service. Some TW systems (ours for one) has 10Mbps download - some Comcast areas may have that too.

Don't hold your breath
LOL
unless you're suicidal

Things are looking good for the Big10 Network HD. I'm glad TWC is looking at the Big picture for the Big10 Network and that it does not consider it a niche like the NFL network (the Big Ten network will have more than just football -- it will include basketball, wrestling, lacrosse, rowing, etc.)

Taken from the COlumbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/sports/stories/2007/05/15/bt_network15.ART_ART_05-15-07_C1_6G6NJ30.html


"Silverman declined comment on a report in Street and Smith's Business Journal that the [Big Ten] network is seeking $1.10 per subscriber from cable providers compared with the 70 to 90 cents the NFL Network sought last year. That cost was a factor in Time Warner's decision not to add the NFL Network to its digital tier.

Time Warner spokesperson Judy Barbao called NFL Network a "niche channel with a narrow focus." She indicated that the Big Ten Network, which plans to air most if not all sports played by Big Ten schools, might be viewed differently.

"We know enough about our customer base (to know) there will be interest in the channel," she said. "Customer interest is another factor in these decisions. It will be one of the factors we look at, along with cost and (tier) location.

"We are very hopeful to get this done. At this stage, we have no reason to believe it won't get done.""

skylab,

You left out a critical quote from that article:

The network is negotiating with cable providers in the eight Big Ten states to be included on their expanded basic tiers available on analog as well as digital television.

That means that EVERY subcriber to expanded basic will have to pay $1-$2 more per MONTH if this channel were carried. That's generally been the point of contention with NFL negotiations (and others as well). If the channel goes on an extra cost sports tier, then the extra costs are passed on only to those "niche" viewers (I understand that in Ohio that can be a big "niche"). But then, there are fewer potential viewers, and commercials are worth less, and revenue from cable is reduced (unless they can get $3 per tier subscriber).

It's a tough business - but the general viewing population should not have to pay for the sports nuts.

"It's a tough business - but the general viewing population should not have to pay for the sports nuts."

The Ala carte argument! I shouldn't have to pay for Fox news since it is blocked in my house -- and so on.

I really don't disagree with the niche argument except I want the niche and am willing to pay for it. The BTN is very important to me but I will probably not see it anytime soon. I live in SC and have been told by TW that they have no interest in carrying it here.

That to me is the real problem with cable. Let me make the choice not TW -- it is like TW are my parents and I am a little kid and they know what is best for me!

Cost should be my choice -- and the stuff I want to watch should be my choice. Give me a price and I will decide.

I have subscribed to ESPN Game Plan for several years but based on the BTN plan and other college football plans I probably will not take it this fall. But is is my choice.

The BTN is very important to me but I will probably not see it anytime soon. I live in SC and have been told by TW that they have no interest in carrying it here.

At least let's hope they would not use up precious bandwidth on something a handful of people would want.

"It's a tough business - but the general viewing population should not have to pay for the sports nuts."

The Ala carte argument! I shouldn't have to pay for Fox news since it is blocked in my house -- and so on.

I really don't disagree with the niche argument except I want the niche and am willing to pay for it. The BTN is very important to me but I will probably not see it anytime soon. I live in SC and have been told by TW that they have no interest in carrying it here.

That to me is the real problem with cable. Let me make the choice not TW -- it is like TW are my parents and I am a little kid and they know what is best for me!

Cost should be my choice -- and the stuff I want to watch should be my choice. Give me a price and I will decide.

I have subscribed to ESPN Game Plan for several years but based on the BTN plan and other college football plans I probably will not take it this fall. But is is my choice.Except it may not be TW making the choice - if BTN insists on it being carried on expanded basic, isn't that's BTNs decision?

I was just perusing the guide here on TWC Columbus, OH and VsGolfHD has been added on channel 754! The only thing is that FSN Ohio HD (channel 753) is now gone (at least for the time being). Truth be told, FSN Ohio HD rarely ever showed anything other than the occasional Cavs or Blue Jackets game. The "HD Promo" is up there nearly every time I tune to it. As far as I know TWC Columbus has yet to reach an agreement with FSN Ohio to show Reds games in HD, so the channel is, in effect, useless since Indians games are now on SportsTime Ohio.

Needless to say, the golf looks stunning. Now if they could just get the guide right for this channel I'll know what I'm watching!

Outside of the Big Ten footprint, the BTN really has no problem with placement. It can be on a sports tier outside the footprint according to a phone conversation I had with the BTN last week.

I'm sure this is obvious to everyone, but me, but how do you find out the plans for your specific TWC? I live in southeastern NC and would love to be able to read updates about HD channels on TWC in the eastern carolinas. Thanks.

Reads like a nearly full menu in Hawaii ^^^^. For a fresh complaint topic, might want to consider whether your system/STB is delivering ~1920 lines of effective resolution (http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5667245&&#post5667245) (resolvable detail) from HDNet's Sunday 6:50 am (ET) test patterns. Many, including those on my system (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424), report only measuring ~1300 lines maximum, a 32% reduction. Have only seen one post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8509731&&#post8509731) mentioning ~1920 lines. -- John


How do you find out the effective resolution? Would I be able to see what it is on that information channel (for lack of a better phrase)? The one where I can check all of my system info? I don't understand most of it.

I'm sure this is obvious to everyone, but me, but how do you find out the plans for your specific TWC? I live in southeastern NC and would love to be able to read updates about HD channels on TWC in the eastern carolinas. Thanks.
If someone knew, they'd probably be the first. Most of us don't get any notice. The channels just show up. Heck, TW's own customer service reps don't even know about new channels before they're put on the guide. When the Sinclair deal was finally done, I and several others called and the reps didn't even know a deal existed and that evening the channels were up and running. Since then ESPN2HD and VsGolfHD have both shown up without any notice.

The TW website channel lineup isn't even up to date if that tells you anything. Guess we just have to keep an eye out for new channels. At least we're finally getting some. :rolleyes:

How do you find out the effective resolution? Would I be able to see what it is on that information channel (for lack of a better phrase)? The one where I can check all of my system info? I don't understand most of it.
HDNet is carried on many TWC systems, and can be accessed at hd.net on the Internet. I calculated, using the technique outlined in the "my system" link above, that my TWC system and 8300HD was delivering only 1280 lines effective resolution (not ~1920 format resolution) from HDNet's Sunday 6:50 am ET resolution-wedge test pattern (last 4 mins of a 10-min pattern series). DVRed it a few years back and happened to DVR it again this morning just to check for possible improvements. Without a test pattern, or maybe using either a costly professional spectrum analyzer or the free/low-cost computer software tested by dr1394 ( here (http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5466046#post5466046)), only vague generalities about resolution impressions seem possible. But they'll fill up lots of AVS threads! :) -- John

Thanks, nicholc2 and John Mason for answering my posts. I'll keep looking through my channels for new ones and I'll just have to leave the resolution calculation to others. :)

At least in my market, they may be getting slightly better at "informing." The last significant change we found out by someone spotting a crawl on the weather channel 2 days before the change was made. The latest changes are actually posted on their website now for a big shuffle on 6/14. Most of it was channel changes (looks like they are matching the 2 digit SD channel number with "7" in front for the HD equivalent). We will get ESPN2 HD while our pay extra tier will "lose" another channel as ESPN HD goes "free."

Sorry to budge in this year long thread, but I'm very new to this having just sign on to TWC with HD extra last week. Just a few newbie questions.

In the channel listing in the first posting in this thread, there are a bunch of HD channels that I'd love to have but TWC is not broadcasting them yet. For example if they decide to offer say Sci-Fi HD or NGC HD, will it be done automatically by them or do I have to call them to request or "subscribe"?

Is there anything the public can do to request TWC offer these channels?

Where can I find a current updated list of HD channels like the lists that started this thread?

Thanks you for your time

Billy
NYC, SA8300HD w/HD extra service

Billy,
Each TWC area offers different channels, as you'll see when you read through this thread. In most areas, you'll receive the local affiliate HD broadcasts with an HD box, but if you want certain channels like ESPN-HD you need to subscribe to the "HDTV Tier" (it costs $6.95/mo. here). If you're already paying for that, then what you see is what you get.

As for your question "is there anything the public can do to request...", good luck...most of us have been requesting more HD channels ad nauseum, but they only add them when they damn well feel like it.

As for your question "is there anything the public can do to request...", good luck...most of us have been requesting more HD channels ad nauseum, but they only add them when they damn well feel like it.
A few weeks ago some members in the South Carolina locals forums starting encouraging using TWCSC website feedback to request the Golf/Versus HD channel. It is reported in local newspapers today it will be added June 15.

Billy,
Each TWC area offers different channels, as you'll see when you read through this thread. In most areas, you'll receive the local affiliate HD broadcasts with an HD box, but if you want certain channels like ESPN-HD you need to subscribe to the "HDTV Tier" (it costs $6.95/mo. here). If you're already paying for that, then what you see is what you get.

As for your question "is there anything the public can do to request...", good luck...most of us have been requesting more HD channels ad nauseum, but they only add them when they damn well feel like it.

thanks for your reply, I'm starting to feel good about the special promotion that TWC offered me. And that promotion is "no contract".

Billy,
Each TWC area offers different channels, as you'll see when you read through this thread. In most areas, you'll receive the local affiliate HD broadcasts with an HD box, but if you want certain channels like ESPN-HD you need to subscribe to the "HDTV Tier" (it costs $6.95/mo. here). If you're already paying for that, then what you see is what you get.

As for your question "is there anything the public can do to request...", good luck...most of us have been requesting more HD channels ad nauseum, but they only add them when they damn well feel like it.


In the Raleigh area, ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD are not part of a special HD tier.

Any news on the NFL network coming to Time Warner?

In the channel listing in the first posting in this thread, there are a bunch of HD channels that I'd love to have but TWC is not broadcasting them yet. For example if they decide to offer say Sci-Fi HD or NGC HD, will it be done automatically by them or do I have to call them to request or "subscribe"?

Is there anything the public can do to request TWC offer these channels?

Where can I find a current updated list of HD channels like the lists that started this thread?

The first post on this thread is continually updated (see date at bottom).

To see what is happening NATIONALLY wrt new HD channels, check this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=419472
When new channels (e.g. SCI-FI-HD) come on line, you should see it there first....
At which time, be sure to email your request to your local provider....

Since TWC deems it beneath their dignity to communicate future plans,
or even when new channels show up, you'll just have to join us in checking
the program guide for new channels.

Weeks to months later, it might even be listed on their local web site.....

Sorry to budge in this year long thread, but I'm very new to this having just sign on to TWC with HD extra last week. Just a few newbie questions.

In the channel listing in the first posting in this thread, there are a bunch of HD channels that I'd love to have but TWC is not broadcasting them yet. For example if they decide to offer say Sci-Fi HD or NGC HD, will it be done automatically by them or do I have to call them to request or "subscribe"?

Is there anything the public can do to request TWC offer these channels?

Where can I find a current updated list of HD channels like the lists that started this thread?

Thanks you for your time

Billy
NYC, SA8300HD w/HD extra service

To get current channel lineups for you area go to http://www.timewarnercable.com/ and enter your zip code.

You should also find a "contact us" link that you can use to at least them know about your interest in specific channels. May not have much influence, but it won't hurt either.

Any news on the NFL network coming to Time Warner?

Coming to Time Warner, and coming to Raleigh aren't necessarily the same thing. Keep your eye on this page:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/NC/programming/channelChangeUpdate.html

And it might offer an random glimmer of hope at some point.

To get current channel lineups for you area go to http://www.timewarnercable.com/ and enter your zip code.

You should also find a "contact us" link that you can use to at least them know about your interest in specific channels. May not have much influence, but it won't hurt either.

Our listings are very non current. They don't show CBS HD which has been up for 2 years as just one example.

Is Time Warner ever going to release a new DVR?

It seems insane to me to pay $$$$ for a "fancy" TV and then front-end it with a 4 (or is it 5) year old SA8300. :eek:

Is Time Warner ever going to release a new DVR?

It seems insane to me to pay $$$$ for a "fancy" TV and then front-end it with a 4 (or is it 5) year old SA8300. :eek:
That's about a three year exaggeration and there have been several firmware updates along the way.

That's about a three year exaggeration and there have been several firmware updates along the way.

Yeah, I agree. It's nowhere near as slick as the Tivo S3 but I'd rather pay $10 a month and get a new one when it comes out vs. paying $800 + sub fees for a box upfront. It's not like my 8300 is stinking up the joint. The interface could be a little better and the HD a little bigger but solid PQ and moderate DVR functionality tips me in favor of the SA when looking at the $$$.

That's about a three year exaggeration and there have been several firmware updates along the way.BFD... firmware updates do nothing to upgrade the hardware: processor, chipset, HDD, etc.Yeah, I agree. It's nowhere near as slick as the Tivo S3 but I'd rather pay $10 a month and get a new one when it comes out vs. paying $800 + sub fees for a box upfront. It's not like my 8300 is stinking up the joint. The interface could be a little better and the HD a little bigger but solid PQ and moderate DVR functionality tips me in favor of the SA when looking at the $$$.Not IMO... I can afford to pay $$$ if not $$$$ for DCR equipment that will help my PDP render a better picture... if TW would open up their network, I'm willing to pay for the service.

Time Warner to Stop Charging for ESPN HD Channels

Cable Operator’s Move Part of Broad Carriage Deal with Disney

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 5/23/2007 5:34:00 PM

Big-screen sports fans, take note: Time Warner Cable is making ESPN’s two HD simulcasts -- ESPN HD and ESPN 2 HD -- available free-of-charge as part of its digital-cable lineup across all of its divisions.

In certain markets, Time Warner had included ESPN’s HD channels in Premium HD or HD Plus tiers that run $4-$10 per month. This varied by division. For example, ESPN HD previously cost extra in New York, but it has been part of the regular HD lineup in Austin. Texas.

Time Warner spokesman Alex Dudley said the decision to provide ESPN HD and ESPN 2 HD free-of-charge to all digital subscribers was part of the broad carriage agreement the operator and Disney announced last month.

The Disney deal also called for Time Warner to carry ESPNU and the forthcoming ESPNEWS HD, slated to launch next year.

ESPN spokeswoman Rebecca Gertsmark said the sports programmer does not “get involved in any way with the retail-pricing arrangements of operators” when negotiating carriage deals.

Most of Time Warner’s HD programming is included with a digital-cable subscription at no extra cost. The operator offers 17-27 HD channels, depending on the market, including local broadcast simulcasts and HD feeds of pay TV channels.

According to Dudley, Time Warner will now typically charge extra for only four HD channels: HDNet, HDNet Movies, Mojo (formerly INHD) and Universal HD.

Operators that currently offer ESPN HD or ESPN 2 HD in a premium-priced tier in some or all of their markets include Charter Communications, Suddenlink Communications and Bright House Networks.

http://multichannel.com/article/CA6446179.html

Time Warner to Stop Charging for ESPN HD Channels

Cable Operator’s Move Part of Broad Carriage Deal with Disney

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 5/23/2007 5:34:00 PM

Big-screen sports fans, take note: Time Warner Cable is making ESPN’s two HD simulcasts -- ESPN HD and ESPN 2 HD -- available free-of-charge as part of its digital-cable lineup across all of its divisions.

In certain markets, Time Warner had included ESPN’s HD channels in Premium HD or HD Plus tiers that run $4-$10 per month. This varied by division. For example, ESPN HD previously cost extra in New York, but it has been part of the regular HD lineup in Austin. Texas.

Time Warner spokesman Alex Dudley said the decision to provide ESPN HD and ESPN 2 HD free-of-charge to all digital subscribers was part of the broad carriage agreement the operator and Disney announced last month.

The Disney deal also called for Time Warner to carry ESPNU and the forthcoming ESPNEWS HD, slated to launch next year.

ESPN spokeswoman Rebecca Gertsmark said the sports programmer does not “get involved in any way with the retail-pricing arrangements of operators” when negotiating carriage deals.

Most of Time Warner’s HD programming is included with a digital-cable subscription at no extra cost. The operator offers 17-27 HD channels, depending on the market, including local broadcast simulcasts and HD feeds of pay TV channels.

According to Dudley, Time Warner will now typically charge extra for only four HD channels: HDNet, HDNet Movies, Mojo (formerly INHD) and Universal HD.

Operators that currently offer ESPN HD or ESPN 2 HD in a premium-priced tier in some or all of their markets include Charter Communications, Suddenlink Communications and Bright House Networks.

http://multichannel.com/article/CA6446179.html

Well, I subscribed to the HD tier the day they announced ESPNHD was available (and on that tier) and I'll likely cancel that tier the day it is on the regular digital tier. That is, of course, unless they add other quality television to the tier. No offense to anyone that enjoys MOJO, HDNet, and UHD - I just hardly ever watch those networks.

Well, I subscribed to the HD tier the day they announced ESPNHD was available (and on that tier) and I'll likely cancel that tier the day it is on the regular digital tier. That is, of course, unless they add other quality television to the tier. No offense to anyone that enjoys MOJO, HDNet, and UHD - I just hardly ever watch those networks.Of course this means that the rates for EVERYONE will go up (again) - even if they don't give a damn about ESPN! :eek:

Well, I subscribed to the HD tier the day they announced ESPNHD was available (and on that tier) and I'll likely cancel that tier the day it is on the regular digital tier. That is, of course, unless they add other quality television to the tier. No offense to anyone that enjoys MOJO, HDNet, and UHD - I just hardly ever watch those networks.

Some of us don't even get UHD on our tier now! I am enjoying my cancelled HD Tier right now since I lost it for about a week and have since been getting it (the tier) for free. Nice to benefit from one of the many TWC glitches for once.

Of course this means that the rates for EVERYONE will go up (again) - even if they don't give a damn about ESPN! :eek:
Your rates were almost certainly going to go up anyway - now, they'll use that as an excuse.

The thinking of what I pay for cable is enough to make me boil. Slowly, but surely, rates are edgeing upward. Cities are making more in "franchise fees" or whatever else they tack on (almost as bad as the phone bill). They offer "Basic cable" at a semi-inexpensive rate to keep the government happy.

For the overwhelming part, cable is commercial television. If the commercials can't cut it or stations/channels can't afford to *pay* the cable operators for providing an outlet for the commercials, all the cable operators should bankrupt so it can work the other way around.

We're paying an arm and a leg for the opportunity to watch commercials. Clever.

I can afford to pay $$$ if not $$$$ for DCR equipment that will help my PDP render a better picture... if TW would open up their network, I'm willing to pay for the service.

That's fine, but I'm not sure that anyone is saying that the Tivo S3 offers you better PQ than the 8300. Better interface, newer hardware and Tivo technology are all good buying points for sure. That said, there are a lot more people driving Toyota's than Lexus'. Tivo's S3 price point has put it in the luxury market compared to the 8300 which is a lot more comfortable to the pocket book.

Time Warner to Stop Charging for ESPN HD Channels

Cable Operator’s Move Part of Broad Carriage Deal with Disney

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 5/23/2007 5:34:00 PM

Big-screen sports fans, take note: Time Warner Cable is making ESPN’s two HD simulcasts -- ESPN HD and ESPN 2 HD -- available free-of-charge as part of its digital-cable lineup across all of its divisions.

In certain markets, Time Warner had included ESPN’s HD channels in Premium HD or HD Plus tiers that run $4-$10 per month. This varied by division. For example, ESPN HD previously cost extra in New York, but it has been part of the regular HD lineup in Austin. Texas.

Time Warner spokesman Alex Dudley said the decision to provide ESPN HD and ESPN 2 HD free-of-charge to all digital subscribers was part of the broad carriage agreement the operator and Disney announced last month.

The Disney deal also called for Time Warner to carry ESPNU and the forthcoming ESPNEWS HD, slated to launch next year.

ESPN spokeswoman Rebecca Gertsmark said the sports programmer does not “get involved in any way with the retail-pricing arrangements of operators” when negotiating carriage deals.

Most of Time Warner’s HD programming is included with a digital-cable subscription at no extra cost. The operator offers 17-27 HD channels, depending on the market, including local broadcast simulcasts and HD feeds of pay TV channels.

According to Dudley, Time Warner will now typically charge extra for only four HD channels: HDNet, HDNet Movies, Mojo (formerly INHD) and Universal HD.

Operators that currently offer ESPN HD or ESPN 2 HD in a premium-priced tier in some or all of their markets include Charter Communications, Suddenlink Communications and Bright House Networks.

http://multichannel.com/article/CA6446179.html

:mad: Well there goes my ESPN HD. Our TWC had ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD on a HD Tier for a reasonable price and I also have "basic" cable service. For me, it was a nice, inexpensive set up. Now with this latest move by TWC, I have to upgrade to "standard" to get ESPN HD & ESPN2 HD. Is an extra $312 dollars a year worth it for these two channels? That is my annual additional cost for "upgrading" "basic" to "standard". Anyone out there have ESPN HD still available on a HD Tier? The customer "no service" guy tonight told me that ESPN is not available at all in any HD Tier. Any thoughts?

I assume this means espn Hd and espn2Hd will be available on QAM. Similar to Discovery Theater and TNT Hd. Then all you need is basic and a QAM tuner...$10 a month.

I assume this means espn Hd and espn2Hd will be available on QAM. Similar to Discovery Theater and TNT Hd. Then all you need is basic and a QAM tuner...$10 a month.

Unless, like me, you have a QAM tuner, Time Warner ( I even subscribed to digital) and the channels still were 'scrambled' or not found or whatever without getting the HD box....bah

Unless, like me, you have a QAM tuner, Time Warner ( I even subscribed to digital) and the channels still were 'scrambled' or not found or whatever without getting the HD box....bah"The box" is part of the digital package. They just said that it would be no charge on the digital package - that does not mean that it will be available on the most basic service (basic analog + local digital stations on "in the clear" QAM.

"The box" is part of the digital package. They just said that it would be no charge on the digital package - that does not mean that it will be available on the most basic service (basic analog + local digital stations on "in the clear" QAM.

Sorry. Perhaps I misunderstood the post. What I meant was that just because you have a QAM tuner doesn't mean you can get squat. I just depends on your individual situation.

I assume this means espn Hd and espn2Hd will be available on QAM. Similar to Discovery Theater and TNT Hd. Then all you need is basic and a QAM tuner...$10 a month.
i'm still waiting for this, i've been checking everynight, i dont get Discovery in the clear, and they took away my TNT in the clear for a couple months then gave it back, if i find ESPN&2HD in the clear i'll probably ruin my pants (the only thing i'd be missing is FSN-HD)

Dude!!!!!

you guys are totally thinking the wrong thing on this move... I dont know about most divisions, but I do know that mine here in Desert Cities, most customers will be very happy now to get ESPN HD for free and wont have to subscribe to the VIP package anymore to get ESPN HD. That one guy said now he wont be able to get it since he was on a tier or something and has to pay for it... well out here in my division, if you have a HD box, we already provide all the local broadcast networks in HD as well as TNT HD and Discovery HD all for free when you have a HD box which is free to upgrade to if you already have a regular digital box. There is no tier out here for those HD channels cus they are already free, just need the HD box. So I dont understand why you wouldnt already be getting the other HD channels for free and think you have to pay for ESPN HD, its now on the free tier, you just need a HD Box and a HD service code on the ACCT. to receive it free!! can I say it anymore, ITS FREE, lol...

It's about time! I will be dropping the crappy $7 "HD tier" as soon as ESPN and the deuce is free. Is there a set date for all markets for this to happen? I never understood how they could get away charging extra for a channel that is in the regular $50 cable tier.

I also don't understand how it isn't required that all channels that you can get "free" with the HD cable box are not also provided over QAM, such as TNT, Discovery, local sports, ect? Will this ever change or will we be stuck with only getting the locals forever?

That's fine, but I'm not sure that anyone is saying that the Tivo S3 offers you better PQ than the 8300. Better interface, newer hardware and Tivo technology are all good buying points for sure. That said, there are a lot more people driving Toyota's than Lexus'. Tivo's S3 price point has put it in the luxury market compared to the 8300 which is a lot more comfortable to the pocket book.If Time Warner, Comcast, etc., supported OCAP interactive TV (http://www.opencable.com/ocap/); I'm reasonably confident that cable subscribers would be offered many additional choices other than just TiVo's S3 or TWs SA3000. ;)

I assume this means espn Hd and espn2Hd will be available on QAM. Similar to Discovery Theater and TNT Hd. Then all you need is basic and a QAM tuner...$10 a month.

Uh, I seriously doubt they'd put them in the clear (tunable by a QAM equipped display minus the cable STB).

FWIW, in the NYC market, UnHD is NOT a part of the HDXtra tier (HDNet, HDNet-M, Mojo, ESPN until 6/14).

Here's the royal screw part... all of us who subscribed to that pay extra tier lost one of the 5 channels we had signed up for in January. Just upstate from me, TWC moved ESPN HD to the digital tier AND gave all customers a FULL YEAR of SHO including it's HD channel. Here in NYC, they held off moving ESPN HD and have offered nothing, nada, zilch to us AND we will have one less HD channels on the HDXtra tier.

Oh, the local franchise SWORE they would replace that original lost channel... but never did.

I also don't understand how it isn't required that all channels that you can get "free" with the HD cable box are not also provided over QAM, such as TNT, Discovery, local sports, ect? Will this ever change or will we be stuck with only getting the locals forever?

You don't get ESPN, TNT, Discovery, etc. free with an HD box. You get them free when you subscribe to the digital package. Instead of having a regular box, you get an HD one. They are basically making more peope become digital subscribers. I think there is some kind of law that mandates a cable company can't charge extra for HD locals since they are provided free OTA. I'm not 100% sure on that but I think it is the case.

You don't get ESPN, TNT, Discovery, etc. free with an HD box. You get them free when you subscribe to the digital package. Instead of having a regular box, you get an HD one. They are basically making more peope become digital subscribers.


Bottom line is that this varies from divison to division. Some divisions put TNT and Discovery "in the clear," meaning that everyone with a QAM tuner and a subscription to the "limited", "basic" or "lifeline" tier can tune the channels.

Some divisions, don't put TNT and Discovery "in the clear" but do grant authorization to those persons who have the "expanded basic" or some other tier or even the "limited tier". Since its not "in the clear" a cablecard or HD box is required in order to have access to TNT or Discovery.

I have heard that some divisions state that a subscription to the "digital tier" is required. They also say that for the local HD stations. In all likelihood, you probably don't need the digital tier. However, as we all know, the reps are clueless. For years they were told a box was only required if the customer wanted digital (or if they did not have a cable tuner included in the TV). THe reps don't know how QAM or cablecards work. So its easier to state a digital tier subscription is requried (which includes the box).

I think there is some kind of law that mandates a cable company can't charge extra for HD locals since they are provided free OTA. I'm not 100% sure on that but I think it is the case.

Yes. Its required by FCC regulations which, when applicable, mandates that the locals be made available on the lowest available tier ("limited tier").

Haven't read this entire thread but here in the Dallas market, I have the "Watch N' Surf Bundle" along with the $8/month digital receiver, which includes Standard Cable (Basic/Expanded) and Classic Tier. I can pick up the primary networks as well as TNT and Discovery Theater in HD but ESPN HD is blocked. Is there another tier for which I need a subscription or is TWC short-changing me?

Haven't read this entire thread but here in the Dallas market, I have the "Watch N' Surf Bundle" along with the $8/month digital receiver, which includes Standard Cable (Basic/Expanded) and Classic Tier. I can pick up the primary networks as well as TNT and Discovery Theater in HD but ESPN HD is blocked. Is there another tier for which I need a subscription or is TWC short-changing me?

According to the channel guide you should be getting ESPN HD the same way you are getting TNT HD and Discovery HD. You need to call Time Warner.

Thanks for the immediate response, I'll get on it.

Followup, that channel (along with HDNet, NBC Universal and Mojo, which doesn't surprise me) are only available if I purchase the "HD Tier" for an additional $3 per month. The nickel and diming for the HD box was enough for me personally and I don't watch enough sports to feel that's money well spent. Was I fed a line of misinfo with regards to ESPN-HD and its inclusion in the "HD tier?" I may call later and try contesting again...being low on sleep, I didn't have my faculties to solidly contest it.

Edit: Checking my local channel lineup, I see that both ESPN/ESPN2 HD are superscripted with a "2," which claims the following:
"2 Channels also available to Standard Cable customers with an HD Receiver."

And the HD tier has nothing to do with these channels. I'll be calling back. ;)

Do we even get espn2 hd on twc in nyc?
I dont think i've ever seen it and I subscribe to the HD extra package!

Followup, that channel (along with HDNet, NBC Universal and Mojo, which doesn't surprise me) are only available if I purchase the "HD Tier" for an additional $3 per month. The nickel and diming for the HD box was enough for me personally and I don't watch enough sports to feel that's money well spent. Was I fed a line of misinfo with regards to ESPN-HD and its inclusion in the "HD tier?" I may call later and try contesting again...being low on sleep, I didn't have my faculties to solidly contest it.

Edit: Checking my local channel lineup, I see that both ESPN/ESPN2 HD are superscripted with a "2," which claims the following:
"2 Channels also available to Standard Cable customers with an HD Receiver."

And the HD tier has nothing to do with these channels. I'll be calling back. ;)

Similar story here....I was told last night that if I want ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD, I need to upgrade from my current Basic Cable Service to Standard Cable Service. That would be an additional $26 dollars a month. I do have a HD DVR.

From May 2nd to May 23rd, both ESPN's appeared on my HD Theater tier(HDnet, HD Movie, UniversalHD, etc.), and with this new contract, ESPN will no longer be available on any HD Tier/theater/ package. However with Standard cable service I would be able to get both ESPN's. So no ESPN tonight.

Do we even get espn2 hd on twc in nyc?
I dont think i've ever seen it and I subscribe to the HD extra package!

Its being added June 14th (when ESPNHD is moved of the HDXTRA Tier)

Its being added June 14th (when ESPNHD is moved of the HDXTRA Tier)
About time!
what's the word with espn news hd?

There appears to be some confusion here about different ties that could use some clarifying (I hope I do that).

First, different TW (or any cable system) has different policies - so what applies in Rochester, NY may not apply to San Diego. But the general concept applies.

First: There is BASIC (or limited basic, or lifeline basic): Includes the local stations plus a few more that cable may toss in (usually shopping channels). This is intended for direct connect to the TV and (by FCC regulation) must also include the local HDTV channels. Costs are regulated and typically are less than $10/month.

Then: There is EXPANDED BASIC which includes something like 70 analog channels and typically costs (I'll guess) $40 or so a month. Again, these channels are received by direct connection to the TV. The cable companies keep the Basic customers from receiving these with a filter (band pass tap). Some cable companies are trying to eliminate this tier by converting these subscribers to the digital tier.

Finally: There is the DIGITAL tier. To get this tier you also need a digital STB (or CableCard - which is a special case, to be discussed below), I believe that the monthy fee for this tier is somewhere around $60 and cable may charge extra for the digital STB. These days you need to be on this tier to subscribe to things like HBO or Showtime (or the HDTier like HDNet, and formerly ESPN HD). It also lets you get PPV and On Demand. TW has a policy of providing an HD STB for this tier instead of the regular SD STB and no extra cost (free?). I believe that this is where they intend to put ESPN HD.

*CableCard: Basically allows folks to receive the digital tier without having the digital STB. So it usually is a little cheaper. However, there are limitations to the CableCard. Principally the TV sets that use them can't talk back to the cable system - so there is no way to "order" PPV movies/events (except to call on the phone) or On Demand programs. WORSE: TW (and other cable systems) are implementing a new technology called Switched Digital Video (SDV) where programs are not "turned on" to your neighborhood network (node) until someone's cable box tells the system that they want to watch the program. This effectively expands the capacity of the network and will be used often in the future with new HD channels. This effectively "shuts-out" certain channels for the current generation of sets (and Series 3 TiVos) with cable card slots. This will be changing in a year or so with the implementation of OCAP compatible consumer owned equipment (EX: SeriesX TiVo). It WILL NOT likely work with current equipment.

Again, things differ somewhat from specific TW system to specific system - but the above is a general view of tiers.

*CableCard: Basically allows folks to receive the digital tier without having the digital STB. So it usually is a little cheaper.As in $1.75 versus $17.90 (http://www.timewarnercable.com/albany/products/pricing.html#dvr) per month. :eek: If subscribers keep coughing up $214.80 per year to Time Warner, they will never feel compelled to upgrade those crappy old SA8300s.

As in $1.75 versus $17.90 (http://www.timewarnercable.com/albany/products/pricing.html#dvr) per month. :eek: If subscribers keep coughing up $214.80 per year to Time Warner, they will never feel compelled to upgrade those crappy old SA8300s.I read $7.65/month. You are attempting to mislead folks by adding the DVR fee to the STB fee.

As in $1.75 versus $17.90 (http://www.timewarnercable.com/albany/products/pricing.html#dvr) per month. :eek: If subscribers keep coughing up $214.80 per year to Time Warner, they will never feel compelled to upgrade those crappy old SA8300s.


Crappy? Old? They may need better firmware but I think it is a very solid platform, particularly with the demands of mass deployment.

Crappy? Old? They may need better firmware but I think it is a very solid platform, particularly with the demands of mass deployment.


If picture quality means anything I would take cablecard over the output from the 8300hd. Also, with cablecard, I can use my own toshiba symbio dvr that has more than paid for itself compared with th $18 / month TWC charges for the 8300hd.

Well, I called TWC back with the channel lineup in plain sight so they couldn't mislead me again...this time they activated both ESPN1/2 in HD.

Also, the HD STB in Dallas costs $8/month to rent (the DVR is $12/month) on top of the cable fees.

I read $7.65/month. You are attempting to mislead folks by adding the DVR fee to the STB fee.Mislead? Not me. This is the monthly charge for Albany Time Warner’s DVR + Program Guide + Remote when a subscriber w/digital cable declines to cough up at least another $14.95 per month for one of TWs not-so-premium movie channels.Crappy? Old? They may need better firmware but I think it is a very solid platform, particularly with the demands of mass deployment.My technical decisions are not influenced by TWs approach to deploying as many STBs for the minimum expense. The SA8300 is at least 4 years old which makes it an antique by digital A/V equipment standards. Firmware updates may provide a few additional tweaks and capabilities for this aging platform but it does nothing to upgrade the hardware itself: HDD, memory, tuner, scalar, etc.

"For those of you under the impression that the local cable company cares about quality and such things as accurate scaling, you are sorely mistaken. Local cable companies charge a small monthly fee (and usually no installation fee) for those utilizing their equipment. What this means is that they are concerned about features but certainly not about quality, since most of their customers are not aware of what they are missing (http://www.audioholics.com/education/display-formats-technology/cablecards-a-primer)."

Mislead? Not me.
The SA8300 is at least 4 years old which makes it an antique by digital A/V equipment standards.
Again, it's less than 3 years old.

It looks as if you're right about the age of the device... 3 yeas this fall.

But it doesn't change the fact that the SA8300 is a ~$20 per month hunk of junk and Time Warner is doing everything they can to maintain their STB stranglehold ( http://www.freedomworks.org/uploads/20070402.pdf).

“All the Best?” I believe not.

Golf/Versus-HD - Has the rights to as of 4/1/07, has been added temporarily in TWC of Buffalo
FWIW, Golf/Versus quietly appeared here in central Ohio on TW about a week ago. It's not a very good channel, but has added some Stanley Cup coverage.

Time Warner is doing everything they can to maintain their STB stranglehold ( http://www.freedomworks.org/uploads/20070402.pdf).

Which is the case for all cable companies.

I kind of like my SA8300HD. It hasn't rebooted in over a year ,and I have a 500gb esata addon that works flawlessly. Sorry that others have issues with their boxes.

The 8000HD was a terrible box in all regards.

You don't get ESPN, TNT, Discovery, etc. free with an HD box. You get them free when you subscribe to the digital package. Instead of having a regular box, you get an HD one. They are basically making more peope become digital subscribers. I think there is some kind of law that mandates a cable company can't charge extra for HD locals since they are provided free OTA. I'm not 100% sure on that but I think it is the case.
My point is that if you are subscribing and receiving the analog channels on expanded basic (1-99, ESPN, Discovery, TNT, ect) then there is no reason you should have to pay again for these channels in HD. The cable companies can say all they want about them being on the digital tier but these are the same exact channels I'm already paying for in SD. If you have a QAM tuner and already pay for these channels in SD they should be provided in the clear in HD. Cable is all about nickel and diming the customer but I don't think this sounds too unfair.

I kind of like my SA8300HD. It hasn't rebooted in over a year ,and I have a 500gb esata addon that works flawlessly. Sorry that others have issues with their boxes.

The 8000HD was a terrible box in all regards.


Ditto all of that...

My point is that if you are subscribing and receiving the analog channels on expanded basic (1-99, ESPN, Discovery, TNT, ect) then there is no reason you should have to pay again for these channels in HD. The cable companies can say all they want about them being on the digital tier but these are the same exact channels I'm already paying for in SD. If you have a QAM tuner and already pay for these channels in SD they should be provided in the clear in HD. Cable is all about nickel and diming the customer but I don't think this sounds too unfair.


Thats not really a fair statement though. In many circumstances, the cable provider pays extra for the HD channel on top of the SD channel. For example, from what I have read, Time Warner had to negotiate and pay ESPN for ESPNHD on top of what they already pay for ESPN.

Thats not really a fair statement though. In many circumstances, the cable provider pays extra for the HD channel on top of the SD channel. For example, from what I have read, Time Warner had to negotiate and pay ESPN for ESPNHD on top of what they already pay for ESPN.
exarctly, in many cases the HD channel costs the cable co extra loot, however for cable-co's that carry SD-digital versions of typical analog expanded basic cable channels (comedy central, discovery, history, TBS, etc...) it would be nice if the SD-digitals were in the clear (there are a few systems like this, not mine though, apparently we have too much bandwidth for them to give me comedy central in digital, they'd rather just let it keep taking up 6MHz)

It looks as if you're right about the age of the device... 3 yeas this fall.

But it doesn't change the fact that the SA8300 is a ~$20 per month hunk of junk and Time Warner is doing everything they can to maintain their STB stranglehold ( http://www.freedomworks.org/uploads/20070402.pdf).

“All the Best?” I believe not.


Sorry if you have any problems. My 8300 has no problems, of any kind. :)

My problem with TWC is no new HD programming! :mad:

Sorry if you have any problems. My 8300 has no problems, of any kind. :)

My problem with TWC is no new HD programming! :mad:
Ditto here. Notice DirecTV ads 'tweaking' cable about their upcoming 150 HD channel capability and await cable's practical response.

Fairly smooth 8300Hd performance, including DVR use for several years. Only complaint, and it's unclear how much is caused by STB limitations at this location or possible rate-shaping resolution reductions by TWC, is a limitation in effective maximum horizontal resolution to only 1280 lines (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424), with similar reports from many others. There's one report (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8509731&&#post8509731) from someone on a much smaller cable system apparently getting ~1920 lines resolvable test pattern detail from a 8300HD. 8300HD firmware and memory use between locations might be a factor. -- John

Sorry if you have any problems. My 8300 has no problems, of any kind. :)

My problem with TWC is no new HD programming! :mad:As long as CATV subscribers are will to settle for less, our local cable companies will be glad to oblige. TW using bandwidth starved coax, cannot provide additional HD programming... SDV will not be a panacea & eventually TW will have to roll out fiber if they want to remain competitive with the Telco's.

TW using bandwidth starved coax, cannot provide additional HD programming... SDV will not be a panacea & eventually TW will have to roll out fiber if they want to remain competitive with the Telco's.

That may have to happen sooner rather than later here in central Ohio. AT&T is busily installing fiberoptic U-Verse where they plan to deliver some serious digital TV, internet and phone in a matter of months. In my neighborhood, they've already installed the equipment right next to the entrance of my development.

Supposedly later this year, it's going to get interesting around here.

That may have to happen sooner rather than later here in central Ohio. AT&T is busily installing fiberoptic U-Verse where they plan to deliver some serious digital TV, internet and phone in a matter of months. In my neighborhood, they've already installed the equipment right next to the entrance of my development.

Supposedly later this year, it's going to get interesting around here.Verizon FiOS cable is ~100' from my house... but currently there is no FiOS TV service available in the Albany, NY region. :mad:

with all those hd channels from dtv most launching in sept twc will lose many people including me.

with all those hd channels from dtv most launching in sept twc will lose many people including me.

No date on when we can have local HD programming from DTV here. I'm not in a good place for off air so I won't switch until then DTV has local HD. Also don't know if I want to go with DSL for internet.

No date on when we can have local HD programming from DTV here. I'm not in a good place for off air so I won't switch until then DTV has local HD. Also don't know if I want to go with DSL for internet.I have Verizon DSL & my service is solid, much better going directly to their switch than sharing a broadband connection with other households/businesses on my network segment.

I have Verizon DSL & my service is solid, much better going directly to their switch than sharing a broadband connection with other households/businesses on my network segment.


I have that before but don't put much stock in it. Whether you combine at the neighborhood or at the central office doesn't make much difference if there are too many people trying to use the same bandwidth.

I get a rock solid 8 Mbs down and 756 up. I never see a variance from that.

Besides there are a great many "switches" (routers) between you and where you are going on the internet. One more or less isn't going to make a big difference. A well laid out fiber coax hybrid works quite well.

Also DSL speed drops off fairly rapidly if you have a lot of phone line between you and the central office or Dslam.

Also DSL uses PPoE uses here which has been a bit problematic in the discovery stage for my neighbors from time to time.

I have that before but don't put much stock in it. Whether you combine at the neighborhood or at the central office doesn't make much difference if there are too many people trying to use the same bandwidth.

I get a rock solid 8 Mbs down and 756 up. I never see a variance from that.

Besides there are a great many "switches" (routers) between you and where you are going on the internet. One more or less isn't going to make a big difference. A well laid out fiber coax hybrid works quite well.

Also DSL speed drops off fairly rapidly if you have a lot of phone line between you and the central office or Dslam.

Also DSL uses PPoE uses here which has been a bit problematic in the discovery stage for my neighbors from time to time.PPoE w/a Linksys router is relatively easy to configure. I'm close to Verizon's DSL switch and have never experienced any major network lag. My experience with Time Warner's broadband service was very problematic with the first hop being the worst. It doesn't matter what service one subscribes to regarding the destination response time if it is not a part of that ISPs network.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzequg9f/ppoe-over-dsl.JPG

I have that before but don't put much stock in it. Whether you combine at the neighborhood or at the central office doesn't make much difference if there are too many people trying to use the same bandwidth.

I get a rock solid 8 Mbs down and 756 up. I never see a variance from that.
Acually, in this case, location is everything. The main switching station as a lot more throughput than individual nodes.

If you are getting that kind of performance consistantly from cable, you're lucky. I was too, since I live in an industrial area where there weren't a lot of other cable broadband customers sucking up bandwidth on my node. Of course, that was before the cable company capped the bandwidth, then offered to give me it back for a higher monthly charge.

Besides there are a great many "switches" (routers) between you and where you are going on the internet. One more or less isn't going to make a big difference. A well laid out fiber coax hybrid works quite well.
That has nothing to do with your service bandwidth. Your connection will only be as fast as the slowest connection between you and the destination. That one slow extra router could hamstring your entire connection. It's like having a wireless B device log onto your G network. Everyone moves as slow as that one B device.

Also DSL speed drops off fairly rapidly if you have a lot of phone line between you and the central office or Dslam.

Also DSL uses PPoE uses here which has been a bit problematic in the discovery stage for my neighbors from time to time.
Distance has always been an issue for DSL, but repeaters are improving things a lot. However, DSL still isn't for everyone. Heck, broadband in general still isn't for everyone.

I've never had an issue with PPoE. You just need to set your router correctly. I blame ISPs and Router companies for not making that process easier for people. Of course, this same issue is the reason why so many people have unsecured wireless routers out there using the default name. The most popular broadband service provider goes by the name of "Linksys".

The only major issue I take with PPoE is having my IDENT port closed, not stealthed. Newer routers and ISP verification systems are eliminating that issue, though.

What is the title of this thread again?

What is the title of this thread again?
hmmm....i guess we need to change the forum title :rolleyes:

this should get it back on track!


Future HD channels update


The Movie Channel-HD - is done, supposedly
Food Network-HD - in negotiations
HGTV-HD - in negotiations
Lifetime Movie Network-HD - in negotiations
NFL Network-HD - in negotiations
Outdoor Channel 2-HD – is not in the works


Known Deals Done

HBO-HD
Cinemax-HD
Showtime-HD
Starz-HD
ESPN-HD
ESPN2-HD
HDNet
HDNet Movies
MOJO
Universal-HD
TNT-HD
DHD
MHD
A&E-HD
Golf/Versus-HD
WealthTV-HD - Currently TWC has a deal only for HD-VOD content & only in San Antonio
National Geographic-HD - has been added only in TWC of Hawaii
Sleuth-HD - Has the rights to, but has not yet added.
ESPN News-HD - coming to TWC in Q1 2008
Disney Channel-HD - coming to TWC in Q1 2008
ABC Family-HD - coming to TWC in Q1 2008


Negotiations Unknown

Big Ten Network-HD (Launching in August)
The History Channel-HD (Launching in September)
TBS-HD (Launching in September)
CNN-HD (Launching in September)
Cartoon Network-HD (Launching in September)
The Weather Channel-HD (Launching in September)
Starz Comedy-HD (Launching in September)
Starz Edge-HD (Launching in September)
Starz Kids & Family-HD (Launching in September)
Animal Planet-HD (Launching in September)
TLC-HD (Launching in September)
The Science Channel-HD (Launching in September)
Discovery Channel-HD (Launching in September)
Chiller-HD (Launching in 2007)
Sci-Fi-HD (Launching in 2007)
USA-HD (Launching in 2007)
Bravo-HD (Launching in 2007)
MGM-HD (Launching Fall 2007)
The Tennis Channel-HD (Launching in December)
TBN-HD (Launching in Q4 2007)
RFD-HD (Launching in Q4 2007)
Toon Disney-HD (Launching in Q1 2008)
MSNBC-HD (Launching in 2008)
2 Unknown Discovery Channels (Launching in 2008)
CNBC-HD
FX-HD
Speed-HD
Smithsonian-HD
Vatican-HD
BBC-HD
Al Jazeera-HD
IFC-HD
NHL Network-HD

VOOM Channels
Rave HD
Equator HD
Gallery HD
Animania HD
Rush HD
Ultra HD
Monsters HD
HD News
Film Fest HD
Kung Fu HD
WorldSport HD
World Cinema HD
Gameplay HD
Family Room HD
Treasure HD

Do you suppose that they (TWC folks) really read/care about email requests? Hate to be cynical, but....

It's amazing how unattractive most of those channels appear to me. Sleuth could be interesting. The news channels will be great. I hope the Fox News HD channel gets cranked up soon. Maybe the SCIFI channel and FX would be good once in a while, but they're going to need some HD material from somewhere. Otherwise, what we have seems to be pretty much ok for me except that music channel doesn't ever ring my bell.

Most of these channels will be like plaque floating around in the bloodstream just ready to cause a blockage at any time. Cable needs needs bandwidth and the lifesaving medicine is still in development. Until it appears in your system, you should hope these channels don't show up.

Do you suppose that they (TWC folks) really read/care about email requests? Hate to be cynical, but....

Have you tryed emailing your local VP of programming, and the VP at corporate?

It doesn't hurt to try.

Most of these channels will be like plaque floating around in the bloodstream just ready to cause a blockage at any time. Cable needs needs bandwidth and the lifesaving medicine is still in development. Until it appears in your system, you should hope these channels don't show up.

Which channels would you prefer?

Which channels would you prefer?
Does it matter?

One person's preferences are quite boring and irrelevant. It would be nice if broadcasters went by ratings for adding channels.

hmmm....i guess we need to change the forum title :rolleyes:OK, how about "Time Warner Cable TV sucks" :p

Do you suppose that they (TWC folks) really read/care about email requests? Hate to be cynical, but....Do you mean to say that subscribers concerns being expressed in the form of electronic mail winds up in the:

bit-bucket of nothingness? :eek:

Are TW execs still laughing all-of-the-way to the bank? :D

I have (2) cousins who work for TW... they enjoy a very generous compensation package... as it should be... which is reflected in my cable bill. :p

I guess the joke is on me then. :cool:

After all… we are nothing more than a herd of sheep (http://bertc.com/subfour/herd_of_sheep.htm)… being led to wherever the powers that be want us, which means we get what we deserve. ;)

OK, how about "Time Warner Cable TV sucks" :p
Please press for your fiber hookup. I'm begging you... :p

Which channels would you prefer?

The channels that I cited. ............ My point is that lots of HD channels may not be a good thing, particularly when they are really nothing special anyway. Certainly, Fox; NBC; ABC; CBS and, perhaps, CW and MY TV (although I doubt it) are the most significant channels available. ESPN is vital for sports coverage. Some news channels are very important. PBN is a good one to CLAIM that you watch. In New England, we have to have NESN for the Red Sox. After that, I can take or leave most other channels' offerings. (mostly leave)

What I guess would be good are other channels similar to FOX; NBC; ABC and CBS. The only trouble is that means more new material in HD and not just a rerun of what you previously saw on one of the listed networks. So, it's not just channels that we need, it is really fresh, new material that is lacking. Like I say, more channels without the new material are just going to "clog up the arteries" and not provide any "nourishment."

OK, how about "Time Warner Cable TV sucks" :p
that won't work at all, it doesn't mention how craptastic their internet service is

Do you mean to say that subscribers concerns being expressed in the form of electronic mail winds up in the:

bit-bucket of nothingness? :eek:

Are TW execs still laughing all-of-the-way to the bank? :D

I have (2) cousins who work for TW... they enjoy a very generous compensation package... as it should be... which is reflected in my cable bill. :p

I guess the joke is on me then. :cool:

After all… we are nothing more than a herd of sheep (http://bertc.com/subfour/herd_of_sheep.htm)… being led to wherever the powers that be want us, which means we get what we deserve. ;)

I've started to wonder if you committed some crime that caused a judge to sentence you to paying for an entertainment service that you dislike so much. I don't know why else you would be paying for something that brings you so much unhappiness. Hope your sentence is over soon, or that you get time off for good behavior, so that you are freed from your obligation and are able to switch to an entertainment service that brings you pleasure. ;)

I have no choice except not to watch TV. We cannot have a dish in our condo -- no exclusive use and all that-- so if we want to watch TV we are stuck with TW. Rabbit ears don''t work either.

If I had a choice I would change but I don't so I keep complaining.

Happy Memorial Day!

Does it matter?

One person's preferences are quite boring and irrelevant. It would be nice if broadcasters went by ratings for adding channels.

Boring and irrelevant to you, not me. I asked out of curiosity, since there were so many he wasn't interested in.

A lot of those are top rated cable channels.

I've started to wonder if you committed some crime that caused a judge to sentence you to paying for an entertainment service that you dislike so much. I don't know why else you would be paying for something that brings you so much unhappiness. Hope your sentence is over soon, or that you get time off for good behavior, so that you are freed from your obligation and are able to switch to an entertainment service that brings you pleasure. ;)Dude... I've been a loyal customer for 30 years :eek: why stop now? :D

(never missed a payment, never been late; TW can take its DRM & ...)

Seriously though, TW is the only game in town & until Verizon FiOS TV makes its debut in smAlbany, NY I have no other alternatives.

If you think I'm unhappy with TW... I'd like to express an opinion of my property tax assessor... who is a licensed extortionist. :mad:

Dude... I've been a loyal customer for 30 years :eek: why stop now? :D

(never missed a payment, never been late; TW can take its DRM & ...)

Seriously though, TW is the only game in town & until Verizon FiOS TV makes its debut in smAlbany, NY I have no other alternatives.

If you think I'm unhappy with TW... I'd like to express an opinion of my property tax assessor... who is a licensed extortionist. :mad:
what about D* & E*?

Dude... I've been a loyal customer for 30 years :eek: why stop now? :D

(never missed a payment, never been late; TW can take its DRM & ...)

Seriously though, TW is the only game in town & until Verizon FiOS TV makes its debut in smAlbany, NY I have no other alternatives.

If you think I'm unhappy with TW... I'd like to express an opinion of my property tax assessor... who is a licensed extortionist. :mad:

Time Warner Cable was formed in 1989.

Competition in Definition

Future of TV — And Retention of Millions of Customers — At Stake In HD Claims
By Linda Moss & Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 5/28/2007

A pending lawsuit hasn’t made DirecTV gun shy about running aggressive TV commercials touting its expanded offering of high-definition channels, which won’t even be available until late this year.

In a new spot that aired last week, a DirecTV spokesman gave viewers the satellite company’s pitch.

“Stay focused for the next 30 seconds,” the spokesman, actor David Lee, said. “It’s all the time I have to tell you the truth about HD. Cable wants you to believe they’re keeping up with HD capacity. They’re not. DirecTV will be offering up to 150 HD channels. That’s three times more than cable.”

With ever-increasing fanfare, DirecTV is fighting tooth and nail to leverage HDTV as a means to maintain its position — and self-proclaimed advantage — as a provider of cutting-edge video. But cable operators aren’t taking DirecTV’s attack lying down, and a war of words has ratcheted up in the past month.

In early May, Comcast launched an aggressive print and radio campaign proclaiming that in a survey, satellite customers thought the cable operator had the best HDTV picture quality. Those ads sparked a false-advertising lawsuit by DirecTV, which in turn is being sued — also for alleged false advertising — over its TV commercials by Time Warner Cable. All of that litigation is pending.

HD is the future of TV, and DirecTV and its cable-company rivals are jockeying to convince pay TV subscribers that their picture quality and lineup of high-definition networks are the ones to choose. The subscribers at stake are high-end consumers, cherished by cable and satellite alike.

DirecTV is really banking on HDTV as a strategy for retention, to keep the more than 16 million subscribers it has now, according to analyst Bruce Leichtman. Although it’s pricey to upgrade existing subscribers to new HD digital recorders, these are customers who pay their bills and spend a lot for services. DirecTV doesn’t want to lose them.

“The reality is it’s about retention,” said Leichtman, president of Leichtman Research Group. “It’s not as much about acquisition. It’s about keeping your high-end subscribers.”

Greater Definition

Satellite, cable and telephone companies are all trying to claim superiority for their high-definition TV offerings. (Follow link at bottom of article to see the following in table format)

Monthly Fee For HD Tier / Extra Monthly Fee For HD Set-Top* / Total Number of HD Channels**
DirecTV $10 None 10-14† ^
Dish Network $20; plus $5-$6 for local channels† None 32-36† ^^
Comcast None $5 15-24
Time Warner Cable Most free; $4-$10 for 4 additional None 17-27
Cox Communications None None 13-19
Charter Communications Most free; $7-$10 for 5-9 additional $10 14-22
Cablevision Systems None None 25
Bright House Networks Most free; $6-$7 for 5-6 additional None 16-18
Suddenlink Communications Most free; $8 for 8 additional $4-$6 16-18
Verizon (FiOS TV) None $5 23-28
AT&T (U-verse TV) $10 None 26-28
* Compared with standard digital-video service.
** Includes local and premium channels; premiums (HBO, Showtime, Starz) require separate subscription.
† Local channels are not available in all areas.
^ Most “NFL Sunday Ticket” games also available in HD.
^^ Includes Rainbow Media’s 15 Voom channels
Source: Multichannel News research

SERVICE DEFINITION

HDTV is also crucial to DirecTV in that it adds legitimacy to the satellite provider’s claim that it has the superior video service. Video is DirecTV’s core business, since it can’t depend on revenue growth from phone and Internet service, like its cable competitors.

Cable operators have challenged not only DirecTV’s boasts about its capacity to offer HDTV services versus cable, but also expressed skepticism about exactly how many — and which — national HD networks the satellite provider will actually offer by year-end.

“We [cable] need to be communicating that we have more HD programming today,” said Patty McCaskill, senior vice president of programming at St. Louis-based cable operator Suddenlink Communications. “They’re talking about the future.”

Cable executives maintain that a combination of options, from switched digital video to reclaiming analog space, will enable cable to eventually not only match but surpass DirecTV’s capacity to provide HDTV services.

But one fact is undeniable: The stakes are high for the nation’s biggest direct-broadcast satellite company.

Unable yet to duplicate cable’s triple-play bundle, DirecTV is betting on HDTV as a differentiator, an offering that will add more firepower and cachet to its video lineup, which boasts a crown jewel in the “NFL Sunday Ticket” out-of-market package of professional football games.

“This is a core video provider,” said Tuna Amobi, a Standard & Poor’s analyst. “They don’t have the advantage that cable has with the bundling, the phone and the data. So I think they’re trying to make their video as state of the art as best possible. For them to have a fighting chance, they really have to be very aggressive with their services.”

DirecTV last week said it was on target to vastly expand its HDTV lineup. The company said it “will have the capacity to launch up to 100 national HD channels” by the end of the year, and local HD feeds in up to 75 markets, by launching its DirecTV 10 satellite in June. Fresh HD services will start debuting in the third quarter.

DirecTV’s HDTV lineup will get bigger with the launch of a second satellite, DirecTV 11, set for early 2008. With the two new birds, DirecTV said it “will have the ability to deliver” 150 national HD channels and more than 1,500 local HD channels.

“The proof is in the pudding, per se, and people will see,” said Derek Chang, DirecTV’s executive vice president of strategy and development. “Once we get out there with the lineup that we have, the bulk of which will be all of your traditional channels simulcasting in HD, it’s going to be a very robust offering from us.”

EchoStar, in turn, will launch two more satellites by the end of the year, which will give it the capacity to offer 200 national HD channels and 100 HD local channels reaching 85% of the country, according to officials.

DirecTV has made a lot of noise in the market about HDTV, with slick ads featuring spoofs of Back to the Future and American Pie, showcasing talent from those movies like actor Christopher Lloyd. Last year, DirecTV spent $221.8 million on TV ads overall, according to TNS Media Intelligence. But at this particular point in time, DirecTV isn’t No. 1 in either HDTV customers or HDTV offerings.

At the end of last year, DirecTV had 1.8 million HDTV subscribers. It no longer breaks out HDTV customers separately, instead lumping them together with all its “advanced” subscribers, including those with regular digital recorders. Comcast ranks No. 1 in HDTV customers, with 4.7 million. Time Warner Cable has 2.1 million HDTV subscribers.

BATTLE OF PERCEPTION

Comcast officials are unfazed by DirecTV’s newest television commercial.

“We see the noise and the claims out there,” said Comcast senior vice president of sales and marketing Marvin Davis. “We watch television, but the fact is that our HD business is very strong. We continue to see consumer preference and satisfaction. We have not seen any indication that we are losing customers because of some future unspecified claims. So we still know that our strategy is right and we will continue to do that.”

Just last week, DirecTV announced deals that add content for its HDTV expansion. It’s hammered out an agreement to carry four Discovery HD channels — Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel — as well as two other HD channels that will be named and launched by Discovery at a later date. The HD simulcast feeds of the existing four networks will debut on DirecTV in September.

Also in September, DirecTV will launch three new Starz HD movie channels: Starz Edge, Starz Comedy and Starz Kids & Family, as well as Starz’s East and West coast HD feeds.

DirecTV said it has deals or agreements in principle to launch 34 HD networks.

Nonetheless, as for HD content, the leader now in terms of actual HDTV networks being offered is Dish Network, EchoStar Communications’ satellite service. It has 32 HDTV networks, compared with the roughly 14 DirecTV now offers for $10 a month.

One of the reasons that Dish Network has such a wide HDTV package is that it carries Rainbow Media’s suite of Voom HD services.

Dish Network’s HDTV offering may be big, but it hasn’t wowed cable operators.

“Dish has more, but if you look at the lineup, many of the channels I have never heard of,” said Cable One director of communications Melany Stroupe. “We never get requests for Kung Fu HD or Equator HD [two Voom networks].”

The No. 2 satellite provider, EchoStar, believes HDTV “is important to Dish Network … and to our overall strategy,” according to vice chairman and president Carl Vogel. But several media analysts said that HDTV is not a central component of CEO Charlie Ergen’s immediate game plan, as it is for DirecTV.

That’s why DirecTV is so aggressively marketing campaign its HDTV product, even though it won’t even be available until late this year and 150 national HD channels don’t even exist yet.

“Right now, it’s a battle of perceptions and DirecTV is winning,” said Craig Moffett, a Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst. “DirecTV has what is, at least today, probably the weakest high-definition offering of any of the major video providers. And yet they are miles ahead in the battle for HD mindshare. But at the end of the day, the numbers don’t lie, and DirecTV’s HD penetration is still relatively low compared to cable.”

'DOWNSTREAM’ FIREPOWER

Leichtman said that DirecTV is “doing a great spin job” of making the market think they’ve got the most HDTV channels.

“You’ve got to look at not what their advertising says, but what the reality is,” Leichtman said. “So as of May 2007, the leader in HD programming is EchoStar … Who has the least channels is DirecTV.”

In fact, he said that DirecTV’s HDTV commercials are “stall ads,” trying to keep its subscribers from switching out to cable before the satellite provider ramps up its HDTV platform.

During first-quarter conference calls in May, executives at DirecTV and Liberty Media, which is acquiring News Corp.’s stake in the satellite provider, boasted about the satellite service’s HDTV plans.

Liberty Media chairman John Malone gave his imprimatur to DirecTV’s strategy “to essentially leapfrog everybody, both EchoStar and cable,” by using a fleet of satellites “that will allow them to massively increase their high-definition downstream fire power.”

That tack, combined with installing digital recorders that can store HD programs for later viewing, should “hit the sweet spot” of what the public wants, Malone told analysts May 8. That, in turn, gives DirecTV “a tactical advantage” until cable is able to match the satellite provider’s HDTV capacity, Malone said.

But it’s expensive for DirecTV to upgrade its existing subscribers to HDTV. That requires the satellite provider to install and underwrite the cost of pricey HD recorders, as well as to change customers’ rooftop dishes to pull in HD signals.

DirecTV charges existing customers a $299 upfront fee to upgrade to an HD-DVR, but offers new subscribers a $100 rebate on that fee. Even at that price, the satellite provider is underwriting the price of the HD-DVRs, which now cost more than $400, according to chief financial officer Mike Palkovic. By the end of the year, the cost of the set-tops that include the recorders will drop more than $100, Palkovic told analysts May 9.

Still, “it’s an enormous capital-spending program to retrofit all those subscribers,” Moffett said.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT

But the expense of upgrading subscribers is worth it, according to Palkovic.

“Adding customers with HD and DVR services is a top priority for us, because they generate superior financial returns,” Palkovic told analysts. “Incremental after-tax returns for customers who purchase HD and DVR services remained two to three times higher than returns for subscribers who only have standard boxes in their home.”

Long-term, HDTV should help DirecTV lower its monthly subscriber-churn rate, which is now 1.44%, according to Oppenheimer & Co. analyst Tom Eagan. HDTV customers have a lot more invested in the equipment and the service and are less likely to switch out.

In contrast, EchoStar seemingly is not pursuing HDTV this year as a key strategy the way DirecTV is. During EchoStar’s first-quarter conference call May 10, Ergen said “timing will be key” with HD, and that it will be cheaper to upgrade customers to HDTV next year when the set-tops cost less. Dish charges $20 a month for its HDTV tier.

HDTV is “a profitable business for us,” Ergen said. “But there are not 100 channels to put up. We carry everything today in HD that is worth carrying [and we think] there may be another half a dozen channels coming up this year that are worthy of taking.”

Cable operators say they are just as invested in providing the best HD service possible, as either satellite service.

“Our strategy on HD is the same or similar to all of our products: We believe we offer a superior experience,” Comcast’s Davis said. “For HD, that superiority comes in the form of quality of the picture; the number of viewing choices that are available at any one time; the ease involved in being able to get set up with HD; and then just an ease of pricing or value. We don’t charge you an additional fee for receiving the HD programming.”

Comcast charges a monthly equipment charge of $5 to $9 for an HD box, a few dollars more than a regular set-top. That box gets a subscriber all of the company’s HD programming.

At Time Warner Cable, executive vice president of product development Peter Stern touted his company’s HDTV value proposition versus satellite. Time Warner offers 17 to 21 channels for free as part of its digital-cable package, according to Stern. Just added: ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD.

Time Warner’s HDTV tier, which on average costs $7, includes fewer than a half-dozen HDTV channels that don’t have a standard-definition counterpart, like HDNet and Universal HD.

“We don’t charge our customers twice for the same programming,” Stern said. “Unfortunately for customers, the satellite providers do.”

SUITING UP

Both Comcast and Time Warner claim they already best DirecTV. In a May 1 presentation to analysts, Comcast argued that on one particular night, it was offering 200 “HD Viewing Choices” in Philadelphia — when counting 180 On Demand selections — compared with 16 HD choices from DirecTV.

“We really try to deliver the HD programming people want,” Davis said. “Movies, sports, music, that’s what people tell us they want. And when you define it that way, we offer people the most choices.”

DirecTV’s Chang finds Comcast’s pitch that it has 200 HD “choices” a stretch.

“Given their deficiencies, they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do from a marketing standpoint,” Chang said. “In reality — when our offering is out there versus theirs in terms of what we’re delivering on a full-time basis — it’s going to be pretty clear our claims in terms of our HD leadership and our content leadership are going to be much superior to what they have.”

DirecTV continues to boast that it will have three times cable’s capacity to offer HDTV. In fact, it was that DirecTV claim, and its assertion in other TV spots that “for an HD picture that can’t be beat, you’ve got to get DirecTV,” that prompted Time Warner to file a false-advertising suit against the satellite company last December.

A federal judge in February ordered DirecTV to stop running ads regarding its HDTV picture quality, but refused to block the Lloyd ad regarding DirecTV’s HD capacity versus cable. The overall suit is still in litigation.

Time Warner and Comcast claim the satellite provider won’t have an edge, in terms of capacity, for long. New technology, namely switched digital video, will enable Time Warner to free up bandwidth and potentially offer an unlimited HDTV selection, according to Stern. With that technology, a channel is only sent to a subscriber when requested.

“So you hear DirecTV talking about 100 channels breathlessly,” Stern said. “And you hear Dish talking about 30 channels. We’re talking about unlimited [HDTV networks], so long as we can switch.”

Time Warner is using switched digital video to deliver HDTV in four divisions, and it will have the technology in the majority of the company’s other divisions by the end of the year, Stern said. Similarly, Comcast plans to do trials of switched digital video this year. Both it and Time Warner are also reclaiming analog space to free up bandwidth for HDTV.

But Chang argued that switched video “is not really a full-time channel,” adding, “I guess the question to ask cable is does it have the capacity to run 200 channels 24/7 in HD.”

DirecTV is still assembling its enlarged HDTV platform, which could include several full-time channels dedicated to pay per view.

“There are going to be 100 channels that are running full time in HD, but it’s not necessarily all dedicated to a traditional linear channel per se,” Chang said. “But I think the bulk of it certainly will be. We are not sitting here spouting off a two-hour movie or a three-hour game as an HD channel.”

TWO STONES WITH ONE BIRD?

DirecTV does not have to merge with EchoStar Communications for the two services to team up and compete more effectively against cable.

For example, the idea of sharing satellite capacity, and possibly other facets of basic operations, has been repeatedly broached, most recently by Liberty Media CEO John Malone earlier this month.

“I don’t know why they haven’t been able to come to any agreement, because there’s just huge cost savings there,” said SNL Kagan analyst Derek Baine.

Liberty will be acquiring News Corp.’s stake in DirecTV, and that change “may present an opportunity for [EchoStar CEO Charlie] Ergen and Malone to get together and figure something out,” said Jimmy Schaeffler, chairman of The Carmel Group. “I think there’s a real opportunity there.”

During a May 8 conference call with analysts, Malone talked about DirecTV’s “high-definition downstream firepower,” and then indicated he’s in favor of DirecTV and EchoStar doing some joint initiatives.

“In cooperation between the satellite platforms can come substantial improvement in operating performance and financial flexibility, as well as an enormous step up in total firepower, in total downstream capacity,” Malone said. Meaning: the two operators could deliver more HD channels to their customers, by combining their “downstream capacity.’’

“So clearly, working relationships to achieve synergies, and be more efficient in terms of capital structure between EchoStar and DirecTV, is one of the top things on our list,” Malone said.

At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, Ergen also said that makes sense for EchoStar and DirecTV to partner on some initiatives, such as sharing satellites and backhauling local TV-station signals, but that it would be trickier to cooperate on a national HDTV platform, since DirecTV uses different HDTV standards than Dish.

Schaeffler, who has consulted for both satellite companies, cited a technology that was being tested a few years ago, Sony Passage, that would solve a potential problem if Dish and DirecTV were to share an HDTV satellite: How do you keep back-office functions, like conditional-access systems, separate if both providers share a bird?

EchoStar claims it has nothing cooking with DirecTV.

“As we have recently stated, there are areas where our interests are aligned with DirecTV, but we have no current plans to team with them,” EchoStar vice chairman and president Carl Vogel said. “Sharing satellite capacity makes sense on national services and would conserve bandwidth for both of us on redundant programming, but we expect to have sufficient satellite capacity to maintain our position in the long run.”

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6446741.html

Everyone should see what 1080i looks like on D* or E*.

Dude... I've been a loyal customer for 30 years :eek: why stop now? :D

(never missed a payment, never been late; TW can take its DRM & ...)

Seriously though, TW is the only game in town & until Verizon FiOS TV makes its debut in smAlbany, NY I have no other alternatives.

If you think I'm unhappy with TW... I'd like to express an opinion of my property tax assessor... who is a licensed extortionist. :mad:
Time Warner Cable was formed in 1989.

Capital Cablevison started in Albany, NY in about 1975 +/- and was acquired by Time Warner Cable.

Everyone should see what 1080i looks like on D* or E*.

Ok, which way are you going with that? I would think that TWC's bitrate would make the HD channels that they do carry look better. That said, I haven't seen D* or E* in 1080i so maybe I am way off the mark.

Time Warner Cable was formed in 1989.I was paying whoever Time Warner bought out before that.what about D* & E*?Too many trees on my property precludes satellite reception.

Do you mean to say that subscribers concerns being expressed in the form of electronic mail winds up in the:

bit-bucket of nothingness? :eek:

Are TW execs still laughing all-of-the-way to the bank? :D

I have (2) cousins who work for TW... they enjoy a very generous compensation package... as it should be... which is reflected in my cable bill. :p

I guess the joke is on me then. :cool:

After all… we are nothing more than a herd of sheep (http://bertc.com/subfour/herd_of_sheep.htm)… being led to wherever the powers that be want us, which means we get what we deserve. ;)


Dude, if you dont like the service, then dont get it!! You complain and etc about everything... but then in the end you are still paying for and receiving TWC service, pretty funny!! Also The internet thing about sharing in a cable system... its all a big theory now... cable internet is faster and will be than DSL, you are sharing the coax that you use to get your internet signal, but you are not sharing your bandwith. If you used a un-capped modem on the system, you would be very surprised of how fast it is on the cable system... in my area its around 50 Megabits or so for up and down...it jsut that the modem is capped to the speed that the company allows, that extra bandwith is so that everyone can have the same speed in every household with seeing a decrease in speed!!once the switched in my headend are upgraded... the speed is gonna be unbeleiveable since we are gonna increase our speeds to compete with FiOS

Why hasnt this thread been made a sticky? They have stupid random crap up there like Comcast launching the food channel and HGTV. This thread is about the latest news and notes from one of the largest cable companies.


Is time warner not as imporatant as HGTV HD?

Dude, if you dont like the service, then dont get it!! You complain and etc about everything... but then in the end you are still paying for and receiving TWC service, pretty funny!! Also The internet thing about sharing in a cable system... its all a big theory now... cable internet is faster and will be than DSL, you are sharing the coax that you use to get your internet signal, but you are not sharing your bandwith. If you used a un-capped modem on the system, you would be very surprised of how fast it is on the cable system... in my area its around 50 Megabits or so for up and down...it jsut that the modem is capped to the speed that the company allows, that extra bandwith is so that everyone can have the same speed in every household with seeing a decrease in speed!!once the switched in my headend are upgraded... the speed is gonna be unbeleiveable since we are gonna increase our speeds to compete with FiOSSo what are you doing speeding along the electronic highway besides posting your, I assume biased (cableguy101) opinion, in this Forum. :p

No one likes their cable provider, including me. ;)

TW is currently the only provider in my area... but trust me when FiOS TV becomes available... I'll be dropping TW like a rock. :)

So what are you doing speeding along the electronic highway besides posting your, I assume biased (cableguy101) opinion, in this Forum. :p

No one likes their cable provider, including me. ;)

TW is currently the only provider in my area... but trust me when FiOS TV becomes available... I'll be dropping TW like a rock. :)


Be a little careful on your trip down the electronic highway and snap decisions. This highway is strewn with millions of wrecks that promised more than they could deliver.

Dude, if you dont like the service, then dont get it!! You complain and etc about everything... but then in the end you are still paying for and receiving TWC service, pretty funny!! Also The internet thing about sharing in a cable system... its all a big theory now... cable internet is faster and will be than DSL, you are sharing the coax that you use to get your internet signal, but you are not sharing your bandwith. If you used a un-capped modem on the system, you would be very surprised of how fast it is on the cable system... in my area its around 50 Megabits or so for up and down...it jsut that the modem is capped to the speed that the company allows, that extra bandwith is so that everyone can have the same speed in every household with seeing a decrease in speed!!once the switched in my headend are upgraded... the speed is gonna be unbeleiveable since we are gonna increase our speeds to compete with FiOS

Indeed, I always knew the whole nonsense about cable "sharing bandwidth" was a lot of marketing hooey. But I never really knew how fast it could run uncapped.

BTW, the business of up speeds being held so far below down speeds goes back to the earliest days of broadband. Symmetric connections were HUGELY expensive and generally aimed at business customers, where there is not as much price sensitivity. So severely limiting upload speeds gave the ISPs the ability to price it at consumer kind of levels without totally pissing off the business customers.

As for "don't like it, don't get it" that's a tad rude. I for one MUST have a broadband internet connection, it's 100% necessary for me to earn living. AND you should know/realize that on the entertainment side, having access to cable news outfits is also 100% necessary for many folks. ADD the fact that this area seems to be one that abounds in monopolies that sure as hell technically break the law, but are obviated by franchise agreements. While some areas might have more than one option, I do not. It's cable period, only one provider allowed and I have no access to satellite services (nor OTA) as I live in a concrete canyon.

Why hasnt this thread been made a sticky? They have stupid random crap up there like Comcast launching the food channel and HGTV. This thread is about the latest news and notes from one of the largest cable companies.

Is time warner not as imporatant as HGTV HD?

Why make it a a sticky? There's very little in the way of actual news since TWC are not really doing anything except in one or two markets where they need to fight the FiOS competition.

you would be very surprised of how fast it is on the cable system... in my area its around 50 Megabits or so for up and down...it jsut that the modem is capped to the speed that the company allows, that extra bandwith is so that everyone can have the same speed in every household with seeing a decrease in speed!!once the switched in my headend are upgraded... the speed is gonna be unbeleiveable since we are gonna increase our speeds to compete with FiOS

actually I'm not surprised by the potential speed. I know however it is a totally pointless number when TWC will not actually give it to the consumers unless FiOS forces their hand. If you are stuck in an area where Road Runner is the only cable service then you'll get the typical 5Mbps line and you have to pay for the "premium" speed. Which isn't that fast either.

Even if the technology allows for better, you won't get it.

actually I'm not surprised by the potential speed. I know however it is a totally pointless number when TWC will not actually give it to the consumers unless FiOS forces their hand. If you are stuck in an area where Road Runner is the only cable service then you'll get the typical 5Mbps line and you have to pay for the "premium" speed. Which isn't that fast either.

Even if the technology allows for better, you won't get it.


I went from 5 mbs to 8 mbs (and a very solid 8 mbs) for $10.00 a month. Seemed like a good deal to me. But then I come from a time when a 1.5 mb T1 was over a thousand a month before equipment charges.

If you are stuck in an area where Road Runner is the only cable service then you'll get the typical 5Mbps line and you have to pay for the "premium" speed. This thread is about HD Programming on Time Warner - NOT about Internet speed

But, I live in a TW area where FiOS is nowhere around (well 90 miles away) and the STANDARD RR speed is 10Mbps!

This thread is about HD Programming on Time Warner[/I]Let's see what's on HBO tonight...

"The 40-Year-Old Virgin (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/40_year_old_virgin/)" :eek:

Its premium (not) programming like this, which makes TWs $14.95 (http://www.timewarnercable.com/albany/products/pricing.html) per month fee a real bargain. :rolleyes:

Let's see what's on HBO tonight...

"The 40-Year-Old Virgin (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/40_year_old_virgin/)" :eek:

Its premium (not) programming
Presumably that is not fact, but opinion.

ESPN2HD just got turned on today on Time-Warner San Diego (channel 730, regular SD channel is 30)!!! :D :D :D

FYI, on TWC-San Diego, ESPNHD is on channel 729, regular SD channel is 29.

Won't be surprised if ESPN2-HD is part of the HD VIP pack.

You musta missed this 23May post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10613161&highlight=multichannel#post10613161
ESPN-HD and ESPN2-HD are "FREE" for TWC Digital subscibers.
Just as ESPN and ESPN2 are "FREE" for TWC Expanded Analog subscribers.

No, that doesn't mean you can receive via unencrypted QAM.....

ESPN2HD just got turned on today on Time-Warner San Diego (channel 730, regular SD channel is 30)!!! :D :D :D

FYI, on TWC-San Diego, ESPNHD is on channel 729, regular SD channel is 29.

Won't be surprised if ESPN2-HD is part of the HD VIP pack.

Nope. ESPN2 HD will be free!! You must be getting for you to be able to see that its turned on... so there you go, and you are lucky... i am in DC and part of the San Diego division and I dont have it out here in the desert... YET!! so yeah I cant wait, if SD has it, that means we will be getting it, assuming that they can find a qam freq. to put it on,, our bandwith out here is virtually all gone.

Presumably that is not fact, but opinion.You forgot to add the part where everyone agrees that watching repeats of the same movies over & over & over & ... on HBO is worth $14.95 per month. :D

All the Best??? I don't think so. ;)

You forgot to add the part where everyone agrees that watching repeats of the same movies over & over & over & ... on HBO is worth $14.95 per month. :D

All the Best??? I don't think so. ;)
Yeah, Hollywood should really expand to the size of California so all movie channels can have all new movies 24/7. :rolleyes:

This kind of whining shows who has not been around long enough to remember rabbit ear, ghosting analog, no premium option 10 channel max days. :eek:

Yeah, Hollywood should really expand to the size of California so all movie channels can have all new movies 24/7. :rolleyes:

This kind of whining shows who has not been around long enough to remember rabbit ear, ghosting analog, no premium option 10 channel max days. :eek:If you want to pay Time Warner $14.95 per month to watch "The Chronicles of Riddick" (http://www.thechroniclesofriddick.com/) for the "umpteenth" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umpteen) time, be my guest. ;)

If you want to pay Time Warner $14.95 per month to watch "The Chronicles of Riddick" (http://www.thechroniclesofriddick.com/) for the "umpteenth" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umpteen) time, be my guest. ;)
Well thank you. :D And that's the point. It is one option among many, that did not exist not so long ago.

I wonder how many HBO subscriptions will be cancelled after The Sopranos is over?

I wonder how many HBO subscriptions will be cancelled after The Sopranos is over?What? Not into BIG LOVE? :eek:

At Time Warner Cable, executive vice president of product development Peter Stern touted his company’s HDTV value proposition versus satellite. Time Warner offers 17 to 21 channels for free as part of its digital-cable package, according to Stern. Just added: ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD.

Time Warner’s HDTV tier, which on average costs $7, includes fewer than a half-dozen HDTV channels that don’t have a standard-definition counterpart, like HDNet and Universal HD.

“We don’t charge our customers twice for the same programming,” Stern said. “Unfortunately for customers, the satellite providers do.”




So, if I'm hearing this correctly, I'll be able to get ESPNHD and ESPN2HD soon without having to pay for the extra package? I'm an Adelphia holdover and I guess they're putting us in the TWC system soon.

I wonder if it'll be unencrypted like TNTHD and Discovery HD Theater are...I'll be the happiest guy in the world since I'm forced to rely on a QAM tuner and can't get a box (my dad won't let me).

But for the record, yes we do have digital cable so it's not theft. We have a Samsung LCD and I have a Vizio, and we still use the old SD cable box because my dad doesn't wanna pay the extra $3/month for the HD box! Go figure...

I wonder if it'll be unencrypted like TNTHD and Discovery HD Theater are...I'll be the happiest guy in the world since I'm forced to rely on a QAM tuner and can't get a box (my dad won't let me).

Dont get your hopes up.

I wonder how many HBO subscriptions will be cancelled after The Sopranos is over?

With both Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm on this summer, I may actually subscribe. I found it much cheaper to just go over to my friend's house each week and watch the few last horrible episodes.

At Time Warner Cable, executive vice president of product development Peter Stern touted his company’s HDTV value proposition versus satellite. Time Warner offers 17 to 21 channels for free as part of its digital-cable package, according to Stern. Just added: ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD.

Raleigh: CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, CW, MyTV, PBS, TNT, Discovery, ESPN, ESPN2 = 11. If I add the known deals that would be free, I get 13. Where does 17 to 21 come from?

For anybody in the Dallas area, is there an HD box (without DVR) that has an HDMI output? Getting a new TV and want to check the HDMI input for dropouts (have no other HDMI devices either).

With both Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm on this summer, I may actually subscribe. I found it much cheaper to just go over to my friend's house each week and watch the few last horrible episodes.

according to the hot of the press thread, th enew season of curb your enthusiasm doesn't start until 2008

Curb Your Enthusiasm To be announced (2008), HBO

For anybody in the Dallas area, is there an HD box (without DVR) that has an HDMI output? Getting a new TV and want to check the HDMI input for dropouts (have no other HDMI devices either).I'm not in the Dallas area (by a long shot) - but I'm pretty sure that any HD STB cable has will have either a HDMI or a DVI out. If you get one with the latter, you can use a DVI>HDMI cable to your set (Monoprice is a great source - and an AVS sponsor to boot).

I'm not sure what you mean by "check the HDMI input for dropouts". The dropouts that most of us are familiar with are on the cable end (signal coming in to the cable box). These problems will show up on any TV and it won't matter if the TV is connected via HDMI/DVI or component. Perhaps you are concerned about handshake issues, where the STB fails to properly authenticate a particular TV.

Sorry, indeed I do mean handshake issues. The particular TV that's en route has a tendency to have green/pink flashes via HDMI according to members here. I think incorporating that adapter would make things really nasty. :eek: I've also heard bad reports about this particular Motorola box when used with this TV (Samsung LTN-4665F) and the aforementioned adapter. I'd be content with the component input but I want to verify the HDMI handshaking on this TV is not broken for the future in the event HDMI is my only choice or I want to have the choice to utilize HDMI. Maybe I'll rent the DVR for a month...

...
But for the record, yes we do have digital cable so it's not theft. We have a Samsung LCD and I have a Vizio, and we still use the old SD cable box because my dad doesn't wanna pay the extra $3/month for the HD box! Go figure...

Time Warner didn't charge any extra when I switched my digital box for an HD one. It's the same monthly fee.

Time Warner didn't charge any extra when I switched my digital box for an HD one. It's the same monthly fee.
Lucky you...Dallas market pays an additional $4/month for said Motorola box.

Lucky you...Dallas market pays an additional $4/month for said Motorola box.Time Warner insists on charging me $.30 per month for a digital remote when the only equipment I rent from them is their CableCARD. :rolleyes:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzequg9f/time-warner-cable-bill.JPG

good :rolleyes:

lol @ that nickle & diming.

Raleigh: CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, CW, MyTV, PBS, TNT, Discovery, ESPN, ESPN2 = 11. If I add the known deals that would be free, I get 13. Where does 17 to 21 come from?


Maybe Directv should take TWC to court for making false claims in the media.

Yup, that lineup is similar to that of DFW's. What are "known deals that would be free?"

...I'm pretty sure that any HD STB cable has will have either a HDMI or a DVI out...

The non-DVR HD boxes only have DVI out, no HDMI

Time Warner Boasts of ‘Virtually Unlimited’ HDTV Capacity

By Steve Donohue -- Multichannel News, 6/4/2007 10:41:00 PM

Boasting that it will be able to boost channel capacity to carry more high definition networks, Time Warner Cable plans to deploy switched digital video systems on half of its systems nationwide by the end of2007, CFO Landel Hobbs said Tuesday.

Hobbs acknowledged that Time Warner’s satellite rivals such as DirecTV have done an effective job of marketing HDTV offerings. “Shame on us because we haven’t really done a good job of marketing it [HDTV],” Hobbs said at a Deutche Bank Securities conference in New York Monday.

But Hobbs said switched digital video technology – which allows Time Warner and other cable providers to deliver channels to subscribers based on demand, rather than broadcasting hundreds of channels simultaneously – will give Time Warner “virtually unlimited” HD capacity.

http://multichannel.com/article/CA6449034.html

lol @ that nickle & diming.$.30 per month * 10 months almost ='s 1 US gallon of gas. :)

Time Warner Boasts of ‘Virtually Unlimited’ HDTV Capacity

But Hobbs said switched digital video technology – which allows Time Warner and other cable providers to deliver channels to subscribers based on demand, rather than broadcasting hundreds of channels simultaneously – will give Time Warner “virtually unlimited” HD capacity.
http://multichannel.com/article/CA6449034.html

Interesting article, I'm wondering what kind of infrastructure upgrades they need to perform for this to happen. Is anybody familiar with this technology? Do they need to place some "intelligent devices" in their cable network fairly close to the endpoints (customers)? If so we probably will not see a nationwide rollout by the end of the year, only a few select markets....

We have had it for a year at TWC-SC. It's transparent and works great.

We have had it for a year at TWC-SC. It's transparent and works great.
What affect will TWC's switched digital video have on my cable card equipped SONY DVR? Will I still be able to receive all the channels I currently do?

You can not receive SDV channels with cablecard.

You can not receive SDV channels with cablecard.
So, how can TWC take away these channels from those of us who use cablecards?

I don't want to be forced to rent a set top box from them.

So, how can TWC take away these channels from those of us who use cablecards?



By implementing switched digitial video. That's the point.

By implementing switched digitial video. That's the point.


I didn't think Cablecards could do 2 way?

We have had it for a year at TWC-SC. It's transparent and works great.

So, what's your HD channel lineup down there? Should be impressive with no capacity issues.

I agree this really stinks for those of us who have Cablecards...

That said, I'll likely switch to D* if they actually follow through with their plans for the additional HD programming in September - and then when I do, I'll need a STB anyway.

Interesting article, I'm wondering what kind of infrastructure upgrades they need to perform for this to happen. Is anybody familiar with this technology? Do they need to place some "intelligent devices" in their cable network fairly close to the endpoints (customers)? If so we probably will not see a nationwide rollout by the end of the year, only a few select markets....
It's an evolutionary upgrade to existing PPV/OnDemand architecture.
All of the "linear" channels are on the fibre at your local node,
"all" that's needed is for your program request to be
received by the local node controller so that it can dynamically
assign it to a QAM modulator so you can see it, rather than
assigning a QAM modulator to carry one of the 1000's of
PPV/OnDemand programs kept on your local node's VOD server(s):
http://www.cable360.net/ct/strategy/businesscases/23214.html

So there are a bunch of software and hardware upgrades
to equip (1/2 to 2/3) of TWC systems with SDV by end of this year....
and it's part of the upgrades to implement
OCAP/MCARD/DIGITAL NAVIGATOR.

Recent article sez two-thirds of TWC's 23 divisions by
end of 2007, with 8 systems already running SDV:
http://www.cable360.net/ct/video/22337.html

Current PPV/OnDemand VOD is a form of SDV, except the
new upgrades will greatly reduce the time to establish
a connection (change channels) and provide nearly
instantaneous response to FF/RW commands.

The speed by which your commands are returned to the
local node will be much faster using the DSG (DOCSIS Gateway)
hardware upgrade in upcoming OCAP/MCARD STB/DVR/HDTVs.
But obviously is not a pre-requisite....

However, to view SDV channels, you must have two-way
communications via current STB/DVRs or the new
Multi-stream CableCARD (MCARD, aka CC-II)
STB/DVR/HDTV's that should become available in stores
sometime (later?) this summer....after OCAM/MCARD is
rolled out to meet 1July date for "separable security".

So TiVo Series 3 and current CableCARD HDTV's will miss out
on whichever channels are configured as SDV....

On TWC-SC, that's quite a few channels....

========================
P.S.: START-OVER is also SDV, wherein a server at local node
stores programs (like a DVR's Trick Play buffer) so that a user
can request to "start-over" at the beginning of a program:
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=115819

Only requires a (two-way) digital STB....not necessary to have a DVR.
Currently running in:
Columbia, S.C. (since fall 2005);
San Antonio, Texas;
Greensboro/Winston-Salem, N.C.;
Rochester, N.Y.
Albany, N.Y.
Honolulu, Hawaii.

Interesting article, I'm wondering what kind of infrastructure upgrades they need to perform for this to happen. Is anybody familiar with this technology? Do they need to place some "intelligent devices" in their cable network fairly close to the endpoints (customers)? If so we probably will not see a nationwide rollout by the end of the year, only a few select markets....I've sometimes wondered what the CS/CR* response time might be like for SDV (http://multichannel.com/article/CA6449034.html) programming over CATV? :confused:

If it's anything like Time Warner’s On Demand (http://www.timewarnercable.com/albany/programming/ondemand/default.html) programming, I anticipate it will be rather poor. ;)

*CS/CR - Channel Surfing / Change Rate ... new acronym (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acronym)! :p

Naw, it will be very quick. People dont realize how much bandwith a coax cable can handle. It is very very large! Thats why cable companies got smart and ran fiber only to the localized Node instead of the house. Its cheaper and etc, but it does require amplification every so ofter on the coax do to signal attenuatuion(i think thats how its spelled) where fiber doesnt! Also SDV, when its implemented should be totally awesome. That is why TWC is getting their new Mystro Navigator ready for launch to customers in the summer time. As i have said before previously, it is in testing phases right now and bugs are still being worked out of it, but after this last upgrade they did for testers on Mystro, its been looking really good. The caller ID works great, thats if you have digital phone through TWC, and the guide is looking better and goes very quick! Not all the features are enabled yet until the bugs are worked out but I cant wait to try start over, which allows me to watch a show on a channel that was on earlier that i wasnt able to see live or forgot to record on the DVR.

Naw, it will be very quick. People dont realize how much bandwith a coax cable can handle. It is very very large! Thats why cable companies got smart and ran fiber only to the localized Node instead of the house. Its cheaper and etc, but it does require amplification every so ofter on the coax do to signal attenuatuion(i think thats how its spelled) where fiber doesnt! Also SDV, when its implemented should be totally awesome. That is why TWC is getting their new Mystro Navigator ready for launch to customers in the summer time. As i have said before previously, it is in testing phases right now and bugs are still being worked out of it, but after this last upgrade they did for testers on Mystro, its been looking really good. The caller ID works great, thats if you have digital phone through TWC, and the guide is looking better and goes very quick! Not all the features are enabled yet until the bugs are worked out but I cant wait to try start over, which allows me to watch a show on a channel that was on earlier that i wasnt able to see live or forgot to record on the DVR.
How well does it run on RG-59 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RG-59)?

So, how can TWC take away these channels from those of us who use cablecards?

I don't want to be forced to rent a set top box from them.I don't believe that TW will move existing HD channels to SDV - BUT, when they add new channels, they will most likely be on SDV. So they won't take away existing channels.

It's an evolutionary upgrade to existing PPV/OnDemand architecture.
All of the "linear" channels are on the fibre at your local node,
"all" that's needed is for your program request to be
received by the local node controller so that it can dynamically
assign it to a QAM modulator so you can see it, rather than
assigning a QAM modulator to carry one of the 1000's of
PPV/OnDemand programs kept on your local node's VOD server(s).

So there are a bunch of software and hardware upgrades
to equip half of TWC systems by end of this year....
and it's part of the upgrades to implement
OCAP/MCARD/DIGITAL NAVIGATOR.

Current PPV/OnDemand VOD is a form of SDV, except the
new upgrades will greatly reduce the time to establish
a connection (change channels) and provide nearly
instantaneous response to FF/RW commands.

The speed by which your commands are returned to the
local node will be much faster using the DSG (DOCSIS Gateway)
hardware upgrade in upcoming OCAP/MCARD STB/DVR/HDTVs.
But obviously is not a pre-requisite....

However, to view SDV channels, you must have two-way
communications via current STB/DVRs or the new
Multi-stream CableCARD (MCARD, aka CC-II)
STB/DVR/HDTV's that should become available in stores
sometime (later?) this summer....after OCAM/MCARD is
rolled out to meet 1July date for "separable security".

So TiVo Series 3 and current CableCARD HDTV's will miss out
on whichever channels are configured as SDV....

On TWC-SC, that's quite a few channels....
I'd like to point out something that may have gotten lost in this:

SARA is capable of SDV NOW. The "issue" for TW has been with Passport systems and is prehaps the maor reason that TW is rolling out Navigator First on Passport systems.

So, what's your HD channel lineup down there? Should be impressive with no capacity issues.
BONUS WITH HDTV DIGITAL
CONVERTER
800
HDTV - ETV
805
HDTV - NBC -
810 - CBS -
- -
813 special event HD
-
814 special event HD
- 815 ABC
HDTV - -
820
HDTV - FOX - WTAT
BONUS WITH BASIC CABLE SUBSCRIPTION AND HD CONVERTER
840
HDTV - TNT
841
HDTV - MhD (MUSIC HD) SDV
842
HDTV - A&E SDV
843
- golf/versus*
845
HDTV - DISCOVERY THEATRE
950
HDTV - ESPN
951
HDTV - ESPN 2
BONUS WITH HDTV DIGITAL
CONVERTER & SUBSCRIPTION
901
HDTV - HBO East
902
HDTV - HBO West
921
HDTV - Showtime East
922
HDTV - Showtime West
HDTV TIER
930
HDTV - HD Net
931
HDTV - HD Net Movies
940
HDTV - MOJO
945
-

Also SDV, when its implemented should be totally awesome. That is why TWC is getting their new Mystro Navigator ready for launch to customers in the summer time. As i have said before previously, it is in testing phases right now and bugs are still being worked out of it, but after this last upgrade they did for testers on Mystro, its been looking really good.Oh sure - just ask the folks in Lincoln, Nebraska who have been suffering with crappy releases of this for some time!
The caller ID works great, thats if you have digital phone through TWC........................... I cant wait to try start over, which allows me to watch a show on a channel that was on earlier that i wasnt able to see live or forgot to record on the DVR.Your system must have Passport. SARA has this stuff NOW (and has had it for quite some time).

We've had "Start-Over" for almost a year BIG YAWN!!!!!!!!!!!None of the major netowks have "signed up" so the stuff that most people want to see, aren't available on it. To make matters worse, if you use Start Over, you must watch the ENTIRE program from the beginning. So if I tune into a 3 hr program of CNN (such as Amreican Morning) at 8:15AM, I'd have to watch the entire 2:15 hours prior instead of just watching from 8:00AM. In the end, I've only used it once - to see how it worked (it was slower than "On-Demand" in responding to my request).

Here is the info on cablecards from the horse's mouth: http://www.opencable.com/primer/cablecard_primer.html

The current cablecard, 1.0, can handle two way communication, but most receiver vendors have only implemented one-way communication. Cablecard 2.0 adds multi-stream capability to support things like PIP.

I don't believe that TW will move existing HD channels to SDV - BUT, when they add new channels, they will most likely be on SDV. So they won't take away existing channels.
That makes sense. I don't see how they rationalize taking away HD channels that I already receive with my cable card when SDV is implemented.

I've sent 3 emails (each a month apart) to Albany TWC asking them what is going to happen to those of us with cablecards when SDV is rolled out. Haven't gotten a response yet.

So, how can TWC take away these channels from those of us who use cablecards?

I don't want to be forced to rent a set top box from them.
By providing 30-days notice.....

Fortunately (unfortunately?) there are only about 259,000 CableCARDs
deployed nationwide, per NCTA's latest report.

Latest stats say Cable serves 62.1 Mil TV Households, figure
about half of them analog only, and let's assume 2 TVs per HH.
Hence CC's are only about 0.4 percent of digital customers.

That's perhaps two per network node....
Not much of a market force.....

The important question is which channels are SDV.....

Two things I want to ask you. First, this boosting of channel capability by TW, it will require a different STB, correct? I'm wondering because I had a bit of trouble and had to switch boxes several times and a tech person said to go ahead and do that right now because they would be giving out different boxes (I think he said in or around July, but my mind wasn't really focused on that issue at the time) which would be slower. Huh? Could that be because of this switch? Will the newer transmission-of-data be slower? Anyway, question two is, well, it may be rhetorical, dontcha think that the fees to get HD or even digital tv from D* in more than one room a little steep? I need(want) to continue to get maximum programming in 4, soon to be 5, rooms.

We've had "Start-Over" for almost a year BIG YAWN!!!!!!!!!!!None of the major netowks have "signed up" so the stuff that most people want to see, aren't available on it. To make matters worse, if you use Start Over, you must watch the ENTIRE program from the beginning. So if I tune into a 3 hr program of CNN (such as Amreican Morning) at 8:15AM, I'd have to watch the entire 2:15 hours prior instead of just watching from 8:00AM. In the end, I've only used it once - to see how it worked (it was slower than "On-Demand" in responding to my request).

the worst part about "start over" is that they disable the fast-forward so you cannot skip commercials. i used it once and suffered thru the ads. another time i tried it my box crashed. i haven't bothered with it since then.

the worst part about "start over" is that they disable the fast-forward so you cannot skip commercials. i used it once and suffered thru the ads. another time i tried it my box crashed. i haven't bothered with it since then.

Well at least I know what to expect!! What I can do now is go to the people that are in charge of this and tell them to enable the FF and rewind so that we can skip commercials. But I think the networks have something to do with it. I mean if start over was capable of doing that FF, and people could just come home and watch whatever they wanted and were able to skip commercials, dont you think it would be pointless for advertisers to pay for commercial spots on the networks?? which means the networks wouldnt get any business from advertizers for commercial spots.... hmmm, makes sense to leave the feature out, even though I agree with you all, I would rather FF anyways!!

Also... You shouldnt need a new box for SDV, all it is going to be is a software update (AKA the new NAvigator Mystro) that will alow SDV to work jsut like on Demand. When they do load up the program or update it, it usually is done at night time when you are sleeping so it doesnt bother what you are watching during the day!! and if it is done during the day, it takes approx... 20-30 mins to complete! I cant wait to see this new stuff where I am at, sounds good, but Hancock makes me think twice. haha

Also RG-59 shouldnt make a difference, although It would be better for RG-6 to be installed, the difference between RG-6 and RG-59 is the size of the cable and the loss of signal over long stretches of the cable! RG-6 cable loses about roughly 6 db per 100 ft of cable, RG-59 loses about roughly 8-11 db of signal per 100ft. It depends if you have copper braided, quad shielded or regular 59. As long as a digital signal is present for ur box and within the levels to work properly, then it should work fine... BUT IMO, RG-59is bad, get RG-6 or 7. RG-11 is overkill unless you have a big run of cable longer than 200 ft. me myself, if i wanted, could use .500 hardline cable, that loses only 2.14 db per 100 ft of cable. All of those loses would be on 750 Megahertz frequency of the cable, ch2 loss would be a lot smaller due to the fact its on a much lower freq usually 55 megahertz.

By providing 30-days notice.....

Fortunately (unfortunately?) there are only about 259,000 CableCARDs
deployed nationwide, per NCTA's latest report.

Latest stats say Cable serves 62.1 Mil TV Households, figure
about half of them analog only, and let's assume 2 TVs per HH.
Hence CC's are only about 0.4 percent of digital customers.

That's perhaps two per network node....
Not much of a market force.....

The important question is which channels are SDV.....My CableCARD costs $1.75 per month and I'm done with paying Time Warner ~$20 per month to rent one of their antiquated SA8300 DVRs.

At one time my Cable TV bill was ~$160 per month while currently it's ~$60 per month.

SDV could mean SD TV for me. I wonder how much lower my Cable bill can go. :)

well, at least you can say its cheaper to watch tv than it is to drive a car!! at 160 a month, thats a gaurantee that you will have TV and etc for your entertainment!! gas is what right now?? $3.25 a gallon or something depending on where u live... how much does it cost for a month of gas?? lol at least with cable you dont go by the mile or the gallon, you go by the channels, hehe ,jsut something to think about!! thot it was funny!

A question for those of you in TWC markets that already have SDV (or anyone else in the know!): Does SDV affect your ability to receive "in the clear" HD channels via a TV's built-in QAM tuner? I pick up my HD signal via QAM on a couple of my sets, and would hate to have to plunk down more $$ to get STB's for them once TWC-Greensboro goes to SDV.

My CableCARD costs $1.75 per month and I'm done with paying Time Warner ~$20 per month to rent one of their antiquated SA8300 DVRs.



I love that "antiquated" machine so much I have two of 'em. And a 500GB expansion drive to boot (try that with your satellite or TiVo DVR), giving me a whopping 3/4 of a terabyte of storage. Worth. Every. Penny.

And a 500GB expansion drive to boot (try that with your satellite or TiVo DVR)
The Tivo Series3 allows you to add an expansion drive up to 1TB. See this thread: Series3 eSATA Drive Expansion: FAQ + Discussion (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=350510)

The Tivo Series3 allows you to add an expansion drive up to 1TB. See this thread: Series3 eSATA Drive Expansion: FAQ + Discussion (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=350510)

can we please not make this thread a pissing contest between twc dvr boxer's and tivo boxer's...

Cableguy101,
I appreciate your being here, to give us some information on what is coming. Is there any expected time for activating switched video in the Coachella Valley? TWC service is fine, except for the total lack of new HD

A question for those of you in TWC markets that already have SDV (or anyone else in the know!): Does SDV affect your ability to receive "in the clear" HD channels via a TV's built-in QAM tuner? I pick up my HD signal via QAM on a couple of my sets, and would hate to have to plunk down more $$ to get STB's for them once TWC-Greensboro goes to SDV.This article (http://www.bigbandnet.com/news/inTheNews/2005/news_053105a.php) based on TWC testing, and other writeups about SDV, indicates head ends will keep a number of channels fully on (i.e., set-QAM tunable) and make less-watched channels SDV. Querying in local groups (AVS forums), including one TWC system already with SDV in your area, might confirm. -- John

This article (http://www.bigbandnet.com/news/inTheNews/2005/news_053105a.php) based on TWC testing, and other writeups about SDV, indicates head ends will keep a number of channels fully on (i.e., set-QAM tunable) and make less-watched channels SDV. Querying in local groups (AVS forums), including one TWC system already with SDV in your area, might confirm. -- John

anyone here from winston or greensboro have "start over" and sdv enable on their system. I am in winston, and I remember about a month ago or so(cant recall the exact timing) they had a big update for us and csr stated it was so we would have "Start over" (and I assume sdv,never asked them) but i remember the whole system crashed and some of us in winston didnt have cable for a while. I wonder if they ever got this to go through fully, or if they had to back out of the update due to the problems??? I have never seen the start over prompt in my house... maybe I am just not watching the right channels and or programs... just curious what you others in WS and Greensboro are seeing. thanx in advance,

anyone here from winston or greensboro have "start over" and sdv enable on their system. I am in winston, and I remember about a month ago or so(cant recall the exact timing) they had a big update for us and csr stated it was so we would have "Start over" (and I assume sdv,never asked them) but i remember the whole system crashed and some of us in winston didnt have cable for a while. I wonder if they ever got this to go through fully, or if they had to back out of the update due to the problems??? I have never seen the start over prompt in my house... maybe I am just not watching the right channels and or programs... just curious what you others in WS and Greensboro are seeing. thanx in advance,

We have Start Over here in Greensboro, but it's only available on a few analog channels (Comedy Central, Fox News, etc.), and then only on select shows on those channels. None of the HD channles have Start Over yet.

That makes sense. I don't see how they rationalize taking away HD channels that I already receive with my cable card when SDV is implemented.

I've sent 3 emails (each a month apart) to Albany TWC asking them what is going to happen to those of us with cablecards when SDV is rolled out. Haven't gotten a response yet.


TWC is likely silent on this issue because there are many potential regulatory problems. It all revolves around the integration ban. As of July 1, all new set top boxes deployed will need to include a cablecard (no other technology has been succesfully implemented). In simple terms, the integration ban prohibits the essential function of a cablecard from being integrated into the set top box. The purpose of the integration ban (and the adoption of cablecards) is to allow a marketplace to develop for the devices needed to receive digital cable (including HDTV) with choice to the consumer.

If the adoption of SDV has the effect of requring each consumer to rent set top box to receive channels, then the entire purpose of the integration ban is thrwarted. The Consumer Electronics Association, in a filing with the FCC, has already hinted that the FCC could adopt rules prohibiting the introduction of SDV if such introduction would inhibit the current use of cablecards and thrwart the purpose of the integration ban.

If I were to guess, my guess would be that the HDTV channels currently available would not be put on SDV for fear that the FCC might get involved and prohibit the adoption of SDV entirely.

Personally, in my opinion, a good compromise would be to put the entire extended basic channels onto the digital tier (freeing up huge amounts of bandwidth). Then require that all new channels be available to those using the current generation of cablecards until the bandwidth runs out. When the bandwidth runs out, allow the use of SDV for new channels. In exchange (and for all the people who have extended basic that now need a cable box), allow the cable companies to continue to deploy legacy set top boxes to those people who subscribe only to expanded basic (perhaps at a cheaper rate). At some point, say 2009 or 2010, cut off the basic cable analog feed. This gets everyone on to digital cable (as the cable companies want), satisfies the needs of current cablecard users, and also keeps the main purpose of the integration ban relatively intact.

We have Start Over here in Greensboro, but it's only available on a few analog channels (Comedy Central, Fox News, etc.), and then only on select shows on those channels. None of the HD channles have Start Over yet.Slight correction:
When you say: "but it's only available on a few analog channels"
Don't You mean"but it's only available on a few SD digital channels"?

You might not realize it, but on your cable box, most ALL channels are really digital (be they SD or HD).

skylab,

That is where OCAP (and later, DCAS) comes in. Once OCAP is fully implemented (and I don't mean the initial roll-outs) customer owned equipment will be able to receive SDV. The whole problem with the "integration ban" is that it forces some "half-assed" actions. But, on the other hand, without it, cable would probably not get off their ass.

Time Warner Boasts of ‘Virtually Unlimited’ HDTV Capacity

But Hobbs said switched digital video technology – which allows Time Warner and other cable providers to deliver channels to subscribers based on demand, rather than broadcasting hundreds of channels simultaneously – will give Time Warner “virtually unlimited” HD capacity.

http://multichannel.com/article/CA6449034.html

I can make "virtually unlimited" trips to the grocery store, but I only make one, and only when I need to.

It's one thing to say they have the capability and another thing entirely to actually use it. This is typical of TWC. They tout "exciting new features" and technology achievements but only put the effort into making them active to three houses. It might look good in a press release to investors and casual observers, but when you've been hearing this sort of thing for years, it rings hollow.

Next soundbite please.

TWC is likely silent on this issue because there are many potential regulatory problems. It all revolves around the integration ban. As of July 1, all new set top boxes deployed will need to include a cablecard (no other technology has been succesfully implemented). In simple terms, the integration ban prohibits the essential function of a cablecard from being integrated into the set top box. The purpose of the integration ban (and the adoption of cablecards) is to allow a marketplace to develop for the devices needed to receive digital cable (including HDTV) with choice to the consumer.

If the adoption of SDV has the effect of requring each consumer to rent set top box to receive channels, then the entire purpose of the integration ban is thrwarted. The Consumer Electronics Association, in a filing with the FCC, has already hinted that the FCC could adopt rules prohibiting the introduction of SDV if such introduction would inhibit the current use of cablecards and thrwart the purpose of the integration ban.

If I were to guess, my guess would be that the HDTV channels currently available would not be put on SDV for fear that the FCC might get involved and prohibit the adoption of SDV entirely.

Personally, in my opinion, a good compromise would be to put the entire extended basic channels onto the digital tier (freeing up huge amounts of bandwidth). Then require that all new channels be available to those using the current generation of cablecards until the bandwidth runs out. When the bandwidth runs out, allow the use of SDV for new channels. In exchange (and for all the people who have extended basic that now need a cable box), allow the cable companies to continue to deploy legacy set top boxes to those people who subscribe only to expanded basic (perhaps at a cheaper rate). At some point, say 2009 or 2010, cut off the basic cable analog feed. This gets everyone on to digital cable (as the cable companies want), satisfies the needs of current cablecard users, and also keeps the main purpose of the integration ban relatively intact.

Keeping it real simple, I would like all cable companies to do the following:
1. Tell customers that all analog cable signals will be terminated in 2/09 as will be the case with analog over the air broadcasters. Inform customers that it is not absolutely necessary to do that, but it will be done in the interests of maximizing bandwidth for digital channels and that customers must buy or rent a converter box in order to continue using analog television sets with cable.

2. Nothing else is necessary. (Cable companies converting digital signals to analog for transmission to customers after 2/09 is not in the overall best interest of the television viewing public.)

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the WORST decision cable companies can make is to drop the analog broadcasts. Get the bandwidth through SDV or some other means. The #1 reason I still have TWC and don't have D* or E* is because I have 5 TVs with cable and 3 of them have no boxes. The thought of purchasing 5 set top boxes makes me cringe at the thought of switching to a dish.

Well at least I know what to expect!! What I can do now is go to the people that are in charge of this and tell them to enable the FF and rewind so that we can skip commercials. But I think the networks have something to do with it. I mean if start over was capable of doing that FF, and people could just come home and watch whatever they wanted and were able to skip commercials, dont you think it would be pointless for advertisers to pay for commercial spots on the networks?? which means the networks wouldnt get any business from advertizers for commercial spots.... hmmm, makes sense to leave the feature out, even though I agree with you all, I would rather FF anyways!!



well, i think you misunderstand the capability of "start over" a little bit. you can't come home and "start over" any show that was on that day. you can only "start over" shows that are currently in progress. like if you tune to tvland and magnum p.i. is half way over you can hit start over and watch from the beginning. you cannot scroll back thru the guide and start any show.


With help from T.C. and Rick, Magnum figures out that his client Annie was actually behind the murder of her rich husband. Magnum's dilemma is that he is falling for Annie but he breaks it off and cuffs her before they actually do it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the WORST decision cable companies can make is to drop the analog broadcasts. Get the bandwidth through SDV or some other means. The #1 reason I still have TWC and don't have D* or E* is because I have 5 TVs with cable and 3 of them have no boxes. The thought of purchasing 5 set top boxes makes me cringe at the thought of switching to a dish.


That's so 1990s! You need to be thinking 10 years into the future! "In the yeeear 2000 ... " When all TVs are OCAP enabled and are just plug and play with cable network.

Sure you'll have to buy a new TV (and that's if OCAP gets widespread adoption) but you'll never need a box again!

Now all you have to do is stick it out until the future becomes real. Or buy a new TV with a cable card.

Either way I see a new TV or satellite dish in your future. ;)

I can make "virtually unlimited" trips to the grocery store, but I only make one, and only when I need to.

It's one thing to say they have the capability and another thing entirely to actually use it. This is typical of TWC. They tout "exciting new features" and technology achievements but only put the effort into making them active to three houses. It might look good in a press release to investors and casual observers, but when you've been hearing this sort of thing for years, it rings hollow.

Next soundbite please.

Hmm, why does that sound familiar??? O WAIT, I know why.. That sounds like Direct TV... You criticize TWC for saying what they plan on doing and etc, when Direct TV is doing the same dang thing right now on TV advertising more capacity than cable and etc... Its not typical TWC, but also Direct TV and etc, do you blame them for trying to get capacity up for us the customer??? So we have more HD channels, it almost sounds like you dont want TWC to have more HD channels!

Hmm, why does that sound familiar??? O WAIT, I know why.. That sounds like Direct TV... You criticize TWC for saying what they plan on doing and etc, when Direct TV is doing the same dang thing right now on TV advertising more capacity than cable and etc... Its not typical TWC, but also Direct TV and etc, do you blame them for trying to get capacity up for us the customer??? So we have more HD channels, it almost sounds like you dont want TWC to have more HD channels!

The difference is DirectTV haven't been making huge deals about all these fancy new innovations they have over the years and the ndone nothing with them. When they roll out one upgrade it hits almost everyone. When TWC announces an upgrade or new service it's to a handful of people and never goes anywhere for years. StartOver being a prime example. How long ago did they announce that? What about Photoshow? Quick Clips? Multiscreen Mosaic? More Movies on Demand? Even Navigator ... (although that's a blessing).

If Direct TV says they'll have more HD then either it won't happen at all or almost everyone will get it. If TWC says they'll have more HD, well ... NYC might get it ... maybe another market one week ... the rest? Eh, whenever.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the WORST decision cable companies can make is to drop the analog broadcasts. Get the bandwidth through SDV or some other means. The #1 reason I still have TWC and don't have D* or E* is because I have 5 TVs with cable and 3 of them have no boxes. The thought of purchasing 5 set top boxes makes me cringe at the thought of switching to a dish.

It may be the worst decision in terms of customer retention, and it may be the wrost for you and me personally, but it isn't as obvious that it is the worst decision overall for the cable companies.

But for me personally, I have 5 TV's on cable, only one connected to a DVR, the other four with no boxes at all. The TV that has a DVR also has a cablecard but alas, only one way communication. After July I expect to see several alternative cableboxes on the market and will reevaluate everything.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the WORST decision cable companies can make is to drop the analog broadcasts. Get the bandwidth through SDV or some other means. The #1 reason I still have TWC and don't have D* or E* is because I have 5 TVs with cable and 3 of them have no boxes. The thought of purchasing 5 set top boxes makes me cringe at the thought of switching to a dish.

Well, I'm very certain the cable companies do not want to drop analog transmissions, but they should for bandwidth purposes. As it is, they can only delay the inevitible. Within a few years, they will not be pushing out analog, but during those few years, I think they see ways to make money.

Either we are going to commit to digital television or we will not be watching television. Of course, that is a fate to horrible to contemplate for most, so we will all be using digital in the future. It's simply a case of entering the future on 2/18/09 or 11/4/09 or 1/23/10 or whatever. Is there a benefit for viewers to delay? I think not. Acquire the set or conversion box by 2/18/09 and relax.

I know you hate the idea of being forced to a box rental. That's why I purchased a cable card set and skipped digital altogether on my 2 other sets. I don't need no stinkin' boxes!

On the other hand, I don't want cable companies to use up valuable bandwidth to deliver channels in analog format. Analog television has no future and whatever is going to have to happen in a short time, anyway, might as well happen now. If dirt poor over the air viewers have to make the change, I guess I can, too.

Stand up, pound on your chest and scream ........ I CAN DO IT!!!! (Feel better, now?)

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the WORST decision cable companies can make is to drop the analog broadcasts. Get the bandwidth through SDV or some other means. The #1 reason I still have TWC and don't have D* or E* is because I have 5 TVs with cable and 3 of them have no boxes. The thought of purchasing 5 set top boxes makes me cringe at the thought of switching to a dish.I'm with you on this. I've got 8 TVs in my house and only one is digital. Probably by the cut-off, I'll have switched 1 more to digital, but that leaves 6. We have TVs (and use them) in places like the Kitchen, Bathroom, Office (part of computer) guest bedrooms, etc. So, this is an issue for me.

BTW: FCC regulations are "in the works" that will MANDATE that most cable systems provide analog versions of the local TV stations upon the analog cut-off (in addition to carrying the main channel of the digital signal). There are exceptions for small, low capacity systems (there hardly are any these days) and for systems that have converted 100% of their customers to digital (that means that the cable system will have to provide free or very low cost converters to ALL customers).

That's so 1990s! You need to be thinking 10 years into the future! "In the yeeear 2000 ... " When all TVs are OCAP enabled and are just plug and play with cable network.But that's so NARROW (and naive). The real question is what about all the legacy sets. We can't toss them all.

Besides, with the switch to SDV (which IS happening) the additional capacity is achieved.

Reading this thread is almost as entertaining as watching Leno in HD!

It's better than Leno OR Letterman!

The difference is DirectTV haven't been making huge deals about all these fancy new innovations they have over the years and the ndone nothing with them. When they roll out one upgrade it hits almost everyone. When TWC announces an upgrade or new service it's to a handful of people and never goes anywhere for years. StartOver being a prime example. How long ago did they announce that? What about Photoshow? Quick Clips? Multiscreen Mosaic? More Movies on Demand? Even Navigator ... (although that's a blessing).

If Direct TV says they'll have more HD then either it won't happen at all or almost everyone will get it. If TWC says they'll have more HD, well ... NYC might get it ... maybe another market one week ... the rest? Eh, whenever.JUST A MINUTE HERE!! I was under the impression that when DirecTV rolls out more HD channels that not everyone will get it - the customers will need to purchase a new dish to pick up the additional birds, and if they have an older receiver (the MPEG-2 variety) they will have to purchase a MPEG-4 capable receiver. Further, DirecTV charges extra for their HD service, do you think that they won't create a new additional HD tier ($$$$$$$$$$) to receive them. I think not! Oh yes, perhaps everyone in the country will have the opportunity to be screwed by DirecTV at the same time, but when TW adds features, they do not force customers to purchase the equipment to take advantage of it.

I'm with you on this. I've got 8 TVs in my house and only one is digital. Probably by the cut-off, I'll have switched 1 more to digital, but that leaves 6. We have TVs (and use them) in places like the Kitchen, Bathroom, Office (part of computer) guest bedrooms, etc. So, this is an issue for me.

BTW: FCC regulations are "in the works" that will MANDATE that most cable systems provide analog versions of the local TV stations upon the analog cut-off (in addition to carrying the main channel of the digital signal). There are exceptions for small, low capacity systems (there hardly are any these days) and for systems that have converted 100% of their customers to digital (that means that the cable system will have to provide free or very low cost converters to ALL customers).

Replying to this post, and your next one. While I like what you say, there is a lot of irony in the FCC mandating that broadcast stations STOP transmitting an analog signal but mandating that cable stations convert digital signals TO analog. I can see a ot of congressional representatives and judges with quizzical looks on their faces when they're asked to deal with that situation. :)

But that's so NARROW (and naive). The real question is what about all the legacy sets. We can't toss them all.

Imagine all the landfills that are going to fill up as they do get tossed.

But there are a lot of people that can't afford to toss them and purchase new TV's. I'm not looking forward to acquiring four external tuners of any sort, but it looks inevitable and I will do that before I replace our four older TV's. Three of those TV's have remaining life spans that should be measured in decades.

Oh yes, perhaps everyone in the country will have the opportunity to be screwed by DirecTV at the same time, but when TW adds features, they do not force customers to purchase the equipment to take advantage of it.

And that's the only drawback. Direct TV will still be delivering the content, whether you choose to buy into it is another matter.

But if the content is never there to begin with then you don't have that option at all.

If TWC started transmitting massive amounts of HD but you needed a better box to receive it people would still jump at the chance. A good portion of people would rather buy their own equipment over the standard TW issued equipment regardless. Especially considering the limitations of current units and the software in use.

Time Warner may not force you to buy new equipment, but why would they? They rarely add anything that would necessitate it and they like the control (and fees) over the equipment in play.

So my original point still stands. It's one thing to say you can deliver something and another to actually do it. Especially in more than a handful of markets.

Replying to this post, and your next one. While I like what you say, there is a lot of irony in the FCC mandating that broadcast stations STOP transmitting an analog signal but mandating that cable stations convert digital signals TO analog. I can see a ot of congressional representatives and judges with quizzical looks on their faces when they're asked to deal with that situation. It's in the name of easing the transition. The proposal that they are kicking around is talking about doing this for 5 years or so (till 2014).

But that's so NARROW (and naive). The real question is what about all the legacy sets. We can't toss them all.

Besides, with the switch to SDV (which IS happening) the additional capacity is achieved.

Yeah I was being sarcastic That's been the argument of (TW) cable defenders across several AVS threads and outside articles I've read. The whole "cable is investing in the long term future, think ahead" reasoning behind the slow progress.

I agree, there's going to be a lot of useless electronics lying around if the analog switches off completely. Right now I use my VCRs as backup recording devices for the standard cable feed and the tuner in that is going to be totally dead.

How do the Music Choice channels work? I am able to receive the channels using my STB, but not on my CableCard TV. I assumed there must be some 2-way traffic for these, but I'm not sure why.

That seems like an ideal 50 channels to convert to SDV to me. I can't use them with my CableCard anyway...