Hahahahahahahah!! http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/rotfl.gif

Does the TiVo software have 5.1?

Does the TiVo software have 5.1?

Yes.

Hahahahahahahah!! http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/rotfl.gif

You'll be coming over the moment they officially say it is available.

I hope you get a good deal or perhaps a better one from Comcast to stay with them.

You'll be coming over the moment they officially say it is available.

I hope you get a good deal or perhaps a better one from Comcast to stay with them.

Are you saying that wherever FIOS is available most customers have switched from Comcast (or other providers) to FIOS?

Are you saying that wherever FIOS is available most customers have switched from Comcast (or other providers) to FIOS?

I'm saying I believe HE will.

Any ideas what HD channel will replace Mojo on 881 on 12/1 when Mojo goes away? Also, will we see 2 more HD channels when WYDN-Daystar goes digital only on 12/17?

Any ideas what HD channel will replace Mojo on 881 on 12/1 when Mojo goes away? Also, will we see 2 more HD channels when WYDN-Daystar goes digital only on 12/17?

I believe VS will be taking that slot while 848 will be the dedicated Golf Channel. Could be the other way around though.

I've been seeing announcements in other Comcast markets about MLB Network being added around 1/1 when it launches. Any idea if Comcast will carry it up here?

awhile ago I had reported that I occasionally got sound drops (with no video distortion) when watching Fox morning news (ch22 in my area) on my non-cable boxed television and my call to Comcrap said that it was my wiring. When it drops, its no more than 2 seconds long

Over the past month or 2, I've noticed that it still happens on Fox news - as well as primetime shows (House, CSI, NCIS, Fringe). These I watch on a different television via DVR and 5.1 surround. With the surround sound, I can tell that its the center channel. If I re-wind after experiencing a sound drop, I get it again. There remains no video distortion during it.

I never have sound problems when listening to the stereo or watching DVDs. The cable box is connected to the receiver via audio fibre. Do you think that there is any chance that it COULD be my wiring (re-wired <2 years ago) that would affect JUST the sound on multiple TVs?

NEver thought I would do this again here:
Comcast eastern MA HD lineup 12/1/08
===================================
All channels require digital starter and box or cable card except as noted
* HD local accessable on QAM tuner and with limited basic
** Digital Classic required
*** SnE required
$ Premium channel
===============================================
802 WGBH HD (PBS)*
804 WBZ-DT Boston (CBS-HD) *
805 WCVB-DT Boston (ABC-HD) *
806 WFXT-DT Boston (Fox-HD) *
807 WHDH-DT Boston (NBC-HD) *
808 WLVI-DT Boston (CW-HD) *
809 WMUR-DT Manchester (ABC-HD) *
814 WSBK-DT Boston *
821 National Geo **
823 Discovery HD
824 Disney HD
826 ABC Family HD
828 Palladia
830 FX HD
831 TBS HD
832 HGTV HD
833 TNT HD
835 USA HD
837 AnE HD
839 HD Theatre
841 Fox News Ch HD
842 CNN HD
846 Universal HD
848 Versus /Golf HD
849 ESPN SD
850 ESPN 2 HD
851 NESN HD
852 Comcast Sportsnet NE HD
853 NFL Network HD ***
854 Food HD
859 AMC HD
862 SciFi channel HD
863 Animal Planet HD
866 Science channel HD **
867 TLC HD
868 Cinemax HD $
870 HBO HD $
872 History HD
875 Starz HD $
877 Showtime HD $
878 Sho 2 HD $
883 TMC HD $
=================================================

awhile ago I had reported that I occasionally got sound drops (with no video distortion) when watching Fox morning news (ch22 in my area) on my non-cable boxed television and my call to Comcrap said that it was my wiring. When it drops, its no more than 2 seconds long

Over the past month or 2, I've noticed that it still happens on Fox news - as well as primetime shows (House, CSI, NCIS, Fringe). These I watch on a different television via DVR and 5.1 surround. With the surround sound, I can tell that its the center channel. If I re-wind after experiencing a sound drop, I get it again. There remains no video distortion during it.

I never have sound problems when listening to the stereo or watching DVDs. The cable box is connected to the receiver via audio fibre. Do you think that there is any chance that it COULD be my wiring (re-wired <2 years ago) that would affect JUST the sound on multiple TVs?

Ive had the same problem with Fox and it is the center channel that drops for about 2 seconds.I doubt its your wiring.

Well if its happening on multiple TVs, its not a broadcast issue & no one else in the area is having that problem, then yes it could be your wires.

MOJO officially gone in Bristol County. So far replaced by nothing. 881 has just disappeared.

MOJO officially gone in Bristol County. So far replaced by nothing. 881 has just disappeared.


No, no, no my MOJO is gone too. Who took my MOJO? This truely sucks.

No, no, no my MOJO is gone too. Who took my MOJO? This truely sucks.

See the info @ http://shop.mojohd.com/ to find out who took it away.

Ive had the same problem with Fox and it is the center channel that drops for about 2 seconds.I doubt its your wiring.

Thank you - Misery loves company. What little I know of wiring - COAX to be precise, I would find it hard to beleive that there would be no video distortion at the same time

See the info @ http://shop.mojohd.com/ to find out who took it away.


Thanks. I'll miss my MOJO.:(

Interesting -- when was the last time you've seen some entity dismiss itself because its objectives were complete? How many television series, for example, out-stay their welcome, trying to extract every last bit of possible revenue, long past the point when the program is serving its original purpose?

Ive had the same problem with Fox and it is the center channel that drops for about 2 seconds.I doubt its your wiring.

I have had similar problems. I have an old Denon amp.

Does anyone here have a Comcast HD DVR AND a Tivo both hooked up? Trying to figure out how to do simultaneous recording. Seems like both end up recording the same show. And yes I can view AND record on the Comcast.

Which TiVo?

I had a Motorola DCT-3416 and a TiVo S3 hooked up at the same time, and never had any problems. You split the cable before the boxes, and then connect each of the two boxes up to the television (not to each other).

No, no, no my MOJO is gone too. Who took my MOJO? This truely sucks.


I am going to miss Three Sheets :(

Me too. Zane's great.

Good evening...noticed that both of my dch tivo boxes have lost all guide data..things recorded this afternoon but when I got home tonight I noticed that everything is listed as to be announced. I called comcast and first rep was able to send a signal to my living room box and guide data came back. Bedroom box they had me restart the dvr..no luck so they had me unplug the box, wait, and then plug it back in and give it 30 minutes. No luck and my living room box is again without guide data. They have to send someone out tomorrow...again. Anyone know what might have caused this and what can be done about it? Been having some on demand issues on both boxes as I get error 1, 8104 on my first attempt then it will work when I try again. Also some ppv ordering issues..last time they were here they blamed it on both boxes...still seems to be happening.

Good evening...noticed that both of my dch tivo boxes have lost all guide data..

Mine as well. I'm not very happy with Comcast right now.

Mine as well. I'm not very happy with Comcast right now.

WHere abouts are you located? Did you call Comcast? What did they tell you?

Good evening...noticed that both of my dch tivo boxes have lost all guide data..things recorded this afternoon but when I got home tonight I noticed that everything is listed as to be announced. I called comcast and first rep was able to send a signal to my living room box and guide data came back. Bedroom box they had me restart the dvr..no luck so they had me unplug the box, wait, and then plug it back in and give it 30 minutes. No luck and my living room box is again without guide data. They have to send someone out tomorrow...again. Anyone know what might have caused this and what can be done about it?Sounds like your home had an electrical power spike and perhaps fried their boxes. I put the Motorola boxes behind a high quality surge suppressor and UPS.

Same thing happened here. That was the last straw with the Tivo software for me. Already been slow & things haven't been recording plus freezing and other bugs. Swapped out my box today for another one and went back to the iGuide

I spoke to a friend that works for Fairpoint last night. He said that this January they are going to start implementing fiber optic TV (F.A.S.T.) in Portsmouth, NH.
If all goes well, Nashua, NH should see it by the summer. :D

I spoke to a friend that works for Fairpoint last night. He said that this January they are going to start implementing fiber optic TV (F.A.S.T.) in Portsmouth, NH.
If all goes well, Nashua, NH should see it by the summer. :D

Hopefully Salem will get it soon:D

No more Mojo. One less HD channel. no replacement yet. Comcast ,you are going in the wrong direction....

No more Mojo. One less HD channel. no replacement yet. Comcast ,you are going in the wrong direction....
Mojo was shut down by InDemand. Comcast did not take it away. It will most likely be replaced with Versus HD on 12/8.

Mojo was shut down by InDemand. Comcast did not take it away. It will most likely be replaced with Versus HD on 12/8.

Try again. We already have VersusHD.

We have Versus/Golf HD. They're being split into 2 separate channels.

Try again. We already have VersusHD.

We have Versus/Golf HD. They're being split into 2 separate channels.
Yes currently the two share a HD channel. On 12/8 they are launching separate feeds. On most Comcast systems, Golf HD is taking over the shared VSGLF HD with Versus HD taking over the spot MOJO HD vacated when it shut down.

an HDPPV channel has shown up in somerville this morning, any one else get this?

Yeah, I got it too around 1 am. 399 is the same as 800 (HDPPV) and there's an HD channel now for the NBA Package.

Yeah, I got it too around 1 am. 399 is the same as 800 (HDPPV) and there's an HD channel now for the NBA Package.

and another one on 635

New additions
399 & 800 are the same
612
635

Yes currently the two share a HD channel. On 12/8 they are launching separate feeds. On most Comcast systems, Golf HD is taking over the shared VSGLF HD with Versus HD taking over the spot MOJO HD vacated when it shut down.

Are we going to receive the three other Comcast-owned HD channels which are supposed to be launched on 12/8?

http://www.comcastnetworks.com/

Comcast Networks is proud to announce the launch of E! HD, VERSUS HD, GOLF CHANNEL HD, STYLE HD and G4 HD on December 8, 2008!

I also just got the two new HDPPV channels in natick. Now hopefully we can get UFCs in HD.

and another one on 635

New additions
399 & 800 are the same
612
635

Same here on the South Shore.

I also just got the two new HDPPV channels in natick. Now hopefully we can get UFCs in HD.

I will also hold out hope that 635 will be for the MLB Extra Innings HD games (as IIRC 621-634 are the channels for the SD games)

will we see E-HD, G4-HD and the split Golf and Verus HD tomorrow 12/8 on Comcast? also what may be added on 12/15 when WYDN-Daystar leaves Ch. 23? I would like to see Weather Channel- HD.

will we see E-HD, G4-HD and the split Golf and Verus HD tomorrow 12/8 on Comcast? also what may be added on 12/15 when WYDN-Daystar leaves Ch. 23? I would like to see Weather Channel- HD.

My bet is we will be getting some or all of them because my HD PQ seems to be going downhill again which is a sure sign they will be adding something. It's too bad we have to keep sacrificing quality with quantity with Comcast and if this keeps up I will not be a subscriber too much longer because Fios is available to me now and I will be balancing my options if this trend continues.

My bet is we will be getting some or all of them because my HD PQ seems to be going downhill again which is a sure sign they will be adding something. It's too bad we have to keep sacrificing quality with quantity with Comcast and if this keeps up I will not be a subscriber too much longer because Fios is available to me now and I will be balancing my options if this trend continues.

How is your HD PQ going down? I watch everything in HD and haven't noticed any degradation in quality.

I think they know where Lodef lives. :D

How is your HD PQ going down? I watch everything in HD and haven't noticed any degradation in quality.

Scoops I have had Comcast HD for over 4-1/2 years now and I remember what it looked like when I first got it. I'm sorry to say but it is no where near what it once was. As for the current PQ, it has declined over the past week or so with a softer picture like they are almost filtered. Maybe I have sharper vision than most but these are my observations on my system and it seems every time they are going to add more channels there is a degradation of some sort on the signal.

Poor picture quality might be the TV's problem. I just gave away a 5 yr. old Mits DLP 62" set and purchased a 52" Samsung LCD. The PQ has never been better.

will we see E-HD, G4-HD and the split Golf and Verus HD tomorrow 12/8 on Comcast? also what may be added on 12/15 when WYDN-Daystar leaves Ch. 23? I would like to see Weather Channel- HD.

My guess would be that everyone will get the split VS/Golf because we've all gained a channel slot with MOJO's demise. I have no idea whether the others will be City of Boston/Brookline only or also for the rest of us. I would expect at least Boston/Brookline to get them pretty soon.

Scoops I have had Comcast HD for over 4-1/2 years now and I remember what it looked like when I first got it. I'm sorry to say but it is no where near what it once was. As for the current PQ, it has declined over the past week or so with a softer picture like they are almost filtered. Maybe I have sharper vision than most but these are my observations on my system and it seems every time they are going to add more channels there is a degradation of some sort on the signal.

Or you want to see a degraded PQ. I've said it before, I'll say it again, I have a friend who works at Comcast engineering. Video is what he does. If there was any kind of work they did to degrade the PQ of HD programming they've already launched, he would tell me. Sports channels are always passthrough to the customer, they don't muck with them. Same with the local broadcasters. If a new HD launches (FX or Fox News HD) then the way you get them when they launch will be the way you'll continue to get them. I've had Comcast HD since the first day of launch (had my first HDTV for the 2002 Super Bowl OTA).

Things like saying the picture is "softer" and has lower picture quality is subjective. People are going to see what they want to see and correlate it with something. A minor form of conspiracy theory.

I spoke to my friend today and he said they have done nothing to any of their HD channels that would impact picture quality. New HD launches are either getting turned up in new unused bandwidth (migrations from July/Aug) or from drops (like MOJO).

Or you want to see a degraded PQ. I've said it before, I'll say it again, I have a friend who works at Comcast engineering. Video is what he does. If there was any kind of work they did to degrade the PQ of HD programming they've already launched, he would tell me. Sports channels are always passthrough to the customer, they don't muck with them. Same with the local broadcasters. If a new HD launches (FX or Fox News HD) then the way you get them when they launch will be the way you'll continue to get them. I've had Comcast HD since the first day of launch (had my first HDTV for the 2002 Super Bowl OTA).

Things like saying the picture is "softer" and has lower picture quality is subjective. People are going to see what they want to see and correlate it with something. A minor form of conspiracy theory.

I spoke to my friend today and he said they have done nothing to any of their HD channels that would impact picture quality. New HD launches are either getting turned up in new unused bandwidth (migrations from July/Aug) or from drops (like MOJO).

Maybe you should check out the Comcast threads in the HDTV Programming forum, my thoughts are far from alone. And this post http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15185339#post15185339 goes contrary to many of the things you have said. Sorry but I trust my eye sight and will stand by my statement.

So can we expect new channels in 21 minutes or should I just go to sleep!?

Maybe you should check out the Comcast threads in the HDTV Programming forum, my thoughts are far from alone. And this post http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15185339#post15185339 goes contrary to many of the things you have said. Sorry but I trust my eye sight and will stand by my statement.

Then we agree to disagree. I stand by my statement and that of my long time friend. Both that of subjective viewpoints and the technical aspects of it.

VRSHD added at 865 (Watertown). No other adds.

Or you want to see a degraded PQ.I wasn't going to say it...

Things like saying the picture is "softer" and has lower picture quality is subjective. People are going to see what they want to see and correlate it with something. A minor form of conspiracy theory.

I spoke to my friend today and he said they have done nothing to any of their HD channels that would impact picture quality. New HD launches are either getting turned up in new unused bandwidth (migrations from July/Aug) or from drops (like MOJO).Thanks for the confirmation. Not sure I'll be sticking with Comcast, but this is surely a strong case for my doing so.

Then we agree to disagree. I stand by my statement and that of my long time friend. Both that of subjective viewpoints and the technical aspects of it.

So you stand by your statement that Comcast's HD quality is as good today as it was six years ago?

Well there are plenty of blogs and printed articles to state otherwise but who am I to question what you are seeing. Like you said you see what you want to see.

BTW moderaters of this very forum don't agree with what you and your friend are saying and have the luxury of doing side by side comparisons at any giving moment since they subscribe to many providers. The conclusion is Fios is the best right now and Comcast has loss some of it's PQ because of limited bandwidth, whether that changes or not who knows. What I do know however is that I have not encountered one single person who has switched from Comcast to Fios and said the HD PQ was better with Comcast and I think that speaks for itself and the point I am trying to make because it was always agreed that Comcast did have the best PQ at one time.

I wasn't going to say it...

Thanks for the confirmation. Not sure I'll be sticking with Comcast, but this is surely a strong case for my doing so.


bicker sounds like you and Scoops go to the same Eye doctor! :D

my complaint with comcast is the stuttering of the audio and video. always seems to happen when its time for football. celtics games have had these issues too.

and its not my signal. I have an electroline amp and I know how to check the box and my signal is fine. the pole is right at the end of my driveway which is about 20ft away.

when FIOS comes, I will be the first to check it out. it is unacceptable how often local games are messed up on comcast. I do think comcast PQ could be better, the picture at times breaks up and has a bit of macroblocking.

So you stand by your statement that Comcast's HD quality is as good today as it was six years ago?He didn't say anything about six years ago. Let's stick to arguing about what people actually post, rather than what would be easier to argue against. The context of the discussion, so far, has been with a smaller time-scale. AFAIC, there has been a very minor degradation in HD PQ over the last few years, and more specifically, there was a rather significant degradation at some point, followed by several improvements, to the point now where there is only a very minor degradation from where they were when I got my HDTV.

BTW moderaters of this very forum don't agree with what you and your friend are sayingHowever, presumably, the respect the right of him to present his perspective, here.

and have the luxury of doing side by side comparisonsI might be trying FiOS soon, but won't cancel Comcast until I'm sure FiOS can provide me comparable service with regard to all the parameters of my need. So I'll have the same opportunity. As I've said before, I suspect that FiOS will be substantially better on some channels, and comparable on others.

What I do know however is that I have not encountered one single person who has switched from Comcast to Fios and said the HD PQ was better with ComcastIndeed -- I think the folks switching (back) from FiOS to Comcast have all cited billing disasters (the vast majority) or technical incompatibilities (anecdotal) as the reason for switching back.

bicker sounds like you and Scoops go to the same Eye doctor! :DI hope that smiley indicates that you are just joking. I say that because in another thread today, I'm being personally attacked because of a specific, contextual perspective I have put forward. What is with some people? Just because someone disagrees with them, they think they're justified in making a personal attack on that person. Very shameful.

He didn't say anything about six years ago. Let's stick to arguing about what people actually post, rather than what would be easier to argue against. The context of the discussion, so far, has been with a smaller time-scale. AFAIC, there has been a very minor degradation in HD PQ over the last few years, and more specifically, there was a rather significant degradation at some point, followed by several improvements, to the point now where there is only a very minor degradation from where they were when I got my HDTV.

He is the one that brought it up. I would suggest you go back and read his post, so yes it was being discussed.


I hope that smiley indicates that you are just joking. I say that because in another thread today, I'm being personally attacked because of a specific, contextual perspective I have put forward. What is with some people? Just because someone disagrees with them, they think they're justified in making a personal attack on that person. Very shameful.

bicker you do seem to be a little sensitive today and yes it was a joke, you should know me by now. I hope your day goes a little better! :)

He is the one that brought it up. I would suggest you go back and read his post, so yes it was being discussed.Okay, if that's the case, then I disagree with him: There has been a (very small) degradation in quality between now and "back when".

bicker you do seem to be a little sensitive todayI am, because I'm literally being "ganged up on" in another thread because people are frustrated by the reality I'm outlining in that thread. Their frustration is rubbing off, I suppose, because they're grasping at straws, attacking me personally, because my comments are such that they cannot effectively argue against them. (More specifically, I'm projecting what's best for the broadcaster, and they're projecting what's best for the viewer, and refusing to acknowledge the distinction.) As I alluded to in my earlier message, they're doing with sincerity what you did in jest.

and yes it was a joke, you should know me by now. I hope your day goes a little better! :)I do, and I apologize for even insinuating the your comments could have been not in jest. Thank you for your kind thoughts.

I will also hold out hope that 635 will be for the MLB Extra Innings HD games (as IIRC 621-634 are the channels for the SD games)

+1...it has always burned me up that we pay the same price for baseball and hockey packages as other carriers yet we do not get the hd feeds we pay for.

So you stand by your statement that Comcast's HD quality is as good today as it was six years ago?

Well there are plenty of blogs and printed articles to state otherwise but who am I to question what you are seeing. Like you said you see what you want to see.

BTW moderaters of this very forum don't agree with what you and your friend are saying and have the luxury of doing side by side comparisons at any giving moment since they subscribe to many providers. The conclusion is Fios is the best right now and Comcast has loss some of it's PQ because of limited bandwidth, whether that changes or not who knows. What I do know however is that I have not encountered one single person who has switched from Comcast to Fios and said the HD PQ was better with Comcast and I think that speaks for itself and the point I am trying to make because it was always agreed that Comcast did have the best PQ at one time.

I didn't say nothing has changed in the last 6 years. My statement is in regards to you saying that "My bet is we will be getting some or all of them because my HD PQ seems to be going downhill again which is a sure sign they will be adding something." Yes, Comcast has reduced PQ (some see it, some don't) compared to Fios HD on SOME of their HDs (notably their 3 HDs in 1 QAM). And you never said what you are seeing degraded PQ on.

I have actually seen PQ improvements over the last 6 years, but mainly thats due to a TV upgrade from an old CRT rear projection to a newer LCoS Sony Rear Projection.

Again, its all subjective. Just like self labeled audiophiles who say they can hear/see the difference between a cheapo HDMI cable and a fancy $100+ name brand HDMI cable.

He is the one that brought it up. I would suggest you go back and read his post, so yes it was being discussed.

I did say that I had Comcast HD since they lit up, but did not say that I have seen no PQ degradation since then. I actually agree with bicker in that PQ was "normal" up until about a year ago when Comcast first deployed their 3:1 HDs, then there was a significant PQ degradation that got better after a few months, but not as good as it was (though not nearly as bad as most people make out). And that was only a select number of services. In regards to anything new that has launched in the last year, you can't compare a before and after 3:1.

In Derry, we got the Versus and Golf Channel Split

Golf is on 848
Versus is on 865

I don't see anything else. The HD PPV has been on 800 for days.

Pete

I saw an ad for Any Room OnDemand on TV this weekend. So are we going to get any room DVR any time soon?

In Derry, we got the Versus and Golf Channel Split

Golf is on 848
Versus is on 865

I don't see anything else. The HD PPV has been on 800 for days.

Pete

Same in Clinton, MA. Was hoping for more- although for ones outside the list of comcastnetwork channels. I'm sure we won't see any new non Comcast HD channels until we first get all the Comcast HD channels... I could care less about E! and G4 (bring back TechTV!). Blah.

I did say that I had Comcast HD since they lit up, but did not say that I have seen no PQ degradation since then. I actually agree with bicker in that PQ was "normal" up until about a year ago when Comcast first deployed their 3:1 HDs, then there was a significant PQ degradation that got better after a few months, but not as good as it was (though not nearly as bad as most people make out). And that was only a select number of services. In regards to anything new that has launched in the last year, you can't compare a before and after 3:1.

Then we can all agree it is not as good as it once was and also there are periods when they tinker around with things and the PQ might take a further hit until they work it out in regards to the 3:1 muxing. So there is nothing wrong with my eyes after all. Thank you!

Then we can all agree it is not as good as it once was and also there are periods when they tinker around with things and the PQ might take a further hit until they work it out in regards to the 3:1 muxing. So there is nothing wrong with my eyes after all. Thank you!

Since you insist upon not actually paying attention to what I am saying, go right ahead and keep believing I am in agreement with you. Apparently I waste my fingers on typing.

Since you insist upon not actually paying attention to what I am saying, go right ahead and keep believing I am in agreement with you. Apparently I waste my fingers on typing.

I don't care if you agree with me or not but by your post you are all over the place so who is wasting their fingers typing is a matter of opinion. Again go check out the Comcast threads in the Programming forum, there are many informed people and printed articles there that shed more light on this topic.
;)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008271

NHL Center Ice game in HD on 635 north of Boston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone else get channel 848. The guide doesn't have a channel name abbreviation yet for it and the guide is all "TBA"....

Looks like Golf channel HD. Where's my SpikeHD?

-Matt in Natick

Anyone else get channel 848. The guide doesn't have a channel name abbreviation yet for it and the guide is all "TBA"....

Looks like Golf channel HD. Where's my SpikeHD?

-Matt
Not sure where you're located, but 848 was the former spot of the Versus/Golf HD split channel. 848 is becoming Golf HD and Versus HD is being added on 865 according to the reports.

Although it would make more sense for Versus HD to occupy 848 (since SD Versus is 48) and Golf HD to be on 869 (since SD Golf is 69) but the numbering is extremely wacky.

I have Golf on 848 and Versus on 865 - in Billerica

Not sure where you're located, but 848 was the former spot of the Versus/Golf HD split channel. 848 is becoming Golf HD and Versus HD is being added on 865 according to the reports.

Although it would make more sense for Versus HD to occupy 848 (since SD Versus is 48) and Golf HD to be on 869 (since SD Golf is 69) but the numbering is extremely wacky.

Versus must hop around on local systems. Here on the South Shore, I get it twice in analog form, once on channel 40 and again on channel 65. Talk about a waste of bandwidth!

NHL Center Ice game in HD on 635 north of Boston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you been able to watch a game on it? I subscribed to NHL Center Ice in hopes of watching a few games in HD and was informed by 2 reps and 1 manager, they don't offer the channel even though it's listed on their site as channel 635 and they showed NHL games on it during the free NHL Center Ice preview a couple of months ago.

According to the Comcast bill I received today, channel 23 WYDN (daystar) is moving to digital only channel 295 on 12/17 . Also on 1/6/09 CMT moves to digital only. More HD for us !!

-Ken

Have you been able to watch a game on it? I subscribed to NHL Center Ice in hopes of watching a few games in HD and was informed by 2 reps and 1 manager, they don't offer the channel even though it's listed on their site as channel 635 and they showed NHL games on it during the free NHL Center Ice preview a couple of months ago.

Yes, I watched the St. Louis/Nashville games last night. It says that the LA/Col game starts at 9:30 tonight. It looks like 612 shows the hoop package. It would be nice if both 612 and 635 are available for baseball.

update: Avs/King is on in HD on 635

Now available in Boston/Brookline:

786 G4 HD
787 style HD
816 TV One HD

Still no sign of HDnet or HDnet Movies.

Yes, I watched the St. Louis/Nashville games last night. It says that the LA/Col game starts at 9:30 tonight. It looks like 612 shows the hoop package. It would be nice if both 612 and 635 are available for baseball.

update: Avs/King is on in HD on 635

Thanks for the update. Guess I was dealing with un-informed reps since they kept denying that they offered the channel even though I told them I watched games on the channel during the preview but they said I was probably watching a SD game and mistook it for a HD game :confused:

Thanks for the update. Guess I was dealing with un-informed reps since they kept denying that they offered the channel even though I told them I watched games on the channel during the preview but they said I was probably watching a SD game and mistook it for a HD game :confused:

Oh yeah, I do that kind of thing all the time.... like sometimes I'll hear a song on the radio, but I'll think I heard it in the newspaper. :rolleyes:

Just wondering, how many analog channels are left in Boston/Brookline?

Just wondering, how many analog channels are left in Boston/Brookline?

Just the basic, so anywhere from 15 - 30

My TV has QAM tuner which can go up to 135. Currently I am on Comcast Analog service but I get most local digital channels including HD in the Digital 70-90 range.

Comcast is pushing to go digital but given that I have multiple TVs in my house, I do NOT want to pay for each converter separately.

I am also confused as to how I will be able to use my QAM capable TV to get local digital/HD channels as the lineup numbers seems to be over 135 range.

Come February, would Comcast just turn off the digital "spillage" over the analog service? If so, is there a gadget which can combine OTA signal with the cable and feed over single RG6? I do have an attic antennae which works by itself, at least for the two digital capable TV's but so far it has been either cable or air proposal.

Is there a channel listing giving the real channel numbers for Comcast like there is for OTA @ say TVFool.com?

Thanks,
- Vikas

P.S. Why do people keep on talking about Ch 23? I just don't get the attraction for high definition religious channel!

Ch 23 is an analog channel that is going digital only. Frees up 6 Mhz of bandwidth for 2or 3 new HD channels. Has anyone noticed if the message boards have been dropped from the channels where CN8 ,MSNBC and ETWN used to be on analog now?

Comcast is pushing to go digital but given that I have multiple TVs in my house, I do NOT want to pay for each converter separately.So you'll probably hope they don't go "all-digital" for quite a while.

I am also confused as to how I will be able to use my QAM capable TV to get local digital/HD channels as the lineup numbers seems to be over 135 range.Figure that most of the digital cable channels, both above and below 135, will be encrypted anyway, so unless your QAM capable television has a CableCARD slot, you wouldn't be able to tune those channels in without a box, anyway.

Come February, would Comcast just turn off the digital "spillage" over the analog service?I'm not sure I know what you mean, but February, itself, is not necessarily significant for what you're talking about.

If so, is there a gadget which can combine OTA signal with the cable and feed over single RG6?I've read about such things -- though not necessarily combining what you're talking about combining. Regardless, from what I've read, you should figure that such devices, if they exist, would be mind-blowingly expensive.

Is there a channel listing giving the real channel numbers for Comcast like there is for OTA @ say TVFool.com?No official listing, and the actual mapping changes without notice. There is no intent to stabilize this (that would defeat the valuable flexibility that virtual channel mapping provides to service providers) or publish a constantly-updated official listing.

Evrytime I read about how I can't use my TV to watch channels that I pay for without the use of a box or cable card I get more aggravated..........

Then, perhaps, you're taking things too personally.

My TV has QAM tuner which can go up to 135. Currently I am on Comcast Analog service but I get most local digital channels including HD in the Digital 70-90 range.

Comcast is pushing to go digital but given that I have multiple TVs in my house, I do NOT want to pay for each converter separately.

I am also confused as to how I will be able to use my QAM capable TV to get local digital/HD channels as the lineup numbers seems to be over 135 range.

Come February, would Comcast just turn off the digital "spillage" over the analog service? If so, is there a gadget which can combine OTA signal with the cable and feed over single RG6? I do have an attic antennae which works by itself, at least for the two digital capable TV's but so far it has been either cable or air proposal.

Is there a channel listing giving the real channel numbers for Comcast like there is for OTA @ say TVFool.com?

Thanks,
- Vikas

P.S. Why do people keep on talking about Ch 23? I just don't get the attraction for high definition religious channel!


The cable companies are rolling out cheap(er) boxes called DTAs that don't provide a guide or offer video-on-demand (or DVR of course) that supposidly they rent for $1 or $2 per month. Also, TVs with tru2way slots that take a card are coming soon- although tru2way enabled TVs come at a price premium...

articles on DTAs:
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=167256&site=cdn

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=166950&site=cdn

My belief is that one should have to pay a one time ~$20 fee for a tru2way card from Comcast with no rental fee. But I believe I read somewhere that they're charging $1 - $2 per month for these cards- so renting a card over 5+ years would give them quite a profit... Scumbags always get their profit...

I'm with you- I've been willing to rent one box over the last few years. I have 3 other SD CRT TVs in my house- no way am I paying for 3 addtional HD boxes @ $8/month. I'm hoping that tru2way TVs become pervasive quickly- I prefer this solution instead of a DTA so that I don't have yet another box and remote to deal with...

Someday we're all going to be "watching TV" over IP (internet protocol) and Comcast, Verizon etc. won't be able to control which channels we get, how they're bundeled etc. We'll just get a raw IP pipe from them and the won't be the middleman for our content. I can't wait for that day to arrive...

Is anyone else having issues tonight?

All analog channels just disappeared about 15 minutes ago, along with all digital channels except 809.

Is anyone else having issues tonight?

All analog channels just disappeared about 15 minutes ago, along with all digital channels except 809.

I'm getting only 8,9,10,11,22, 66, 98, 182, and 809

I'm not getting anything that I can tell. Internet works (obviously). My TivoHD claims my cable card is working properly but no signal is seen. I'm kinda glad it's not my Tivo. :) Antenna still works so I was able to watch The Office. I moved the cable into my plasma to see if it can find any channels. Anybody call Comcast?

larry

Just got off the phone with them. Known outage; they're working on it.

Just got off the phone with them. Known outage; they're working on it.
Yup, same here. I went to comcast.com and got straight to a person with the online chat. I was somewhat impressed. They said the same thing.

larry

woah, when did WBZ start shooting their news in HD? Looks really good

I checked my recording for the office and it was there?? Must be a specific area.

My belief is that one should have to pay a one time ~$20 fee for a tru2way card from Comcast with no rental fee.Why would tru2way cards cost Comcast so much less than CableCARDs? I suspect that your estimates of how much the cards actually cost are off-target.

Someday we're all going to be "watching TV" over IP (internet protocol) and Comcast, Verizon etc. won't be able to control which channels we get, how they're bundeled etc.And the IPTV service provider will have you enter your password every 15 minutes to be sure that you're still the subscriber. :) Seriously, no matter where you get your content from, they're going to find a way to productize it, and therefore do things that, if you have this dream of perfect, cheap, advertising-free service, you will be horribly disappointed.

Unless you're content to watch YouTube videos.

woah, when did WBZ start shooting their news in HD? Looks really good

At 5PM.

At 5PM.

Took them long enough! Now they have to try and gain back all the viewers they lost to CVB and HDH because they were slow at the switch. I will probably stay with CVB during the week and catch BZ during the weekends.

After a lengthy discussion last week with a CSR, I was told 635 was just another HDPPV channel (he even called me back to confirm this). I was stunned because in the guide it said Center Ice and had games scheduled. Well as of last night (12/11) the HD feed of center ice channel 635 GameHD came on in Bristol County. My buddies in RI have HNL Network HD, but I have Game HD on them now.

Just 865 Verus HD added. Will we get any other HD Channels in the burbs before Xmas?

It was strange... TiVo removed the combined Golf/Versus channel yesterday, not adding in the individual channels at that same time. I don't watch either, so I don't care, but it looks like Tribune needs a heads-up that this change has occurred.

It was strange... TiVo removed the combined Golf/Versus channel yesterday, not adding in the individual channels at that same time. I don't watch either, so I don't care, but it looks like Tribune needs a heads-up that this change has occurred.
TiVo/Tribune seems really erratic. Sometimes channel adds get updated in the guide the same day, sometimes it takes two weeks.

woah, when did WBZ start shooting their news in HD? Looks really good

BZ's weather- which is still in SD housed in a fake graphic "chalk board" looking thing is quite a bummer. Hope they can afford new HD weather graphics in short order...

Why would tru2way cards cost Comcast so much less than CableCARDs? I suspect that your estimates of how much the cards actually cost are off-target.

And the IPTV service provider will have you enter your password every 15 minutes to be sure that you're still the subscriber. :) Seriously, no matter where you get your content from, they're going to find a way to productize it, and therefore do things that, if you have this dream of perfect, cheap, advertising-free service, you will be horribly disappointed.

Unless you're content to watch YouTube videos.

All CableCards and tru2way cards are are glorified PCMCIA cards. I'm sure the cable companies and even the manufacturers _charge_ more than $20, but I bet they cost $10 to make. I can get a 802.11G card for $10. Even if they cost $50, if tru2way takes off, the cable companies will make a small fortune "renting" one over a period of say 5 years at $2/month to millions of customers. My feeling is that we should be allowed to buy them with a one time fee- same with these upcoming DTAs.

I've always felt that monthly fees are nasty- for things like rentals they make you feel like they don't cost much, but adding up those fees over 5-7 years, it ends up costing a fortune- and providing tons of profit to the renting entity.

As for TV over the Internet, I predict that "aggratators" will come about that go pay ESPN, A&E, CNN etc. and create packages and then sell them to end users. Hopefully some will offer the ability to select channels a-la-carte. At least there will be competition in the middleman space- where there is none with Comcast or Verizon today. I'm not asking for Hulu type free programming, just competition in the middle man space.

I think in 10 years it'll be like this: I get a raw IP pipe from Comcast or Verizon. I get a VoIP provider from someone like Vonage and then I get a bundle of TV channels from an aggregator (and there are multiple aggragators competiting against each other.)

All this requires some important stuff though- fat IP pipes of course (when everyone wants to watch the Superbowl at the same time in HD- that requires a TON of bandwidth...) and Net Neutrality (so that Comcast and Verizon can't snuff out the tv aggregators.)

The whole argument a couple years ago about Net Neutrality being about making sure one company's website doesn't have an advantage in loading faster than another was bogus- it's all about delivering video... Comcast, Verizon etc. want to make sure they're the only ones who will be able to deliver quality video over their own pipes- even if it's only because of artificial means. They want to make sure that they're the only ones in the "middleman" position I explained above. If they lose that role, they lose a ton of their profits.

This is a good description of what's coming up with Comcast pushing a lot of their channels to digital:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/brierdudley/2008480563_brier08.html

I'm sure the cable companies and even the manufacturers _charge_ more than $20, but I bet they cost $10 to make.If the manufacturers charge the cable companies more then it doesn't matter how much they cost to make. The cable companies should charge what the manufacturers charge them or more -- no less.

Even if they cost $50
The last time this was discussed, I remember the cost being closer to $100 than $50. Let's hold off making wild accusations against the cable companies regarding this until you have a copy of their purchase order for purchase of CableCARDs from their manufacturer handy.

My feeling is that we should be allowed to buy them with a one time fee- same with these upcoming DTAs.I want that too, but that doesn't make it something that "should" be.

I've always felt that monthly fees are nasty- for things like rentals they make you feel like they don't cost much, but adding up those fees over 5-7 years, it ends up costing a fortune- and providing tons of profit to the renting entity.Then boycott such offerings.

As for TV over the Internet, I predict that "aggratators" will come about that go pay ESPN, A&E, CNN etc. and create packages and then sell them to end users. Hopefully some will offer the ability to select channels a-la-carte. At least there will be competition in the middleman space- where there is none with Comcast or Verizon today. I'm not asking for Hulu type free programming, just competition in the middle man space.Well, hopefully if that happens, the government will enforce the ADA on such services.

If the manufacturers charge the cable companies more then it doesn't matter how much they cost to make. The cable companies should charge what the manufacturers charge them or more -- no less.


The last time this was discussed, I remember the cost being closer to $100 than $50. Let's hold off making wild accusations against the cable companies regarding this until you have a copy of their purchase order for purchase of CableCARDs from their manufacturer handy.

I want that too, but that doesn't make it something that "should" be.

Then boycott such offerings.

Well, hopefully if that happens, the government will enforce the ADA on such services.

bicker I think you just made him "Comfortably Numb" with that response! :D

We can only hope.

I'm here in Chelmsford with power, but no Comcast - TV, Internet, and phone are all out. What I didn't realize is that you can't use the DVR if the cable is out. I have all these shows that I can't watch...what a major bummer !

-Ken

one thing I like about verizon. I pull out my "jumper" battery with cig outlet. plug in my power inverter and then power up my dsl modem and router and I am good to surf.

with verizon, atleast I still have phone and internet as phone lines rarey go down.

I'm here in Chelmsford with power, but no Comcast - TV, Internet, and phone are all out....
-Ken

To expand on Ken's comment a little, I am in Fitchburg, MA. We were hit pretty hard with the ice storm (Thursday night/Friday morning), and the vast majority of the area were without power for at least two days. I finally got my power restored today (Sunday). I am sure with a storm this severe, and covering a large area, work crews are stretched thin and working 24/7 getting services back online. With that being said, I am still without any Comcast services, with their customer support having no idea when it may come back online. I will give it another day or two, and if it does not come back online, this exhibits, I believe, poor customer service by Comcast. I have yet to see a single Comcast truck or van (either parked or driving by). Countering this are the literally dozens Verizon crews working to restore service and individual homes and lines.

To expand on Ken's comment a little, I am in Fitchburg, MA. We were hit pretty hard with the ice storm (Thursday night/Friday morning), and the vast majority of the area were without power for at least two days. I finally got my power restored today (Sunday). I am sure with a storm this severe, and covering a large area, work crews are stretched thin and working 24/7 getting services back online. With that being said, I am still without any Comcast services, with their customer support having no idea when it may come back online. I will give it another day or two, and if it does not come back online, this exhibits, I believe, poor customer service by Comcast. I have yet to see a single Comcast truck or van (either parked or driving by). Countering this are the literally dozens Verizon crews working to restore service and individual homes and lines.

Dover NH a friend lost power and cable. Power came back up, took another 8 hours for cable to come back up. They had to splice in a new fiber bundle because a big tree took out the lines. But they couldn't restore service any sooner because they couldn't get near the area until PSNH fixed the power lines and ensured the safety of the crews.

To expand on Ken's comment a little, I am in Fitchburg, MA. We were hit pretty hard with the ice storm (Thursday night/Friday morning), and the vast majority of the area were without power for at least two days. I finally got my power restored today (Sunday). I am sure with a storm this severe, and covering a large area, work crews are stretched thin and working 24/7 getting services back online. With that being said, I am still without any Comcast services, with their customer support having no idea when it may come back online. I will give it another day or two, and if it does not come back online, this exhibits, I believe, poor customer service by Comcast. I have yet to see a single Comcast truck or van (either parked or driving by). Countering this are the literally dozens Verizon crews working to restore service and individual homes and lines.


I spoke with Frank Eliason (comcast_cares) via email and he told me the problem. There are many fiber cuts and power down on poles that probably feed your area. You may not see any activity but it is there. The power outage affecting your cable could be miles away from you between you and the head end. I'm sure you have neighbors still without power, give the anti comcast language a break for at least another day or two. FYI my comcast came back about 4pm, and I never saw a comcast truck anywhere nearby.

-Ken

For whomever was asking, as of today channel 66 and 3 still have announcements and video bars (at least in Chelmsford). I guess this means they are still available for digital expansion.

-Ken

For whomever was asking, as of today channel 66 and 3 still have announcements and video bars (at least in Chelmsford). I guess this means they are still available for digital expansion.

-Ken

Same in Hopkinton.. I like how it says beginning July 15... Its been 5 months Comcast..

That is room for 4to6 new HD channels.

Big update here in Boston/Brookline - thought I'd post before I head to bed. Several channels aren't in the guide yet, but the big news is HDNet and Travel HD. Additionally - it looks like they're now showing the West coast feed of about 10 movie channels? Very unexpected.

New channels bolded:
*762 HBO FH
*763 HBO ZD
*764 TMC WD
*765 SHO 2H
*766 SHO HD
*767 Not in guide yet
*768 MXHDW
*769 HBO 2H
*770 HBO HD
771 HBO SH
772 HBO Family HD East
773 HBO Latino HD
774 HBO Comedy HD
775 HBO Zone HD
776 More MAX HD
777 ActionMax HD
778 5 Star MAX HD
779 ThrillerMAX HD
780 WMAX HD
781 @MAXHD
782 OuterMAX HD
*783 HDNet
*784 Travel Channel HD
785 Encore HD
786 G4 HD
787 Style HD
788 Lifetime Movie Network HD
789 Fox Business News HD
790 Hallmark Movies HD
791 QVC HD
792 Toon Disney HD
793 Fuse HD
794 Bravo HD
795 CNBC HD
796 ESPN News HD
797 Biography HD
798 IFC HD
799 Women's Entertainment (WE) HD
802 WGBH HD (PBS HD)
804 WBZ-DT Boston (CBS-HD)
805 WCVB-DT Boston (ABC-HD)
806 WFXT-DT Boston (Fox-HD)
807 WHDH-DT Boston (NBC-HD)
808 WLVI-DT Boston (CW-HD)
814 WSBK-DT Boston
815 Planet Green HD
716 TV One HD
819 MGM HD
821 National Geo HD
822 NHL HD
823 Discovery HD
824 Disney HD
826 ABC Family HD
828 Palladia HD
830 FX HD
831 TBS HD
832 HGTV HD
833 TNT HD
834 E! HD
835 USA HD
837 A&E HD
*838 Not in Guide Yet
839 HD Theatre
841 Fox New Channel HD
842 CNN HD
846 Universal HD
847 The Weather Channel HD
848 Golf HD
849 ESPN HD
850 ESPN 2 HD
851 NESN HD
852 Comcast Sportsnet NE HD
853 NFL Network HD
854 Food HD
*856 Not in Guide Yet (Looks like a CBS Sports Channel)
859 AMC HD
860 Cartoon Network
862 SciFi channel HD
863 Animal Planet HD
865 Versus HD
866 Science Channel HD
867 TLC HD
868 Cinemax HD
*869 Not in Guide Yet (Looks like a movie channel)
870 HBO HD
871 HBO2 HD
872 History HD
873 Starz! Edge HD
874 Starz! Kids & Family HD
875 Starz! HD HD
876 Starz! Comedy HD
877 Showtime HD
878 Showtime Too HD
879 SHOCD
880 Showtime Extreme HD
*881 SHO CW
*882 AMX DW
883 The Movie Channel HD
884 The Movie Channel 2 HD
885 Big 10 Network HD

Is this a small possiblity in the burbs in 2009?

fat IP pipes of course (when everyone wants to watch the Superbowl at the same time in HD- that requires a TON of bandwidth...)

I would assume that IPTV would use multicast (or some similar approach) when it come to distributing the same program to multiple end points. While you would still need a "fat (but not obese)" IP pipe to each customer, the actual IP backbone distributing the program out to the neighborhoods would be carrying the same number of IP frames whether there was 1 or 1000 people watching a show (except for the minor overhead of subscription frames etc).

Is this a small possiblity in the burbs in 2009?

Sure wish this would happen! :confused:

To expand on Ken's comment a little, I am in Fitchburg, MA. We were hit pretty hard with the ice storm (Thursday night/Friday morning), and the vast majority of the area were without power for at least two days. I finally got my power restored today (Sunday). I am sure with a storm this severe, and covering a large area, work crews are stretched thin and working 24/7 getting services back online. With that being said, I am still without any Comcast services, with their customer support having no idea when it may come back online. I will give it another day or two, and if it does not come back online, this exhibits, I believe, poor customer service by Comcast. I have yet to see a single Comcast truck or van (either parked or driving by). Countering this are the literally dozens Verizon crews working to restore service and individual homes and lines.

Judging a utility company's effort at repairing an outage by the number of trucks that you see might be a nice reason to vent hostility, but it is unhinged from reality. For all you know, the outage caused something to fail inside a building somewhere and all the kings trucks won't mean squat.
Poor customer service.
Poor you.

Big update here in Boston/Brookline - thought I'd post before I head to bed. Several channels aren't in the guide yet, but the big news is HDNet and Travel HD. Additionally - it looks like they're now showing the West coast feed of about 10 movie channels? Very unexpected.

New channels bolded:
*762 HBO FH
*763 HBO ZD
*764 TMC WD
*765 SHO 2H
*766 SHO HD
*767 Not in guide yet
*768 MXHDW
*769 HBO 2H
*770 HBO HD
771 HBO SH
772 HBO Family HD East
773 HBO Latino HD
774 HBO Comedy HD
775 HBO Zone HD
776 More MAX HD
777 ActionMax HD
778 5 Star MAX HD
779 ThrillerMAX HD
780 WMAX HD
781 @MAXHD
782 OuterMAX HD
*783 HDNet
*784 Travel Channel HD
785 Encore HD
786 G4 HD
787 Style HD
788 Lifetime Movie Network HD
789 Fox Business News HD
790 Hallmark Movies HD
791 QVC HD
792 Toon Disney HD
793 Fuse HD
794 Bravo HD
795 CNBC HD
796 ESPN News HD
797 Biography HD
798 IFC HD
799 Women's Entertainment (WE) HD
802 WGBH HD (PBS HD)
804 WBZ-DT Boston (CBS-HD)
805 WCVB-DT Boston (ABC-HD)
806 WFXT-DT Boston (Fox-HD)
807 WHDH-DT Boston (NBC-HD)
808 WLVI-DT Boston (CW-HD)
814 WSBK-DT Boston
815 Planet Green HD
716 TV One HD
819 MGM HD
821 National Geo HD
822 NHL HD
823 Discovery HD
824 Disney HD
826 ABC Family HD
828 Palladia HD
830 FX HD
831 TBS HD
832 HGTV HD
833 TNT HD
834 E! HD
835 USA HD
837 A&E HD
*838 Not in Guide Yet
839 HD Theatre
841 Fox New Channel HD
842 CNN HD
846 Universal HD
847 The Weather Channel HD
848 Golf HD
849 ESPN HD
850 ESPN 2 HD
851 NESN HD
852 Comcast Sportsnet NE HD
853 NFL Network HD
854 Food HD
*856 Not in Guide Yet (Looks like a CBS Sports Channel)
859 AMC HD
860 Cartoon Network
862 SciFi channel HD
863 Animal Planet HD
865 Versus HD
866 Science Channel HD
867 TLC HD
868 Cinemax HD
*869 Not in Guide Yet (Looks like a movie channel)
870 HBO HD
871 HBO2 HD
872 History HD
873 Starz! Edge HD
874 Starz! Kids & Family HD
875 Starz! HD HD
876 Starz! Comedy HD
877 Showtime HD
878 Showtime Too HD
879 SHOCD
880 Showtime Extreme HD
*881 SHO CW
*882 AMX DW
883 The Movie Channel HD
884 The Movie Channel 2 HD
885 Big 10 Network HD


Is anyone else in Boston able to see these channels? I have Comcast Tivo and don't receive any of the new channels.

Big update here in Boston/Brookline - thought I'd post before I head to bed. Several channels aren't in the guide yet, but the big news is HDNet and Travel HD. Additionally - it looks like they're now showing the West coast feed of about 10 movie channels? Very unexpected.



Look at all of those channels. The one community where Comcast is competitive with Fios is one where it isn't even there.

While it's true Comcast doesn't compete with Fios in Boston, they are competing with RCN cable which also went all-digital (and has similar HD offerings). And in many areas of Boston, buildings are wired for both!

Updated for the channels that weren't yet in the guide last night, including the Tennis Channel, CBS College Sports Network, and a few more premiums. The station names look like they are duplicated in the guide (ie, multiple HBO SH's) but they are all showing different content.

*762 HBO FH
*763 HBO ZD
*764 TMC WD
*765 SHO 2H
*766 SHO HD
*767 MMXDW
*768 MXHDW
*769 HBO 2H
*770 HBO HD
771 HBO SH
772 HBO Family HD East
773 HBO Latino HD
774 HBO Comedy HD
775 HBO Zone HD
776 More MAX HD
777 ActionMax HD
778 5 Star MAX HD
779 ThrillerMAX HD
780 WMAX HD
781 @MAXHD
782 OuterMAX HD
*783 HDNet
*784 Travel Channel HD
785 Encore HD
786 G4 HD
787 Style HD
788 Lifetime Movie Network HD
789 Fox Business News HD
790 Hallmark Movies HD
791 QVC HD
792 Toon Disney HD
793 Fuse HD
794 Bravo HD
795 CNBC HD
796 ESPN News HD
797 Biography HD
798 IFC HD
799 Women's Entertainment (WE) HD
802 WGBH HD (PBS HD)
804 WBZ-DT Boston (CBS-HD)
805 WCVB-DT Boston (ABC-HD)
806 WFXT-DT Boston (Fox-HD)
807 WHDH-DT Boston (NBC-HD)
808 WLVI-DT Boston (CW-HD)
814 WSBK-DT Boston
815 Planet Green HD
816 TV One HD
819 MGM HD
821 National Geo HD
822 NHL HD
823 Discovery HD
824 Disney HD
826 ABC Family HD
828 Palladia HD
830 FX HD
831 TBS HD
832 HGTV HD
833 TNT HD
834 E! HD
835 USA HD
837 A&E HD
*838 Tennis HD
839 HD Theatre
841 Fox New Channel HD
842 CNN HD
846 Universal HD
847 The Weather Channel HD
848 Golf HD
849 ESPN HD
850 ESPN 2 HD
851 NESN HD
852 Comcast Sportsnet NE HD
853 NFL Network HD
854 Food HD
*856 CBS College Sports Network
859 AMC HD
860 Cartoon Network
862 SciFi channel HD
863 Animal Planet HD
865 Versus HD
866 Science Channel HD
867 TLC HD
868 Cinemax HD
*869 HBO SH
870 HBO HD
871 HBO2 HD
872 History HD
873 Starz! Edge HD
874 Starz! Kids & Family HD
875 Starz! HD HD
876 Starz! Comedy HD
877 Showtime HD
878 Showtime Too HD
879 SHOCD
880 Showtime Extreme HD
*881 SHO CW
*882 AMX DW
883 The Movie Channel HD
884 The Movie Channel 2 HD
885 Big 10 Network HD

This is ridiculous..

Of course, they're missing all the swell Spanish channels we in the burbs get in the 700's.

Of course, they're missing all the swell Spanish channels we in the burbs get in the 700's.

Remember, Boston doesn't have much left for analog channels and they are an 860 system... so they have ALOT of bandwidth (or had now) to light up all these HDs. I expect Comcast to start going Standard Cable digital only next year. Might not be all of New England, but I would expect to see it in competitive areas at the start. For many that is going to be upsetting since it will require a digital box or the new DTA... but there will always be pain for progress.

Remember, Boston doesn't have much left for analog channels and they are an 860 system... so they have ALOT of bandwidth (or had now) to light up all these HDs. I expect Comcast to start going Standard Cable digital only next year. Might not be all of New England, but I would expect to see it in competitive areas at the start. For many that is going to be upsetting since it will require a digital box or the new DTA... but there will always be pain for progress.

They should have done it a year or two ago. Personally I would have done the all digital only routine.

They should have done it a year or two ago. Personally I would have done the all digital only routine.

+1

Reminds me of an old Kinks Song:

Im so tired
Tired of waiting
Tired of waiting for you

Meanwhile I'm enjoying my 105 HD channels on Fios.

The lack of road Celtic games in HD seem to be the only real downfall.

What I find most interesting is that I don't care one bit about any of the new HD channels they just added in Boston/Brookline. Are there actually any other HD channels coming down the pike worthy of being excited about (i.e., with original dramas, unavailable on other channels we already have)?

Meanwhile I'm enjoying my 105 HD channels on Fios.

The lack of road Celtic games in HD seem to be the only real downfall.

What is the reasoning behind not televising Celtics road games in HD?

What is the reasoning behind not televising Celtics road games in HD?

It's called putting your competitors at a disadvantage!

Comcast owns CSN.

It's called putting your competitors at a disadvantage!

Comcast owns CSN.

I understand that. But how does FIOS televise home HD games? Is it on a special channel? Don't they have a dedicated CSNHD channel? Just wondering.

What I find most interesting is that I don't care one bit about any of the new HD channels they just added in Boston/Brookline. Are there actually any other HD channels coming down the pike worthy of being excited about (i.e., with original dramas, unavailable on other channels we already have)?

There's only one or two I really am interested in getting, and suspect many feel the same. At this point, I have almost all the channels I really watch already, which isn't many. I agree what we need is better content, but that's been true for television for a long time.

I understand that. But how does FIOS televise home HD games? Is it on a special channel? Don't they have a dedicated CSNHD channel? Just wondering.

It is probably in the way the contract was signed by the two parties. My guess and it is only a guess is that Comcast wanted big bucks to carry the channel and Verizon knowing how important it was for them to carry the Celtics in HD opted for only the home games so at least to have something. But unless you sat in on the negotiations, we really don't know what was settled on but because they do carry the home games in HD, technically there is no reason why they can't also do the road games so there has to be other factors involved.

Though not in HD (Yet?), MLB TV is on channel 269. They just showed the Red Sox 2004 film. Still scrolling the official launch date of January 1st at 6 pm.

It is probably in the way the contract was signed by the two parties. My guess and it is only a guess is that Comcast wanted big bucks to carry the channel and Verizon knowing how important it was for them to carry the Celtics in HD opted for only the home games so at least to have something. But unless you sat in on the negotiations, we really don't know what was settled on but because they do carry the home games in HD, technically there is no reason why they can't also do the road games so there has to be other factors involved.

They're withholding road games from Dish,DirecttV and RCN as well

They're withholding road games from Dish,DirecttV and RCN as well

The Celtics of 2006-2007 and prior teams would never have done this. The fruits of success!!

They're withholding road games from Dish,DirecttV and RCN as well

They are not "withholding" anything. It's business. They just play their cards. :)

Though not in HD (Yet?), MLB TV is on channel 269. They just showed the Red Sox 2004 film. Still scrolling the official launch date of January 1st at 6 pm.

I'm hoping it launches in HD as well. I've heard rumblings that it will...just not everywhere (typical). I'm going to have to keep my fingers crossed.

6 new channels added around midnight. E!, Travel, Bravo, QVC, CNBC, and Cartoon. E! and Cartoon are in the 800's (834 and 860?), while the others are in the 700's after 750.

Are these the first HDs in the 700s in Attleboro?

Are these the first HDs in the 700s in Attleboro?

Yes. They also added last week HDPPV on 399 and 800, TEAM HD (for Basketball Package) on 612, and Game HD (For Hockey Package and presumably baseball package) on 635

I'm a Comcast customer in downtown Boston. Up until recently, I've had great HD pictures, however I've started to notice that the picture is getting a bit grainy. Anyone looking at it for the first time would probably say it's fine, but I know my TV and something has definitely changed. I haven't changed any settings on my TV or added any splitters etc. The change in the picture quality seems to have coincided with the recent large increase in HD channels. Is it possible that the increase in channels has contributed to this change, or should I be looking at something else?

TV = Toshiba Regza 32, 1 yr old.
Box = Motorola DVR
Setup = Simple cable from wall in apartment straight to DVR. Out to TV via HDMI.
OOB SNR = 18-20dB
Inband SNR =35-36dB

Hope this is the correct forum since it may be a reception problem. Apologies if it is the wrong one.

Graininess on HD channels, specifically, isn't likely going to be related to your box or cables or signal quality. Rather, the most common cause of graininess is the original source; many programs utilize graininess as an artistic motif. Another common cause for graininess is 3:1 muxing. This comes and goes, as Comcast is continually tweaking to provide the best fidelity it can with the available bandwidth.

last night north of Boston channel 269 was playing the MLB channel. It was a video on the White Sox world series from a couple of years ago. Guide listed it as "OFF AIR".

Wonder how this (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6623219.html?desc=topstory) affects us in the burbs?

It just means that they have to hurry up and move everything off of analog before 31 December...

I'm a Comcast customer in downtown Boston. Up until recently, I've had great HD pictures, however I've started to notice that the picture is getting a bit grainy. Anyone looking at it for the first time would probably say it's fine, but I know my TV and something has definitely changed. I haven't changed any settings on my TV or added any splitters etc. The change in the picture quality seems to have coincided with the recent large increase in HD channels. Is it possible that the increase in channels has contributed to this change, or should I be looking at something else?

TV = Toshiba Regza 32, 1 yr old.
Box = Motorola DVR
Setup = Simple cable from wall in apartment straight to DVR. Out to TV via HDMI.
OOB SNR = 18-20dB
Inband SNR =35-36dB

Hope this is the correct forum since it may be a reception problem. Apologies if it is the wrong one.

I think the best gauge would be if someone else in Boston was experiencing the same problem. If not then it would probably be something on your end either in house or from the outside feed. I'm pretty sure it's not what bicker said as for added graininess in movies since you said you know your tv. Also am not sure they even do the 3:1 QAM stuffing in Boston since it is already a mostly digital system so it might not be related to that as well.

No new HD in my part of Bristol County. Just 269, MLB in SD.

It just means that they have to hurry up and move everything off of analog before 31 December...Not going to happen. You can rush to stop something from changing much more readily than rushing to make something happen sooner.

It's called putting your competitors at a disadvantage!

Comcast owns CSN.

Comcast doesn't own Directv and it shows all Celtic road games in HD.

They're withholding road games from Dish,DirecttV and RCN as well

Not true. As I stated in another post, DirecTV has CSNHD as a full time RSN, showing all the Celtic road games in HD that CSN covers.

Comcast doesn't own Directv and it shows all Celtic road games in HD.

I was only speaking of Fios if you read either one of my post related to this matter and in which case it still applies. The Sat Co's have been around for awhile and I don't believe Comcast has felt they are or were ever a serious threat to their success. Fios on the other hand is in fierce competition now, street to street, house to house in many neighborhoods around the state. If Comcast has an advantage in something, you can bet they are going to use it as any other good business would do to protect their bottom line. I'm not a big Celtics fan but those that are might find this issue a deal breaker when deciding between these two providers.

Has anyone with analog direct connect noticed if WYDN -Daystar has disappeared from analog? If it has ,is there a mesage about its move or is the channel now empty?

Has anyone with analog direct connect noticed if WYDN -Daystar has disappeared from analog? If it has ,is there a mesage about its move or is the channel now empty?

On Fios they were carrying the national feed on 293. This is now gone but we still get WYDN on ch 25.

It just means that they have to hurry up and move everything off of analog before 31 December...

Cable operators that have contractual obligations to move channels and operators that gave notice to customers about such moves prior to Dec. 10 won't be covered by the freeze commitment.


Too late.

Quick question i'm hoping somebody can answer...

By going all digital in February, does this mean we can see more HD, and start seeing a lot more HD in the suburbs like they do in the city?

The digital transition scheduled for February 2009 has no direct impact on Comcast.

Due to pressure from the public and the government, Comcast has been made to promise that they will delay any digital transition they plan for their cable services until at least after March.

So no, we won't see a lot more HD in February.

Quick question i'm hoping somebody can answer...

By going all digital in February, does this mean we can see more HD, and start seeing a lot more HD in the suburbs like they do in the city?

Under FCC order, Comcast must "downconvert" digital broadcast signals to analog form for their analog cable customers for three years after the 2/17/09 broadcast transition. The only exception is if they go all-digital (as FiOS just did, which is why they now routinely offer up to 100 HD channels in the areas they serve). Comcast is beginning to roll out DTAs (Digital Terminal Adapters), small boxes (that can be mounted on the back of the set and forgotten, for people who can't stand boxes) that will allow them to take Expanded Basic to digital (the little box will downconvert those channels to analog at the set end), but that program has just been announced in the Portland, OR and Seattle, WA areas and may take a couple of years to roll out nationwide. I have no idea where we might be in that schedule.

I think the best we can hope for in the burbs is a couple of expanded basic analogs channels to be converted to digital only each quarter for awhile, to open up a few more HD channels.

Under FCC order, Comcast must "downconvert" digital broadcast signals to analog form for their analog cable customers for three years after the 2/17/09 broadcast transition. The only exception is if they go all-digital (as FiOS just did, which is why they now routinely offer up to 100 HD channels in the areas they serve). Comcast is beginning to roll out DTAs (Digital Terminal Adapters), small boxes (that can be mounted on the back of the set and forgotten, for people who can't stand boxes) that will allow them to take Expanded Basic to digital (the little box will downconvert those channels to analog at the set end), but that program has just been announced in the Portland, OR and Seattle, WA areas and may take a couple of years to roll out nationwide. I have no idea where we might be in that schedule.


I'm not totally doubting that but could you post a link?
http://www.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUSN1145167220070912

ok but here's the problem...

this only applies to local channels....think a bout this for a moment
the hdtv switchover is ONLY local channels. As basic cable channels move to hd I'm sure within three years they'll all move over.

so technicallyif ththe cable co's say they can get cable and be ok with analog...they can't. after 3 years

technically I've heard the cable co's near me wont' sign anyone up for analog anymore..but some just use it for ones without a box...

I'm not totally doubting that but could you post a link?
http://www.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUSN1145167220070912

ok but here's the problem...

this only applies to local channels....think a bout this for a moment
the hdtv switchover is ONLY local channels. As basic cable channels move to hd I'm sure within three years they'll all move over.

so technicallyif ththe cable co's say they can get cable and be ok with analog...they can't. after 3 years

"Local stations" is what I was talking about. What I was saying is that cable companies aren't going to recover the bandwidth that some people think they will on Feb 17th, because they will have to keep broadcast stations in analog for their analog customers. That's a lot of bandwidth. Each "local station" (and there are a lot more in this area than just the Big Four) uses up bandwidth equal to two (or three) HD channels, or six digital cable channels. If they can't recover that bandwidth, they have to find it somewhere else or there'll be no room for additional HD. So moving Expanded Basic to digital-only is the next place to look.

Here's a link from Engadget HD on the DTA project:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/12/12/comcast-going-all-digital-in-seattle-bringing-dtas-to-the-pacif/

Finally, what does "so technically if the cable co's say they can get cable and be ok with analog...they can't. after 3 years" mean?

Hi, Just bought a nice 32" Sony full 1080pi HD TV. Looking good. When I change to a channel being broadcast in a different resolution, the set momentarily shows the resolution. For instance, when I go to a standard (low-def) channel, is flashes 480 pi for a second or two. When I go to a high-def channel, it flashes "720 pi, 16-9" for a second. Question: Does Comcast broadcast any channels in full 1080 pi HD?? I'm using the HDMI 1 ouput from the HD box. Thanks in advance.

Hi, Just bought a nice 32" Sony full 1080pi HD TV. Looking good. When I change to a channel being broadcast in a different resolution, the set momentarily shows the resolution. For instance, when I go to a standard (low-def) channel, is flashes 480 pi for a second or two. When I go to a high-def channel, it flashes "720 pi, 16-9" for a second. Question: Does Comcast broadcast any channels in full 1080 pi HD?? I'm using the HDMI 1 ouput from the HD box. Thanks in advance.

1080p-No, 1080i-Yes!

I don't live in MA but I'm setting up a Harmony 550 universal remote for my daughter who lives in Andover and has a basic Comcast cable connection. I need to know what the QAM channel numbers are for the unencripted local channels. I know they are probably on this thread someplace but searching for them is long and tedious process. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

I don't live in MA but I'm setting up a Harmony 550 universal remote for my daughter who lives in Andover and has a basic Comcast cable connection. I need to know what the QAM channel numbers are for the unencripted local channels. I know they are probably on this thread someplace but searching for them is long and tedious process. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

They change at random for at Comcast's will so there is no real point in searching for them.

Does anyone know if there are any FCC or contracuteal obligations that will keep any expanded cable channels in analog? OTA channels would probably fill ch 2-23 and 95-99 (midband) Hopely chs 24-73 will be opened up for HD i sometime in 2009.

Does anyone know if there are any FCC or contracuteal obligations that will keep any expanded cable channels in analog? OTA channels would probably fill ch 2-23 and 95-99 (midband) Hopely chs 24-73 will be opened up for HD i sometime in 2009.

No. That is exactly what they are doing in Seattle and a couple of other places right now so it is up to Comcast to decide what to do with Expanded on all their systems.

They change at random for at Comcast's will so there is no real point in searching for them.

I know they change rhem from time to time but I would still like to know what they are right now.

I know they change rhem from time to time but I would still like to know what they are right now.

Try here (Andover zip): http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineupui?Cmd=LocationProgramsWeb&Country=US&Postcode=01810

Digital cable is listed down at the bottom.

Hi, Just bought a nice 32" Sony full 1080pi HD TV. Looking good. When I change to a channel being broadcast in a different resolution, the set momentarily shows the resolution. For instance, when I go to a standard (low-def) channel, is flashes 480 pi for a second or two. When I go to a high-def channel, it flashes "720 pi, 16-9" for a second. Question: Does Comcast broadcast any channels in full 1080 pi HD?? I'm using the HDMI 1 ouput from the HD box. Thanks in advance.

Fox, ABC and ESPN/2 HD channels are 720p, most of the rest are 1080i.

I apologize if this has already been asked and answered a hundred times, but will Comcast Boston carry the MLB Network on 1/1?

I apologize if this has already been asked and answered a hundred times, but will Comcast Boston carry the MLB Network on 1/1?

It's already on 269, but no word on HD yet that I've heard...

It's already on 269, but no word on HD yet that I've heard...

And it's unique among the "Big 4" sports channels (MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA) in that it is not part of the Sports Entertainment package. I believe it is being bundled in Digital Classic because MLB, unlike the NFL, sought a partnership with the big cable operators.
I also noticed CBS College Sports on ch 261 has been moved out of SnE into Digital Classic.

No Xmas presents from Comcast in the form of new HD sice Golf/ Vereus split.

Next new HD channel will possibly be ION

Do we have any open QAM slots left at this point?

Do we have any open QAM slots left at this point?


Last time I checked (about a week ago) channel 3 and 66 were still showing notices and color bars.

-Ken

Perhaps that may be where the ION HD channel will be (QAM)

ION is supposed to have an HD channel within the next few months and both Comcast and Verizon MUST carry it IN HD! (Perhaps 515 for Fios,815 for Comcast)

"Local stations" is what I was talking about. What I was saying is that cable companies aren't going to recover the bandwidth that some people think they will on Feb 17th, because they will have to keep broadcast stations in analog for their analog customers. That's a lot of bandwidth. Each "local station" (and there are a lot more in this area than just the Big Four) uses up bandwidth equal to two (or three) HD channels, or six digital cable channels. If they can't recover that bandwidth, they have to find it somewhere else or there'll be no room for additional HD. So moving Expanded Basic to digital-only is the next place to look.

Here's a link from Engadget HD on the DTA project:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/12/12/comcast-going-all-digital-in-seattle-bringing-dtas-to-the-pacif/

Finally, what does "so technically if the cable co's say they can get cable and be ok with analog...they can't. after 3 years" mean?

What I mean is say customer xyz has ota analog

cable co says go with cable

customer signs up

Customer say gets a box for one tv but others plug in and get content without a box

three years later the ones without a box go blank...

customer gets angry because he was promised things wouldn't go in the dark with cable

The problem with the cable companies is they should have tried to gut analog cable nearly 15 years ago. At least that way people would understand they need a box for content...

There's also been some of a uproar I think in Chicago when they moved community channel content to digital leaving out a fair amount of customers.

I can potentially see however some channels being dropped from cable to shore up some content. The FCC thing about "All channels over the air must be carried by cable" is going to seriously be looked at. Digital has less of a reach than analog...a spanish channel in the state on analog I can't get on digital...this could cause conflict

I'm in mass but I can get RI stations as well. Why should major networks be allowed twice the amount of coverage as they should have? I'm sure there's other channels that would get angered at that. So that's an extra abc, nbc, cbs, fox, pbs and ion.

I personally wouldn't want to be working at a cable company the next few years because their customer service is going to get an earful. It isn't their fault but the confusion of the changeover and their own internal system are going to create some problems.

Perhaps that may be where the ION HD channel will be (QAM)

ION is supposed to have an HD channel within the next few months and both Comcast and Verizon MUST carry it IN HD! (Perhaps 515 for Fios,815 for Comcast)

We already have an 815, it is Planet Green in Boston.

We already have an 815, it is Planet Green in Boston.

Perhaps 810 or something the fact is they DO have to carry it

Perhaps 810 or something the fact is they DO have to carry it

Unless they work out an alternate agreement with ION. WYDN Daystar is a must carry but they worked out a contract to carry them digital only in an expanded market then what they could reach with must carry only.

Hows that goal of 20% of Comcast's market being digital by the end of the year going?

What a joke that was!

It is clear to me that Comcast would have gotten pretty badly punished if they achieved that objective. PR has been running pretty soundly against legacy providers going all-digital, so much so that legacy providers have been forced to agree not to move cable channels from analog to digital service for a few months.

No matter how much we want more digital service, those that want analog service have, for now, a lot more political power.

They win; we lose. That's life.

Haven't they also held off on digital conversions for a while ? I remember reading somewhere that they were going to wait until the dust settled on the broadcast analog cut-off in February before introducing any more chaos by themselves turning off analogs.

Yes, until at least March, because of public pressure (public pressure that has been more recent than their plans to go 20% all-digital by year-end) that has been applied to them, to continue supporting analog service.

Will we have MLB TV tomorrow (either SD or HD) ?

-Ken

Will we have MLB TV tomorrow (either SD or HD) ?

-Ken
Here in Salem we already have the SD on 269. No sign of the HD and I do not expect to get it, but someone may have some concrete information on that.

Here in Salem we already have the SD on 269. No sign of the HD and I do not expect to get it, but someone may have some concrete information on that.


ok cool it is here on 269 as well. Well technically it doesn't officially start until tomorrow night at 6 p.m. ..but the stuff they are showing is interesting.

Thanks,

Ken

It is clear to me that Comcast would have gotten pretty badly punished if they achieved that objective. PR has been running pretty soundly against legacy providers going all-digital, so much so that legacy providers have been forced to agree not to move cable channels from analog to digital service for a few months.

No matter how much we want more digital service, those that want analog service have, for now, a lot more political power.

They win; we lose. That's life.

bicker where is the proof to this?

I don't see it mentioned in the Comcast's programming thread and I'm sure Marcus would have posted it if it was.

Yes they did agree to stop the changeover for now so there would be less confusion with the Feb cutoff date but that was the ONLY reason and lets be honest, they were not going to come anywhere near that 20% goal as I stated back in the summer when they announced this plan. It was only PR to try and slow the trend of subs from jumping over to all digital providers as they are doing, NOT to satisfy the less profitable analog crowd.

Thats Reality!

bicker where is the proof to this?Proof that "PR has been running pretty soundly against legacy providers going all-digital"? Uh, just read the industry news wires.

Yes they did agree to stop the changeover for now so there would be less confusion with the Feb cutoff date but that was the ONLY reason and lets be honest, they were not going to come anywhere near that 20% goal as I stated back in the summer when they announced this plan.There's no way to know. They surely had financial incentive, and the technology, to do so. If you want someone to blame, blame all the folks who still want analog expanded basic service.

Proof that "PR has been running pretty soundly against legacy providers going all-digital"? Uh, just read the industry news wires.

Links would be nice. Not sure why it would not be posted somewhere in this forum though?

There's no way to know. They surely had financial incentive, and the technology, to do so. If you want someone to blame, blame all the folks who still want analog expanded basic service.

They are still going forward in some cities ( Seattle and some parts of NJ come to mind ) so I still think it was BS when they announced it. You can think otherwise!

So if you want me to blame someone than how but YOU since I know your in that latter category. ;)

It has been posted, whenever there's been an article about it. Generally, it is of the order, "Granny and Grandpa complain they've lost access to their favorite channels because mean-nasty cable company is moving channels to the digital tier." I'm sure you've seen these articles. I'm not sure why they haven't stuck in your mind. :confused:

As far as I know, they're not going forward with any more moves of existing analog channels to digital, in NJ. Somewhat related, there is an open question, I read yesterday on the TiVo Community Forum, from someone in NJ as to whether they actually even need the TA, given that the push to SDV has been halted by recent actions by the FCC. Anyway, what have you heard with regard to moves of existing analog channels to digital there?

I don't know about Seattle; I don't follow every market.

Fios meets with the Board of Selectmen in January for final approval:

[/URL][url]http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x512369612/Verizon-plan-before-board (http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/news/x512369612/Verizon-plan-before-board)

12-18 months to wire the town.

-Ken

The article makes that sound like a prediction, not a promise.

The article makes that sound like a prediction, not a promise.

yup, nothing is certain for sure. Hopefully it will help in my yearly negotiations with comcast. Hopefully I can get the $129 package for another year. I successfully renewed that plan last June.

-Ken

There is a good reason to add MLB in HD-- Hazel Mae

There is a good reason to add MLB in HD-- Hazel Mae

What's wrong, Heidi Whatney is not good enough for you?

Now that we in Boston have HDNet, I'm wondering why we don't have HDNet Movies. I thought they were going to be added at the same time. Any news about this?

No news, except that in some other city (DC maybe? Or Houston?) they removed HDNet Movies indicating it was because it wasn't very popular.

It was Houston.

No news, except that in some other city (DC maybe? Or Houston?) they removed HDNet Movies indicating it was because it wasn't very popular.

I can understand why. I checked out the movies they have for the next 30 days & they are meh IMO.

http://www.hdnetmovies.com/allmovies.html

We now have HDPPV on 800 and the only thing on it currently showing is Adult programming starting 10PM tonight and going to 4 AM. Same thing next Saturday - off air in between. Having Saturday night porn at 10PM next to Public Television on HD seems very inappropriate to me. I called Comcast to complain. I encourage anyone else who also thinks that this is inappropriate to call and complain. It looks like it is also on 399, which I can live with. But having it on 800 seems inappropriate to me.

yup, nothing is certain for sure. Hopefully it will help in my yearly negotiations with comcast. Hopefully I can get the $129 package for another year. I successfully renewed that plan last June.

-Ken

Don't be surprised if they say no.

Had they done so I probobly would have been content with sticking it out

The Picture quality on HDNET movies is second to none.
The best things there is the occasional "HDNet Movies Sneak Preview Film" .

Comcast will offer it On Demand for $10 untill its HDNET movies premiere then lower it to $6 or 7.
I get to see it for FREE :)

Don't be surprised if they say no.

Had they done so I probobly would have been content with sticking it out

I called them today to discuss the yearly "negotiation"...they cut me down to a promo rate for TV and offered HBO/Starz for $5 apiece/month for 1 year. Unfortunately they didn't seem to have any lower rates for Internet at this time.

I know they do this with FTA satellite.

Basically I've found consistantly four channels not even listed...

but I've also recently found two very nice things. I don't exactly want to post them here because if they get pulled it would be a big loss.

I know there's some sort of site that tries to show what can be found but this isn't listed there...

It's definatly worth finding. If you have a hdtv tuner you can pm me and I can say but I think these things really should have a private forum of their own, reguardless of cable platform

Don't be surprised if they say no.

Had they done so I probobly would have been content with sticking it out

Chit that is hardly an over glowing endorsement of Fios. Is there something that you don't like about it that you would be willing to share because you have had us believing that making the jump was the best thing you ever did but that response seems to lack some enthusiasm.

Chit that is hardly an over glowing endorsement of Fios. Is there something that you don't like about it that you would be willing to share because you have had us believing that making the jump was the best thing you ever did but that response seems to lack some enthusiasm.

Fios is still better but Comcast wasn't bad. Too many analog channels though.
The discovering that is was available in my building was a factor and then the loss of the $159 deal was the clincher.

Right now comcast has a $90 bundle which includes
locals only on phone
786K internet
Economy basic (Around 40 channels total,NO CSN or NESN or ESPN)

I get unlimited long distance,20 MEGS down/5 megs up and HD Extreme with nearly 60 HD channels plus locals and over 160-170 addional SD channels for around a few dollars or so more

I do miss out on Road Celtic games in HD (at present) ,WMUR-HD (I assume i will get this back in Feb) and AMC HD (Dont watch the SD channel anyway)

I'll tell you......


when fios is here I am jumping, looks better to me. verizon has always treated me way better as a customer and works very hard to keep me. I was paying $58 a month for 3mbs internet and unlimited phone nationwide for 14 months.

when the price jumped back they still made me a deal to keep me. comcast was telling me they have that $100 deal for all 3, but that doesn't interest me as after a year the price still goes back up and verizon is about the same for all 3 services but offers more. even if they didnt I would stick with verizon on CS alone, not to mention my phone never goes out.

that $90 deal does not offer a whole lot for almost $100 a month. nobody I know would go with such low service. if it were not for celtics and redsox in HD I would have lowered my service along time ago, if fios comes around I can deal with missing HD road games.

I still think verizon is better and treats customers like they have value in my experience.

Good luck with that. While Verizon may have better (because it is newer) technology, today, and they offer decent prices, today, they don't provide a better customer service experience, as far as I can tell. If you go into FiOS expecting that to be part of their advantage, you're going to be disappointed. Just do a search on "Verizon FiOS billing problems"... that's a real eye-opener.

If you switch to FiOS, I suggest strongly that you prepare yourself to be happy just with the superior technology and the lower prices.

do a search on comcast CS, you will see the same thing.

2 out of 3 is better than 1 out of 3.

.....and I am throwing a bone to comcast for technology.

The question is which is 2 out of 3 versus which is 1 out of 3. You see a lot of issues with Comcast because they are the largest MSO.

I'm pretty confident that, at least with regard to billing errors, the percentage of issues with FiOS far exceeds that with Comcast. Regarding the rest, there is no good data, and reliance on your gut-feel about the anecdotes you've read could just as well lead you in the wrong direction.

One of the things FiOS does have going for it, though, is that there are a lot of things that you can do with Comcast that you simply aren't able to do with FiOS. That cuts down on the problems stemming from those things. For example, you see a lot of analog subscribers complaining every few months about how Comcast has taken another few cable networks away from them. FiOS never suffers from such complaints anymore because they don't provide any analog service for cable networks. Similarly, FiOS never suffers from complaints about multiple static IP assignment problems with their HSI service, because they don't offer that service.

My best guess is that from a customer service standpoint, they're roughly the same, once you get past FiOS's advantage stemming from having newer technology. Verizon and Comcast are not too different, on the inside. They draw from the same labor pool, they are beholden to the same types of owners.

However, again, FiOS is unquestionably superior with regard to how modern their technology is, and how competitive their pricing is.

no arguement there for the most part.

but in my experience, comcast never cared that I left, nor did they ever try to keep me as a customer. I have spent countless time and calls with comcast problems. also, anytime I tried to downgrade I was promised certain channels would still be on my plan and they were wrong everytime. after 3 seperate times over a few years CS still never knew what they were talking about.

Verizon has yet to let me down. EVERY single time I threaten to switch they try VERY hard to keep me as a customer and give me a fantastic deal. they do whatever it takes to keep me, comcast never did that and never blinked an eye when I threatened to leave and when I finally did.

remember when comcast had the new technology ? wow, wasnt that fun ? now its verizons turn and they will have growing pains too, but atleast they value their customers. they have yet to let me down as a customer and how I am treated and I understand they will have growing pains.

I gave comcast my business and chances over the years. now its time to give someone else that same chance and my track record with them so far has been above any expectations. not to mention for the years I have had my internet service with them I cannot say it has ever gone down. when I had comcast it went down alot and I had them for quite a while.

no arguement there for the most part.

but in my experience, comcast never cared that I left, nor did they ever try to keep me as a customer. I have spent countless time and calls with comcast problems. also, anytime I tried to downgrade I was promised certain channels would still be on my plan and they were wrong everytime. after 3 seperate times over a few years CS still never knew what they were talking about.

Verizon has yet to let me down. EVERY single time I threaten to switch they try VERY hard to keep me as a customer and give me a fantastic deal. they do whatever it takes to keep me, comcast never did that and never blinked an eye when I threatened to leave and when I finally did.

remember when comcast had the new technology ? wow, wasnt that fun ? now its verizons turn and they will have growing pains too, but atleast they value their customers. they have yet to let me down as a customer and how I am treated and I understand they will have growing pains.

I gave comcast my business and chances over the years. now its time to give someone else that same chance and my track record with them so far has been above any expectations. not to mention for the years I have had my internet service with them I cannot say it has ever gone down. when I had comcast it went down alot and I had them for quite a while.

I think comcast is very willing to work with you on pricing if you are willing to take (or to keep) the triple play bundle. I was able to renew the $129 triple play for a second year, a friend of mine was able to renew the $99 for a second year. If you want less than triple play then they usually let you walk. I think they have margin to play with in the phone service.

-Ken

...
EVERY single time I threaten to switch they try VERY hard to keep me as a customer and give me a fantastic deal......

Am I the only person on this forum that:
a) doesn't threaten a company just to get their service at a reasonable price?
b) is happy with a "decent" deal and doesn't spend time and energy to get a "fantastic" deal?

:confused::confused:

is there anyway to search the on-demand offerings ? I thought I saw a guide banner add saying Clone Wars was available on-demand. Maybe it meant the movie but I was looking for the tv series and was unable to find it within on-demand.

Verizon has yet to let me down. EVERY single time I threaten to switch they try VERY hard to keep me as a customer and give me a fantastic deal. they do whatever it takes to keep meI suspect they will continue to do so until they have significant market share.

comcast never did that and never blinked an eye when I threatened to leave and when I finally did.Comcast almost surely "did that" when they were the new entrant in the marketplace (tracking back, through the acquisitions and such, probably well over 25 years in some places). That's the difference you're noting.

Am I the only person on this forum that:
a) doesn't threaten a company just to get their service at a reasonable price?
b) is happy with a "decent" deal and doesn't spend time and energy to get a "fantastic" deal? :confused::confused:I don't think there is any specific ethic in providing customer loyalty to any mass-market service provider or retailer, any longer. The vast majority of mass-market consumers are maniacally fixated on getting the best possible price, many to the extent that that trumps quality and service considerations. As such, there is no real benefit to exhibiting such loyalty yourself, since mass-market suppliers aren't going to recognize or reward your loyalty.

Am I the only person on this forum that:
a) doesn't threaten a company just to get their service at a reasonable price?
b) is happy with a "decent" deal and doesn't spend time and energy to get a "fantastic" deal?

:confused::confused:

I think during these tough economic times people are working a little harder to save some money than they usually would and if that means using competition to your advantage, then so be it. My bundle with Comcast expires next month and I will most likely be going over to Fios since it is available to me now and if I can get more for less, I will not blink an eye in doing so. The good thing is these providers should be around for a long time and there will probably be incentives to switch from one to the other if for some reason you are not happy with the one you have at any given time.

Am I the only person on this forum that:
a) doesn't threaten a company just to get their service at a reasonable price?
b) is happy with a "decent" deal and doesn't spend time and energy to get a "fantastic" deal?

:confused::confused:


$160 for all 3 services isn't a good deal.

never said I was looking for a fantastic deal but when comcast says they can do better than verizon, then realizes they cannot after I tell them what I am getting, there is no arguement.

why would I switch to comcast ? what the incentive ? the price for all three services is the same for both.

I never said I want a fantastic deal (but verizon offered it to me), but when I told verizon comcast offers 1 year for $99, they did what they could to keep me. you missed every point I was trying to make and put words in my mouth. if you like comcast fine, no law says we have to agree, but dont put words in my mouth.

I think comcast is very willing to work with you on pricing if you are willing to take (or to keep) the triple play bundle. I was able to renew the $129 triple play for a second year, a friend of mine was able to renew the $99 for a second year. If you want less than triple play then they usually let you walk. I think they have margin to play with in the phone service.

-Ken


that is interesting and good to know. back in the day I gave comcast a chance to keep me and never offered me anything. maybe bad timing ? not sure.

that is interesting and good to know. back in the day I gave comcast a chance to keep me and never offered me anything. maybe bad timing ? not sure.

They won't offer you anything the first time you call. When you call back the second (after threatening to leave the first time) you must be flagged and rerouted to a retention specialist.

-Ken

I don't think there is any specific ethic in providing customer loyalty to any mass-market service provider or retailer, any longer. The vast majority of mass-market consumers are maniacally fixated on getting the best possible price, many to the extent that that trumps quality and service considerations. As such, there is no real benefit to exhibiting such loyalty yourself, since mass-market suppliers aren't going to recognize or reward your loyalty.

I agree and loyalty in selecting my provider means nothing to me. Over the years I've been through DirecTV, Dish, Voom, and Comcast for TV and through all telephone providers available in my area. As I said before on this forum, when Fios is available on my street I will definitely try it out. I don't care about phone (I've been using Vonage since they became available) and I am happy with Comcast internet service. But, I would like to try Fios just for their TV. Unfortunately, Verizon has 5 years to complete their deal with Wayland, where I live.

I think during these tough economic times people are working a little harder to save some money than they usually would and if that means using competition to your advantage, then so be it.I disagree that that is a factor. I think we can go back to the mid-2000s, as well as the late-1990s, and find people acting pretty-much the same -- maybe it has gotten a little more extreme as time has gone on, but I don't think it is related to the state of the economy, but rather the manner in which consumers view the marketplace separate from the state of the economy.

I disagree that that is a factor. I think we can go back to the mid-2000s, as well as the late-1990s, and find people acting pretty-much the same -- maybe it has gotten a little more extreme as time has gone on, but I don't think it is related to the state of the economy, but rather the manner in which consumers view the marketplace separate from the state of the economy.

I agree to disagree. If you don't think people are penny pinching more now than before, your not being realistic. Walk into a Comcast office and ask the CSR if people have been downgrading service and see what the answer is. I think you know.

Oh I don't disagree that people are penny-pinching more now than before. My point is that the American consumers' maniacal focus on getting the best price did not start recently.

I think comcast is very willing to work with you on pricing if you are willing to take (or to keep) the triple play bundle. I was able to renew the $129 triple play for a second year, a friend of mine was able to renew the $99 for a second year. If you want less than triple play then they usually let you walk. I think they have margin to play with in the phone service.

-Ken

Not me and the $159 bundle. They said After one year regular prices apply.

Does anyone know if anything has changed with WGBX analog 44?

In Andover the Comcast analog for 44 has almost no signal, but we also have one digital cable box, and that same channel is perfect. I assume Comcast is sending the digital of 44 to the digital box, and the boxless TV has the low level analog signal.

The switch is not supposed to affect cable by requiring a box....

Paul

Quite frankly, I'm getting pretty much disgusted with WGBH/WGBX, with all of their shenanigans. :mad:

Regardless, I don't remember WGBX being broadcast on analog channel 44 via cable, at least here in Burlington. It was on analog channel 16 (as well as channel 16 on digital boxes); I suspect it still is. It sounds like you're simply getting "bleed-through" of WGBX's over-the-air signal on channel 44 of your box-less televisions.

Regardless, I don't remember WGBX being broadcast on analog channel 44 via cable, at least here in Burlington. It was on analog channel 16 (as well as channel 16 on digital boxes); I suspect it still is.

WGBX 44 is on Comcast 16.

Paul

So I'm confused about your concern. Please clarify your earlier message.

So I'm confused about your concern. Please clarify your earlier message.

Comcast channel 16 in Andover is snowy on a cable-ready TV, but is perfect coming through a digital cable box.

Actually, at this time it has been fixed, so something must have been wrong at Comcast for Andover.

comcast manchester, nh here. does anybody know what happened to channel #297 nbc weather update? also, where is MLB channel located?

NBC Weather Plus has been shut down (http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/10/nbc_shutting_down_weather_plus.php).

MLB Network is on channel 269. I believe it is in the Digital Classic service tier.

Guess we wont see any new HD adds until March 1st in the burbs from the posts I have seen here and in the Programming topic section for Comcast HDTV.

March 17, at the earliest, FWIR.

Guess we wont see any new HD adds until March 1st in the burbs from the posts I have seen here and in the Programming topic section for Comcast HDTV.

Not necessarily. The agreement by the MSOs was not to migrate channels from analog to digital for Q1 to avoid any confusion with the DTV Broadcast Transition. If there is space to launch, I'm sure Comcast will find a way to launch.

The only exception for no move analog to digital would be if room was needed for a NEW Must Carry HD channel. like perhaps ION (though no word on when or even if they plan to go HD)

Why doesn't Comcast carry WGN America? As far back as I can remember it has never carried the channel.

Why doesn't Comcast carry WGN America? As far back as I can remember it has never carried the channel.

???
I get it. It's that wgn superstation. Not sure why they really bother...not much is on it. maybe cubs games are good but I'm not a fan.

Anyone else in the Boston area Comcast having a problem with pixielization on the HBOs in the 700s, and with 806 and 805? The CSRs say no local problem, but I think not.

I noticed a small bit of pixelization two nights ago, on 804.

What I have noticed is a lot of pixelization on 96 (analog, not ADS!) for the past several days, if not over a week. It is really strange to see pixelization on 96 since it is, as I indicated, analog, not ADS (on that television), because that means, without question, that it is affecting everyone in my area, not just me. I'd expect that that would have been resolved quickly.

I also noticed the WBZ DT interference the other night. This just started this AM - on the upper 700s and 805 and 806. Watchable on the locals, but not on the HBOs. Someone is scheduled to come down on Saturday, but I'm hoping it's something in the area.

Anyone else in the Boston area Comcast having a problem with pixielization on the HBOs in the 700s, and with 806 and 805? The CSRs say no local problem, but I think not.

Yes 805 had pixelization during the noon news broadcast today but seems to be fine now. 804, 806 & 807 were fine though on my system.