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.

My DVR'd episode of Damages off 830 from Wednesday night had a whole host of pixelization, audio dropouts, etc.

???
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.

We don't have it in Somerville, MA. Where are you and what number is it there?

Damages did exhibit a lot of pixelization for me as well.

I've got a question about Comcast cable-box options. Next week, I'll be installing a new HDTV at my mother-in-law's apartment in Westwood. Currently, she subscribes to Comcast's Senior Digital Starter programming and has an old cable box using RF out to connect to her analog TV.

I'd like to replace her existing RF-out cable box with something that supports an HDMI connection between the box and the new HDTV. I called Comcast and was told that the only box they offer with HDMI is their DVR for $14.95 a month. They said the next step down is a box with component connections for $7.00 a month.

My mother-in-law doesn't need or want a DVR, but I'd prefer to use HDMI rather than component cables. Does anyone know of a non-DVR Comcast box that supports HDMI?

I've got a question about Comcast cable-box options. Next week, I'll be installing a new HDTV at my mother-in-law's apartment in Westwood. Currently, she subscribes to Comcast's Senior Digital Starter programming and has an old cable box using RF out to connect to her analog TV.

I'd like to replace her existing RF-out cable box with something that supports an HDMI connection between the box and the new HDTV. I called Comcast and was told that the only box they offer with HDMI is their DVR for $14.95 a month. They said the next step down is a box with component connections for $7.00 a month.

My mother-in-law doesn't need or want a DVR, but I'd prefer to use HDMI rather than component cables. Does anyone know of a non-DVR Comcast box that supports HDMI?

Motorola DCH3200.

My mother-in-law doesn't need or want a DVR, but I'd prefer to use HDMI rather than component cables. Does anyone know of a non-DVR Comcast box that supports HDMI?

All depends on what they have in stock. Many times the warehouses don't have the DCH3200 & surprisingly they can't just make one appear when someone asks for/demands one.

And your opposition to using component is.....?

I believe Comcast can give you a HD DVR box but simply use the rate codes to disable the DVR functionality. Ask them if they can do that for you, I know they use to at least.

I've got a question about Comcast cable-box options. Next week, I'll be installing a new HDTV at my mother-in-law's apartment in Westwood...
IMHO, I wouldn't write off a component box. If I didn't need a DVR, I'd take the $8 savings in a heartbeat. I know you're trying to find one cheaper than $15, but I wouldn't don't get too upset if you got stuck with the component. To me, the PQ difference is minor and I'd bet you're MIL has a less discerning eye than mine. Good luck.

IMHO, I wouldn't write off a component box. If I didn't need a DVR, I'd take the $8 savings in a heartbeat. I know you're trying to find one cheaper than $15, but I wouldn't don't get too upset if you got stuck with the component. To me, the PQ difference is minor and I'd bet you're MIL has a less discerning eye than mine. Good luck.

I agree! In fact I have used both and in my eyes component has the better picture. HDMI can be overrated for cable box applications but it will benefit a HD DVD or Blu ray player especially for the audio aspects of it as I have experimented with them all which led me to this conclusion.

I agree! In fact I have used both and in my eyes component has the better picture. HDMI can be overrated for cable box applications but it will benefit a HD DVD or Blu ray player especially for the audio aspects of it as I have experimented with them all which led me to this conclusion.
Thanks for the responses and opinions regarding my question about Comcast cable boxes with HDMI capability. The reason I wanted HDMI is because I figure Comcast is sending a digital signal to my mother-in-law, and I should keep things in the digital domain from coax, to cable box, to HDTV. Plus, HDMI accommodates both video and audio signals with one cable.

If I use component cables between the cable box and the HDTV, then I'm taking Comcast's digital signal, converting it to analog within the cable box, transfering analog video signals to the HDTV, then converting analog to digital within the HDTV.

I appreciate knowing that a component hookup can look just as good as HDMI, but the digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions seem clumsy when compared with an HDMI interface.

I think you're putting too much stock in grace versus clumsiness.

Hey Boston, how many HD channels do you have already? Right now, I have 85 here in Chicago & will get three new channels on January 14-Spike, Nickelodeon, & Lifetime; it will be a total of 88. However, what we are missing here in Chicago are the following: Travel Channel, ThrillerMax, WMax, @Max, OuterMax, & 5 Star Max.

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 seems to be latest list... However this is only for the city proper and a few close towns like Brookline and Brighton.. I know Newton is like the rest of the burbs as we get about 1/3 of that.

Looking for general user comments on Comcast TiVo.

And, do you have a new box or just TiVo software loaded on existing Moto/SA DVR?

Looking for general user comments on Comcast TiVo.

And, do you have a new box or just TiVo software loaded on existing Moto/SA DVR?

Good afternoon...to quickly answer your questions..for the most part the tivio software is downloaded to your current moto dvr...unless you have a much older model. These days the tivo software is much more stable and user friendly compared to when it first came out. Personally, I would highly recommend it especially over the regular comcast dvr software. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

Tom

I had the tivo software for about 2 weeks, for one its VERY slow compared to the comcast dvr. I also had issues with shows not recording.

Good afternoon...to quickly answer your questions..for the most part the tivio software is downloaded to your current moto dvr...unless you have a much older model. These days the tivo software is much more stable and user friendly compared to when it first came out. Personally, I would highly recommend it especially over the regular comcast dvr software. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

Tom

What STB do you have?
How long did you have the previous iGuide software?
When did you get the TiVo software?
When did it become stable?
Does the TiVo software seem like it runs smoothly?
Are there delays in IR commands, like with the iGuide software?

Thanks in advance for your info and time.

I had the tivo software for about 2 weeks, for one its VERY slow compared to the comcast dvr. I also had issues with shows not recording.

What STB did you have?
When did you get the TiVo software?

Thanks in advance for your info and time.

What STB do you have?
How long did you have the previous iGuide software?
When did you get the TiVo software?
When did it become stable?
Does the TiVo software seem like it runs smoothly?
Are there delays in IR commands, like with the iGuide software?

Thanks in advance for your info and time.

To answer your questions..both of my boxes are dch 3416..got the tivo when it first was availavle here..last January? At that point it was buggy as all get out and stayed that way until sometime this past Summer..dolby 5.1 was fixed scheduling was quick and painless and I like their program guide and searches better that the iguide. Runs very smoothly, for me, and don't notice any delays. For people who have been saying they tried it and got rid of it..that was definitely true for a long time but all issues seem resolved. Again, these are just my own personal experiences and it seems to affect different homes differently. I had the iguide for a year or so before the Tivo software became available and was never really a big fan of it.

I can vouch for the Tivo software, and while it is much better, I must warn that hooking up the cable box via hdmi, caused us to require 4 box replacements. Ever since we hooked up via component, it has been fine.

Hows the PQ on the HDPPV channel for those of you who have ordered an HD PPV Event? I'm looking to order the WWE Royal Rumble on the 25th and I'm curious.

This seems to be latest list... However this is only for the city proper and a few close towns like Brookline and Brighton.. I know Newton is like the rest of the burbs as we get about 1/3 of that.

That listing is missing SpikeHD (channel 855). It was added Thursday.

I'm seeing a couple new channels I haven't noticed before:

107 Current TV
166 FEARnet on Demand

I'm seeing a couple new channels I haven't noticed before:

107 Current TV
166 FEARnet on Demand
Current has been on 254 in my area for a long time.

Mickey

Heads up any The Mentalist fans out there. There is a new episode airing Sunday at 10:00 (roughly, whenever the AFC Champ. game ends), but at least at my house the guide info lists a repeat of The Unit at that time. So my series Mentalist recording would've missed it. Might be a good idea to manually set a recording that night for like 10-12.

Current has been on 254 in my area for a long time.

Mickey

that's funny.

I thought it was on channel 192. :)

Hello,
Is anyone else in Boston able to see HDNet? It seems like it went off the air a couple of days ago. When I change to 783 now, the screen goes black. Anyone else? Comcast customer service did not even know the channel existed (seriously).
-Jakes

Same issue here. Went to watch Arrested Development today and got nothing. It was working as of last night, though.

No HDNet here either.

No HDNet here either.


Noticed this a few days ago as well and came here wondering if it was just me. Strange since it was fine since it was added and then as mentioned above just went black -- no pixelating weak signal or message saying to please wait a moment... *shrug*

When is the ETA of more HD channels on Comcast in Cambridge, MA? Boston has had more HD channels for a while, what's the hold up?

Hello,
Is anyone else in Boston able to see HDNet? It seems like it went off the air a couple of days ago. When I change to 783 now, the screen goes black. Anyone else? Comcast customer service did not even know the channel existed (seriously).
-Jakes

Not working in Allston either...

Hello,
Is anyone else in Boston able to see HDNet? It seems like it went off the air a couple of days ago. When I change to 783 now, the screen goes black. Anyone else? Comcast customer service did not even know the channel existed (seriously).
-Jakes

Maybe they changed their mind :)

What is the reason why Boston gets twice the HD channels through Comcast that I get through Comcast in Medford, when I can see Boston from my apartment? Is it a licensing issue? Bandwidth? Something entirely different yet just as silly?

I feel a bit cheated that I'm paying just as much (most likely), yet only getting half the selection. (I have their top digital package, plus all the movie channels, etc. The only channels I don't get are the international ones or the Spanish-language package.)

What is the reason why Boston gets twice the HD channels through Comcast that I get through Comcast in Medford, when I can see Boston from my apartment?

So Sarah Palin can see Russia from her front porch. Where did that get her?

When is the ETA of more HD channels on Comcast in Cambridge, MA? Boston has had more HD channels for a while, what's the hold up?

Comcast! That is why I recently subscribed to FIOS, I got tired of waiting. However if you still want analog channels then your with the right provider. :)

What is the reason why Boston gets twice the HD channels through Comcast that I get through Comcast in Medford, when I can see Boston from my apartment?Because Boston doesn't provide expanded basic analog service. The sacrificing of analog service for expanded basic would be no problem for some customers, and a big problem for others.

Trade-offs.

Welp, HDnet is back again...

hopefully expanded basic will be digital in the burbs sometime in 2009. FIOS and RCN are digital, Dish and Diect TV are digital . All need a box for expanded basic. Comcast is only required to have OTA in analog form until 2012.They should market in the next few months that epanded basic will be digital only. Boston/Brookline survived digital only for extended basic.

hopefully expanded basic will be digital in the burbs sometime in 2009. FIOS and RCN are digital, Dish and Diect TV are digital . All need a box for expanded basic. Comcast is only required to have OTA in analog form until 2012.They should market in the next few months that epanded basic will be digital only. Boston/Brookline survived digital only for extended basic.

I'm sure you will be hearing from bicker at any moment now! :D

You can fill-in while I'm not around. :)

What Lodef meant to say is that lots of people rely on analog service. The provision of analog service is a major competitive advantage cable has over its competitors.

You can fill-in while I'm not around. :)

What Lodef meant to say is that lots of people rely on analog service. The provision of analog service is a major competitive advantage cable has over its competitors.

And what I also meant to say is that it could be considered a Dis-Advantage as well! ;)

You can fill-in while I'm not around. :)

What Lodef meant to say is that lots of people rely on analog service. The provision of analog service is a major competitive advantage cable has over its competitors.

Analog service is a competitive advantage with customers who want really low cost but it is a comptetive disadvantage to more high spending customers who want more HD. Are you saying that that maintaining the analog customers is more important to the business than maintaining or expanding the higher spending customers who want more HD? Do you have any numbes that show the business advantage to maintaining the analog service versus expanding the HD content? In particular, how much would they lose by going all digital versus how much they are losing by not having more HD.

I asked once before, but I'll try again. How's the PQ on the HDPPV channel for those of you who have ordered an HD PPV Event? I'm looking to order the WWE Royal Rumble on the 25th and I'm curious.

Analog service is a competitive advantage with customers who want really low cost but it is a comptetive disadvantage to more high spending customers who want more HD. Are you saying that that maintaining the analog customers is more important to the business than maintaining or expanding the higher spending customers who want more HD? Do you have any numbes that show the business advantage to maintaining the analog service versus expanding the HD content? In particular, how much would they lose by going all digital versus how much they are losing by not having more HD.

Good Question. I look at it this way. Bicker thinks the glass is half full while I think it is half empty.

Bottom line, only Comcast has the numbers in regards to this equation but I think they would get rid of analog tomorrow if they had the technical ability ( which I believe they don't ) to accomplish it, and that is my take on what is really holding them back!

Analog service is a competitive advantage with customers who want really low cost but it is a comptetive disadvantage to more high spending customers who want more HD.Correct. And what complicates things even further are the attacks on cable by the FCC, like this one from yesterday: http://www.fcc.gov/011909-letter.pdf

Note the statement: "For consumers, this situation is unacceptable." So effectively, Martin is saying that all of us who care more about HD than about analog service are dirt. Such consumers evidently deserve no consideration, whatsoever -- they're not even granted the right of existence by Martin's statement. Not to mention how Martin's letter completely ignores business' side of the equation. There is no thought to balance the needs of consumers and business there. That's what we're up against -- a practically maniacal perspective that puts the needs of analog customers over all other customer and over the industry as well. And that's what's been in command of the agency for years, and there is no reason to believe that the change in administration will make the FCC any less focused on the lowest-tier customers.

Are you saying that that maintaining the analog customers is more important to the business than maintaining or expanding the higher spending customers who want more HD?The company doesn't get a say in this evidently. Ask Kevin Martin (and his successor) if maintaining the analog customers is more important to the nation than allowing cable companies to expanding services for "higher spending customers who want more HD". Ask the FCC how many more fines they plan to inflict on cable companies who try to foster a profitable strategy of continual enhancement of services.

To be fair, there is a competitive advantage to continuing analog service, in addition to it being the FCC's priority. Cable companies have this market insight. You can readily guess what they know by watching their actions.

Good Question. I look at it this way. Bicker thinks the glass is half full while I think it is half empty.No; I'm way too logical for that. I'd see the glass having 6 ounces of liquid in it. Who's to say what's "full"? Not me.

Bottom line, only Comcast has the numbers in regards to this equation Precisely. We can only guess what the numbers are, based on watching what Comcast does. However, that's obscured by how regulation affects Comcast.

but I think they would get rid of analog tomorrow if they had the technical ability ( which I believe they don't ) to accomplish it, and that is my take on what is really holding them back!Let me steal some words from dtc: "Do you have any numbes that show ..." that Comcast does not have the technical ability to accomplish a conversion to all-digital within a short period of time, if they chose to do so?

I bet, if it weren't for FCC, state and local regulations, they absolutely could. Vindictive actions by the FCC, and expectations that cable companies provide free boxes for customers, while their competitors don't, obstruct the analog to digital migraiton.

No; I'm way too logical for that. I'd see the glass having 6 ounces of liquid in it. Who's to say what's "full"? Not me...
No. The average glass holds about 10 ounces. Half would be 5. This is a good illustration of how you sometimes overstate reality rather than “honoring” it.

But seriously, the HD zealots that inhabit these forums are still in the minority. If Comcast ultimately determines that Analog cable gives them a competitive advantage, so be it. And if choose to believe their fantasyland advertising, Comcast already offers thousands of HD “choices”. Better still, Fios and Satellite can provide 100+ HD channels if you don’t like those choices. Vote with your feet.

Mickey

I asked once before, but I'll try again. How's the PQ on the HDPPV channel for those of you who have ordered an HD PPV Event? I'm looking to order the WWE Royal Rumble on the 25th and I'm curious.

I watched the UFC on HD PPV fight last Sat and it was phenomenal. I have a 55" LCoS RPTV so it would probably look better on Plasma or LCD.

No. The average glass holds about 10 ounces. You try pouring a 12 oz can of soda into what you claim is an "average" glass. I have no problem pouring a full can of soda into my drinking glasses, including ice. So actually, I under-estimated -- the average drinking glass probably can hold more like 14 oz than 12 oz.

Besides being wrong, why are you focusing on this irrelevancy instead of on the topic of this thread?

Because Boston doesn't provide expanded basic analog service. The sacrificing of analog service for expanded basic would be no problem for some customers, and a big problem for others.

Trade-offs.

I find this extremely ironic, I would have thought Boston proper would have been the source of the loudest and longest complaints about getting rid of analog channels.

Shows what I know...

I find this extremely ironic, I would have thought Boston proper would have been the source of the loudest and longest complaints about getting rid of analog channels.

Shows what I know...

My guess would be that the loudest and longest complaints would come from analog subs in areas where the OTA alternative is either limited or nonexistent - like here on Cape Cod, for example. In metro Boston, those folks simply cancel cable and stick up rabbit ears, right?

Yes, and no. OTA for Boston is not broadcast from Boston, itself, but rather the western suburb of Needham. By the same token, Needham isn't so far away that anyone in Boston (or Brookline, which is in the same position being mostly all-digital) would have any problem getting reception OTA.

I think the issue is that Boston is a pretty progressive, forward-looking place. I wouldn't be surprised if the suburbs, actually, were more conservative.

I find this extremely ironic, I would have thought Boston proper would have been the source of the loudest and longest complaints about getting rid of analog channels.

Shows what I know...

Actually the reason why the fussing was extremely minimal in Boston area for the drop of analogs is that, since the Boston system was owned by Cablevision (pre AT&T Broadband buyout) any tier beyond Basic required an analog box. You couldn't get your Expanded Basic services without an analog box. Over the course of a couple of years after the buyout all analog boxes were slowly replaced with digital box. There might have been some griping about "new fangled" boxes, but since they had to have a box anyways, no one was pissed that there cable ready TV wouldn't get MTV.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your outlook) no other system in Comcast New England is like that. Every system uses traps on the poll to block analog signals, rather than scrambling and requiring a box to descramble.

The added benefit to gaining bandwidth for HD in Boston was also the benefit of removing those customers who had illegal descrambling boxes and were getting expanded basic for free. Win win for both customers and company.

I think one thing that is somewhat holding comcast back and many cable companies across the country is simply who is in what market and the over the air rule.

From what I understand anything that comes in via the air cable companies have to give (at least for analog)

I'm in south east mass...I frankly don't watch RI tv...ever. So channel 6, 10 and 12 really don't do anything for me.

I've heard an analog signal contains enough bandwith for 3 hdtv stations. If this is true that means that the government is clearly forcing companies to waste bandwith.

ota hdtv has somewhat of a shorter range than analog...this will be interesting if it's dropped.

The idea of needing two channels of abc, cbs, nbc, pbs etc is a bit stupid. The vast majority of the content of network tv is the same on each affliate. Sure most obviously the news will be different but beyond that

Your understanding is a bit off, mdovell. First, the FCC explicit permits MSOs to provide local broadcast channels either as analog QAM channels, or via digital with digital-to-analog converter boxes provided (and not necessarily free, but let's not get into that). Both options were listed explicitly in the regulation.

Also, the term "all-digital" is used, unfortunately, in many cases when what is meant is "mostly all-digital", i.e., migration of all analog cable networks to digital, but leaving local broadcast channels and public access still available as analog. This would generally free-up between 30 and 60 channels.

I think radio physicists would dispute that OTA digital has a shorter range than OTA analog. RF is RF. And based on the codified definition of viewability (which folks are welcome to disagree with, but that still wouldn't make the definition any less authentic), the vast majority of OTA channels actually will have gained viewers with the switch to digital. However, even that is irrelevant: The requirement to provide local broadcast channels has to do with defined DMAs, not necessarily where channels are actually viewable. As such, the double-channel issue you alluded to is a choice by the MSO, perhaps as part of a contractual agreement that the MSO freely entered into, not a reflection of an FCC requirement.

Fair enough but who exactly defines what should be in a MSO? My town I think just resigned a 10 year agreement with comcast so this should be interesting.

I understand that not all OTA channels are running on full power. I can get univision for example on analog but not digital yet.

For the life of me though I don't understand how someone would really watch two affliates. I'm at least an hour to hour and a half from Providence.

my grandmothers house gets wlwc but yet 10,12 and 6 aren't coming in yet...oddly enough I don't get wlwc in my own cable so how far is a mso going to go?

If I were comcast I'd be a bit upset if I were forced to put on more channels with the same content. I have to wonder how much of a metropolitian area does it take to create a mso.

But some of this goes well beyond even just tv. Like the whole blackout thing if there's two channels that might have the same game on. TBS is nationwide. If say it's red sox vs braves NESN would cover the game in the boston area but the rest of the country probably won't be able to get the NESN coverage.

Advertising complicates things quite a bit on top of this too. I've seen countless Sonic commericals but there isn't one in New England at all. Imagine how an advertiser feels seeing a channel showing commericals that have no real possible incentive to air.

Personally I think things would be more competitive to be a la cart but I know that some channels would probably end up dying out and some would probably end up being pay channels.

Fair enough but who exactly defines what should be in a MSO?The FCC sets the national regulations. Local franchising authorities (i.e., your town) sets any local additional requirements.

BTW: MSO is multiple systems operator or multiple services operator, i.e., cable companies, satellite providers, etc. I think you may have interpreted the abbreviation to mean a specific geographical area. The abbreviation for that is DMA (area).

For the life of me though I don't understand how someone would really watch two affliates. I'm at least an hour to hour and a half from Providence.Neither you nor the MSO chooses which affiliate you're supposed to get. The FCC has stated that the affiliate that you must be provided with is the one that serves the DMA that you're located in. You can argue with the FCC about that, but the cable company has better things to do. They are ordered to do something and they obey until the rule is changed. If you live in the area in blue in this MAP (http://research.backchannelmedia.com/images/dma/region/full/dma_521.png), then if Comcast was to give you only one affiliate, they would be required to provide you the Providence affiliate, not the Boston affiliate. Given that, would you like to revise your earlier assertion about getting two affiliates? I don't know where you live, exactly, so I'm not sure whether what I've told you here will affect your perspective on this.

If I were comcast I'd be a bit upset if I were forced to put on more channels with the same content.Generally, the are not required by law to do so, except in cases where the same DMA actually has two affiliates for the same network. That very rarely is the case, and in my experience (i.e., New York, and Boston), the only cases of that were multiple PBS affiliates. So the only thing forcing Comcast to give you two NBC affiliates (for example) would be your desire as a subscriber to have the Boston channel, even though you're in the Providence DMA (if that is indeed the case).

I have to wonder how much of a metropolitian area does it take to create a mso.Here's where I realized that you might have misunderstood the abbreviations.

Generally, the are not required by law to do so, except in cases where the same DMA actually has two affiliates for the same network. That very rarely is the case, and in my experience (i.e., New York, and Boston), the only cases of that were multiple PBS affiliates. So the only thing forcing Comcast to give you two NBC affiliates (for example) would be your desire as a subscriber to have the Boston channel, even though you're in the Providence DMA (if that is indeed the case).

WCVB (Channel 5) and WMUR (Channel 9) are both ABC affiliates in the Boston/Manchester DMA. As they are owned by the same company, it probably reduces the "fighting" over which cable systems carry one or both of them. We have both in Chelmsford (SD and HD).

We don't have WMUR. How's that work?

We get both channel 5 and 9 up north here in Billerica. I guess Comcast feels that once you are north of Burlington you are part of the Live Free or Die state.

trust me your not missing anything

trust me your not missing anything

Yes sir, that crazy weather guy! :D

BTW: we have always gotten both stations in the Danvers/Beverly area as well. I think bicker might have to launch an investigation to make sure no FCC rules or regulations are being broken. :D

Yes sir, that crazy weather guy! :D


Is that guy still around?! LOL

Is that guy still around?! LOL

The crazy weather guy is Al Keprilian and he's on WZMY out of Derry, NH. They are on DT 35, having already turned off the analog channel 50. Their digital signal strength is but a fraction of what the analog was.

-Ken

L Supreme,
Do you have any info on new HD channels and if DTA's are on the way?

Tim :)

L Supreme,
Do you have any info on new HD channels and if DTA's are on the way?

Tim :)

Nothing I can speak of & yes

DTA's??

DTA's??

Digital terminal adapter.

Like those off air converter boxes only with a QAM tuner.

Extended basic channels will be going digital only soon When they do folks may be able to get 2 DTAs and a regular SD box for free.

If comcast had done this much sooner like 12-18 months ago,I may still had been with them

A few new additions since the last time I updated the Boston Channel list:

825 Nickelodeon HD
836 Lifetime HD
855 Spike HD

Here's hoping Comedy Central is the next addition...

A few new additions since the last time I updated the Boston Channel list:

825 Nickelodeon HD
836 Lifetime HD
855 Spike HD

Here's hoping Comedy Central is the next addition...

That means we'll get them in the burbs soon. We usually get them a few weeks after.

FIOS must be coming here soon. They called me an offered me a bundle for $159. a month. It has all 3 services, all top tier, 1 HD-DVR, and all the premium channels (HBO, Stars, Showtime, etc.)

Needless to say I dumped Vonage and took the offer. I was paying $209. a month with no premium channels and 3 HD-DVRs. Now I am paying $214. with the same amount of hardware and all the channels, 25/6 Internet and full phone.

But, they still suck. When they put in a phone number port they screwed up and I had no phone service for 12 days. For some reason Voange kicked it back and no one at Comcast noticed. The tech came to install the new modem and I had a dial tone, but could not receive in coming calls.

They promised a credit on upgrade fee. The CS rep told me, "Don't worry will make it up to you" We'll see, I have not received a new bill with all the changes as of yet.

Hi to all and thanks for any help you can provide,

Currently, I am about to finish a 6 month promo (I mentioned I might be interested in swithching to Direct TV to the rentention department and he offered this deal) from comcast that offered me Digital Preffered and Showtime for free. Previously I had only digital starter, sports and entertainment package and HD package. I also currently have the standard cable internet offered. The 6 months are up next month. I am trying to decide what my next move should be so that I retain the most channels while still keeping my bill as close to $100+ as I can. I am thinking about one of the triple plays (not really interested in home phones though). Or, perhaps I should drop back to what I had before the offer (starter+hd+sports and ent) and wait a few months and then see if I can get another retention offer. I realize some may have an ethical argument against getting deals from retention, however saving money helps my family out. My current set up is a cable card installed in an HD Tivo. So, the HD Triple play offers a free HD box, which I do not really need. Again, any feedback on what might be the best thing for me (other than dumping Comcast, I have no other options, I can't get dish reception from where I am located and we do not have Fios available in our town ) Thanks.

Bump.

Bump.

How does the Digital Double Play sound to you? It is an offer for existing customers (http://www.comcast.com/Shop/Buyflow/Default.ashx?area=6&SourcePage=Bundled).

Special Offer for Current Comcast Customers The Comcast Digital Double Play. Get Comcast Digital Starter Cable and High-Speed Internet—all for just $66 a month for 6 months when you sign up for both. You get two great services for one low price on one bill.

Maybe you can subscribe to the Digital Starter & High Speed Internet for the $66 (plus fees & taxes) and add on Sports Entertainment or Digital Classic on top of that.

I read that Comcast was told they had to delay any channel changes (that would therefore allow more HDTV channels) that had been planned for February to avoid confusion with the whole DTV changeover. Now that the changover has been delayed, does that mean Comcast can now go ahead with their plans??

I read that Comcast was told they had to delay any channel changes (that would therefore allow more HDTV channels) that had been planned for February to avoid confusion with the whole DTV changeover. Now that the changover has been delayed, does that mean Comcast can now go ahead with their plans??

What Plans?

... does that mean Comcast can now go ahead with their plans??That's a good bet. Figure that service providers will probably avoid analog to digital moves 30 days before and after the new June 12 date.

That's a good bet. Figure that service providers will probably avoid analog to digital moves 30 days before and after the new June 12 date.

Again, what plan are we talking about?

Because I don't think they have one and are just winging it!

Nevermind plans to add more HD. How about letting us folks out on the suburbs get the same amount of HD chanels as the inner city Boston people. WTF!? :mad: We pay the exact same amount, right?

Sorry... had to vent.:rolleyes:

Because I don't think they have one and are just winging it!We know you don't like them. :rolleyes: Now go out and play.

Will Comcact ever broadcast in 1080p? Do any other cable companies broadcast in 1080p?

Do broadcast in 1080p they will need to go to mpeg4. Motorola's new settops, DCX are mpeg 4 capable but the comcast headends will also need upgrades before this becomes a reality.

My turn, any idea when we will get cartoon network (and Clone Wars) in HD?

Are any nets broadcasting in 1080P? I thought everyone was either 720p or 1080i, so cable cos would have to upres, right?

We know you don't like them. :rolleyes: Now go out and play.

Ha, ha bicker. I never said I don't like them so stop putting words in my mouth. I do have a problem when they announce things but then don't fulfill them. To me that is misleading, that is why I believe they really don't have an overall plan because they seem to be always changing them. The proof is in the pudding! :p

Are any nets broadcasting in 1080P? I thought everyone was either 720p or 1080i, so cable cos would have to upres, right?

No. you are right that it is either 720p or 1080i. But I think one of the Sat co. shows some of their On-demand offerings in 1080p, I can't remember which one and I believe you do need the MPEG-4 decoder box to receive it.

Do broadcast in 1080p they will need to go to mpeg4. Motorola's new settops, DCX are mpeg 4 capable but the comcast headends will also need upgrades before this becomes a reality.

My turn, any idea when we will get cartoon network (and Clone Wars) in HD?

About 6 weeks ago, + or minus a week, Attleboro got Cartoon Network HD on 860. At that time they also added 399 HDPPV, 612 Team Package for the NBA packaga, 635 Center Ice for HD Hockey, 784 Travel HD, 791 QVCHD, 794 BravoHD, 795 CNBCHD, 800 another HDPPV, and 834 E!HD. I would think Cartoon Network and the others would be added soon.

Ha, ha bicker. I never said I don't like them so stop putting words in my mouth. I do have a problem when they announce things but then don't fulfill them. To me that is misleading, that is why I believe they really don't have an overall plan because they seem to be always changing them. The proof is in the pudding! :pI suspect part of the problem is that people ask CSRs for information, which CSRs often provide from their own heads (because they fear customer reprisals for providing less favorable, albeit more accurate and reliable, information) and then expect that that information is company policy. Company policy is almost surely to not provide any information about future plans before those plans are being implemented, within the boundaries of legally-mandated advance notification. So if you want to throw blame around, blame individual CSRs for not saying what they should say, "Comcast is committed to working with each of our programming partners to make available the channels and content you want. I'm sorry but that is all the information I have." That's what Comcast's public policy statement is, and it is the only thing that folks should rely on.

I suspect part of the problem is that people ask CSRs for information, which CSRs often provide from their own heads (because they fear customer reprisals for providing less favorable, albeit more accurate and reliable, information) and then expect that that information is company policy. Company policy is almost surely to not provide any information about future plans before those plans are being implemented, within the boundaries of legally-mandated advance notification. So if you want to throw blame around, blame individual CSRs for not saying what they should say, "Comcast is committed to working with each of our programming partners to make available the channels and content you want. I'm sorry but that is all the information I have." That's what Comcast's public policy statement is, and it is the only thing that folks should rely on.


It has nothing to do with CSR's! When a head of a company comes out with a press release saying they are going to do XY&Z and don't do XY&Z, that can mean only two things.

1. They bit off more than they could chew or
2. It was done intentionally as a PR stunt to save their bottom line.

Either way you look at it, it is misleading and Comcast is guilty of the above on more than a few occassions but in their defense I will say they are not the only ones to do it! I just don't like this practice all the same and neither should you. :rolleyes:

As you grow up, you learn that what you "like" and "don't like" doesn't really matter much, outside of yourself, you family and your close friends. :)

As you grow up, you learn that what you "like" and "don't like" doesn't really matter much, outside of yourself, you family and your close friends. :)

Yes professor bicker, but when a majority agree with my likes and dislikes it will affect others outside of myself, family and close friends. That is simple mathematics and that is something Mr professor even you should know! ;)

Nope, "likes" don't work that way: Rather, "behaviors" work that way. Other people can "like" all they want, but if those other people don't let them dictate their actual purchasing decisions, then "likes", no matter how widely held, aren't going to mean squat.

About 6 weeks ago, + or minus a week, Attleboro got Cartoon Network HD on 860. At that time they also added 399 HDPPV, 612 Team Package for the NBA packaga, 635 Center Ice for HD Hockey, 784 Travel HD, 791 QVCHD, 794 BravoHD, 795 CNBCHD, 800 another HDPPV, and 834 E!HD. I would think Cartoon Network and the others would be added soon.


Hmm, I have been looking for 860 and I have not seem it listed in the guide. I guess your area is has more bandwidth to spare then southern NH. Are you a former adelphia sub?

Nope, "likes" don't work that way: Rather, "behaviors" work that way. Other people can "like" all they want, but if those other people don't let them dictate their actual purchasing decisions, then "likes", no matter how widely held, aren't going to mean squat.

Not if they all jump to FIOS like I just did. You can bet that would effect how Comcast does business and it would mean a lot of squat to them and their share holders contrary to what you believe. Yes I LIKE Fios and I am sure many others will too. So who is dictating to who is debatable. ;)

Not if they all jump to FIOS ...Get back to me after that happens.

I bet that way before FiOS and Comcast have the same number of subscribers, their service and prices will be comparable to each other, with both companies moving towards each other, rather than either one exclusively moving toward the other.

My Triple Play that I was on for a year expired last month. I had the Preferred cable plan with a HD DVR and free HBO along with the internet and phone. My current bill for these services is now $199 a month. I was paying about $135. I got a flyer just before Christmas that advertised the Triple Play plans that i could get as mine was going to expire. The top plan included all available channels along with phone and internet for $159 a month. I called to get this plan today and was told that the plan is $179 a month plus taxes (about $190 a month). Even if all I wanted to do is to keep my existing services, it would be about $170 a month. My bill will go up $35 a month and I will be getting nothing more for it. I don't understand why I can't get the $159 plan that was offered to me recently. I would like to keep Comcast instead of switching providers just for the ease. Comcast seems to have no desire to keep customers from what I can tell. The competition in my area (FIOS) offers more for less. Does anyone else here notice that Comcast does not care one bit if customers leave? Why can't they be competitive? Why can't they honor an offer they made so recently? By the way, this call was made to 1-800-COMCAST and I chose the option to discontinue service, so I assume that was retentions I was talking to. I am not looking for something for nothing here, but I do want value for my money. What plan are the people here on and has anyone had any luck with getting a decent plan for a reasonable amount of money? If so how did you do it?

Thanks

My Triple Play that I was on for a year expired last month. I had the Preferred cable plan with a HD DVR and free HBO along with the internet and phone. My current bill for these services is now $199 a month. I was paying about $135. I got a flyer just before Christmas that advertised the Triple Play plans that i could get as mine was going to expire. The top plan included all available channels along with phone and internet for $159 a month. I called to get this plan today and was told that the plan is $179 a month plus taxes (about $190 a month). Even if all I wanted to do is to keep my existing services, it would be about $170 a month. My bill will go up $35 a month and I will be getting nothing more for it. I don't understand why I can't get the $159 plan that was offered to me recently. I would like to keep Comcast instead of switching providers just for the ease. Comcast seems to have no desire to keep customers from what I can tell. The competition in my area (FIOS) offers more for less. Does anyone else here notice that Comcast does not care one bit if customers leave? Why can't they be competitive? Why can't they honor an offer they made so recently? By the way, this call was made to 1-800-COMCAST and I chose the option to discontinue service, so I assume that was retentions I was talking to. I am not looking for something for nothing here, but I do want value for my money. What plan are the people here on and has anyone had any luck with getting a decent plan for a reasonable amount of money? If so how did you do it?

Thanks

I can say that I feel your pain. I'm paying $98 for one HD-DVR + HBO. I have a scheduled install for Fios on Feb 20 (already have Fios internet). This is not the place for a bash session so I wont mention what deal I'm getting with Verizon, but I will say that I tried calling Comcast a few times over the past couple months and the CSRs weren't willing to budge. I'm planning on calling this week sometime to schedule the cancellation of my Comcast for the same day as my Fios install. I will certainly report back with any offers Comcast may send my way, although I'm not really expecting much.

Hmm, I have been looking for 860 and I have not seem it listed in the guide. I guess your area is has more bandwidth to spare then southern NH. Are you a former adelphia sub?

moved here about 8 yrs ago and it was comcast then. I beleive it was Inland Bay Cable before then but I am not 100% sure.

I can say that I feel your pain. I'm paying $98 for one HD-DVR + HBO. I have a scheduled install for Fios on Feb 20 (already have Fios internet). This is not the place for a bash session so I wont mention what deal I'm getting with Verizon, but I will say that I tried calling Comcast a few times over the past couple months and the CSRs weren't willing to budge. I'm planning on calling this week sometime to schedule the cancellation of my Comcast for the same day as my Fios install. I will certainly report back with any offers Comcast may send my way, although I'm not really expecting much.

I used to be on the $99 triple play bundle but that expired after a year and they put me on some bundle for 129.99 saying that was all that was available. This added HBO and Starz which I didn't need. I just moved and said I wanted to close the account and then they offered a 114.99 bundle with 6 months of showtime and starz. Just threaten to cancel and if they don't offer you something just give a cancel date of a few weeks out. Then call back later and ask to uncancel.

So I just moved 1 town over and over the phone the CSR told me I could take my DVR with me and use the same one at my new place. When the tech came out yesterday to do the install he said I couldn't use my old box but he was a man of few words and didn't explain further. My old DVR is a DCT3412 while the new one is a DCH3416. The only reason I care is that I have a few recorded shows on my old DVR that I'd like to watch.

So, I have Comcast service in Medford, with all the HD channels and what not. I've been noticing this "issue" for the past few weeks.

I have a Panasonic 46" plasma that has a setting called "HD 1" and one called "HD 2". Basically what they do is either compensate for overscan in the picture and "crop" it out so you don't see it, *or* show the entire available picture on your screen. This really is handy on Blu-ray movies or HD channels, so you can get all the lines of resolution.

What you will notice on SD/4:3 content are what I can best describe as "static lines" at the top and bottom of the picture. I don't mind them as about 99% of my TV watching is on HD channels. On the other setting, these are cropped out, so you don't even know they're there.

What I've noticed, however, is that on channel 828 (Palladia), when I have the TV set to show the entire picture, I get a 1 pixel wide vertical line on the left side of the screen. It's almost like either Palladia slightly bumped the entire picture to the right, or Comcast is distributing it that way. No other HD channel is like this.

Any thoughts?

When you're watching Palladia, switch to the setting that makes the Palladia video look better.

anyone else notice that the hd games on 635 for the nhl package no longer come in North of Boston?

So I just moved 1 town over and over the phone the CSR told me I could take my DVR with me and use the same one at my new place. When the tech came out yesterday to do the install he said I couldn't use my old box but he was a man of few words and didn't explain further. My old DVR is a DCT3412 while the new one is a DCH3416. The only reason I care is that I have a few recorded shows on my old DVR that I'd like to watch.

So I called tech support because my new DVR is fubar'd as it shows 100% full after recording just 1 show. Anyways, I asked her if they could activate the DVR I have from my old address and she said they are coded but went to talk to her supervisor. It sounded promising but she came back and said they couldn't do that. Someone here has to know if this is possible.

anyone else notice that the hd games on 635 for the nhl package no longer come in North of Boston?

I've been having issues, they sent someone out to the house to look at the problem, and he didn't even know about 635 or some of the other HD channels. It began working last week, and even Monday night, but not last night.

Why the f* is ESPNUHD on instead of ESPNHD? Standard def ESPN is fine. Called the idiot customer service folks and they had to give me BS to try and explain the idiocy.

Why the f* is ESPNUHD on instead of ESPNHD? Standard def ESPN is fine. Called the idiot customer service folks and they had to give me BS to try and explain the idiocy.

Calm down champ, it's just TV...

Calm down champ, it's just TV...+1

Very sage advice.

Why the f* is ESPNUHD on instead of ESPNHD? Standard def ESPN is fine. Called the idiot customer service folks and they had to give me BS to try and explain the idiocy.

Hey, maybe they were testing it out to see what kind of reaction they get before they think about adding it. But if they go by your response, I don't think you will be seeing it anytime soon. :D

On my bill HSN is moving from Ch 70 to Ch.3 ."BFD" Where is the new HD?

Why the f* is ESPNUHD on instead of ESPNHD? Standard def ESPN is fine. Called the idiot customer service folks and they had to give me BS to try and explain the idiocy.

I think it has to do with Raycom having the rights to broadcast the Duke/UNC game in ACC country, not ESPN. Now why it only affected the HD channels, I don't know. Some similar strange blackout rules happened with college football, where you could watch the game in SD but not HD. I tried to find out why, but gave up. Couldn't find a contact for ESPN to even send an email.

anyone else notice that the hd games on 635 for the nhl package no longer come in North of Boston?

I don't have the NHL package but I do not get the NBA games in HD in NBA League Pass, nothing but a black screen here in Easton.

I think it has to do with Raycom having the rights to broadcast the Duke/UNC game in ACC country, not ESPN. Now why it only affected the HD channels, I don't know. Some similar strange blackout rules happened with college football, where you could watch the game in SD but not HD. I tried to find out why, but gave up. Couldn't find a contact for ESPN to even send an email.
College football was not a blackout, but the fact that the reverse mirror used by ESPN/ABC only supports broadcasting the primary game in HD on ESPNHD. There is no secondary HD feed so if you were receiving the secondary game on ESPN, you could only watch it in SD.

Remember, there is still a moratorium in effect on analog reclamation.

WENH Channel 11 NHPTV is still turning off their analog and "flash cutting" next Tuesday, do you think we will immediately get this channel in HD?

-Ken

Doubtful. It'll probably remain an SD feed, either specially-provided to MSOs, or down-converted. The DTV transition is specifically not supposed to have any impact on cable whatsoever. The only actual impact may be an internal impact on the MSO itself, i.e., having to down-convert where they did not have to previously.

When watching the Fox25 newscast on ch 806, every time the weather is on I can see what looks like a scrolling Fox25....Fox25.... to the left and right of the green screen. Is anyone else seeing that? Is it Fox? Is it my TV? Is it Comcast?

College football was not a blackout, but the fact that the reverse mirror used by ESPN/ABC only supports broadcasting the primary game in HD on ESPNHD. There is no secondary HD feed so if you were receiving the secondary game on ESPN, you could only watch it in SD.

Right, but the irritating part was according to their own website, we should have been getting those games in HD.

Anyone else getting some static lines on the NESH HD feed on 851 during the B's game?

Anyone else getting some static lines on the NESH HD feed on 851 during the B's game?

Yes, I had some thin, green lines flashing across the screen periodically.
I am using CableCard, not a Comcast box.

Anyone else getting some static lines on the NESH HD feed on 851 during the B's game?

Yes, it was on Fios as well so it was a problem originating from the source. Also did not like the result. :(

Doubtful. It'll probably remain an SD feed, either specially-provided to MSOs, or down-converted. The DTV transition is specifically not supposed to have any impact on cable whatsoever. The only actual impact may be an internal impact on the MSO itself, i.e., having to down-convert where they did not have to previously.

11.1 is HD (1080i)
11.2 is SD (480i)
The station bugs on both channels are different:D (OTA)
comcast is currently carrying the SD feed so maybe soon they will add the HD feed

So they MSOs won't even need to do the downconverting themselves. Thanks for the update.

Hello Everyone,

I am wondering if i could get some support on adding The Weather Channel HD to Fall River's Comcast HD Tier?

This has been a channel i have been looking forward to for a long time but my requests and (many Fall River citizens requests to the local Comcast Office) have still been denied for at least a year straight.

please help me, i have tried every other alternative and this seems to be my last resort.

I assume some changes have been made recently. My TVGOS device (with cable card) no longer has a valid channel map, most of the channels are not tunable. I use to be able to get TVGOS (via VBI) on channel 97 (PBS Boston) from which I understand was the only analog channel in my digital map. Now channel 97 is not tunable. Anyone have a clue how I can get the data I need?

Hello Everyone,

I am wondering if i could get some support on adding The Weather Channel HD to Fall River's Comcast HD Tier?

This has been a channel i have been looking forward to for a long time but my requests and (many Fall River citizens requests to the local Comcast Office) have still been denied for at least a year straight.

please help me, i have tried every other alternative and this seems to be my last resort.

You have my full support. Not sure it's going to do you much good, though. :D

I don't have that channel in Marlboro either, I can live with that. Or without it, as it were.

You have my full support. Not sure it's going to do you much good, though. :D

I don't have that channel in Marlboro either, I can live with that. Or without it, as it were.

Is Their anyway Comcast in Massachusetts could add TWC HD?

I assume some changes have been made recently. My TVGOS device (with cable card) no longer has a valid channel map, most of the channels are not tunable. I use to be able to get TVGOS (via VBI) on channel 97 (PBS Boston) from which I understand was the only analog channel in my digital map. Now channel 97 is not tunable. Anyone have a clue how I can get the data I need?

Head over to the TVGoS forum, but for what it's worth, I have TVGoS in Boston and they remapped channel 97 to the analog feed of CBS (channel 4) recently. I believe CBS will be carrying the data moving forward.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=510125

Eventually.

Would the Digial rollout have any affect on adding TWC HD?

My local comast rep told me "it will depend on our separate project of moving chanels 23 and above over to Digital. That change will allow us to add additional Digital and HD channels. We do not have a time frame on that currently but we will be notifying all of our customers as the specific date and time approaches" and this "the project is beginning in March and will be ongoing over the next year or so as we will be making the change town by town."


so the earliest is maybe March

I assume some changes have been made recently. My TVGOS device (with cable card) no longer has a valid channel map, most of the channels are not tunable. I use to be able to get TVGOS (via VBI) on channel 97 (PBS Boston) from which I understand was the only analog channel in my digital map. Now channel 97 is not tunable. Anyone have a clue how I can get the data I need?

My tvgos stopped working about a week or so ago, but started working again Friday. I haven't checked, but someone that did said the info is now coming thru cbs. I'm good for now.

I noticed some Boston stations and 3/4 of the Rhode Island Stations (WPRI,WNAC,WJAR) went digital today, would that have an effect of even adding just one High Def channel (Due to free Bandwidth) in the coming week to most of Massachusetts/Rhode island customers? :confused:

Would the Digial rollout have any affect on adding TWC HD?

My local comast rep told me "it will depend on our separate project of moving chanels 23 and above over to Digital. That change will allow us to add additional Digital and HD channels. We do not have a time frame on that currently but we will be notifying all of our customers as the specific date and time approaches" and this "the project is beginning in March and will be ongoing over the next year or so as we will be making the change town by town."


so the earliest is maybe March

I wish we knew when particular towns/areas will be getting the rollout.

I noticed some Boston stations and 3/4 of the Rhode Island Stations (WPRI,WNAC,WJAR) went digital today, would that have an effect of even adding just one High Def channel (Due to free Bandwidth) in the coming week to most of Massachusetts/Rhode island customers? :confused:The over-the-air digital television transition, which you are observing, has no impact on cable television bandwidth availability.

Cable service providers are obligated to continue providing analog service, of some sort, until at least 2012, so that will reduce the likelihood that any of them will go ahead with any discontinuing of analog service for local broadcast channels until then, for any of the local broadcast channels, even though those local broadcast channels, themselves, have discontinued their analog signals.

Also, cable service providers are under moratorium, until at least March 1, during which they have agreed not to do any cable network analog reclamation that has not been announced prior to the New Year. Note, though, that what I'm talking about here is analog reclamation of cable networks currently broadcast via analog... it has nothing to do with the over-the-air digital to analog transition you made reference to.

I can say that I feel your pain. I'm paying $98 for one HD-DVR + HBO. I have a scheduled install for Fios on Feb 20 (already have Fios internet). This is not the place for a bash session so I wont mention what deal I'm getting with Verizon, but I will say that I tried calling Comcast a few times over the past couple months and the CSRs weren't willing to budge. I'm planning on calling this week sometime to schedule the cancellation of my Comcast for the same day as my Fios install. I will certainly report back with any offers Comcast may send my way, although I'm not really expecting much.


I called this morning to schedule the Comcast cancellation for Saturday, Feb 21. As expected, when I told the CSR why I was canceling they made no offers to get me to stay.

Would the Digial rollout have any affect on adding TWC HD?

My local comast rep told me "it will depend on our separate project of moving chanels 23 and above over to Digital. That change will allow us to add additional Digital and HD channels. We do not have a time frame on that currently but we will be notifying all of our customers as the specific date and time approaches" and this "the project is beginning in March and will be ongoing over the next year or so as we will be making the change town by town."


so the earliest is maybe March
"The mills of the gods grind slowly...."

"The mills of the gods grind slowly...."

Yup, they have been talking about it for almost 2 years now!!! :eek:

The over-the-air digital television transition, which you are observing, has no impact on cable television bandwidth availability.

Cable service providers are obligated to continue providing analog service, of some sort, until at least 2012, so that will reduce the likelihood that any of them will go ahead with any discontinuing of analog service for local broadcast channels until then, for any of the local broadcast channels, even though those local broadcast channels, themselves, have discontinued their analog signals.

Also, cable service providers are under moratorium, until at least March 1, during which they have agreed not to do any cable network analog reclamation that has not been announced prior to the New Year. Note, though, that what I'm talking about here is analog reclamation of cable networks currently broadcast via analog... it has nothing to do with the over-the-air digital to analog transition you made reference to.

That moratorium was suppose to be voluntary. Now that the transistion date has been pushed back to June, will they still be honoring that or will they finally say the hell with it after having lost so many subs in the interim?

I have heard nothing about anyone deciding to dispense with the moratorium. Nor have I heard anything about anyone agreeing to impose a new moratorium around the June 12 date.

Isn't it unfair to Comcast if they are obligated by the feds to broadcast local stations in analog (i.e. using up bandwidth that could be used for hd/premium content) while Verizon FIOS is not? Is Verizon not considered a cable operator? Is Comcast compensated by the goverment for being handicapped by regulation relative to its competitor?

I got in touch with Connie Malko, Senior manager, Public Relations of The Weather Channel and she sent me this link for anyone interested in TWC lHDl



http://twchd.viewerlink.tv/?from=tv_welc_mainsidebottom

Comcast receives no money from the government because they're forced to continue to provided analog service.

Comcast receives no money from the government because they're forced to continue to provided analog service.

Does this not seem unfair considering that their competitor is NOT forced to do so?

Life isn't fair.

Isn't it unfair to Comcast if they are obligated by the feds to broadcast local stations in analog (i.e. using up bandwidth that could be used for hd/premium content) while Verizon FIOS is not? Is Verizon not considered a cable operator? Is Comcast compensated by the goverment for being handicapped by regulation relative to its competitor?
I'm not sure it's unfair since it could be viewed as a bit of a competitive advantage for Comcast to be the home of lifeline, low-cost, no-box, analog, cable television. I believe Comcast could have moved more channels (excluding locals and contractual obligations) over to the digital tier over the last few years if they choose to do so, but they did not.

Mickey

Except that legacy MSOs are subjected to additional scrutiny, by regulators, yes, but also the press and public, applying superlative pressure on legacy MSOs to delay measures such as analog reclamation and SDV.

I got in touch with Connie Malko, Senior manager, Public Relations of The Weather Channel and she sent me this link for anyone interested in TWC lHDl



http://twchd.viewerlink.tv/?from=tv_welc_mainsidebottom

Thanks, I sent mine in. :)

Looks like I was right after all!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15860758#post15860758

So people are falling for the 'more HD channels' instead of how much content is actually on them. I'm not surprised, there are way too many 'not so bright people' out there that need big numbers of channels to be drawn to (even though there's actually less HD content on them).

So people are falling for the 'more HD channels' instead of how much content is actually on them. I'm not surprised, there are way too many 'not so bright people' out there that need big numbers of channels to be drawn to (even though there's actually less HD content on them).

Fios has a lot of HD channels which show 24/7 Hi-Def programming that Comcast does not have. A lot of the channels that you are talking about are also on Comcast where there is hardly any HD on them. Yes, there is more HD on-demand with Comcast but does that outweigh all the extra channels from the other providers? I think it is a personal preference and are ones being made by many people that I would say are pretty bright contrary to what you believe!

BTW: I have both so I guess I'm smarter than everyone else according to your logic. ;)

Make that 500,001 lost subscribers. I have had it with Comcast's poor customer service and poor quality of service.
After another fruitless conversation with customer service and threatening cancellation to no avail, I have just seen the commercial for the $150 rebate from the other guys. That will cancel my early termination fee with Comcast. The timing couldn't have been better.
After seeing the channel lineup, I think there may be a few individuals on this forum who are in denial about being satisfied with the number of HD channels on Comcast. I'll admit, the other guys aren't all that and a bag of chips, but they have WAY more HD content than Comcast.

Living in Boston...I couldn't be happier with the HD lineup.

Living in Fall River,MA I'm stuck with comcast and the lackluster 43 HD channels that come with it,

I am very disappointed in comcast here in Southeastern Mass

Living in Fall River,MA I'm stuck with comcast and the lackluster 43 HD channels that come with it,

I am very disappointed in comcast here in Southeastern Mass

43 channels?? You'e doing better than I am, I only get 38. But the whole buisness is a racket, you would think that someone paying a monthly bill close to a hundred dollars should at least be getting at least a basic movie package, negative!! Every cable provider has its own little ripoffs. With verizon in arlington, you have to add upgrade your HD package just to get TNT,The Science channel, Biogaraphy HD, Versus HD and others, yet the NFL Network is part of the basic HD package, whereas here in cambridge with comcast you get all those channels with a basic HD package, but you have to upgrade to a sports package to the NFL network.

Here's the hd channels that are available in Most of the South Eastern Massachusetts Region (excludes Boston, Brookline)

802- WGBH hd
805- WCVB hd
806- WLNE hd
810- WJAR hd
811- WNAC hd
812- WPRI hd
813- WLWC hd
821- NGH hd
823- DSC hd
824- DIS hd
826- FAM hd
828- PLD hd
830- FX hd
831- TBS hd
832- HGTV hd
833- TNT hd
835- USA hd
837- A&E hd
839- hd Theater
841- FNC hd
842- CNN hd
846- UNI hd
848- GOLF hd
849- ESPN hd
850- ESPN2 hd
851- NESN hd
852- CSNNE hd
853- NFLN hd
854- FOOD hd
859- AMC hd
862- SCI-FI hd
863- AP hd
865- VS hd
866- SCI hd
867- TLC hd
868- MAX hd
870- HBO hd
872- HISH hd
875- STZ1 hd
877- SHO1 hd
878- SHO2 hd
883- TMC hd

what does anyone think of this lineup? (the only channel i want now is The Weather Channel HD 847, then i will be all set.)

Here's the hd channels that are available in Most of the South Eastern Massachusetts Region (excludes Boston, Brookline)

802- WGBH hd
805- WCVB hd
806- WLNE hd
810- WJAR hd
811- WNAC hd
812- WPRI hd
813- WLWC hd
821- NGH hd
823- DSC hd
824- DIS hd
826- FAM hd
828- PLD hd
830- FX hd
831- TBS hd
832- HGTV hd
833- TNT hd
835- USA hd
837- A&E hd
839- hd Theater
841- FNC hd
842- CNN hd
846- UNI hd
848- GOLF hd
849- ESPN hd
850- ESPN2 hd
851- NESN hd
852- CSNNE hd
853- NFLN hd
854- FOOD hd
859- AMC hd
862- SCI-FI hd
863- AP hd
865- VS hd
866- SCI hd
867- TLC hd
868- MAX hd
870- HBO hd
872- HISH hd
875- STZ1 hd
877- SHO1 hd
878- SHO2 hd
883- TMC hd

what does anyone think of this lineup? (the only channel i want now is The Weather Channel HD 847, then i will be all set.)

Pretty much the bland lineup that we have in Dover, NH. AMC HD? Don't get me started on that waste of bandwidth! I wish that FIOS was available here; I'd switch in a minute. I want the additional 700-level channels that Boston has (MGM HD, etc.), plus HD-NET and HD-NET Movies! I've seen the FIOS lineup that Warwick, RI has and it's far superior to our mediocre lineup. Living in a condo, satellite isn't much of an option for me, either.

Has anyone gotten any new HD channels as of yet?

As of earlier today according to my local Comcast rep The Digital rollout is slated to start This week!

What digital rollout is that?

What digital rollout is that?

Digital update to make room for HD Channels

http://www.comcast.com/digitalnow/About_Digital_Update.aspx

As quoted on the site The Comcast transition is a separate initiative. Comcast is enhancing its network to improve picture quality and free up space that will offer consumers more HD choices, faster Internet service, and many more viewing options.

I haven't read anything indicating that Comcast has moved away from its commitment to observe a moratorium on analog reclamation from January through March 17. So I wouldn't expect to see anything until then, and I would not be surprised to see some indication (not necessarily an announcement of new channels, but rather an announcement that some channels will be moving) that changes are coming in the bill you receive in the month prior to the changes.

Hopefully, when the analog reclamation resumes in March there will be about 15-20 channels going digital only,not just 2 or 3.

Digital update to make room for HD Channels

http://www.comcast.com/digitalnow/About_Digital_Update.aspx

As quoted on the site

From that link:

If you’ve already received our Comcast notice that it’s time for your upgrade, then click the PREVIOUS button below and enter your account information to get started. If you haven’t received our notice just sit back and relax—we’ll let you know when it’s time to take action.

So you received a notice from Comcast that "it's time for your upgrade"?

Comcast will be going a system at a time for the analog migrations. They need to deploy the DTAs in mass quantity first (so everyone is looking at digital only), then they can drop the analogs and start loading up the HDs and other advanced services.

When Comcast mentions it will provide you 3 devices at no additional cost, I take that to mean a customer won't be charged a monthly rental fee, but you will be hit for the $6.95 "Additional Digital Outlet" charge for the 2nd and 3rd devices. I would guess that "most customers" will have one digital outlet.
Any thoughts?

What will it cost?
Comcast will provide you with up to three digital devices at no additional cost, so your entire home can be prepared. Most consumers won’t even see a change in their bill.

Yes, that seems likely, that so many customers will be adding just one DTA that there won't be any A/O charges for "most" customers.

From that link:



So you received a notice from Comcast that "it's time for your upgrade"?

Nope i only got word from my local comcast rep i ran into this morning "so i hope he's right."

Hopefully, when the analog reclamation resumes in March there will be about 15-20 channels going digital only,not just 2 or 3.

Persoanlly it should had been more like 40 or so. :)

Had they done this sooner AND allowed me to renew my bundle i may had stayed.

OTOH I enjoy having 106 HD channels. :)

Looks like Comcast does it again and decides for more Vod but for online too?:mad:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/forum/comments.php?y=09&m=02&entry=entry090224-054636

what do you think of this matter?

Looks like Comcast does it again and decides for more Vod but for online too?:mad:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/forum/comments.php?y=09&m=02&entry=entry090224-054636

what do you think of this matter?

Another example of why Comcast has lost it's way!

They were not ready for the transistion to digital big time.

They really underestimated the competition

Now they want to give us VOD on-line but limit our bandwidth at the same time. Go Figure!

Let's see---I can either watch OnDemand shows on my 60" plasma TV with my home theater speakers while sitting on my nice comfortable couch, or I can watch them on my 21" computer monitor with small speakers while sitting on my office chair...

802 WGBH PBS HD
804 WBZ CBS HD
805 WCVB ABC HD
806 WFXT FOX HD
807 WHDH NBC HD
808 WLVI (CW) HD
814 WSBK (IND) HD
821 NatGeo HD
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 A&E HD
839 HD Theater
841 FoxNews HD
842 CNN HD
845 Weatherscan
846 Universal HD
848 VS/Golf HD
848 Golf HD
849 ESPN HD
850 ESPN 2 HD
851 NESN HD
852 Comcast SportsHD
853 NFL Network HD
854 Food Network HD
859 AMC HD
862 Sci-Fi HD ++
863 Animal Planet HD
865 Versus HD
866 Science HD
867 TLC HD
868 Cinemax HD
870 HBO HD
872 History HD
875 STARZ! HD
877 Showtime HD
878 Showtime 2HD
883 TMC HD

These are the channels available on Comcast, anyone care to comment on what channels would be available to you if you switched to either fios or the dish network?

These are the channels available on Comcast, anyone care to comment on what channels would be available to you if you switched to either fios or the dish network?

In my opinion i think you would see most of the HD channels you see on Boston's Comcast HD Tier lineup if you switch. i might be wrong?

^^^^
I guess I should rephrase, what else is available as far as HD channels go, that Comcast isnt offering??

^^^^
I guess I should rephrase, what else is available as far as HD channels go, that Comcast isnt offering??

Here's Fios HD

http://www22.verizon.com/Residential/FiOSTV/PopUps/ChannelLineUpPDF/ChannelLineUpPDF.htm

and Here's Dish HD

http://www.dishnetwork.com/downloads/pdf/whats_on_dish/programming_guides/SD_Channel_Lineup.pdf

Scroll to the way bottom on the Dish one!

^^^^
I guess I should rephrase, what else is available as far as HD channels go, that Comcast isnt offering??I think pulling the data out of the two links provided above, and reconciling it against your list is a very valuable enterprise. People can then look at the resulting difference, and see whether any of those channels are worth anything to them.

Bristol County; TV guide not working on Panasonic with cable card, anybody know of any changes and how to correct? Works fine on TV with cable box.

Thanks

The "digital rollout" is a multi-year process that will be going through 2010. Here's what Comcast COO Steve Burke had to say in a Multichannel News article:

http://www.multichannel.com/article/174589-Comcast_Funds_Wideband_Digital_TV.php?nid=4682&source=link&rid=5926572

On the analog-reclamation front, Comcast has seen positive results in its initial Portland, Ore., market, according to Burke. With these projects, the operator distributes low-cost digital-to-analog adapters to basic subscribers that are not interested in upgrading to digital cable; Comcast is then able to eliminate the transmission of 50 to 60 analog channels, freeing up space for DOCSIS 3.0, high-definition channels or other services.

Comcast is currently in the process of introducing DTAs in three additional markets, according to Burke: Seattle, San Francisco and Philadelphia.

In Portland, the MSO has seen a higher percentage of people doing self-installs than anticipated, though Burke added with the DTA projects “there's a real cost” and that “in the year you do it it's not necessarily accretive.” Benefits start to accrue later with operational efficiencies, reduction of cable theft and the introduction of new services.

“By 2009 and into 2010, we will recapture much of our analog bandwidth,” Roberts said.

Notice we are not on the list of three markets they are currently introducing DTAs to. But at least they're starting to hit the East Coast..:D

Bristol County; TV guide not working on Panasonic with cable card, anybody know of any changes and how to correct? Works fine on TV with cable box.

Thanks

Is this the built in TVG OS in your TV that isn't working? Have it do a scan again. PBS recently dropped the TVG OS data and it moved to CBS.

Does anyone know if these "DTAs" will offer 1080i/720p output or only 480i output for old analog TVs?

I just bought my 2nd HDTV to replace a 13 year old CRT that funnily enough broke on Feb 17th. I am paying $8/month for one digital box, but I'm not willing to pay that for the new HDTV- and so I'm only getting a few HD channels on it...

Comcast had better give us a way to connect HDTV that is cheaper than a $8 per tv per month. I'm already paying >$100 for the content for G-D sake!

Does anyone know if these "DTAs" will offer 1080i/720p output or only 480i output for old analog TVs?

I just bought my 2nd HDTV to replace a 13 year old CRT that funnily enough broke on Feb 17th. I am paying $8/month for one digital box, but I'm not willing to pay that for the new HDTV- and so I'm only getting a few HD channels on it...

Comcast had better give us a way to connect HDTV that is cheaper than a $8 per tv per month. I'm already paying >$100 for the content for G-D sake!

DTAs will only do 480i.

When watching the Fox25 newscast on ch 806, every time the weather is on I can see what looks like a scrolling Fox25....Fox25.... to the left and right of the green screen. Is anyone else seeing that? Is it Fox? Is it my TV? Is it Comcast?
That should be fixed now.....

Dish and FIOS blow Comcast out of the water with HD. Wish FIOS was avilable in my town.

dish and fios blow comcast out of the water with hd. Wish fios was avilable in my town.

+1

Is this the built in TVG OS in your TV that isn't working? Have it do a scan again. PBS recently dropped the TVG OS data and it moved to CBS.

It is the built in Guide, been scanning for days (since I first noticed), it never finds the line up. Do I need to change anything for it to pick up CBS?

Bristol County; TV guide not working on Panasonic with cable card, anybody know of any changes and how to correct? Works fine on TV with cable box.

Thanks

When you say it works fine with TV & cable box are you talking about the guide in the cable box working correctly or are you saying with that setup the guide in your TV also populates? I have a Hitachi HDTV with a cable card that I've had for a few years now with a built in guide that has never populated. I thought I heard a while back for the guide to fill in it had to get it from the antenna feed, not the cable feed like the old RCA TV's did. Did yours ever fill in before?

When you say it works fine with TV & cable box are you talking about the guide in the cable box working correctly or are you saying with that setup the guide in your TV also populates? I have a Hitachi HDTV with a cable card that I've had for a few years now with a built in guide that has never populated. I thought I heard a while back for the guide to fill in it had to get it from the antenna feed, not the cable feed like the old RCA TV's did. Did yours ever fill in before?


Yes, worked fine until maybe a week or two ago, now it is stuck on scanning for channels. Another TV that is using a cable box works, but that is the Comcast guide. Maybe the change from PBS to CBS, where ever that takes place screwed it up.

It is the built in Guide, been scanning for days (since I first noticed), it never finds the line up. Do I need to change anything for it to pick up CBS?

I'm not sure how the TVGOS works, but WBZ analog should be on Channel 97 if you have a Cable Card set to get the TVGOS. Otherwise if you are cable direct with no Cable Card (can't get encrypted digitals) then you should be able to just tune to whatever your local analog WBZ is.

I'm not sure how the TVGOS works, but WBZ analog should be on Channel 97 if you have a Cable Card set to get the TVGOS. Otherwise if you are cable direct with no Cable Card (can't get encrypted digitals) then you should be able to just tune to whatever your local analog WBZ is.

But I never had to tune to anything, I push TV Guide on the remote and configure fo zip code and cable system and it scans for cannels, if I tune to analog cbs I get ch 4 boston.

But I never had to tune to anything, I push TV Guide on the remote and configure fo zip code and cable system and it scans for cannels, if I tune to analog cbs I get ch 4 boston.

TVGOS is a big issue in the sony DHG-HDD250/500 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=537711&pp=60) forum and the "bible" many there refer to is SpiffSpace.com (http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html). Can you try to perform these commands on your device and see if you can force a new host channel? Try 97 for the analog version of WBZ or, if your device can receive digital TVGOS, channel 804, WBZ-DT.

2.2.2 Is there a service menu(s) for TVGOS?>
Yes. There are actually 3 known service-menus/codes that can be accessed:
The TVGOS diagnostic/info menu: This can be accessed by pressing <GUIDE>, then moving the cursor up to the SETUP menu item on the top bar. Press <DOWN>, then 753159852. This gives you a series of screens that show info like Host Channel, VBI info, and numerous other pages of system info. One of the most useful screens is accessed by immediately pressing <RIGHT> after entering this "753..." menu. This page shows you the Host Channel (among other things).

The "Force Host Channel" code: This code has recently been discovered by someone in the AVS forums, and appears to be able to "force" the unit to look for a host on a channel of your choosing. This can be useful in situations when there are multiple host stations in a particular area, and you want to set the system to use the strongest station. WARNING: This should only be used during initial setup, or when the guide info has been completely reset. The host channel must be BLANK, as reported in the "753..." menu above. Unexpected results can occur if the system already has a host channel and this code is used. USE THIS CODE AT YOUR OWN RISK. ONLY A FEW PEOPLE HAVE TRIED THIS SO FAR, SO PLEASE DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER IF IT MESSES THINGS UP. The procedure to use this code follows:

1. Tune to the station (either OTA or cable) that you want to use as the host.

2. Press <GUIDE> - move the cursor over the SETUP item on the top menu bar, then press <DOWN>, followed by 963214785. If the code is received properly, the "Info" message just below "Change System Settings" should say "Searching Current VBI Channel".

3. Don't touch anything. The screen should disappear after 5 minutes. Once it disappears, turn off the unit and leave it alone overnight to magically download the guide.

4. On the following day, check the host channel with the "753..." menu described above. If it shows the host channel you tuned to in Step 1, you have successfully changed it! If not, try resetting the guide info and start over.

Basic channels offered in the Fall River/ South Eastern Mass Area

2 - WGBH
4 - WBZ-TV (CBS)
5 - WCVB Boston (ABC)
6 - WLNE Providence-New Bedford (ABC)
7 - WHDH Boston (NBC)
9 - New Bedford-Fall River Public Access
10 - WJAR-10 (NBC)
12 - WPRI-12 (CBS)
13 - WLWC-28
14 - WSBK-38
15 - WPXQ-69 (ION)
16 - WGBX-44 (PBS-Boston)
17 - FRED-TV
18 - NASA-TV
19 - WSBE-36 (PBS Rhode island)
21 - WLVI-56 (CW Boston)
22 - WFXT-25 (FOX)
23 - WWDP-46 (Shop NBC)
70 - HSN
71 - QVC
95 - Fall River Community Access
96 - MSNBC
98 - MSNBC
209 - WGBH World
217 - WGBH Kids
251 - MSNBC
283 - Leased Access
740 - WRIW
750 - WJAR Retro Television Network

Would all these make enough room for HD channels in southeast MA? and does anyone have any different channels in these slots?

A Question with anyone with analog cable direct connect. What is on Cable Ch.3 right now, if anything? For anyone who knows is there any digital signal on Ch.3 right now? if not, maybe the move of HSN from Ch 70 to Ch.3 may open up space for 2 or 3 HD channels?

A Question with anyone with analog cable direct connect. What is on Cable Ch.3 right now, if anything? For anyone who knows is there any digital signal on Ch.3 right now? if not, maybe the move of HSN from Ch 70 to Ch.3 may open up space for 2 or 3 HD channels?

Right now in Fall River,MA we have no Ch.3 on our HD-DVR box

Although i am enjoying my 107 HD channels on FIOS,I haven't forgotten you guys
Comcast HD lineup as of 2-27-09 (Based on Lawrence MA lineup does not include Boston/Brookline goodies)

Limited Basic
............................................................ ........
802 WGBH
804 WBZ
805 WCVB
806 WFXT **
807 WHDH
808 WLVI **
809 WMUR
814 WSBK **

Digital Starter
............................................................ ............
823 Discovery
824 Disney *
826 ABC Family *
828 Palladia
830 Fx *
831 TBS
832 HGTV
833 TNT
835 USA
837 A&E
839 HD theatre
841 Fox News *
842 CNN
846 Universal HD
848 Golf Ch **
849 ESPN
850 ESPN 2
851 NESN
852 CSN
854 Food
859 AMC *
862 Sci Fi
863 Animal Planet
865 Vs **
867 TLC *
872 History Ch

Digital Classic
............................................................ ...
821 National Geo
866 Science Ch *

Sports and Entertainment
............................................................ .
853 NFL Network

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
868 Max
870 HBO
875 Starz
877 Showtime
878 Sho 2 *
883 TMC *

* channels added in past 7 months
** channels moved in past 7 months

TVGOS is a big issue in the sony DHG-HDD250/500 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=537711&pp=60) forum and the "bible" many there refer to is SpiffSpace.com (http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html). Can you try to perform these commands on your device and see if you can force a new host channel? Try 97 for the analog version of WBZ or, if your device can receive digital TVGOS, channel 804, WBZ-DT.



I also have a Panasonic TV with CableCard and have finally resolved my TVGOS not loading. What was quite helpful as Wally1912 mentioned, is spiffspace has great info. There's also a pdf on that site of the "Training manual" which I suggest you get, go right to the Diagnostics section. Not sure if I can post a link so change the zz to tt, but I'll try hzzp://www.spiffspace.com/TVGOS_Training_Manual.pdf

You may not need to take all of these steps, but this is what worked for me.


1. Make sure channel 97 is "On" on the Panasonic channel line-up.

2. Press info button on remote and the display might read WGBH or PBS for Channel 97, I believe it said WGBH.... I assume that your's still does... as mine did before Step 3...

3. Now that the data is on CBS, I called 1800comcast and followed the prompts to trouble with tv and there was an option to "refresh (or reset" the "box"). Do it..... mine came thru pretty quickly, maybe 5 minutes, and now when you hit info on channel 97 it reads "CBS" and shows CBS programming..... At this point, I tried a different zip code in TVGOS and still didn't work, but perhaps it may for you.

4. I hated to do it, but I did the "TVGOS reset" from pg 31 in that pdf manual and it cleared out everything on the TVGOS. I got nothing on the first day, maybe because the tv was not off long enough, but the second day it came back. The "problem" now was there were about 8 different line-up to choose from.... just like when I bought the tv... I then selected the appropriate one and it then picked up about 80% of the channels... I then had to manually turn on the rest...

I had the listing for 3 days and then it was lost for a day but now has been back for 3 straight days and all seems to be fine...

Hope this helps....

Lastly, fyi, I did try to "force" the host channel but that would have been my next step if the above didn't work..

H

Anyone else's Tivo guide times off by an hour?

Anyone else's Tivo guide times off by an hour?

Yes. Noticed that this morning but it seems to be recording properly...knock on wood.

The NHL is offering a free preview of its network this week, but it seems Comcast isn't participating. On my system here on the South Shore, channel 259 is "Not Authorized".
The official press release (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=411695) does not mention Comcast as a provider so I guess those of us who do not subscribe to the Sports entertainment pack are out of luck.

A Question with anyone with analog cable direct connect. What is on Cable Ch.3 right now, if anything? For anyone who knows is there any digital signal on Ch.3 right now? if not, maybe the move of HSN from Ch 70 to Ch.3 may open up space for 2 or 3 HD channels?
Well, I can report that on Friday, 2/27, on our TV it showed the green screen message about the channel moving to digital as of July, 2008. Funny thing is, this was the CN8 channel, which, after moving, I believe has since been cancelled. (Not sure what's on it today, we switched to FIOS that day. Got tired of the seemingly bi-monthly price increases)

And guess what still no HD Channel adds in Massachusetts :mad:

And guess what still no HD Channel adds in Massachusetts :mad:

You need bandwidth to add channels, they don't have it. This is old news and until things change like converting your system over to all digital, then what you see is what you get. Unless they move some more channels to the QAM 3:1 muxing which they have been hesitant to do lately because it causes other issues, you may get 1 or 2 more if your lucky but things like PQ may suffer in the interim.

You need bandwidth to add channels, they don't have it. This is old news and until things change like converting your system over to all digital, then what you see is what you get. Unless they move some more channels to the QAM 3:1 muxing which they have been hesitant to do lately because it causes other issues, you may get 1 or 2 more if your lucky but things like PQ may suffer in the interim.

Your missing the point. Currently there are 3 ANALOG channles showing NOTHING...channel 3 shows color bars, and channel 66 and 67 show an EBS test announcement. 3 analog channels doing NOTHING. I'm sure at least one is reserved for that new 50 mbps internet service, but what about the rest ?

-Ken

Your missing the point. Currently there are 3 ANALOG channles showing NOTHING...channel 3 shows color bars, and channel 66 and 67 show an EBS test announcement. 3 analog channels doing NOTHING. I'm sure at least one is reserved for that new 50 mbps internet service, but what about the rest ?

-Ken

Ken im in the same boat as you and i asked a rep about it this is what the comcast rep told me about those 3 channels

"They should be working. It sounds like a connection issue."

Your missing the point. Currently there are 3 ANALOG channles showing NOTHING...channel 3 shows color bars, and channel 66 and 67 show an EBS test announcement. 3 analog channels doing NOTHING. I'm sure at least one is reserved for that new 50 mbps internet service, but what about the rest ?

-Ken

Ken there must be reasons why they are not being used. I would bet it must be technically related ( see my above post ) or we would have seen something by now.

Ken there must be reasons why they are not being used. I would bet it must be technically related ( see my above post ) or we would have seen something by now.

No I think it is just because Comcast increasingly sucks more and more as time goes on. I used to be a fan, but no more. Where is programming your dvr from the web like fios ? Comcast promised that more than a year ago. Where is the multi room dvr ? Comcast promised that more than a year ago. Where is the cordless phone with email and caller id on your tv screen (not that I really care about this) ? That was also promised over a year ago. All we get is more price increases. It makes my blood boil to see NBA-TV going basic, that just means everyone gets to pay for it...GREAT :-(

Fios can't get here fast enough. Or maybe I will just get an antenna, the guys in the OTA forum seem to be happy and they get more fresh air watching less tv!

-Ken

No I think it is just because Comcast increasingly sucks more and more as time goes on. I used to be a fan, but no more. Where is programming your dvr from the web like fios ? Comcast promised that more than a year ago. Where is the multi room dvr ? Comcast promised that more than a year ago. Where is the cordless phone with email and caller id on your tv screen (not that I really care about this) ? That was also promised over a year ago. All we get is more price increases. It makes my blood boil to see NBA-TV going basic, that just means everyone gets to pay for it...GREAT :-(

Fios can't get here fast enough. Or maybe I will just get an antenna, the guys in the OTA forum seem to be happy and they get more fresh air watching less tv!

-Ken

When did Comcast say it was going to do multi room DVR or web programmed DVR? I never heard them say it and I try to stay plugged in on this. Multi Room DVR requires cable boxes with the MoCA chipset in them. Could you imagine the cost involved with replacing every HD DVR box out there with one that has the MoCA chipset? Fios has the advantage there because they don't have a multi million customer base that has been running their digital service for 10 years.

When did Comcast say it was going to do multi room DVR or web programmed DVR? I never heard them say it and I try to stay plugged in on this. Multi Room DVR requires cable boxes with the MoCA chipset in them. Could you imagine the cost involved with replacing every HD DVR box out there with one that has the MoCA chipset? Fios has the advantage there because they don't have a multi million customer base that has been running their digital service for 10 years.

nov. '07.

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=139189&site=cdn

While their lack of deployment is of note, do keep in mind that even if they met that deadline, it wouldn't mean you'd have those capabilities. They said that those capabilities would be available in select markets, not everywhere. The article even makes it evident that Comcast hadn't even committed to ever deploying that specific technology everywhere ("undecided about the eventual scale").

I don't see Comcast really pushing these new technologies very much until they lose/give up their analog service competitive advantage. As long as they're getting so much market support from consumers who are so reliant on old technologies, especially in these tough economic times, there is no real reason, other than emotional reasons, to spend a lot of money pushing new technologies. Consumers are flaky... especially those interested in new technologies... they will switch providers with the wind. All a good company needs to do is keep tabs on which way the wind is blowing, and just bend into the breeze when the time comes, i.e., when the old technology finally dies out. No need for Stratego.

These are the channels available on Comcast, anyone care to comment on what channels would be available to you if you switched to either fios or the dish network?

Here's a link to the fios channel lineup. Enter your zip and it'll list whats available in your area. http://www22.verizon.com/Residential/FiOSTV/ChannelLineup/ChannelLineup.htm

Analog is dead (or dying)
Having Digital starter channels unencrypted may made for soem kind of advantage for Comcast. (Assuming the new converters can down convert an HD signal to SD only the HD versions of channels need by unencrypted. :)

nov. '07.

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=139189&site=cdn

Damn there is too much stuff to keep up on out there. :) I wonder if Comcast did deploy in some select markets... but we just weren't one of them.

Damn there is too much stuff to keep up on out there. :) I wonder if Comcast did deploy in some select markets... but we just weren't one of them.

As for remote management of your dvr, here is a Comcast press release from last January:

"Manage It
• Want to control your DVR from the road? Coming soon in 2008, Fancast will enable users to program their DVR recordings in advance, from their computers, ensuring that they will never miss a show again."

http://www.comcast.com/About/PressRelease/PressReleaseDetail.ashx?PRID=722

Here is an article also from a year ago about the comcast branded vtech cordless phone:

http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/rich-tehrani/ip-communications/comcast-20.html

-Ken

While their lack of deployment is of note, do keep in mind that even if they met that deadline, it wouldn't mean you'd have those capabilities. They said that those capabilities would be available in select markets, not everywhere. The article even makes it evident that Comcast hadn't even committed to ever deploying that specific technology everywhere ("undecided about the eventual scale").

I don't see Comcast really pushing these new technologies very much until they lose/give up their analog service competitive advantage. As long as they're getting so much market support from consumers who are so reliant on old technologies, especially in these tough economic times, there is no real reason, other than emotional reasons, to spend a lot of money pushing new technologies. Consumers are flaky... especially those interested in new technologies... they will switch providers with the wind. All a good company needs to do is keep tabs on which way the wind is blowing, and just bend into the breeze when the time comes, i.e., when the old technology finally dies out. No need for Stratego.

So we should be hearing any day now that Comcast will cancel their plans to convert any more of their systems to all digital becasue they have realized they will be losing that analog competitive advantage.

I'll be waiting for the Press Release! ;)

Analog is dead (or dying)
Having Digital starter channels unencrypted may made for soem kind of advantage for Comcast. (Assuming the new converters can down convert an HD signal to SD only the HD versions of channels need by unencrypted. :)


Does this mean we can use the TV built-in QAM tuner and no STB?

Damn there is too much stuff to keep up on out there. :) I wonder if Comcast did deploy in some select markets... but we just weren't one of them.

They have said a lot of things that they have not been able to fullfill. In the business world that is know as a marketing ploy. ;)

As for remote management of your dvr, here is a Comcast press release from last January:

"Manage It
• Want to control your DVR from the road? Coming soon in 2008, Fancast will enable users to program their DVR recordings in advance, from their computers, ensuring that they will never miss a show again."

http://www.comcast.com/About/PressRelease/PressReleaseDetail.ashx?PRID=722

Here is an article also from a year ago about the comcast branded vtech cordless phone:

http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/rich-tehrani/ip-communications/comcast-20.html

-Ken

The VTech phoes are out, just because you don't have them doesn't mean they don't exist.

All I can say is just wait, 2009 is going to be a real good year. :D

The VTech phoes are out, just because you don't have them doesn't mean they don't exist.

All I can say is just wait, 2009 is going to be a real good year. :D

Well lets see...it is already March 2009... do you mean soon or December ?

-Ken

The VTech phoes are out, just because you don't have them doesn't mean they don't exist.

All I can say is just wait, 2009 is going to be a real good year. :D

L Supreme, Comcast would be wise to let you give us some ideas on what their plans are in this area since your opinion is respected here and you might actually save them many subs. But when you can't say anything, it only leaves us to lots of speculation and concern if whatever their plans are might not be worth the wait to stop some from leaving for a competitor. Maybe you can talk to somebody over there to get some things out there because it would only make good business sense to do so unless they are not capable of fullfilling these goals which would then once again work against them as it has in the past. Honesty however, will always go a long way in maintaining loyal customers because that is what I was taught in professor bickers business school class.:D

They have said a lot of things that they have not been able to fullfill. In the business world that is know as a marketing ploy.That would only be a "ploy" if they never intended to fulfill them.

That would only be a "ploy" if they never intended to fulfill them.

Yes and that could very well be the case! ;)

As for remote management of your dvr, here is a Comcast press release from last January:

"Manage It
• Want to control your DVR from the road? Coming soon in 2008, Fancast will enable users to program their DVR recordings in advance, from their computers, ensuring that they will never miss a show again."

-Ken

I thought this feature relied on the A26 version of the guide (along with some other guide enhancements). Which if the version is changed about once a year the way it has been it may very well hit this year (in some areas at least).

That would only be a "ploy" if they never intended to fulfill them.Indeed. Some folks won't be happy without demonizing the agent that doesn't kowtow to their whims, but the reality is that this is a business, and we-the-consumer drive what our service providers do based on our purchasing behaviors. As long as there are more of "us" that reward Comcast for analog service more than Comcast is rewarded by those of "us" who would rather they go whole-hog with analog reclamation, then that latter group is going to have to live with the fact that "we" are not the only customers Comcast has.

40 New HD channels by June (Thanks to SSetta for the info)

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22017060-40-new-HD-channels-in-the-Boston-area-this-June

Does anyone know if comcast has deployed the Moto DCX yet?

Indeed. Some folks won't be happy without demonizing the agent that doesn't kowtow to their whims, but the reality is that this is a business, and we-the-consumer drive what our service providers do based on our purchasing behaviors. As long as there are more of "us" that reward Comcast for analog service more than Comcast is rewarded by those of "us" who would rather they go whole-hog with analog reclamation, then that latter group is going to have to live with the fact that "we" are not the only customers Comcast has.

bicker unless you work for Comcast, then you have no idea what influences any particular decision they make and what it is based on. As far as analog goes, if what YOU believe is true, then they should scrap any future plans to convert to digital and leave things the way they are if that is where their money is. However, if they do proceed to transistion over then your logic is wrong and it is indeed the digital crowd they are trying to win over and not the other way around. It is really that simple! We shall see.

40 New HD channels by June (Thanks to SSetta for the info)

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22017060-40-new-HD-channels-in-the-Boston-area-this-June

I honestly don't believe it. For this to happen the DTA's would need to be rolling out now. Comcast reps never give out this kind of info in advance.

-KEn

Does anyone know if comcast has deployed the Moto DCX yet?

I would of thought Comcast would of deployed them last month? (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21004701-) that was its projected date.

To all, like I said there will be alot of big things coming out, real soon. I like my job and want to keep it so I will only say what I can. Trust that when I say real soon I do not mean December. Alot of the things you ask about are being launched. I personally can't wait.

Quote:
Originally Posted by chitchatjf
Analog is dead (or dying)
Having Digital starter channels unencrypted may made for soem kind of advantage for Comcast. (Assuming the new converters can down convert an HD signal to SD only the HD versions of channels need by unencrypted.


Does this mean we can use the TV built-in QAM tuner and no STB?

Anyone

Quote:
Originally Posted by chitchatjf
Analog is dead (or dying)
Having Digital starter channels unencrypted may made for soem kind of advantage for Comcast. (Assuming the new converters can down convert an HD signal to SD only the HD versions of channels need by unencrypted.




Anyone

From what I've heard is that when the DTA's roll out, extended basic channels in digital will be offered in the clear and available for QAM. I also understand that the HD versions of these channels will NOT be in the clear.

-Ken

40 New HD channels by June (Thanks to SSetta for the info)

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22017060-40-new-HD-channels-in-the-Boston-area-this-June

Hopefully the suburbs and not just Boston proper, they already have enough. :p

40 New HD channels by June (Thanks to SSetta for the info)

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22017060-40-new-HD-channels-in-the-Boston-area-this-June
That also indicates that there will be an "HD Extreme" tier at extra cost.

Mickey

http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/comcast-reclaiming-spectrum-50-markets-2009/2009-03-05

"Comcast's CFO says the cable company expects to reclaim the majority of analog channels in about half of its footprint this year. "All digital" is currently taking place in Portland with "minimal disruptions," says the company."

Excellent.

A Question with anyone with analog cable direct connect. What is on Cable Ch.3 right now, if anything? For anyone who knows is there any digital signal on Ch.3 right now? if not, maybe the move of HSN from Ch 70 to Ch.3 may open up space for 2 or 3 HD channels?

In the city I'm in ch 3 used to be CN8. However, that channel was moved to the digital tier and now there is nothing on 3.

I also have a Panasonic TV with CableCard and have finally resolved my TVGOS not loading. What was quite helpful as Wally1912 mentioned, is spiffspace has great info. There's also a pdf on that site of the "Training manual" which I suggest you get, go right to the Diagnostics section. Not sure if I can post a link so change the zz to tt, but I'll try hzzp://www.spiffspace.com/TVGOS_Training_Manual.pdf

You may not need to take all of these steps, but this is what worked for me.


1. Make sure channel 97 is "On" on the Panasonic channel line-up.

2. Press info button on remote and the display might read WGBH or PBS for Channel 97, I believe it said WGBH.... I assume that your's still does... as mine did before Step 3...

3. Now that the data is on CBS, I called 1800comcast and followed the prompts to trouble with tv and there was an option to "refresh (or reset" the "box"). Do it..... mine came thru pretty quickly, maybe 5 minutes, and now when you hit info on channel 97 it reads "CBS" and shows CBS programming..... At this point, I tried a different zip code in TVGOS and still didn't work, but perhaps it may for you.

4. I hated to do it, but I did the "TVGOS reset" from pg 31 in that pdf manual and it cleared out everything on the TVGOS. I got nothing on the first day, maybe because the tv was not off long enough, but the second day it came back. The "problem" now was there were about 8 different line-up to choose from.... just like when I bought the tv... I then selected the appropriate one and it then picked up about 80% of the channels... I then had to manually turn on the rest...

I had the listing for 3 days and then it was lost for a day but now has been back for 3 straight days and all seems to be fine...

Hope this helps....

Lastly, fyi, I did try to "force" the host channel but that would have been my next step if the above didn't work..

H

I have CH 97 CBS, I set the guide with my zip code, it picked up channel line up correctly but no program listing on any channel. I want to do reset from page 31 but I can't do diagnostics on page 29 bacause I don't see where to enter 753159852 when I go into "Change system setting".
Any help, thanks

Make that 500,001 lost subscribers. I have had it with Comcast's poor customer service and poor quality of service.
After another fruitless conversation with customer service and threatening cancellation to no avail, I have just seen the commercial for the $150 rebate from the other guys. That will cancel my early termination fee with Comcast. The timing couldn't have been better.
After seeing the channel lineup, I think there may be a few individuals on this forum who are in denial about being satisfied with the number of HD channels on Comcast. I'll admit, the other guys aren't all that and a bag of chips, but they have WAY more HD content than Comcast.

Recently cancelled after many years as a customer.

Happier with FIOS.

From my perspective, Comcast as an organization, was arrogant and overpriced. Bye-bye.

I would love either Fios or Uverse or even RCN to come here to Southeastern,MA but im stuck here with Comcast :mad:

So looks like i'm not getting The Weather Channel HD as promised anytime soon.

40 New HD channels by June (Thanks to SSetta for the info)

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22017060-40-new-HD-channels-in-the-Boston-area-this-June

Does the "Boston area" mean Boston and Brookline, or does it actually mean those of us who live just outside of Boston yet get screwed out of a lot of channels? I pay a silly amount every month and was floored by just how many more HD channels Boston got over Medford.

It's a trade-off. They get a lot fewer analog channels. I'm still relying on analog cable channels too much, at this point, to be necessarily happy about the prospect of losing them just to get some extra HD channels for which I have no interest.

Does the "Boston area" mean Boston and Brookline, or does it actually mean those of us who live just outside of Boston yet get screwed out of a lot of channels? I pay a silly amount every month and was floored by just how many more HD channels Boston got over Medford.

I'm hoping this is for us HD customers outside of Boston and Brookline.

Does the "Boston area" mean Boston and Brookline, or does it actually mean those of us who live just outside of Boston yet get screwed out of a lot of channels? I pay a silly amount every month and was floored by just how many more HD channels Boston got over Medford.

Keep in mind that ssettas information is based on a phone conversation with a customer service rep. That customer service rep could be talking about a specific system rather than all of the systems that make up the greater boston area. Unless you see an official representative for Comcast stand up and announce it to the media, take it with a grain of salt.

Absolutely: That CSR could also have been relying on unreliable information that they obtained off-the-job, like from an online discussion forum. That's likely since such information practically is never made available to CSRs until it appears on customers bills, or otherwise made public from other sources.

I have CH 97 CBS, I set the guide with my zip code, it picked up channel line up correctly but no program listing on any channel. I want to do reset from page 31 but I can't do diagnostics on page 29 bacause I don't see where to enter 753159852 when I go into "Change system setting".
Any help, thanks

Ok, glad to see that Channel 97 is "CBS", not to nit-pick, but mine shows "CBS4" when I press the "info" button on the remote.

That 753159852 code is not a reset, but it allows you to see the diagnostic screen. Unlike the zip code input, there is no place on the screen to enter the code, you simply hit the numbers on the remote. This is what I suggest at this point... do nothing more, I noted each action..

Using remote,

1. hit "tvGuide" button
2. Use the "arrow up" button right above the "ok" button to get to the very top of the screen.
3. Use the "arrow right" button to the right of the "ok" button to highlight "Setup".
4. Now hit the numbers of the code "753159852" and a diag screen will appear similar to pg 30 in manual. (On the second line my version # shows "09.01.33")
5. Use the "arrow right" button to the right of the "ok" button and see if 'Host" channel reads "0:0-97". It should. You may also note that the tv will be automatically changing channels as shown under "VBI". This is ok.
6. Use the "arrow left" button to the left of the "ok" button to go back to the "System Info" screen.
7. Use the "up" button above the "ok" button and hit it twice to view "Section-reception Slicing" as pg 30/31 in the manual. (Your's may be in a different spot, so look around using the arrows around the "ok" button). Look at 'TypeB" and "TypeC" and if numbers other than "0", I suppose, are there, then it's getting the data according to the manual. I guess this eliminates a weak signal or such.
8. Hit "tvguide" to escape out.


This tells us that everything is ok (or not) to this point.

I guess it's Reset Time...

Although it may not be necessary, I'd still call the 800 comcast and reset the box cuz that's what I did. Wait an hour even though it usally takes a few minutes to make sure it went though.

To reset TVGuide":

Follow steps # 1 -3 above. Now hit the numbers of the code "653274147". The manual says that the unit will reboot automatically but I didn't notice anything iirc. I believe I escaped out by hitting "Tvguide" and then went in again. I'm not sure if I waited until the next day to go back in again or not but you will know it reset as there is a "Welcome" screen of some sort.

This is what worked for me, so please don't be angry if doesn't work on your end.

Since your's was working recently, I was gonna suggest that you check to see if the tv's firmware was up to date as I did update mine but that was over a year ago...

In sum, I can confirm that Comcast is using 'Channel 97" for at least some of us Boston Suburban Cablecard users to get TVGOS listings.



H

Ok, glad to see that Channel 97 is "CBS", not to nit-pick, but mine shows "CBS4" when I press the "info" button on the remote.

That 753159852 code is not a reset, but it allows you to see the diagnostic screen. Unlike the zip code input, there is no place on the screen to enter the code, you simply hit the numbers on the remote. This is what I suggest at this point... do nothing more, I noted each action..

Using remote,

1. hit "tvGuide" button
2. Use the "arrow up" button right above the "ok" button to get to the very top of the screen.
3. Use the "arrow right" button to the right of the "ok" button to highlight "Setup".
4. Now hit the numbers of the code "753159852" and a diag screen will appear similar to pg 30 in manual. (On the second line my version # shows "09.01.33")
5. Use the "arrow right" button to the right of the "ok" button and see if 'Host" channel reads "0:0-97". It should. You may also note that the tv will be automatically changing channels as shown under "VBI". This is ok.
6. Use the "arrow left" button to the left of the "ok" button to go back to the "System Info" screen.
7. Use the "up" button above the "ok" button and hit it twice to view "Section-reception Slicing" as pg 30/31 in the manual. (Your's may be in a different spot, so look around using the arrows around the "ok" button). Look at 'TypeB" and "TypeC" and if numbers other than "0", I suppose, are there, then it's getting the data according to the manual. I guess this eliminates a weak signal or such.
8. Hit "tvguide" to escape out.


This tells us that everything is ok (or not) to this point.

I guess it's Reset Time...

Although it may not be necessary, I'd still call the 800 comcast and reset the box cuz that's what I did. Wait an hour even though it usally takes a few minutes to make sure it went though.

To reset TVGuide":

Follow steps # 1 -3 above. Now hit the numbers of the code "653274147". The manual says that the unit will reboot automatically but I didn't notice anything iirc. I believe I escaped out by hitting "Tvguide" and then went in again. I'm not sure if I waited until the next day to go back in again or not but you will know it reset as there is a "Welcome" screen of some sort.

This is what worked for me, so please don't be angry if doesn't work on your end.

Since your's was working recently, I was gonna suggest that you check to see if the tv's firmware was up to date as I did update mine but that was over a year ago...

In sum, I can confirm that Comcast is using 'Channel 97" for at least some of us Boston Suburban Cablecard users to get TVGOS listings.



H

You guys should bring this over to the TVGoS thread.

Keep in mind that ssettas information is based on a phone conversation with a customer service rep. That customer service rep could be talking about a specific system rather than all of the systems that make up the greater boston area. Unless you see an official representative for Comcast stand up and announce it to the media, take it with a grain of salt.

I hope this rollout happens as promised in June. if not, i will move to Boston to cure my HD fever.

I hope this rollout happens as promised in June. if not, i will move to Boston to cure my HD fever.

How bout moving to a community that offers FIOS. I can tell you, you'll be more than satisfied with the amount of HD programming available and it would be just what the doctor ordered to help you get better! :D

Ok, glad to see that Channel 97 is "CBS", not to nit-pick, but mine shows "CBS4" when I press the "info" button on the remote.

That 753159852 code is not a reset, but it allows you to see the diagnostic screen. Unlike the zip code input, there is no place on the screen to enter the code, you simply hit the numbers on the remote. This is what I suggest at this point... do nothing more, I noted each action..

Using remote,

1. hit "tvGuide" button
2. Use the "arrow up" button right above the "ok" button to get to the very top of the screen.
3. Use the "arrow right" button to the right of the "ok" button to highlight "Setup".
4. Now hit the numbers of the code "753159852" and a diag screen will appear similar to pg 30 in manual. (On the second line my version # shows "09.01.33")
5. Use the "arrow right" button to the right of the "ok" button and see if 'Host" channel reads "0:0-97". It should. You may also note that the tv will be automatically changing channels as shown under "VBI". This is ok.
6. Use the "arrow left" button to the left of the "ok" button to go back to the "System Info" screen.
7. Use the "up" button above the "ok" button and hit it twice to view "Section-reception Slicing" as pg 30/31 in the manual. (Your's may be in a different spot, so look around using the arrows around the "ok" button). Look at 'TypeB" and "TypeC" and if numbers other than "0", I suppose, are there, then it's getting the data according to the manual. I guess this eliminates a weak signal or such.
8. Hit "tvguide" to escape out.


This tells us that everything is ok (or not) to this point.

I guess it's Reset Time...

Although it may not be necessary, I'd still call the 800 comcast and reset the box cuz that's what I did. Wait an hour even though it usally takes a few minutes to make sure it went though.

To reset TVGuide":

Follow steps # 1 -3 above. Now hit the numbers of the code "653274147". The manual says that the unit will reboot automatically but I didn't notice anything iirc. I believe I escaped out by hitting "Tvguide" and then went in again. I'm not sure if I waited until the next day to go back in again or not but you will know it reset as there is a "Welcome" screen of some sort.

This is what worked for me, so please don't be angry if doesn't work on your end.

Since your's was working recently, I was gonna suggest that you check to see if the tv's firmware was up to date as I did update mine but that was over a year ago...

In sum, I can confirm that Comcast is using 'Channel 97" for at least some of us Boston Suburban Cablecard users to get TVGOS listings.



H

Last post on this but I thought people should know; the reset worked.
Thank you.

Chattanooga, Tenn., and the Philadelphia region -- are next in line to get the MSO's "all-digital" treatment.


http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=173091&site=cdn

I for one am sure glad they are spending their money wisely. See comcasttown.com

Mickey

I for one am sure glad they are spending their money wisely. See comcasttown.com

Mickey


Is that for real?
What a ridiculous website.........

Oh, it's for real alright. I saw a Comcast TV commercial last night with the same animation.

I love it when a huge corporation tries to assume a "cool" counter-culture image. Just like when RNC head Michael Steele says the Republicans should target the "urban and suburban hip-hop settings." (I'm so glad he included suburban hip-hop, my personal favorite form of hip-hop.)

Anyone know if MLB TV in HI-Def will be available by opening day? And also of MLB TV will be taking ahy games away from NESN??