Question for you guys with Tivo + dual cablecards in Boston.

Are there any HD channels you don't get?

Is there any kind of magic that needs to be done to get the cablecards(800# is clueless) - just go into a service center?

Are you being charged for the cable cards?

Do you need a tuning adapter and was that supplied?

Thanks

I get all the channels I pay for.

The toll-free line set me up for CableCARD installation.

My first CableCARD is included in my Digital Starter package free; the second is $1.50 per month.

I don't need a TA yet.. no SDV here.

Political discussion are not permitted here.

Kindly explicate the political implications of a discussion of business strategy. Do the mods consider that comment political in any way?

Or were you just being sarcastic?

anyone know if comcast is working on a widescreen program guide or a HD program guide?

Kindly explicate the political implications of a discussion of business strategy. Do the mods consider that comment political in any way? Or were you just being sarcastic?It was a joke, to some extent, i.e., that only way to answer your earlier question, correctly, would have required a response with political content.

So is comcast just supposed to absorb the cost for all those boxes ? Their profits would plummet and the stock holders would be screaming. Tru2way is coming, it is a few years away and then you wont need a box (hopefully).

-Ken

They cannot earn any revenue from me for advertising with a program guide, or from the purchase of PPV items because I currently won't pay for a box.

Eventually (later this year provided the economy doesn't effect my job...) I'll get an HD tv, and I'll need to get a box. However, we pay for programming, that is where they should make their profit. Not off the hardware that they require us to use to pay for their programming. I'd love to see Tru2way rolled out in this market before I pull the trigger on a HDTV.

IMO of course....

Pat E

Did the Golf Channel (channel 69 in my area) get moved to the digital tier? It's now coming up blank.

Never mind. It's back on now.

Still no MLB-HD on 818 in Bristol county. When will we get it?

It is here in Burlington.

Does anyone know which analog channel was lost as a result? Or is this MUXed on with something else?

NESNPlus HD is on channel 96 here on the south shore. That was one of the channels eliminated last year. If I remember correctly, it had been the PIN infomercial network.

I get all the channels I pay for.

The toll-free line set me up for CableCARD installation.

My first CableCARD is included in my Digital Starter package free; the second is $1.50 per month.

I don't need a TA yet.. no SDV here.

I have an HD tivo (living room), and a comcast HD DVR (bed room). The CSR told me that since I already had an existing comcast box that the HD Tivo is considered a "second outlet" and I'd be paying $7.00/mo for the single M-card in the HD Tivo.:mad: Does that sound right?

Yes, it sounds correct. Your digital package fee includes only one digital outlet.

Any idea how my charges would be effected if I got a second HD Tivo for the bed room and got rid of the Comcast HD DVR? Would they still charge $7.00/mo for the M-card for that Tivo box?

Yes. Figure you'll pay about $7 per digital outlet, but that amount is included for your first digital outlet in your digital package fee.

Thanks. Good to know. FWIW, I'm seriously thinking of adding another HD Tivo in place of the Comcast HD DVR in the bed room. After using ReplayTV, Comcast HD DVR's and Now HD Tivo, I must say that the HD Tivo blows the others away. Seriously, it's not even close.:D

At first, I missed having the clock on the front of the Comcast DVR, but I came up with, what I think, is a pretty slick solution. It's just a little alarm clock placed where the wire management hole is.

Sorry for getting off topic.:o

Meh, have to pay for a truck roll to get cablecards....

it sure looks and feels like Comcast here in New England is to busy with other matters than their own Customers :(

What ever happened to Comcast Cares? or even the new thing Dream Big?

How does Comcast expect us customers to wait like the Slowskis and not get what we want?

Which seems to be more HD channels or more HD on demand choices.

Which if Comcast really cared for their Digital and HD customers they would give us info on anything. in which down here in Good ol' Southeastern Mass we still got nothing new happening. Which is sad if we have about space for about 5-7 HD channels and still nothing happening. (100% out here have already converted or switched to satellite, so i don't see why analog is still going in the southeastern mass area.)

Just got a letter from Comcast in today's mail. It states that starting Sept. 22, 2009 Expanded Basic cable is going to be exclusively carried in digital format. It then goes on to say that I'm all set for the existing digital equipment that I have (which happens to be two HD/DVR boxes). Lastly it states that for other TV's I might have hooked up, Comcast will supply me with up to two (2) digital adapters AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Details to follow, etc.

So, looks like 2 of my 3 old non-cable box TV's will be covered by Comcast :)

Just got a letter from Comcast in today's mail. It states that starting Sept. 22, 2009 Expanded Basic cable is going to be exclusively carried in digital format. It then goes on to say that I'm all set for the existing digital equipment that I have (which happens to be two HD/DVR boxes). Lastly it states that for other TV's I might have hooked up, Comcast will supply me with up to two (2) digital adapters AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Details to follow, etc.

So, looks like 2 of my 3 old non-cable box TV's will be covered by Comcast :)

Good to know, could you tell us what town you are in?

I'm in Millis. One thing I'm wondering (actually too lazy to go back and look at previous threads) is what this DTA converter will have in it. I'm assuming there will be an analog passthrough for basic stations, but will it be a QAM tuner for the Expanded Basic (i.e. will Comcast just send those stations down in unencrypted QAM)? If so, any new TV with a QAM tuner will let you skip using the DTA box (which would make business sense for Comcast, since they wouldn't have as many requests to fill for these "free" DTA boxes).

Just got back from visiting our son in Annapolis. He switched from Comcast to FiOS. They have probably 3 times the HD channels as we do in Newbury, MA with HD of every HBO, Showtime, etc. as opposed to the 1 on Comcast, much more HD On Demand. Of course, it also costs much less. This area is in discussions to get FiOS in a few months. can't wait.

Just got back from visiting our son in Annapolis. He switched from Comcast to FiOS. They have probably 3 times the HD channels as we do in Newbury, MA with HD of every HBO, Showtime, etc. as opposed to the 1 on Comcast, much more HD On Demand. Of course, it also costs much less. This area is in discussions to get FiOS in a few months. can't wait.

I would love to ditch comcast for FIOS, still waiting on the City of Boston to give them a franchise. All the cabling is done it's just politics now.....

Truck rolled today to hook up a tivo with cablecards. I had explicitly noted with the Comcast 800# that two single-channel cablecards or one multistream cablecard would be needed. Tech stumbles in and has no clue he needed to bring cablecards. He calls around and nobody has any. Great.

They'll be back in a few days after they find some, apparently. Piss poor.

Someone remind me why I hate Comcast and have used directv the past 9 years? :eek:

I can't remember what the CSR put in her notes (after I repeatedly told her I wanted someone who knew what they were diong) for my install, but it was to the effect that the installer needed to be a certain level. Not sure if that actually means anything, but the guy who came to my house actually brought 2 M-cards just incase one didn't take. The first card went without a hitch, and he even ran a brand new cable from the pole to the house after that. Might be worth another phone call to remind them of what happened. Also, call during daytime hours. You'll have a better chance of getting someone who knows their ass from their elbow.

I'm in Millis. One thing I'm wondering (actually too lazy to go back and look at previous threads) is what this DTA converter will have in it. I'm assuming there will be an analog passthrough for basic stations, but will it be a QAM tuner for the Expanded Basic (i.e. will Comcast just send those stations down in unencrypted QAM)? If so, any new TV with a QAM tuner will let you skip using the DTA box (which would make business sense for Comcast, since they wouldn't have as many requests to fill for these "free" DTA boxes).

As I posted in this thread a few pages back, the DTA does not allow pass thru, so NO HD signals with this device. Only basic and extended basic channels. If you want you could put in a switchbox so you can get your clear QAM as well. I have heard conflicting reports on whether or not all the extended basic will be in clear qam after the swtich.

-Ken

Just got a letter from Comcast in today's mail. It states that starting Sept. 22, 2009 Expanded Basic cable is going to be exclusively carried in digital format. It then goes on to say that I'm all set for the existing digital equipment that I have (which happens to be two HD/DVR boxes). Lastly it states that for other TV's I might have hooked up, Comcast will supply me with up to two (2) digital adapters AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Details to follow, etc.

So, looks like 2 of my 3 old non-cable box TV's will be covered by Comcast :)

Same thing in Medway.

I'm in Millis. One thing I'm wondering (actually too lazy to go back and look at previous threads) is what this DTA converter will have in it. I'm assuming there will be an analog passthrough for basic stations, but will it be a QAM tuner for the Expanded Basic (i.e. will Comcast just send those stations down in unencrypted QAM)? If so, any new TV with a QAM tuner will let you skip using the DTA box (which would make business sense for Comcast, since they wouldn't have as many requests to fill for these "free" DTA boxes).

There is no need for an analog passthrough as the lineup has been available i nan all digital format for some time now.
What is starting to happen should have happened 2 years ago.

Digital starter channels will be in unencrypted QAM

There is no need for an analog passthrough as the lineup has been available i nan all digital format for some time now.
What is starting to happen should have happened 2 years ago.

Digital starter channels will be in unencrypted QAM

Chit chat you are completely wrong. If you use a DTA on your HD qam tv, you will only get the 4:3 SDTV channels through the DTA. The only way to get HD channels in this scenario is to use a splitter and switch inputs between direct cable and DTA.

-Ken

When I said analog passthrough I meant the channels 2-24, since these DTA devices (in theory at least) are mainly being hooked up to old, non-HD 4:3 TV's. Currently I can pick up (using the built in analog tuner in my old TV) channels 2-95(ish), after this upcoming switch when they move channels 25-95(ish) to digital I would expect I'd still get 2-24 via analog (as I believe Comcast is committed to sending these channels in analog for 3 years), then 25-95(ish) converted from digital to analog.

When I said analog passthrough I meant the channels 2-24, since these DTA devices (in theory at least) are mainly being hooked up to old, non-HD 4:3 TV's. Currently I can pick up (using the built in analog tuner in my old TV) channels 2-95(ish), after this upcoming switch when they move channels 25-95(ish) to digital I would expect I'd still get 2-24 via analog (as I believe Comcast is committed to sending these channels in analog for 3 years), then 25-95(ish) converted from digital to analog.

Thats an interesting question, but I bet you are getting digital versions of 2-24.

-Ken

With the DTA you will get digital versions of the Basic channels 2 - 24. On an analog set without a DTA, Basic will be in analog.

Yeah, I guess that makes sense, with the DTA you'll just get the digital version of the basic channels. Funny how I'm over thinking this whole thing, since 95% of my TV viewing is HD on my 52" LCD, but for that other 5% of the time I want to make sure I can still watch Bruins/Red Sox/Celtics games while riding the exercise bike in the basement on the clunker analog TV (or for that matter the kids need to watch SpongeBob or Hannah Montana on the 13" while taking a bath in the soaker tub...and before anyone says anything, the TV in the bathroom was really my wife's idea when we remodeled and put the big tub in, but like usual the kids realized it's more fun to take a bath while watching TV!).

Chit chat you are completely wrong. If you use a DTA on your HD qam tv, you will only get the 4:3 SDTV channels through the DTA. The only way to get HD channels in this scenario is to use a splitter and switch inputs between direct cable and DTA.

-Ken

with the channel in enencrypted QAM there is no need for the DTA

with the channel in enencrypted QAM there is no need for the DTA

I have heard some say they started out unencrypted and then they were taken away. So it sounds like a DTA might still be necessary.

Just got a letter from Comcast in today's mail. It states that starting Sept. 22, 2009 Expanded Basic cable is going to be exclusively carried in digital format. It then goes on to say that I'm all set for the existing digital equipment that I have (which happens to be two HD/DVR boxes). Lastly it states that for other TV's I might have hooked up, Comcast will supply me with up to two (2) digital adapters AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Details to follow, etc.

So, looks like 2 of my 3 old non-cable box TV's will be covered by Comcast :)

Got the letter in Hopkinton.. Wish it was a bit sooner, rather than 5 months away.

With the DTA you will get digital versions of the Basic channels 2 - 24. On an analog set without a DTA, Basic will be in analog.

L Supreme,

Would you be able to tell us which towns are now getting letters since this is obviously public information ?

-Ken

These are the towns that just have been notified.

Ashland, Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Marlboro, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis & Plainville

Any idea when the new DCX boxes will be available? It seems some areas of the country already have them.

These are the towns that just have been notified.

Ashland, Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Marlboro, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis & Plainville

Thanks L Supreme,

To that list we can add the previously announced Massachusetts towns of Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley and Ipswich.

Why do I have the feeling that Chelmsford will be last ?

-Ken

Thanks for the info L Supreme does'nt seem like they are getting to close to our area (Chelmsford/Lowell) anytime soon. Sigh...

Woohoo, two posts from the same place (Chelmsford/Lowell) at the same time. :D

How about Bristol County?

How about Bristol County?

So far nothing here in Fall River (Which is located on the west central end of Bristol county.)

Thanks L Supreme,

To that list we can add the previously announced Massachusetts towns of Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley and Ipswich.

Why do I have the feeling that Chelmsford will be last ?

-Ken

Because they know you live there and you want to hang onto your analog as long as possible! :D

I heard Burlington might be next to last for the same reason only for another forum member! :D

Because they know you live there and you want to hang onto your analog as long as possible! :D

I heard Burlington might be next to last for the same reason only for another forum member! :D

I don't want to hang onto analog for as long as possible, I'm trying to keep my COSTS DOWN for as long as possible. You must be made of money !

-Ken

Good evening,
Noticed an issue with one of my Comcast Tivo Units tonight. None of my season pass programs are listed and my tivo recordings are now listed by channel Number, Channel Letters, Time, And Date. No program names are listed other than the last two. While the clock on the front of the Moto box has the right time the guide data is an hour behind. After being on hold with Comcast for a half hour I was told that things are fine as far as them connecting to my box and resetting it. Only thing I can think of is that last night by power flickered for about 5 seconds but both boxes had to reboot. Although the program names are not listed the actual programs are still there if I select them to play. Any ideas on what happened?

Thanks in advance.

Tom

I don't want to hang onto analog for as long as possible, I'm trying to keep my COSTS DOWN for as long as possible. You must be made of money !

-Ken

So now you think you will pay more because of the digital conversion yet you are the one that has been posting about the DTA's being free.

I don't get it Ken, where is the added cost. You are getting me very confused because you seem to contradict yourself with each post.

I'm not made of money any more than you are but all it takes is a phone call which you seem from your previous post, unwilling to do!

But I will say this, what Comcast wants to do is a GOOD THING whether you want to realize it or not!

I hope they go easy on you and you actually end up happy after all is said and done! :D

Good evening,
Noticed an issue with one of my Comcast Tivo Units tonight. None of my season pass programs are listed and my tivo recordings are now listed by channel Number, Channel Letters, Time, And Date. No program names are listed other than the last two. While the clock on the front of the Moto box has the right time the guide data is an hour behind. After being on hold with Comcast for a half hour I was told that things are fine as far as them connecting to my box and resetting it. Only thing I can think of is that last night by power flickered for about 5 seconds but both boxes had to reboot. Although the program names are not listed the actual programs are still there if I select them to play. Any ideas on what happened?

Thanks in advance.

Tom

Did they have you unplug the power to the box, wait 30 secs, then plug it back in and give it about 15-20 mins to fully load up? If not, try it. Sometimes brown outs can cause these boxes to go buggy.

So evidently, the digital migration isn't going in any specific direction.

So now you think you will pay more because of the digital conversion yet you are the one that has been posting about the DTA's being free.

I don't get it Ken, where is the added cost. You are getting me very confused because you seem to contradict yourself with each post.

I'm not made of money any more than you are but all it takes is a phone call which you seem from your previous post, unwilling to do!

But I will say this, what Comcast wants to do is a GOOD THING whether you want to realize it or not!

I hope they go easy on you and you actually end up happy after all is said and done! :D

I thought that the extended basic was going to be in clear QAM when the DTA rolled out allowing me to have basic and extended basic on my atsc tv without a box, which would also let me get the HD channels in QAM. Now I have to put a DTA on the TV with a cumbersome switchbox to get HD locals, or buy a box for this tv. The part that really kills me is that digital replication charge of $7 per month which is pure profit and a rip off.

-Ken

My problem with this conversion is that while the DTAs are fine for SD TVs, we have to rent HD boxes @ $7 per HD TV. I wish they had an inexpensive HD DTA that they would rent for something cheap. I have four TVs (only two are HD right now and I'm only willing to rent one HD box- so the other HDTV can only get the few clear QAM HD channels (plus the fuzzy SD channels of course.) It makes me angry that on top of paying huge bucks for all this content I have to pay $7 per HD tv to actually use it.

I sure hope there are ~$50 - $75 tru2way boxes sold at retail within a year. There's no way I'm renting 4 comcast HD boxes for $28/month total once I replace my final two SD TVs (which is likely a year or two out.) I've read that there will be tru2way boxes sold at retail eventually - not just TVs with built-in tru2way.

These monthly fees added up over years really become nasty. One box over 5 years is $420. No way that box cost Comcast $420. They want me to pay $1680 for four boxes over 5 years? I've had some boxes in the past more like 10 years- that's $3360. They can blow it out their ...

tru2way had better get here soon... And Comcast had better not charge more than $2 per month per card.

The charge for the CableCARD themselves isn't really the issue; it is the additional digital outlet charge, and they're charging more than that now for additional digital outlets. Expect to pay about $7 per extra HDTV.

The charge for the CableCARD themselves isn't really the issue; it is the additional digital outlet charge, and they're charging more than that now for additional digital outlets. Expect to pay about $7 per extra HDTV.

I thought charging "per outlet" (TV) was outlawed by the FTC over a decade ago? If that's the case, the only way they can pass along (aka hide) a "per outlet" cost is to charge rental fees for boxes or cards. If they charge more than a couple bucks for a tru2way card then its bogus. I can get a 802.11n card for $25 and I'm sure the technology in a tru2way card isn't a whole lot more complicated. A silicon chip is a silicon chip...

Can't wait for the IPTV solutions to rev up. Congress had better have a backbone and pass strong Net Neutrality laws so that future IPTV providers won't be cut off at the knees. The day when I only pay Comcast or Verizon for a "dumb IP pipe" will be a joyous one!

I thought that the extended basic was going to be in clear QAM when the DTA rolled out allowing me to have basic and extended basic on my atsc tv without a box, which would also let me get the HD channels in QAM. Now I have to put a DTA on the TV with a cumbersome switchbox to get HD locals, or buy a box for this tv. The part that really kills me is that digital replication charge of $7 per month which is pure profit and a rip off.

-Ken

The jury is still out whether you get to keep those QAM channels in the clear.
If not, those switchbox's are cheap. I think your asking Comcast for an awful lot to just do away with a source of revenue flow that was always there.

I think your asking Comcast for an awful lot to just do away with a source of revenue flow that was always there.

Or I can replace Comcast with Hulu and other IPTV providers- they're gonna lose a lot more than $7 per TV in revenue!

Most folks I know haven't caught on to the HD cable cost that's coming because most people I know only have one, maybe two HDTVs in their house. When they replace their other TVs and start realizing that they either have to pay $7 per TV per month or only have a few HD channels (despite the fact that they're already paying for the HD content), they'll get riled up like I am. Purchasing tru2way boxes and TVs at retail along with $1 or $2 card fee per month had better be the solution- or else I will find another solution that doesn't involve Comcast.

Or I can replace Comcast with Hulu and other IPTV providers- they're gonna lose a lot more than $7 per TV in revenue!

Most folks I know haven't caught on to the HD cable cost that's coming because most people I know only have one, maybe two HDTVs in their house. When they replace their other TVs and start realizing that they either have to pay $7 per TV per month or only have a few HD channels (despite the fact that they're already paying for the HD content), they'll get riled up like I am. Purchasing tru2way boxes and TVs at retail along with $1 or $2 card fee per month had better be the solution- or else I will find another solution that doesn't involve Comcast.

A second non-dvr HD box is $9.95 + 7.00 =$16.95.am I correct about this ?If so this is ridiculous ! All the extended basic HD channels should be clear QAM so if you have an atsc tv you don't need a box.

Will tru2way be available as a stand alone box ? I thought it was just being incorporated into new TV models.

-Ken

A second non-dvr HD box is $9.95 + 7.00 =$16.95.am I correct about this ?If so this is ridiculous ! All the extended basic HD channels should be clear QAM so if you have an atsc tv you don't need a box.

Will tru2way be available as a stand alone box ? I thought it was just being incorporated into new TV models.

-Ken

What's the $9.95? I have a single non DVR HD box and the monthly charge I see on my bill is $7. I assume any additional ones are another $7. Is there another charge?

I've read an article or two (can't recall where- perhaps lightreading.com) that stated that there will be retail tru2way stand-alone boxes. Who knows how large the market will be for them. I was hoping to put off purchasing more LCD HDTVs until tru2way TVs came out, but one of my old CRT SD TVs died on Feb 17th (I found it humorous that it broke on the original DTV conversion date- even though I have cable!) and so I replaced it with a Samsung HD LCD TV. So, I'll be buying at least two tru2way stand-alone boxes...

I thought charging "per outlet" (TV) was outlawed by the FTC over a decade ago?That is not the case. I'm not sure where you got that impression.

Can't wait for the IPTV solutions to rev up.Followed soon after by either usage caps or large increases in price for HSI service, directly proportional to how much additional value we would all then be getting from HSI service as a result.

Purchasing tru2way boxes and TVs at retail along with $1 or $2 card fee per month had better be the solution- or else I will find another solution that doesn't involve Comcast.You should look into DirecTV or Dish Network... oh wait! They also charge a lot for each additional television.

Who knows how large the market will be for them. Excellent question. If consumers don't make it worth companies' while to develop, produce, distribute and support them, then don't expect to see them available, or expect to seem them cost a lot of money.

What's the $9.95? I have a single non DVR HD box and the monthly charge I see on my bill is $7. I assume any additional ones are another $7. Is there another charge?

I've read an article or two (can't recall where- perhaps lightreading.com) that stated that there will be retail tru2way stand-alone boxes. Who knows how large the market will be for them. I was hoping to put off purchasing more LCD HDTVs until tru2way TVs came out, but one of my old CRT SD TVs died on Feb 17th (I found it humorous that it broke on the original DTV conversion date- even though I have cable!) and so I replaced it with a Samsung HD LCD TV. So, I'll be buying at least two tru2way stand-alone boxes...

I was just quoted $13.95 for a second non-dvr hd box so I was off by a few bucks. Still too much.

-Ken

You should look into DirecTV or Dish Network... oh wait! They also charge a lot for each additional television.


But what about Verizon Fios? Surely they have the best prices so they must not charge much for additional outlets. :rolleyes: :D

Anyone else have signal issues with the NESN-HD/HD+ Channels tonite? I was getting pretty bad pixelation mid-way through both games (more so on the Sox game, nearly unwatchable). It's cleared up nearly completely by now and i do have a weak signal (VS, discovery, and a few others not even coming in since the + channel) in general so i wasn't going to post just this until my buddy in Quincy says he's been getting the "please wait the channel should be available shortly..." message all night. Anyone else having similar issues?

Anyone else have signal issues with the NESN-HD/HD+ Channels tonite? I was getting pretty bad pixelation mid-way through both games (more so on the Sox game, nearly unwatchable). It's cleared up nearly completely by now and i do have a weak signal (VS, discovery, and a few others not even coming in since the + channel) in general so i wasn't going to post just this until my buddy in Quincy says he's been getting the "please wait the channel should be available shortly..." message all night. Anyone else having similar issues?

If you are having issues with other HD channels due to low signal... you should first check your splitters. If you have too many splitters before it hits your TV/Cable Box you should try and reconfigure to get more signal to your box. If you don't have more than 1 or 2 splitters (if you have 2 4-way splitters between the pole and your box you are knocking off ALOT of the signal coming into your house) call for a trouble call to have a tech come to your house and check your wiring and levels at the tap.

I thought that the extended basic was going to be in clear QAM when the DTA rolled out allowing me to have basic and extended basic on my atsc tv without a box, which would also let me get the HD channels in QAM. Now I have to put a DTA on the TV with a cumbersome switchbox to get HD locals, or buy a box for this tv. The part that really kills me is that digital replication charge of $7 per month which is pure profit and a rip off.

-Ken

DTA boxes don't currently handle encryption (think I read it on DSLreports or something). Thus, any channels that you will be able to get with a DTA should be able to be picked up with a QAM Tuner TV. Since this means Expanded Basic, if you are an Expanded Basic subscriber you will be able to get the same digital channels with your QAM tuner that a DTA Box gets. The DTA box is meant pretty much for TVs without any form of digital QAM tuner... old analog only sets. Since Comcast will need to protect the Expanded Basic content that is unencrypted from being picked up by people not paying for Expanded Basic, you can expect a trap to go up to block out those unencrypted QAMs if you aren't an Expanded Basic subscriber.

If you are having issues with other HD channels due to low signal... you should first check your splitters. If you have too many splitters before it hits your TV/Cable Box you should try and reconfigure to get more signal to your box. If you don't have more than 1 or 2 splitters (if you have 2 4-way splitters between the pole and your box you are knocking off ALOT of the signal coming into your house) call for a trouble call to have a tech come to your house and check your wiring and levels at the tap.

oh believe me, i know it's the (many, many) splitters between me and the source, though rather than explain it again you can read here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=14396892&postcount=3553) if your interested. Even with a heavy duty booster my signal is weak. I was not surprised by the weak signal, was just wondering if it was system wide since my buddy miles away was having similar issues.

oh believe me, i know it's the (many, many) splitters between me and the source, though rather than explain it again you can read here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=14396892&postcount=3553) if your interested. Even with a heavy duty booster my signal is weak. I was not surprised by the weak signal, was just wondering if it was system wide since my buddy miles away was having similar issues.

It seemed to be a NESN problem because people on the FIOS thread reported similar issues.

It seemed to be a NESN problem because people on the FIOS thread reported similar issues.

ahh, thanks for the info.

But what about Verizon Fios? Surely they have the best prices so they must not charge much for additional outlets. :rolleyes: :DHeheh... good point. Last time I checked it was $5 extra per month per outlet for SD and $10 extra per month per outlet for HD.

Heheh... good point. Last time I checked it was $5 extra per month per outlet for SD and $10 extra per month per outlet for HD.

That is JUST for the box. There is no extra outlet fee ALA Comcast.
Cable cards do cost $3.99 but THAT IS IT!

Comcast Boston Cape Cod question. I have a condo on Cape Cod which has Comcast. It's only occupied May-Oct by local law. I want to replace my old cable ready tube TV and buy a new 32" LCD. What HD will I get over the raw cable? The local major networks HD only? I'm assuming I can go to Comcast, pick up a digital box and somehow pay for it myself since the condo assn does not include a box. Do I only pay $7 or $9.95 per month if so with no DVR?

I figure 720 is good enough for a 32" although I can afford 1080.

I figure 720 is good enough for a 32" although I can afford 1080.

If you're 10' or more away, 480p may be fine:

http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.png

Comcast Boston Cape Cod question. I have a condo on Cape Cod which has Comcast. It's only occupied May-Oct by local law. I want to replace my old cable ready tube TV and buy a new 32" LCD. What HD will I get over the raw cable? The local major networks HD only? I'm assuming I can go to Comcast, pick up a digital box and somehow pay for it myself since the condo assn does not include a box. Do I only pay $7 or $9.95 per month if so with no DVR?

I figure 720 is good enough for a 32" although I can afford 1080.

We haven't opened the house in Centerville yet, but last year the only channels in HD with clear QAM was the locals (and I think it was only the Boston locals).

Another new TV Comcast installation question. My condo has a very short coax from Comcast with a BNC connector. Do the new digital LCD TVs accept such a connector? Do I need to pay Comcast for a truck roll so I can have the cable reach 2 feet further to where the new TV goes?

Another new TV Comcast installation question. My condo has a very short coax from Comcast with a BNC connector. Do the new digital LCD TVs accept such a connector? Do I need to pay Comcast for a truck roll so I can have the cable reach 2 feet further to where the new TV goes?

Why not just extend the current cable with a dual female coax connector and a short extension ?

-Ken

Why not just extend the current cable with a dual female coax connector and a short extension ?

-Ken

Thanks. I wondered if there was some strange (to me) video related impedance issue.

Anyone else having issues with their Comcast TiVo? Mine won't record anymore. All the season passes list an error something like "Can't record this program due to an error. Please reboot the DVR."

I called about it and they spent 30 minutes trying to upload a new boot disk, which finally worked but still didn't fix the problem. They're sending a tech out on Saturday.

Good news is they said an update is coming on the 12th to fix this glitch, as well as add new features like internet recording.

Good news is they said an update is coming on the 12th to fix this glitch, as well as add new features like internet recording.They're sending out an update? I should probably watch anything important just in case the update messes up the unit...

still no MLB-HD in Bristol County or anyhting new exceot WSBE -HD ,PBS in Bristol County

does anyone have any HD channels request numbers so we could have an idea on what HD channels we might get next?

Requests don't translate directly to channel-adds. Rather, channel-adds are also influenced by contractual agreements, terms and conditions, political considerations, etc.

A better indicator of what we'll get next (but still not adequately reflecting the specific political considerations that may apply in our own local areas) is the channels that the Boston and Brookline systems have. Review earlier in this thread -- I remember their line-ups being posted.

really wish NESN/Comcast could figure out how to get full channel audio for NESN-HD. Only stereo for Bruins and now Sox game while NESN-HD+, NESN and NESN+ all had full channel sound. I even noticed full channel audio for the Bruins game on HD+ with the splash screen while it was live. Right now NESN-HD is the only channel of the four with stereo only for the live Sox game. Full surround is a much different experience than left and right audio only... bah.

really wish NESN/Comcast could figure out how to get full channel audio for NESN-HD. Only stereo for Bruins and now Sox game while NESN-HD+, NESN and NESN+ all had full channel sound. I even noticed full channel audio for the Bruins game on HD+ with the splash screen while it was live. Right now NESN-HD is the only channel of the four with stereo only for the live Sox game. Full surround is a much different experience than left and right audio only... bah.
From what I saw on my cable box, NESN HD is DD5.1 while NESN+ HD is DD2.0. With both teams playing on the road, it is unlikely that the are producing DD5.1 audio at the site so what you are hearing on both feeds is a DD2.0 audio feed but on NESN HD it is flagged as a DD5.1 feed but only is feeding left and right channels. On NESN+ HD, since the audio is flagged as DD2.0, you are getting the same audio out of the channels but it just seems like a surround mix.

really wish NESN/Comcast could figure out how to get full channel audio for NESN-HD. Only stereo for Bruins and now Sox game while NESN-HD+, NESN and NESN+ all had full channel sound. I even noticed full channel audio for the Bruins game on HD+ with the splash screen while it was live. Right now NESN-HD is the only channel of the four with stereo only for the live Sox game. Full surround is a much different experience than left and right audio only... bah.

Comcast has no control over the audio that NESN sends.

From what I saw on my cable box, NESN HD is DD5.1 while NESN+ HD is DD2.0. With both teams playing on the road, it is unlikely that the are producing DD5.1 audio at the site so what you are hearing on both feeds is a DD2.0 audio feed but on NESN HD it is flagged as a DD5.1 feed but only is feeding left and right channels. On NESN+ HD, since the audio is flagged as DD2.0, you are getting the same audio out of the channels but it just seems like a surround mix.

Same here and that makes sense. Wouldn't it make more sense for NESN (thanks ScoopsHD) to just flag them both DD2.0 (if possible) to at least fill the all channels if you can't actually produce tru 5.1? I'd much rather have a fake 5.1 that left/right stereo. ah well...

Same here and that makes sense. Wouldn't it make more sense for NESN (thanks ScoopsHD) to just flag them both DD2.0 (if possible) to at least fill the all channels if you can't actually produce tru 5.1? I'd much rather have a fake 5.1 that left/right stereo. ah well...

NO! I do not want fake 5.1. If you want fake 5.1 that should be handled by the receiver in your home.

-Ken

Now that the Bruins are done, do you think NESN + will be replaced with another HD channel ?

Now that the Bruins are done, do you think NESN + will be replaced with another HD channel ?
I would hope MLB Network HD replaces it but I am not holding my breath.

NO! I do not want fake 5.1. If you want fake 5.1 that should be handled by the receiver in your home.

-Ken
In which case they should flag it as DD2.0 so the viewer could apply PLII if they wanted or could leave it untouched. Flagging it as DD5.1 simply forces the viewer to simply hear L/R audio only. However, it is pretty common for a network to flag everything as DD5.1 regardless of the source material.

817 still has NESN Plus. Hope that MLB-HD will be there soon.

817 still has NESN Plus. Hope that MLB-HD will be there soon.

analog 66 and 67 are stil showing test patterns so is seems comcast is in no hurry to add channels so I wouldnt hold out any hope of getting MLB-HD anytime soon.

Now that the Bruins are done, do you think NESN + will be replaced with another HD channel ?

Thx for the reminder. As if I wasn't in enough pain.:rolleyes:

http://iwantnflnetwork.com/

NFL Network agree to deal in which Comcast will carry NFL Network on its Digital Classic Lineup no later than August 1st, and NFL has agreed to stop charging so much to carry its Network.

A Win-Win-Win Situation:D

Can someone please tell me how the PQ for Comcasts HD channels is? Compared to Directv or RCN? I currently have Directv and the PQ on HD content is great, but i'm moving into a new condo this week where they don't allow satellite dishes so i have to go with either Comcast or RCN. I've heard mostly negative things about comcast...everything from terrible customer service to issues with HD channels and prices always going up. Thank for any info...

^^^

Wait for Bicker's answer before you decide!

Can someone please tell me how the PQ for Comcasts HD channels is? Compared to Directv or RCN? I currently have Directv and the PQ on HD content is great, but i'm moving into a new condo this week where they don't allow satellite dishes so i have to go with either Comcast or RCN. I've heard mostly negative things about comcast...everything from terrible customer service to issues with HD channels and prices always going up. Thank for any info...

Will you also be getting phone and internet service with whatever company you choose or just tv?

Obviously, I don't know your upcoming setup, but there are FCC guidelines barring certain restrictions on dishes in condos. http://condolawyers.com/articles/fcc.htm

Will you also be getting phone and internet service with whatever company you choose or just tv?

I'll be getting the Internet and TV service. I currently have RCN internet and have had them for years and their internet service has be excellent. Never any issues. I'm kind of leaning more towards RCN HD. I seem to keep reading horror stories about Comcast...but there doesn't seem to be much about RCN HD and how they really compare.

I wish i could keep Directv, but they said NO dishes.

I seem to keep reading horror stories about Comcast...but there doesn't seem to be much about RCN HD and how they really compare.

Probably not hearing many horror stories about RCN because of how big the company is (fairly small). True, Comcast has quite a few horror stories but they're also the biggest cable company is the US by far. Listen long enough & you'll hear horror stories about every cable/phone/dish company. Yes even DirectTV & Verizon FiOS with their supposedly excellent customer service.

Can someone please tell me how the PQ for Comcasts HD channels is? Compared to Directv or RCN? I currently have Directv and the PQ on HD content is great, but i'm moving into a new condo this week where they don't allow satellite dishes so i have to go with either Comcast or RCN. I've heard mostly negative things about comcast...everything from terrible customer service to issues with HD channels and prices always going up. Thank for any info...

I just switched (same situation, moved to condo) from DirecTV HR20 to Comcast + tivo hd and the picture quality is much better on Comcast. This is in Boston.

It's so much better my wife even spoke up and she could usually care less about this stuff.

Before someone chimes in, my signal levels were great with directv as I forced the installer to come back out and fix his work while giving him a hard time with ammo from dbstalk.

I was really disappointed about getting rid of directv, but the picture quality makes it much less painful. Still no Sunday Ticket though :(

^^^

Wait for Bicker's answer before you decide!Phfft.

First thing is that condos cannot prohibit satellite dishes. They can restrict them subject to certain limitations, but not prohibit them.

Second: Broadcast channels - HD PQ is about the same between DirecTV and Comcast (dunno about Dish Network). Cable channels - it depends; DirecTV is a little better, but not worth the extra fee for three extra televisions AFAWC.

Third: RCN is the ultimate cherry-picker -- worse than FiOS.

Phfft.

First thing is that condos cannot prohibit satellite dishes. They can restrict them subject to certain limitations, but not prohibit them.

Second: Broadcast channels - HD PQ is about the same between DirecTV and Comcast (dunno about Dish Network). Cable channels - it depends; DirecTV is a little better, but not worth the extra fee for three extra televisions AFAWC.

Third: RCN is the ultimate cherry-picker -- worse than FiOS.

What does the third thing have anything to do with picking his provider?

What does anything ever have to do with anything?

Typing in a City of Boston zipcode to see the programming both HD and SD that Boston has, that the burbs do not is frustrating. Comcast should drop a few more analogs to get some of it on now,before the DTA conversion which will probably take 6 months to a year in the East Mass/NH area.

That would be my wish, too, but I think too many of my neighbors feel that they are "entitled" to have cable channels on all the televisions in their home, without having to rent a box for every television, so as long as that entitlement mentality continues, Comcast is going to have to move very slowly.

Typing in a City of Boston zipcode to see the programming both HD and SD that Boston has, that the burbs do not is frustrating. Comcast should drop a few more analogs to get some of it on now,before the DTA conversion which will probably take 6 months to a year in the East Mass/NH area.

They don't have to drop any analog channels to give us a few more HD, at least here in Chelmsford analog 66 and 67 are showing color bars. These two channels are immediately available. I guess the NESN+ channel is available too.

-Ken

How many channels do they have to keep free, to guard against must-carry claims from future channel broadcasters? :confused:

it looks and sounds like Nesn + and Nesn + HD are on the verge of deletion. 81/817 = no Nesn feed audio.

I currently rent one dual tuner PVR, located in our primary TV area, but also have a bunch of Vista Media Center PCs around the house that are primarily used for analog TV using internal tuner cards. I also use a HDHomeRun to stream some HD channels (mostly network HD) to these Vista Media Center PCs.

Because Comcast is ditching analog in my area, I need to make a change.

I need, at a bare minimum, to get "extended basic" type channels to all my TVs, and don't want to use a separate box unless absolutely necessary. At our primary viewing location, I don't mind having a separate box. The more HD the better at all locations.

I did a channel scan here, and I do see that Comcast seems to be offering a larger # of unencrypted digital channels than I've seen in the past. Maybe, using a HDHomeRun or other digital tuner, this is my replacement for the old analog channels.

But, are these unencrypted digital channels fairly stable? I seem to remember in the past that channels would drop or move on a whim. Is there a list somewhere?

Thanks!

I currently rent one dual tuner PVR, located in our primary TV area, but also have a bunch of Vista Media Center PCs around the house that are primarily used for analog TV using internal tuner cards. I also use a HDHomeRun to stream some HD channels (mostly network HD) to these Vista Media Center PCs.

Because Comcast is ditching analog in my area, I need to make a change.

I need, at a bare minimum, to get "extended basic" type channels to all my TVs, and don't want to use a separate box unless absolutely necessary. At our primary viewing location, I don't mind having a separate box. The more HD the better at all locations.

I did a channel scan here, and I do see that Comcast seems to be offering a larger # of unencrypted digital channels than I've seen in the past. Maybe, using a HDHomeRun or other digital tuner, this is my replacement for the old analog channels.

But, are these unencrypted digital channels fairly stable? I seem to remember in the past that channels would drop or move on a whim. Is there a list somewhere?

Thanks!

In the beginning you will have all the extended basic channels in the clear with a QAM digital tuner. However if Comcast gets a waiver to turn on the encryption then they will become encrypted without warning. This is why Comcast is telling everyone going through the comcast digital conversion that they need a box or DTA.

The channel numbering is not stable, it changes all the time and will probably do so for at least the near future.

-Ken

Very frustrating. The sad part is they just want my money. I'll give them money, I just don't want their box! :)

And maybe they can trust you (and me, of course :)), but unfortunately there are so many miscreants out there that they can't trust, that it ruins it for the rest of us.

I know this is a whole other topic for another thread, but I'd be more than willing to pay for a USB "dongle" , USB tuner, whatever - I just don't want another box.

With all of Microsoft resources and muscle, I'm shocked that they can't get something so basic and important onto their platform.

I liken it to the early days of DirecTV - if you were willing to pay for it and go through the trouble of installing a dish, you were rewarded with high quality "laserdisc-like" television!

The geeks who go through the trouble of hooking their PCs to their televisions should be rewarded, not punished!

Rewarded by whom? And why? :confused:

Rewarded by whom? And why?

Rewarded by the companies involved in this whole mess (Microsoft, Cable Labs, DirecTV, Dish, take your pick..). Why? Because I'm their bleeding edge test market, the guy most likely to spend hundreds of dollars on a cool new box they're trying to sell. :)

I don't think I'm asking for a lot, I simply want to watch TV on my "Media Center" without going through hoops.

That's ridiculous. Nuf sed.

No more 817 NESN+ in Bristol County. No replacement yet.

Finally NESN+ is gone i hope comcast could put its act together and add a worthy channel hopefully by early june.

Same here in Boston w/NESN+ and unfortunately still getting 2.0 audio flagged as 5.0. Figured once NESN+ channel was removed things would go back to normal. I'm not mad in thinking all the audio was 5.0 or at least marked non-5.0 so as to let the viewer simulate surround before the "plus" channels were added am i?! This stereo only business is awful on the ears...

....
I'm not mad in thinking all the audio was 5.0 or at least marked non-5.0 so as to let the viewer simulate surround before the "plus" channels were added am i?! This stereo only business is awful on the ears...

Hmm, to my ears simulated surround is far worse than anything else, even for sport events :eek:
I hope you are not butchering stereo music by using one of the simulated surround modes... :):)

Finally NESN+ is gone i hope comcast could put its act together and add a worthy channel hopefully by early june.

It probably won't be replaced with anything since they most likely will have to utilize it again next year.

And maybe they can trust you (and me, of course :)), but unfortunately there are so many miscreants out there that they can't trust, that it ruins it for the rest of us.


Uh... What does trust have to do with it?

I to am loathe to upgrade my current "extended basic" programming because I don't want to find space (cabinets on both main TV's are full), nor pay the rental, for the boxes.

I don't like the idea of an outlet fee to begin with... If my TiVo has 2 cable cards, I can pull 2 signals from Comcast as I watch one show, and record another. All 4 members of my family can sit and watch those shows back to back. But the second I want to have 2 shows showing simultaneously, I need to pay an additional outlet fee?! There's a disconnect there.....

I'll pay for cable (I do...), but I'd only like to pay once for my house thanks.

Pat E

Uh... What does trust have to do with it?A lot. Many things are done to preclude cable theft. If companies could trust customers to take only what they pay for, then we wouldn't even need cashiers in grocery stores, much less encryption of cable channels.

I to am loathe to upgrade my current "extended basic" programming because I don't want to find space (cabinets on both main TV's are full), nor pay the rental, for the boxes. I don't like the idea of an outlet fee to begin with...I suggest you check out the competitors: FiOS, RCN, U-Verse, Dish Network and DirecTV. You'll generally find they all require boxes on every television for cable networks. Some of them even require boxes for local broadcast channels. Comcast is actually playing catch-up here. There are many people who are frustrated that Comcast has taken so long to start down this path, because they want things different from what you want. Comcast is balancing your needs and theirs.

If my TiVo has 2 cable cards, I can pull 2 signals from Comcast as I watch one show, and record another. All 4 members of my family can sit and watch those shows back to back. But the second I want to have 2 shows showing simultaneously, I need to pay an additional outlet fee?! There's a disconnect there.....Not at all. You can achieve what you wish by having two TiVos, only one of which is connected to Comcast. Just use TiVo MRV to transfer shows from one TiVo to the other.

Anything new on the Comcast front of things?

Chitchat, any ideas which locals that dont have HD must carry right now, will soon?

If I understand this correctly(when it finally gets finalized), if we have the appropriate cable plan, we will be getting the NFL network at no additional cost.
Also, will cable TV ever be broadcast in 1080p??

If I understand this correctly(when it finally gets finalized), if we have the appropriate cable plan, we will be getting the NFL network at no additional cost.
Also, will cable TV ever be broadcast in 1080p??
Yes. NFL Network will be available on Digital Classic August 1st.

Cable will probably be in 1080p when there is 1080p broadcast content, but for now there isn't and the foreseeable future does not have 1080p broadcast content.

thanx

If I understand this correctly(when it finally gets finalized), if we have the appropriate cable plan, we will be getting the NFL network at no additional cost.
Also, will cable TV ever be broadcast in 1080p??

Standard MPEG 2 doesn't really have the bandwidth to support 1080p without using most of a QAM. MPEG-4 will make 1080p viable, but that means new cable boxes and backend equipment at Comcast.

Standard MPEG 2 doesn't really have the bandwidth to support 1080p without using most of a QAM. MPEG-4 will make 1080p viable, but that means new cable boxes and backend equipment at Comcast.
The new DCX boxes that are coming support MPEG-4. But I doubt that we will see 1080p from Comcast in the near term.

Mickey

i noticed sparotic area across the country are having this commercial but has anyone in New England seen this yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hB1mf5Y0QA&fmt=22

The occasionally amusing "Something Weird" channel seems to have disappeared from OnDemand's "Cutting Edge" list here in SE NH.

i noticed sparotic area across the country are having this commercial but has anyone in New England seen this yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hB1mf5Y0QA&fmt=22

If you go to the URL in the ad:

http://comcast.com/digitalnow/

You can see an installation video showing the analog folks how to set up their new DTAs. Interesting that this site says nothing about new HD channels, just more OnDemand "choices" (although more channels will certainly come, they're still focused on "choices" as the selling point - I think they're misreading their audience there).

I would expect something like this to air in the communities that have already been targeted for DTA conversion between June and September. Anybody seen these?

Well if you want to see the new Comcast commercials check this out:

http://www.comcast.com/getallthefacts/

The HDTV I'm considering has only one antenna input. If I run Comcast analog cable into it, will I receive any HD channels via the QAM tuner? Thanks.

Here's an odd one: My wife likes to watch the Fox25 morning news. Since last week, there's been no audio on our analog set (cable direct, no box) only during that show on that channel (13) - all other programming is fine. That show's audio is fine on our digital boxes. We're on Cape Cod.

Any thoughts?

The HDTV I'm considering has only one antenna input. If I run Comcast analog cable into it, will I receive any HD channels via the QAM tuner? Thanks.

Yes you will most probably get ONLY the broadcast stations in HD, just the stations that aren't scrambled. This is how it works where I live with Comcast.

-Ken

Well if you want to see the new Comcast commercials check this out:

http://www.comcast.com/getallthefacts/

That website is so disingenuous. Most people that I know want more linear HD channels, they don't care about "on demand" . They fail to mention that fios has twice as many linear HD channels. And from what I hear Fios picture quality is better because they don't do QAM stuffing.

-Ken

Quote:
Originally Posted by L Supreme View Post
These are the towns that just have been notified.

Ashland, Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Marlboro, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis & Plainville

Thanks L Supreme,

To that list we can add the previously announced Massachusetts towns of Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley and Ipswich.

Why do I have the feeling that Chelmsford will be last ?

-Ken


L Supreme -

So is this IT for the rest of this calendar year ? We have this handful for June and then another handful for October....

-Ken

Quote:
Originally Posted by L Supreme View Post
These are the towns that just have been notified.

Ashland, Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Marlboro, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis & Plainville




L Supreme -

So is this IT for the rest of this calendar year ? We have this handful for June and then another handful for October....

-Ken


No there are much more. We want to make sure things go smoothly with these areas so that there aren't any technical issues that may arise. Measure twice cut once, that sort of thing.

Quote:
Originally Posted by L Supreme View Post
These are the towns that just have been notified.

Ashland, Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Marlboro, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis & Plainville

This is my area, so I will pick up some DTA's and see how it goes.

Mickey

Here's an odd one: My wife likes to watch the Fox25 morning news. Since last week, there's been no audio on our analog set (cable direct, no box) only during that show on that channel (13) - all other programming is fine. That show's audio is fine on our digital boxes. We're on Cape Cod.

Any thoughts?

Any chance you inadvertently turned SAP on?

That website is so disingenuous. Most people that I know want more linear HD channels, they don't care about "on demand" . They fail to mention that fios has twice as many linear HD channels. And from what I hear Fios picture quality is better because they don't do QAM stuffing.

-Ken

Might be true but these commercials are hilarious. As are the FIOS commercials.

No there are much more. We want to make sure things go smoothly with these areas so that there aren't any technical issues that may arise. Measure twice cut once, that sort of thing.

Is Fall River also in this June list or would it be in a future DTA list?

Thanks L Supreme,

To that list we can add the previously announced Massachusetts towns of Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley and Ipswich.

Why do I have the feeling that Chelmsford will be last ?

-Ken

Is Fall River also in this June list or would it be in a future DTA list?

Fall River is not on any list that I know of so I would consider it future.

-Ken

That website is so disingenuous. Most people that I know want more linear HD channels, they don't care about "on demand" . They fail to mention that fios has twice as many linear HD channels. And from what I hear Fios picture quality is better because they don't do QAM stuffing.

-Ken

Try close to THREE times :)

Try close to THREE times :)

Yea, but in terms of HD programming worth watching it's certainly less than TWO. 1.1 maybe? :)

Yea, but in terms of HD programming worth watching it's certainly less than TWO. 1.1 maybe? :)

Not to side with one provider over the other, but FIOS has many more 24/7 HD channels and stuff that is worth watching IMO over my Comcast system. If you are a HD junkie ( Like I am ), there really is no comparison. I can go through the Comcast HD line up and find nothing of interest in viewing at times but with the much larger selection of Fios, I can say that has never happened. One of my most watched is the Smithsonian Channel which has striking HD scenery in many of it's programs.

Not to side with one provider over the other, but FIOS has many more 24/7 HD channels and stuff that is worth watching IMO over my Comcast system. If you are a HD junkie ( Like I am ), there really is no comparison. I can go through the Comcast HD line up and find nothing of interest in viewing at times but with the much larger selection of Fios, I can say that has never happened. One of my most watched is the Smithsonian Channel which has striking HD scenery in many of it's programs.

I am guessing you are not a sports fun, ha? :)

It goes beyond sports. Last time I checked, we couldn't get Mad Men or Breaking Bad in HD (nor the upcoming mini-series, The Prisoner, either, I suspect) through FiOS.

I don't watch things because they're HD. I watch things because they're great programming (and HD). I keep a very close eye on what new programming is being made available. In the last couple of years, I have not read about any new programming that I wanted to watch that was not offered on a channel Comcast offers. In HD. As a matter of fact, the last time I recall there was an new show announced that I thought would be interesting to watch, and that Comcast wouldn't be carrying in HD, was back in April 2006, when Spike TV announced that they would be presenting The Kill Pit (later The Kill Point).

As soon as FiOS starts carrying HD channels that carry interesting (to me) programming, that Comcast doesn't have in HD, I'll switch so fast your head will spin.

I am guessing you are not a sports fun, ha? :)

Yes I am, but games are not on 24 hrs a day!

It goes beyond sports. Last time I checked, we couldn't get Mad Men or Breaking Bad in HD (nor the upcoming mini-series, The Prisoner, either, I suspect) through FiOS.

I don't watch things because they're HD. I watch things because they're great programming (and HD). I keep a very close eye on what new programming is being made available. In the last couple of years, I have not read about any new programming that I wanted to watch that was not offered on a channel Comcast offers. In HD. As a matter of fact, the last time I recall there was an new show announced that I thought would be interesting to watch, and that Comcast wouldn't be carrying in HD, was back in April 2006, when Spike TV announced that they would be presenting The Kill Pit (later The Kill Point).

As soon as FiOS starts carrying HD channels that carry interesting (to me) programming, that Comcast doesn't have in HD, I'll switch so fast your head will spin.

We have already been through this, the only channel is AMC. So if FIOS never gets that channel we know you will never switch regardless of how many more HD channels FIOS has and that is your choice.

BTW after FIOS adds another 6 channels by the end of this month, they will have acquired almost every available HD network broadcasting today except for a few. I'm sure there would be something of interest for most viewers considering the large selection they will possess based on simple mathematics alone not to mention the diverse quality of content that many of those channels exhibit.

Yes I am, but games are not on 24 hrs a day!

True. But I am not watching TV for 24 hours/day either... :)
I think that 99% of the time I am watching the same ~10 channels anyway.

We have already been through this, the only channel is AMC. So if FIOS never gets that channel we know you will never switch regardless of how many more HD channels FIOS hasNot true: FiOS needs to add just two more channels that offer original, interesting, scripted dramas in HD.

Not true: FiOS needs to add just two more channels that offer original, interesting, scripted dramas in HD.

LOL! I'm sure that is what's holding back many others as well! If only they would add those two channels ( whatever they are ), it would bring an end to competition and Comcast would not be able to survive because bicker will have left. :D

True. But I am not watching TV for 24 hours/day either... :)
I think that 99% of the time I am watching the same ~10 channels anyway.

Then Comcast is perfect for you! I would not recommend you switch to FIOS if you are happy with what you got.

LOL! I'm sure that is what's holding back many others as well!Everyone has their own priorities, which you should respect.

I also forgot to mention that with many folks, this decision comes down to HSI and/or telephone

I would not recommend [people] switch to [insert supplier here] if you are happy with what you got.That should be accepted as an axiom.

Everyone has their own priorities, which you should respect.

I also forgot to mention that with many folks, this decision comes down to HSI and/or telephone

That should be accepted as an axiom.

I respect people when they are sincere. But when one has to resort to false information ( excuses ) to make themselves feel good about their decisions, that is where I have a problem. ;)

It seems that, for you, anyone who makes a decision that is different from the one you make must be "resorting to false information". :rolleyes:

It seems that, for you, anyone who makes a decision that is different from the one you make must be "resorting to false information". :rolleyes:

No, not at all. I think everyone here knows what I'm talking about but for some reason your having a hard time with it. You don't have to be a Rocket Scientist to know when people are being truthful or not, sorry if that bothers you but I am not surprised. ;)

I installed my 2 Comcast supplied DTA's on my 2 box-less TV's this week. Just a couple of comments: Although the Comcast supplied instructions were very clear, and the kit came with everything you need, I still believe a number of non-techies will be confused and in need of help. This is very similar to the situation with the OTA adapters. Interestingly, I noticed a handfull of channels in the 200's were accessible with the DTA.

Mickey

The new DCX boxes that are coming support MPEG-4. But I doubt that we will see 1080p from Comcast in the near term.

Mickey

Comcast guy is here installing the new DCX3400 right now :)

Update

DVR now has 250GB HDD with about 238GB free

More Updates

SW: 75.59 - a25p2-2.S1.r-8
Firmware: 22.31
Model: DCT
IPPV: yes

You can also select all the resolutions your TV can accept via the User Settings Menu. 1080p/24 and 1080p/30 as well as 1080i/720p/480p/480i.

Comcast guy is here installing the new DCX3400 right now :)

Update

DVR now has 250GB HDD with about 238GB free

More Updates

SW: 75.59 - a25p2-2.S1.r-8
Firmware: 22.31
Model: DCT
IPPV: yes
It's good news that we are seeing the DCX in the wild. Are you connecting by HDMI? They were having a handshake issue, that is hopefully resolved.

Mickey

It's good news that we are seeing the DCX in the wild. Are you connecting by HDMI? They were having a handshake issue, that is hopefully resolved.

Mickey

HDMI is flawless no issues

Comcast tech said they just started handing these boxes out today

Interestingly, I noticed a handfull of channels in the 200's were accessible with the DTA.

Mickey

Some of the 200 channels are in the Basic/Expanded Tier, PBS, etc.

Due to the transition coming in about an Half a day, would be a chance in about a week or two that some basic channels (like those local channels) would be unconverted to digital to make some more room for new HD channels?

are those new DCX3400's available everywhere?

Figure that the new boxes will be slowly introduced, as areas need new equipment and are prepared to accept, distribute and support them.

Due to the transition coming in about an Half a day, would be a chance in about a week or two that some basic channels (like those local channels) would be unconverted to digital to make some more room for new HD channels?
Today is the OTA/broadcast transition. Comcast's transition to digital-only is not really connected to that, and will proceed at a leisurely pace.

Mickey

Now up in Watertown - 803 (Ion).

Now up in Watertown - 803 (Ion).

Here in Chelmsford too...if that is truly using up an HD slot that is a huge waste of bandwidth...must be a must carry thing.

-KEn

Does anyone know if the analog channels will be blacked out on cable as well? Just curious.

Does anyone know if the analog channels will be blacked out on cable as well? Just curious.

The FCC mandates that system operators provide an analog version of broadcast channels for three years after the transition. That would obviously be downconverted from the digital (or perhaps stations are providing a special feed to the operator), and I'm guessing that that's what we've already been seeing on the analog tier. I say that because I've been checking the various analogs for the past week and have not seen the continuous crawls that I thought were mandatory close to the date.

But I'll be checking the various sign-offs during the day to look for any signs that Comcast is having to switch between one feed and another

Now up in Watertown - 803 (Ion).

As well in Cohasset/Hingham/Weymouth area.
Will the WBPX subchannels (qubo, Ion Life, Worship) be added to the Comcast lineup?

As well in Cohasset/Hingham/Weymouth area.
Will the WBPX subchannels (qubo, Ion Life, Worship) be added to the Comcast lineup?

My understanding is that "must-carry" does not apply to subchannels, so it's up to Comcast's discretion.

That's correct.

If they are carrying the digital signal in analog form, that means those viewers will be looking at top and bottom bars on small screens. Hmmmm.

If they are carrying the digital signal in analog form, that means those viewers will be looking at top and bottom bars on small screens. Hmmmm.

Couldn't they center-cut also? Most of the stations in the analog tier are not letterboxed, so either they're center-cutting or my original supposition is wrong.

UPDATE: GBH ran a crawl on the analog side only (according to the Boston-OTA thread), which did not show up on Comcast ch. 2, so that's the digital, even if not letterboxed.

are those new DCX3400's available everywhere?

Call or visit your local office.

Call or visit your local office.

Had Comcast here for a few hours in Watertown with a Tivo issue. I asked the tech (who is definitely one of the better ones I have dealt with..patient and was up to talking tech while he waited) about the new moto boxes and he said it will be a while before they get them down here because he has put a request in for his own personal use. He said something about "those guys up north get everything first". Sorry that doesn't help much but just sharing.

Had Comcast here for a few hours in Watertown with a Tivo issue. I asked the tech (who is definitely one of the better ones I have dealt with..patient and was up to talking tech while he waited) about the new moto boxes and he said it will be a while before they get them down here because he has put a request in for his own personal use. He said something about "those guys up north get everything first". Sorry that doesn't help much but just sharing.

Good to know. :D;)

If they are carrying the digital signal in analog form, that means those viewers will be looking at top and bottom bars on small screens. Hmmmm.

Wide screen format (16:9) is only for HD channels (720P/1080i). All the standard def channels of 480i are still 4:3. So as long as they're converting the digital 480i picture to analog 480i the screen will stay 4:3=no letterboxing.

Now up in Watertown - 803 (Ion).

Where are the good HD channels, like SpikeHD?

where are the good hd channels, like spikehd?

fios? :)

Where are the good HD channels, like SpikeHD?

In the City of Boston/Brookline lineup, where there's room because Extended Basic is all-digital. If you've been reading the thread, you know that that process is just getting off the ground in the rest of the state.

As for why they didn't pick a better channel to add outside of Boston, it was probably a "must-carry" deal that became effective once ION's HD digital signal became the only one available starting 6/12. Which brings up the question, are the Spanish language stations all 480i like WGBX/44 (WGBH's sister station, split into multiple 480i streams) and WMZY (the MyNetwork station), is that why we're not seeing them in the HD lineup?

Good question - am I missing it, or is the only WGBX DT channel on Channel 44? Do they not broadcast anything in HD? I know Comcast carries their sub-channels in the 200's, but I really don't want to watch a sub-par version of a PBS show I missed on WGBH. And the same question goes for WENH. They MUST have an HD channel...?

Think of WGBX as the carrier for WGBH's four sub-channels: WGBX (itself), PBS World, PBS Kids, and PBS Create. So the HD channel that "they MUST have" can be found on 2-2.

WGBH-HD is 2.1 not 2.2.

Carriage of WENH's 11.2 SD signal is sufficient to cover the Must carry status of WENH.

Yeah, that's right.... they switched it several months ago. I cannot keep that in my head! Grrr.

Unlike WENH, WGBX deliberately doesn't have any HD signals.

Anyone else getting the iTV (Interactive TV) icon at the bottom of the their Iguide? Says it is supposted to display the CalledID of incoming calls but isn't working yet. First time I've seen or heard this feature.

Help screen mentions this link.. http://www.comcast.net/callerid/

hmm, the pc app doesn't work either, but installs fine. must not be active in Natick yet.

Email I recieved today said the on screen tv phone notification would be available "soon".

-Ken

Same here in Hanson on the south shore. Also, my local office (Brockton) expects to begin receiving the new DCX boxes in mid-late July.

Same here in Hanson on the south shore. Also, my local office (Brockton) expects to begin receiving the new DCX boxes in mid-late July.

They've been seen in the Brockton/Hanson area for a couple weeks now. VERY short supply & complete crapshoot on getting one, if you request it or not.

Hi guys, I've got a couple of questions that I hope some of you can answer. I'm moving next month, and am trying to decide between Comcast and FIOS for service. I know that with FIOS I'll need a set-top-box with every TV, or I won't get any channels. What I don't know, is whether or not that's the case with Comcast. My fiance has Comcast in the same city (Lynn), and she connects directly into the back of her 2 Sony XBR TV's. Her XBR9 even displays the guide. My confusion with Comcast, is how much longer this will be the case. I've read that they too will be requiring boxes soon, or are slowly reducing the amount of channels that can be seen without a STB. Can anyone clear this up for me?

I'm purchasing a couple of new TV's for the home, and will have 4 TV's overall. All of them will be HD LCD's. If I have to have 4 boxes, the cost per month is ridiculously expensive. So if I can avoid 2 boxes by connecting directly to the TV, it'd be great. I'd prefer FIOS since they offer more HD channels, more channels overall, and a faster internet speed. However, if I can save $20-30 a month, then I'll go with Comcast. The problem is, if Comcast is going to require I rent 4 boxes like FIOS, then obviously that savings is out the window.

My last question is about HDTV's and the digital signal. Does anyone in here know if the newer Samsungs (B630/B650) give a better digital signal picture than the Sony XBR9?

Thanks in advance.

My confusion with Comcast, is how much longer this will be the case. I've read that they too will be requiring boxes soon, or are slowly reducing the amount of channels that can be seen without a STB. Can anyone clear this up for me? Unfortunately, no, except to confirm that it is likely that within a relatively short period of time you'll probably be looking at Comcast going to digital for almost everything except the local broadcast channels (which will likely remain as analog for another couple of years at least, if not longer).

The problem is, if Comcast is going to require I rent 4 boxes like FIOS, then obviously that savings is out the window.My understanding is that where Comcast has switched to "all-digital" for cable networks, they've made 3 DTAs available included in the digital package price.

The other day I made my annual call to Comcast to get my internet rate reduced and the CSR made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

Right now I have cable with the basic digital package, 2 HD DVRs, no premiums and 12 Mbs internet. With a two year agreement she offered to reduce my monthly bill from $142 to $109 (-$33) for the first year and $119 for the second year. A monthly average of $28 less for two years. She also added Digital Whatever (HD Science and NGHD) and the HBOs for free. An early cancellation fee of $150 is charged if you chose to.

I've heard rumors of FAST (Fairpoint's Fios) coming to southern NH in late '09 which is tempting, but within five months of this deal it'll pay for the cancellation fee.

I think she said that I could get this deal because I have cable, a DVR and internet, but I'm not sure. I also wonder if this is only available for customers that might have the FAST option available to them soon.

Just thought I'd pass this along...

Unfortunately, no, except to confirm that it is likely that within a relatively short period of time you'll probably be looking at Comcast going to digital for almost everything except the local broadcast channels (which will likely remain as analog for another couple of years at least, if not longer).

My understanding is that where Comcast has switched to "all-digital" for cable networks, they've made 3 DTAs available included in the digital package price.

Just remember that if you use a DTA on a QAM digital tuner HD set the DTA effectively blocks the HD QAM signals. You would need a splitter before the DTA to get any clear HD signals. The DTA only passes through non HD.

-KEn

And that, of course, is a technical limitation not a marketing ploy by Comcast.

Well, more specifically, there is a cost/value issue. It isn't like there aren't boxes that put out HD. Those are just different boxes, that cost more, are worth more, and are priced higher, as you would expect.

I've heard rumors of FAST (Fairpoint's Fios) coming to southern NH in late '09 which is tempting, but within five months of this deal it'll pay for the cancellation fee.

You're really expecting Fairpoint to be able to roll out a FTTH service, while they're contemplating bankruptcy and can't even get their existing DSL and customer services issues straightened out ? IMHO it's highly unlikely that Fairpoint's gonna do anything but go belly up.

That deal never should have gone through in the first place. Verizon got out while the gettin' was good, and left Fairpoint holding the bag...

You're really expecting Fairpoint to be able to roll out a FTTH service, while they're contemplating bankruptcy and can't even get their existing DSL and customer services issues straightened out ? IMHO it's highly unlikely that Fairpoint's gonna do anything but go belly up.

That deal never should have gone through in the first place. Verizon got out while the gettin' was good, and left Fairpoint holding the bag...

Probably not. A friend of mine who is a tech for them told me that "their plan" is to roll it out by the end of the year. He's not too optomistic about the company either. My point was that this is really the only reason not to sign up for two years, but as you said it's probably unlikely to happen on time (if at all).

Comcast has announced that expanded basic will go "all-digital" on October 20.

Details to follow.

Wish it could be sooner, but nice to see a date out there at least.

Though now that's one less reason for me to stick with Comcast; I'll need a box between the cable and my Series 2 TiVo. If FiOS had AMC HD, and supported my own Wireless-N router without bridging, I'd probably switch.

Unfortunately, no, except to confirm that it is likely that within a relatively short period of time you'll probably be looking at Comcast going to digital for almost everything except the local broadcast channels (which will likely remain as analog for another couple of years at least, if not longer).

My understanding is that where Comcast has switched to "all-digital" for cable networks, they've made 3 DTAs available included in the digital package price.

Though now that's one less reason for me to stick with Comcast; I'll need a box between the cable and my Series 2 TiVo. If FiOS had AMC HD, and supported my own Wireless-N router without bridging, I'd probably switch.

I too now could not live without AMC HD, I just watched the whole first season of "MAD MEN" On Demand and am thorougly hooked !

-Ken

Though now that's one less reason for me to stick with Comcast; I'll need a box between the cable and my Series 2 TiVo. If FiOS had AMC HD, and supported my own Wireless-N router without bridging, I'd probably switch.

Bicker -

Can you explain about the Wireless-N problem ? You can't use your own wireless-n connected directly to cablemodem ?

-Ken

So that makes Comcast safe until November 8, when Mad Men finishes its third season. As soon as I replace my TiVo S2 with an S3 (or S4), that distinction goes away too, and so only bridging the routers will remain as a deterrent -- and I bet I can get FiOS (or a friend) to agree to do that work for me.

We'll see.

Can you explain about the Wireless-N problem ? You can't use your own wireless-n connected directly to cablemodem ?The way I understand things, if you use a FiOS STB, it gets its program guide data via MoCA, meaning you have to use a MoCA router (and the router that FiOS gives you is Wireless-G, not Wireless-N). So to use your Wireless-N router, you have to bridge it with their router. My specific need that that complicates is that I have two port-forwarding configurations, going to completely different end-points within my LAN. I have no idea how to set that back up if my router is bridged into theirs.

I would advise you both to stay with Comcast. No sense in changing if you can wait a little longer especially in Kens case since he does not have access to FIOS anyway. Those that do have access and don't have all the needs that bicker requires, I would not hesitate to at least give FIOS a try because I believe they still would have more HD channels even after Comcast converts over if that is your priority.

So to use your Wireless-N router, you have to bridge it with their router.Why don't you turn off wireless on their router and turn off routing on your router (i.e. make it a switch) and plug it into the FiOS router.

One router (theirs) one wireless access point (yours). No conflicts. No port forwarding problems, etc.

Uh, and I lose a ton of network functionality and access.

Port forwarding supports capabilities I actually use, all the time.

Probably not. A friend of mine who is a tech for them told me that "their plan" is to roll it out by the end of the year. He's not too optomistic about the company either. My point was that this is really the only reason not to sign up for two years, but as you said it's probably unlikely to happen on time (if at all).

Travis,
Fairpoint is doing limited testing in Portsmouth and a friend of mine who is a Fairpoint employee is testing this as we speak and has been for 2+ months now.
There are major issues with the DVR /Stations going out etc.
Their service is IPTV and its CRAP .
Lets Hope that Fairpoint does go bankrupt and VERIZON gets back in for pennies on the Dollar. If they do by then my commitment with directv will be over.

Port forwarding supports capabilities I actually use, all the time.That would be on the (FiOS) router. The point is that you only need one router and one wireless access point.

Even if you have two devices that could each handle both, you can (almost certainly) configure them so that each only does one of the two functions. That way they won't interfere with each other...

That would be on the (FiOS) router. That's what I don't know how to do. Hence my earlier statement, "I bet I can get FiOS (or a friend) to agree to do that work for me."

Travis,
Fairpoint is doing limited testing in Portsmouth and a friend of mine who is a Fairpoint employee is testing this as we speak and has been for 2+ months now.
There are major issues with the DVR /Stations going out etc.
Their service is IPTV and its CRAP .
Lets Hope that Fairpoint does go bankrupt and VERIZON gets back in for pennies on the Dollar. If they do by then my commitment with directv will be over.

Good to know. I'm feeling better about my 2yr contract.

I would advise you both to stay with Comcast. No sense in changing if you can wait a little longer especially in Kens case since he does not have access to FIOS anyway. Those that do have access and don't have all the needs that bicker requires, I would not hesitate to at least give FIOS a try because I believe they still would have more HD channels even after Comcast converts over if that is your priority.

FIOS is signed for in my town (Chelmsford) but I haven't heard or seen them working yet so I bet it will be 18 months at a minimum before I even have that option.

-Ken

Does anyone else think that Versus HD has the most horrific picture quality ever? I don't know if it's just the seacoast NH feed, but it looks as if someone cranked the edge enhancement/sharpness control on my display up about 1000%! I first noticed it during the NHL playoffs, but it still continues now. It varies from show to show, but it's there more often than not. I don't watch the channel much (I couldn't if I wanted to. It's that bad.), but whenever I check in on it, it just looks awful. Every other channel is fine, and my display is calibrated, so it's definitely the channel.

Just wondering if this is a known issue.

I'm watching it now. This isn't a live sporting event, or even a fast-action program. They're showing fishing right now. :) It looks like a bad up-convert, but other than that, I don't see any specific indications of anything cable service provider-related, such as over-compression, or any macro-blocking, pixelization, etc.

Comcast has announced that expanded basic will go "all-digital" on October 20.

Details to follow.

Bicker do you have a link that speaks to this "announcement" ?

Bicker do you have a link that speaks to this "announcement" ?Here you go...

I'm watching it now. This isn't a live sporting event, or even a fast-action program. They're showing fishing right now. :) It looks like a bad up-convert, but other than that, I don't see any specific indications of anything cable service provider-related, such as over-compression, or any macro-blocking, pixelization, etc.

It's not the usual issues you mentioned (macro-blocking, pixelization, etc.). It's just a harsh, ultra edge-enhanced image that makes long shots, in particular, look very wired (for lack of a better term). The closest thing I can liken it to is Toshiba's new DVD player that produces "HD" quality by over-sharpening the image. I'm watching boxing right now and it looks fairly decent, but the NHL was the worst I saw.

Comcast has announced that expanded basic will go "all-digital" on October 20.

Details to follow.

I have been telling friends about this for quite some time:

June 2007 announcement:

Cable is now transmitting all channels digitally, including those you can now receive on your TV tuner. In the near future most if not all channels will be sent only digitally, and you will need a set top box, which when connected to your current TV enable you to receive those channels. When that day comes, you will be given advance notice and time to obtain equipment. There is a small box available that can easily fit on top of a smaller TV.
June 2008 :
For the past few years, cable has been transmitting all channels digitally, including those you can now receive on your TV tuner. More channels are now being sent only digitally, with some more going digital on July 15th, and you will need a set top box, which when connected to your current TV enable you to receive those channels. It is likely in the near future that all channels in extended basic will be digital only. When that day comes, you will be given advance notice and time to obtain equipment. If you were to obtain a converter box now, you can do so at no extra charge for a year. A set top box would bring you extra channels and interactive services. Set top boxes can either use Channel 3 on your legacy tuner, (the tuner you use now) or an audio/video input like a DVD player. (Required for Stereo)

June 2009:

Extended basic channels (channels 24-69) ( Discovery, Disney, ESPN, Fox News, Fx, Nickelodeon, TBS, and USA to name but 8) will soon be sent ONLY in a digital format. I have been saying this for some time, but it is finally going to happen most likely within the next few months. When that day comes, you will be given advance notice and time to obtain equipment, so keep an eye on your monthly bill and any supplements that may come with it. Plans look like when the time cones a current subscriber who uses a cable ready tuner with no box will be able to get up to three boxes at no extra charge.
Limited basic only subscribers will continue to receive local channels in analog, but this may be subject to change a few years down the road. You can STILL get a set top box as it will enable you to get additional channels.
Set top boxes (Cable OR off/air) can either use Channel 3 on your legacy tuner, (the tuner you use now) or an audio/video input like a DVD player. (Required for Stereo)

I suppose the question is, how soon after October 20 (in this area) will they start offering new services, and which ones? Those are the details I'm hoping they'll provide soon.

Any news of BBC America HD, which begins on July 20, being offered locally?

I've been trying to find some news along those lines, but have seen nothing (not even for any other cable companies). :(

I suppose the question is, how soon after October 20 (in this area) will they start offering new services, and which ones? Those are the details I'm hoping they'll provide soon.

So far you are the only one to receive this letter, I'm wondering if my town is even included.

-Ken

Here you go...

Was this with your bill, or mailed separately? When did you get it?

Anyone a bit closer to Watertown get one of these?

It was sent separate from my bill, I think. I got it last week.

They are definitely going head end-by-head end. If I'm not mistaken, this letter was sent to towns including Haverhill and Newburyport, a month or two ago, with a September (?) date.

Newburyport area went digital 06/24

Okay, my dates were off for Newburyport. :)

June conversion towns: Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley and Ipswich.

September conversion towns:Ashland, Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Marlboro, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis & Plainville

October conversion towns: Burlington

Perhaps L Supreme can update us with the complete announced October List !

-Ken

I would think that along with Burlington would be Wilmington, Reading, N.Reading, Tewksbury, Dracut, Lowell, Lawrence, Stoneham, Woburn, Winchester, Billerica, Chelmsford, Ferncroft Towers And Methuen. I know you haven't gotten the letter, yet, Ken, but do you have digital service already? Because as you can see, that letter clearly was directed specifically at current digital customers. Perhaps the letter for analog customers (which probably would need to be longer and more reassuring) is already in the mail or soon to be.

I would think that along with Burlington would be Wilmington, Reading, N.Reading, Tewksbury, Dracut, Lowell, Lawrence, Stoneham, Woburn, Winchester, Billerica, Chelmsford, Ferncroft Towers And Methuen. I know you haven't gotten the letter, yet, Ken, but do you have digital service already? Because as you can see, that letter clearly was directed specifically at current digital customers. Perhaps the letter for analog customers (which probably would need to be longer and more reassuring) is already in the mail or soon to be.

I am also a digital customer with one HD/DVR box and 3 analog connections.
I believe that Chelmsford, Lowell, and Tewksbury are on the Lowell head end back to their days as the Colony Cable Co.

-Ken

What I'd like to know is how did Ferncroft Towers get mixed in with this bunch. :)

Apologies if this has already been covered. Here are the channel moves in my area for July and August regarding sports channels. Maybe I'll get the Sports package now (and can I vent here--I hate it when they do this!).

Important Notice-Service Chgs Eff 8/18/09: NFL ch265, 715, NFLHD ch853, NHL ch259 & NBA TV ch599 will be added to Digital Classic, Preferred, Deluxe. ESPNews ch248 and MLB ch269 will be added to Sports Entertainment Pkg. A preview of these channels will be available to customers subscribing to these service tiers beg. 7/30/09.

ESPNU will be added to ch286 on Digital Classic, Preferred, Deluxe and Sports Ent Pkg. A preview of ESPNU will be available to customers subscribing to these service tiers beg. 7/16/09. ESPN Classic ch258 will move to the Sports Ent Pkg and will no longer be available with Digital Classic, Preferred, Deluxe.

No Digital Conversion letter for me either here in Drum Hill/Lowell right on the N. Chelmsford border.

They are moving MLB Network to Sport/Ent. Package? NO! I was looking forward to NFL Network and MLB on Classic.:rolleyes:

Nothing in Bristol County. Has the Boston/Brookline system gotten any new HD adds in the last month?

Gotta love how Fall River is Really All Digital by now (since April) and still no new HD channels in sight.

Last update on Thursday:

"Hello Mr.Somers since about April we have been holding bandwidth even though your area is All digital. at least wait until august or September and you might see some additions."

I'm definitely not waiting that long if by august no changes have been made i am making the Directv switch.

ESPNU will be added to ch286 on Digital Classic, Preferred, Deluxe and Sports Ent Pkg. A preview of ESPNU will be available to customers subscribing to these service tiers beg. 7/16/09. ESPN Classic ch258 will move to the Sports Ent Pkg and will no longer be available with Digital Classic, Preferred, Deluxe. [/I]

I wonder if this means ESPNU HD will be added in Boston?

June conversion towns: Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley and Ipswich.

September conversion towns:Ashland, Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Marlboro, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis & Plainville

October conversion towns: Burlington

Perhaps L Supreme can update us with the complete announced October List !

-Ken


Here you go.

October:
Arlington, Belmont, Burlington, Cambridge, Lynnfield, MIT, Nahant, Revere, Peabody, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham Wilmington, Winchester & Woburn

Since "search" doesn't seem to be working, my apologies if this has been asked/answered elsewhere. The 4th's Capital concert was announced as being broadcast in 5.1, but WGBH did not carry it in 5.1, either OTA or on Comcast. Does GBH do 5.1? I can't believe they do not.

Here you go.

October:
Arlington, Belmont, Burlington, Cambridge, Lynnfield, MIT, Nahant, Revere, Peabody, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham Wilmington, Winchester & Woburn

Thanks L Supreme. I knew Chelmsford was on a different head end from Burlington !

-Ken

Digital Conversions Boston Area:

June : Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley and Ipswich.

September :Ashland, Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Marlboro, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis & Plainville

October : Arlington, Belmont, Burlington, Cambridge, Lynnfield, MIT, Nahant, Revere, Peabody, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham Wilmington, Winchester & Woburn

I will keep this list updated as new information becomes available.

-Ken

They are moving MLB Network to Sport/Ent. Package? NO! I was looking forward to NFL Network and MLB on Classic.:rolleyes:

I take that announcement to mean NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA, ESPN News, and ESPN U will be available to subscribers of each of those packages and not exclusively one or the other. Can anyone clarify?

I take that announcement to mean NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA, ESPN News, and ESPN U will be available to subscibers of each of those packages and not exclusively one or the other. Can anyone clarify?

ESPN Classic will only be on the Sports & Entertainment tier. All others will be on Classic & above.

ESPN Classic will only be on the Sports & Entertainment tier. All others will be on Classic & above.

Thanks for clarifying this, I was much disappointed until now as my take was that ESPNews and MLB would be moving to SnE. They should announce these moves with a little table that has channel names across the top and service packages along the left side with checkmarks at intersections where the channel is available.

Thanks for clarifying this, I was much disappointed until now as my take was that ESPNews and MLB would be moving to SnE.
This was my original take also--taking a second look at the statement, I see now that it doesn't say that ESPNews is being removed from the Digital packages, just that it's being added to SnE.

This was my original take also--taking a second look at the statement, I see now that it doesn't say that ESPNews is being removed from the Digital packages, just that it's being added to SnE.

I too had that initial read. I wonder who this serves. I'm sure there are some, but how many people have SnE with none of the other digital packages?

I too had that initial read. I wonder who this serves. I'm sure there are some, but how many people have SnE with none of the other digital packages?

Sports Bars.

What Sports channels would you be missing if you had "Extended Basic" plus SnE?

You're really expecting Fairpoint to be able to roll out a FTTH service, while they're contemplating bankruptcy and can't even get their existing DSL and customer services issues straightened out ? IMHO it's highly unlikely that Fairpoint's gonna do anything but go belly up.

That deal never should have gone through in the first place. Verizon got out while the gettin' was good, and left Fairpoint holding the bag...

Don't get me going on this. Moved from Sudbury MA to Seacoast NH in 2004 and get the BOSTON Comcast service here. NH Gov chased Verizon out of state; they were happy to leave this low population density state selling to Fairpoint. I only hope that it's economical for Verizon to buy back in at pennies on the dollar when Fairpoint craters. COMCAST needs competition especially for those of us blocked from satellite alternatives.

Unfortunately, no, except to confirm that it is likely that within a relatively short period of time you'll probably be looking at Comcast going to digital for almost everything except the local broadcast channels (which will likely remain as analog for another couple of years at least, if not longer).

My understanding is that where Comcast has switched to "all-digital" for cable networks, they've made 3 DTAs available included in the digital package price.

I'm confused. My condo assn on Cape Cod has Comcast extended basic. Without any Comcast box, just the old cable feed on my new HDTV I can get all the HD 'local' (BOSTON & RI) channels, mapped as 4.1, 5.1 etc. I also picked up separate digital feeds of those stations. Will I or won't I see digital feeds of the extended basic channels without a box once the Cape head ends go digital for extended basic?

I'm confused. My condo assn on Cape Cod has Comcast extended basic. Without any Comcast box, just the old cable feed on my new HDTV I can get all the HD 'local' (BOSTON & RI) channels, mapped as 4.1, 5.1 etc. I also picked up separate digital feeds of those stations. Will I or won't I see digital feeds of the extended basic channels without a box once the Cape head ends go digital for extended basic?

It's very confusing. From what I understand you will at first get the extended basic channels in digital QAM probably with very strange numbering. HOWEVER, comcast advertising says you will not because they are trying to get an FCC waiver to encrypt those extended basic QAM channels for whatever reason...pick your own...theft, want to soak people for more boxes etc.

-Ken

Don't get me going on this. Moved from Sudbury MA to Seacoast NH in 2004 and get the BOSTON Comcast service here. NH Gov chased Verizon out of state; they were happy to leave this low population density state selling to Fairpoint. I only hope that it's economical for Verizon to buy back in at pennies on the dollar when Fairpoint craters. COMCAST needs competition especially for those of us blocked from satellite alternatives.


What do you mean by BOSTON Comcast service :confused: