- Series recordings record all episodes, not just the "new" ones as I have specified in the series settings
- I cannot cancel sequential recordings. That is, when I look at my scheduled recordings, I usually see something scheduled that is from a previous season or that is from earlier in the same season. Marathons are the worst...it schedules every episode to be recorded. Say there are recordings scheduled at 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 PM. I cannot cancel all of the recordings, or even cancel any 2 in a row. That is, the best I can do is to cancel 1,3,5, and 7. If I try to cancel 2 in a row, it will reset one of them to be recorded again.

Does anyone else have this issue? I have had this problem with a 160 GB 3416 box and now with both the 250GB and 320GB DCX boxes.

I had this issue with my old box (which I believe was a 3416), but haven't experienced it yet with my new box (which I believe is the 250GB, but the above discussion has me anxious to get home and check via Mickey's menu option). Really problem 2 is simply a result of problem 1. If the comcast dvr could differentiate an old ep from a new one, the second problem would cease to exist.

I learned to live with it. It didn't bother me enough to spend the extra money. And just by principle, rarely will I pay extra for a 'better' version of a product from the same company because the cheaper version is buggy. That is just incentive to not fix issues. Extra features that I find valuable I will pay for, but not just for less mistakes.

I have some problems with my Comcast DVR service and I am looking for feedback on the Tivo service. With the Comcast regular DVR software:

- Series recordings record all episodes, not just the "new" ones as I have specified in the series settings
- I cannot cancel sequential recordings. That is, when I look at my scheduled recordings, I usually see something scheduled that is from a previous season or that is from earlier in the same season. Marathons are the worst...it schedules every episode to be recorded. Say there are recordings scheduled at 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 PM. I cannot cancel all of the recordings, or even cancel any 2 in a row. That is, the best I can do is to cancel 1,3,5, and 7. If I try to cancel 2 in a row, it will reset one of them to be recorded again.

Does anyone else have this issue? I have had this problem with a 160 GB 3416 box and now with both the 250GB and 320GB DCX boxes. Is it the Motorola/Comcast software that is causing this? Does the Tivo software fix these issues? I really don't want to pay another $3 a month, but it may just be worth it in the end. Any info will be appreciated.

TV Guide is setup based on the program description.

If the program says New, it will be recorded if you have New Only, New and Repeats, or All.
If the program says Repeat, it will be record if you have New and Repeate, or All set for your Series Recording, but not if you have New Only.
If the program does not say New or Repeat... then it assumes its New and records as if it said New.

Alot of Marathons don't have New or Repeat. Alot of older programming doesn't have New or Repeat. And sometimes with programs like on HBO, the repeats throughout the week will say New. This isn't bad software, this is just the way the programmers provide the information to TV Guide.

The Tivo follows the same rules with one exception. If the Tivo has recorded that program (with the same title) in the last 90 days, it won't record it again.

ScoopsHD,
Thanks for the information. Do you know if TiVo gets its guide information from the same provider that Comcast does? If they are getting accurate information as far as new and repeat shows, the problem would be eliminated.

Thanks

Really problem 2 is simply a result of problem 1. If the comcast dvr could differentiate an old ep from a new one, the second problem would cease to exist.

Thanks for the reply. Do you know why the DVR will not let you cancel any scheduled recordings you want? Is there a setting in the series preferences, or anywhere else, that I can change so that any scheduled recording can be canceled?

Tivo gets its guide information from Tribune... I think TV Guide (now Rovi or something like that) and Tribune are the two major guide providers for MSOs in the country.

As for cancelling scheduled recordings, the only way to do it that I'm aware of is to go into your Scheduled Recording menu, find the one you don't want to record, Select it and then goto the Record button and select Don't Record. It will only skip that specific one. And for some reason, you can only do that for two programs a time. If you do it for a 3rd one, it'll undo it for the first program you set to record.

Tivo gets its guide information from Tribune... I think TV Guide (now Rovi or something like that) and Tribune are the two major guide providers for MSOs in the country.

As for cancelling scheduled recordings, the only way to do it that I'm aware of is to go into your Scheduled Recording menu, find the one you don't want to record, Select it and then goto the Record button and select Don't Record. It will only skip that specific one. And for some reason, you can only do that for two programs a time. If you do it for a 3rd one, it'll undo it for the first program you set to record.

I found out by calling Comcast and trying to add TiVo service, that it is not available for the DCX boxes yet. I am undecided between going back to the 160GB DVR (I think the 3416 is TiVo compatible) and getting TiVo service or keeping the new 320GB box. It's crazy that they would release a new box with double the storage of previous boxes and not make the upgraded software available.

I got some more details on Digital Economy service this morning. Comcast here cannot activate DTAs on accounts with anything less than Digital Starter service. So essentially, when they say "economy" they really mean "economy", i.e., you get your Digital Economy service on only one television (and limited Basic on the rest).

I suspect the reason why they sent me DTAs in the first place is that I had Digital Starter service until this past Wednesday.

Anyway, for folks considering a downgrade, keep this in mind.

Got Letter yesturday in Concord NH. It is happening April 13th 2010. They are moving a lot of channels to new packages. They are also adding Hallmark movie channel Nov. 7th.

Wow... that's great news for NH. I was almost beginning to think that, given how Verizon abandoned NH with regard to providing terrestrial service, that Comcast would also see no value in providing the latest and greatest to NH either.

I got some more details on Digital Economy service this morning. Comcast here cannot activate DTAs on accounts with anything less than Digital Starter service. So essentially, when they say "economy" they really mean "economy", i.e., you get your Digital Economy service on only one television (and limited Basic on the rest).

I suspect the reason why they sent me DTAs in the first place is that I had Digital Starter service until this past Wednesday.

Anyway, for folks considering a downgrade, keep this in mind.

So what will you be doing ? Will you be going back to digital starter?

I found out by calling Comcast and trying to add TiVo service, that it is not available for the DCX boxes yet. I am undecided between going back to the 160GB DVR (I think the 3416 is TiVo compatible) and getting TiVo service or keeping the new 320GB box. It's crazy that they would release a new box with double the storage of previous boxes and not make the upgraded software available.

You keep saying that TiVo/Comcast is an "upgraded software" for i-Guide. It's not. TiVo interface is made by TiVo Inc and iGuide is made by Comcast. You have to pay more for TiVo/Comcast because Comcast has to pay TiVo the license fee. Yes, any Lexus car is an upgrade over Honda Civic but I wouldn't call a Lexus an upgraded version of Honda Civic. :)

So what will you be doing ? Will you be going back to digital starter?Gosh no. I wanted economy; I got economy. If and when I want more, and am willing/able to pay more, then I'll pay more and get more.

You keep saying that TiVo/Comcast is an "upgraded software" for i-Guide. It's not. TiVo interface is made by TiVo Inc and iGuide is made by Comcast. You have to pay more for TiVo/Comcast because Comcast has to pay TiVo the license fee. Yes, any Lexus car is an upgrade over Honda Civic but I wouldn't call a Lexus an upgraded version of Honda Civic. :)

iGuide is actually made by Rovi (formerly Macrovision formerly TV Guide) in partnership with Comcast and Motorola (and soon Cisco).

Yes, any Lexus car is an upgrade over Honda Civic but I wouldn't call a Lexus an upgraded version of Honda Civic. :)

I wouldn't either. Acura is an upgraded Honda. And the TiVo overlay IS an upgrade. It's not an upgrade TO the existing iGuide software, but rather an upgraded software FOR the DVR...like I said.

I wouldn't either. Acura is an upgraded Honda. And the TiVo overlay IS an upgrade. It's not an upgrade TO the existing iGuide software, but rather an upgraded software FOR the DVR...like I said.

Semantics, I guess. :)

Anyway, I also switched to a new DCX box and lost my Tivo interface. Tivo interface is much better in terms of functionality and polish, but it's slower (for some it can be painfully slow). For me, it was worth paying the extra $3 or so per month.

Anyway, I also switched to a new DCX box and lost my Tivo interface. Tivo interface is much better in terms of functionality and polish, but it's slower (for some it can be painfully slow). For me, it was worth paying the extra $3 or so per month.

Last week you were saying that you had the Tivo guide for quite a while now & really liked it. I take it you only got rid of it/lost it due to wanting the DCX box? After losing a couple little features & (IMO) the better looking guide are you hating using the iGuide again? I'm one of the ones that couldn't take the slowness you mentioned of the Tivo as well as a few of the other quirks it had, I basically HAD to go back to the iGuide in hopes of keeping my sanity. :) I feel the iGuide has its issues but for me it's the lesser of two evils.

Last week you were saying that you had the Tivo guide for quite a while now & really liked it. I take it you only got rid of it/lost it due to wanting the DCX box? After losing a couple little features & (IMO) the better looking guide are you hating using the iGuide again? I'm one of the ones that couldn't take the slowness you mentioned of the Tivo as well as a few of the other quirks it had, I basically HAD to go back to the iGuide in hopes of keeping my sanity. :) I feel the iGuide has its issues but for me it's the lesser of two evils.

Yes, I really wanted the native resolution mode available only on the DCX boxes. For me, it was more important than Tivo versus iGuide interface. Once the Tivo guide becomes available again, I will get it. The DCX boxes have larger memory (512 MB of RAM and 64MB Flash Ram) so, I'm hoping, the Tivo interface will be faster.

Edit: I don't know what the actual resolution of the iGuide or Tivo screen is but Tivo looks somewhat higher rez.

Just an observation/rant...

After 4 weeks I've decided that NFL Network Red Zone is the best channel this time of year....however, here in Millis it's not shown in HD, so here's hoping that with the roll out of new HD channels in the next month or so it will be added (but of course it's not listed on the mailing I got from Comcast so I'm not very confident).

Ok, end rant...

Just an observation/rant...

After 4 weeks I've decided that NFL Network Red Zone is the best channel this time of year....however, here in Millis it's not shown in HD, so here's hoping that with the roll out of new HD channels in the next month or so it will be added (but of course it's not listed on the mailing I got from Comcast so I'm not very confident).

Ok, end rant...

It is pretty silly since it's only active for about 7 hours a week. They can't make room for that little commitment? They do the same for NESN Plus. Something else is going on behind the scenes here.

Just a few more hours until more HD goodness!!

Just a few more hours until more HD goodness!!
I did notice when I was home earlier that most of the Oct. 6 channel additions (for this area) were up. One I noticed missing was MGM-HD, but they may still be in the process of getting everything up and running.

Mickey

I did notice when I was home earlier that most of the Oct. 6 channel additions (for this area) were up. One I noticed missing was MGM-HD, but they may still be in the process of getting everything up and running.

Mickey

Here in Medway also. Rhode Island's PBS station in HD is on that channel.

Here in Medway also. Rhode Island's PBS station in HD is on that channel.

Urgh same here.. That was my most looked forward to channel.

Comcast is adding the following channels in our area on November 3. Check your bills for specific service levels you have to have in order to receive these new services. (For example, we won't be getting any of them on Digital Economy, even though we do get some of those channels in SD.)

Travel Channel HD
Lifetime Movie Network HD
QVC HD
Disney XD HD
Bravo HD
CNBC HD
ESPNews HD
Biography HD
Planet Green HD
MLB Network HD
MGM HD
Nick HD
E! HD
Lifetime HD
Spike TV HD
Cartoon Network HD

They're also adding 55 Spanish-language channels.

Then on December 2, they're adding:

RLTV
Reelz
5StarMax
OuterMax
WMax
HBO Signature HD
HBO Family HD
HBO Latino HD
HBO Comedy HD
HBO Zone HD
MoreMax HD
ActionMax HD
5StarMax HD
ThrillerMax HD
WMax HD
OuterMax HD
Encore HD
G4 HD
Style HD
Fox Business HD
Hallmark Movie HD
Fuse HD
IFC HD
WE HD
TV One HD
NBA HD
NHL HD
MTV HD
VH-1 HD
Tennis HD
CNN Headline News HD
The Weather Channel HD
CBS College Sports HD
Comedy Central HD
CMT HD
HBO2 HD
Starz Edge HD
Starz Kids & Family HD
Starz Comedy HD
Showtime Showcase HD
Showtime Extreme HD
TMC Xtra HD
Big Ten Network HD
ESPNU HD
MSNBC HD
TruTV HD
Turner Classic Movied HD

Again, check your bill for details.

As for cancelling scheduled recordings, the only way to do it that I'm aware of is to go into your Scheduled Recording menu, find the one you don't want to record, Select it and then goto the Record button and select Don't Record. It will only skip that specific one. And for some reason, you can only do that for two programs a time. If you do it for a 3rd one, it'll undo it for the first program you set to record.

I find that canceling scheduled recordings from the Program Guide (rather than the Scheduled Recordings menu) avoids the undo problem. As you say, "for some reason."

I did notice when I was home earlier that most of the Oct. 6 channel additions (for this area) were up. One I noticed missing was MGM-HD, but they may still be in the process of getting everything up and running.

Mickey

MGM HD started working here yesterday.

Well I guess I didn't have to wait too long, just noticed here in Millis that NFL Red Zone is now available in HD (channel 899)! Can't wait for this Sunday...woohoo!

Well I guess I didn't have to wait too long, just noticed here in Millis that NFL Red Zone is now available in HD (channel 899)! Can't wait for this Sunday...woohoo!

Its part of the sports entertaiment package, so you have to pay for it. Anyone know if NHL HD will also be part of the sports package?

Its part of the sports entertaiment package, so you have to pay for it. Anyone know if NHL HD will also be part of the sports package?

That's why I was disappointed that I was only able to get it in SD for these last few weeks since the other sports channels in that package were in HD.

As of today (10/8/09) in Millis the Sports Entertainment package includes NFL, NFL Red Zone, MLB, ESPNews all in HD, and starting on 11/11/09 NBA TV, Tennis Channel, Big Ten Network, ESPNU, CBS College Sports Network and NHL Network will all be added in HD (plus some other non-sports channels such as Turner Classic Movies etc).

That's why I was disappointed that I was only able to get it in SD for these last few weeks since the other sports channels in that package were in HD.

As of today (10/8/09) in Millis the Sports Entertainment package includes NFL, NFL Red Zone, MLB, ESPNews all in HD, and starting on 11/11/09 NBA TV, Tennis Channel, Big Ten Network, ESPNU, CBS College Sports Network and NHL Network will all be added in HD (plus some other non-sports channels such as Turner Classic Movies etc).

Are you saying one can only get the HD versions of these channels with S&E? I don't have S&E but get NFL, MLB, ESPNews, ESPNU and CBSCS all in SD. I was looking forward to them in HD after my area converts in November.

What's the price of the S&E package?

What's the price of the S&E package?

$7.95/mo

Are you saying one can only get the HD versions of these channels with S&E? I don't have S&E but get NFL, MLB, ESPNews, ESPNU and CBSCS all in SD. I was looking forward to them in HD after my area converts in November.

I was just going by the latest info I got from Comcast regarding the addition of new HD channels (which listed them as S&E). Since I have S&E I'm not 100% sure of all the channels I get because of S&E compared to the non-S&E channels.

I was just going by the latest info I got from Comcast regarding the addition of new HD channels (which listed them as S&E). Since I have S&E I'm not 100% sure of all the channels I get because of S&E compared to the non-S&E channels.

I hear ya. Thanks

Has anyone ever thought of maybe making a myth pvr instead of using a cable box? I don't mean to get encrypted channels but say to create a media center and get things in the clear.

As it stands now it looks like analog in my town ends at least without a box in february. A box would cost $10 each...two rooms effected so that's $20 a month or $240 a year. I have an old pc that's near its last legs. I was thinking if I added a QAM and ATSC tuner and a IR blaster maybe this could work well

Got letter yesterday about the Digital Adapater and the expanded basic channels going digital only in my town . On 11/10 12 channels with go digital only and 27 will on or abour 12/08. That is total of 39. Up to 78 HD channels 2/channel. Other towns are getting about 50 new ones with new SD channels.
Looks like QVC Channel 71 will be an analog island in the digital ocean withCh 24-94 all digital. I would not be surprised that 2012-2013 Comcast goes all digital only.

Do I really need professional installation for HD upgrade. I currently have the expanded basic service. The only HD I currently get is the ones in the clear QAM (local broadcast). My city is due for the digital transition later this month. According to the FAQs on the digitalnow site I won't be able to view HD channels with the converter box since they only do SD digital. My only option for watching the HD channels I currently do now is by using a splitter and an A/B switch which seems like a hassle. So I decided that my best option would be to upgrade to HD service and get a HD-DVR box. I went through the steps of ordering online and got to the part where it prompted me to set up an appointment for installation. Why is this even necessary. One would think that all that's involved is connecting the cable to the box and connection the box to the TV via HDMI or cable and VOILA! Or is there more to it than that?

Do I really need professional installation for HD upgrade. I currently have the expanded basic service. The only HD I currently get is the ones in the clear QAM (local broadcast). My city is due for the digital transition later this month. According to the FAQs on the digitalnow site I won't be able to view HD channels with the converter box since they only do SD digital. My only option for watching the HD channels I currently do now is by using a splitter and an A/B switch which seems like a hassle. So I decided that my best option would be to upgrade to HD service and get a HD-DVR box. I went through the steps of ordering online and got to the part where it prompted me to set up an appointment for installation. Why is this even necessary. One would think that all that's involved is connecting the cable to the box and connection the box to the TV via HDMI or cable and VOILA! Or is there more to it than that?

You can go to your local office, pickup a box, hook it up yourself & make sure the HD box is set to the correct display.

Comcast loves to shill that "installation" bullcrap on people. It's entirely unnecessary. Just like a normal box, Coaxial goes into the box, HDMI from box to TV (they supply the HDMI, or at least they did for me), and you're set.

The only issue you might have, if you're upgrading your service as well, is that you may need to call them and have them send the refresh to your house. When I first got my HD box, I was getting all the movie channels, but none of the (even basic) HD channels. NBC, CBS, etc. Nothing was coming in except for HBO and Showtime and such which I didn't even have. They sent the refresh, and I was good to go.

Comcast loves to shill that "installation" bullcrap on people...
My only caution is, that sometimes (if you are a first time HD install) your signal levels may be off and your picture won't come in properly. The tech can get a reading and install an amplifier or attenuator. YMMV.

Mickey

Got bill yesterday but no list of new HD adds in the bill. In towns which have already had the HD adds, to the come all at once or in 2 stages like the 2 stages of the analog turn offs?

Yeah but if that happens, the tech can always come out after the fact. If they're offering free installation, then I guess you might as well. But if they're trying to charge for it, it's not worth it. If something goes wrong, then you can always have them come out.

why is Redzone not in HD north of Boston?

why is Redzone not in HD north of Boston?

It was HD in Chelmsford yesterday.

Red Zone not in HD here in Millis either...needless to say I was PO'd. Last week I noticed it was listed for an HD channel (899), but of course come 1:00 Sunday, still showing that I wasn't a subscriber (meanwhile SD 287 was working fine, well fine if you consider a SD picture OK). So I figure I'll call Comcast and of course the tech had no clue as to why it wasn't working (the usual refresh then reset the box did nothing, but I wasn't very hopeful anyway since both of my boxes were showing the same thing). Basically I figure the guide listing was updated before the actual HD feed was actually available. As of today it still shows I'm not a subscriber on 899 while 287 shows the Red Zone banner (meaning the channel is active). Comcast you're a big tease!!!

I want to program Radioshack remote to control Comcast digital adapter. Anyone know what codes I need to input?

So, down here in Plymouth, as of last night, I have MLB Network HD and NFL Redzone HD. They appear to be the only two stations that were added, and MLB Network HD is not in the place that MLBNetwork.com told me it would be in.

So if you're on the south shore too, be sure to check around you might have it as well!

Bristol County, Attleboro, 818 MLBHD and 899 Red Zone HD.

Mine are 795 for MLBNHD, and I think 794 for NFL RedZone HD.

Bristol County, Attleboro, 818 MLBHD and 899 Red Zone HD.

The same channels have appeared on the south shore in the Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, Weymouth, and Scituate area.

It's too bad the MLB channel has been added at the end of the season. I would have watched it a fair amount during the summer.

There's actually some good off season shows on MLB Network. Hot Stove weeknights at 7, discussing rumours, trades, free agents, etc. Prime 9 on Mondays, top 9 countdown of various things. Other shows throughout the week. I agree I would've loved having it during the season and it pretty much would've been on my TV like 10 hours a day, but there are still things to watch this off season!

Nothing on Red Zone

Bristol County, Attleboro, 818 MLBHD and 899 Red Zone HD.

Same here in Hanson, so most likely the same numbers in Brockton, Whitman, Holbrook, Avon, Stoughton.

Nice to see MLB Network get to Attleboro.

I'm still waiting for WBZ and WHDH to get to Attleboro. From what I've read, this definetely sounds like Comcast removed nearly all of our Boston HD Channels at their own leisure, and the FCC didn't have anything to do with it. I found Bristol County's "significantly viewed" list and guess what? WCVB, WBZ, and WHDH were all on it, meaning that Comcast has every right to give us those channels in HD. And when did bandwidth become a problem?

I'm kinda jealous of those living in Massachusetts outside of Bristol County. I've seen WBZ in HD on Youtube and it looks gorgeous. You have no idea how much I hate the Providence TV stations.

But we do have WCVB in HD. How come that is the only Boston channel Bristol County gets in HD, and not WBZ/WHDH/WFXT? Is it because WCVB is a nationally recognized TV station?

Also, I noticed the conversion list thingy happening for my city in November. What is this supposed to mean and do? Will it allow for significant expansion of HD Channels? Right now, I just want my Boston HD Channels back...

I heard that Attleboro, and other parts of Bristol County, are officially in the Providence Demographic area, basically meaning that although we live in Mass. the TV people think we care more about RI. WCVB, I think, has a contract that allows us to continue to get that channel. WBZ and WHDH contract ran out. Comcast doesn't have to offer us the Boston channels but is doing us a favor by keeping them on in SD. Their words, not mine. I'm sure there is a lot more to it, but I don't know the details.

Yeah, but try viewing them in SD on a HDTV....it's quite hideous.

FIOS has stated that they're going to bring Boston HD Channels to Bristol County, when FIOS is available. If and when FIOS is available, Comcast could very well lose a handful of customers and most likely not respond by adding the Boston channels in HD.

Yeah, but try viewing them in SD on a HDTV....it's quite hideous.

FIOS has stated that they're going to bring Boston HD Channels to Bristol County, when FIOS is available. If and when FIOS is available, Comcast could very well lose a handful of customers and most likely not respond by adding the Boston channels in HD.

They already do in towns that have FIOS, on top of the Providence locals they have WGBH, WBZ, WSBK, WCVB, WHDH & WLVI in HD.

They already do in towns that have FIOS, on top of the Providence locals they have WGBH, WBZ, WSBK, WCVB, WHDH & WLVI in HD.

See? It's funny.

First Comcast points to the FCC for the reason of why they removed the Boston Channels in HD.

Then, when they find out that doesn't work, they give out the whole "YOu're in the Providence DMA and the programming is the same blablablablabla"

And then, when they find out WCVB, WBZ, and WHDH are in the Bristol County significantly viewed list, they go to bandwidth as their last excuse, when FIOS has absolutely no problem carrying the Providence and Boston channels in HD for Bristol County.

See? It's funny.

First Comcast points to the FCC for the reason of why they removed the Boston Channels in HD.

Then, when they find out that doesn't work, they give out the whole "YOu're in the Providence DMA and the programming is the same blablablablabla"

And then, when they find out WCVB, WBZ, and WHDH are in the Bristol County significantly viewed list, they go to bandwidth as their last excuse, when FIOS has absolutely no problem carrying the Providence and Boston channels in HD for Bristol County.

I dropped Comcast for Fios for this reason.My only complaint is no Fox 25.Not even in sd.

This is ridiculous (not receiving HD channels from your own state)
How can the towns allow this in their negociations?

I know FIOS is only available in a small portion of Bristol County, but they need to expand so that they pressure Comcast into getting their crap together. If Comcast loses many customers to this issue, they'll have nobody to blame but themselves. I mean, you're paying to get their HD TV. You're NOT paying them to remove your HD Channels, unannounced I may say too.

This is ridiculous (not receiving HD channels from your own state)

Yeah. What the Rhode Island government does does NOT affect Bristol County. Their state house could collapse and it would not affect Massachusetts at all. However, Bristol County residents would be forced to watch this coverage because of being in the Providence DMA.

During the summer, when Kennedy passed away, the Boston channels were right on top of the story. However, the Providence TV stations treated it as "In other news....Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy died. Here's the weather." Their Ted Kennedy coverage was atrocious, and the Bristol County residents were nearly forced to watch this disgusting coverage.

Comcast did notice customers that they were taking those channels down and replacing them with the Providence versions. They had to. Its required.

Everyone has an opinion as to why Comcast did it (because they don't care, because the FCC said they had to, because they don't have the bandwidth, etc). Unless you work for Comcast and KNOW the reason why, stop speculating. In the intricate dealings of corporations, contents, programmers, broadcasters, and FCC... do you think Comcast would have done it just to spite those living in Bristol County? How idiotic would that be. Seems their hands were forced.

And unless I am wrong, I could see the dropping of all of these analog channels as a chance to bring those Boston broadcasters back.

Simply Google "Bristol County Boston HD Channels" or something among those lines. You'll find newspaper articles of people who called Comcast, where Comcast then provided the excuses I mentioned above. If the Boston channels are on the FCC's significantly viewed list for Bristol County, then Comcast has every right to bring us them in HD. There is no way the FCC would step that low. This is still an ongoing issue.

Another point I wanted to bring up was the Television Freedom Act of 2009 Bill. We have had a few Massachusetts representatives sign onto this bill. This bill would allow cable providers to give us in-state signals, and help add Boston HD Channels back to Bristol County.

Also, I might be exaggerating here, but here's an image.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/958/countyborder.th.jpg (http://img36.imageshack.us/i/countyborder.jpg/)

There is the Bristol County/Norfolk County line. The neighborhood in red cannot view their Boston channels in HD, while down the street, the neighborhood circling in blue gets to enjoy their Boston Channels in beautiful HD and laughing at the red neighborhood, who needs to watch the Providence channels in fake HD.

The Providence TV channels, especially WNAC, whom I dispise the most, are a complete joke. Their reporters and anchors are so stiff while the people up in Boston actually interact with each other and have fun. For example, David Wade on WBZ and the ConversationNation.

Judging by the news articles, it seems Comcast is to blame. And the FCC surely isn't forcing FIOS to take the Boston HD Channels away from Bristol County.

Just to update from my previous posts, NFL Red Zone is now in HD in Millis. Of course I didn't get to actually watch much of it this week as I was at the Patriots game.

MLBHD has suddenly appeared at 818 in SE NH.

No RZHD or MLBHD here in Fall River Which is another sad place who is affected from this DMA Debacle it just aggravates me to the core that Bristol Co is in Massachusetts and has to suffer with Providence Non HD news.

Another point is how can other parts of mass still get Boston's HD News when they are also on NH,RI and CT Borders and still not have to go through the same dismal distress Bristol Co Faces?

Is there any info on the adapter that comcast says we need to get for tv's not connected to a cable box? I like to reserch what im attaching to my tv before I do it.

Thanks
steve

Not sure how much info is out there about them or if there's anything in particular you're trying to find out about them. There are 2 or 3 different models though, Pace, Thomson & maybe one other. All do the same thing though.

Is there any info on the adapter that comcast says we need to get for tv's not connected to a cable box? I like to reserch what im attaching to my tv before I do it.

Thanks
steve

just search in this forum on "Comcast DTA" and you will find more than you care to read.

See? It's funny.

First Comcast points to the FCC for the reason of why they removed the Boston Channels in HD.

Then, when they find out that doesn't work, they give out the whole "YOu're in the Providence DMA and the programming is the same blablablablabla"

And then, when they find out WCVB, WBZ, and WHDH are in the Bristol County significantly viewed list, they go to bandwidth as their last excuse, when FIOS has absolutely no problem carrying the Providence and Boston channels in HD for Bristol County.

Comcast is run by a bunch of slugs. Notwithstanding shareholders - who could have done better [or worse] with other issues.

I have what was known as Digital Classic Package as part of my cable subscription (not sure if it's called that today) After connecting the DTA, I spent about an hour last night with Comcast trying to get the Digital Classic channels added but they could not do it (extended basic came in fine).
Is this not possible? And are they no able to pass the Hi-Def signal through this thing?

I have what was known as Digital Classic Package as part of my cable subscription (not sure if it's called that today) After connecting the DTA, I spent about an hour last night with Comcast trying to get the Digital Classic channels added but they could not do it (extended basic came in fine).
Is this not possible? And are they no able to pass the Hi-Def signal through this thing?
The DTA converts digital signals into analog, so you won't be getting HD from analog.

Mickey

What about Digital Classic channels? VH1, MTV2, FUSE, CMT, SOAPNET, etc.

Thanks

What about Digital Classic channels? VH1, MTV2, FUSE, CMT, SOAPNET, etc.

Thanks

The DTA is meant to be a replacement for an analog cable box or cable direct set. Essentially, analogs that migrated to digital only. To get anything else, you'd need at least a DCT 2000 to handle encrypted services. Perhaps some day, when full encryption works on DTAs, they will have the option to get Classic services.

You would think the reps would know this. They had excuses such as they had an outage or the box is defective. I ruled out both by telling them other tv's were getting the channes and I tried a second DTA box.

You will not get Digital Classic channels but you should get Digital Starter channels, which includes Basic, Expanded & a few channels in the 200's.

The reps should know a lot of things that they unfortunately don't know.

The fact they don't pass HD is definitely unfortunate. It sucks having these DTA's on an HD set with a QAM tuner that can pull in HD channels & not be able to watch them. :(

You will not get Digital Classic channels but you should get Digital Starter channels, which includes Basic, Expanded & a few channels in the 200's.

The reps should know a lot of things that they unfortunately don't know.

The fact they don't pass HD is definitely unfortunate. It sucks having these DTA's on an HD set with a QAM tuner that can pull in HD channels & not be able to watch them. :(

Split the signal and use both.

Split the signal and use both.

Only problem with that is splitting it is no problem but most TV's will need a switch at the combining end which is a pain for most people. If the DTA's had composite outputs it wouldn't be bad, but that would probably add another $.75 to the cost of those things.

Only problem with that is splitting it is no problem but most TV's will need a switch at the combining end which is a pain for most people. If the DTA's had composite outputs it wouldn't be bad, but that would probably add another $.75 to the cost of those things.

Couldn't you just use 2 different TV inputs? SD through the DTA on one input and when you want the HD via QAM, switch over to the other input?

Couldn't you just use 2 different TV inputs? SD through the DTA on one input and when you want the HD via QAM, switch over to the other input?

That is what I was talking about. Since it is an HDTV, it would have the added inputs to configure just such an application.

Many new TV's only have one RF input now, otherwise it would work fine.

Simply Google "Bristol County Boston HD Channels" or something among those lines. You'll find newspaper articles of people who called Comcast, where Comcast then provided the excuses I mentioned above.Not quite: Rather, what was explained, if people were willing to actually listen and accept that there actually was an explanation, was that the FCC requires that service providers provide the local DMA channels. In the case of Bristol County, like it or not, that's Providence channels. That's the way things are. Denying it serves no constructive purpose.

Given that, providing Boston channels as well would result in having even less bandwidth available to offer new HD channels, something which a lot of customers were already complaining about. There is a general lack of concern about, and general lack of patience for, reality, among consumers. Most just care about what they want and whether they get it. That's not a crime; it's actually very reasonable. However, reality still affects what is offered, and more importantly, it is unreasonable to expect a service provider to violate the laws of physics and create some subscriber-specific reality. All service providers can do is the best they can with the resources they have available.

If that's not good enough, the consumers' proper response is to punish the service provider by doing without the service offered -- cancel their subscription, and/or find another source for entertainment.

Judging by the news articles, it seems Comcast is to blame.Which just goes to show how biased the news media is... not biased against Comcast specifically, but rather biased toward whatever sensationalism they can present. I think some of them would find joy in covering a real lynch mob in action. :(

Has anyone in the october list of changes, have you seen any new channels added? or has anyone gotten any new fliers for the ('10) time frame? it's been quiet here for awhile so i was just speaking up.

I'm on Digital Economy so I wouldn't notice any additions.

Not quite: Rather, what was explained, if people were willing to actually listen and accept that there actually was an explanation, was that the FCC requires that service providers provide the local DMA channels. In the case of Bristol County, like it or not, that's Providence channels. That's the way things are. Denying it serves no constructive purpose.

Given that, providing Boston channels as well would result in having even less bandwidth available to offer new HD channels, something which a lot of customers were already complaining about. There is a general lack of concern about, and general lack of patience for, reality, among consumers. Most just care about what they want and whether they get it. That's not a crime; it's actually very reasonable. However, reality still affects what is offered, and more importantly, it is unreasonable to expect a service provider to violate the laws of physics and create some subscriber-specific reality. All service providers can do is the best they can with the resources they have available.


Which just goes to show how biased the news media is... not biased against Comcast specifically, but rather biased toward whatever sensationalism they can present. I think some of them would find joy in covering a real lynch mob in action. :(

If that's not good enough, the consumers' proper response is to punish the service provider by doing without the service offered -- cancel their subscription, and/or find another source for entertainment.

If FIOS ever expands across Bristol County, then Comcast may be in for quite a shock. FIOS doesn't seem to have the bandwidth issues to carry both Boston and Providence channels in HD for Bristol County, yet Comcast seems hesitant on this. And you shouldn't have to pay for cable to get HD channels removed from your service. And as I've said, I seriously don't think removing the Boston channels in HD was done at the request of the FCC. If the Boston HD channels are on our "significantly viewed" list, then the FCC wouldn't have a problem with it.

What makes me cringe is that Bristol County is being forced to chew out Providence news, yet central New Hampshire and even Vermont can get Boston channels in HD. I seriously wish we could petition the entire county out of the Providence DMA. I don't exactly care if RI will lose viewers and crap, because they're like a number 50 market and the Boston TV market is top 10 material. Besides, RI just sees Massachusetts as a foreign state in their news.

If FIOS ever expands across Bristol County, then Comcast may be in for quite a shock. FIOS doesn't seem to have the bandwidth issues to carry both Boston and Providence channels in HD for Bristol County, yet Comcast seems hesitant on this. And you shouldn't have to pay for cable to get HD channels removed from your service. And as I've said, I seriously don't think removing the Boston channels in HD was done at the request of the FCC. If the Boston HD channels are on our "significantly viewed" list, then the FCC wouldn't have a problem with it.

What makes me cringe is that Bristol County is being forced to chew out Providence news, yet central New Hampshire and even Vermont can get Boston channels in HD. I seriously wish we could petition the entire county out of the Providence DMA. I don't exactly care if RI will lose viewers and crap, because they're like a number 50 market and the Boston TV market is top 10 material. Besides, RI just sees Massachusetts as a foreign state in their news.

Comcast was likely pressured by the Providence broadcasters under Must Carry rules. Bristol County is Providence DMA, and Providence DMA takes precedence as far as Must Carry Rules.

Bandwidth wise, yeah FIOS has more... they carry zero analog channels and require every customer to get a cable box. Comcast is yanking off a big band aid with this massive Expanded Basic migration to digital freeing up tons of bandwidth giving the systems that have already gone over 100 HD channels. With this happening soon in some of the Bristol Co systems, I would expect that Comcast (if they got enough calls from customers) will be forking over some of that precious bandwidth to put up the Boston DMA HD broadcasters.

Don't rule out Comcast yet. FIOS is new to the game with not all of the baggage that Comcast inherited from the last 30 years of cable systems and franchise agreements. Just as FIOS is pushing for laxer rules to get into towns, expect Comcast to use those same rules to be able to take out some of that legacy stuff holding them back.

If FIOS ever expands across Bristol County, then Comcast may be in for quite a shock.Maybe, maybe not. It sure is personally gratifying for some subscribers to think so.

And as I've said, I seriously don't think removing the Boston channels in HD was done at the request of the FCC.And Comcast has never said that. If anything, it was subscribers who requested that those Boston channels be removed, via their demand for other HD channels.

What makes me cringe is that Bristol County is being forced to chew out Providence news...And keep in mind that those are the folks who are going to work against switching Bristol County from the Providence DMA to the Boston DMA.

I don't exactly care if RI will lose viewers...But those channels do care... so your challenge is to prove that your preferences should outweigh that of folks who disagree with you. Why do your wishes necessarily rate higher? That's what you need to establish.

Maybe, maybe not. It sure is personally gratifying for some subscribers to think so.

And Comcast has never said that. If anything, it was subscribers who requested that those Boston channels be removed, via their demand for other HD channels.

And keep in mind that those are the folks who are going to work against switching Bristol County from the Providence DMA to the Boston DMA.

But those channels do care... so your challenge is to prove that your preferences should outweigh that of folks who disagree with you. Why do your wishes necessarily rate higher? That's what you need to establish.

I don't think it could've been the subscribers that ended up getting the Boston HD channels removed. Keep in mind, when we first got our HDTV back in 2006, we got all of the Boston channels in HD from Comcast without a problem. Then the channels diminished....one by one....we're down to WCVB, and I will go into an outrage if they remove that HD channel from us. Also, it seems that HD Channels have been added to Bristol County at a snail's pace, there are still several other HD channels that we don't seem to get...I'm not asking to vanish the Providence HD channels from us (as much as I hate Rhode Island), but the viewers should be given a choice, especially if Comcast has a right to provide the Boston HD channels to us.

RI shouldn't be worried about losing Bristol County to Boston for a long time, if you ask me. The FCC would most likely seem hesitant to do so. I'm just a disgruntled viewer who can't seem to watch news from my state in HD. What the RI government does does not affect Bristol County. However, Kennedy's death and his replacement senate is quite an issue to Massachusetts, no matter how close to Rhode Island you are. I've seen WHDH and WBZ in HD, and they look glorious. None of the Providence TV stations seemed to go through an HD makeover; all they did was get the magic "8" added in front of their channel number.

And I'm not the only one here who wants the Boston HD channels back to Bristol County. It's more widespread then a handful of users on this website...

And then you have the WNAC blacking out WFXT fiasco in Bristol County. I don't see WLNE blacking out WCVB, or WPRI blacking out WBZ, or even WJAR blacking out WHDH. I can't bear to watch WNAC, because every other commercial with them is all-Providence god zeus Tony Petraca, with his cancer curing live saving powerful almighty baby saving Live Pinpoint Doppler 12, which can show you the lottery numbers in advance and track weather right down to a patch of grass, and besides, when I'm watching a football game (when I'm forced to watch that channel), all the channel does is freeze up, and I'm surely not pleased with the magic green screen of "Due to FCC rules and at the request of WNAC, this program has been blacked out."

Also, I believe Plymouth and Cape Cod/Islands are in the Providence VIEWING AREA, but not DMA. I wonder if the Boston stations are handcuffing their Providence HD TV over there...

I think I may have lost my unencrypted QAM here in Milford, MA this morning. Can anyone confirm?

Actually, it looks like they may have just moved around... first time that has happened to me.

As a Comcast subscriber who recently moved to Bristol Co., I can see the desire to have both Providence and Boston locals in HD. What I don't understand is the boiling outrage with this not being the case.

If one finds Boston news to be very important, then it is the content that matters most, superceding the picture quality. And this content is available from all four networks in SD, and even one in HD.

Would it be nice to have eight local networks in HD? Sure. And maybe one day soon we'll have them. Until then, perhaps we should relax a bit.

As a Comcast subscriber who recently moved to Bristol Co., I can see the desire to have both Providence and Boston locals in HD. What I don't understand is the boiling outrage with this not being the case.

If one finds Boston news to be very important, then it is the content that matters most, superceding the picture quality. And this content is available from all four networks in SD, and even one in HD.

Would it be nice to have eight local networks in HD? Sure. And maybe one day soon we'll have them. Until then, perhaps we should relax a bit.

I am so sick of this argument, an antenna from Radio Shack for under $20 will solve the problem...get the HD Boston Channels over the air !

-Ken

As a Comcast subscriber who recently moved to Bristol Co., I can see the desire to have both Providence and Boston locals in HD. What I don't understand is the boiling outrage with this not being the case.

If one finds Boston news to be very important, then it is the content that matters most, superceding the picture quality. And this content is available from all four networks in SD, and even one in HD.

Would it be nice to have eight local networks in HD? Sure. And maybe one day soon we'll have them. Until then, perhaps we should relax a bit.

I think the picture quality is important when watching on an HDTV. If your TV isn't HD, then yeah, I don't really have a problem with it, but try watching WBZ or even WHDH on SD on an HDTV, it isn't exactly pretty.

I am so sick of this argument, an antenna from Radio Shack for under $20 will solve the problem...get the HD Boston Channels over the air !

Would you be allowed to have this connected with your cable or no? Say that you had a cable box and brought an antenna, would it just "add" the Boston HD channels or something, while still being able to view everything else coming out of your cable box?

Guys, be lucky that you don't have your in-state news trying to be stripped away. The Providence TV market is an absolute joke. It sickens me that they have a right to try and force Bristol County, a county outside their state, to watch their news. I'm more concerned about what happens in Massachusetts, not Rhode Island. None of their stations are a pimple on Boston's you-know-what, and Bristol County has to suffer from it. Sometimes I skim through all of the news channels in the morning, and Frank Cooletta (sp) on WJAR seems more focused on gloating out his coffee mug than doing his job. And pretty much everyone in RI calls Taunton "Taunt tin". Sure, a few people in Boston do it, but it's like the standard in Rhode Island. And then you have no idea how terrible many of their meteorologists are. Does Providence even check to see if their meterologists are certified or anything? Gary Ley and John Gihorse (I can't ever spell that right), were WJAR's chief duo, much like WCVB's Dick Albert and Harvey Leonard, but Ley pauses for like 10 seconds in between sentences and Gihorse just had that monotone voice that gave you a headache.

Then you have the news promos, which are pretty unbearable to watch. For example, all WPRI and WNAC do is worship Tony Petraca the god and Live Pinpoint Doppler 12 (it's not even a live radar for crying out loud). Boston keeps them simple and to the point. Not to mention, the anchors and reporters up in Boston aren't stiff and actually have personalities. As much as I'm a WCVB fan, I love David Wade and the curiosity/conversationation thing on WBZ.

I think the picture quality is important when watching on an HDTV. If your TV isn't HD, then yeah, I don't really have a problem with it, but try watching WBZ or even WHDH on SD on an HDTV, it isn't exactly pretty.

Would you be allowed to have this connected with your cable or no? Say that you had a cable box and brought an antenna, would it just "add" the Boston HD channels or something, while still being able to view everything else coming out of your cable box?

Guys, be lucky that you don't have your in-state news trying to be stripped away. The Providence TV market is an absolute joke. It sickens me that they have a right to try and force Bristol County, a county outside their state, to watch their news. I'm more concerned about what happens in Massachusetts, not Rhode Island.

I realize PQ is important. My point was that if a viewer decides the content of the news is their first priority, then taking in such news in SD for 30 or 60 minutes a day shouldn't be so bad.

If your tv has an RF input, then yes you can have an OTA antenna in addition to cable service. It will add any OTA HD channels it is strong enough to pull in. There are many useful websites and a Boston OTA thread here if you would like to learn more.

As you can see from our signatures, both kenvt and I are from MA, so it is our in-state news in question. And again, you haven't been forced to watch anything. All local Boston and Providence channels are available to you. Just not in HD.

But yes, enough with this argument. As fredfa would say in HOTP, everyone can make a final point if they feel the need, and then we can all move on.

And again, you haven't been forced to watch anything

I'm not saying we've been forced, I'm saying that they're trying to force us. The whole WFXT blackout thing is a good example, where WNAC is trying to force ratings from Bristol County. It should be up to the TV viewer to decide what he/she wants to watch (and in HD), not the cable provider or a tyrant of a TV market...

On the other hand, there is even a Raynham Cable Committee trying to help out this issue, and a TV Freedom Act of 2009 in the works.

Unless you have anything else to say, I don't have anything else to add for the time being.

I'm just as aggravated about the DMA fiasco in Bristol County as the next guy. But you do gotta hand it to the Providence stations for news coverage of the area, primarily Fall River/New Bedford and surrounding towns. I'll use this week as an example. In Taunton, the murder of a gas station clerk. In Fall River, a deadly stabbing. And just in these last 24 hours in my hometown, a fire at a Chinese restaurant and a kid brings a gun to schools. Everyone in Providence was right on it. None of these stories made even one Boston newscast. Stories like this don't make it to Boston. Only stories as big as a nursing home murder or a bike trail rape would attract the Boston stations. So in a way, Providence is useful in letting us know what's going on in our town.

However, the only problem in my eyes is that we're missing out on all the HD newscasts from Boston. We're stuck with the crappy low-quality of the Providence newscasts. Hopefully by the beginning of next year, WPRI/WNAC will go full HD.

Living where I am, the only choice is cable. I bought a Terk indoor antenna a couple of years ago and, unless it was defective, I didn't get any channels from it. I live in public housing, where I'm not allowed to strap the sticks on my rooftop. Plus, FIOS ain't showing up anytime soon. And it doesn't look like my area is getting the Comcast digital upgrade until, at best, this time next year. So Bristol County, especially the Southern half, is a tough place to live, HD-wise.

Yeah, there are many stories Boston stations air here that Providence doesn't cover and vice versa. I'm satisfied with Boston's Bristol County coverage in both news and weather. I still like having Bristol County's news thrown in with the rest of MA's news and not Rhode Island's. Even though we're outside of Boston's DMA, I'm pretty sure the Boston TV market still thinks of Bristol County as a consistent area of their viewing audience. For example, I remember last year, our high school's football team (Attleboro) was featured on Patriots All Access, which was WCVB's program at the time, and I think it's been handed over to WBZ now. Besides, Bristol County, when viewed on a map of east MA, is hard to miss and is right there, so Boston should be able to treat it like it's part of their family. It's not like we're out in Springfield, or even Pittsfield, which are still in Boston's TV viewing area, but they are generally disregarded in news coverage, due to being quite a long distance away.

The thing that put the final nail in the coffin for me with Providence was Kennedy's death this past summer. This was a big blow to Massachusetts, yet the Providence news seemed to brush off the story while Boston was right on top of it. Depending on where you lived in Bristol County or what kind of TV you have, you may have not been able to get Boston's full coverage of this story.

Also, I remember sending an email to Harvey Leonard about the viewing area. He didn't give me an exact response, but here's what he said.

We can be seen over a wider area than I am going to indicate to you, but the main area that we are responsible for goes westward in Massachusetts to about halfway between Worcester and Springfield, northward to about Manchester, N.H. and to York, Maine on the coast, and southward through and including The South Coast, Cape Cod and The Islands.

Now, the South Coast is the southern half of Bristol County (Fall River/New Bedford), right? So, even though we're outside of the DMA, it still appears that they're responsible for covering us.

Actually, it looks like they may have just moved around... first time that has happened to me.

I haven't had a chance to rescan yet, but all that's left is 4,5,7,25,38,56.
The second half of the analogs are gone and all the analogs that were mapped int the 77- 79 QAM chanels are gone too. Guess it's time to set up my DTA's.
More HD....

FIOS TV also became available in town this week.

I haven't had a chance to rescan yet, but all that's left is 4,5,7,25,38,56.
The second half of the analogs are gone and all the analogs that were mapped int the 77- 79 QAM chanels are gone too. Guess it's time to set up my DTA's.
More HD....

FIOS TV also became available in town this week.

Looks like they're all there, in the 26-xx through 29-xx channel areas.

I really need to stick with unencrypted QAM until cable cards will work with custom-built Media Center PCs. I believe FIOS only offers the locals over unencrypted QAM, so doesn't make sense for me to switch yet.

Thanks for the heads up on the channels. Fios has been walking our neighborhood and left info at our door. Haven't had the chance to look at it yet.

If anything, it was subscribers who requested that those Boston channels be removed, via their demand for other HD channels.I don't think it could've been the subscribers that ended up getting the Boston HD channels removed.You've misunderstood. Read the part in bold.

Keep in mind, when we first got our HDTV back in 2006, we got all of the Boston channels in HD from Comcast without a problem.But did you also get HGTV HD? and truTV HD? and MGM HD? etc. These channels are coming, and only because bandwidth was cleared for them, by the reduction in analog service and the removal of foreign DMA (Boston) HD locals.

... but the viewers should be given a choice, especially if Comcast has a right to provide the Boston HD channels to us.And given the choice between a dup of local affiliates or lots more cable network HD channels, subscribers have been rewarding service providers for the latter, rather than the former. Every subscriber in your area who switched to DirecTV effectively voted against your personal preference. So yes, you're right: Subscribers should have a choice, and they have had a choice, and many of them simply disagreed with your choice.

RI shouldn't be worried about losing Bristol County to Boston for a long time, if you ask me.Well, given that you probably don't own a Providence television station, and aren't relying on the profits of a Providence television station to send your kids to college or save for your retirement, it's pretty easy for you to say that. :)

And I'm not the only one here who wants the Boston HD channels back to Bristol County. It's more widespread then a handful of users on this website...But if you're just saying you want more HD channels than the physical cable can possible provide, then that's not really saying anything significant. You need to say, with conviction, that you want X Boston HD stations and you want them replacing X cable network HD channels -- and you need to get your entire voting bloc to agree on which X cable network HD channels you want to lose, and then your entire voting bloc needs to represent a lot more money than the subscribers who disagree with you.

via their demand for other HD channels.

Yeah, like Comcast actually listens to customer demand....

Every subscriber in your area who switched to DirecTV effectively voted against your personal preference.

You can't even get ANY Boston channel on DirecTV here, barring a fake address...you can't assume the customers know that in advance. Besides, I wouldn't switch to DirecTV so I could lose reception during drizzle.

Our only hope is Comcast's full switchover out of analog, which appears to be happening in my city in November. If this is going to free up even more bandwidth, then there should be no excuse to bring back WBZ or even WHDH in HD. There isn't a whole lot of HD left missing...

But did you also get HGTV HD? and truTV HD? and MGM HD? etc.

None of which I watch.

You live in Burlington. You should be lucky that you can watch Boston news in HD. Even you should know that they are far superior to Providence.

My dad is even starting to get fed up with Comcast, and would jump onto FIOS in a second, where they actually listen to customers and give you Boston HD channels.

Yeah, like Comcast actually listens to customer demand....Actually they do... but customer demand is measured in impact on revenues, not measured in volume of hot air.

You can't even get ANY Boston channel on DirecTV here...Even more so supporting my point: Many of your neighbors not only gave up whatever access to Boston channels that you may have had on cable, but they switched to a provider who's main marketing message was the number of cable network HD channels they were offering.

Besides, I wouldn't switch to DirecTV so I could lose reception during drizzle.And despite that, so many of your neighbors did. Just think about how that constitutes a message that runs utterly counter to what you were advocating.

Our only hope is Comcast's full switchover out of analog, which appears to be happening in my city in November. If this is going to free up even more bandwidth, then there should be no excuse to bring back WBZ or even WHDH in HD. There isn't a whole lot of HD left missing...You'd be surprised. We did this switchover this month, and this is what we're getting in those slots: Travel Channel HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, QVC HD, Disney XD HD, Bravo HD, CNBC HD, ESPNews HD, Biography HD, Planet Green HD, MLB Network HD, MGM HD, Nick HD, E! HD, Lifetime HD, Spike TV HD, RLTV, Reelz, 5StarMax, OuterMax, WMax, HBO Signature HD, HBO Family HD, HBO Latino HD, HBO Comedy HD, HBO Zone HD, MoreMax HD, ActionMax HD, 5StarMax HD, ThrillerMax HD, WMax HD, OuterMax HD, Encore HD, G4 HD, Style HD, Fox Business HD, Hallmark Movie HD, Fuse HD, IFC HD, WE HD, TV One HD, NBA HD, NHL HD, MTV HD, VH-1 HD, Tennis HD, CNN Headline News HD, The Weather Channel HD, CBS College Sports HD, Comedy Central HD, CMT HD, HBO2 HD, Starz Edge HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, Starz Comedy HD, Showtime Showcase HD, Showtime Extreme HD, TMC Xtra HD, Big Ten Network HD, ESPNU HD, MSNBC HD, TruTV HD, Turner Classic Movies HD.

None of which I watch.Yes, that's got to be frustrating, when your own personal preferences run so far off from that of your neighbors for whom the service provide is making changes to accommodate. I'm in a similar, though not critical, situation, in that I really don't care much about cable networks, at least not this time of year, and even when I do care about cable networks, I don't care about practically any of the networks I listed above. I care about the ones we already have, so the fact that Comcast is working so hard and making changes that are inconveniencing me (i.e., loss of analog service for expanded basic) just to satisfy my neighbors' demand for the channels I listed above, that is a bit disconcerting. However, that's life: Not everything in the mass-marketplace is always going to be custom-tailored for any one of us.

You live in Burlington. You should be lucky that you can watch Boston news in HD. Even you should know that they are far superior to Providence.I get my local news from the Boston Globe and/or Boston Herald, not television.

My dad is even starting to get fed up with Comcast, and would jump onto FIOS in a second, where they actually listen to customers and give you Boston HD channels.FiOS has loads of extra bandwidth so that they can satisfy many more disparate demands on that limited resource. Know that if Verizon ends up on the short-end of the stick, someday, with some new major drain on bandwidth imposed on them, they'll take those Boston stations away from you much faster than Comcast did.

Actually they do... but customer demand is measured in impact on revenues, not measured in volume of hot air.

Oh believe me, my friend's told me many stories of hot air/rage in the Comcast building.

Even more so supporting my point: Many of your neighbors not only gave up whatever access to Boston channels that you may have had on cable, but they switched to a provider who's main marketing message was the number of cable network HD channels they were offering.

And despite that, so many of your neighbors did. Just think about how that constitutes a message that runs utterly counter to what you were advocating.

Yeah, but I wonder how many of them actually knew they were losing Boston TV in advance...

You'd be surprised. We did this switchover this month, and this is what we're getting in those slots: Travel Channel HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, QVC HD, Disney XD HD, Bravo HD, CNBC HD, ESPNews HD, Biography HD, Planet Green HD, MLB Network HD, MGM HD, Nick HD, E! HD, Lifetime HD, Spike TV HD, RLTV, Reelz, 5StarMax, OuterMax, WMax, HBO Signature HD, HBO Family HD, HBO Latino HD, HBO Comedy HD, HBO Zone HD, MoreMax HD, ActionMax HD, 5StarMax HD, ThrillerMax HD, WMax HD, OuterMax HD, Encore HD, G4 HD, Style HD, Fox Business HD, Hallmark Movie HD, Fuse HD, IFC HD, WE HD, TV One HD, NBA HD, NHL HD, MTV HD, VH-1 HD, Tennis HD, CNN Headline News HD, The Weather Channel HD, CBS College Sports HD, Comedy Central HD, CMT HD, HBO2 HD, Starz Edge HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, Starz Comedy HD, Showtime Showcase HD, Showtime Extreme HD, TMC Xtra HD, Big Ten Network HD, ESPNU HD, MSNBC HD, TruTV HD, Turner Classic Movies HD.

Apparently, mine is happening November 10. Should I have gotten a letter from Comcast by now? I have a handful of those channels that you mentioned in HD, such as MLB Network. If this switchover is supposed to give Comcast newfound bandwidth, then surely WBZ and WHDH have to be thrown into there. But for example, Fall River, also in Bristol County, isn't getting this until like March of next year. So, if by some miracle this re-adds the Boston HD channels to the cities in Bristol County getting the switchover, could some areas have Boston HD channels in Bristol County and not others? I mean, even if it pisses off Providence that Bristol County could potentially see Boston TV in HD, they wouldn't have much of a right to try and get them removed again (for example, if there is enough bandwidth, all Boston channels except WFXT are on Bristol County's significantly viewed list, etc).

Yes, that's got to be frustrating, when your own personal preferences run so far off from that of your neighbors for whom the service provide is making changes to accommodate. I'm in a similar, though not critical, situation, in that I really don't care much about cable networks, at least not this time of year, and even when I do care about cable networks, I don't care about practically any of the networks I listed above. I care about the ones we already have, so the fact that Comcast is working so hard and making changes that are inconveniencing me (i.e., loss of analog service for expanded basic) just to satisfy my neighbors' demand for the channels I listed above, that is a bit disconcerting. However, that's life: Not everything in the mass-marketplace is always going to be custom-tailored for any one of us.

In a perfect world...but as I said, I'm not the only one here mad about it. There's even a cable committee in Easton/Raynham following this issue, and they're as far apart from Rhode Island as you can get in Bristol County.

I get my local news from the Boston Globe and/or Boston Herald, not television.

For my two cents, the Boston Globe rocks.

FiOS has loads of extra bandwidth so that they can satisfy many more disparate demands on that limited resource. Know that if Verizon ends up on the short-end of the stick, someday, with some new major drain on bandwidth imposed on them, they'll take those Boston stations away from you much faster than Comcast did.

They'd have to try pretty hard to take them away faster than Comcast did. Apparently, a Comcast representative said we only had Boston HD channels as placeholders for all of the primetime crap in HD....the second we got WNAC, bam, WFXT was gone. The second we lost WHDH, WJAR came to the rescue in its fake HD. ANd we all knew what would happen to WBZ here when WPRI came in HD......WCVB is our last hope.

Oh believe me, my friend's told me many stories of hot air/rage in the Comcast building.Though meaningless, as I mentioned.

Yeah, but I wonder how many of them actually knew they were losing Boston TV in advance...So you're expecting a whole bunch of folks to return to Comcast from DirecTV when their contracts are up (since Comcast still offers at least one more Boston channel than DirecTV does). I doubt that.

Should I have gotten a letter from Comcast by now?Check the printable version of you recent bills.

If this switchover is supposed to give Comcast newfound bandwidth, then surely WBZ and WHDH have to be thrown into there.How do you figure? Let's say your system and mine has the same bandwidth. I have one DMA's worth of channels -- just one. And I have all these cable channels, and let's include the ones I listed. That fills my system's available bandwidth. How do you figure that you would be able to get all that on your system, plus another DMA's worth of channels? That simply doesn't add-up.

In a perfect world...but as I said, I'm not the only one here mad about it.Right, but the proverbial neighbor I mentioned is not the only one who wants something other than what you want. It's a battle of different preferences between different subscribers., and it isn't a good idea to assume that your preference must surely prevail... that's just setting yourself up to be disappointed.

They'd have to try pretty hard to take them away faster than Comcast did. Take away's can happen just as fast with any supplier, and for no other reason than they need the bandwidth for some service that earns more money.

How do you figure? Let's say your system and mine has the same bandwidth. I have one DMA's worth of channels -- just one. And I have all these cable channels, and let's include the ones I listed. That fills my system's available bandwidth. How do you figure that you would be able to get all that on your system, plus another DMA's worth of channels? That simply doesn't add-up.

We only have WCVB out of Boston here in HD, that's a start. I'm not asking for the smaller Boston channels to be returned, ie: WLVI, I just want 4 and 7, which are known well around here, back. And you never know if they have any spare space left.

So you're expecting a whole bunch of folks to return to Comcast from DirecTV when their contracts are up (since Comcast still offers at least one more Boston channel than DirecTV does). I doubt that.

No, I'm not expecting them to do so, but it's their preference. There are as many people here who enjoy Boston TV as there are with *shivers* Providence TV.

Seems I'm not the only one who hates having the providence news channels in HD...

We only have WCVB out of Boston here in HD, that's a start. I'm not asking for the smaller Boston channels to be returned, ie: WLVI, I just want 4 and 7, which are known well around here, back.What if someone else likes some other set of Boston channels? Beyond that, that's still a few cable network HD channels that we'll be getting here that you may have to give up to keep bandwidth utilization the same.

And you never know if they have any spare space left.Your system could have even less bandwidth than mine. Anything is possible: My point was to keep the comparison apples-to-apples, instead of apples-to-oranges -- to make it clear that there are two sides to this issue.

I'm going to jump in here. bick although you make some valid points, I would rather listen to the person who actually lives in Bristol county on what channels they would like to have. In fact, I would be willing to bet over 90% of BC subs would agree with sonicdoommario's view. This issue has taken up many pages in this forum over the years and it is pretty obvious how most feel but having a person tell them who lives outside the county on what is best for them and how they should just deal with it, is being disingenuous at best.

No, I'm not expecting them to do so, but it's their preference. There are as many people here who enjoy Boston TV as there are with *shivers* Providence TV.

It's more likely that there are people in Bristol County that *DON'T CARE* which abc, cbs, nbc affiliate they get as long as they can see Grey's Anatomy, Dancing with the stars etc. I agree with bicker1 that the cable systems will go with the MAJORITY of what their customers want. Since they have to provide the Providence OTA channels, if I lived in Bristol my vote would be for more HD cable network channels and I would live without the Boston stations in HD. I would just get a decent OTA antenna and get the Boston stations that way.

-Ken

I'm going to jump in here. bick although you make some valid points, I would rather listen to the person who actually lives in Bristol county on what channels they would like to have.The problem is that the people who own the affiliates that operate there will generally not post here. Their perspective, just as valid and worth of protection under the law, would therefore be sorely missed.

This issue has taken up many pages in this forum over the years and it is pretty obvious how most feel but having a person tell them who lives outside the county on what is best for them and how they should just deal with it, is being disingenuous at best.I don't think that's the message anyone is putting forward. Rather, the point is that folks who don't like these consequences should be prompted to work to change the laws that are drivers or contributors. You can be sure that if service providers serving Bristol had their choice they would choose to carry (only) the Boston channels. So folks who are so motivated will find that the most productive use of their energies in this regard are changing the laws that do not allow service providers to decide which DMA's channels they will provide based on their read of their customers' preferences. This is a perfect example of a government regulation that viewers and service providers should together be working to eliminate.

The problem is that the people who own the affiliates that operate there will generally not post here. Their perspective, just as valid and worth of protection under the law, would therefore be sorely missed.

Yes, but your not one of them and to speak as such is a form of misrepresentation unless you have consent to do so. They also might not share your point of view exactly as you present it. ;)

I don't think that's the message anyone is putting forward. Rather, the point is that folks who don't like these consequences should be prompted to work to change the laws that are drivers or contributors. You can be sure that if service providers serving Bristol had their choice they would choose to carry (only) the Boston channels. So folks who are so motivated will find that the most productive use of their energies in this regard are changing the laws that do not allow service providers to decide which DMA's channels they will provide based on their read of their customers' preferences. This is a perfect example of a government regulation that viewers and service providers should together be working to eliminate.

The law is flawed and you know it. Another example of the rights of people taken away from them. The poster said there are committees formed in regards to this so it is not like they are doing nothing but coming here to complain as you perceive it and need in return to receive a good lecture.

Alright, my good friend shot WHDH an email about this and got a reply. Don't know if this is 100% true but you should take this with a grain of salt.

Alex,

Comcast is working on this for us. They hope to have WHDH HD on your system by the end of this year. Thanks for watching WHDH TV !

Engineering Department

However, I myself sent an email over to WBZ and got a contrasting result:

Thank you for the email and the kind words. Yes, WBZ was aware that Comcast dropped the station in HD. Unfortunately, there is nothing the station can do about it because you are not part of the Boston market. It is a Comcast decision. I wish we could help.

Yes, but your not one of them and to speak as such is a form of misrepresentation unless you have consent to do so. They also might not share your point of view exactly as you present it. ;)

I don't think it is "misrepresentation" (of people who live in Bristol County), I agree with a lot of what Bicker1 has said! I have not joined in this discussion because I agree with a lot of his statements. I do not think the Providence stations are very good but I understand why Comcast has been forced to drop the Boston stations.


The law is flawed and you know it.

That's what Bicker1 said.

Another example of the rights of people taken away from them. The poster said there are committees formed in regards to this so it is not like they are doing nothing but coming here to complain as you perceive it and need in return to receive a good lecture.

I thought Bicker1 was originally explaining to sonicdoommario the reasons why Bristol County lost the Boston stations. Maybe not worded too well, but sonicdoommario seemed not to understand those reasons or wanted to continue to argue the point. I don't think Bicker1 started out to "lecture" anyone if it seems like he is now.

They also might not share your point of view exactly as you present it. ;)I do the best I can to present the perspective of an investor in communications companies, cuz i yam wan.

The law is flawed and you know it.I didn't say anything to the contrary. What I said was that if people were sincere about their concerns, instead of what they're doing, they should work to fix what's flawed, i.e., change the law -- specifically I wrote, "So folks who are so motivated will find that the most productive use of their energies in this regard are changing the laws that do not allow service providers to decide which DMA's channels they will provide based on their read of their customers' preferences."

Another example of the rights of people taken away from them.No, not even a little. There was no rights taken away from people. The law requires businesses to do things, and as such takes choices away from businesses. Big difference, even if it doesn't feel that way to you.

The poster said there are committees formed in regards to this so it is not like they are doing nothing but coming here to complain as you perceive it and need in return to receive a good lecture.We'll see what those so-called committees end up actually doing. More often than not, I've seen such things mirror the misdirection that consumers typically follow. In this case, that would have these committes just organizing the complaining :rolleyes: instead of working with Members of Congress to get the law changed.

We'll see what those so-called committees end up actually doing. More often than not, I've seen such things mirror the misdirection that consumers typically follow. In this case, that would have these committes just organizing the complaining instead of working with Members of Congress to get the law changed.

Actually, these committees aren't just complaining, they're trying to help get a bill signed into law, known as the Television Freedom Act of 2009. We have Barney Frank and Jim McGovern signed onto this bill. What this law would do is allow cable/satellite providers to carry in-state signals. However, it does not mandate it, which is what these committees want them to do. But, if this bill does pass with the appropriate changes, it could do wonders for Bristol County, such as lifting WFXT's primetime blackouts here.

Actually, these committees aren't just complaining, they're trying to help get a bill signed into law, known as the Television Freedom Act of 2009. We have Barney Frank and Jim McGovern signed onto this bill. What this law would do is allow cable/satellite providers to carry in-state signals. However, it does not mandate it, which is what these committees want them to do. But, if this bill does pass with the appropriate changes, it could do wonders for Bristol County, such as lifting WFXT's primetime blackouts here.

That sounds like they are indeed on top of things contrary to what others have stated here. Maybe when this is done the people of Bristol County will finally get what they rightfully deserve, a choice!

Thanks for the info sonicdoommario.

Actually, these committees aren't just complaining, they're trying to help get a bill signed into law, known as the Television Freedom Act of 2009.Good bill. I don't believe it does anything to address your concern. The way it reads to me, service providers would still be required to carry all channels in their assigned DMA -- the bill doesn't address that requirement at all. That's the requirement that is causing your consternation and if you don't get that requirement dismissed, then nothing will change with regard to your complaint.

Good bill. I don't believe it does anything to address your concern. The way it reads to me, service providers would still be required to carry all channels in their assigned DMA -- the bill doesn't address that requirement at all. That's the requirement that is causing your consternation and if you don't get that requirement dismissed, then nothing will change with regard to your complaint.

Like I said, that's why we're trying to get the word from "allow providers to carry in-state signals" to "mandate". And in-state signals can be HD, you know. And if cable providers are required to give you in-state signals outside of the DMA, then it would help greatly. This bills is supposed to help out "orphan counties", which are counties in one state, yet their DMA is in another.

Like I said, that's why we're trying to get the word from "allow providers to carry in-state signals" to "mandate".Still limited by the "underserved" clause, right? (Otherwise, that would require that NYC cable systems carry Buffalo stations... and that would be silly.)

I suggest that even the way you're going is patently unfair, unless you get it applied to all service providers offering service, i.e., include that requirement on the satellite services. Otherwise, all you're doing is forcing a migration of (only) the more profitable customers, the ones who will pay extra for more cable networks, from cable to satellite, because your modification will make it far more difficult for cable to compete with satellite for those customers.

If you don't believe that driving your service provider into becoming a money-losing operation would not prompt them to provide you worse and worse service as time goes on, just ask the Verizon terrestrial customers in Montpelier how things are going. Verizon found offering service in northern New England so unprofitable, that they dumped their assets on some other company and left town. While that's an extreme scenario, the alternative is to simply engage in localized cost-cutting, i.e., service quality reductions, until the operation is profitable. There is no way to force a private company to offer service at a loss, except in compensation for offering other services with sufficient profit margins to make up for the loss, plus a standard profit margin on top of that. And, of course, your modification to the proposed rule would decrease the profitability of offering service in the county, essentially turning the county into a sewer vis a vis cable television service.

Another prospect is that such an action could prompt a the cable service provider to deploy SDV, essentially breaking every customer-owned recording device with the exception of the TiVo SD/HD and the Moxi HD (and soon, Windows Media Center). All others, VCRs, DVD recorders, and lesser DVRs, would be unable to tune in any SDV channels on a schedule.

I personally would hate to be a cable subscriber should either of those two eventualities occur, yet those are the only two scenarios that are reasonably likely should your modified rule become law. There is a cost to everything. Be careful what you wish for -- you may get it, and all the baggage that comes with it.

Another prospect is that such an action could prompt a the cable service provider to deploy SDV,

What is SDV?

essentially breaking every customer-owned recording device with the exception of the TiVo SD/HD and the Moxi HD (and soon, Windows Media Center). All others, VCRs, DVD recorders, and lesser DVRs, would be unable to tune in any SDV channels on a schedule.

Why would SDV "break" these devices?

Switched Digital Video.. Could be nearly limitless bandwidth.. And yes it will break old devices, however I think Tivo came up with a workaround and not much else uses cablecards at this point so there's little reason to worry.

I don't mean to open up a can of worms on this but just two things

1) anyone that cannot get boston affiliates...do they appear in reception via ota? I was under the impression that generally if something can be received on OTA that they would have to carry it relative to the market. Having said this for decades now I've received boston and providence affiliates...why? Granted it's not all of them but why waste that space?

2) Considering everything most of what affiliates have is local news (wcvb of course has chronicle and wsbk has phantom gourmet) Are people actually missing news within their local areas?

If you can get a channel via OTA and miss it now or if you are actually missing the news in your area then this would easily be an issue.

Still limited by the "underserved" clause, right? (Otherwise, that would require that NYC cable systems carry Buffalo stations... and that would be silly.)

Of course not....we won't want people in El Paso getting Houston stations either...as I said, this is just targeted for orphan counties, counties whose DMA is in another state.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/315260-Ross_Introduces_Split_Market_Bill.php

Taken from that article:

Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) has just introduced his Local TV Freedom Act, which would attempt to fix the so-called issue of split TV markets.
According to a spokesman, he has secured 10 co-sponsors.

Split markets are Nielsen DMAs that cross state lines and in which some viewers to cable and satellite services are getting the local station from the adjacent state rather than their own.

* The bill now is limited to only those counties where subscribers can't get home-state news, sports, and entertainment.
* It encourages MVPDs to carry both local and adjacent stations, but requires local service first.

First of all, what is an MVPD?

EDIT: Crap, I posted this by accident rather than editing....

An MVPD is a TV provider right? And the article does a blunt job on describing "adjacent" and "local"....

Switched Digital Video.. Could be nearly limitless bandwidth.. And yes it will break old devices, however I think Tivo came up with a workaround and not much else uses cablecards at this point so there's little reason to worry.True -- essentially, legacy devices are all going to be useless for recording digital cable anyway unless they effectively comply with the federal regulations concerning separable security, so SDV won't matter, except for any devices that might support CableCARD but not the TA.

According tho this story (http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/10/31/necn_beefs_up_sports_programming_as_sportsnet_makes_more_hir es/) in the Globe, Comcast is preparing NECN to go HD by January. Maybe this will help appease some of the Comcast subscribers in Bristol County who cannot get the Boston HD channels from Comcast.

While NECN prepares for more sports programming, Bridgen plans to give the station a makeover. He said Comcast will spend an estimated $1 million so NECN can begin broadcasting in high definition by January. That will provide NECN with new cameras, a new logo, and freshened on-screen graphics. Most importantly, Bridgen said, it will bring new viewers to NECN.

Well, good for NECN to finally switchover to HD. I'd kill Comcast if this became a Bristol County issue again, since NECN is viewed by pretty much all of New England.

Unencrypted QAM moving often over here in Milford. Yesterday channel 4 and others moved, and even more moved overnight. Ugh.

All sorts of new HD channels here in Cambridge, faster that I thought. I thought there more channels

Unencrypted QAM moving often over here in Milford. Yesterday channel 4 and others moved, and even more moved overnight. Ugh.

I lost the HD 4,5,7,25,38 and 56 Monday night. Rescanned Tuesday morning and everything came back in the same place. I noticed they were still working @11 pm Tuesday night.

All sorts of new HD channels here in Cambridge, faster that I thought. I thought there more channelsWe got 16 new HD channels yesterday (59 total).

We are due to get 42 more HD channels on 2 December (101 total).

Awesome for you guys to get some changes, still nothing going here in Fall River.

On a side note, is everyones avs time off by an hour, or am I supposed to change that myself??

Daylight savings time. Enable it or yeah, manually do it.

Well I've reached the end of my patience with the Comcast HD DVR. The quirky little bugs I could deal with, but we're recording more shows than we can keep up with this season, and 20 hours of HD capacity just isn't cutting it any more.

I'll be ordering a TivoHD and external 1TB HD for a total capacity of 165 hours of HD goodness. For a one time $330 expense, the breathing room will be well worth it.

Really a shame that Comcast was never able to let us add a hard drive to their DVR.

Still can't get QAM 5 and 7 HD in Milford.

I'll be ordering a TivoHD and external 1TB HD for a total capacity of 165 hours of HD goodness. For a one time $330 expense, the breathing room will be well worth it.The TiVo HD, with a 1TB external drive, and lifetime service, is a one-time $850 expense (approximately). It is a great option for folks who can afford it.

Do note that many of us had problems with the external drive enclosures, and eventually broke the warranty and installed upgraded hard drive inside the TiVo.

The conversion list was starting to get buried.

Comcast Digital Conversions Boston Area: Updated list

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

November:Attleboro, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Dighton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Hanson, Holbrook, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Stoughton, Swansea, Taunton, West Bridgewater & Whitman

Andover, Lawrence, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover & North Reading

January 2010:
Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Baldwinville, Bedford, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Clinton, Concord, Devens (Ayer) East Templeton, Edgewater Hills, Edgewater Terrance, Fitchburg, Framingham, Gardner, Hanscomb Airforce Base, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lunenburg, Maynard, Otter River, Phillipston, Shirley, Southboro, Sterling, Stowe, Sudbury, Templeton, Townsend, West Templeton, Westford, Westminster & Winchendon MA
Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Salem, Somerville, Swampscott, Wakefield & Winthrop MA

March 2010:
Billerica, Dracut, Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Dedham, Sherborn, Waltham, Newton, Watertown, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, Natick, Needham

Not sure what I qouted was the most recent one, but here are more launches for March

Berkley, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, New Bedford, Rochester, Wareham

Derry, Hampstead, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown

The TiVo HD, with a 1TB external drive, and lifetime service, is a one-time $850 expense (approximately). It is a great option for folks who can afford it.
I've ordered a recertified TivoHD from tivo.com for $199 (+12.95 first month's subscription), and a 1TB WD My DVR Expander (only one supported by Tivo's warranty) from Amazon for $130. I'll need to feel comfortable with its reliability before committing to a Lifetime Service fee. In the meantime I'll trade the monthly Comcast DVR fee for the monthly Tivo subscription fee.

For only $230 I'm able to get my feet wet with it. If I had gone with Lifetime, that's $400 more, totaling $630. Going with a new unit instead of recertified would add $100, totalling $730. Where does $850 come from? Have I missed an expense somewhere? I hope not. :)

Do note that many of us had problems with the external drive enclosures, and eventually broke the warranty and installed upgraded hard drive inside the TiVo.

I upgraded the HD in my Series 1 a few different times, so I'm not uncomfortable with doing that if necessary. Did the problems you mentioned happen with the supported WD My DVR Expander drives, or other non-supported drives?

I've ordered a recertified TivoHD from tivo.com for $199 (+12.95 first month's subscription), and a 1TB WD My DVR Expander (only one supported by Tivo's warranty) from Amazon for $130.That's great.

If I had gone with Lifetime, that's $400 more, totaling $630. Going with a new unit instead of recertified would add $100, totalling $730. Where does $850 come from? Have I missed an expense somewhere? I hope not. :)I think your math is a little off... TiVo HD $299.99 ($100 more than your reconditioned unit, like you said)
My DVR Expander $129 (like you said)
Lifetime Service $399 (like you said)
$827.99 (plus shipping and tax, as applicable).

At least according to my calculator.

I upgraded the HD in my Series 1 a few different times, so I'm not uncomfortable with doing that if necessary. Did the problems you mentioned happen with the supported WD My DVR Expander drives, or other non-supported drives?I had the 500GB WD My DVR Expander. It didn't seem to matter whether it was a supported drive or not.

I've ordered a recertified TivoHD from tivo.com for $199 (+12.95 first month's subscription), and a 1TB WD My DVR Expander (only one supported by Tivo's warranty) from Amazon for $130. I'll need to feel comfortable with its reliability before committing to a Lifetime Service fee. In the meantime I'll trade the monthly Comcast DVR fee for the monthly Tivo subscription fee.

For only $230 I'm able to get my feet wet with it. If I had gone with Lifetime, that's $400 more, totaling $630. Going with a new unit instead of recertified would add $100, totalling $730. Where does $850 come from? Have I missed an expense somewhere? I hope not. :)


Your foot wetting cost you $330 not $230.

Not sure what I qouted was the most recent one, but here are more launches for March

Berkley, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, New Bedford, Rochester, Wareham

Derry, Hampstead, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown

Finally! This is way past due. I'm sure my boy Gt1racer is breathing a sigh of relief, as well as old_man. ;)

Comcast Digital Conversions Boston Area: Updated list

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

November:Attleboro, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Dighton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Hanson, Holbrook, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Stoughton, Swansea, Taunton, West Bridgewater & Whitman

Andover, Lawrence, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover & North Reading

January 2010:
Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Baldwinville, Bedford, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Clinton, Concord, Devens (Ayer) East Templeton, Edgewater Hills, Edgewater Terrance, Fitchburg, Framingham, Gardner, Hanscomb Airforce Base, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lunenburg, Maynard, Otter River, Phillipston, Shirley, Southboro, Sterling, Stowe, Sudbury, Templeton, Townsend, West Templeton, Westford, Westminster & Winchendon MA
Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Salem, Somerville, Swampscott, Wakefield & Winthrop MA

March 2010:
Billerica, Dracut, Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Dedham, Sherborn, Waltham, Newton, Watertown, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, Natick, Needham

Berkley, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, New Bedford, Rochester, Wareham

Derry, Hampstead, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown

Finally! This is way past due. I'm sure my boy Gt1racer is breathing a sigh of relief, as well as old_man. ;)

Since the conversion are moving well they should just move them all up !

-Ken

Still no confirmation on Plymouth or pretty much any of Plymouth County, eh? I read a report somewhere or other that said Southeastern MA could be as soon as next week (Nov 10th), and finished in early December. But I wanna see Plymouth on that sheet! :(

This is a really big sigh of relief, thanks for thinking of me.

i'm just glad to see my city in any conversion list!

GT1 did you get your letter? I am in Fall River and got one yesterday. The change over will be 3/11/10. You can order your DTA,s now.

Tim:)

Still no confirmation on Plymouth or pretty much any of Plymouth County, eh? I read a report somewhere or other that said Southeastern MA could be as soon as next week (Nov 10th), and finished in early December. But I wanna see Plymouth on that sheet! :(

Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Hanson, West Bridgewater & Whitman are all in Plymouth County. Isn't Plymouth a former Adelphia system, so it's uses SA instead of Motorola boxes? Would that be the difference? Other former Adelphia systems include Abington, Rockland, Pembroke, Duxbury; haven't seen any of those places listed yet either.

Yes we were formerly Adelphia, and I do have a Scientific Atlanta. Also I must've skipped some of those, I feel dumb now. :(

Coincidentally, I just called Comcast regarding another matter, and took a second to add when it might hit Plymouth, and while she said she didn't see it on the list, she mentioned something about a website digitalworldofmore.com or something similar where you can actually check the conversion status in your town. Only trouble is I'm having problems finding that site. Heh, should've checked before I hung up.

In any event, if someone can find that, there might be a quick method for everyone to check.

I am in Fall River and got one yesterday. The change over will be 3/11/10. You can order your DTA,s now.

I got my letter as well :) No mention of HD channels though :(

I got my letter as well :) No mention of HD channels though :(

Give it time, notification comes in phases.

Comcast Digital Conversions Boston Area: Updated list

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

November:Attleboro, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Dighton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Hanson, Holbrook, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Stoughton, Swansea, Taunton, West Bridgewater & Whitman

Andover, Lawrence, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover & North Reading

January 2010:
Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Baldwinville, Bedford, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Clinton, Concord, Devens (Ayer) East Templeton, Edgewater Hills, Edgewater Terrance, Fitchburg, Framingham, Gardner, Hanscomb Airforce Base, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lunenburg, Maynard, Otter River, Phillipston, Shirley, Southboro, Sterling, Stowe, Sudbury, Templeton, Townsend, West Templeton, Westford, Westminster & Winchendon MA
Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Salem, Somerville, Swampscott, Wakefield & Winthrop MA

March 2010:
Billerica, Dracut, Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Dedham, Sherborn, Waltham, Newton, Watertown, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, Natick, Needham

Berkley, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, New Bedford, Rochester, Wareham

Derry, Hampstead, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown

I think Randolph (Mass.) will be last to convert!:(

GT1 did you get your letter? I am in Fall River and got one yesterday. The change over will be 3/11/10. You can order your DTA,s now.

Tim:)

Hey Tim, i've been checking my mail everyday and have not gotten any notification whatsoever. (might be because all the boxes in my parents house are the DCH-3416 HD-DVR and we have the Digital premium package) But thanks for sharing that you got one!

it might be distributed by what part of the city your in because i'm right next to the RT-81 and I-195 Jct and like a couple blocks from the warren st office so thanks for letting me know.

i got some good friends that also live here that need dta's so i will tell them the wonderful news!

Hey Tim, i've been checking my mail everyday and have not gotten any notification whatsoever. (might be because all the boxes in my parents house are the DCH-3416 HD-DVR and we have the Digital premium package) But thanks for sharing that you got one!

it might be distributed by what part of the city your in because i'm right next to the RT-81 and I-195 Jct and like a couple blocks from the warren st office so thanks for letting me know.

i got some good friends that also live here that need dta's so i will tell them the wonderful news!

The notification usually comes with your bill. If you get your bill electronically only, check your statement online.

That's great.

I think your math is a little off... TiVo HD $299.99 ($100 more than your reconditioned unit, like you said)
My DVR Expander $129 (like you said)
Lifetime Service $399 (like you said)
$827.99 (plus shipping and tax, as applicable).

At least according to my calculator.
Yup - I'd say my math was way off. :)

I had the 500GB WD My DVR Expander. It didn't seem to matter whether it was a supported drive or not.

After doing some more thread reading, it seems that the enclosures are to blame (which, looking back, is exactly what you stated), and the drives themselves are fine. I'm hoping that the 1TB Expanders have better reliability than the 500GB version. But if I run into the same problem, I think I can put the Expander drive in a new enclosure, put it all back together, and be ok. First I have to get Comcast to install the cable cards successfully but my techs from Exeter have always been really good, so fingers crossed.

The notification usually comes with your bill. If you get your bill electronically only, check your statement online.



Thanks for letting me know that, i checked my parents bill and yep i did get the notification.

Tomorrow's the big day for Attleboro!.....I hope....

Will the new HD channels show up pretty quickly or will it take a few days?

May be our last hope in getting WBZ/WHDH-HD here.....

Showed up over night here in Cambridge

Tomorrow's the big day for Attleboro!.....I hope....

Will the new HD channels show up pretty quickly or will it take a few days?

May be our last hope in getting WBZ/WHDH-HD here.....

Remember, the HDs come in two waves. One at the first cut of channels, the last a week or two after the rest of the analogs are cut.

Hope it shows up overnight for Attleboro too.

Can the HD channels magically appear when your TV is on or would you have to turn off/turn on the TV?

I made this map, probably has a few missing cities, but here's a start:

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4518/comcastmap.png

Hope it shows up overnight for Attleboro too.

Can the HD channels magically appear when your TV is on or would you have to turn off/turn on the TV?

I made this map, probably has a few missing cities, but here's a start:

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4518/comcastmap.png

Nice Job ! Very impressive, I thought for a minute it was an offical Comcast map !

-Ken

Tomorrow's the big day for Attleboro!.....I hope....

No analogs gone or new HDs in Hanson yet.

Thanks, I decided to create the map out of boredom so you can notice a pattern in switchover areas.

Nothing new here in Attleboro yet, but my concerns were:

1) One person told me they appear faster if you unplug the cable box and reconnect it after a few seconds, is that true or no?

2) Can the HD channels magically appear if your TV is turned on, or does your TV have to be off?

Thanks a lot, again.

Best way to see if they updated your area is the 1st answer but leave it out for around 2 mins to 5 mins then put it back in and let it reboot to see if an update occurred.

only take out the black plug that is connected to the cable box.

Has Reading been switched over yet. If so do I have to reboot. Thanks Steve.:)

No analogs gone or new HDs in Hanson yet.

The last couple of times that they did channel adds no reboot or reset was required.

1) One person told me they appear faster if you unplug the cable box and reconnect it after a few seconds, is that true or no?This essentially just reboots the box, it's the same (or almost the same) as the Refresh signal that they would send to your house if you called them, the refresh would be used to fix things such as this, so yes. Odds are if you reload the box, it should update if the channels are available.

Tonight is round 2 for Hopkinton so I'm certainly excited. For round 1 they showed up around midnight of the listed day. I didn't need to reboot the box or anything, just changed the channel and all were there.

Yeah, when I got MLB Network HD/NFL Network HD randomly one day, I noticed it around 2 AM. I was laying in bed, was on the DVR channel (800), forgot I needed to check another show to record, channel down, bam, MLB Network HD. Not sure how long it had been there of course, but my box hadn't been turned off and it just updated itself.

I had read an article that Plymouth may get the channels on the 10th (or even 11th), but so far no such luck. I hate that I might have to wait until early next year! ARGH! I need more HD!

Tonight is round 2 for Hopkinton so I'm certainly excited. For round 1 they showed up around midnight of the listed day. I didn't need to reboot the box or anything, just changed the channel and all were there.

All the new HD stations are active in Medway.

Was using my DVR at 5AM and the box rebooted itself. But when it came back on, there were no changes. I am in East Bridgewater. Still no changes as of 624AM.

Was using my DVR at 5AM and the box rebooted itself. But when it came back on, there were no changes. I am in East Bridgewater. Still no changes as of 624AM.

The scheduled analog channels went away just after midnight here in Hanson, but no new HDs yet.

The scheduled analog channels went away just after midnight here in Hanson, but no new HDs yet.

What analog channels went away?

First I have to get Comcast to install the cable cards successfully but my techs from Exeter have always been really good, so fingers crossed.

I live next to Exeter. Let us know how you make out. My inclination would be to install the cable cards myself if there's a Comcast service charge. I'm waiting (probably in vain) for TiVo to make an offer that moves my Lifetime Tivo 2 service to a new HD box at less than buying Lifetime again.

Anybody have the NHL HD channel yet?? whats the channel number??

What analog channels went away?

28 (MTV), 30 (FX), 33 (TNT), 34 (E!), 36 (Lifetime), 38 (TLC), 40 (Food Network), 47 (Weather Channel), 53 (Travel Channel), 60 (Cartoon Network), 64 (TV Land), and 65 (Versus).

Still no new HDs...

Nothing new in Attleboro. Called comcast, they told me it will be sometime by the end of the week.

Tonight is round 2 for Hopkinton so I'm certainly excited.

Same here, this is the wave I've been looking forward to.

Nothing new in Attleboro. Called comcast, they told me it will be sometime by the end of the week.

Yay, glad it wasn't just me. Did you ever end up getting a notice in the mail saying which TV channels would be added?

I did reset my cable box this morning and didn't get them, but thanks for the update.

28 (MTV), 30 (FX), 33 (TNT), 34 (E!), 36 (Lifetime), 38 (TLC), 40 (Food Network), 47 (Weather Channel), 53 (Travel Channel), 60 (Cartoon Network), 64 (TV Land), and 65 (Versus).

Still no new HDs...

Still got all these channels:mad::mad:

Anybody have the NHL HD channel yet?? whats the channel number??
NHL-HD is on channel 822.

Only spent a few minutes surfing the new channels today. Weather Channel HD actually looked very good, for you weather freaks. One I'm interested in, IFC-HD is up, and I'm hoping they have some good HD movies, and at least a few in OAR.

Mickey

Where is MSNBCHD?

Comcast Digital Conversions Boston Area: Updated list

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

November:Attleboro, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Dighton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Hanson, Holbrook, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Stoughton, Swansea, Taunton, West Bridgewater & Whitman

Andover, Lawrence, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover & North Reading

January 2010:
Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Baldwinville, Bedford, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Clinton, Concord, Devens (Ayer) East Templeton, Edgewater Hills, Edgewater Terrance, Fitchburg, Framingham, Gardner, Hanscomb Airforce Base, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lunenburg, Maynard, Otter River, Phillipston, Shirley, Southboro, Sterling, Stowe, Sudbury, Templeton, Townsend, West Templeton, Westford, Westminster & Winchendon MA
Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Salem, Somerville, Swampscott, Wakefield & Winthrop MA

March 2010:
Billerica, Dracut, Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Dedham, Sherborn, Waltham, Newton, Watertown, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, Natick, Needham

Berkley, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, New Bedford, Rochester, Wareham

Derry, Hampstead, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown

March 2010
Nashua

I've noticed some bugs such as the new chans 843, & 900-903 don't have a name or any guide info. It's also saying I don't have a sub to Encore HD when I have Encore and the affiliates in SD.

Alright, I'm going to take this time to post the HD Channels I currently receive:

800 - HDPPV
802 - WGBH HD
803 - IONHD
805 - WCVB HD
806 - WLNE HD
810 - WJAR HD
811 - WNAC HD
812 - WPRI HD
813 - WLWC HD
818 - MLB HD
819 - WSBE HD
821 - NGC HD
823 - DSC HD
824 - Disney HD
826 -ABC Family HD
828 - PLD HD
830 - FX HD
831 - TBS HD
832 - HGTV HD
833 - TNT HD
834 - E! HD
835 - USA HD
837 - A & E HD
839 - HDT
841 - FNC HD
842 - CNN HD
845 - Weatherscan (Doesn't appear to be HD though)
846 - UHD
848 - GOLF HD
849 - ESPN HD
850 - ESPN2 HD
851 - NESN HD
852 - CSN HD
853 - NFL Network HD
854 - FOOD HD
859 - AMC HD
860 - TOON HD
862 - Syfy HD
863 - AP HD
865 - VS HD
866 - SCI HD
867 - TLC HD
868 - MAX HD
870 - HBO HD
872 - HIS HD
875 - STZ HD
877 - SHO HD
878 - SHO2 HD
883 - TMC HD
886 - ENT
887 - SHOP
888 - SLT
889 - AUTO
891 - TRAV
892 - JOBS
893 - IAD24
899 - NFL Red Zone (HD?)

Now, chances are it seems that 886 and beyond aren't HD, but I'm listing them here just in case.

Here are the missing channels:

804 (WBZ HD)
807 (WHDH HD)
814 (WSBK HD)
816 (WGBX HD)
822 (WFXT HD)
WLVI occupies Channel 18 on SD, so I'm not sure where'd that fit in
847? (TWC HD)
825? (NICK HD)
BRAVO HD?
MTV/VH1 HD?
NHL HD doesn't seem to be in the 800 lineup
NECN doesn't appear to be HD ready yet, it seems
Channel 21 in SD is some foreign language channel, but I don't know if that will go HD
TruTV HD, it seems
I don't see Lifetime listed in HD...

Now, I'm pretty sure these channels won't go HD anytime soon:

Channel 9 in Attleboro (school's notice channel)
Channel 15 in Attleboro (ACS TV or something, but it's a channel for the city)
Channel 17 in Attleboro (appears to be another city exclusive channel)

Now, what else appears to be missing? We seem to have a ton of HD channels, even before the switchover.

Regarding the Boston HD Channels, if they have enough bandwidth remaining for them, there's a part of me that says Comcast will add them, especially after numerous customer complaints and cable committee complaints over the past several years, AND with the pressure of FIOS coming to Bristol County. But, there's the other side of me that says they won't add them while they bathe in their 100 dollar bills, which I think is more likely to happen.

Alright, I'm going to take this time to post the HD Channels I currently receive:

800 - HDPPV
802 - WGBH HD
803 - IONHD
805 - WCVB HD
806 - WLNE HD
810 - WJAR HD
811 - WNAC HD
812 - WPRI HD
813 - WLWC HD
818 - MLB HD
819 - WSBE HD
821 - NGC HD
823 - DSC HD
824 - Disney HD
826 -ABC Family HD
828 - PLD HD
830 - FX HD
831 - TBS HD
832 - HGTV HD
833 - TNT HD
834 - E! HD
835 - USA HD
837 - A & E HD
839 - HDT
841 - FNC HD
842 - CNN HD
845 - Weatherscan (Doesn't appear to be HD though)
846 - UHD
848 - GOLF HD
849 - ESPN HD
850 - ESPN2 HD
851 - NESN HD
852 - CSN HD
853 - NFL Network HD
854 - FOOD HD
859 - AMC HD
860 - TOON HD
862 - Syfy HD
863 - AP HD
865 - VS HD
866 - SCI HD
867 - TLC HD
868 - MAX HD
870 - HBO HD
872 - HIS HD
875 - STZ HD
877 - SHO HD
878 - SHO2 HD
883 - TMC HD
886 - ENT
887 - SHOP
888 - SLT
889 - AUTO
891 - TRAV
892 - JOBS
893 - IAD24
899 - NFL Red Zone (HD?)

Now, chances are it seems that 886 and beyond aren't HD, but I'm listing them here just in case.

Here are the missing channels:

804 (WBZ HD)
807 (WHDH HD)
814 (WSBK HD)
816 (WGBX HD)
822 (WFXT HD)
WLVI occupies Channel 18 on SD, so I'm not sure where'd that fit in
847? (TWC HD)
825? (NICK HD)
BRAVO HD?
MTV/VH1 HD?
NHL HD doesn't seem to be in the 800 lineup
NECN doesn't appear to be HD ready yet, it seems
Channel 21 in SD is some foreign language channel, but I don't know if that will go HD
TruTV HD, it seems
I don't see Lifetime listed in HD...

Now, I'm pretty sure these channels won't go HD anytime soon:

Channel 9 in Attleboro (school's notice channel)
Channel 15 in Attleboro (ACS TV or something, but it's a channel for the city)
Channel 17 in Attleboro (appears to be another city exclusive channel)

Now, what else appears to be missing? We seem to have a ton of HD channels, even before the switchover.

Regarding the Boston HD Channels, if they have enough bandwidth remaining for them, there's a part of me that says Comcast will add them, especially after numerous customer complaints and cable committee complaints over the past several years, AND with the pressure of FIOS coming to Bristol County. But, there's the other side of me that says they won't add them while they bathe in their 100 dollar bills, which I think is more likely to happen.

You've forgotten these channels:
784 Travel HD
791 QVC HD
794 Bravo HD
795 CNBC HD

Thanks, I usually associate HD channels with the 800s, since I never really have much of a reason to go through the 700s.

Got all the new HD channels here in Millis right on schedule. The guide still has a few without information filled in, but I'm sure that will be fine soon. Did some quick surfing, Weather Channel HD is nice, but yes, they left 845 non-HD Weather Scan in the middle of all those HD channels so I still have that annoying delay when I surf past it. Anyway, looks like I have no reason to watch a non-HD channel again :) ...other than of course 845... :(

I live next to Exeter. Let us know how you make out. My inclination would be to install the cable cards myself if there's a Comcast service charge. I'm waiting (probably in vain) for TiVo to make an offer that moves my Lifetime Tivo 2 service to a new HD box at less than buying Lifetime again.

I went to the Comcast office to see if I could get the cable cards to install myself. Was told that they don't have any cards there, so no choice but to have a tech visit ($17.50).

The TivoHD is scheduled to arrive today, Comcast tech to arrive tomorrow (friday).

I'll report back on how it goes.

Got all the new HD channels here in Millis right on schedule. The guide still has a few without information filled in, but I'm sure that will be fine soon. Did some quick surfing, Weather Channel HD is nice, but yes, they left 845 non-HD Weather Scan in the middle of all those HD channels so I still have that annoying delay when I surf past it. Anyway, looks like I have no reason to watch a non-HD channel again :) ...other than of course 845... :(

On schedule meaning, you were notified in advance of the start date?

On schedule meaning, you were notified in advance of the start date?

Yes, a few months ago included with my bill was a notice of new channels being added (some back in October, and the rest on Nov 11th).

Had them all in Marlboro when I got home from work last night. Took a while to find ESPNU HD, it's on 900 but was not labeled as such. Love having that, the Big Ten Network HD, just in time for basketball season. :D

I chatted online with someone from Comcast today in regards to the Attleboro area. He said that due to a bandwidth issue, the switch will not happen until November 16th. I'll assume that that means for most of Bristol County as well.

Bandwidth issues? Wasn't the whole point of the digital switchover to increase bandwidth?

Today with my bill statement there was a list of the new HD channels we'll be getting, and it said that they won't be added until the 24th. There's also a much larger list for the second round, and those won't come until December 21st.

Where are you at, if I may ask?

Today with my bill statement there was a list of the new HD channels we'll be getting, and it said that they won't be added until the 24th. There's also a much larger list for the second round, and those won't come until December 21st.

Wow that second wave is bound to be an exciting Christmas present.

Where are you at, if I may ask?

I think he is in Hanson.

I got a bill today in attleboro looks like on 11/24 we are getting 9 new hd channels Spike and Espnews being the big ones than on 12/21 looks like 38 more new hd channels coming all the Hbo's, Nba tv, Nhl tv, espnu, big ten net, msnbc, weather hd among them. Looks like we will not get the Boston channels in HD so let the debate continue. Its funny how Verizon Fios can carry both Providence and Boston in HD in Bristol County but Comcast cant blaming it on FCC rules. If they are FCC rules than how does Verizon Fios carry them?

Switch to FIOS

The FCC rules require provision of Providence channels to subscribers in Bristol County.

FiOS's network is much much much newer than Comcast's -- so new that they're still building it! As you would expect with remarkably newer technology, it has more capacity, so they can waste bandwidth with lots of duplications.

As soon as Verizon Fios hits Attleboro I am dropping Comcast. North Attleboro just got Fios we are next in line. Comcast is garbage until I got MLB Network in HD last month I dont think had a new HD channel in over a year. I know they have the rollout coming over next few months but too little too late for me. Always getting a bill saying rated are going up 2% or some other BS and no Boston channels in HD except channel 5. I hope Fios puts Comcast into the ground.

Is anyone outside of Boston getting TCM HD (not TMCHD)?

Some posts indicate that it's part of the new packages of HD channels. We don't have it in Boston yet.:(

Is anyone outside of Boston getting TCM HD (not TMCHD)?

Some posts indicate that it's part of the new packages of HD channels. We don't have it in Boston yet.:(

Just got my list today and TCMHD isnt on it. TMC xtraHD is listed on ch.884.

My first wave is schedled for Tuesday 11/17 and the final wave for 12/21.

I got my list yesterday of new HD channels coming. Military Channel, Speed, History Internationl, and DIY Network are ones they did not add in HD which they should have as well as the Boston channels in HD.

I got my list yesterday of new HD channels coming. Military Channel, Speed, History Internationl, and DIY Network are ones they did not add in HD which they should have as well as the Boston channels in HD.

Well......I don't know what else to say...

Well, the people in the Norton/Easton/Raynham/Mansfield/Taunton areas were pushing these the most, but I doubt they'll get them too...

Since the conversion are moving well they should just move them all up !

-Ken

I totally agree Ken, the jan conversions should be moved to dec and the march conversions should be moved up to jan.

There is no need for comcast to take december and february breaks if this a crucial time in their history.

Is anyone outside of Boston getting TCM HD (not TMCHD)?

Some posts indicate that it's part of the new packages of HD channels. We don't have it in Boston yet.:(

TCM HD is scheduled for the second round of channels in early december.

TCM HD is scheduled for the second round of channels in early december.

In Boston, or in only the neighboring areas?

Is anyone outside of Boston getting TCM HD (not TMCHD)?

Some posts indicate that it's part of the new packages of HD channels. We don't have it in Boston yet.:(

Turner Classic Movies in HD? Yes, I have it in the MetroWest area.

Turner Classic Movies in HD? Yes, I have it in the MetroWest area.

On what channel?

In Boston, or in only the neighboring areas?

I'm in Cambridge, but I'm pretty sure Boston and surrounding areas are on the same schedule.

Uh... have I not been paying attention? I've noticed now that I no longer get WBPX-DT 803 via my CableCARD-equipped TiVo S3. It is possible that I lost it about the same time I switched from Digital Starter to Digital Economy.

WBPX-68 shows up as included in "Basic Cable" so it sure seems to me that it should be provided as part of Digital Economy. I think it is a safe bet that someone screwed up setting up the Digital Economy tier in my local head-end -- they apparently left this local channel out.

It isn't really worth going after getting this fixed. I've only been recording one show off this channel, and the only way I found out that this channel was missing was that I noticed that the folder for that program in my TiVo Now Playing List was not getting longer. It's been at least six weeks, like this, and we didn't notice until now, so clearly it isn't worth the effort to get this fix (especially since we're probably changing providers in a couple of weeks).

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else in the North of Boston area, with a digital cable box or CableCARDs, has noticed this channel missing... or perhaps does anyone with digital service in this area have this channel available to them?

I'm in a city which just went through the digital switch over, half in October the rest this month November. Last week I've noticed about three Comcast bucket trucks working on the lines on a nearby street. This week three bucket trucks were on my street. Has anyone who's in a town that has undergone the switchover noticed these trucks also. I'm just wondering if along with the switchover Comcast is doing some sort of upgrade to the infrastructure.

I'm not sure if this should be posted in the HDTV technical forum so forgive me if this is the wrong area for this post.
I have the 3400 series Motorola HD-DVR box. This past 3 or 4 days I've noticed a delay in sound when changing to certain channels. That is when I switch to a channel the picture will appear but the sound will be mute for several seconds before it comes on. FWIW the box is attached the my TV via HDMI cable. Please note, this is different from the issue of the delay in changing channels caused by having the box set to native output vs 1080i output.

How many people have NFL Redzone in HD on channel 889? There is no way that channel is in HD. Say the Patriots are playing on CBS and you are watching Redzone on 889 and they show a Pats redzone drive turn it over to CBS feed 812 or 804 depending on what CBS feed you get in HD. The CBS HD feed is much more crisp and clear than NFL Redzone on 889. Anyone else see the difference?

I'm in Cambridge, but I'm pretty sure Boston and surrounding areas are on the same schedule.

NOPE--not yet in Boston. Only in the suburbs.

NOPE--not yet in Boston. Only in the suburbs.

I know, we dont have it yet either, we should be getting it next month.

The difference could just be attributed to NFLRZ piggy backing the feed. I barely watch the RedZone channel but when I have, it's not all that bad. Nothing noticeable, and I'm a hardcore HD addict.

I'm a hardcore HD viewer as well, and a hardcore NFL Redzone viewer (IMHO, the best channel evah on Sunday afternoons), anyway I haven't noticed any major degradation in picture quality on RZ. Depending on the game being shown some are better than others (I'm assuming the primary reason would be the initial broadcast feed) but overall I usually can't tell the difference. For example if I'm watching a game on CBS and then switch over to RZ the quality is the same (and since there's a few second lag, you often see the exact same play on both, so it's easy to compare).

How many people have NFL Redzone in HD on channel 889? There is no way that channel is in HD. Say the Patriots are playing on CBS and you are watching Redzone on 889 and they show a Pats redzone drive turn it over to CBS feed 812 or 804 depending on what CBS feed you get in HD. The CBS HD feed is much more crisp and clear than NFL Redzone on 889. Anyone else see the difference?

I agree the RZ channel does not look as good as the "regular" channel. Perhaps it has something to do with the format conversions? i.e. if RZ is 720p then they'd have to convert the CBS 1080i feed to 720p. If RZ is 1080i, they'd have to convert Fox's 720p feed. Not sure which it is, but I imagine that might affect the quality. It is a nice channel to have, unless there's a game I really care about on, I typically just watch it on Sunday afternoons.

It's been at least six weeks, like this, and we didn't notice until now, so clearly it isn't worth the effort to get this fix (especially since we're probably changing providers in a couple of weeks).



Bicker,

What provider are you going with (FioS I presume) ?

-Ken

I agree the RZ channel does not look as good as the "regular" channel. Perhaps it has something to do with the format conversions? i.e. if RZ is 720p then they'd have to convert the CBS 1080i feed to 720p. If RZ is 1080i, they'd have to convert Fox's 720p feed. Not sure which it is, but I imagine that might affect the quality. It is a nice channel to have, unless there's a game I really care about on, I typically just watch it on Sunday afternoons.

I think this channel is better than having NFL Sunday Ticket. You see every score from every game and dont have to suffer the commericals. And dont have to pay the exorbitant Sunday Ticket fee.

Did anybody notice any changes in the transitioning areas today? because some were told like (Attleboro) for example that changes will take place this week rather than last week.

What provider are you going with (FioS I presume) ?Yup. Their high-speed Internet service is really the major motivation. The biggest aspect was the fact that FiOS is closer to symmetrical (25/15 instead of 20/4 or 30/7 with Comcast) -- for various reasons, she feels that the upload throughput is a limiting factor on her satisfaction.

I'm not keen on losing Comcast's nicely-priced Digital Economy service, but the wife is insistent on doing something about getting better throughput to the web.

Did anybody notice any changes in the transitioning areas today? because some were told like (Attleboro) for example that changes will take place this week rather than last week.

East Bridgewater is scheduled to start tomorrow, and so far, no changes to the channel lineup.

Did everyone else's internet modem lease charge go up to $5 from $3 in their latest bill?

Did everyone else's internet modem lease charge go up to $5 from $3 in their latest bill?

Yup this is a national increase.

-Ken

Yup this is a national increase.

-Ken

Thanks for confirming. Did they also up the price to purchase a modem, or is that now a more financially responsible option?

Got letter Early last week that our Town (Salem NH) is going all digital in March.
Ordered 2 Dta's on tuesday they arrived Friday.
Tried activating online per instuctions and was a NO GO:mad:
Spent an hour with tech support still no go.
Tech comes today at 3 and said alot of people here in the Salem/Derry Area are having issues with the ones that were shipped out of Bridgewater Mass.They wouldn't accept the activation codes.

Tech got 2 Dtas from truck (look different) connected them up called in and all is good now.

I don't know your service level, but I had the same thing happen to me, and the reason, in the end, is that my service level, Digital Economy, is not eligible for DTAs.

Got letter Early last week that our Town (Salem NH) is going all digital in March.
Ordered 2 Dta's on tuesday they arrived Friday.
Tried activating online per instuctions and was a NO GO:mad:
Spent an hour with tech support still no go.
Tech comes today at 3 and said alot of people here in the Salem/Derry Area are having issues with the ones that were shipped out of Bridgewater Mass.They wouldn't accept the activation codes.

Tech got 2 Dtas from truck (look different) connected them up called in and all is good now.

Sure blame Bridgewater.

Our first phase is scheduled for today. So far nothing.

Received new channels in Methuen this morning. Didn't write down the whole list, but saw Travel, QVC, Lifetime Movie Network, something called Life, CNBC, Spike, E, and Planet Green. I guess this would be the first phase with more to come in December.

Have not received any notification via my bill. The December bill is due in the next few days and will probably have the details.

Just rechecked my notice and I was in error. Our Phase 1 start date is next Tuesday 11/24. My bad.

I think this channel is better than having NFL Sunday Ticket. You see every score from every game and dont have to suffer the commericals. And dont have to pay the exorbitant Sunday Ticket fee.

Agreed, and probably the NFL's way of throwing us a bone due to the exclusive contract they have with D* for Sunday Ticket.

Just rechecked my notice and I was in error. Our Phase 1 start date is next Tuesday 11/24. My bad.

Oh, COME ON! First the 11th. Then I'm told the 17th by online chat help. Now the 24th. Argh.

Any dates for HD adds in Easton?

Wow, my DVR went nuts Tuesday night, tried to record one episode of a show and when that show was done, it kept recording for 4 additional hours on that channel. :eek: Then it recorded 6 more segments at various times, none of which were that show (though that's what it said they were) anywhere from 30 min to 3 hours long. So I had ~9 hours of other stuff that got deleted off as a result. :mad:

Wow, my DVR went nuts Tuesday night, tried to record one episode of a show and when that show was done, it kept recording for 4 additional hours on that channel. :eek: Then it recorded 6 more segments at various times, none of which were that show (though that's what it said they were) anywhere from 30 min to 3 hours long. So I had ~9 hours of other stuff that got deleted off as a result. :mad:

this happens everytime i record the 11pm american chopper on TLC. For some reason the dvr or the schedule screws up the day change for some reason.

I only record Seinfeld from TBS and never have a problem.

Well, on my TV in my room, which has a coaxial cable running into the wall and no cablebox, several channels were dropped for me, including TWC, FX, TBS and TNT I believe, yet I don't think they've showed up in HD form on my TV downstairs.

If I remember the notifications Comcast provided subscribers, the analog channels go away at a certain date, and then a whole bunch of new HD channels are added a few weeks later. For us here in Burlington, I think (doing this from memory) it was October 20 (the removals) and November 14 (the additions).

I'm curious about something, but I hope I'm not inviting a rehashing of something discussed earlier in the thread that I simply don't remember. If I am, my apologies.

I understand the need for a DTA when using an old analog TV connected straight to the wall, as such a TV can not accept a digital signal. But why do we still need a DTA for a new TV? Is comcast also 'scrambling' the stations and the box is needed to 'unscramble' them?

And I'm not complaining, the little DTAs seem to do a good job and were easy enough to install, plus they were free. And I'm all for more space for HD.

I understand the need for a DTA when using an old analog TV connected straight to the wall, as such a TV can not accept a digital signal. But why do we still need a DTA for a new TV? Is comcast also 'scrambling' the stations and the box is needed to 'unscramble' them?If you have Digital Starter, or better: You generally don't need a DTA for a "new" HDTV if it has a QAM tuner in it (most HDTVs with a digital tuner do -- however, note that my own "new" kitchen television does not -- it only has an ATSC tuner; no QAM tuner). Comcast generally doesn't encrypt anything that you would be able to get with the DTA (at least not here in Burlington).

Note that if you have Digital Economy, or lower, you're not eligible for DTAs, so it's kind of a moot point.

If you have Digital Starter, or better: You generally don't need a DTA for a "new" HDTV if it has a QAM tuner in it (most HDTVs with a digital tuner do -- however, note that my own "new" kitchen television does not -- it only has an ATSC tuner; no QAM tuner). Comcast generally doesn't encrypt anything that you would be able to get with the DTA (at least not here in Burlington).

Note that if you have Digital Economy, or lower, you're not eligible for DTAs, so it's kind of a moot point.

Interesting, thanks. That explains why my Samsung needs the DTA, only ATSC. I never bothered checking on my Sony since I have a box for that tv.

on what channel?

903

If you have Digital Starter, or better: You generally don't need a DTA for a "new" HDTV if it has a QAM tuner in it (most HDTVs with a digital tuner do -- however, note that my own "new" kitchen television does not -- it only has an ATSC tuner; no QAM tuner). Comcast generally doesn't encrypt anything that you would be able to get with the DTA (at least not here in Burlington).

Note that if you have Digital Economy, or lower, you're not eligible for DTAs, so it's kind of a moot point.

Bicker is correct FOR NOW..but Comcast does now have the authority to encrypt the extended basic channels whenever they feel like it. That is why they are telling everyone that a dta is required for extended basic.

-Ken

Just a clarification: They've had the authority to encrypt extended basic all along. What they've recently gained is the authority to enable the weak decryption that DTAs can support.