i used to watch HDNet on DirecTV at a relative's house, its nice Comcast finally added it.

that's why I was asking :)

Chitchat,

Thats not very nice. Most of the people left in this forum live in towns that don't have FioS.

-Ken

Chitchat: or condo complexs

I assumed they came as a pair if one system has the right to carry HDNET they can also carry HDNET Movies

Besdies I have been with Fios for close to THREE years and Comcast Lawrence is just getting HDNet now.

Anyone else have this problem? Twice in the last two weeks the guide has been wiped out on both my DCX3400 and an older box. The power hasn't been lost in the house since my computer hasn't reset and the clocks aren't blinking. It keeps the series recordings as "To Be Announced" in Scheduled Recordings, but doesn't correct the titles in Scheduled Recordings after the guide has been repopulated and doesn't record the programs. I can watch the series On Demand, but it's a pain. I'm in Newbury. Thanks.

In Boston, WGBX HD is now on 818. No guide info as yet (at least on my TiVO).
And on another note, has anyone heard anything about when/why Boston doesn't have BBCA HD? Some of the programs are On Demand, but with a TiVO, that does me no good, and I understand that you have to sometimes wait days to see them.

In Bill, Comcast dropping WGBX SD from analog tier as of 9/1/11. it will be digital only. will they be doing that with other channels that are still analog like WMFP and other lower rated OTA channels to make room for more HD?

well my days with comcast are over. been tired of waiting for channels that i like that will take years to be added and for the price comcast charge us is ridiculous. so i went for directv a lot cheaper + they are offering the nfl sunday ticket for free even if there is no season it will carry over to the next one. bye comcast :D

I've been tuning into Channel 847 TWC lHDl the past 2 days and some Xfinity Commercials have been appearing alot lately, i don't know if it has something to do with the Intellistar 2 coming to the Boston Area but i will post any new updates if i see any changes.

Dont get excited. TWC is owned by NBC which is now owned by Comcast, hence the Xfinity Commercials

Does the Comcast Cable Setup Menu for DVR's now have a closed caption toggle menu? I am on the Cape and the Menu in the house we are renting has added this option. I was wondering it it is available in Cambridge?

I live in Attleboro, and subscribe to the Xfinity triple play (just got it in January). We have one DVR and one digital converter box. For some reason, I can't get MTV network channels in HD (MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, etc). They either come in pixelated or show a black screen with an error message.

We had a tech come out today, after having called 6 times over the past 8 weeks, and after having swapped out the box twice.

The tech today replaced some splitters, and the service worked for all of 40 minutes, before reverting back to the old ways.

Any ideas as to why only MTV network channels in HD don't work??? All other HD channels seem to work fine. I'm at my wit's end, and really considering DirecTV

With regards to the closed captioning I don't see why not.

To note CC has been mandatory I think being built into tv's since 1996. Technically there can be differences though between the cable company providing it and the television itself.

Comcast has a decent CC where you can select if you want just voice or for the background sounds to be factored in too. I doubt comcast would omit CC in cambridge.

With the MTV I'd have to ask a few things

1) What EXACTLY does the error message say

2) Have you tested another hdtv on it?

If they are all mtv network channels that might lead me to think that it isn't your tv it is simply comcast and not having their c band set up to the right satellite/Transponder. For this to be true there should be other people on your block that experience the same thing.

Or it could be the channels themselves. I have comcast and I don't have any of those in hd yet..except on demand.

To note sometimes it can even be the channel company. CNBC World screws up quite a bit often times not matching the IPG material or airing something totally off.

Read on the Comcast bill today that WGBX will be moved to the digital-only lineup on September 1. Hopefully this paves the way for another HD channel or two down the road. The bill mentions how they added WGBX HD on June 29th, but we already knew that.

I know all of the Boston and Providence locals I get here are still on the analog lineup, with the exception of WLVI (which was moved last year for me) and WGBX this September.

Also, I found this slip in the envelope saying XFINITY internet just got 25% faster. Here are the steps to get the speed increase.

1) Shut down your computer
2) Unplug your modem from outlet
3) Plug modem back in
4) Wait 30 seconds and then turn computer on

Has anybody else gotten this, experienced it, and noticed a difference? I have 4 computers in my house, so I wonder if I have to shut down all of them.

Has anybody else gotten this, experienced it, and noticed a difference? I have 4 computers in my house, so I wonder if I have to shut down all of them.

you don't have to shut down any of the computers, especially if you have a router.

if you don't have a router and run Windows, they tell you to do this because it causes Windows to reacquire an ip which sometimes is required, and possibly reacquire some other info about the network connection. I know linux doesn't require this, OSX possibly not either. But again, if you have a router you don't need to restart any of the computers.

if you have a router, replace "computer" with "router" in the instructions. some routers don't need this, but many do, and considering it takes less time for the router to start up than the cable modem it's a minor inconvenience.

you don't have to shut down any of the computers, especially if you have a router.

if you don't have a router and run Windows, they tell you to do this because it causes Windows to reacquire an ip which sometimes is required, and possibly reacquire some other info about the network connection. I know linux doesn't require this, OSX possibly not either. But again, if you have a router you don't need to restart any of the computers.

if you have a router, replace "computer" with "router" in the instructions. some routers don't need this, but many do, and considering it takes less time for the router to start up than the cable modem it's a minor inconvenience.

Yes, I do have a router, and I did reset that in the midst of doing everything else.

So, have you gotten this message from Comcast? Have you noticed any improvement in internet speed?

Things do seem a tad faster, but maybe it's me. Wish there was a way for me to compare.

So basically Comcast has too many problems to add the Intellistar 2 in Massachusetts (Verizon is having the same issues) even when Fall River has 24,000 requests for it to be on TWC lHDl

this is why Comcast's WOM upgrades comes back to bite them in the butt.

I live in Attleboro, and subscribe to the Xfinity triple play (just got it in January). We have one DVR and one digital converter box. For some reason, I can't get MTV network channels in HD (MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, etc). They either come in pixelated or show a black screen with an error message.

We had a tech come out today, after having called 6 times over the past 8 weeks, and after having swapped out the box twice.

The tech today replaced some splitters, and the service worked for all of 40 minutes, before reverting back to the old ways.

Any ideas as to why only MTV network channels in HD don't work??? All other HD channels seem to work fine. I'm at my wit's end, and really considering DirecTV

Hey,

I live in Norton and went through something similar a couple months ago, although it was only on one tv, the others were fine. A random assortment of HD channels just stopped working (some pixelation, but mostly 'this channel will be available shortly' messages), mostly sports channels. It was during the playoffs, so I had to watch a couple Bs games in a room besides where I wanted to.

Anyway, the tech put in a signal amp and everything has been fine since. I can't say if your issue is the same, but it might be worth suggesting this. Also, give up on calling them. Get the executive customer care email from the Better Business bureau site and tell them your story. You should get much better and faster service.

Good luck!

995 seems to come up with some sort of Linux error on the screen.

The EPG states they are all TBA for the programming.

I was under an impression that some of this might be for comcast employees

Same thing here in Fall River

Channel 990 has a screen saying "Not Authorized" Local

and the label says Local Access Programming.

About an hour ago I had some bad reception


wbin, necn, msnbc, hgtv were choppy

life d, nic, spike and mlb (all in hd) stated that "channel will be available shortly"

It's not the tv since it is new and it isn't on all channels

I have a feeling that the transponders that these channels are on might be the same satellite. In other words comcast isn't locking onto it strong enough.

Hello,

I have the Comcast 3-way bundle and I have a promotional offer that runs out in October. I called Comcast and they are going to increase the monthly charges by $35 when the promotional offer runs out.
My new monthly charges will be $221

I live in a condo in Boston. FIOS is not available and the condo assoc. will not allow DISH service so Comcast is my only available choice.
I do not want to change the package I have with Comcast and have less channels but if that is the only choice I have then that is what I will do.

Does anyone have suggestions on what I can do to stop that increase in monthly charges or at least lower it?

If it is important I am 64 yrs old and I will be 65 in November.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Jim

Hello,

I have the Comcast 3-way bundle and I have a promotional offer that runs out in October. I called Comcast and they are going to increase the monthly charges by $35 when the promotional offer runs out.
My new monthly charges will be $221

I live in a condo in Boston. FIOS is not available and the condo assoc. will not allow DISH service so Comcast is my only available choice.
I do not want to change the package I have with Comcast and have less channels but if that is the only choice I have then that is what I will do.

Does anyone have suggestions on what I can do to stop that increase in monthly charges or at least lower it?

If it is important I am 64 yrs old and I will be 65 in November.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Jim

You have a legal right to put up a dish at the condo. See the fcc rules below.

http://transition.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

The condo association can control where you put it, but it must be where it is usable.

-Ken

Or, call Comcast when it runs out and tell them you're going to Dish of they don't extend you. If the rep is not helpful in keeping your package, ask to speak with a "customer retention" agent. They will usually extend your deal in my experience. You have to be firm, rational, polite, but unmovable. Even delivery, no histrionics.

I just installed the Tivo Guide with our Comcast DVR (three days ago) and the Guide only populates 5-6 days out. Is that standard with the TIVO guide.

Thanks.

Holy shish kebab!

another update happened and it looks like the following channels will be added 9/29 to me

JLTV -jewish life tv
NBATRV
Indieplex
Retroplex
Cime and investigation
Military history channel
sportsnet ny
comcast sportssnet bay area
ovation
reelz
gala
mun2
neocricket
twchd
cmt hd
hallmark hd
hallmark movies hd
ifc hd
fuse hd
encore hd
comedy central hd
fox biz hd
we hd
nhl hd
vh1 hd
mtv hd
hsn hd
tmc xtra hd
hbo2hd
hbo zone hd
hbo latino hd
nbatv hd
ovation hd
style hd
espn u hd
cbs college sports hd
big ten hd
g4 hd
tv 1 hd
tenns hd
bet hd
necricket hd

neocricket is alacart..some are on the sports package

I think after this pretty much all channels that would have a significant audience will be in hd

Holy shish kebab!

another update happened and it looks like the following channels will be added 9/29 to me

JLTV -jewish life tv
NBATRV
Indieplex
Retroplex
Cime and investigation
Military history channel
sportsnet ny
comcast sportssnet bay area
ovation
reelz
gala
mun2
neocricket
twchd
cmt hd
hallmark hd
hallmark movies hd
ifc hd
fuse hd
encore hd
comedy central hd
fox biz hd
we hd
nhl hd
vh1 hd
mtv hd
hsn hd
tmc xtra hd
hbo2hd
hbo zone hd
hbo latino hd
nbatv hd
ovation hd
style hd
espn u hd
cbs college sports hd
big ten hd
g4 hd
tv 1 hd
tenns hd
bet hd
necricket hd

neocricket is alacart..some are on the sports package

I think after this pretty much all channels that would have a significant audience will be in hd

Where are you located? We've had most of those channels for quite some time now, except NECricket HD.

Pembroke but we were on the old adelphia system..

Any chance we will be seeing more HD channels from Comcast in 2011? Only HDNet and WGBX 44 have been added in last several months. Hopefully Comcast will drop all analog channels that are left to make room for more HD.

Yes, I do have a router, and I did reset that in the midst of doing everything else.

So, have you gotten this message from Comcast? Have you noticed any improvement in internet speed?

Things do seem a tad faster, but maybe it's me. Wish there was a way for me to compare.

I never really looked for the message but I have noticed a roughly 25% increase in my sustained download rates (1.5MB/s -> 1.9MB/s) the last few weeks.

Any chance we will be seeing more HD channels from Comcast in 2011? Only HDNet and WGBX 44 have been added in last several months. Hopefully Comcast will drop all analog channels that are left to make room for more HD.

I'd love some
FSC HD
Fox Sports Prime HD
Speed HD
just sayin'...

Is anyone going to be able to record a TWC Local Forecast when Hurricane Irene is expected to impact Mass Sunday and Monday?

i will post some here if anyone is interested.

FYI-

New rules went into effect on August 8, 2011, that clarified and expanded rights for owners of CableCARD-ready devices.

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/cablecard-know-your-rights

Note
Receive the number of CableCARDs you request. If you opt for a professional installation by your cable operator, the technician must arrive with at least the number of CableCARDs you request. FCC Rule 76.1205(b)(3). If you opt for self installation your operator must provide them to you through their normal self-installation procedures (for example by mailing them to you or letting you pick them up at the operator’s local retail location). Some CableCARD devices may require two CableCARDs to access all features. Refer to your user manual for more information

Here's the Video

wVgZ-C0gJMk

Noticed in my latest statement only Jewelry TV will be moved to a different tier sometime in October, no new channels yet.

We actually just got a new HD channel as of today on channel 815 WNEU-HD. This was a nice surprise I never even knew about it.

This is probably a foolish question but do they have DTA's do HD yet? My 2006 model Samsung LCD has an ATSC tuner but doesn't do clear QAM (which I would be fine with). I live alone and pay $160 a month for a triple play on 1 TV. I'd rather not give Comcast another dollar.

This is probably a foolish question but do they have DTA's do HD yet? My 2006 model Samsung LCD has an ATSC tuner but doesn't do clear QAM (which I would be fine with). I live alone and pay $160 a month for a triple play on 1 TV. I'd rather not give Comcast another dollar.

you do know that a triple play cable account comes with one "free" cable box right? Give Comcast a call or just go into an office and you'd be able to pick the box up in person.

Sorry, I have 1 HD DVR. I want another box for free.

WMUR Ch 9 in Manchester to launch a sub channel in October
9.2 appears now as a black screen

Comcast channel TBD

http://www.wmur.com/news/29133289/detail.html

http://metvnetwork.com/#

WMUR Ch 9 in Manchester to launch a sub channel in October
9.2 appears now as a black screen

Comcast channel TBD

http://www.wmur.com/news/29133289/detail.html

http://metvnetwork.com/# I believe the rules are that this will HAVE to be added to VZ FIOS also; anyone please correct me if I'm incorrect.:D

I know this is actually the TV thread, so forgive me. But it's one of the few reliable sources of Comcast users in the Massachusetts area, so I'm going to ask it anyway.

Is anyone else (especially on the South Shore, Plymouth area), having disconnect issues with the Comcast internet the last few weeks? I was on the stock modem (I forget the name), and we've just been upgraded to the new one (Extreme 105 maybe?) with the SMC Modem and Router all in one. But I'm still having the issue. It just seems to be disconnecting randomly, sometimes when I'm doing multiple things at once (maybe a game, VOIP, AIM, Steam), sometimes during the night when no one is even on (I know it's disconnected because AIM will be off.)

Has anyone else been having issues lately? And/or is there something I can do to fix it short of having them come out AGAIN?

I had a similar problem in Newbury, MA. Had my own modem which would spontaneously reboot and was a few years old. I thought it had become defective, so I went into the local office and got one from Comcast. The same thing started to happen. I had one service call and the guy said my voltage was off and supposedly fixed it. When it continued, i had a second service call and the guy put in a combo phone and Internet modem. He said that he had been getting multiple calls from this neighborhood and that there seemed to be a problem with signals going to the local headend. He said Comcast would fix it "When they get enough calls." They must have gotten enough calls as the problem has not recurred for many months.

Is anyone else (especially on the South Shore, Plymouth area), having disconnect issues with the Comcast internet the last few weeks? I was on the stock modem (I forget the name), and we've just been upgraded to the new one (Extreme 105 maybe?) with the SMC Modem and Router all in one. But I'm still having the issue. It just seems to be disconnecting randomly, sometimes when I'm doing multiple things at once (maybe a game, VOIP, AIM, Steam), sometimes during the night when no one is even on (I know it's disconnected because AIM will be off.)

Has anyone else been having issues lately? And/or is there something I can do to fix it short of having them come out AGAIN?

I haven't noticed anything in Brookline, we're on the standard internet plan. I wonder, since you say it's when you do multiple things at once, if it's not your combined SMC device? (I never trust the built in routers, so much better to buy a decent router, especially installing dd-wrt or tomato)

I haven't noticed anything in Brookline, we're on the standard internet plan. I wonder, since you say it's when you do multiple things at once, if it's not your combined SMC device? (I never trust the built in routers, so much better to buy a decent router, especially installing dd-wrt or tomato)
Well as I said, this was happening BEFORE we got the combined device (before it was a standard modem and I had a really high quality Router), and it occasionally happens when I'm NOT doing multiple things. Like it would happen overnight when no ones been on the PC.

Also a new question: we just got the Cisco RNG200N DVRs, (bigger hard drive, woo!), it's defaulted to 1080i, and I prefer having it on 720p. On the old menu system it used to just be an on screen option, since it's not anymore, is there any way to change this?

I know you used to be able to hold a couple buttons when the box was off, but this doesn't seem to work at the moment.

Checked this month's bill and we're getting at least two channels added to the SD lineup. We're getting Outdoor Channel on 255 and CSN Chicago on channel 130 on September 29.

EDIT: My channel lineup in Attleboro already has the Outdoor Channel on 255. What about everybody else?

Also a new question: we just got the Cisco RNG200N DVRs, (bigger hard drive, woo!), it's defaulted to 1080i, and I prefer having it on 720p. On the old menu system it used to just be an on screen option, since it's not anymore, is there any way to change this?

I know you used to be able to hold a couple buttons when the box was off, but this doesn't seem to work at the moment.

I believe you need to go into TV Capabilities and uncheck the modes you don't want.

Unlike the Motorola boxes the Pace/Cisco RNG models do not force a mode, they pass the original resolution to your TV if your TV supports it. You can "disable" this by telling the box your TV actually only receives specific modes under "TV Capabilities".

With a newer firmware on the RNG200 you can also tell the box to upconvert to 1080p. I don't know how good the algorithm it uses is, but for those with 1080p tv's it may be worth trying to see if it works better than your TV's native scaler.

Checked this month's bill and we're getting at least two channels added to the SD lineup. We're getting Outdoor Channel on 255 and CSN Chicago on channel 130 on September 29.

EDIT: My channel lineup in Attleboro already has the Outdoor Channel on 255. What about everybody else?

Brookline has OTD on 255 already as well. I can live without CSN Chicago though, I've made my preferred added channels known here already...

WMUR Ch 9 in Manchester to launch a sub channel in October
9.2 appears now as a black screen

Comcast channel TBD

http://www.wmur.com/news/29133289/detail.html

http://metvnetwork.com/#

It says it's going to be carried on Comcast channel 298. But the question is: Is it going to be available throughout the Boston area, or just New Hampshire??

Nice! i was wondering why CSNC wasn't added last december, it should be added here in Fall River also on sept 29th

2 channels i wish Comcast would add in MA is

WGN America (Watched the Sox game vs the Indians on DTV earlier today and it a wonderful game even though the white sox lost)

Boomerang (Retro Cartoon Network Sub-channel)

255 is up here as well.

Two reasons why Fios should be in Fall river

Ch 258 Boomerang

Ch 568 WGN america in HD

Two reasons why Fios should be in Fall river

Ch 258 Boomerang

Ch 568 WGN america in HD

I would switch to FIOS in a heartbeat if it was here but I was told 2 yrs ago that there was no plans to expand to Fall River. Hopefully Xfinity adds more RSNs by the end of the year.

Since 2 channels are being added before the end of September, What channels would you like to see added between october and december?

Comcast owns 11 regional sports networks all of them should be included in the Sports Entertainment Package. We have CSNNE because it is our local RSN, got SNY, CSN Bay Area, and Mountain West Sports Net. It will be nice to get Chicago but we still need Baltimore, California, Philly, DC, Northwest, and College Sports South. I cant imagine it would cost Comcast anything to add channels they own to the lineup. DTV has the most RSN's if Comcast wants to compete why not add the 11 they own on all Comcast systems. I know INDEMAND is adding 9 new HD channels for sports packages soon so that should help Comcast in the sports battle with other companies also.

Comcast owns 11 regional sports networks all of them should be included in the Sports Entertainment Package. We have CSNNE because it is our local RSN, got SNY, CSN Bay Area, and Mountain West Sports Net. It will be nice to get Chicago but we still need Baltimore, California, Philly, DC, Northwest, and College Sports South. I cant imagine it would cost Comcast anything to add channels they own to the lineup. DTV has the most RSN's if Comcast wants to compete why not add the 11 they own on all Comcast systems. I know INDEMAND is adding 9 new HD channels for sports packages soon so that should help Comcast in the sports battle with other companies also.

I'd much rather get FSC-HD, Fox Soccer Prime HD, and Speed HD first though...

What bothers me is when most areas outside of MA got Fox News Channel HD they added Speed HD around the same time, i wonder why MA didn't get it yet.

What bothers me is when most areas outside of MA got Fox News Channel HD they added Speed HD around the same time, i wonder why MA didn't get it yet.

Yea, and what's weird is Arlington gets FSC-HD, I don't know about other areas, but my area definitely did not get it...

Yea, and what's weird is Arlington gets FSC-HD, I don't know about other areas, but my area definitely did not get it...

Do you know what channel number Arlington gets it on?

Atlanta Xfinity now gets the Intellistar 2 lHDl, hopefully this means the Boston Area gets it on 847 soon.

CSNC added as of this morning on channel 130 as Sonicdoomario updated.

Edit: looks to be the HD Channel, when in pillar-boxed SD the pq is squeezed in.

CSNC added as of this morning on channel 130 as Sonicdoomario updated.

Edit: looks to be the HD Channel, when in pillar-boxed SD the pq is squeezed in.

I still have no data for Channel 130 on my box, everything is "To be announced" and there's no channel name.

Would I need to reset my cable box to fix this immediately or would it fix itself overtime?

I still have no data for Channel 130 on my box, everything is "To be announced" and there's no channel name.

Would I need to reset my cable box to fix this immediately or would it fix itself overtime?

if you leave you box off for a couple hours overnight between 12 and 5am it should update as CSNCH. but if you want to force a reset on your box that's up to you I've never tried it when new channels were added before.

I believe you need to go into TV Capabilities and uncheck the modes you don't want.

Unlike the Motorola boxes the Pace/Cisco RNG models do not force a mode, they pass the original resolution to your TV if your TV supports it. You can "disable" this by telling the box your TV actually only receives specific modes under "TV Capabilities".

With a newer firmware on the RNG200 you can also tell the box to upconvert to 1080p. I don't know how good the algorithm it uses is, but for those with 1080p tv's it may be worth trying to see if it works better than your TV's native scaler.
This is very delayed; but how exactly do I do this? I've looked and can't seem to find this setting.

Also: South Shore (Plymouth at least) finally got hit with the big update! Comedy Central, more movie channels, NHL and NBA HD and a whole bunch more. Finally have a *great* selection of HD channels, as opposed to just an average one.

Also note: My internet is still being a giant jerk.

This is very delayed; but how exactly do I do this? I've looked and can't seem to find this setting.


For the RNG200, turn off the box and hit the menu+info buttons on the box (remote should also work i suppose). An HDTV setup wizard should appear and help step you through the setup for your TV. btw, I couldn't remember which exact buttons it was as i just tested, but with the box off, pressing the menu>info or info>menu also worked. Menu+Info was just quicker.

btw, glad the Plymouth area finally got the full update. Did you pickup the RNG200 from a specific service center or was it brought by a tech? My parents just got a new HDTV for their living room and so far 3 RNG150's have failed to even activate while an RNG200 has worked for months in their basement. Thought it may be a weak signal upstairs but they also failed when trying to activate directly from the outside line.

METV is up on ch 298 in So NH

If anyone notices a localized HD LF on channel 847 in the near future could you please post it here? thanks!

For the RNG200, turn off the box and hit the menu+info buttons on the box (remote should also work i suppose). An HDTV setup wizard should appear and help step you through the setup for your TV. btw, I couldn't remember which exact buttons it was as i just tested, but with the box off, pressing the menu>info or info>menu also worked. Menu+Info was just quicker.

btw, glad the Plymouth area finally got the full update. Did you pickup the RNG200 from a specific service center or was it brought by a tech? My parents just got a new HDTV for their living room and so far 3 RNG150's have failed to even activate while an RNG200 has worked for months in their basement. Thought it may be a weak signal upstairs but they also failed when trying to activate directly from the outside line.We picked them up from a service center, I did it for the bigger hard drive.

Also, Menu+Info on the remote or the box doesn't seem to work. Does it matter that this is the RNG200N?

Pressing just Guide will bring up an options screen, but it's hardly a "wizard", has closed caption options, TV Type, HDMI/YPbPr OUTPUT (currently set to 1080i with no way to change it, pressing the arrows just changes the following option) which is, 4:3 Override.

Very confused.

Hey look at that! I got it. HD Zoom button brings up the Wizard!

We picked them up from a service center, I did it for the bigger hard drive.

Also, Menu+Info on the remote or the box doesn't seem to work. Does it matter that this is the RNG200N?

Pressing just Guide will bring up an options screen, but it's hardly a "wizard", has closed caption options, TV Type, HDMI/YPbPr OUTPUT (currently set to 1080i with no way to change it, pressing the arrows just changes the following option) which is, 4:3 Override.

Very confused.

Hey look at that! I got it. HD Zoom button brings up the Wizard!

Good to hear you found it. I have RNG200, not RNG200N so that or perhaps firmware version may have been the difference.

Was there a specific service center you picked it up from? I may direct my parents to that one, or just go there myself to pick one up.

There was just a new channel added today, The Cool TV on channel 289.

There was just a new channel added today, The Cool TV on channel 289.

Its up In Machester NH too Ch 289
This is WBIN's Subchannel 50.3

Fall River has it as WPRIC - Cool TV on channel 289

WPRI Sub Channel 12.2

From my latest bill:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: On 9/29/11, Outdoor Channel will be added to Digital Preferred channel 255. In addition, CSN Chicago will be added to Sports Entertainment Package channel 130.

From my latest bill:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: On 9/29/11, Outdoor Channel will be added to Digital Preferred channel 255. In addition, CSN Chicago will be added to Sports Entertainment Package channel 130.

but neither in HD...

but neither in HD...

130 is in HD if your box or HDMI settings are in 4:3 (because comcast added CSNC HD on an SD spectrum)

I don't understand. Either the channel is broadcast in HD or it's not. Your cable box settings have nothing to do with it.

I don't understand. Either the channel is broadcast in HD or it's not. Your cable box settings have nothing to do with it.

I believe what he means is that, like Speed, they broadcast the HD signal downscaled to SD but they keep the letterboxing so you get a 16:9 image within the boundry of the 4:3 image...

I just wish they would carry the HD version and skip the whole SD thing...

I don't understand. Either the channel is broadcast in HD or it's not. Your cable box settings have nothing to do with it.



what im trying to say is they put the HD channel on a free SD slot which is why when you view the channel it looks squeezed in. Also when programming in SD is on the picture looks like it's super squeezed.

I take it to mean that by "squeezed" you mean "letterboxed" (black bars to the top and bottom of the picture) and by "super-squeezed" you mean "window-boxed" (black area around all sides of the picture).

Correct? The picture itself is still in the proper aspect ratio?

I take it to mean that by "squeezed" you mean "letterboxed" (black bars to the top and bottom of the picture) and by "super-squeezed" you mean "window-boxed" (black area around all sides of the picture).

Correct? The picture itself is still in the proper aspect ratio?

no, the aspect ratio is wrong, i'll post some pics when i have a chance.

no, the aspect ratio is wrong, i'll post some pics when i have a chance.

For me (in Brookline), channel 130 is a 4:3 non-HD channel

Here's what i see on my tv

(maybe just my system)

The final 2 is what most of you are seeing?

Here's what i see on my tv

(maybe just my system)

The final 2 is what most of you are seeing?

in my area it's a 480i 4:3 full screen mpeg2 stream.

Has anyone else noticed that when WFXT (channel 25) goes to the Fox network feed, there are occasional and constant audio stutters, or drop-outs? It is not a reception issue on my end...this has been going on for weeks now and is quite annoying. Just curious if FXT is aware of this issue.

Has anyone else noticed that when WFXT (channel 25) goes to the Fox network feed, there are occasional and constant audio stutters, or drop-outs? It is not a reception issue on my end...this has been going on for weeks now and is quite annoying. Just curious if FXT is aware of this issue.

I watched the whole Pats game and I didn't notice any issues.. PQ is generally garbage compared to CBS football. Neither come close to NBC's football feed.

Has anyone else noticed that when WFXT (channel 25) goes to the Fox network feed, there are occasional and constant audio stutters, or drop-outs? It is not a reception issue on my end...this has been going on for weeks now and is quite annoying. Just curious if FXT is aware of this issue.

No Issues i saw. I was watching both FOX Games:D

Very strange...my TV is showing very good signal strength, and the picture never breaksup, but the audio is constantly 'blipping' out for about .5 seconds at a time, only during the network feed. Maybe it has something to do with the 5.1 being decoded?

did you guys take the new guide away from us Fios subscribers? :)

I'll tel you if it wern't for HDNET Movies,and Epix among other reasons (No caps,35/35) I would be considering coming back to Comcast.

Is anyone else experiencing a complete outage?

Not me (in Cambridge).

Anyone have a TiVo Premiere Elite? Any trouble getting an M-card that will allow recording 4 streams?

In reply to Farmlandelite-
I think I know what you're referring to, and yes, I get the same thing. IT's not the reception - it's at the FOx end...whether its WFXT or the Fox Network where it originates, who knows, but on mine, it only lasts for a few seconds when they switch to a network feed.

While I'm here...
I have a TiVO HD, and am wanting Comcast's On Demand. The only way I can see that happening is if I get an HD box and attach it to the TV along with the TiVO. I don't need nor want their DVR piece of crap...just something that will get me On Demand. I went online and they show a half dozen or so Motorola boxes. Anyone know which HD box they use in the Greater Boston area?

For a non-DVR HD cable box, my parents got a Pace RNG110 (http://www.pace.com/americas/products-capabilities/products/rng110/) last fall. It doesn't seem to have a scaler built in so it changes resolution depending on the source channel.

For a non-DVR HD cable box, my parents got a Pace RNG110 (http://www.pace.com/americas/products-capabilities/products/rng110/) last fall. It doesn't seem to have a scaler built in so it changes resolution depending on the source channel.

And they got that thru Comcast? Did they ask specifically, or is that just what the guy brought?

the Pace RNG110 is the new non-DVR HD box that Comcast is using in the Boston area. They are still using the Motorola DCH boxes for the DVR's. I don't think though, that they allow customers to use their own purchased boxes, regardless of having a proper CableCard.

Has anybody heard if there are more channels coming to Boston and Southern NH?

THe setup is - I have Comcast cable going into a TiVO HD (with an M-Card). The signal I get (according to the TiVO Cable Signal Strength thingy) is 80% or better on most channels. I wanted to split the signal, with one going to the TiVO and the other to a digital (non-HD) box in order to get On Demand. When I did that, the signal deteriorated on the TiVO to 50-60% and lower on most channels, and on the digital box, several channels would not come in at all (again, no big deal there because I was only going to use it for OD). My question is - would a signal amp/booster help? I've used an amp years ago when it was all analog, but I'm wondering if this would help me in this situation.

THe setup is - I have Comcast cable going into a TiVO HD (with an M-Card). The signal I get (according to the TiVO Cable Signal Strength thingy) is 80% or better on most channels. I wanted to split the signal, with one going to the TiVO and the other to a digital (non-HD) box in order to get On Demand. When I did that, the signal deteriorated on the TiVO to 50-60% and lower on most channels, and on the digital box, several channels would not come in at all (again, no big deal there because I was only going to use it for OD). My question is - would a signal amp/booster help? I've used an amp years ago when it was all analog, but I'm wondering if this would help me in this situation.

from my experience, yes :p

Purchased a Motorola Broadband Drop Amp from Besbuy years ago and used it in a Back Bay apartment with a sketchy Comcast connection and got all channels. They eventually fixed that apartment run but for a few years I could not not get any signal without the amp.

Now using the same amp in a home on the South Shore and it's still a big help.

from my experience, yes :p

Purchased a Motorola Broadband Drop Amp from Besbuy years ago and used it in a Back Bay apartment with a sketchy Comcast connection and got all channels. They eventually fixed that apartment run but for a few years I could not not get any signal without the amp.

Now using the same amp in a home on the South Shore and it's still a big help.

Thanks. I ordered an amp from Amazon. In the meantime, someone on another forum said it could be because of the splitter I'm using...an older one. He said that I should get at least a 2GHz splitter. I will head out to Best Buy and try that. It just seemed surprising that I would lose 50% of the signal by splitting it. ONe of those two solutions should work.

Has anybody heard if there are more channels coming to Boston and Southern NH?

I would expect there would be more channels added in the next few months if Miami and PA are clues

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r26240382-HD-New-HD-Channels-NE-Miami-Dade

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r26470611-MontCo-PA-HD-Just-Got-Channel-Adds-into-the-1000s

UPDATE:
Just put on the new 2 GHz splitter, and there is a noticeable difference. The average droppage is about 10 (so a channel in the 90s range of signal now down to the 80s). Several of the channels in the high 70s are now in the 60s, however, and the signal on the digital box is odd. There are several channels not coming in at all (BBCA, for one), and that one is in the low 80s on the TiVO. I'll wait to try the amp when it comes in to see if that helps. But this should work for now, as even the lowest channel signal is the upper 60s-low 70s.
Question: Should I connect the amp where the cable comes in, and THEN to the splitter and then TiVO and the digital box, or connect the splitter first and then to the amp?

UPDATE:
Just put on the new 2 GHz splitter, and there is a noticeable difference. The average droppage is about 10 (so a channel in the 90s range of signal now down to the 80s). Several of the channels in the high 70s are now in the 60s, however, and the signal on the digital box is odd. There are several channels not coming in at all (BBCA, for one), and that one is in the low 80s on the TiVO. I'll wait to try the amp when it comes in to see if that helps. But this should work for now, as even the lowest channel signal is the upper 60s-low 70s.
Question: Should I connect the amp where the cable comes in, and THEN to the splitter and then TiVO and the digital box, or connect the splitter first and then to the amp?

The higher quality splitter should see *some* difference but not all that much , so no real surprise there unless the old splitter was awful.

You definitely want the Amp installed before the splitter. Meaning, you want all lines amplified (stronger signal) before they seperate to different boxes/Tivos. So, ideally you would take the outside line where it comes into the building and install the amp directly there. Then, all lines and splitter thereafter will have the stronger signal from that Amp.

Hope that makes sense :p

Thanks - tha'st pretty much was what I figured about where to place the amp. I will attempt to place the amp at the point where the cable enters my unit. And yes, the older splitter was REALLY old. But what IS odd is that the digital box (Moto DCH 70) is losing some channels after the split, but does NOT lose them on a splitter when used in another location in the house. So it could be just this one connection that is getting a weak signal...? Nothing is easy.

How much more HD will we get from Comcast in 2012. ON NH comcast thread, Comcast wants to finish Phase 1 and 2upgrade in Conn and VT before adding more HD in Mass. Also will basic analog be reduced or elminated in 2012 to male more room for HD?

I doubt that all of analog would be dead in 2012.

What I would argue though is eventually more will be shifted over.

First it was pay per views..then pay channels

Eventually I think you might see minor things switch over as to not tick people off.

Remember there's a difference between analog, digital and hd.

Minor channels probably won't get to be on hd for awhile. Most major ones have already switched. How much demand is there really for TBN in hd or WGN (outside of chicago)? OWN?

I think most analogs are now digital. There's plenty on digital that isn't in hd and it will take a long time before everything is. If the producer doesn't *make* it in hd then the concept would be pointless.

Before Comcast adds more HD channels they should be focused on adding TWC's IS2 and making the lHDl Feed localized (Marietta, GA seems to be the latest CC headend to acquire it)

tKbA1YyufqQ

I've been having an odd problem for the last couple of weeks. I have a TiVo Series3, in Watertown, with CableCards. A couple of weeks ago I lost these channels: 802/808/814/915. It's not a CableCard issue since the TiVo reports lack of signal -- when it's a CC failure it's just a blank screen. I had a tech come over and he put a meter on the wire and said it all looked normal (and thus not Comcast's problem -- at least he didn't charge me for it). Then I had the idea to attach my cable to my TV and have it do a digital scan. Interestingly, of the over-the-air channels on the cable, it failed to tune exactly the set of channels that are missing on the TiVo: 2.1(802), 56.1 (808) and 38.1 (814). I should mention that the SD versions of these channels work fine.

So I was sure that something was wrong coming out of the wall, but here's the thing: I went down to the Comcast office and picked up one of their DVR boxes and plugged it into the wall, and that box DOES get the missing channels. So the only thing I can think of, with my limited knowledge, is that Comcast has started using SDV and I'm going to need whatever their switching box is that they're supposed to supply. On the other hand, I don't know if the symptom of SDV is missing video, or the wrong channel or something.

Anyway...anybody else seeing anything like this?

And now my problem has healed itself. Huh.

In Somerville, anyway, according to the postcard from Xfinity:

"Dear Valued Customer:

Effective 12/19/11, HBO Family HD on channel 772 and MoreMax HD on channel 776 will no longer be available."

Complete mystery -- how and why do they come to these decisions to provide less service? And in some communities but not others.

I need to get a new DVR for wkend place on lower Cape. What's the newest model I should ask for? Largest capacity, most reliable (ha!), etc.??

In Somerville, anyway, according to the postcard from Xfinity:

"Dear Valued Customer:

Effective 12/19/11, HBO Family HD on channel 772 and MoreMax HD on channel 776 will no longer be available."

Complete mystery -- how and why do they come to these decisions to provide less service? And in some communities but not others.

I actually never had HBO Family HD here in Natick. I think it was always available in some areas but not others. I just hope they replace them with different channels.

Anyone think Comcast here in Mass will ever add the YES Network or WGN America? All the other competitors Cox in RI, Direct, and Fios all have these 2 channels. I know many Comcast systems have WGN just not up here I guess. Hope we see more HD channels in 2012 not many added last couple years since that big update.Seems to me so many useless channels are added probably because they are cheap for Comcast to get a contract with.

Has anyone heard anything about channel 985? It's been showing up in my guide for the last few weeks, but no guide info or signal coming in on the channel. I did hear that something would be done by the end of the year, but there aren't any channels anywhere near 985 on the lineup, so I'm not sure what they would put there.

Anyone think Comcast here in Mass will ever add the YES Network or WGN America?

I would hope they would in 2012 but sadly in Bristol County we don't even have WFXT-DT or WLVI-DT.

These regional sports networks are a joke. We know you can not watch live MLB,NBA, or NHL games on these channels, but there is still a lot of content that is still blacked out. SNY channel 128 blacks out classic Mets games and some Big East college basketball games. CSN Chicago 130 blacks out classic Cubs and Bulls games and even a hot stove show. Do you really need to black out a hot stove show which talks about the Cubs and White Sox off season moves. If you pay for a channel you should get all content on that channel. These blackout rules make these channels pretty much useless to even carry.

These regional sports networks are a joke. We know you can not watch live MLB,NBA, or NHL games on these channels, but there is still a lot of content that is still blacked out. SNY channel 128 blacks out classic Mets games and some Big East college basketball games. CSN Chicago 130 blacks out classic Cubs and Bulls games and even a hot stove show. Do you really need to black out a hot stove show which talks about the Cubs and White Sox off season moves. If you pay for a channel you should get all content on that channel. These blackout rules make these channels pretty much useless to even carry.

I agree that the regional blackout rules stink, i wish comcast would wake up and just remove them already.

One night they even had the Blackhawks vs Buffalo replay on the guide and i got to watch about 2 minutes of the commentating then the blackout notice came up.

Will we see any new HD channels from Comcast in 2012? They only added 2 in 2011. Will more analog band width be reclaimed in 2012?

i have WGN America on directv and i can tell you guys that there is no blackout on cubs/white sox games.

I highly doubt that YES would come to pass..not when there is NESN (which actually doesn't have much of a budget)

there's WGN on analog..not sure if hd will come around

TBS has braves games.

In all honesty there's a slight way around blackouts...find the local affiliate for a game and listen to the audio streaming online.

In a sense there is going to be some significant lawsuits about what specifically is a market these days. I forgot the latest but someone is rebroadcasting over the air tv and saying that a broadcast is simply that. In selling sports packages it implies that you cannot receive these normally which is right...but with how easy it is to stream and how worldwide tv is would this really be pointless?

I caught game 7 in '08 of the nba playoffs...while in shanghai. Granted everyone wants a piece but it's just weird the way how this would go.

I used to have a friend whose father worked in broadcasting in NYC...there were some areas that could not get yankees games even though they lived right down the street (this was around 10 years ago)

Naturally the larger venues have a larger audience which pretty much means it is more likely to have a bigger broadcast. This year the superbowl is going to be streamed...The other odd thing to consider is that if sports are considered news then it takes away part of the news when they don't show it.

Boston Locals 2,4,5,7,25,38,56 out in Manchester Nh this am in sd and HD
Nh stations in Sd are out but can view HD 9 and 11

I was hoping to watch part of the Rutgers/Georgetown game on sny right now (noon Saturday) but it is blacked out with a message about how the game might be available on a sports package. I have been watching big east games on sny all season and this is the first time I have seen this message. Anyone know what the story is?

I agree that the regional blackout rules stink, i wish comcast would wake up and just remove them already.

One night they even had the Blackhawks vs Buffalo replay on the guide and i got to watch about 2 minutes of the commentating then the blackout notice came up.

Fios only has SNY and YES.

YES is a national feed and has no live stuff on it.

The guide for SNY lists "Programming not available" when a blacked out show is scheduled.

I was hoping to watch part of the Rutgers/Georgetown game on sny right now (noon Saturday) but it is blacked out with a message about how the game might be available on a sports package. I have been watching big east games on sny all season and this is the first time I have seen this message. Anyone know what the story is?

I have also watched all the Big East games on SNY this year with no blackouts. I did not see the Rutgers/Gtown game you are talking about though. From what I understand Massachusetts is an ACC market because Boston College is an ACC team and all Big East games on SNY should NOT be blacked out. Last year most Big East games were blacked out on SNY because they had Massachusetts as a Big East market. I do not know if this was an error on Comcast part because SNY was a new channel on Massachusetts cable systems or because some Comcast customers in Mass live closer to Providence or Uconn which are Big East teams than they do Boston College. Mass, NH, Maine, and Vermont are ACC markets and RI and Connecticut are Big East markets. Either way Comcast needs to get SNY in HD the games look terrible in SD.

It would be nice if there was some new channels announced for MA.

and HD ones. Figure my bill is going up about $10/month with rate increase. Need FIOS in my complex

I have also watched all the Big East games on SNY this year with no blackouts. I did not see the Rutgers/Gtown game you are talking about though. From what I understand Massachusetts is an ACC market because Boston College is an ACC team and all Big East games on SNY should NOT be blacked out. Last year most Big East games were blacked out on SNY because they had Massachusetts as a Big East market. I do not know if this was an error on Comcast part because SNY was a new channel on Massachusetts cable systems or because some Comcast customers in Mass live closer to Providence or Uconn which are Big East teams than they do Boston College. Mass, NH, Maine, and Vermont are ACC markets and RI and Connecticut are Big East markets. Either way Comcast needs to get SNY in HD the games look terrible in SD.

Yeah, the more we thought about it we assumed it was because there was an ACC network game on 813 (or 814, maybe both) at noon also. Presumably the ACC pays for some sort of exclusive broadcast window in our area while the Big East does not. Perhaps we just hadn't tried to watch a game at that time on SNY before.

I agree on wanting the channel in HD, especially since its part of the SnE tier which costs more. If its a bandwidth thing, once the NFL season ends they could pull RedZone and add another HD channel from that tier between early January and early September. I'd even accept Speed HD.

Hello what is this "HD technology fee?"
I visited a friend who has Comcast and an HD box.
Now NO HD. not even of the locals.
Verizon is available as I have it :)

I'd even accept Speed HD.

I'd happily lose ACC/etc games for FSCHD and SpeedHD.

I'm a former long time Comcast customer who switched to Fios about a year ago. A friend lives in South Plymouth old Adelphia area. Can someone tell me what's available for DVR equipment there? Hard drive size? Home DVR etc?

Someone on the phone told him the DVR in that area could only store like 8 hours of HD.
that can't be possible.....right?

Got a notice from Comcast saying that after April 10, we'll need digital equipment for everything, even to view the basic channels. So I assume we'll be going all digital here, thus paving the way for several new HD channels/features?

got a notice from comcast saying that after april 10, we'll need digital equipment for everything, even to view the basic channels. So i assume we'll be going all digital here, thus paving the way for several new hd channels/features?

long time overdue!

Got a notice from Comcast saying that after April 10, we'll need digital equipment for everything, even to view the basic channels. So I assume we'll be going all digital here, thus paving the way for several new HD channels/features?

Got the same thing too, finally!

hopefully the Game and Team HD's come around the same time.

Guess that will open up about 200 Mhz of space. Havent gotten my notice yet but will get my next bill in a few days

Got the same thing too, finally!

hopefully the Game and Team HD's come around the same time.

I am hoping we get the Game and Team HD's for baseball season. I was not going to get Extra Innings this year but I may now if we get word the extra HD channels from Indemand will be added.

hopefully FSCHD, FSPrimeHD, GolTVHD and SpeedHD get added finally.

got mine today. Promise faster internet and more HD. Question how much more HD?

Looking through DSLreports comcast tv forum i would think we might get those HD's we've been missing (http://www.xfinityhdlaunch.com/Montgomery-HD-channel-lineup.pdf) and there should be a possibility the channels maybe in the 1000's range.

1216 Bloomberg HD
1217 CSPAN HD
1225 BBC America HD
1262 Nat Geo Wild HD
1265 Smithsonian HD
1316 TV Guide Channel HD
1318 EWTN HD
1325 GSN HD
1334 Oxygen HD
1368 Galavision HD
1505 Sprout HD
1511 HUB HD
1512 Fox Soccer Channel HD
1513 GOL HD
1630 Outdoor Channel HD
1631 Sportsman Channel HD

How about they bring back the HD premium channels they dropped? I've never heard of half those channels before. People get locked into long term deals with Comcast including HBO, Showtime etc and then they drop all of the sister stations so we can get Sprout HD. They claim OnDemand will have the missing content but there are plenty of movies that are 1 offs (shown at 3am) that never make it to their ondemand.

How about they bring back the HD premium channels they dropped?

I agree they should, most of those channels i found are just to up the HD count and it would make more sense to get the HD localonthe8s up and running too.

First F1 race is 3/18, would love to finally have SPEED HD this season.

Got a notice from Comcast saying that after April 10, we'll need digital equipment for everything, even to view the basic channels. So I assume we'll be going all digital here, thus paving the way for several new HD channels/features?

I got my February bill today and it makes no mention of an all-digital switchover.. Was the notice in the bill or another piece of mail?

patsfan , yes

I got my February bill today and it makes no mention of an all-digital switchover.. Was the notice in the bill or another piece of mail?

It was on a piece of mail that came separate from the bill.

There really is not many HD channels left too add. I would like to see Military Channel, Military History, H2, Speed, Fox Soccer, Nat Geo Wild, DIY, and regional sports networks all added in HD. They will have the extra space so we will see what gets added that depends on how much Comcast has too pay for HD feeds of these channels. I know if they add the extra HD channels to the sports packages that will not cost them a dime they just need the space to do it.

It would be nice to get all the CSN's in either HD or SD.

There really is not many HD channels left too add. I would like to see Military Channel, Military History, H2, Speed, Fox Soccer, Nat Geo Wild, DIY, and regional sports networks all added in HD. They will have the extra space so we will see what gets added that depends on how much Comcast has too pay for HD feeds of these channels. I know if they add the extra HD channels to the sports packages that will not cost them a dime they just need the space to do it.

you forgot Fox Sports Prime HD, GolTV HD, GalavisionHD, BBC America HD, ESPN Goal Line HD, Smithsonian HD, Crime & Investigation Network HD, Home & Garden Television HD, Outdoor HD... those are just what my parents with Time Warner get that we don't (not that I'd trade for Time Warner in a million years...)

you forgot Fox Sports Prime HD, GolTV HD, GalavisionHD, BBC America HD, ESPN Goal Line HD, Smithsonian HD, Crime & Investigation Network HD, Home & Garden Television HD, Outdoor HD... those are just what my parents with Time Warner get that we don't (not that I'd trade for Time Warner in a million years...)

I'm pretty sure we've had HGTV HD for quite some time now. It's on channel 832.

We were suppose to get FSN Prime, CSN Chicago and Sun Sports 2 years ago when we got SNY, CSN Bay Area, and the Mountain. CSN Chicago was added a few months back but the other 2 never added. If you look at the Chicago Comcast lineup they have FSN Prime and Sun Sports. So it looks like Comcast has a deal with these 2 stations and maybe just no room for them on the systems in Mass. After this all this analog is finally gone in April we should get those channels.

Here's the Team and Game HD's reply i got from Marc Goodman, Director of Public Relations Comcast Boston

Hey Alex, the list of HD channels that will be added is still being finalized. I’ll be sure to pass along your feedback.

Thanks as always,

So, HD channels will be added. The fact that they haven't finalized the list seems to suggest that we won't see them very soon...

So, HD channels will be added. The fact that they haven't finalized the list seems to suggest that we won't see them very soon...

He told me that i will get a reply when the list comes out.

Has anybody noticed with this month's bill that Comcast raised the price of extra cablecards or boxes from $6.45 to $7.45? Here we go again with the nickel and dimeing.

Thanks to Marcus Carr for Posting this on the Comcast HDTV thread


Comcast Starts to Kiss Analog TV Goodbye

January 6, 2012 | Jeff Baumgartner

In its effort to reclaim analog spectrum, Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) has gotten down to its most basic video service tier.

It's possibly the last phase of Project Cavalry, where Comcast is distributing Digital Terminal Adapter (DTA) devices to shift channels to digital format, freeing up valuable analog capacity. The initial phase converted 35 to 40 channels, and now Comcast is working on the rest -- those in its most basic "B1" packages (an average of about 20 channels, depending on the system). (See Comcast's $1B Bandwidth Plan and Comcast Sends In the All-Digital 'Cavalry'.)

A Comcast spokeswoman estimates that this phase -- which is underway in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Houston, Chicago, Boston and other markets -- is 22 percent complete. It started in March 2010 with Augusta, Ga., which coincidentally is the technical trial site for Xcalibur, a nimble video platform that will rely heavily on the cloud. (See Comcast to Swing Xcalibur Wide in 2012, Comcast Tests Broadband-Fed Xcalibur Service and Comcast Courts the Cloud.)

Customers with older analog TVs will be forced to use set-top boxes to get B1 channels. While some customers will certainly howl about that, Comcast is trying to appease them by offering three free DTAs. (Comcast offers two DTAs and one interactive, VoD-capable set-top for free to customers who subscribe to B2, the advanced basic tier). (See Comcast Seeds Digital Shift With Free Boxes.)

All this reclaimed spectrum is going toward more digital services. The MSO, for example, is increasing its HD lineup to about 120 channels from about 100 in B1 migration markets, while reserving capacity for other future services such as Xcalibur.

Comcast is migrating B1 to digital just as the U.S. cable industry is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to let MSOs encrypt their basic tier once they've gone all-digital. Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) obtained a special waiver from the FCC about a year ago to do so, meaning that customers who use digital TVs with embedded QAM tuners to receive basic channels "in the clear" are now required to use set-tops or TVs that can support the CableCARD, or boxes that support the MSO's new downloadable security system. (See Cablevision Looks to Lock Up Basic Video Tier .)

DTAs don't use CableCARDs, but the models Comcast deploys are capable of activating a content protection scheme called "privacy mode." (See Comcast Lights Up DTA Encryption .)

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=216104&site=lr_cable&f_src=lightreading_gnews

So I am now seeing streampix titles (strmpx) in the "find shows" search feature of the menu. I can watch the episode by selecting it in the search but does anyone know of way browse the streampix content from the ondemand menu? I know this feature just launched yesterday but looks like there is some interesting stuff on there.

thanks in advance.

From the on demand menue on my system, it's listed under premium channels.

Any ideas on the impending exclusivity of MLBEI on DTV?

Just got the march bill and it states SOAPnet will no longer be shown on channel 244 and will now become Disney Juinor on 4/18.

Just got the march bill and it states SOAPnet will no longer be shown on channel 244 and will now become Disney Juinor on 4/18.

That's not really a Comcast thing. SoapNet itself will no longer exist and is becoming Disney Junior.

Have a few questions.

1) Anyone update their hdmi cables to high speed ones? if so did it make any significant improvements?

2) I noticed there's a CSNOS on #85... CSN I get but what's the OS? there's no data and it is a standard color bars channel..

It looks like WBIM has a hd2 channel on health that's a bit different...

And the search function seems to be updated. It is much easier to brows by type of show and movie than the generic search before.

2) I noticed there's a CSNOS on #85... CSN I get but what's the OS? there's no data and it is a standard color bars channel..


i would think it would be another Overflow channel they used in the past (revs/celts) i also wouldn't be surprised if baseball appeared on it again as it did in the past with FS Ohio showing reds baseball.

Have a few questions.

1) Anyone update their hdmi cables to high speed ones? if so did it make any significant improvements?


if you're not having any problems with your current cable, "high speed" cables won't make a difference.

Updated Map as of 3/11/12

Cool Gt1racer.

Is there similar data available for NH?

Cool Gt1racer.

Is there similar data available for NH?

i could do the same for NH, i would have to check zap2it and Xfinity's TV listings to see which areas have transtioned. i'll have an update posted in the NH comcast thread soon.

MLB Extra Innings Free Preview/Early Bird to start April 5th and end April 15th according to InDemand's Website (http://indemand.com/sports/mlb/)

MLB Extra Innings Free Preview/Early Bird to start April 5th and end April 15th according to InDemand's Website (http://indemand.com/sports/mlb/)

Lets just hope some of these new HD channels added will be for Extra Innings. 1 HD for the games is not enough hoping they add some more. They said 20 HD channels will be freed up once analog is all gone. I cant imagine Comcast using all 20 on real channels because they will have to pay for those channels. Any new HD channels added to League Pass or Extra Innings are at no extra cost. I remember reading that on Indemands website once word got up last year that they were adding more HD feeds.

Any word on whether Comcast will be upgrading their DVR options from the old MOTO units. I am jealous that RCN will be getting TIVo soon with four tuners, etc.

Any word on whether Comcast will be upgrading their DVR options from the old MOTO units. I am jealous that RCN will be getting TIVo soon with four tuners, etc.

This (http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/comcasts-next-generation-xfinity-spectrum-dvr-shows-off-quad-tu/) is from 2011 but i can check if there is anything new about the DVR's online.

This (http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/comcasts-next-generation-xfinity-spectrum-dvr-shows-off-quad-tu/) is from 2011 but i can check if there is anything new about the DVR's online.

I am curious as it would be great to have four tuners plus 1TB storage, etc. I am not so concerned about apps since everything has apps now (my TV, Blu-ray and Apple TV)

It would seem like for me, the analog transition has already happened. No more analog channels whatsoever. They also changed around some of the local access channels, moving WWDP to channel 10. But I also noticed that WSBE (on 22) is gone from the lineup. But I can still get it if I hook the cable up directly. I wonder if this is intentional.

It would seem like for me, the analog transition has already happened. No more analog channels whatsoever. They also changed around some of the local access channels, moving WWDP to channel 10. But I also noticed that WSBE (on 22) is gone from the lineup. But I can still get it if I hook the cable up directly. I wonder if this is intentional.

i'm getting no more analogs either, maybe the 1st wave came early and the second wave is April 10th? we might to wait and see in a couple weeks.

Looks like Soapnet is still on 244 instead of Disney Juinor.

Looks like Soapnet is still on 244 instead of Disney Juinor.

Comcast will switch from SOAPnet to Disney Jr. but not until April 23.

Verizon's FiOSTV will keep SOAPnet and add Disney Jr. on Channel 260 on March 22.


We have both channels as well as WGN, HDNet Movies and Epix :)

Comcast will switch from SOAPnet to Disney Jr. but not until April 23.

Figures i didn't see my previous post of the march bill until now, thanks for refreshing me.

and from the looks of the guide on channels 621-635 there will be 10 Hockey games on the 1st day of the MLB Extra Innings preview April 5th!

Anyone else not getting the MLB Extra Innings games on GAMEHD1, channel 635 in my area? I have not got 1 game in HD on that channel since the free preview started. There are 3 games on that channel today the first 2 still have frozen screen no game in HD.

Anyone else not getting the MLB Extra Innings games on GAMEHD1, channel 635 in my area? I have not got 1 game in HD on that channel since the free preview started. There are 3 games on that channel today the first 2 still have frozen screen no game in HD.

Same here, figures they had trouble blacking out the Red Sox/Tigers game on Thursday (finally went black about 1 and 1/2hr in) they've basically left it black ever since.

Anyone else not getting the MLB Extra Innings games on GAMEHD1, channel 635 in my area? I have not got 1 game in HD on that channel since the free preview started. There are 3 games on that channel today the first 2 still have frozen screen no game in HD.

My friend has the NBA & NHL packages too, says he is "lucky" if 25% of the scheduled HD games come in. He has tried calling and they just don't care / pass the buck. Every time i have been over there the games scheduled to be on TEAM HD / GAME HD have never showed (Just a black screen)

I have given up on Comcast getting more HD channels for sports packages. I have been watching the free game of the day from MLB TV on my PS3 and the picture is much better than in the past. I watched the Dodgers game this weekend the clarity was good and no buffering much better than Extra Innings in SD. So I think I will get the MLB TV. The other thing about Extra Innings is all the RSN's that are Fox affiliated which is most of them are wide screen format so you get the black bar at the top and bottom when viewing in SD I hate that. Maybe in another 10 years Comcast will catch up to the times when it comes to sports packages in HD.

Does anyone notice anything different since the All Digital Date is today April 10th?

Does anyone notice anything different since the All Digital Date is today April 10th?

I was actually looking for that, too, but I found that for me, everything was exactly the same. We actually lost all analog a few weeks ago, so maybe that's why, but I did notice that analog cable channel 58 does have color bars on it (it has for the past few weeks).

Does anyone notice anything different since the All Digital Date is today April 10th?

I have noticed nothing at all. If they were planning on adding more channels it probably would have been posted on the last bill. If your freeing up space for around 20 more HD channels you would think they would have already had the ball rolling as to what channels were being added in HD. We are talking about Comcast so it may take them until 2013 to add any new ones. It has been 2 and half years since they did that first upgrade to add more HD channels. They need to pick up the pace in adding this next wave.

if the transiton did free up space there are 2 things i could think of Comcast should do with it

1. upgrade to the IntelliStar 2 on The Weather Channel lHDl channel 847 (since bandwidth isn't an issue anymore.)

2. move the Spanish networks on 639 - 648 to 689 - 698 so the Game HDs will start right after channel 635.

GameHD1 seems to be working for the NYY/O's game.

GAME1HD blacked out again for todays Indians/White Sox game. You would think Comcast would show the games in HD on that channel to maybe get people to buy the Extra Innings package. If they are only showing just about all these games in SD the price of the package needs to be cut in half.

Hopefully this is true That Boston is getting Xcalibur (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r25888099-DVR-Spectrum-Quad-Tuner-DVR-revealed~start=160#end) May 1st and the RNG-150 on June 30th.

Here's what the RNG-150 (PDF) (http://media2.comcast.net/anon.comcastonline2/support/help/faqs/settopboxes/DCX3200p2_User_Guide.pdf) looks like and a story of it (http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=219501&site=lr_cable&f_src=lightreading_gnews).

Did anyone DVR the 4/8 episode of CSI Miami and have it screwed up. I have my DVR set up to record the entire series. I configure it to add an extra 30 minutes do to the NFL games in the fall. The other night was the first chance I had to watch it. Strangely the title on the DVR menu was shown as Sports Final and only about 20 or so minutes of CSI Miami was recorded (starting from where the show was already about halfway through and ending before the show was over). I am aware of the issue with the broadcast tower/transmission line issue that affected the local channels but that only affected OTA right?

I recorded it on my TiVo (padded by an hour) and I had no problem.

It looks like Comcast cut short the free preview of Extra innings. It says on INDEMAND website preview was 5-15th. Today no free games on tv. Comcast does this all the time with not only the baseball but hockey and basketball previews. I am tired of these nickel and dimers from Comcast. Preview cut short and GAME1HD had only 3 hd games on all week.

what's that saying about gift horses?

It looks like Comcast cut short the free preview of Extra innings. It says on INDEMAND website preview was 5-15th. Today no free games on tv. Comcast does this all the time with not only the baseball but hockey and basketball previews. I am tired of these nickel and dimers from Comcast. Preview cut short and GAME1HD had only 3 hd games on all week.

That's why i buy the package during the free preview to prevent the above from happening.

One of my father's TV's is an older analog TV with the cable hook directly to it. He uses it to only watch the broadcast channels 2-2?. However, because of the recent migration to all digital he no longer gets them. Am I correct to assume if he was to buy a newer TV with a built in digital tuner he can get the broadcast channels like before or does he need a DTA from Comcast?

Watching Game3 Channel 623 and the Cubs game is on WGN America!

if only the channel was officially carried by Comcast New England :(

One of my father's TV's is an older analog TV with the cable hook directly to it. He uses it to only watch the broadcast channels 2-2?. However, because of the recent migration to all digital he no longer gets them. Am I correct to assume if he was to buy a newer TV with a built in digital tuner he can get the broadcast channels like before or does he need a DTA from Comcast?

Even better they would most likely come in HD (at least for the time being) However UHF channels would map to their off air designations. (Fox would be on 25-1 not 13.)

Just noticed Disney Juinor came 4/20 3 days early.

Did anyone else notice that Weatherscan (the channel that always shows the current radar) seems to have gone away? It was on channels 245/845 and now those channels are just re-broadcasts of TWC. Anyone know what's up?

Even better they would most likely come in HD (at least for the time being) However UHF channels would map to their off air designations. (Fox would be on 25-1 not 13.)Just wondering what you mean by "at least for the time being"?

Due to some financial changes recently, I had to cut out my cable service, saving me over $100 a month (though I will certainly miss it). When I called to cancel, the rep convinced me to go with Limited Basic since it would only cost me $2 more per month versus no TV service at all (with the increased internet cost). Since I have an HDTV with QAM tuner, I just hooked up the coax cable directly (which the rep actually told me to do) and am getting the same HD channels I can receive OTA, but it seems to be a better option without all the freezing and artifacting (I seem to be in a bad area of Brookline for reception).

I'm hoping I'll be able to continue getting these channels, but do you know anything about them eventually being encrypted? Sorry for being so daft — this is all completely new to me as of this morning!

EDIT: Well, I sort of had my question answered when I went to drop off my DVR at the service center today. The rep gave me a DTA without even saying anything. When I asked him about it, he said that Brookline customers will need one starting at the end of May. So, I'm assuming at that time, everything will be blocked from QAM. I guess I'll go back to trying to get better antenna reception, as I don't really want to revert back to SD broadcasts via the DTA.

Did anyone else notice that Weatherscan (the channel that always shows the current radar) seems to have gone away? It was on channels 245/845 and now those channels are just re-broadcasts of TWC. Anyone know what's up?

It's still Weatherscan on 245/845 on Comcast Boston.

Did anyone else notice that Weatherscan (the channel that always shows the current radar) seems to have gone away? It was on channels 245/845 and now those channels are just re-broadcasts of TWC. Anyone know what's up?

i checked with TWC and i was told the Brockton Area WeatherScan froze around 3am on Friday morning and was taken off to fix the problem.

right now the WeatherScan Screensaver is rotating with music on both 245/845 and should return shortly.

New bill says channel 131 The Mountain West sports network will be gone on 6/1. Not a bad channel get live college football, basketball, and baseball. Channel is owned by Comcast so do not know why it is getting taken off. They finally finished the upgrade which would free 20 more HD channels and now we are losing channels?

New bill says channel 131 The Mountain West sports network will be gone on 6/1. Not a bad channel get live college football, basketball, and baseball. Channel is owned by Comcast so do not know why it is getting taken off. They finally finished the upgrade which would free 20 more HD channels and now we are losing channels?

MTN is folding on 6/1, nothing to do with Comcast, the channel is going off the air.

Thanks for the info hope they replace it with another RSN owned by Comcast. Would like CSN Philly or CSN California.

Now that Comcast has dropped all analog, when will we see more HD channels?

Now that Comcast has dropped all analog, when will we see more HD channels?

This is the reply i got from the Director of PR for Xfinity Boston on Friday about the new HD list coming in June

Hey Alex – yes in June– I may be able to share something sooner. Stay tuned! Have a good weekend.

Ch 2-23 and 95-99 were the last analog channels . That is 27 analog Channels. That could open up 54 HD channels if 2 per analog or 81 if 3 per analog. Doubt it would be over 60 with some of i going to Internet and some to ON-Demand.
Does anyone know if cable can use RF below 54 MHz which is analog CH.2?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mgpt6 View Post
Now that Comcast has dropped all analog, when will we see more HD channels?

This is the reply i got from the Director of PR for Xfinity Boston on Friday about the new HD list coming in June

Quote:
Hey Alex – yes in June– I may be able to share something sooner. Stay tuned! Have a good weekend. Hopefully we'll get the new Universal Sports Network HD channel.

larry

Looks like New Bedford/Fall River's All Digital Date changed

After June 19th 2012, equipment may be required to receive ALL channels including Limited Basic channels most of which are located between 2-22, 58 and 95.

Same date for the Boston / Brookline system. They are also offering up to 2 free digital basic service adapters.

I got that letter as well. I was pleased to see the small print at the bottom indicating that QAM tuners would continue to work with no additional equipment for Limited Basic channels, which is all I want/need. I'm only paying for it because it's a better option than going internet-only with Comcast, but it DOES work better than my antenna. Hopefully nothing changes in the future.

I hope we get to find out what the new HD's each area will get after the June 19th date.

Can anyone in Bristol County share cablecard expense fees. I have had one for years in a TiVo with no fee. With the digital conversion, I had picked up a conversion box and another cable card. The local office said no fee, but when the card didn't work, the customer support line said it was because there were no fees attached and now wants 7.45 a month I only have one other digital converter

Anyone else having trouble receiving Viacom HD channels in Cambridge?

(The Viacom part may be coincidence, but these are the missing channels).

I've had two service visits with no resolution. The tech insisted that it's a problem with the wiring in certain buildings, but there was nothing he could do. He invited me to speak to his supervisor, which I'll hopefully do Monday. If true, I'm extremely annoyed that their phone support didn't know this already when I called and we could have avoided two service visits.