Hello all. I need some advice. My boyfriend purchased a Samsung HDTV (LN-T4042H) last weekend and I helped him hook it up to his digital cable box as well as hook up an antenna for OTA HD channels. He lives in Easton in an area with lots of woods and trees and his antenna is giving him trouble - it cuts out OTA HD. I am going to try another antenna on the set to see if it improves this coming weekend. Since the TV has a QAM tuner we tried to scan for the local HD unencrypted channels but had some difficulty (this was before even plugging in his cable box which is a DCT2500). My question is this: How can he get the local HD channels in addition to having his digital cable box plugged - I thought I read that the cable box has a qam tuner built in but no clear qam channels seemed to come through. He may break down and pay the extra money for an HD cable box but I want to try to see if there's a way to combine the cable box and the QAM HD channels somehow. The manual mentions a splitter - but he does not subscribe to any premium channels, he just gets the basic digital package. I'm able to do this fine on my Sony HDTV, but I don't have a digital cable box so it works seamless for me with combing QAM channels and regular analog channels by simply flipping the analog/digital button on my remote. Please advise. Thank you - this is a great forum!

Use 2-way splitter before cable box, one leg to tv coax input the other to the cable box, from cable box you'll need to use composite or s-video to tv. For ease of use you're better off spending the extra $2 for the HD box or getting a cable card for the tv.

In Reply to:
Do you guys get FOX HD? I can't find it in my QAM channel lineup for the life of me. Not that I really care as I don't watch anything on FOX and I still have my SD FOX channel... Just curious I suppose. Is this related to what everyone else has been discussing?

I have a TV with QAM tuner and was getting Fox HD on 25-1 and WBZTV Ch4 HD on 4-1. Non HD 4 was on Ch4 and non HD 25 was Ch13.

Last week 4-1 and 25-1 both dissappeared and I thought Comcast had stopped transmitting those HD stations.
However they just moved to new areas. 4-1 HD WBZTV4 moved to 87-2 and Fox HD 25-1 has moved to 87-1. 5-1 and 7-1 for whatever reason, has not moved. But who knows, they could also be moving to 87-something in the future? My Comcast area is Wilmington, MA.

Thanks
Bonus
I already figured it out. Thanks for the follow-up though :)

Physical Channel I have in SageTV (just the network channels):

CBS - WBZDT 87-0-2
ABC - WCVBDT 86-5-1
NBC - WHDHDT 86-7-1
NBC - WHDHDT2 86-7-2
ABC - WMURDT 75-9-1
CW - WLVIDT 84-56-1
FOX - WFXTDT 87-0-1

Sicne I currently have TWO DVRs AND the Digital Premire pack I wouldn't mind getting it at no extra charge. :)

I would pay a little extra for the DCH box
Itsd not just the software download. One has to get the new Tivo remote.

Hello,

Please settle a disagreement here at work. I just got my HDTV and asked some questions of the guys about theirs. I have the Comcast DCH 3416 HD DVR. The agrument is: Does Comcast HD broadcast at 720P or 1080i?

Thank you

Tivo has been rolled out to "test" customers in New Egnland and expected to be commercially available in the "coming weeks". I thought this has been in Beta for a while so I don't understand who these test customers are...

Per the pricing:
Comcast, the nation's largest cable TV provider, has said it will continue to offer its basic DVR service; the TiVo-based offering will be a premium service.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071012/ap_on_hi_te/tivo_comcast

Please settle a disagreement here at work. I just got my HDTV and asked some questions of the guys about theirs. I have the Comcast DCH 3416 HD DVR. The agrument is: Does Comcast HD broadcast at 720P or 1080i?It can be set for either.

Hello,

Please settle a disagreement here at work. I just got my HDTV and asked some questions of the guys about theirs. I have the Comcast DCH 3416 HD DVR. The agrument is: Does Comcast HD broadcast at 720P or 1080i?

Thank you

It does both, but you can only set the box to broadcast one or the other.

...Does Comcast HD broadcast at 720P or 1080i?
The answer is "yes". Comcast simply passes through to your STB the broadcaster's signal, either 720p or 1080i.

Mickey

Does anyone notice any sound issues when watching NESN? I have comcast 3412 HD/DVR hooked up via OPtical to my Sony Receiver for surround sound (I don't use my Sharp HDTV for Audio). All the other channels sound great, but i'll occasionally get static on this station, and I don't know if it's my issue, or NESN. Like I said, all other stations are fine. Thanks,

Use 2-way splitter before cable box, one leg to tv coax input the other to the cable box, from cable box you'll need to use composite or s-video to tv. For ease of use you're better off spending the extra $2 for the HD box or getting a cable card for the tv.

Thanks Jon, we'll give that a shot. I think Comcast told him that the HD cable box was $9 more a month. He'd get it but he really doesn't care for anything other than regular HD (FOX, CBS, sports mostly) - but if the new antenna doesn't work for OTA HD and if we can't get the splitter thing to work, he'll have to go the route of a new box but hopefully the splitter will work.

BTW, is the splitter combining the unencrypted QAM HD channels with the regular SD channels from the cable box? I was thinking of using an A/B switch instead of the splitter. I gather that he'll need to change the source on the TV to get the additional channels from the box.

Does anyone notice any sound issues when watching NESN? I have comcast 3412 HD/DVR hooked up via OPtical to my Sony Receiver for surround sound (I don't use my Sharp HDTV for Audio). All the other channels sound great, but i'll occasionally get static on this station, and I don't know if it's my issue, or NESN. Like I said, all other stations are fine. Thanks,

This is typical for NESN. Their audio is pretty much dicey on all fronts although its better this year than last when you'd hear Jerry and Don on all of your surround speakers during Sox games!

Has Comcast re-mapped the channels? I did a recent scan for clear QAM channels and picked up quite a few newbies (2.2, 5.1, 56.1, 64.1 mainly - and channel 4 is 0.0 which I found strange). The ABC, FOX, NBC, etc channels used to be found under 86.1, etc., - and they are still there.

BTW, is the splitter combining the unencrypted QAM HD channels with the regular SD channels from the cable box? I was thinking of using an A/B switch instead of the splitter. I gather that he'll need to change the source on the TV to get the additional channels from the box.

Splitter goes before cable box, you don't want to combine back to coax after cable box. You will need to change inputs on tv depending on which source you want to use. Regular/non HD cable box would be connected to tv via composite (red/white/yellow) wires or s-video w/red/white wires AND other half of coax cable from splitter goes directly to cable input on tv. This way the tv tuner still pulls in the HD channels & the cable box will do everything else. Regular HD box should only be about $2 more, HD-DVR is about $9 more.

The answer is "yes". Comcast simply passes through to your STB the broadcaster's signal, either 720p or 1080i.

And we wish they'd allow that "pass through" mode for the STB as well. :mad:

And we wish they'd allow that "pass through" mode for the STB as well. :mad:

ditto

I have a friend in Arlington, MA on Comcast and he is not getting on 4-1 WBZ-DT or 25-1 WFXT-DT, nor is he finding them anywhere else.

Anyone know what they should be in his town?

Thanks

I have a friend in Arlington, MA on Comcast and he is not getting on 4-1 WBZ-DT or 25-1 WFXT-DT, nor is he finding them anywhere else.

Anyone know what they should be in his town?

Thanks

He could try 87.1 and 87.2. A lot of us seem to be getting those two channels there.

TiVo software, where are yoooooooooooouuuuu??????:(:(:(

I have my STB set to 1080i I think it looks better then 720p.JMO I have read that most displays down convert better then they up convert.

I have my STB set to 1080i I think it looks better then 720p.JMO I have read that most displays down convert better then they up convert.


I agree, 1080i looks better on my 788p TV as well.

-Ken

I agree, 1080i looks better on my 788p TV as well.

-Ken

+2 ( 768P set )

I keep my STB at 720p for my 720p TV

I figure any 720p source will be passed directly to the TV (thus better quality then a 720p-->1080i-->720p conversion if the STB were set to 1080i), while 1080i will only go through 1 conversion (by the STB) to make it to the TV (1080i-->720p).

Plus I had some weird audio/video drop out issues when I tried 1080i.

got my hd tv with qam tuner hooked up and found all typical (abc, fox)
hd channels but cannot find CBS HD here in Taunton. Anyone have any idea or help where it may be? Thanks.

got my hd tv with qam tuner hooked up and found all typical (abc, fox)
hd channels but cannot find CBS HD here in Taunton. Anyone have any idea or help where it may be? Thanks.

Try 87-2...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11877620&postcount=1493

I don't have an 87.2. The CBS channel available (with a box, i'm told in this area) is the Rhode Island (WPRI i think) channel 12CBS, but I can't find it with my digital tuner.

I live in Marshfield and have noticed a drop off in reception the past week.They added TBSHD last week.Could this be the cause ? Has anyone noticed a drop off in there area?

Went by my local Comcast office to replace a broken remote control. I noticed a couple of people walking out with different looking cable boxes. I asked the girl if they had new units in and she replied yes if you had a HD DVR. I told her mine was freezing up occasionally and she told me to bring it in and they would exchange it with a new one.

Any ideas what this may be? Looked entirely different than my Motorola 3412 I currently have.

Went by my local Comcast office to replace a broken remote control. I noticed a couple of people walking out with different looking cable boxes. I asked the girl if they had new units in and she replied yes if you had a HD DVR. I told her mine was freezing up occasionally and she told me to bring it in and they would exchange it with a new one.

Any ideas what this may be? Looked entirely different than my Motorola 3412 I currently have.

Those might actually be the non-HD DVRs that have been out for a few months now...I would check to be sure!

What is the least expensive package these days to get the HD channels with an HD-DVR?

I did the basic + digital classic, until NESN-HD got its own station, and then switched to basic + expanded basic + digital classic. I was going to drop the expanded basic until next April, but now I see a "Digital Starter" package that appears less expensive, but it's unclear to me whether you can get an HD-DVR box with this setup.

Any pointers on the newer packages would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Those might actually be the non-HD DVRs that have been out for a few months now...I would check to be sure!

I Did some research and the box that was at the office looks to be the DCH3416.

Is this better than the DCT3412?

Went by my local Comcast office to replace a broken remote control. I noticed a couple of people walking out with different looking cable boxes. I asked the girl if they had new units in and she replied yes if you had a HD DVR. I told her mine was freezing up occasionally and she told me to bring it in and they would exchange it with a new one.

Any ideas what this may be? Looked entirely different than my Motorola 3412 I currently have.

Depending on what office you went to depends on what boxes you may have seen. Could be the DCH box (front looks completely different from DCT series). The non-HD most likely was not seen (Pace), there's basically been a freeze on those boxes, there may be a few around for box swaps. Or if you're near an old Adelphia town you may have seen an SA box (a lot of offices carry both Moto & SA boxes now to accommodate both the existing Comcast towns as well as the old Adelphia towns).

I Did some research and the box that was at the office looks to be the DCH3416.

Is this better than the DCT3412?

For all intents & purposes they're the same box on the inside, very minor differences that 99.99% of people wouldn't know or care about. But if you're getting a new box anyway one of these will almost guarantee getting brand new box instead of a refurb (any dct you get will be a refurb).

For all intents & purposes they're the same box on the inside, very minor differences that 99.99% of people wouldn't know or care about. But if you're getting a new box anyway one of these will almost guarantee getting brand new box instead of a refurb (any dct you get will be a refurb).

The LED that displays the time and channel is much nicer (IMO), and the box just looks nicer sitting in the stereo rack =)

It does have a larger hard drive though, 250GB compared to the old ones 120GB (iirc, though I do know the drive is bigger).

I'd have to go through the info menu again, but I think I remember seeing it had more RAM as well. I believe the box also has the option to have a cable modem built in to it, but I don't think Comcast offers that.

Other than that the basic operation, etc. seems the same.

Comcast Boston HD Channel Lineup
=====================================================
Based on lineup in Lawrence Ma 10-15-07
=====================================================
Channel Network Tier required
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
802 PBS HD channel Basic
804 WBZ (CBS) Basic
805 WCVB (ABC) Basic
807 WHDH (NBC) Basic
809 WMUR (ABC) Basic
821 National Geo Starter (Despite National Geo SD on Classic)
825 WFXT (Fox) Basic
828 MHD Starter AND Classic
831 TBS-HD Starter
832 HGTVHD Starter
833 TNT Classic
837 AnEHD Starter
838 WSBK Basic
839 HD Theater Classic
842 CNN-HD Starter
846 Universal HD Classic
848 Verses / Golf HD Starter
849 ESPN Classic
850 ESPN 2 Starter
851 NESN Starter
854 FoodHD Starter
856 WLVI (CW) Basic
868 Cinemax Cinemax
870 HBO HBO
875 Starz Starz
877 Showtime Showtime
881 Mojo / FSN-HD Classic

Comcast Boston HD Channel Lineup
=====================================================
Based on lineup in Lawrence Ma 10-15-07
=====================================================
Channel Network Tier required
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
802 PBS HD channel Basic
804 WBZ (CBS) Basic
805 WCVB (ABC) Basic
807 WHDH (NBC) Basic
809 WMUR (ABC) Basic
821 National Geo Starter (Despite National Geo SD on Classic)
825 WFXT (Fox) Basic
828 MHD Starter AND Classic
831 TBS-HD Starter
832 HGTVHD Starter
833 TNT Classic
837 AnEHD Starter
838 WSBK Basic
839 Discovery HD Theater Classic
842 CNN-HD Starter
846 Universal HD Classic
848 Verses / Golf HD Starter
849 ESPN Classic
850 ESPN 2 Starter
851 NESN Starter
854 FoodHD Starter
856 WLVI (CW) Basic
868 Cinemax Cinemax
870 HBO HBO
875 Starz Starz
877 Showtime Showtime
881 Mojo / FSN-HD Classic

Many thanks. Does "starter" include everything in "classic"? In other words, If I get "starter" I don't just get ESPN 2 HD without regular ESPN HD?

Many thanks. Does "starter" include everything in "classic"? In other words, If I get "starter" I don't just get ESPN 2 HD without regular ESPN HD?

Starter is extended basic with the box.

The LED that displays the time and channel is much nicer (IMO), and the box just looks nicer sitting in the stereo rack =)

It does have a larger hard drive though, 250GB compared to the old ones 120GB (iirc, though I do know the drive is bigger).

I'd have to go through the info menu again, but I think I remember seeing it had more RAM as well. I believe the box also has the option to have a cable modem built in to it, but I don't think Comcast offers that.

Other than that the basic operation, etc. seems the same.

Sorry but the hard drive is only 160GB not 250GB (use the last 2 #'s of model 3416 and add a zero). Some other options may be available from Moto but they're not on these boxes.

A little bird tells me that the NHL Network will show up at some point tonight on channel 259.

A little bird tells me that the NHL Network will show up at some point tonight on channel 259.

Yes, it appeared on 259 in Clinton, MA tonight.

I Did some research and the box that was at the office looks to be the DCH3416. Is this better than the DCT3412?It has 40GB larger hard drive. Otherwise, from your standpoint, it's basically the same.

It does have a larger hard drive though, 250GB compared to the old ones 120GB (iirc, though I do know the drive is bigger).The hard drive in the 3416 is 160GB, not 250GB.

A little bird tells me that the NHL Network will show up at some point tonight on channel 259.

So, not HD then :(

What is the least expensive package these days to get the HD channels with an HD-DVR?

I did the basic + digital classic, until NESN-HD got its own station, and then switched to basic + expanded basic + digital classic. I was going to drop the expanded basic until next April, but now I see a "Digital Starter" package that appears less expensive, but it's unclear to me whether you can get an HD-DVR box with this setup.

Any pointers on the newer packages would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Digital starter is basic + expanded basic + basic box rental. So the cheapest way to get most (this would not include premium HD channels or NFL Network HD) would be digital starter + digital classic + HD DVR. As new HD channels are added to the line-up, they will be dropped into the same package as their SD counterpart. Might see some realignment of HD channels in the future.

So, not HD then :(

With C-Span 2 moving from analog to digital soon, this should open up the door for Comcast to add some more HD channels.

Digital starter is basic + expanded basic + basic box rental. So the cheapest way to get most (this would not include premium HD channels or NFL Network HD) would be digital starter + digital classic + HD DVR. As new HD channels are added to the line-up, they will be dropped into the same package as their SD counterpart. Might see some realignment of HD channels in the future.

Thanks.

If get Digital Starter + HD-DVR (which I assume is possible), am I correct that I won't receive ESPN-HD, TNT-HD, DISC-HD, MHD, but will receive ESPN2HD, NESNHD, TBSHD, HGTV-HD, and Food-HD?

Thanks.

If get Digital Starter + HD-DVR (which I assume is possible), am I correct that I won't receive ESPN-HD, TNT-HD, DISC-HD, MHD, but will receive ESPN2HD, NESNHD, TBSHD, HGTV-HD, and Food-HD?

This is the case at the moment.

Yes, it appeared on 259 in Clinton, MA tonight.

Same in Lawrence. No red dot announcing it. NO FBN either.

Last week I tried to get a CableCARD in an ATI TV Wonder digital cable tuner activated on a Windows Vista Home Premium media center PC. Due to issues with Norton Internet Security that attempt failed.

Today we tried again (after I tossed Norton) and things went much better. Well, that is, after a second Comcast tech showed up - the first one brought the wrong type of CableCARD for use in Nashua's system. The longest part of the installation was waiting for the Comcast operator to enter the pairing information into their system.

If anyone is crazy enough to try this I'd recommend the following Microsoft article that describes how to get the CableCARD activated: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/using/cablecard.mspx. I actually picked up at Step 7 as I had previously configured the tuner and only needed to get the CableCARD activated.

Tony

This is the case at the moment.

Thank you so much. I had all of this figured out 18 months ago, but they've changed everything up in the meantime!

Last week I tried to get a CableCARD in an ATI TV Wonder digital cable tuner activated on a Windows Vista Home Premium media center PC. Due to issues with Norton Internet Security that attempt failed.

As the saying goes:

"Norton IS the virus."

The hard drive in the 3416 is 160GB, not 250GB.

I'll have to check my box again, but I'd swear it said it had a 250GB drive...

Sorry but the hard drive is only 160GB not 250GB (use the last 2 #'s of model 3416 and add a zero). Some other options may be available from Moto but they're not on these boxes.

Another 40GB in drive space would be nice, I just don't want to end up with additional issues.

My current 3412 works OK most of the time, sometimes I want to smash it when it goes psycho and delays my remote commands for about 25 seconds. By the time you realize it is doing it you already hit the button ten times bettering your aim at the infrared window, then it decides to do those commands on its own terms.

But otherwise it works great.

With HD recording on the DVR more drive seems more better.

With C-Span 2 moving from analog to digital soon, this should open up the door for Comcast to add some more HD channels.
I'm not so sure a solitary SD channel equates to the amount of bandwidth required for more HD channels.

As the saying goes:

"Norton IS the virus."

What he said!

I'm not so sure a solitary SD channel equates to the amount of bandwidth required for more HD channels.

A solitary SD ANALOG channel translates into enough bandwidth for two full-bitrate HD channels, or 6-10 digital SD channels, which is why Comcast is trying so hard to get rid of as many analog channels as they can.

A solitary SD ANALOG channel translates into enough bandwidth for two full-bitrate HD channels, or 6-10 digital SD channels, which is why Comcast is trying so hard to get rid of as many analog channels as they can.

Thanks for the clarification, as I had heard that it was far from a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio.

Well, using 8VSB OTA, you can only get 19.2Mbps on a single 6MHz channel, but cable uses 256QAM (otherwise unsuitable for OTA transmission) that manages 38.4Mbps on a 6 MHz channel.

AFAIC, it's all TFBM (Total Black Magic, silent F).

A solitary SD ANALOG channel translates into enough bandwidth for two full-bitrate HD channels, or 6-10 digital SD channels, which is why Comcast is trying so hard to get rid of as many analog channels as they can.

It is actually 12.

It is actually 12.

1 SD analog = 12 HD or
1 SD analog = 12 SD digital? :)

1 SD analog = 12 HD or
1 SD analog = 12 SD digital? :)

1 SD analog = 10 to 12 SD digital
1 SD analog = 2 HD channels

So with C-Span 2 moving, you know that there will be 2 HD channels coming on or after the change.

Tonight is the Celtics first home game of the season (exhibition vs. Knicks). Apparently, Celtic home games will be shown in HD on CSN (formerly FSN). At this point, it looks like Comcast will use Channel 881 in the Boston area for the HD broadcast, pre-empting Mojo.

Mickey

Another 40GB in drive space would be nice, I just don't want to end up with additional issues.

My current 3412 works OK most of the time, sometimes I want to smash it when it goes psycho and delays my remote commands for about 25 seconds. By the time you realize it is doing it you already hit the button ten times bettering your aim at the infrared window, then it decides to do those commands on its own terms.

But otherwise it works great.

With HD recording on the DVR more drive seems more better.There isn't anything functionally different between the 3412 and the 3416 other than the 40GB of extra HD space. Seeing as it doesn't cost anymore to rent you'd want to have the later over the former. I keep trying to get a hold of the 3416 at my local office but they're never in-stock.

FYI: According to the Recorders forum the TiVo upgrade is now coming mid Nov. When I see it, I'll believe it...:rolleyes:

So with C-Span 2 moving, you know that there will be 2 HD channels coming on or after the change.

USAHD, 835
HISTHD, 858

So it doesn't look like the celtics pregame is in HD tonight......I just noticed the post above about CSN (FSN) using MOJO......Also, the NBA needs to get all games in HD, home and away just like baseball has done.

So it doesn't look like the celtics pregame is in HD tonight......I just noticed the post above about CSN (FSN) using MOJO......Also, the NBA needs to get all games in HD, home and away just like baseball has done.

Just out of curiosity, is anyone seeing this preseason game in HD? I'm a former ComCaster now on FIOS. We have a dedicated CSN channel with nothing on it for the most part and tonight is no exception. The SD CSN channel has the game. It's pretty bizarre seeing the Comcast logo on a Verizon cable network!

I talked to Comcast about not having the Celtics in HD and got a very understanding person. He said there were no plans for HD coverage, although he probably could not say if there were plans. He suggested that if enough people complained, it might help. Not sure if it will help, but you may want to call them to complain about this. Very disappointing that Comcast elects to not have Comcast Sports Network on HD. Hopefully they will get this on HD before the season really gets started. Major step forward for the team, major step backward for Comcast coverage.

The New England Comcast Sports Net website says that the Celtics home games will be broadcast on 881 in HD. So, it seems like maybe they just are not doing it for the tonight or for the pre-season. Seems like the pleasant person I talked to at Comcast may have been wrong.

It would be idiotic for Comcast not to carry a full-time CSNE HD channel. I would expect this to come in time for the first regular season game.

It would be idiotic for Comcast not to carry a full-time CSNE HD channel. I would expect this to come in time for the first regular season game.

Agree. If there was a season that should have a full-time HD feed, this is it.

Or at least have a HD channel that contains HD home games and SD away games. That way we don't have to do channel flipping to find out how the game is being broadcast.

Tonight is the Celtics first home game of the season (exhibition vs. Knicks). Apparently, Celtic home games will be shown in HD on CSN (formerly FSN). At this point, it looks like Comcast will use Channel 881 in the Boston area for the HD broadcast, pre-empting Mojo.

Mickey
Sorry. It looks like I gave Comcast and their little amateur station too much credit to be able to pull this off.

Mickey

It would be idiotic for Comcast not to carry a full-time CSNE HD channel. I would expect this to come in time for the first regular season game.

What would be the purpose of having a full time HD station if only the pregame, postgame and the game itself is in HD? Then what do you do with the rest of the time? We already know that Comcast would need to move another analog station to digital only in order add another HD station. USA and History HD are being added (as someone mentioned above) so that takes care of the C-Span 2 move. Unless C-Span one moves, I do not see any more HD station until 2/2009. Interupting 881 is fine for me just as long as it does not cut over right after the game like it did all last season. That was just plain annoying.

What would be the purpose of having a full time HD station if only the pregame, postgame and the game itself is in HD? Then what do you do with the rest of the time? We already know that Comcast would need to move another analog station to digital only in order add another HD station. USA and History HD are being added (as someone mentioned above) so that takes care of the C-Span 2 move. Unless C-Span one moves, I do not see any more HD station until 2/2009. Interupting 881 is fine for me just as long as it does not cut over right after the game like it did all last season. That was just plain annoying.
I agree that the pathetic amount of HD material that CSN will be generating doesn’t seem to qualify as full-time. But Comcast already has a number of channels broadcasting HD part-time (in fact, almost all of them). Others here have already posted recommended lists of seldom watched Analog channels that should be moved to Digital to free up the needed bandwidth, if that in fact is the real reason. In any event, none of this seems to be a priority for Comcast, including CSN.

Mickey

I agree that the pathetic amount of HD material that CSN will be generating doesn’t seem to qualify as full-time. But Comcast already has a number of channels broadcasting HD part-time (in fact, almost all of them). Others here have already posted recommended lists of seldom watched Analog channels that should be moved to Digital to free up the needed bandwidth, if that in fact is the real reason. In any event, none of this seems to be a priority for Comcast, including CSN.

Mickey

The recommended list of analog channels can boil down to one man's trash is another man's treasure. I never watched Lifetime but my girlfriend would scream bloody murder if it went from analog to digital (she only has cable direct). Certain channel ownership demands and "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality has kept the pressure on Comcast to offer certain HD channels (almost all of them). A full time CSN channel would be wonderful but it would have to build up its programming like NESN did to merit a full time channel slot.

... Certain channel ownership demands and "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality has kept the pressure on Comcast to offer certain HD channels (almost all of them)...

Not sure that technological advances fall into the keeping up with the Joneses mentality. In 20 years the big box tv's we grew up with, with the less than lifelike detail will be old fashioned. such is the way of our techno progress.

What would be the purpose of having a full time HD station if only the pregame, postgame and the game itself is in HD? Then what do you do with the rest of the time? We already know that Comcast would need to move another analog station to digital only in order add another HD station. USA and History HD are being added (as someone mentioned above) so that takes care of the C-Span 2 move. Unless C-Span one moves, I do not see any more HD station until 2/2009. Interupting 881 is fine for me just as long as it does not cut over right after the game like it did all last season. That was just plain annoying.


I believe they have College Football on the weekends too. Between this and NBA, it would definitely warrant a full-time channel. It would obviously also pave the way for more programming to be converted to HD.

Is it just me, or is anyone else really disappointed in the HD quality of FOX MLB broadcasts?

Sometimes it looks like everyone is slightly pixelated. TBS looked stunning compared to this.

Is it just me, or is anyone else really disappointed in the HD quality of FOX MLB broadcasts?

Sometimes it looks like everyone is slightly pixelated. TBS looked stunning compared to this.

Yep - it's always been miserable. At least they go to their "poor man's HD" for the LCS. During the regular season they broadcast in widescreen SD when they pick up a game for national broadcast!

QAM tuner doesn't look too bad.

Not sure that technological advances fall into the keeping up with the Joneses mentality. In 20 years the big box tv's we grew up with, with the less than lifelike detail will be old fashioned. such is the way of our techno progress.

Basically, if TBS was not carrying the baseball playoffs, then Comcast would not have needed to carry that and CNN-HD. That was my point which I base on the actual amount of HD programming carried. The only reason Comcast started carrying Universal HD was due to the Olympics. My issue with the rush to fill up a channel line up with HD channels is most of these channels are not even broadcasting HD programming 25% of the time. When CNN-HD launched, we talked on this thread about where is the HD programming. Now that playoffs are going to only be on Fox, the same question can be asked TBS-HD. I would prefer more full time HD channels like HDNet and HDNet Movies. But since Comcast has to match Verizon and D* almost channel for channel, we end up with TBS and CNN.

Why in the world is WSBK (Ch 838) in HD? To me, that's a waste of HD space that would be better off being used on something else... Interesting that ESPNews will be in HD in March and Travel Channel HD should be available soon. Wonder what other analog stations will drop then to make space...

There was a report in the new channel thread that Houston is getting USA HD and History Channel HD within the next week.

http://consumerblog.abc13.com/2007/10/changes-to-comc.html

I imagine the Boston/NH area will get those channels too...we are almost always first on new HD channels.

Unless C-Span one moves, I do not see any more HD station until 2/2009.

Here on the South Shore we have Versus on two analog channels, both 40 and 65. What's the reason for this? This seems to be a complete waste of bandwidth, so why not eliminate one of them?

WSBK is owned by CBS, so perhaps WBZ and WSBK are part of the same retransmission permission contract.

Why in the world is WSBK (Ch 838) in HD? To me, that's a waste of HD space that would be better off being used on something else... Interesting that ESPNews will be in HD in March and Travel Channel HD should be available soon. Wonder what other analog stations will drop then to make space...

When WSBK HD was added they were still a UPN station and had some prime time HD programming. They still have some HD sports occasionally and I believe I saw HD Jeopardy on there the other night.

He could try 87.1 and 87.2. A lot of us seem to be getting those two channels there.

My friend apparently found that:

86-1 and 87-1 worked for WBZ and FOX HD.

in Arlington MA - Comcast


Thank you.

There was a report in the new channel thread that Houston is getting USA HD and History Channel HD within the next week.

http://consumerblog.abc13.com/2007/10/changes-to-comc.html

I imagine the Boston/NH area will get those channels too...we are almost always first on new HD channels.

Some one did mention two pages back that USA HD and History HD were being added when C-Span 2 analog feed is dropped.

When you think about it, we only have 3 full ( 24/7) HD channels. PBS, Discovery. Mojo. All other channels still show some programming in SD and some should not even be considered HD because most of their broadcast is upconverted ( TNT, TBS, A&E and so on). I know this is still considered an early stage in the HD era, never less it is still extremely frustrating to see whats on your new expensive HDTV as you flip thru the channels. Hence the reason I bought a HD DVD player!

Isn't UniversalHD full time HD?

Yup.

The schedule of Celtics games in HD on 881 is now posted on the Comcast Sports Net website. It looks like all the regular season home games, except 2 games on TNT national TV, will be on 881. The only pre-season game left at the Garden (Cleveland next Friday) is on ESPN, so it does not look like it will be in HD on 881.

http://newengland.comcastsportsnet.com/fsnhd.jsp

Basically, if TBS was not carrying the baseball playoffs, then Comcast would not have needed to carry that and CNN-HD. That was my point which I base on the actual amount of HD programming carried. The only reason Comcast started carrying Universal HD was due to the Olympics. My issue with the rush to fill up a channel line up with HD channels is most of these channels are not even broadcasting HD programming 25% of the time. When CNN-HD launched, we talked on this thread about where is the HD programming. Now that playoffs are going to only be on Fox, the same question can be asked TBS-HD. I would prefer more full time HD channels like HDNet and HDNet Movies. But since Comcast has to match Verizon and D* almost channel for channel, we end up with TBS and CNN.

Oh, I see. I do like the looks of the playoffs on TBS HD but I hear ya'. So in March of 2009, are ALL stations in the "800's" chancel line up whether they're HD or not (but still digital)? It's less than 18 months away so they should be getting busy adding in stations.

HD NET would be cool.

Isn't UniversalHD full time HD?

Yes I forgot that one, but the PQ is so poor that I never watch it anyway.

Oh, I see. I do like the looks of the playoffs on TBS HD but I hear ya'. So in March of 2009, are ALL stations in the "800's" chancel line up whether they're HD or not (but still digital)? It's less than 18 months away so they should be getting busy adding in stations.

HD NET would be cool.

The Feb 2009 deadline only applies to off air broadcast stations. They do NOT have to be HD,but they do have to be digital.

I do believe extended basic channels will go digital only within the next year or so,if not sooner.

I think we will see 1 to 2 analog channels a month going digital only.The content providers will allow the cable companies to move analog signals to digital only, so cable companies will have the room for their HD and new SD channels. An example. Weather Ch. which owns Travel Channel, allows Travel Channel off analog to make room for Weather Ch.-HD. Warner to allow Cartoon Network or Headline News to digital only for new HD.maybe even Fox might allow FX to go digital only to make room for FX-HD and Fox Business Channel.. Liberty to allow either TLC, Anamal Planet, or Discovery to make room for their new HD channels.

watching heroes last night- whats with the annoying time and temperature reading on the bottom left of the screen (on HD only). Is this new? no matter..I wish they would stop putting all this junk onthe screenw henyou are trying to enjoy a show.
thetman

I don't have an 87.2. The CBS channel available (with a box, i'm told in this area) is the Rhode Island (WPRI i think) channel 12CBS, but I can't find it with my digital tuner.

I had trouble finding WBZ-4 too. It was 87.2 on my old LG tuner, but it shows up as 0.0 on my TiVo HD.

It's coming (https://comcast.p.delivery.net/m/p/com/tivo/default.asp).:D

Too bad the "learn more" link doesn't work. Any ideas on how much extra it will cost? I have the option of transferring my lifetime sub off my S2 Tivo to an HD Tivo, but they charge $199 and that's in addition to the cost of the HD Tivo itself. I passed up the option when the S3 came out, still not sure even the lower cost HD Tivo is worth it.

I've been watching a lot of BBC America lately (Top Gear and Kitchen Nightmares), they saying 'BBC America HD Coming in 2008' Does anyone have any info on that?

Thanks

I was just kinda curious as to (please don't flame me) if it is wise to say the locations of some of the channels via the ATSC tuners. I think someone mensioned 87 area...

I'm away that in the satellite community (ku and cband) that these are often refered to as "feeds".

Some of the content I found so far as been other peoples on demand, foreign language stations not even listed as being offered, a movie channel not even listed.

Also what's this bizzar thing that's analog on 118? It seems to be a constant test pattern?

Lastly is WLVI going to do anything to replace the tube rather than just closed captioning of their own content? I thought most TV's could do CC these days so that gets to be a bit redundant. PLEASE not another weather channel.

Last night from 8 PM - 9 PM and then 10 PM - midnight was in HD. This morning, "American Morning" from 6-9 AM is in HD. From what I've seen so far it seems like most of their studios for the primetime programs are equipped for HD.

Are any of the exterior/location news reports in HD? Because if not -- and I really couldn't care less if their studio is in HD -- then CNN-HD has to be the biggest waste of bandwidth yet.

-- then CNN-HD has to be the biggest waste of bandwidth yet.

I couldn't agree more.

I've been watching a lot of BBC America lately (Top Gear and Kitchen Nightmares), they saying 'BBC America HD Coming in 2008' Does anyone have any info on that?

I've seen that too, which would be pretty awesome. There's a lot of good stuff on BBC America.

Then again, how long has that "TCM-HD coming soon" message been on TCM's web site...?

I've been watching a lot of BBC America lately (Top Gear and Kitchen Nightmares), they saying 'BBC America HD Coming in 2008' Does anyone have any info on that? I think it is premature to be considering that HERE. Before "Boston, MA - Comcast" (conceptually) begins to consider that, there are two steps:

(1) This thread "NEW & IMPROVED! The Official AVS HDTV Programming Synopsis – Fall 2007! (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=164671)" needs to progress to more definitive information. Currently it says, "BBC [America] HD Multichannel News quoted Darren Childs of the BBC as saying they are 'working very hard now to try and get a BBC HD service launched....the BBC is going to be one of the biggest producers of HD content in the world in three years....it just seems a natural for us to have a strong presence in one the biggest HD markets in the world, as well.' On air promo says '2008'."

(2) So once BBC America HD is a reality according that THAT thread, THEN Comcast (nationwide) needs to negotiate a contract for the channel. You can check the progress on that here: "What's the next HD channel for Comcast? (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=424081)" What you'll find there right now is a just a bunch of us saying, "That would be nice." There are no indications of any movement along those lines, and I wouldn't expect any until #1, above shows movement.

I was just kinda curious as to (please don't flame me) if it is wise to say the locations of some of the channels via the ATSC tuners. I think someone mensioned 87 area...That's done quite often in this thread. My info is old, so I won't bother reposting it. (You can find it earlier in the thread -- I have no idea if it is still valid.)

I was just kinda curious as to (please don't flame me) if it is wise to say the locations of some of the channels via the ATSC tuners. I think someone mensioned 87 area....

Its fine to say it and they are still located up in the 87 subchannels. Just have to do a search on this thread and you can find a listing.

Comcast Boston HD Channel Lineup
=====================================================
Based on lineup in Lawrence Ma 10-15-07
=====================================================
Channel Network Tier required
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
802 PBS HD channel Basic
804 WBZ (CBS) Basic
805 WCVB (ABC) Basic
807 WHDH (NBC) Basic
809 WMUR (ABC) Basic
821 National Geo Starter (Despite National Geo SD on Classic)
825 WFXT (Fox) Basic
828 MHD Starter AND Classic
831 TBS-HD Starter
832 HGTVHD Starter
833 TNT Classic
837 AnEHD Starter
838 WSBK Basic
839 HD Theater Classic
842 CNN-HD Starter
846 Universal HD Classic
848 Verses / Golf HD Starter
849 ESPN Classic
850 ESPN 2 Starter
851 NESN Starter
854 FoodHD Starter
856 WLVI (CW) Basic
868 Cinemax Cinemax
870 HBO HBO
875 Starz Starz
877 Showtime Showtime
881 Mojo / FSN-HD Classic
Wouldn't it also be correct for 'TNT - Classic' and 'ESPN - Classic', to add '(Despite TNT SD / ESPN SD on Starter)' ?

The schedule of Celtics games in HD on 881 is now posted on the Comcast Sports Net website. It looks like all the regular season home games, except 2 games on TNT national TV, will be on 881. The only pre-season game left at the Garden (Cleveland next Friday) is on ESPN, so it does not look like it will be in HD on 881.

http://newengland.comcastsportsnet.com/fsnhd.jsp

FYI Celtics are in HD on 849 ESPN HD tonight! looks pretty good!

Are any of the exterior/location news reports in HD? Because if not -- and I really couldn't care less if their studio is in HD -- then CNN-HD has to be the biggest waste of bandwidth yet.

Well, none of the live reports I have seen are in HD but some of the prerecorded segments/specials are in HD like the current "Planet in Peril" show on CNN. Also, as someone mentioned earlier on this thread, it seems that only the New York studio is equipped for HD for now.

CNN-HD has to be the biggest waste of bandwidth yet.

Quoted for emphasis!

Wouldn't it also be correct for 'TNT - Classic' and 'ESPN - Classic', to add '(Despite TNT SD / ESPN SD on Starter)' ?
I looked up the channel tiers, so, to answer my own question, yes.

Comcast Boston HD Channel Lineup
=====================================================
Based on lineup in Lawrence Ma 11-01-07
=====================================================
Channel Network Tier required
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
802 PBS HD channel Basic
804 WBZ (CBS) Basic
805 WCVB (ABC) Basic
807 WHDH (NBC) Basic
809 WMUR (ABC) Basic
821 National Geo Starter (Despite National Geo SD on Classic)
823 Discovery HD Starter
825 WFXT (Fox) Basic
828 MHD Starter AND Classic
831 TBS-HD Starter
832 HGTVHD Starter
833 TNT-HD Classic (Starter not required)
835 possible home for USA (Starter most likely required)
837 AnEHD Starter
838 WSBK Basic
839 HD Theater Classic
842 CNN-HD Starter
846 Universal HD Classic
848 Verses / Golf HD Starter
849 ESPN-HD Classic (Starter not required)
850 ESPN 2-HD Starter
851 NESN Starter
854 FoodHD Starter
856 WLVI (CW) Basic
868 Cinemax Cinemax
870 HBO HBO
872 History (Starter most likely required)
875 Starz Starz
877 Showtime Showtime
881 Mojo / CSN-HD Classic

Digital starter is extended basic with a box or cable card.
You CAN get just limited basic and digital tiers

QAM HD (Based on lineup in Lawrence using a Polaroid TLA-01511C 15" LCD)

2.2 WGBH HD
4.1 WBZ
5.1 WCVB
7.1 WHDH
7.2 NBC weather plus
25.1 WFXT
38.1 WSBK
44.2-4 WGBX Multiplex channels
56.1 WLVI
75.89 WMUR

Comcast Boston HD Channel Lineup
=====================================================
Based on lineup in Lawrence Ma 10-28-07
=====================================================
Channel Network Tier required
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
802 PBS HD channel Basic
804 WBZ (CBS) Basic
805 WCVB (ABC) Basic
807 WHDH (NBC) Basic
809 WMUR (ABC) Basic
821 National Geo Starter (Despite National Geo SD on Classic)
825 WFXT (Fox) Basic
828 MHD Starter AND Classic
831 TBS-HD Starter
832 HGTVHD Starter
833 TNT-HD Classic (Starter not required)
835 possible home for USA (Starter most likely required)
837 AnEHD Starter
838 WSBK Basic
839 HD Theater Classic
842 CNN-HD Starter
846 Universal HD Classic
848 Verses / Golf HD Starter
849 ESPN-HD Classic (Starter not required)
850 ESPN 2-HD Starter
851 NESN Starter
854 FoodHD Starter
856 WLVI (CW) Basic
858 possible home for History (Starter most likely required)
868 Cinemax Cinemax
870 HBO HBO
875 Starz Starz
877 Showtime Showtime
881 Mojo / FSN-HD Classic

Digital starter is extended basic with a box or cable card.
You CAN get just limited basic and digital tiers

QAM HD (Based on lineup in Lawrence using a Polaroid TLA-01511C 15" LCD)

2.2 WGBH HD
4.1 WBZ
5.1 WCVB
7.1 WHDH
7.2 NBC weather plus
25.1 WFXT
38.1 WSBK
44.2-4 WGBX Multiplex channels
56.1 WLVI
75.89 WMUR

I heard Nov 1 is the launch date for 3 more HD channels. The two listed above and possibly Discovery HD on channel 823.

I've only heard that the two are coming. Where did you hear Discovery HD? :confused:

Comcast Boston HD Channel Lineup
=====================================================
Based on lineup in Lawrence Ma 10-28-07
=====================================================
Channel Network Tier required
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
881 Mojo / CSN-HD Classic


Fixed... ;)

CSN-HD will have college football on the weekends. It should have a dedicated channel.

UPN is the biggest waste of bandwidth ever!

CSN-HD will have college football on the weekends. It should have a dedicated channel.

UPN is the biggest waste of bandwidth ever!

As is TBS-HD. Is anything on there HD since the baseball playoffs? Even The Office is stretched SD, with ridiculous letterboxing that shouldn't be there!

As is TBS-HD. Is anything on there HD since the baseball playoffs? Even The Office is stretched SD, with ridiculous letterboxing that shouldn't be there!

If you visit each channel's web site and check out the schedule, most will mark down which shows are in HD. In the case of TBS, none of them are marked. Its great that Comcast added TBS for the playoffs, but now what?

We can quibble over TBS-HD, but I did appreciate Comcast adding that in time for the playoffs. So I would focus on the larger problem of bandwidth allocation. A full-time slot for CSN-NE-HD would be great, but if bandwidth is a problem today, then what happens next year when many new HD channels go live. Instead, Comcast has a large number of useless analog channels in the basic tier that should be moved to Digital immediately.

Mickey

I think there should be guidelines on how a new HD channel should be added. They should be required to broadcast at least 50% of their programming in real HD or they will not be picked up. There are a number of channels at the present time that come nowhere close to that and to me it is no different than a analog channel and is just as much a waste of bandwidth. Time to get some good HD channels ( HDnet, HDnet movies anyone) for a change instead of the marketing ploy of declaring we just added more HD channels when in reality their nothing but!

I disagree. The only criteria for whether a new HD channel should be added is whether or not there is a significant number of customers who want that HD channel provided. A channel with one great HD program is better than a channel with twenty crappy HD programs.

I disagree. The only criteria for whether a new HD channel should be added is whether or not there is a significant number of customers who want that HD channel provided. A channel with one great HD program is better than a channel with twenty crappy HD programs.
If you are running a bandwidth-starved system, then yes, you have to operate that way. What I am saying is that they have the bandwidth, they simply choose to apply that bandwidth differently than I would. One would think they would want to prioritize bandwidth toward the high-end applications/services that yield the premium dollars, rather than the low-end, minimalist customers.

Mickey

I think there should be guidelines on how a new HD channel should be added. They should be required to broadcast at least 50% of their programming in real HD or they will not be picked up. There are a number of channels at the present time that come nowhere close to that and to me it is no different than a analog channel and is just as much a waste of bandwidth. Time to get some good HD channels ( HDnet, HDnet movies anyone) for a change instead of the marketing ploy of declaring we just added more HD channels when in reality their nothing but!

I would agree with you to a degree. The biggest problem is when a cable company decides to add a channel to the line-up, they have to deal with the content provider. For example, TBS is owned by Turner Broadcasting just like CNN. So in order to add TBS-HD for the playoffs, CNN-HD has to be added as well. Its like when Congress passes a bill and attaches all types of extras along with it. Only cable companies do not have line item veto power. Before the new deal with Viacom, Comcast threatened to pull all of Viacom channels including Nickelodeon, MTV and CBS. I've also read on another thread that HDNet and HDNet movies isn't all that great. I would much prefer Sci-Fi and NBA TV in HD.

I believe Comcast Central may be on deck as well

I believe Comcast Central may be on deck as well

What's Comcast Central?

Help and Services > Comcast Central on On Demand or http://www.comcast.com/newguide/

I think we may be getting it tomorrow or the 15th.

Help and Services > Comcast Central on On Demand or http://www.comcast.com/newguide/

I think we may be getting it tomorrow or the 15th.

I haven't said this about many Comcast offerings, but this one may hold some promise...

They have had in in other areas for some time.

The reason why I see it on the horizon for us is because of its addition to the On Demand menu.

updates to the guide

See message 1612

updates to the guide

See message 1612

823 (Discovery HD) and 872 (History HD) are giving the "One Moment Please". No 835 yet.

823 (Discovery HD) and 872 (History HD) are giving the "One Moment Please". No 835 yet.

Try again. They are both using the frequency of channel 45.

Try again. They are both using the frequency of channel 45.

No change, not surprising. Always takes a day or two for things to show up here. When HGTV and Food were added, they were unstable for weeks, and sometimes one set would get them and the other wouldn't.

Maybe it has something to do with the three cable boxes (two HD, one SD) and two cable modems the signal has to feed.

No change, not surprising. Always takes a day or two for things to show up here. When HGTV and Food were added, they were unstable for weeks, and sometimes one set would get them and the other wouldn't.

Maybe it has something to do with the three cable boxes (two HD, one SD) and two cable modems the signal has to feed.

UPDATE: One more look before bed did the trick - they are live!

823 Discovery and 872 History now on In Bristol County. 45 Cspan2 is gone. CSpan 3 on 249; no CSpan 2 yet on 247. Nothing on 835.

Try 186 for Cspan 2.

I am editing my TitanTV for the new channels and the move of DiscoveryHD, but I am having trouble finding HD Theater Classic. Has anyone found it to add to Titan? I took a quick peek at TVPlanner (what comcast points you to for "whats on") and they list HDT at 839, but the programming is the same as Discovery which is NOT shown on TVPlanner. I'm sure it will settle out in the next few days...

I musta missed the arrival of HD Theater Classic because I had always thought that 839 was Discovery-HD. So I'm playing catchup on TitanTV, what is the call sign for HD Theater Classic?

Thanks

Discovery changed Discovery Theater HD to just Theater HD. THD is how it shows up in the guide.

I'm seeing History and Discovery HD but no USA in the guide or when I scroll through channels.

is there a listing for comcast's digital lineup?
i plug the cable in directly for P&P on my xbr4, but the channels are different, and most are not listed on tvguide.com 's broadcast listing (it shows digital channels).

A bit more info:

Discovery HD is a simulcast of the regular Discovery channel (which is why "Discovery HD Theater" is now "HD Theater", with a new logo - they wanted to avoid confusion). You'll notice plenty of SD on both Discovery and History. I'd read that Discovery was stretching their SD, but it seems more cropped/zoomed to me - everything is still correctly-proportioned, just not HD. History is definitely stretching.

You can see screenshots of these and many of the other channels recently added by DirecTV (so you can see what you're missing, which in many cases is not that much) at this gallery here:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/05/hands-on-with-directvs-new-hd-channels/#comments

TDCHD and History HD are live here in SE MA. Most of the content I have seen today is SD stretched material. I wonder how much content these channels actually produce in HD??

Try 186 for Cspan 2.

Odd placement, if you ask me.

Also odd is HISTHD on 872, sandwiched between premium HD channels and away from its target station of 58 (858).

I'd love to know the logic behind Comcast's mapping conventions.

historyhd and discovery hd are live in Concord nh

Odd placement, if you ask me.

Also odd is HISTHD on 872, sandwiched between premium HD channels and away from its target station of 58 (858).

I'd love to know the logic behind Comcast's mapping conventions.

Considering that Cspan2 was supposed to be on 247 (I see that as the home of fox Business)

HistoryHD and DiscoveryHD are both live in Manchester, NH.

Try 186 for Cspan 2.

Here in Hingham using CableCard, I see 186 has been added to the channel list as CSPAN2 but nothing is coming through. Has this channel been moved to a new package and I am not authorized for it? I currently have standard cable plus digital preferred with HBO. CSPAN3 is fine on 249 as are the new History HD and Discovery HD on 872 and 823 respectively.

Cspan2 just got kicked to 247,where it belongs.

Since 267 will be the FULL TIME home of GSN,it looks like 268 or 9 for Fox Business.

Mythbusters looks great!!!!

...and the Mythbuster explosions sounded great as well!!!

Nothing like Mythbusters in HD :)

The SD stretching on Discovery HD is weird..."How It Works" fills up about 3/4 of the screen. I can't quite tell if it is stretched AND cropped or just stretched.
In any case, is there about a 0% chance of us getting Sci-Fi HD in time for Razor's premiere? How about for BSG Season 3, now that it may be delayed until April?

I think the Celtics game tonight on Comcast SportsNet looked quality. Certainly better than ESPN's HD production. Picture had more pop colors more natural on CSN. Too bad they produce Celtics road games in HD as well.

You mean..."Don't"

You mean..."Don't"
Yeah! My bad.

I'm most concerned about Tin Man, actually, but it sure seems unlikely that we'll see Sci Fi HD in time for that either.

The SD stretching on Discovery HD is weird..."How It Works" fills up about 3/4 of the screen. I can't quite tell if it is stretched AND cropped or just stretched.
In any case, is there about a 0% chance of us getting Sci-Fi HD in time for Razor's premiere? How about for BSG Season 3, now that it may be delayed until April?
You mean BSG Season 4.

I'm glad I stopped here. I had to go in and add the new HD channels to my TivoHD list although it did leave me a message that said the NHLTV or something channel showed up on SD digital channels.

A few weeks ago I swapped out the POS Comcast DVR for a TivoHD. For $450 and a little effort I can now record 131 hours of HD. And with another $225 or so I can add another terabyte and get 260 hours. Plus I can move non-copy-protected shows/movies to a PC or another Tivo. I rarely used OnDemand or PPV so I don't miss them one bit. It's nice being back in the Tivo world again.

larry

I'd love to have a TiVoHD, but as I've said before, I'm loathe to give up Comcast's OnDemand programming, being that they offer so much.

Seeing as the TiVo software doesn't seem that far away hopefully we'll get the best of both worlds.

I'd love to have a TiVoHD, but as I've said before, I'm loathe to give up Comcast's OnDemand programming, being that they offer so much.

Seeing as the TiVo software doesn't seem that far away hopefully we'll get the best of both worlds.

Is that because TiVo uses a cablecard and the m-cards aren't out yet?

Read that Comcast has taken Court TV and MSNBC off analog to digital in some of their Midwest and West markets. Should be happening here in the foreseeable future.

In New Jersey where my grandmother lives they have removed AMC and TCM from analog, and offered everyone digital boxes for $1 per month as a permanent (not promo) cost.

-Ken

Like i said before ,these are the channels i think should stay on analog.


















However since that probobly will not happen I say keep local broadcast channels (use digital signal centercut) and PEG channels only on analog. NECN and CN8 should require digital

Channels in digital starter should be unencrypted (using the current 24-69 filter to block out unencrpted channels beyong limited basic)

Is that because TiVo uses a cablecard and the m-cards aren't out yet?Yeah, probably why. I don't think the TivoHD will ever support OnDemand, so as a second box it's fine, but as a primary box it's pretty much useless, unless you don't mind doing without all the OnDemand programming. There's so much free OnDemand I'd rather pay the extra few dollars a month for the Comcast TiVo software.

They could fit all the broadcast and PEG channels in analog between Ch. 2-23 and mid band 95-99 which would free up everything above 270 Mhz. 750-270=480 Mhz of digital bandwidth Give 300 Mhz for HD channels, 300Mhz/3 Mhz for each HD QAM channel=100 HD channels. Moving as CN8 and NECN as Chitchat said to digital makes room for 2 more PEG channels Now room for 70-75 new HD channels.

That is the point.

They should stop selling Digital as an addon to cable.

Digital IS cable!

A few weeks ago I swapped out the POS Comcast DVR for a TivoHD. For $450 and a little effort I can now record 131 hours of HD. And with another $225 or so I can add another terabyte and get 260 hours.

Could you elaborate on that a bit? I had no idea you could store that much more HD using a TivoHD and haven't kept up with it.

Model #'s? External Storage?

Or if you have a link with the info that would be great too. :)

Here you go:

Official eSATA Drive Expansion: FAQ + Discussion (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=370784)

Here you go:

Official eSATA Drive Expansion: FAQ + Discussion (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=370784)

Thank you!

Is anyone else having an issue with TBS-HD? It's the only channel that doens't come in well for me. It pauses and sometimes gets pixelated. I thought maybe it was my cable splitter but it only happens on that one channel.

Is anyone else having an issue with TBS-HD? It's the only channel that doens't come in well for me. It pauses and sometimes gets pixelated. I thought maybe it was my cable splitter but it only happens on that one channel.

TBSHD shows nearly nothing in HD. I have experienced some pauses, bot not pixelation. Actually the MLB playoffs were the only thing I saw in HD on TBS:(:(

I'm sure that this has probably alredy discussed, but can anyone confirm that all of the Celtics away games are in SD? The game on Sunday was BRUTAL in SD. You could barely make out who was who.

All Celtics away games broadcasted by Comcast SportsNet are in SD. If the away game is a national game (ESPN, TNT, etc.), it should be in HD.

However, Boston Sports Media Watch recently said that Comcast is working on getting away games in HD (http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com/archives/2007/11/_patriots_all_access.php).

Comcast SportsNet will again be showing all home games in high definition this season, road games will be in standard definition, but CSN officials say they're working on getting road games shown in HD in the future.

Thanks Chris

Is anyone running a WinTV-HVR-1800 on Comcast around here and getting any ATSC or QAM signals? I just upgraded from a WinTV-PVR-150 (analog only) and still only getting the analog channels. I wonder if I'm not setting it up correctly of if comcast it doing something on their end to muck up the feeds.

Thanks

Is it just me or is the addition of CNNHD to the HD lineup not make sense? I've yet to see any HD programming on that channel that makes it worth using up the bandwidth. Give us Discovery HD or something useful.

Discovery HD is on 823.

835 USA-HD now on In Bristol County

835 USA-HD now on In Bristol County

On in Plymouth County as well.

Chn# Channel Name (Package)
802 WGBH (Basic)
804 WBZ (Basic)
805 WCVB (Basic)
807 WHDH (Basic)
821 Nat Geo (Expanded)
823 Discovery (Expanded)
825 WFXT (Basic)
828 MHD (Classic)
831 TBS (Expanded)
833 TNT (Classic)
835 USA (Expanded) added today
837 A&E (Expanded)
838 WSBK (Basic)
839 HD Theater (Classic) formerly Discovery Theater
842 CNN (Expanded)
846 Universal (Classic)
848 VS/Golf (Expanded)
849 ESPN (Classic)
850 ESPN 2 (Expanded)
851 NESN (Expanded)
853 NFL Network (Sport Ent)
856 WLVI (Basic)
872 History (Expanded)
881 Mojo/Comcast Sportsnet (Classic)

5 channels added in the past 40 days. One more on its way.

Really? Do you know which one?

My guesses: either Sci-Fi, MGM, or Fox Business.

Mickey

I rather have the weather channel!

Any hints on when another analog channel(s) are going digital only. there are 4-6 more HD channels at least out there we would like added.

It's coming (https://comcast.p.delivery.net/m/p/com/tivo/default.asp).:D

www.comcast.com/gettivo

It's almost here

www.comcast.com/gettivo

It's almost hereYeah, that page was up the day after they posted the previous one. I'll be more impressed when someone actually inputs a zipcode and it comes up with a valid hit.

Ok so for the 1st time I tried that "record from DVR Firewire onto XP" thread and got it working fine. Found out I can record live & saved programs off most HDTV channels, in fact the only ones I can't record to my PC are the movie HD channels and TBS-HD, all the rest record fine.

My problem is I can't record to my PC my saved PATs game from this past Sunday (ch 804). I can record a live show, but just not that game. Do they put the 5C thing off and on when they want to? Strage because I was able record off the SOX ALCS game 7 from the DVR.

It's nice using that CAPDVHS program. Some channels send 18mps, but others like Chuck (HD) came in at 65mbs!

USA-HD is live here in SE MA on channel 835

USA-HD is live here in SE MA on channel 835Good god, I'm glad I don't subscribe to Extended Cable. Tell me when something HD is actually on those wastes of bandwidth.

I hope when they start offering SciFi-HD they put it into a different tier, but I doubt it (there is actual HD programming on SciFi-HD too). It would be nice though.

Good god, I'm glad I don't subscribe to Extended Cable. Tell me when something HD is actually on those wastes of bandwidth.

I hope when they start offering SciFi-HD they put it into a different tier, but I doubt it (there is actual HD programming on SciFi-HD too). It would be nice though.

I agree...But. I thought the same thing when I initially saw USAHD. But everything I have seen so far IS actually in HD. Law and Order: CI looks good.

So what is actually on in USA-HD that isn't available elsewhere?

HD Lineup 11-08-2007 Lawrence MA

Ch Number Service Tier required
======================================================
802 PBS HD Channel (2.2) HD+ Basic
804 WBZ (CBS) (4.1) Basic
805 WCVB (ABC) (5.1) Basic
807 WHDH (NBC) (7.1) Basic
809 WUMR (ABC) (75.89) Basic
821 National Geographic Starter (probobly and Classic too)
823 Discovery Starter
825 WFXT (Fox) (25.1) Basic
828 MHD HD+ Starter AND Classic
831 TBS Starter
832 HGTV-HD HD+ Starter
833 TNT Classic
835 USA Starter
837 A&E Starter
838 WSBK (38.1) Basic
839 HD Theatre HD+ Classic
842 CNN Starter
846 Universal HD HD+ Classic
848 Verses / Golf HD Starter
849 ESPN Classic
850 ESPN 2 Starter
851 NESN Starter
853 NFL Network Sports & Ent
854 Food Network HD HD+ Starter
856 WLVI (CW) (56.1) Basic
868 Cinemax Cinemax
870 HBO HBO
872 History Channel Starter
875 Starz Starz
877 Showtime Showtime
881 Mojo HD+ / CSN (Home Celtic games) Classic


HD+ indicates HD only channel

Basic = limited basic
Starter = extended basioc with digital box,also includes limited On Demand content,Movieplex on channel 200,and the music channels 501-548
Classic = digital tier

So what is actually on in USA-HD that isn't available elsewhere?

Not sure. I believe the Bourne Supremacy is on this weekend. When I checked the on screen guide(info button) its does not say HD. It will be interesting to see if its in HD. Not holding my breath though

So what is actually on in USA-HD that isn't available elsewhere?Psych.

USA HD is now live in Manchester, NH (Ch. 835)

Yeah, that page was up the day after they posted the previous one. I'll be more impressed when someone actually inputs a zipcode and it comes up with a valid hit.

Well, a waiting list is better then nothing. At least when it does become available in the area, you will be getting a call. Hopefully...

So what is actually on in USA-HD that isn't available elsewhere?

I didn't check last night, but I assume L & O: CI is in HD since the reruns are planned for NBC.

I didn't check last night, but I assume L & O: CI is in HD since the reruns are planned for NBC.

Sadly enough, all of these stations going HD are not updating their web sites to reflect which programs will be in HD. I checked the USA scheduled yesterday and nothing was listed.

Psych.That ain't exactly a compelling list.

So what is actually on in USA-HD that isn't available elsewhere?

Well for us Tennis fans, we do have the US Open in HD to look forward to next August. :D:D

That ain't exactly a compelling list.It's pretty compelling to me, given that ABC HD, NBC HD, CBS HD, etc. aren't going to be offering much. And beyond that, once the summer rolls around, there will be a lot more: In addition to Psych, there's Starter Wife and Burn Notice, as well as Monk. Also, there are two new series they're working on that look very promising.

That's more than I can say for CW HD, all year long!!!

By the way, the 2007 US Open coverage on USA was shown in HD on the Universal HD channel.

If they show it on the new USA HD in 2008--I may be out of luck--since USA is not part of the basic cable package.

Well for us Tennis fans, we do have the US Open in HD to look forward to next August. :D:D

For those of you waiting for the Comcast Tivo...

My friend with Comcast says it will be available "after Thanksgiving, but before December 1st".

A $2.95/month charge will cover every DVR in the house.

The downside? They've had problems getting the Tivo software to download correctly, so the temporary fix is to "roll a truck" to the house and have a tech do it. That'll cost you $14.95. It also lacks some features that will be added later.

FYI, the Celtics/Nets game is in HD on Mojo (Channel 881). They are using the NBATV feed.

Comcast has got to get a full time HD feed for the Celtics. Fast.

the HD celtics feed on Mojo is blacked out

I realized that after I posted. Oh well.

My Comcast receiver is stuck on 12:00, all program guides say "ToBeAnnounced" and On Demand is unavailable. I've cycled AC power and had Comcast issue a 'reset' to no avail. Anything else I should try?

My Comcast receiver is stuck on 12:00, all program guides say "ToBeAnnounced" and On Demand is unavailable. I've cycled AC power and had Comcast issue a 'reset' to no avail. Anything else I should try?

Call Comcast and have them reset it. It should only take a few minutes.

My Comcast receiver is stuck on 12:00, all program guides say "ToBeAnnounced" and On Demand is unavailable. I've cycled AC power and had Comcast issue a 'reset' to no avail. Anything else I should try?

Is the cable signal good at the input of the box, did kids unplug it, dog chew through it, etc.? You can try bypassing the box & going straight to the tv to see how it looks cable direct. If pics are clear on lower local channels as well as some channels up in the 50's or 60's then the signal is probably good. If the signal is good, they reset the box & you're not late paying your bill then it may very well be a bad box.

My Comcast receiver is stuck on 12:00, all program guides say "ToBeAnnounced" and On Demand is unavailable. I've cycled AC power and had Comcast issue a 'reset' to no avail. Anything else I should try?

Just swap out the box, if the two options you mentioned already failed I wouldn't waste anymore time with it.

My Comcast receiver is stuck on 12:00, all program guides say "ToBeAnnounced" and On Demand is unavailable. I've cycled AC power and had Comcast issue a 'reset' to no avail. Anything else I should try?

I would suggest a service call because 12:00 on the box means no signal to the box. Try going cable direct as suggested before. But more then likely, this will not be working.

HD Lineup 11-08-2007 Lawrence MA

Ch Number Service Tier required
======================================================
802 PBS HD Channel (2.2) HD+ Basic
804 WBZ (CBS) (4.1) Basic
805 WCVB (ABC) (5.1) Basic
807 WHDH (NBC) (7.1) Basic
809 WUMR (ABC) (75.89) Basic
821 National Geographic Starter (probobly and Classic too)
823 Discovery Starter
825 WFXT (Fox) (25.1) Basic
828 MHD HD+ Starter AND Classic
831 TBS Starter
832 HGTV-HD HD+ Starter
833 TNT Classic
835 USA Starter
837 A&E Starter
838 WSBK (38.1) Basic
839 HD Theatre HD+ Classic
842 CNN Starter
846 Universal HD HD+ Classic
848 Verses / Golf HD Starter
849 ESPN Classic
850 ESPN 2 Starter
851 NESN Starter
853 NFL Network Sports & Ent
854 Food Network HD HD+ Starter
856 WLVI (CW) (56.1) Basic
868 Cinemax Cinemax
870 HBO HBO
872 History Channel Starter
875 Starz Starz
877 Showtime Showtime
881 Mojo HD+ / CSN (Home Celtic games) Classic


HD+ indicates HD only channel

Basic = limited basic
Starter = extended basioc with digital box,also includes limited On Demand content,Movieplex on channel 200,and the music channels 501-548
Classic = digital tier

Will there ever be a fundamental shift here at some point in that HD channel packages will be offered without the need to get the "Starter" package as defined above. I guess looking at it logically, it probably wouldn't happen until after the DTV transition. I just refuse to pay an extra $45-$50 a month for "extended basic". At some point there has to be a new pricing model that is geared towards HD and not SD.

As most of these are HD simulcasts of SD channels it makes sense to require Digital starter for these.

In many areas,the equivalent of Digital Starter and digital Classic would be required to even consider getting an HD box.

It would be nice if Comcast offered an "HD-only" package, which means you only have access to HD channels and that is all you see in the guide. In theory, the package would be cheaper.

For those of you waiting for the Comcast Tivo...

My friend with Comcast says it will be available "after Thanksgiving, but before December 1st".

A $2.95/month charge will cover every DVR in the house.

The downside? They've had problems getting the Tivo software to download correctly, so the temporary fix is to "roll a truck" to the house and have a tech do it. That'll cost you $14.95. It also lacks some features that will be added later.Wait. So it will cost you $15 for them to fix something that should work right to begin with? That ain't right. Screw them. I'll live without it until everything works as it should.

Here in MA, you can go to their office and pick up a working unit. If the software doesn't download correctly, just swap the box, no charge.

Epie and Chrisg11, I am with you on that just have an HD package. I am paying the extended basic price and they want you to pay more (classic) for 5 more HD channels. It should be interesting what priceing plans they have in the future. You know Comcast has to make their money. I hope FIOS has a plan for the Fall River area.

I'll live without it until everything works as it should.

Well said!

I'd rather let those that are overly-intrigued and are willing to accept the risks associated with being early adopters beta-test this for the remainder of us.

Well said!

I'd rather let those that are overly-intrigued and are willing to accept the risks associated with being early adopters beta-test this for the remainder of us.

You don't have to worry or even consider accepting those imaginable risks. I'll be more than happy to beta-test it for you guys. :D

I'd rather let those that are overly-intrigued and are willing to accept the risks associated with being early adopters beta-test this for the remainder of us.

WHat's the worst that can happen, it works as well as the iGuide system we have now? It can't possibly be any worse outside of destroying the box. I have a Comcast office within a 3 minute walk so I'll just go swap it out if that happens.

Epie and Chrisg11, I am with you on that just have an HD package. I am paying the extended basic price and they want you to pay more (classic) for 5 more HD channels. It should be interesting what priceing plans they have in the future. You know Comcast has to make their money. I hope FIOS has a plan for the Fall River area.

In the near future, the channels most likely be realigned so that they match their SD equivilant. So ESPN and TNT move to Expanded while Nat Geo and HD Theatre moves to Classic (even though HD Theatre has no equivilant).

Here in MA, you can go to their office and pick up a working unit. If the software doesn't download correctly, just swap the box, no charge.

My understanding is that until TiVo is working properly, any upgrades or problems with DRVs with TiVo software will require a tech to come out. If you go into an office, they will schedule an appointment. New England is the first area in the country to get to use the software on Moto boxes.

Wait. So it will cost you $15 for them to fix something that should work right to begin with? That ain't right. Screw them. I'll live without it until everything works as it should.
I agree with you in theory. But I've had the various Moto-DVR's for a couple of years now, and they haven't been able to get those to work as they should. So if I followed your advice I would be sitting here adjusting rabbit ears all day. Sometimes you have to hold your nose and just go for it.

Mickey

My understanding is that until TiVo is working properly, any upgrades or problems with DRVs with TiVo software will require a tech to come out. If you go into an office, they will schedule an appointment. New England is the first area in the country to get to use the software on Moto boxes.The service charge is for having a box delivered and installed. That's where going to their office and picking it up helps. Comcast (here) doesn't charge for a service call if you have a problem that is due to a faulty box you rented from them.

Help me understand what Tivo gives me (for yet another nickel) that my current DVR doesn't?

Sign me,

confused recorder

Wow, since I haven;t checked this in a few weeks Comcast has once again quietly added a handful of HD channels, and didn't bother to tell anyone....Great business model!

Wow, since I haven;t checked this in a few weeks Comcast has once again quietly added a handful of HD channels, and didn't bother to tell anyone....Great business model!

Yes they added 2 channels I believe. They added National Geographic HD (not sure the channel # of it) and The History Channel HD (ch.872.) The HD lineup for the area is pretty good, I get just about every channel that I watch in HD. The only thing I ever watch in SD is the Celtics away games, which are just beyond pathetic in terms of quality. I just got the HDTV finally last month, was able to get the basic channels (2/4/5/7/25/38/56) without the HD box on my 52" DLP. Got the HD box after a couple days and am still pissed that they used component video cables instead of an HDMI cable. The HDMI cables are ridiculously expensive everywhere except newegg. Found a quality 6' HDMI cable (1080P certified with 100+ perfect reviews and no negative reviews) for under $10 that I'm waiting to be delivered.

They finally got a bunch of free HD movies now with On Demand. 25-30 free HD movies now...

Wow, since I haven;t checked this in a few weeks Comcast has once again quietly added a handful of HD channels, and didn't bother to tell anyone....Great business model!

New channel line-up cards, messages on the billing statemens, two articles in the Boston Globe that Comcast planted, the red message light on the box.

Yes, it must be a great business model.

Help me understand what Tivo gives me (for yet another nickel) that my current DVR doesn't?Mostly, a more user-friendly and more reliable user experience. Also, broadband features such as multi-room viewing, TiVo To Go, TiVo to Come Back, TiVoCasts.

I have both: A TiVo S3 and a Motorola DCT-3416. Why? Because there are a few hours each week where I need three tuners, and I can afford the extra box. So I end up recording 90% of what I record on both boxes (one as a backup for the other). Given that, which one do I watch most? It's the TiVo. I only use the Motorola DVR to watch those few shows that are only recorded on it. So that's how much better the TiVo is.

If I didn't have the TiVo though, and only had to deal with the Motorola DVR, that wouldn't be horrible.

New channel line-up cards, messages on the billing statemens, two articles in the Boston Globe that Comcast planted, the red message light on the box.Thanks for pointing this out.

New channel line-up cards, messages on the billing statemens, two articles in the Boston Globe that Comcast planted, the red message light on the box.

Yes, it must be a great business model.

Didn't get any lineup cards
Didn't get a red light on the box
I saw the articles in the Globe that said "channels were coming" but that was weeks ago.
I didn't notice anything on the bill except for the insanely high amount I owe. I'll have to look again for the fine print saying they are adding to their product.

Also, what is channel 823? I already have discovery on 839, is 823 an additional one?

Didn't get any lineup cards
Didn't get a red light on the box
I saw the articles in the Globe that said "channels were coming" but that was weeks ago.
I didn't notice anything on the bill except for the insanely high amount I owe. I'll have to look again for the fine print saying they are adding to their product.

Also, what is channel 823? I already have discovery on 839, is 823 an additional one?

Discovery Networks has rebranded Discovery HD Theater to simply HD Theater, while also rolling out HD versions of several existing SD networks - including Discovery, which is on 823.

And FWIW, I swapped out one of my 6412s last week for a 3416 - which does not have the red message light, just an envelope icon that appears on the guide.

So in essence we have 2 distinct Discovery HD channels? Cool!

Didn't get any lineup cards
Didn't get a red light on the box
I saw the articles in the Globe that said "channels were coming" but that was weeks ago.
I didn't notice anything on the bill except for the insanely high amount I owe. I'll have to look again for the fine print saying they are adding to their product.

Also, what is channel 823? I already have discovery on 839, is 823 an additional one?

So you got five new HD channels and did not have to pay anything extra for it but you are upset about them being added because no one told you. Sometimes, I just don't understand people.

I'm hoping for NBA TV in HD to be added but I guess I'm in the minority on that one.

So you got five new HD channels and did not have to pay anything extra for it but you are upset about them being added because no one told you. Sometimes, I just don't understand people.

I'm hoping for NBA TV in HD to be added but I guess I'm in the minority on that one.

They do broadcast NBA TV in HD at times on MOJO channel 881, last night they had the lakers v. spurs

...

I didn't notice anything on the bill except for the insanely high amount I owe. ..


This is scary. Did they dramatically increase what we've been paying? I've been paying ~$130/month and don't feel like paying much more than that. :eek:

I just signed up for their triple play at 99 bucks, which is a phenomenal deal. However they tried charging me some initial fee of 99 to start it, which they said they would wave. Thankfully I called them on it and got them to take it off the bill. Thats probably standard practice for all companies, charge them something and see if they notice or not.

This is scary. Did they dramatically increase what we've been paying? I've been paying ~$130/month and don't feel like paying much more than that. :eek:

Doesn't $130 already qualify for "insane" when it comes to cable bills?

Not that I'm one to speak. My monthly cable bill would give most sane people a coronary.

This is scary. Did they dramatically increase what we've been paying? I've been paying ~$130/month and don't feel like paying much more than that. :eek:

It sounds like your bundle promotion just ended if there was a dramatic increase. I would call the billing department and have them review it with you. There is usually a $20 difference between the promotional price with cable and the actually price and about $10 difference between the promotional price of CHSI and the actual price. If so, welcome to Club Comcast (http://www.comcast.com/clubcomcast).

Read that Comcast is adding Rural TV, which will have Imus. They have both SD and HD. Will Comcast both or just the SD in Boston area.
Direct TV is supposed to have 100 HDs in 2008, is Comcast going to accelrate its move of analogs to digital in 2008?

It would be nice if Comcast offered an "HD-only" package, which means you only have access to HD channels and that is all you see in the guide. In theory, the package would be cheaper.

Only thing is that majority of stations will be going "HD" (okay, digital) in the short term, which puts them back to the beginning.

Read that Comcast is adding Rural TV, which will have Imus. They have both SD and HD. Will Comcast both or just the SD in Boston area.

Cool.

I miss Imus.

Doesn't $130 already qualify for "insane" when it comes to cable bills?No. $130 translates to about $1.16 per hour of television I watch in crystal clear HD. Getting that much content from competitor Amazon Unbox in muddy SD, without the benefit of Closed Captions, would cost $223. Via DVDs, after a year-long WAIT, after that much content would cost about $163, though afterwards we get to keep the DVDs and can re-watch whatever we want. (Netflix is actually a better deal than cable, if you're willing to wait the year. I think the cost of that content through Netflix is about $50 per month -- a bargain!)

However, of these alternatives I listed, only through cable can I get live programs (such as news and weather). The other options, whether more expensive or less expensive, only work for recorded programs.

No one is going to give things away for free -- instead they're going to listen to their customers and charge what things are worth, as evidenced by customer purchasing behaviors. Things are assuredly worth a lot more than we like to give them credit for.

Read that Comcast is adding Rural TV, which will have Imus. They have both SD and HD. Will Comcast both or just the SD in Boston area.
Direct TV is supposed to have 100 HDs in 2008, is Comcast going to accelrate its move of analogs to digital in 2008?

I saw a report that only 55% of cable customers have some type of digital equipment in their home. That means 45% of the population are running cable direct. If you can convience 1 million people that they should pay $3.99 extra(minimum) for a cable box in their home in order to get channels like Lifetime, ESPN, Court TV, Food Network and NESN, then I'm sure Comcast will accelerate the removal of analog channels to make room for HD channels. I would love to have another 20 HD channels but I do not want to listen to my parents complain about getting a cable box for each TV in the house. This (and the local cable commissions,pr, etc.) is what Comcast has to consider for making such a move.

Direct TV is supposed to have 100 HDs in 2008, is Comcast going to accelrate its move of analogs to digital in 2008?
What Direct TV actually says it that they will have up to 100 HDs by the end of the year. Which is, of course, a completely meaningless statement. They will have up to 100 HDs tomorrow.

Doesn't $130 already qualify for "insane" when it comes to cable bills?

Not that I'm one to speak. My monthly cable bill would give most sane people a coronary.

Actually, I think that $130/month for all possible movie channels and The Tennis Channel (extra $6, I think) is reasonable when compared to other options.

...

No one is going to give things away for free -- instead they're going to listen to their customers and charge what things are worth, as evidenced by customer purchasing behaviors. Things are assuredly worth a lot more than we like to give them credit for.

In our economy, these services follow a natural demand and supply curve. The equilibrium price is where profits are maximized (if set correctly). "worth" is subjective.

What's worth more than what is being charged to you is worth less to someone else. If everyone thought as you, the prices charged would be higher. Cable companies are not in business for the social good.

What Direct TV actually says it that they will have up to 100 HDs by the end of the year. Which is, of course, a completely meaningless statement. They will have up to 100 HDs tomorrow.

My biggest pet peeve about their '100 HD channels' statement is that some of those channels are east/west versions of the same channel. I prefer quality over quantity any day of the week. DTV's pricing structure has some of the channels that are in Comcast's digital Classic going into their own tier. So for some DTV customers, they will have to pay more for channels that they may already be getting.

It would make more sense if ESPN-HD was part of Expanded/Starter since the SD version is available there. Comcast theory is if you subscribe to the SD version of the channel then you should also get the HD version (ESPN and TNT is the exception to the rule for now). For people looking to have just HD channels, having a seperate tier makes financial sense. For families looking to have HD, Disney, Lifetime, etc, then not paying extra makes financial sense. Comcast takes the family side of the arguement. It just depends on which side you are on.

Is it just me, or is 881 unwatchable? Pixelation, stuttering, etc...

I'm in the Springfield/Holyoke DMA.

In our economy, these services follow a natural demand and supply curve. The equilibrium price is where profits are maximized (if set correctly). "worth" is subjective. As well it should be. In the mass-market, what matters is what the proverbial typical customer values.

What's worth more than what is being charged to you is worth less to someone else. If everyone thought as you, the prices charged would be higher.If everyone thought as I, this world would be a much better place. However, that's really irrelevant. The reality is what I mentioned was a reflection of how things really are, not how I want them to be. Indeed, generally, I want something much different.

Cable companies are not in business for the social good.That's not their function.

I saw a report that only 55% of cable customers have some type of digital equipment in their home. That means 45% of the population are running cable direct. If you can convience 1 million people that they should pay $3.99 extra(minimum) for a cable box in their home in order to get channels like Lifetime, ESPN, Court TV, Food Network and NESN, then I'm sure Comcast will accelerate the removal of analog channels to make room for HD channels. I would love to have another 20 HD channels but I do not want to listen to my parents complain about getting a cable box for each TV in the house. This (and the local cable commissions,pr, etc.) is what Comcast has to consider for making such a move.

Personally I say deal with it. :)

Satellite requires a box for anything . Fios requires a box for anything beyond limited basic.
If Comcast had committed to going all digital by Jan 2009 they could have gotten a waiver which would have allowed them to get umpteen billion DCT 700s.

I forsee them doing what they did in Chicago.

Satellite requires a box for anything . Fios requires a box for anything beyond limited basic.
If Comcast had committed to going all digital by Jan 2009 they could have gotten a waiver which would have allowed them to get umpteen billion DCT 700s.
Comcast is NOT going to be all digital by January 2009. Stop thinking they will be, and you'll be much happier. There are a lot of people out there who like have TVs without a cable box.

I forsee them doing what they did in Chicago.
Only if it's successful in Chicago.

FWIW, NHL Network HD will launch on 822 sometime today or tomorrow in Boston and Brookline only.

I saw a report that only 55% of cable customers have some type of digital equipment in their home. That means 45% of the population are running cable direct. If you can convience 1 million people that they should pay $3.99 extra(minimum) for a cable box in their home in order to get channels like Lifetime, ESPN, Court TV, Food Network and NESN, then I'm sure Comcast will accelerate the removal of analog channels to make room for HD channels. I would love to have another 20 HD channels but I do not want to listen to my parents complain about getting a cable box for each TV in the house. This (and the local cable commissions,pr, etc.) is what Comcast has to consider for making such a move.

You are aware that Comcast has already done this in Chicago, all the way back in July? They cut analog down to 34 channels, eliminating 38 - bye, bye Expanded!

They did get some complaints:

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6450122.html

but overall it doesn't seem like mobs of disenfranchised analog viewers are sacking Comcast HQ just yet.

So my question is this - what is so different about Boston, that we can't do that here? It's not like we're some backwater - Neilsen says we have the fourth-highest percentage of homes able to receive HD in the country:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/cityhd103107.htm

If Comcast replicated their Chicago move in their major markets, they could match DirecTV channel-for-channel. Transitions are hard on most people, but in the end they adapt. It's not such a burden when compared with over-the-air broadcast TV, where people are going to have to apply for government coupons to defray part of the purchase of a converter box - now that could get ugly, and it's only 15 months away!

Cool.

I miss Imus.

But do we really want to see his face in HD?


;)