Bad news about the DCH:

The remote control logjam issue is still there. It's not quite as bad as with the DCT, but it does happen. So, perhaps the issue is in the software?

Bad news about the DCH:

The remote control logjam issue is still there. It's not quite as bad as with the DCT, but it does happen. So, perhaps the issue is in the software?
In this day and age, what appears to be sloppy code-writing from Motorola simply shouldn't be tolerated, remote controls have been around for over 40 years, to have a system that operates correctly "when it feels like it" is ridiculous.

Has it been confirmed exactly why the problem is occurring? The fix must really be deep in the code to allow it to go on as long as it has. To be honest, this was really the main reason why I moved to the S3. Call it stupid, but I was getting so frustrated with this that I was afraid I'd end up chucking the remote at the box and breaking the STB (forcing me to pay $400 anyway). By goind the S3, I get more storage. :D

Has anyone noticed an FM outage, or is it wiring on my end? The signal has been iffy, but available more often than not over the past few years. I recorded Cartalk over the weekend (yes - there is still a use for tape cassettes) and when I tried to listen on my way to work this morning, all I had was static. I checked when I got home and still no signal. Can others of you get radio over the cable?

In this day and age, what appears to be sloppy code-writing from Motorola simply shouldn't be tolerated, remote controls have been around for over 40 years, to have a system that operates correctly "when it feels like it" is ridiculous.It may not be in the unit's Motorola firmware. It could be in the iGuide software.

Does anybody know of reports of the same problem with Moto boxes using MSFT or Passport?

I'm curious if we'll see this behavior with the Tivo sw.

It may not be in the unit's Motorola firmware. It could be in the iGuide software.

Does anybody know of reports of the same problem with Moto boxes using MSFT or Passport?

I'm curious if we'll see this behavior with the Tivo sw.
It could be, I have a Star Choice DVR based on the Moto box and it works fine.

It could be, I have a Star Choice DVR based on the Moto box and it works fine.

Jeez, Jim....is there any A/V equipment you DON'T have???? :D

Jeez, Jim....is there any A/V equipment you DON'T have???? :D
I know, insane huh? I need help... :p :D

Now for something entirely different. I said that I'd heard a rumor the KICU was going to be broadcasting HD and might be carried on Comcast. Well it's not a rumor any more. Here's the latest email on that subject....

KICU-DT HD launches on Limited Basic HDTV channel 706 on Wednesday
The channel will not be launched in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Vacaville, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Travis AFB, Half Moon Bay, Hayward, Santa Rosa, Sunnyvale, Milpitas, Saratoga and Los Gatos at this time.

Now the real question is are they going to broadcast real HD or what they are broadcasting OTA now, 720p and 4x3 aspect ratio ??? If not it's just another digital channel and not a HD channel. Of course us poor people in the 550 MHz areas will have to wait some more before we see this added to our areas. This upgrade is really starting to wear thin on me :rolleyes:
We need to get these upgrades done soon.

Laters,
Mikef5

Now the real question is are they going to broadcast real HD or what they are broadcasting OTA now, 720p and 4x3 aspect ratio ??? If not it's just another digital channel and not a HD channel.

Anything's going to better than the crap quality they currently broadcast on 6/36. Thanks for the update, Mike.

It may not be in the unit's Motorola firmware. It could be in the iGuide software.

Does anybody know of reports of the same problem with Moto boxes using MSFT or Passport?

I'm curious if we'll see this behavior with the Tivo sw.


We have the same problem with the delayed response to remote commands with the MSFT guide s/w, which is in the process of being replaced. I've seen speculation that it's due to some garbage collection activity, but at any rate it seems to be in the Motorola firmware. Certainly not anything a decent real time software engineer would put on his resume. It will be interesting to see if the TiVo guys figure out a way to overcome it.

Anything's going to better than the crap quality they currently broadcast on 6/36. Thanks for the update, Mike.
To be honest, my channel 6 ( KICU ) looks pretty decent, not digital quality but really close to it, it's watchable. My real bitch about this is not getting yet another channel that the rest of the Bay Area is getting. I keep hearing we're getting upgraded but I see nothing that would tell me they are any closer to getting it done and it's really disheartening to see our area left out again.
Now Bonds could make me feel a lot better if he's just hit that next home run tonight ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

It could be, I have a Star Choice DVR based on the Moto box and it works fine.
I should add that the SC Moto DVR is not perfect either. Per one of the SC guys that actually worked on the the guide/interface for SC Motorola takes the MS approach to "fixing" things, that is they fix around the problem instead of doing a re-write on the base code problem. The idea is to create work-arounds for most all problems that my crop up, meaning that there will always be some unforeseen situation where that base code problem will cause an issue.

I should add that the SC Moto DVR is not perfect either. Per one of the SC guys that actually worked on the the guide/interface for SC Motorola takes the MS approach to "fixing" things, that is they fix around the problem instead of doing a re-write on the base code problem. The idea is to create work-arounds for most all problems that my crop up, meaning that there will always be some unforeseen situation where that base code problem will cause an issue.
If I remember right, I was talking to an tech a while back about this and he seemed to think the problem had to do more with the lack of physical memory for the buffering of the remote codes. The remote signals are kept in a clique and if it fills up to quickly it will stall and then will try and execute those codes all at once to try and free up the clique. So it might be not enough buffer memory and poor coding in making use of that limited buffer memory. Seemed to make sense to me at the time... ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

i don't know if this is too late, but for me:

Food Network HD
Home and Garden HD
SciFi HD

those are by far the top of the list since i'm pretty sure they have a good amount of HD material.

i'd be willing to take those 3 over having 8 more. ;)

but beyond that, with much lower priority:

FX
USA
TBS
History
HDnet

Has anyone noticed an FM outage, or is it wiring on my end? The signal has been iffy, but available more often than not over the past few years. I recorded Cartalk over the weekend (yes - there is still a use for tape cassettes) and when I tried to listen on my way to work this morning, all I had was static. I checked when I got home and still no signal. Can others of you get radio over the cable?

Might have been discontinued in the 88-108 band, but still available on Digital. I desperately want KPIG on the digital lineup.

My votes:
Speed
USA
History
TBS
FoodTV
Tennis Channel
FX
SciFi

I got the letter also and live next to 101/237. The last week of July and most of this week I had crap reception and service outages. This is pretty rare, the crap service Sunnyvale gets is pretty reliable. I would expect some sort of an announcement in the next couple of months. I have no sources, just a guess and lots of hope.
My cousin used to work for Comcast before he moved back down to San Diego. He was recently up here visiting and I went with him to have lunch with some of his old Comcast buddies. One of them said they are doing work in the Sunnyvale area, but I don't remember exactly what part (if it was my area, I would have remembered!). Hopefully, the rest of Sunnyvale won't be too far behind.

so how much is the Sports package? and what channels it includes?

If I remember right, I was talking to an tech a while back about this and he seemed to think the problem had to do more with the lack of physical memory for the buffering of the remote codes. The remote signals are kept in a clique and if it fills up to quickly it will stall and then will try and execute those codes all at once to try and free up the clique. So it might be not enough buffer memory and poor coding in making use of that limited buffer memory. Seemed to make sense to me at the time... ;)

Laters,
Mikef5
I don't think that would explain the problem I see, since the delay often occurs on the very first signal I send, even if that is the only signal, too. It's been really, really bad lately. I've wondered if it is due to the box downloading some iGuide info, and not being to execute any commands while that is happening. (Pure speculation on my part. I have no direct info that hypothesis is correct.)

so how much is the Sports package? and what channels it includes?

The package includes:
NFL Network
NBA TV
Fox College Sorts, Atlantic/Central/Pacific
College Sports TV
Fox Soccer Channel
GOL
The Tennis Channel
The Horseracing Network
Horseracing TV

http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Programming/sports/SEPackage.html

The package is $6 or $7. I can't log in right now to tell you specifically.

I don't think that would explain the problem I see, since the delay often occurs on the very first signal I send, even if that is the only signal, too. It's been really, really bad lately. I've wondered if it is due to the box downloading some iGuide info, and not being to execute any commands while that is happening. (Pure speculation on my part. I have no direct info that hypothesis is correct.)

Another observation: When it occurs (for me), it seems much worse when watching HD channels. This distinction seemed more obvious before I switched to to a 3416 (from a 6200). This tends to lead me to be believe that it's related to amount of processing going on -- if decoding digital or (worse yet) HD, it's slower.

As noted, some bad real-time coding therein.

Again, no inside information -- just observations based on 25 years of system software debugging...

There's no FM on the cable any more, at least up here.
They got rid of FM a couple years ago (and replaced them with digital versions... eventually).
Of course you need a digital cable box to get them, or I guess a QAM TV tuner - a regular FM tuner won't work.

Regarding remote lag, keep in mind the box is constantly downloading new guide data, I'm sure it has something to do with that, and the lack of processing power, memory, bandwidth, etc.. Sometimes it's fine, even with two HD channels tuned in both tuners, other times it's just impossible, I'm sure it's related to the downloading, or some other kind of housekeeping.

The package includes:
NFL Network
NBA TV
Fox College Sorts, Atlantic/Central/Pacific
College Sports TV
Fox Soccer Channel
GOL
The Tennis Channel
The Horseracing Network
Horseracing TV

http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Programming/sports/SEPackage.html

The package is $6 or $7. I can't log in right now to tell you specifically.
Package Not Available
The item you have selected is no longer available on Comcast.com. To view other products and services in your area, click the button below.

:confused:

Wow, another channel that folks in Hayward/San Lorenzo can’t get, nice. I haven’t seen any signs of a potential upgrade in our area either and highly doubt it will happen anytime soon. Comcast needs to get off their behinds and keep customers more apprised of these upgrades. I’ve been hesitant to move to satellite, but I have to admit that I’m getting tired of being left out while still paying way too much. I think the end is near for Comcast in my house.

The package includes:
NFL Network
NBA TV
Fox College Sorts, Atlantic/Central/Pacific
College Sports TV
Fox Soccer Channel
GOL
The Tennis Channel
The Horseracing Network
Horseracing TV

http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Programming/sports/SEPackage.html

The package is $6 or $7. I can't log in right now to tell you specifically.

The sports package which I recently subscribed to is about $5/mo and includes most of those channels plus the Speed Channel.

The package is $4.95 and yes, I also get the Speed Channel. I'm not sure why you can't order this channel at the website, but it is certainly available.

There's no FM on the cable any more, at least up here.
They got rid of FM a couple years ago (and replaced them with digital versions... eventually).

Yes - July 31 in the Concord/Walnut Creek area it was shut off. Same with the digital versions.

Time to upgrade - I listen to podcasts - the cassette deck accepts an iPod adaptor. Favorites of the moment - Buzz Out Loud from C|net and Handel On The Law from KFI.

Has anyone noticed an FM outage, or is it wiring on my end? The signal has been iffy, but available more often than not over the past few years. I recorded Cartalk over the weekend (yes - there is still a use for tape cassettes) and when I tried to listen on my way to work this morning, all I had was static. I checked when I got home and still no signal. Can others of you get radio over the cable?
Cgw,
I've received an email from Mr. J. that addresses your FM outage and just so there's no confusion on what was said or meant I'm going to post that section of the email.
-----------

I was checking out the survey feedback and came across this posting....From "cgw" last night.

"Has anyone noticed an FM outage, or is it wiring on my end? The signal has been iffy, but available more often than not over the past few years. I recorded Cartalk over the weekend (yes - there is still a use for tape cassettes) and when I tried to listen on my way to work this morning, all I had was static. I checked when I got home and still no signal. Can others of you get radio over the cable?"

Here is what is going on.

We had in place a legacy audio service that delivered FM radio station reception via cable in some Contra Costa County cities.
That particular analogue FM Audio Service was available in Rossmoor, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, Alamo, Concord, Clayton, Clyde, Diablo, Concord Naval Weapons Station, Pacheco, and small portions of Walnut Creek. It was dropped on July 31st. Comcast had been providing this service at no charge.

Why this is Happening:? Comcast must periodically review the services it carries to determine consumer demand for them. Because we found there was extremely low usage of the analogue FM Audio Service, we have decided to discontinue it so that we can use the bandwidth to offer highly requested new services such as HDTV and On Demand. As you know we carry 30 FM Channels, (including KQEDFM which carries "Car Talk" on the weekends) starting at channel 960.

----------
So there's the answer directly from someone that knows, hope that helps you understand what happened to those stations.
As you can tell Mr. J. is reading this forum and is looking at the survey results that have been submitted so far, so if you haven't voiced your preferences for the new channel additions now is the time to do it.

Laters,
Mikef5

The package includes:
NFL Network
NBA TV
Fox College Sorts, Atlantic/Central/Pacific
College Sports TV
Fox Soccer Channel
GOL
The Tennis Channel
The Horseracing Network
Horseracing TV

The package is $6 or $7. I can't log in right now to tell you specifically.

Anyone know if there are plans to also include the ESPN-deportes in this?

A list of one:
1. KICU-DT HD in Marin....in time for the A's 2008 season.

Any digital format would (I think) be preferable to the current PQ.

It's always good to know that Mr J. is reading our forum......
I hope he doesn't take everything we bitch about personally :-)

But.....how come no feedback regarding the true status of NFLNET-HD?
There's certainly a substantial interest here, and football (pre)season has started.....

Here is my list of channels to add to the HD tier... if it's not too late!

1. FX HD
2. NFL HD (permanent)
3. HBO HD (as many channels as we can get)
4. USA Network HD
5. CNN HD
6. Discovery HD
7. TBS HD
8. SciFi HD

Stu

T

Regarding remote lag, keep in mind the box is constantly downloading new guide data, I'm sure it has something to do with that, and the lack of processing power, memory, bandwidth, etc.. Sometimes it's fine, even with two HD channels tuned in both tuners, other times it's just impossible, I'm sure it's related to the downloading, or some other kind of housekeeping.

Perhaps - but it's pretty basic that a user command should interrupt any housekeeping and do what is asked NOW. What is amazing to me is that this bug has been around for a long time - with perhaps dozens of code updates since. Is Comrola (Motcast?) blind to how bad this makes them look?

Those of you on this board from Comcast care to comment? I dare to say, some days I would prefer this crappy interface be fixed before another HD channel is added.

While I'm at it - the complete stupidity of requiring the user to turn something OFF to change it's settings (resolution and close captioning) is beyond comprehension. Not to mention the complete waste of screen space for the guide - but by gosh, there's room for one more ad!

If Comcast wants to keep me, they MUST fix these things soon. Dish and Direct are ramping up their HD offerings......as soon as they reduce compression, things could get interesting.

-Dave

Yes, installations have been remarkably better. Mine took about 20 minutes. As for fees, it's $1.79 for the cable cards. If this is your only outlet (i.e. you don't have another STB throughout your house) then that's all you'll be paying. If you do have another STB then you'll have to pay the Additional Outlet fee which, I believe, runs around $8 now.

Some weeks ago fender posted the above .... does anyone know if the additional outlet fee still applies even if you are only using one outlet for 1 TV? Right now I am running a 6412 + an S2 Tivo on my one & only TV. I'm contemplating upgrading the S2 to a Tivo HD, trying to figure out how much this would cost each month. Extra $8/month on top of the cablecards + Tivo sub would dampen my enthusiasm.

I have an S3, I get charged $1.79 for dual cable card, no additional outlet, but Comcast also charged me for $7 HDTV (I have digital plus). They say it's for HDTV service on the cable cards, and claim it's married to the dual cable card charges, even if I don't want to get HDTV through Comcast. Others chimed in that this HDTV charge should be for HDTV equipment only, and should not be there, but I've had no success after 2 calls.

Right now I am running a 6412 + an S2 Tivo on my one & only TV. I'm contemplating upgrading the S2 to a Tivo HD, trying to figure out how much this would cost each month.

If you're replacing the 6412 with the TiVoHD, there is no additional outlet charge because the TiVoHD would be the only digital device. If you're keeping the 6412, then you will have 2 digital devices, and the outlet fee applies.

Cgw,
I've received an email from Mr. J. that addresses your FM outage and just so there's no confusion on what was said or meant I'm going to post that section of the email.
-----------


Comcast did this awhile back in Marin and it created quite an uproar amongst the residents there. I believe Comcast reversed their stance and reinstated the service.

I'm also pretty sure we still get FM up here in Santa Rosa because it's stipulated in the franchise agreement.

I personally haven't listened to radio in years, in fact, the last time was to hear Mr. J talk to the consumer guy on KGO. :D

Comcast did this awhile back in Marin and it created quite an uproar amongst the residents there. I believe Comcast reversed their stance and reinstated the service.

I'm also pretty sure we still get FM up here in Santa Rosa because it's stipulated in the franchise agreement.

I personally haven't listened to radio in years, in fact, the last time was to hear Mr. J talk to the consumer guy on KGO. :D
I think this might be a little different because Mr. J. said "analog" FM stations were turned off. I think they still have digital FM stations, sort of like analog tv stations and digital stations. I could be wrong but it would make sense because one of the main reasons in doing away with those stations was to recoup bandwidth and analog is a bandwidth hog. ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I was wondering if anyone else lost their HD Clear QAM channels? I live in Petaluma and up until recently was able to tune NBC and ABC, but no longer able to. I use the QAM tuner on the tv and on an HDHomerun. The QAM mapper with HDHomerun does not pick them up either :(


EDIT: Sorry...I was an idiot and had some wiring mixed up.

If you're replacing the 6412 with the TiVoHD, there is no additional outlet charge because the TiVoHD would be the only digital device. If you're keeping the 6412, then you will have 2 digital devices, and the outlet fee applies.

This is correct. The only reason why Comcast isn't charging you an outlet fee for the Series 2 is because there's no way for them to know you're actually using it (otherwise I'm sure they would charge you).

Perhaps - but it's pretty basic that a user command should interrupt any housekeeping and do what is asked NOW. What is amazing to me is that this bug has been around for a long time - with perhaps dozens of code updates since. Is Comrola (Motcast?) blind to how bad this makes them look?

Those of you on this board from Comcast care to comment? I dare to say, some days I would prefer this crappy interface be fixed before another HD channel is added.

While I'm at it - the complete stupidity of requiring the user to turn something OFF to change it's settings (resolution and close captioning) is beyond comprehension. Not to mention the complete waste of screen space for the guide - but by gosh, there's room for one more ad!

If Comcast wants to keep me, they MUST fix these things soon. Dish and Direct are ramping up their HD offerings......as soon as they reduce compression, things could get interesting.

-Dave

Totally agreed. To put this in business perspective:

The totally crapless remote command behavior, plus the tiny harddrive size, were the single largest factors for me to spend $800 on the Tivo S3. (Tivo UI & other features are great but weren't worth the high cost.)

Are you listening, Comcast & Motorola?
It was worth $800 to me to get rid of these asinine annoyances.
It got so bad even my WIFE agreed the $800 was worth it. Pay your worthless developers an $800 bonus to fix this bug. It is embarassing.

(and, it will be interesting to see if the Tivo software on Moto boxes manages to still get good remote performance- if so, Motorola will look really bad, because the Tivo SW is running on TOP of Java/OCAP right, so it would have even more overhead than iGuide!)

I've consistently seen image/audio breakups on TNTHD last few weeks on my Tivo S3, at least on recordings of "Saving Grace"- I don't have any other problems on other channels/recordings so far, HD or otherwise. The breakups are very frequent, every few minutes or so, mostly on video; audio isn't impacted too much, and luckily the closed captioning isn't, so I can read the lines.

Maybe it's something wierd w/ that show's HD stream that causes tivo to glitch? or the channel/broadcast? Anyone else seen this on an S3 or Comcast box?

Guess I'll have to try watching/recording another TNTHD show to see if it's the show or the channel, but wanted to check others experiences..

Roughly a couple of weeks ago the HD channels for KTVU and KPIX became unwatchable on my Comcast Standard Cable in San Francisco, lots of artifacts, sound so choppy that it's off much more than on. I'm running through the QAM tuner in my TV, no external box, and all the other local HD channels come in fine, the SD channels for KTVU and KPIX come in fine, and those two HD channels come in fine OTA.

I've tried calling Comcast, all they know how to say is that I need a box. :mad:

Anyone else having this problem?

Bonds = 756

Thank you for your help. I have no real interest in the local channels, so it seems that HD thru MCE is a no go due to lack of QAM. Oh well.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer.
Kind regards,
Asif

There are Cable Card enabled Digital tuners available for MCE/HTPC but you can't buy them seperately for a home built PC. You have to buy a pre-built system with the new ATI CableCard tuner cards - infuriating! And most of these HTPC setups are very expensive....

FYI.

KICU digital is up and running on channel 706 this morning in Rohnert park.

KICU digital is up and running on channel 706 this morning in Rohnert park.And, to my surprise, in Marin. Infomercials in SD!

What HD content is on KICU?

What HD content is on KICU?

It is said that the Oakland A's will be HD. We'll see....

Anyone know if there are plans to also include the ESPN-deportes in this?

I don't think so. I was also hoping for Fox Sports en Espanol included in the Sports package but no luck for me.

It is said that the Oakland A's will be HD. We'll see....

That would be really nice!! Fingers crossed.

It is said that the Oakland A's will be HD. We'll see....Tonight's 5:35PT game from Texas is on KICU. No HD, I'm sure, but it'll be interesting to compare PQ between 6 & 706.

Yea, I remember watching Bonds play for the Pirates when I was a kid...

I think this might be a little different because Mr. J. said "analog" FM stations were turned off. I think they still have digital FM stations, sort of like analog tv stations and digital stations. I could be wrong but it would make sense because one of the main reasons in doing away with those stations was to recoup bandwidth and analog is a bandwidth hog. ;)

Laters,
Mikef5
I think they're all analog, Comcast may be digitizing them to squeeze into a smaller bandwidth chunk, but I'm sure they're analog when Comcast gets them. Of course, I haven't paid much attention to radio in years, so I have no idea what they do nowadays.

Has anyone in the Vallejo area noticed a sizable drop in PQ over the last week? Using my HDTV's ClearQam tuner and the Moto 3416 all the analog simulcasts appear snowy as if I was watching tv with old rabbit ears. The HD and digital channels come in fine. As for HD votes

SciFi HD
USA HD
Food Network HD
History HD
BBC America HD (if available)

Not HD per se but would love to see Boomerang.

thanks,

Christian

Is everything ok with ESPN2? Yesterday when I switch to that channel, picture just freezes (similar to how channel 725 is/used to be). I have seen this before as well. I am near 237/880 and watching through DCT 6200.

ESPN/ESPN2 has been showing the Giants games a lot lately with the Bonds HR chase, and by rules it has to be blacked out.

The FM channels are all digital now (QAM) you need a cable box or clear QAM tuner to get them. As far as I know they are recorded directly off the air, as some of them you can even hear static & noise....

Is everything ok with ESPN2? Yesterday when I switch to that channel, picture just freezes (similar to how channel 725 is/used to be). I have seen this before as well. I am near 237/880 and watching through DCT 6200.

The Giants game was on FoxBayHD so ESPN2 as blacked out at that time.

Tonight's 5:35PT game from Texas is on KICU. No HD, I'm sure, but it'll be interesting to compare PQ between 6 & 706.
The NMT Production Truck Schedule has Truck DX09 a digital production truck but not HD scheduled in Arlington TX tonight

Comcast 706 is now working in the Pleasanton-Livermore-Dublin area

The NMT Production Truck Schedule has Truck DX09 a digital production truck but not HD scheduled in Arlington TX tonight

Comcast 706 is now working in the Pleasanton-Livermore-Dublin area

Game just came on, in SD 4:3 on 706
My Comcast Box shows 543.00 Mhz frequency

It is said that the Oakland A's will be HD. We'll see....
The Saturday Raiders game is suppose to be in HD on KICU. That's the first program that has actually said they'd be in HD. Good thing I can get KICU OTA or I'd feel like a red headed stepchild again.... :p ;)
The more HD coverage for the local teams the better though so that's a good thing.

Laters,
Mikef5

In case there are still Giants fans out there, the game is on FSNBA-HD ( not in the guide ) and is in HD and you just missed Bonds hit 757 into the cove and in HD :)

Laters,
Mikef5

In case there are still Giants fans out there, the game is on FSNBA-HD ( not in the guide ) and is in HD and you just missed Bonds hit 757 into the cove and in HD :)

Laters,
Mikef5

ha ha. yeah, still a die hard fan here, but i didn't realize that i was on until after the HR by Bonds. [i don't get expanded basic, so i had all but guessed that i was going to have to rely on KNBR when i flipped to see and there it was]

glad to know there are two people who are still interested in watching the Giants... :p

I just made a complaint to FCC about the tacked on $7/month HDTV charges on top of the $1.79 dual cable card charge through FCC's web page, using fccinfo@fcc.gov email

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints_general.html

I would be more OK if Comcast gives me an option to not get HDTV through them, and get rid of the charge, but instead this charge is "married" to the dual cable card charge, feels like Comcast is out to price gauge cable card subscribers, especially Tivo users.

For those people that think that the drives on the Motorola boxes are too small and want external storage read this article.. http://www.multichannel.com/blog/350000435.html#560012856

I'm trying to lobby Comcast to offer this for us cable people also. I know that there has always been the problem with content providers wanting absolute control over their content but it seems Dish has found a way to placate their fears so I can't imagine Comcast not being able to do the same. We'll just have to see on 15 Aug if this really flies or not.

Laters,
Mikef5

Checked on 706 last night, was getting very bad dropouts in the video and the audio was only coming thru in short blips.... ?

The Saturday Raiders game is suppose to be in HD on KICU. That's the first program that has actually said they'd be in HD......

Thanks for that update, Mikef5! I'll definitely be checking it out!
FYI, based on all the guides and listings that I've checked, the
game will be tape-delayed to be broadcast at 10pm.

Hey guys, I've been out of the loop on this thread for some time. I've been bouncing between Southern California and my true home, the Bay Area. I have a couple questions (that might have been noted elsewhere in this thread... but it's a beast, espeically when you don't check it daily.)

1. When did Delta Valley/Bay Point, CA add the remaining HD channels, August 1st? I never saw a message on the HD box.

2. Who do I complain to about their ESPN2HD feed. I went round & round with CSR's and supervisiors on Monday, who kept insisting that they actually were sending the HD feed on channel 724. It is the SD feed, and nothing has been corrected yet. For that matter they said I had been the only customer to complain about the feed.

Thanks for the help.
fitprod
Bay Point, CA

I just made a complaint to FCC about the tacked on $7/month HDTV charges on top of the $1.79 dual cable card charge through FCC's web page, using fccinfo@fcc.gov email

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints_general.html

I would be more OK if Comcast gives me an option to not get HDTV through them, and get rid of the charge, but instead this charge is "married" to the dual cable card charge, feels like Comcast is out to price gauge cable card subscribers, especially Tivo users.
Good luck with that. This is a repost from July 6. Most of the Comcast franchises in the Bay Area have applied for "effective competition" status, which, if granted, means they won't be regulated anymore. Some folks with Cox cable in Fairfax VA have seen the results of being declared "effective competition" with CableCARD rates going from $1.99 to $4.50, 126% increase, while cable set top boxes went up only 12%, from $3.99 to $4.50.
http://www.cox.com/fairfax/rate_Oct_2007.asp
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=361855

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10968219&&#post10968219
dt_dc pointed out in one of the TiVo threads
Once a cable plant has been determined to have "effective competition" ...
1) Prices can no longer be regulated by franchise authority
2) They no longer have to submit rate sheets to franchise authority
3) They can basically charge whatever they want / the market and competition will bearThis April 24, 2007 FCC Public Notice mentions that various Comcast franchises in the Bay Area and NorCal have requested "effective competition" status
http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2007/db0424/DOC-272521A1.pdf
CSR-7163-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Antioch, Brentwood, CA, et al
CSR-7164-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Fremont and Newark, CA
CSR-7165-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Coalinga and Huron, CA
CSR-7166-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Dublin, Livermore, CA et al
CSR-7167-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Sunnyvale, CA
CSR-7168-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Contra Costa County, Hercules, CA et al
CSR-7169-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Emeryville, CA
CSR-7170-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Campbell, San Jose and Santa Clara County, CA
CSR-7186-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Alameda County, Hayward, CA et al
CSR-7187-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Alameda County, CA
CSR-7188-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Atwater, Chowchilla, CA et al
CSR-7189-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Madera County, CA
CSR-7190-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Half Moon Bay, CA
CSR-7195-E Comcast Cable Communications, LLC Milpitas, CA
It will be interesting to see what happens to rates if these requests are granted. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with yunlin's experiences.

2. Who do I complain to about their ESPN2HD feed. I went round & round with CSR's and supervisiors on Monday, who kept insisting that they actually were sending the HD feed on channel 724. It is the SD feed, and nothing has been corrected yet. For that matter they said I had been the only customer to complain about the feed.Not all programs are in HD on ESPN1/2. Nothing Comcast can do about that.

Originally Posted by walk
Not all programs are in HD on ESPN1/2. Nothing Comcast can do about that.

Yes... I know that, but there is a specific way ESPN sends out their SD signals on their HD feeds. You know, the grey bars that are on the left and right of the screen that say ESPNHD and ESPN2HD.

That is what I've been trying to get fixed by Comcast.

fitprod

Well do this then.

Turn the box off then press the MENU button.

Use the down-arrow to scroll down to "4:3 override". Press the enter button until it reads "480i".

Then push the power button to turn it off, then again to turn it back on.

Tune to channel 724.

If you get a HD feed out of there (720p or 1080i depending on how you have the box set, use whatever "display" or info screen your TV has to see what the input signal is) then it IS being sent as HD, nothing Comcast can do to add grey bars or whatever - that's done by ESPN themselves.

If you get 480i then Comcast done f'ed up. :)

It will be interesting to see what happens to rates if these requests are granted. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with yunlin's experiences.

Yeah I saw all that, which is the reason I'm complaining now, before it's too late.

Yun

Walk,

Every other channel I am recieving in HD is displaying correctly, including ESPN HD.

I've seen the ESPN2HD feed on DirectTV, Time Warner Cable and Comcast in both Danville and San Ramon, they're all displayed properly with ESPN's generated left and right pillarboxing during SD broadcast, and full HD when the program is HD... It's an effin' Delta Valley - Comcast issue that they wont own up to as of right now...

fitprod

Yes... I know that, but there is a specific way ESPN sends out their SD signals on their HD feeds. You know, the grey bars that are on the left and right of the screen that say ESPNHD and ESPN2HD.

That is what I've been trying to get fixed by Comcast.

fitprod
As far as the side bar graphics go, Comcast can not change that. Comcast gives you the signal they receive from the content provider ( ESPNHD and ESPN2HD ) the way they get it from them. You need to talk to ESPN about their HD programing and how it is sent out to Comcast.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5,

The issue is that Comcast claims they are sending out the HD feed. The CSR's swear they are sending out the correct signal, and they are not. Supposedly an engineer was going to look into it...

I'll try to get a hold of ESPN and let them slam Comcast on their end.

fitprod

Mikef5,

The issue is that Comcast claims they are sending out the HD feed. The CSR's swear they are sending out the correct signal, and they are not. Supposedly an engineer was going to look into it...

I'll try to get a hold of ESPN and let them slam Comcast on their end.

fitprod
What do you base this on ?? Because you don't see the ESPNHD logos on the sides?? That's not a Comcast problem, that's the way they got it from them. I've seen the same lack of side bar logos on ESPNHD also, that's just the way they sent it. Comcast does not alter the signal or put those logos there.

Laters,
Mikef5

Fitprod,
Just so you know where I'm coming from. I do advocate for the cable, I am not employed by them and if you check my past posts you will see I try to be balanced in what I post. Believe me if Comcast was at fault here I'd join you in holding their feet to the coals but they have nothing to do with what you are upset about, that is a simple fact. I try and help people here to get what they deserve and pay for but this is not something that Comcast is responsible for.

Laters,
Mikef5

Does anyone knows if it is possible to exchange a DCT6200 for a DCH3200 ? I just want an HD non-DVR box with HDMI. Does Comcast use DCH3200 in the Bay Area ?

Mikef5 = Mr. Johnson

Just kidding. :D I can vouch for Mike that he does NOT work for Comcast and what he's telling you the absolute truth. Comcast in no way manipulates an HD signal when it comes in. They don't change the bars or logos, nor do the compress the signal as many people have suggested in the past. I think what you're seeing is most likely ESPN's lack of conformity across their channels and programming.

Orignally Posted by Mikef5
I try and help people here to get what they deserve and pay for but this is not something that Comcast is responsible for.

Originally Posted by fender4546
They don't change the bars or logos, nor do the compress the signal as many people have suggested in the past. I think what you're seeing is most likely ESPN's lack of conformity across their channels and programming.

It's not like they have different carriage deals for national stations such as ESPN, ESPN 2, TNT, A&E in the Bay Area region...

I pay a premium, as we all do, for Comcast's HD package. In this package ESPN 2 HD is supposed to be on channel 724.

Channel 724, in at least Danville and San Ramon, is the correct HD feed. In the Delta Valley system it is not, Comcast is sending out the standard def feed instead of the HD feed.

It is a Delta Valley Comcast issue.

fitprod

Channel 724, in at least Danville and San Ramon, is the correct HD feed. In the Delta Valley system it is not, Comcast is sending out the standard def feed instead of the HD feed.

It is a Delta Valley Comcast issue.

If you have verified Danville and San Ramon have different content (ie ESPN2 side logo) during the same times you are watching ESPN2 and you have verified that your side is set up correctly (ie you are receiving 720p or 1080i signal) then it is likely as you described a problem with your local Comcast.

They are probably somehow set up to upconvert SD ESPN2 onto 724 instead of feeding it the real ESPN2-HD. I think that is what you are describing as the problem. Perhaps they have a temporary problem getting the ESPN2-HD feed and this is there temporary workaround?

sfhub,

I have verified Danville and San Ramon... And for that matter Direct TV, I'm working the Out of Town Scoreboard at AT & T right now, and we actually get the HD feeds of ESPN & ESPN 2...

Plus I have an appartment in LA, and have been enjoying ESPN 2 HD from Time Warner down there as well. (Now who actually has better customer service between Comcast & Time/Warner... It's a draw, and neither is that good.)

I might just have to go to the local Comcast office and check their demo set up... Maybe then we can get it striaghtened out.

It's not like A&E HD, National Geo HD, TNT HD, Universal HD, Mojo and others are being displayed properly. Oh wait... They are. :p

fitprod

Checked on 706 last night, was getting very bad dropouts in the video and the audio was only coming thru in short blips.... ?Here in West Marin, 706 came in fine and was somewhat better (to my eyes at least) than 6.

sfhub,

I have verified Danville and San Ramon... And for that matter Direct TV, I'm working the Out of Town Scoreboard at AT & T right now, and we actually get the HD feeds of ESPN & ESPN 2...

Plus I have an appartment in LA, and have been enjoying ESPN 2 HD from Time Warner down there as well. (Now who actually has better customer service between Comcast & Time/Warner... It's a draw, and neither is that good.)

I might just have to go to the local Comcast office and check their demo set up... Maybe then we can get it striaghtened out.

It's not like A&E HD, National Geo HD, TNT HD, Universal HD, Mojo and others are being displayed properly. Oh wait... They are. :p

fitprod

I'm on the Delta Valley headend as well. I will check tonight (provided ESPN-2 is showing HD content) and see if I see the same problems.

fender4645,

You'll know instantly. ESPN 2 HD is always an HD signal. The only difference is that when upcoverted SD content is shown, ESPN's signal includes the ESPN 2 HD bars on the left and right of the image.

Also note, that the bottom line's bug always says ESPN2HD, if it is not there, it is not the HD feed.

Talk to you guys tomorrow.

fitprod

Here in West Marin, 706 came in fine and was somewhat better (to my eyes at least) than 6.

Yes, 706 appeared in San Ramon and Danville but this is another useless channel without much of HD content and mostly old SD sitcom programming. Why did Comcast ever bothered is lost to me!

Does anyone knows if it is possible to exchange a DCT6200 for a DCH3200 ? I just want an HD non-DVR box with HDMI. Does Comcast use DCH3200 in the Bay Area ?

Anyone? I would like to know this as well.

Yes, 706 appeared in San Ramon and Danville but this is another useless channel without much of HD content and mostly old SD sitcom programming. Why did Comcast ever bothered is lost to me!
The reason was for football season. Look to this Saturday to watch the Raiders game in HD. I have heard KICU will be the home for Raiders games this season. Hopefully, they will also show the A's home games in HD next year but the football season was the main push for this channel. I'm all for more HD for the local teams, just wish I didn't have to use my antenna to get it... ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

So is this final, no A's in HD on KICU this year?

So is this final, no A's in HD on KICU this year?
Nothing official just me thinking. It's to late for this year, but a maybe for next year. It has to do with scheduling, other stations are already scheduled to show the rest of the games this year so next year would be more of a chance for KICU to bid on or getting the rights to air any of their games for the upcoming season.

Laters,
Mikef5

fender4645,

You'll know instantly. ESPN 2 HD is always an HD signal. The only difference is that when upcoverted SD content is shown, ESPN's signal includes the ESPN 2 HD bars on the left and right of the image.

Also note, that the bottom line's bug always says ESPN2HD, if it is not there, it is not the HD feed.

Talk to you guys tomorrow.

fitprod

I'm watching ESPN2-HD right now. I see the 'ESPN2HD' bars on the side and the 'ESPN2HD' logo on the bottom.

I'm watching ESPN2-HD right now. I see the 'ESPN2HD' bars on the side and the 'ESPN2HD' logo on the bottom.

I'm watching at ESPN2-HD now. I see the same thing as fender4645 sees. I also checked ESPN-HD which has Little League baseball which is not HD and see the same.

John

I'm in Walnut Creek. I think I'm on the Delta Valley system, at least I remember seeing it previously on the website when I put in my address before. I just tuned to Ch 724 and it is the HD signal... "Bronx is Burning" is in widescreen and I see the ESPN2HD logo and bars during commercials.

Jason

Ditto here in San Jose, ESPN2 showing Bronx is burning in HD, with ESPN2HD score banner at the bottom

KICU HD is on 706 now in San Jose, not in Tivo's guide data yet. Picture is a little sharper than SD version on 6, I think I'm getting the digital version of ADS of 6. Also 706 seems to be ahead of 6 by ~ 2 seconds.

KICU HD is on 706 now in San Jose, not in Tivo's guide data yet. Picture is a little sharper than SD version on 6, I think I'm getting the digital version of ADS of 6. Also 706 seems to be ahead of 6 by ~ 2 seconds.A Digital 101 question: technically speaking, what is the difference between 6 and 706? Or to put it another way, why does the 706 picture look slightly crisper, given that they are both 4:3 480i? (I know this is pretty basic, but if you don't ask.....)

A Digital 101 question: technically speaking, what is the difference between 6 and 706? Or to put it another way, why does the 706 picture look slightly crisper, given that they are both 4:3 480i? (I know this is pretty basic, but if you don't ask.....)
Channel 706 is not 480i it is 720p and is a digital channel, channel 6 is an analog channel and is 480i. It is my hope that KICU will show true HD with an aspect ratio of 16x9 and not the 4x3 that they are showing now. Raiders game on Saturday will show us if they are or are not going to do this.

Laters,
Mikef5

The Raiders tape delay is also on at 8PM on Sunday if the Saturday replay is a little late for you.

I was channel surfing the other day and in the middle of a program KICU had a brief 2 second tape of a Dodger-Giant tape in wide aspect. I think they're gonna do this in true HD.

A Digital 101 question: technically speaking, what is the difference between 6 and 706? Or to put it another way, why does the 706 picture look slightly crisper, given that they are both 4:3 480i? (I know this is pretty basic, but if you don't ask.....)

The digital version of ADS of channel 6 is encoded at 480i, and when it gets to your HDTV (assuming you are using HDTV) or HD cable box, where it gets up-sampled to HDTV resolution by the consumer grade video processor in your TV or cable box. Channel 706 is up-sampled to 720p by Comcast's industrial grade video processor, then transmitted. even if it has to be re-sampled later to 1080i to output to a 1080p TV, it still has a better chance to show a better picture, because the up-sample to HD is done with a better video processor.

Channel 706 is up-sampled to 720p by Comcast's industrial grade video processor, then transmitted.
Up-convertion is not done by Comcast. It should be done by KICU.

Two factors affect ADS 6:
1. Comcast mostly be getting it in analog and it converts it from analog to digital.
2. ch 6 uses around 2 kbps for for broadcast and 706 uses more than 12 kbps (typical HD channel). More data, the better the picture.

In fact, I expected more difference. 706 seems to be doing a shabby job. They seem to upcoverting their ananlog channel to 706 for SD content. Ideally they should use their best source for their reruns (say 'That 70s show'). These things get better over time I hope.

The digital version of ADS of channel 6 is encoded at 480i, and when it gets to your HDTV (assuming you are using HDTV) or HD cable box, where it gets up-sampled to HDTV resolution by the consumer grade video processor in your TV or cable box. Channel 706 is up-sampled to 720p by Comcast's industrial grade video processor, then transmitted. even if it has to be re-sampled later to 1080i to output to a 1080p TV, it still has a better chance to show a better picture, because the up-sample to HD is done with a better video processor.Whereas, the non-analog version of ADS (if that's not redundant) does not get up-sampled, and therefore remains 480i (yes?). Thanks.

Up-convertion is not done by Comcast. It should be done by KICU.

Two factors affect ADS 6:
1. Comcast mostly be getting it in analog and it converts it from analog to digital.
2. ch 6 uses around 2 kbps for for broadcast and 706 uses more than 12 kbps (typical HD channel). More data, the better the picture.

In fact, I expected more difference. 706 seems to be doing a shabby job. They seem to upcoverting their ananlog channel to 706 for SD content. Ideally they should use their best source for their reruns (say 'That 70s show'). These things get better over time I hope.


I guess you meant 2 mbps and 12 mbps. I can only imagine the picture at 2 and 12 kbps :D

Whereas, the non-analog version of ADS (if that's not redundant) does not get up-sampled, and therefore remains 480i (yes?). Thanks.

Correct. ADS SD channels are still broadcast in 480i...they're just digital.

When I checked it the other day it looked about the same channel 6 always does (i.e. blurry as hell). Appears Comcast is just taking the analog (NTSC, off air) signal and upconverting it to 706.

When I checked it the other day it looked about the same channel 6 always does (i.e. blurry as hell). Appears Comcast is just taking the analog (NTSC, off air) signal and upconverting it to 706.
Walk,
Just so everyone is clear on this Comcast does not upconvert any channels, the signal you see is what is sent to them. KICU and it's parent company put a big push on Comcast to get this channel on cable before football season started. The signal on channel 706 is that channel directly from KICU, Comcast does nothing to it but make it available for you to view.
Walk, this wasn't directed at you personally but to everyone that thinks Comcast is upconverting the signals. The stations won't allow them to, they must be shown as sent and that is what is done.

Laters,
Mikef5

Well then KICU is just bad, and they should feel bad. :)
Guess we can reserve judgement until we see some actual HD on there.

Well then KICU is just bad, and they should feel bad. :)
Guess we can reserve judgement until we see some actual HD on there.
It's a new undertaking for them ( doing an HD signal ) and I'd cut them some slack for a while until they get all the bugs worked out. I know that most stations welcome input from the viewers with constructive criticism and do care about the signal their viewers are getting. I'd let them know what you are seeing, I'm sure they'd appreciate it ;) .

Laters,
Mikef5

KICU -706 is blurry as hell up here, in fact, I...can't...even....see....it... :rolleyes: :D

KICU -706 is blurry as hell up here, in fact, I...can't...even....see....it... :rolleyes: :D

Were you wearing this: :cool: ?

Were you wearing this: :cool: ?
Actually, I was wearing a blindfold so I couldn't see what she was, I mean I couldn't even see the channel at all. :p :D

I get 706 on DCT-6200.
Don't get 706 with TiVo S3 w/ cablecards.
Don't get 706 with Sharp TV QAM w/o cablecards.

Anybody getting 706 w/ TiVo S3 or QAM? If so, did you do anything special?

I get 706 on DCT-6200.
Don't get 706 with TiVo S3 w/ cablecards.
Don't get 706 with Sharp TV QAM w/o cablecards.

Anybody getting 706 w/ TiVo S3 or QAM? If so, did you do anything special?
Hiker,
For your Sharp tv, did you do a rescan of the channels ??? Some tv's require that you rescan to see new channels that have been added. Also, it may not show up as 706 but may show up as the actual RF channel, or the OTA channel number 36-1 ( that is for a QAM turner and no cable cards ). I'm not familiar with Sharp, I have Sony, Panasonic, Vizio and LG and they all show channels differently.

Laters,
Mikef5

I got 706 with S3 on Wednesday, but there is no guide data yet.

HD version of Hallmark Movie Channel coming in Q1 2008

Link to the story here: http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6466612.html?rssid=196

Hiker,
For your Sharp tv, did you do a rescan of the channels ??? Some tv's require that you rescan to see new channels that have been added. Also, it may not show up as 706 but may show up as the actual RF channel, or the OTA channel number 36-1 ( that is for a QAM turner and no cable cards ). I'm not familiar with Sharp, I have Sony, Panasonic, Vizio and LG and they all show channels differently.

Laters,
Mikef5It should be mapped as 6.1 just like others I get (2.1. 4.1, 5.1, etc), shouldn't it? I'll look for it at 591 freq.

Edit: I found it at 36.1. Now to figure out where it is on S3...

I get 706 on DCT-6200.
Don't get 706 with TiVo S3 w/ cablecards.
Don't get 706 with Sharp TV QAM w/o cablecards.

Anybody getting 706 w/ TiVo S3 or QAM? If so, did you do anything special?

On Wednesday, I got one of those "A lineup change has occurred" messages on the S3 saying that 706 KICUDT was added. After that I had guide data. Have you already filed a channel lineup report on the TiVo website?

http://customersupport.tivo.com/LineUpForm.aspx

In the past, when new channels were added, some showed up on the same day the channel launched, whereas some took a few days or even a week to show up on the TiVo. Filing a lineup report will at least let TiVo know that it's missing.

Jason

It should be mapped as 6.1 just like others I get (2.1. 4.1, 5.1, etc),
shouldn't it? I'll look for it at 591 freq.
Edit: I found it at 36.1. Now to figure out where it is on S3...
Hiker,

Glad you where able to find it. The 36.1 is the PSIP ( Program and System Information Protocol ) for the channel and that's what it is if you where doing OTA channels.
Wish I had a TivoHD ;) but I'm waiting to see if they can get a work around for cables upcoming SDV or even if they can get it to work with VOD. If they could get that little problem fixed I'd buy a couple of them today.

Laters,
Mikef5

Now to figure out where it is on S3...

If your CableCards have received the new channel map, you should be able to tune to the channel by punching in 706. Also check the list of "channels which you receive", although it shouldn't matter.

I was taking out the trash after lunch today, and I walked by a van with a Comcast Contractor sticker. I stopped and chatted with the guy and he confirmed he was working on the bandwidth upgrade and said it would all be finished in about two weeks. I live right near the 101/237 intersection. There's hope for the Sunnyvale slums yet!

I hope the area near El Camino and Mathilda isn't too far behind.
::keeping fingers crossed, but NOT holding my breath::

Originally Posted by fender4546
I'm watching ESPN2-HD right now. I see the 'ESPN2HD' bars on the side and the 'ESPN2HD' logo on the bottom.

Thanks for the update... I see you listed as Moraga, are you sure you are Delta Valley Area? This is the old TCI/Viacom area that is Antioch, Pitttsburg, Oakley and Bay Point.

Unless you moved, without updating your AVS profile.

I actually popped into their office today, and their in store box was connected with to a standard def TV with horrible overscan.

Of course their HD display was showing a standard def program stretched to fill their TV.

I don't actually think they know what the hell their actaully sending out to their customers.

I wanted to talk to a CSR, but I was crunched for time, and thier line was 20 people deep.

fitprod

I have noticed that Cable Com is all over the southeastern part of Santa rosa for the last week doing fiber upgrades. Keenan, they're getting closer all the time.

Thanks for the update... I see you listed as Moraga, are you sure you are Delta Valley Area? This is the old TCI/Viacom area that is Antioch, Pitttsburg, Oakley and Bay Point.

Unless you moved, without updating your AVS profile.

Yes, I'm positive Moraga is on the Delta Valley headend. Delta Valley serves west to Lafayette/Moraga/Orinda, south to Walnut Creek, north to Concord/Martinez, and east to Antioch.

I have noticed that Cable Com is all over the southeastern part of Santa rosa for the last week doing fiber upgrades. Keenan, they're getting closer all the time.
Yes, I saw another truck in the downtown area the other day, so hopefully soon. OTOH, southeast SR is mostly all new construction, so who knows...

...yeah, I know, I'm a glass half empty kind of guy, certainly when it comes to Comcast. :p

Yes, I'm positive Moraga is on the Delta Valley headend. Delta Valley serves west to Lafayette/Moraga/Orinda, south to Walnut Creek, north to Concord/Martinez, and east to Antioch.

Is there more than one headend for Delta Valley? Maybe fitprod is on a different headend?

Yes, I saw another truck in the downtown area the other day, so hopefully soon. OTOH, southeast SR is mostly all new construction, so who knows...

...yeah, I know, I'm a glass half empty kind of guy, certainly when it comes to Comcast. :p

They were at Brookwood and Sonoma the other day. Today they are on Petaluma Hill north of Kawana Springs all the way to Aston and down Aston. Thye are already set up for the new construction in the Kawana area both north and south. This is all new. Fill your glass, make it your favorite beverage, they're moving quickly. Unfortunately my Comcast contact is off on medical disability, I can't squeeze him.

Is there more than one headend for Delta Valley? Maybe fitprod is on a different headend?

Nope. AFAIK, all of Delta Valley are served from the same location (Barovelli may be able to correct me if I'm wrong).

Right now I'm watching Jay Leno on 703 and it's not in HD. Is anyone else seeing this?

Yes

They were at Brookwood and Sonoma the other day. Today they are on Petaluma Hill north of Kawana Springs all the way to Aston and down Aston. Thye are already set up for the new construction in the Kawana area both north and south. This is all new. Fill your glass, make it your favorite beverage, they're moving quickly. Unfortunately my Comcast contact is off on medical disability, I can't squeeze him.
Brookwood and Sonoma eh? Setting the cops up with HD TV I guess. :D

That's very close to me though, I saw the truck at Talbot and 4th and I live just around the corner from there.

For those who were wondering about the DCH3200, I just got one installed here in San Francisco.

For those who were wondering about the DCH3200, I just got one installed here in San Francisco.

That's the non-DVR w/ external security (i.e. CableCARDs), right?

That's the non-DVR w/ external security (i.e. CableCARDs), right?
That's the one. It has no analog tuner either so you have to be in an upgraded area... crying my eyes out :( .... sigh .... ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I have the sports package for the NFL Network, yet there is no HD channel--last year we used to have all of the NFL Network games in HD. I know people in other Comcast citys have a HD channel, why don't we? This is ridiculous. I'm one step closer to moving over to Direct TV!!!!

FYI - I bought a TiVO HD and had a scheduled cablecard install today in the Marina.

The installer arrived on time and had two m-cards with him (one as a backup). He was very knowledgable about TiVO/cablecard installs. Took about 20 minutes to get it up and running, no problems.

For those who were wondering about the DCH3200, I just got one installed here in San Francisco.
Does it handle being connected with HDMI to a receiver ? My old DCT6200 just does not like it and I have to use the component out.

I have the sports package for the NFL Network, yet there is no HD channel--last year we used to have all of the NFL Network games in HD. I know people in other Comcast citys have a HD channel, why don't we? This is ridiculous. I'm one step closer to moving over to Direct TV!!!!

I called Comcast twice tonight about the Washington/Tennessee game on the NFL network not being shown in HD. First they said that the game was not broadcast in HD and if it was it would be on channel 725. Then I heard the announcer say the game was in HD. So I called back and was told again "If the game was HD, it would be on channel 725." They better get their act together and start showing the pre-season games in HD. There are other options...

Does it handle being connected with HDMI to a receiver ? My old DCT6200 just does not like it and I have to use the component out.
I don't know about running it through a receiver unfortunately. I'm running HDMI straight from the STB to the monitor.

Anyone watch the Raider's game last night on KICU (Channel 706 ) ?? It was broadcast in HD but there were some definite problems with the audio. The sound of the game overrode the sound on channel 702 ( KTVU which is the parent company of KICU ) and at times there was no sound at all on channel 702. The sound on KICU would go from loud to very soft, especially during commercials ( good job, keep it up :) ). The picture to me was very soft even for a 720p signal and it was obvious that they were using SD cameras in some of their shots. Hope things get better for todays game.
Just to be clear, I don't get channel 706, I get KICU OTA but I have a rock solid signal for that channel. I would be interested if those that do get channel 706 saw the same things that I did. I'll be watching todays game and KTVU to see if they have those problems corrected.

Laters,
Mikef5

i'm watching a recorded version of it right now. pq looks great.

i'm watching a recorded version of it right now. pq looks great.
Watch some of the on field shots, they are sometimes really soft like up converted SD. Does the audio go to very soft during the commercials ( I know it's tough to sit through those things :) ) and then return to normal when they come back to the game ??
KTVU definitely lost audio during the game last night and at one time actually had the audio of the game. The reason I know is I also watched the 10 o'clock news during the game and was switching back and forth to verify this problem.

Laters,
Mikef5

i've only watched the first quarter so far (and probably not much more since it is a preseason game). audio started off blasting, then went back to normal after the third commercial. audio is very soft during commercials. pq on all cameras i've seen isn't razor sharp, but definitely better than say... FOX's MLB crap. i wonder how much HD programming KICU will have? if they have to move "house" for baseball, hopefully KICU will show an HD feed. and maybe A's in HD. what else could they possibly do? devry commercials in HD? ha.

ok i just got to the start of the second quarter, and the game cam definitely changed to SD. field cams still looks HD.

i've only watched the first quarter so far (and probably not much more since it is a preseason game). audio started off blasting, then went back to normal after the third commercial. audio is very soft during commercials. pq on all cameras i've seen isn't razor sharp, but definitely better than say... FOX's MLB crap. i wonder how much HD programming KICU will have? if they have to move "house" for baseball, hopefully KICU will show an HD feed. and maybe A's in HD. what else could they possibly do? devry commercials in HD? ha.
The only thing I'm pretty sure of is that KICU is the new home of the Raiders. If you look at their graphics during the game they even call it Raider Tv. KTVU made a big push to Comcast to get this on before football season, so I'm hoping for lots of Raiders games, in HD of course :). Also, I wish they would do some A's games in HD and even though I'm a big Giants fan, I think the A's have a better team and deserve better coverage than they now get. I want more local sports coverage be it football, baseball, hockey or even basketball. I would suggest that everyone email KICU and let them know that you would like to see more local teams covered in HD and I can tell you for a fact they want to hear from their viewers. If they hear nothing from their viewers they will assume that no one is watching and won't invest in more HD programing. I know I'm going to let them know ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

i'm assuming you mean KICU is the home of preseason raider games. the major networks own all the broadcasting rights to all regular season NFL games. hopefully with CBS going to 6 HD games a week, we'll see more raider games in HD. then again, what does it matter? half the games (the home games) will be blacked out anyway.

I was taking out the trash after lunch today, and I walked by a van with a Comcast Contractor sticker. I stopped and chatted with the guy and he confirmed he was working on the bandwidth upgrade and said it would all be finished in about two weeks. I live right near the 101/237 intersection. There's hope for the Sunnyvale slums yet!
I also talked to some Comcast assclown and he said that the work would be completed at years end. IMO he did not look like he knew what he was talking about.

i'm assuming you mean KICU is the home of preseason raider games. the major networks own all the broadcasting rights to all regular season NFL games. hopefully with CBS going to 6 HD games a week, we'll see more raider games in HD. then again, what does it matter? half the games (the home games) will be blacked out anyway.
Man I had forgotten that the Raiders love to black out local games that are not sold out. Must be the old age setting in :p
Pre-season for this year but with KTVU as it's parent station I'm sure they'll get most of the games freeing up air time on KTVU for other things like House and 24 ( my favorite programs on KTVU ).

Laters,
Mikef5

I also talked to some Comcast assclown and he said that the work would be completed at years end. IMO he did not look like he knew what he was talking about.
If you look back a while ago ( about December 27 2006 ) I posted the official announcement of the upgrades to the 550 MHz areas. The estimated time for completion of all the upgrades was given as 18 months. The Comcast person you talked to was giving you the official Comcast stance on the upgrades, he has no knowledge when a given area will be done or even when the area will be started. So at the end of 18 months if all the areas aren't done with the upgrades then it's time to start bitching at Comcast. From the little that I've been able to ascertain the upgrades are coming along and in some areas ahead of schedule. Believe me I want these upgrades done as bad as the next person if not more but give them the time that they put out in their announcement before you slam them. Going by their announcement they still have until June or July of next year to finish the upgrades on time and that is if they don't run into any problem areas. So as Mr. J. is always telling me " Be patient it'll get done " ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Ok, it looks like they pruned this thread, must of got to big and the announcement isn't there so here is the announcement again.
__________________________________________________

You are welcome to post this on the Forum. This release will be distributed to Bay Area media outlets today.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMCAST TO INVEST

$80 MILLION DOLLARS IN BAY AREA

Since coming to the Bay Area, Comcast investment totals $663 Million

SAN RAMON, CA-December 27, 2006-On the eve of the New Year, Comcast, the Bay Area's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, today announced plans to invest an additional $80 million dollars to turbo-charge the existing network infrastructure in eight Bay Area communities.

More than a quarter-million homes in Los Gatos, Milpitas, Saratoga, Santa Rosa, Hayward, San Leandro, Sunnyvale and Half Moon Bay will have their broadband network improved using the latest state-of-the-art 1 GHz technology. Over the next eighteen months, Comcast will be working with local city officials on our plans and notifying customers as we rollout out the most up-to-date broadband technology in their specific neighborhoods.

"An investment of this magnitude is further evidence of Comcast's commitment to our Bay Area customers and community," said Rick Germano, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast. "When Comcast arrived in the Bay Area we promised to create a company that Bay Area residents could look to first for the communications products and services that connect them to what's important in their lives. This investment in turbo-charging the network which serves these cities is further proof of our steadfastness in honoring our pledge."

Over the next eighteen months the company will be laying over 2,200 miles of fiber-optic cable, (long enough to cover the distance from San Francisco to Chicago), in expanding a network that is scalable, reliable and highly integrated while continuing to provide our customers more convenience, choices and content. Upon completion of the project, customers in these eight cities will have access to more channels, video-on-demand, Comcast Digital Voice and the company's highly desired "Triple Play" which provides the entire suite of telecommunications services for one low monthly price.

Since Comcast acquired the 128 cable franchises in the Bay Area from AT&T, the company will have invested over $663 million dollars in improving California's infrastructure.

Each year, Comcast has continued to expand and enhance its products and services to better serve our customers needs. In 2006, Comcast products and services included:

Comcast Tripe Play:

Offering customers convenience and the best deal for video, voice and online for $33 each-great products for unbeatable price.

Comcast On Demand:

Provides Comcast Digital Cable customers more control than ever before to watch their favorite shows on their own schedule. Video-on-demand offers customers approximately 4,000 programs including movies, music, sports, news, instructional and entertainment programming and more selections available 24 hours 7 days a week. About 95% of the content is available at no additional charge.

Comcast PowerBoost:

Increasing our customers broadband performance, for no additional charge.

Comcast commitment and investment in the Bay Area community continued in 2006.

* Hiring more than 581 new employees.
* As part of our Comcast Cares Day, more than 3,000 employees, family and friends volunteered at 18 Bay Area schools-creating safer, cleaner and better environments for our children to learn and prosper.
* Through our Leaders and Achievers Program we invested $180,000 in scholarships for Bay Area high school students to continue their education.
* Each year through the Cable in the Classroom program, Comcast donates more than $1.2 million worth of video and High-Speed Internet services to schools in California.
* Partnered with community organizations, schools and libraries on various initiatives ranging from literacy to youth programs.

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (http://www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 23.3 million cable customers, 10 million high-speed Internet customers, and 1.6 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, Versus, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One and four regional Comcast SportsNets. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multi-purpose arenas in Philadelphia.
_______________________________________________

So there it is again for you to peruse and see what was announced last December.

Laters,
Mikef5

If you look back a while ago ( about December 27 2006 ) I posted the official announcement of the upgrades to the 550 MHz areas. The estimated time for completion of all the upgrades was given as 18 months. The Comcast person you talked to was giving you the official Comcast stance on the upgrades, he has no knowledge when a given area will be done or even when the area will be started. So at the end of 18 months if all the areas aren't done with the upgrades then it's time to start bitching at Comcast. From the little that I've been able to ascertain the upgrades are coming along and in some areas ahead of schedule. Believe me I want these upgrades done as bad as the next person if not more but give them the time that they put out in their announcement before you slam them. Going by their announcement they still have until June or July of next year to finish the upgrades on time and that is if they don't run into any problem areas. So as Mr. J. is always telling me " Be patient it'll get done " ;)

Laters,
Mikef5
I wasn't slamming comcast, just that particular tech. The letter comcast sent me indicated that area I live in would be completed with in two or three months, this was about two months ago.

If you look back a while ago ( about December 27 2006 ) I posted the official announcement of the upgrades to the 550 MHz areas. The estimated time for completion of all the upgrades was given as 18 months. The Comcast person you talked to was giving you the official Comcast stance on the upgrades, he has no knowledge when a given area will be done or even when the area will be started. So at the end of 18 months if all the areas aren't done with the upgrades then it's time to start bitching at Comcast. From the little that I've been able to ascertain the upgrades are coming along and in some areas ahead of schedule. Believe me I want these upgrades done as bad as the next person if not more but give them the time that they put out in their announcement before you slam them. Going by their announcement they still have until June or July of next year to finish the upgrades on time and that is if they don't run into any problem areas. So as Mr. J. is always telling me " Be patient it'll get done " ;)

Laters,
Mikef5
I wasn't slamming comcast, just that particular tech. The letter comcast sent me indicated that area I live in would be completed with in two or three months, this was about two months ago. Although I'm happy that comcast is actually upgrading the area...finally.

Ok, it looks like they pruned this thread, must of got to big and the announcement isn't there so here is the announcement again.
__________________________________________________


You know, that first post needs updating, and as the person who's done it the last 2 times I'm nominating you to do it this time. :p

I start it, and then I get involved in something else and I end up never getting back to it, so what do say, feel like giving it a shot? :)

I wasn't slamming comcast, just that particular tech. The letter comcast sent me indicated that area I live in would be completed with in two or three months, this was about two months ago. Although I'm happy that comcast is actually upgrading the area...finally.
I understand and I wasn't slamming you either and I hope you didn't take it that way. I know that it's hard to sit and wait on these upgrades, I've been trying to get these upgrades going for our areas for a couple of years. I got my official email 3 months ago and I'm still patiently waiting ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

You know, that first post needs updating, and as the person who's done it the last 2 times I'm nominating you to do it this time. :p

I start it, and then I get involved in something else and I end up never getting back to it, so what do say, feel like giving it a shot? :)
ROTFLMAO, I was in the Navy for 20 years and in that time I learned never to volunteer for any thing :D But nice try ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

ROTFLMAO, I was in the Navy for 20 years and in that time I learned never to volunteer for any thing :D But nice try ;)

Laters,
Mikef5
Hey, I had to take a shot... :D

I wasn't slamming comcast, just that particular tech. The letter comcast sent me indicated that area I live in would be completed with in two or three months, this was about two months ago. Although I'm happy that comcast is actually upgrading the area...finally.

IMHO calling anyone an assclown is a slam. Ya gotta have some respect even if they don't know exactly what they're talking about.... :)

Well I'm watching Raiders football in HD on channel 706 - guess it's a replay or something...

Not the sharpest HD picture I have ever seen. Are they doing 720p or 1080i? Also getting some glitches, flashes of digital noise and blue-screens...

But, overall not too bad for a 1st effort.

Looks 50x better than their standard-def blur-fest. 8)

So with the recent addition of KICU-HD, are there any local HD channels we're still missing or has Comcast now covered everything? I haven't had my OTA antenna up in a while, so I don't recall what's out there off the top of my head.

Well I'm watching Raiders football in HD on channel 706 - guess it's a replay or something...

Not the sharpest HD picture I have ever seen. Are they doing 720p or 1080i? Also getting some glitches, flashes of digital noise and blue-screens...

But, overall not too bad for a 1st effort.

Looks 50x better than their standard-def blur-fest. 8)


That's interesting, because I saw the replay of that game (Well, the first quarter) on Comcast in Newark and thought the picture was stunning (Don't know if it was 720p or 1080i, but I had my box output 1080i to Sammy 1080p 50" DLP TV), some of the best football in HD I've ever seen.

Maybe it just had that pop for me because we've been deprived of football since the Super Bowl? I know sometimes when I go away and travel, for instance, and have to watch a crappy SD TV, everything HD including gaming in 1080p pops for a while. I dunno.

Man I had forgotten that the Raiders love to black out local games that are not sold out. Must be the old age setting in :p


Actually it's the NFL doing so, because the Raiders can't sell out home games, especially against "no-name" opponents (I expect the home games vs. Cleveland and Houston this season to be a blackout).

i'm assuming you mean KICU is the home of preseason raider games. the major networks own all the broadcasting rights to all regular season NFL games. hopefully with CBS going to 6 HD games a week, we'll see more raider games in HD. then again, what does it matter? half the games (the home games)

Even with 6 games a week in HD on CBS, the Raiders are still coming off a 2 win season. I would not expect any CBS Raider games to be in HD (maybe only when they host the Colts). Then if a few are, you can be pleasantly surprised. :D

It was just a little soft. They are probably doing 720p and this box isn't the greatest at converting 720 to 1080i.

As for other stations, there is still KCSM-43 (PBS affil.) and KTSF-26 (Chinese) but I don't know if either of them have a digital broadcast.

Actually it's the NFL doing so, because the Raiders can't sell out home games, especially against "no-name" opponents (I expect the home games vs. Cleveland and Houston this season to be a blackout).
That's the excuse that the Raider's ( Al Davis ) gives but the 49er's rarely if ever blackout local games because they buy out the remaining tickets and give them to charity's or the local station buys them up just so they can show the game locally. To me it's a lame excuse and how do they expect to get new fans if they can't watch them on tv to see if the Raiders are worth going to the games ?? I'm not going to shell out big bucks to go to a game when the team isn't worth your time or money. Not only are the ticket prices outrageous but try and buy food or drink there or even a game souvenir, better be working two jobs ;)

Team owners and players seem to forget the game is for the enjoyment of the fans and seem more concerned about how much profit they can get from those fans. This applies to all sports not just football. It's not a game anymore, it's a business and it's run like that.

Laters,
Mikef5

I asked in the local Comcast office (Santa Clara - Near Scott and Great America) about 'Cable box with HDMI' and they said I could exchange the box. Will do it tomorrow.

Gary, one more question regd SD quality with DCH : What is your setting for SD, are you letting the box upconvert it to HD (720p/1080i) or just passing 480i to TV?

It was just a little soft. They are probably doing 720p and this box isn't the greatest at converting 720 to 1080i.

As for other stations, there is still KCSM-43 (PBS affil.) and KTSF-26 (Chinese) but I don't know if either of them have a digital broadcast.
Walk,
KICU broadcasts at 720p and is actually showing some HD on it. KCSM broadcasts a digital channel OTA at 43.1 and KTSF broadcasts a digital channel at 26.1 OTA. That's one of the advantages of having an antenna set up, to get the odd channels that aren't carried on cable or you can't get on cable like for me it's KICU-HD.. ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I asked in the local Comcast office (Santa Clara - Near Scott and Great America) about 'Cable box with HDMI' and they said I could exchange the box. Will do it tomorrow.

Gary, one more question regd SD quality with DCH : What is your setting for SD, are you letting the box upconvert it to HD (720p/1080i) or just passing 480i to TV?
raghu1111,

Did you ask specifically for the DCH box ?? The reason I ask, if you just asked for a box with HDMI, the DCT-64xx boxes also have HDMI connections, I'm using one. So you need to specifically ask for a DCH box with cable cards not just a box with HDMI or you might end up with a DCT box.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mike,

I asked him about "non-DVR box with HDMI". He also looked at my account to check what I have (DCT 6200) before confirming. It is mostly DCH. I will confirm tomorrow.

Mike,

I asked him about "non-DVR box with HDMI". He also looked at my account to check what I have (DCT 6200) before confirming. It is mostly DCH. I will confirm tomorrow.
raghu1111,

Since I don't know where you live I don't know if your in an ADS area or not but since you already have a DCT 6200 I would say maybe not. The DCT-6200's have both and analog and digital tuner, they can have a DVI or and HDMI output. The DCH-3200's have only a digital tuner and no analog tuner and are used in ADS areas. They also have cable cards where as the DCT's don't and they have HDMI output. So again, specifically tell them you want a DCH 3200, tell them the one with cable cards, so there is no confusion and trust me they will be confused :p

Laters,
Mikef5

Thanks Mike. When I take my DCT 6200 tomorrow I will ask for DCH 3200. I am in an ADS area (Zanker / River Oaks).

I asked him about "non-DVR box with HDMI". He also looked at my account to check what I have (DCT 6200) before confirming. It is mostly DCH. I will confirm tomorrow.

Ahhh - you want a hen's tooth. Might find one of those before you find a non-DVR DCH.

Thanks Mike. When I take my DCT 6200 tomorrow I will ask for DCH 3200. I am in an ADS area (Zanker / River Oaks).
Not a problem, I'm familiar with the Zanker area, I live near the 237/880 intersection, sort of, that's the closest landmarks to me unless you know the Milpitas area ;) .

Laters,
Mikef5

Ahhh - you want a hen's tooth. Might find one of those before you find a non-DVR DCH.
Dave,
The bearer of glad tidings :) So when do you think the DCH's will be available in the slums here in Milpitas ??? About the same time I find hen's teeth ?? :p

So to be serious for a split second. What do you have available here in the South Bay as far as DCH boxes and are they using M-cards or 2 S-cards ??

Laters,
Mikef5

IMHO calling anyone an assclown is a slam. Ya gotta have some respect even if they don't know exactly what they're talking about.... :)Indeed. And how about some respect for the rest of us, who'll be reading such garbage? :(

Funny thing is, there IS an antenna in my new house, laying on the floor of the attic... I didn't even know it was there until I noticed the empty box up there... then looked behind it. I have no idea where it's connected, and with that setup there's no way to rotate it... I guess it would be pretty pointless to try to pull in some DTV since we already get them on cable...

Gary, one more question regd SD quality with DCH : What is your setting for SD, are you letting the box upconvert it to HD (720p/1080i) or just passing 480i to TV?I keep 4:3 override set to 480i. That way, my Panasonic HDTV (and Hitachi HD PJ) converts and intelligently stretches the SD images.

So, would the resident Comcast experts <cough barovelli cough mike> know when the Tivo sw will be rolling out here in the Bay Area? There must be some more info by now. I've heard that Comcast has certified the SW, and it's ready to go. What's the holdup?

Also, a CSR I spoke to while trying to get my DCH activated seemed to imply that Tivo will work only on the DCH boxes, not DCT. Does that sound right?

Finally, I've been reading about Comcast rolling out Panasonic HD-DVR's on the East coast. Has anybody heard about these boxes, and are they a possibility here in the Bay Area? Panasonic is one of the biggest cable box suppliers in Japan. And, I have no doubt that their offering might be better than Motorola's.

So, would the resident Comcast experts <cough barovelli cough mike> know when the Tivo sw will be rolling out here in the Bay Area? There must be some more info by now. I've heard that Comcast has certified the SW, and it's ready to go. What's the holdup?

Also, a CSR I spoke to while trying to get my DCH activated seemed to imply that Tivo will work only on the DCH boxes, not DCT. Does that sound right?

Finally, I've been reading about Comcast rolling out Panasonic HD-DVR's on the East coast. Has anybody heard about these boxes, and are they a possibility here in the Bay Area? Panasonic is one of the biggest cable box suppliers in Japan. And, I have no doubt that their offering might be better than Motorola's.
Gary,

The first roll out of the Tivo software is around the 15th or the 19th of August ( can't remember the exact date but that is close to what the announcement said ) in Boston and will probably get to the West Coast when I retire from my second job ;)
It's really hard to say how long before it will take to get here. If it goes well in Boston with little or no bugs to get rid of then the rest of the East Coast will get the software upgrade and then the Middle Coast. We are on the Last Coast so .......... the crystal ball is fading out :p

As far as the Panasonic boxes, Dave can give you a better answer than I could. I do know that Panasonic makes a darn good HDTV ( I own one :) ) so the box should be as good if not better.

Laters,
Mikef5

As far as the Panasonic boxes, Dave can give you a better answer than I could. I do know that Panasonic makes a darn good HDTV ( I own one :) ) so the box should be as good if not better.Yeah. They're a decent little company.

Time for a sports update.

First Giants game..... not in HD
Second game of the double header ..... Not in HD
A's game .... Not on FSNBA-HD and is shown on KICU..... Not in HD
49er's game.... On ESPN-HD and CBS-HD ..... Both showing the game in HD. Actually it's the same feed for both, they are both showing the ESPN-HD feed. ESPN and ABC are owned by the Disney Corp. and has no ties to CBS, so how are they showing the ESPN feed ??? Strange......but at least it's in HD :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Hey guys maybe you could help me...

I lived In sacramento last year and had the comcast hd tv box and i got all the local channels in HD, plus discovery hd theater, fsnba hd, tnt hd, esp hd, espn2 hd, universal hd, music hd, and versus hd.

I moved to the bay area last week, ( specifically San Leandro) and now i'm only gettting fox sports net bay area hd, espn hd, and discovery hd theater, and the local hd channels. Thats it! No espn2, no tnt, no versus, no inhd. What is going on? My on demand also doesnt work, and i went inside the service menu of the box, inside info, and saw that my IP was 0.000.00, whereas in sacramento , I was getting an ip address. IS it that this area is really bad? Or is the new box they gave me when I moved last week broken?

I remember the first time I plugged it in, the box rexcognized tnt hd, versus hd and a few other hd channels but it wouldnt display the picture, just the guide for the channle. After 10 minutes the channels disspearted and i was left with the channels I mentioned above.

I called comcast and the tech's are a bunch of morons, they want to charge me to send a tech to the house.

anyone?

anyone?
Check the 1st post, San Leandro is still a 550Mhz area. They are upgrading it so you will get those missing channels soon.....

Check the 1st post, San Leandro is still a 550Mhz area. They are upgrading it so you will get those missing channels soon.....
Yes Kevini is right you are in the exclusive 550 MHz club. Read post #2401 and all will be explained ;) .

Laters,
Mikef5

Hello I am located in San Jose and will be upgrading basic digital cable to the hd box from comcast very soon, once i purchase my samsung 4661.

does comcast give you a hdmi cable with it?

also, is that all i need for hdtv - the hdtv lcd and a hd cable box?

thx and sorry for the noob ?'s, ive been studying plants for the past few years

Hello I am located in San Jose and will be upgrading basic digital cable to the hd box from comcast very soon, once i purchase my samsung 4661.

does comcast give you a hdmi cable with it?

also, is that all i need for hdtv - the hdtv lcd and a hd cable box?

thx and sorry for the noob ?'s, ive been studying plants for the past few years

no comcast doesn't supply HDMI but you can get one for less than 10 bucks at monoprice.com. comcast will give you component cables. you can use those first while you wait for your shipment.

and yes all u need is an HDTV and a HD box from comcast.

no comcast doesn't supply HDMI but you can get one for less than 10 bucks at monoprice.com. comcast will give you component cables. you can use those first while you wait for your shipment.

and yes all u need is an HDTV and a HD box from comcast.

I beg to differ. Ask for an HDMI cable from Comcast.

So, would the resident Comcast experts <cough barovelli cough mike> know when the Tivo sw will be rolling out here in the Bay Area? There must be some more info by now. I've heard that Comcast has certified the SW, and it's ready to go. What's the holdup?

not even I have that answer. There's been a lot of updates to the back end of the system but with OCAP and other developments anything regarding Tivo UI would be hidden amoungst them.

We are often behind Chicago and Auburn when it comes to feature upgrades.

OCAP also means it is possible that we can see other brands of STBs.

OCAP also means it is possible that we can see other brands of STBs.That's good. I'd definitely be interested in a Panasonic HD DVR with Tivo software.

I beg to differ. Ask for an HDMI cable from Comcast.

ok a couple of years ago when i got my dvr they didn't have HDMI cables. looks like that has changed.

Anyone else get the new DCH boxes yet? I know one person reported improved PQ, so I am curious if others have noticed anything.

I just got a Panny AE1000u PJ (1080p LCD PJ) to supplement my Sammy 50" 1080p DLP TV and when I set it up with a screen (Elite ezcinema plus 100" pull up) and everything, I was less than impressed with Comcast HD PQ from the PJ, but the PJ was great with Blu Ray/HD-DVD...so I blame Comcast and it's crappy DCT-3416 and all Motorola boxes that can't simply passthrough a signal

Comcast HD on the PJ was so bad for a second I was even questioning buying the PJ ("Why oh why did I get this if it's only going to make it easier for me to see that Comcrap HD sucks?")

Sounds like you have a setting misconfigured somewhere, either in the pj, or in the box.

Anyone else get the new DCH boxes yet? I know one person reported improved PQ, so I am curious if others have noticed anything.

I just got a Panny AE1000u PJ (1080p LCD PJ) to supplement my Sammy 50" 1080p DLP TV and when I set it up with a screen (Elite ezcinema plus 100" pull up) and everything, I was less than impressed with Comcast HD PQ from the PJ, but the PJ was great with Blu Ray/HD-DVD...so I blame Comcast and it's crappy DCT-3416 and all Motorola boxes that can't simply passthrough a signal

Comcast HD on the PJ was so bad for a second I was even questioning buying the PJ ("Why oh why did I get this if it's only going to make it easier for me to see that Comcrap HD sucks?")
BD and HD-DVD will always have the capacity to produce a better picture than any OTA or cable HD, and in most cases they do. You can not compare those HD-optical formats to cable HD.

If you are going to try and compare the 2(3) different sources, only compare the resolution the cable box is set to output, but, I would almost guarantee that the 1080p/high bitrate output from the optical discs will look better than anything from the cable box, some channels may look as good, but overall the optical discs formats will provide a better 99% of the time. No getting around that.

To put it bluntly, HD content from cable/OTA is firmly in second place as far as PQ goes nowadays.

Perhaps. But, he was stating that the Comcast HD looked like crap. 1080i should not look like crap compared to 1080p.

He must have the output of the box set incorrectly, the imput of the pj set incorrectly, or was not viewing an HD broadcast.

Of course, most Comcast SD will not look that great blown up to such a large size. But, if the 4:3 override is set to 480i, and the display's upconversion is used, and the display's settings are correct, the digitally sourced SD channels should look pretty decent, not like crap. And, the HD, whether 720p or 1080i should look outstanding, even if not as good as 1080p of BD/HDDVD.

For real crappy PQ, one must experience satellite, both D* and E*, where the SD is unwatchable, even on a small screen, and the HD is actually "HD-Lite".

Certainly there are some good shows on i.e. Discovery HD where the PQ rivals a good Blu-ray. You must have something hooked up/set wrong. Or I don't know, the box is defective.

Perhaps. But, he was stating that the Comcast HD looked like crap. 1080i should not look like crap compared to 1080p.

He must have the output of the box set incorrectly, the imput of the pj set incorrectly, or was not viewing an HD broadcast.

Of course, most Comcast SD will not look that great blown up to such a large size. But, if the 4:3 override is set to 480i, and the display's upconversion is used, and the display's settings are correct, the digitally sourced SD channels should look pretty decent, not like crap. And, the HD, whether 720p or 1080i should look outstanding, even if not as good as 1080p of BD/HDDVD.

For real crappy PQ, one must experience satellite, both D* and E*, where the SD is unwatchable, even on a small screen, and the HD is actually "HD-Lite".
I agree, it shouldn't look like "crap", in fact, it should look pretty darn good, but it will never look as good as the best HD optical disc can look.

Maybe the box is set to 480i or something and the PJ scaler is trying to scale to 1080p, which would look like crap. :D

I agree, it shouldn't look like "crap", in fact, it should look pretty darn good, but it will never look as good as the best HD optical disc can look.

Maybe the box is set to 480i or something and the PJ scaler is trying to scale to 1080p, which would look like crap. :D

Well by crap I am exaggerating. I've been into HD for so long, that I am way past of the point of "anything better than SD or ED TV = wow." I am now one of those "difficult to please" HD freaks. :D

I have all my settings (outputting 1080i and I was watching HD broadcasts, I'm no rookie to this game) in tune, although I admit I have not calibrated the PJ yet.

But you all have to agree that the bigger you get the more likely you can see imperfections, right? That's why when comparing Comcast HD on my 50" Sammy 1080p and on the PJ with a 100" screen (both sitting 10 ft away from screen/TV), I am going to notice imperfections in the PQ with the PJ, but not as much with the TV.

Maybe part of the difference has something to do with my TV being DLP and my PJ being LCD. This is my first experience with an LCD projector. My last PJ (a while ago) was DLP. My previous HDTV was an LCD TV, but it was 37", too small to notice imperfections.

Another thing I should point out is that one of my test subjects was an episode of Jeopardy, which airs on KGO, natively at 720p. But I have the comcast box output everything at 1080i. Am I likely to get a better picture if take the cumbersome task of switching the box to output 720p and let the PJ scale the picture up? After all, most people would say that scalers in PJ's are better than Comcrap boxes.

As I've mentioned several times in this thread, I hate Motorola boxes because of the inability to passthrough and I hate the idea of having to change output resolution for each show I watch, but if I can get substantially better PQ from the PJ (where I am more likely to notice PQ or lack thereof than on the DLP TV), I might do it just for the PJ.

Well by crap I am exaggerating. I've been into HD for so long, that I am way past of the point of "anything better than SD or ED TV = wow." I am now one of those "difficult to please" HD freaks. :D

I have all my settings (outputting 1080i and I was watching HD broadcasts, I'm no rookie to this game) in tune, although I admit I have not calibrated the PJ yet.

But you all have to agree that the bigger you get the more likely you can see imperfections, right? That's why when comparing Comcast HD on my 50" Sammy 1080p and on the PJ with a 100" screen (both sitting 10 ft away from screen/TV), I am going to notice imperfections in the PQ with the PJ, but not as much with the TV.

Maybe part of the difference has something to do with my TV being DLP and my PJ being LCD. This is my first experience with an LCD projector. My last PJ (a while ago) was DLP. My previous HDTV was an LCD TV, but it was 37", too small to notice imperfections.

Another thing I should point out is that one of my test subjects was an episode of Jeopardy, which airs on KGO, natively at 720p. But I have the comcast box output everything at 1080i. Am I likely to get a better picture if take the cumbersome task of switching the box to output 720p and let the PJ scale the picture up? After all, most people would say that scalers in PJ's are better than Comcrap boxes.

As I've mentioned several times in this thread, I hate Motorola boxes because of the inability to passthrough and I hate the idea of having to change output resolution for each show I watch, but if I can get substantially better PQ from the PJ (where I am more likely to notice PQ or lack thereof than on the DLP TV), I might do it just for the PJ.
Pappy,
You were asking if the new DCH boxes would be any better than the DCT's that we now have. I really doubt that there will be much of an improvement because the DCH's are Motorola boxes also and from the specs that I've read there isn't much difference in them and no there is still no pass through option. You might want to try the new TivoHD I believe it has pass through on it but you have to remember anything expanded to 100" is going to show up problems in the signal big time. My LG box has pass through and it does make a difference in some of the programing but for the most part it's hard to tell the difference, it really depends on how well your tv scaler does with that signal. I wish LG would come out with a box with cable cards, they make a very good digital tuner.

As far as the quality of HD on Comcast, I don't think you're going to find any of the other providers having a better HD picture than Comcast does. They may have a greater number of HD channels than Comcast but they don't have the bandwidth necessary to have a good quality HD signal. I've seen them all, Dish, Directv, and U-verse and the only one than even comes close is Dish but they have issues with their system just like they all do so for a good quality HD signal cable is IMHO the best for the time being, things may change in the future.

Laters,
Mikef5

Speaking of U-verse.

A while ago I told you my sister had left Comcast and was having U-verse installed in her home. Well, after 3 weeks of flaky on/off service she's dumped U-verse and has come back to Comcast. I listened for over an hour of her telling me how screwed up it was and that she'd never go with AT&T again. I actually had to go over to her house and redo all the "fixes" that they did to her cable runs. So it seems this provider is not ready for prime time, at least here in the Milpitas area. That's really to bad because I was hoping they'd be more of a contender and more competition for Comcast but I guess not just yet. From the little testing I did with it, it show good potential but it was obvious to me that it had a lot of little problems that needed to be addressed and only being able to do one HD stream at a time was a deal killer for me. Oh well, welcome back sis .... :p

Laters,
Mikef5

I just installed the amp recommended on this thread:

Motorola 484095-001-00 Signal Booster

However, it appears the gain is a bit too high. How do I change the gain?

Well, I have to admit I have not seen Comcast on a 100" screen. On my 46" though I have seen artifacts and lack of overall sharpness or contrast, but it really depends on the show/program/channel. And even at that size I can tell the difference between "good" Hd on cable and a really great Blu-ray transfer.

As I said though, if you watch i.e. "Sunrise Earth" on Discovery-HD I think you'll find that the picture rivals any HD available.

Does anyone know when (or if) Hayward will get ESPN2 HD???

College football season is coming up and most of my team's games are on ESPN2!!!

I just installed the amp recommended on this thread:

Motorola 484095-001-00 Signal Booster

However, it appears the gain is a bit too high. How do I change the gain?
I don't think that unit is tunable, but you can drop the gain by adding a splitter to the line which should drop the gain by 3db. You can "tune" by adding more or less splitters to get the gain you need, not ideal, but it should work.

Well by crap I am exaggerating. I've been into HD for so long, that I am way past of the point of "anything better than SD or ED TV = wow." I am now one of those "difficult to please" HD freaks. :D

I have all my settings (outputting 1080i and I was watching HD broadcasts, I'm no rookie to this game) in tune, although I admit I have not calibrated the PJ yet.

But you all have to agree that the bigger you get the more likely you can see imperfections, right? That's why when comparing Comcast HD on my 50" Sammy 1080p and on the PJ with a 100" screen (both sitting 10 ft away from screen/TV), I am going to notice imperfections in the PQ with the PJ, but not as much with the TV.

Maybe part of the difference has something to do with my TV being DLP and my PJ being LCD. This is my first experience with an LCD projector. My last PJ (a while ago) was DLP. My previous HDTV was an LCD TV, but it was 37", too small to notice imperfections.

Another thing I should point out is that one of my test subjects was an episode of Jeopardy, which airs on KGO, natively at 720p. But I have the comcast box output everything at 1080i. Am I likely to get a better picture if take the cumbersome task of switching the box to output 720p and let the PJ scale the picture up? After all, most people would say that scalers in PJ's are better than Comcrap boxes.

As I've mentioned several times in this thread, I hate Motorola boxes because of the inability to passthrough and I hate the idea of having to change output resolution for each show I watch, but if I can get substantially better PQ from the PJ (where I am more likely to notice PQ or lack thereof than on the DLP TV), I might do it just for the PJ.
You have a lot of variables going on, 50" vs 100", LCD vs DLP, direct view vs projection, any and all of those things will effect the final image quality.

I would switch back and forth between the PJ and the output of the box to see which does a better job of scaling, my guess is if you let the PJ do the heavy lifting you'll get a better image but I don't have any experience with that unit so I can't say for sure.

And yes, no native output on the Moto boxes is a definite drawback, that's one of the things I love about my S3, native output, so my outboard scaler can do all the deinterlacing/scaling on a per channel basis.

I have all my settings (outputting 1080i and I was watching HD broadcasts, I'm no rookie to this game) in tune, although I admit I have not calibrated the PJ yet.That's certainly part of the reason.

But you all have to agree that the bigger you get the more likely you can see imperfections, right? That's why when comparing Comcast HD on my 50" Sammy 1080p and on the PJ with a 100" screen (both sitting 10 ft away from screen/TV), I am going to notice imperfections in the PQ with the PJ, but not as much with the TV.Of course. But, a native 1080i signal should look pretty good, even at 100". (I have a 92" screen with a 720p PJ.)

Maybe part of the difference has something to do with my TV being DLP and my PJ being LCD. This is my first experience with an LCD projector. My last PJ (a while ago) was DLP. My previous HDTV was an LCD TV, but it was 37", too small to notice imperfections.DLP's tend to look smoother than LCD's, less "grainy". One of the first things you need to do is reduce the "sharpness" setting to no more than 50%. Make sure the "picture" setting is not on "dynamic". If there's a "pro" setting, that's a good start. Also, back off the iris a bit. You'll get better blacks. Same goes for "quiet" setting. The bulb runs a little lower, so the fan can run slower and quiter. That also means you'll get better blacks and longer life from the bulb.

Another thing I should point out is that one of my test subjects was an episode of Jeopardy, which airs on KGO, natively at 720p. But I have the comcast box output everything at 1080i. Am I likely to get a better picture if take the cumbersome task of switching the box to output 720p and let the PJ scale the picture up? After all, most people would say that scalers in PJ's are better than Comcrap boxes. Yes. You will get a better picture with the output of the box set to the native rez of the broadcast. This is much easier to do on the new DCH boxes. It is a button on the front panel. No need to power down, and go into the box menu. I would imagine one of the remote buttons controls it, or you can program your universal remote to change it. But, I haven't tried that yet.

As I've mentioned several times in this thread, I hate Motorola boxes because of the inability to passthrough and I hate the idea of having to change output resolution for each show I watch, but if I can get substantially better PQ from the PJ (where I am more likely to notice PQ or lack thereof than on the DLP TV), I might do it just for the PJ.As I said, changing the output to the native rez of the broadcast will result in a better pic. Also, I recommend swapping your DVR for a new DCH3416, if available for your area, as the rez is easy to change AND it has better PQ on the SD channels.

I don't think that unit is tunable, but you can drop the gain by adding a splitter to the line which should drop the gain by 3db. You can "tune" by adding more or less splitters to get the gain you need, not ideal, but it should work.Make sure to terminate the unused outputs of the splitters, or you might introduce noise into the system.

Hello,

I was wondering if the firewire port is active on these boxes? It says it is enabled but not active in the diag screen.? Thanks

Hello,

I was wondering if the firewire port is active on these boxes? It says it is enabled but not active in the diag screen.? Thanks


It is active. Diagnostics will only indicate it is active when it is connected and passing data.

One of them should work, anyway.
Keep in mind the only thing it does is stream live video, and then only if it's not copy-protected.
You can't hook up a firewire HD to it.

Let's get going Comcast! Where's that upgrade?!

It's rather ironic that I'm getting the Comcast-owned Versus/Golf-HD channel from Dish before getting on my Comcast system... :p

Let's get going Comcast! Where's that upgrade?!

It's rather ironic that I'm getting the Comcast-owned Versus/Golf-HD channel from Dish before getting on my Comcast system... :p
That is strange since we have it down here in the ghetto's of Milpitas and you're more upgraded than this area. Go figure... ;)

It's actually a pretty good station. At first I thought what a waste of bandwidth, 24 hours of Golf but they seem to have a lot of other unique programing, like bull riding in HD and that Ultimate Fighting stuff to name of few. I actually find myself watching it when nothing else is on my regular stations... :p

Laters,
Mikef5

Does anyone know when (or if) Hayward will get ESPN2 HD???

College football season is coming up and most of my team's games are on ESPN2!!!

I live in the San Lorenzo/Hayward area and based on a convo with a Comcast worker in the field, the system upgrades will be done by end-of-year so don't expect to see ESPN2 added in-time for College football season.

While I’ll be ecstatic once the upgrades are done, I’m not holding my breath that things will be wrapped up by then. In my experience, Comcast has always shorted this side of the Bay so I’m not expecting them to make that deadline.

That is strange since we have it down here in the ghetto's of Milpitas and you're more upgraded than this area. Go figure... ;)

It's actually a pretty good station. At first I thought what a waste of bandwidth, 24 hours of Golf but they seem to have a lot of other unique programing, like bull riding in HD and that Ultimate Fighting stuff to name of few. I actually find myself watching it when nothing else is on my regular stations... :p

Laters,
Mikef5
Yes, Dish added the Discovery suite of channels, TLC, Animal, Science and Discovery last night along with MHD and Versus. There's been some interesting stuff on some of them, but I'm not sure how long that will last once I've seen it all. :D

Yes, Dish added the Discovery suite of channels, TLC, Animal, Science and Discovery last night along with MHD and Versus. There's been some interesting stuff on some of them, but I'm not sure how long that will last once I've seen it all. :D
Yep, that's the same problem I have with the National Geographic Channel, I've seen all their programing 2 or 3 times and even being in HD doesn't help anymore ;) They need to get off their butts and do some new programing, in HD of course :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Yep, that's the same problem I have with the National Geographic Channel, I've seen all their programing 2 or 3 times and even being in HD doesn't help anymore ;) They need to get off their butts and do some new programing, in HD of course :)

Laters,
Mikef5
Yeah, it's like, "okay, I've seen everything on that channel, now take it off and put a new one on in it's place"... :p :D

These type of channels are a great argument for VOD instead of using constant bandwidth.

The reason was for football season. Look to this Saturday to watch the Raiders game in HD. I have heard KICU will be the home for Raiders games this season.
Another reason might be that KICU is the station where Fox Network shows air when KTVU has to pre-empt them for a Giants game, and some people might complain when, say, a new episode of House that would be in HD if it was on KTVU is "only" in SD if it is on KICU.

A quick check of the Giants TV schedule shows the following evening (after 5 PM Pacific time) games on KTVU in September:
Monday 9/10 (Arizona) - Fox's Monday shows (Prison Break and K-Ville) have their season premieres on 9/17
Tuesday 9/11 (Arizona) - Fox's Tuesday shows (House and New Amsterdam) have their season premieres on 9/25
Saturday 9/15 (at San Diego)
Tuesday 9/18 (at Arizona) - this has a scheduled 6:40 start, so there is a chance KTVU might risk not moving House to KICU that night
Monday 9/24 (San Diego) - new episodes of Prison Break and K-Ville affected
Friday 9/28 (at Los Angeles) - new episode of Nashville affected (Fox's other Friday show, American Band, doesn't premiere until October)

-- Don

Pardon the string of posts, but I just got back from a two-week vacation...

Somebody commented that both HRTV and TVG (two competing horse racing networks) are available on Comcast's Sports Tier. I don't get HRTV (Vallejo / Benicia) - just TVG. What cities in the Bay Area are getting both?

-- Don

Yep, that's the same problem I have with the National Geographic Channel, I've seen all their programing 2 or 3 times and even being in HD doesn't help anymore ;) They need to get off their butts and do some new programing, in HD of course :)
Hey, new season of The Dog Whisperer is excellent! My puppy dog likes it very much (little too much, thank god for protective screen coatings!)

Pardon the string of posts, but I just got back from a two-week vacation...

Somebody commented that both HRTV and TVG (two competing horse racing networks) are available on Comcast's Sports Tier. I don't get HRTV (Vallejo / Benicia) - just TVG. What cities in the Bay Area are getting both?

-- Don

I was that somebody that commented. I took the information off of the Comcast website. I was incorrect, all we get is TVG. That's what I get for looking at the providers website instead of actually looking at what is available to me. :) Sorry about that......

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm sure the PQ from my new PJ will look better with Comcast HD once I make the correct adjustments, and possibly get a DCH box.

BD and HD-DVD will always have the capacity to produce a better picture than any OTA or cable HD, and in most cases they do. You can not compare those HD-optical formats to cable HD.

If you are going to try and compare the 2(3) different sources, only compare the resolution the cable box is set to output, but, I would almost guarantee that the 1080p/high bitrate output from the optical discs will look better than anything from the cable box, some channels may look as good, but overall the optical discs formats will provide a better 99% of the time. No getting around that.

To put it bluntly, HD content from cable/OTA is firmly in second place as far as PQ goes nowadays.

Hmmm... This is what I expected when I got my new HD-A2 HD-DVD player. I have watched a couple of HD movies on it (Mission Impossible 1 and 2) and I have to say that I think Comcast PQ is actually better. Can't explain it except to say that perhaps the movies I picked were not mastered too well or something.

Any recommendations on good HD-DVD movies from a PQ point of view?

I guess this is OT. So apologies. :)

Hmmm... This is what I expected when I got my new HD-A2 HD-DVD player. I have watched a couple of HD movies on it (Mission Impossible 1 and 2) and I have to say that I think Comcast PQ is actually better. Can't explain it except to say that perhaps the movies I picked were not mastered too well or something.

Any recommendations on good HD-DVD movies from a PQ point of view?

I guess this is OT. So apologies. :)
To be honest, while I have a HD-DVD player, over 90% of the content I've watched is on Blu-ray.

I would check in the following forums as there are a lot of threads where PQ for different films is discussed. Also some threads where they are rated as well.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=148

To be honest, while I have a HD-DVD player, over 90% of the content I've watched is on Blu-ray.

I would check in the following forums as there are a lot of threads where PQ for different films is discussed. Also some threads where they are rated as well.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=148
Jim, you have to be the most connected person I know. Is there anything that you don't have ??? :p :D
Oh yeah, I forgot we still haven't been upgraded yet ;)
But please put me in your will :)

Laters,
Mikef5

To be honest, while I have a HD-DVD player, over 90% of the content I've watched is on Blu-ray.

I would check in the following forums as there are a lot of threads where PQ for different films is discussed. Also some threads where they are rated as well.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=148

I've watched about 10 movies on BR player and every one of them has put TV HD to shame in regards to quality. I just watched 300 this weekend...simply amazing. A good reference, for me at least, is the Fifth Element. I recorded it a while back on my Comcast box, I had the DVD, and then got the BR. BR was obviously much better...even my wife could tell the difference between Comcast HD and BR.

I've watched about 10 movies on BR player and every one of them has put TV HD to shame in regards to quality. I just watched 300 this weekend...simply amazing. A good reference, for me at least, is the Fifth Element. I recorded it a while back on my Comcast box, I had the DVD, and then got the BR. BR was obviously much better...even my wife could tell the difference between Comcast HD and BR.

Hopefully you are referring to the Remastered Fifth Element blu ray that came out less than one month ago.

The original release Fifth Element BR was garbage, just ask the folks in the blu ray forum.

Jim, you have to be the most connected person I know. Is there anything that you don't have ??? :p :D
Oh yeah, I forgot we still haven't been upgraded yet ;)
But please put me in your will :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Keenan does have everything, but I bet many here can rival somewhat

I've got:
Panny AE1000u 1080p LCD projector w/ Elite Ezcinema plus 100" 16:9 screen [yes I know, needs work before I can brag about this]
Sammy 50" 1080p DLP TV (HLS-5087)
Soyo 37" LCD HDTV (crappy, I know, but I don't use it anymore)
Comcast with basically everything subscribed to, except comcast phone
Starchoice (Canadian DBS, including loads of HD content)
PS3 (blu-ray)
XBOX 360 w/ HD-DVD add on

I am lacking when it comes to:
A video processor
A good sound system (for the main room, I just use a 5.1 setup with wireless rear speakers. I think it's an HTIB from Logitech with a tiny receiver which is what the wifey likes). The other room, not used, is a Sony HTIB 5.1. I'd have a better sound system [non HTIB, one of those new Onkyo receivers that process sound from HDMI allowing up to 7.1 uncmped PCM, Dolby True HD, and all that jazz plus good speakers] if we didn't live in an apt. :( Damn those Bay Area single family detached home prices and their effect on would be first-time home buyers

Hopefully you are referring to the Remastered Fifth Element blu ray that came out less than one month ago.

The original release Fifth Element BR was garbage, just ask the folks in the blu ray forum.

Sorry...yes...the remastered FE (picked it up the day it came out). Hahaha...I think I've owned like 6 copies of Fifth Element. I still remember when I picked up the Superbit version DVD thinking to myself "It doesn't get any better than this!" :D

Sorry...yes...the remastered FE (picked it up the day it came out). Hahaha...I think I've owned like 6 copies of Fifth Element. I still remember when I picked up the Superbit version DVD thinking to myself "It doesn't get any better than this!" :D
An I remember thinking to myself quintuple dip was the most Sony could extract out of a single viewer for a single movie :)

As you guys suspected, local comcast office in Santa Clara does not have them. They only have DCH 3416 (new and shiny).

Jim, you have to be the most connected person I know. Is there anything that you don't have ??? :p :D
Oh yeah, I forgot we still haven't been upgraded yet ;)
But please put me in your will :)

Laters,
Mikef5
It's actually a form of insanity, and it's expensive, been trying to get my medical insurance to at least cover a portion of the expense... :p

Seriously though, if Comcast would get me what I want, or at least what just about everyone else in the bay area gets, I would be dropping at least 2 of the 3 sat providers. I just don't see Comcast being competitive with DirecTV as far as overall channels go anytime soon, with USA, SciFi and FX being the major ones I'm looking for. These new Dish channels today are nice, but I really don't see myself watching more than a program a month on any of them.

I've watched about 10 movies on BR player and every one of them has put TV HD to shame in regards to quality. I just watched 300 this weekend...simply amazing. A good reference, for me at least, is the Fifth Element. I recorded it a while back on my Comcast box, I had the DVD, and then got the BR. BR was obviously much better...even my wife could tell the difference between Comcast HD and BR.
Definitely, it's a whole step above broadcast TV. I haven't seen the new FE yet but I think Apocalypto has some simply outstanding images.

The biggest thing I notice is the lack of blurring during fast motion, everything stays in sharp focus, there's really no way around it with TV..when you see the bitrate display pop over 30mbps on a BD disc, you realize that there isn't any way TV can compete being locked in at 19mbps max.

Keenan does have everything, but I bet many here can rival somewhat

I've got:
Panny AE1000u 1080p LCD projector w/ Elite Ezcinema plus 100" 16:9 screen [yes I know, needs work before I can brag about this]
Sammy 50" 1080p DLP TV (HLS-5087)
Soyo 37" LCD HDTV (crappy, I know, but I don't use it anymore)
Comcast with basically everything subscribed to, except comcast phone
Starchoice (Canadian DBS, including loads of HD content)
PS3 (blu-ray)
XBOX 360 w/ HD-DVD add on

I am lacking when it comes to:
A video processor
A good sound system (for the main room, I just use a 5.1 setup with wireless rear speakers. I think it's an HTIB from Logitech with a tiny receiver which is what the wifey likes). The other room, not used, is a Sony HTIB 5.1. I'd have a better sound system [non HTIB, one of those new Onkyo receivers that process sound from HDMI allowing up to 7.1 uncmped PCM, Dolby True HD, and all that jazz plus good speakers] if we didn't live in an apt. :( Damn those Bay Area single family detached home prices and their effect on would be first-time home buyers
Cool! A mine's bigger than yours thread diversion. :p :D

Comcast
TiVo Series 3 w/1TB external storage

DirecTV
HR10-250 TiVo

Dish
VIP622 w/500GB external storage

Star Choice
DSR530 Dual Tuner/Single record DVR

A few OTA channels

Sony PS3
Toshiba HD-A1
Denon 5900 w/SDI

DVDO VP50 scaler/switch

Denon 3806
4-Parasound amps

9.2 speaker setup using Energy/Veritas and SVS

Mits 73" CRT-RPTV

..and some other assorted crap.. :)

Wow... 9.2 Speaker setup... sweet..

Only thing worth boasting about is my 1.8 TB of HD recording space on my Windows Media Center with 2 HDHomeRuns for 4 HD tuners and 1 analog tuner.

Love my 50" Pio Elite plasma but want and plan to upgrade to 60" 1080p Pio Elite plasma :) It's good to know an authorized dealer!

Russ

Cool! A mine's bigger than yours thread diversion. :p :D

Comcast
TiVo Series 3 w/1TB external storage

DirecTV
HR10-250 TiVo

Dish
VIP622 w/500GB external storage

Star Choice
DSR530 Dual Tuner/Single record DVR

A few OTA channels

Sony PS3
Toshiba HD-A1
Denon 5900 w/SDI

DVDO VP50 scaler/switch

Denon 3806
4-Parasound amps

9.2 speaker setup using Energy/Veritas and SVS

Mits 73" CRT-RPTV

..and some other assorted crap.. :)

anyone have comcast in san jose??

how is their HDtv package? currently have regular digital cable, but will soon be getting an hdtv lcd so might upgrade.

or would you say to keep regular digital and get the OTA HD broadcasts? does the hdtv box give you full time hd, or just shows broadcast in hd?

thanks and sry for the noob ?'s

Yeah, it's like, "okay, I've seen everything on that channel, now take it off and put a new one on in it's place"... :p :D

These type of channels are a great argument for VOD instead of using constant bandwidth.And a lot of the content they do have wasn't even produced by them.

Discovery's biggest series in recent years, Planet Earth, was a BBC production. And, if you check the end credits of Discovery, TLC, and even NG documentaries, you'll see a lot of Japanese names. That's because they were originally produced by NHK, who have been making HD (or HiVision, as they all it in Japan) documentaries for many many years now.

They should just buy the US rights to a bunch more of that stuff. All they have to do is re-record the narration. And, badabing.

I believe the San Jose area is upgraded so it is cable of getting all HDTV programming currently available. If you are just trying to watch local channels in HD then you can just get it via OTA or if your tv has a built in qam tuner then you can get all the locals without upgrading. If you want ESPN HD, Discovery Theatre HD, etc then you will have to have digital classic and get an HDTV box.

If you want the most HDTV channels Dish Network recently added some new HDTV channels to their lineup giving them the most HD channels offerings currently I believe.

anyone have comcast in san jose??

how is their HDtv package? currently have regular digital cable, but will soon be getting an hdtv lcd so might upgrade.

or would you say to keep regular digital and get the OTA HD broadcasts? does the hdtv box give you full time hd, or just shows broadcast in hd?

thanks and sry for the noob ?'s

The Ad Battle continues

It seems Comcast has won a significant battle in the Ad Wars. They have been granted an injunction against Directv and their somewhat inaccurate ads ( didn't want to say false advertising but it's really close to that ). Here's a copy of the Court Order that was just released a few minutes ago.
___________________

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
DIRECTV INC.,
Plaintiff,
v.
COMCAST OF ILLINOIS III, INC; COMCAST
CORPORATION; and COMCAST CABLE
HOLDINGS LLC,
Defendants.

Case No. 07 C 2568
The Honorable John F. Grady
Magistrate Judge Nan. R. Nolan
COMCAST OF ILLINOIS III, INC., COMCAST
CORPORATION, and COMCAST CABLE
HOLDINGS LLC,
Counterclaimants,
v.
DIRECTV INC.,
Counterdefendant.

ORDER
Having considered the materials and evidence submitted by the parties in support of and
in opposition to the motion for preliminary injunction brought by Comcast of Illinois III, Inc,
Comcast Corporation, and Comcast Cable Holdings LLC (collectively, “Comcast”), it appears to
the satisfaction of the Court that this is a proper case for issuance of a preliminary injunction
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65 and the relevant case law because (1) Comcast is
likely to succeed on the merits of its false advertising claims; (2) unless a preliminary injunction
issues, Comcast will suffer immediate and irreparable injury to its business, reputation, and
goodwill; (3) the harm to DIRECTV, Inc. if enjoined balanced against the harm to Comcast if an
injunction is denied favors Comcast and (4) the public interest favors granting a preliminary
injunction. The Court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law are set forth in the attached
transcript of proceedings.

THE COURT ORDERS, ADJUDICATES, AND DECREES THAT, pending a trial on
the merits and a determination in this action, DIRECTV, Inc. and its officers, agents, servants,
employees, attorneys, and all other persons acting in active concert or participation with them
(including but not limited to affiliates, resellers, and partners who sell DIRECTV, Inc.’s product,
equipment, and services), shall immediately cease and refrain in any territory in which Comcast
provides cable television service from using in commerce, publishing or otherwise disseminating
in any and all media (including, without limitation, internet, television, radio, newspaper and
other print, and direct mail) any advertising claims that rely upon, quote from or are based to any
extent on a survey of consumers conducted by TNS in or around April 2006 (“TNS Consumer
Survey”) and/or a survey of home video installers conducted by Alliance Consulting Group in or
around December 2006 (“Alliance Installer Survey”). To the extent DIRECTV, Inc. is aware of
independent third parties who are disseminating advertisements that are the subject of this Order,
DIRECTV, Inc. shall immediately advise them of this Order and instruct and demand their
compliance. This Order shall not require DIRECTV, Inc. to recall or retract advertisements
already disseminated, nor shall this Order require DIRECTV, Inc. to prevent dissemination of
certain print advertisements that have been produced and cannot reasonably be stopped before
their dissemination.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Comcast shall file an undertaking in the amount of
$500,000 unsecured bond.

IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: ___________________________
Honorable John F. Grady
United States District Judge

____________________________


Here's Comcast's official response to the ruling.
_________________________________

Comcast Statement on Court Rulings on Picture Quality Superiority Claims – August 17, 2007

"We’re pleased that the Court has issued an injunction ordering DirecTV, its affiliates and resellers, to immediately stop airing the false and misleading ads claiming superior picture quality over cable. The Court’s order confirms, once again, that DirecTV’s claims are unsubstantiated and based on flawed and unreliable studies.


"At the same time, the Court denied DirecTV’s motion against Comcast, enabling Comcast to continue airing our ads which show that consumers, including satellite customers, prefer Comcast’s HD picture quality over DirecTV’s. We applaud the Court’s clear and decisive rulings which will protect consumers from being exposed to DirecTV’s unfair and misleading ads, and support Comcast’s claims.


“Comcast has a better HD picture than satellite, which has been backed by an independent study that shows even satellite customers preferred our HD picture quality, and we offer 11 times more HD choices, with nearly 200 programs at any given time. That’s what matters most to consumers.”
____________________________


So no more Pam Anderson bouncing around in those ads anymore :) Maybe we can talk her into going with Comcast instead.

So do you think Directv will continue this to an actual trial or just give up the ghost ?? If you read the transcript of the injunction hearing the judge is leaning in favor of Comcast. It'll be interesting to see Directv's response to this injunction order.

Laters,
Mikef5

Is there option to opt out of 10/11th of Comcast "HD Choices" probably reduce my bill to say 1/3rd? If DirectTV's ad was false and misleading (which it is).. comcast's claims sounds outright criminal. I myself did not see such ad from Comcast, hopefully never.

The Ad Battle continues
So do you think Directv will continue this to an actual trial or just give up the ghost ?? If you read the transcript of the injunction hearing the judge is leaning in favor of Comcast. It'll be interesting to see Directv's response to this injunction order.
Found this at http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6469831.html:
DirecTV said it will appeal the ruling. “We are quite perplexed by the court’s conclusions. The facts simply don’t support these decisions,” the company said in a prepared statement. “At the end of the day, though, it’s the customers who matter, and they’ve shown their preference for DirecTV over cable in both the recent ACSI and J.D. Power rankings. Those two studies speak for themselves." I suppose what this comes down to is brand perception vs. actual bandwidth.

The problem is that the ads are misleading.
The studies show that people prefer DirectTV's digital channels (standard def) to cable's analog ones. Okay... but then the ads go on to talk about "HD" this and "HD" that and how it's in "1080i whatever that means, look at my tits!" They don't compare cable's HD to DirecTV's HD - or "HD Lite" I should say....

I am unclear as to what aspect of the service they prefer DirecTV over Comcast. It certainly can't be picture quality. Even Dish Networks atrocious SD PQ is better than DirecTV's. And, Dish's HD use higher rez and bit rates than DirecTV, as well.

Of course the DirecTV/Dish comparison is moot as far as this issue is concerned, which is that Comcast's digital SD and HD PQ is superior to DirecTV's. (in addition to Dish.)

Perhaps the surveys they are referring to had to do with Customer Service and/or Installation? Or, perhaps it refers to analog cable, which, of course, is often pretty bad, depending on location and infrastructure.

Is there option to opt out of 10/11th of Comcast "HD Choices" probably reduce my bill to say 1/3rd? If DirectTV's ad was false and misleading (which it is).. comcast's claims sounds outright criminal. I myself did not see such ad from Comcast, hopefully never.
What claim are you talking about ?? The 11 times more HD choices ?? I find that statement a little hard to understand myself but to be absolutely honest, I don't care how many stations any of them have. I want my picture to be the highest quality that they can provide and I want content that compels me to watch them, not a bunch of HD programs that no one cares about. Comcast has been very selective on what it adds to the lineup and for the most part they've added what people have asked for ( that's why I keep doing those surveys to show Comcast what people really want ). Right now I'm at a disadvantage because I'm in a 550 MHz area but that hopefully will end soon, but the HD stations that I do get are good to very good in picture quality ( it'll never be as good as OTA or Blue Ray or HD Dvds ) and I let the stations that provide that content know what I think of the content that they provide to Comcast. Ads are ads and are intended to sell a product and should be taken with a grain of salt and not as the Gospel.

Laters,
Mikef5

Found this at http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6469831.html:
DirecTV said it will appeal the ruling. “We are quite perplexed by the court’s conclusions. The facts simply don’t support these decisions,” the company said in a prepared statement. “At the end of the day, though, it’s the customers who matter, and they’ve shown their preference for DirecTV over cable in both the recent ACSI and J.D. Power rankings. Those two studies speak for themselves." I suppose what this comes down to is brand perception vs. actual bandwidth.
To the best of my knowledge, J.D. Power doesn't even track something like PQ, all they do is rate customer service, brand recognition, stuff like...this response from DirecTV is just spin...

I basically translated it to "I know you are but what am I???"

Mike: yes, I was referring to "11 times HD choices", which is more outrageous than DirectTV's picture quality claim. Fortunately Comcast does not seem to advertise it much.

Anyone have any news on when NFL Network HD returns?

Probably 11/22, when they do their first game (not including pre-season which they are not showing in HD, I guess).

Is there a good way to determine the space a show will take up on the hard drive. I just got the dch 3416 (traded in the DCT3412) and it seems to fill up at the same pace. Digital Channels i.e. Bravo take up about 1% per hour, HD seems to vary. Do Movie Channels take up more space than Broadcast HD? I don't feel I have that much on the DVD and I'm at 53% just like that. Does setting up Series recordings take up alot of hard drive space? Just wondering if there is a reference chart or something.

David in Mtn View

Does anybody recently know of a Bay Area Comcast office that has a 6416 or perhaps a new box. I don't think I can use a 3416. I am looking to get more disk space.