Comcast takes months to get all things lined up to add even a single channel. No way they are going to move a large chunk of analog channels to Digital in a few years. The people who received the letters/calls might be under very initial "bucket testing". Comcast might be trying some possible options on very very small percentage of people.

I thought I read somewhere a while back that Comcast had removed analog in the Chicago area...

Here (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18045111) is info of what they did in Chicago. Maybe Fremont be first in BA. More links here (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6433928.html?q=comcast+chicago+analog) and here (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6432144.html?q=comcast+chicago+analog).

Comcast takes months to get all things lined up to add even a single channel. No way they are going to move a large chunk of analog channels to Digital in a few years. The people who received the letters/calls might be under very initial "bucket testing". Comcast might be trying some possible options on very very small percentage of people.

They're already doing it... Digital Simulcasting... all you have to do is deploy boxes for those with analog sets and turn analog off, the digital channels are already there.

Laters,
Mikef5

I thought I read somewhere a while back that Comcast had removed analog in the Chicago area...

Here (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18045111) is info of what they did in Chicago. Maybe Fremont be first in BA.

I think they are just grooming a few channels in Fremont, not all of them. I have not received any calls but of cause I'm have boxes already. It is most likely only for the basic cable subs who are worried about C-SPAN 2.

Remember us digitial subs get the message saying C-SPAN 2 is going away. The analog guys need to be told somehow, I guess a phone call is it. That and the bill of course but who reads those ;)

I think they are just grooming a few channels in Fremont, not all of them. I have not received any calls but of cause I'm have boxes already. It is most likely only for the basic cable subs who are worried about C-SPAN 2.

Remember us digitial subs get the message saying C-SPAN 2 is going away. The analog guys need to be told somehow, I guess a phone call is it. That and the bill of course but who reads those ;)

I double checked with my friends. Both of them have analog channels only. They received a phone message yesterday something like this: The Comcast cable will be all digital starting from Oct. 2nd.(:eek: just 6 days from now.). A STB is needed to receive your channels.

I really doubt if this can happen in a week. How many STBs Comcast needs to prepare for this? Maybe thousands, and they should not have enough tech. to handle the rush.:D

Of course, if it happens Fremont will get tremendous bandwith for HD, cable modem and VOD.

I double checked with my friends. Both of them have analog channels only. They received a phone message yesterday something like this: The Comcast cable will be all digital starting from Oct. 2nd.(:eek: just 6 days from now.). A STB is needed to receive your channels.

I really doubt if this can happen in a week. How many STBs Comcast needs to prepare for this? Maybe thousands, and they should not have enough tech. to handle the rush.:D

Of course, if it happens Fremont will get tremendous bandwith for HD, cable modem and VOD.

While I don't want to say your friends mistaken on what was said to them but as Raghu implied in his post, Comcast moves slowly and methodically and would have given more than a weeks notice of something of this magnitude happening and this is definitely a major undertaking that would require much more planning and coordination than what a weeks notice would give. Just the distribution of new digital boxs to all the analog customers would take much longer than a couple of weeks. If Fremont is doing digital simulcasting the process of dropping analog would not be that hard but getting all the boxes distributed out would take months to do completely.

I will check with Mr. J. but I really doubt this is something that is going to happen anytime soon, especially since the FCC has decided that cable must do dual carriage ( analog and digital signals ) for 3 years past the drop dead date for analog , unless the cable company goes all digital before 2009 but I'll check just the same.

Laters,
Mikef5

Did they state what year in Oct they are removing the analog channels? Maybe it's 2008.:D

What happened to 722, used to be discovery hd, now its HTV or something. Did we lose discovery HD? I'm in the dublin area

i see its still discovery programming but looking the guide over the next few days looks like all diferent kinds of shows.

Yes, ADS is simple thing from user's perspective. "Digital Only" is an entirely different beast. I am not sure if even Chicago has done since it was rumored to be done.

disregard, the commercial durring the show was for discovery programming, i guess the comcast just changed the call letters in the guide. The programming does look different as far as what son the guide the nest few days

disregard, the commercial durring the show was for discovery programming, i guess the comcast just changed the call letters in the guide. The programming does look different as far as what son the guide the nest few days

Actually Comcast didn't change much. They just adhered to Discovery Network's change of the channel name. Discovery now has Discovery-HD which is an HD mirror of their Discovery Channel. Discovery Hd theater is now know as, simply, HD Theater.

1. I had to replace one of my STB's, as I was getting sporadic guide info. I went to my local office and picked up a new box, hooked it up, and called 1.800.Comcast to have them send a hit to my replacement STB. The STB turned off shortly after he sent the hit, as expected. The CSR (Greg) said to wait a minute or two before turning it back on. While waiting, I asked him about the status of the upgrades for Sunnyvale. According to Greg, all of Sunnyvale should be turned on by the end of October. Of course, I took what he said with a (large) grain of salt. But, hopefully, this will give us Sunnyvale residents a general idea of when we might expect to see new HD channels and VOD.

2. When I called the 800 #, there was a recorded message that said something about needing a digital STB starting in October. I didn't really pay attention to the message because I already have them for each of my HDTV's, so I don't know how much of the Bay Area to which this applies. But it may confirm the previous posts about the Fremont area needing digital STBs.

As I said in a previous post, keeping my fingers crossed, but not holding my breath regarding the upgrades for Sunnyvale. I guess we'll see what happens in 4-6 (maybe 8) weeks.

2. When I called the 800 #, there was a recorded message that said something about needing a digital STB starting in October. I didn't really pay attention to the message because I already have them for each of my HDTV's, so I don't know how much of the Bay Area to which this applies. But it may confirm the previous posts about the Fremont area needing digital STBs.


I just called the 800 number to check the message and they say that all customer need a digital box to watch C-SPAN2. So it is only a grooming of C-SPAN from analog announcement, nothing more.

THAT makes much more sense. So who would go get a cable box just to watch C-SPAN2? :)

I like the fact they monitor the forums for input on adding channels, but who asked for Golf/VS? I don't think that's the highest in demand programming.

Hockey fans (and I'm one of 'em). Eh. :D

I plan to do some direct comparisons with Comcast locals vs DirecTV locals this weekend, but my initial impression is that the D* locals are looking pretty good as well. Definitely better than the MPEG2 stuff they have.

It would be great if you included E* (Dish Network) in the comparison, too. Since you have all three services, you're in a good position to do that. Also, how do some of the other new DirecTV MPEG4 channels compare to Dish MPEG4?

Larry
SF

It would be great if you included E* (Dish Network) in the comparison, too. Since you have all three services, you're in a good position to do that. Also, how do some of the other new DirecTV MPEG4 channels compare to Dish MPEG4?

Larry
SF

Larry, I plan to include Dish as well but probably won't have the time until this weekend, I hope. I can already say that there's something weird with KPIX on Dish, I get these streaks of horizontal lines every once in awhile. It was doing the same thing last year. I always seem to notice it when watching Two and a Half Men. It's an odd image issue that is different than the normal issues one sees, pixelating, macroblocking, etc..this is a very thin horizontal streak that appears only partially across the screen.

I will check with Mr. J. but I really doubt this is something that is going to happen anytime soon, especially since the FCC has decided that cable must do dual carriage ( analog and digital signals ) for 3 years past the drop dead date for analog , unless the cable company goes all digital before 2009 but I'll check just the same.Hence, the reason for the rush?

I have a few questions:

1.) I have the standard cable package through Comcast but there are some HD channels available to me OTA and through comcast I'm guessing. Is there a need for me to get the digital cable package along with a HD receiver? I have a Samsung LNT4665 if that matters. Would the quality of both SD and HD channels look better with a HDMI receiver as opposed to the RF cable(?) I'm currently using?

2.) Does anyone have a channel listing for the standard cable? I have a bunch of channels in the 120-130 range that isn't listed in the preview channel.

Hence, the reason for the rush?

Nope. Comcast explicitly told the FCC they would not be all-digital by then in their cablecard waiver request. The FCC denied the waiver request and Comcast just fiiled an appeal in Federal court.

Comcast has no intention of being all digital by 2009. Believe me, if they were, a lot of companies here in the valley would be very happy selling them a lot more gear, and wall street would be seeing higher cap ex numbers.

Thanks
Mike

Fremont Not Dropping All Analog Channels

For those that were concerned about the dropping of all analog channels in Fremont,
I asked Mr. J. for clarification and here is what really is happening....

________________________________________________

WE ARE NOT DROPPING ALL analog channels in Fremont, or anywhere else for
that matter.

We are moving CSPAN 2 to digital tier on 10/2/07, launching CSPAN 3 on
Digital that same day....and, wait for it...using the CSPAN bandwidth to
launch TBS HD on 10/3 and preparing the way for the other HD channels
later in the month.

The phone calls are being made to encourage customers with out set-top
boxes to get them if they want to continue to see CSPAN2/CSPAN3.

We will be moving a couple of other channels in October, including Cal
Channel and TV Guide, to the digital tier...and, wait for it...so we can
launch another HD channel in December and another one in January
(contracts permitting). We will do similar outreach efforts, including
calls to customers, each time we make one of these changes.
_________________________________________________________

So it's just moving some analog channels to digital and freeing up bandwidth
so they can add some new HD channels :eek:

Laters,
Mikef5

Anybody else have their Comcast box lock (as in "enter your PIN" kind of lock) on Wednesday?

(Hopefully, it wasn't caused by the return of the Phantom Pornster - when I replaced one of my two Comcast boxes with CableCARDs, suddenly my remaining box started getting porn charges, so I put a parental lock on the box and also had my "PPV credit" dropped to zero (so I have to call in if I ever want to watch a PPV, but I never do, so it's not really a problem).)

-- Don

We will be moving a couple of other channels in October, including Cal Channel and TV Guide, to the digital tier...and, wait for it...so we can launch another HD channel in December and another one in January (contracts permitting).
December?
January?
Let the speculation begin...

-- Don

Fremont Not Dropping All Analog Channels

For those that were concerned about the dropping of all analog channels in Fremont,
I asked Mr. J. for clarification and here is what really is happening....

________________________________________________

WE ARE NOT DROPPING ALL analog channels in Fremont, or anywhere else for
that matter.

We are moving CSPAN 2 to digital tier on 10/2/07, launching CSPAN 3 on
Digital that same day....and, wait for it...using the CSPAN bandwidth to
launch TBS HD on 10/3 and preparing the way for the other HD channels
later in the month.

The phone calls are being made to encourage customers with out set-top
boxes to get them if they want to continue to see CSPAN2/CSPAN3.

We will be moving a couple of other channels in October, including Cal
Channel and TV Guide, to the digital tier...and, wait for it...so we can
launch another HD channel in December and another one in January
(contracts permitting). We will do similar outreach efforts, including
calls to customers, each time we make one of these changes.
_________________________________________________________

So it's just moving some analog channels to digital and freeing up bandwidth
so they can add some new HD channels :eek:

Laters,
Mikef5

This proves my point about how the plant is constraining Comcast's ability to compete with DirecTV on HD. They have to turn off analog channels to find capacity to add HD channels. That's fine for one's and two's, but no way they will turn off 10 analog channels to be able to add 20 like DirecTV did yesterday.

It also indicates that those of us on 860 plant are going to get NO more channels than those on 750 plant. That extra 110 Mhz of spectrum can support 36 new HD channels. (110 Mhz/6 Mhz/channel = 18.xxx * 2 HD channels/6 Mhz = 36 HD channels). If this wasn't the case they could launch TBS and the rest TODAY on 860 systems. But no new channels are showing up on my box.

Comcast is so hosed in terms of capacity that they have no prayer of competing in HD unless they go to SDV or turn off a heck of a lot of analog capacity, or at least exploit the extra 110 Mhz of spectrum in 860 markets.

If I'm wrong, then please correct me. Otherwise let's just admit that Comcast is going to be in 3rd place (out of 3) behind DirecTV and Dish in terms of HD and will permanently stay in 3rd place.

I like cutting through all the marketing bull and dealing with facts. I'm committed to stay with comcast because of Sage and the R5000-HD, but I'm not happy about Comcast's strategy for adding channels.

This is all really Comcastic... :-(


thanks,
Mike

Comcast has no intention of being all digital by 2009. Believe me, if they were, a lot of companies here in the valley would be very happy selling them a lot more gear, and wall street would be seeing higher cap ex numbers.

Thanks
Mike

Mike,

Your joking right ?? No intention of being all digital by 2009 ???? I beg to differ, if Comcast could go all digital tomorrow they would do so, but they are a huge cable company that expands across this country and not some "Mom and Pop" cable company that were granted waivers because it would be a hardship or not cost effective for them. Comcast on the other hand is a totally different matter.

Take for instance the Bay Area for one example. This area was so neglected by the previous owners, TCI and AT&T, that they have to do almost a complete upgrade/rebuild to most of the systems here. Now do that in every State and every major area in those States that they bought out or took over and you can see it's a massive undertaking and to imply they have no intention of going all digital is disingenuous.

Comcast never said they have no intention of going all digital but that they would not be able to be all digital by that date because of how much work and coordination this would entail.

Laters,
Mikef5

Moving TVGuide to digital? What the heck is the point of that?

If they are going to do that, might as well get rid of it.

As for dish vs cable - at least cable can claim they have quality over quantity. Not to mention, several of the glorious new "HD" channels that the dish people are claiming have little to zero HD content anyway (like CNN) at least for the short term...

Mike5, earlier mail from Mr. J mentioned about more HD channels in Oct, is it Dec/Jan now? I hope the Dec/Jan comment was 'in addition' to Oct channels. Wow, Comcast is willing to remove TVGuide, thats pretty big step for them? May be that will nudge more people get a digital box (and will piss them off if the digital box is not free).

Moving TVGuide to digital? What the heck is the point of that?

:). Right. How else can you find local weather every 5 min of scroll :).

This proves my point about how the plant is constraining Comcast's ability to compete with DirecTV on HD. They have to turn off analog channels to find capacity to add HD channels. That's fine for one's and two's, but no way they will turn off 10 analog channels to be able to add 20 like DirecTV did yesterday.

It also indicates that those of us on 860 plant are going to get NO more channels than those on 750 plant. That extra 110 Mhz of spectrum can support 36 new HD channels. (110 Mhz/6 Mhz/channel = 18.xxx * 2 HD channels/6 Mhz = 36 HD channels). If this wasn't the case they could launch TBS and the rest TODAY on 860 systems. But no new channels are showing up on my box.

Comcast is so hosed in terms of capacity that they have no prayer of competing in HD unless they go to SDV or turn off a heck of a lot of analog capacity, or at least exploit the extra 110 Mhz of spectrum in 860 markets.

If I'm wrong, then please correct me. Otherwise let's just admit that Comcast is going to be in 3rd place (out of 3) behind DirecTV and Dish in terms of HD and will permanently stay in 3rd place.

I like cutting through all the marketing bull and dealing with facts. I'm committed to stay with comcast because of Sage and the R5000-HD, but I'm not happy about Comcast's strategy for adding channels.

This is all really Comcastic... :-(


thanks,
Mike

Darn, Mike, you just don't get it do you ?? Comcast has to carry those analog channels, the FCC requires them to carry them past the analog drop dead date in 2009. Does any of the Sat company's have to carry BOTH analog and digital .... NO... Does this take up bandwidth that the cable company's could use to add more HD ..... YES.... bitch at the FCC and their myopic rulings and not the cable company's. Why don't we put everyone on an equal footing and require the Sat's carry BOTH the analog and digital channels. Don't you think that would be fair ??? Then we could see how much they can actually handle when they are hobbled by the same requirements.

You know it's fine and dandy that you sit in a fully upgraded area and get a lot of channels that some areas still don't get and you bitch at Comcast and want more. At least Comcast is trying to do the right thing and get ALL areas up to snuff so they can all get what you now get. If anyone has a right to bitch it's the 550 MHz areas so give it a rest. If you are that dissatisfied with Comcast bite the bullet and go with a Sat company, maybe they can meet your needs.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mike5, earlier mail from Mr. J mentioned about more HD channels in Oct, is it Dec/Jan now? I hope the Dec/Jan comment was 'in addition' to Oct channels. Wow, Comcast is willing to remove TVGuide, thats pretty big step for them? May be that will nudge more people get a digital box (and will piss them off if the digital box is not free).

No, different HD channels, the ones in Oct are still on schedule, last I heard. I have no knowledge of TvGuide channel since it doesn't exist in my area but if they move any of the analog channels to digital it is a good thing IMHO ;)
It doesn't matter what Comcast does or doesn't do, someone is going to be pissed one way or the other but what can you do. If you go to any other provider you have to have a box on all your tv's, cable company's are the last of the breed that don't, at least for basic cable.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mike,

I am all for getting rid of as many analog channels as possible. I didn't know that other areas didn't have TvGuide channel in basic. Only surprise to me was deletion of what I thought was a "main stream" channel...

Edit :
TvGuide channel since it doesn't exist in my area ..
hmm.. why would they remove a channel that does not save bw where it is most needed? Strange.

Mike,

Your joking right ?? No intention of being all digital by 2009 ???? I beg to differ, if Comcast could go all digital tomorrow they would do so, but they are a huge cable company that expands across this country and not some "Mom and Pop" cable company that were granted waivers because it would be a hardship or not cost effective for them. Comcast on the other hand is a totally different matter.

Take for instance the Bay Area for one example. This area was so neglected by the previous owners, TCI and AT&T, that they have to do almost a complete upgrade/rebuild to most of the systems here. Now do that in every State and every major area in those States that they bought out or took over and you can see it's a massive undertaking and to imply they have no intention of going all digital is disingenuous.

Comcast never said they have no intention of going all digital but that they would not be able to be all digital by that date because of how much work and coordination this would entail.

Laters,
Mikef5

I am completely serious. The FCC gave Verizon a waver on integrated STB's because of cablecard and their commitments to go all digital by the analog shut off date (it's easy for VZ because you need a STB with them and all customers have digital STB's). Comcast could have gotten a waiver if they committed that, but with 50% of subs on analog only, it'll be 5-7 yrs before they shut analog off, at least by most industry views.

If all TV's had cablecard in them, this could be faster, but since they don't, analog is going to be here a good long time.

That doesn't means they won't turn off more analog channels, but that's hard because of long term contracts with programmers that require analog carriage. But going ALL digital is not going to happen ANY time soon. believe me. Ask Mr J if you doubt me. :-)

Thanks,
Mike

Since I just recently learned where I live, San Jose Ca, the Comcast system is 860MHz. Recently they added duplicate version of San Jose City Government Channel on ch 97. Its seems to me its a complete waste of space when They already have same thing on ch 26.

Also Instead of utilizing the extra 70Mhz spectrum space between ch 125-135 for them to add new HD Channels like TBS HD, Comcast oddly decides to removed C-Span 2 including Cal Channel and TV Guide, to the digital tier. I am guesting since there are variety of different system through out bay area 550MHz, 750MHz, 860MHz and soon upgraded 1GHz that Comcast want to have uniformed Channel line up for their Bay Area Customers.

I am completely serious. The FCC gave Verizon a waver on integrated STB's because of cablecard and their commitments to go all digital by the analog shut off date (it's easy for VZ because you need a STB with them and all customers have digital STB's). Comcast could have gotten a waiver if they committed that, but with 50% of subs on analog only, it'll be 5-7 yrs before they shut analog off, at least by most industry views.

If all TV's had cablecard in them, this could be faster, but since they don't, analog is going to be here a good long time.

That doesn't means they won't turn off more analog channels, but that's hard because of long term contracts with programmers that require analog carriage. But going ALL digital is not going to happen ANY time soon. believe me. Ask Mr J if you doubt me. :-)

Thanks,
Mike
Mike, you're preaching to the choir here. If it were up to me I'd dump analog yesterday but to imply that Comcast has no intention of going all digital is disingenuous, what is fact is they can't do it in that time frame not that they don't want to or have no plans to.

Again Verison doesn't have to carry analog channels so they already meet the all digital requirements.

Mike, I've work with Comcast ( I am not a Comcast employee ) for about 4 years now, I know what they can do and have a pretty good handle on what they plan to do, contracts aside the FCC still requires and hobbles the cable industry by requiring them to carry both analog and digital and to say the cable industry is to blame for this is just wrong and to sit there and count channels and lambaste Comcast for not adding more HD faster jacks my jaw. Put the entire industry on the same level field with the same requirements and tell me that wouldn't affect how much a provider can do.

Also, I never said that Comcast was going to drop the analog channels soon. People asked about what they had heard about Fremont dropping analog and I answered that, nothing more than that. I've been trying to get Comcast to drop analog since day one but due to contracts and the FFC requiring dual carriage it's not going to happen in my life time.

Laters,
Mikef5

Darn, Mike, you just don't get it do you ?? Comcast has to carry those analog channels, the FCC requires them to carry them past the analog drop dead date in 2009. Does any of the Sat company's have to carry BOTH analog and digital .... NO... Does this take up bandwidth that the cable company's could use to add more HD ..... YES.... bitch at the FCC and their myopic rulings and not the cable company's. Why don't we put everyone on an equal footing and require the Sat's carry BOTH the analog and digital channels. Don't you think that would be fair ??? Then we could see how much they can actually handle when they are hobbled by the same requirements.

You know it's fine and dandy that you sit in a fully upgraded area and get a lot of channels that some areas still don't get and you bitch at Comcast and want more. At least Comcast is trying to do the right thing and get ALL areas up to snuff so they can all get what you now get. If anyone has a right to bitch it's the 550 MHz areas so give it a rest. If you are that dissatisfied with Comcast bite the bullet and go with a Sat company, maybe they can meet your needs.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mike, Geez... Chill out... :-)

The FCC must carry mandate affects only about 15 channels tops. Not the 70+ channels we see here. The reason the rest of those channels are hard to move is because of the carriage agreements, not because of any FCC mandate. In fact, the FCC would LOVE to see MTV, VH1, etc... pushed into digital transport, because that means you could have an expanded basic product tier that didn't include those channels - closer to their view in terms of doing ala carte.

Once stuff is all digital, you can create all kinds of products. But because 50% of subs are still analog, the problem is that the programmers don't want to lose access to the analog only customers. And that's built into the contracts.

Ask Mr J if they will be down to FCC mandated only analog channels by feb. of 2009. I GUARANTEE he'll see they still have a very large analog tier at that date.

People would not be deploying SDV if turning off analog was easy. Or even a 1/3rd of analog.

But this is the way it is. And why the plant and not contracts affect how much HD Comcast delivers.

On the 550 Mhz markets, those are being rebuilt as 860 or 1 ghz plant. Once that is done, they'll have all this idle capacity that won't be carrying new HD channels just like my market. You can't do much to help the 550 Mhz systems now other than do a rebuild (because Comcast isn't going to move expanded basic analog channels to digital). But at least you have options for the extra spectrum in 860 Mhz markets. My point is why not use it?

Thanks,
Mike

Since I just recently learned where I live, San Jose Ca, the Comcast system is 860MHz. Recently they added duplicate version of San Jose City Government Channel on ch 97. Its seems to me its a complete waste of space when They already have same thing on ch 26.

Also Instead of utilizing the extra 70Mhz spectrum space between ch 125-135 for them to add new HD Channels like TBS HD, Comcast oddly decides to removed C-Span 2 including Cal Channel and TV Guide, to the digital tier. I am guesting since there are variety of different system through out bay area 550MHz, 750MHz, 860MHz and soon upgraded 1GHz that Comcast want to have uniformed Channel line up for their Bay Area Customers.
Those are virtual channels not actual channels, they don't use extra bandwidth the box just can tune to the same frequency on those virtual channels like if they were two different channels.

TBS-HD is being added Oct 3, this was announced just the other day and has nothing to do with the other channels moving.


Laters,
Mikef5

Mike, you're preaching to the choir here. If it were up to me I'd dump analog yesterday but to imply that Comcast has no intention of going all digital is disingenuous, what is fact is they can't do it in that time frame not that they don't want to or have no plans to.

Again Verison doesn't have to carry analog channels so they already meet the all digital requirements.

Mike, I've work with Comcast ( I am not a Comcast employee ) for about 4 years now, I know what they can do and have a pretty good handle on what they plan to do, contracts aside the FCC still requires and hobbles the cable industry by requiring them to carry both analog and digital and to say the cable industry is to blame for this is just wrong and to sit there and count channels and lambaste Comcast for not adding more HD faster jacks my jaw. Put the entire industry on the same level field with the same requirements and tell me that wouldn't affect how much a provider can do.

Also, I never said that Comcast was going to drop the analog channels soon. People asked about what they had heard about Fremont dropping analog and I answered that, nothing more than that. I've been trying to get Comcast to drop analog since day one but due to contracts and the FFC requiring dual carriage it's not going to happen in my life time.

Laters,
Mikef5

I've worked with comcast before too. In general I think they are a great company. These guys are way better than TCI and AT&T ever was.

My point wasn't that Comcast was incompetent or evil - they aren't. My point is that because of the nature of the cable plant and how it's used, they will be a permanent last place provider of HD programming compared to the DBS guys, and maybe even U-verse (though I don't think that counts since it doesn't work very well). That's all.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike, Geez... Chill out... :-)

The FCC must carry mandate affects only about 15 channels tops. Not the 70+ channels we see here. The reason the rest of those channels are hard to move is because of the carriage agreements, not because of any FCC mandate. In fact, the FCC would LOVE to see MTV, VH1, etc... pushed into digital transport, because that means you could have an expanded basic product tier that didn't include those channels - closer to their view in terms of doing ala carte.

Once stuff is all digital, you can create all kinds of products. But because 50% of subs are still analog, the problem is that the programmers don't want to lose access to the analog only customers. And that's built into the contracts.

Ask Mr J if they will be down to FCC mandated only analog channels by feb. of 2009. I GUARANTEE he'll see they still have a very large analog tier at that date.

People would not be deploying SDV if turning off analog was easy. Or even a 1/3rd of analog.

But this is the way it is. And why the plant and not contracts affect how much HD Comcast delivers.

On the 550 Mhz markets, those are being rebuilt at as 860 or 1 ghz plant. Once that is done, they'll have all this idle capacity that won't be carrying new HD channels just like my market. You can't do much to help the 550 Mhz systems now other than do a rebuild (because Comcast isn't going to move expanded basic analog channels to digital). But at least you have options for the extra spectrum in 860 Mhz markets. My point is why not use it?

Thanks,
Mike

You're right I do need to chill but I'm just tired of the channel counting and thinking that makes it all better. How many channels can you watch in a day ??? Let's get good quality channels that have some content on them and get off the "I've got more than you bandwagon" and while we're at it let's not blast company's for something beyond their control.

The 550 MHz areas are being built out to 1 GHz but that's not my point, the point is they should be bitching not someone in an fully upgraded area. Comcast does make use of that "extra" bandwidth and Comcast is adding new HD channels but not fast enough for some, I would prefer that they do it right and put channels on that I will in fact watch or has content to them and not fluff like the Weather Channel in HD, I get that on my local station.

My main point is if you want more from Comcast work within the system and give me some positive input that I can relay to them. I am all for getting more for this area but continual blasting a company isn't going to help to achieve that goal. I'm in a 550 MHz area and I still work within the system to help get things moving and in a positive way. It's just sometimes my jaw gets jacked ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I should stated that the San Jose City Government Channel on both analog ch 26 and ch 97. My DCT - 700 and DCT 3612 don't receive this peg channel ch 97 only on ch 26. I remember during from the San Jose vs. Comcast Franchise Agreement battle. The city Wanted to add another five additional PEG channels. CH 97 could be place holder for those additional PEG channels.

Still to me Its a complete waste of Bandwidth and Comcast should only add these peg channels to their digital classic tier.

I should stated that the San Jose City Government Channel on both analog ch 26 and ch 97. My DCT - 700 and DCT 3612 don't receive this peg channel ch 97 only on ch 26. I remember during from the San Jose vs. Comcast Franchise Agreement battle. The city Wanted to add another five additional PEG channels. CH 97 could be place holder for those additional PEG channels.

Still to me Its a complete waste of Bandwidth and Comcast should only add these peg channels to their digital classic tier.

Well, you answered your own question, the city wanted to add those channels and I assume you mean your franchise board. They required that Comcast put those channels there by contract so you need to get a hold of your franchise board and get them to alter the contract with Comcast. In my area, the franchise board got Comcast to built a complete tv studio for their community tv network so adding stuff to a contract is easy to do if a company wants to do business with that city.

Laters,
Mikef5

You're right I do need to chill but I'm just tired of the channel counting and thinking that makes it all better. How many channels can you watch in a day ??? Let's get good quality channels that have some content on them and get off the "I've got more than you bandwagon" and while we're at it let's not blast company's for something beyond their control.

The 550 MHz areas are being built out to 1 GHz but that's not my point, the point is they should be bitching not someone in an fully upgraded area. Comcast does make use of that "extra" bandwidth and Comcast is adding new HD channels but not fast enough for some, I would prefer that they do it right and put channels on that I will in fact watch or has content to them and not fluff like the Weather Channel in HD, I get that on my local station.

My main point is if you want more from Comcast work within the system and give me some positive input that I can relay to them. I am all for getting more for this area but continual blasting a company isn't going to help to achieve that goal. I'm in a 550 MHz area and I still work within the system to help get things moving and in a positive way. It's just sometimes my jaw gets jacked ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Mike, I'm not trying to get Comcast to do something different other than maybe putting additional HD channels in the 110 mhz that 860 areas have. My point is don't expect Comcast to be able to compete.

You said in the past:" All company's deal in "spin" , that includes Comcast and this is just another example of spin. I think we need to concentrate more on what is delivered and not what is promised. I can say with some certainty that just about every channel ( that has substance to it ) will be carried by Comcast sooner or later." The plant will not be able to accomplish this task, unless you believe there is only 1 or 2 channels of substance that are needed.

You also said at one point that Comcast will carry the HD channels when the contracts are done. The Houston market's memo indicates there are contracts done for carriage of a bunch of channels, but I don't think these channels will be here in the same time frame because of plant issues.

Mike, regardless of what you think about "more is better", for a customer, more really is better. Even if I only view one program a week on USA-HD, to me, that makes that channel valuable to me. The problem isn't that Comcast won't carry these new channels, the point is that Comcast CAN'T carry all these new channels.

That is a problem.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike, I'm not trying to get Comcast to do something different other than maybe putting additional HD channels in the 110 mhz that 860 areas have. My point is don't expect Comcast to be able to compete.

You said in the past:" All company's deal in "spin" , that includes Comcast and this is just another example of spin. I think we need to concentrate more on what is delivered and not what is promised. I can say with some certainty that just about every channel ( that has substance to it ) will be carried by Comcast sooner or later." The plant will not be able to accomplish this task, unless you believe there is only 1 or 2 channels of substance that are needed.

You also said at one point that Comcast will carry the HD channels when the contracts are done. The Houston market's memo indicates there are contracts done for carriage of a bunch of channels, but I don't think these channels will be here in the same time frame because of plant issues.

Mike, regardless of what you think about "more is better", for a customer, more really is better. Even if I only view one program a week on USA-HD, to me, that makes that channel valuable to me. The problem isn't that Comcast won't carry these new channels, the point is that Comcast CAN'T carry all these new channels.

That is a problem.

Thanks,
Mike

Enough, I learned along time ago not to beat my head against a brick wall on a lost cause. Believe what you want.

Laters,
Mikef5

Problem with most city's franchise board. 90% of all complains off on deaf ears. City of San Jose just added another additional franchise tax of $1.32 for Peg access support. On top of the $5.12 franchise fee base on My monthly bill 143.92. This is one Price Hike You can't blame on Comcast.

Fremont Not Dropping All Analog Channels

For those that were concerned about the dropping of all analog channels in Fremont,
I asked Mr. J. for clarification and here is what really is happening....

________________________________________________

WE ARE NOT DROPPING ALL analog channels in Fremont, or anywhere else for
that matter.

We are moving CSPAN 2 to digital tier on 10/2/07, launching CSPAN 3 on
Digital that same day....and, wait for it...using the CSPAN bandwidth to
launch TBS HD on 10/3 and preparing the way for the other HD channels
later in the month.

The phone calls are being made to encourage customers with out set-top
boxes to get them if they want to continue to see CSPAN2/CSPAN3.

We will be moving a couple of other channels in October, including Cal
Channel and TV Guide, to the digital tier...and, wait for it...so we can
launch another HD channel in December and another one in January
(contracts permitting). We will do similar outreach efforts, including
calls to customers, each time we make one of these changes.
_________________________________________________________

So it's just moving some analog channels to digital and freeing up bandwidth
so they can add some new HD channels :eek:

Laters,
Mikef5

Can you ask Mr. J if this move will allow 550 areas to get TBS-HD as well? Or any other HD for that matter? I got a message on my S3 about a lineup change, 65-CSPAN2 moving to 109. Currently it's still on 65, but there is a slot in the guide for 109, just a grey screen.

Now, the TiVo guide will list all sorts of channels that are not actually received in a given area, so I don't know whether CSPAN2 moving to 109 will actually be available up here or not, if it was, it would seem to indicate that there would be room for something to be added.

(If that doesn't make sense, I apologize, I just spent the whole day in the City talking to lawyers and I have a blazing headache as a result. :p )

Comcast in San Jose ca just added NHL Network on ch 419 but right now all that is this channel is test pattern.

Can you ask Mr. J if this move will allow 550 areas to get TBS-HD as well? Or any other HD for that matter? I got a message on my S3 about a lineup change, 65-CSPAN2 moving to 109. Currently it's still on 65, but there is a slot in the guide for 109, just a grey screen.

Now, the TiVo guide will list all sorts of channels that are not actually received in a given area, so I don't know whether CSPAN2 moving to 109 will actually be available up here or not, if it was, it would seem to indicate that there would be room for something to be added.

(If that doesn't make sense, I apologize, I just spent the whole day in the City talking to lawyers and I have a blazing headache as a result. :p )
Jim,

I'll give Mr. J. a shout tomorrow about whether or not the 550 MHz areas are going to be getting TBS-HD or not, I'm curious about that myself. I know in my area it's channel 69 (AZN) that's moving to the digital tier and the way I found that out was by reading the local newspaper ( Milpitas Post ).
I know it's hard to believe but I learned to read this new media called "newspaper". I think it might be a fad but it might catch on :D

I know what you mean about headaches.... ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Is DTV cable High Def channel?

I just have the basic comcast cable here in San Francisco. I recently bought a HDTV and today I noticed that when I go backward from channel 2 I get these channel....

DTV Cable
93-1
93-2
93-3
93-4
and some channel called MoviePlex.

They seem to be a few of the basic channel that we all get but they seem much more clearer.

I have never seen these channel before in my life and where did they come from?

I am completely serious. The FCC gave Verizon a waver on integrated STB's because of cablecard and their commitments to go all digital by the analog shut off date (it's easy for VZ because you need a STB with them and all customers have digital STB's).
I thought for Verizon FIOS, the ONT box was configured to support analog for basic tier stuff?

I thought for Verizon FIOS, the ONT box was configured to support analog for basic tier stuff?

They do it that way now, but they committed to taking everyone to full digital by 2/2009. They just turn on all basic channels with Clear QAM of course, instead of giving everyone STB's, though pretty much everyone I know with FIOS has STB's for all sets.

Thanks,
mike

Can you ask Mr. J if this move will allow 550 areas to get TBS-HD as well? Or any other HD for that matter? I got a message on my S3 about a lineup change, 65-CSPAN2 moving to 109. Currently it's still on 65, but there is a slot in the guide for 109, just a grey screen.

Now, the TiVo guide will list all sorts of channels that are not actually received in a given area, so I don't know whether CSPAN2 moving to 109 will actually be available up here or not, if it was, it would seem to indicate that there would be room for something to be added.

(If that doesn't make sense, I apologize, I just spent the whole day in the City talking to lawyers and I have a blazing headache as a result. :p )

Jim,

I got an email from Mr. J. and it says that the 550 MHz areas will not be getting TBS-HD at this time.... I know it's not what you wanted to hear and neither did I but that's the way it is for now and I'm not going to sugar coat it either. I am disappointed that it won't be added to my area either, I would've like to see the playoffs even though the Giants are out of the running. :(

Laters,
Mikef5

So, with the 20+ HD channels DTV got, and more are coming, I'm againg tempted going with the Sat companies.
Right now I'm paying $170 to Comcast for Cable (preferred plus Showtime) and HSI. Up until last month I was paying $210 for all the premium channels. The good thing is that my wife's work pays HSI so I don't have to worry if I have to pay more for HSI.

Two weeks ago I checked the website for dishnetwork and I didn't like any the options. So didn't do any research there anymore. Today I tried the website for DirecTV and my options there look a little bit more good. For less than $100 I can get all the channels, plus 2 DVRs, HBO and Showtime, and all of their HD channels. Of course I need to pay around $200 at the beginning for all the equipment.
I'm going to check the threads for Dish and DTV but right now I would like to know the opinion of people like me, that's been using Comcast and moved to any of the Sat, I know there are lot of you here. :)

rsra13,
There's another thread to discuss DBS here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=615354).

A little hope for you 550Mhz'ers out there. I'm in the Hayward Hills (550MHz) and my Comcast has been acting funny durring the day, probably due to upgrades, so I purchased a $50 OTA antenna incase my channels go out while watching TV. It's a small indoor DB2 antenna, but have in mind that I can see Sutro Tower through my living room window - that's where the antenna is placed.

Here is a list of free digital and HD channels I am recieving:

2.1 Fox HD
4.1 KRON Digital SD
4.2 KRON HD
5.1 CBS HD
7.1 ABC HD
7.2 ABC Digital SD
7.3 ABC Weather Digital SD
9.1 PBS HD
9.2 PBS Encore Digital SD
9.3 PBS World Digital SD
9.4 PBS Life Digital SD
9.5 PBS Kids Digital SD
11.1 NBC HD
11.2 NBC Weather Digital SD
20.1 WB HD
20.2 Azteca (Spanish) Digital SD
32.1 KMTP Digital SD
32.2 KMTP Digital SD
32.3 KMTP Digital SD
32.5 KMTP Digital SD
38.1 Gems TV (Home Shopping) Digital SD
43.1 PBS Digital SD
43.2 PBS Digital SD
43.3 PBS (Jazz TV?) Digital SD
44.1 CW HD
65.1 ION Digital SD
65.2 ION Digital SD
65.3 ION Digital SD
65.4 Worship Digital SD
66.1 Telefuturea Digital SD
66.2 Univision Digital SD
68.1 TLN Digital SD

note:
-all Sutro Tower Channels get 9/10 reception from where I'm at (25 miles, line of sight)
-I'm not sure if the digital channels switch between SD and HD throughout the day
-I couldn't find HDNET (4.2?) but atleast I have 3 more HD channels that Comcast wasn't giving me: WB HD, CW HD, and KRON HD.

So, with the 20+ HD channels DTV got, and more are coming, I'm againg tempted going with the Sat companies.
Right now I'm paying $170 to Comcast for Cable (preferred plus Showtime) and HSI. Up until last month I was paying $210 for all the premium channels. The good thing is that my wife's work pays HSI so I don't have to worry if I have to pay more for HSI.

Two weeks ago I checked the website for dishnetwork and I didn't like any the options. So didn't do any research there anymore. Today I tried the website for DirecTV and my options there look a little bit more good. For less than $100 I can get all the channels, plus 2 DVRs, HBO and Showtime, and all of their HD channels. Of course I need to pay around $200 at the beginning for all the equipment.
I'm going to check the threads for Dish and DTV but right now I would like to know the opinion of people like me, that's been using Comcast and moved to any of the Sat, I know there are lot of you here. :)

Let's just say there are a LOT of deals on D* available. A little searching or bargaining on the phone should net you all that gear without paying the $200. Heck BB gives you $300 off a TV if you buy DirecTV with it, and no charge for the DVR.

Thanks,
Mike

A little hope for you 550Mhz'ers out there. I'm in the Hayward Hills (550MHz) and my Comcast has been acting funny durring the day, probably due to upgrades, so I purchased a $50 OTA antenna incase my channels go out while watching TV. It's a small indoor DB2 antenna, but have in mind that I can see Sutro Tower through my living room window - that's where the antenna is placed.
I live in the same area, and I've also experienced my cable acting funny as well. I saw at least 4 comcast trucks and vans in this area. :D
I can't wait!
Hopefully I'm not getting my hopes up to quickly!

Let's just say there are a LOT of deals on D* available. A little searching or bargaining on the phone should net you all that gear without paying the $200. Heck BB gives you $300 off a TV if you buy DirecTV with it, and no charge for the DVR.

Thanks,
Mike

Thanks for the tip! I'll check Best Buy.

so i got my new TiVoHD installed with a M-card... weeeeeeee the interface is damn nice. is the guide supposed to be more sluggish than the motos? anyway, the tech said i couldn't keep the m-card w/o power for more than 8 hours (??) otherwise i'll need them to send a new one?? i haven't yet upgraded my hard drive yet. can i do this (unplugging the unit, opening it, putting a bigger drive) without having the tech come out again?

Not that anyone else is likely watching this, but is the HD broadcast of the Giants Dodgers game on 2-1 mediocre for others too?

Not that anyone else is likely watching this, but is the HD broadcast of the Giants Dodgers game on 2-1 mediocre for others too?Looks great here.

Looks great here.

great here too

I was actually watching it on 2.1 with the TV's tuner (in 720p), then switched the cable box to 720p output, since I'm flipping between KTVU and ESPN (also a 720p channel).

It looks fine either way. The feed from LA isn't the best HD I've ever seen but it's at least average - nothing wrong with it. 1080i channels usually look sharper though (like the A's on FSN-HD).

Jim,

I got an email from Mr. J. and it says that the 550 MHz areas will not be getting TBS-HD at this time.... I know it's not what you wanted to hear and neither did I but that's the way it is for now and I'm not going to sugar coat it either. I am disappointed that it won't be added to my area either, I would've like to see the playoffs even though the Giants are out of the running. :(

Laters,
Mikef5

So why are they still taking away analog channels (CSPAN2 and KFTY here)? I'm assuming they're doing something with the bandwidth, or is it so the analog customers in upgraded areas won't be jealous of us? ;)

Ok, thanks, time to go back and tweak some settings then!

Jim,

I got an email from Mr. J. and it says that the 550 MHz areas will not be getting TBS-HD at this time.... I know it's not what you wanted to hear and neither did I but that's the way it is for now and I'm not going to sugar coat it either. I am disappointed that it won't be added to my area either, I would've like to see the playoffs even though the Giants are out of the running. :(

Laters,
Mikef5

Thanks, I didn't think it was really going to amount to anything anyway. I'm realistically not expecting anything to happen up here till next year 1Q/2Q, if that soon.

I'm getting TBS-HD from DirecTV so I'm covered for the BB playoffs. The annoying thing is, DirecTV has been yakking about 100 HD channels for 2 years and they're finally coming online, so it's not like Comcast didn't know they were going to face some stiff competition for that high dollar HD enthusiast account. DirecTV has a yard up here that has at least 20 trucks or better and everyday every single one of them is out on the road, plus they use sub-contractors in unmarked vans as well. I don't know how large an area they cover, but there's sure a lot of sat dishes being installed lately given an average of 4-5 installs per truck per day.

If Comcast wants more than the $20 a month they currently get from me, they know what they have to do.

Oh yeah, Comcast doesn't even allow me to watch "America's favorite serial killer" either, Dexter, starting Sunday night. :)

so i got my new TiVoHD installed with a M-card... weeeeeeee the interface is damn nice. is the guide supposed to be more sluggish than the motos? anyway, the tech said i couldn't keep the m-card w/o power for more than 8 hours (??) otherwise i'll need them to send a new one?? i haven't yet upgraded my hard drive yet. can i do this (unplugging the unit, opening it, putting a bigger drive) without having the tech come out again?

I've never heard about the 8 hr thing, doesn't make much sense.

If you're not familiar with pulling the drive, imaging it and then restoring onto the new, larger drive, I'd recommend just getting an external drive. I think the process for the HD model is fairly simple.

Swapping drives should not affect any CC functionality.

I've never heard about the 8 hr thing, doesn't make much sense.

If you're not familiar with pulling the drive, imaging it and then restoring onto the new, larger drive, I'd recommend just getting an external drive. I think the process for the HD model is fairly simple.

Swapping drives should not affect any CC functionality.

unfortunately i might have to wait until TiVo enables the eSata port on the TiVoHD units since i'd have to open up the unit, pull the drive to "hack" it to work with an external drive. something like that. i can't wait to get 1TB in this thing!

unfortunately i might have to wait until TiVo enables the eSata port on the TiVoHD units since i'd have to open up the unit, pull the drive to "hack" it to work with an external drive. something like that. i can't wait to get 1TB in this thing!

It is nice. I have 165 hrs of HD space with my S3. Got lucky and picked up the Hitachi 1TB drive when BB was selling them for $280, put it in an Antec enclosure and it's been perfect ever since.

is the guide supposed to be more sluggish than the motos?
There is a bug in your version of the OS that is fixed in later versions. Essentially if you filter out channels you don't get the guide is very slow. If you configure the channel list to display all channels, it is fast again.

For S3s they fixed it in 8.3. TiVo HD is on 8.1. 9.1 OS is in limited release right now and that is probably when you will get the guide fix.

I've never heard about the 8 hr thing, doesn't make much sense.

If you're not familiar with pulling the drive, imaging it and then restoring onto the new, larger drive, I'd recommend just getting an external drive. I think the process for the HD model is fairly simple.

Swapping drives should not affect any CC functionality.
Last I heard, enabling the external drive on TiVo HD requires pulling the internal drive and marrying using WinMFS. The plug and play method where you just connect the eSATA drive and don't need to open the case I think only works on S3s and only if you are using the original drive (actually the original drive's partition layout)

When swapping drives, just make sure you use the original drive image and don't do clear and delete everything. Otherwise it will trigger creation of a new Data value for the CableCARD and will require a call to re-pair the CableCARD.

It is nice. I have 165 hrs of HD space with my S3. Got lucky and picked up the Hitachi 1TB drive when BB was selling them for $280, put it in an Antec enclosure and it's been perfect ever since.
If anyone was interested in a 1TB drive Best Buy has the Eco-Friendly WD Caviar GP 1TB drive on sale for $260. Some people have been able to apply a 10% coupon making it $234. Many people say this is the quietest/coolest drive they have ever encountered, making it ideal for the internal drive on PVRs.

Last I heard, enabling the external drive on TiVo HD requires pulling the internal drive and marrying using WinMFS. The plug and play method where you just connect the eSATA drive and don't need to open the case I think only works on S3s and only if you are using the original drive (actually the original drive's partition layout)

When swapping drives, just make sure you use the original drive image and don't do clear and delete everything. Otherwise it will trigger creation of a new Data value for the CableCARD and will require a call to re-pair the CableCARD.

I think you're right, I was just looking through the TiVo HD expansion thread and that appears to be the current method, a bit more involved than the S3 for sure, but well worth the effort if you're looking for extra space.

(I just wish Comcast would give me some more programming to record.:p )

There is a bug in your version of the OS that is fixed in later versions. Essentially if you filter out channels you don't get the guide is very slow. If you configure the channel list to display all channels, it is fast again.

For S3s they fixed it in 8.3. TiVo HD is on 8.1. 9.1 OS is in limited release right now and that is probably when you will get the guide fix.

thanks but when i did select all my channels it is still sluggish. no big big deal, but i'll look at the tivo community forums to see if there's another step to this fix.

I think you're right, I was just looking through the TiVo HD expansion thread and that appears to be the current method, a bit more involved than the S3 for sure, but well worth the effort if you're looking for extra space.

(I just wish Comcast would give me some more programming to record.:p )

thanks for the link, i always knew having a mac laptop would come bite me in the ass one day :) i'll figure out a workaround.

How is the College Football NATIONAL game of the day Cal vs Oregon NOT in HD?!?!?!

thanks for the link, i always knew having a mac laptop would come bite me in the ass one day :) i'll figure out a workaround.
I think what you'll need is a linux boot disc. I think it's explained in that thread.

I finally got the comcast upgrade letter today! It states that between Oct. 15 to Nov. 15th the new channels will be available, and their digital voice too. It'll be nice to have the FM channels too, cartalk on Sat. mornings, :). Hmm, I don't see TBS HD though...

The brochure states: "Sunnyvale and Milpitas Advanced Digital Network Sample Lineup"

~Nick

How is the College Football NATIONAL game of the day Cal vs Oregon NOT in HD?!?!?!

it's cuz cal ore was picked up by ABC as a regional game. and they put 2 HD trucks at two other games (they are doing a total of 4 games in the time slot). we got the shaft.

If anyone was interested in a 1TB drive Best Buy has the Eco-Friendly WD Caviar GP 1TB drive on sale for $260. Some people have been able to apply a 10% coupon making it $234. Many people say this is the quietest/coolest drive they have ever encountered, making it ideal for the internal drive on PVRs.

Yes, the quietest and coolest drive. Today is the last day for that $260 price. Got one in one of my S3s already, and I'm picking up another one today.

I finally got the comcast upgrade letter today! It states that between Oct. 15 to Nov. 15th the new channels will be available, and their digital voice too. It'll be nice to have the FM channels too, cartalk on Sat. mornings, :). Hmm, I don't see TBS HD though...

The brochure states: "Sunnyvale and Milpitas Advanced Digital Network Sample Lineup"

~Nick

What part of Sunnyvale are you in?

Yes, the quietest and coolest drive. Today is the last day for that $260 price. Got one in one of my S3s already, and I'm picking up another one today.

I wish I needed another drive so I'd have a reason to get one of these, although they'll probably be even cheaper in the future.

You have it the wrong way around. First you get the drive and let it sit on the mantle. Everyday it gives you a reason to buy another TiVo HD/S3 PVR. Eventually you give in because you don't want the drive to go to waste :)

You have it the wrong way around. First you get the drive and let it sit on the mantle. Everyday it gives you a reason to buy another TiVo HD/S3 PVR. Eventually you give in because you don't want the drive to go to waste :)

:D

You know, I have done that sort of thing in the past, in fact, I still have some AV equipment I've never even plugged in, purchased because it was a great deal. :eek: :p

Seriously though, if my cable provider(I think it's Comcast, hard to tell as I only watch 4-5 channels from them) would give me something more to record, I would have already picked up another S3.

And it was a frickin great game too. ARGGGGgggggggg. GO BEARS! :D

Was cool to see the SJSU game carried on the Comcast sports channel also..

How is the College Football NATIONAL game of the day Cal vs Oregon NOT in HD?!?!?!

I finally got the comcast upgrade letter today! It states that between Oct. 15 to Nov. 15th the new channels will be available, and their digital voice too. It'll be nice to have the FM channels too, cartalk on Sat. mornings, :). Hmm, I don't see TBS HD though...

The brochure states: "Sunnyvale and Milpitas Advanced Digital Network Sample Lineup"

~Nick

Which HD channels are listed?

I've read various posts here and elsewhere that Comcast will be adding new channels before 10/1 to its HD lineup.

Does anyone know if TBS-HD will be added? It would be a real bummer not to have MLB playoffs in HD...

Thanks.

I've read various posts here and elsewhere that Comcast will be adding new channels before 10/1 to its HD lineup.

Does anyone know if TBS-HD will be added? It would be a real bummer not to have MLB playoffs in HD...

Thanks.

welcome to the forums

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11716758#post11716758

oct 3rd

I finally got the comcast upgrade letter today! It states that between Oct. 15 to Nov. 15th the new channels will be available, and their digital voice too. It'll be nice to have the FM channels too, cartalk on Sat. mornings, :). Hmm, I don't see TBS HD though...

The brochure states: "Sunnyvale and Milpitas Advanced Digital Network Sample Lineup"

~Nick

Got the same upgrade letter with the new channel lineup. I was kind of hoping it would be sooner than 15 Oct to 15 Nov, but at least it's coming and has a date attached to it ;)

Looking at the new channel lineup, I knew we were missing some channels but man I didn't think it was THAT much. It'll double the HD that I now get plus add stuff I've never heard of.

Now to see if the VOD was worth the wait ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Got the same upgrade letter with the new channel lineup. I was kind of hoping it would be sooner than 15 Oct to 15 Nov, but at least it's coming and has a date attached to it ;)

Looking at the new channel lineup, I knew we were missing some channels but man I didn't think it was THAT much. It'll double the HD that I now get plus add stuff I've never heard of.

Now to see if the VOD was worth the wait ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Mike -

Can you list the new HD channels the upgrade letter mentioned?

Mike -

Can you list the new HD channels the upgrade letter mentioned?

I'm in a 550 MHz area so right now the HD channels here are limited to say the least. The upgrade to this area only adds those HD channels and a lot of the digital channels that all of the upgraded areas already get. So if you are in an upgraded area already, then I'm not getting anything more than what you already have. Since you didn't list your city, I have no idea if you are in an upgraded area or not but there are more channels being added next month and those will be added to all the upgraded areas and as soon as I get the OK to post which one will be added I will post them here.

Laters,
Mikef5

I live right by the 101/237 intersection. I'll go ahead and list the HD channels from the lineup card, but like Mikef5 said, it's stuff that all upgraded areas should have, so you probably won't be seeing anything new.

Limited Basic:
702 KTVU
703 KNTV
704 KRON *
705 KPIX
707 KGO
709 KQED
712 KBCW *

Digital Classic:
720 FSN Bay
724 ESPN
726 ESPN2
728 Versus/Golf
734 A&E *
737 TNT *
739 Universal *
740 MOJO *
754 Discovery Theatre
757 National Geographic *
772 MHD *

Sports Entertainment
730 NFL Network

Premium Service
780 HBO
783 Cinemax
785 Showtime
788 Starz

* Indicates what Comcast considers a new channel (highlighted red in the lineup)

It's kind of weird though, b/c I'm not even getting some of the "old" channels right now, like ESPN2 or the pay channels other than HBO.

I finally got the comcast upgrade letter today! It states that between Oct. 15 to Nov. 15th the new channels will be available, and their digital voice too. It'll be nice to have the FM channels too, cartalk on Sat. mornings, :). Hmm, I don't see TBS HD though...

The brochure states: "Sunnyvale and Milpitas Advanced Digital Network Sample Lineup"

~Nick
Nick,

The reason you don't see TBS-HD on the card is because the channel doesn't get added to the lineup until Oct 3rd and activation of our area doesn't start until the 15th so you can't add something that isn't there just yet and I'm pretty sure these cards were made months before TBS-HD was announced to be added to the Bay Area lineup.

Also, Mr. J. actually got it added sooner for the Bay Area than it was planned to be added to our lineup just so most people in the Bay Area could watch the playoffs on TBS.

I'm sure once the upgrades/activation are completed for our area it will be added to our lineup.

Laters,
Mikef5

I live right by the 101/237 intersection. I'll go ahead and list the HD channels from the lineup card, but like Mikef5 said, it's stuff that all upgraded areas should have, so you probably won't be seeing anything new.

Limited Basic:
702 KTVU
703 KNTV
704 KRON *
705 KPIX
707 KGO
709 KQED
712 KBCW *

Digital Classic:
720 FSN Bay
724 ESPN
726 ESPN2
728 Versus/Golf
734 A&E *
737 TNT *
739 Universal *
740 MOJO *
754 Discovery Theatre
757 National Geographic *
772 MHD *

Sports Entertainment
730 NFL Network

Premium Service
780 HBO
783 Cinemax
785 Showtime
788 Starz

* Indicates what Comcast considers a new channel (highlighted red in the lineup)

It's kind of weird though, b/c I'm not even getting some of the "old" channels right now, like ESPN2 or the pay channels other than HBO.

Nick,

In Milpitas we don't get ESPN2-HD, Cinemax-HD, SHO-HD, Starz-HD so those should have an asterisks behind them also.
Also, I didn't see KICU-HD on the list either but I'm pretty sure it will be added also.

Laters,
Mikef5

I live right by the 101/237 intersection. I'll go ahead and list the HD channels from the lineup card, but like Mikef5 said, it's stuff that all upgraded areas should have, so you probably won't be seeing anything new.

Limited Basic:
702 KTVU
703 KNTV
704 KRON *
705 KPIX
707 KGO
709 KQED
712 KBCW *

Digital Classic:
720 FSN Bay
724 ESPN
726 ESPN2
728 Versus/Golf
734 A&E *
737 TNT *
739 Universal *
740 MOJO *
754 Discovery Theatre
757 National Geographic *
772 MHD *

Sports Entertainment
730 NFL Network

Premium Service
780 HBO
783 Cinemax
785 Showtime
788 Starz

* Indicates what Comcast considers a new channel (highlighted red in the lineup)

It's kind of weird though, b/c I'm not even getting some of the "old" channels right now, like ESPN2 or the pay channels other than HBO.

is comcast planning on renumbering all bay area HD channels?

is comcast planning on renumbering all bay area HD channels?

I noticed that too but since it's the weekend I'll have to wait until Monday to find out. It'll also be interesting to see when or if my TivoHD picks up the channel changes so far no messages on the TivoHD about channel additions or channel changes.

Laters,
Mikef5

Raider game looks great on CBS HD 705 in the Dublin Area .

I noticed that too but since it's the weekend I'll have to wait until Monday to find out. It'll also be interesting to see when or if my TivoHD picks up the channel changes so far no messages on the TivoHD about channel additions or channel changes.
You might already know this, wasn't sure which question you were asking.

TiVo HD will pick up the new channel #s as long as Tribune (zap2it.com) picks up the changes.

If you have a season pass scheduled using an older channel # which then moves to a new channel #, it will continue recording because TiVo bases recordings on channel identifier names, not on channel #s.

You might already know this, wasn't sure which question you were asking.

TiVo HD will pick up the new channel #s as long as Tribune (zap2it.com) picks up the changes.

If you have a season pass scheduled using an older channel # which then moves to a new channel #, it will continue recording because TiVo bases recordings on channel identifier names, not on channel #s.
SfHub,

Thanks for the info. I'm pretty new at the Tivo stuff so any help is appreciated. So far the Tivo has impressed me a lot and I kick myself for not getting it sooner... I should of listened to Keenan :)

The only thing I miss is the program reminder that the Moto boxes have. Sometimes I get distracted and it would be nice to have that pop up message letting me know I'm missing the Giants losing again :p
Does the Tivo have this feature and I just can't find it and if not who do you contact to suggest it be added ?? Sometimes I would just prefer to watch a game/program and not record it . TIA

Laters,
Mikef5

...
The only thing I miss is the program reminder that the Moto boxes have.
...The only thing you can do is set 2 manual recordings for the program, one for 5 minutes duration and the other for 10 minutes. Then a message will pop up about 1 minute before the program starts recording. Of course this will tie up both tuners while the program is recording. I use several repeating manual recordings to do this to remind me of programs I normally want to view.

The only thing I miss is the program reminder that the Moto boxes have. Sometimes I get distracted and it would be nice to have that pop up message letting me know I'm missing the Giants losing again :p
Does the Tivo have this feature and I just can't find it and if not who do you contact to suggest it be added ?? Sometimes I would just prefer to watch a game/program and not record it . TIA
Nothing really usable in the context of your described functionality, but if it were me, I would just use a Wishlist (text search based on various parameters) to record all the Giants games, then when you figure out you got distracted you can rewind the 15-20 minutes you missed and watch it mostly live. You'll eventually catch up by skipping the commercials. Also if a show is set to record, once it starts recording, it will show up at the top of the Now Playing list (assuming you have the list sorted by time order) and whenever you bring up Now Playing you'll notice that Giants are recording. Not as good as a popup, but I figure you'll probably bring up Now Playing at least once an hour when watching shows, so you'll visually notice you are missing a show. If you have a TiVo S3, once it starts recording, you'll see text on the front panel indicating it is recording the Giants game and that will be another clue.

Does anyone know the channel map for San Jose (95134)? I have a hdhomerun that receives a fair number of QAM channels, but I don't know which channel maps where in the comcast lineup. I'm using MythTV, but I doubt I'd be lucky enough for someone to have a channels.conf file.

Unfortunately schedule direct doesn't seem to supply lineup data by physical channel frequency. It seems the comcast mapping is mostly random. For example, I ran across showtime having a free weekend. SHOWTOO shows up in QAM 94#13. I managed to figure out it was showtime just by dumb luck. I was able to recognize the movie playing and match it with the schedule.

There has to be a better way.

Hiker and SfHub,

Thanks for the suggestions, It never occurred to me just to schedule a recording and then when it starts go to it and then catch up to the live broadcast. Of course that will have to wait until next season since the Giants and A's are out of the playoffs :(

This box has so many features and it's just fun to play around with it. I especially like the Swivel Search just to see how far away I can get from the original search pattern, sort of like the Six Degrees of Separation from Kevin Bacon :p

Thanks for the tips, there's a lot to learn and "miles to go before I sleep" ..... gotta stop watching those Bronson movies. :D

Laters,
Mikef5

Some time last night or this morning I lost 715 NGCHD and 721 VSGLF ... "one moment please this channel will be available shortly" - been out all day.

Anyone know what gives?

Hiker and SfHub,

Thanks for the suggestions, It never occurred to me just to schedule a recording and then when it starts go to it and then catch up to the live broadcast. Of course that will have to wait until next season since the Giants and A's are out of the playoffs :(

This box has so many features and it's just fun to play around with it. I especially like the Swivel Search just to see how far away I can get from the original search pattern, sort of like the Six Degrees of Separation from Kevin Bacon :p

Thanks for the tips, there's a lot to learn and "miles to go before I sleep" ..... gotta stop watching those Bronson movies. :D

Laters,
Mikef5

That's what I was trying to explain to you earlier, but these guys did a better job. You don't really need reminders when using a TiVo. :)

All day on Sunday, ESPN2HD has been stepping (as if it's sending 2 frames per second) and pixellating. (I taped the Women's World Cup Final that started around 4:30 AM, and was watching the end of the NASCAR race (which had moved from ABC because of the rain delay) at 5 PM, and it had the same problem both times.) There was no problem on ESPN-HD or ESPN2 SD.

Did anybody else have this problem?

-- Don

That's what I was trying to explain to you earlier, but these guys did a better job. You don't really need reminders when using a TiVo. :)
Yep, you were right but you know it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks :p

Laters,
Mikef5

Some time last night or this morning I lost 715 NGCHD and 721 VSGLF ... "one moment please this channel will be available shortly" - been out all day.

Anyone know what gives?I'm the only one?

Does anyone know the channel map for San Jose (95134)? I have a hdhomerun that receives a fair number of QAM channels, but I don't know which channel maps where in the comcast lineup. I'm using MythTV, but I doubt I'd be lucky enough for someone to have a channels.conf file.

Unfortunately schedule direct doesn't seem to supply lineup data by physical channel frequency. It seems the comcast mapping is mostly random. For example, I ran across showtime having a free weekend. SHOWTOO shows up in QAM 94#13. I managed to figure out it was showtime just by dumb luck. I was able to recognize the movie playing and match it with the schedule.

There has to be a better way.

Go to: http://www.silicondust.com/wiki/hdhomerun/channels
and input your zipcode. Previous hdhomerun users who did the mapping generally automatically upload the info to silicondust. They have a web frontend that lets you list it. In the SF bay area, there are a lot of hdhomeruns, so the mapping is generally available.

The right answer of course is to have a OOB signal tuner and decoder that allows you see recieve the virtual channel maps that are sent to the STB's. If the homerun or other tuners had that, it could automatically map channels the way the STB's do, by listening to data the headend sends.

Alas, no PC equipment except for the OCUR does this. It's a shame because the mapping isn't encrypted, and the standards are published so it's easy to decode. I suggested this to the silicondust folks and I think they are looking at this for the next version of their device.

Also, while we are talking about mappings... How come zap2it doesn't have any info for KICUDT on channel 706 for the San Mateo digital lineup? or Foster City, etc... for that matter. It's there for the San Jose lineup, but not on the peninsula. Tivo and Sage get their data from here, so it's abscence is irritating.

With Sage there is a way to add a mapping to guide data for a channel that supposedly doesn't exist on your lineup, so I fixed it for my system, but it is annoying.

Thanks,
Mike

December?
January?
Let the speculation begin...

-- DonCNN-HD will definitely be one. I've got a dollar, if anyone wants to bet.

Also, while we are talking about mappings... How come zap2it doesn't have any info for KICUDT on channel 706 for the San Mateo digital lineup? or Foster City, etc... for that matter. It's there for the San Jose lineup, but not on the peninsula. Tivo and Sage get their data from here, so it's abscence is irritating.
Probably nobody complained. Fill out the zap2it feedback and they will usually add it in a few days. Whatever changes on zap2it filters down to TiVo and the others.

http://www.zap2it.com/services/site/zap-feedbackform,0,5263772.customform#feedbackForm

I'm the only one?


No, you're not the only one. It's out in Rohnert Park as well. It is still that way this morning. Anywhere else?

No, you're not the only one. It's out in Rohnert Park as well. It is still that way this morning. Anywhere else?

In San Rafael just now, 715 NGCHD is working fine, but 721 VSGLF gives me the error message.

In Novato, both 715 and 721 are working ok.

No, you're not the only one. It's out in Rohnert Park as well. It is still that way this morning. Anywhere else?

Just checked this morning and both are working in Milpitas.

Laters,
Mikef5

Probably nobody complained. Fill out the zap2it feedback and they will usually add it in a few days. Whatever changes on zap2it filters down to TiVo and the others.

http://www.zap2it.com/services/site/zap-feedbackform,0,5263772.customform#feedbackForm

TitanTV allows you to manually add and delete channels. I've always preferred it to Zap2it.

Probably nobody complained. Fill out the zap2it feedback and they will usually add it in a few days. Whatever changes on zap2it filters down to TiVo and the others.

http://www.zap2it.com/services/site/zap-feedbackform,0,5263772.customform#feedbackForm

I did that 3 weeks ago. Nothing has happened yet.

Thanks,
Mike

I did that 3 weeks ago. Nothing has happened yet.

Thanks,
MikeI had the same problem a few weeks ago here in Novato. After I opened a channel lineup issue with TiVo, it was fixed. Here's (http://customersupport.tivo.com/Lineupform.aspx) the link if you need it.

I had the same problem a few weeks ago here in Novato. After I opened a channel lineup issue with TiVo, it was fixed. Here's (http://customersupport.tivo.com/Lineupform.aspx) the link if you need it.

You need a tivo service number to open a ticket... :-)

Thanks,
mike

Anyone seeing TBS-HD yet? I know it's not supposed to show up until Wed but since the first playoff game is today (San Diego Padres vs Colorado Rockies (http://www.hdsportsguide.com/mlb.php)) we need it now. What channel number will it use?

In San Rafael just now, 715 NGCHD is working fine, but 721 VSGLF gives me the error message.

And now they are both working again.

TitanTV allows you to manually add and delete channels. I've always preferred it to Zap2it.
I use them for MyHD.

Problem is you don't have a choice of guide providers with TiVo so zap2it/tribune is your only avenue, either directly through them or through tivo.

You need a tivo service number to open a ticket... :-)
I thought you mentioned TiVo in your original post.

If you really want to pursue this avenue, you can get a TSN to accompany your request either by self-generating one based on the pattern or if they have consistency checks, borrow one from a friend or Best Buy.

Anyone with a Tivo, do you see the Padre/Rockies game listed in the Tivo guide ( channel 41 in my area ) ??? The only reason I know the game is playing is that the Motorola box shows it in it's guide but the Tivo doesn't show it.
Not good for a company that touts it's guide as it's major selling point. Does this happen often ??

Laters,
Mikef5

I can't check my Tivo cuz I'm at work, but the onilne Tivo guide doesn't show it. It shows The King of Queens on right now.

Anyone with a Tivo, do you see the Padre/Rockies game listed in the Tivo guide ( channel 41 in my area ) ??? The only reason I know the game is playing is that the Motorola box shows it in it's guide but the Tivo doesn't show it.
Not good for a company that touts it's guide as it's major selling point. Does this happen often ??

Laters,
Mikef5Since the TiVo gets guide data only once every day or so the guide is slightly out of date since this game was just scheduled yesterday. If you forced the TiVo to connect now maybe it would get an update...

I can't check my Tivo cuz I'm at work, but the onilne Tivo guide doesn't show it. It shows The King of Queens on right now.

Dkwong,

Thanks for the input. I'm new to the Tivo so this to me is not a good thing especially when the Moto Box shows the game being played. That's one for the Moto box and none for the Tivo ;)
Not that this is a big deal but if it had been a Giants or A's game then it would be a big deal .

Laters,
Mikef5

Too bad we don't have TBS-HD yet on Comcast as the game looks great on DirecTV in HD and would probably look better on Comcast. TBS does a good job on HD with the games as they have had experience with the Braves' games. Not much else on TBS-HD is in actual HD but there are more games to come.

Since the TiVo gets guide data only once every day or so the guide is slightly out of date since this game was just scheduled yesterday. If you forced the TiVo to connect now maybe it would get an update...
Hiker,

Nice try but no bananas, just finished a forced download and still no game listed. Looks like I'll have to keep one Moto box just to check to see if the guide is up to date or not.

Now this in it's self is not a big deal but if this is a reoccurring problem then it begs the question of why am I paying for a guide that doesn't stay up to date. Granted the Moto guide isn't perfect either but the guide comes with the box that I lease from Comcast and not an extra cost.

Well, new toys and new problems .....;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Hiker,

Nice try but no bananas, just finished a forced download and still no game listed. Looks like I'll have to keep one Moto box just to check to see if the guide is up to date or not.

Now this in it's self is not a big deal but if this is a reoccurring problem then it begs the question of why am I paying for a guide that doesn't stay up to date. Granted the Moto guide isn't perfect either but the guide comes with the box that I lease from Comcast and not an extra cost.
TiVo gets its guide from Tribune/Zap2It. You don't really need to force a download to check. If it isn't on www.zap2it.com it won't be on TiVo.

Comcast gets guide data from TVGuide. If it is on www.tvguide.com, it will be on Motorola.

So basically irrespective of what amount you are paying, really what you are comparing is Tribune guide data vs TV Guide data. The reason I say irrespective of the price is 1) even if you pay more, neither one is likely to change guide providers 2) both guide providers are comparable in price and accuracy.

In my experience sometimes TVG gets the last minute stuff and sometimes zap2it gets it. Sometimes both, sometimes neither. It is pretty much a wash, but in this case, TVG wins.

TiVo gets its guide from Tribune/Zap2It. You don't really need to force a download to check. If it isn't on www.zap2it.com it won't be on TiVo.

Comcast gets guide data from TVGuide. If it is on www.tvguide.com, it will be on Motorola.

So basically irrespective of what amount you are paying, really what you are comparing is Tribune guide data vs TV Guide data. The reason I say irrespective of the price is 1) even if you pay more, neither one is likely to change guide providers 2) both guide providers are comparable in price and accuracy.

In my experience sometimes TVG gets the last minute stuff and sometimes zap2it gets it. Sometimes both, sometimes neither. It is pretty much a wash, but in this case, TVG wins.
Sfhub,

That's sort of what I figured but since I'm relatively new at the Tivo stuff it's disconcerting to have the guide not updating. Granted a one time glitch is not a problem but there's going to be a major upgrade to my area and a lot of channel changes ( going from a 550 MHz to 1GHz ) and I'd like to feel confident that the Tivo guide will be able to handle this in a timely manner. All in all I'm very pleased with the Tivo and wish I'd gotten one sooner. I'll probably get another one after I get to feel more comfortable with it ;)
Thanks for the input, it's appreciated.

Laters,
Mikef5

Also, in the cases Tivo knows that the guide won't get updated, they'll send a message out alerting folks (this is great for things like "ABC decided to air 1 extra minute of Lost" a day before the show airs, that tribune normally doesn't pick up). Another handy thing is in the Tivo forums, there is a forum specifically for these sorts of shenanigans that networks like to play. I keep it in my RSS reader so I see whenever someone discovers a season pass has gone out of wack. You can see it at http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=10

jason

I'd like to feel confident that the Tivo guide will be able to handle this in a timely manner.
Well TiVo HQ is over in Alviso, off 237, so I'm sure they will get an earful from one PO'd new user if they don't :)

While we're on the topic of the Padres/Rockies game, does anyone know if we are going to get the TBS post-season coverage in HD in the Bay Area Comcast system? Haven't been able to find the one-game playoff anywhere, although I gather that some East Coast Comcast systems have it. It would sure be a bummer to have to watch a chunk of the post-season in low def.

TiVo gets its guide from Tribune/Zap2It. You don't really need to force a download to check. If it isn't on www.zap2it.com it won't be on TiVo.

Comcast gets guide data from TVGuide. If it is on www.tvguide.com, it will be on Motorola.

So basically irrespective of what amount you are paying, really what you are comparing is Tribune guide data vs TV Guide data. The reason I say irrespective of the price is 1) even if you pay more, neither one is likely to change guide providers 2) both guide providers are comparable in price and accuracy.

In my experience sometimes TVG gets the last minute stuff and sometimes zap2it gets it. Sometimes both, sometimes neither. It is pretty much a wash, but in this case, TVG wins.

When searching online for what channels my favorite sports teams are playing on, I've had a ton more luck with zap2it.com than TVGuide.com.

I wish I could pay like a few more dollars extra per month to just to get a zap2it guide or Tivo user-interface on my moto box :p

TivoHD is just a bit pricey for me personally seeing how I probably wouldn't use many of its features.

BTW, on my headend (Emerald Hills - the county system) Comcast has added a new 1080i (I think from the bitrate) encrypted HD channel at 29-2. This wasn't there last month when I added KICU 706 to my line up. Since 1 analog channel can support 2 HD channels, it's no surprise it's here. Funny they removed analog 29 in my system - it's 860 plant...

Anyways, I wonder if it's TBS-HD already there, just not mapped to the STB's yet.

Thanks,
Mike

While we're on the topic of the Padres/Rockies game, does anyone know if we are going to get the TBS post-season coverage in HD in the Bay Area Comcast system? Haven't been able to find the one-game playoff anywhere, although I gather that some East Coast Comcast systems have it. It would sure be a bummer to have to watch a chunk of the post-season in low def.

per mikef5 we're getting it tomorrow, no worries.

For TiVo owners, priority list for the fall update to FW 9.1, link thanks to bfdtv in the TiVo thread.

http://research.tivo.com/91priority/index.htm

For TiVo owners, priority list for the fall update to FW 9.1, link thanks to bfdtv in the TiVo thread.

http://research.tivo.com/91priority/index.htm

Thanks Jim, I just finished signing up. I don't know how much better they can make this thing, it does just about everything I can think of except I do have the loss of video once in a while so hopefully this will be addressed in the update. Other than that this thing is rock solid ( and trust me I've been putting it through every test/function I can think of and it just keeps on ticking ) ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Interesting article that reinforces what I have been trying to convey: http://www.tvpredictions.com/cable100100207.htm

Thanks,
mike

per mikef5 we're getting it tomorrow, no worries.

Thanks much, and my apologies for not reading far enough back in the thread. I've been out of town and haven't kept up with The Most Important Thread in AVS-Land.

Interesting article that reinforces what I have been trying to convey: http://www.tvpredictions.com/cable100100207.htm

Thanks,
mike

To be honest, if I could get 35-40 HD channels, in the typical Comcast quality, the channels that I want, like FX, SciFi, USA etc, I would be happy. Channels like TBS-HD, A&E, NGC, TLC, etc. simply aren't that important to me. TBS-HD for example will stay dead on my system as soon as the baseball playoffs are over.

I understand that everyone has different tastes, but to load up on HD channels just for the sake of having the "most" is of no interest to me.

I just wish I could get more than the 11 I'm getting now, but the addition of channels like the second group I mentioned above aren't going to get me to spend more money with Comcast, the first bunch definitely will though.

To be honest, if I could get 35-40 HD channels, in the typical Comcast quality, the channels that I want, like FX, SciFi, USA etc, I would be happy. Channels like TBS-HD, A&E, NGC, TLC, etc. simply aren't that important to me. TBS-HD for example will stay dead on my system as soon as the baseball playoffs are over.

I understand that everyone has different tastes, but to load up on HD channels just for the sake of having the "most" is of no interest to me.

I just wish I could get more than the 11 I'm getting now, but the addition of channels like the second group I mentioned above aren't going to get me to spend more money with Comcast, the first bunch definitely will though.

That's the rub... You have one set of channels you really like, and others have other channels they really want to see (like HIST-HD for me). If everyone only cared about the same 5 channels life would be easy for the MSO's.

Thanks,
mike

That's the rub... You have one set of channels you really like, and others have other channels they really want to see (like HIST-HD for me). If everyone only cared about the same 5 channels life would be easy for the MSO's.

Thanks,
mike

No, they should only care about the channels I want!:D

Yeah, that's the main problem with HD channels. You can have 100 but if no one likes them...

The other is that, yes, they are creating new HD channels, but they just have HD in the name, most of the programming is SD or worse SD stretched. I know that it's not that easy, that production costs, blah, blah, but then why create the HD channel?

and the last, and maybe more important thing, how much business is Comcast going to get having 100 HD channels? I think we are minority, nobody cares about HD. So if Comcast or any company is not getting money by adding HD channels, it will take more time for them to add those channels.

I'm thinking about getting a Tivo HD, but I got my 6410 a while ago and I'm grandfathered into getting ESPN for no extra charge.

If I do get the Tivo, am I still going to get ESPN if I return the 6410?

And how much does Comcast charge per month for the new Mutli Cable Cards?

For TiVo owners, priority list for the fall update to FW 9.1, link thanks to bfdtv in the TiVo thread.

http://research.tivo.com/91priority/index.htm

e-sata isn't enabled on this version is it? i have qualms about opening up my tivo but i desperately want more space because the tivo apparently likes to record everything under the sun!

Yeah, that's the main problem with HD channels. You can have 100 but if no one likes them...

The other is that, yes, they are creating new HD channels, but they just have HD in the name, most of the programming is SD or worse SD stretched. I know that it's not that easy, that production costs, blah, blah, but then why create the HD channel?

and the last, and maybe more important thing, how much business is Comcast going to get having 100 HD channels? I think we are minority, nobody cares about HD. So if Comcast or any company is not getting money by adding HD channels, it will take more time for them to add those channels.

A few points:

1) DirecTV from what I undersatnd agreed to pay the programmers more money for HD than they did for the SD alone. This is something the cable guys have tended to resist as a matter of principle as they have been trying to restrain the growth in programming fees. Not only that, but in some cases, DirceTV got a discount on the first contract term because they were the launch customer, meaning that when Comcast etc... got around to try and do the same deal, they would end up paying more than DirecTV.

2) Not all customers have the same amount of profit. Customers that take a lot of premium channels are more more profitable to the cable guys than those who just take basic. So if you top 10% of customers in terms of video ARPU leave, that is much more than a 10% hit on profits. Many of these high end customers are who DirecTV is targeting. For example, if you pay for HBO, and on Comcast you get 1 HBO channel in HD, and 5 in SD, but on DirecTV for a lower price you get all 6 HD, why wouldn't you seriously consider moving? if a lot of people do that, it will hurt the bottom line.

3) The folks who are pure analog and not digital are the reason they are short of spectrum. But they are some of the least profitable subs for the cable guys. Not only do they not get premiums, etc..., but they can't purchase PPV and other very profitable ondemand products because they don't have a box to do it with.

4) If cablecard had been pushed by these guys instead of fought, pretty much every flat panel set would have had one by now, and you would have had folks who only wanted 1 remote to deal with be fully digital capable. But cablelabs made it so hard to build products with cablecard in them that you now see sets with just qam tuners in them, and no cablecard. So they need a STB and consumers have the hassle of two remotes, etc... So the analog tier will not be going away anytime soon. Which means they won't be able to get parity with the DBS guys for some time to come.

This is a big headache for the cable guys and is depressing the stock price, which should be soaring because of the clock cleaning that is being done on voice...

Thanks,
Mike

A few points:



This is a big headache for the cable guys and is depressing the stock price, which should be soaring because of the clock cleaning that is being done on voice...

Thanks,
Mike

No kidding, the phone thing seems to be almost all profit for virtually no bandwidth hit.

Regarding the premium channels, Comcast's rates for these channels is around 30% higher than either of the satcos. I've often wondered why there is such a disparity.

e-sata isn't enabled on this version is it? i have qualms about opening up my tivo but i desperately want more space because the tivo apparently likes to record everything under the sun!

No, it doesn't appear to be.

e-sata isn't enabled on this version is it? i have qualms about opening up my tivo but i desperately want more space because the tivo apparently likes to record everything under the sun!
The initial TiVo HD OS didn't support e-sata at all. The first update they sent out worked with e-sata, but you need to manually do the drive marriage (ie pull the drives and run winmfs or mfslive). So far there hasn't been any reports of "kickstart 62" e-sata support where you don't need to open anything up, just connect an e-sata enclosure. "kickstart 62" has only worked on S3s so far.

I'm thinking about getting a Tivo HD, but I got my 6410 a while ago and I'm grandfathered into getting ESPN for no extra charge.

If I do get the Tivo, am I still going to get ESPN if I return the 6410?

And how much does Comcast charge per month for the new Mutli Cable Cards?
From what I have seen, grandfather is attached to the account, not the equipment, so it should stay even if you change out equipment to TiVo.

$1.79 is the CableCARD charge most people have reported.

$1.79 is the CableCARD charge most people have reported.

for single M-Card?

To be honest, if I could get 35-40 HD channels, in the typical Comcast quality, the channels that I want, like FX, SciFi, USA etc, I would be happy. Channels like TBS-HD, A&E, NGC, TLC, etc. simply aren't that important to me. TBS-HD for example will stay dead on my system as soon as the baseball playoffs are over.

I understand that everyone has different tastes, but to load up on HD channels just for the sake of having the "most" is of no interest to me.

I just wish I could get more than the 11 I'm getting now, but the addition of channels like the second group I mentioned above aren't going to get me to spend more money with Comcast, the first bunch definitely will though.
I'm of the same opinion. I'm confident there is a core set of 30-40 channels (regardless of HD or analog SD versions) that 80-90% of the customer base watches. As long as Comcast gets that core set in HD they'll be fine. On the flip side, they could drop analog channels outside that core set and very few would care, and even fewer would care enough to jump ship.

I do get some sense that DirectTV is making this HD competition a numbers game about quantity rather than quality. How many versions of HBO and SHO does one really need?

for single M-Card?
From what I can tell talking to my local office and reading reports on other Comcast areas, they are just phasing in M-Cards in place of S-Cards and the same rules apply. 1 outlet included with service. Outlet includes 1 SD STB or CableCARD. If your single device needs 2 cards (regardless of M-Card or S-Card), A/O Fee + $1.79. If your single device needs 1 card, just A/O Fee.

To be honest, if I could get 35-40 HD channels, in the typical Comcast quality, the channels that I want, like FX, SciFi, USA etc, I would be happy. Channels like TBS-HD, A&E, NGC, TLC, etc. simply aren't that important to me. TBS-HD for example will stay dead on my system as soon as the baseball playoffs are over.

Though now with my TiVo HD the SDs look much better than with my crummy Moto box (hopefully returning today).

I understand that everyone has different tastes, but to load up on HD channels just for the sake of having the "most" is of no interest to me.

I just wish I could get more than the 11 I'm getting now, but the addition of channels like the second group I mentioned above aren't going to get me to spend more money with Comcast, the first bunch definitely will though.

Just give us HD.net and I won't have fantasies cutting down the trees in my complex so I can switch to satellite. Though the TiVo HD has certianly cushioned the fall.

What would be the latest/best replacement for the original DCT6412, phase I?
(I'm sticking with the Motos for now, but I would like the optimized SD picture, HDMI connections, and the expanded memory) Also, does anyone know what the 10th Street San Jose Comcast office has in stock and will offer for a trade-in upgrade?

From what I can tell talking to my local office and reading reports on other Comcast areas, they are just phasing in M-Cards in place of S-Cards and the same rules apply.


c3
Advanced Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Silicon Valley, USA
Posts: 672

Sillycon Valley? - MCards in use since April. Should specify though, SCards are in the mix.

Hope someone here's lineup changes this week . . .

What would be the latest/best replacement for the original DCT6412,

Try a DCH3416. Latest & Greatest. Same great UI you've come to love. More capacity. Leet Bloo display. HDMI cable included.

Sillycon Valley?

Sillycon Valley in Cally-Fornnya

TBS IS UP on 735 in the Dublin Area. I wonder why its after the pay channels. Seems like an odd spot, but I will take it. Currently they got on Jerry Seinfeld. Looks pretty good

Try a DCH3416. Latest & Greatest. Same great UI you've come to love. More capacity. Leet Bloo display. HDMI cable included.

Thanks! Seems like that's the one to go with for my purposes.
Is there any significance for the change from DCT to DCH....
as far as I can tell, it simply means it has host capabilities?

TBS-HD also up here on 735. DCT-6200 has guide data but TiVo S3 doesn't have guide data yet (except it's viewable).

Needs some info. My brother lives in the Richmond District in SF, around Balboa and 29th.

1. Where is the closet Comcast office, and will they let you exchange a non-HD STB for an HD STB, and are they open on Sat?

2. What HD channels are available in that area?

Thanks.

Needs some info. My brother lives in the Richmond District in SF, around Balboa and 29th.
1. Where is the closet Comcast office, and will they let you exchange a non-HD STB for an HD STB, and are they open on Sat?


If he has a Comcast account, he can log in to the website and go to "Pay my Bill"....."Find a Payment Center" where it will list all the Comcast offices in his area. I know the offices in the South Bay are open Saturdays from 8am to 6pm.

TBS IS UP on 735 in the Dublin Area. I wonder why its after the pay channels. Seems like an odd spot, but I will take it. Currently they got on Jerry Seinfeld. Looks pretty good

It is up in Rohnert Park as well on 735. I think there will be a channel realignment, specifically with the premium channels late this month when more HD stations come on board. It makes sense, they've got to leave room for more expansion and now is the time to do it.

If he has a Comcast account, he can log in to the website and go to "Pay my Bill"....."Find a Payment Center" where it will list all the Comcast offices in his area. I know the offices in the South Bay are open Saturdays from 8am to 6pm.

That's true, I didn't think of that. I'll look it up myself. Thanks. :)

Someone mentioned that Comcast does not want to pay more for HD + SD from a broadcaster. It certainly makes sense and I think is the RightThing. Unfortunately Comcast fails to apply the same logic to its customers.

Hope someone here's lineup changes this week . . .
Dave,

You know if mine changed it would be posted in bold and in 7 point fonts :D

Laters,
Mikef5

TBS HD is now showing up in the Guide on Ch 735. But Ch 735 still has the dreaded This channel will be available shortly message down here in san jose.

735 TBS-HD up here. It's standard-def stretch-o-vision, but it's up...

Is there any significance for the change from DCT to DCH....as far as I can tell, it simply means it has host capabilities?

Oh, I imagine there are upgrades in the box to support future gizmos that all require more overhead. I also think it's the best yet at noise abatement. Got to say this is Moto's 4th generation of boxes equipped with hard drives, and every time they get better at it.

Mine has been better than the last DCT3416 I had in the responsiveness area, but still sometimes regresses to that 'drunken box syndrome' when it just cannot follow commands.

Dave,
You know if mine changed it would be posted in bold and in 7 point fonts :D


Remember the old camp story?
I am bloody fingers and I am in your town . . . booha ha ha. :p:p

Some more should go up tonite.

I'm fairly sure the DCH only does digital, I seem to remember reading that either here or on Moto's site. It doesn't use the analog channels at all. It's also got a cable card in it as per the new regs requiring everyone to use them. More at http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/02/motorolas-dch3416-m-card-enabled-hd-dvr/. It's a decent replacement for the older ones, much faster, more capacity. On demand is still horribly slow is my only complaint with it.

It's still no Tivo though.

My TivoHD picked TBS HD on 735, No Guide. The CSPAN2 has been dropped.
I just wonder why TIVO did not show any message for the lineup change.

735 popped up for me in Redwood Shores (not sure when, was fooling around getting my TiVoHD updated to 9.1), but it is all over the place. Goes for about 5 seconds then drops out, pixelates, then goes for another few seconds and repeats. Signal strength is at 100...

Interesting since every other channel comes in perfectly on both my S3 and TiVoHD. I would check the S3 but it has been recording on both tuners all night now :)

Not too worried yet, as there is no guide data, but once the channels get all settled and it continues may have to drag Comcast out..

TBS-HD in 735 here in South San Jose. Of course it's only showing This channel should be available shortly.

Based on the guide it seems they are showing East programming.

My TivoHD picked TBS HD on 735, No Guide. The CSPAN2 has been dropped.
I just wonder why TIVO did not show any message for the lineup change.

The reason maybe that TBS-HD was not to go active "officially until the 15th of Oct"., Mr. J. got them to launch it on the 3rd here so you guys could watch the baseball playoffs. Since this was an unplanned addition, the people that do the guide updates don't know that the channel was actually added earlier than planned in our area. Just my guess but I'd bet dollars to donuts that is the case.. ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Oh, I imagine there are upgrades in the box to support future gizmos that all require more overhead. I also think it's the best yet at noise abatement. Got to say this is Moto's 4th generation of boxes equipped with hard drives, and every time they get better at it.

Mine has been better than the last DCT3416 I had in the responsiveness area, but still sometimes regresses to that 'drunken box syndrome' when it just cannot follow commands.It's so much better looking than the DCT boxes. That alone is worth the upgrade.

Remember the old camp story?
I am bloody fingers and I am in your town . . . booha ha ha. :p:p

Some more should go up tonite.

Dave,

You're such a tease... :p ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I can't take much more of having 9 HDTV channels especially when you guys in the high bandwidth areas are gonna get the playoffs in HD!!!!! Oh well at least we are supposed to get upgraded pretty soon but i am so getting impatient!!!

Does anyone know about the upgrade progress in Hayward. I've been seeing tons of comcast trucks all thru the area.

And does anyone know what the channel list will be.

Try a DCH3416. Latest & Greatest. Same great UI you've come to love. More capacity. Leet Bloo display. HDMI cable included.

I'm assuming that the DCH3416 aren't available for the 550Mhz'ers, since the DCH3416 is all-digital :(

I can't take much more of having 9 HDTV channels especially when you guys in the high bandwidth areas are gonna get the playoffs in HD!!!!! Oh well at least we are supposed to get upgraded pretty soon but i am so getting impatient!!!

Does anyone know about the upgrade progress in Hayward. I've been seeing tons of comcast trucks all thru the area.

And does anyone know what the channel list will be.

I'm also wondering about the status of the Hayward upgrade.

DirecTV added SciFi-HD and USA-HD today...along with a bunch of other stuff.

Time to get off the pot Comcast. :rolleyes:

It's so much better looking than the DCT boxes. That alone is worth the upgrade.

Except for the bright, white display that I don't care for.

DirecTV added SciFi-HD and USA-HD today...along with a bunch of other stuff.

Time to get off the pot Comcast. :rolleyes:

scifi-HD is only useful to me until BSG ends.

usa-HD stuff usually reruns on UHD.

i'm ehh on them, i don't mind waiting 3 months to watch BSG reruns on UHD. FX-hd would be great.

All:

Any thoughts as to what is going on with my cable. I was having problems with my reception (I'm a Tivo Series 3 user) and tried to disconnect my cable but got strong electrical shocks every time I touched/manipulated the cable. Is that an issue coming from the head end to the house, Tivo box back up the line or could it be an internal wiring problem? How might I go about diagnosing the issue?

Thx.
John

All:

Any thoughts as to what is going on with my cable. I was having problems with my reception (I'm a Tivo Series 3 user) and tried to disconnect my cable but got strong electrical shocks every time I touched/manipulated the cable. Is that an issue coming from the head end to the house, Tivo box back up the line or could it be an internal wiring problem? How might I go about diagnosing the issue?

Thx.
John

John,

You need to unplug the Tivo and have it checked out by an electrician, you should never get even a minor shock from the unit at all. My guess is there is an internal short or ground to the case of the Tivo. Unless you are an electrician don't try and troubleshoot the problem yourself. If it were me I'd unplug it and take it back for a replacement.

Laters,
Mikef5

All:

Any thoughts as to what is going on with my cable. I was having problems with my reception (I'm a Tivo Series 3 user) and tried to disconnect my cable but got strong electrical shocks every time I touched/manipulated the cable. Is that an issue coming from the head end to the house, Tivo box back up the line or could it be an internal wiring problem? How might I go about diagnosing the issue?

Thx.
John
John,

Another thought just occurred to me. What kind of shoes are you wearing ?? I know that sounds strange but it does sometimes happen to me. I have a pair of loafers that have rubber soles and in dry air days you will build up a static charge in your body and since the rubber sole isolates you from the ground, when you touch metal you will get a static shock. Try grounding yourself before you touch the cable and see if you still get shocked, if you do get rid of the box or have it fixed by an electrician, don't do it yourself.

Laters,
Mikef5

The shock was not coming from the box; rather, it was coming from the cable itself. I think I was barefoot. I did have a drop amp (a motorola) in the equation that may have something to do with it; I had installed it because I was getting poor reception. I removed the drop amp and it seems to have made the issue go away. I'll see what happens tonight.

Thx.
John

scifi-HD is only useful to me until BSG ends.

usa-HD stuff usually reruns on UHD.

i'm ehh on them, i don't mind waiting 3 months to watch BSG reruns on UHD. FX-hd would be great.

You don't mind waiting 3 months considering this long wait we have now?

I love HD, but when great content is there, I'm not going to wait. I'd love SciFi-HD now so we get the BSG movie and the last season in HD without having to wait.

Also for USA-HD, it would be nice if "The 4400" returns to have it in HD. It's noted as being filmed in HD, but the SD and even the SD-DVD's look horrible.

Sci-Fi does a lot of lightweight movies mainly for their Saturday night venue which I would find more fun to watch in HD. Some make it onto Universal HD and many are released to DVD. Some of their series would be more fun to watch in HD than the blurry off color SD available.

You don't mind waiting 3 months considering this long wait we have now?

I love HD, but when great content is there, I'm not going to wait. I'd love SciFi-HD now so we get the BSG movie and the last season in HD without having to wait.

Also for USA-HD, it would be nice if "The 4400" returns to have it in HD. It's noted as being filmed in HD, but the SD and even the SD-DVD's look horrible.

Law and Order Criminal Intent Season 7 premieres on USA tomorrow in HD. I'm with Keenan on this, but I want HIST in HD as well for dogfights, modern marvels and a bunch of other HD programs.

Thx
Mike

DirecTV added SciFi-HD and USA-HD today...along with a bunch of other stuff.

Time to get off the pot Comcast. :rolleyes:

Actually, I think the added 11 more HD channels today. 3 more premium movie channels, plus bravo HD and the ones you mentioned, and 5 more regional sports networks.

Still more in the pipeline for end of quarter.

Thanks,
Mike

scifi-HD is only useful to me until BSG ends.

usa-HD stuff usually reruns on UHD.

i'm ehh on them, i don't mind waiting 3 months to watch BSG reruns on UHD. FX-hd would be great.

All personal preference of course, but,

USA - The 4400, Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, L&O Criminal Intent(thanks MikeSM, forgot that one :-) )
SciFi - BSG, Stargate Atlantis, Eureka

I have basic cable and TV without HD subscription. Until yesterday I could receive SD and HD versions of couple local channels just using CableCard tuner. I've noticed that Comcast made update of their channels. I did rescan and now I can receive:
1. SD versions of almost all analog channels
2. A couple more additional SD channels like CNN, TVLAND
3. KRONHD

Any ideas how permanent this change could be? Or I need to add $5 per month for renting security card :)

Thanks.

Actually, I think the added 11 more HD channels today. 3 more premium movie channels, plus bravo HD and the ones you mentioned, and 5 more regional sports networks.

Still more in the pipeline for end of quarter.

Thanks,
Mike

Yeah, I just didn't list them all.

Bravo HD
USA Network HD
SciFi Channel HD
HBO West
Cinemax
Cinemax West

YESHD
NESNHD
SNYHD
CSN Mid-Atlantic HD
CSN Chicago HD

Apparently those RSNs are available everywhere if you purchase the Sports Pack.

Waiting to hear how these new HD channels from Direct compare to comcast HD??

thanks,

yep, it may be about time to switch. baseball season is over and I can keep basic cable for the local HDs now that I have a tv with QAM.

does directv have a HD tivo yet?

yep, it may be about time to switch. baseball season is over and I can keep basic cable for the local HDs now that I have a tv with QAM.

does directv have a HD tivo yet?

No TiVo based model. The HR20 isn't too bad, does what it's supposed to. I don't like the way it does the 30-sec skip, it's actually a fast forward 30 sec instead of jumping 30sec ahead, but you can hit the button 6 times in a row and it will complete the 3 min fast forward. It lists what being recorded in the guide which is nice, TiVo doesn't do that. I've had it for about 3-4 weeks now and I'm pretty happy with it. Adding more storage is very simple as well.

Waiting to hear how these new HD channels from Direct compare to comcast HD??

thanks,

I still haven't got around to comparing yet, trying to weed out the shows I want to keep for the season so I'm still trying to catch up on the viewing. I'm keeping a couple of CSI Miami, Cold Case and some ABC shows right now to compare with, just need to set aside some time.

Does anyone know whether TBS-HD has reached Moraga, and if not, whether it will? It was not in the guide when I left for work this morning.

Here's a comparison, watching "Life" on USA-HD right now and it looks virtually the same as it did on NBC the other day. "Fast and Furious" looked good earlier as well.

Helloooo..?? Anybody home at Comcast?? :p:D

Did anyone lose all channels in Hayward earlier today?

Except for the bright, white display that I don't care for.What bright white display? I don't notice any big difference in the display on the DCH3416 compared to the DCT3412.

Now that the channels have come back on, HD theater is sort of ghosting.:confused:

The shock was not coming from the box; rather, it was coming from the cable itself. I think I was barefoot. I did have a drop amp (a motorola) in the equation that may have something to do with it; I had installed it because I was getting poor reception. I removed the drop amp and it seems to have made the issue go away. I'll see what happens tonight.

Thx.
JohnIt sounds like a grounding issue or an outlet wired out of phase. If you have two units connected to each other, with out of phase power, the exact thing you are describing would happen.

You can check with a multi-meter:

Check voltage between neutral (wider slot) and ground. It should read zero. If it reads 100-120, you are out of phase. If it reads any more than a fraction of a volt, but not 100+, you have something wrong with your ground.

Also, check the voltage from hot (narrow slot) to ground. That should read 100-120. If it doesn't, there is a gound problem.

Also, check the voltage between hot and neutral. It should read 100-120. If it reads zero, or a low number, but was 100-120 between hot and ground, then there is a problem with the neutral causing all of the current to use ground instead of neutral. That is bad too. Could cause the shocks you were getting from the cable.

Or...There is also simple electrical outlet tester you can buy from a hardware store for $5-$10. It looks like a plug with a few LEDs. You plug it into the outlet, and depending on which LEDs light up, you can tell if there is a problem, and what the problem is.

I just got a message on my Tivo S3 that Bravo has been moved from 48 to 181 and that any scheduled recordings on Bravo will be moved to 181 also. Problem is, there is nothing showing on 181 and my DCT3412 in the bedroom still shows Bravo on 48.

So I guess the Tivo/Zap2It guides are just wrong. Not a good mistake to make the night of the finale of Top Chef and premier of Better Half! Anyone out there expecting their Tivo to record either of these shows better go add a manual recording for channel 48. Then again, Bravo shows repeats all week long, over and over and over...

Anyone noticing periodic dropouts on the TBS-HD broadcast of the D-Backs/Cubs game? You get a picture freeze and the DD broadcast audio feed drops out for a second or so. I'm trying to figure out if this a TBS network thing or a Comcast problem.

Tom--the reception for the Cubs v D-Backs is atrocious!

Anyone noticing periodic dropouts on the TBS-HD broadcast of the D-Backs/Cubs game? You get a picture freeze and the DD broadcast audio feed drops out for a second or so. I'm trying to figure out if this a TBS network thing or a Comcast problem.
Tom,

While I don't get TBS-HD I did watch the game on the analog channel and noticed several dropouts throughout the game so it was happening on both channels. Man, I can't believe I really watched an analog channel.... :eek:

Laters,
Mikef5

I'm also wondering about the status of the Hayward upgrade.

Wohoo... I just talked to a CSR at the Bay Area call center.

The CSR mentioned that the Hayward upgrade is currently on track to be completed sometime in December :eek:

I wonder what month that translates to in real time ;)

I know I might in the minority as a trivia buff and someone who enjoys trivia in HD, but did anyone catch the latest ep of Jeopardy!?

It was in SD on KGO on Comcast. Anyone know what happened?

I noticed something screwy with my channels last night, so I did a channel scan. I am now able to receive KRON-HD, KICU-HD, and CW-HD...so it appears the upgrade for my section of Milpitas (Great Mall area) is done.

The channel placement also appears shuffled. NBC-HD was moved from 33.1 to 11.1 which is more logical, however KRON-HD is 138.1 or something like that.

BTW I have analog expanded basic cable.

Some clarifications from Comcast

I just received an email from Mr. J. and he would like to try and clarify somethings that have been posted here to help us understand what Comcast is doing. Here is the email as I received it.....

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since there seems to be some issues that could use some facts, can you post the comments below.
thanks
============================
I've been concerned about some inaccurate information that has been popping up on the Forum recently so I'd like to take a moment to help "clarify".

Wohoo... I just talked to a CSR at the Bay Area call center. The CSR mentioned that the Hayward upgrade is currently on track to be completed sometime in December. I wonder what month that translates to in real time.

With 637 miles of fiber that will need to be placed, and over 107,000 homes which will require curbside work, all neighborhoods in Hayward will have the new network in place by next December (2008). As always, when work is completed and tested in a specific neighborhood we will activate the new network in that specific neighborhood. For example, we turned on about 2,000 homes in Sunnyvale and 2,000 homes in Milpitas the last seven days, and we will continue to roll-out the new technology using that phased approach.

TBS IS UP on 735 in the Dublin Area. I wonder why its after the pay channels. Seems like an odd spot, but I will take it. Currently they got on Jerry Seinfeld. Looks pretty good

In the future we will need to realign our the HD channel numbers in the Bay Area. We do not have any timeline for when that realignment will take place. It is accurate to state that the recently activated neighborhoods in Sunnyvale and Milpitas will have the "new" HD channel alignment at the outset.

Anyone noticing periodic dropouts on the TBS-HD broadcast of the D-Backs/Cubs game? You get a picture freeze and the DD broadcast audio feed drops out for a second or so. I'm trying to figure out if this a TBS network thing or a Comcast problem.

As was pointed out by others, the problem with the signal originated from the TBS facilities in Arizona/Atlanta. Both standard and high-definition signals were impacted. I need to remind everyone about the Sun Outages/Tiling item that MikeF5 posted a few weeks ago. During this period of solar interference it is not unusual to see a momentary "blip/s" outside of the mid-morning to late afternoon time range when we know interference of satellite signals will be the highest. That may explain what caused the interference last night, but we can't be 100% positive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope that helps explain a couple of things that have happened or is happening right now. As you can see Mr. J. does read this forum when time permits and makes a concerted effort to answer these concerns when he can.

Laters,
Mikef5

I just received an email from Mr. J. .....

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

With 637 miles of fiber that will need to be placed, and over 107,000 homes which will require curbside work, all neighborhoods in Hayward will have the new network in place by next December (2008). As always, when work is completed and tested in a specific neighborhood we will activate the new network in that specific neighborhood. For example, we turned on about 2,000 homes in Sunnyvale and 2,000 homes in Milpitas the last seven days, and we will continue to roll-out the new technology using that phased approach.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Laters,
Mikef5

Well, I haven't really seen any trucks in my neck of Sunnyvale, but I don't usually get home from work til at least 4:30. I presume Sunnyvale is ahead of Hayward as far as progress of the upgrades, so I'm guessing I won't be seeing any new HD channels for quite some time, but by/before Dec. '08.

hi i just have a question. do i need to have access to the premium HD channels (like HBO or showtime) to be able to see TBS HD on channel 735? I don't remember seeing this channel last night during the cubs/diamondbacks game. thanks!

No you don't need access to the Premium HD channels to get TBS-HD. Check channel 735.

"In the future we will need to realign our the HD channel numbers in the Bay Area." They need to realign ALL the channel numbers in the Bay Area, not just HD.

Mr. J should take a look at how Dish Network does it. It's one of the few things they do right, and they do it very very right.

what is wrong with the current channels?

They have aligned the channels by genre in Analog and is almost the same in digital. They start with kids channels, they have a section for Discovery related channels, all the 400's are for sports and the end they have music channels, in the 500s is all about movies, and the 600s is for spanish channels.
Maybe they could realign some channels, but most of them are in the proper group.

Some clarifications from Comcast

I just received an email from Mr. J. and he would like to try and clarify somethings that have been posted here to help us understand what Comcast is doing. Here is the email as I received it.....

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Since there seems to be some issues that could use some facts, can you post the comments below.
thanks
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I've been concerned about some inaccurate information that has been popping up on the Forum recently so I'd like to take a moment to help "clarify".



With 637 miles of fiber that will need to be placed, and over 107,000 homes which will require curbside work, all neighborhoods in Hayward will have the new network in place by next December (2008). As always, when work is completed and tested in a specific neighborhood we will activate the new network in that specific neighborhood. For example, we turned on about 2,000 homes in Sunnyvale and 2,000 homes in Milpitas the last seven days, and we will continue to roll-out the new technology using that phased approach.




:eek: Wow, I'd hate to be in the last neighborhood in Hayward.

:eek: Wow, I'd hate to be in the last neighborhood in Hayward.

Don't worry Santa Rosa will be ready until Dec 2010. :p

what is wrong with the current channels?All of the local broadcast channels should be numbered according to their actual broadcast channel numbers. 11 should be 11. 26 should be 26. 44 should be 44, etc.

The rest of the "analog" channels are not as logically grouped as you seem to believe. Although, the digital channels are pretty decently grouped. But, the fact that analog channels are split from digital channels of the same genre is ridiculous. It is unnecessary in this age of digital receivers. The channels can be mapped any way they desire by the box.

:eek: Wow, I'd hate to be in the last neighborhood in Hayward.
Actually, that Dec 2008 date is what was posted originally when Comcast first made the announcement that they were going to upgrade ALL the 550 MHz areas by that time frame. I would almost bet Hayward would be done long before that date, unless there is some major problem that occurs.

Laters,
Mikef5

How Comcast plans to reclaim bandwidth, interesting reading......

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=135458&site=cdn

Laters,
Mikef5

Tyre,
I just setup my new LCD HDTV with integrated tuner and I'm trying to figure out the Comcast channel line-up. Have you seen a list of channels available via Comcast in the bay area with the non-Comcast channel numbers (i.e. 11-1, 33-2, etc.)? Haven't found anything in this forum, though I may have missed it.
Thanks!
-Tom

How Comcast plans to reclaim bandwidth, interesting reading......

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=135458&site=cdn

Laters,
Mikef5"improved" compression scheme without affecting video quality.
Why am I skeptical? And I wonder if it works with TiVo, we already know SDV does not.

"improved" compression scheme without affecting video quality.
Why am I skeptical? And I wonder if it works with TiVo, we already know SDV does not.

Hiker,

From the little I've been able to find out about it, it is based on Mpeg2 compression so it should work with Tivo without any change. The Mpeg4 compression might be more problematic for Tivo unless Mpeg4 is built into the box or not or can be added to it later... I still have a lot to learn about my Tivo ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I think the decoder that is in the TiVos is capable of MPEG4 decoding, but I'm not sure it has the associated "horsepower" to actually do it.

TiVo has talked about a "dongle" that should solve the SDV problem, they "seem" very confident it will be available in the first half of next year...

"improved" compression scheme without affecting video quality.
Why am I skeptical? And I wonder if it works with TiVo, we already know SDV does not.

I am pretty sure what they are talking about is gear that transrates multiple MPEG2 streams in realtime. That is, let's say you have 12 SD channels in a 6 Mhz package, based on the case that you have to constantly allocate for each SD channel the peak data rate that signal could consume. Well, turns out, most of the time, the data streams are well below the peak rate, so capacity is sitting around idle.

What you can do today dynamically allocate capacity to each channel, and when you have overlapping peaks, then the hardware at the hub transcodes the MPEG2 streams to a lower bit rate for the peaking streams, effectively "shaving" capacity per stream so they all fit in the capacity available. So for example, you could fit 18 SD streams in a 6 mhz channel instead of 12.

The savings are even bigger for HD because the peak to average ratio is higher than for SD. You should only need to reduce the quality for a second or few seconds in realtime when you get overlapping peaks.

Generally, you can't really tell this is going on. The impact on quality is slight and fleeting, but it saves quite a bit of capacity. Of course, you could overuse it and get a bigger hit to quality, but the MSO's tend not to do this.

This doesn't affect the endpoints, as they just display the "shaped" stream. No CPE changes required.

SDV on the other hand, screws everything that is not a two way box. Though just for the channels that are supported using SDV. So let's say they add 20 new HD channels using SDV (effectively turning them into on-demand streams). If you had a Tivo, you could still access all the other HD channels that are simulcast, but you would not be able to view the 20 new HD channels. If you had the comcast STB, then you could still see all of them, even if it was a new cablecard equipped STB, because DSG and other techniques.

Basically if you can't do on-demand, which Tivo's and MCE media centers can't, you won't be able to see programming that is sent via SDV exclusive transport. Channel changing takes longer for SDV channels, just like starting up an ondemand stream. In general it's not too bad.

Time-warner has deployed SDV pretty extensively and has had good luck with it. Comcast isn't really a technology leader per se among the MSO's, but given how well it's worked on other operators, I think when it shows up here it'll work pretty well - most of the bugs have been ironed out by now.

Thanks,
mike

Actually, that Dec 2008 date is what was posted originally when Comcast first made the announcement that they were going to upgrade ALL the 550 MHz areas by that time frame. I would almost bet Hayward would be done long before that date, unless there is some major problem that occurs.

Laters,
Mikef5

I'm sure it was. The bottom line though is that they waited too long to start the upgrades. Business decision, whatever, that doesn't matter to the customer that wants more HD. Comcast's HD lineup is going to look utterly pathetic when compared to the satcos, it already does, and at the snails pace they are adding channels that situation doesn't look to improve anytime soon.

Both the TiVo Series 3 and the TiVo HD have hardware to do MPEG-4 decoding (see http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5332428&&#post5332428).

"improved" compression scheme without affecting video quality.
Why am I skeptical? And I wonder if it works with TiVo, we already know SDV does not.

Might be something along these lines, I asked the same question in the Comcast Technology thread and AVS member holl_ands posted these links.

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=132997
http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=32796

I think the decoder that is in the TiVos is capable of MPEG4 decoding, but I'm not sure it has the associated "horsepower" to actually do it.

TiVo has talked about a "dongle" that should solve the SDV problem, they "seem" very confident it will be available in the first half of next year...

That's sort of what I thought, it would've been very shortsighted of Tivo not to include that in their box and it shouldn't be that hard to mod the box for more horsepower.

As far as the SDV, I don't think we on the "Left Coast" have to worry about it for along time but it would be nice to have the "dongle" so we could use it for VOD ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Both the TiVo Series 3 and the TiVo HD have hardware to do MPEG-4 decoding (see http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5332428&&#post5332428).

That's what I thought, I don't know if it's ever been utilized yet though.

Just checked the specs for the Broadcom chip that the TivoHD uses and it states it can output 1080p.... really ??? Here's the link to the pdf...http://www.broadcom.com/collateral/pb/7401-PB04-R.pdf

Laters,
Mikef5

The Moto DCT boxes can not do MP4 though, so I wouldn't expect to see a wholesale transition to MP4 any time soon. I don't know about the new (DCH?) boxes.

Actually, that Dec 2008 date is what was posted originally when Comcast first made the announcement that they were going to upgrade ALL the 550 MHz areas by that time frame. I would almost bet Hayward would be done long before that date, unless there is some major problem that occurs.

Laters,
Mikef5

I hope you are right Mikef5. I just read Mr. J's comments and I'm shocked to hear completion won't be until Dec. 2008. I recall the timeline announced in December saying upgrades would be made within 18-months. I’m in San Lorenzo, a sub-division of Hayward, and recently got the note from Comcast that upgrades are underway. I hope this isn’t lip service to keep me quiet or from jumping to another provider. Per Keenan’s comment, I really don’t want to be the last neighborhood that gets upgraded.

I hope you are right Mikef5. I just read Mr. J's comments and I'm shocked to hear completion won't be until Dec. 2008. I recall the timeline announced in December saying upgrades would be made within 18-months. I’m in San Lorenzo, a sub-division of Hayward, and recently got the note from Comcast that upgrades are underway. I hope this isn’t lip service to keep me quiet or from jumping to another provider. Per Keenan’s comment, I really don’t want to be the last neighborhood that gets upgraded.

Me too and I think the hayward hills will be the first area in Hayward to be complete, I have no source I just see a ton of trucks in that area everyday and my cable has been acting strange as of late. And like you mentioned I also got the upgrade notice last month and it stated the upgrades would happen in the next 2-3 months.

Tyre,
I just setup my new LCD HDTV with integrated tuner and I'm trying to figure out the Comcast channel line-up. Have you seen a list of channels available via Comcast in the bay area with the non-Comcast channel numbers (i.e. 11-1, 33-2, etc.)? Haven't found anything in this forum, though I may have missed it.
Thanks!
-Tom

Hi Tom,

I sure wish I had something like that! Trying to find a particular channel can be very confusing. I was helping my dad setup his new TV in Fremont (he has analog cable as well) and it was a royal pain trying to find certain channels. It doesn't help that many of the channels and subchannels are duplicated.

Anyone else have any suggestions for finding a semi-accurate list of Comcast channels?

Mr. J should take a look at how Dish Network does it. It's one of the few things they do right, and they do it very very right.

So Comcast should follow Dish Network and start their HD channels on channel 9419?

I think Comcast is doing fine with the channel numbers right now.

So Comcast should follow Dish Network and start their HD channels on channel 9419?Don't be ridiculous. I'm talking about channel grouping, not copying actual numbers.

Hi Tom,

I sure wish I had something like that! Trying to find a particular channel can be very confusing. I was helping my dad setup his new TV in Fremont (he has analog cable as well) and it was a royal pain trying to find certain channels. It doesn't help that many of the channels and subchannels are duplicated.

Anyone else have any suggestions for finding a semi-accurate list of Comcast channels?It might be different for different areas so it is not easy to come up with a list. And Comcast changes the mappings from time to time.

If your TV can show the frequency for each channel or you have a STB or TiVo, see some tips in the TiVo thread here (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=357004).

There's been a lot of trucks in my area too. They have been digging up parts of Hesperian Blvd and working on the telephone poles in my neighborhood so I know the fiber is getting rolled out. Hopefully it will be sooner then later.

Tyre,
I just setup my new LCD HDTV with integrated tuner and I'm trying to figure out the Comcast channel line-up. Have you seen a list of channels available via Comcast in the bay area with the non-Comcast channel numbers (i.e. 11-1, 33-2, etc.)? Haven't found anything in this forum, though I may have missed it.
Thanks!
-Tom
http://www.silicondust.com/wiki/hdhomerun/channels

Generally, you can't really tell this is going on. The impact on quality is slight and fleeting, but it saves quite a bit of capacity. Of course, you could overuse it and get a bigger hit to quality, but the MSO's tend not to do this.
I thought KNTV was using something like this to dynamically allocate bandwidth between SD and HD channels and people were complaining it looked like crap on the transitions. Or was it KGO, I forget.

Just checked the specs for the Broadcom chip that the TivoHD uses and it states it can output 1080p.... really ??? Here's the link to the pdf...http://www.broadcom.com/collateral/pb/7401-PB04-R.pdf
Did they mean 1080p/24 1080p/30 or 1080p/60.

Did they mean 1080p/24 1080p/30 or 1080p/60.

You know it's kind of unclear but the pdf shows 1080p 24/30 which to me would be 1080p/24 and 1080p/30. What I'd really like to know is if this box can actually output 1080p why isn't it one of the available video outputs in the setup and can it be activated to be available with a firmware update ??

Laters,
Mikef5

Don't be ridiculous. I'm talking about channel grouping, not copying actual numbers.

Actually I would agree that Comcast needs better grouping. Much of the similar/related channels are all over the place. Discovery home at 201, GaS at 215, Nick East at 216, (Nicktoons is at 126 but they grouped it with Toon Disney) then Discovery Health at 220, skip a few foreign language channels then we're at 271 - Discovery Times. There's a lot more like this. Its like they group similar channels but there's a gap separating it from the rest of them.

There's been a lot of trucks in my area too. They have been digging up parts of Hesperian Blvd and working on the telephone poles in my neighborhood so I know the fiber is getting rolled out. Hopefully it will be sooner then later.
One can dream, one can dream. Yeah I saw them laying wire on Jackson in Hayward as well.
And how do you scan for channels? I have a comcast provided moto set-top box, is there any way i could do that or do I need extra equipment?

mike I doubt you are missing very much by having the box convert 1080i to 1080p instead of letting your 1080p TV do it.

Besides that you want it to output 1080/60p, otherwise you are missing half the frames - or half the motion information anyway.

I don't even think modern TVs accept 1080/30p, and only a rare handful do 1080/24p - and that's only on Blu-ray/HD-DVD. All the HD signals on the satellite are going to be 720p or 1080i right?

<deleted> User error. =)