Ok, I am completely lost here folks and would really appreciate your help. Small disclaimer - I am a NOOB so lack the proper vocabulary, so please bear with me.

I have a 52" 1080i Panny CRT RPTV. Just recently setup my TV at new condo in Jack London Square, Oakland, with Comcast (using HDMI). Now, for some STRANGE reason, all of HD channels have content that is too big to display correctly on my TV. If I adjust the screen size to make everything fit at the top, then the bottom portion gets cut off, and vice versa. Same thing with side to side.

Is this a setting issue? HELP???

Oh, I have a 3416 box, latest gen., I believe.

-Jonny

JUst got a DCH3416 and NO Recording light here!!
IS anyone else around here having problems with the 100% full BS. I have read some of the DCH threads and it is mentioned often.

So how do we get Comcast to address this as a firmware upgrade?
(I've reported this bug to my local Comcast office, but don't know
if that will go anywhere)

JUst got a DCH3416 and NO Recording light here!!
.....I called comcast and they told me this unit did not have any record indicator. No reason, just doesn't have it????

That's pure BS. Several users in the other threads reported having the lights display until the last firmware rev! AND, you can see the unlit indicators on the front panel inbetween the "Messages" and "Standby" indicators. (They also appear in photos on the official Moto User's Guide)

mfjohnny, make sure the Panny's display settings are correct. You should have the following options: full, zoom, just, and something else. You want to make sure you're using 'Full' when tuned to an HD channel (it should do this by default though). You should not have 'stretch' or 'zoom' at all. I have the 47" version of your TV so PM me if you have any questions.

I thought bay area was going to get Fox Business Network today?? I remember reading an Comcast pr postings awhile back, that bay area the was included in the national rollout of FBN.

Also for thoses who are playing the comcast moving basic analog channels to digital tier 'At home game' TV Guide network is on ch 111 and AZN is now on ch 240

That's pure BS. Several users in the other threads reported having the lights display until the last firmware rev! AND, you can see the unlit indicators on the front panel inbetween the "Messages" and "Standby" indicators. (They also appear in photos on the official Moto User's Guide)I'm gonna have to go and check because I thought that I was getting a record light when the background tuner was recording. (I can't remember if it was red or white, just that there was something.) Maybe I was at one point, and a FW update killed it? I know it says REC when the watched tuner is recording.

garypen:
The record light(s) should be red, to the left of the channel/time display.
The watched tuner recording still works with a "REC" display. If you DO
still have the recording lights, could you tell us what firmware rev you have?

So how do we get Comcast to address this as a firmware upgrade?
(I've reported this bug to my local Comcast office, but don't know
if that will go anywhere)

MDS54,

Mr. J. is aware of this issue and the techs are looking into the problem. It seems this is a problem on some boxes and not on others. Since my area is not upgraded yet and we're not doing ADS I can't check it myself ( no 34xx box ), so if others are seeing this problem it might be helpful to report it here and if you are seeing the record light report that also.

Laters,
Mikef5

If that's the case, and these different boxes are running the same FW, then there must be some difference in HW between boxes of the same model. Perhaps they used chips from different fabs or something.

In any case, I'll check to see if I still have the lights, what FW I've got.

MDS54,

Mr. J. is aware of this issue and the techs are looking into the problem. It seems this is a problem on some boxes and not on others. Since my area is not upgraded yet and we're not doing ADS I can't check it myself ( no 34xx box ), so if others are seeing this problem it might be helpful to report it here and if you are seeing the record light report that also.

Laters,
Mikef5

Thanks Mike & Mr. J for at least letting us know Comcast is aware of this 100% full error problem. Up until last week, I had been using the DCT6412
(2nd gen) model for the last 3 or 4 yrs, and considering all the record/ deletes I had put on it, I will say it performed very well. It was about 3 weeks ago when I first encountered the 100% full problem. I had it happen about 4 times in the last 3 weeks. So I took it in last week and got their new DCH3416. It performed flawlessly for a week. However last Friday I got the 100% full error on this new box. Grrrrrrrrr !!
I have found, if I record a couple 1-2 minute recordings of miscellanous offerings, when I do get the 100% full message I use these recordings as the sacraficial lambs that I can delete, and then the DVR will read the correct amount of space used. However this only works if I can catch it when it happens...otherwise it will not record.

Firmware 18.34
NO RED DOT RECORD LIGHT either

Thanks Mike for all your help.

MDS54,
Mr. J. is aware of this issue and the techs are looking into the problem. It seems this is a problem on some boxes and not on others. Since my area is not upgraded yet and we're not doing ADS I can't check it myself ( no 34xx box ), so if others are seeing this problem it might be helpful to report it here and if you are seeing the record light report that also.

Alright!!! Mikef5 and Mr. J. come through again! Thank you!!!
I've enclosed two links below from other AVS Comcast threads dealing
with this same issue. It seems that the problem is fairly well widespread
throughout the country. Hopefully it will only require a firmware update.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=916296

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=789805&page=6

As for myself, I received my brand-new unit on 10/13 and have never seen the records lights display.
Firmware version: 18.34

So D* keeps adding HD channels, more today. What about us in the SF Bay Area?

I dropped D* and moved to an S3 w/ Comcast. I haven't heard any word from Comcast besides the TBS HD that was added.

Um.. potentially stupid question, but how do I access the On Demand programming? Having just been upgraded, this is one feature I especially wanted to try out.

Hitting the "On Demand" button on the remote does nothing, nor does manually tuning to channel 1. I don't see any items in the menu referring to On Demand either.

Um.. potentially stupid question, but how do I access the On Demand programming? Having just been upgraded, this is one feature I especially wanted to try out.

Hitting the "On Demand" button on the remote does nothing, nor does manually tuning to channel 1. I don't see any items in the menu referring to On Demand either.

On Demand will only go live later for 550Mhz areas. A post earlier from Mr J via Mikef5 details this.

Kevin

Um.. potentially stupid question, but how do I access the On Demand programming? Having just been upgraded, this is one feature I especially wanted to try out.

Hitting the "On Demand" button on the remote does nothing, nor does manually tuning to channel 1. I don't see any items in the menu referring to On Demand either.
Since you were just upgraded, it normally takes about a month for Comcast to certify and test the equipment for VOD but from what I've been able to find out about the upgrades, they have gone very well with little to no problems so things may go faster but that would be the normal time frame....just an educated guess on my part :)

Laters,
Mikef5

I was pleased to find that the new channels are here now as well! Now that it's happened should (and can I?) go to the nearest Comcast office and trade in my DCT6412 III for the DCH post haste??

Has Comcast begun installing M-cards in San Francisco? I've read reports of them appearing in other parts of the Bay Area. I have an appointment for an install later this month and the CSR mentioned that the M-cards weren't available in my area yet. Just thought I'd double-check. We're in the Mission if it matters.

Thanks.

So D* keeps adding HD channels, more today. What about us in the SF Bay Area?

I dropped D* and moved to an S3 w/ Comcast. I haven't heard any word from Comcast besides the TBS HD that was added.

Here's the list:

Cartoon Network (Channel 296)
Fox Business (Channel 359)
Fuel TV (Channel 612)
FX (Channel 248)
HGTV (Channel 229-1)
Speed (Channel 607)


Regional Sports Networks:

FSN Detroit (Channel 636)
FSN Southwest (Channel 643)
FSN West (Channel 652)
FSN Prime Ticket (Channel 653)

They are beginning to do some advertising about this too. The funny thing is that none of these are on their 2nd bird. All this is still being done via DirecTV 10's transponders.

I am sure they are adding them incrementally as the networks are ready (many of these nets are launching on DirecTV). But this also keeps them in the news, and people still waiting for the MSO's to respond.

I have noticed some shuffling around of QAM channels in my system, and at least 2 new HD channels are active now in an encrypted format, so I can't tell what's there. These are the result of CSPAN 2 moving. But there is only so much CSPAN to move. They need to dump the local government channels, and then start with GOLF and other tertiary programs on analog.

Thanks,
Mike

I checked my DCH, and the record light does NOT come on when recording on the background tuner. Funny I hadn't really noticed that before. When did the latest FW update come down?

From everything I've read on related threads, this seems to be something that worked fine on the older firmware, but was knocked out on 18.34. It might just take another firmware upgrade to restore the lights. The actual recording function still works.

I was pleased to find that the new channels are here now as well! Now that it's happened should (and can I?) go to the nearest Comcast office and trade in my DCT6412 III for the DCH post haste??

Sure
Only if you won't miss the red light :p
and if you are going use the HDMI port, ask for a cable.
and Santa Cruz needs the 6412s <duck>

my DCH record light is out too, but it records ok . .

I'm not sure if this is against the forum rules. If so, I apologize.
But, I figure since we're all local Bay Area gearheads, you guys might wanna
know that I have a 5-6 week old Onkyo TX-SR705 THX-certified AV receiver to sell.

I'd rather not deal with shipping it back to the retailer, if they'll
even let me after 40 days. (They have a 30 day return policy.) I'd
rather sell it locally for a few bucks less than I paid.

Specs are here:
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR705&class=Receiver&p=i

Anyway, if anyone is interested, send me a PM.

(Nothing is wrong with it. It's a sweet little unit. I just miss the Denon look, feel, and sound
that I'm used to.)

Got a message this morning saying that On November 15th Comcast is adding HGTV-HD, History HD, and USA HD.

That's great and all but I was really hoping to get FX-HD before Nip/Tuck starts. Oh well, I guess I'll stick to watching it in SD...

Well, I suppose I have to eat my words now. I was all set to be disappointed but decided to check my box on the first stated day of availability and voila! I'm upgraded!

Can you tell us other Sunnyvale residents that are still not yet upgraded which part of Sunnyvale you are in?

By the way, I JUST got "the letter" yesterday. It stated within two to three months my area will be upgraded. Let's see if Comcast will give me an early Christmas present.

Can you tell us other Sunnyvale residents that are still not yet upgraded which part of Sunnyvale you are in?

By the way, I JUST got "the letter" yesterday. It stated within two to three months my area will be upgraded. Let's see if Comcast will give me an early Christmas present.


My parents just got 'the letter' yesterday also and are hoping for it soon...near Sunnyvale Jr. High (bordered by El Camino/Knickerbocker/Mary/Hollenbeck)

Sure
Only if you won't miss the red light :p
and if you are going use the HDMI port, ask for a cable.
and Santa Cruz needs the 6412s <duck>

my DCH record light is out too, but it records ok . .


Every time I see a comcast truck in Santa Cruz I get excited-then reality sets in...

Several friends and family down here have been so impressed with my 50 inch NEC HDTV they want to get one. I should send Comcast a picture of the looks on their faces when I try to explain what HD channels we get, that we dont get ABC-HD (without using QAM that the comcast box doesnt recognize), that we may or not be upgraded, and that if they lived within a 30 minute drive they would pay the same price and may get many more or less HD channels.

Then I start in about why they can not get our locals on HD by using Direct or Dish...

Thank goodness our local politics are not so messed up ;)

Can you tell us other Sunnyvale residents that are still not yet upgraded which part of Sunnyvale you are in?

By the way, I JUST got "the letter" yesterday. It stated within two to three months my area will be upgraded. Let's see if Comcast will give me an early Christmas present.

I also got that same letter yesterday from the South Bay Vice President of Comcast. I'm in 94087, and we have not been upgraded yet.

Comcast message today reads:

Due to the number of High Definition launches in 2007
eff Nov 15 we are realigning the HD lineup.
We are also launching HGTV History and USA in HD.
Please call for more information.

What do you think "realignment" means? Are they going to introduce different tiers? Higher cost?

Matt

Comcast message today reads:

Due to the number of High Definition launches in 2007
eff Nov 15 we are realigning the HD lineup.
We are also launching HGTV History and USA in HD.
Please call for more information.

What do you think "realignment" means? Are they going to introduce different tiers? Higher cost?

Matt
Matt,

This was explained in this post a couple of days ago, here's the link...http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11887641#post11887641

Laters,
Mikef5

Matt,
This was explained in this post a couple of days ago, here's the link...http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11887641#post11887641


Mikef5: I read the linked posting and I still have the same question as Matt....
I have no idea what is meant by realignment. Will our HD channel numbers be changed, or the sequence of the channels? Did I miss something?

Mikef5: I read the linked posting and I still have the same question as Matt....
I have no idea what is meant by realignment. Will our HD channel numbers be changed, or the squence of the channels? Did I miss something?

Here's the quote....

I'd also like to take this opportunity to remind the Forum members that we will eventually renumber our HD channel lineup in the Bay Area and that the neighborhoods in Sunnyvale and Milpitas who have been recently upgraded, will launch with the "new" lineup we will put in place throughout the Bay.


Realign = renumber
That's all it means.

Laters,
Mikef5

Can you tell us other Sunnyvale residents that are still not yet upgraded which part of Sunnyvale you are in?

By the way, I JUST got "the letter" yesterday. It stated within two to three months my area will be upgraded. Let's see if Comcast will give me an early Christmas present.
I live in the Ponderosa neighborhood (El Camino/Reed/Wolfe/Lawrence) and we are not upgraded yet. However, I have seen lots of activity with CableCom trucks in the area. Keeping my fingers crossed that we will be switched on within a month!

-Steve

Here's a sample of the new lineup that is going to be for the entire Bay Area eventually.
92111

Laters,
Mikef5

Comcast message today reads:

Due to the number of High Definition launches in 2007
eff Nov 15 we are realigning the HD lineup.
We are also launching HGTV History and USA in HD.
Please call for more information.Does that mean that those three HD channels will be added Nov 15?

Does that mean that those three HD channels will be added Nov 15?

Mr. J said that specifically several days back. Yes, we get those 3 new HD channels on Nov 15.

Does that mean that those three HD channels will be added Nov 15?
Gary,

I posted that on the 12th of Oct .......http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11887641#post11887641

Laters,
Mikef5

you guys should keep up with mike's posts. i read his stuff religiously. by the time i got the message on my box, it was old stale news :p

Gary,

I posted that on the 12th of Oct .......http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11887641#post11887641

Laters,
Mikef5That's like 4 days ago. What am I, the Amazing Kreskin?

Here's a sample of the new lineup that is going to be for the entire Bay Area eventually.
92111

Laters,
Mikef5

Not to diminish your tremendous efforts on keeping us informed, but that list is rather meaningless isn't it? It may look like that today or next month, but I sure hope it doesn't look like that 6 mos from now.

Here's a sample of the new lineup that is going to be for the entire Bay Area eventually.
92111

Laters,
Mikef5

I had a couple of questions: 1. Is ALL of Sunnyvale being upgraded? 2. I noticed on that list there is no mention of NFL HD. Is this channel not going to be available in Sunnyvale?

-slp

Not to diminish your tremendous efforts on keeping us informed, but that list is rather meaningless isn't it? It may look like that today or next month, but I sure hope it doesn't look like that 6 mos from now.
Jim,

I said that was a sample lineup, that is how they are going to arrange the channels, not what's going to be available in the future. The reason for the channel renumbering is to get everyone to have the same channel numbers and to open up space between the channels to add more channels down the line without having go through the renumbering again.

Laters,
Mikef5

I had a couple of questions: 1. Is ALL of Sunnyvale being upgraded? 2. I noticed on that list there is no mention of NFL HD. Is this channel not going to be available in Sunnyvale?

-slp

Yes, all of Sunnyvale is going to be upgraded.

SAMPLE lineup not an actual lineup, this is to show how the channels are going to appear in the new lineup. That sample lineup was months ago before NFL-HD was added.

Laters,
Mikef5

That's like 4 days ago. What am I, the Amazing Kreskin?

Gary,

I'm going to give you the benefit of a doubt that you are joking but if you're not I won't answer your questions for now on, someone else will have to do it.

Laters,
Mikef5

it will be a glorious day when comcast realigns the HD channels again to their rightful place from 1-100 (or however many you want) and analog/SD channels are moved somewhere deep deep where i can't see them.

Here's a sample of the new lineup that is going to be for the entire Bay Area eventually.
92111

No NFL or TBS?

That looks like the old lineup... (HD I mean).

No NFL or TBS?

he just said, its a sample, not your area's actual lineup. of course NFL and TBS HD will fit in there somewhere, and eventually all the new HD channels will find a 700 number too.

No NFL or TBS?

That looks like the old lineup... (HD I mean).

I GIVE UP

Laters,
Mikef5

Gary,

I'm going to give you the benefit of a doubt that you are joking but if you're not I won't answer your questions for now on, someone else will have to do it.

Laters,
Mikef5

Ya just have to understand Gary. He is a standup comedian in the evening.

http://www.garypenovich.com/about.html

Sorry I didn't see the other reponses before I posted... I get the internet mailed to me once a week... ;)

Jim,

I said that was a sample lineup, that is how they are going to arrange the channels, not what's going to be available in the future. The reason for the channel renumbering is to get everyone to have the same channel numbers and to open up space between the channels to add more channels down the line without having go through the renumbering again.

Laters,
Mikef5

Yes, I got that, it's just that the numbering doesn't really look any different than what I have now, other than the fact that we have barely a third of the channels on that list. :p

Yes, I got that, it's just that the numbering doesn't really look any different than what I have now, other than the fact that we have barely a third of the channels on that list. :p

FRACK !!!!

Sorry, I posted the really old SAMPLE lineup card without checking it. Let me scan my lineup card I got in the mail and I'll post that. Thanks for making me look again Jim... ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I live at the west end of Sunnyvale near Mountain View (94086) and finally received the upgrade letter today from Comcast that states we should be upgraded in the next two to three months. It's about frickin' time! If only we could get SciFi HD for the last season of BSG...

Ditto...west end of Sunnyvale too, and letter came in yesterday.
And ditto for the BSG comment as well.

Cheers,
Durny1

FRACK !!!!

Sorry, I posted the really old SAMPLE lineup card without checking it. Let me scan my lineup card I got in the mail and I'll post that. Thanks for making me look again Jim... ;)

Laters,
Mikef5
This is the card I got in the mail, it still is a SAMPLE lineup card and will probably change before I get upgraded. Sorry for posting that old sample, I should've checked it first.
92119

Laters,
Mikef5

FRACK !!!!

Sorry, I posted the really old SAMPLE lineup card without checking it. Let me scan my lineup card I got in the mail and I'll post that. Thanks for making me look again Jim... ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Hey, somebody has to keep an eye on you. :D

Not to diminish your tremendous efforts on keeping us informed, but that list is rather meaningless isn't it? It may look like that today or next month, but I sure hope it doesn't look like that 6 mos from now.
Actually, I didn't even see TBS-HD. Don't we have that now?

Actually, I didn't even see TBS-HD. Don't we have that now?

I think the point of his post was that the channel numbers of many of the existing HD channels are changing. Additional chennels will fit into the new scheme being laid out.

Personally, I think it's silly to change these channels around, but this may the prelude to some new tiering, etc...

thanks,
Mike

I think the point of his post was that the channel numbers of many of the existing HD channels are changing. Additional chennels will fit into the new scheme being laid out.

Personally, I think it's silly to change these channels around, but this may the prelude to some new tiering, etc...

thanks,
Mike

MikeSM,

Exactly the point, it's just a sample lineup subject to change and not written in stone. They want to get all the channel lineups to be the same in every area and space it out so there is room to add new channels and not do this again anytime soon. Nothing more than that.

I've heard nothing on new tiering at all, the reason I gave you guys is the reason that was given to me....

Laters,
Mikef5

I'm all for a new numbering schema, if it will make more sense. I've never been happy with Comcast's channel arrangement, as I have mentioned previously.

Here's a sample of the new lineup that is going to be for the entire Bay Area eventually.
92111

Laters,
Mikef5

Thanks, that's a very impressive lineup. Is there any documentation about which package gets what channels? I also note that VS is available in HD, on 721. Were those recent Cal and Stanford football games carried in HD also?

There is so much more (and better) info on this thread than on the Comcast website...

Thanks, that's a very impressive lineup. Is there any documentation about which package gets what channels? I also note that VS is available in HD, on 721. Were those recent Cal and Stanford football games carried in HD also?

There is so much more (and better) info on this thread than on the Comcast website...

Sorry, just saw the newly posted lineup card, and it groups the channels by packages. Looks like Limited + Digital Classic gets me what I want.

I'm all for a new numbering schema, if it will make more sense. I've never been happy with Comcast's channel arrangement, as I have mentioned previously.

I don't know if it's going to make more or less sense but here's what I want to happen with this.

1) Get all areas to have the same channels and channel numbers
2) Get all areas to have the same packages available in every area
3) Have the same pricing for these packages to be the same in every area.
Basically, no matter what area you are in you have access to the same packages at the same price.
4) When new channels are added they are added to all areas at the same time.

I would hazard a guess that is what Comcast is shooting for once the infrastructure is built up in the Bay Area....if not.. once my area gets upgraded this will be next on my agenda to help get adopted here in the Bay Area. It just doesn't make sense for everything to be so different in different areas of the Bay Area ( once the upgrades are done for the entire Bay Area ) ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Can you tell us other Sunnyvale residents that are still not yet upgraded which part of Sunnyvale you are in?

By the way, I JUST got "the letter" yesterday. It stated within two to three months my area will be upgraded. Let's see if Comcast will give me an early Christmas present.

I'm in 94085, around Fair Oaks & Maude.

BTW, I got "the letter" way back near the end of May.

And I don't know if it was related to the upgrades, but a couple weeks ago, around the end of September, I had a lot of cable modem outages. Maybe that's a sign the node is getting upgraded and will be turned on soon?

3) Have the same pricing for these packages to be the same in every area.
Basically, no matter what area you are in you have access to the same packages at the same price.


speaking of pricing...Looks like Comcast is jacking up prices on 11/15. The middle of the SJ Mercury Sports section has a bunch of public notices about the increased pricing.

For "digital standard" in Sunnyvale the price goes from $78 to $88 as one example (ouch) and the HD/DVR goes to $14 (from $12)...maybe that will be the new standard :eek:

I'm in 94085, around Fair Oaks & Maude.

BTW, I got "the letter" way back near the end of May.

And I don't know if it was related to the upgrades, but a couple weeks ago, around the end of September, I had a lot of cable modem outages. Maybe that's a sign the node is getting upgraded and will be turned on soon?

Same story (letter in May, cable/internet outages in Sep.) here in 94089, near Mathilda/101/237 nexus. Also got the brochure about the new lineup a couple weeks ago indicating it would go live between 10/15 and 11/15. Strangely, the brochure made no mention about introduction of OnDemand (which I find hard to believe will not be launched -- have any insight on that Mikef5?).

Software version 9.2 for the S3 and the TiVo HD is rolling out. Looks like it includes the eSATA external storage feature.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?threadid=370220

Same story (letter in May, cable/internet outages in Sep.) here in 94089, near Mathilda/101/237 nexus. Also got the brochure about the new lineup a couple weeks ago indicating it would go live between 10/15 and 11/15. Strangely, the brochure made no mention about introduction of OnDemand (which I find hard to believe will not be launched -- have any insight on that Mikef5?).

See post 3515 for Mikef5's answer, but basically, it seems OnDemand will come on about 30 days after the upgrade happens.

The reason for the channel renumbering is to get everyone to have the same channel numbers and to open up space between the channels to add more channels down the line without having go through the renumbering again.
For the HD channel renumbering, I understand the channel number unification goal, but what does that have to do with opening up space between channels? The channel #s for HD are channel-mapped into their slots so they can move the underlying channel (making space) all they want with or without renumbering.

EDIT: Oh, I see, you mean open up space as in channel numbering gaps vs physical bandwidth. My mistake.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to remind the Forum members that we will eventually renumber our HD channel lineup in the Bay Area and that the neighborhoods in Sunnyvale and Milpitas who have been recently upgraded, will launch with the "new" lineup we will put in place throughout the Bay.

Keenan,
The sun just came out in Santa Rosa, and the local rag just reported that Santa Rosa will be getting 1 gigahertz Comcast, first in the county.

Keenan,
The sun just came out in Santa Rosa, and the local rag just reported that Santa Rosa will be getting 1 gigahertz Comcast, first in the county.

Thanks, I'll check it out, and the sun does look nice today, hopefully it will stick around for awhile. :)

I am thinking of switching from comcast to astound. anyone have any experience with astound? good? bad?

astound? *googling it*

It looks pretty similar to Comcast, but with a little less HD channels if that's important to you.

I just found an astound thread from my city. They have the exact same HD lineup as comcast and they are much cheaper. I just put my order in, bye bye comcast!
astound? *googling it*

It looks pretty similar to Comcast, but with a little less HD channels if that's important to you.

Huge headline on the front page of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat today about Comcast raising their pricing.

Wow talk about BAD timing.

Huge headline on the front page of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat today about Comcast raising their pricing.

Wow talk about BAD timing.

Let me get this straight, DirecTV adds 45 more HD channels at a lower total price for video and DVR's than Comcast, Comcast plans to add 3 whole channels in response, but is raising rates pretty steeply at the same time, not just for service but for each DVR you have? Are they crazy?

Thanks,
Mike

Didn't they just raise it a couple of weeks ago?

I hope D* gets TVJapan soon!

Yes...

They raised prices all-around last year, and AGAIN for certain services (like HDTV box fee) earlier in THIS year....

I just found an astound thread from my city. They have the exact same HD lineup as comcast and they are much cheaper. I just put my order in, bye bye comcast!

How is it some of you get a choice as to cable provider while the rest of us in the Bay Area area are stuck with Comcast or moving on to sat? (And no, let's not make this a discussion of U-Verse).

Astound sounds better than comcast, not only TV but also internet where they offer 10Mbps download speeds.

It says the prices for standard cable, Digital and DVR are going up 9.6%.

It does say the price for basic cable is going down 11%.

Yep, after a couple of the 12 month promotions I have right now are up (in May) I will seriously look at switching to dish, only keeping basic cable for HD locals and the HSI bundle discount...

Seriously, WHAT are they thinking??

Looks like Astound is only available in Concord/Walnut Creek and SF/Peninsula.

Same story (letter in May, cable/internet outages in Sep.) here in 94089, near Mathilda/101/237 nexus. Also got the brochure about the new lineup a couple weeks ago indicating it would go live between 10/15 and 11/15. Strangely, the brochure made no mention about introduction of OnDemand (which I find hard to believe will not be launched -- have any insight on that Mikef5?).

VOD normally comes approximately 30 days after the node is activated, that is the normal time frame.

Laters,
Mikef5

Huge headline on the front page of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat today about Comcast raising their pricing. Wow talk about BAD timing.

BAD move Comcast, especially when you see what the folks that have
already left Comcast for DTV are saying........

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=924381

I'm tellin ya. As soon as D* gets TVJ, it's sayonara Comcast.

It does say the price for basic cable is going down 11%.

Yep, after a couple of the 12 month promotions I have right now are up (in May) I will seriously look at switching to dish, only keeping basic cable for HD locals and the HSI bundle discount...
That is almost exactly what I have now. Basic, one HD box and HSInternet and Dish for everything else. Found I need two VIP622s just to keep up with the shows I like to see but the 622 is better, from what I read here and there, than the Comcast DVRs.

I'm on the Healdsburg head-end so very reliable as compared to Santa Rosa. I guess once SR upgrades to one gigahertz they will probably be very reliable too with even more to offer.

BAD move Comcast, especially when you see what the folks that have
already left Comcast for DTV are saying........

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=924381

Hey, but DirecTV doesn't have KRON in HD! ;)

Thanks,
Mike

Hey, but DirecTV doesn't have KRON in HD! ;)

Thanks,
Mike

Yup, that's a real deal breaker there...:D

If you have more than one HDTV in the house, don't you have to have a separate Direct TV for each one? (Haven't investigated this in a long time.)

If you have more than one HDTV in the house, don't you have to have a separate Direct TV for each one? (Haven't investigated this in a long time.)

Yep. You need a STB for each HDTV, just like you do with Comcast now if you want anything but the locals in HD.

Thanks,
Mike

Yep. You need a STB for each HDTV, just like you do with Comcast now if you want anything but the locals in HD.

Thanks,
Mike
Are you overlooking that some HDTVs have built-in digital cable tuners (QAM) and accept cablecards so no STB is needed. Will do the same as cable STB for all digital channels except no guide, no VOD and no ordering of PPV.

Yup, that's a real deal breaker there...:D

The real deal breaker for me with D* is the 2 year agreement. :(

But even given that it seems attractive especially if the price is going up again with Comcast. :(

It says the prices for standard cable, Digital and DVR are going up 9.6%.

It does say the price for basic cable is going down 11%.

Yep, after a couple of the 12 month promotions I have right now are up (in May) I will seriously look at switching to dish, only keeping basic cable for HD locals and the HSI bundle discount...

Seriously, WHAT are they thinking??

PS At least in several markets, the reason they say they need to increase prices is because of all the new HD programming they've added. (I am NOT kidding!)

http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastrates101607.htm

I guess TBS in HD was really expensive... :)

Thanks,
Mike

Are you overlooking that some HDTVs have built-in digital cable tuners (QAM) and accept cablecards so no STB is needed. Will do the same as cable STB for all digital channels except no guide, no VOD and no ordering of PPV.


Like I said, you can receive unencrypted locals with HDTV's without a box, but very VERY few TV's these days have cablecard slots in them. I don't view that as a real option. Just go to bestbuy and see how many sets they sell have cablecard options. Maybe 3%, and none of the newest models.

Cablecard has failed for a number of reasons, so practically, you need a box for every set.

Thanks,
Mike

Yep. You need a STB for each HDTV, just like you do with Comcast now if you want anything but the locals in HD.

Thanks,
Mike

But with Comcast, an extra stb is only ~ $5 to 10. And I thought that with a satellite dish you could not watch different programs on different hd sets. Am I wrong? E.g., if I'm watching the pj in the HT, my wife is often watching something else on the bedroom hdtv. Will that work with satellite?

Like I said, you can receive unencrypted locals with HDTV's without a box, but very VERY few TV's these days have cablecard slots in them. I don't view that as a real option. Just go to bestbuy and see how many sets they sell have cablecard options. Maybe 3%, and none of the newest models.

Cablecard has failed for a number of reasons, so practically, you need a box for every set.

Thanks,
Mike
I think there's only 1, maybe 2, models out of the whole '07 Mits line that have CC slots. As you say, manufacturers just aren't putting them in anymore. Mark one in the "win column" for the cablecos.

Yup, that's a real deal breaker there...:D

You and I have about the same TV. How does D* HD compare to Comcasts?

Like I said, you can receive unencrypted locals with HDTV's without a box, but very VERY few TV's these days have cablecard slots in them. I don't view that as a real option. Just go to bestbuy and see how many sets they sell have cablecard options. Maybe 3%, and none of the newest models.
Thanks,
Mike

The latest Pioneer Kuro plasma panels all have CableCard tuners. Which is a big reason why I am thinking of buying one.

The latest Pioneer Kuro plasma panels all have CableCard tuners. Which is a big reason why I am thinking of buying one.

Who watches anything live anymore except maybe sports?

Who watches anything live anymore except maybe sports?

We watch a lot of HD broadcasts. Besides sports, which clearly a lot of people watch too much of, there are programs like the late night shows, the evening news, American Idol, Dance with the Stars, Sopranos, etc. that are very well done in full HD glory. And there is really no other way to watch these shows, since they mostly are mot available in HD-DVD or BR. Well, the Sopranos will be available in HD-DVD, but you would have to wait a long time.

We watch a lot of HD broadcasts. Besides sports, which clearly a lot of people watch too much of, there are programs like the late night shows, the evening news, American Idol, Dance with the Stars, Sopranos, etc. that are very well done in full HD glory. And there is really no other way to watch these shows, since they mostly are mot available in HD-DVD or BR. Well, the Sopranos will be available in HD-DVD, but you would have to wait a long time.

That's what an HD-DVR is for. You still watch commercials?

But with Comcast, an extra stb is only ~ $5 to 10. And I thought that with a satellite dish you could not watch different programs on different hd sets. Am I wrong? E.g., if I'm watching the pj in the HT, my wife is often watching something else on the bedroom hdtv. Will that work with satellite?

Yes! With the Dish 622/722 you don't even need another STB as long as the second set only watches SD. It sends it over coax via RF. They even give you a second RF remote.

That's what an HD-DVR is for. You still watch commercials?

With my CableCard, I can watch those live. There are other things I do during commercials. Sorry, I don't want to watch the late night shows, for instance, recorded.

I ended up calling Comcast the other day after giving up on the website to find out what cable package options there are. It is impossible to use it to compare channel line-ups for different packages because it describes the new(-ish) digital packages like Digital Preferred, but the channel line-ups are still the old Silver, Gold etc. (So, forget seeing the new channel changes!) The HDTV option says you have to be a digital plus or higher subscriber, then goes on to list prices for both digital and non-digital customers. It's insane.

Anyway, it gets even nuttier when you talk to them in person. I said I might be interested in a different Digital tier than what I am on now if I could get the promo rate, but figured I was disqualified as not a "new" customer. But, the rep said no, you just have to have not been on a promo rate in the last 3 months.

Can anyone confirm this? Any time I've done 3 months of "full price" service I can kick in a promo rate just by calling and asking them? Is this for real?

It makes the new price increase easier to tolerate if you only have to pay full price for 3 months out of every 6.

Hi all,

I'm in Sunnyvale 94085 (Wolfe and Arquez) and they switched us over to the new service at the beginning of the week. I've got a mythtv set up with an HDHomerun and a usb analog recorder, but I'd like to shift as much as possible to the HDHomerun as possible.

Right now, the scans are producing results much like the ones I've seen for other parts of the bay area with almost all of the 'Limited Basic' channels available and the occasional Expanded Basic channel (CNN, Golf) available in the clear.

I was rather hoping that the full Expanded Basic tier would be available in the clear, but I certainly don't see it. Would I get access to these channels with ADS - or does the fact that I get all the Limited Basic channels already means I have ADS?

If I don't have ADS and could get it, I understand the only way to get it turned on is to get a hold of a digital-only stb and plug it in. Is that still true?

Thanks!

With my CableCard, I can watch those live. There are other things I do during commercials. Sorry, I don't want to watch the late night shows, for instance, recorded.

As they say "To each his own" :) but most people want a DVR, hence the reduction of cable card sets. I watch Leno and Conan the next day in about a half hour. I skip through all parts that don't interest me. Can't stay up that late myself. Then again, maybe you mean prime time.

Update on the new HD channels

Laters,
Mikef5

I don't post a lot, but I have followed this thread for years, and want to thank Mikef5, Keenan, etc. for the great info.

I almost bailed on Comcast about a year ago, but the alternatives when looked at carefully were a wash.

I am excited about 2 things:

1) More HD Channels (maybe Food and Speed next?)
2) Tivo SW - You can't deliver that fast enough.

A big thanks for the great info.

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Laters,
Mikef5

You mean those products in the spam emails really work?

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Old Camp Joke

"I am bloody fingers and I'm in your house!!! Have you got a band-aid?"

Old Camp Joke

"I am bloody fingers and I'm in your house!!! Have you got a band-aid?"

Dave,

By now you probably need a turnaqet to go along with those band aides ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

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Congrats! Are you now on 1 Ghz plant?

Thanks
Mike

Now we just need to get Santa Rosa upgraded and Jim will be happy too!!! :D

Now we just need to get Santa Rosa upgraded and Jim will be happy too!!! :D

Naahh....While Dave's fingers are still bloody he needs to work on Saratoga first...It's a lot closer to where he works than Santa Rosa

Could you image his commute from PG to Santa Rosa.

As they say "To each his own" :) but most people want a DVR, hence the reduction of cable card sets. I watch Leno and Conan the next day in about a half hour. I skip through all parts that don't interest me. Can't stay up that late myself. Then again, maybe you mean prime time.

Most people may want DVR, but most people do not need more than one DVR. If you have several HDTVs', which is what I have, CableCards make a lot of sense. I hate having another box and another remote with every TV.

I don't have a HD-DVR. Instead I use a USB HDTV tuner to record clear QAM and OTA broadcasts on my PC. Works great, and no fees. Saved programs can be watched by any computer on the network. No hard disk space limitations, for all practical purposes.

You and I have about the same TV. How does D* HD compare to Comcasts?

The local channels look virtually the same to me. I just had my display re-cal'ed Monday, it's been over a year, and after having a super-tight convergence, color decoder check and CRT lens, mirror and screen cleaning, the picture looks fantastic. The problem with that is, you're more able to see the problems in the source material, so I really need to do some more A/B'ing, but I'd be happy with the quality I've seen so far. I watched a replay of some football game on BTN-HD on Monday and it looked spectacular. Also watched part of an old 1978 movie on MGM-HD and it looked about as good as it gets as well. I think DirecTV is actually doing things right this time.

Things like strands of hair, facial detail, color and complete lack of pixelation are all present in the picture from D*. The limiting factors now appear to be in the source material, which is the way it should be.

Watched some of the ESPN game Monday night and while it's a 720p station, the color and resolution provided an almost 3D look to the image, and that's something I can definitely live with.

The HR20 isn't a TiVo to be sure, but it's doable, certainly better than the Comcast Moto box by a long shot. I'm adding a 1TB drive to the HR20 this weekend.

On the Comcast side, I've been having random pixelation, small fleeting pixie-dust like artifacts for a few months now and discovered that my signal strength readings are down from what they were a year ago when I first got the S3, then was in the 90's, now it's down to low 80's. Also getting uncorrected errors, especially on KNTV for some reason. All my cabling looks good so I'm calling Comcast out to see if they can fix the signal.

Naahh....While Dave's fingers are still bloody he needs to work on Saratoga first...It's a lot closer to where he works than Santa Rosa

Could you image his commute from PG to Santa Rosa.

Hey, if it speeds up the upgrade, I'll drive him back and forth, in fact, he can stay at my place while the upgrade is being worked. :D

Hey, if it speeds up the upgrade, I'll drive him back and forth, in fact, he can stay at my place while the upgrade is being worked. :D

I can actually picture you driving him...350Mile R/T daily :p

Let's all just hang at MikeF's now....I can see him using the Speeddial to Mr J. hourly to push to get us the hell out of his house then ;)

Is there anyone on this thread who lives in El Sobrante, specifically the Carriage Hills area? We're putting an offer on a house there and I'm curious if it's an upgraded area or not. I think it is...I just want to be sure.

P.S. How sad am I where the cable bandwidth is going to play a role in whether or not I purchase a house. :D

I can actually picture you driving him...350Mile R/T daily :p

Let's all just hang at MikeF's now....I can see him using the Speeddial to Mr J. hourly to push to get us the hell out of his house then ;)

:D

I remember back when SonomaSearcher was still with us we joked about running a cable from his place in Petaluma up to my place in Santa Rosa. :p

In anycase, that pillar of journalistic integrity and credibility, The Press Democrat :p, says Dec and that's not too far away.

Is there anyone on this thread who lives in El Sobrante, specifically the Carriage Hills area? We're putting an offer on a house there and I'm curious if it's an upgraded area or not. I think it is...I just want to be sure.

P.S. How sad am I where the cable bandwidth is going to play a role in whether or not I purchase a house. :D

You need therapy dude! Of course, I did the same thing when I considered moving a few years ago. :eek:

You need therapy dude! Of course, I did the same thing when I considered moving a few years ago. :eek:

TV and schools, they are what people are looking for. Keenan, can you remind me again why you have both services, comcast and DirecTV... I'm considering that option too. maybe.

TV and schools, they are what people are looking for. Keenan, can you remind me again why you have both services, comcast and DirecTV... I'm considering that option too. maybe.

Because I really do need therapy? :D

Actually, I've had DirecTV for long time, mainly it was for Sunday Ticket, and since I've had Comcast, which has been I'm guessing, 5-6 years, I've used DirecTV has a back-up and/or extra set of tuners for times when 3 or more shows are on at the same time. My primary viewing has always been on Comcast due to the better PQ, but with these new channel additions from DirecTV I find that I'm actually using it more than Comcast. I've kept my Comcast sub at Limited Basic which is only costing me $20 a month and it gives me all the local HD which I record with the TiVo S3.

Given the very slow rate at which Comcast is adding HD channels, I think supplementing a Limited Basic sub with a DirecTV sub makes pretty good sense, especially with the much improved PQ now from DirecTV and all the HD channels they have. Plus with DirecTV you get all those sports packages, Sunday Ticket, March Madness, MLBEI, NBA, all sorts of sports packages, although I don't subscribe to them all, mostly ST and March Madness, but have had the MLBEI package a few times.

The 2 yr commitment is definitely a drawback, but since it's pro-rated it's not that big of a deal, and even in one year's time I still don't see Comcast approaching the HD channel numbers DirecTV has even today.

I would prefer just to have one provider that could give me everything, but that animal just doesn't exist. I could probably live without Comcast, but as soon as they get the upgrade done here I'll probably be going with their HSI along with an expanded Digital Classic HD selection, hoping to get some good rates for both.

You know, the dirty little secret about the resolution game is that very little content is actually sourced at 1920x1080i, most being at 1440x1080i, with possibly live events coming in at 1920x1080i, even then it's never a full 1920x1080i. That goes for any provider. Yes, Comcast says they pass what they receive, but they don't tell you that what they receive may not always be that full resolution number. The signal itself may report as 1920x1080i but the actual content that signal was created from is most likely 1440 or less.

With what appears to be some excellent MPEG4 encoding from DirecTV, even if they are sending it out at 1440x1080i(not even confirmed yet), the resolution game becomes pretty much a moot point. The other side of the coin is the bandwidth, and so far, DirecTV seems to giving sufficient bandwidth with their MPEG4 content, I have not witnessed any bandwidth associated artifacting in the month or so I've had their MPEG4 STB.

There's a lot factors involved for each individual and what/how they choose their providers, for me a Comcast/DirecTV combo works good.

Because I really do need therapy? :D

Actually, I've had DirecTV for long time, mainly it was for Sunday Ticket, and since I've had Comcast, which has been I'm guessing, 5-6 years, I've used DirecTV has a back-up and/or extra set of tuners for times when 3 or more shows are on at the same time. My primary viewing has always been on Comcast due to the better PQ, but with these new channel additions from DirecTV I find that I'm actually using it more than Comcast. I've kept my Comcast sub at Limited Basic which is only costing me $20 a month and it gives me all the local HD which I record with the TiVo S3.

Given the very slow rate at which Comcast is adding HD channels, I think supplementing a Limited Basic sub with a DirecTV sub makes pretty good sense, especially with the much improved PQ now from DirecTV and all the HD channels they have. Plus with DirecTV you get all those sports packages, Sunday Ticket, March Madness, MLBEI, NBA, all sorts of sports packages, although I don't subscribe to them all, mostly ST and March Madness, but have had the MLBEI package a few times.

The 2 yr commitment is definitely a drawback, but since it's pro-rated it's not that big of a deal, and even in one year's time I still don't see Comcast approaching the HD channel numbers DirecTV has even today.

I would prefer just to have one provider that could give me everything, but that animal just doesn't exist. I could probably live without Comcast, but as soon as they get the upgrade done here I'll probably be going with their HSI along with an expanded Digital Classic HD selection, hoping to get some good rates for both.

You know, the dirty little secret about the resolution game is that very little content is actually sourced at 1920x1080i, most being at 1440x1080i, with possibly live events coming in at 1920x1080i, even then it's never a full 1920x1080i. That goes for any provider. Yes, Comcast says they pass what they receive, but they don't tell you that what they receive may not always be that full resolution number. The signal itself may report as 1920x1080i but the actual content that signal was created from is most likely 1440 or less.

With what appears to be some excellent MPEG4 encoding from DirecTV, even if they are sending it out at 1440x1080i(not even confirmed yet), the resolution game becomes pretty much a moot point. The other side of the coin is the bandwidth, and so far, DirecTV seems to giving sufficient bandwidth with their MPEG4 content, I have not witnessed any bandwidth associated artifacting in the month or so I've had their MPEG4 STB.

There's a lot factors involved for each individual and what/how they choose their providers, for me a Comcast/DirecTV combo works good.

Cool. TV is Therapy, right?
It does sound like a great combo for you and i just heard that you can actually tune into the Sunday Ticket on your computer ! I really appreciate hearing about the PQ from both since you can compare them for us. I was concerned about D*'s. Too Bad they don't carry the KQED HD channels!
I have Comcast internet so figure i might as well stay with them but with all that's going on in Directv sounds like such a wonderful thing. I might just do what you're doing and why not! I can relate to no perfect entity, i give my kingdom for the perfect purse but it is sadly not to be found, so i must carry a few. thanks, Keenan!

Wendy

[QUOTE=keenan;11947551]Because I really do need therapy? :D

...
You know, the dirty little secret about the resolution game is that very little content is actually sourced at 1920x1080i, most being at 1440x1080i, with possibly live events coming in at 1920x1080i, even then it's never a full 1920x1080i. That goes for any provider. Yes, Comcast says they pass what they receive, but they don't tell you that what they receive may not always be that full resolution number. The signal itself may report as 1920x1080i but the actual content that signal was created from is most likely 1440 or less.
....
QUOTE]

Yes, the Raider Home games are really awful! Is it the equipment in the coluseum or just CBS?

Cool. TV is Therapy, right?
It does sound like a great combo for you and i just heard that you can actually tune into the Sunday Ticket on your computer ! I really appreciate hearing about the PQ from both since you can compare them for us. I was concerned about D*'s. Too Bad they don't carry the KQED HD channels!
I have Comcast internet so figure i might as well stay with them but with all that's going on in Directv sounds like such a wonderful thing. I might just do what you're doing and why not! I can relate to no perfect entity, i give my kingdom for the perfect purse but it is sadly not to be found, so i must carry a few. thanks, Keenan!

Wendy

I would expect the KQED multicast channels to be carried on the new birds, sooner or later. if not on D10, probably D11 or D12. Remember, most of the transponder capacity on the new DirecTV birds is dedicated for local programming. They are working on hard on getting almost all local stations up in MPEG4 on their spot beam systems. So I would expect that sooner or later.

In the meantime, a cheapo $13/month basic cable solution from Comcast can give you all the locals, and if you have HSI, it's basically free since they charge you about that much more if you want HSI without cable.

You can even get KRON in HD that way too! Noone carries KRON in HD except for Comcast, so they do have the edge over the DBS guys in that dimension.

Thanks,
Mike

I priced DTV a couple weeks ago and even before the Comcast increase it was going to save me about $15-17 a month for the same service (1 HD-DVR and 1 HD box), which would pay for the $300 in equipment in about 1.5 years. Though I wasn't sure if "free installation" included the actual dish/antenna on the roof, but I assumed so.

I priced DTV a couple weeks ago and even before the Comcast increase it was going to save me about $15-17 a month for the same service (1 HD-DVR and 1 HD box), which would pay for the $300 in equipment in about 1.5 years. Though I wasn't sure if "free installation" included the actual dish/antenna on the roof, but I assumed so.

that was the other reason i want to go with DTV... they seem to have the same bill every month, where as Comcast has been like phone company and no two bills are exactly the same because of some crazy sneaky fee they pass along. and usually the bill is slightly higher by pennies or dollars every month. ugh.. that's why i have Vonage now.

I priced DTV a couple weeks ago and even before the Comcast increase it was going to save me about $15-17 a month for the same service (1 HD-DVR and 1 HD box), which would pay for the $300 in equipment in about 1.5 years. Though I wasn't sure if "free installation" included the actual dish/antenna on the roof, but I assumed so.

You can get better deals than that. Esp wrt to paying equipment charges.

Their STB's are better than the crap that comes from MOT, but for me, the fact that their new boxes can't support a R5000-HD mod (I use SageTV as a DVR) is a showstopper for me. But I think I am part of a very small community of users. :-)

thanks,
Mike

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Mikef5

Mikef5, that’s great news. After all the calls, emails and frustrating talks with customer reps, I’m sure if feels good to finally get this upgrade. I can’t wait to hear about your initial thoughts on the new system.

BTW, how long did it take for the system to go live, counting from the time you got your initial notice earlier this summer?

You can get better deals than that. Esp wrt to paying equipment charges.

Their STB's are better than the crap that comes from MOT, but for me, the fact that their new boxes can't support a R5000-HD mod (I use SageTV as a DVR) is a showstopper for me. But I think I am part of a very small community of users. :-)

thanks,
Mike

Yes, in fact, I've seen mention of new subs getting the equipment for as little as free. DirecTV is very liberal with their deals depending on who you actually get on the phone and what promos they are running.

I saw 3 different DirecTV installations taking place in my neighborhood just yesterday, I'm curious what their subscriber growth will look like for 4Q of '07, I'll bet it out paces Comcast and in raw numbers to boot.

I don't have a HD-DVR. Instead I use a USB HDTV tuner to record clear QAM and OTA broadcasts on my PC. Works great, and no fees. Saved programs can be watched by any computer on the network. No hard disk space limitations, for all practical purposes.

I do that too but also have a networked player to play the programs back on my HD set. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if someone develops an low-power ATSC transmitter that people can use in-house to broadcast those programs to other sets in your house sort of like the FM podcast transmitters available today. Of course the neat thing about network players is you can restart, rewind or fast forward.

Yes, in fact, I've seen mention of new subs getting the equipment for as little as free. DirecTV is very liberal with their deals depending on who you actually get on the phone and what promos they are running.

I saw 3 different DirecTV installations taking place in my neighborhood just yesterday, I'm curious what their subscriber growth will look like for 4Q of '07, I'll bet it out paces Comcast and in raw numbers to boot.

Completely agree. Even today, Comcast is trading near 52 week lows, and DirecTV at 52 week highs. It's not just net adds/drops that are the issue, a lot of folks that are moving because of the HD gap are very high ARPU subs. Comcast can counter that loss of ARPU in the short term with more rate increases, but that just aggravates the problem in the long term.

After the 4Q results come in, it could really get ugly (stock price wise) unless something is done about it. Make no mistake, Comcast isn't going anywhere, but with the FCC pounding them on the regulatory front, and DirecTV pounding them on the programming and service front, it's not a good time to be a Comcast shareholder.

thanks,
mike

In anycase, that pillar of journalistic integrity and credibility, The Press Democrat :p, says Dec and that's not too far away.

I hate to always be negative, but I still haven't seen any trucks in my neighborhood... Hopefully it will be December for at least your area, though.

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WOW what a way to make me hate you!!!! No, just joking but congrats.

It seems like they have stopped working in my area:mad:!

Oh well I'm ready for them to do something good in my area!

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about damn time you came out of the stone ages. j/k enjoy your new channels and VOD.

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How did you find out. If one doesn't have an STB, how do they notify you?

Because I really do need therapy? :D

Actually, I've had DirecTV for long time, mainly it was for Sunday Ticket, and since I've had Comcast, which has been I'm guessing, 5-6 years, I've used DirecTV has a back-up and/or extra set of tuners for times when 3 or more shows are on at the same time. My primary viewing has always been on Comcast due to the better PQ, but with these new channel additions from DirecTV I find that I'm actually using it more than Comcast. I've kept my Comcast sub at Limited Basic which is only costing me $20 a month and it gives me all the local HD which I record with the TiVo S3.

Given the very slow rate at which Comcast is adding HD channels, I think supplementing a Limited Basic sub with a DirecTV sub makes pretty good sense, especially with the much improved PQ now from DirecTV and all the HD channels they have. Plus with DirecTV you get all those sports packages, Sunday Ticket, March Madness, MLBEI, NBA, all sorts of sports packages, although I don't subscribe to them all, mostly ST and March Madness, but have had the MLBEI package a few times.

The 2 yr commitment is definitely a drawback, but since it's pro-rated it's not that big of a deal, and even in one year's time I still don't see Comcast approaching the HD channel numbers DirecTV has even today.

I would prefer just to have one provider that could give me everything, but that animal just doesn't exist. I could probably live without Comcast, but as soon as they get the upgrade done here I'll probably be going with their HSI along with an expanded Digital Classic HD selection, hoping to get some good rates for both.

You know, the dirty little secret about the resolution game is that very little content is actually sourced at 1920x1080i, most being at 1440x1080i, with possibly live events coming in at 1920x1080i, even then it's never a full 1920x1080i. That goes for any provider. Yes, Comcast says they pass what they receive, but they don't tell you that what they receive may not always be that full resolution number. The signal itself may report as 1920x1080i but the actual content that signal was created from is most likely 1440 or less.

With what appears to be some excellent MPEG4 encoding from DirecTV, even if they are sending it out at 1440x1080i(not even confirmed yet), the resolution game becomes pretty much a moot point. The other side of the coin is the bandwidth, and so far, DirecTV seems to giving sufficient bandwidth with their MPEG4 content, I have not witnessed any bandwidth associated artifacting in the month or so I've had their MPEG4 STB.

There's a lot factors involved for each individual and what/how they choose their providers, for me a Comcast/DirecTV combo works good.
Hi Keenan,
Do you prefer Direct TV over Comcast if you could only have one service?
Thanks in advance.

Make no mistake, Comcast isn't going anywhere, but with the FCC pounding them on the regulatory front, and DirecTV pounding them on the programming and service front, it's not a good time to be a Comcast shareholder.

....and perhaps not a good time to be a Comcast customer either?
I'm getting offers from DTV nearly every week in the mail, with all kinds
of incentives to come back to them (I had DTV over five years ago)
Now they have comparative HD PQ, more HD channels, upcoming VOD,
better DVRs, stable pricing, and NFL Sunday Ticket, while Comcast just
decides to slam us with yet another rate increase.

It's getting pretty easy to see who wants us more.....
Comcast management: are you listening???

....and perhaps not a good time to be a Comcast customer either?
I'm getting offers from DTV nearly every week in the mail, with all kinds
of incentives to come back to them (I had DTV over five years ago)
Now they have comparative HD PQ, more HD channels, better DVRs,
stable pricing, and NFL Sunday Ticket, while Comcast just decides
to slam us with yet another rate increase.

It's getting pretty easy to see who wants us more.....
Comcast management: are you listening???

It is interesting that if you read a bunch of other threads where Comcast subs call to cancel because they are moving to DirecTV, Comcast doesn't even try and give them a promo or discount to keep them. I have yet to hear one story where Comcast fought to keep the sub.

I'm not sure I would read that as them not wanting to keep you though. It may be that they are just too slow in responding or waiting for orders from Phillie on authorizing discounts. Maybe they are just asleep at the switch.

They aren't even turning on other services like Blast!, which gives you speeds that DSL can't match. You get the feeling they got surprised by DirecTV's actions, even though DirecTV has been telling everyone this is what they were going to do for the last couple of years.

BTW, did you see the Wall St journal on monday? It's crammed with page after page of DirecTV ads making fun of Comcast and other MSO's HD offerings. I mean it's like the bought the entire ad inventory of the WSJ. It says a lot about the demographic they are targeting for all these HD services.

Thanks
Mike

It is interesting that if you read a bunch of other threads where Comcast subs call to cancel because they are moving to DirecTV, Comcast doesn't even try and give them a promo or discount to keep them. I have yet to hear one story where Comcast fought to keep the sub.They gave me 6 months at the new customer promo price, as well as HD DVR for only $5, when I threatened to leave.

They gave me 6 months at the new customer promo price, as well as HD DVR for only $5, when I threatened to leave.

Well that's a good sign. You must be loved Gary! :)

Thanks,
Mike

They actually gave me a pretty hefty discount about a year ago when I threatened to move to DBS (it ended up shaving off about $50 off my bill)

Yes, in fact, I've seen mention of new subs getting the equipment for as little as free. DirecTV is very liberal with their deals depending on who you actually get on the phone and what promos they are running.



I called today and could not get them to budge from $500 for 2 HD-DVRs. The girl even misquoted me at first, told me $300 and I went all the way to the very end of the process, credit check and all, before she realized her mistake. Even though she told me wrong information, she would not honor the price she told me. For $500 I took a pass, but would have done it for $300. I have not heard of anyone lately that could get more than a $100 discount on 1 HD DVR. I would love to be proven wrong so I could say Bye, Bye comcast, hello sunday ticket.

I hate to always be negative, but I still haven't seen any trucks in my neighborhood... Hopefully it will be December for at least your area, though.

Well, as Mikef5 noted, Mr. J says the upgrades happen in segments, hopefully your area happens soon.

The trucks I've seen BTW are CableCom, they are not Comcast trucks.

I called today and could not get them to budge from $500 for 2 HD-DVRs.If at first you don't succeed...

Hi Keenan,
Do you prefer Direct TV over Comcast if you could only have one service?
Thanks in advance.

If I could only have one? Yes, I would without question go with DirecTV, but, that's based on their current and expected HD channel offerings, the current state of their PQ, and they really have no equal when it comes to sports packages. I don't see Comcast even coming close to the diversity of HD channels DirecTV currently carries, even within the next year, hopefully Comcast will prove me wrong.

But that's me. Everyone has their own desires.

I called today and could not get them to budge from $500 for 2 HD-DVRs. The girl even misquoted me at first, told me $300 and I went all the way to the very end of the process, credit check and all, before she realized her mistake. Even though she told me wrong information, she would not honor the price she told me. For $500 I took a pass, but would have done it for $300. I have not heard of anyone lately that could get more than a $100 discount on 1 HD DVR. I would love to be proven wrong so I could say Bye, Bye comcast, hello sunday ticket.

Don't know what to say, if you check the D* deals thread the offers are all over the map, I read of one fellow who got 2 DVRs for $99, install included. Maybe try again in a week or two.

You get the feeling they got surprised by DirecTV's actions, even though DirecTV has been telling everyone this is what they were going to do for the last couple of years.



That's the same feeling I've had, I know it can't be possibly true(one would hope anyhow), but it sure appears that way to the hoi polloi.

Don't know what to say, if you check the D* deals thread the offers are all over the map, I read of one fellow who got 2 DVRs for $99, install included. Maybe try again in a week or two.

Yeah, and in the best buy threads they were giving away DVR's and a $300 credit on a HDTV/DVD/etc... combo.

There are lots of deals around, though not all necessarily directly from DirecTV.

thanks
Mike

I was going right off their web page.

It was $300 for a HD-DVR with a $100 MIR. The HD (non DVR) box was $99, which I thought was excessive.

I think the standard-def DVR was free, for one (1) and they will give you something like 5 standard-def, non-dvr boxes for free....

which is about what they are worth.

I know it was definitely $300 for 1 HD-DVR and 1 HD - plus free installation which I assume includes the dish? It was $65/mo but went up to $70 after 3 months or so. But I'm paying $80-85 for the same thing on Comcast right now, and that's WITH a free HD box ($7) until May ... and those prices are going up too..

If at first you don't succeed...

I hear ya, but I tried a few months ago and couldn't get them to budge then either. Maybe my negotiation skills are lacking but I read a thread on the programming forum and no one else that had called recently had been able to get a discount on the hardware either.

Don't know what to say, if you check the D* deals thread the offers are all over the map, I read of one fellow who got 2 DVRs for $99, install included. Maybe try again in a week or two.

where is this thread you speak of? Was it for HD DVR or regular DVR? Can get a deal on regular DVR, but it's the HD ones that are difficult. Like I said, I would love to be wrong.

Anyone else getting the same audio on all analog channels. Seems like something is really screwed up. Calling comcast but I'm sure they'll know nothing.

Hope this is a sign that our upgrade can't be far away.

And Now for Something That's Been Along Time Coming......



I'm Finally UPGRADED !!!!!

I now return the forum back to normal viewing :p


Laters,
Mikef5

I feel ya man....

I'm finally upgraded too!

Confirmed in 94089, near 237/101/Mathilda nexus... new lineup is available (even to lowly CableCARD users :p)


Strange thing is, after resetting my CableCARD, my TV is showing 3 analog channels and 380 digital (these are the total channels available, not what I actually get/am authorized for). 3 analog channels?!?

where is this thread you speak of? Was it for HD DVR or regular DVR? Can get a deal on regular DVR, but it's the HD ones that are difficult. Like I said, I would love to be wrong.

It may have been the below thread as that's really the only DirecTV thread I'm subscribed to. It may also have been a current sub upgrading, I don't remember the details. Maybe in the last 2 weeks worth of posts is where I saw it.

I do know that DirecTV is literally all over the map when it comes to setting up new and upgrading current subs. It's one of the things that annoys me about D*, they are not consistent with there offerings. Every year I go through the song and dance of getting ST-HD without the $99 charge, whereas others just have it show up free of charge on their bill.

I would just keep trying.

You might even try going through retention, could be a little tricky as you're not a current sub but you could say you were a past sub and looking to come back. The retention dept has far more leeway in what they can offer. The phone numbers are listed in the D* threads somewhere, I think one of the first posts in the HOTP thread has it in fact.

I was going right off their web page.

It was $300 for a HD-DVR with a $100 MIR. The HD (non DVR) box was $99, which I thought was excessive.

I think the standard-def DVR was free, for one (1) and they will give you something like 5 standard-def, non-dvr boxes for free....

which is about what they are worth.

I know it was definitely $300 for 1 HD-DVR and 1 HD - plus free installation which I assume includes the dish? It was $65/mo but went up to $70 after 3 months or so. But I'm paying $80-85 for the same thing on Comcast right now, and that's WITH a free HD box ($7) until May ... and those prices are going up too..

Their deals almost universally include the dish and installation. You may have a $19.95 charge for the STB shipping, but other than that, it's what ever you can wrangle from the CSR WRT equipment/ programming.

TiVo software Ver. 9.2 priority page is up.

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

Strange thing is, after resetting my CableCARD, my TV is showing 3 analog channels and 380 digital (these are the total channels available, not what I actually get/am authorized for). 3 analog channels?!?

Is it possible that it's only mapping the digital (ADS) channels and just ignoring the analog feed?

I guessing the channel lineup downloaded through the CableCARD no longer refers to the analog channels though most of them are still there.

My TiVo S3 has either 0 or 1 analog channel in the lineup, I forget.

I saw an interesting story of one old lady's battle against Comcast on Good Morning America. For a good laugh check out the Washington Post story (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/17/AR2007101702359.html?hpid=artslot) and the blog here (http://comcastmustdie.blogspot.com/). Mona Shaw my heroine. :D

I saw an interesting story of one old lady's battle against Comcast on Good Morning America. For a good laugh check out the Washington Post story (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/17/AR2007101702359.html?hpid=artslot) and the blog here (http://comcastmustdie.blogspot.com/). Mona Shaw my heroine. :D

Outstanding, thanks for the link. :D

Completely agree. Even today, Comcast is trading near 52 week lows, and DirecTV at 52 week highs. It's not just net adds/drops that are the issue, a lot of folks that are moving because of the HD gap are very high ARPU subs. Comcast can counter that loss of ARPU in the short term with more rate increases, but that just aggravates the problem in the long term.

After the 4Q results come in, it could really get ugly (stock price wise) unless something is done about it. Make no mistake, Comcast isn't going anywhere, but with the FCC pounding them on the regulatory front, and DirecTV pounding them on the programming and service front, it's not a good time to be a Comcast shareholder.

thanks,
mike

You were right on the money, the bloodletting has already started.

October 19, 2007
360AM: DirecTV Raises HD Rates; Pali Knocks Cable as HD Laggards
DirecTV subs will lose basic high-def nets if they don't upgrade; Comcast and Time Warner Cable downgraded for HD foot-dragging; and more Friday news.
By Shirley Brady
Cable360AM — News briefing for Friday, Oct. 19 »

Pali Research this morning lowered its estimates on Comcast and Time Warner Cable for "poorly positioning their HD marketing message as they have been too focused on marketing low-cost telephony," Pali analyst Rich Greenfield writes. "In addition, cable has not freed up enough bandwidth to deliver any and all HD channels as they become available (just as we saw with digital and DVRs, cable somehow always seems to fall behind the competition)." Greenfield also knocks cable ops for "taking a hard line on new sports programming that they do not own or control" — including NFL Network (its biggest battleground: Time Warner Cable San Antonio) and Big Ten Network — because "the competition has used sports, especially HD sports, to its marketing advantage."

http://www.cable360.net/technology/news/26204.html

You were right on the money, the bloodletting has already started.

October 19, 2007
360AM: DirecTV Raises HD Rates; Pali Knocks Cable as HD Laggards
DirecTV subs will lose basic high-def nets if they don't upgrade; Comcast and Time Warner Cable downgraded for HD foot-dragging; and more Friday news.
By Shirley Brady
Cable360AM — News briefing for Friday, Oct. 19 »

Pali Research this morning lowered its estimates on Comcast and Time Warner Cable for "poorly positioning their HD marketing message as they have been too focused on marketing low-cost telephony," Pali analyst Rich Greenfield writes. "In addition, cable has not freed up enough bandwidth to deliver any and all HD channels as they become available (just as we saw with digital and DVRs, cable somehow always seems to fall behind the competition)." Greenfield also knocks cable ops for "taking a hard line on new sports programming that they do not own or control" — including NFL Network (its biggest battleground: Time Warner Cable San Antonio) and Big Ten Network — because "the competition has used sports, especially HD sports, to its marketing advantage."

http://www.cable360.net/technology/news/26204.html
Jim,

Where's the part about Directv increasing their rates for HD ???

Just to be fair it should've been posted with the post, not just the part about Comcast being chastised for it's performance. I do realize you are trying to drive a point home and I could've just read the article but with all the bitching about Comcast raising it's rates I think it's only fair to show that Directv just did the same thing. So just to be fair and for those people that don't like to read the whole article here's the part that talks about that...

While DBS is quick to tout new HD channels, including high-def sports nets — case in point: DirecTV and (as of yesterday) Dish Network now offer NHL Network HD, which cable operators are promising to offer this hockey season — DirecTV isn't publicizing the rate hike related to its HD expansion. DirecTV this week emailed subscribers a notification that they will lose three longstanding high-def networks (HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD) unless they pay an extra $4.99/month to upgrade to its new HD Extra Pack that launches on Nov. 15. More from TV Predictions and Sky Report.


I agree with what you are saying, that Comcast lost a prime advantage by focusing in the wrong areas ( for us anyways ) and being so slow in their response to this latest challenge. They are slow but they are responding sort of like the Slowski's, slow but steady but they'll get there.

Laters,
Mikef5

I just got Comcast HD service, along with their internet, about two weeks ago. Moved from NYC where I had Time-Warner. Never thought I'd miss TW so much.

The internet frequently disconnects randomly (usually when I'm tanking a boss in Serpentshrine in WoW -- sorry for the uber nerd reference), and the cable box is such a horribly POS I'm seriously considering paying more money just to get Tivo S3. Those guide banner ads are beyond annoying and the lag in the box is so bad when changing channels or, well, doing anything, that my girlfriend thinks I've lost my mind I yell at the TV so much.

I've actually been surprised reading about all the people who've dumped the Comcast DVR service for Tivo, and I'm just wondering what peoples' experience with getting Comcast cablecards installed is like. I tried in NYC and had to give up TW was so incompetent. And is there a special plan I should ask for?

I'd switch to dish or directv in a second if my apt bldg would allow it ... so I'm stuck with Comcast. Does Comcast charge some rediculous install fee for cablecards or can I just drive down and pick up a pair myself?

Thanks for any help you can give. Ready to kill Comcast with pliers at this point.

For those of you that noticed the major screw up of signal from Comcast the other day ( picture freeze up, uncontrolled channel changing and audio being out of sync after the picture was restored ). Here is what happened. This is directly from Mr. J. so it is exactly the way I received it......
---------------------------------------------------------

Thought I should head this one off before the Forum members "rush to judgment".

Last night I received a series of phone calls at home from the Fox, NBC, CBS & ABC affiliates regarding audio problems we had this evening after a local law enforcement agency issued an Amber Alert.

In brief, after the Amber Alert, analog customers in Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Milpitas and Mountain View received their normal video programming, but the audio portion was still linked to the radio station that is used for the EAS/Amber Alert system. Customers with digital boxes in these specific cities were not impacted.

All of the local affiliates received numerous calls into their news desks from irate customers. It is important to note that when EAS is activated, by law control of our cable system is automatically "taken over".

It seems, according to the folks at a couple of the local stations, the Amber Alert protocol, (which operates on the Emergency Alert System) was not implemented correctly and when " the EAS message" concluded the audio feed from the local radio station did not revert back. We immediately had our technical team "override the override". Since we had to do this task one channel at a time it took some time to work through the entire analog lineup.
-----------------------------------------------------------
So that's what caused all the problems the other night and Mr. J. just wanted to clear this up for the group.

Laters,
Mikef5

I've actually been surprised reading about all the people who've dumped the Comcast DVR service for Tivo, and I'm just wondering what peoples' experience with getting Comcast cablecards installed is like. I tried in NYC and had to give up TW was so incompetent. And is there a special plan I should ask for?

While it may vary from area to area, my CableCARD install was actually less painfull than a cable box install, simply because everything was already hooked up.

Installer showed up with a box full of cards (just in case some didn't work), plugged them in, screens popped right up, he called it in and everything came in. Since that day I haven't had a single problem with the billing, or the channels coming in. The biggest problem is waiting for the guide data from Tribune to catch up with the channels Comcast has been adding (KICU-HD and TBS-HD).

I have a Series 3 and a TiVoHD, and I am charged my package price, $1.75 for the extra cable card in the S3 and $6.95 for the "additional outlet" fee for the TiVoHD (it is using a M-CARD so no need for an additional $1.75). I am actually very happy with Comcast, I came from a Charter area and they simply had no idea of what was going on.

My box got screwed up after the EAS last night also. After it ended (some time, I used the opportunity to use the head) it just sat there on black screen. Had to power-cycle it to get the picture & sound back.

While it may vary from area to area, my CableCARD install was actually less painfull than a cable box install, simply because everything was already hooked up.

Installer showed up with a box full of cards (just in case some didn't work), plugged them in, screens popped right up, he called it in and everything came in. Since that day I haven't had a single problem with the billing, or the channels coming in. The biggest problem is waiting for the guide data from Tribune to catch up with the channels Comcast has been adding (KICU-HD and TBS-HD).

I have a Series 3 and a TiVoHD, and I am charged my package price, $1.75 for the extra cable card in the S3 and $6.95 for the "additional outlet" fee for the TiVoHD (it is using a M-CARD so no need for an additional $1.75). I am actually very happy with Comcast, I came from a Charter area and they simply had no idea of what was going on.

I had my TivoHD hooked up a while back and my experience with the installation is similar to Wanderance's.

The installer knew exactly what to do, even had a couple of Mcards with him just encase one was bad. Before he did anything he did signal checks on my cabling and checked every splitter in my house to insure they were the right ones for my situation. He also checked every connection to insure they were properly done and secure. The whole process took about 30 minutes and the only reason it took that long was because the CSR didn't send the hit signal to the card when the installer told her to. She didn't know that he want her to do it right then, she thought she could do it later ( didn't set well with the installer ).

You didn't say what area you're in but pray you're in the SaraMilgatos loop, the techs here are the best ( I might be a little bias since my brother use to work for the cable company here and I have friends that still do :) ).

Laters,
Mikef5

My box got screwed up after the EAS last night also. After it ended (some time, I used the opportunity to use the head) it just sat there on black screen. Had to power-cycle it to get the picture & sound back.

I didn't have to power cycle ( unplug the box and plug it back in ) the box but I did turn if off then back on after the system was restored to get the audio to sync and it did affect both of my digital boxes and it even affected my TivoHD. I know the email said it only affected analog but it affected my digital boxes also.

Laters,
Mikef5

Jim,

Where's the part about Directv increasing their rates for HD ???

Just to be fair it should've been posted with the post, not just the part about Comcast being chastised for it's performance. I do realize you are trying to drive a point home and I could've just read the article but with all the bitching about Comcast raising it's rates I think it's only fair to show that Directv just did the same thing. So just to be fair and for those people that don't like to read the whole article here's the part that talks about that...



I agree with what you are saying, that Comcast lost a prime advantage by focusing in the wrong areas ( for us anyways ) and being so slow in their response to this latest challenge. They are slow but they are responding sort of like the Slowski's, slow but steady but they'll get there.

Laters,
Mikef5

Whoa cowboy, the only reason I didn't post the whole thing was most of it was unrelated. Below is the entire article, more of a briefing really. :)

October 19, 2007
360AM: DirecTV Raises HD Rates; Pali Knocks Cable as HD Laggards
DirecTV subs will lose basic high-def nets if they don't upgrade; Comcast and Time Warner Cable downgraded for HD foot-dragging; and more Friday news.
By Shirley Brady
Cable360AM — News briefing for Friday, Oct. 19 »


Pali Research this morning lowered its estimates on Comcast and Time Warner Cable for "poorly positioning their HD marketing message as they have been too focused on marketing low-cost telephony," Pali analyst Rich Greenfield writes. "In addition, cable has not freed up enough bandwidth to deliver any and all HD channels as they become available (just as we saw with digital and DVRs, cable somehow always seems to fall behind the competition)." Greenfield also knocks cable ops for "taking a hard line on new sports programming that they do not own or control" — including NFL Network (its biggest battleground: Time Warner Cable San Antonio) and Big Ten Network — because "the competition has used sports, especially HD sports, to its marketing advantage."

While DBS is quick to tout new HD channels, including high-def sports nets — case in point: DirecTV and (as of yesterday) Dish Network now offer NHL Network HD, which cable operators are promising to offer this hockey season — DirecTV isn't publicizing the rate hike related to its HD expansion. DirecTV this week emailed subscribers a notification that they will lose three longstanding high-def networks (HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD) unless they pay an extra $4.99/month to upgrade to its new HD Extra Pack that launches on Nov. 15. More from TV Predictions and Sky Report.

Meanwhile, Comcast and Time Warner Cable are stepping up HD sports through their co-ownership (with Cox Communications and Advance/Newhouse's Bright House Networks) of In Demand, which today announced TeamHD, a high-definition sports offering that will feature all NBA-scheduled HD games offered through In Demand's NBA League Pass package. The channel joins In Demand's GameHD channel offering MLB Extra Innings baseball games in HD, which quietly launched in April on select Comcast and Time Warner Cable systems, and smaller ops including Marco Island Cable in Florida. GameHD will add HD NHL games from In Demand's NHL Center Ice package this season and resume HD MLB games when the MLB Extra Innings package returns in the spring.

In other news, the Communications Workers of America is backing AT&T's fight against the Connecticut DPUC order requiring a cable TV franchise to offer U-verse. The CWA, which reps nearly 5,000 unionized AT&T workers, said 1,300 of them face layoffs if the ruling stands. [AP | Legal News]

AT&T may be sanctioned by the California PUC for running a "You Got Cabled" ad that (falsely) claimed Time Warner Cable customers would lose their phone service yesterday, when TWC phased out its switched circuit phone system in SoCal. [Los Angeles Times]

The Associated Press tested peer-to-peer sites including ********** and Gnutella using Comcast.net to download the King James Bible, and determined Comcast is using software (likely Sandvine) to block P2P activity, which Comcast.net spokesman Charlie Douglas declined to discuss except to say Comcast.net does not block customers from accessing P2P sites. More here, here and here.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday filed a $25 million bond bill to support broadband infrastructure in the state's communities without high-speed Internet access.

Cablevision is bracing for next week's shareholder vote on the Dolans' privatization bid, with the family urging shareholders to ignore negative statements of Gamco and other institutional investors regarding Wednesday's vote. NY Newsday looks at the prospects for the Dolans' "we're not budging" offer.

Bright House Networks is facing a municipal lawsuit in Florida, where Tampa's mayor and city councillors are concerned about a plan to relocate PEG or local access channels. [Tampa Tribune]

With the FCC likely to change media-ownership rules this quarter, the Wall Street Journal says the impact of allowing one company to own a TV station and newspaper in the same market will be minimal as most media companies "have given up on cross-ownership strategies since the rules came up for review."

The FCC yesterday fined two broadcasters, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Sonshine Family Television, $76,000 for airing Armstrong Williams' 2004 TV special on the No Child Left Behind initiative, a program that was quietly paid for by the Dept. of Education, in violation of FCC rules on sponsorship disclosure.

While it may vary from area to area, my CableCARD install was actually less painfull than a cable box install, simply because everything was already hooked up.

Installer showed up with a box full of cards (just in case some didn't work), plugged them in, screens popped right up, he called it in and everything came in. Since that day I haven't had a single problem with the billing, or the channels coming in. The biggest problem is waiting for the guide data from Tribune to catch up with the channels Comcast has been adding (KICU-HD and TBS-HD).

I have a Series 3 and a TiVoHD, and I am charged my package price, $1.75 for the extra cable card in the S3 and $6.95 for the "additional outlet" fee for the TiVoHD (it is using a M-CARD so no need for an additional $1.75). I am actually very happy with Comcast, I came from a Charter area and they simply had no idea of what was going on.

Thanks a lot for the reply.

I used to have a Tivo S2 and really missed it when moving to NYC ... now I see that there's a rebate on Amazon to get the S3 HD for a decent price, and with no rebate the TivoHD is around the same price ... been looking online but I can't seem to find the major differences between the two. Leaning towards just getting a S3 because I don't really know the difference and it's about $50 more.

Just got off the phone with a surprisingly helpful girl who confirmed the $1.75 for the pair of cards and a $16 install fee. Think I'll be doing that. Now to figure out which Tivo to get, and wonder why they're charging so much for their monthly service now.

Thanks a lot for the reply.

I used to have a Tivo S2 and really missed it when moving to NYC ... now I see that there's a rebate on Amazon to get the S3 HD for a decent price, and with no rebate the TivoHD is around the same price ... been looking online but I can't seem to find the major differences between the two. Leaning towards just getting a S3 because I don't really know the difference and it's about $50 more.

Just got off the phone with a surprisingly helpful girl who confirmed the $1.75 for the pair of cards and a $16 install fee. Think I'll be doing that. Now to figure out which Tivo to get, and wonder why they're charging so much for their monthly service now.Here is the place to read about and ask questions about the TiVo S3 and HD:
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=51

Thanks a lot for the reply.

I used to have a Tivo S2 and really missed it when moving to NYC ... now I see that there's a rebate on Amazon to get the S3 HD for a decent price, and with no rebate the TivoHD is around the same price ... been looking online but I can't seem to find the major differences between the two. Leaning towards just getting a S3 because I don't really know the difference and it's about $50 more.

Just got off the phone with a surprisingly helpful girl who confirmed the $1.75 for the pair of cards and a $16 install fee. Think I'll be doing that. Now to figure out which Tivo to get, and wonder why they're charging so much for their monthly service now.

+1 for TiVo... I have the HD + 1TB and now esata expansion is supported so the biggest advantage to the TiVo boxes over the comcast motos is expandable storage. i am still fighting my impulse to delete HD shows as quickly as i view them. it's been slow and hard lol.

I wish there was a way to opt out of these Amber Alert EAS. I was watching the LA vs. NY MLS game last night on ESPN2 HD. When the annoying Amber Alert EAS was issue. First my DVR DCT 3612 the picture freezed Alert EAS with no audio. Then minute later I got blank Green Screen of death, Right after that STB power down and turn itself off.

It took me ten minutes and five power cycles later for to get the STB to boot up and to function correctly. with out it getting the blank Green Screen of death, STB power down and turn itself off routine.

+1 for TiVo... I have the HD + 1TB and now esata expansion is supported so the biggest advantage to the TiVo boxes over the comcast motos is expandable storage. i am still fighting my impulse to delete HD shows as quickly as i view them. it's been slow and hard lol.

I wish I could see the substantial differences between the HD and the S3 other than storage space and a nicer remote. I've read in reviews the S3 will get m-card support in a future update, so really there's not much difference at all. Also read the HD is a bit slower menu-wise, and at only $100 more after rebate I'd really tempted to just get the S3. Will figure it out eventually :).

Any word about Comcast going SDV and rendering the cablecards useless for some channels?

I wish I could see the substantial differences between the HD and the S3 other than storage space and a nicer remote. I've read in reviews the S3 will get m-card support in a future update, so really there's not much difference at all. Also read the HD is a bit slower menu-wise, and at only $100 more after rebate I'd really tempted to just get the S3. Will figure it out eventually :).

Any word about Comcast going SDV and rendering the cablecards useless for some channels?The S3 also has the OLED display which is nice to read the titles of shows being recorded, if you are sitting close enough to it.

Whoa cowboy, the only reason I didn't post the whole thing was most of it was unrelated. Below is the entire article, more of a briefing really. :)

October 19, 2007
360AM: DirecTV Raises HD Rates; Pali Knocks Cable as HD Laggards
DirecTV subs will lose basic high-def nets if they don't upgrade; Comcast and Time Warner Cable downgraded for HD foot-dragging; and more Friday news.
By Shirley Brady
Cable360AM — News briefing for Friday, Oct. 19 »




Jim,

I didn't mean for you to post the whole thing, it's just since you cut out the part that you where using to drive your point home, you should've included the snippet that also talked about the Directv price increase which was in the first line of the quote you alluded to, that's all. I agree with what you were saying I'm just trying to get things fairly reported for both sides. I'm tired of all of the bitching about price increases, they all do it not just Comcast and for the record... I hate the Cowboys, I'm more of a Raiders/49er's kind of guy :D;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Jim,

I didn't mean for you to post the whole thing, it's just since you cut out the part that you where using to drive your point home, you should've included the snippet that also talked about the Directv price increase which was in the first line of the quote you alluded to, that's all. I agree with what you were saying I'm just trying to get things fairly reported for both sides. I'm tired of all of the bitching about price increases, they all do it not just Comcast and for the record... I hate the Cowboys, I'm more of a Raiders/49er's kind of guy :D;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I wasn't posting about the price increase, I was posting about the fact that Comcast is lagging behind which is being confirmed by the market.

The fact that Comcast is raising prices again was immaterial to what I was trying to point out.

I'm ready to kiss and make up, a hug maybe? :p:D

I'm ready to kiss and make up, a hug maybe? :p:D

If your name was Jane then I'd kiss and make up but since it's Jim the kissing is out... :D;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Ooooh.....it's gettin' dangerous around here..... :eek:

I wish I could see the substantial differences between the HD and the S3 other than storage space and a nicer remote. I've read in reviews the S3 will get m-card support in a future update, so really there's not much difference at all. Also read the HD is a bit slower menu-wise, and at only $100 more after rebate I'd really tempted to just get the S3. Will figure it out eventually :).

Any word about Comcast going SDV and rendering the cablecards useless for some channels?

The Tivo HD came out with an older version of software than the S3, that's why it's slower.

Another difference between the two: With the new eSATA software that's coming out now, apparently the S3 allows user to connect any brand eSATA drives, while the Tivo HD appears to accept only an Tivo approved one, although exactly which ones are approved has not been announced yet by Tivo at this website
http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/domore/expand.html

Rumor has it that it will be the WD My DVR Expander.

BTW, I think Comcast's service in terms of CSR's and execution on product delivery (once they decide to offer a product) is actually pretty good. You may not think much of the CSR's, but I'll take a Comcast CSR over an AT&T CSR any day. I've had pretty good luck at their offices too.

Their HSI service also has worked very well for me. I'm unhappy Blast is not an option the way it is in Verizon territory, but it's very reliable for me, much more so than the DSL service that some of my friends have experienced.

I also think they do a pretty good job with Cablecard and the like.

My criticism is much more about them being slow to respond to the competition and the increases prices for services that are becoming less and less competitive. That to me is a bigger issue than the number of CSR's they have and reliability of the plant.

Thanks,
Mike

I have an of the topic question:

With my comcast cable I use a notch filter to block out five channels and insert my own (for montoiring the kids). It passes throught the 6412 boxes I have without any trouble. Any one know if the same set up will work on the Dirct TV HR20? I wlil ask on another forum as well but wanted to start here.

This is the only thing stopping me from switching (i.e., my wife said I could).

TIA

I have an of the topic question:

With my comcast cable I use a notch filter to block out five channels and insert my own (for montoiring the kids). It passes throught the 6412 boxes I have without any trouble. Any one know if the same set up will work on the Dirct TV HR20? I wlil ask on another forum as well but wanted to start here.

This is the only thing stopping me from switching (i.e., my wife said I could).

TIA

Do those Moto boxes have some sort of channel(parental) lock option on them? I know some of the other providers have that option in their equipment.

You could get lucky and find a notch filter with the right frequencies, but individual frequency notch filters are not cheap, especially if you don't want it effecting the adjacent channel.

There's an outfit in Montreal(probably elsewhere as well) that will custom build a notch filter, but IIRC, they run about $100.

The notch filter is only for analog channels and the kid's TVs are probably using the built-in analog tuners. That won't apply to DirecTV as all TVs must use STB receiver/DVR. All DirecTV receivers/DVRs have parental control.

The notch filter is only for analog channels and the kid's TVs are probably using the built-in analog tuners. That won't apply to DirecTV as all TVs must use STB receiver/DVR. All DirecTV receivers/DVRs have parental control.

I'm pretty sure a notch filter can be used for any RF frequency, which would include digital channels, but to get one or more with a narrow enough filter with high rejection of adjacent frequencies can be pretty expensive.

If it can't be done with the STB, or TV, I think GBruno is pretty much out of luck.

Ordered the S3 Tivo from Amazon. $350 after rebate seemed worth it to me. Only $100 more than the HD unit and includes the fancy remote and more storage out of the box. Plus reading that tivocommunity link indicated there were some very minor tuner quality advantages to the S3 vs the HD unit. Will have it monday and on hold with Comcast to schedule some cable card installs right now.

Should I ask for a standard digital cable box in addition to the two cards to keep the VOD functionality? Admittedly I never use it but if it's free, I figure why not.

Ordered the S3 Tivo from Amazon. $350 after rebate seemed worth it to me. Only $100 more than the HD unit and includes the fancy remote and more storage out of the box. Plus reading that tivocommunity link indicated there were some very minor tuner quality advantages to the S3 vs the HD unit. Will have it monday and on hold with Comcast to schedule some cable card installs right now.

Should I ask for a standard digital cable box in addition to the two cards to keep the VOD functionality? Admittedly I never use it but if it's free, I figure why not.

you know you will be hit with an additional outlet fee of 6.95 right?

Comcast just got blasted on KTVU news for internet traffic blocking.

Associated Press article link below.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/COMCAST_DATA_DISCRIMINATION?SITE=FLMYR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
The News-Press: Nation & World

************************************************************

Mikef5, I'd be very interested in Mr. J's take on this as Comcast HSI is something I was going to switch to when the upgrade was done up here, but not if they are doing this.

you know you will be hit with an additional outlet fee of 6.95 right?

Yeah, you're right. Was some misinformation on the tivocommunity.com forum that led me to believe that.

Ditching the Comcast STB/DVR entirely and going tivo-only. Can't wait.

Comcast just got blasted on KTVU news for internet traffic blocking.

Associated Press article link below.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/COMCAST_DATA_DISCRIMINATION?SITE=FLMYR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
The News-Press: Nation & World

************************************************************

Mikef5, I'd be very interested in Mr. J's take on this as Comcast HSI is something I was going to switch to when the upgrade was done up here, but not if they are doing this.

That blows. And if nobody complains, I can see the DSL companies doing it too, because then the RIAA and MPAA will sue the ISPs to do the same thing as Comcast.

Then once that precedent is established, anything can be next. Why not block VOIP traffic or certain video services too, since they compete against some of Comcast's businesses?

While it may vary from area to area, my CableCARD install was actually less painfull than a cable box install, simply because everything was already hooked up.

Installer showed up with a box full of cards (just in case some didn't work), plugged them in, screens popped right up, he called it in and everything came in. Since that day I haven't had a single problem with the billing, or the channels coming in. The biggest problem is waiting for the guide data from Tribune to catch up with the channels Comcast has been adding (KICU-HD and TBS-HD).

I have a Series 3 and a TiVoHD, and I am charged my package price, $1.75 for the extra cable card in the S3 and $6.95 for the "additional outlet" fee for the TiVoHD (it is using a M-CARD so no need for an additional $1.75). I am actually very happy with Comcast, I came from a Charter area and they simply had no idea of what was going on.


That's pretty amazing...the polar opposite of my CableCard experiences with Comcast (Richmond, CA).

I went through no less than 5 CableCards and 6 appointments before I finally hurled the last one off my back deck on to eastbound 580. Not one of the techs they sent carried more than one card, and none of them knew the first thing about them. The supervisor they promised to send out never showed up, twice. I was promised a $60 credit for erroneous install fees 3 months ago which still hasn't posted.

D* is not an option due to my unfortunate location.

Astound....FIOS...someone HAAAAALP!

I'm pretty sure a notch filter can be used for any RF frequency, which would include digital channels, but to get one or more with a narrow enough filter with high rejection of adjacent frequencies can be pretty expensive.

If it can't be done with the STB, or TV, I think GBruno is pretty much out of luck.

Thanks, That is what I needed to know. I dont mind sacrificing a few surrounding channels (I block 65-70) as long as it works!

I was not sure if digital was still RF ( I was not even sure how to ask the question)

thanks again

In my experience, if the credit doesn't post within 7 days, it isn't going to post because it hasn't been approved by the 2nd level person that reviews credits.

That blows. And if nobody complains, I can see the DSL companies doing it too, because then the RIAA and MPAA will sue the ISPs to do the same thing as Comcast.

Then once that precedent is established, anything can be next. Why not block VOIP traffic or certain video services too, since they compete against some of Comcast's businesses?

They don't seem to understand that there is a lot of legit P2P traffic. Things like Linux distro images are distributed this way. There are even some movie studios using P2P to distribute DRM'd material (you have to purchase an authorization code for it play). But neo-feudalists don't understand technology just how much money they are amassing. :D

I agree with what you were saying I'm just trying to get things fairly reported for both sides. I'm tired of all of the bitching about price increases, they all do it not just Comcast and for the record... I hate the Cowboys, I'm more of a Raiders/49er's kind of guy :D;)

I know this is already resolved with hugs :), but still... It is not unreasonable to see more bitching about Comcast and might seem unbalanced. After all, this a thread about Comcast in SF Bay area and not about Comcast Vs D*. Comcast Vs D* comes up only as a 'related issue'.

Expecting 'fair and balanced' is like Fox news complaining about "Why do all journalists report about 100 Iraqis dying in a blast and not about two schools opened else where that day?"....

Edit : Mike, you already take enough heat for Comcast and I sure didn't mean to add to it.

In my experience, if the credit doesn't post within 7 days, it isn't going to post because it hasn't been approved by the 2nd level person that reviews credits.

Hmmm...that's not good news. I'm not letting it go though...it was re-submitted last billing cycle and now shows as still "pending".

I'll be damned if I'm going to pay them $60 for answering the phone and taking an order, and that's all they did.

I'll cancel and live with OTA if I have to.

I live in downtown San Jose on the second floor. Bought some cheapo Radio Shack bunny ears for $12 bucks, and can receive CBS 5.1 and NBC 11.1.

Any possible way to get FOX or ABC from my location? If so, what indoor antenna would you recommend? Zenith Silver Sensor?

Thanks

I live in downtown San Jose on the second floor. Bought some cheapo Radio Shack bunny ears for $12 bucks, and can receive CBS 5.1 and NBC 11.1.

Any possible way to get FOX or ABC from my location? If so, what indoor antenna would you recommend? Zenith Silver Sensor?

Thanks

you already posted this in the right thread... the OTA thread...

I know this is already resolved with hugs :), but still... It is not unreasonable to see more bitching about Comcast and might seem unbalanced. After all, this a thread about Comcast in SF Bay area and not about Comcast Vs D*. Comcast Vs D* comes up only as a 'related issue'.

Expecting 'fair and balanced' is like Fox news complaining about "Why do all journalists report about 100 Iraqis dying in a blast and not about two schools opened else where that day?"....

Edit : Mike, you already take enough heat for Comcast and I sure didn't mean to add to it.

raghu1111,

Jim and I are old friends, we snipe at each other all the time, but it's all done in jest and he understands what I was doing with his post so it's not a problem.

I think that "fair and balanced" is absolutely needed. A one sided view of things only perpetuates rumors and half truths. I really don't care if people like Comcast or the Sat Co's it's their choice but a balanced posting can assist them in making their decision on which is best for them.

Heat ??? This is nothing, 20 years in the military ( Navy, as a nuclear electrician ) taught me what real heat is but thanks for the concern, I sincerely appreciate it. :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Anybody seeing those vertical bars across the top of the screen on the 702 49ers broadcast? I just tuned to the channel so I'm not sure how long it's been there.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/keenanj/SP32-20071021-125327.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/keenanj/SP32-20071021-125621.jpg

I don't remember seeing those vertical lines, but I might have missed them since I was holding my hand over my eyes most of the game. :D

Really. :D

Though not as bad as the Pats throughly thrashing Miami 42 to 7 in the first half, finally winning 49-28. :eek:

I didn't see them in San Jose on the KTVU-HD broadcast.

They don't seem to understand that there is a lot of legit P2P traffic.
They understand, they just don't care, or put another way, bandwidth management trumps legitimate use. The only way they will care is if their policy results in negative publicity or decrease in profitable subscribers. Their responsibility is to make money, not to promote net neutrality.

Thanks, That is what I needed to know. I dont mind sacrificing a few surrounding channels (I block 65-70) as long as it works!

I was not sure if digital was still RF ( I was not even sure how to ask the question)

thanks again

If you are in an ADS market (almost all the bay area is now), you can cut out a bunch of channels in the analog section and not lose anything, as the STB's all tune the digital signal anyway.

Thanks,
Mike

I have an of the topic question:

With my comcast cable I use a notch filter to block out five channels and insert my own (for montoiring the kids). It passes throught the 6412 boxes I have without any trouble. Any one know if the same set up will work on the Dirct TV HR20? I wlil ask on another forum as well but wanted to start here.

This is the only thing stopping me from switching (i.e., my wife said I could).

TIA

You want to notch out some part of the DirecTV block convertor's output from the dish so that you can insert your own channels? You can't do that.

Mikef5, How long does it take for an area to get ADS after its been re-built?

You want to notch out some part of the DirecTV block convertor's output from the dish so that you can insert your own channels? You can't do that.

Uh-oh that does not sound good. Why cant I do it? It works when I do it with the comcast box (moto 6412). If the DirectTV digital signal is RF (as stated by Keenan) then I was hopng to do the same thing with the HR 20.

thanks

If you are in an ADS market (almost all the bay area is now), you can cut out a bunch of channels in the analog section and not lose anything, as the STB's all tune the digital signal anyway.

Thanks,
Mike

Santa Cruz is not like the rest of the Bay Area in many ways :D. I am not sure but I dont think we are ADS.
In any event I can pass through my own channels on the Moto boxes. I was wondering if I could do it if I switched to a DirectTV Hr 20.

thanks

Uh-oh that does not sound good. Why cant I do it? It works when I do it with the comcast box (moto 6412). If the DirectTV digital signal is RF (as stated by Keenan) then I was hopng to do the same thing with the HR 20.

thanks

The DirecTV block converter's output is between 950MHz and 1450MHz; that's not the VHF and UHF band. The DirecTV set-top box will not decode analog broadcasts in the UHF/VHF band. You also need to supply power to the satellite dish, so you need to make sure that there is a DC/low-AC path in from set-top to dish. How do you plan to receive the broadcasts of the kids' monitor channels? Without going through the set-top?

One possible way is to use a powered combiner, and combine the output of your own monitor after it has been modulated to a VHF/UHF frequency with the signal from the dish. And then at the TV's end, you need some sort of powered splitter, to split out your own channel and go into your TV's tuner. That's a lot of work, and I am still not sure if that works well.

The alternative these days is to use your LAN network to send video output to any PC on your network. You can also watch the video via the internet connection when you are not home. That's the way to go.

Yet another alternative is to broadcast the monitor's signal via a RF link. They used to sell those transmitter/receivers as a pair, at low prices. You would then place the receiver at your TV. The receiver typically has composite outputs, and can also modulate the received signal to channel 3 or 4.

Sorry for being off-topic.

The alternative these days is to use your LAN network to send video output to any PC on your network. You can also watch the video via the internet connection when you are not home. That's the way to go.

Yet another alternative is to broadcast the monitor's signal via a RF link. They used to sell those transmitter/receivers as a pair, at low prices. You would then place the receiver at your TV. The receiver typically has composite outputs, and can also modulate the received signal to channel 3 or 4.

Sorry for being off-topic.

An even simpler way is to keep your existing Comcast cabling and your monitoring/notch setup, and run that cable directly into your TV's tuner input. Then you ask DirecTV to install for you the new cabling. You may need new cabling anyway because of the higher frequency signals that are carried on those cables, and the need to carry DC/low AC.

This way you keep your Comcast internet connection, and you may even still subscribed to Basic Limited for the local stuff.

Uh-oh that does not sound good. Why cant I do it? It works when I do it with the comcast box (moto 6412). If the DirectTV digital signal is RF (as stated by Keenan) then I was hopng to do the same thing with the HR 20.

thanks

I was referring to the Comcast feed, as clau notes, trying to block specific channels on DirecTV might be quite a chore...but doesn't the DirecTV STB allow for channel blocking with a password lock anyway?

I was referring to the Comcast feed, as clau notes, trying to block specific channels on DirecTV might be quite a chore...but doesn't the DirecTV STB allow for channel blocking with a password lock anyway?

Right. You cannot block DirecTV's channels with a notch, as they are all digital just like digital cable. A given cable QAM carrier may carry up to 16 digital SD channels. A notch would block the whole QAM carrier, and take out the whole block of 16 channels. You have to use parental locks to block channels. I am pretty sure you can even remove the channels from the guide in addition to preventing access to them.

If you want to push stuff around for baby video monitors or CCTV cameras, you should actually be able to do this on the same cable that carries the direcTV signal around. I would stick a DC block between the TV's that tie directly into that input and the RF modulators, just to be on the safe side. It shouldn't cause a problem because of the frontends in these devices, but they are really cheap so why not do it - you might have a real el cheapo device that could have pproblems with it.

The DBS systems are designed to be overlaid on RG6 plant that already has a cable signal on it. If you have the extra wiring, I would still separate it, but you should absolutely be able to put a bunch of analog TV signals on the coax down below cable channel 120 or so. TV's would be able to see the modulated channels but not any DBS signal - that requires a STB.

Thanks,
Mike

Right. You cannot block DirecTV's channels with a notch, as they are all digital just like digital cable. A given cable QAM carrier may carry up to 16 digital SD channels. A notch would block the whole QAM carrier, and take out the whole block of 16 channels.

That's true, I hadn't considered that while an RF notch filter will block digital channels, it will block a whole bunch of them while doing it. Not very effective.

Did anyone have problems with their TVguide thru cablecard? I have a sharpD5U and from last week the system time is just not right, the channel lineup in my TVguide is also gone. I did a reset, still not working.

Anyone else getting the HDTV charge from Comcast even though you dont rent an HD box from them? I have a tivo S3 and have cablecards and have digital classic and they said to get HDTV channels I still need to pay the $7 even though the HD stations are listed in the digital classic lineup. If I cancel the HDTV package will they take off those channels 702 -735?

A friend lives in San Ramon with Comcast cable. His TV (50" Panasonic RP LCD) while HDTV ready doesn't have a ATSC or QAM tuner so he watched all his cable in SD. He doesn't use a STB and doesn't seem to want to get one.

I thought as a Christmas present I would purchase one of the above. The goal is he could watch all the unecrypted HD channels on his set at no cost in glorious HD.

He isn't interested in premium channels.

Would this work for him?

Thanks

Larry

It looks as if it should. Keep in mind that he will only receive the local channels in HD, not ESPN, Discovery, and the like because they are encrypted.

Thanks. That is all he watches anyway. He watches all SD at the moment without a cable box since his TV is cable ready. So potentially he could split the cable, feed one end into the RF tuner in the TV and the other into the Samsung and take the digital out from the Samsung into a DVI or HDMI input on the TV?

Out of interest why do cable channel encrypt the HD feeds of say ESPN when the SD feeds are in the clear? Trying to make you rent their STB?

Thanks. That is all he watches anyway. He watches all SD at the moment without a cable box since his TV is cable ready. So potentially he could split the cable, feed one end into the RF tuner in the TV and the other into the Samsung and take the digital out from the Samsung into a DVI or HDMI input on the TV?

Out of interest why do cable channel encrypt the HD feeds of say ESPN when the SD feeds are in the clear? Trying to make you rent their STB?

It may be that the ESPN HD channel is also received even if you only subscribe to Basic Limited. OTOH, ESPN SD is filtered out if you subscribe to Basic Limited only.

A friend lives in San Ramon with Comcast cable. His TV (50" Panasonic RP LCD) while HDTV ready doesn't have a ATSC or QAM tuner so he watched all his cable in SD. He doesn't use a STB and doesn't seem to want to get one.

I thought as a Christmas present I would purchase one of the above. The goal is he could watch all the unecrypted HD channels on his set at no cost in glorious HD.

He isn't interested in premium channels.

Would this work for him?

Thanks

Larry


I use the the Samsung 260 on my 50 inch NEC. My only real complaint is that mine is sensitive to a weak signal. Granted I have split my cable 5 times and have not tried an amp but the samsung will drop the HD channels at times.

Thanks MikeSM, Keenan and Clau, I am enlightened. Of course now my plans for 70+ HD channels will be put on hold.

I use the the Samsung 260 on my 50 inch NEC. My only real complaint is that mine is sensitive to a weak signal. Granted I have split my cable 5 times and have not tried an amp but the samsung will drop the HD channels at times.


He doesn't split the signal at all now (only one set receives a picture) so I think one split shouldn't be an issue

It may be that the ESPN HD channel is also received even if you only subscribe to Basic Limited. OTOH, ESPN SD is filtered out if you subscribe to Basic Limited only.

He must have more then basic limited since he gets ESPN (just checked) and a ton of other channels (up to about 70 or so I think)

He must have more then basic limited since he gets ESPN (just checked) and a ton of other channels (up to about 70 or so I think)

The encryption is to make those who have only basic limited to not be able to receive ESPN-HD. Filtering ESPN-SD does not necessarily filter out ESPN-HD, because the latter is at a very different part of the band.

The encryption is to make those who have only basic limited to not be able to receive ESPN-HD. Filtering ESPN-SD does not necessarily filter out ESPN-HD, because the latter is at a very different part of the band.

So basically Comcast want him to pay more for a STB?

He has no cable box at all so the filter must be in the box outside someplace?

So basically Comcast want him to pay more for a STB?

He has no cable box at all so the filter must be in the box outside someplace?

Comcast does not care if he gets a STB or a CableCard. Comcast cares that those who subscribe to Basic Limited do not receive ESPN-HD.

There is always a Cable Box somewhere. Otherwise one can subscribe to Basic Limited and get all the Expanded channels. Or one can subscribe to cable HSI only and get all the channels free.

I am planning to cancel my expanded basic and just keep limited basic plus Digital Classic.

Question -
Without expanded basic but with digital classic, am I correct to assume that I do not get ESPN SD but will get ESPN-HD TNT-HD and TBS-HD (with HD box of course)? (although I will be missing the Warriors games I guess on Fox Sports Net Bay Area)

Thank you.

A friend lives in San Ramon with Comcast cable. His TV (50" Panasonic RP LCD) while HDTV ready doesn't have a ATSC or QAM tuner so he watched all his cable in SD. He doesn't use a STB and doesn't seem to want to get one.

I thought as a Christmas present I would purchase one of the above. The goal is he could watch all the unecrypted HD channels on his set at no cost in glorious HD.

He isn't interested in premium channels.

Would this work for him?

Thanks

Larry

Sooner or later he will be forced to get a STB but I guess he can put it off for now. I take it he doesn't have a cable card ready tv either?

Anyone else getting the HDTV charge from Comcast even though you dont rent an HD box from them? I have a tivo S3 and have cablecards and have digital classic and they said to get HDTV channels I still need to pay the $7 even though the HD stations are listed in the digital classic lineup. If I cancel the HDTV package will they take off those channels 702 -735?

I have limited basic and CableCards, and I'm not charged the $7 fee. When I had digital classic for the additional HD channels, I was not charged the $7 fee, either.

Without expanded basic but with digital classic, am I correct to assume that I do not get ESPN SD but will get ESPN-HD TNT-HD and TBS-HD (with HD box of course)?

Yes. However, being able to have digital classic without expanded basic may be YMMV.

I'm in 94085, around Fair Oaks & Maude.

BTW, I got "the letter" way back near the end of May.

And I don't know if it was related to the upgrades, but a couple weeks ago, around the end of September, I had a lot of cable modem outages. Maybe that's a sign the node is getting upgraded and will be turned on soon?


OnDemand got turned on for me! A mere 1 week after being upgraded!

I no longer have to suffer with paying steadily increasing rates for lower levels of service... now I get taken the same as the rest of you! :D

Any news on Santa Rosa being upgraded in the near future?

Any news on Santa Rosa being upgraded in the near future?
Supposed to happen by the end of the year.

Santa Rosa is the county's only city where a low-frequency cable infrastructure is still in place. But it will be the first one to get a 1 gigahertz system installed, which Comcast expects will go live by the end of the year.

The new network will be turned on neighborhood-by-neighborhood at no extra cost to digital cable customers, who will hit the power button on their TV to find they have more channels and video-on-demand, Johnson said.

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20071017/NEWS/710170385

OnDemand got turned on for me! A mere 1 week after being upgraded!

I no longer have to suffer with paying steadily increasing rates for lower levels of service... now I get taken the same as the rest of you! :D

As hard as this may seem to believe, On Demand just got turned on in my area today or at least that's when I noticed it was there :p

Darn, all this new stuff happening at once, TTG, MRV and external storage gets added to my TivoHD plus my area gets upgraded to 1 GHz and adds all those channels I haven't be able to get in years and now VOD is available. Santa has come early this year :D

Laters,
Mikef5

As hard as this may seem to believe, On Demand just got turned on in my area today or at least that's when I noticed it was there :p

Darn, all this new stuff happening at once, TTG, MRV and external storage gets added to my TivoHD plus my area gets upgraded to 1 GHz and adds all those channels I haven't be able to get in years and now VOD is available. Santa has come early this year :D

Laters,
Mikef5

Still no upgrades here in Sunnyvale 94087. No Comcast trucks in the neighborhood either.

Still no upgrades here in Sunnyvale 94087. No Comcast trucks in the neighborhood either.

I had trucks in my neighborhood a month ago, still nothing.

Santa has come early this year :D

He must be offended by the name of my city.

He must be offended by the name of my city.
Actually, Keenan just posted a link to a local newspaper article that will give you a good idea when Santa Rosa will go active. Santa Rosa and Santa Claus are they related ??? ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Still no upgrades here in Sunnyvale 94087. No Comcast trucks in the neighborhood either.

Keep checking, more in Sunnyvale and Milpitas to go active soon.... real soon ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Sooner or later he will be forced to get a STB but I guess he can put it off for now. I take it he doesn't have a cable card ready tv either?

No he doesn't. The set doesn't even have a ATSC tuner in it

Bah, give him x months of subscription cost towards Digital Cable and make him get a STB.. or buy him a good universal remote..

As far as I can tell, the higher bill and an extra remote is the only reason you wouldn't go to Digital/HD w/an HDTV, right? I've had my HDTV for almost a year now and I can't go back to watchin SD unless I absolutely have to. :[

Still no upgrades here in Sunnyvale 94087. No Comcast trucks in the neighborhood either.

FWIW, I stopped seeing trucks in my neighborhood about 4-6 weeks before the upgrade went live in 94089.

Bah, give him x months of subscription cost towards Digital Cable and make him get a STB.. or buy him a good universal remote..

As far as I can tell, the higher bill and an extra remote is the only reason you wouldn't go to Digital/HD w/an HDTV, right? I've had my HDTV for almost a year now and I can't go back to watchin SD unless I absolutely have to. :[

No idea why he doesn't do it. As for the remote I bought them a Harmony 880 last year so the remote problem is solved! And he also bought a QAM tuner card last year but has had some problems installing it so it sits idle. Anyway what he and his wife really should have is, HDTV on their main TV which I think the Samsung will do. And it would be trivial to program the Samsung into the 880.

I'm considering adding a second digital outlet with an M-card for a TiVo HD. I'm trying to figure out what this will cost me each month. I've called Comcast several times and keep getting different answers.

I've been told:

1 - $6.99 for the outlet + $1.79 cable card + $5 HD programming
2 - $6.99 for the outlet + $5 HD programming
3 - $6.99 for the outlet
4 - $1.79 cable card
5 - something else?

Thanks.

I'm considering adding a second digital outlet with an M-card for a TiVo HD. I'm trying to figure out what this will cost me each month. I've called Comcast several times and keep getting different answers.

I've been told:

1 - $6.99 for the outlet + $1.79 cable card + $5 HD programming
2 - $6.99 for the outlet + $5 HD programming
3 - $6.99 for the outlet
4 - $1.79 cable card
5 - something else?

Thanks.

Aren't you already paying for HD programming? I would think that you should only be charged the additional CableCard rental. Not sure if that is $1.79 for the M card, though.

Clau is right...you should only have one HD charge (that's how it is on my bill). Expect to pay $6.99 for the additional outlet + $1.79 for the cable card (I don't think it matters if it's one M-card or 2 CableCARDs).

Clau is right...you should only have one HD charge (that's how it is on my bill). Expect to pay $6.99 for the additional outlet + $1.79 for the cable card (I don't think it matters if it's one M-card or 2 CableCARDs).
Thanks.

Is it common for providers to charge for an additional outlet? It kind of ticks me off to have to pay to watch premium channels on multiple TVs. With the digital conversion in 2009, won't all cable outlets need to be digital?

Thanks.

Is it common for providers to charge for an additional outlet? It kind of ticks me off to have to pay to watch premium channels on multiple TVs. With the digital conversion in 2009, won't all cable outlets need to be digital?

Actually the digital conversion date is for broadcast ( over the air ) analog not for cable. The FCC has decided that cable should have to carry the analog signal until 2012, that was the last date I heard for cable and that's only if they don't go to an all digital lineup by 2009.

Laters,
Mikef5

Hey Mikef5:
Could you please check with Mr. J. on the DCH3416 recording light issue that he said was being addressed?
Do they have a new firmware release date with a fix?

Thanks, and congrats on your upgrade!

Aren't you already paying for HD programming? I would think that you should only be charged the additional CableCard rental. Not sure if that is $1.79 for the M card, though.

Watch out for the HDTV service fee. They try and put it on all the time.... Takes some convincing to get it taken off. I ended up with 2 when I added my HD-TiVo. It took an hour on the phone to remove them...

Kevin