San Francisco, CA - Comcast [Text View] - Page 38

rsra13

03-05-09, 10:20 AM

Having problems this morning with my HSI here in South San Jose.
anyone else having problems?
It seems I can connect to Yahoo and Google (even YouTube), sites in Silicon Valley, but if I try anything outside the area the connection times out. I tried amazon, facebook (isn't FB in SV?), etc.

Some traceroutes below (in spoilers):
Although Google shows some timeouts it works fine. I even tried the NY Times website and it worked fine. And yeah, I also tried plugging the PC laptop directly to the modem, without the router and I had the same results.

any idea?

Tracing route to www.comcast.com [68.87.60.144]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 3 ms 1 ms 1 ms DD-WRT [192.168.1.1]
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 8 ms 16 ms 11 ms te-4-1-ur10.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.85.1
90.173]
4 7 ms 9 ms 7 ms te-8-4-ur05.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.2
26.66]
5 7 ms 9 ms 9 ms te-9-1-ur06.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.1
92.54]
6 11 ms 20 ms 12 ms be-40-ar01.oakland.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.22
6.229]
7 10 ms 11 ms 11 ms te-4-1-cr01.sacramento.ca.cbone.comcast.net [68.
86.72.81]
8 21 ms 22 ms 35 ms te-9-1-cr01.losangeles.ca.cbone.comcast.net [68.
86.68.70]
9 38 ms 42 ms 44 ms te-1-1-cr01.santateresa.tx.cbone.comcast.net [68
.86.68.82]
10 51 ms 49 ms 52 ms te-9-3-cr01.stratford.tx.cbone.comcast.net [68.8
6.68.90]
11 58 ms 57 ms 57 ms te-1-1-cr01.dallas.tx.cbone.comcast.net [68.86.6
8.94]
12 74 ms 73 ms 72 ms te-1-1-cr01.nashville.tn.cbone.comcast.net [68.8
6.68.98]
13 80 ms 78 ms 90 ms te-1-1-cr01.atlanta.ga.cbone.comcast.net [68.86.
68.102]
14 87 ms 1576 ms 84 ms te-1-1-cr01.charlotte.nc.cbone.comcast.net [68.8
6.68.106]
15 93 ms 92 ms 93 ms te-1-1-cr01.mclean.va.cbone.comcast.net [68.86.6
8.110]
16 97 ms 95 ms 100 ms te-4-2-ar01.newcastle.de.bo.comcast.net [68.86.7
2.162]
17 99 ms 101 ms 100 ms te-1-1-ar02.ndceast.pa.bo.comcast.net [68.86.228
.102]
18 100 ms 99 ms 100 ms te-4-1-ur02.ndceast.pa.bo.comcast.net [68.86.134
.49]
19 110 ms 109 ms 107 ms 68.87.98.12
20 107 ms 117 ms 109 ms eloa.comcast.com [68.87.60.144]

Trace complete.

Tracing route to www.amazon.com [72.21.210.250]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms 1 ms <1 ms DD-WRT [192.168.1.1]
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 10 ms 9 ms 9 ms te-4-1-ur10.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.85.1
90.173]
4 16 ms 11 ms 12 ms te-8-4-ur05.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.2
26.66]
5 8 ms 7 ms 6 ms te-9-1-ur06.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.1
92.54]
6 8 ms 9 ms 9 ms be-40-ar01.oakland.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.22
6.229]
7 12 ms 11 ms 11 ms pos-0-4-0-0-cr01.sacramento.ca.ibone.comcast.net
[68.86.90.141]
8 15 ms 13 ms 14 ms pos-0-8-0-0-cr01.sanjose.ca.ibone.comcast.net [6
8.86.85.78]
9 15 ms 14 ms 13 ms xe-10-1-0.edge1.SanJose1.Level3.net [4.71.118.9]

10 14 ms 14 ms 17 ms vlan89.csw3.SanJose1.Level3.net [4.68.18.190]
11 17 ms 16 ms 14 ms ae-84-84.ebr4.SanJose1.Level3.net [4.69.134.249]

12 * * * Request timed out.
13 * * * Request timed out.
14 * * * Request timed out.
15 * * * Request timed out.
16 * * * Request timed out.
17 * * * Request timed out.
18 * * * Request timed out.
19 * * * Request timed out.
20 * * * Request timed out.
21 * * * Request timed out.
22 * * * Request timed out.
23 * * * Request timed out.
24 * * * Request timed out.
25 * * * Request timed out.
26 * * * Request timed out.
27 * * * Request timed out.
28 * * * Request timed out.
29 * * * Request timed out.
30 * * * Request timed out.

Trace complete.

Tracing route to google.com [74.125.45.100]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 3 ms 2 ms 1 ms DD-WRT [192.168.1.1]
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 9 ms 12 ms 6 ms te-4-1-ur10.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.85.1
90.173]
4 9 ms 9 ms 11 ms te-8-4-ur05.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.2
26.66]
5 12 ms 10 ms 9 ms te-9-1-ur06.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.1
92.54]
6 12 ms 9 ms 8 ms be-40-ar01.oakland.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.22
6.229]
7 13 ms 11 ms 12 ms pos-0-4-0-0-cr01.sacramento.ca.ibone.comcast.net
[68.86.90.141]
8 17 ms 16 ms 14 ms pos-0-8-0-0-cr01.sanjose.ca.ibone.comcast.net [6
8.86.85.78]
9 16 ms 14 ms 16 ms xe-8-3-0.edge1.SanJose1.Level3.net [4.71.118.13]

10 16 ms 14 ms 14 ms ge-1-1-0-79.bbr2.SanJose1.Level3.net [4.68.18.66
]
11 * * * Request timed out.
12 * * * Request timed out.
13 * * * Request timed out.
14 * * * Request timed out.
15 * * * Request timed out.
16 * * * Request timed out.
17 * * * Request timed out.
18 * * * Request timed out.
19 * * * Request timed out.
20 * * * Request timed out.
21 * * * Request timed out.
22 * * * Request timed out.
23 * * * Request timed out.
24 * * * Request timed out.
25 * * * Request timed out.
26 * * * Request timed out.
27 * * * Request timed out.
28 * * * Request timed out.
29 * * * Request timed out.
30 * * * Request timed out.

Trace complete.

Tracing route to www.nytimes.com [170.149.173.130]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms 1 ms 1 ms DD-WRT [192.168.1.1]
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 9 ms 9 ms 7 ms te-4-1-ur10.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.85.1
90.173]
4 9 ms 9 ms 6 ms te-8-4-ur05.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.2
26.66]
5 11 ms 6 ms 9 ms te-9-1-ur06.sanjose.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.1
92.54]
6 13 ms 8 ms 14 ms be-40-ar01.oakland.ca.sfba.comcast.net [68.87.22
6.229]
7 44 ms 12 ms 11 ms pos-0-6-0-0-cr01.sacramento.ca.ibone.comcast.net
[68.86.91.225]
8 15 ms 14 ms 13 ms pos-0-8-0-0-cr01.sanjose.ca.ibone.comcast.net [6
8.86.85.78]
9 16 ms 15 ms 14 ms TenGigabitEthernet3-1.ar1.snv2.gblx.net [64.214.
174.109]
10 16 ms 16 ms 14 ms sjp-brdr-02.inet.qwest.net [63.146.26.41]
11 16 ms 17 ms 15 ms snj-core-02.inet.qwest.net [205.171.214.45]
12 * * * Request timed out.
13 34 ms 33 ms 33 ms sea-edge-01.inet.qwest.net [205.171.26.126]
14 34 ms 34 ms 33 ms 67-135-40-14.dia.static.qwest.net [67.135.40.14]

15 34 ms 33 ms 33 ms www.sea1.nytimes.com [170.149.173.130]

Trace complete.

rsra13

03-05-09, 10:45 AM

And yeah, just in case, I'm at work right now, that's why I'm posting this. :D

mazman49

03-05-09, 11:01 AM

I'm in San Ramon and having the same issues (at work presently).

rsra13

03-05-09, 11:04 AM

Thanks.

And based in those traceroutes it may not be a Comcast issue, although I've checked in the forums in DSLReports to see if someone else is having the same issues and found nothing. Maybe is still too early.

rsra13

03-05-09, 11:53 AM

It seems it has been fixed.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22019077-Bay-Area-Outage

Bay Area Outage

We are currently aware of a connection issue on the West Coast, specifically the Bay Area Market.

We believe this is now been resolved. If you are still experiencing an issue connecting to certain websites, please post the website and trace route to this thread.

Thank you.
--
ComcastSteve

walk

03-05-09, 01:39 PM

Speed tests aren't going to tell you very much, they will vary from time to time for reasons unrelated to the local network.

I suggest downloading PingPlotter (google it) and running tests with that. It will show you exactly where the issues are, if there are any.

Mikef5

03-05-09, 01:50 PM

Use the $99 to buy your own modem instead. Google shows a few places selling that modem, but none of them have it in stock now.
And that's the rub, no one has them and I'm a little skeptical about that price, kind of low for a new type modem. I'll have to call Comcast and see if they'll cut some slack on the install price since you can't do a self install, you never know until you ask ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Barovelli

03-05-09, 02:27 PM

Make sure anything you buy is on the list of approved modems.

Another approved one may be from Ambit.

On the outage subject, I was unable to contact my Windows Home Server from work...grrr

walk

03-05-09, 04:26 PM

Personally think I'd wait a few months/years to buy a D3 modem. Even if you have to pay the $3, that's $36/year, and if D3 modems are $250 now and will only be $79 in a year, you've saved money. Not to mention all the teething issues with new equipment... are they using RCA modems? If so you may end up needing it replaced a few times before you get one that actually works :rolleyes:

chemist047

03-05-09, 04:27 PM

Hello everyone,
I thought it was gonna be smooth sailing w/ a cable card but i was wrong....

1st card- installed it into my tv (Sony KD-30xs955), paired it and it worked fine for about an hour then the screen went black. Comcast tells me to return card because probably defective, so I did.
2nd card- installed it. Get a message that says copy protection error, so I could never pair it. Comcast tells me they will send someone the next day.
Yesterday- nobody shows up. I called 3 different times they said someone would arrive before 8pm. No one ever showed up.
Today- went to pick up 2 cards just in case one didn't work. I get the host and data id, call in to pair the card, and the guy tells me that he can't because he is seeing a "duplicate device address" on his screen and its not letting him add the data id. He sees this same message on both cards.

HELP! Has this happened to anyone? Any thoughts or ideas? A tech is "supposed" to come tomorrow again, but I'm running out of hope.

Mikef5

03-05-09, 05:08 PM

Make sure anything you buy is on the list of approved modems.

Another approved one may be from Ambit.

On the outage subject, I was unable to contact my Windows Home Server from work...grrr

Hi Dave,

I just was on the website and found out the answer to my question about using your own modem for DOCSIS 3.0,
Here's the link...http://lite.help.comcast.net/content/faq/guid/37b21977-903c-4d20-816b-55fa95559458

Seems like they aren't letting you have your own modem if you want Ultra and above. Oh well, I suppose since it's just starting out I can see why they want to control it for now, maybe in the future they'll loosen this up.

Laters,
Mikef5

Elias1

03-05-09, 06:36 PM

Hello everyone,
I thought it was gonna be smooth sailing w/ a cable card but i was wrong....
...
HELP! Has this happened to anyone? Any thoughts or ideas? A tech is "supposed" to come tomorrow again, but I'm running out of hope.

My experience has been that if you don't force Comcast to completely remove all cable cards from your account and then re-add them it can be problematic.

Barovelli

03-05-09, 07:56 PM

Hello everyone,
I thought it was gonna be smooth sailing w/ a cable card but i was wrong....

the guy tells me that he can't because he is seeing a "duplicate device address" on his screen and its not letting him add the data id. He sees this same message on both cards.

HELP! Has this happened to anyone? Any thoughts or ideas? A tech is "supposed" to come tomorrow again, but I'm running out of hope.

He might be trying to re-add the host number to the system - if the host was added to the billing system the first time, you don't need to add it again. Hence the "duplicate" error.

vincesfo

03-05-09, 09:43 PM

He might be trying to re-add the host number to the system - if the host was added to the billing system the first time, you don't need to add it again. Hence the "duplicate" error.
Are you trying to install an M-Card (Multi-Stream)? I have four Sony devices (two TVs, two DVRs) all of them over 3 years old, all with cable card slots. None of them would accept the M-Cards and I had to do a special request with Comcast for Single-Stream cable cards. That fixed all my pairing problems (which were similar to yours). Give it a shot.

chemist047

03-05-09, 10:58 PM

Are you trying to install an M-Card (Multi-Stream)? I have four Sony devices (two TVs, two DVRs) all of them over 3 years old, all with cable card slots. None of them would accept the M-Cards and I had to do a special request with Comcast for Single-Stream cable cards. That fixed all my pairing problems (which were similar to yours). Give it a shot.

hey vincesfo,
I am trying to install an M-card and the tv is relatively old (definitely older than 3years). Maybe that is the problem. I will request a single-stream card, do you think the techs will carry one w/ them? Also, how did you find out that you needed a single-stream vs. a multi-stream? They are coming tomorrow so I'm hoping this can be fixed.
Thanks.

MikeSM

03-06-09, 07:17 AM

You have "Performance Plus"(Blast!) now at $52.95 right? I plan to drop to the new "Performance" at $42.95 myself as that extra 4mb/s DL is really of no consequence to me and $10 is $10. :p

Yeah, there really is no point with staying on the 16 mbps tier anymore. Either upgrade to 22/5 for $10/more a month, or drop to 12/2 for $10 less a month...

rsra13

03-06-09, 01:46 PM

Yeah, there really is no point with staying on the 16 mbps tier anymore. Either upgrade to 22/5 for $10/more a month, or drop to 12/2 for $10 less a month...

Yep, just waiting for confirmation from some of you that 12/2 is working fine. :)

keenan

03-06-09, 02:04 PM

Yep, just waiting for confirmation from some of you that 12/2 is working fine. :)

In my case it will be awhile since Santa Rosa hasn't even been listed for the upgrade yet. I don't see why they just don't implement that 12/2 now, you don't need a D3 modem for that configuration.

As far as considering D3 speeds, I'm not spending $100 on an install, nor will I spend $3 a month on a modem rental. If D3 is something I decide I want, I'm hoping by the time it's enabled here, self-install and purchasable modems will be available.

mds54

03-06-09, 03:15 PM

Yep, just waiting for confirmation from some of you that 12/2 is working fine. :)

I'm on the Performance level @ $42.95/Mo. (plus $3 for the modem rental) In fact, they obsoleted my older modem with the upgrade and then had to come out and install a Moto SB5100 a few weeks ago at no charge. The tech also upgraded the splitters. Everything is working as well as it always has.

vincesfo

03-06-09, 03:39 PM

hey vincesfo,
I am trying to install an M-card and the tv is relatively old (definitely older than 3years). Maybe that is the problem. I will request a single-stream card, do you think the techs will carry one w/ them? Also, how did you find out that you needed a single-stream vs. a multi-stream? They are coming tomorrow so I'm hoping this can be fixed.
Thanks.
chemist047, I moved to South San Francisco from San Francisco (still Comcast but different systems) in early 2008. In SF, I always had the single stream cards since 2006 (there were the only ones available back then anyways) and worked fine with my Sony gear. When I moved to SSF, I had to get new CCs and the only ones the technician carried were M-Cards, which, as we found out, did not pair with the Sony gear. I obviously knew it wasn't the gear (no way all four would go bad all at once), so I asked the Burlingame office (on my way to work) to request single-stream CC and voila! I doubt the technician would carry S-Cards but it doesn't hurt to ask. All I know is that I had to make a special request for them.

rsra13

03-06-09, 06:21 PM

I'm on the Performance level @ $42.95/Mo. (plus $3 for the modem rental) In fact, they obsoleted my older modem with the upgrade and then had to come out and install a Moto SB5100 a few weeks ago at no charge. The tech also upgraded the splitters. Everything is working as well as it always has.

so, are you seeing the new speeds now?

nottrue

03-06-09, 07:59 PM

so, are you seeing the new speeds now?

yes

Elias1

03-06-09, 09:25 PM

Actually, it says $99 on the web site for them to do the install, but what's a dollar between friends :D

Laters,
Mikef5

I called today and was quoted $24.95 for the truck roll and install.

tex94

03-06-09, 10:39 PM

I live in Marin and just ordered 2 digital transport adapters (DTAs) so I can watch the channels that are about to be converted to digital (channels 35+). My main TV is fine as I have a DCT3416 so no need to use it there. I do have some questions for my other setups though:

Office TV: 2008 Sharp 32" HDTV with QAM, NTSC, ATSC tuners. I dont have a box for this TV as I really only use it rarely but when I do I typically am watching an HD network broadcast or something on ESPN (when the family kicks me out of the main room).

QUESTION #1: With this new DTA, will I still be able to get my HD shows? If yes, how will I tune them in (presuming they are going to leave channel 7 as SD, what will the HD channel be)?

Bedroom TV: Ok, this setup is going to get embarrassing:o...today I have cable connected to a Tivo Series 2 (single tuner) then to a VCR and an RF modulator before connecting to an ancient 15" Goldstar TV. My wife uses the TV a fair amount and loves the Tivo player which has a lifetime subscription. So...

QUESTION #2: Can I set up my Tivo to change the channels on the DTA? Do I need to use the old IR device? Any chance I could use some sort of cross-connect cable from the IR out on Tivo to the IR in on the DTA?

QUESTION #3: Can I program my universal remotes for the DTA? Any idea which codes to use? I think the box is made by Pace?

Any help is appreciated!

I received my DTAs this week and just set them up so I thought I'd answer my own questions above and share the experience:

1) Boxes are very small, light and super simple. Coax in and out, an IR input and a power cord and that's it.
2) No programming guide or on demand
3) No HD clear QAM passed through the box

I split my cable since i dont have 2 RF inputs on my TV and I still wanted the HD clear QAM channels. I connected one coax straight to the TV to access the QAM tuner. The other end went to the DTA. Since I needed to send coax out I used an old VCR as a pass through device and then used a composite cable out to a different input on the TV. Presto, HD one one input and all of the digital channels on another.

I was able to connect in a different room with TIVO. I needed to use the IR extender though to get the IR blaster to work. (Direct connection was a no go). And you need to use remote code 10141-B in the advanced settings for channel changing to get Tivo to change the channels.

A little bit of work but all set now. I had hoped I might see some improvement from the digital chanel in the PQ but I didnt notice anything. Still, I'm happy to do it if it means I'll get more HD channels on the main TV or faster internet.

mds54

03-07-09, 01:49 AM

so, are you seeing the new speeds now?

The CNET bandwith connection test has me at:
768.0 Kbps DSL/Cable 768k

nottrue

03-07-09, 03:01 AM

The CNET bandwith connection test has me at:
768.0 Kbps DSL/Cable 768k

download a 100mb file from www.dl.tv -> http://m.podshow.com/media/19917/episodes/142550/dltvipod-142550-02-05-2009.mp4

what's your speed there ?

pappy97

03-07-09, 04:10 AM

Barovelli

03-07-09, 11:07 AM

So where exactly is Docsis 3.0 available in the Bay Area as of now? Just parts of San Jose? I typed in the Newark, CA zip code into the page where you check if D3 is avail and it's not yet.

All of South Bay except Santa Cruz. (San Jose, Santa Clara, Salinas, Monterey Peninsula) and that area around Concord & Walnut Creek.

Mikef5

03-07-09, 12:24 PM

So where exactly is Docsis 3.0 available in the Bay Area as of now? Just parts of San Jose? I typed in the Newark, CA zip code into the page where you check if D3 is avail and it's not yet.

I had assumed that D3 would come here like Blast: Most of the Bay Area at once, but I'm hearing things like some parts won't get it until later in the year.

This is directly from the Comcast announcement I posted a couple of days ago.

____________________________________________________________ ___

Beginning today, Comcast’s new services will be available to residential homes (and beginning March 10 to all businesses) in the San Jose-Silicon Valley area (Alviso, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Mount Hamilton, Mountain View, Saratoga, San Jose, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale), portions of the East Bay (Alamo, Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Castro Valley, Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, Dublin, Knightsen, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pacheco, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hills, Pleasanton, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Sunol and Walnut Creek) and the Monterey-Salinas area (Carmel, Carmel Valley, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Sand City, Seaside and Spreckels). From the Monterey Peninsula to the Tri-Valley, customers will soon be surfing the web even faster. The faster speeds will be available in other portions of the Bay Area later in 2009.

____________________________________________________________ ___

Laters,
Mikef5

pappy97

03-07-09, 03:04 PM

The faster speeds will be available in other portions of the Bay Area later in 2009.[/B]

Thank you, but is there any intelligence on when exactly "later in 2009" means? What's the hold up? Why isn't this like Blast, when most in the Bay Area had the new Blast speeds at the same time?

Thx.

GBruno

03-07-09, 03:20 PM

All of South Bay except Santa Cruz. (San Jose, Santa Clara, Salinas, Monterey Peninsula) and that area around Concord & Walnut Creek.

Any Idea why not in Santa Cruz? Technical? Political???

TIA

Mikef5

03-07-09, 03:30 PM

Thank you, but is there any intelligence on when exactly "later in 2009" means? What's the hold up? Why isn't this like Blast, when most in the Bay Area had the new Blast speeds at the same time?

Thx.

Because you actually need more bandwidth to use DOCSIS 3.0, it uses channel bonding thus more bandwidth is required, that's why for those areas that are not at 1 GHz they will need to move some of the analog channels to digital to free up that bandwidth.

That is the reason for the DTA's, so the analog people that want to keep using their analog tvs can. Once the DTA's are distributed out to all the areas and the analog channels are moved to digital they will have enough bandwidth to add DOCSIS 3 to those areas.

I don't think they can add the newer lower tier speeds because DOCSIS 3 also requires hardware changes in the system and that has to be done before they do anything else. Even though the newer lower tiers don't required D3, you have to make those hardware changes for D3 first. I could be wrong on this, maybe Dave could help with this, but I think that is true.

Later in 2009 means the same as, coming soon to an area near you. It doesn't lock you into a firm time frame commitment. Every time Comcast gives a time frame and they don't make that time frame they get slammed so they don't give one, as a matter of fact none of the providers do. It's sort of like, your damned if you do and you're damned if you don't, they just decided not to be locked into one. Not what you want to hear but that's just the way it is.

Laters,
Mikef5

Barovelli

03-07-09, 07:49 PM

Any Idea why not in Santa Cruz? Technical? Political???

TIA

Maybe technical. Takes a lot of prep work.

zalusky

03-07-09, 07:53 PM

Are there any plans to upgrade 750MHZ systems like Cupertino or do they figure the analog to digital will forestall that beyond the current planning horizon.

zeldor

03-07-09, 10:15 PM

does anyone know the rate for business level docsis 3?
residential is about $150 Ive found that at least.

pappy97

03-08-09, 05:23 PM

does anyone know the rate for business level docsis 3?
residential is about $150 Ive found that at least.

I heard residential for the 50/10 is 139.95. And business (no cap) is 189.95.

Dragunov1

03-09-09, 04:12 AM

ayewbf

03-09-09, 02:41 PM

So from all these new tiers it looks to me like comcast is screwing its current 16/2 customers like myself. I am currently paying 10$ more for 16/2 but for 10$ less I'll jump down to 12/2 in a heartbeat. Everyone is getting upgraded except the customers on 16/2 currently. Another thing that I don't understand is how Performance Plus will get its bandwidth doubled when it already is 16/2 (at least that's what I think my package is called.)As soon as your city is upgraded you downgrade from blast! to performance plus which will cause you to go from 16/2 to 12/2 for $10 less. How is that getting screwed? The bandwidth upgrades are happening per city not per house.

Ok, you could say we're getting screwed in the sense that those of us in cities that are not upgraded are still paying the extra $10 while we wait an indeterminate amount of time for the upgrade to come to our area; meanwhile others have the upgrade already. But that's business as usual.

walk

03-09-09, 04:10 PM

"Performance Plus" was upgraded for free to "Blast!" about a year ago, that's why. So no, you are not getting another free upgrade, but of course you can downgrade to "Performance" when it becomes faster, if you want.

Anyway I don't see how they can afford to boost people's speeds when their system obviously can't handle the load it has on it now. At least where I live my internet slows to a crawl and craps out completely on the weekends and evenings.

Dragunov1

03-09-09, 06:38 PM

So what is the name of the package for 16/2 currently, before any of these upgrades?

Performance Plus customers will be upgraded to Comcast's Blast! tier, which will double their download speeds to up to 16 Mbps and provide up to 2 Mbps of upload speed.

Sounds like the only available packages now are 6/386 and 8/786, but I have been on 16/2 for about a year now.

walk

03-09-09, 07:26 PM

Blast = 16/2

Performance Plus = was 8/x but many were upgraded already to 16/2 aka "Blast".
I guess they're saying that if there are any left on that tier they will be upgraded.

Performance = 6/1

Paradox-SJ

03-10-09, 08:15 PM

So for those of us already on 16/2 we shouldnt expect anything to change.

walk

03-10-09, 09:21 PM

No that's not true.

Your speed will probably degrade since all your neighbors with 6/1 are now hogging more bandwidth! :p

03-10-09, 09:39 PM

I just switched back to Comcast HSI last weekend, with the lowest Performance tier. This morning the SpeakEasy speed test showed 20M down and 8M up.

stretch437

03-11-09, 12:49 AM

Supposedly you can program a remote button to toggle the resolution on the DCH boxes. I have a DCT, so haven't been able to test it. Here is the AVS post about it:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13524611#post13524611

ah- very helpful. thank you! can't wait to swap out my STB. not sure why i didn't ask these questions earlier...

so i went in to the comcast office (after standing in line at the one near my work i found out i had to go to the one printed on my bill instead) and swapped my 6412 for 3416.

ok, yes, it has more storage, and the changing-output-resolutions-on-the-fly button is awesome as previously discussed.

but why are there people saying (in other forums as well as AVS) that SD PQ is *better* on the 3416? i could swear i am seeing WAY MORE macroblocking, mosquito noise, aliasing (jaggy diagonals), and ringing (poorly implemented edge enhancement). i mean WAY MORE. almost as if the MPEG decoder is vastly inferior or the tuner can't yield enough bitrate or both. can it just be i am seeing something "different" after having gotten used to the old device and i am suffering from "different is bad" bias? i just can't believe that. i have to trust my eyes. it's real bad.

of course they only give out refurbs. maybe i just happened to get one had already been sent back for some related issue...

dr1394

03-11-09, 06:58 AM

I'm a 6/1 Mbps customer, and I can confirm that (after a modem reset) I'm now getting 12/2 Mbps sustained throughput here in Mountain View.

Ron

walk

03-11-09, 01:59 PM

RBurks

03-11-09, 02:44 PM

vincesfo

03-11-09, 03:04 PM

I know this is mundane and boring, but did anyone else lose KRON4 HD over the air? It was on 4.2 but now is nowhere to be found in San Carlos.

I know wrong forum, but everyone here understands QAM, and it is still broadcasting on 704 via Comcast box.
RBurks, if you're talking Comcast clearQAM, KRON4 is at 28-1. I was wondering for two weeks what happened until I found this website, http://www.silicondust.com/. You can look up the clearQAM channels by zipcode. I can't speak for the OTA channel though.

stretch437

03-11-09, 03:22 PM

The 6412 had an analog tuner, so you were probably watching analog channels (those below 100 anyway). Depending on how good your analog reception was, it could have been better than digital. Certainly there would've been a lack of compression artifacts.

The 34xx boxes do not have an analog tuner, so you're watching the digital versions of all channels.
ah- good point.

and judging by some of the recent activity in this thread, the analog versions of these channels are going away at some point anyways, so i'm just seeing what i would have been seeing anyways only sooner rather than later.

i can tell you there are going to be a lot of people around here (on the peninsula) with big screens that are going to be upset when comcast moves everything to digital.

walk

03-11-09, 04:59 PM

SD looks like crap on a big screen no matter what..

You can try turning 480i override off to have the box upconvert it to HD, I liked it a little bit better that way on my screen.

efball

03-11-09, 07:03 PM

so i went in to the comcast office (after standing in line at the one near my work i found out i had to go to the one printed on my bill instead) and swapped my 6412 for 3416.

but why are there people saying (in other forums as well as AVS) that SD PQ is *better* on the 3416? i could swear i am seeing WAY MORE macroblocking, mosquito noise, aliasing (jaggy diagonals), and ringing (poorly implemented edge enhancement). i mean WAY MORE. almost as if the MPEG decoder is vastly inferior or the tuner can't yield enough bitrate or both.

I don't have a 3416 yet, but when I upgraded from an early 6412 to a phase 3 6412 the picture got a lot better. Perhaps the reviews you read were comparing old 6412's, not the phase 3 models, to the 3416. I hope the 3416 won't be a step backwards.

stretch437

03-11-09, 07:40 PM

walk

03-11-09, 10:56 PM

You can probably use a splitter and use your TV's NTSC tuner if you want, but a lot of those channels will be going away soon, supposedly.

aforkosh

03-12-09, 03:21 AM

dr1394

03-12-09, 05:49 AM

yeah i researched the old 6412's a little and it's true, the phase III model had a dramatically improved analog tuner. (prior to that some actually recommended using the *composite* output for SD and letting a downstream device do the work.)

so i guess what i *really* should have asked for (and i'm not sure if any of the local business offices have any) was a DCH 6416 so i could get a decent analog tuner along with the bigger hard drive and on-the-fly resolution switching. as far as i can tell the analog signal at my location is excellent and i may as well enjoy SD without compression artifacts for as long as comcast is sending it over analog.

i guess i could always go back and find out. the process was relatively hassle-free.
Note that on the DCT-6412 phase III and the DCH-6416, the analog signals are encoded inside the STB. Even if you're not saving to disk, you're still viewing the locally encoded and decoded MPEG-2 version of the SD input, not the analog SD input directly.

The local MPEG-2 encoder is running a VBR rate of 6 Mbps average and 9 Mbps peak. The resolution is 544x480. With these high bitrates and some nice noise reduction pre-processing, the locally MPEG-2 encoded analog channels look pretty good.

Ron

Barovelli

03-12-09, 09:31 AM

stretch437

03-12-09, 11:35 AM

RBurks

03-12-09, 12:33 PM

RBurks, if you're talking Comcast clearQAM, KRON4 is at 28-1. I was wondering for two weeks what happened until I found this website, http://www.silicondust.com/. You can look up the clearQAM channels by zipcode. I can't speak for the OTA channel though.

Wow, that's great.

Only problem is the QAM channels don't match at all what I am actually receiving. Need to look into this. I get 2.1, 5.1, 7.1, 9.1 and don't see those at all. I have a Sony SXRD XBR1 so no remapping, just the direct mapping from PSIP.

03-12-09, 02:14 PM

ah- ok, thanks for the tip.

well, i guess the bottom line is i much prefer receiving a massive analog feed and letting my box do the MPEG as opposed to letting comcast do it on their side. the difference really is noticeable.

you may ask why am i watching channels 1-100 when so many of those are showing up over in the 700's these days anyways: they take up less recording space.

I would think that people using set top box or CableCard should be seeing all digital channels, not analog, unless your area does not have ADS.

As for recording space, you may want to consider a TiVoHD and put in 1 or 2 large drives.

smthrsd

03-12-09, 07:04 PM

The past few days i have a noticed a green line on my tv on the right side and about an inch of what Ive read called " tearing on the left. I have made no changes to my set up. Sammy 46 lcs 1080p , comcast box set to 1080i, when i switch it to 720 it seems to go away. I was thinking it may be to an older box 3416 but i do not have any idea. anyoen else have this issue?

stretch437

03-12-09, 07:18 PM

old issue - see http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14638919#post14638919

solutions for the green line include changing color space to RGB or using 3 % overscan. note other solutions (eg swapping tuners, power cycling TV, changing resolutions etc) may appear to work but will be only temporary. only overscan helps the tearing on the left

aforkosh

03-12-09, 10:19 PM

Over the last few weeks, I've had several HD channels disappear or appear with a weak signal during the evening hours. I am in Oakland. Among the channels where I have seen the problems are:

741 (FX-HD) and 769 (AMC-HD).

If others are seeing these problems, please report them to Comcast. Apparently they don't monitor these problems themselves but depend on subscriber input to know where the problems are.

I did a more complete census today and reported the results to Comcast. I was using the signal strength indicator on a Tivo 3 DVR. Thus 1 could see that the signal was weak for 2 channels that showed picture breakup.

There was no service on the following HD channels:
741, 756, 760, 764, and 765

Channels 722 and 769 were weak and showed picture breakup.

There was no service on the following standard definition DIGITAL channels:
35, 36, 42, 46, 47, 49, 52, 55, 59, 60, 149,and 199

If you see some of these channels missing on your system, please report the problem to Comcast so that they can get a better fix on the problem.

03-12-09, 10:32 PM

Alan, most likely the problem occurs in your local area only, and possibly your home only. You may want to write down the corresponding RF frequencies for these channels, which you can find on the diagnostic screen. My guess is that these channels have similar RF frequencies, probably in the high 700MHz range.

nbc11newsclips

03-13-09, 01:40 AM

neither get SD digital channels: 15, 26, 27, 28, 30, 61, 103, 104, 160, 196, 199, and 960-989
and HD Channels: 725 and 737

what is going on?

abg

03-13-09, 02:28 AM

I did a more complete census today and reported the results to Comcast. I was using the signal strength indicator on a Tivo 3 DVR. Thus 1 could see that the signal was weak for 2 channels that showed picture breakup.

There was no service on the following HD channels:
741, 756, 760, 764, and 765

Channels 722 and 769 were weak and showed picture breakup.

There was no service on the following standard definition DIGITAL channels:
35, 36, 42, 46, 47, 49, 52, 55, 59, 60, 149,and 199

If you see some of these channels missing on your system, please report the problem to Comcast so that they can get a better fix on the problem.

That's interesting. My Mom lives in Fremont and has had a problem for almost a year where, from noon to ~7pm she cannot receive channels 35, 36, 42, 46, 47, 49, 52, 55, 59, 60 and 74 (those are the ones she watches, she may also be missing the ones you are and didn't notice.

She's complained to Comcast probably 6 times. She's been told by a couple of the techs who have come out that the problem is in a box outside her apartment building. Being Comcast, nothing gets fixed.

When she first described the problem to me last year I had thought the problem was some piece of equipment being overheated in the afternoon sun, but, if I read your problem correctly, your signals disappear in the evening, not the afternoon.

I thought my Mom was going to blow a gasket yesterday when she took an hour to carefully compose an email to send to an address she got out of an Action Line column, which then promptly bounced :)

Alas, she's not savvy enough to go to the Diagnostics menu to grab the frequencies but I think the channels must all live at the higher frequencies.

Good luck with your problem; I'll let you know if my Mom ever gets any successful resolution to hers.

Alan Glendinning

walk

03-13-09, 12:55 PM

Well, we cancelled our Comcast internet at work. It just didn't work as well as the DSL we've had for 5+ years.

I'm pretty close to doing the same thing with my home internet too. It's been good since Tuesday but both Sunday and Monday night it was unusable again. This has been going on for about 2 months... If it happens again the first thing I'll do is call to get hooked up for DSL. It may be slower but at least it works more than 75% of the time.

glauer

03-13-09, 03:50 PM

I've been on Comcast in San Jose for awhile. I'm happy with the service (Internet+TV), but not the prices. Because of the digital adapter roll out I've been able to talk directly to our neighborhood rep, it's made me consider changing services to try and save money. FIOS and Uverse are not in my area yet, so I'm stuck with Comcast for now.

So I'm considering adding VOIP to try and save on my overall bill since my verizon phone bill is pretty spendy. I'd likely just go with HD Starter Bundle Triple play + HD DVR. Question I have is, how good is VOIP? Does anyone know what modem they give in the SJ Area? Can you get VOIP Docsis 3.0 modems yet? (not that I need that speed modem, just for future proofing). Can you buy your own? Also, what is the best HD DVR that comcast offers in the SJ area? I know mine is older and want to upgrade.

Overall, are people happy with triple play?

Thanks,
Greg

smthrsd

03-13-09, 05:46 PM

Barovelli

03-13-09, 06:18 PM

Does anyone know what modem they give in the SJ Area? Can you get VOIP Docsis 3.0 modems yet? (not that I need that speed modem, just for future proofing). Can you buy your own? Also, what is the best HD DVR that comcast offers in the SJ area? I know mine is older and want to upgrade.

Digital Voice uses an EMTA that my be from Arris, Motorola or RCA. Motorola is good, I've had the first Arris model since it was released. Gets 22/4 just fine. Battery backup has proved itself for a few less than 4 hour power outages but it's rated for 8. There's no D3 unit yet.

I ported 2 AT$T lines over in the beta test phase of digital voice - never looked back. I had 2 outages when storms brought down trees that severed the lines, but no other problems.

Best DVR - some would say the 6412 PIII, I prefer the newest, the DCH3416. Next one coming soon is the DCX3400. (tease, tease)

walk

03-13-09, 07:05 PM

glauer

03-13-09, 07:48 PM

Digital Voice uses an EMTA that my be from Arris, Motorola or RCA. Motorola is good, I've had the first Arris model since it was released. Gets 22/4 just fine. Battery backup has proved itself for a few less than 4 hour power outages but it's rated for 8. There's no D3 unit yet.

I ported 2 AT$T lines over in the beta test phase of digital voice - never looked back. I had 2 outages when storms brought down trees that severed the lines, but no other problems.

Best DVR - some would say the 6412 PIII, I prefer the newest, the DCH3416. Next one coming soon is the DCX3400. (tease, tease)

Thanks for the info, I'll try and get the newest DVR. HDD space is the biggest deal for us. For the EMTA, I'll just take what they give. Too bad it's not D3 yet.

glauer

03-13-09, 07:51 PM

3-5 junk calls a day! :eek:

Damn, I can't stand telemarketers. That alone makes it not worth the savings!

Our comcast voice was okay most of the time but scratchy and generally lousy other times.

They also sell your number to telemarketers obviously since we started getting junk calls in the first week and by the second week it was 3-5 a day. We asked NOT to be listed in the phone book too - lot of good that did.

Barovelli

03-14-09, 01:22 AM

Our comcast voice was okay most of the time but scratchy and generally lousy other times.

They also sell your number to telemarketers obviously since we started getting junk calls in the first week and by the second week it was 3-5 a day. We asked NOT to be listed in the phone book too - lot of good that did.

The only telemarketer calls I got were from AT$T. Numbers were ported, had been on the do not call list. I used the number-ban feature to block them.

Cal1981

03-14-09, 11:36 AM

We had messages this morning (in Vallejo) on the cable boxes with a notice of a realignment of the music channels and a blurb for the "World of More" which is Comcast's digital conversion of everything above channel 34. Of course there were no dates. Does anyone have any sense of when San Francisco and Benicia\Vallejo are scheduled for this?

Here is the propaganda from the CC California press site:

What Does a Digital Customer Get with the World of More Tomorrow?

* A continued commitment to everything listed above
* Project Infinity
* Wideband Internet
* Expanded programming
* 100+ HD channels and HD VOD programming

Brian Conrad

03-14-09, 03:29 PM

berkeleyjim

03-14-09, 07:16 PM

I must have misread the message on the box but I thought they were adding some more channels to Digital Starter in my area this last week. Maybe it's for mid-April. Anyone else see that message (it wasn't discussed here). I can't get a channel lineup on the Comcast web site even logged into my account.
In Berkeley, as far as I can tell, they added channels 89 110 119 128 136 164 229 230 410 504 to digital starter this week. They don't seem to have updated their web site yet.

aforkosh

03-14-09, 11:38 PM

stretch437

03-14-09, 11:56 PM

at least you were man enough to say so. i just had the exact same experience (whinging about bad "performance" when my issue turned out to be a cabling issue) elsewhere on this forum. i totally applaud anyone who goes back and posts the solution (however embarrassing) instead of just posting problems and letting them hang.

Brian Conrad

03-15-09, 05:48 PM

caneschemist

03-16-09, 12:33 AM

Since when did a second NBC-HD appear? I'm in San Mateo, and last week my DVR started recording NBC-HD shows on channel 186 as opposed to 703. Picture quality is the same in my eyes, just curious if others had seen this or why they were doing this.

TPeterson

03-16-09, 01:35 AM

From what I see (i.e., garbled station IDs and such) the "new" KNTV channel setup is simply a flub-up at our Comcast headend. :(

But it is nice to have the proper virtual channel IDs (5-1, 2-1, 2-2) back on rf 79 for KPIX-DT and KTVU-DT/D2. Maybe someday they'll get it all right at the same time. :D

Brian Conrad

03-16-09, 12:57 PM

I suspect that hiring anyone that REALLY understands how this all works would cost too much. :D

pappy97

03-16-09, 08:21 PM

I am thinking about downgrading my comcast TV service from Digitial Preferred to Digital Starter. My understanding is that I can keep my HD-DVR with this package.

What HD channels would I lose by doing that? It's not clear from the website. My concern is for my wife. She loves her Bravo. We don't want to lose it. Digital Starter on the website shows no Sci-Fi (SD) or Bravo (SD), but shows Sci-Fi (HD). Bravo HD is nowhere to be found on the lineup even for "better" packages and I get it now. I was hoping that since Digital Starter apparently keeps Sci-Fi HD (but no SD equivalent), that the same might apply to Bravo.

Thx.

03-16-09, 08:42 PM

Sci-Fi and Bravo (both SD and HD versions) should be in the Digital Classic tier, not Digital Starter.

Brian Conrad

03-16-09, 09:10 PM

Sci-Fi and Bravo (both SD and HD versions) should be in the Digital Classic tier, not Digital Starter.

Not where I live. Sci-Fi HD and Bravo HD are in the Digital Starter. Go back to messages here from a year ago and you'll find a press release from Comcast that those channels would be in the Digital Starter package. I went throug all kinds of games with Comcast over this and even the techs they sent out said I should get Sci-Fi HD on Digital Classic (I did get Sci-Fi SD with that package).

I finally gave up and went over to the office to straighten things out. Again the clerk started to tell me I should get that channel on Digital Classic but I had him check the line-up on the computer and he found that was not correct but on Digital Starter. I think what happened was that in some areas (San Francisco I believe) Sci-Fi was part of the Extended Basic lineup so they made that Bay Area wide for HD availability whereas it was not in EB in my area.

And I wouldn't be surprised if all these lineups change again shortly leaving everyone confused again.... for months. :(

03-16-09, 09:21 PM

My data came from the channel lineup sheet included in my 9/2008 billing statement (Mountain View). Don't have any info other than that.

walk

03-16-09, 09:42 PM

Pretty sure Digital Classic was phased out but when I had it, I got all those HD channels.

I got everything except NFL and the premiums.

pappy97

03-16-09, 11:53 PM

I should have added that I am in Newark, CA, when looking on the website for channels that are supposed on Digital Starter vs. Digital Preferred, it says "East Bay." So the Mountain View lineup might not apply to me.

Sounds like it is possible that if I drop to Digital Starter from Preferred I might keep Sci Fi and Bravo HD. Nevertheless, I wouldn't dare try it until after the BSG series finale.

Brian Conrad

03-17-09, 12:53 PM

About the only way to get the real story on what is available under package in your area is to get someone at Comcast to contact your headend. The headend people can always reserve these issues and often that is what it took to resolve mine. My guess is that Comcast doesn't have the revenue to fix their database system so that the CSR can clearly have up to date information. They are probably running a variety of legacy systems from the numerous companies they acquired. I can just imagine what a mess that is.

stretch437

03-17-09, 03:41 PM

I was just messing around with my HDHomeRun and found KOFY-HD on 79.6 in my area. It's not the channel guides so they may be doing some configuring. And I also found TBS-HD on 24.1 again maybe messing around. The other day I found ION-TV on one of the channels up with the HD station though SD. I couldn't find it to. So they were probably messing around.
i printed out the silicondust 'listings' for my area and literally went down the line trying to see what was on what channel. in my area at least a *lot* of things are on different channels than what silicondust thinks. not sure how often they update their listings or how often comcast keeps tinkering with things, especially as they prepare for the "expanded basic analog shutdown" on april 6 (in my area).

keenan

03-17-09, 03:46 PM

DOCSIS 3.0 modem at Fry's Electronics.

http://shop3.frys.com/product/5851863?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

TPeterson

03-17-09, 04:17 PM

i printed out the silicondust 'listings' for my area and literally went down the line trying to see what was on what channel. in my area at least a *lot* of things are on different channels than what silicondust thinks. not sure how often they update their listings or how often comcast keeps tinkering with things, especially as they prepare for the "expanded basic analog shutdown" on april 6 (in my area).The database is updated when HDHomerun owners in your zipcode rescan their cable feeds, but I don't know what triggers a refresh of the webpage display.

At least in my area the lineup has been fairly stable for over a year, but it's lately gotten quite a shuffling so I'm not surprised that the Silicondust info is outmoded right now. I sure hope that Comcast sorts out the new PSIP streams to give KNTV's subchannels the correct call letters (and add them back to KBCW and KRON) One of my tuners now has trouble tuning KNTV-DT because its virtual channel number (11-1) is the same as the physical channel where TBS-HD is parked. :(

miimura

03-17-09, 05:56 PM

The database is updated when HDHomerun owners in your zipcode rescan their cable feeds, but I don't know what triggers a refresh of the webpage display.

At least in my area the lineup has been fairly stable for over a year, but it's lately gotten quite a shuffling so I'm not surprised that the Silicondust info is outmoded right now. I sure hope that Comcast sorts out the new PSIP streams to give KNTV's subchannels the correct call letters (and add them back to KBCW and KRON) One of my tuners now has trouble tuning KNTV-DT because its virtual channel number (11-1) is the same as the physical channel where TBS-HD is parked. :(Isn't that annoying. My dad's Panny Plasma has two 11-1's and two 11-2's. One set is actually KNTV and the other is encrypted channels on RF channel 11. Going into the channel setup in the TV, you can't delete the blank (encrypted) channels because of the numbering collision. Lame.

- Mike

bwelling

03-17-09, 06:50 PM

mazman49

03-17-09, 07:05 PM

We just got a letter mentioning the removal of analog channels "in the coming months", but nothing more specific. Out of curiosity, were these letters sent to people in the areas which have been upgraded, and if so, approximately how long in advance of the upgrade were they sent?
I got a letter in early February saying that my area would lose analog on March 9th. So far, the analog channels are still there.

stretch437

03-17-09, 07:13 PM

Isn't that annoying. My dad's Panny Plasma has two 11-1's and two 11-2's. One set is actually KNTV and the other is encrypted channels on RF channel 11. Going into the channel setup in the TV, you can't delete the blank (encrypted) channels because of the numbering collision.

yeah, i posted about this in december:

my new XBR6's QAM tuner was able to find and properly map all the OTA channels except for KNTV/NBC which showed up at 11.1 and 11.2

Isn't KNTV NBC supposed to be located at 11.1 and 11.2?

one or the other i would think. and if i had to choose one of course i would choose 11-1. there's something buggy about this- when i tried to "delete" 11-2 from a panasonic plasma's channel settings it wouldn't go away.

and i first observed it months before that. very annoying but presumably low on comcast's to-do list..

TPeterson

03-17-09, 07:49 PM

It's actually not a Comcast "bug" but rather one in the tuner's firmware, such that it doesn't distinguish between the physical and virtual channel numbers. There's nothing wrong in principle with having two "11.1" channels when they have resulted from two different physical channels being mapped to the same logical channel number. It's confusing for the user, but it shouldn't be confusing for the tuner--as it evidently is for the Panny and my test unit. Bad tuner firmware!

pappy97

03-17-09, 07:50 PM

DOCSIS 3.0 modem at Fry's Electronics.

http://shop3.frys.com/product/5851863?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I assume these are backwards compatible with previous DOCSIS versions?

If so, any reason to not buy these now and use them as your cable modem and then when your area gets DOCSIS 3.0, they can simply flip a switch avoid the need for a tech to come out (Which is dumb and an inefficient use of resources)?

I've never bought a cable modem and used it instead of the one provided by Comcast. Are we even allowed to do that?

Thanks.

Barovelli

03-17-09, 08:56 PM

I've never bought a cable modem and used it instead of the one provided by Comcast. Are we even allowed to do that?

Customer owned modems are allowed. Saves $$ if you get a good one that lasts. There's a list of acceptable modems on the company site. And a FAQ that says customer owned D3 modems will not be provisioned at this time.

If you want to avoid the $99 charge and self install, hold off until it's officially announced.

And if you are buying 'used', unless the seller has positive undeniable proof that a used modem is in fact a retail modem and not an unreturned leased Comcast modem, walk away.

rsra13

03-17-09, 09:00 PM

Interesting upload speeds:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/431775558.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Elias1

03-17-09, 09:17 PM

If you want to avoid the $99 charge and self install, hold off until it's officially announced.

I was quoted and charged $24.95 for the install. I got my bill today and verified they didn't charge me more.

viperx116

03-17-09, 11:04 PM

What's this charge? We have to pay to upgrade to Doc 3.0 even if we lease the modem?

Barovelli

03-18-09, 12:46 AM

I was quoted and charged $24.95 for the install. I got my bill today and verified they didn't charge me more.

Existing customer?

keenan

03-18-09, 02:05 AM

I assume these are backwards compatible with previous DOCSIS versions?

If so, any reason to not buy these now and use them as your cable modem and then when your area gets DOCSIS 3.0, they can simply flip a switch avoid the need for a tech to come out (Which is dumb and an inefficient use of resources)?

I've never bought a cable modem and used it instead of the one provided by Comcast. Are we even allowed to do that?

Thanks.

Over at DSLReports there are reports of customer purchased modems being provisioned. The official line is no, as Barovelli notes, but unofficially they have been. Seems to me some of those posts were from the south bay area in fact. Of course, at this point in time, buyer beware. I'll be waiting until they're practically giving them away before I get one, if I even ever need one, 12/2 is plenty of speed for me and my current modem cost was 100% rebated anyway. I've never paid a nickel for any Comcast HSI modem, rented or purchased.

fender4645

03-18-09, 02:12 AM

Seems to me some of those posts were from the south bay area in fact.

Probably Dave working overtime. ;)

keenan

03-18-09, 02:13 AM

Probably. :p

Elias1

03-18-09, 01:19 PM

Existing customer?

Yes, I had Comcast HSI already and upgraded. They came out and swapped my old Moto modem for a new Moto 6120 and activated the modem.

RBurks

03-18-09, 03:37 PM

DOCSIS 3.0 modem at Fry's Electronics.

http://shop3.frys.com/product/5851863?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but didnt see it at website. Does this modem support VOIP?

keenan

03-18-09, 03:41 PM

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but didnt see it at website. Does this modem support VOIP?
Based on the input panel, it doesn't look like. I don't know anything about Comcast's phone service so I'm not sure what is needed.

nbc11newsclips

03-18-09, 09:09 PM

what happened to channels 189, 194, 195, 707, 709, 724 and 735 in my area?

nbc11newsclips

03-18-09, 09:11 PM

now im losing channels 15, 26, 27, 28, 30, 61, 103, 104, 160, 189, 194, 195, 196, 199, 707, 709, 724, 725, 735, 737 and 960-989.

what's the problem?

nbc11newsclips

03-18-09, 10:05 PM

i finally got channels 189, 194, 195, 707, 709, 724 and 725

walk

03-18-09, 11:30 PM

I would call Comcast and have them check your line if you regularly lose channels, especially if it happens at certain times of the day. You likely have a signal issue.

Based on the input panel, it doesn't look like. I don't know anything about Comcast's phone service so I'm not sure what is needed.

If you mean Comcast phone service, no it doesn't, it's just a modem. If you mean VOIP like Skype/etc on your computer, then yes since you only need an internet connection for that - but not Comcast Phone service.

nbc11newsclips

03-19-09, 02:03 AM

once again im losing channels 189, 194, 195, 707, 709, 724 and 735.

what the hell is going on here?

is this a technical problem?

nbc11newsclips

03-19-09, 02:25 AM

Here are My Channels that i'm losing...

15 Public Access
26 Government Access
27 Educational Access
28 Government Access
30 Leased Access
61 The Weather Channel
103 Leased Access
104 Comcast Hometown Network South Bay
160 Sci-Fi Channel
189 KTEH-DT3 - KQED Life
194 KGO-DT2 - News
195 KGO-DT3 - AccuWeather
196 KOFY-DT4 - Azteca
199 KFTY-DT
707 KGO-HD
709 KQED-HD
724 ESPN HD
725 ESPN2 HD
735 TBS HD
737 TNT HD
960 KQED 88.5 - San Francisco
961 KRCB 91.1 - Rohnert Park
962 KCSM 91.1 - San Mateo
963 KSJO 92.3 - San Jose
964 KPTY 92.7 - Oakland
965 KRZZ 93.3 - San Francisco
966 KJZY 93.7 - Santa Rosa
967 KPFA 94.1 - Berkeley
968 KBAY 94.5 - San Jose
969 KYLD 94.9 - San Francisco
970 KRTY 95.3 - San Jose
971 KBWF 95.7 - San Francisco
972 KOIT 96.5 - San Francisco
973 KLLC 97.3 - San Francisco
974 KISQ 98.1 - San Francisco
975 KUFX 98.5 - San Jose
976 KSOL 98.9 - San Francisco
977 KMVQ 99.7 - San Francisco
978 KZST 100.1 - Santa Rosa
979 KBRG 100.3 - San Jose
980 KIOI 101.3 - San Francisco
981 KDFC 102.1 - San Francisco
982 KBLX 102.9 - San Francisco
983 KKSF 103.7 - San Francisco
984 KFOG 104.5 - San Francisco
985 KMHX 104.9 - Santa Rosa
986 KITS 105.3 - San Francisco
987 KMEL 106.1 - San Francisco
988 KEZR 106.5 - San Jose
989 KSAN 107.7 - San Francisco

aforkosh

03-19-09, 02:44 AM

i finally got channels 189, 194, 195, 707, 709, 724 and 725

If you're losing random channels and no one else appears to reporting problems, check the tightness of your cable connections before involving Comcast. As I posted earlier, I was in that situation last week and then discovered the real problem that one of the connections on my splitter was not fully tight.

stormking

03-19-09, 05:15 AM

As a San Francisco resident on Comcast's Digital Starter plan, I thought I'd share my experience in setting up Windows Media Center on Windows 7 Beta x64 Build 7057 to record Unencrypted QAM channels. I'm quite happy with the setup, which throws my Motorola DVR out the window (saving $16/month). Besides my hardware/software setup, my research into QAM on Comcast surprised me as to what shows up on QAM.

My setup (never breaks a sweat, rarely over 25% CPU usage):
OS: Windows 7 Beta x64 Build 7057
PVR: Windows Media Center
Tuners: Hauppauge 2250 (dual analog/digital tuners)
CPU: Core2 Duo 3.33Ghz
RAM: 4GB DDR2
DISK: 1TB RAID 0 SATA2

After much research, Windows 7 was the best option for recording QAM. Simply put, the combination of drivers and software could not identify the digital QAM tuners and tune a channel. I tired Vista x64 with SageTV, BeyondTV, WinTV and Windows Media Center. Even still, on WMC and Vista, you need to hack the Media Center TV Pack 2008 off the net somewhere and apply it, as it is only found in OEM releases. Windows 7 incorporates the TV Pack by default and the resulting Windows 7 x64 Media Center - out of the box, correctly identifies the QAM tuners and scans for channels. And this is x64.

But this is where it gets interesting. WMC only picked up the basic QAM channels in its auto scan; CBS, NBC, etc. Just 12 total. After going back into the WMC Settings, Guide, Edit Channels section, I see the full listing of QAM channels - unchecked. Basically 465 channels. The HDHomeRun web site does list most of the QAM channels by zipcode correctly, however, many are incorrect. I manually scanned the 465 channels (yes, this took a while) and found over 100 have a video signal - even those listed with a lock icon next to the channel, implying its encrypted.

I basically found that all of my Extended Basic channels on cable were now being broadcasted in UNencrypted QAM - including Comedy Central, CNN, ESPN, etc. All of them. Great. So now I have my Windows 7 Media Center recording pure digital QAM signals off of 2 PC tuners. Sweet.

I knew I would see the basic broadcast channels in clear QAM but I was surprised Extended Basic came in unencrypted QAM. I've read reports on here and elsewhere that of course things are in flux right now with the analog to digital conversion.

Technically, I'm wondering if the frequencies currently being blocked by an analog inline filter, or "trap", installed would not only block the analog frequencies, but the frequencies on which the QAM signals are sent. And further, if those frequencies are divided between those which are the basic channels such as NBC, CBS, etc and those Extended Basic QAM channels. In other words, will the same inline analog filter (on the Comcast feed from the street) employed with those with Limited Basic (to prevent them from seeing Extended Basic analog channels) also block their equivalent channels in the new QAM frequencies? Thus far in my research I've only heard people mention that filters should not block the unencrypted QAM channels - referring to those basic channels. But now we see higher channels in the clear - leaving me to believe Comcast has its pants down, or they intend to block - not with encryption - but with a physical filter, those Extended Basic channels now being broadcasted in unencrypted QAM. As an Extended Basic, actually now, Digital Starter package user, I should not have a filter. If you desire to downgrade to Basic Cable or Limited Basic, Comcast will come by to install a filter on the line (for $10).

I'm further curious if HSI operates on QAM modulation (which I think I've read it does). For if one subscribes to HSI and that operates on the QAM frequencies, one would expect that HSI would not operate with a filter on the line.

In short, a breakdown of the 1-1000Mhz frequencies on which these services operate would be insightful - and where QAM frequencies sit in respect to analog. From what I'm gathering, Comcast intends to block newly digital QAM channels with a physical filter - which implies the existing analog filters do the job, or Comcast intends to replace all existing filters (not likley). And if the existing filter in place (with those with Limited Basic or HSI only) is currently blocking unencrypted QAM channel frequencies - or if that will not happen until analog is switched off and those QAM frequencies are switched UNDER the existing frequencies currently blocked by filters. Interesting question.

Thanks!
ps - Oh, forgot to mention, I'm seeing FM Radio rebroadcasted on 121.x (121.14-121.39) RF. ie 121.39 is 107.7 FM. NPR is 121.11 or 121.12. Nice to see digital radio on unencrypted QAM.

03-19-09, 05:50 AM

The notch filter blocks out roughly 300-500MHz. The digital expanded basic channels will be moved to the frequency range blocked by the filter.

Frequencies used by the cable modem are variable. I don't know what are the ranges, but my cable modem is currently using 723MHz downstream and 31MHz upstream.

walk

03-19-09, 01:11 PM

once again im losing channels 189, 194, 195, 707, 709, 724 and 735.

what the hell is going on here?

is this a technical problem?Impossible to tell with the information you are giving. What do you mean by "losing" the channel? Is it not coming in at all? Is the picture/sound breaking up? Are you using a comcast box or your own tv/tuner/tivo/etc? Is there an error message, what does it say? Are other channels coming in ok? Need more info if you want anyone to help you.

Tom Koegel

03-19-09, 10:59 PM

Got the letter from Comcast today informing me that Southern Marin will be doing the channels 35 to 82 conversion on April 21 and offering me the two free DTAs. I don't think they'll give them to me, though, now that I fired them and became a DirecTV subscriber. ;)

Finally resolved the problem created when Comcast charged my credit card for service AFTER I had terminated and returned all my boxes. After a couple of weeks of inaction, I started the dispute process with my credit card company. About 10 days later, I got a refund check from Comcast. But if you are pulling the plug on Comcast, always end the Auto BillPay service before you do so.

Mikef5

03-20-09, 01:07 PM

walk

03-20-09, 01:11 PM

MKANET

03-20-09, 01:23 PM

Is the modem I just received end of last year (Blast speed: 16mbit down/2mbit up) compatible with Ultra and Elite speeds? Are these speeds now available for everyone in the Bay Area?

keenan

03-20-09, 01:40 PM

Good news for those people that wanted to use their own modems for the new Docsis 3 system.
__________________________________________

Effective today, March 20, customers may now sign up for Ultra and Extreme 50 using their own purchased wideband modems.

There are currently five approved customer owned wideband modems.

They are:

1. Ambit U10C035;

2. Cisco Systems DPC3000;

3. Motorola SB6120;

4. Netgear CMD31T;

5. and SMC Networks SMCD3GCCR.
__________________________________________________

I've just upgraded ( my favorite word :) ) my home network to a complete gigabyte system so it's time to say goodbye to Sonic DSL :o and hello to Comcast Internet ;)

Anyone have an input on which of these modems is the best of the pack ?

Laters,
Mikef5

If you're intent on buying now I think you're only choice is the Moto as I couldn't find any of the others for sale anywhere using Google's shopping search. The Moto was as low as $82.

If it was me, and you could wait a bit, I would look to see if there might be a promo for new HSI subs that would offset or even cover the cost of the modem. I did that with Circuit City and the modem ended up being free along with 6 mos of HSI service free also.

Mikef5

03-20-09, 01:45 PM

I'm guessing Cisco, but the Motorola is probably just as good, and that's what Comcast is using.

Why do you want to buy a modem for $250 when you can rent it for .... 7 years at that rate? Or at least wait until the prices come down.
Walk,

The Moto SB6120 is $120 at Fry's and there's a $20 rebate on top of that. Some people just like to tinker with their equipment and you can't do that ( legally ) with a rented piece of equipment. It might be better to initially rent from Comcast and then buy your own later on when more modems become available with the features that you want but it's nice you can use your own if you want. This is the quickest that I've ever seen Comcast let customers do self installs on a new roll out. Maybe the Slowski's are dead ....;)

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

03-20-09, 02:03 PM

Is the modem I just received end of last year (Blast speed: 16mbit down/2mbit up) compatible with Ultra and Elite speeds? Are these speeds now available for everyone in the Bay Area?

Is the Ultra the 22/5 speed? I think it will work with that but will not work with the Elite(50/5?).

MikeSM

03-20-09, 02:38 PM

Is the Ultra the 22/5 speed? I think it will work with that but will not work with the Elite(50/5?).

No, I believer comcast will only permit 22/5 service on DOCSIS 3 carriers. so the old modems from last year will not work here. In theory, you could get 22 Mbps down even under DOCSIS 2.0, but the problem is you cannot get 5 Mbps upstream with the configuration of DOCSIS 2 upstream carriers that Comcast and pretty much everyone else is using.

So it takes a new modem for 22/5.

MikeSM

03-20-09, 02:40 PM

Good news for those people that wanted to use their own modems for the new Docsis 3 system.
__________________________________________

Effective today, March 20, customers may now sign up for Ultra and Extreme 50 using their own purchased wideband modems.

There are currently five approved customer owned wideband modems.

They are:

1. Ambit U10C035;

2. Cisco Systems DPC3000;

3. Motorola SB6120;

4. Netgear CMD31T;

5. and SMC Networks SMCD3GCCR.
__________________________________________________

I've just upgraded ( my favorite word :) ) my home network to a complete gigabyte system so it's time to say goodbye to Sonic DSL :o and hello to Comcast Internet ;)

Anyone have an input on which of these modems is the best of the pack ?

Laters,
Mikef5

I like the onboard diagnostics of the SB6120 - I would go for that. Do they still charge you 24.95 if you install your own modem? If they charge that for installing a leased modem but not a customer owned modem, it helps justify a buy.

keenan

03-20-09, 02:40 PM

No, I believer comcast will only permit 22/5 service on DOCSIS 3 carriers. so the old modems from last year will not work here. In theory, you could get 22 Mbps down even under DOCSIS 2.0, but the problem is you cannot get 5 Mbps upstream with the configuration of DOCSIS 2 upstream carriers that Comcast and pretty much everyone else is using.

So it takes a new modem for 22/5.

I thought that might be the case but wasn't sure. I'm waiting for that 12/2 tier myself. :)

03-20-09, 02:48 PM

So it takes a new modem for 22/5.

I'm getting 20/8 with DOCSIS 2. rsra13 posted even faster upload speed above.

walk

03-20-09, 02:48 PM

Walk,

The Moto SB6120 is $120 at Fry's and there's a $20 rebate on top of that. Some people just like to tinker with their equipment and you can't do that ( legally ) with a rented piece of equipment. It might be better to initially rent from Comcast and then buy your own later on when more modems become available with the features that you want but it's nice you can use your own if you want. This is the quickest that I've ever seen Comcast let customers do self installs on a new roll out. Maybe the Slowski's are dead ....;)

Laters,
Mikef5Oh, they were $250 last month, I guess the price has already come down :cool:

I don't know what you mean by tinkering though. That's not allowed with owned modems either.

22 and 50mb are D3.0 speeds.
Yes you can get 30+ on D1.x, but that's Powerboost (temporary).
They require a (new) D3.0 modem for the 22/50mb (sustained) speeds.

keenan

03-20-09, 02:56 PM

I'm getting 20/8 with DOCSIS 2. rsra13 posted even faster upload speed above.

Is that after the PowerBoost has petered out though?

03-20-09, 03:08 PM

Is that after the PowerBoost has petered out though?

The numbers came from speed test, so PowerBoost was definitely in play. My point was that DOCSIS 2 should be able to handle upload much faster than 5Mbps.

MikeSM

03-20-09, 05:42 PM

The numbers came from speed test, so PowerBoost was definitely in play. My point was that DOCSIS 2 should be able to handle upload much faster than 5Mbps.

Well, it depends on how loaded your upstreams are, but I would be surprised if you could do that, even on a sporadic basis even if you were using 16 QAM on the reverse carrier.

walk

03-20-09, 07:18 PM

Can it technically? Yes.

Does Comcast offer it? No.

kevini

03-20-09, 07:50 PM

Well, it depends on how loaded your upstreams are, but I would be surprised if you could do that, even on a sporadic basis even if you were using 16 QAM on the reverse carrier.

Comcast are up to 64QAM on the reverse carrier now so higher uploads are possible. I've seen mike powerboost to 10Mbit/s

dailowai

03-21-09, 04:19 AM

Sweet looks like the free blast upgrade is available. Getting double the download speeds now!

MikeSM

03-21-09, 01:07 PM

Comcast are up to 64QAM on the reverse carrier now so higher uploads are possible. I've seen mike powerboost to 10Mbit/s

64QAM on an uplink? Unless the plant is immaculate, that's going to have issues with reliability...

pappy97

03-22-09, 04:44 PM

Are these speeds now available for everyone in the Bay Area?

I wish. Only in South Bay, Salinas, Monterey area, and parts of East Bay (Brentwood, Pleasanton, etc). Nowhere near SF/Oakland/most of Alameda County/Marin County.

According to Mike here, it's about whether you live in an area that has 1 Ghz. I don't (Newark, 800 Mhz), unfortunately. :(

keenan

03-22-09, 05:07 PM

I wish. Only in South Bay, Salinas, Monterey area, and parts of East Bay (Brentwood, Pleasanton, etc). Nowhere near SF/Oakland/most of Alameda County/Marin County.

According to Mike here, it's about whether you live in an area that has 1 Ghz. I don't (Newark, 800 Mhz), unfortunately. :(

Link to a map towards bottom of the page.

http://comcastcalifornia.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=260

JakiChan

03-23-09, 03:44 PM

Mikef5

03-23-09, 04:10 PM

I was doing some research about SpeedHD and saw that it was part of a reported channel add that was supposed to happen back in December. Is there a good place to find the status of this? I certainly don't have SpeedHD on my guide.

Channel 731 is the SpeedHD channel and you have to subscribe to the Sports Package to get it.

Laters,
Mikef5

rsra13

03-23-09, 05:38 PM

There's a notice in the new bill saying that Comcast may remove the NFL channel in 5/1 because of the litigation with the NFL.

has anyone heard about that?

keenan

03-23-09, 05:47 PM

There's a notice in the new bill saying that Comcast may remove the NFL channel in 5/1 because of the litigation with the NFL.

has anyone heard about that?

Comcast wants to keep it on the sports tier and the NFL wants it on a lower, wider audience tier. Neither side is giving an inch.

http://sportsmediawatch.blogspot.com/2009/03/comcast-customers-could-lose-nfl-net.html

rsra13

03-23-09, 05:55 PM

Yeah, I knew about the issue, but I didn't know why the change in 5/1. Thanks for the link.

It will be interesting to see.

sakumar

03-23-09, 06:21 PM

gfbuchanan

03-23-09, 06:29 PM

I have a Comcast DVR and recently bought a second TV.

I don't want to rent another DVR, and this TV has a built in QAM tuner. So I plugged the cable directly into the TV and it found a bunch of digital channels. However, there is no easy way to identify which QAM channel number maps to which Comcast channel number. How can I get this information? Is it available on the web?

Try DigitalDust web page http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels . Put in USA and your zip code and it will give you a channel listing for your area, OTA first, followed by Cable. One thing to note is that Comcast moves channels at will. Especially with their realignments happening now. So you may have to rescan every once in awhile. If you find a channel you used to get is no longer there, either comcast moved it, or they decided to encrypt it.

Greg

JakiChan

03-23-09, 06:57 PM

Channel 731 is the SpeedHD channel and you have to subscribe to the Sports Package to get it.

I already do. Channel 408 works just fine for me.

Edit: I just checked, and for my address channel 731 doesn't show up in the channel line up. What areas has it been deployed in so far?

wrinklefree

03-23-09, 06:59 PM

I already do. Channel 408 works just fine for me.

I'm in Berkeley and STILL waiting for them to add Speed HD. Looks like the beginning of F1 will be in SD. :rolleyes:

walk

03-23-09, 07:01 PM

Yeah, I knew about the issue, but I didn't know why the change in 5/1. Thanks for the link.

It will be interesting to see.

Look on the bright side, at least nobody will notice the channel is gone until November, when they have the first live game, so they have until then to work it out. :D

rsra13

03-23-09, 10:10 PM

Look on the bright side, at least nobody will notice the channel is gone until November, when they have the first live game, so they have until then to work it out. :D

Exactly. That's why, in this particular case, I'm partly with Comcast.

RBurks

03-24-09, 01:09 PM

Channel 731 is the SpeedHD channel and you have to subscribe to the Sports Package to get it.

Laters,
Mikef5

I think there is a BROADER question being asked here...For those who subscribe and get SPEED on 408, does ANYBODY get it in HD???

I have called multiple times to Comcast to complain about this, and all I get is some day I will have 100 HD channels. It torques me that it's apparentaly available and it seems noone is getting it. I actually asked them to contact the headend to see if the channel was available, and they did, and they said NO. So why is it in everyone's channel lineup???

Mikef5

03-24-09, 02:04 PM

I think there is a BROADER question being asked here...For those who subscribe and get SPEED on 408, does ANYBODY get it in HD???

I have called multiple times to Comcast to complain about this, and all I get is some day I will have 100 HD channels. It torques me that it's apparentaly available and it seems noone is getting it. I actually asked them to contact the headend to see if the channel was available, and they did, and they said NO. So why is it in everyone's channel lineup???
I don't subscribe to the Sports Package so I can't address the HD issue but I do get channel 408, the Speed channel, while not being a subscriber to the Sports Package so I don't know what the deal is for that channel. It'd be interesting to know if anyone that subscribes to the Sports Package gets it in HD or not. Anyone subscribing to the Sports Package please chime in.

In my case, I'm more interested on when MLB-HD is going to come to Comcast ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

leftjab

03-24-09, 03:24 PM

I don't subscribe to the Sports Package so I can't address the HD issue but I do get channel 408, the Speed channel, while not being a subscriber to the Sports Package so I don't know what the deal is for that channel. It'd be interesting to know if anyone that subscribes to the Sports Package gets it in HD or not. Anyone subscribing to the Sports Package please chime in.

I subscribe to the Sports Package but do not get Speed in HD. I'm in Berkeley, one of the areas with less bandwidth.

PerkyNot

03-24-09, 03:35 PM

curtis82

03-24-09, 03:37 PM

I think there is a BROADER question being asked here...For those who subscribe and get SPEED on 408, does ANYBODY get it in HD???

I have called multiple times to Comcast to complain about this, and all I get is some day I will have 100 HD channels. It torques me that it's apparentaly available and it seems noone is getting it. I actually asked them to contact the headend to see if the channel was available, and they did, and they said NO. So why is it in everyone's channel lineup???

I get Speed HD on channel 731 in my line up. It just depends on what city you live in. I recieved it starting back in november when Comcast added Speed HD and 11 others which included Bravo HD!, FX HD, Fox News HD etc. Only certain cities got the channel additions due to what Comcast called "bandwith issues". I live on the San Leandro-Hayward border and I recieved them. I know customers in San Francisco,Oakland and most of San Jose got them as well. That means the rest of the Bay Area was just out of luck( including San Carlos ).Hopefully they will speed up the switch over to digital only for channels 35 and up to free up that bandwith.

mds54

03-24-09, 04:02 PM

Look on the bright side, at least nobody will notice the channel is gone until November, when they have the first live game, so they have until then to work it out. :D

Whoa! Where are you, fellow football fans??? :confused:

mds54

03-24-09, 04:04 PM

Anyone subscribing to the Sports Package please chime in.

I subscribe to the Sports package, and receive the Speed channel in glorious HD, for quite
some time now (San Jose).

keenan

03-24-09, 04:07 PM

Whoa! Where are you, fellow football fans??? :confused:

I don't know, in my opinion, the NFL hurt the fan by taking those games away from their original networks, networks that most all viewers could have seen them on. Now they are on an expensive channel(relatively speaking) and there's only 8 games worth of real content(there's over 250 NFL games per season). I don't blame Comcast for sticking the channel in Siberia.

stugove

03-24-09, 04:19 PM

Mikef5 & RBurks,

I subscribe to the Sports Package. I do not get the Speed HD channel. Nor did I receive any of the HD channels that were added in November. My headend is Redwood City and live in Redwood Shores. I've called Comcast a few times and cannot get a straight answer from them about when I will get those channels.

Here the link to the info for who won't get the channels.

http://comcastcalifornia.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=253

John
I'm in a similar situation... sports package subscriber, my area (San Ramon) missed out on the HD channel add last November, no update or clue from Comcast on when we might receive those channels. Especially since we did get the HSI upgrade with the two new speed tiers. I can't say who's side I'm on -- Comcast vs. NFL Network -- but I will say that if Comcast drops NFL on 5/1 and keeps the sports package price the same... well that might be the proverbial straw as far as me choosing another service provider.

The real joke about the whole HD lineup is that I still can't get FX HD, so I missed the final season of The Shield in HD as well as Damages which is just about to wrap up its second season. Anytime a Comcast rep tries to explain their employer's claim to having more HD, I just say... "Oh, so I can get FX HD in my neighborhood?" They usually clam up pretty quickly after that!

mds54

03-24-09, 06:25 PM

I don't know, in my opinion, the NFL hurt the fan by taking those games away from their original networks, networks that most all viewers could have seen them on. Now they are on an expensive channel(relatively speaking) and there's only 8 games worth of real content(there's over 250 NFL games per season). I don't blame Comcast for sticking the channel in Siberia.

I don't necessarily disagree with you about the current setup and politics behind it. It's similar to the effects of the Blackout rule, IMO, which I've never liked, even as a season-ticket holder. But, in the end, all I want to know is that I'll still get those NFL Network-HD games, and I'll still be willing to pay for them as I do now with the Sports package (the cost of being a fan :rolleyes:).

mds54

03-24-09, 06:29 PM

.....I can't say who's side I'm on -- Comcast vs. NFL Network -- but I will say that if Comcast drops NFL on 5/1 and keeps the sports package price the same... well that might be the proverbial straw as far as me choosing another service provider......

Same here! If Comcast drops NFL Network, I am definitely gone. I'm already on the edge; that would be the last straw. And now that DTV's contract with NFL Sunday Ticket has been extended.......

walk

03-24-09, 08:04 PM

I won't use this opportunity to mention that the $50-60 base packages on DirecTV include not only NFL, but MLB, NBA, NHL, Speed, and ESPN News, all in HD, plus CSN Bay Area 1 and 2 both in HD (during games).

Or that their "sports pack" is utterly ridiculous compared to Comcast's - it's $13 but you literally get every sports channel there is, ESPN-U, CBS College Sports, Fox Soccer, EVERY regional FSN and Comcast Sports Net, NESN, YES, more... it's about 38 channels, most if not all of them in HD.

No, that wouldn't be nice. :D

stormking

03-25-09, 02:11 AM

Digital channels with the Comcast Motorola box seem better quality than going from the cable straight to a QAM tuner (ch 20-99). I'm curious if the stream the motorola box gets is the same QAM signal the TV QAM tuner receives, or if Comcast bumps up the bitrate for the stream the box gets. Does the box do any added post processing?

For example, is digital QAM channel 63/111.5 the same "signal" with or without a box (talking digital not analog)?

Its also not clear to me if the Motorola box is already showing digital QAM channels 20-99, or if its still showing analog.

Also, on some digital QAM channels, I find some light pulsing/flashing - is this a sign of a weak QAM signal?

Thanks

stormking

03-25-09, 02:25 AM

The notch filter blocks out roughly 300-500MHz. The digital expanded basic channels will be moved to the frequency range blocked by the filter.

Someone who just has HSI w/out a filter on the line confirmed for me that all QAM channels on extended basic come through ok. The Comcast guy did not install the filter because it was screwing up the HSI throughput. I still have a feeling these might still come through, currently, even with the filter.

caliwxdude

03-25-09, 05:57 PM

I'm curious if the stream the motorola box gets is the same QAM signal the TV QAM tuner receives, or if Comcast bumps up the bitrate for the stream the box gets. Does the box do any added post processing?

For example, is digital QAM channel 63/111.5 the same "signal" with or without a box (talking digital not analog)?

Yes, the Motorola STB simply translates the Comcast virtual channel number into the QAM channel. Your TV's built-in QAM tuner doesn't have the ability to receive and decode a channel map from the headend with the virtual channel numbers, so it goes by the regular QAM channel.

Its also not clear to me if the Motorola box is already showing digital QAM channels 20-99, or if its still showing analog

I think it depends on the STB you have, but I could be wrong on this one. If you have a DCH-series STB, you're definitely seeing the digital version of every channel since those boxes only contain a digital tuner. The older DCT boxes contain both analog and digital tuners, so there is a possibility that you are tuning into the analog version of a limited/expanded basic channel.

03-25-09, 06:21 PM

Digital channels with the Comcast Motorola box seem better quality than going from the cable straight to a QAM tuner (ch 20-99). I'm curious if the stream the motorola box gets is the same QAM signal the TV QAM tuner receives, or if Comcast bumps up the bitrate for the stream the box gets. Does the box do any added post processing?

The QAM signal going to the TV and the STB is exactly the same. The difference is which device can do a better job decoding and scaling the data. There are people in this forum using standalone scalars more expensive than my TV.

Tom Koegel

03-25-09, 08:06 PM

The older DCT boxes contain both analog and digital tuners, so there is a possibility that you are tuning into the analog version of a limited/expanded basic channel.

While the DCT-64xx series had both digital and analog tuners, the DCT-34xx series is digital only.

Motorola DVR Wikibook (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Identifying_your_model)

But your basic point is right. To be sure you are seeing a digital tuner tuning a digital transmission, you have to know what box you are talking about.

stormking

03-25-09, 08:45 PM

The QAM signal going to the TV and the STB is exactly the same. The difference is which device can do a better job decoding and scaling the data. There are people in this forum using standalone scalars more expensive than my TV.

Interesting. I didn't realize the importance of the QAM decoder.

I'm using a Hauppauge 2250 dual QAM card in my PC. I'm guessing my 6412 Motorola box decodes QAM a bit better then. But it is an analog/digital box so that's why I wasn't clear if the box was getting QAM for 20-99. One of the firmware updates would have had to tell it to switch over.

This might imply that if I tried a different tuner I might get a better picture. I was thinking I'd try the HDHomeRun versus the Hauppauge 2250. Maybe its QAM tuner is better.

http://www.amazon.com/SiliconDust-HDHR-US-HDHomeRun-Networked-Digital/dp/B0010Y414Q/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238027857&sr=8-1

Would the tuner or the signal account for this flashing/flickering I see on some QAM channels, like SciFi?

gfbuchanan

03-25-09, 09:03 PM

I have HSI and Limited Basic. When I first started, I used an antenna for my TV and Comcast for my HSI. Several years ago they raised the rates for HSI, but added the discount for multiple services, so I added Limited Basic. Why not, it only adds about $1 of the HSI cost. Anyway, when Comcast first put in the HSI (maybe 4-5 years ago), they did not put on any filter. I could see all of the analog channels. (This was before cable had decided on QAM for HD.) At some point, Comcast apparently did an "audit" and came out an installed a notch filter. That did not affect my HSI, but it did cut out the expanded basic channels from 36-70 or so.

I have used my Sony HDTV to view the local channels in HD for the last several years. They are spread around the actual channels, but they are all outside the notch filter.

Greg

Someone who just has HSI w/out a filter on the line confirmed for me that all QAM channels on extended basic come through ok. The Comcast guy did not install the filter because it was screwing up the HSI throughput. I still have a feeling these might still come through, currently, even with the filter.

03-25-09, 09:16 PM

Interesting. I didn't realize the importance of the QAM decoder.

Not just the QAM portion. The QAM tuner takes the analog RF signal and produces a digital MPEG stream. As long as it can reproduce the correct 0s and 1s, its job is done. How the MPEG stream is processed afterwards is more important.

stormking

03-25-09, 10:06 PM

I have used my Sony HDTV to view the local channels in HD for the last several years. They are spread around the actual channels, but they are all outside the notch filter.

Are you confirming you cannot see expanded basic QAM channels w/ Limited Basic + a filter? IE have you done a QAM scan lately or tried to manually add QAM channels to make sure they don't come up? I was guessing there was not enough space in the frequencies being blocked by the filter to add the QAM channels - until the analog ones are killed.

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us

It makes sense the local HD channels come through on QAM w/ the filter. They're not suppose to block those, legally or something.

Thanks

gfbuchanan

03-25-09, 10:35 PM

Are you confirming you cannot see expanded basic QAM channels w/ Limited Basic + a filter? IE have you done a QAM scan lately or tried to manually add QAM channels to make sure they don't come up? I was guessing there was not enough space in the frequencies being blocked by the filter to add the QAM channels - until the analog ones are killed.

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us

It makes sense the local HD channels come through on QAM w/ the filter. They're not suppose to block those, legally or something.

Sorry, I guess I was not clear. Yes, today I can see the QAM versions of the expanded basic channels. They popped up a few weeks ago as Comcast gets ready to drop analog versions of those channel. But it is speculated that Comcast will move those QAM signals down into the channel range that the Expanded Basic analog channels use now when they drop the analog versions of those channels. The the notch filters already installed would prevent a direct connection limited basic customer from seeing them.

So yes, today you can use a QAM tuner to see Expanded Basic channels even with a notch filter installed. But don't expect that will continue forever. Comcast is not in the habit of giving away channels.

Greg

gfbuchanan

03-25-09, 10:44 PM

Interesting. I didn't realize the importance of the QAM decoder.

I'm using a Hauppauge 2250 dual QAM card in my PC. I'm guessing my 6412 Motorola box decodes QAM a bit better then. But it is an analog/digital box so that's why I wasn't clear if the box was getting QAM for 20-99. One of the firmware updates would have had to tell it to switch over.

This might imply that if I tried a different tuner I might get a better picture. I was thinking I'd try the HDHomeRun versus the Hauppauge 2250. Maybe its QAM tuner is better.

http://www.amazon.com/SiliconDust-HDHR-US-HDHomeRun-Networked-Digital/dp/B0010Y414Q/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238027857&sr=8-1

Would the tuner or the signal account for this flashing/flickering I see on some QAM channels, like SciFi?

If the tuner is getting a strong enough signal to avoid errors, then it should not matter which tuner you use. They all decode the stream to an MPEG2 stream. So any difference is in the hardware/software that is doing the MPEG2 to display processing. Depending on how you do things, the MPEG2 to display processing could be done in the Moto Box (using Component cables to TV) or in the HDTV (using HDMI cable to TV). And the same is true if you are using your computer. The quality of the MPEG2 stream should be identical for any QAM tuner as long as it can get a good input QAM signal.

Greg

If you think the picture from the Motorola was better than from your PC, it probably has to do with your video cards. How have you hooked the PC to your HDTV?

03-25-09, 11:09 PM

Depending on how you do things, the MPEG2 to display processing could be done in the Moto Box (using Component cables to TV) or in the HDTV (using HDMI cable to TV).

HDMI carries uncompressed video.

gfbuchanan

03-25-09, 11:29 PM

HDMI carries uncompressed video.

HDMI carries the digital bit stream. In the case of digital TV signals, that is an MPEG2 bit stream. And as far as I can tell, all broadcast HDTV video bit streams are compressed. Some more than others. But they are all compressed.

Now there is the question of the uncompressed audio streams used on Blue Ray discs. But that is a horse of a different color.

Greg

TPeterson

03-25-09, 11:51 PM

HDMI carries the digital bit stream. In the case of digital TV signals, that is an MPEG2 bit stream.No, Greg. C3 had it right. HDMI (and DVI) carry uncompressed digital video, not (compressed) MPEG-2, -4, or whatever.

gfbuchanan

03-26-09, 12:18 AM

No, Greg. C3 had it right. HDMI (and DVI) carry uncompressed digital video, not (compressed) MPEG-2, -4, or whatever.

Oops. My Bad. As I reflect on it I see the error in my earlier remark. The DVI/HDMI cable from my PC carries an uncompressed video signal to my TV.

But it is still true that the quality of the signal displayed depends on the hardware/software that converts the MPEG2 Transport Stream to the display video. So StormKing's comparing the quality of the display from the Moto STB to that from his PC is not a function of the tuner used, but the quality of the conversion from MPEG2 to video in the Moto box, vs in the PC. I don't know if that conversion happens in the PC video driver, or more likely, in the software that controls his tuner card.

Greg

TPeterson

03-26-09, 01:22 AM

It's a combination of hw (in the video card, assuming he's using DxVA) and sw (a codec installed in Windows). If the PC is set up correctly, it should be capable of just as good a job as the Moto of up-scaling the input standard definition (or worse) MPEG-2 from the Comcast stream to an ATSC format for the DTV. But the Windows codec may be stumbling on the lower-than 640x480i resolutions of most of those QAM streams, while the Moto scaler is likely optimized to handle them.

walk

03-26-09, 12:52 PM

sharkm

03-26-09, 02:57 PM

My TV isn't hooked up to cable any more but when it was I could get most of the local HD channels. I think maybe 1 was missing. I have HSI but no CATV service and none of the analog channels came in (not between ch 3 and ch 72 anyway) so they must have a trap on the line.

Of course if you are in an area where they are removing analogs that may be different.
Based on my experience in the last 3 years of moving around (with in the same area) and getting different combination of HSI, basic, limited basic TV and premium channels at different times. I think Comcast have a few kinds of traps.
1) They have a trap that blocks ALL TV but allows HSI
2) They have a trap that blocks the extended basic around Ch30-70
3) They have a trap that blocks up stream traffic - will block HSI and VOD.

In some cases, they have multiple traps on my line depends on what I have.
There may be more but those are the ones I've experienced.

walk

03-26-09, 03:06 PM

Well I have the "blocks all TV" but in reality it only blocks up to about analog ch 72, which is around 500mhz*? So any digital channel above 500mhz (or analog channel for that matter) will still come thru.

I know my HSI uses either 723 or 729mhz (it likes to change channels a lot...)

*if this chart (http://www.jneuhaus.com/fccindex/cablech.html)is corrrect...

mazman49

03-26-09, 06:08 PM

I just plugged in my Zip Code (94583) into this page http://mlbn.viewerlink.tv/ of MLB Network's website and it shows Comcast as showing it on channel 729 in HD.

Is this a preview of what's to come?

gfbuchanan

03-26-09, 08:24 PM

Hi all,

I have a comcast supplied Treayon TJ715 cable modem. Can someone tell me how to query it for its connection status, channel, etc?

Greg

OK. I found it on the net. http://192.168.100.1/diagnostics_page.html

Mikef5

03-26-09, 10:08 PM

I just plugged in my Zip Code (94583) into this page http://mlbn.viewerlink.tv/ of MLB Network's website and it shows Comcast as showing it on channel 729 in HD.

Is this a preview of what's to come?

I hadn't heard about channel 729 for MLB-HD but I noticed that 721 ( CSNCA-HD ) is now in the guide and has listings for this Friday, a basketball game. We'll just have to wait and see if it is actually shown. Last I heard it was to go active in April but it looks like it might go active sooner :confused:

Laters,
Mikef5

MKANET

03-26-09, 11:48 PM

It looks like CW/KNTV changed their QAM channel mappings again. I went to watch Smallville and got KNTV's stupid weather channel.

russwong

03-27-09, 01:00 AM

Yes in San Francisco, NBC and CW have moved... so if you guys are using digital recorders you need to look for it again...

Edit: Looks like KRON moved too if you guys watched that...

Anyone know how to easily reconfigure the HDHR in Windows MCE for the new channels and still keep Series Recordings and everything?

It looks like CW/KNTV changed their QAM channel mappings again. I went to watch Smallville and got KNTV's stupid weather channel.

keenan

03-27-09, 03:58 AM

They've been doing the CW dance for some time up here, I finally gave up on it and just don't use it with the HDHR anymore. I only watch one show a week on that channel and the S3 grabs it just fine.

MKANET

03-27-09, 08:36 AM

Hey Keenan. I just found a super easy to use website which tells you what it is instantly:

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels

They've been doing the CW dance for some time up here, I finally gave up on it and just don't use it with the HDHR anymore. I only watch one show a week on that channel and the S3 grabs it just fine.

keenan

03-27-09, 02:43 PM

Hey Keenan. I just found a super easy to use website which tells you what it is instantly:

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels

Yes, I've known about that site, but even now KNTV and KBCW are incorrect. KNTV is actually on 123-2 not 123-3, and KBCW is on 123-1 not 123-2. I just fixed them, for now anyways. :D

Brian Conrad

03-27-09, 03:39 PM

That's probably because Comcast has changed things since someone submitted their scan in your area to Silicon Dust. What they ask you to do if your have a HDHomeRun is submit your scans to them. And even in my area they changed the channels for KNTV. And my Linux scripts won't work with the new scans so I have some debugging to do to fix them (seems to be with teh AWK script that written). I suspect Comcast will be moving stuff a bit especially if they the HD versions of the Expaned Basic channels in the filter range.

miimura

03-27-09, 05:33 PM

I just noticed that KNTV and CW moved last night too. I also missed recording Smallville on my HDHR. There are lots of errors in the SiliconDust listings for minor channels.

This is off the top of my head, but I'll correct it when I get home tonight if it's wrong.

Los Altos Comcast
92-1 KNTVDT (703)
92-2 KNTVDT2 (186)
92-3 KNTVDT3 (187 UniSport)
92-6 KOFY (13)
131-1 KRONDT2 (704)
131-5 KBCWDT (712)

- Mike

kirby34

03-27-09, 06:13 PM

We have expanded basic at our place (and our mom's) in Santa Clara. I guess they started moving the 36-82 channels to digital finally - at least 39-61 have "disappeared" for my Samsung LCD and TiVo HD (w/o cable cards) as of sometime yesterday or the day before.

So, I ran new channel scans on both and, as expected, I had to use the SiliconDust site to help find out where the channels ended up. Minor annoyance aside, I was somewhat pleased to see that I can tune in SciFi Network (85-13) even though we aren't supposed to get it with Expanded Basic. Plus, I checked on the DTA and cable box both here and at my mom's and SciFi doesn't come up on the DTA and is encrypted on the cable box.

I guess I may have to finally get cable cards for my TiVo.

03-27-09, 06:18 PM

How do you "tune in SciFi Network (85-13)" if it's "encrypted on the cable box"?

kirby34

03-27-09, 06:33 PM

How do you "tune in SciFi Network (85-13)" if it's "encrypted on the cable box"?

Oops. Sorry, I should've pointed out that I didn't install either a DTA or cable box in my bedroom where the LCD and TiVo HD are located - they're both connected straight to the coaxial, so it's just thru the QAM tuner. The DTAs and cable box are hooked up to the other TVs and I guess the better phrasing would be that it's "blocked" on the cable box.

03-27-09, 07:01 PM

tranle

03-27-09, 08:51 PM

Hmmm. The cable box has another layer of access control beyond encryption? If so, that's different from the CableCard. I have limited basic only, so on my TiVo, channel 35 has the status "not subscribed", but I can watch it because it's not encrypted right now.
I think that Comcast can control the channel list and encryption for each channel. And for the cable box if it is not listed it does not exist, if it is listed but you do not have the decryption key, it will say "not authorized", if it is listed but there are no signal because signal has been filtered by the filter they put on your line, then it will say "please wait".

If you have a QAM tuner then it should show you all the non-encrypted channel as it does not know anything about the channel list mapping.

But all this is just guess on my part.
By the way Comcast has removed all the channel listing for me from 35-71 as I only have the basic subscription.

Brian Conrad

03-28-09, 03:46 PM

As was mentioned last year when Sci-Fi HD became available some Bay Area communities have Sci-Fi in the Expanded Basic channels. Currently I have TBS-HD unencrytped at 24.x in my area and that's not even in the trap range. One wonders is TBS-HD is going to go into the Limited Basic tier like Discovery? I also found that my HDHomeRun channel scans aren't showing KRON nor KBCW in HD. And KOFY-HD is there but still not in the guide yet. They usually show up with the PSIP info too. So they are certainly playing some games with frequencies. They recently put all the local channels in SD on 11.

Mikef5

03-28-09, 04:35 PM

Back online.

I just changed from Sonic Net Dsl to Comcast Ultra Internet and so far so good ( Actually, that's an understatement, it's smoking fast :p ).

Only took 30 minutes to set up. Installer knew what he was doing, major hold up was the modem doing the initial updating and waiting for them to authorize the modem ( they have to do something about that terrible Muzak music ). So far I'm a happy camper but given time I'm sure I'll fine something to bitch about ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

gfbuchanan

03-28-09, 09:41 PM

In Cupertino I did a rescan last night and don't see TBS-HD. Comcast does not list Discovery as a part of Limited Basic on my channel listing, but since it is outside the notch filter, everybody gets it. KRON-HD was moved to 111.x on my system. KBCW-HD was moved to 114.x. I am not sure where they were before, so it may have been just a subchannel shift. Someone earlier alluded to that happening.

Greg

As was mentioned last year when Sci-Fi HD became available some Bay Area communities have Sci-Fi in the Expanded Basic channels. Currently I have TBS-HD unencrytped at 24.x in my area and that's not even in the trap range. One wonders is TBS-HD is going to go into the Limited Basic tier like Discovery? I also found that my HDHomeRun channel scans aren't showing KRON nor KBCW in HD. And KOFY-HD is there but still not in the guide yet. They usually show up with the PSIP info too. So they are certainly playing some games with frequencies. They recently put all the local channels in SD on 11.

03-28-09, 10:10 PM

In Cupertino I did a rescan last night and don't see TBS-HD. Comcast does not list Discovery as a part of Limited Basic on my channel listing, but since it is outside the notch filter, everybody gets it.

You're not supposed to get Discovery? Discovery has always been part of Limited Basic in Mountain View and in a couple of cities in Contra Costa county.

gfbuchanan

03-28-09, 11:18 PM

I just looked at my bill, and Discovery is included on Limited Basic. Channels 2-34 are the limited basic channels. Discovery is 29, and included. Guess I just mis-remembered. But the upper channels that "leak through", like VS are not included.

You're not supposed to get Discovery? Discovery has always been part of Limited Basic in Mountain View and in a couple of cities in Contra Costa county.

stormking

03-29-09, 02:00 AM

It appears that CNN is no longer on 100.7, in San Francisco. Did this change today? If so to what channel?

thanks

stormking

03-29-09, 05:20 AM

It appears that CNN is no longer on 100.7, in San Francisco. Did this change today? If so to what channel?

thanks

sorry, my bad. the channel is back. perhaps Comcast is doing some Saturday late night service. dunno.

ummm.... so, in trying to get my digital channels back, i noticed while scanning for QAM channels that one of my neighbors or someone must have been watching OnDemand porn! Heheh. So funny... looked like maybe HBO soft core or something. I'm just flipping through each frequency and porn shows up - no cable box, cable straight into my computer. It was actually being fast forwarded to the beginning of the sex scene. Heheh... so funny. I also saw several other OnDemand new movies that other people were watching - you could tell its OnDemand because of the pausing or fast forwarding. Anyway, there you go. Check out 102.x - 104.x. Normally there is nothing there, but sometimes there is.

TPeterson

03-29-09, 12:21 PM

Ugh. It's bad enough watching TV when the SO is holding the remote.... :rolleyes:

Barovelli

03-29-09, 12:40 PM

Ugh. It's bad enough watching TV when the SO is holding the remote.... :rolleyes:

Did you hear about the 'gesture based' TV controls? No remote needed, you just give your TV hand signals to change channels. This opens a whole new behavior study of technology making people look weird.

TPeterson

03-29-09, 12:49 PM

It also opens up new possibilities for starting fist fights. :D

Barovelli

03-29-09, 01:02 PM

It also opens up new possibilities for starting fist fights. :D

But then the set would keep changing the brightness with every swing. :p

Mikef5

03-29-09, 01:11 PM

It also opens up new possibilities for starting fist fights. :D

I guess it would really depend of what " gesture " you waved at your S.O. ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Brian Conrad

03-29-09, 03:57 PM

I was able to get KRON and KBCW where they were supposed to be with the HDHomeRun but cutting in and out. Strange because other channels above and below are stable and those channels are stable on the Comcast DVR. I'll take the HDHR box and try it off cable where the DVR is to see if it is something in lines in the house but that would be strange unless it is something with the HDHR tuners. I tried with one of those cheap KWorld USB turners on my laptop in the kitchen but the software you get with those is so bad that it doesn't finished scan and just locks up (others had the same complaint). So it never got to that channel range.

thatdude90210

03-29-09, 05:32 PM

I just noticed "G4" available on 99-13 (in SF), didn't see that one before.

viperx116

03-29-09, 05:48 PM

kirby34

03-29-09, 05:52 PM

I just noticed "G4" available on 99-13 (in SF), didn't see that one before.

Yah, I noticed that we're getting it down here in SC, too, though it's on 90-13 for me. I also found CSNCA (Comcast Sports Net California) on 84-10, which is another one that isn't currently available on our DTA or cable box hooked up to our other TV's.

davidwb

03-30-09, 12:19 AM

one question and one observation:

1) will comcast finally join the rest of the cable world in 2009 by offering the MLB extra innings package with the HD games -- or will it just be SD again this year?

2) the guide shows all of the MLB channel's listings as HD now -- and indeed the shows appear to be in HD. still on channel 412.

walk

03-30-09, 12:57 PM

You're kidding right?

Hmm let's ask the Magic 8-ball (http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ssanty/cgi-bin/eightball.cgi).

Magic 8-ball, will Comcast be adding 30+ new HD channels in time for the baseball season this year?

Magic 8-ball says: No Way

:D

TPeterson

03-30-09, 01:03 PM

That's funny...it told me, "Yes." :D

walk

03-30-09, 02:59 PM

Man you really have to watch your Comcast bills carefully..

I had another modem added to my account, because I was having problems (I still am but more rarely), I own both the new one and the old one I was using for almost 5 years... Well they not only started charging me the $3 lease fee for the "new" modem, they also charged me $40 for "unreturned equipment"... TWICE. :rolleyes:

Persil

03-30-09, 05:54 PM

Did you hear about the 'gesture based' TV controls? No remote needed, you just give your TV hand signals to change channels. This opens a whole new behavior study of technology making people look weird.

In the context of where this discussion started (snooping on your neighbors On Demand porn...) I can think of a specific "hand gesture" that you really don't want to cause a channel change. Suddenly being switched to an image of Pat Robertson at a moment of bliss could be the definition of "anti-climactic". :eek:

Brian Conrad

03-30-09, 06:21 PM

I'm in SF and the only HD we get are the network channels. You're really lucky.

I think they're only testing some things but who knows (other than Comcast execs) what the line up will be like by this summer. Yesterday it was the Comcast Sports Network on 24.1.

Now I've got to figure out what is up with the 117 channel because it is not only dropping out on the HDHR but FusionHD card so something around here is creating interference at that frequency as there are no dropouts on the DVR. Channels above and below are coming in fine.

That Don Guy

03-30-09, 06:24 PM

MKANET

03-30-09, 08:49 PM

Mikef5

03-30-09, 09:50 PM

This might be something to keep an eye on if EchoStar is really serious about producing this box.........http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/03/30/cable-customers-can-get-slingloaded-too-with-the-t2200s-tru2way/
Could be serious competition for the Tivo but it depends on the price and when or if it will come out ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Brian Conrad

03-30-09, 10:01 PM

rsra13

03-30-09, 10:07 PM

I have/had the issue with my mode. I actually rent a modem from Comcast, but last year I upgraded to Blast! and for some reason now, one year later they charging me $80 for unreturned equipment, a modem that wasn't released they said. So someone from Comcast called, I explained to them that I still have and use the modem, they ask me if I had made any change and told me about the upgrade one year ago. They said that might be the issue. So they said they will put a note there so when I contacted billing they could take care of that. One week later I check my bill online and they already removed that charge. So wow! Comcast did it! Great job!

Fast Forward to this month bill and what do I see? Another $80 charge for unreturned equipment. So I'll have to contact them again, o being contacted by them again to get this fixed and wait for next month bill of course. Unless they already fixed this by themselve... I need to check online.

walk

03-30-09, 10:34 PM

So I open my mail today and I got a postcard from Comcast, saying "sorry for less than satisfactory experience recently", with a coupon for $10.

It was addressed to me "or current resident".... signed by Paul Gibson Area Vice President, North Bay Area.

So, did they send these to everyone in the North Bay or just me?

MKANET

03-30-09, 11:24 PM

I think you get one of these everytime you have a bad experience with their customer service. Maybe, they just presume you had one, or will have one soon enough.

So I open my mail today and I got a postcard from Comcast, saying "sorry for less than satisfactory experience recently", with a coupon for $10.

It was addressed to me "or current resident".... signed by Paul Gibson Area Vice President, North Bay Area.

So, did they send these to everyone in the North Bay or just me?

03-31-09, 12:03 AM

$10 coupon for what? Going back to Comcast Cable TV? :D

sanne

03-31-09, 01:03 AM

The PQ is simply awful on HD channels these days.

Macroblocking, pixelization.....just awful. I'd trade a few less worthless HD channels for improved PQ any day of the week.

When FIOS comes into my neighborhood I'm getting the F off of Comcast.

walk

03-31-09, 01:13 AM

$10 off my next bill.

I've called to complain about internet problems probably 5 times. I've had techs out at my house 2 times.

Then I had the billing problems a couple days ago... so I don't know what it's for. All of the above?

Problem with the coupon is it says to include it with your next payment (in the mail) ... it doesn't say how to redeem it if you pay your bill online. Oh well, probably go to waste...

keenan

03-31-09, 02:48 AM

I think you get one of these everytime you have a bad experience with their customer service. Maybe, they just presume you had one, or will have one soon enough.

Well then they should probably just send them out to all subs. :p:D

miimura

03-31-09, 03:50 PM

I'm a bit lost. For the life of me, I can't figure out how to update my HDHR software correctly this time to use with sageTV. Is it because my HDHR software is connecting to the Silicondust linup server? Maybe that's where all the wrong channel information is coming from?

Could you or anyone please walk me through what exactly do I need to do if I were to revert ALL my software (restore from a backup 3 weeks ago). I made the mistake of trying to use the software the way it was designed to work... updating the software with the "scan" button.

PS: After I do a "scan", if I "view" the channel it shows as the right channel. However, if I go into sageTV and update it from HDHR, all the channels get screwed up. They are all wrong.I'm using the current release version of SageTv and this is what I do, YMMV:
1. Use the HDHR utility to scan for channels. This will generate one line in the table for each unencrypted channel it finds.
2. Check the box for each channel you want to use.
3. Change the channel identifier for each of these channels to one that matches the Zap2It list from the link in the HDHR utility.
4. Change the channel number to the one that matches the Comcast channel lineup. Channels that have PSIP will be pre-fillled with the ATSC channel number ie. 11-1 should be changed to 703.
5. Save changes in the HDHR utility
6. Go into SageTV Channel setup for the HDHR Tuner.
7. Scan for channels. This does not actually scan, it just reads in the HDHR config info you just did.
8. Check the channel list and make sure that each channel you want to use has a green dot next to it and it has a series of numbers in square brackets. The first number in the series will be the RF channel number. I don't know what the rest mean.
9. Repeat steps 6-8 for the second HDHR tuner. This may be redundant if you have both tuners on the same source (ant vs. cable)

That's about it.

- Mike

caliwxdude

03-31-09, 07:31 PM

When FIOS comes into my neighborhood I'm getting the F off of Comcast.

You'll be waiting a long, long time for that to happen...

Might as well just save yourself the eternal wait for Verizon FiOS and just switch to DirecTV or U-verse.

kirby34

03-31-09, 10:04 PM

sorry, my bad. the channel is back. perhaps Comcast is doing some Saturday late night service. dunno.

ummm.... so, in trying to get my digital channels back, i noticed while scanning for QAM channels that one of my neighbors or someone must have been watching OnDemand porn! Heheh. So funny... looked like maybe HBO soft core or something. I'm just flipping through each frequency and porn shows up - no cable box, cable straight into my computer. It was actually being fast forwarded to the beginning of the sex scene. Heheh... so funny. I also saw several other OnDemand new movies that other people were watching - you could tell its OnDemand because of the pausing or fast forwarding. Anyway, there you go. Check out 102.x - 104.x. Normally there is nothing there, but sometimes there is.

I just noticed this, too. Someone was watching the a re-broadcast of the last WWE PPV and someone else was watching the last Survivor episode. Now, I'm watching "True Confessions" (19881 movie with DeNiro and Duvall) on 102-11. lol

Tom Koegel

03-31-09, 11:41 PM

Why is FiOS a non-starter here in the Bay Area? Not arguing; genuinely asking. No money for those kind of infrastructure investments in today's economy? Not enough population density?

keenan

04-01-09, 02:31 AM

matticus008

04-01-09, 02:45 AM

Why is FiOS a non-starter here in the Bay Area? Not arguing; genuinely asking. No money for those kind of infrastructure investments in today's economy? Not enough population density?
There are two big reasons: old infrastructure (plus limited new construction and next-to-impossible permit navigation to do the digging) and minimal Verizon presence in the area.

There are a few places in and around the Bay Area where Verizon exists--Morgan Hill, Novato, some spots in the Santa Cruz Mountains, etc. Those are the places that might get FiOS.
AT&T and Verizon generally do not step on each other's toes, to date anyway, the SF bay area is AT&T country with their U-Verse product.
And they never will, because they don't compete for local service, phone or data. If your landline/DSL is (or would be) with AT&T and you don't have the option to get one with Verizon, you can't get FiOS. That will never change.

zalusky

04-01-09, 10:18 AM

There are two big reasons: old infrastructure (plus limited new construction and next-to-impossible permit navigation to do the digging) and minimal Verizon presence in the area.

There are a few places in and around the Bay Area where Verizon exists--Morgan Hill, Novato, some spots in the Santa Cruz Mountains, etc. Those are the places that might get FiOS.

And they never will, because they don't compete for local service, phone or data. If your landline/DSL is (or would be) with AT&T and you don't have the option to get one with Verizon, you can't get FiOS. That will never change.

Well they do compete with Comcast in some of those area and with Comcast rolling out Docsis3 there would be some incentive.

Brian Conrad

04-01-09, 04:03 PM

Mikef5

04-01-09, 04:35 PM

The shape of things to come ?? or thank God I'm not on TWC ( and this is no April Fools joke )

Read the link....http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2009/tc20090331_726397.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis

Comcast had better not even think of going down this road :mad:.

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-01-09, 05:12 PM

Mikef5

04-01-09, 06:39 PM

They don't say what the speeds are but, $55 for a 40GB cap and $1/GB over? :eek: Yeah, no.

A 250GB cap is quite generous. I wouldn't even mind if they decided to have a tiered program, as long as the caps & prices were reasonable. It could even save some people money, people who don't need more than say 5-10GB/month.

But those TWC caps / prices are completely batshit insane. You would be charged $265 under their pricing for hitting 250GB.

I don't care if they said I could download at the speed of light, this metering of internet usage will be the death of the internet as we know it. With the big push for streaming video and video content, IPTV, and Tivo/Netflix/Blockbuster/etc... you are right, you might as well sign over your pay check to them.

I saw this coming when AT&T started doing a test of their metered service in a couple of their areas, thankfully that has stayed in the testing phase and hasn't spread out...... yet.

With this metered internet possibly spreading to other providers and the attempt to tax internet sales again, they are in the process of killing the goose that laid the golden egg. Enjoy it while you can because of this AGI like greed this internet is not long for this world.

OK, that's kind of dramatic but it will make most of the things that are now enjoyed by most people, like streaming video and other bandwidth intensive programing unaffordable to most people.

I am definitely going to keep an eye on this and so should you.

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-01-09, 06:59 PM

Their data is somewhat faulty, where TW says "But Time Warner says most people are not using that much data", it's probably because any heavy user would have already left, or never subscribed, to TW in the first place. 40GBs is ridiculously low, as Mike notes, you can forget about all that cool stuff coming down the line soon like streaming video, TV via broadband, etc. At their lowest tier it's $6 per GB($29.95/5GB) and that's insane. If all you're going to do is email and some web-browsing might as well get a much cheaper DSL plan for the local telco at probably half the price.

Additionally, if "But Time Warner says most people are not using that much data" is true, then where's the problem? Why the highly restrictive caps and pricing?

Looks to me like the newly spun-off TW is looking for the pennies anywhere they can to shore up that stock price.

keenan

04-01-09, 07:06 PM

So according to my Comcast messages KGO is dropping KGO Plus and adding a second HD channel called "Living Well HD" which will be on 715 in my area. Interesting. I wonder how many other local stations will add a second HD channel?

Well, if they try it on any 1080i stations they better not be calling anything they transmit as HD anymore.

walk

04-01-09, 07:51 PM

keenan

04-01-09, 08:05 PM

Mikef5

04-01-09, 08:32 PM

40GB is not "ridiculously low" but it's pretty low for the HIGHEST tier they offer. I'm guessing 2/3rds of all internet users come in below that every month. Last time I took a guess at estimating my usage during a particularly heavy month I figured it was around 110GB. My average is probably 1/2 to 1/3 of that.

So for me, and I'd consider myself a moderate to heavy user, 250GB is no problem. 40GB uhh, problem.

My advice is get used to it because caps aren't going away. As long as the limits are reasonable it should be a moot point for 99% of users, and those 1% that are dragging down the network for everyone else - screw them anyway. Those TWC caps are terrible though.
The problem is if you let TWC get away with this what's to stop the other providers from doing the same thing and lower their caps ?

But you are right, for most people the 250G limit that Comcast has is not a problem but that's for now. What about later when the other things start coming down the pike that are bandwidth intensive ? Are they going to raise the limits ? I doubt it. Once they get you use to this metering system why should they ? I don't care that they've said they would revisit this cap limit if that situation comes about, that's not written in stone and what'll you do if they don't ?

The only thing to do is don't let them start it in the first place. Write to your service provider and let them know that you are not happy getting gouged like this or even the possibility that they may do this and if that doesn't work write to your congressperson. I'm sure right now with all the corporate greed being lime lighted in the news lately no one wants to become the next company that the government looks at.

This is really a bad time to be doing this kind of thing in the midst of this recession and people losing their jobs. Corporate greed is not a good thing, Customers got you to where you are now and customers can take that away.

Right now Comcast has been very reasonable and hasn't moved in that direction or even hinted that they would but I'll wait to see what they do about this in the future.

I now step down from my soap box.... for now ;)

Laters,
Mikef5