San Francisco, CA - Comcast [Text View] - Page 39

Mikef5

04-01-09, 09:45 PM

No kidding, 5GB isn't even 1 HD movie download from D* or Xbox or PS3 or Netflix or...

Even 40GB is awful.

Believe me if I was on TWC I would care, but since I'm not.... eh. If Comcast hints at doing anything close to that trust me I'd be gone soo fast.

I don't plan on leaving if they do this, I'll stay here and make their life as miserable as I possibly can. :eek:

But from everything that I've heard so far, Comcast has no plans to do this for the time being but that wouldn't prevent them from doing it sometime in the future. I'll bide my time for now. I just hope my media contacts don't lose their jobs before then. The two people that I knew from the Chronicle are gone and the Chronicle is on shaky ground also. Not good times for anyone :(

Laters,
Mikef5

04-01-09, 10:08 PM

Oh, I came here to see if anyone else had their modem reset and apparently download a new config file (according to the log) late yesterday?

I get one of those about once a week.

walk

04-01-09, 10:14 PM

I get one of those about once a week.

Really? I thought it was just me. Anyway looks like it's still stuck at normal speed (spikes to 20-25 then settles about 6mb).

Dospac

04-01-09, 10:54 PM

We're at the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to consumer demand for internet bandwidth. The catch is that the cost of increasing internet backbone bandwidth does not scale equally with the overall bandwidth increase you get for your investment. Bandwidth is increasing double exponentially for a modestly increasing yearly infrastructure investment.

Backbone bandwidth is increasing at an astonishing rate and will keep up with the equally astonishing rate that the demand for bandwidth is increasing at. Consumer broadband pricing should be increased to meet the needs of the broadband providers bottom line. However, if you're going to bank on selling a product long term where the health of demand for your product is directly tied to the quality of the service you provide, TWC is taking things backwards. It is in the best interests of the consumer broadband providers to have a world where bandwidth is always in demand. It's a simple equation if backbone bandwidth is increasing 2x exponentially. You're going to need an equally fast increase in the development of bandwidth consuming consumer services and products on the internet to feed future growth. Your 100megabit plans, your gigabit plans... Consumers will continue to pay more for faster internet access if the market creating the desire for that bandwidth is able to flourish and isn't killed off by excessive bandwidth caps(or a breakdown of net neutrality).

Certainly paying $20 a month doesn't need to give you access to an uncapped, high speed internet connection. The problem I have with Comcast HSI now is that the faster, more expensive tiers still carry the 250GB limit. Give the customer the means of monitoring their usage and then slide the cap based on the bandwidth your plan is allotted. And charge us so you can afford to keep the pipes open and make money!

Having low usage, metered tiers that are cheaper is certainly a viable option. We see this with the cell providers. $40 a month for a metered plan, $200 for unlimited everything, and everything imaginable in between.

This is how broadband pricing needs to be structured. TWC(or any provider, really) should have a pay as you go option that's a bit cheaper than $6/GB, a mid-range tier with a bit higher of a cap than their current 40GB, and a high end tier with a high cap, high bandwidth, but that costs considerably more. Think Comcast's Docsis 3 HSI but with a 500GB cap, lets say.

Monetizing the heavy users is fine. Heavy users mucking things up is always the reason we're given for limits being put on US internet usage. Those users want more bandwidth so give it to them by providing them with more bandwidth and a higher cap, but at a much higher cost. Scale your cost up with the amount of bandwidth they're using. If they want a 1000GB cap, charge em more for it and give them better service. Charge the people more who are costing you more money. Charge the 1%'ers and the top 25%'ers. Don't penalize your entire customer base with absurdly low limits.

This looks to me like a way for TWC to cash in and scale up the cost to all their customers, not a plan to just combat the hogs. We live in a world of intense competition between cellular providers, similar to the broadband internet landscape right now. There is more competition in the mobile phone market, but even factoring that in, it doesn't feel like we have enough pricing options for broadband internet when you compare it to cell phones.

And I really don't like the direction things are headed..

walk

04-02-09, 02:52 AM

Well said,but the problem with that is the top 1% don't want to pay high prices for their excessive usage, they want everything for free/cheap. I mean keep in mind the vast majority of these users are downloading illegal torrents/etc.. because they would rather steal something than pay for it...

That's okay though, because the providers would rather disconnect them anyway, because they don't really HAVE the bandwidth to spare, no matter what they charge. It's not like Comcast can just double or triple a given node's capacity on a millisecond's whim just because they charge a few dollars more per month. It takes millions/billions of dollars and months of time to upgrade the infastructuer and they can't recoup those costs since the heavy users won't pay the heavy prices, they'll just move on to the next provider.. until they are disconnected from over usage on THAT service... and so on and so on and...

jcg

04-02-09, 12:16 PM

I have a question regarding Comcast cable in the Tri-Valley area. Comcast just stopped broadcasting channels 38-60 something on analog, so I called them and they said I needed to get a DTA. They stopped broadcasting these channels on analog to free up bandwidth for something.

Anyways I installed the DTA and now get all the channels again, but don't get any of the HD channels. If you have a HDTV with a built in digital tuner is there a way around this? I know Comcast has a full fledged settop box that will do this, but they have a monthly charge for it. I can't believe there isn't a workaround because there must be a ton of people in the same situation.

jcg

andytiedye

04-02-09, 01:08 PM

The digital versions of those channels are there somewhere, so as long
as they are not encrypted your QAM tuner should be able to find them in a scan.
Your TV does have a QAM tuner, doesn't it?

jcg

04-02-09, 01:59 PM

Yes the channels are there if you run the cable directly into the TV, but then you don't get channels 38 and above. If you run the cable to the DTA and then the output of the DTA to the TV's cable input you lose the QAM channels. I know I could use an A/B switch, but not really an option. I called Comcast and they say you need a full fledged settop box and then the monthly rentals apply (the DTAs are free). This seems like a major issue for alot of people.

jcg

The digital versions of those channels are there somewhere, so as long
as they are not encrypted your QAM tuner should be able to find them in a scan.
Your TV does have a QAM tuner, doesn't it?

bobby94928

04-02-09, 02:26 PM

The channels are there, just not as simple as 38 and such. Use http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us, enter your zip code and it wil tell you where they are.

Cal1981

04-02-09, 02:35 PM

jcg

04-02-09, 02:46 PM

So are you saying as part of moving the analog channels 38 and above that Comcast also moved all the QAM HD channels? If so are you positive the DTA is passing the new QAM channels and maybe just need to do a new channel scan on the TV?

jcg

The channels are there, just not as simple as 38 and such. Use http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us, enter your zip code and it wil tell you where they are.

Mikef5

04-02-09, 03:02 PM

Has anyone close to Comcast staff heard anything about when (or maybe more accurately, IF) the Bay Area can expect to see a rollout of additional HD channels. It's pretty frustrating to read about areas that have been relatively HD starved catching up to where we are and then getting some newer channels like MLB-HD. I know that infrastructure in our area is a limitation as is the pace of digital conversion but it's really ikrsome that we are paying the same monthly charges as Boston or Chicago, for example, and they have a far greater selection of HD channels than we do here. Has anyone ever considered a class action suit over the charges vs. selection issue?

I doubt a class action suit will fly, you have many other options other than Comcast to pick from and the consumer rarely benefits from these suits.

That being said, Channel 721 (CSNCA-HD) is suppose to go active on the 6th of April. I have asked several times about MLB-HD and when or if it is coming to the Bay Area. So far I have heard nothing back on this, which leads me to believe that there is a problem in this area which prevents the channel from being added, be it lack of bandwidth or something else or they don't want to release it in only a few areas and not the whole Bay Area. I will ask again but so far it has not garnered a response either yea or nay :confused:

The main hold up with the addition of more HD is the lack of bandwidth in this area. Comcast is now in the process of shifting some of the analog channels to digital and will reclaim that bandwidth for adding new channels and services. This is being done area by area and will take most of this year to complete. Hopefully, Comcast will add channels to these areas as the bandwidth is reclaimed, that was the last I heard on that subject and was the plan at that time.

I will ask again about MLB-HD, this would be a nice add since baseball season starts real soon...... Like this month ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5

04-02-09, 03:13 PM

So are you saying as part of moving the analog channels 38 and above that Comcast also moved all the QAM HD channels? If so are you positive the DTA is passing the new QAM channels and maybe just need to do a new channel scan on the TV?

jcg

DTA's are Digital to Analog boxes, they do not do HD, they are used so people with ANALOG tv's can view the channels that were shifted from analog to digital on their ANALOG tv's.

If you have a Digital Tv or tuner you don't need a DTA. You can view anything that isn't encrypted just by plugging the cable into your digital tv and doing a scan.

You will not get guide data and the channels numbers will not match the Comcast channel numbers but you will get everything that is not encrypted both the analog and the digital channels. Most tvs with digital tuners also will do analog and digital but there are some that will only do digital, you need to read your user manual to find out what you have.

Again, DTA's are for people that have ANALOG TV's and don't want to buy a new digital tv or digital tuner. Hope this helps clear this up for you.

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-02-09, 03:15 PM

I will ask again about MLB-HD, this would be a nice add since baseball season starts real soon...... Like this month ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Uh, like in 3 days, Sunday - Atlanta at Philadelphia. :p

MikeSM

04-02-09, 03:15 PM

I doubt a class action suit will fly, you have many other options other than Comcast to pick from and the consumer rarely benefits from these suits.

That being said, Channel 721 (CSNCA-HD) is suppose to go active on the 6th of April. I have asked several times about MLB-HD and when or if it is coming to the Bay Area. So far I have heard nothing back on this, which leads me to believe that there is a problem in this area which prevents the channel from being added, be it lack of bandwidth or something else or they don't want to release it in only a few areas and not the whole Bay Area. I will ask again but so far it has not garnered a response either yea or nay :confused:

The main hold up with the addition of more HD is the lack of bandwidth in this area. Comcast is now in the process of shifting some of the analog channels to digital and will reclaim that bandwidth for adding new channels and services. This is being done area by area and will take most of this year to complete. Hopefully, Comcast will add channels to these areas as the bandwidth is reclaimed, that was the last I heard on that subject and was the plan at that time.

I will ask again about MLB-HD, this would be a nice add since baseball season starts real soon...... Like this month ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I saw CSNCA-HD in clear QAM tuesday night when I was doing a scan of the HD homerun. I ran into issues with a HDHR bug so never completed the mapping, but it's out there at least my headend (san mateo county) now.

bobby94928

04-02-09, 03:18 PM

So are you saying as part of moving the analog channels 38 and above that Comcast also moved all the QAM HD channels? If so are you positive the DTA is passing the new QAM channels and maybe just need to do a new channel scan on the TV?

jcg

No, take the DTA out, it will not pass through the channels the same way. What it is doing is to decode the QAM channels and then place them on their normal channels in an analog format.

What you want to do is to put your coax on the TV directly and then do a channel scan. You will find all the channels you are looking for at different channel locations then you are used to. As an example, in Rohnert Park, Discovery will be on channel 83-3, CSN will be on 83-6 and CSPAN will be on 86-1.

Go to the Silicon Dust website that I passed along to you and you will find out where to find the channels for your location.

stormking

04-02-09, 03:24 PM

fyi, I thought I'd report that here in SF late last night there was a HSI outage and analog cable was out while QAM was up (I did call Comcast at 1am and the message said work was being done until 8am). I thought SF had gone 100% digital cable today as analog channels were black - however now it seems analog is back. i have a dual analog/qam pc tuner card so its easy to observe while channel changing from analog to qam channels. oh, and there was an emergency broadcast test at 2am which interestingly enough - without a box, killed my Windows Media Center and crashed it.

i'd be curious if someone has the specifics of the work last night (any HSI upgrades like docsis 3.0) or if they were testing killing analog. its almost like they killed analog and then rolled back. i did read that for some cities in the bay April 1st was the switch over date but didn't think it included SF. however, it does seem like they were up to something last night for both HSI and analog cable. just technically curious.

Mikef5

04-02-09, 03:28 PM

I saw CSNCA-HD in clear QAM tuesday night when I was doing a scan of the HD homerun. I ran into issues with a HDHR bug so never completed the mapping, but it's out there at least my headend (san mateo county) now.

CSNCA-HD channel 721 is on the Comcast lineup in my area it just doesn't show anything. Right now it's showing some nice colored vertical bars :p

I hope they don't screw up like they do with channel 720 by not turning on the signal when a game is suppose to be shown. They really need to make these channels 24/7 channels, whether they are showing anything or not or better yet show the non HD programing for those channels when an HD program is not scheduled to be shown or here's a better idea... just get rid of the SD channels and put it all on the HD channel... Works for me :D

Laters,
Mikef5

matticus008

04-02-09, 05:01 PM

Well they do compete with Comcast in some of those area and with Comcast rolling out Docsis3 there would be some incentive.
They compete with Comcast in all of those areas. That's not at all the point, though, because DSL and cable have always competed. Verizon is not going to offer FiOS in areas where Verizon doesn't serve customers, and that means it will not come to areas serviced by AT&T and not Verizon. Simple as that.

DOCSIS 3.0 moreover is not sufficient incentive for Verizon to build out here. Their overall presence is so low, and the development costs so high, that nothing they do would ever make it particularly worthwhile. Verizon is a bit player in northern California and only here at all because of mergers and acquisitions.

The existing Verizon areas have converted or will convert to FiOS, regardless of what Comcast does, according to Verizon's schedule. Same with AT&T customers and U-verse availability. Comcast pushing out DOCSIS 3.0 is itself a reactionary move to its loss of customers to other providers. It is and always will be a cat and mouse game.

walk

04-02-09, 05:05 PM

Hey at least we have nice weather.

Mike Lang

04-02-09, 07:10 PM

Just a heads-up folks...
This thread is for Local Comcast HDTV info and not for internet/bandwidth discussion. We want to keep the thread focused.
Thanks

Ace of Space

04-02-09, 08:01 PM

Finally got my "Welcome to the World of More" letter in the mail today. Went ahead and ordered my 2 free DTA's for self install. Should be here next week. I'm in South San Jose, zip 95123.

NeoChaos

04-03-09, 01:33 AM

Okay, watched the Sharks game at Edmonton tonight and noticed despite being in SD, it was also being shown on CSNBA-HD. Did CSNBA make their HD channel a 24/7 simulcast and I missed the announcement, or was that a fluke that just happened to fall at the same time as the Sharks game?

camakaze

04-03-09, 11:27 AM

I will ask again about MLB-HD, this would be a nice add since baseball season starts real soon...... Like this month ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Hey Mikef5,

Do you have any idea when Berkeley might see the hd channels (Travel Channel HD, Bravo HD, E HD, etc.) that were added to most of the Bay Area months ago? They're still not coming in here.

Thanks.

Mikef5

04-03-09, 01:04 PM

Hey Mikef5,

Do you have any idea when Berkeley might see the hd channels (Travel Channel HD, Bravo HD, E HD, etc.) that were added to most of the Bay Area months ago? They're still not coming in here.

Thanks.

Comcast is in the process of shifting some analog channels to digital to free up bandwidth and when that is done those channels will be added to all areas. I was under the impression that channels would be added as each of the areas accomplished this shift. I have not heard which areas will be done or in what order they will be done but if I find out I will post it here. I do know that it is suppose to be completed before the end of this year but I have a feeling it will be much sooner than that. ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

mds54

04-03-09, 01:42 PM

Has anyone close to Comcast staff heard anything about when (or maybe more accurately, IF) the Bay Area can expect to see a rollout of additional HD channels......

Not from Comcast. They are now removing dedicated HD channels from us, like the NFL Network on May 1st. After all that they've done to make me consider the competition, that's the clincher.

Brian Conrad

04-03-09, 03:19 PM

And when does KOFY-HD go into the guide? It is already being carried and can be tuned in via QAM. Not that they have any HD content, well maybe the KGO newscast they carry but I haven't checked.

Mikef5

04-03-09, 05:35 PM

keenan

04-03-09, 06:29 PM

Looks like channel 721 is now active, It's showing the Giant's and A's game and it's even in HD :p
Can't tell if it's last night's game or a game today but it's nice to see it active and showing HD.

Laters,
Mikef5

Not coming through up here, the channel is listed, but it says "to be announced" for guide info and when that happens I can't tune to the channel, it may be mapped somewhere else...

It's working now, I did a quick connect to the TiVo server, not sure if that made a difference or not.

I have to say, I'm loving my Limited Basic subscription. :D

tex94

04-03-09, 07:24 PM

DTA's are Digital to Analog boxes, they do not do HD, they are used so people with ANALOG tv's can view the channels that were shifted from analog to digital on their ANALOG tv's.

If you have a Digital Tv or tuner you don't need a DTA. You can view anything that isn't encrypted just by plugging the cable into your digital tv and doing a scan.

You will not get guide data and the channels numbers will not match the Comcast channel numbers but you will get everything that is not encrypted both the analog and the digital channels. Most tvs with digital tuners also will do analog and digital but there are some that will only do digital, you need to read your user manual to find out what you have.

Again, DTA's are for people that have ANALOG TV's and don't want to buy a new digital tv or digital tuner. Hope this helps clear this up for you.

Laters,
Mikef5

I think there are two separate but similar events going on here:

1) Switch from over the air analog broadcast signals to digital.
2) Comcast moving CABLE analog channels to digital.

The first one is the more widely known event and for anyone with a digital TV is a complete non-event.

The second MIGHT impact some digital users. In this case, Comcast is removing the analog streams for channels above a certain number (I think 32+). These channels will still be broadcast in digital but they will now be encrypted. You will need either a digital set top box for a fee or a DTA (digital to analog converter - I know, could they have made the name something else to help avoid the confusion). You can just slot this box in between the coax from the wall and the TV and no big deal, right? Yes, and you will get nice digital SD broadcasts of all the channels you used to (but no premium channels, on demand or interactive guide).

However, if you were using the same TV to access unencrypted HD channels from your local stations they are now cut off. They are still being transmitted but the free DTA boxes cannot pass them along to your TV. So if you want those HD channels you need to either:

1) Rent a more expensive box from Comcast
2) If you have an Antenna in to your TV open then you can get an OTA tuner
3) Do a workaround.

This is what I did since I do not have another coax in to my second TV or a separate place to input an OTA antenna. I put a splitter on the line and ran one cable directly to the TV and I can access all channels below 32 there and all of the HD channels with the QAM tuner. On the second line from the splitter I connected the DTA and then from the DTA out I inserted an old VCR I had in storage. Then I ran composite video cables from that to the TV so now I get all of the SD channels I am used to below 32 and above. It's a pain but it works.

Mikef5

04-03-09, 07:54 PM

I think there are two separate but similar events going on here:

1) Switch from over the air analog broadcast signals to digital.
2) Comcast moving CABLE analog channels to digital.

The first one is the more widely known event and for anyone with a digital TV is a complete non-event.

The second MIGHT impact some digital users. In this case, Comcast is removing the analog streams for channels above a certain number (I think 32+). These channels will still be broadcast in digital but they will now be encrypted. You will need either a digital set top box for a fee or a DTA (digital to analog converter - I know, could they have made the name something else to help avoid the confusion). You can just slot this box in between the coax from the wall and the TV and no big deal, right? Yes, and you will get nice digital SD broadcasts of all the channels you used to (but no premium channels, on demand or interactive guide).

However, if you were using the same TV to access unencrypted HD channels from your local stations they are now cut off. They are still being transmitted but the free DTA boxes cannot pass them along to your TV. So if you want those HD channels you need to either:

1) Rent a more expensive box from Comcast
2) If you have an Antenna in to your TV open then you can get an OTA tuner
3) Do a workaround.

This is what I did since I do not have another coax in to my second TV or a separate place to input an OTA antenna. I put a splitter on the line and ran one cable directly to the TV and I can access all channels below 32 there and all of the HD channels with the QAM tuner. On the second line from the splitter I connected the DTA and then from the DTA out I inserted an old VCR I had in storage. Then I ran composite video cables from that to the TV so now I get all of the SD channels I am used to below 32 and above. It's a pain but it works.

Tex,

I don't know where you are getting your information but I get mine directly from Comcast. I've been doing this for over 5 years now. The analog channels that are being shifted to digital are NOT encrypted and can be accessed by a direct connection to your digital tv or digital tuner you do not need a DTA. They will not be listed as channel 35 for example but however Comcast lists them and that could be any numbering system they choose to use.

The only function of the DTA is to convert the digital signal back to analog for those people that have an analog tv's and that is their only function, they are not for digital tv's. Right now I get all the channels from 2 through 80, both the digital and the analog versions of those channels by just connecting the cable to my digital tv.

If you don't get channels above channel 34 then you probably have the Limited Basic Package and they are using a notch filter for the channels above that. With the Expanded Basic you get the channels 35 through 80 which means they remove the filter from your line.. They are not encrypted they are being filtered.

What package do you subscribe to ?

Laters,
Mikef5

nbc11newsclips

04-03-09, 08:09 PM

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area HD is now a 24 hour Channel

nbc11newsclips

04-03-09, 08:10 PM

there will be chronicle live and sportsnet central will be live in HD starting on monday

keenan

04-03-09, 08:33 PM

Good read on the why and how cable companies charge what they do for broadband.

World’s Fastest Broadband at $20 per Home
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16192227&highlight=#post16192227

walk

04-03-09, 09:27 PM

Looks like channel 721 is now active, It's showing the Giant's and A's game and it's even in HD :p
Can't tell if it's last night's game or a game today but it's nice to see it active and showing HD.

Laters,
Mikef5Must be a replay of last night's game. It was on D* too, which is good news for A's fans in the Bay Area (Sharks too after this season, right?)

Mikef5

04-03-09, 09:57 PM

Must be a replay of last night's game. It was on D* too, which is good news for A's fans in the Bay Area (Sharks too after this season, right?)

Yeah, I figured it out when they showed that the lights were on at the stadium and I looked out the window and saw the big yellow ball in the sky :eek::D

Good news for all of us that want more HD programing and are fans of the local teams. I'm warming up to the A's. The A's are looking better and better all the time and that's coming from a die hard Giant's fan.. Double the pleasure, double the fun ;)

It's time for another Giants and A's game on channel 703 ( Have to stay on topic :) )

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-03-09, 10:22 PM

Game tonite is on KNTV 11. It's HD but the picture looks pretty soft, even the graphics - on D*. Anyone watching on Comcast, how's it look?

mazman49

04-03-09, 10:41 PM

Game tonite is on KNTV 11. It's HD but the picture looks pretty soft, even the graphics - on D*. Anyone watching on Comcast, how's it look?
Watching on Comcast & I agree - the picture is looks like HD-lite. Almost like Fox widescreen SD.

ZeggyZon

04-03-09, 10:47 PM

Game tonite is on KNTV 11. It's HD but the picture looks pretty soft, even the graphics - on D*. Anyone watching on Comcast, how's it look?

Yeah it looks pretty bad on 703, almost like a dvd upconvert. Hopefully this isn't going to be the norm for the season.

ZZ

old64mb

04-03-09, 10:58 PM

Almost like Fox widescreen SD.

Same thought that I had - the center field camera looks exactly like Faux SD's stretchovision from a couple years back, others look slightly better, but not much.

Trib data on Tivo doesn't have this listed as HD, so let's hope this isn't a full HD production.

Mikef5

04-03-09, 11:08 PM

Same thought that I had - the center field camera looks exactly like Faux SD's stretchovision from a couple years back, others look slightly better, but not much.

Trib data on Tivo doesn't have this listed as HD, so let's hope this isn't a full HD production.

It kind of looks like they are using a combination of SD camera's which they are up converting to HD and a couple of HD camera's. Well, it is preseason so they might need a couple of games to fine tune their equipment..... I hope this won't be their SOP ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Ace of Space

04-03-09, 11:52 PM

Yeah it looks pretty bad on 703, almost like a dvd upconvert. Hopefully this isn't going to be the norm for the season.

ZZ

I'm glad others are seeing the same as me. Doesn't look good at all.:(

walk

04-04-09, 12:46 AM

Yeah, the commercials that are in HD look fine, so it's something about the game's production.

tex94

04-04-09, 11:44 AM

Well, I got my info from Concast reps and, yes, I should know better. That is great news if I can dump the DTA and just have one connection. Only pain is in remapping the channels periodically as Comcast rearranges things. Not sure how I'll explain that to the wife. I'll check it out when I get home.

How did we all survive with bad information from companies before there were forums like these?

Tex,

I don't know where you are getting your information but I get mine directly from Comcast. I've been doing this for over 5 years now. The analog channels that are being shifted to digital are NOT encrypted and can be accessed by a direct connection to your digital tv or digital tuner you do not need a DTA. They will not be listed as channel 35 for example but however Comcast lists them and that could be any numbering system they choose to use.

The only function of the DTA is to convert the digital signal back to analog for those people that have an analog tv's and that is their only function, they are not for digital tv's. Right now I get all the channels from 2 through 80, both the digital and the analog versions of those channels by just connecting the cable to my digital tv.

If you don't get channels above channel 34 then you probably have the Limited Basic Package and they are using a notch filter for the channels above that. With the Expanded Basic you get the channels 35 through 80 which means they remove the filter from your line.. They are not encrypted they are being filtered.

What package do you subscribe to ?

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5

04-04-09, 12:47 PM

Well, I got my info from Concast reps and, yes, I should know better. That is great news if I can dump the DTA and just have one connection. Only pain is in remapping the channels periodically as Comcast rearranges things. Not sure how I'll explain that to the wife. I'll check it out when I get home.

How did we all survive with bad information from companies before there were forums like these?

Comcast Reps ? Do you mean CSR's ( customer service reps ), the people on the phone ? Not a good source of information. They do try but normally they are left out of the loop as far as up to date info. As with all information take it with a grain of salt, even mine :).

As far as remapping the channels, it doesn't happen as much these days, the last time I remapped was months ago. Once the shift of analog channels to digital is done it should not happen as much if at all. If it were up to me I'd just shift all the analog channels to digital and have done with it. Having analog and digital in the same system just confuses customers and wastes bandwidth. I understand the need for DTA's for people who, for what ever reason, need to keep thier analog tv's but it's time to go to an all digital system.

As far as the bad information from the companies before the forums, I believe they used smoke signals to blow smoke up our ........ :p

If you are still having problems, feel free to ask that's what the forum's for, to help people with their problems...... Not that the Giants lost last night... Oops, off topic again...:p;)

Laters,
Mikef5

NeoChaos

04-04-09, 09:55 PM

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area HD is now a 24 hour Channel

So they did do that transition and not announce it? Ah well, at least I no longer have a reason to tune in to standard CSN anymore. Now all that's left is to get the equipment to make CSN+ HD.

tangoalpha

04-04-09, 11:54 PM

Probably not important to a lot of people, but has anyone noticed that Comcast now has their on-demand channels encrypted???? This has to be within the last week or so...very frustrating, but it was good while it lasted!

TPeterson

04-05-09, 12:36 AM

I'm only amazed that it took so long.

marc.aronson

04-05-09, 10:18 PM

I live in Cupertino, subscribe to Comcast video & internet and have a mythtv-based DVR with 2 clear-QAM digital tuners. I've successfully added the SD digital version of all the basic (channels 2-33) + expanded basic (channels 34+) to my myth system. I've also noticed that Comcast is still transmitting the expanded basic channels in analog in my area. Based on what I've read it sounds like:

1. The digital basic & expanded basic channels will most likely remain in the clear.

2. When the analog-version of the expanded basic channels are eliminated, the digital version of these channels will probably be shifted to a different frequency so that they are in the range controlled by the notch filter, and at this point I will need to "re-tune" my channels.

Have I understood properly? Also, does anyone know when event # 2 on my list is likely to happen? Also, below I've listed the frequencies that the expanded basic channels are in for my area -- are these frequencies already covered by the notch filter? If so, perhaps they won't need to shift them around...

Thanks for your help!

Marc

105000000
117000000
549000000
579000000
585000000
591000000
597000000
609000000
615000000
621000000
651000000
693000000
759000000

MikeSM

04-05-09, 10:48 PM

I'm only amazed that it took so long.

I for one am glad they did. It made channel remapping a PITA.

04-06-09, 12:29 AM

are these frequencies already covered by the notch filter?

No, the filter covers around 300-500MHz.

Mikef5

04-06-09, 01:39 AM

efball

04-06-09, 02:09 PM

We are going to have analog channels 2-34 for about another 3 years at which time they will shift those to digital also. Way to long and IMHO a total waste of bandwidth for 3 years. If you have Expanded Basic you will still get those channels unencrypted even when they are shifted to digital.... what you are now getting in the clear is what you'll get when the shift to digital is completed. That was the last word that I had on that subject and I've heard nothing different to change that.

Laters,
Mikef5

So are the notch filters going away?

04-06-09, 02:22 PM

No, the notch filters are here to stay for limited basic customers.

Mikef5

04-06-09, 02:34 PM

No, the notch filters are here to stay for limited basic customers.

C3 is correct. If you have Limited Basic why should you be able to view Expanded Basic which people pay extra for ?

Comcast is the only provider that you can just plug the cable into your digital tv and view Basic cable, both Limited and Expanded Basic and not encrypt them. They don't have to do that. They could make you have a box on every outlet and encrypt them like every other provider requires you to do. They do it as a service to their customers and is still a drawing feature for some people.

Laters,
Mikef5

Brian Conrad

04-06-09, 02:40 PM

Mikef5

04-06-09, 03:29 PM

Mike, I assume what you mean is the HD versions will be unencrypted too and placed in the notch filter range?

As for the encrypting of the OnDemand channels I think they figured only a small number of geeks would know to tune those in so it wasn't a priority. More likely parents discovered their kids watching neighbors porn on those frequencies and complained.

What I'm saying is what ever you are receiving in the clear now ( legally ) will remain that way, that includes the local HD stations. Comcast has no intention of killing a "cash cow", the ability of being able to connect to your tv with no box and receiving basic cable stations. It still is a big drawing feature for cable.

As far as the OnDemand channels being encrypted now, it's more likely that Comcast was made aware of this by people talking about it here in the forums. I know of 4 people that work with Comcast that read this forum, one of them being a V.P. ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

nikeykid

04-06-09, 04:23 PM

, it's more likely that Comcast was made aware of this by people talking about it here in the forums. I know of 4 people that work with Comcast that read this forum, one of them being a V.P. ;)

well in that case, i'd like them to be aware that i want espnnewsHD and MLB extra innings in HD.

Mikef5

04-06-09, 04:32 PM

well in that case, i'd like them to be aware that i want espnnewsHD and MLB extra innings in HD.
Everytime I talk with Mr. J. I always bring up the MLB-HD channel not being carried in our area. I'm sure he's getting really tired of me bringing it up all the time but it's Baseball Season and that's what a true baseball fan does !! ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

mds54

04-06-09, 04:45 PM

^^^^

And how about the NFL Network fiasco?

mazman49

04-06-09, 04:50 PM

It looks like the analog to digital conversion has begun in San Ramon. Over the weekend I lost channels 39 thru 59. Oddly enough, channels 60 - 74 still showed up.

So, how soon does MLB-HD show up:)

Mikef5

04-06-09, 04:55 PM

^^^^

And how about the NFL Network fiasco?

That's two corporate giants fighting over money, it's best to step back and watch the show besides in a dispute like this the customer rarely wins.

I have a love hate relationship with football. I love to watch football during the season but after that it should go away and leave me alone ;). Every sport has a season and should be loved during that season, not all year long and that includes baseball.....except basketball, you should hate that all the time.:p

Laters,
Mikef5

mds54

04-06-09, 05:09 PM

Mikef5

04-06-09, 05:10 PM

Snip.....

So, how soon does MLB-HD show up:)

Yes, we need more people asking this very same question... Just where is our MLB-HD and when are we going to get it ? Thanks Mazman ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-06-09, 05:23 PM

Hey! So anyway, where the hell's MLB-HD? :p:D

Mikef5

04-06-09, 05:25 PM

^^^^
Apparently, they will be removing the NFL Network during baseball season, which might be okay for some folks. But that means it will be long gone when football season does come around again! (That's 8 regular season primetime November HD games - gone!)

I wish I could give you a better answer but I haven't been following the dispute but I'm sure they both have their spin on what the problem is and who is at fault. All I know for sure is the customer is not going to be served no matter which side wins. The customer is always lost in the shuffle. My suggestion is to write to both sides and express your dissatisfaction with the whole situation. Will that do any good ? It's better than not doing anything if it really matters to you. It's sort of why I'm still here, it means something to me so I try and do something about it ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5

04-06-09, 05:33 PM

Hey! So anyway, where the hell's MLB-HD? :p:D
Yes, inquiring minds want to know. Thanks Jim.
But I'm shocked you didn't see my slam on basketball :eek::p

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-06-09, 05:43 PM

I wish I could give you a better answer but I haven't been following the dispute but I'm sure they both have their spin on what the problem is and who is at fault. All I know for sure is the customer is not going to be served no matter which side wins. The customer is always lost in the shuffle. My suggestion is to write to both sides and express your dissatisfaction with the whole situation. Will that do any good ? It's better than not doing anything if it really matters to you. It's sort of why I'm still here, it means something to me so I try and do something about it ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I think as it stands now, NFL Net will be removed from Comcast systems on or about May 1st. The dispute is over money, naturally, but it comes down to perceived value. Comcast contends that the asking price is too much for a channel that has very little real content(actual football games) so they put it on a sports tier where those that want the channel can pay for it without the rest of the sub base paying for it as well. The NFL wants it on lower tiers, where there's more viewers, yet they appear to be asking the same price.

In my opinion, the NFL made a mistake in not offering part ownership in the channel like MLB did, then there would be much more incentive for carriers to put it on lower, more viewed, tiers.

Yes, it hurts not to be able to see those 8 games, but remember that it's only 8 games out of over 250 in an NFL season, not a lot of value there.

To me, both of the parties involved wear black hats, but in this case, I think Comcast's is a little be more on the grey side in this dispute.

(BTW, MLB-HD has some very nice PQ :p )

keenan

04-06-09, 05:47 PM

Yes, inquiring minds want to know. Thanks Jim.
But I'm shocked you didn't see my slam on basketball :eek::p

Laters,
Mikef5

Yeah, well, lately I have watched very little NBA, basically only the playoffs and only then if there's a team I'm interested in.

OTOH, even if you're not a BB fan, the NCAA playoffs(March Madness) is some really great TV, lots of great action, tension and many memorable moments, I watch it every year without fail.

Mikef5

04-06-09, 06:26 PM

(BTW, MLB-HD has some very nice PQ :p)
Jim,

Watch your roof top, I do have an axe that works nicely on sat dishes :D

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5

04-06-09, 06:29 PM

Yeah, well, lately I have watched very little NBA, basically only the playoffs and only then if there's a team I'm interested in.

OTOH, even if you're not a BB fan, the NCAA playoffs(March Madness) is some really great TV, lots of great action, tension and many memorable moments, I watch it every year without fail.
Don't get me wrong, I do like watching basketball.... women's basketball, for the obvious reasons and the fact that they actually play basketball not just run down the court and slam dunk the ball but they dribble, pass and actually shoot the ball...what a concept. Something the NBA might want to adopt :)

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-06-09, 06:32 PM

Jim,

Watch your roof top, I do have an axe that works nicely on sat dishes :D

Laters,
Mikef5

LOL, seriously though, it's a crime Comcast doesn't have this channel here yet, been watching it since the earlier post and it's great channel. The game lookins are really cool, anytime something is ready to happen, they bring it up live, I'm definitely hooked.

Been watching it on the PC via the DirecTV2PC app, something else that Comcast doesn't have yet. :p

Mikef5

04-06-09, 06:43 PM

Snip.....

Been watching it on the PC via the DirecTV2PC app, something else that Comcast doesn't have yet. :p

Sure we do....it's called Tivo-HD with cable card. I can stream HD content from my Tivo-HD to my PC, I do it all the time... Oh wait...That's not Comcast's box but mine :). I told them to buy out Tivo years ago but did they listen NNNNNOOOOOO !! I don't think there'll ever be a Comcast box that allows you to copy programing to a PC's hard drive ( legally ) but you will see the Whole House Dvr one day..... if I live that long ;) I have heard that the boxes are in limited testing now but will they see the light of day ??

Laters,
Mikef5

mds54

04-06-09, 06:47 PM

Mikef5

04-06-09, 06:55 PM

Thanks for the info and advice, Mikef5.
I have infact written to both sides (NFL and Comcast). I've emailed Rick Germano at Comcast twice about this. Not only will we cancel the Sports package, but we'll leave Comcast all together (HSI too) just over the loss of this one channel. Will it do any good? No. As you said, the customer always loses. At least I tried.......

Sorry to see you leave over this one channel but you have to do what you think is best for you. I had hoped that they both would see the error of their ways and come to an agreement but I guess money over rides what's good for the customers or what the customers want. Who knows, they might come to an agreement and not drop the channel but I surely wouldn't hold my breath but miracles do happen. Best of luck on whichever provider you go with.

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-06-09, 07:21 PM

Sure we do....it's called Tivo-HD with cable card. I can stream HD content from my Tivo-HD to my PC, I do it all the time... Oh wait...That's not Comcast's box but mine :). I told them to buy out Tivo years ago but did they listen NNNNNOOOOOO !! I don't think there'll ever be a Comcast box that allows you to copy programing to a PC's hard drive ( legally ) but you will see the Whole House Dvr one day..... if I live that long ;) I have heard that the boxes are in limited testing now but will they see the light of day ??

Laters,
Mikef5

The content doesn't really get to the HDD, it's streaming app, designed to be used for viewing previously recorded material, but I discovered that if you set to record what ever channel you want to watch, you can actually "play back" the recording while in progress, it runs about a minute behind the actual live broadcast.

As far as DRM, the D* app has likes 10 tons of encryption on it, so if they can do it, so can Comcast.

Mikef5

04-06-09, 07:49 PM

The content doesn't really get to the HDD, it's streaming app, designed to be used for viewing previously recorded material, but I discovered that if you set to record what ever channel you want to watch, you can actually "play back" the recording while in progress, it runs about a minute behind the actual live broadcast.

As far as DRM, the D* app has likes 10 tons of encryption on it, so if they can do it, so can Comcast.

I'm sure that Comcast can do it ( I can do it abet not legally ), my feeling is that the media companies probably would charge an arm and a leg for Comcast to impliment it. We know that Directv loves to through money out just to get something on their service and worry about making it profitable later down the road. Not necessarily a bad thing just not a wise business thing. Sooner or later the piper will ask to be paid, either now or later ;).

One last dig..... What happened to the Dodgers last night :eek::D
Sorry I couldn't resist, you can do it later when they beat the Giants.:p

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-06-09, 07:56 PM

I'm sure that Comcast can do it ( I can do it abet not legally ), my feeling is that the media companies probably would charge an arm and a leg for Comcast to impliment it. We know that Directv loves to through money out just to get something on their service and worry about making it profitable later down the road. Not necessarily a bad thing just not a wise business thing. Sooner or later the piper will ask to be paid, either now or later ;).

One last dig..... What happened to the Dodgers last night :eek::D
Sorry I couldn't resist, you can do it later when they beat the Giants.:p

Laters,
Mikef5
Eh, meaningless, they're ahead 3-1 over Padres right now... (courtesy of MLB-HD :p )

mds54

04-06-09, 08:01 PM

Who knows, they might come to an agreement and not drop the channel but I surely wouldn't hold my breath but miracles do happen. Best of luck on whichever provider you go with.
Laters,
Mikef5

Thanks again, Mikef5.
I'd have to go with DTV for the HD and Sports.
Until then, if you ever happen to get any "inside info" that you can share with us about this, especially a "miracle" where they might keep the HD NFL Network channel afterall, please let us know!

Now, back to your baseball...... :-)

Mikef5

04-06-09, 08:10 PM

Eh, meaningless, they're ahead 3-1 over Padres right now... (courtesy of MLB-HD :p )

But everybody beats the Padres :p
Now where did I put that axe............ :D

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5

04-06-09, 08:15 PM

Thanks again, Mikef5.
I'd have to go with DTV for the HD and Sports.
Until then, if you ever happen to get any "inside info" that you can share with us about this, especially a "miracle" where they might keep the HD NFL Network channel afterall, please let us know!

Now, back to your baseball...... :-)

If miracles of miracles happens you can be sure I'll post it here first.
Can't go back to the game, the A's don't start until 6 pm ;)

Let me know how it goes with Directv, while I do advocate cable I believe you should be happy with whichever provider works best for you.

Laters,
Mikef5

AENielsenSR

04-06-09, 09:03 PM

I am getting the HD version of Comcast Sports Network CA on Clear QAM 87.1 on Comcast in the Tri Valley Area.

Alan [Pleasanton]

MANNAXMAN

04-06-09, 10:53 PM

I have the Digital Silver package. I have two HD STB's and one digital STB. I have two analog TVs that do not have STBs. If I request a free DTA converter from Comcast, will they charge an AO fee for those two?

Mikef5

04-07-09, 01:39 AM

I am getting the HD version of Comcast Sports Network CA on Clear QAM 87.1 on Comcast in the Tri Valley Area.

Alan [Pleasanton]

That's a sure way of getting it encrypted. You do know that Comcast reads this forum ??

Laters,
Mikef5

marc.aronson

04-07-09, 02:01 AM

If you have Expanded Basic you will still get those channels unencrypted even when they are shifted to digital.... what you are now getting in the clear is what you'll get when the shift to digital is completed. That was the last word that I had on that subject and I've heard nothing different to change that.

Laters,
Mikef5

This is really great to hear. When I called Comcast in late February the rep said that expanded basic channels would be encrypted. If this did happen I would need a set-top box for each TV and my mythtv DVR would be rendered useless, so I started to look into migrating to satellite. If they do keep those channels in the clear I'll stick with Comcast cable so that I can continue to use my mythtv system.

Marc

nikeykid

04-07-09, 12:18 PM

Mikef5

04-07-09, 02:30 PM

so what does everyone think of the new CSNBA studios and their sportscentral show? i like how everything is in HD, including highlights, and of course the bay area focus but it all seems a little too copycat of espn sportscenter, the way it all looks and feels. i wonder if a nightly local sports show would work here - i think FSN tried it once and it failed.

PS how come my tivo still hasn't added 721 even though i can tune into it manually ><
I watched it last night and it was IMHO done very well, nice set, picture quality was good, the announcers were good and for the most part stayed on topic and yea it looked a lot like ESPN but that's not necessarily a bad thing. With the addition of these new HD programs being added to the channels and the channels becoming now 24/7, I will be spending more time viewing those channels.

As far as doing an exclusive local sports program, I don't know if they have plans for that but it might now have the funding that can make that a more viable choice now. I know that Comcast is planning more local sports coverage which is going to be announced at a later date. I wish I could talk more about that but as you know I only post when given permission and it's officially being rolled out ;).

The Tivo thing needs to be addressed to Tivo, Comcast has nothing to do with the guide data for the Tivo. It looks like Comcast has updated their guide data showing the 24/7 programing on these channels so you would think that Tivo should be doing their update soon.

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-07-09, 02:53 PM

I watched it last night and it was IMHO done very well, nice set, picture quality was good, the announcers were good and for the most part stayed on topic and yea it looked a lot like ESPN but that's not necessarily a bad thing. With the addition of these new HD programs being added to the channels and the channels becoming now 24/7, I will be spending more time viewing those channels.

As far as doing an exclusive local sports program, I don't know if they have plans for that but it might now have the funding that can make that a more viable choice now. I know that Comcast is planning more local sports coverage which is going to be announced at a later date. I wish I could talk more about that but as you know I only post when given permission and it's officially being rolled out ;).

The Tivo thing needs to be addressed to Tivo, Comcast has nothing to do with the guide data for the Tivo. It looks like Comcast has updated their guide data showing the 24/7 programing on these channels so you would think that Tivo should be doing their update soon.

Laters,
Mikef5

Are you getting guide info on 721 yet? I still have to be announced. Also, CSNBA-720 is tagged CSNBD3 now, what is that about?

Brian Conrad

04-07-09, 03:21 PM

As far as the OnDemand channels being encrypted now, it's more likely that Comcast was made aware of this by people talking about it here in the forums. I know of 4 people that work with Comcast that read this forum, one of them being a V.P. ;)

Then you are unaware of an article published about a year ago or so by the NY Times tech section (I think) about watching OnDemand via QAM tuner. The writer was not from here or on the forum and he interviewed a Comcast exec about it who was aware of the situation but obviously not a big concern or priority at the moment.

Mikef5

04-07-09, 04:23 PM

Then you are unaware of an article published about a year ago or so by the NY Times tech section (I think) about watching OnDemand via QAM tuner. The writer was not from here or on the forum and he interviewed a Comcast exec about it who was aware of the situation but obviously not a big concern or priority at the moment.
Yes, I was aware of that article which was posted along time age. A couple of minutes ago I talked with Mr. J. who explained that they were aware of it and at the time was not a big deal because other things were more of a priority but now it has once again become something they needed to deal with. Since more and more people were saying they could get other people's VOD who were in their loop and not pay for it, they have now encrypted the VOD videos. Something they were going to do sooner or later, it just was done sooner since it was becoming more visible to the customers.

My point was to get people to stop talking about what was in the clear and what was not because even though it might be in the clear now it might not be in the future. So if you're getting something in the clear now, enjoy it now, because it may not be there later or if you make them aware of it.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5

04-07-09, 04:28 PM

Are you getting guide info on 721 yet? I still have to be announced. Also, CSNBA-720 is tagged CSNBD3 now, what is that about?

Jim,

Are you talking about Comcast guide or Tivo Guide ?
I have guide data for 720 and 721 on the Comcast Guide but nothing on the Tivo guide.

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-07-09, 04:34 PM

Jim,

Are you talking about Comcast guide or Tivo Guide ?
I have guide data for 720 and 721 on the Comcast Guide but nothing on the Tivo guide.

Laters,
Mikef5

Okay, yeah, I was asking about the TiVo guide.

What''s with the CSNBA channel name, "CSNBD3" ? At least that's how it's labeled on my TiVo guide.

Mikef5

04-07-09, 04:42 PM

Okay, yeah, I was asking about the TiVo guide.

What''s with the CSNBA channel name, "CSNBD3" ? At least that's how it's labeled on my TiVo guide.

I just checked it and it's the same on my Tivo also. That makes no sense to me on why they changed it and I'm not sure who determines what the call letters of a station are to be.

I just checked the Comcast box and 721 is labeled CSNCD ( should be CSNCA ) and 720 is labeled CSNBA. I think someone is confused :confused:

Laters,
Mikef5

mazman49

04-07-09, 05:22 PM

Mikef5: When you spoke to Mr. J, did he have anything to say about MLB-HD?????

Mikef5

04-07-09, 05:51 PM

Mikef5: When you spoke to Mr. J, did he have anything to say about MLB-HD?????
Yes, among other things and so far I'm not at liberty to post about that. I can only post when given the OK and it's official and right now it's neither. Sorry, but until given the OK that's all I can say on that topic. But you could read the story of "Casey at the bat" ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

mazman49

04-07-09, 07:22 PM

But you could read the story of "Casey at the bat" ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

You mean: Mighty Comcast has Struck Out!

ssmobin

04-07-09, 08:35 PM

last night I plugged in the cable line directly into my plasma and did an auto setup on the channels.

much to my surprise I found that I could get ~10 HD channels directly through the cable, without my Motorola 6200 box.

NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, KQED were some of the channels I was receiving. I was amazed that I could receive this quality with just a standard cable.

If there was a way I could get ESPN HD without having a STB, I would return the 6200 and cancel my digital premium package completely. I am fed up with how much they charge me, but I dont know if I could live without ESPN HD. However, I am strongly considering.

Anyone else running basic cable and able to pickup HD channels through their TV's HD Tuner? Or is this because I have a premium package subscription through Comcast already, which is allowing me to pick these HD signals up through basic cable?

Sorry if this has been covered before, I did a search but didnt find much on the subject.

Thanks in advance.

TPeterson

04-07-09, 10:09 PM

ssmobin--

Try a careful reading of the first post in this thread, instead of a "search", and you'll find answers to all of your questions. :cool:

Jack Hidley

04-07-09, 11:09 PM

curtis82

04-08-09, 12:49 AM

There is supposed (according to the online guide) to be a Lakers/Kings NBA game on Comcast 721 CSNCD at 7PM tonight. All I get is a baseball game. I called Comcast about this and spoke with a CSR. They said that the game might be blacked out by the NBA. They could not tell me what was going on with the channel. I pointed out that this was their channel. How could they not know what they were doing with it? They couldn't answer the question. The game is also supposed to be televised on one of the pay NBA channels (410). I asked that they activate this channel for the two hours that the game had left, since they were having some problem televising the game on the channel that it was supposed to be on. They said that this wasn't possible. Their answer was both untruthful and unacceptable.

If Comcast employees really do read this forum, please see that this information flows uphill as far as possible.

This was more of a glitch in the Comcast guide listings more than anything. Sacramento Kings games are never shown here in the Bay Area on Comcast Sportsnet California. The Hd version of that channel ( 721) was just added to the Bay Area line up last week since that's the new home of Oakland A's baseball. So a baseball game was what should have been on that channel here in the Bay. The CSR was actually right believe it or not, the NBA blackout policy stops Kings games from being shown here because this is Warriors territory. The only time you'll see a Kings game here in the Bay Area is if they're playing on National tv ( espn, tnt, abc), playing against the Warriors, or you have purchased the NBA league pass ppv package which gives you access to all out of market games. So in closing the only screw up by Comcast on the night was putting the wrong guide info on ch 721 CSNCA. They actually had the correct info ( A's game) on the SD version of that channel, which is ch. 89.

Jack Hidley

04-08-09, 01:41 AM

Mikef5

04-08-09, 02:09 AM

Mikef5

04-08-09, 02:29 AM

Curtis,

Thanks for the information about the blackout stuff.

Comcast messed up with the guide information for their own channel. I think they need to own up to that. If the guide information for one of the network channels was incorrect, I understand that, since Comcast has no control over that as the network provides the programming information to the data service provider. In this case however, Comcast was the entity generating the programming information. As such, they should have turned on the game. That would have been the correct thing to do.
Jack,

Comcast does not generate the programing data, that is farmed out to Tv Guide just like Tivo farms out it's guide data to Tribune Media. Are they at fault for this, No, but they are responsible to get it corrected when it is in error and I'm sure they will do what is necessary to correct that problem.

These are new channels, channels 720 and 721, that just recently started broadcasting 24/7 and there's going to be problems with the guide for a while. Hopefully not long but it does take some time to adjust the guide to the new programing schedule.

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-08-09, 02:42 AM

Just a thought, but with all the effort and resources/money it takes to put these channels on the air, you would think that they would want you to watch them, even if only to see the ads. So why do these idiots have such trouble providing accurate program information?

For the most part, I stopped watching CSNBA quite some time ago, the reason being, I rarely, if ever, knew what the hell was going to be broadcast.

The way to get Comcast to clean up their act is to go straight to the advertisers, tell them that because of the lack of info, you never see their ads. Comcast sells ad time on these channels with the presumption that they will be seen. Tell the advertisers that their money is being wasted, I guarantee that will light a fire under Comcast's ass.

tranle

04-08-09, 12:15 PM

Does any know if a DTA can work when you are subscribed only to "Limited Basic" (with all the filters they put on your line) ?

Mikef5

04-08-09, 12:29 PM

Does any know if a DTA can work when you are subscribed only to "Limited Basic" (with all the filters they put on your line) ?
If you have Limited Basic you do not need a DTA. Limited Basic is channels 2 through 34, those are analog and will be that way for at least another 3 years. The DTA is for people with analog tv's that have Expanded Basic and have had those channels shifted to digital and don't want to get rid of their analog tv's. The DTA allows those customers to view those digital channels on their analog tv.

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-08-09, 02:50 PM

Was the Giants game yesterday in HD? All I saw was the replay at 7pm on D* but it was only on the SD channel.

mds54

04-08-09, 03:07 PM

MANNAXMAN

04-08-09, 03:20 PM

hcady

04-08-09, 03:33 PM

Can anyone comment on this?

As far as I know there isn't any additional outlet fee for the DTA, check with comcast.
I wasn't charged any AO fee.

curtis82

04-08-09, 03:48 PM

Can anyone comment on this?

Comcast gives out the first 2 DTA's for free, no matter how many other boxes you have currently. Each additional DTA after that would be $1.99. So to answer your question no, there won't be any additional $6.99 fee for adding DTA's

Mikef5

04-08-09, 03:55 PM

HSI upgrade/modem question:

I received an email announcing the new free speed upgrades from Comcast.
I'm concerned about my modem. I have the Moto SB5100 - Docsis2.0. The new speed increases are Docsis3.0. Comcast says that my modem is still good for my level of "Performance", and that 3.0 modems are only needed for the very fastest speeds.
The CSR said that after a modem power cycle, a configuration file will download that will update the 5100 for the new speed upgrade.

You know how it goes with Comcast CSRs, so I just wanted to run this by all you experts. Does this sound valid?
What they told you is true.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5

04-08-09, 04:00 PM

For you guys that want help with or want to talk about Comcast's High Speed Internet here is a link to a site that will give you the help you need and it's much better than you can get here and you will be on topic ..... http://www.dslreports.com/forum/comcast

Laters,
Mikef5

curtis82

04-08-09, 04:44 PM

Was the Giants game yesterday in HD? All I saw was the replay at 7pm on D* but it was only on the SD channel.

Yes it was aired in HD on CSNBA, Also available in HD on video on demand for Comcast customers ;)

tranle

04-08-09, 06:14 PM

If you have Limited Basic you do not need a DTA. Limited Basic is channels 2 through 34, those are analog and will be that way for at least another 3 years. The DTA is for people with analog tv's that have Expanded Basic and have had those channels shifted to digital and don't want to get rid of their analog tv's. The DTA allows those customers to view those digital channels on their analog tv.

Laters,
Mikef5
Yes, I know that a DTA is not required if you have Limited Basic (for now). But I also have an HD comcast box and I can see other SD channels that are only transmitted digital. And I have another old analog TV, that is why my original question. Would Comcast let me use a DTA with the current subscription that I have ?

walk

04-08-09, 06:21 PM

walk

04-08-09, 06:24 PM

Yes it was aired in HD on CSNBA, Also available in HD on video on demand for Comcast customers ;)

The replay was HD also? I assume the live broadcast was HD, but I wasn't home to watch it.

curtis82

04-08-09, 06:51 PM

The replay was HD also? I assume the live broadcast was HD, but I wasn't home to watch it.

Yea the replay at 7:30 was in HD as well

mds54

04-08-09, 08:01 PM

D2.0 modems are good up to the 16mb "Blast" speeds. You only need D3.0 for their 22mb and 50mb speeds.

"Performance" is the standard 6mb service ($43.95/mo for catv sub'ers) and is being upgraded to 12mb for free as part of the D3.0 transition, but you don't need a D3.0 modem to take advantage of that.

Walk & Mikef5: Thanks for the clarification!

Tom Koegel

04-08-09, 11:29 PM

Yes it was aired in HD on CSNBA, Also available in HD on video on demand for Comcast customers ;)

I'd be interested to hear if any Comcast customer can get the On Demand version of the Giants game in HD. Every time I tried last year, I got an error message that I was able to trace back (via the internet) to some kind of server error. Of course, I could never get a Comcast CSR who (a) understood the message or (b) was capable of relaying it to someone who might possibly do something about it.

I do admit that the standard def broadcasts would work. But the advertised HD never did.

Oops, got to go back to the DirecTV MLB Mix channel, where I can watch 8 HD feeds at once and switch over to the game that doesn't have commercials on it.;)

cperalt1

04-09-09, 10:29 AM

Concerning the DTA.

I picked up a channel list in the local office and was surprised to see that under limited basic one could get a DTA for channels such as the Local Subchannels KQED KIDS, KQED Encore, whatever weather subchannel ABC has etc, etc, etc. I haven't gone back to check and see if they will give me a DTA but if its on the channel list that way then can I assume that they should?

Thanks,
Christian
Vallejo SUB

walk

04-09-09, 02:10 PM

During prime-time I was rarely able to get a HD feed from Comcast VOD. "SRM-20" was the error I think, which I found out means "no free streams" - in other words Comcast's tubes were are full.

The PQ looked very good on the Giants game last night, I was a little worried too after that preseason game they did which was godawful. The A's too, was on CSCA-HD.

Only thing we're not getting (on D*) is CSN-BA in HD full-time. It's only on during games, so far that I have seen.

Mikef5

04-09-09, 04:16 PM

During prime-time I was rarely able to get a HD feed from Comcast VOD. "SRM-20" was the error I think, which I found out means "no free streams" - in other words Comcast's tubes were are full.

The PQ looked very good on the Giants game last night, I was a little worried too after that preseason game they did which was godawful. The A's too, was on CSCA-HD.

Only thing we're not getting (on D*) is CSN-BA in HD full-time. It's only on during games, so far that I have seen.

The Giants game looked very good to me also....except that they lost :(
A's game was pretty good also. On a down note, it looks like tonight's A's game is not going to be shown. One of the Angel's pitchers, Nick Adenhart, was killed in an automobile accident and they've decide to postpone the game. A real shame he was only 22 years old, my condolences to his family.

Laters,
Mikef5

MrSanRamon

04-09-09, 04:23 PM

Tom Koegel

04-09-09, 06:31 PM

During prime-time I was rarely able to get a HD feed from Comcast VOD. "SRM-20" was the error I think, which I found out means "no free streams" - in other words Comcast's tubes were are full.

Nope, the error that I used to get, IIRC, was SRM-9001. When I was having the problem, I found a "TVGuide Client Error Messages" PDF on the web, and this is what it said:
RspSeNoReplica (SRM-9001)
The asset exists at the ITV site, however it is not available on the cluster servicing the Nodegroup of the
requesting set top.
This error may be generated in the following conditions:
! Session setup process failed when the ITV server attempted the “Get Replica List” operation.
ICM Status: NOREPLICA-SYSTEMERROR
! The video asset is available on the SeaChange ITV System but is not available on the SeaChange
Media Cluster servicing the set top client.
ICM Status: NOREPLICA-EXOK
! All of the asset’s elements have been set to not be streamable using the SeaChange Asset Manager.
ICM Status: CREATEFAILED-EXOK
For information about how to set stream components to not streamable search for “Stream Content” in the SeaChange Asset Manager User’s Guide.
Nobody over the phone at Comcast could ever help with it. It sounds like someone was loading the game into the OnDemand server and wasn't clicking the right boxes to make it accessible. (Because a file not found message is an SRM-9000.)

old64mb

04-09-09, 07:36 PM

Trib data is more screwed up than before (at least on Tivo, not sure if Comcast is getting the same feed on this) - 720 is showing sign off, but the Giants game is in HD.

For once it's a spectacular looking broadcast...almost makes me wonder if this and ESPN got bandwidth increased for the special events (first MLBN Thursday night game, Masters).

Dragunov1

04-09-09, 08:05 PM

hiker

04-09-09, 08:10 PM

I have been trying to go thru this thread, but 312 pages is extreme.

I have a non-QAM tuner HD-TV. I'd like to get a QAM tuner for use in this tv to get HD thru comcast, without having to get their set top box.

Can someone help me with this?

Thx,

BobLast time I looked into this, there was the Samsung DTB-H260F tuner for non-encrypted digital channels. There's probably a newer model, so try a search on AVS and/or eBay.

MrSanRamon

04-09-09, 09:29 PM

Last time I looked into this, there was the Samsung DTB-H260F tuner for non-encrypted digital channels. There's probably a newer model, so try a search on AVS and/or eBay.

This unit doesn't have a QAM tuner, and is for OTA signals.

Is there a QAM tuner box for cable?

Robert

curtis82

04-09-09, 09:38 PM

Hey guys, I have a question about the tipple play TV level of service that I don't quite understand. So I'm looking at the HD Plus Triple Play package and it says, Over 150 digital channels. What does this triple play package equal to to in the normal TV package ranges (Digital Classic, Starter, Preferred)? Mainly what I want to know is, with this package (HD Plus Triple Play) if I will be able to get all the HD channels without the premium ones, because that is what I'm currently signed up for?

Thanks!

The "HD Plus" Triple Play package is equal to the Digital Preferred tv package. In other words, you'll be getting all the HD channels that Comcast offers with the exception of the premiums (Showtime, Max, etc) Depending on what city you live in here in the Bay Area, you'll also have access to Encore HD on 775 which is part of the Digital Prefered as well. This also leaves out the HD channels which are part of the Sports Entertainment Package. NFL HD on 730 ( which may be gone on 5/1 anyway) and Speed HD on 731 ( Half of the area doesn't even have it yet). So overall you'll get a decent sampler of the HD Comcast has to offer here in the Bay.

Brian Conrad

04-09-09, 10:12 PM

I have been trying to go thru this thread, but 312 pages is extreme.

I have a non-QAM tuner HD-TV. I'd like to get a QAM tuner for use in this tv to get HD thru comcast, without having to get their set top box.

Can someone help me with this?

Thx,

Bob

I would wonder if there will be more low cost options for this after June. I wonder if it is possible at all to remodulate a QAM signal to ATSC for your kind of set. Otherwise what happens is the box is basically a computer with a ATSC/QAM tuner which demodulates the signal into video and audio signals for component or HDMI output. That also can be done with a computer too and a cheap HD video card wint component or HDMI output (like the one on this computer which cost all of $29). And of course with a computer you can make it a DVR while you're at it. And it could be cheap if you have some old computers around to do the job (look in the HTPC section).

Mikef5

04-09-09, 10:41 PM

This unit doesn't have a QAM tuner, and is for OTA signals.

Is there a QAM tuner box for cable?

Robert

I beg to differ, I'm using the Samsung DTB-H260F tuner on one of my bed room tv's and it works fine with Comcast's cable. It doesn't have an analog tuner in it, it only has a digital tuner, so you won't get anything analog but the digital equivalent of those channels are on my system so that's a non-issue. So it does do Qam. The only problem is you'll be hard pressed to find one, I don't think they make them anymore.

From the manual

The Set-Top Box can receive DTV signals in the event that a local cable provider is passing 8VSB and
QAM through on their system. (8VSB is the RF modulation format utilized to transmit digital bits over
the airwaves to the home consumer. QAM conveys data by modulating the amplitude of two carrier
waves.)
• When receiving Digital Cable Signal: If your cable service signal does not comply with the ATSC
requirement, this product may not operate properly.

Laters,
Mikef5

wintertime

04-10-09, 12:38 AM

It looks like the analog to digital conversion has begun in San Ramon. Over the weekend I lost channels 39 thru 59. Oddly enough, channels 60 - 74 still showed up.

Comcast started the digital migration in my neighborhood yesterday, and I was surprised to see the same thing: channels 40-60 are gone, and 39 and 61 are snowy, but the ones above 61 are still there.

Patty

GBruno

04-10-09, 10:24 AM

I have that sumsung and it does have a qam tuner. You have to look deep into the specs to see it!

walk

04-10-09, 02:23 PM

Wait, the Giants game yesterday was in HD? 4/9 Thurs. afternoon (4pm), Cain pitching?

It wasn't on the HD channel on DirecTV... Gonna have to murder some people if that keeps happening. Maybe because the guide didn't have it?

Schedule here says it wasn't in HD.

http://bayarea.comcastsportsnet.com/pages/schedule_giants_hd

I know it was in HD on the MLB channel, but blacked out here of course. Saw the highlights in HD later on....

curtis82

04-10-09, 02:35 PM

Cal1981

04-10-09, 03:38 PM

Brian Conrad

04-10-09, 04:04 PM

I have that sumsung and it does have a qam tuner. You have to look deep into the specs to see it!

I'll have to put the question to some broadcast engineers but it may be possible to take a QAM signal and remodulate it to ATSC. Such a device would work like a VCR where it would output on channel 3. or 4. To keep costs down it would probably only capture the PSIP info and display it on an LED read out when you changend channels via remote. That would cost far less than actually decoding the signal and outputting it via video and audio outputs which is what boxes do now.

But then I haven't even found any DYI plans for low power ATSC transmitters though DVT-B, NTSC and PAL plans can be found on the Internet.

Mikef5

04-10-09, 04:22 PM

I'll have to put the question to some broadcast engineers but it may be possible to take a QAM signal and remodulate it to ATSC. Such a device would work like a VCR where it would output on channel 3. or 4. To keep costs down it would probably only capture the PSIP info and display it on an LED read out when you changend channels via remote. That would cost far less than actually decoding the signal and outputting it via video and audio outputs which is what boxes do now.

But then I haven't even found any DYI plans for low power ATSC transmitters though DVT-B, NTSC and PAL plans can be found on the Internet.

Brian,

I think you are a little confused on what this tuner (Samsung's DTB-H260F ) does. I use this tuner and it works fine on Comcast's cable system. It does not work like a vcr, it's a digital tuner and has outputs component, composite, or HDMI that connects to your tv, it bypasses the tv's tuner altogether. Your tv effectively becomes a big monitor and the digital box becomes your tv tuner. Here's the link to the manual ... http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/support.do?group=audiovideo&type=digitalsettopbox&subtype=hdtvtuners&model_cd=DTB-H260F/XAA&mode=C

Laters,
Mikef5

DAP

04-10-09, 04:28 PM

mazman49

04-10-09, 04:35 PM

I've been seeing a lot of problems on the HD side lately, especially in the sports channels. The Sharks game last night suffered from periodic splotch atrifacts on screen. I'm also seeing some brief pixelation when I change from one HD channel to another. I power cycled my DVR but that didn't resolve anything. I'm in Vallejo. Anyone seeing similar issues?
Funny you should mention that - I've noticed the same thing, though it seems to be confined to CSN-HD channel 720.

It also seems to occur most often during live events - I've watched a couple of episodes of Chronicle Live and I didn't see the problem then.

It seems to me that this started happening right after Comcast added Channel 721 to the lineup when both channels broadcasting full time. Coincidence?

walk

04-10-09, 05:06 PM

Yea I watched it on CH.720 last night and it was in HD for sure

They are doing 720 full time now right? So that doesn't mean it was HD. Unless it looked like HD of course. Wonder why D* didn't pick it up.

Mikef5

04-10-09, 05:21 PM

They are doing 720 full time now right? So that doesn't mean it was HD. Unless it looked like HD of course. Wonder why D* didn't pick it up.
The schedule didn't list it as being a HD game but it was shown in what "appeared to be" in the HD format. Was it HD or upconverted SD I don't have a clue but if you can't tell if it was HD or not, it must of been done really well ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

curtis82

04-10-09, 05:39 PM

They are doing 720 full time now right? So that doesn't mean it was HD. Unless it looked like HD of course. Wonder why D* didn't pick it up.

It looked like HD for sure to me. Same quality as the other broadcasts the 2 previous days. Tonight's game in San Diego is supposed to be in HD as well.

MKANET

04-10-09, 08:07 PM

Brian Conrad

04-10-09, 08:31 PM

Brian,

I think you are a little confused on what this tuner (Samsung's DTB-H260F ) does. I use this tuner and it works fine on Comcast's cable system. It does not work like a vcr, it's a digital tuner and has outputs component, composite, or HDMI that connects to your tv, it bypasses the tv's tuner altogether. Your tv effectively becomes a big monitor and the digital box becomes your tv tuner. Here's the link to the manual ... http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/support.do?group=audiovideo&type=digitalsettopbox&subtype=hdtvtuners&model_cd=DTB-H260F/XAA&mode=C

Laters,
Mikef5

Mike, I'm a software developer and know what different hardware does (I have even built electronics projects) and was fully aware of what the Samsung unit does because I own a Pioneer 53" HD RPTV made in 2000 that doesn't even have an ATSC tuner in it. But living in a valley where there is on OTA reception so the only options were cable or satellite. I had Dish Network for a while but when Comcast bought AT&T locally they offered more HD channels I dropped Dish (who at the time had added more channels but they were on a satellite blocked by a hill). I've had the 5100 box which I traded in for the 6200 when it became available to work with my JVC D-VHS deck and now the 3416 DVR. So I guess I might know how the Comcast boxes work as well as the Samsung. ;)

Nowadays if I moved and wanted OTA I would probably just buy a new set as the current one is getting long in tooth and the DVD player that upscales over component is starting to malfunction more (needed a better loader). And I have 3 computer ATSC/QAM tuners anyway: the HDHomeRun (2 tuners), the Fusion HDTV card and a KWorld USB stick. And I've been interested in TV engineering since I was a kid and had access to the local TV station.

I would agree with the person who said that most sets have QAM anymore but there were a few years where sets were made with only ATSC/NTSC tuners. It's probably only been a couple of years that most all sets come with ATSC/QAM tuners. I was just thinking one could take a QAM tuner and demodulate a channel to the stream and remodulate that to ATSC you would effectively have a simple inexpensive unit for people without QAM on their HD set. Maybe not a big selling item but just an interesting idea. ;)

Mikef5

04-10-09, 10:22 PM

Snip..........
I was just thinking one could take a QAM tuner and demodulate a channel to the stream and remodulate that to ATSC you would effectively have a simple inexpensive unit for people without QAM on their HD set. Maybe not a big selling item but just an interesting idea. ;)

Ok, Brian, that's what I don't understand. Why, if you are already using a QAM tuner, would you want to demodulate and then remodulate the signal of the QAM tuner and feed that signal to an ATSC tuner ??? In your example you are already using a QAM tuner, just feed it's video output to the tv's video input and bypass the tv's tuner altogether, you don't even need a tv tuner in the set. I'm sorry but what you propose doesn't make sense to me.

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-10-09, 10:53 PM

Just checking, the Giants game is in HD tonite 4/10?

D* is not showing it... :(

TPeterson

04-10-09, 11:02 PM

....I'm sorry but what you propose doesn't make sense to me.+1 :rolleyes:

wintertime

04-10-09, 11:03 PM

This may sound like a really dumb question. But, what should I expect to happen when the digital cutover happens in my area in respect to SD and HD channels? Are they just removing SD channels that there's already an HD equivalent? Or, are they removing SD channels and adding their HD equivalent. Or, are they just removing old fashioned analog channels (picked up via non QAM tuners); leaving ONLY QAM based SD and HD digital channels.
They're removing the Expanded Basic analog channels. Limited Basic channels (mostly local stations) are remaining on analog for now. Some of the channels being removed have HD equivalents, others do not.

Patty

04-10-09, 11:19 PM

I was just thinking one could take a QAM tuner and demodulate a channel to the stream and remodulate that to ATSC you would effectively have a simple inexpensive unit for people without QAM on their HD set. Maybe not a big selling item but just an interesting idea. ;)

"Not a big selling item" means expensive. QAM tuner is cheap, but ATSC modulator is expensive.

Brian Conrad

04-10-09, 11:27 PM

Ok, Brian, that's what I don't understand. Why, if you are already using a QAM tuner, would you want to demodulate and then remodulate the signal of the QAM tuner and feed that signal to an ATSC tuner ??? In your example you are already using a QAM tuner, just feed it's video output to the tv's video input and bypass the tv's tuner altogether, you don't even need a tv tuner in the set. I'm sorry but what you propose doesn't make sense to me.

Laters,
Mikef5

Mike, a QAM tuner does not decode the video. It just would demodulate the signal into something like a transport stream. Other chips on the board decode the stream and put it in a video buffer and that buffer then creates the video output. For instance on a PC you have a QAM tuner and the drivers decode the signal which produces the transport stream which can be displayed in the video card buffer which can either go the monitor or in the case of many cards a component output or even HDMI. A cable box works much the same way though it may use a more integrated chipset.

Now instead of decoding the video just take the stream from the QAM tuner which may need some additional decoding with drivers and then remodulate that stream to ATSC. The expensive part of the box is bypassed: the chipset and memory needed to decode and output to standard video outputs (as well as audio of course). This would be far less expensive than a full box. My bet is that such devices have already been developed (maybe shown at booth at shows like CES) but not licensed for distribution yet.

Brian Conrad

04-10-09, 11:30 PM

"Not a big selling item" means expensive. QAM tuner is cheap, but ATSC modulator is expensive.

An ATSC modulator probably doesn't need to be expensive. It's just that currently the only ones you find on the net are for broadcast use and build for heavy use.

walk

04-10-09, 11:54 PM

walk

04-11-09, 12:03 AM

Just checking, the Giants game is in HD tonite 4/10?

D* is not showing it... :(

Nobody watching??

Not that I blame you... not much worth watching... Zito stinks it up and now a rain delay (in San Diego??)

A's are on CSCA-HD. Maybe CSN has only the 1 HD truck.

Mikef5

04-11-09, 12:17 AM

Nobody watching??

Not that I blame you... not much worth watching... Zito stinks it up and now a rain delay (in San Diego??)

A's are on CSCA-HD. Maybe CSN has only the 1 HD truck.

I was watching through my tears :p and it was in HD. The tarp is still on the field and if we're lucky Zito won't come back as the pitcher.

The last time I checked Comcast had 3 HD trucks but that was a while ago, they might of added to that by now.

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-11-09, 12:21 AM

Well, I'm going to be more than a little PO'ed if this is the norm for D*.

There are 4 other games in HD on the MLB package, which is free right now, but not Giants? BOOO!!

At least I can watch the Dodgers lose... ?

Zito was already pinch-hit for. He won't be back, but WILL get the L if they don't come back...

Mikef5

04-11-09, 12:29 AM

walk

04-11-09, 12:31 AM

Walk,

Are you watching the Giants game on channel 696-1 on D* ? and it's not showing it in HD ?

Laters,
Mikef5

Yes. I mean no, that channel was blank. Nothing on it - no HD no nothing.. The guide for it says "Upcoming: Giants @ Dodgers" 4/13 1:00p - 7:00p

Mikef5

04-11-09, 12:34 AM

Yes. I mean no, that channel was blank. Nothing on it - no HD. The guide for it says "Upcoming: Giants @ Dodgers" 4/13 1:00p - 7:00p

Checked it lately ?? We all know how great our guide lineups are for being accurate :p;)

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-11-09, 12:39 AM

Yeah I checked it, nothing on it. The game was on (before the rain) 696 in SD, but not 696-1.

Mikef5

04-11-09, 12:44 AM

Yeah I checked it, nothing on it. The game was on (before the rain) 696 in SD.

That's really weird. Why would they blackout the local HD channel but show the SD channel. I could see the MLB package section being blacked out because the local station was showing the game not other way around. I'd bitch but then again that's just my nature ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-11-09, 12:46 AM

It's not like it's blacked out. You get a message when it's blacked out, and it even tries to find the game on another channel.

It's just not THERE.

Maybe they only have room on the sat for 1 HD per local area. I dunno.

F the A's!!!

Though to be fair, the A's are actually playing right now, the G's are rained out...

Wait, now it's back... still nothing on the HD channel though, it's completely black, no sound, no messages, nothing.

keenan

04-11-09, 12:47 AM

It's not like it's blacked out. You get a message when it's blacked out, and it even tries to find the game on another channel.

It's just not THERE.

Maybe they only have room on the sat for 1 HD per local area. I dunno.

F the A's!!!

Though to be fair, the A's are actually playing right now, the G's are rained out...

Did you check MLB-HD? It might have been their game of the night. I didn't watch, so I don't know.

Mikef5

04-11-09, 12:48 AM

They're getting ready to start the game. The pitchers warming up. Time to get the rally cap out :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5

04-11-09, 12:51 AM

Walk,

You can always come back to Comcast ( cough, cough.... ) Just pulling your leg :)

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-11-09, 12:51 AM

Did you check MLB-HD? It might have been their game of the night. I didn't watch, so I don't know.It was MLB game yesterday, and it was blacked out, like it always would be.

walk

04-11-09, 12:52 AM

Walk,

You can always come back to Comcast ( cough, cough.... ) Just pulling your leg :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Yeah ahhh.. I could split the cable to the TV (I still have HSI) but 720 is encrypted here, I'm pretty sure. It was last year and they haven't changed much here, we haven't done analog shut off here.

To be honest, if I only miss a few lousy Giants games in HD.. as much as I am a huge G's fan.. that STILL wouldn't make me even consider getting rid of D* and going back to digital cable.

Though I'm seriously wondering what the minimum tier is to get CSN/720. I need a STB so that's probably some Digital Blahblah plus HD fee for $58/ month...

Mikef5

04-11-09, 12:54 AM

Yeah ahhh.. I could split the cable to the TV (I still have HSI) but 720 is encrypted right?
Yes it is here but 721 isn't......yet

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-11-09, 12:54 AM

Yeah ahhh.. I could split the cable to the TV (I still have HSI) but 720 is encrypted right?

I get it with just Limited Basic, but that may be a grandfathered thing. Also get both ESPN's, Versus, DHDT and the other CSN channel.

walk

04-11-09, 01:02 AM

Barovelli

04-11-09, 01:14 AM

I'll have to put the question to some broadcast engineers but it may be possible to take a QAM signal and remodulate it to ATSC. Such a device would work like a VCR where it would output on channel 3. or 4. To keep costs down it would probably only capture the PSIP info and display it on an LED read out when you changend channels via remote. That would cost far less than actually decoding the signal and outputting it via video and audio outputs which is what boxes do now.

But then I haven't even found any DYI plans for low power ATSC transmitters though DVT-B, NTSC and PAL plans can be found on the Internet.

Some interesting items are popping up all over for either feeding MDUs without placing boxes - mini headends. But they send all channels out on the cable, and probably not in ATSC.

Also some QAM video insertion for MDUs with a security system on the cable - the security cams get a channel on the box.

My Panasonic PZ plasma purchased last year does not have QAM.

nikeykid

04-11-09, 04:37 AM

giants game last night was in widescreen SD. better than pillarbox SD but still SD. :(

Mikef5

04-11-09, 12:42 PM

giants game last night was in widescreen SD. better than pillarbox SD but still SD. :(

An you know this how ?? Because it looked bad to you ?

It looked fine to me, except the part about it having a rain delay and the part about Zito sucking and especially the part about the Giants losing, other than that it was fine, but that's just me ;)

Unless you know for a fact that it was broadcasted in wide screen SD, it would've been better to say, it appeared to you that it was broadcasted that way not that it was broadcasted that way. I know that's being a nitpicker but again that's just me and I like facts.

Now they may of, during the rain delay, pulled their HD cameras from the field and once it started again did broadcast the rest of the game in wide screen but I don't know that for a fact, but it would make sense to me if they did. Why waste HD camera time on a game that, once they had a rain delay, most people probably tuned out the game anyway ? Only a die hard Giant's fan, like me, would stick it out to the bitter end :),

Laters,
Mikef5

DaveNagy

04-11-09, 02:26 PM

Hi everybody,

I'm not sure anyone here can help me, but it would save me a lot of fiddlin' if you can.

Short Version: I'm in Livermore. I have a Vista Media Center computer with a QAM (only) tuner. Comcast Limited Basic. Sometime this week, my NBC affiliate channel moved. Thus, when my PC tried to record "Life" in HD, it got some skiing competition in SD instead. Does anybody know what the new channel number is for NBC? (KNTVDT, I think?)

Long Version: Hmm, I guess there isn't a long version. I have an HDHomeRun tuner. I can run a full channel scan and then sift through all the channels it finds, looking for where this channel has gotten to, but it's a painful process. I was hoping against hope that someone here might know the new channel location off the top of their heads. (Yes, I'm lazy.)

Oh, I'd like the channel number that Vista Media Center uses to tune with, not the Comcast mapping. If that any sense. It may not.

keenan

04-11-09, 02:39 PM

What do you pay for that? Limited basic + HD fee?

I don't have any STB, turned them all in. It's clear-QAM or I have to rent a box.

Still even if it's $20 a month, for 1 or 2 HD games? Not really worth it.

Limited Basic is $18.05 here in Santa Rosa, and like I said, I'm pretty sure those extra HD channels I get are either a mistake or a grandfathered thing so it's doubtful a new(or returning) subscriber would get the same lineup. I have a somewhat similar situation with DirecTV where I have Total Choice Plus, which is a long discontinued package, but it gets all the same channels that the current package gets that is about $5-$6 more per more month. I've even had D* CSRs tell me if I'm happy with it, don't change it as the current packages are more expensive for the same lineup.

walk

04-11-09, 02:43 PM

walk

04-11-09, 02:44 PM

Limited Basic is $18.05 here in Santa Rosa, and like I said, I'm pretty sure those extra HD channels I get are either a mistake or a grandfathered thing so it's doubtful a new(or returning) subscriber would get the same lineup.

But do you have a Comcast STB?
Because 720 is encrypted (right?) at least it is here, I'm pretty sure. I would need a HD STB.
For $18 Limited Basic they don't give you a STB (normally).
Even with no CATV I could split the cable right now and get most of the HD local channels with my clear-QAM TV tuner, but not 720.

keenan

04-11-09, 03:06 PM

But do you have a Comcast STB?
Because 720 is encrypted (right?) at least it is here, I'm pretty sure. I would need a HD STB.
For $18 Limited Basic they don't give you a STB (normally).
Even with no CATV I could split the cable right now and get most of the HD local channels with my clear-QAM TV tuner, but not 720.

No Comcast STB, I use an S3 and the CableCARDS are decrypting it, I think that's where my good fortune lies, the CCs are probably not set right for a Limited Basic account.

I probably shouldn't even have mentioned it as Comcast will probably "fix" it now, but it seems to me there are some others here that have similar lineups with just Limited Basic, members that have had it for a long time.

Mikef5

04-11-09, 03:45 PM

There's a web site with channel info someone posts in this thread about every 2 pages....

Mike are you 100% surrrre the game was HD? I'm just asking, I don't want to write a big nasty letter to D* if I'm wrong.

Ch 720 is on full-time now so I can see how someone could see it on that channel and go "oh its HD" - but I assume you could easily tell the difference, unless, I dunno... you're watching the game on your cell phone or something. ;)

Walk,

Are we talking about last nights game or the game on the 9th ?

The game last night was scheduled to be HD and it appeared to me to be that way but after the rain delay it did get a little soft in the picture quality so they may of taken the HD cameras out and just finished the game in wide screen, can't be sure but that would make sense to me. If you're talking about the game on the 9th, that wasn't scheduled to be an HD game, but it sure looked like it was boardcasted that way or it was a very good up convertion ;)

Check the game today. It's not scheduled to be HD but my Tivo guide lists it as HD but the Comcast guide shows it as not in HD. Of course the Tivo guide says that the game starts at 1 pm and there's another game at 7 pm, but I'm pretty sure the 1 pm program is the Sharks game.... seems Tivo is falling down on the job again. ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-11-09, 03:48 PM

Ok, cablecard. I'm not sure they still offer that option either, but I'd need a STB as I don't have a cablecard tv/etc.

Cheapest option is probably Digital Starter? plus HD/STB fee. $59.95 + $8 .. uhghhggh.

Maybe I'll just watch games at a friend's house who has cable. $68 will buy a lot of beer.

walk

04-11-09, 03:53 PM

Walk,

Are we talking about last nights game or the game on the 9th ?

Well both, but I was talking about last night, 4/10. The CSN schedule has it listed as a HD game (the 9th was not).

http://bayarea.comcastsportsnet.com/pages/schedule_giants_hd

Also Sunday 4/12 is listed as HD but the D* guide for 696-1 doesn't show a (HD) game until 4/13 @ Dodgers.

I doubt they would have changed cameras but it's possible after the delay they switched to a SD feed.

Mikef5

04-11-09, 04:01 PM

Well both, but I was talking about last night, 4/10. The CSN schedule has it listed as a HD game (the 9th was not).

http://bayarea.comcastsportsnet.com/pages/schedule_giants_hd

Also Sunday 4/12 is listed as HD but the D* guide for 696-1 doesn't show a (HD) game until 4/13 @ Dodgers.

I doubt they would have changed cameras but it's possible after the delay they switched to a SD feed.
Walk,

What are you seeing right now on CSNBA-HD ??
I'm seeing the Sharks game and so far it's in HD.
The Comcast guide doesn't show it as HD but it
looks like it me :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Brian Conrad

04-11-09, 04:09 PM

walk

04-11-09, 04:10 PM

CSNBHD 696-1 is blank, still says "Upcoming Giants @ Dodgers"

Sharks is on 696 (SD) -only.

Also just noticed today's Giants game is on the "plus" channel - no HD listed though.

Heh, CSCA is listing "Fire @ Earthquake".. and it's coming in. I guess the Bay Area gets CSCA for A's and Earthquake games then? But not Kings.

Mikef5

04-11-09, 04:13 PM

696-1 is blank, still says "Upcoming Giants @ Dodgers"

Sharks on on 696 (SD) -only.

The Sharks web site says it's in HD today....Bitch at D* because it is being shown in HD here ( OK, it looks like to me it's in HD :p ) and why are they blanking it out ?

Laters,
Mikef5

Brian Conrad

04-11-09, 04:15 PM

Well, a tuner can only tune (hence the name) one channel at a time.

So to do what you want, you'd either need a QAM tuner that communicates with your TV's tuner and changes the channel at the same time as you do...

-or-

A QAM tuner with... 200 tuners? 300? The most tuners you can find in a single box is about... TWO.

Folks here must be better at baseball than electronics. :D No, it would work just like a cable box if but instead of outputing to video which adds a lot of cost to the device, just to one of two channels in ATSC maybe even 3.1 or 4.1 as those are still unlikely to be OTA in an area (after June). And just like a VCR there would be a switch to pick which channel. In fact this could probably be all done with one chip (QAM->ATSC). But I'll take the subject where are more likely to be electrical engineers and hobbyists and let you get back to your sports channels. ;)

Mikef5

04-11-09, 04:15 PM

CSNBHD 696-1 is blank, still says "Upcoming Giants @ Dodgers"

Sharks is on 696 (SD) -only.

Also just noticed today's Giants game is on the "plus" channel - no HD listed though.
I think it might start on the Plus channel but once the Sharks game is over it will go to CSNBA-HD. That's just in case the Sharks goes longer than scheduled. That's happened before.

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-11-09, 04:28 PM

They mentioned last night the game today was on Plus.

D* has a seperate channel for Plus HD (697-1) so there's no conflict.
There's actually 6 channels for our RSNs. Bay Area, Bay Area Alt (aka Plus), and California, with a HD channel (xxx-1) for each one. So there's no conflict if both a BA and BA+ game are in HD.. or there shouldn't be.. I don't care about Sharks (or A's or Warriors or Earthquakes for that matter) but if this is the level of HD coverage for RSNs we get on D* I'm a little disappointed.

keenan

04-11-09, 04:30 PM

Walk,

What are you seeing right now on CSNBA-HD ??
I'm seeing the Sharks game and so far it's in HD.
The Comcast guide doesn't show it as HD but it
looks like it me :)

Laters,
Mikef5

The Sharks game on 720? That's not HD, if it is, it's some of the crappiest HD I've ever seen.

Mikef5

04-11-09, 04:32 PM

Heh, CSCA is listing "Fire @ Earthquake".. and it's coming in. I guess the Bay Area gets CSCA for A's and Earthquake games then? But not Kings.

So far that's what it looks like but it's hard to tell on my Tivo since there's no guide data at all for that channel ( CSNCA-HD ) and it looks like the Earthquakes game is squashed tv like TBS does.... Looks like crap. Back to the Sharks game ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Mikef5

04-11-09, 04:37 PM

The Sharks game on 720? That's not HD, if it is, it's some of the crappiest HD I've ever seen.

Jim,

On my 47" Vizio it looks pretty good but on my 50" Panasonic is looks like there's a lot of mosquito noise in the picture but that's an old Panasonic ( about 6 years old ) and it needs to be replaced soon. Any suggestions on a 52" or above set ? I'm thinking Vizio's 55" that's coming in June or July.

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-11-09, 05:59 PM

Jim,

On my 47" Vizio it looks pretty good but on my 50" Panasonic is looks like there's a lot of mosquito noise in the picture but that's an old Panasonic ( about 6 years old ) and it needs to be replaced soon. Any suggestions on a 52" or above set ? I'm thinking Vizio's 55" that's coming in June or July.

Laters,
Mikef5

You're asking the wrong guy about displays, I've been pretty happy with my 73" for quite awhile now. Although, Mits has a new 83" DLP that looks intriguing, problem is, with all the B&M stores going out of business it's going to be tough to find somewhere to see what it looks like. I love the contrast and black levels that my 3-eyed CRT provides so any digital display is going to have to be pretty good to convince me to switch.

Mikef5

04-11-09, 06:51 PM

You're asking the wrong guy about displays, I've been pretty happy with my 73" for quite awhile now. Although, Mits has a new 83" DLP that looks intriguing, problem is, with all the B&M stores going out of business it's going to be tough to find somewhere to see what it looks like. I love the contrast and black levels that my 3-eyed CRT provides so any digital display is going to have to be pretty good to convince me to switch.
I had forgot you're a Mit's guy. 73" ?? No wonder you're seeing all those defects in the tv signal :). I've read about their new Laser Tv which sounds nice and it's had good reviews but way out of my price range. I'm more of a Vizio or Samsung kind of guy ;)
I was pretty much set on the new 55" Vizio with it's LED backlighting but I just saw the new Samsung LED tv and I'm pretty impressed with that. It's more expensive than the Vizio but it does look nice. Comcast programing should look nice on either of those two sets ( I said that so I was staying on topic :p ).

Laters,
Mikef5

keenan

04-11-09, 07:00 PM

Mikef5

04-11-09, 07:27 PM

My mother has a small Vizio, 32" I think, and it looks good. Samsung supposedly makes good displays as well. My thing is moving from CRT to digital, I haven't looked in a few years, but back then I really didn't find anything that was as good as the CRT. There were some 3-chip DLP FPs, but they cost more than a car. :eek::p

This forum has a display section, but to be honest, there's just too much there, information over-load, you really have to dig around to find the info you want.

I know what you mean. I've looked in those forums and there's info up the wahzoo, you just have to filter the BS and mines better than your's to get any real useful information and you're right about all the brick and mortar stores going away it's hard to actually see the set before you buy it. Maybe Comcast should get into selling HD tv's ?? :D
Didn't Dish have an offer once, that if you signed up with them they'd give you a small HD set ? I remember someone doing that. I bet that would go over big now days. ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-11-09, 07:43 PM

I love my SXRD, too bad they don't make them any more, unless you want a FP.

The contrast isn't quite as good as my old 3-CRT, but it's very good, way better than any LCD, plus it's brighter during the daytime and I can play 720p video games without going mad, my old CRT didn't have a 720p mode so it downscaled it to ~480p (1 field of the 1080i), it was awful.

That's a big TV though, I'd expect to tell the difference between real HD and upscaled SD very easily, but not so much on smaller screens. Mine's 50" and if I sit back sometimes a good-quality upconverted SD picture will approach HD, but if I look closer at the details I can usually tell.

With the CSN games though, it's very easy to tell on D*, the SD channels are always SD and the HD channel is blank if the game isn't in HD...

DaveNagy

04-11-09, 08:35 PM

You can check the listing by zip code on Silicon Dust's website. It may be on the same channel but moved to a program stream. That's what they did here. It went from x.2 or x.3 to x.1.

Will do, thanks.

Tom Koegel

04-12-09, 09:29 AM

Walk, I still don't think there was any real HD coverage (as opposed to upconverted SD) of any of the Padres games. Or Comcast hasn't shared their HD plans with the guide companies.

Surf over to any of the online guide sites, like tvguide.com. There are no HD listings for any of the three games. This is true in the San Diego area as well. (Zip code 92101 gets you San Diego.) I suppose it is possible that Comcast sent its own truck. Or copied from Fox's book and did an HD production on SD camerawork. But I would bet that CSN-BA did at most an HD production with SD source material, it didn't get into the EPGs, and whatever the system is at DirecTV to pick up content thus didn't "see it."

Tom Koegel

04-13-09, 12:24 AM

I was at the game in Petco. In the park, they had an HD feed from channel 4SD in San Diego . . . even if the online EPGs did not show an HD broadcast.

spear

04-13-09, 03:01 AM

I can't get OnDemand to work (DCH-3200, Santa Clara). I get an error message with an "SRM-8012" code. I'm not sure when this started but this was working fine the last time I tried OnDemand around two weeks ago. Other channels seem to be fine.

I called Comcast and they've reset the box twice already, to no avail. The last rep I talked to said the box may need to be replaced so I'll be going to the local office to do that tomorrow.

Oh, and before I ended the call, the phone rep tried to sell me "insurance" for 99 cents a month. He warned me that because I wasn't insured, I might have to pay the full cost of the box if it was damaged. I had not heard that before and thought it was BS.

Brian Conrad

04-13-09, 12:52 PM

I had the same problem with the 3416 after a local power outage. And the odd thing was it only effected OnDemand. They also tried resetting box several times and finally suggested replacing the box. I've never heard of any insurance thing either but I'm sure they'll dream up fees just like the banksters do. After all what is the difference between Comcast and the banksters? :D

walk

04-13-09, 02:31 PM

I was at the game in Petco. In the park, they had an HD feed from channel 4SD in San Diego . . . even if the online EPGs did not show an HD broadcast.
I was at my folk's house for easter so I don't know what DirecTV did but it looked like HD on Comcast 720. They have a 34" CRT HDTV so it's not only a little small but SD also looks very very good on it, so it was hard to tell if it was "real" HD. The graphics were definitly HD/widescreen at least.

The Masters on CBS or whatever looked great though...

dmo580

04-13-09, 03:31 PM

I know that comcast recently converted expanded basic into digital in some areas. I have a QAM tuner but I obviously don't want to input random #s to get to my favorite channels. I think it's about time I should settle for the comcast STB. However, I'm infuriated that as an HDTV user I LOSE my local HD clear QAM channels. Does anyone find this outrageous?

I read some workarounds on this thread where people split their lines, but has anyone complained to Comcast and actually gotten the bigger box? I find it's ridiculous I need to pay for get the box when they send local HD in the CLEAR.

keenan

04-13-09, 03:56 PM

Mikef5

04-13-09, 04:14 PM

Where did you get that idea? The local HD channels will be there with a Comcast STB.

Keenan's right, you can't lose your local HD channels, it's required for them to carry them in the clear. I don't know who told you that you would lose them but that is not the case.

Laters,
Mikef5

walk

04-13-09, 04:34 PM

They are not removing ANY digital channels, HD or otherwise, only analog channels are shutting off.

dmo580

04-13-09, 06:06 PM

Where did you get that idea? The local HD channels will be there with a Comcast STB.

I mean that I lose the ability to get it in HD because the free STB has only composite. You have to PAY to get the HDMI/component box? Terrible =[

walk

04-13-09, 07:19 PM

Just get a splitter.

BELLCH

04-13-09, 08:06 PM

dmo580

04-13-09, 08:21 PM

Missing Expanded Basic Channels 40 to 61 on QAM Tuner[/B]

My service has presumably moved Expanded Basic from Analog to Digital and I have lost channels 41 to 60 completely and Channels 40 and 61 are snowed on the one TV that I have that is directly connected to cable (without a box) and has up til now tuned all channels 2 to 80 in SD and local channels in HD (albeit using xx-x to get them). I have tried rescanning and going through all of the scanned channels and cannot find these "lost" channels.

I have three other TVs - one using a CableCard and two other analog sets which are connected using DTAs. They all get the full Expanded Basic programming set so it is obviously being broadcast into my home.

The TV with the QAM tuner is hung on the wall in the kitchen with the cable running inside the cavity directly into the back of the TV so it is difficult for me to install a DTA or any other box to it even if I wanted to.
What is more, the TV has a digital Tuner and the Comcast is offering a DTA which from what I understand will convert the Expanded Basic Digital signal to analog, feed it into my digital TV where it will be converted back to Digital - surely such a double conversion will impact the picture quality in some way and dosen't make sense to me.

Add to that the fact that since the DTA effectively requires me to have the TV tuned to Channel 3 and use their very basic remote means that I lose virtually all of the additional features of the TV - e.g. "Favorites" channel lists, -skip some channels, channel ID display etc etc.
In addition if I use a DTA (which has only a "cable" outlet) I have no way of getting my HD local channels --- unless I dig a hole in the wall, install a Comcast HD set-top box and pay an additional outlet and HD fee!!! Is this Comcasts way of forcing more of us to use their HD boxes?

I believe that Comcast should find some way of providing the same full set of Expanded Basic channels to users who have sets with QAM tuners in the same way as they provided them in the past to the analog sets. We are paying for the service and should be able to tune into it in a simple and manageable way without additional boxes whilst at the same time being able to take advantage of the functions of the new flat screen TVs technology.

I am surprised that there has not been more of an outcry over this - am I missing something or are others not overly concerned about it?

It's what I complained about a few posts above. Unfortunately too much of the uneducated world thinks that to get digital TV you need to subscribe to Comcast's "digital" tier and so most people have jumped there. That and the rest of the US is filled with many TV junkies that even if they knew that you can get away with a QAM tuner, there are so many channels they want that require the digital tier that they've already jumped there. The only few people left behind like me and you are cheap guys who want some channel selection but not enough to pay $100/month.

I think what's worse is most people @ Comcast believe you NEED a digital subscription to pick up those digital channels. Now that they've gone digital with the regular expanded channels, they believe you need a digital subscription to pick up HD channels (even the local ones). The last time I tried to explain clear QAM they said that my tuner is picking it up from OTA and that's how I'm getting HD. I didn't want to argue so I just walked out with the crap box they gave me and tossed it in the corner of the room.

BELLCH

04-13-09, 09:04 PM

walk

04-13-09, 09:29 PM

Did you do a re-scan for digital channels?

MikeSM

04-14-09, 12:33 AM

Missing Expanded Basic Channels 40 to 61 on QAM Tuner[/B]

My service has presumably moved Expanded Basic from Analog to Digital and I have lost channels 41 to 60 completely and Channels 40 and 61 are snowed on the one TV that I have that is directly connected to cable (without a box) and has up til now tuned all channels 2 to 80 in SD and local channels in HD (albeit using xx-x to get them). I have tried rescanning and going through all of the scanned channels and cannot find these "lost" channels.

I have three other TVs - one using a CableCard and two other analog sets which are connected using DTAs. They all get the full Expanded Basic programming set so it is obviously being broadcast into my home.

The TV with the QAM tuner is hung on the wall in the kitchen with the cable running inside the cavity directly into the back of the TV so it is difficult for me to install a DTA or any other box to it even if I wanted to.
What is more, the TV has a digital Tuner and the Comcast is offering a DTA which from what I understand will convert the Expanded Basic Digital signal to analog, feed it into my digital TV where it will be converted back to Digital - surely such a double conversion will impact the picture quality in some way and dosen't make sense to me.

Add to that the fact that since the DTA effectively requires me to have the TV tuned to Channel 3 and use their very basic remote means that I lose virtually all of the additional features of the TV - e.g. "Favorites" channel lists, -skip some channels, channel ID display etc etc.
In addition if I use a DTA (which has only a "cable" outlet) I have no way of getting my HD local channels --- unless I dig a hole in the wall, install a Comcast HD set-top box and pay an additional outlet and HD fee!!! Is this Comcasts way of forcing more of us to use their HD boxes?

I believe that Comcast should find some way of providing the same full set of Expanded Basic channels to users who have sets with QAM tuners in the same way as they provided them in the past to the analog sets. We are paying for the service and should be able to tune into it in a simple and manageable way without additional boxes whilst at the same time being able to take advantage of the functions of the new flat screen TVs technology.

I am surprised that there has not been more of an outcry over this - am I missing something or are others not overly concerned about it?

Comcast could have (and maybe still will) added PSIP data to the clear QAM streams that would have made it easier for your TV to map the channels back to their analog equivalents without a box, but they have decided not to do that.

The channel mapping info is sent on the wire, but in a format that only a special device like a DTA or HDHomeRun can decode and map. Your TV will not understand it.

I think Comcast views the DTA as a starter STB, so once you get used to having an STB they will convert you to a full function one that has a guide and the ability to view VOD (and the accompying revenue stream).

It appears they really do NOT want you to use yout TV natively to view the digital versions of the old analog channels. Maybe Barovelli or others can comment on this, but I think it's pretty clear you are asking for something they don't want you to be able to do.

TPeterson

04-14-09, 01:39 AM

The channel mapping info is sent on the wire, but in a format that only a special device like a DTA or HDHomeRun can decode and map.??? You're not suggesting that the HDHR has an OOB tuner, are you? AFAIK, it's a vanilla QAM tuning device that differs from most only in that it talks to ethernet (and it has Silicondust's brilliantly conceived website/database to help out in channel mapping--maybe that's what you're thinking of?).

04-14-09, 02:19 AM

Googling "HDHomeRun DTA" suggests that DTA does NOT use OOB for channel map info, so I think HDHomeRun is trying to emulate what the DTA is doing.

TPeterson

04-14-09, 02:51 AM

viperx116

04-14-09, 03:20 PM

I had digital preferred and I just cancelled it and I'm back to standard basic. I have a question if I need to return my Comcast box.

Since Comcast is moving the standard to digital anyway, I'm not sure if I should just hold on to the box or not. I don't want to get charged a rent fee for it either.

snidely

04-14-09, 03:32 PM

The CSN "status line" (score, balls, strikes etc) is HARD to read. They use horizontal blue lines in the background where the stat numbers are posted. That makes it act as though you are reading thru "crossed out" numbers and letters.
I am using 50" Panny. Some of the HD is quite amazingly good.

...mike

walk

04-14-09, 04:33 PM

MikeSM

04-14-09, 06:11 PM

Hey, thanks for the suggestion. I see now what MikeSM is talking about--he threw me off the scent by suggesting that other QAM tuner devices couldn't play that game. Any PC QAM tuner card could be taught the trick. HDHR's big advantage is that its developers speak english and aren't 8k miles away. :D

Sorry for the confusion. I thought I covered this in this thread, but it may have been another one. Yes, the DTA's listen to an in-band QAM carrier, but it uses the same protocol as the OOB carrier does, an SCTE based spec. So pretty much anyone with a QAM tuner could write a decoder and do exactly the same thing the DTA does. BTW, a TV could do this too - it's just the guys writing firmware for TV's tend to not do this sort of thing.

The HDHR people like to play this sort of game, so that's why they are implementing the code (I pointed them at the SCTE spec in a silicon dust forum post on the topic), and have a preliminary version working. We'll see it soon in one of their beta releases.

But I wouldn't expect DVICO or Hauppauge to do the same thing unless silicon dust gets a lot of market share because of it.

opain

04-14-09, 06:34 PM

Missing Expanded Basic Channels 40 to 61 on QAM Tuner

I do actually have a "digital subscription" - Digital Starter package which includes Analog Basic and (now) Digital Expanded for which I pay $60+ per month. I have had this in one form or another for several years on my existing TVs. My complaint is that Comcast have now altered their "delivery mechanism" and I am now unable to get the same service that I have had over the past years (and am paying for still). All that I am asking for is the transmission of Channels 40 to 60 and the other Basic and Expanded portions of the "Digital Starter package, including Local Stations in HD" in a form that enables me to pick it up on my TV as I have done in the past without the need for additional boxes (or fees). There have been several comments earlier about "filters" on the line controlling what can and cannot be passed through to individual subscribers - surely Comcast can do something to let these Expanded (Digital) Channels through to people who subscribe to them in the same way as they control who has received the analog versions of them in the past
Bellech,

I have the exact same issues as you. I dont know how it can be stated any clearer. I have an beautiful Sony XBR on my wall that used to get HD channels and 2-80 no problem without any cablecard or STB. All that stopped about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Their cable cards wont work because of a "bad port" on my TV according to the geniues, requiring me to rent a HD STB for whatever per month. So now I use there free gadget to get 40-61 and I got no HD local or anything....there has to be a solution for this.

This does suck.

TPeterson

04-14-09, 06:55 PM

Sorry for the confusion. I thought I covered this in this thread, but it may have been another one. Yes, the DTA's listen to an in-band QAM carrier, but it uses the same protocol as the OOB carrier does, an SCTE based spec. So pretty much anyone with a QAM tuner could write a decoder and do exactly the same thing the DTA does. BTW, a TV could do this too - it's just the guys writing firmware for TV's tend to not do this sort of thing.

The HDHR people like to play this sort of game, so that's why they are implementing the code (I pointed them at the SCTE spec in a silicon dust forum post on the topic), and have a preliminary version working. We'll see it soon in one of their beta releases.

But I wouldn't expect DVICO or Hauppauge to do the same thing unless silicon dust gets a lot of market share because of it.Thanks for the clarifications. I did some spelunking over at Silicondust's site after being pointed to google and thence your post there. I'll suggest to my DViCo contacts that they should "do like HDHR to map QAM channels" and we'll see what happens. Since the DTA's data stream doesn't seem to include the HD locals, though, this is probably not a "killer app" kind of thing.

It sure would be nice if Comcast would put the proper PSIP info into at least all of their "Limited Basic" (must carry, mustn't scramble) streams. Then all of their customers could enjoy what they're paying for with any ol' DTV set.

walk

04-14-09, 07:21 PM

Bellech,

I have the exact same issues as you. I dont know how it can be stated any clearer. I have an beautiful Sony XBR on my wall that used to get HD channels and 2-80 no problem without any cablecard or STB. All that stopped about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Their cable cards wont work because of a "bad port" on my TV according to the geniues, requiring me to rent a HD STB for whatever per month. So now I use there free gadget to get 40-61 and I got no HD local or anything....there has to be a solution for this.

This does suck.

$10 at Radio Shack. (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3340239&y=7&x=14&retainProdsInSession=1)

Or you can probably drop by your local Comcast office and grab one for free.

MikeSM

04-14-09, 07:23 PM

Thanks for the clarifications. I did some spelunking over at Silicondust's site after being pointed to google and thence your post there. I'll suggest to my DViCo contacts that they should "do like HDHR to map QAM channels" and we'll see what happens. Since the DTA's data stream doesn't seem to include the HD locals, though, this is probably not a "killer app" kind of thing.

It sure would be nice if Comcast would put the proper PSIP info into at least all of their "Limited Basic" (must carry, mustn't scramble) streams. Then all of their customers could enjoy what they're paying for with any ol' DTV set.

Some markets are reporting HD carrier mapping in the DTA VCT updates, and others not. It all depends on how much filtering they do of the original OOB tuner info. I wouldn't count on HD mapping, but there are so few HD stations sent in the clear anyway, it's not that hard to manually add those. The way the silicon dust people are doing it is to feed the DTA info from the HDHR to the silicon dust database, which also has HD channel mapping info in it. The resulting feed will enable pretty much automatic mapping for all channels to most of their customers.

If you wanted too, you could probably write a tool that parses their website info for the mapping data and create a mapping file for the dvico or other hardware. That would be the easiest way to leverage it.

If you saw my posts you also have the pointers to the SCTE specs, so I would refernce them when contacting other vendors. It would be good if this info were supported by a lot of the vendors.

Comcast could absolutely set the PSIP info to make this pretty transparent to a lot of QAM TV sets. I am sure they know how to do it and have made a choice to not do that.

TPeterson

04-14-09, 07:36 PM

Maybe it's time for the FCC to make that choice (correctly) for them too?

abg

04-14-09, 09:59 PM

Missing Expanded Basic Channels 40 to 61 on QAM Tuner[/B]

The TV with the QAM tuner is hung on the wall in the kitchen with the cable running inside the cavity directly into the back of the TV so it is difficult for me to install a DTA or any other box to it even if I wanted to.

I've got the same situation; I'm dreading what's going to happen when they convert our neighborhood (was supposed to happen 6-Apr but, thankfully, not yet). Our family room TV is on the other side of the wall so I actually can switch input to the HDMI output from the DVR, but I'd prefer to use the tuner on my set rather than the pathetically slow channel changing capability of the Motorola box. Plus, I've got to go to the other room to change the channel that way :)

MikeSM

04-14-09, 11:17 PM

Maybe it's time for the FCC to make that choice (correctly) for them too?

There is no regulation in place giving the FCC authority to do so. You could petition the FCC to do that as part of the ongoing Digital transition docket, and you might actually get some traction there. You should do it.

thx
mike

walk

04-15-09, 02:05 AM

grubavs

04-15-09, 12:34 PM

They shouldn't have to. People should either demand reasonable channel numbering/info that doesn't change every week on a whim... or get a cable box.

Sorry but it's time to step into the digital age.

You really have a $3,000 or whatever XBR HDTV and want to watch analog TV on it? Really?

I absolutely agree, and since Comcast had absolutely no plans to ever upgrade the northern San Mateo Coastside to HD/On-Demand capable, I put up a VHF/UHF antenna system and now get almost every available digital and HD OTA channel from Sutro Tower and Mount San Bruno. I am blown away by the PQ and AQ. I dumped Comcast on Monday.

BELLCH

04-15-09, 04:45 PM

Missing Expanded Basic Channels 40 to 61 on QAM Tuner

Sorry to keep coming back to this but I am trying to get a complete understanding from you people "in the know" rather than getting a non-answer from Comcast CSRs!!

Having lost the above analog channels I have re-scanned on my TV QAM tuner and sifted through all of the xx.x channels. I have digital equivalents of most (probably all) of the Expanded Basic channels outside of the 40-60 range and am picking up extra channels such as the digital audio-only ones and extra channels that Comcast added to Digital Basic such as KQED World, Kids etc (although they are not channel mapped to the Comcast published Channel Numbers (189, 190, 191...)).

However, I still do not get the digital equivalent of the missing analog channels - I thought that it had been said earlier in this forum that they were being sent "in the clear" but it seems that in my case they must be encrypted - I do get them on the DTAs and on my Cablecard system.

Does anyone else here who has had Expanded Basic analog channels removed by Comcast get them in digital xx.x form on a QAM tuner?

04-15-09, 04:49 PM

[I thought that it had been said earlier in this forum that they were being sent "in the clear" but it seems that in my case they must be encrypted - I do get them on the DTAs and on my Cablecard system.

DTA has no decryption capability, so the channels are NOT encrypted.

BELLCH

04-15-09, 04:55 PM

Thanks C3, but my QAM tuner is obviously picking up many of the digital stations (the TV menu reports 96) so do you have any idea why I cannot get the missing ones (I do subscribe to the Digital Starter Package!!)

Thanks

TPeterson

04-15-09, 04:58 PM

BELLCH--

Put in your zipcode on the Silicondust channel mapping page (http://www.silicondust.com/wiki/hdhomerun/channels) and you'll probably see what's where on your cable. Your DTV's QAM tuner should be able to show you any of the channels that the DTA does.

BELLCH

04-15-09, 07:05 PM

TPeterson--

Yes, I had already done that (saw the suggestion in earlier forum). I am in Zip 94024 and I believe my service comes from Cupertino so I had tried some Cupertino Zips as well but 94024 seems to match what programs I do see. The strange thing is that the QAM tuner seems to miss out whole xx. sections, e.g. according to Silicondust map some 7 of the missing programs are in 78.1 to 78.12 but my scan misses out the whole of this 78. series.

I do receive 119.9 and 119.10 (HSN & QVC as if I want them!!) but get no entry for 119.3 APL or 119.7 CNN.

I do receive 128.3 DSC but none of the other 5 missing channels in the same 128. series, and get no entries for 129.x where there are further missing channels.

I tried taking the TV from the wall and connecting it directly to the incoming cable (after one 2-way 50-1000 split for it and HSI) just in case the problem had anything to do with signal strength although I always thought that whilst analog could give a bad picture on a poor line with digital you either had the signal or you did not - is this theory correct? In any case I still got the same scan results.

Any thoughts that you have on this would be most welcomed

Regards

TPeterson

04-15-09, 07:18 PM

It sounds as though your TV's tuner is getting confused by channels that have a mixture of encrypted and clear subchannels. This does happen. Perhaps you can get an upgraded firmware for your set that would fix that.

BELLCH

04-15-09, 08:57 PM

So I have spent the past hour onto VISIO technical support, Level 1 (twice) and escalated to Level 2 who says that there is nothing wrong with the tuner - "if it picks up some digital channels then it should be picking them all up" "It must be something about the signal being passed in by the Cable Company"

I must admit it does seem strange that I can get all of the missing channels on the DTAs and CableCard and not on the QAM tuner, especially when it is only the "missing analog" channels that I am unable to tune in by QAM.!!

Any other suggestions (apart from get a DTA or go to D*)??

TPeterson

04-15-09, 09:14 PM

Yes, "something about the signal" is essentially what I said. The fact that the DTA picks them up proves that they're on the cable and the Vizio isn't parsing the transport stream correctly. You could get a PC QAM tuner to demonstrate to yourself that the channels are tunable and maybe then Vizio tech support would listen better...or maybe not. It doesn't sound as though they have any better firmware to offer you.

Did you try googling your model number and "firmware"?

BELLCH

04-15-09, 10:38 PM

Do you have any suggestions as to which PC QAM tuners I might try?

walk

04-15-09, 11:34 PM

Even if you get it working you'll have to deal with the mess of channel #'s.

Just get a cable box, it's worth the $8 or whatever, just to have sane channel #'s and online guide. You can also get a lot of free VOD which isn't actually terrible (when it works). Seriously if you have the room for it in your setup or whatever, don't pull your hair out for $8/mo... Well that's my advice :)

TPeterson

04-16-09, 12:01 AM

Do you have any suggestions as to which PC QAM tuners I might try?MyHD MDP-130, any of the DViCo FusionHDTV units, and HD HomeRun will all work from my own experience for such a test. The HDHR may be the stand out choice, since it seems on the verge of having an automated way of sorting out the channels from the same data stream as the DTA uses.

This doesn't get you any closer to being able to use your Vizio, however, unless you can somehow get them to fix their tuner firmware. And, as walk points out, even if you get the TV's tuner to work you'll still have the nonsensical actual channel numbers to deal with instead of the Comcast guide numbers.

It really, really would be nice if Comcast would put their guide numbers as the "virtual channel" in their PSIP data streams! Then everybodys DTV would show the correct cable "channel number" when tuned to clear QAM channels. The only motive that I can think of for their not doing that, as MikeSM has suggested, is that they want to strong-arm folks into using Comcast's STB. (Dave B., please jump in here and offer some other explanation if there is one that I'm overlooking!)

BELLCH

04-16-09, 01:14 AM

TPeterson & Walk

Thanks for your help - unfortunately the cablebox is not the answer - this TV is up on the wall in the Kitchen and I have no way of attaching a box - DTA or coventional set-top.
The cost is not a problem, it is the fact that my wife was quite happy with the set-up as it was and now Comcast has made some "enhancements" to its service and she is unable to get several of the programs that she used to watch. I'm just surprised that there are not more people as p....d off with Comcast over this as we are.

tranle

04-16-09, 03:28 AM

TPeterson & Walk

Thanks for your help - unfortunately the cablebox is not the answer - this TV is up on the wall in the Kitchen and I have no way of attaching a box - DTA or coventional set-top...
With the newer cable box you can use just 1 hdmi cable for video+audio and you can relocate the cable box in another room or in your ceiling and have an IR repeater.

kevini

04-16-09, 06:18 AM

I'm just surprised that there are not more people as p....d off with Comcast over this as we are.

For me the gain in dropping these analog channels is totally worth it, more HD channels are worth loosing the analog.

hiker

04-16-09, 09:29 AM

So have all the localities in the Bay Area lost the analog Expanded Basic channels now? I can't tell here as I have Limited Basic only.

odd-props

04-16-09, 11:07 AM

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.

Wow, thanks for alerting Comcast. I have been receiving free on-demand on these channels since last year. I was able to watch many 1080i HD movies and other programs. That all ended around the beginning of April. Now they are all scrambled. Now I know why.

Thanks again, snitch. This is probably one of Comcast's favorite web forums.

curtis82

04-16-09, 11:08 AM

So have all the localities in the Bay Area lost the analog Expanded Basic channels now? I can't tell here as I have Limited Basic only.

No not yet, so far it's been a few cities in the south bay, tri valley area, on the Peninsula and a few in the North Bay as well. While I wish they would just hurry up and get it done already, I understand why they're doing more of a phased approach.

BELLCH

04-16-09, 12:05 PM

With the newer cable box you can use just 1 hdmi cable for video+audio and you can relocate the cable box in another room or in your ceiling and have an IR repeater.

I don't think that my wife will stand for me ripping the wall/ceiling down much tho she misses her programs.
Guess we will have to wait to get a 20" TV with Tru2way - I am much more in favor of this approach to cable rather than external boxes - it also allows use of the TVs in-built functions many of which are lost with the cable box! Our main TV is a 50" Panny with a CableCard (also hung on the wall) - the in-built TV Guide, favorites, channel skip etc functions of the TV are, IMHO, far superior to those of the cable box which I had originally.