The guide has the Sharks game on Versus HD, but I don't get any signal on that channel (I just get a freeze frame of whatever the previous channel was showing). Anyone getting the game in HD?


I'm getting a freeze frame as well. If you go to FSN-HD you'll find it there. There is a baseball game scheduled at 7PM, perhaps the hockey game will move over to Versus then.

I'm getting a freeze frame as well. If you go to FSN-HD you'll find it there. There is a baseball game scheduled at 7PM, perhaps the hockey game will move over to Versus then.
Thanks! I thought I checked FSN-HD earlier, but maybe not.

Thanks! I thought I checked FSN-HD earlier, but maybe not.

i think its time for FSN+HD (not the first time i mentioned this)

Patience Grasshopper.... :)

They use 2.5" drives do they not? 160GB is the practical limit on those right now. There is one 200GB drive but it's only 4200 RPM, and commands a premium.

Dave,

I noticed that this uses a M-Card. Does that mean you are also testing M-Cards and is this the box that will be used for the "Whole house" networking ??

Laters,
Mikef5

Saw that demonstrated at CES on these boxes - so yes it's the box.

more . . .

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/barovelli/DSC00775.jpg

They use 2.5" drives do they not?

Most likely 3.5", not 2.5".

Saw that demonstrated at CES on these boxes - so yes it's the box.
Ahhh...but the question is will they be enabled any time soon???

Ahhh...but the question is will they be enabled any time soon???

I see you notice my industry-speak (Classes are filling up fast! Enroll now!)

I wonder if one must have a house full of DCH boxes to use the 'follow me' feature. Will it work on any DCT?

Now for something completely different. Swapping a hard drive from one 6412 to another does not recover recordings.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/cox-disables-ad-skipping-on-abc-and-espn-vod-content/

This can set a bad precedent. If carriers start disabling this in VOD, the DVR could be next.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/cox-disables-ad-skipping-on-abc-and-espn-vod-content/

This can set a bad precedent. If carriers start disabling this in VOD, the DVR could be next.
I didn't know VOD even had ads, never been interested in VOD in the first place, and I'm even less interested now.

Who needs the stinking VOD when the esata port now works on the S3? :)

Biggers disks + more tuners = personalized VOD.

What a bunch of Cox those guy are! There, I said it.

Hopefully Comcast will not follow... Though to be honest, I don't watch a lot of VOD, and can't remember ever watching one from ABC or ESPN.

Speaking of Cox. Comcast decided to "deactivate" my HSI account yesterday. Why? Who can tell... It was obviously related to my move, but A) it was working perfectly when I moved in, until they disconnected the cable entirely that is... and B) it was working after the tech came out 1 day later, to re-connect the f'ing cable. So... I downloaded their crappy software, which did not work, of course... (it said 'no network adapter found' ... wow good job) THEN I had to spend 20 minutes on the phone to tech support to get it re-activated.

All of this AFTER I moved all my equipment over, plugged it in and it worked perfectly fine on day one... without any truck rolls (they made 2) or phone calls to tech support (2, about 20 minutes each).

No wonder cable bills are so high?

I didn't know VOD even had ads, never been interested in VOD in the first place, and I'm even less interested now.

For the stuff that I watch on VOD (which is pretty much the Discovery-based channels), there's a 1 minute add at the beginning and one or two 1 minute adds during the show (for a one-hour show). Because the VOD FF/RW is so unresponsive and delayed, it's usually not worth trying FF through them. But again, I think the real issue is not VOD but the DVR. As sfhub eluded to, VOD can be looked at as a giant DVR (or visa versa) so it could only be a matter of time before networks start demanding the same "policy" in our personal recordings.

If that happens they will certainly lose my $12.95/mo. and I'll switch to one of the linux-based DVR solutions soo fast...

I see you notice my industry-speak (Classes are filling up fast! Enroll now!)

I wonder if one must have a house full of DCH boxes to use the 'follow me' feature. Will it work on any DCT?

Now for something completely different. Swapping a hard drive from one 6412 to another does not recover recordings.

Current DCT's don't have the hardware to do in-house sharing, but i think there are integrated versions of such boxes coming out around the same time as the DCH's.

How does the DCH deal with SDV? I thought that was a big issue.

I wouldn't expect recordings to be interchangable between boxes. The video isn't stored in the clear in the box, and each box has a unique key. Think of the disk as storing an alternate to the realtimke stream coming from the headend. So it has to get decrypted just like the original stream does.

Nice to see the industry having to deal with the crap that they made everyone else deal with on Cablecard.

Thanks,
mike

If that happens they will certainly lose my $12.95/mo. and I'll switch to one of the linux-based DVR solutions soo fast...

Not if you want HD you won't. No way to store encrypted HD on an unencumbered basis now except for an R5000-HD. I have one and it works great, but not a mass market solution.

Thanks,
Mike

Current DCT's don't have the hardware to do in-house sharing, but i think there are integrated versions of such boxes coming out around the same time as the DCH's.

How does the DCH deal with SDV? I thought that was a big issue.

I wouldn't expect recordings to be interchangable between boxes. The video isn't stored in the clear in the box, and each box has a unique key. Think of the disk as storing an alternate to the realtimke stream coming from the headend. So it has to get decrypted just like the original stream does.

Nice to see the industry having to deal with the crap that they made everyone else deal with on Cablecard.

Thanks,
mike
From what I've been able to garner from different sources is that the whole house network will work like a server/slave setup. You will have a main box that is the server which will have all the content stored on it, the rest of the boxes can see what's on that server and view it. The slave boxes will be able to view cable normally or view content on the server box. Whether or not you can move content between the different boxes is IMHO not necessary since you could access the content on any box in the house, so why move it ?? The main problems that could be holding up deployment of these boxes are security and parental control. They don't want you to be able to move content off their boxes and how are you going to handle parental control for all the boxes, does the main box handle that or do you have to set it up on each and every box in the network ??

Laters,
Mikef5

How does the DCH deal with SDV? I thought that was a big issue.
I would expect them to handle SDV fine, especially if the DCH can do VOD, because the motions between the two are very similar, just initiated differently.

Is there some issue that would cause the DCH to have problems with SDV?

...sigh...and the rich just get richer,

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10499006#post10499006
What's the next HD channel for Comcast? - AVS Forum

Comcast is going to have to start paying the therapy bills for us 550 folks, the depression, the disrespect, the insecurity, the feeling nobody cares about us... :p

I would expect them to handle SDV fine, especially if the DCH can do VOD, because the motions between the two are very similar, just initiated differently.

Is there some issue that would cause the DCH to have problems with SDV?

The issue is that you need two-way host support for VOD and SDV. I guess the Moto guys got it approved faster than Tivo could. Wonder of wonders... :-)

Thanks,
Mike

The issue is that you need two-way host support for VOD and SDV. I guess the Moto guys got it approved faster than Tivo could. Wonder of wonders... :-)
You mean Moto got it implemented faster than TiVo, right? TiVo hasn't implemented a 2-way box yet, so it would be hard to get it approved :)

I think there is zero chance the DCH doesn't support VOD, so I think it should be safe to assume it supports SDV fine, at most needing a firmware upgrade.

You mean Moto got it implemented faster than TiVo, right? TiVo hasn't implemented a 2-way box yet, so it would be hard to get it approved :)

I think there is zero chance the DCH doesn't support VOD, so I think it should be safe to assume it supports SDV fine, at most needing a firmware upgrade.

I wonder if they are doing this via DSG. That is, tunneling upstream messages to the headend through the DOCSIS modem. A lot of chipsets are out that do this, and it;s far speedier and more scalable than the old way...

Thanks,
Mike

I received the mailer and messages regarding the FREE DCT 700 box for Comcast customers.

I already have the 6412 III HD DVR Box that has been working fine.

I would like to get one of these for the bedroom TV, which has my old Tivo Series II.
I know installing this is simple but am afraid that after I install it and call Comcast to
send a "signal" to the box that somehow my DVR box will get messed up.

I am sure many of you have installed this box and all worked fine. Just let me know.

Thanks

Oh yeah, what will they charge after the Free Year?

Oh yeah, what will they charge after the Free Year?

Comca$t told me it will be $6.95 monthly after the first year.

Tim

I think they will let you upgrade the "free" box to a HDTV box (DCT-6200) for $5/mo.

They did that for me basically. I have a 3412 DVR ($12.95) and a 6200 (normally $6.95 + $5) but they are letting me skip the $6.95 part, for a year, only charging me the $5 HDTV upgrade fee.

I received the mailer and messages regarding the FREE DCT 700 box for Comcast customers.

I already have the 6412 III HD DVR Box that has been working fine.

I would like to get one of these for the bedroom TV, which has my old Tivo Series II.
I know installing this is simple but am afraid that after I install it and call Comcast to
send a "signal" to the box that somehow my DVR box will get messed up.

I am sure many of you have installed this box and all worked fine. Just let me know.

Thanks

Oh yeah, what will they charge after the Free Year?

inspired by your message, i picked up two DCT 700s today. no "signal" that they send, they just scanned the box and i went home, plugged it into my two analog tvs and voila, digital cable. my 6412 still works fine.

inspired by your message, i picked up two DCT 700s today. no "signal" that they send, they just scanned the box and i went home, plugged it into my two analog tvs and voila, digital cable. my 6412 still works fine.

I had to call Comcast after I installed it in order to get it to access all my premium channels.

This might sound like a dumb question, but which PPV channels are in HD?

This might sound like a dumb question, but which PPV channels are in HD?

There are no PPV channels, per say. VOD has HD movies -- some of which you pay for and some of which are free.

There are a few PPV channels left, none of them are in HD.

Re: the HDD in the DVRs - they are 3.5". I can clearly see the model # thru the top of the box, it's a Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 (ST3120026AS (http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/specs/sata/st3120026as.html)), 120.9 GB, 7200 RPM, 8MB buffer, Serial-ATA 3.5"

I am in Contra Costa and picked up the almost free for one year Pace Vegas DVR ($1/month), after someone alerted me to the deal. The person who told me about it also told me that she had a real hassle getting it to work correctly- several calls to CC and an overnight wait before it would display more than the first 33 channels and VOD.

I picked mine up, hooked it up to the second TV and sure enough 33 channels + VOD. I unplugged and restarted; no joy. I called and they "hit" the box; nothing. I called again, was put on hold for several minutes, and when the CC person came back on she asked if I had seen one or two reboots. I saw nothing. She offered to roll a truck, but I said I would just exchange the box. The next morning everything worked--very strange.

The PACE is connected to a JVC SD CRT TV, so I can't compare the PQ with the HD Moto DVR connected to a plasma display, but the compared to analog SD PQ on the JVC is improved. The PACE has no controls on the box; everything is done via the remote (same remote as for the Moto boxes).

I was not offered a year of free HBO, but I just called and they added it with no argument. :)

Pace Vegas' are ADS, like DCT700s. They do behave a little different than Motos, sometimes taking longer to load. There have been a couple that do not respond to the remote - reprogramming the remote to a Pace profile worked.

The Pace DVR is NOT HD.

There may also be telemarketing calls offering DCT700s that are shipped from a 3rd party fulfillment center. Unlike locally provisioned DCT700s these are dead blank and take more time to provision and display a picture. I say 'nertz' to non-local DCTs.

The madness is just beginning - you may soon find C* offering YOU money to take on more set top boxes :lol:

The "free DCT" offer applies to HDTV boxes as well, you just have to pay the $5 HDTV fee (apparently).

This is what it says on my bill...
HDTV Additional Service $5
Digital Addl Outlet $6.99
DCT A/O Free -$6.99

The "free DCT" offer applies to HDTV boxes as well, you just have to pay the $5 HDTV fee (apparently).

This is what it says on my bill...
HDTV Additional Service $5
Digital Addl Outlet $6.99
DCT A/O Free -$6.99
So essentially you're getting an HD capable STB for $5 while not being charged for the A/O? Is that correct? If I wanted to put the "free" DCT in another room it will cost me $5 only?

Reason I'm considering this is I have a DirecTV HD STB that's on it's last legs and replacing it with a Comcast solution looks like it will cheaper than a new sat STB.

Oh, and are these available with just Limited Basic service?

Looks like KTVU is dropping the ball on the rescheduled NASCAR race for today, they're still showing some FOX news talk program. Detroit, Seattle and LA FOX stations all have the race.

The "free DCT" offer applies to HDTV boxes as well, you just have to pay the $5 HDTV fee (apparently).

This is what it says on my bill...
HDTV Additional Service $5
Digital Addl Outlet $6.99
DCT A/O Free -$6.99

And did you get the additional STB after the "free DCT" offer came out? If not, did you have to call CS and ask them for the discount?

I am in Contra Costa and picked up the almost free for one year Pace Vegas DVR ($1/month), after someone alerted me to the deal. The person who told me about it also told me that she had a real hassle getting it to work correctly- several calls to CC and an overnight wait before it would display more than the first 33 channels and VOD.

I picked mine up, hooked it up to the second TV and sure enough 33 channels + VOD. I unplugged and restarted; no joy. I called and they "hit" the box; nothing. I called again, was put on hold for several minutes, and when the CC person came back on she asked if I had seen one or two reboots. I saw nothing. She offered to roll a truck, but I said I would just exchange the box. The next morning everything worked--very strange.

The PACE is connected to a JVC SD CRT TV, so I can't compare the PQ with the HD Moto DVR connected to a plasma display, but the compared to analog SD PQ on the JVC is improved. The PACE has no controls on the box; everything is done via the remote (same remote as for the Moto boxes).

I was not offered a year of free HBO, but I just called and they added it with no argument. :)

Interesting. So the Pace DVR is $1/month total, including the HD and no additional outlet fee? If so that's great. Or is it SD only?

Also, what are the details of the HBO deal? Did you call the local call center about it, and was it displayed on your box?

Thanks,
mike

Interesting. So the Pace DVR is $1/month total, including the HD and no additional outlet fee? If so that's great. Or is it SD only?

Also, what are the details of the HBO deal? Did you call the local call center about it, and was it displayed on your box?

Thanks,
mike
The PACE DVR is SD. I went in to pick up the free box for a second set, but thought for $1 I'd see if anyone else would use the DVR features.

There was no message about the HBO. I got it word of mouth. The call center fellow said "only for upgraded service", then looked, and then said that I should see it momentarily.

Its still a good deal if you have an extra SD set. I now get the same channels as on my digital package (way more shopping channels and all those Jacques Pepin reruns!) and VOD for those who like it.

They are running a couple of good 12 month offers for new and upgraded customers. Analog customers can move up to Digital & VOD essentially for free.

Now if they would just add some more HD channels.. :rolleyes:

The PACE DVR is SD. I went in to pick up the free box for a second set, but thought for $1 I'd see if anyone else would use the DVR features.

There was no message about the HBO. I got it word of mouth. The call center fellow said "only for upgraded service", then looked, and then said that I should see it momentarily.

Its still a good deal if you have an extra SD set. I now get the same channels as on my digital package (way more shopping channels and all those Jacques Pepin reruns!) and VOD for those who like it.

They are running a couple of good 12 month offers for new and upgraded customers. Analog customers can move up to Digital & VOD essentially for free.

Now if they would just add some more HD channels.. :rolleyes:

I'm in Los Altos with "Standard Cable" (analog), which recently increased in price to $52.50/mo. When I go to the Comcast website and look up offers my zip code, they have "Enhanced Cable" at $53.50/mo, and it also says free HBO and DVR for 12 months. The terms and conditions for this offer don't say anything about being a new customer like most of the other offers, so I assume this is equivalent to the "DVR for $1/mo" offer.

I guess this is better than the letter I got for "free digital cable" upgrade for 12 months, which I understand only gets you a digital cable box with VOD.

I'm wondering if they will have better offers later to upgrade analog customers - hoping to get an offer that will include the HD DVR.

I guess this is better than the letter I got for "free digital cable" upgrade for 12 months, which I understand only gets you a digital cable box with VOD.

I'm wondering if they will have better offers later to upgrade analog customers - hoping to get an offer that will include the HD DVR.
One of life's greater challenges is figuring out the best Comcast price and ways to get it.

The person who told me about the free digital box, was a basic analog customer, so for her the one year upgrade w/ free HBO is a big jump. She lives in Concord and can pick from two cable providers, so perhaps the offers are better.

Got the message on the STB today about NGC-HD, CW-HD, and A&E-HD -- coming on the 16th.

Got the message on the STB today about NGC-HD, CW-HD, and A&E-HD -- coming on the 16th.

same here. mr. J hasn't been wrong much if ever :)

well im in american canyon and no msg's dammit :>

i have all they offer now, so im gonna go with the gut and say we get them. I currently get 16mbit/2bit cable off them as well, so im hoping im on an upgraded system. Anyway to tell if i am though the box?

like the guy above i got the dvr offer 1 dollar a month for a year and free dig cable boxes. I called up and tried to get them to drop the 11.99 im paying for my 2nd box (its hd and im on sd tv in the bedroom) and they said i can bring the box in and theyll give me the bedroom dvr for a buck a month.

about bedtime for me so im not gonna search, anyone off the top of their head how big the hard drive is on these SD dvr's?

thanks.

Looks like KTVU is dropping the ball on the rescheduled NASCAR race for today, they're still showing some FOX news talk program. Detroit, Seattle and LA FOX stations all have the race.

Yeah, I noticed that too. I figured it was due to the Giants game on later - perhaps a contract obligation. Funny thing though, that Giants game was not in HD - the first one I've noticed this year. What a waste......

-Dave

about bedtime for me so im not gonna search, anyone off the top of their head how big the hard drive is on these SD dvr's?

thanks.

80gb.

About 40 hours I recall.

thanks!

Yeah, I noticed that too. I figured it was due to the Giants game on later - perhaps a contract obligation. Funny thing though, that Giants game was not in HD - the first one I've noticed this year. What a waste......

ya, they showed the race on the other fox affiliate in my area, NON-HD. I think its the San jose channel? not sure...i want to say it was on channel 6. When i look it up on my channel lineup, its listed as independent. They were definately a fox affiliate though.

The "free DCT" is not a DVR, it's just a cable box. It's not the "$1/mo DVR", it is free ($0) for 12 months.

They gave me that deal, and HSI for $33/mo, when I moved recently. But I was complaining that I had been paying the $3 modem rental fee when I shouldn't have been, so maybe she just gave me a good deal.

It makes sense though...
A/O fee = $6.99 (gets you a DCT)
HDTV fee = $5 (upgrades it to HD)
"Free DCT for a year" = -$6.99 (the A/O fee)

You can ask, anyway. You might need digital cable.

Looks like KTVU is dropping the ball on the rescheduled NASCAR race for today, they're still showing some FOX news talk program. Detroit, Seattle and LA FOX stations all have the race.
Whenever KTVU is scheduled to show a Giants game (or a 49ers game that's also on ESPN, I think), whatever Fox programming it would pre-empt now airs on KICU. (Fox's Thursday night programming was on KICU a week or two ago because of this.) Still, it beats what they used to do - air whatever was pre-empted at midnight or later.

(By the way, KICU is not the San Jose-area Fox affiliate; South Bay cities that can't get KTVU or KTXL (40, Sacramento) get KCBA (35, Monterey).)

-- Don

Whenever KTVU is scheduled to show a Giants game (or a 49ers game that's also on ESPN, I think), whatever Fox programming it would pre-empt now airs on KICU. (Fox's Thursday night programming was on KICU a week or two ago because of this.) Still, it beats what they used to do - air whatever was pre-empted at midnight or later.

(By the way, KICU is not the San Jose-area Fox affiliate; South Bay cities that can't get KTVU or KTXL (40, Sacramento) get KCBA (35, Monterey).)

-- Don
Yes, as soon as I saw the Giants game on I figured that it was the primary commitment. I watched the race on KTTV-LA, good race too, Darlington is like racing on a two lane highway.

The PACE DVR is SD. I went in to pick up the free box for a second set, but thought for $1 I'd see if anyone else would use the DVR features.

There was no message about the HBO. I got it word of mouth. The call center fellow said "only for upgraded service", then looked, and then said that I should see it momentarily.

Its still a good deal if you have an extra SD set. I now get the same channels as on my digital package (way more shopping channels and all those Jacques Pepin reruns!) and VOD for those who like it.

They are running a couple of good 12 month offers for new and upgraded customers. Analog customers can move up to Digital & VOD essentially for free.

Now if they would just add some more HD channels.. :rolleyes:

I just called Comcast re: the HBO promotion and they didn't know about it. There is an HBO promotion running with Digital silver for new customers, but not existing ones. What exactly did you reference to get it?

Thanks,
mike

Got the message on the STB today about NGC-HD, CW-HD, and A&E-HD -- coming on the 16th.Are these messages going out on s3 tivos as well? I didn't get one here in San Rafael, yet San Rafael should be getting the new channels as far as I can tell.

Seems like pretty good choices for new HD channels, btw. Hope they keep 'em coming.

I just called Comcast re: the HBO promotion and they didn't know about it. There is an HBO promotion running with Digital silver for new customers, but not existing ones. What exactly did you reference to get it?

Thanks,
mike
Nothing. I just said I understood it was offered I didn't push for it. After the guy said no, it was for upgrades only, he asked me to wait while he "checked my account". After a bit he came back on the line as told me it was done. My guess sis that they comp existing customers just to avoid the shouting. Perhaps I should have asked for the $30 intro rate too?

I used to work with a guy who said that he had a perpetual intro offer. Each time it expired or a better one came along he would call and demand it and threaten to go to Dish or whatever, if he didn't get it. He told me that they always either gave it to him, or passed him off to someone who would do it and sometimes they gave him an even better deal. Maybe so, but I find that a bit distasteful.

Anyway call CC again and tell them you are thinking of switching to Dish; 100 channels for $19.99 and HBO free (cough cough for 3 mos cough).

Are these messages going out on s3 tivos as well? I didn't get one here in San Rafael, yet San Rafael should be getting the new channels as far as I can tell.

Seems like pretty good choices for new HD channels, btw. Hope they keep 'em coming.

Not all areas get those messages. In then past, in Rohnert Park, I never got a message at any time telling me that new channels were coming. They came right on schedule every time.

Nothing. I just said I understood it was offered I didn't push for it. After the guy said no, it was for upgrades only, he asked me to wait while he "checked my account". After a bit he came back on the line as told me it was done. My guess sis that they comp existing customers just to avoid the shouting. Perhaps I should have asked for the $30 intro rate too?

I used to work with a guy who said that he had a perpetual intro offer. Each time it expired or a better one came along he would call and demand it and threaten to go to Dish or whatever, if he didn't get it. He told me that they always either gave it to him, or passed him off to someone who would do it and sometimes they gave him an even better deal. Maybe so, but I find that a bit distasteful.

Anyway call CC again and tell them you are thinking of switching to Dish; 100 channels for $19.99 and HBO free (cough cough for 3 mos cough).

Actually, I went to the online chat site, asked there, and after initially saying no, checked further and then added hbo for free for 1 yr - no fuss...

go figure.

thx
mike

Nothing. I just said I understood it was offered I didn't push for it. After the guy said no, it was for upgrades only, he asked me to wait while he "checked my account". After a bit he came back on the line as told me it was done. My guess sis that they comp existing customers just to avoid the shouting. Perhaps I should have asked for the $30 intro rate too?

I used to work with a guy who said that he had a perpetual intro offer. Each time it expired or a better one came along he would call and demand it and threaten to go to Dish or whatever, if he didn't get it. He told me that they always either gave it to him, or passed him off to someone who would do it and sometimes they gave him an even better deal. Maybe so, but I find that a bit distasteful.

Anyway call CC again and tell them you are thinking of switching to Dish; 100 channels for $19.99 and HBO free (cough cough for 3 mos cough).

I suggest that everybody getting the Free HBO for a year check your bills carefully. I got the free HBO deal back in April 23rd. On my last bill (5-18 to 6/17) the billed me for 17.99 and an additional charge of 14.99 for service from 4/23 to 5/17 for HBO.

I called Comcast to complain about this and they said that there was no such a thing as free HBO for a year. After I insisted some more, she went and checked the offers repository and after about 5 minutes she came back and said that yes HBO was free for a year. I'm supposed to get a credit on my next bill. We'll see.

jisilva-- Your comment caused me to check the my bill online. No charge for the HBO, but there was $1.99 charge for an unspecified one time charge. It was for a service upgrade I made recently. After an interminable wait on the phone for a CSR a very pleasant lady told me it was for a package upgrade I made a while back. She deleted it, saying that while they do charge 2 bucks for a change in service it should have been waived.

Thanks for the reminder that it pays to audit your bills. :)

I quit the phone service and returned the modem to the SJ office. the offered me without asking the Silver upgrade (from my most basic/dvr/hd package) and HBO, and a free digibox for the upstairs bedroom. sweet.

I quit the phone service and returned the modem to the SJ office. the offered me without asking the Silver upgrade (from my most basic/dvr/hd package) and HBO, and a free digibox for the upstairs bedroom. sweet.

I would expect the STB offers to dramatically get better soon, and stay good at renewal because of the FCC denying cablecard waivers to Comcast. After July 1, Comcast will not be able to provide STB's that are non-cablecard equipped to customers. So they are blowing out their inventory of integrated Moto boxes by that date. After that date, if they start charging, you should just be able to threaten to give it back, and I will bet they'll extend the free offer since that box will not be abl;e to go to a new customer.

Thanks,
Mike

Any idea when they'll be rolling out the new firmware for the MOTO 34xx? Still have 16.20, but 16.35 is actually several months old by now, and fixes the extremely annoying erroneous "100% full" message that screws up scheduled recording, among other things. According to Wiki, 16.36 has been out for two months, but I'm not sure what that does.

The CSRs I've spoken to have all been clueless (yes, really!).

Jim

[...] After that date, if they start charging, you should just be able to threaten to give it back, and I will bet they'll extend the free offer since that box will not be abl;e to go to a new customer.
Someone (sfhub?) mentioned that they will be able to circulate these boxes to different customers as long as they were in use before July 1st.

Are there digital versions of the network stations on Comcast in Sunnyvale? In other words, non-HD but digital?

The HD channels take up *so* much more bandwidth (I was trying to record 2.5 men last night manually off of 5-1, and watching my recently deleted shows & suggestiong go away quickly, so stopped it a bit over halfway in).. but I'd appreciate the *potential* picture quality increase. (I also suspect I would record many shows as 'backups' on my series 1 Tivos analog, because after I stopped the recording, I watched the rest of it in the buffer, and there was enough of a glitch in the end segment of the show that it would have annoyed me to have missed so much..)

Are there digital simulcasts of the network channels I would get if I get cablecards?

Anyone know what time the new channels get turned on at? Is it random, or right at midnight?

I currently have basic analog cable (long story, tried going "minimalist"), and called today about the free DCT/$1 DVR offer. I'm going to get expanded basic with a DVR for $21/month (expanded basic @ $20/month for three months, DVR @ $1/month for a year). Not digital cable, but at least I'll have ESPN and access to On-Demand programming.

Anyone know what time the new channels get turned on at? Is it random, or right at midnight?

I think it varies from head end to head end, but all in all it's pretty random.

I currently have basic analog cable (long story, tried going "minimalist"), and called today about the free DCT/$1 DVR offer. I'm going to get expanded basic with a DVR for $21/month (expanded basic @ $20/month for three months, DVR @ $1/month for a year). Not digital cable, but at least I'll have ESPN and access to On-Demand programming.

Since the box is digital only, you are getting digital cable.

Anyone know what time the new channels get turned on at? Is it random, or right at midnight?

KBCW and A&E are turned on in Rohnert Park this morning. I expect NATGEO a little later.

After July 1, Comcast will not be able to provide STB's that are non-cablecard equipped to customers. So they are blowing out their inventory of integrated Moto boxes by that date. After that date, if they start charging, you should just be able to threaten to give it back, and I will bet they'll extend the free offer since that box will not be abl;e to go to a new customer.

Non integrated set tops can continue to be utilized, issued and reissued after July 1 ONLY if they had been previously deployed at a customer home. Returned boxes get tested, cleaned and sent back out to customers.

There is a program underway to deplete all new stock by June 30, and the discounts being offered are just a part of it.

IMO, I hope that this leads to a faster conversion to All Digital and frees up bandwidth. Perhaps by then there would be some whole house discount for multiple boxes.

all 3 channels up and running this morning in palo alto. none of which is currently showing HD at the moment. i expect CW to have HD in primetime, A&E to have HD whenever CSI is on and NGC... who knows.

One of life's greater challenges is figuring out the best Comcast price and ways to get it.

The person who told me about the free digital box, was a basic analog customer, so for her the one year upgrade w/ free HBO is a big jump. She lives in Concord and can pick from two cable providers, so perhaps the offers are better.

OK, I've concluded that the original promotion in the letter I received, to upgrade from standard cable (analog) to "digital cable" at the same price is really not much of an offer at all, as it includes only one digital box, so is really just saving $1/month ($52.50 vs $53.50) for 12 months. However, I assume that once on digital I qualify for the other offer to digital customers to get additional digital set-top boxes for free for 12 months, which is a $6.99/mo savings IF I want a digital box for my 2nd TV. I guess the combination of these two offers is not so interesting, since I don't really see that much of a picture difference between analog cable and SD digital - I've played with a QAM PC tuner.

The website offer for enhanced cable at $53.50 with free DVR and HBO for 12 months is a real promotion. What I really merely want is HD though, and would be willing to pay the $5/mo fee. Is the HD/digital set-top box, the DCT 6200, also one of those noncompliant boxes they're trying to push out?

Does anyone know what HD channels you'd get with enhanced cable + HD? I've read up here that you're supposed to get the HD equivalents of all channels in your tier, but because the "enhanced cable" is a new thing whose channel listings are not even on the website, I'm worried that I'd only get HD locals and not ESPN-HD, TNT-HD, HBO-HD (with the promo). Previously Digital Classic was the cheapest digital offering to get those additional HD channels with no YMMV on adding the $5 HD fee, does anyone know if they consider enhanced cable a "legitimate" digital package and honor the HD channel formula? The website says Digital Classic is the lowest package to allow HD add-on, but may not have been updated when "enhanced cable" was added.

As usual Sunnyvale gets horsed-humped again( No CW HD). I think I'm starting to get used to it. This comcast upgrade can not come fast enough.

all 3 channels up and running this morning in palo alto. none of which is currently showing HD at the moment. i expect CW to have HD in primetime, A&E to have HD whenever CSI is on and NGC... who knows.

Someone told me that A&E and NGC HD were different from their SD counterpart (like Discovery HD) so I assumed that all of the content would be HD. Bummer. Is it barred or stretch-o-matic?

The three new channels are up in Southern Marin. They were immediately available on my cablecard-equipped TV but required a hard reset (unplug of power) to my 6412. Prior to the hard reset they showed up in the guide on the 6412 but came across as "not authorized."

No HD in the morning, I guess. CW had some infomercial with a very scary, almost unrecognizable Victoria Principal pitching some skin care cream and apparently ignoring the obvious surgery-based alterations to her face. I was glad it was in low def.

Content on all three new channels was 4:3 with black bars on the side.

Got all 3 new channels up here in San Rafael as well. A&E is broadcasting a full high-def rerun: CSI Miami.
Only problem is the tivo lacks the guide data for these channels. I wonder how long it'll take for this to kick in? Last few times (with UHD, MTVHD) it took weeks for this to get fixed. Wonder if there's a better way to get tivo to properly cover new channels as they come in, using the guide data we're paying for.

I saw all three new HD channels (CW, A&E, NGC) up this morning in Foster City, and my Tivo S3 had guide data for them actually a day or two beforehand. Most content appeared HD or upconverted SD (eg informercials.)

I'm waiting for the S3 guide data also and plan on filing a channel lineup form if it doesn't show up after my daily call later today. The form is here (http://customersupport.tivo.com/Lineupform.aspx). My DCT-6200 already has the guide data.

All 3 up in South San Jose.

Too bad that there is not a lot of HD in those channels. Any outstanding show to view or record there?

I used to watch the Chris Rock show in SD, but I stopped watching last year. I may come back now that is in HD.

Yeah got all the new channels this morning. Lots of HD stuff on the schedule for the CWB or whatever it's called this week. Too bad it's the same 3 shows...
Didn't see much else in HD on the other 2. A&E had a dozen episodes of "CSI" listed, that's about it.

Contra Costa--Here is what the three new HD channels look like to me at this moment.
KBCWD- SD w/sidebars and audio drop outs and stutter
NGHD- HD w/sidebars. PQ and audio good
A&EHD- a CSI Miami rerun. No sidebars. PQ is worse than on the primetime network feed.

One can only hope. :(

Does anyone know how they will handle the NFL Network HD games now that they are yanking the Network from our lineups? Will paying for the Sports Package automatically give us the HD games too? And if so, on what channel here? No one seems to be able to get a definitive answer on this.

I don't know what the change means, but I can tell you what it was like last year...
I have Digital Classic which does not include NFL channel (the SD channel). Yet I did get the NFL-HD channel, but only during live games. Not at any other time. The guide would list the re-broadcast "game of the week" on the HD channel, but I didn't get that (maybe nobody did and the guide was wrong though...?)

I think if you pay for the HDTV package you get the NFL-HD channel - but again, only during LIVE games (of which there was.... 3? last season?)

As usual Sunnyvale gets horsed-humped again( No CW HD). I think I'm starting to get used to it. This comcast upgrade can not come fast enough.
Pretty sure none of the 550 systems got the channels, at least that's what was said in the original notice. The HD channel gap between 550 areas and the rest of the bay area systems is HUGE now. Here in Santa Rosa we have 5 local HD, 3 Digital Classic HD and 3 Premium HD. We've had two, (that's the number 2, 1+1=2) as in 2 feet, or 2 hands), channels added since Comcast started providing HD in the SF bay area years ago. Oh yeah, and 1 taken away, so we've had a net gain of 1 HD channel added since the beginning.

I don't even want to know how many HD channels the 750-860 systems have now....

For those of you who are receiving the 3 new "HD" channels today (CW, A&E and NG) is anyone using just a plain QAM tuner to pull these in? Or does everyone have a Cablecard or STB?

A&E and NG are encrypted but CW should be in the clear but I can find it with a scan though it shows up with the 6200. Maybe someone at Comcast thought CW was supposed to be encrypted but since it IS a broadcast channel it should not.

I scanned my cable using qam in south san jose and no new channels came up. Has anyone else tried?

A&E and NG are encrypted but CW should be in the clear but I can find it with a scan though it shows up with the 6200. Maybe someone at Comcast thought CW was supposed to be encrypted but since it IS a broadcast channel it should not.

I am grandfathered under the old AT&T contracts. All the channels this morning, including CW, were non authorized and therefore encripted. Will call Comcast tonite to inquire about CW.

- Phil

A&E and NG are encrypted but CW should be in the clear but I can find it with a scan though it shows up with the 6200. Maybe someone at Comcast thought CW was supposed to be encrypted but since it IS a broadcast channel it should not.

It should be possible to run a diagnostic on their DCT while it is tuned to KBCWDT and get the frequency it is being transmitted on in their system. Manually tuning that on your QAM tuner would then reveal if it's encrypted or not. If it is encrypted, perhaps someone could call Mr. Johnson and get them to fix it before folks start complaining to the FCC.

Thanks,
Mike

Santa Cruz (or at least the Aptos area) has four new HD channels today: NGCHD on 715, VSGLF on 721, ES2HD on 724 and TNTHD on 726. I was expecting only two (ES2 and Universal) based on previous posts on this thread, but I am not complaining.

Does this mean that we are no longer at 550? Have we been "updated?"

In the announcement earlier in the thread here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10405313&&#post10405313) this was stated:
"KBCW HD (CW Network) launches on Digital Classic HD channel 712 in selected systems in the Bay Area."

So it looks like 712 is encrypted? Doesn't seem fair or in conformance with FCC rules.

I checked again and now QAM 79 program 2 is unencrytped which is CW and tuned in. The earlier scan showed it encrypted and I couldn't tune it in.

Tivo S3 users - I noticed that their online channel listings for my series 3 list all the new channels (complete with programming info, etc), so one would hope that our individual boxes are just one update away from getting that data.

I'm waiting for the S3 guide data also and plan on filing a channel lineup form if it doesn't show up after my daily call later today. The form is here (http://customersupport.tivo.com/Lineupform.aspx). My DCT-6200 already has the guide data.I filled out the form, and the response is "we expect to have your channel lineup issue resolved within 5-7 business days". Grumble - my season passes can't be fixed to pick up the HD versions of shows until this is done. The fancy new HD knob that comes with the 8.3 release is of little use if the guide data is not kept up. Ok, I'm done ranting. At least today's comcast outage in my neighborhood seems to be over :)

Can some Bay Area resident in this thread copy and update the Bay Area HD channel list that appears in the (very old) first message of this new thread? Just update this in a new message if necessary...Your Comcast brothers and sisters in Sacramento would like to know how many HD channels you have over there, and see an updated list. Also, what rates are you paying for the various levels of service, including the HD? We're getting a paltry 13 HD channels in Sacramento (and five of those were only just added a couple of months ago), plus the four premiums. The 925 Special Events channel almost never has anything on it. There is only a small amount of HD content though On Demand.

CURRENT SACRAMENTO-AREA HD LINEUP
(In Elk Grove 95758 suburb. Some other local Zip codes have additional HD chanels, such as National Geographic, but Comcast here works hard to keep customers in the dark about who is getting what...)

903 KCRA-3 (NBC) HDTV News & Info
906 KVIE-6 (PBS) HDTV News & Info
908 KTXL-40 (Fox) HDTV News & Info
910 KXTV-10 (ABC) HDTV News & Info
913 KOVR-13 (CBS) HDTV News & Info
919 InDemand HD High-Definition TV
921 Versus/Golf HD Sports
922 Discovery HD High-Definition TV
923 ESPN HD High-Definition TV
924 ESPN 2 HD Sports

925 Special Events in HD High-Definition TV
926 TNT HD Lifestyle
927 Universal HD Movies
928 MHD (MTV) HD Music

PREMIUM (SUBSCRIPTION) CHANNELS
930 HBO HD High-Definition TV
932 Cinemax HD High-Definition TV
934 Starz! HD High-Definition TV
936 Showtime HD High-Definition TV

Okie Dokie then, I plan on moving from my lofty big MHZ peninsula town out to far away Brentwood this month. Though, i've not followed this thread in recent months, can i assume the First Thread with all the info is current and up to date regarding the little to none HD availability in the Antioch/Brentwood area? No OnDemand, etc?

sheesh, how does one combine cable internet with DirecTV in one house, again?

Wendek

Tivo S3 users - I noticed that their online channel listings for my series 3 list all the new channels (complete with programming info, etc), so one would hope that our individual boxes are just one update away from getting that data.My s3's daily update went thru automatically this afternoon, and it did include new cable guide data, but no dice on the 3 new channels.

What about the Bay Area? While many HD channels already are available nationally, Comcast can't carry them because the company is technologically behind and doesn't have the bandwidth available in many markets. DISH carries the most HD channels. If DirecTV's satellite launches go as planned this year, they'll have many more up by the end of the year. I believe that Comcast HD customers must continue to put pressure on Comcast to improve their anemic HD programming. We must complain loudly and hopefully, force them to start dropping analog channels and add more HD programming.

SOME CURRENT HD CHANNELS MISSING FROM COMCAST SACRAMENTO
A&E HD
Food Network HD
HDNet/HDNet News
HDNet Movies
History Channel HD (launch early 2007)
HGTV HD
KMAX-4 HD (CW Network - Channel 12 on Comcast Sacramento)
KQCA-58 HD (My Network - Channel 4 on Comcast Sacramento)
National Geographic Channel HD
NFL Network HD
Outdoor Channel 2 HD
Wealth TV HD

Voom Animania HD (Animated Cartoons)
Voom Family Room HD (Family Movies, Series, Specials)
Voom FilmFest HD (Movies)
Voom GamePlay HD (Video Gaming Culture)
Voom Equator HD (Geopgraphy Programming)
Voom Divine HD (Gay Culture)
Voom Gallery HD (Gallery, Museum Tours)
Voom Gunslingers HD (Westerns)
Voom Kung Fu HD (Martial Arts)
Voom Moov HD (Creative Video, Experimental Films)
Voom Monsters HD (Monsters, Sci Fi)
Voom Oasis HD (Nature, Natural History)
Voom Rave HD (Concert & Music Video)
Voom Rush HD (Extreme Sports)
Voom Treasure HD (Collecting Hobbyists)
Voom Ultra HD (Style & Fashion)
Voom World Cinema HD (International Movies)
Voom WorldSport HD (International Sports)

OTHER HD CHANNELS SOON TO BE AVAILABLE (BUT NOT FROM COMCAST)
Bravo HD
Cartoon Network HD
CNN HD
Disney ESPNews HD
Disney Toon Disney HD
Disney Channel HD
Disney ABC Family HD
FX HD
Sci Fi HD
Speed HD
TBS HD
USA Network HD
Weather Channel HD

I'm doing a scan with the HDHomeRun right now in San Francisco. I'll report back if it shows up as well.

Russ

I checked again and now QAM 79 program 2 is unencrytped which is CW and tuned in. The earlier scan showed it encrypted and I couldn't tune it in.

I'm doing a scan with the HDHomeRun right now in San Francisco. I'll report back if it shows up as well.

Russ

I'm at 120-2 in redwood city (860 plant)...

thx
mike

wwu123,
here was my situation...it might answer some of your questions or it might not. At the very least it'll be more info. =)

I had Enhanced Cable (assuming by that you mean Standard Cable? which is the ~ $54 option that gives you channels up to 80-something.
I also had HD for $5 more.
What that was _supposed_ to give me was just HD up to channel 709, I believe.
So broadcast HDs.

I was _not_ supposed to get:
FSN BA, INHD, INHD2, DISC, ESPN, ESPN2 or the NFL Network.
However, I was one of the lucky ones and got those (though NFL Network seemed to be only live games and maybe some replay games at hours when we're all at work.) as I assume they haven't encrypted my area yet.

Recently, they've added channels like: TNT-HD, UHD (which I actually got while the World Cup(?) was on), and MHD, VS-HD or whatever is on 721.
I couldn't get any of those.

Recently, I decided to up my HD content while dropping my cable package price, by changing to Limited Basic + Digital Classic HD (I dunno the official name for this). That right there cut my cable bill in half.
I lost channels 35-80+, but gained back some of them in HD (ESPN, ESPN2, TNT), and all the HD channels that I listed above, I now get. I also gained some random channels in the 100s.

I believe I lose FSBA (so if you're a Bay Area sports fan, this might be a deal breaker, but fortunately, my sports loyalties are in another region), and all the home, documentary, comedic, news channels, but that's not a big loss for me.

So anyway, I think I put in a bit more information than you were requesting. I hope some of it will be useful. =)

The only reason I like FSBA is because of the poker shows. (Same with ESPN mostly -- other than the World Series of Poker & sometimes the little league world series playoffs.)

So nobody knows if you get digital (non-HD) versions of the networks?

I'm seeing channels 712, 715, and 718 on my S3 now. Only 715 shows a channel name NGCHD, 712 and 718 are both nameless. I'm in the southern end of Willow Glen in San Jose.

Edit: a forced call to Tivo downloaded guide info for these channels.

Not sure how this translate, but the frequency on the box says 609 Mhz and my HDHomeRun says 88-2 in San Francisco.

Nothing in HD yet, not till 9:00 PM, so I'll update then to confirm...

I'm at 120-2 in redwood city (860 plant)...

thx
mike

So nobody knows if you get digital (non-HD) versions of the networks?

You can use the S3 to scan for the digital channels. However, there is no guarantee that Comcast will program a specific CableCard for ADS. I could not get ADS when I tried to get it. Now I have ADS, and I have no idea when my CableCards were programmed for it.

I get KBCW in clear QAM here in San Francisco. I'm using an EyeTV 500 as my QAM tuner. It's on 608,992 kHz for me. Unfortunately, TitanTV doesn't have the new lineup. Then again, Comcast doesn't have it on their website either.

For those of you who are receiving the 3 new "HD" channels today (CW, A&E and NG) is anyone using just a plain QAM tuner to pull these in? Or does everyone have a Cablecard or STB?

I'm seeing channels 712, 715, and 718 on my S3 now. Only 715 shows a channel name NGCHD, 712 and 718 are both nameless. I'm in the southern end of Willow Glen in San Jose.

Both the CW station and A&E hardly have an HD programming. I wonder what purpose was served by their addition and why these channels bothered to create an HD version when they totally lack HD programming.

wwu123,
I was _not_ supposed to get:
FSN BA, INHD, INHD2, DISC, ESPN, ESPN2 or the NFL Network.
However, I was one of the lucky ones and got those (though NFL Network seemed to be only live games and maybe some replay games at hours when we're all at work.)

I had the same thing and had the same question. Many people who had the $5 HD fee for a long time (before early 2006?) were grandfathered for these channels. All the channels that were added after that were not included.

I added Digital Classic as well later and I get all the HD channels.

Both the CW station and A&E hardly have an HD programming. I wonder what purpose was served by their addition and why these channels bothered to create an HD version when they totally lack HD programming.

RELAX... obviously they picked the chicken or the egg first, not both. time is needed. ESPN was a joke of a HD channel at first too, but look at the 90% HD programming they have now.

Both the CW station and A&E hardly have an HD programming. I wonder what purpose was served by their addition and why these channels bothered to create an HD version when they totally lack HD programming.
KBCW has 2 hrs a night of HD programming Mon-Fri the same as FOX. The major nets like NBC, CBS and ABC usually have 3 hrs per night, so The CW is right in there as far as HD content goes.

I had the same thing and had the same question. Many people who had the $5 HD fee for a long time (before early 2006?) were grandfathered for these channels. All the channels that were added after that were not included.

I joined the HD crowd in May of 2006. And right from the start I got ESPN, Discovery, etc. I've heard people around here say that some regions just don't have these channels encrypted yet.

Oh wait. Actually, when I joined, I jumped on the Digital Silver with HD offer. And then later downgraded to Standard + HD. At which point ESPN remained visible.

KBCW is on QAM channel 92-3 in Mountain View.

Ron

I have Limited Basic. I see Discovery Channel in SD but no HD. I see Fox's HD but no NBC's HD.
Is that right?

Discovery HD requires digital classic. You should have NBC HD.

I joined the HD crowd in May of 2006. And right from the start I got ESPN, Discovery, etc. I've heard people around here say that some regions just don't have these channels encrypted yet.

Oh wait. Actually, when I joined, I jumped on the Digital Silver with HD offer. And then later downgraded to Standard + HD. At which point ESPN remained visible.

magnusansky and others, thanks for sharing your insights. As it happens, I went in to the local office yesterday to upgrade and experienced a similar discrepancy between what HD they said I'd get (HD locals + free HBO HD) and what I'm actually receiving. It doesn't quite translate 1:1 that you get the HD equivalent of any SD channel in your tier, but I think Enhanced Cable + HD is set up to give additional HD for HBO (from promo), Mojo, FSN, and Discovery, but not NGC, A&E or others. The reason "I think" is a bit more complicated for reasons below.

My experience yesterday:
-I printed out the website's Enhanced Cable package page with the mention of free DVR and HBO for a year, and went to the local office. I told the counter person I'm thinking of upgrading from analog and saw this new Enhanced Cable offer.
-He ignored my printout and said, yes, it's not new, 29.99 for the first six months.
-I said no, I meant this offer, with the free DVR and HBO...
-He said, well it's still only six months at the special price.
-I said, but it says a year here
-He said, the DVR and HBO are free for a year, but you only get the 29.99 for six months.
-I said, oh, uh OK.

So what I ended up with is:
-upgraded from standard cable (analog) to Enhanced Cable (digital) for 29.99 for six months, after that regular price of 53.50 ($1 more than standard cable). He and a channel sheet confirmed that Enhanced Cable is the standard cable lineup in digital SD + VOD + 2 additional channels, Movieplex and FearNet (woohoo?)
-$1/mo SD DVR for a year (Pace Vegas). Apparently a completely independent promotion, as others have mentioned, so not related to my upgrading to Enhanced Cable, but does need a digital package.
-free HBO for a year. Also apparently unrelated to any other promotion, as the guy almost forgot to add that code in.
-free additional SD box (DCT700) for one year for my rarely used 2nd TV. Apparently yet another unrelated promotion.
-added $5/mo for HD, which he said would only get HD locals (702-709) + HBO HD. He said the free DVR was only for the SD DVR, so instead I end up with a third box (6200) for my two TV's!
-I believe the billing will be accurate as I got a billing manifest printout with my current HSI fee (42.95) plus everything listed as noted above, with only a couple of 1.99 one time fees otherwise.

So the complication, as experienced Comcast digital customers may have acutely observed, is that all three boxes use the same remote, meaning you can't really use an HD box and a SD DVR side-by-side. So I'm not sure what exactly the intent was with the HD box, besides going strictly "by the book" and not giving out a free HD DVR. It does sort of work to change channels with the remote driving both boxes simultaneously and switching TV inputs, but I could see trying to navigate through VOD menus that one box might accidentally order a PPV or something.

The other complication is that after I called to have the boxes activated, the 6200 is completely screwed up in a not good, not bad, way. It downloads the channels and guides, but the HD channels tune in on channels completely different from the EPG. CBS HD is on 703 instead of 705, the rest of them are coming in between 719-736. Not bad because I get ESPN HD and a few random digital channels authorized (Gameshow Network and Fox Soccer Channel, anyone?). Grandfathered HD box to new customer? The only reason I know what HD I'm should be getting is that the SD DVR does play audio for HD locals and a few others, while saying not authorized or subscription on the rest.

Not sure whether these issues can get me an upgrade to a HD DVR like the 3412. Don't really need the HD DVR, but would probably use it (will probably not use the Pace as a DVR in favor of my Pioneer DVR over analog). Some likes and dislikes of the 6200 -
Likes:
-In-box captioning to component/DVI out for HD and SD. My HD TV won't show passthrough CC over component/DVI, even on interlaced SD signals. My foreign-born wife really needs CC to keep up with fast-moving dialog or accents, and so I can't use the Pace SD DVR over component since it only supports passthrough. Not sure if the 6412/3412 have in-box CC.
-4:3 override on SD. Allows me to use the "16:9 fill" aspect control on my TV.
-(this unit) ESPN HD and a few other digital channels grandfathered?
Dislikes:
-Two set-top box setup not really realistic or convenient in the long term
-Seems to pass ADS channels in analog, and channels 2-20 have a lot more noise than a straight analog feed to the TV tuner. Partially related to my old house cable wiring having noise. Would prefer all-digital SD like the Pace DVR or the 3412.
-No IR blaster out that could work with my Pioneer DVR (can take VCR control commands). Don't think any other Comcast units can help here.
-(this unit) random channel assignments and mismatched EPG will not be acceptable to the wife
-(this unit) a few HD channels that I should get not mapped anywhere, like CW HD.

KBCW has 2 hrs a night of HD programming Mon-Fri the same as FOX. The major nets like NBC, CBS and ABC usually have 3 hrs per night, so The CW is right in there as far as HD content goes.
I take this as meaning you think CW has 2 hours a night of HD programming every weeknight. Somebody forgot to tell Vince McMahon that; WWE Smackdown (Fridays, 8-10 PM) is not in HD (at least not yet - supposedly, they are doing "tests" to see, among other things, whether any "imperfections" on the show's women show up too closely).
Also, not every show on the networks is HD; for example, nothing on Fox's current Sunday lineup is in HD (mainly because there isn't much need for HD in animation), and even the The Price Is Right $1,000,000 Spectacular on 5/17 was not in HD.

Speaking of CW, I tried searching for KBCW-HD on my TV's digital tuner (Wednesday night 5/17), but could only see the one digital KBCW channel that has always been there.

-- Don

I take this as meaning you think CW has 2 hours a night of HD programming every weeknight. Somebody forgot to tell Vince McMahon that; WWE Smackdown (Fridays, 8-10 PM) is not in HD (at least not yet - supposedly, they are doing "tests" to see, among other things, whether any "imperfections" on the show's women show up too closely).

Speaking of CW, I tried searching for KBCW-HD on my TV's digital tuner (Wednesday night 5/17), but could only see the one digital KBCW channel that has always been there.

-- Don
You're right, other than wrestling I think all their primetime stuff is HD. I only watch 2 hrs of CW a week, Veronica Mars and Supernatural and VM has been canceled.

Speaking of canceled, was I the only one in the world who actually enjoyed watching Jericho? Sure it had bad acting and some unrealistic scenerios...but that's what I loved about it (a la 24). I was bummed to hear CBS wasn't bringing it back.

Speaking of canceled, was I the only one in the world who actually enjoyed watching Jericho? Sure it had bad acting and some unrealistic scenerios...but that's what I loved about it (a la 24). I was bummed to hear CBS wasn't bringing it back.
I watched it, but it did have a lot of problems, the best part of the show was the Hawkins character.

KBCW (HD) is unencrypted at 92-2 in Santa Clara.

I watched it, but it did have a lot of problems, the best part of the show was the Hawkins character.

Yeah, it's a shame. Had they concentrated more on Hawkins and the underlying conspiracy (and less on the farmers deaf sister getting some), it probably could have survived.

KBCW (HD) is unencrypted at 92-2 in Santa Clara.
KBCW is 95-2 in Fremont.

Also, is there any easy way to find out what channel is what with a QAM tuner aside from scanning and then checking each channel one by one?

Yeah, it's a shame. Had they concentrated more on Hawkins and the underlying conspiracy (and less on the farmers deaf sister getting some), it probably could have survived.

I started watching it with my wife. Actually I was the one that suggested that we should watch that show. But then I lost interest in the show, just before the break. My wife watched it until the end, the season(series) finale and she really enjoyed the show.

Speaking of canceled, was I the only one in the world who actually enjoyed watching Jericho? Sure it had bad acting and some unrealistic scenerios...but that's what I loved about it (a la 24). I was bummed to hear CBS wasn't bringing it back.


yea, that's a bummer.. campy show but i enjoyed it. Just finished watching all the last few i recorded for later.

wendek

It'd be nice if there were PSIP data for KBCW-HD. It's been a while since I looked at the OTA bitstream, so I don't remember whether PSIP is supposed to be there or not. Is Comcast shorting us?

PSIP=44-1

It'd be nice if there were PSIP data for KBCW-HD. It's been a while since I looked at the OTA bitstream, so I don't remember whether PSIP is supposed to be there or not. Is Comcast shorting us?

I posted this question in one of the regular 6412 threads, but drew no response. I'm hoping that our superior SF Bay Area technical abilities might yield an answer here:

I am having problems getting the 6412 to hold its 4:3 override setting. This problem occurred when I finally got an all HDMI solution through my Denon 4806 to my Fujitsu plasma. Put another way, I suspect the 6412 is resetting itself from my desired 480i output on standard def programming. Seems like when I power down the Denon, the 6412 re-sets. It's annoying, because the Fujitsu won't give you aspect control over a 720p or 1080i signal. Are there any tricks to this one? The 6412 wiki doesn't seem to mention it.

While I'm at it, does anyone understand the DirecTV claim that "home theater professionals prefer the picture quality of DirecTV over cable by a 4:1 ratio"? I've always understood that cable HD (at least) was thought to have better picture quality than satellite as a result of bit rate constraints on satellite transmission, although satellite offers more HD channels. Other than the occasional local outages/signal losses, I've not had complaints about Comcast's picture quality. Still a few HD channels I'd like to have that I don't, but they seem to be filling in the gaps (with the notable exception of the 550 areas, which really have a gripe of course). Maybe the "pros" find SD programming better on a satellite?

Link to the DirecTv claim:

DirecTV Home Theater Professional Survey (http://www.directstartv.com/direct-tv-blog/directv-tops-installer-preference-p79.html)

While I'm at it, does anyone understand the DirecTV claim that "home theater professionals prefer the picture quality of DirecTV over cable by a 4:1 ratio"? I've always understood that cable HD (at least) was thought to have better picture quality than satellite as a result of bit rate constraints on satellite transmission, although satellite offers more HD channels.The HD claim (not in the quote, but it is in the article pointed to by the link) is a lie from a technical perspective. Who knows what questions they asked the "installers" to elicit the answer they wanted. It looks like they are being sued over the HD claim.

It is pretty bold to give people HD-lite, then claim they have the best PQ.

DirecTV is suing Comcast. :eek:
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/83923

DirecTV is suing Comcast. :eek:
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/83923

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=849299
DIRECTV Sues Comcast For HDTV Ad - AVS Forum

This should be fun. :D

Maybe instead of all these idiots wasting time lying in commercials and suing each other over it, they should spend their money trying to actually improve their service.

giants a's game HD on both KTVU and FSN. which one looks better ....... i dunno, they both look awesome

does anyone understand the DirecTV claim that "home theater professionals prefer the picture quality of DirecTV over cable by a 4:1 ratio"?

In the newspaper ad that I saw, the small print at the bottom stated that the comparison was for DirecTV standard definition channels (which are all digital) vs. Comcast analog standard definition channels, which is of course rigged in DirecTV's favor. Since Comcast's digital versions of their SD analog channels are generally better than their analog counterparts (at least on my TV), I doubt that preference would hold up with a digital to digital comparison for SD.

In an unrelated topic, KBCW-HD is channel 100.2 in unencrypted QAM in the Berkeley area.

If you get Comcast's current promotion of Enhanced Cable for $29.95 until 2008 with free SD Digital Video Recorder and HBO for 12 months, you can view the HD on demand programs (which only gives the sound but no picture with the free SD dvr) by starting the program or movie in the cable box-dvr, then (if you have a HDTV with QAM tuner) finding the HD program playing in the 101.xx-105.xx channel range. You can still use the remote to fast forward, pause, etc. but won't see the progress bar at the bottom of the screen (that's just on the cable-box, but without the picture). I had to use a splitter to divide the cable into separate feeds for the dvr and HDTV, since using the dvr cable-out pass through seemed to remove or degrade the digital channels for my tv's QAM tuner

Since Comcast's digital versions of their SD analog channels are generally better than their analog counterparts (at least on my TV), I doubt that preference would hold up with a digital to digital comparison for SD.
In my experience the ADS digital SD versions of the analog channels are pretty good as far as SD goes.

However the original digital-only SD channels that are not on analog can look pretty soft and crappy depending on bitrate, compression ratio, and source quality. Often they look worse than analog channels, though the premium channels look just as good as ADS channels.

Prior to ADS many people complained that digital cable looked worse than analog.

I think the DirecTV ad campaign that you are seeing is making more qualified statements, but the news articles posted earlier clearly include HD picture quality, so either the reporters got it wrong, or DirecTV has modified their ads slightly.

I agree with SFhub. Comcast's ADS channel blow away the DirecTV versions. I have both and there is no comparison, DirecTV never uses more than 528x480. The ADS channels are normally full NTSC and look better just for this reason.

The ADS channels are the most popular channels so in General Comcast is looking better than DirecTV for SD these day.

Not that I watch much SD these days :D

Does anyone know what QAM channel the new CW HD channel is on in Union City?

Does anyone know what QAM channel the new CW HD channel is on in Union City?

Never mind, I found it as 120-2.

FYI --

I received "The Letter" today in the mail from Comcast, indicating that my neighborhood (Sunnyvale) will be upgraded over the next 2-3 months. Too bad, after all this time (living without), I'll be moving...

RELAX... obviously they picked the chicken or the egg first, not both. time is needed. ESPN was a joke of a HD channel at first too, but look at the 90% HD programming they have now.
It is understandable if they don't have new HD programming. If A&E cares about HD, they would at least broadcast HD version of repeats that already exist in HD, like 24 and Sopranos.

It is understandable if they don't have new HD programming. If A&E cares about HD, they would at least broadcast HD version of repeats that already exist in HD, like 24 and Sopranos.

I completely agree.... I tuned in to a Sopranos rerun on A&E HD and was very disappointed to see it broadcast in 4x3 SD... what are they thinking?!

FYI --

I received "The Letter" today in the mail from Comcast, indicating that my neighborhood (Sunnyvale) will be upgraded over the next 2-3 months. Too bad, after all this time (living without), I'll be moving...
What part of Sunnyvale?

I completely agree.... I tuned in to a Sopranos rerun on A&E HD and was very disappointed to see it broadcast in 4x3 SD... what are they thinking?!

Are we assuming that HBO gave A&E the HD print? They can only broadcast what they receive.

Didn't Sopranos only start broadcasting in HD in season 3 or 4? Maybe that has something to do with it.

What part of Sunnyvale?

North Sunnyvale (Near 237 & 101)

What's the reason for a HDTV charge if I'm only using cable card, and not Comcast's STB? I have a Tivo S3 with 2 CC, was on a package that just expired. They charged me
$5 HDTV
$5 additional HDTV
$6.95 AO
$1.5 dual CC.

I called and was able to get the $5 additional HDTV and $6.95 AO removed, but am still paying the $5 HDTV. I thought this charge was for a HDTV STB, is that correct? Or is this $5 applicable if I access any HDTV channel, regardless of if I'm using their STB or my Tivo with CC?

Didn't Sopranos only start broadcasting in HD in season 3 or 4? Maybe that has something to do with it.


The Sopranos have been in HD since at least the 3rd episode of the first season. Have recordings to prove it.

- Phil

The Sopranos have been in HD since at least the 3rd episode of the first season. Have recordings to prove it.

- Phil

That still doesn't mean that A&E got the original HD recordings. Remember that this is a special sanitized version. A&E didn't sanitize it, HBO did.

What's the reason for a HDTV charge if I'm only using cable card, and not Comcast's STB? I have a Tivo S3 with 2 CC, was on a package that just expired. They charged me
$5 HDTV
$5 additional HDTV
$6.95 AO
$1.5 dual CC.

I called and was able to get the $5 additional HDTV and $6.95 AO removed, but am still paying the $5 HDTV. I thought this charge was for a HDTV STB, is that correct? Or is this $5 applicable if I access any HDTV channel, regardless of if I'm using their STB or my Tivo with CC?
The $5 HDTV is an equipment charge if you get the HD STB. If you don't have that, they shouldn't be charging you.

When I returned my HD STB, the computer wouldn't let them get rid of the charge for some reason, then the CSR tried to convince me this is the charge for HD service. I asked him to point out where on my rate sheet is there any mention of HD service charge and he started saying he's been around for 3 years and there has always been a $5 HD service charge and he didn't care what the rate sheet said. I knew I was on a heading downhill fast with that guy so I just politely left and called into customer service, got a a manager, and had it fixed in an hour.

Depending on who you get to speak to, it can be an easy fix or a nightmare runaround.

That still doesn't mean that A&E got the original HD recordings. Remember that this is a special sanitized version. A&E didn't sanitize it, HBO did.

If this is case, at least, one of A&E and HBO must be idiots. I would think it is A&E. Channels like A&E depend pretty much entirely on reruns.. if they didn't think they will need HD versions (the difference between the two versions can't be more than difference between buying a SD and HD versions of a DVD, if at all), I wonder what they were thinking.

Mostly likely the reasons is that A&E does not have enough infrastructure to manage SD and HD simulcast for many hours a day.. which is sad.

Oops! I missed the 'sanitized' part. If A&E is really eager at least 24 should be in HD.

North Sunnyvale (Near 237 & 101)
Nice, I just got my letter today!

Is "The Letter" being sent separately from the bill? I'm in the central part of Sunnyvale and I'm hoping we'll be on the same upgrade schedule. But I haven't received a letter.

Forward to Mr. J
we're still getting left in the HD dust.......

"DIRECTVEL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2007--DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to set the stage for its unprecedented expansion of HD services. With agreements in place to launch four Discovery HD channels, five HD channels from Starz, CNBC and Chiller in HD, along with recently completed deals with The History Channel and A&E, DIRECTV is on schedule to roll out up to 100 national HD channels by year-end to satisfy the appetite of its HD customers, who have doubled over the last year....."

Forward to Mr. J
we're still getting left in the HD dust.......

"DIRECTVEL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2007--DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to set the stage for its unprecedented expansion of HD services. With agreements in place to launch four Discovery HD channels, five HD channels from Starz, CNBC and Chiller in HD, along with recently completed deals with The History Channel and A&E, DIRECTV is on schedule to roll out up to 100 national HD channels by year-end to satisfy the appetite of its HD customers, who have doubled over the last year....."

They guys at Direct are hoping to force the cable guys into expensive plant upgrades in order to compete, or to basically steal all the HD addicted premium video users away from cable. This is partly why comcast is upgrading the 550 Mhz areas here.

Remember the type of premium video user who demands as much HD as available is super profitable for the cable guys. Attacking this demographic has a superlinear impact on cable's cash flow (and a positive one on DirecTV's).

DirecTV needs to strike before cable goes all digital, because at that point, they'll get 500 Mhz or so of analog spectrum back, and have plenty of room for new HD channels. This is why they are pushing the content guys very hard to turn things on this year.

What I don't understand is why Comcast doesn't turn on a lot more HD in 860 Mhz areas where they have a lot more capacity than 750.

Thanks,
Mike

Forward to Mr. J
we're still getting left in the HD dust.......

"DIRECTVEL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2007--DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to set the stage for its unprecedented expansion of HD services. With agreements in place to launch four Discovery HD channels, five HD channels from Starz, CNBC and Chiller in HD, along with recently completed deals with The History Channel and A&E, DIRECTV is on schedule to roll out up to 100 national HD channels by year-end to satisfy the appetite of its HD customers, who have doubled over the last year....."

this is why competition is great. comcast will respond.

i rather wait to see what HD channels are quality to have, and hope comcast doesn't waste too much bandwidth on HD channels that are clearly not ready for heavy HD viewing. remember, especially in regards to D*... quantity is NOT quality.

Nice, I just got my letter today!
Still haven't got any letter up here in Santa Rosa, I guess the ponies are still in the barn eating some oats... :p

FYI --

I received "The Letter" today in the mail from Comcast, indicating that my neighborhood (Sunnyvale) will be upgraded over the next 2-3 months. Too bad, after all this time (living without), I'll be moving...

Any comments on what the upgrade would include?

Still haven't got any letter up here in Santa Rosa, I guess the ponies are still in the barn eating some oats... :p
I'm pretty sure Comcast isn't prepared to spend the money to print us letters, let alone upgrading our system.

Speaking of CW, I tried searching for KBCW-HD on my TV's digital tuner (Wednesday night 5/17), but could only see the one digital KBCW channel that has always been there.
...and then I realized that my TV's up/down buttons do not automatically search all of the digital stations, but just the ones it found the last time I did a full digital channel search. :o

One full digital channel search later, KBCW-HD showed up in Benicia on 107-2.

-- Don

Any comments on what the upgrade would include?

I got The Letter a couple days ago as well. I, too, am curious exactly what work will be done and what the result will be.

I don't have the letter anymore but I remember something about exciting new services like video on demand. But nothing specifically as to which channels would be added (if any), etc.

My cable is down in Cupertino, called Comcast and they said a fiber line got broken (9:23 PM, right in the middle of Lost). Any other areas get taken out from it?

Forward to Mr. J
we're still getting left in the HD dust.......

"DIRECTVEL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2007--DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to set the stage for its unprecedented expansion of HD services. With agreements in place to launch four Discovery HD channels, five HD channels from Starz, CNBC and Chiller in HD, along with recently completed deals with The History Channel and A&E, DIRECTV is on schedule to roll out up to 100 national HD channels by year-end to satisfy the appetite of its HD customers, who have doubled over the last year....."?? My s3 tivo gets a lot more HD channels via comcast than my directv tivo ever did. Not quite fair to compare the current state of comcast vs the pre-announced state of directv. Also directv is likely to make new HD channels mpeg4 only, thus forcing you to downgrade to a pvr with more usability problems than tivo.

My s3's daily update went thru automatically this afternoon, and it did include new cable guide data, but no dice on the 3 new channels.In San Rafael, tivo finally picked up the guide data for the 3 new HD channels as of Wed. Faster than the last few channel additions...

I'm considering getting an S3 soon (with this $200 rebate coming up). However, two things still bug me:

One, and my apologies if this has been brought up to death already, the thought of what would happen if Comcast switched to SDV - I assume my S3 wouldn't exactly become a $400 doorstop, but what about the channels that do get removed from being "always sent";

Two, the fact that I still need a cable box for OnDemand and PPV.

#2 is the one I'm really interested about. I've heard that if you have an S3 with two CableCards, Comcast throws in a non-DVR cable box for free, or at least for a reduced rate of some sort. Is this true (and if it is, what do you pay for your cable box)?

(#1 doesn't seem to be a problem if the HD stations aren't part of SDV; if I needed to record something on a switched SD channel, I could always set up my cable box to that channel in advance and record the show onto my DVD recorder.)

Speaking of recording on an S3: does the S3 have a method to record something from a non-channel source (i.e. you plug, say, a cable box's composite output into some sort of "external source" input on the S3, and then have the ability to do manual recordings from that input), or is it like the S2 where you have to jump through hoops (e.g. in setup, tell the S2 that you have cable and a satellite, then delete all of the satellite channels except one) to do something like this?

-- Don

I got The Letter a couple days ago as well. I, too, am curious exactly what work will be done and what the result will be.

I don't have the letter anymore but I remember something about exciting new services like video on demand. But nothing specifically as to which channels would be added (if any), etc.

I havevn't gotten any upgrade letters over in the San Lorenzo/Hayward area. I've been keeping my eye out for Comcast contractors and work trucks, but nothing yet. I just hope we are not slated towards the tail-end of the upgrades. I'd like to watch next season's TNT NBA and NFL Network games in HD.

Speaking of recording on an S3: does the S3 have a method to record something from a non-channel source

No. Cable TV and OTA antenna inputs only. I guess you can use a RF modulator, but the quality would be poor.

No. Cable TV and OTA antenna inputs only. I guess you can use a RF modulator, but the quality would be poor.
Interesting way to use that OTA input most cable folks aren't using.

Connect the RF output of your old VCR (which might even be in the same rack) to the S3 OTA input.

Connect composite/svideo output of cable box to VCR.

The odd cable box recording then becomes manual record of RF input channel 3/4 (assuming you leave your cable box manually tuned to the appropriate channel)

What a pain in the butt.

It's probably easier for TiVo to enable MRV and to record on an S2.

I got The Letter a couple days ago as well. I, too, am curious exactly what work will be done and what the result will be.

I don't have the letter anymore but I remember something about exciting new services like video on demand. But nothing specifically as to which channels would be added (if any), etc.
What part of Sunnyvale are you in?

FWIW, I am in Sunnyvale, and have not gotten "The Letter". I'm in the area between Wolfe and Fair Oaks, just on the 101 side of El Camino Real. I'm beginning to wonder if they're doing Sunnyvale's upgrade in phases.

FWIW, I am in Sunnyvale, and have not gotten "The Letter". I'm in the area between Wolfe and Fair Oaks, just on the 101 side of El Camino Real. I'm beginning to wonder if they're doing Sunnyvale's upgrade in phases.

I am by Fair Oaks and Maude Ave - close to the park.

Strange though, I remember talking to a Comcast tech once and he said, generally, everything south of Washington was already not-550mhz.

anyone watch national treasure last sunday on nbc? i'm an e* sub and we got a 4:3 sd broadcast. most other parts of the countyr got a full hd signal. i'm wondering if its kntv or e* that's screwing things up.

hello,

i'm in cupertino with a DCT-700 in my bedroom. i'm thinking about upgrading from a 20" CRT to a 26" westinghouse SK-26H590D lcd. clear QAM built in. how do i receive the unecrypted HD signals thru this cable box? is it difficult to do? do you have to re-scan for the HD channels constantly? would it be easier to get them over the air? would i get a decent signal with an indoor antenna? lastly, will i get a better picture (in general) using the composite RCA (yellow, red white) cables over the single RF connector?

thanks for any input.

hello,

i'm in cupertino with a DCT-700 in my bedroom. i'm thinking about upgrading from a 20" CRT to a 26" westinghouse SK-26H590D lcd. clear QAM built in. how do i receive the unecrypted HD signals thru this cable box? is it difficult to do? do you have to re-scan for the HD channels constantly? would it be easier to get them over the air? would i get a decent signal with an indoor antenna? lastly, will i get a better picture (in general) using the composite RCA (yellow, red white) cables over the single RF connector?

thanks for any input.When I use my LCD with the QAM tuner, I connect the cable directly into my TV's rf input. I don't need the cable box at all to get unencrypted HD signals. I only have to scan once and then set my favorites with all the channels I like. No need for an antenna.

If you do want to use your cable box, if it has component (video: red, green, blue. audio: red, white) use that. If it doesn't have component, use composite or better yet, s-video.

You don't use the cable box, plug the cable directly into the TV's tuner.
Though, I would avoid Westinghouse LCDs like the plauge, way too many issues.

I'm pretty sure the DCT-700 only has composite video out.
edit; yes
http://developer.motorola.com/products/settops/dct700/images/large/

I'm watching the Giants on FSNHD, Ch 720, and the pic is incredibly jumpy, like it's skipping many frames. From the pitcher's hand the ball moves to the plate in a series of jerks. Do others see this problem?

Anyone here from the Evergreen/Silvercreek area? I plan on moving to that area soon and was wondering what Comcast looks like out there. Just wondering if you get all of the HD channels :). Thanks.

Since that's part of San Jose, it should be an upgraded area. I think all of San Jose is 860 or something like that.

Thanks! Glad to hear it, since right now I live in an area that isn't upgraded yet.

I swung by the local Comcast office and they said the rental fee on the basic HDTV box will go from $5 to $7 a month. Anyone else hear this?

Good timing, as Direct TV is about to put up more HD channels (assuming they charge you only $10 for all the new HD channels).

Is anyone still able to find the 702-709 channels just through the built-in HDTV tuners in their HDTVs?

Or does it have to be HDTVs with QAM tuners built-in? Do they make those without include CableCard slots?

Can you get unencrypted ESPN, ESPN2, Discovery HD and InHD via built-in tuners or do you need Comcast's box?

Is anyone still able to find the 702-709 channels just through the built-in HDTV tuners in their HDTVs?

Or does it have to be HDTVs with QAM tuners built-in? Do they make those without include CableCard slots?

Can you get unencrypted ESPN, ESPN2, Discovery HD and InHD via built-in tuners or do you need Comcast's box?
Without a QAM tuner you won't be getting any digital channels on our Comcast SD or HD.

With a QAM tuner you will get all the digital channels that are not encrypted. If they have PSIP being passed through correctly the channel mappings will look like OTA channel positions. If not, they will have the actual RF channel # which will not be what you are used to.

Many TVs only include QAM tuners now and have no CableCARD support. Some TVs only have ATSC/8VSB tuners so they won't get digital SD/HD cable.

With CableCARD you will get the encrypted channels that are part of your package plus the channel #s will be what your are familiar with like 702-709

While in the past some areas had INHD/DISCHD/ESPNHD unencrypted it is generally considered a temporary situation and few areas have them unencrypted anymore, though some still might.

I swung by the local Comcast office and they said the rental fee on the basic HDTV box will go from $5 to $7 a month. Anyone else hear this?

Good timing, as Direct TV is about to put up more HD channels (assuming they charge you only $10 for all the new HD channels).
The TiVo S3 can be had for about $400 plus subscription for the next two weeks, I think it's June 16th when the offer expires.

The $5 HDTV is an equipment charge if you get the HD STB. If you don't have that, they shouldn't be charging you.

When I returned my HD STB, the computer wouldn't let them get rid of the charge for some reason, then the CSR tried to convince me this is the charge for HD service. I asked him to point out where on my rate sheet is there any mention of HD service charge and he started saying he's been around for 3 years and there has always been a $5 HD service charge and he didn't care what the rate sheet said. I knew I was on a heading downhill fast with that guy so I just politely left and called into customer service, got a a manager, and had it fixed in an hour.

Depending on who you get to speak to, it can be an easy fix or a nightmare runaround.

Called again today, the CSR said that the $5/month for "HDTV Equipment" on the Jan 2007 rate sheet was old. In Feb there's a new charge for $5 just HDTV, and it's not limited to just the equipment. So they will still charge it even though I'm only using cable cards in my Tivo S3, and no other box. She said she's sending me the new rate sheet, we'll see.

Called again today, the CSR said that the $5/month for "HDTV Equipment" on the Jan 2007 rate sheet was old. In Feb there's a new charge for $5 just HDTV, and it's not limited to just the equipment. So they will still charge it even though I'm only using cable cards in my Tivo S3, and no other box. She said she's sending me the new rate sheet, we'll see.
As I said it can be an easy fix or nightmare runaround. I think you are on path for the latter.

I think the CSR is just making it up. Comcast needs to publish the new rate card with your bill a few months *before* it goes into effect (at least that is my understanding) However it seems going down the path of the rate card is not helping you.

Do you have digital cable? If not, just tell them you don't want HDTV service or that you don't have an HDTV so why should you pay for something you can't get. It's not like they are going to shut down your HD locals.

In Feb there's a new charge for $5 just HDTV, and it's not limited to just the equipment.
Well I looked at my rate card effective Feb 1st, 2007 and there is no such thing as an HDTV service fee.

The only place I see HDTV $5 fee listed is under the "Equipment" section.

It is listed as HDTV Equipment Fee $5.00

Further if I look at the back of the rate card where it details the services, it says this about HD:

High-Definition Programming: Only available to customers with an HDTV set (not provided by Comcast.) Digital receiver with HDTV compatibilities is required. Subscription to premium services is required to receive HDTV version of the premium, where available. HDTV Digital Classic: You must subscribe to the Digital Classic Tier to receive these channels. All Digital Services Viewing of these channels requires a high-definition television set and may also require a Comcast High-Definition digital receiver or CableCard.

Clearly they are saying if you subscribe to that particular tier of service, you get the HD versions also.

I don't see any reference to a HDTV service fee. I think it would be a big change for them to implement such a change in billing philosophy. All those folks with a DCT-6412 paying only $11.95/mo for HD-DVR service would then need to be charged the additional HDTV service charge of $5 making it $16.95/mo for a single Motorola dual-tuner HD-DVR.

I wanted to inquire for my folks, who are only taking limited basic now. I figured for $5 extra, they could get HDTV channels, including unencrypted ESPN and Discovery HD.

But they said it would cost $2 just to pick up the box at the office and $7 a month for the basic Motorola box. Of course, to have them come out and install, it would cost way more.

I'm getting limited basic with the $5 a month box. If they raise it to $7, I might as well just move everything over to Direct TV, which is where I have the DVR.

I wanted to inquire for my folks, who are only taking limited basic now. I figured for $5 extra, they could get HDTV channels, including unencrypted ESPN and Discovery HD.

But they said it would cost $2 just to pick up the box at the office and $7 a month for the basic Motorola box. Of course, to have them come out and install, it would cost way more.

I'm getting limited basic with the $5 a month box. If they raise it to $7, I might as well just move everything over to Direct TV, which is where I have the DVR.
$5/mo extra is for the HDTV set top box equipment upgrade.

It only gets you whatever channels you are supposed to get with your package. If your folks are on limited basic, then all they will get is the HD locals (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WB, KQED, etc.) There are some folks here who get ESPNHD and DISCHD on limited basic, but that is because they are on a grandfather package. Unless your folks somehow got put on a grandfather package, they would need to subscribe to at least digital classic to get ESPNHD, DISCHD, etc.

I haven't heard of this $2 fee to pick up a box. It currently costs $5/mo extra to get an HD box, but maybe it is as you say going to be raised to $7/mo.

If your folks have a newer TV with a QAM tuner, they can just plug it into the wall and it will pickup the HD locals with no additional charges. Unless they really care about ESPNHD and DISCHD, that is a reasonable route for them to take.

$2 is for making account changes -- changing service, adding equipment, etc.

I have experienced the $1.99 fee for adding/subtracting services but have never had it apply to picking up equipment, though I'm not surprised if some locations tack on this charge.

Another common sequence of charges is when you call the 800 # about CableCARDs and they tell you that you can pick them up at your local office, then you take of work and go to pickup some cards, only to be told they don't hand those things out. Next they schedule a truck roll for $15.99, but they then waive the charge because they feel bad they made you go to the local office for no reason.

How sleazy.

Well I looked at my rate card effective Feb 1st, 2007 and there is no such thing as an HDTV service fee.

The only place I see HDTV $5 fee listed is under the "Equipment" section.

It is listed as HDTV Equipment Fee $5.00
My bill says "Additional HDTV Service $5.00" for my second HD box.

I don't see any reference to a HDTV service fee. I think it would be a big change for them to implement such a change in billing philosophy. All those folks with a DCT-6412 paying only $11.95/mo for HD-DVR service would then need to be charged the additional HDTV service charge of $5 making it $16.95/mo for a single Motorola dual-tuner HD-DVR.
Er, isn't the $5 included in the $11.95 (assuming this is their only digital box) - $5 for HD and $6.95 because it's a DVR? That's what I was told when I picked up my second box in mid-February. (A second box costs $6.99/month for the "additional digital outlet", plus $5 if it is HD, plus $6.95 if it is a DVR.)

-- Don

> My bill says "Additional HDTV Service $5.00" for my second HD box.

It says that on your rate card or on your bill?

> Er, isn't the $5 included in the $11.95 (assuming this is their only digital box) -
> $5 for HD and $6.95 because it's a DVR? That's what I was told when I picked
> up my second box in mid-February. (A second box costs $6.99/month for
> the "additional digital outlet", plus $5 if it is HD, plus $6.95 if it is a DVR.)

On your rate card, do you see a $6.95 charge for DVR or SD-DVR? If it is as they described to you, then there should be a $6.95 DVR fee for the SD DVR (like the Pace DVR) and $11.95 fee for HD-DVR ($6.95 DVR + $5 HDTV upgrade) This would be in addition to the $6.99 additional outlet fee (if this is not your first outlet)

If there is such a thing as a charge for HDTV "service" as described to yunlin, then (as implied by the CSR he spoke with) that is a charge that will be charged regardless of whether you have any HD equipment from Comcast or not, ie it is a charge for HDTV service, to get access to the HD channels.

Even in the scenario you described for your case, if there was an HDTV service charge, you should be paying that $5 regardless of your equipment. Then in your case, you should be charged $5 HDTV equipment charge for each HD equipment you get from Comcast.

This is the "theory" of what CSRs were describing to yunlin applied to what you described as your billing scenario.

For your account to have access to HD channels
$5 HDTV service charge - everyone who wants access to HD channels gets charged this whether you have Comcast HD equipment or not

For your primary HD-DVR
$0.00 primary outlet included in service
$11.95 HD-DVR fee ($6.95 DVR fee + $5 HDTV equipment fee)

$6.99 additional outlet fee
$5 HDTV equipment fee


Basically a service fee is usually something applied once to the account for service. ie it doesn't make sense to pay Digital Classic service fee for each outlet in your home just as it wouldn't make sense to pay this "theoretical" HDTV service fee for each outlet.

An equipment or outlet fee is something applied per equipment/outlet.

A service fee is charged to someone even if they don't have any Comcast equipment.


In the case of your bill, they have labeled the HDTV equipment fee as "Additional HDTV service", but they are treating it as an HDTV equipment fee, otherwise, you should be paying an additional $5 HDTV fee (equipment or service depending on how you categorize it) as listed above.

If your HDTV service fee is truly an HDTV service fee and not an equipment fee, then they have basically only charged you $6.99 additional outlet fee for your HD STB.


My point is Comcast needs to be fair about this. They cannot just "effectively" charge the HDTV service fee only to S3 users (CableCARD-only users) and not charge their own customers. You need to look past how the charge is labeled on your bill and focus on how the charge is being treated/applied, service or equipment.


If you returned all your equipment to Comcast, the HD-DVR and the HD-STB, deciding to just use the builtin QAM tuner in your TV, are you expecting all the HD charges to go away or do you expect the $5 HDTV service charge to stay?

If you feel there really is such a thing as an HDTV service charge, you should expect the $5 HDTV service charge to stay because your TV with builtin QAM tuner is getting access to the HDTV channels thus needs to pay the HDTV service charge.

> My bill says "Additional HDTV Service $5.00" for my second HD box.

It says that on your rate card or on your bill?
On my bill - or at least the online version of the paper statement, which I assume is the same as the paper version of the bill.

Here's what it says, concerning the digital installations:
Digital Plus Package - $14.95 (Includes: Digital Classic, Digital Plus, Encore, Encore Plex, Music Choice, Digital Converter and Remote, if applicable)
DVR Service with HDTV - $11.95
HDTV Additional Service - $5.00
Digital Additional Outlet - $6.99 (Includes: Digital Converter and Remote, if applicable.)

> Er, isn't the $5 included in the $11.95 (assuming this is their only digital box) -
> $5 for HD and $6.95 because it's a DVR? That's what I was told when I picked
> up my second box in mid-February. (A second box costs $6.99/month for
> the "additional digital outlet", plus $5 if it is HD, plus $6.95 if it is a DVR.)

On your rate card, do you see a $6.95 charge for DVR or SD-DVR? If it is as they described to you, then there should be a $6.95 DVR fee for the SD DVR (like the Pace DVR) and $11.95 fee for HD-DVR ($6.95 DVR + $5 HDTV upgrade) This would be in addition to the $6.99 additional outlet fee (if this is not your first outlet)

Here is my setup:
My first digital box is HD and a DVR; I pay $11.95.
My second digital box is HD but no DVR; I pay $6.99 for the additional digital outlet plus $5 for HD.

-- Don

I just talked to a Comcast rep, and he says that if I get two CableCARDs and a (SD, non-DVR) cable box (so I can access OnDemand and PPVs), I still have to pay the $6.99 additional outlet fee. I thought I read here that they waive that fee in this case.

Do any of you have any experience with this, and if so, what did Comcast do?

-- Don

I have experienced the $1.99 fee for adding/subtracting services but have never had it apply to picking up equipment, though I'm not surprised if some locations tack on this charge.

Another common sequence of charges is when you call the 800 # about CableCARDs and they tell you that you can pick them up at your local office, then you take of work and go to pickup some cards, only to be told they don't hand those things out. Next they schedule a truck roll for $15.99, but they then waive the charge because they feel bad they made you go to the local office for no reason.
I also heard/read somewhere that you can pick up a cablecard yourself at a local office and plug it into your TV on your own. Has anyone successfully done this? I'd feel really cheated if I paid $16 just to have someone drive up plug in a stupid card into my TV.

In case you're wondering why I want a Cablecard, it's so I don't have to rescan and re-find all the HD channels with my QAM tuner everytime comcast changes PSIP info or adds PSIP info for a new channel. As HD gets more popular, I'm anticipating more additions/changes in the near future!

. . .

Clearly they are saying if you subscribe to that particular tier of service, you get the HD versions also.
. . .



I spoke to a Comcast CSR yesterday and she said that even though A&E, TNT (and Nat Geo?) are on the Expanded Basic tier, you need to get Digital Classic to receive the high def versions of the channels.

- Phil

I just talked to a Comcast rep, and he says that if I get two CableCARDs and a (SD, non-DVR) cable box (so I can access OnDemand and PPVs), I still have to pay the $6.99 additional outlet fee. I thought I read here that they waive that fee in this case.

Do any of you have any experience with this, and if so, what did Comcast do?
It depends who you talk to at Comcast. Some have success in getting an STB to access OnDemand at no charge. Some do not. I would consider it doable, but probably 8 out of 10 on the "difficulty of navigating Comcast bureaucracy" scale (10 being most difficult)

You could sign up for the DCT-700 offer free for 1-year, $6.99 after that, but that is not the same thing as an open-ended STB at no charge.

I spoke to a Comcast CSR yesterday and she said that even though A&E, TNT (and Nat Geo?) are on the Expanded Basic tier, you need to get Digital Classic to receive the high def versions of the channels.
A&E, TNT, Nat Geo HD are listed under "Digital Classic High Definition" so you need Digital Classic Tier to get the HD versions of that tier.

That is consistent with what you quoted.

Note, I specifically did *not* say if you get the SD version of a channel you get the HD version of a channel.

On my bill - or at least the online version of the paper statement, which I assume is the same as the paper version of the bill.

Here's what it says, concerning the digital installations:
Digital Plus Package - $14.95 (Includes: Digital Classic, Digital Plus, Encore, Encore Plex, Music Choice, Digital Converter and Remote, if applicable)
DVR Service with HDTV - $11.95
HDTV Additional Service - $5.00
Digital Additional Outlet - $6.99 (Includes: Digital Converter and Remote, if applicable.)
I understand that is how your bill has it listed.

I was asking how your rate card/price list has those items listed.

The question is not how your HDTV $5 fee is labeled on your bill. The question is how the HDTV $5 is being used/treated (ie whether it is a charge for HDTV service or for equipment). In your case it is being used as an equipment charge, despite how it is labeled on your bill.

I understand that is how your bill has it listed.

I was asking how your rate card/price list has those items listed.
My price list (dated 1/8/2007 and marked effective as of 1/1/2007) says "HDTV Equipment Fee $5.00".

-- Don

Is anyone still getting HDTV channels with just built-in QAM tuners?

My folks are getting an HDTV with a built-in QAM tuner so it would be nice if they just got the HDTV channels without renting the box at all.

I don't know if they're on the same head-end as me but their channel lineup is the same as mine and I'm getting ESPN, ESPN HD, Discovery HD and InHD with just limited basic and the Motorola (non DVR) box.

So it would be nice if they could get those too, without getting the Motorola box.

Can anyone in Sunnyvale (I'm inbetween 101 and 237) confirm that they can get Discovery HD on a QAM tuner? I have it in my SD package, but would rather not shell out $1500+ to get a cablecard PC just for that channel.

Thanks-

Is anyone still getting HDTV channels with just built-in QAM tuners?Yes! All the broadcast locals that Comcast carries. (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, KQED, KRON, and now KBCW)

Yes! All the broadcast locals that Comcast carries. (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, KQED, KRON, and now KBCW)


OK, but I'm hoping ESPN, ESPN2, Discovery and InHD are also scanned.

How do the channel numbers for the HD channels map to a built-in QAM tuner?

wco81: Just a suggestion : if even you can' t clearly figure out whats in clear QAM, imagine how your folks can deal with not so infrequent changes to frequencies of these channels. IMHO, it is not a viable option for long term HDTV.

OK, but I'm hoping ESPN, ESPN2, Discovery and InHD are also scanned.

How do the channel numbers for the HD channels map to a built-in QAM tuner?

Chances are those channels are encrypted. So your folks will either need to get an STB or a CableCARD if their TV supports it.

I'm getting those channels with limited basic and the low-end, non-DVR set top box.

They live in a different city but Comcast groups the channel lineups together in both cities.

So I'm hoping they can get a taste of HD and would consider upgrading to more channels on either cable or satellite. But who knows, they still like renting a lot of VHS tapes.

I'm getting those channels with limited basic and the low-end, non-DVR set top box.

They live in a different city but Comcast groups the channel lineups together in both cities.

So I'm hoping they can get a taste of HD and would consider upgrading to more channels on either cable or satellite. But who knows, they still like renting a lot of VHS tapes.
You are most likely grandfathered into an old plan. The grouping of channels has nothing to do with what you/they will/won't receive.

If ESPNHD, DISCHD, etc. are encrypted in their area, they will need to get CableCARD(s) to view them.

Using your own lowly cable box to extrapolate what they will see is not useful because even the most lowly of Comcast boxes can decrypt channels while QAM tuners on TVs cannot decrypt anything without CableCARDs.

I just found this stuff through engadget:

Comcast Motorola TiVo

According to Tom Rogers:

Comcast’s plan, and I’m now quoting Comcast directly, the Comcast TiVo trials will continue into early summer with a commercial launch plan for August. The commercial launch will be in parts of our New England division, including Metro Boston, Southeast Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

After more than two years, we have a launch date and location for the Comcast Motorola TiVo! Too bad it’s not in my neighborhood… Though maybe that S3 Lite will be economical enough that I won’t bother with Comcast’s offering. It’s yet to be seen what effect these continued development delays will have… This summer, new HD DVR deployments will be separable security (CableCARD) boxes rather than the current Moto 6412 units. Have TiVo & Comcast begun work yet on another software customization? Will new Comcast customers be out of luck for a year?

--

So.. how can we start pestering comcast/tivo to add SF & Bay area to the early adopter folks (Boston??? come on..)

I just found this stuff through engadget:

Comcast Motorola TiVo

According to Tom Rogers:

Comcast’s plan, and I’m now quoting Comcast directly, the Comcast TiVo trials will continue into early summer with a commercial launch plan for August. The commercial launch will be in parts of our New England division, including Metro Boston, Southeast Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

After more than two years, we have a launch date and location for the Comcast Motorola TiVo! Too bad it’s not in my neighborhood… Though maybe that S3 Lite will be economical enough that I won’t bother with Comcast’s offering. It’s yet to be seen what effect these continued development delays will have… This summer, new HD DVR deployments will be separable security (CableCARD) boxes rather than the current Moto 6412 units. Have TiVo & Comcast begun work yet on another software customization? Will new Comcast customers be out of luck for a year?

--

So.. how can we start pestering comcast/tivo to add SF & Bay area to the early adopter folks (Boston??? come on..)
Not much chance of that happening in the bay area, Comcast has been roasted over the coals too often when trying something new in this area before it's nearly bug-free.

I'm not sure if the Tivo software will be worth paying for.
Sure it's better, but unless it fixes the more serious problems with the Moto boxes (remote lag, freezes) and/or enables external storage (not likely right?) pretty sure I can live with the clunky Comcast software. I mean, it gets the job done.

Exactly.

Tivo could be the greatest thing since slice bread among DVRs but you still have to deal with Comcast's overpriced, inferior offerings.

If D* goes live with all the new HDTV channels this summer/fall and it's $10 a month more (I already have D*), then out goes my Limited Basic and Moto box rental.

So I just moved off of the peninsula to place above Los Gatos. Chemeketa Park, specifically (just off Hwy 17 above Lexington resevoir, but below Summit Road, still in Santa Clara County). A neighbor said that "cable" was available, and furthermore the house is wired for it and it all feeds out to a coax that runs from house to street. I've called Comcast three times now, the first two they said, "we'll send a tech out to take a look and call you back". No calls back. The last time they said, "I'm looking at a map and there's no service in that area".

Does anyone know this to be accurate?

Any ideas why there would be a coax running to the pole in the street?

Thanks...

i just went to my local Comcast office to pay my bill and noticed that they had some new cable boxes. I asked about them and they said i could swap it out for my old boxes but it didn't have HDMI, so i said screw it. The new boxes look sleek and cool.

So I just moved off of the peninsula to place above Los Gatos. Chemeketa Park, specifically (just off Hwy 17 above Lexington resevoir, but below Summit Road, still in Santa Clara County). A neighbor said that "cable" was available, and furthermore the house is wired for it and it all feeds out to a coax that runs from house to street. I've called Comcast three times now, the first two they said, "we'll send a tech out to take a look and call you back". No calls back. The last time they said, "I'm looking at a map and there's no service in that area".

Does anyone know this to be accurate?

Any ideas why there would be a coax running to the pole in the street?

Thanks...
Check with some neighbors, see if any of them have cable TV. Might be an old AT&T line, or @Home or whatever it was down there.

So I just moved off of the peninsula to place above Los Gatos. Chemeketa Park, specifically (just off Hwy 17 above Lexington resevoir, but below Summit Road, still in Santa Clara County). A neighbor said that "cable" was available, and furthermore the house is wired for it and it all feeds out to a coax that runs from house to street. I've called Comcast three times now, the first two they said, "we'll send a tech out to take a look and call you back". No calls back. The last time they said, "I'm looking at a map and there's no service in that area".

Does anyone know this to be accurate?

Any ideas why there would be a coax running to the pole in the street?

Thanks...

Isn't that Barovelli's neck of the woods? Maybe he can give some insight...

Thanks for the tips everyone.

Any ideas why there would be a coax running to the pole in the street?

So the irony is that I get home from work today and there's a flyer in the mailbox from Matrix Cablevision:
"Our time is running out! ... Connect before 'the big guys' take over and save even more!"

So that tells me why there's a coax running to my place. Looking at their channel listings for Los Gatos (matrixcable com) there's no mention of HD. In the Menlo Park listings they only show a couple of channels as "pending".

I'll give them a ring tomorrow and see if that info is current.

Exactly.

Tivo could be the greatest thing since slice bread among DVRs but you still have to deal with Comcast's overpriced, inferior offerings.

If D* goes live with all the new HDTV channels this summer/fall and it's $10 a month more (I already have D*), then out goes my Limited Basic and Moto box rental.So your point is that Directv's pre-announced marketing is better than comcast's current offering? As a former Directv customer, I doubt their timeline or promises will match expectations.
I know it's popular to bash comcast here, but come on really, this line of reasoning is hard to justify. Might as well use comcast until such a time as directv delivers on those promises. Especially since with comcast, you aren't locked in with a 1-2 year commitment like with directv.

I'm already locked into a 2-year commitment with their DVR (well about 17 months now).

I looked into getting the inferior DVR from Comcast and to get the same level of programming, my monthly bill would be at least $30 higher than what I pay Direct TV -- with Showtime and HBO.

Only HD channels I get from D* now are locals (also LA feeds of the 3 major networks),FSNBA-HD, HBO and Showtime. I get ESPN, ESPN2, Discovery and InHD through Comcast along with locals.

I'd be interested in TNT HD, MTV, Universal HD and the rest. When D* expands it, it would cost me $10 more. If I wanted those channels from Comcast, I'd have to step up from Limited Basic to Digital Classic or something like that, which would add at least $25 to my bill.

It's not bashing Comcast, their pricing speaks for itself.

I'm already locked into a 2-year commitment with their DVR (well about 17 months now).

I looked into getting the inferior DVR from Comcast and to get the same level of programming, my monthly bill would be at least $30 higher than what I pay Direct TV -- with Showtime and HBO.

Only HD channels I get from D* now are locals (also LA feeds of the 3 major networks),FSNBA-HD, HBO and Showtime. I get ESPN, ESPN2, Discovery and InHD through Comcast along with locals.

I'd be interested in TNT HD, MTV, Universal HD and the rest. When D* expands it, it would cost me $10 more. If I wanted those channels from Comcast, I'd have to step up from Limited Basic to Digital Classic or something like that, which would add at least $25 to my bill.

It's not bashing Comcast, their pricing speaks for itself.
That's why their triple offer of $99 for Internet, Phone and basic digital cable is an outstanding value. Even when you add HBO and SHO, it still only nets out to about $145 for all 3 services. Best of all their Phone service is flawless and does not impact your Internet bandwidth. I still get 6Mbps even when on the phone. And you can always cancel and not pay a fee.

Isn't that an introductory price though, like for 6 months or something?

Oh and my Direct TV, Comcast cable modem and AT&T local do not come out to $145 and that includes HBO and Showtime and a better DVR than Comcast offers. Of course, Tivo could change the equation on the DVR but as nice as the features are, Tivo interface is too slow compared to the HR20. Maybe that's changed with S3 but that is a bigger annoyance than any aspect of the interface.

OK, I'm finally back, after a little medical problem that I needed to take care of and I'm ready to help answer questions again. I see I have a lot of catching up to do but I'll try and get answers for you when I can. It's nice to see the forum is still here and it's nice to be back ;) .

Laters,
Mikef5

Welcome back Mike.

OK, I'm finally back, after a little medical problem that I needed to take care of and I'm ready to help answer questions again. I see I have a lot of catching up to do but I'll try and get answers for you when I can. It's nice to see the forum is still here and it's nice to be back ;) .

Laters,
Mikef5

Any news on Milpitas upgrades? I live in south Milpitas (near the Great Mall) and have not received any notifications in the mail regarding my cable.

Also, what HD channels do we get here in Milpitas? I've always subscribed to Expanded Basic (analog), and just recently bought a new plasma with a QAM tuner. After doing a channel scan I managed to pick up Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, and KQED in HD. These look absolutely fantastic!

I assume I would need to subscribe to Digital Cable in order to receive any other HD stations?

I assume I would need to subscribe to Digital Cable in order to receive any other HD stations?Nope. Not with just a QAM tuner. You just get the channels that are not encrypted. You might look around for CW that also is in HD.

Any news on Milpitas upgrades? I live in south Milpitas (near the Great Mall) and have not received any notifications in the mail regarding my cable.

Also, what HD channels do we get here in Milpitas? I've always subscribed to Expanded Basic (analog), and just recently bought a new plasma with a QAM tuner. After doing a channel scan I managed to pick up Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, and KQED in HD. These look absolutely fantastic!

I assume I would need to subscribe to Digital Cable in order to receive any other HD stations?
Tyre,
I live near the Curtner school and I got my letter about 3 weeks ago. My sister lives near the Spangler school and hasn't gotten the letter either so it might be they are doing it by areas and eventually will get all of Milpitas, it will just take time. I know one of the reasons they do it by loop areas is for trouble shooting, you can tell where the problems are right away without having to isolate loops if you do them all at once.
To get the other HD channels you have to subscribe to at least one of the digital tiers. Right now we don't get a lot of HD, basically we get Mojo, FSNBA-HD, VSGLF, Discovery HD, ESPN-HD and HBO-HD and the others that you mentioned. That will change when the upgrades are completed.

Laters,
Mikef5

Welcome back Mike.
Thanks Bobby, it's nice to be back again :) .

Laters,
Mikef5

Thanks Bobby, it's nice to be back again :) .

Laters,
Mikef5
Yeah, yeah, you're back, no more slacking off now... :p :D

I PM'ed BTW.

On a side note. AT&T has entered the Milpitas area with their U-verse product. I actually saw a demo of it at my sister's house. What's strange is it's available at her address but not at mine and I only live about a mile from her, the AT&T rep couldn't give me a good reason why that was the case either. From what I saw, I was sorely disappointed. It really is limited and though it has some nice features IMHO it is not ready for prime time and at this time is not a real threat to Comcast but could be in the future if they get past the limitations the system has right now. The SD material was ok but not great and the limitation of one HD feed at a time is a major problem for me. For me it is average at best but no where near as good as Comcast or Dish and Directv. Look for it coming to your area :eek: :p .

Laters,
Mikef5

Yeah, yeah, you're back, no more slacking off now... :p :D

I PM'ed BTW.
OK, so Santa Rosa goes to the back of the line again :p :D

But seriously, I'll let you know what I find out when I get to talk to Mr. J. again. I've been out of circulation for a while so it'll take some time to get back into the flow of things again.

Laters,
Mikef5

OK, so Santa Rosa goes to the back of the line again :p :D

But seriously, I'll let you know what I find out when I get to talk to Mr. J. again. I've been out of circulation for a while so it'll take some time to get back into the flow of things again.

Laters,
Mikef5
Nothing new, we've always been at the back of the line, back of the bus, use the outhouse out back, etc..... :p :D

Tyre,
I live near the Curtner school and I got my letter about 3 weeks ago. My sister lives near the Spangler school and hasn't gotten the letter either so it might be they are doing it by areas and eventually will get all of Milpitas, it will just take time. I know one of the reasons they do it by loop areas is for trouble shooting, you can tell where the problems are right away without having to isolate loops if you do them all at once.
To get the other HD channels you have to subscribe to at least one of the digital tiers. Right now we don't get a lot of HD, basically we get Mojo, FSNBA-HD, VSGLF, Discovery HD, ESPN-HD and HBO-HD and the others that you mentioned. That will change when the upgrades are completed.

Laters,
Mikef5


Thanks Mike, that's what I figured. My parents, who live in Fremont, got a new TV. I helped them set it up and I noticed more HD channels...KRON-HD off the top of my head which I don't seem to get. They also have plain old analog Expanded Basic.

I may look into satellite in the meantime until Comcast gets our system upgraded. I'm a little gun shy because I tried DirecTV a few years ago and had a terrible experience. Most channels were so compressed that I was constantly distracted. I managed to get out of my contract and went straight back to cable.

Tyre,

To get the other HD channels you have to subscribe to at least one of the digital tiers. Right now we don't get a lot of HD, basically we get Mojo, FSNBA-HD, VSGLF, Discovery HD, ESPN-HD and HBO-HD and the others that you mentioned. That will change when the upgrades are completed.

Laters,
Mikef5

The new channels excluding Discovery HD have only very occassional HD content. It is ridiculous for A&E to create an HD channel in which repeats of shows that were created in HD (Law and Order, Sopranos) are presented in SD!!! So far, most of the new additions have been on the HD-Lite side including the very ridiculous Golf channel. At least I get all the premium channels in HD (which has been the saving grace). Comcast is just pathetic in terms of adding content and it may lose to satellite unless it does something better by the end of the year.

On a side note. AT&T has entered the Milpitas area with their U-verse product. I actually saw a demo of it at my sister's house. What's strange is it's available at her address but not at mine and I only live about a mile from her, the AT&T rep couldn't give me a good reason why that was the case either. From what I saw, I was sorely disappointed. It really is limited and though it has some nice features IMHO it is not ready for prime time and at this time is not a real threat to Comcast but could be in the future if they get past the limitations the system has right now. The SD material was ok but not great and the limitation of one HD feed at a time is a major problem for me. For me it is average at best but no where near as good as Comcast or Dish and Directv. Look for it coming to your area :eek: :p .

Laters,
Mikef5

You are right about U-verse. The system has several limitation, the worse of it being that the fiber optics reach only to the substation and not to the houses. AT&T promises dual HD feeds by the end of the year but I will not take this to the bank.

IPTV in theory has unlimited number of channels because, just like the Internet, each channel is really a URL. However, the capacity of the servers at AT&T to buffer all these stations and serve all the users is where the bottleneck is. The system would need to be build up seriously. When it does, IPTV can "exterminate" cable because capacity is much easier to add (especially in the FIOS system). Eventually even cable would need to switch to some variant of the IPTV system.

IPTV in theory has unlimited number of channels because, just like the Internet, each channel is really a URL. However, the capacity of the servers at AT&T to buffer all these stations and serve all the users is where the bottleneck is. The system would need to be build up seriously. When it does, IPTV can "exterminate" cable because capacity is much easier to add (especially in the FIOS system). Eventually even cable would need to switch to some variant of the IPTV system.

Not necessarily. It is possible to run a QAM-based cable system in a switched environment. Yes, it would require upgrades to the headend...but not at nearly the cost it takes to build out an entirely new infrastructure and/or bring fiber to the home. Loosely, IPTV is just another method of sending out digital television signals. I wouldn't expect it to "terminate" cable any time soon.

Not necessarily. It is possible to run a QAM-based cable system in a switched environment. Yes, it would require upgrades to the headend...but not at nearly the cost it takes to build out an entirely new infrastructure and/or bring fiber to the home. Loosely, IPTV is just another method of sending out digital television signals. I wouldn't expect it to "terminate" cable any time soon.
Absolutely correct and Switched Video is being tested in three areas back east but I don't see it being implemented here anytime soon but it is coming and a lot sooner that I first thought it would. It's not really necessary at this time since cable will eventually get rid of the analog channels which will free up a lot of bandwidth and since the amount of programing that is HD and available right now is relatively small the use of Switched Video is not needed right now but it's always there just in case things change.

Aretzios,

As far as Comcast not adding a lot of HD, the recent additions were only starters and more is on the way and I don't mean next year. Cable isn't going to sit on the side lines and let the Sat's take customers away and not doing anything about it. Just like the Sat's aren't going to let cable get to far ahead of them without responding in kind, it's called competition and sometimes it works to the customers advantage. ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

IPTV in theory has unlimited number of channels because, just like the Internet, each channel is really a URL. However, the capacity of the servers at AT&T to buffer all these stations and serve all the users is where the bottleneck is.
I think your definition of "unlimited" is different than the standard definition.

Thanks Mike, that's what I figured. My parents, who live in Fremont, got a new TV. I helped them set it up and I noticed more HD channels...KRON-HD off the top of my head which I don't seem to get. They also have plain old analog Expanded Basic.

I may look into satellite in the meantime until Comcast gets our system upgraded. I'm a little gun shy because I tried DirecTV a few years ago and had a terrible experience. Most channels were so compressed that I was constantly distracted. I managed to get out of my contract and went straight back to cable.
Kron was taken off our area so we could get other HD channels instead and trust me you aren't missing anything with Kron not being available, a total waste of bandwidth.

As far as going with Directv or staying with cable. My suggestion would be wait awhile ( Milpitas is being upgraded right now ) or if you can't wait I'd go with Dish which in my opinion is the best of the Sat Co's. If Comcast wasn't going to upgrade our area I would've gone with Dish but that's just me you're mileage may vary ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

I've noticed that, for the last several days, the Special Events Channel (725) has color bars and a 1000hz tone on it. It's been frozen for many months and now there is a signal. I wonder what might be coming up.

Not necessarily. It is possible to run a QAM-based cable system in a switched environment. Yes, it would require upgrades to the headend...but not at nearly the cost it takes to build out an entirely new infrastructure and/or bring fiber to the home. Loosely, IPTV is just another method of sending out digital television signals. I wouldn't expect it to "terminate" cable any time soon.

Soon is a strong word. However, the Verizon FiOS project with fiber-optics to the end user is the way forward and cable will have to fully re-wire to get to the eventual capabilities of this system. Unfortunately, we live in an AT&T area and its solution (fiber only to the sub-station) is not likely to be a strong cable competitor. But the IPTV technology does have the capability of not running into cable - capacity problem. Now, how quickly both AT&T and Verizon will beef-up the "back office" and extend their infrastructure is a point of debate. I am sure that cable will attempt to find a technological solution. Its limitations are (a) the number of channels that it can carry at any time down its pipe and (b) the use of this pipe for other services. On the other hand, IPTV does not have these limitations. It will always be sending down the line a single channel feed. The huge fiber capacity can then be used to offer a lot of exciting services. This is only the beginning.

Soon is a strong word. However, the Verizon FiOS project with fiber-optics to the end user is the way forward and cable will have to fully re-wire to get to the eventual capabilities of this system.Well that's great. Wake me when Verizon starts pre-planning to start to think about getting investors to aquire the funds to begin the pre-planning phase of staging the groundwork for building the beginning foundation of this great new fiber-to-the-home network of theirs. :p

As far as I can tell, if Comast/etc cable wanted to wire homes with fiber, it would be a lot shorter to go, since they already have it to the node.

Of course if they can really get 150Mbps over copper there may be no need eh? :D

When are we gonna get PPV events in HD with Comcast..

I want UFC in HD grrrrrr!

Isn't that what 725 is for?! :0

Well that's great. Wake me when Verizon starts pre-planning to start to think about getting investors to aquire the funds to begin the pre-planning phase of staging the groundwork for building the beginning foundation of this great new fiber-to-the-home network of theirs. :p

As far as I can tell, if Comast/etc cable wanted to wire homes with fiber, it would be a lot shorter to go, since they already have it to the node.

Of course if they can really get 150Mbps over copper there may be no need eh? :D

Verizon has already completed the re-wiring in a lot of areas in which it is the local telephone company. AT&T is in our area, so I do not expect to see the Verizon FiOS here. But if you were in the East Coast, you can surely order it in various locations. AT&T is laying fiber to the sub-station but not to the home. They have some infrastructure completed in some areas including my home town of San Ramon (although I am not in their current service area). I think having a thin copper running to the houses will pose problems for them down the line. For the time being, offering a single HD feed, they cannot compete with Comcast among the HD-must have crowd, although their basic equipment involves 3 "free" DVRs for multiple rooms. This is a substantial savings over Comcast.

At the end, we all benefit from competition.

Oh, no question about that. I'm sure it's no coincidence that Comcast started giving out free DVRs.

I just don't wanna hear about how much better FIOS is than cable when the best we can get here is..... ugh... "Uverse".

Uverse uses 8.5 Mbps for the HD channel.

Rumor is they will be going to 6.5 Mbps so they can squeeze 2 HD channels in.

DVD is 9 Mpbs.... :rolleyes:

*Although DVD is MPEG2 and I assume Uverse uses MPEG4/AVC or similar. Still.... that's pretty weak. That's worse than HD-Lite. That's like Non-Alcoholic HD.

Oh, thank you FOX, for pre-empting the first 5 innings of the Giants game to show us a blow-out Yankme$$ vs Red SUX game - AND then not have it in HD.

Thank you so much.

Uverse isn't even available that much, even though they announced it months ago.

Uverse is using Microsoft's VC-1 compression probably, as they're using the MS IPTV platform as well.

MS snowed SBC into believing they can get 720p into under 5 Mbps bitrates and that is why we're stuck with Uverse as it is now. People have been saying in the long-term, AT&T is going to have to go FTTP like FiOS.

Oh, thank you FOX, for pre-empting the first 5 innings of the Giants game to show us a blow-out Yankme$$ vs Red SUX game - AND then not have it in HD.

Thank you so much.

ktvu didn't show the giants phillies game in HD, not FOX. ktvu is a cox-owned station. we just don't see a lot of HD road games for either KTVU or FSNBA. probably cost.

Uverse isn't even available that much, even though they announced it months ago.

Uverse is using Microsoft's VC-1 compression probably, as they're using the MS IPTV platform as well.

MS snowed SBC into believing they can get 720p into under 5 Mbps bitrates and that is why we're stuck with Uverse as it is now. People have been saying in the long-term, AT&T is going to have to go FTTP like FiOS.

FiOS also uses Microsoft's IPTV technology, so let's not put the blame on Microsoft. I heard actually the opposite, that Microsoft was not particularly happy with AT&T's decision not to go with "fiber to the premises" (FTTP). I think that Microsoft would have loved the possibility of a lot of the country having possible downstream speeds of 30 to 50 Mbs, which is what FiOS achieves.

Will AT&T have to go FTTP? I think that it is inescapable. Will cable have to go FTTP? I think so, and sooner than we think. There is no way of providing hundreds of HD channels, speedy Internet and telephone services (that may expand to teleconferencing), HD video on demand etc, with the current copper pipe.

ktvu didn't show the giants phillies game in HD, not FOX. ktvu is a cox-owned station. we just don't see a lot of HD road games for either KTVU or FSNBA. probably cost.
Not true, Fox did not show the game in HD, Cox (KTVU) shows what ever they get from Fox ( for the away games ), so if it's not in HD and it's an away game then it's Fox's doings. KTVU will do the local games in HD or FSNBA-HD will do them depending on who gets the rights to show the games. Usually, the only way we get away games in HD is if it's the game of the week ( for Fox ) or it's on ESPN-HD. So let's point the finger ( you choose which one ;) ) at the real culprits.
At least the A's were shown in HD, can't figure why they don't get more coverage, they are a much better team and that's coming from a die hard Giants fan .

Laters,
Mikef5

FiOS also uses Microsoft's IPTV technology, so let's not put the blame on Microsoft. I heard actually the opposite, that Microsoft was not particularly happy with AT&T's decision not to go with "fiber to the premises" (FTTP). I think that Microsoft would have loved the possibility of a lot of the country having possible downstream speeds of 30 to 50 Mbs, which is what FiOS achieves.

Will AT&T have to go FTTP? I think that it is inescapable. Will cable have to go FTTP? I think so, and sooner than we think. There is no way of providing hundreds of HD channels, speedy Internet and telephone services (that may expand to teleconferencing), HD video on demand etc, with the current copper pipe.

I believe AT&T's first attempt of bringing TV to the home (i.e. Project Lightspeed) did have FTTP -- but they abandoned that due to costs.

As for cable vs. fiber, again your making it seem like Comcast is using this antiquated, 40-year old infrastructure (550ers -- insert jokes here). A 750MHz system (which is what most of the Bay Area is on) is cable of sending data over 3000mb/s. That' a lot, even by future standards. And these "hundreds of HD channels", I wouldn't expect more than 50 by 2010 (and I mean regular cable channels -- not the lame ones Zoom used to carry).

I believe AT&T's first attempt of bringing TV to the home (i.e. Project Lightspeed) did have FTTP -- but they abandoned that due to costs.

As for cable vs. fiber, again your making it seem like Comcast is using this antiquated, 40-year old infrastructure (550ers -- insert jokes here). A 750MHz system (which is what most of the Bay Area is on) is cable of sending data over 3000mb/s. That' a lot, even by future standards. And these "hundreds of HD channels", I wouldn't expect more than 50 by 2010 (and I mean regular cable channels -- not the lame ones Zoom used to carry).
"Zoom"? Is Mazda doing HD now? :p You mean Voom? And they're not all bad, there's some good stuff on some of those channels. :)