This was originally posted by "Senor_Curtains" in an Epson 1080p thread, but was never answered.

"So, I've got my TW1000 hooked up to my Comcast HDDVR via HDMI. I can either have the damn thing output all HD content as 720p or 1080i. This sucks.
If I have it output everything as 1080i then those shows which are broadcast in 1080i look fantastic. 30 fps and nice, high resolution. But shows broadcast in 720p get scaled by the Comcast box (which looks terrible) and go from 60 fps to 30, which is also less than optimal.

If I have it output 720p, I get 60 fps and the projector scales the image, which looks fantastic. But then 1080i signals get downsampled to 720 and then upscaled back to 1080 so I lose all my beautiful detail and get downsampling artifacts and then upsampling artifacts.

I hate you, Comcast cable box."

I'm very close to buying my first projector and also have a Comcast cable box/dvr, and this concerns me greatly. Is there any way to get around this problem? Thanks.


John

If Comcast uses Motorola hardware in your area, there is no way around the problem -- unless you buy your own CableCard STB/DVR with native output, like the Tivo Series3.

If Comcast uses Motorola hardware in your area, there is no way around the problem -- unless you buy your own CableCard STB/DVR with native output, like the Tivo Series3.

I appreciate the help and honesty, but, unfortunately that is a scenario which, aside from costing a thousand dollars for the Series 3, I am not even sure is technically possible with my Comcast connectivity. :(


John

I appreciate the help and honesty, but, unfortunately that is a scenario which, aside from costing a thousand dollars for the Series 3, I am not even sure is technically possible with my Comcast connectivity. :( $1000? The Tivo Series3 currently sells for ~$599 from Costco and Dell, and Tivo has a $200 rebate (http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/05/19/200-series3-rebate-for-fathers-day/) starting next week, which reduces the effective cost to $399.

After July, there may be other CableCard options with native output, if you wish to wait.

$1000? The Tivo Series3 currently sells for ~$599 from Costco and Dell, and Tivo has a $200 rebate (http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/05/19/200-series3-rebate-for-fathers-day/) starting next week, which reduces the effective cost to $399.

After July, there may be other CableCard options with native output, if you wish to wait.


BFD,

Thanks for the clarification. The last time I looked, which was only a couple months back, the Series 3 was something over $800.00. I hadn't realized it had already dropped to $599.00, and now $399.00 with the upcoming rebate.

Can I completely interchange this unit with my existing Comcast cable box/dvr without any problems?

$399.00 is certainly viable, although the monthly Tivo fee, when I get my current DVR/menu system from Comcast free is a definite negative, but, I might be willing to deal with it to get around the video output issues.

Also, everyone I know who has gotten cable cards from Comcast has had difficulties, are they past that now? Those who I speak of had their difficults between 18 months ago, and a year ago.

And would I need two cable cards (with the requisite fees from Comcast) to be able to watch one channel and record another?


Thanks for your help.


John

.

After July, there may be other CableCard options with native output, if you wish to wait.


Other options???

Other options???Starting July 1, cable companies are no longer permitted to order or take receipt of STBs and DVRs with built-in conditional access (CAS). Basically, effective July 1, they can no longer use the current models with new customer installations. [They can use any remaining stock.]

Instead, starting July 1, cable companies must deploy new STBs and DVRs with CableCard. These boxes aren't the traditional unidirectional CableCard products we've seen in the past; these CableCard products feature full bidirectional receivers with OCAP. They support every feature -- the guide, VOD, PPV, SDV -- of current boxes, but they use a CableCard to decrypt channels.

Soon thereafter, you should be able to buy these in stores and/or order them online. The Motorola CableCard DVR (model DCH3416) may not have a native output mode, but chances are good that at least one of the other upcoming models will.

Can I completely interchange this unit with my existing Comcast cable box/dvr without any problems?The Tivo Series3 is a unidirectional CableCard device. As a result, it doesn't support VOD, SDV, or the cable company's guide. Tivo provides their own guide, which is better than Comcast's in many respects, but that doesn't help you with VOD and SDV. Comcast is currently testing channel delivery with SDV in at least two markets.

Are you willing to trade VOD and potential future SDV channels for the superior usability and reliability of Tivo, coupled with native output and unlimited storage capacity (via eSATA drive)? That's your decision. Be aware, however, that Comcast expects to make available a Tivo software upgrade -- for an extra monthly fee -- for their Motorola DVRs later this year. You can see pictures of it right here (http://www.tivolovers.com/Photos/CES2007/). Unfortunately, this update doesn't add native output support, as that is still the responsibility of Motorola and its firmware.

If you do opt for the Series3, I would buy from Costco with its unlimited satisfaction guarantee, so you have an 'out' in case your local Comcast starts using SDV to deliver channels you want to see. You may also want to budget for a 500Gb or 750Gb eSATA drive to increase your Series3 recording capacity (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=350510).

Also, everyone I know who has gotten cable cards from Comcast has had difficulties, are they past that now? Those who I speak of had their difficults between 18 months ago, and a year ago.Things are much better today than were six months ago. However, customers are still somewhat dependent on a competant installer that knows the procedure to activate these devices. After the two CableCards are installed in the Series3, the rep must call to activate them.

The good news is that all Comcast cable installers must gain that competance soon, if they haven't already. Comcast is going to be in real trouble if their installers can't properly activate those new [Comcast-supplied] DVRs with CableCard in July.