Thats all I have ever used on both my 8300HD.

Diana, or anyone...

I was reading on another forum (Audioholics.com) and someone said that US cable companies were required to activate the firewire I/O if asked to by the customer. Is this true, or is that just someone talking? I would love to be able to pipe decoded HD into my HTPC via firewire from the SA box.

Just wondering,
Mark

One box is available now, and it is a SA3250HD. You must call and have TWC tech come install it. Can not be hooked to a pc. (Your set must have firewire, or you must have a D-VHS VCR.)

Originally posted by Marky_Mark896
Diana, or anyone...

I was reading on another forum (Audioholics.com) and someone said that US cable companies were required to activate the firewire I/O if asked to by the customer. Is this true, or is that just someone talking? I would love to be able to pipe decoded HD into my HTPC via firewire from the SA box.

Just wondering,
Mark

Morning guys - you certainly were busy when I was out of town.

Cable Companies are required to provide firewire enabled converters on a specific time table. All companies have met the first deadline of a non-DVR enabled converter (when was that... last July??? something like that). There is a version of the 3250 that is Firewire enabled - however - we only have around 10 in the entire Division (to my knowledge we don't have any in the field) Call 866-892-7201 and request the Firewire and a contact person will call you back to arrange the installation. Depending on where you live, it could take 2 to 3 weeks to schedule the installation. These are not available at any front count.

The deadline for DVR enabled Firewire converter is either this summer or next summer - again, I haven't visited these dates in my head for a long time so I'm not for sure. A really good contact would look them up prior to posting, but I know it will be faster to just tell you guys I don't remember and someone will give me the answer faster than I could figure out where I put the information - that's why I love you guys!

Originally posted by kevinivey
One box is available now, and it is a SA3250HD. You must call and have TWC tech come install it. Can not be hooked to a pc. (Your set must have firewire, or you must have a D-VHS VCR.)


Don't want to be redundant, just clear. This is not the 'typical' 3250 - only a very few of our 3250s are enabled and they must be special ordered through the call center.

Diana,

Is Kevin correct that you cannot connect it to a computer?

Mark

Can someone comment on the quality of the HD DVR's supplied by TWC? i.e. do they work as advertised, and how is the quality of the video and audio playback? I've seen the 8000HD and 8300HD model numbers thrown out on several occasions, and I'm assuming these are the HD DVR's currently available from TWC.

I currently have the 3250HD box through TWC and am wondering if upgrading to the HD DVR is worth it. I've found myself wishing I had a way to record programs more and more lately... and several of the programs I want to watch are on at the same time. Would love to watch one while recording the other so I don't miss anything.

Can anyone comment on the HD DVR's through TWC? Also, what kind of fees are associated with them? I'm assuming it's a monthly rental fee, similiar to what I pay for the 3250HD right now, except more expensive. If so, what is this monthly rate? (twcsc.com doesn't seem to like to list prices for anything. Everytime I want to find out how much something is I have to either email and wait for a reply or get on the phone and wait. I'd love to be able to just check the website.)

Originally posted by usace
I've seen the 8000HD and 8300HD model numbers thrown out on several occasions, and I'm assuming these are the HD DVR's currently available from TWC.

Do a search on these model numbers and you will find entire threads devoted to them.

Need a little help if someone can help. I live at Folly Beach and just moved to a different house. I was able to pull in all the digitals over a middle of the line antenna from Radio Shack at the last house. I'm now no longer able to get them all at the new house. I'm wondering if someone can recommend a strong antenna that is not big in size. On a second note, I took the set of rabbit ear type digital antenna from my bedroom, set it just outside the living room door and pulled in all the channels, so I know I just need a different antenna for outside. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Trip

Originally posted by Marky_Mark896
Diana,

Is Kevin correct that you cannot connect it to a computer?

Mark



He is correct. Distribution agreements with Studios prohibit this practice.

Originally posted by usace
Can someone comment on the quality of the HD DVR's supplied by TWC? i.e. do they work as advertised, and how is the quality of the video and audio playback? I've seen the 8000HD and 8300HD model numbers thrown out on several occasions, and I'm assuming these are the HD DVR's currently available from TWC.

I currently have the 3250HD box through TWC and am wondering if upgrading to the HD DVR is worth it. I've found myself wishing I had a way to record programs more and more lately... and several of the programs I want to watch are on at the same time. Would love to watch one while recording the other so I don't miss anything.

Can anyone comment on the HD DVR's through TWC? Also, what kind of fees are associated with them? I'm assuming it's a monthly rental fee, similiar to what I pay for the 3250HD right now, except more expensive. If so, what is this monthly rate? (twcsc.com doesn't seem to like to list prices for anything. Everytime I want to find out how much something is I have to either email and wait for a reply or get on the phone and wait. I'd love to be able to just check the website.)


1 - Couldn't live without my DVR - PQ better - Convenience Factor Priceless - 8300 is better (although I'm still checking out Issue Kevin is reporting with his) You cannot specify a 8000 or 8300 over the phone with a CSSR - they simply are not distinguishable in the billing system like that - as has been stated before you can pick one up at a front counter, although you do run a risk that the model you request may not be at a specific front counter on a specific day.

2. $4.95 more per month for DVR Functionality (All Converters HD or SD $9.95 per month; DVR Functionality $4.95 per month = DVR total monthly rate of $14.90)

3. Packaging and Pricing information added to the website last week. Drop down menu is Product - then click Packages and Pricing

http://www.twcsc.com/AllHosted/OffersByZip/PackagesWelcome.asp

Originally posted by usace
Can someone comment on the quality of the HD DVR's supplied by TWC? i.e. do they work as advertised, and how is the quality of the video and audio playback? I've seen the 8000HD and 8300HD model numbers thrown out on several occasions, and I'm assuming these are the HD DVR's currently available from TWC.

I currently have the 3250HD box through TWC and am wondering if upgrading to the HD DVR is worth it. (snip)

Can anyone comment on the HD DVR's through TWC? Also, what kind of fees are associated with them? (snip)


Howdy and welcome to our little niche on the forum. Regarding the DVRs...

Don't sweat the details.... just go and get one. Cost is right at $5 more per month than what you are paying now for the 3250HD. Programming cost remains the same. No way for you to lose but the time and trouble to go to the cable office and get one. They are not perfect but they do offer a lot of convenience for the buck. Again, just go get one... If you don't like it you can switch back later.

Which one you now ask.... If you have a fairly standard RPTV or CRT based unit (like most of us) the 8000HD PQ using component cables should work fine. If you have a very high end display and/or need to use HDMI really try to get a 8300HD (note is has component YPrPb as well). (all you can do is go to the counter and ask for one which they may or may not have). Many here have traded in their 8000HDs for an 8300 and have been pleased. I still use an 8000HD and am pleased. Your call.

Wow, great reply Diana. Thanks for the info. So, I guess in order to get a 8300HD my best bet is to go to a counter and ask for one (and pray one is in stock)? I'd hate to make an appointment for someone to come out and have them bring the 8000HD, which seems to be the older, outdated unit.

Oh, and thumbs up on adding the pricing info to the twcsc website! Thanks so much!

Bdenman - thanks for your insight too. At only $5 more a month than I pay now it sounds like a great deal.

Now I just have to figure out where the nearest office is to me in NE columbia.

Can everyone confirm they are seeing 19-1(WLTX-HD) O.K..
I just want to make sure we are getting out as well as we did before all of our problems started.
Thanks

Originally posted by usace
Wow, great reply Diana. Thanks for the info. So, I guess in order to get a 8300HD my best bet is to go to a counter and ask for one (and pray one is in stock)? I'd hate to make an appointment for someone to come out and have them bring the 8000HD, which seems to be the older, outdated unit.

Oh, and thumbs up on adding the pricing info to the twcsc website! Thanks so much!

Bdenman - thanks for your insight too. At only $5 more a month than I pay now it sounds like a great deal.

Now I just have to figure out where the nearest office is to me in NE columbia.

Yes you should take in your 3250 to the 5 Points office for an 8300 (that's the very easiest way to get the 8300. Deliveries there Monday and Thursday, so try those days in the afternoon.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
3. Packaging and Pricing information added to the website last week. Drop down menu is Product - then click Packages and Pricing

http://www.twcsc.com/AllHosted/OffersByZip/PackagesWelcome.asp
From the website - "Special Events in HD provided for free, such as The Masters and The US Open"

NBC has not shown the US Open in HD yet and there is no indication they will this year either.

In previous years we had the first rounds of the Master's and Open via USA. This statement is simply mean to be an example of what we had in the past, not a promise of what will come.

Still, no HD for the US Open any round. And Thursday-Friday rounds were ESPN.

To make matters more confusing, the Thursday-Friday Masters rounds from USA were in HD on INHD last year.

Originally posted by tritchie
Need a little help if someone can help. I live at Folly Beach and just moved to a different house. I was able to pull in all the digitals over a middle of the line antenna from Radio Shack at the last house. I'm now no longer able to get them all at the new house. I'm wondering if someone can recommend a strong antenna that is not big in size. On a second note, I took the set of rabbit ear type digital antenna from my bedroom, set it just outside the living room door and pulled in all the channels, so I know I just need a different antenna for outside. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Trip
I don't know the distances involved here in your situation nor any problems like obstacles. But do note that many AVS'rs have found the large Channel Master 4228 8-bay Bowtie to be both very good at reception and relatively low profile. A smaller 4-bay version (CM 3021) works fine up to 35miles (I have one). An even smaller 2-bay version is availble from RS (mail order only) and works up to 24miles indoors. FWIW, I mail ordered my CM from starkelectronic.

ps: bowties are UHF antennas but do a fair job of bringing in the upper VHS band (like Ch 8) as well.

Thank you for the input.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
Thank you for the input.
Your welcome. I just do want anyone to be expecting to see arguably our nations most important golf championship in HD. And if NBC ever did it, it would probably be a day late (ala the Olympics :D ).

Originally posted by Dan'sHiPix
Can everyone confirm they are seeing 19-1(WLTX-HD) O.K..
I just want to make sure we are getting out as well as we did before all of our problems started.
Thanks
Dan,
No video or audio here on 19-1 or 19-2 OTA (viewable on Ch 810 and 811 via TWC). I am getting a good (carrier?) signal, verified by my signal meter (six bars with a seventh flashing on occasion). Setup includes an old Samsung SIR-T150 and my CM 3021 (temporarily setup indoors as my RS DBT is in Florida).

Thinking it might be related to tweaks/changes you made in the PSIP stream and my old Samsung. If I go to the menu the two WLTX channels are listed with program data but again no audio or video is noted (and other DT stations live now seem to be fine).

Dan,
I can't get it either, but maybe that's because you're 90 miles away?
Glad you're back on !:D

Originally posted by Gary J
Still, no HD for the US Open any round. And Thursday-Friday rounds were ESPN.

To make matters more confusing, the Thursday-Friday Masters rounds from USA were in HD on INHD last year.

I havent looked at the TWC website to see if it mentions golf specifically, but US Open could mean the TENNIS US Open, wasn't that in HD last year?

Originally posted by bdenman
Dan,
No video or audio here on 19-1 or 19-2 OTA (viewable on Ch 810 and 811 via TWC). I am getting a good (carrier?) signal, verified by my signal meter (six bars with a seventh flashing on occasion). Setup includes an old Samsung SIR-T150 and my CM 3021 (temporarily setup indoors as my RS DBT is in Florida).

Thinking it might be related to tweaks/changes you made in the PSIP stream and my old Samsung. If I go to the menu the two WLTX channels are listed with program data but again no audio or video is noted (and other DT stations live now seem to be fine).

Don't forget the PIDS Change......
Everyone needs to do a channel scan.
Let me know if you still can't pick it up afterwards.
Thanks

Originally posted by kevinivey
Here is example(stiil) of the playback video shift error and artifacts that I have seen for the last couple of months. Notice the blue color swirl. I have had them in red, blue, green, and white. Large, medium, and small. This has been observed on two 8300HD dvr. Hard to believe that I would be the only one that has these issues.

That is pretty bad. I have the 8000HD and have it running through the component outputs to a CRT based HDTV, maybe thats why mine looks so good. But I definitely havent seen anything on mine that looks like that. As I said earlier (knock on wood) my HD service and PQ through the DVR has been very good with no noticeable difference between "live" and recorded material.

Originally posted by Dan'sHiPix
Don't forget the PIDS Change......
Everyone needs to do a channel scan.
Let me know if you still can't pick it up afterwards.
Thanks
Dan. I told the Samsung to memorize channels and that seemed to fix the absent A/V feeds. Weather service on 19-2 now seems to take forever to lock in; not sure why. Perhaps it is being affected by the weather :) We just got power back after an hour plus of unplanned darkness and quiet.

Originally posted by Dan'sHiPix
Can everyone confirm they are seeing 19-1(WLTX-HD) O.K..
I just want to make sure we are getting out as well as we did before all of our problems started.
Thanks

Coming in perfect right now. I checked the other day when you said it was fixed and indeed it was. No rescan was necessary using the internal ATSC tuner in my Samsung set.

Originally posted by bdenman
Dan. I told the Samsung to memorize channels and that seemed to fix the absent A/V feeds. Weather service on 19-2 now seems to take forever to lock in; not sure why. Perhaps it is being affected by the weather :) We just got power back after an hour plus of unplanned darkness and quiet.

It is running an incredibly low 1.5 meg bit rate.
I figured I would live with the low quality to get the HD quality.

I would say the picture quality of the 8300HD is equal to the picture of the SA3250HD. (note:when playback is not troubled). The picture quality of the SA8000HD is equal to the quality of the SA2000HD.:D (yes, I did have one of those wonderful boxes)

Originally posted by Dan'sHiPix
It is running an incredibly low 1.5 meg bit rate.
I figured I would live with the low quality to get the HD quality.
Sounds more than reasonable to me. :)

Originally posted by kevinivey
I would say the picture quality of the 8300HD is equal to the picture of the SA3250HD. (note:when playback is not troubled). The picture quality of the SA8000HD is equal to the quality of the SA2000HD.:D (yes, I did have one of those wonderful boxes)
I would have said for HD the 8000HD is maybe a tad under the 3250HD and ahead of the 3100HD which was a step up from 2000HD.

Originally posted by Dan'sHiPix
It is running an incredibly low 1.5 meg bit rate.
I figured I would live with the low quality to get the HD quality.


It would be alright with me to drop it even more. Have you looked at Wis-DT 3. Thats has to be real low. Thank you for not running a redundant channel like Wis-DT and Wolo-DT.

Hey Guys,

I just got this e-mail from Scientific Atlanta, and I didn't want anyone who is watching American Idol to complain that they missed it due to their DVR...



Dear DVR Subscriber,

It has just been brought to our attention that the providers of the program information in your interactive program guide have labeled tonight's and tomorrow's episodes of "American Idol" as re-runs when, in fact, they are first run episodes. So, if you've set up your DVR to record first-run only episodes of American Idol, it will not be recorded tonight or tomorrow night.

To ensure that these episodes are recorded, you will need to manually schedule each of them again by time or by program name for tonight and tomorrow night.

If you have any friends or neighbors who are not members of the Explorer eClub, you might want to let them know about this.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Scientific-Atlanta



Just a heads up...
Mark

Diana, what's up with WIS? Las Vegas is being broadcast in SD no HD... Also, are they gonna do anything about the audio breaking up? This is really starting to get real bad. I am about to rewire to the analog audio.

Mark

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=497457

Diana -

Any news on when the NBAHD channel will be coming to our lineup?

"Although its contracts with Disney's ABC and ESPN and Turner Broadcasting's TNT don't expire until 2008, National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern said Sunday that it plans to begin negotiations to extend them as soon as next month. The ABC/ESPN contracts net the NBA $2.4 billion; the TNT, $2.2 billion. Stern and Turner Sports President David Levy also announced that Turner would distribute the NBA's own high-definition cable network through its sibling Time Warner Cable."

Originally posted by Marky_Mark896
Diana, what's up with WIS? Las Vegas is being broadcast in SD no HD... Also, are they gonna do anything about the audio breaking up? This is really starting to get real bad. I am about to rewire to the analog audio.

Mark

Have you notified WIS about these issues?

Originally posted by Coop1979
Diana -

Any news on when the NBAHD channel will be coming to our lineup?

" [/B]

No news - Again, when it comes to HD, I don't know until the deal is signed and we let you know and get the signal up asap upon completion of the deal....

This a better illustration of my 8300HD woes.

Diana, I am more worried about the digital audio drop outs than WIS's problem with Las Vegas. My HD channels' audio is almost unwatchable. Every 5 minutes or more, I miss an entire sentence. All HD channels seem to be affected. Any word from engineering on what is causing this? I believe there are more of us here that are having this problem.

Mark

If your HDTV has either HDMI or DVI inputs, I would try this connection to the SA8300, combined with a digital coax cable to your receiver. Overall picture quality relative to the component cables is negligible; however, I haven't experienced any DVR issues with recorded programs with this set-up [unlike with my prior component video cables].

Originally posted by kevinivey
This a better illustration of my 8300HD woes.

I got this occasionally while watching AI last night as well, on an 8000HD. But it was only every few minutes or so, not constantly.

It's become so commonplace with HD content (both recordings and live), that I guess I just overlook it now. Kinda like static or snow on the old sets, you just get used to it.

It does *seem* like it's more prevalent on the network HD channels (ABC and Fox in particular) than the others though.

Originally posted by IrmoGamecoq
It does *seem* like it's more prevalent on the network HD channels (ABC and Fox in particular) than the others though.

I agree with that. NBC (sitcoms mostly)* and CBS (CSIs) seem pretty much fine, no trouble at all with the HD Tier channels. ABC (Lost) and Fox (24, House) seem like the worst offenders.



* Maybe I've only ever watched it on my SD set upstairs (while recording 2 other channels downstairs), but is Scrubs not in HD yet? I noticed it was in SD for the first time last night.

Originally posted by kevinivey
This a better illustration of my 8300HD woes.
That looks more like the "bad weather" breakup I see than anything I get on a regular basis with my 8000HD.

My frequent 'problem' is a few lines of blue pixels that pop up live and during recorded show playback. Problem is in quotes because I can't see an end to an occasional glitch in any digital transmission system.

Due to the crowded conditions in my RCA F38310's cabinet, I'm still hoping for an announcement that 8300HDs are piled to the ceiling down on Greystone Blvd. and people should come get them NOW...

I watched American Idol last night, and the audio break up was very irritating. I paused it and hit play, and it didn't help. I changed channels and came back, and it didn't help. Diana, have you any idea why the audio breakup is getting so bad? Do I need to replace my DVR?

Mark

Originally posted by IrmoGamecoq
I got this occasionally while watching AI last night as well, on an 8000HD. But it was only every few minutes or so, not constantly.

It's become so commonplace with HD content (both recordings and live), that I guess I just overlook it now. Kinda like static or snow on the old sets, you just get used to it.

It does *seem* like it's more prevalent on the network HD channels (ABC and Fox in particular) than the others though.


Thank You,

That artifact happened for less than a second. I originally thought they were from the network, but last night I watched AI "live" on my set with a internal HD tuner. Absolutely no glitches at all. I later watched my recording from the 8300 on my other set and experienced the same type of artifacts. My next step is to record AI tonight on both my 8300s and see if they glitch at the same time in the recording. I do not know if the SA software is causing the problems. If the 256 Qam is being overloaded, then I would hope that it is getting addressed.

Originally posted by gravelpup
I agree with that. NBC (sitcoms mostly)* and CBS (CSIs) seem pretty much fine, no trouble at all with the HD Tier channels. ABC (Lost) and Fox (24, House) seem like the worst offenders.



* Maybe I've only ever watched it on my SD set upstairs (while recording 2 other channels downstairs), but is Scrubs not in HD yet? I noticed it was in SD for the first time last night.

SCUBS is shot in 16mm ,and is not in HD. To the defense of TWC, NBC has a lot of local and network problems unrelated to the DVR. (my opinion)

Originally posted by Marky_Mark896
I watched American Idol last night, and the audio break up was very irritating. I paused it and hit play, and it didn't help. I changed channels and came back, and it didn't help. Diana, have you any idea why the audio breakup is getting so bad? Do I need to replace my DVR?

Mark


My audio problems are about 1 second like the video glitches. I do not have extended periods of audio drops.

Hey guys - sorry to be so 'absent' lately. You guys know that you are absolutely my most important customer's however there is just a lot (quite a bit more than usual) going on around here that somehow doesn't have anything to do with HD - go figure.

Anyway, I have put the Engineers on the trail and haven't heard anything yet but will begin pestering them again first thing in the morning.

I do regret the fact that your experience right now is not of the quality it should be.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
I have put the Engineers on the trail and haven't heard anything yet but will begin pestering them again first thing in the morning.

Just make sure you feed them well...BoBiscuits will get you far! :)

Originally posted by kevinivey
Thank You,

That artifact happened for less than a second. I originally thought they were from the network, but last night I watched AI "live" on my set with a internal HD tuner. Absolutely no glitches at all. I later watched my recording from the 8300 on my other set and experienced the same type of artifacts. My next step is to record AI tonight on both my 8300s and see if they glitch at the same time in the recording. I do not know if the SA software is causing the problems. If the 256 Qam is being overloaded, then I would hope that it is getting addressed.

Yes, my breakups appear for less than a second in all cases.

Last night's American Idol (AI) was downright terrible. Towards the end of the broadcast, there was something that resembled static constantly overlaying the audio. Pausing and restarting didn't fix it...eventually it went away and was fine the rest of the 10 minutes or so in the show.

I have gotten so used to the pops and crackles on ABC-HD (Lost) and Fox-HD (AI), that when I watch an HD channel like DiscHD or ESPN-HD, it's a like a blissful breath of fresh air.

Hello everyone I need to ask one quick question. The 8000dvr when I hit pause, stop or any button all I get is a blank screen, I hit play and it does nothing. The only way to get its started again is to change the channel. Do I need anothe box. Thanks Mitch

Originally posted by Mitchell B.
Hello everyone I need to ask one quick question. The 8000dvr when I hit pause, stop or any button all I get is a blank screen, I hit play and it does nothing. The only way to get its started again is to change the channel. Do I need another box. Thanks Mitch
Have you tried a cold reboot to see if that helps? (pull the power plug for 10 sec). That would be my first move before I replaced the box. Doing this appears to clear out corrupted programming held in the box's RAM.

Originally posted by IrmoGamecoq
Yes, my breakups appear for less than a second in all cases.

Last night's American Idol (AI) was downright terrible. Towards the end of the broadcast, there was something that resembled static constantly overlaying the audio.


The audio hiccups were present on both WACH's SD channel 6 and on HD. It may have been coming in the feed to TWC. I didn't check OTA, so I can say for sure.

Diana (or anyone who might know), I've decided to pick up a DVR from TWC. For $5 more a month I'd be crazy not to. Problem is I don't have time during the week to swing by one of the offices because I live and work on the NE side of town, so it would be a long drive down. Anyway, I noticed the Greystone office has hours for Saturday. Is it possible for me to pick up an 8300HD from that location? Do I stand a good chance of them having any there? Is there a way to call ahead to make sure I don't waste the 30 min. drive down there?

I'm tempted to schedule an appt and have them bring one out to me, but then I remembered someone stating that you can't request a particular model STB. They could show up at my door with an 8000HD.

Any help is appreciated.

Hi There,

The 8300 has been available at Greystone. They receive deliveries from the Warehouse 5 days a week (monday through friday) so the chances are pretty good. This office is also open to 8pm on Thursday nights. You cannot call ahead - there are no phones to the front counters - phones go to our Division Call Center who don't have access to front counter stock info.

A Truck Roll provides no guarantee of an 8300 because there is no way to request one via the billing system - 8000 and 8300 are the same converter type and service code.

Thanks Diana. I guess I'll just try my luck on Saturday (tomorrow) and see what happens. Are these 8300HD's a hot commodity, i.e. do you have people requesting these things often? Just trying to gauge the likelyhood of one being there.

You would be surprised at the 'lack of awareness' most HD owners have about the capability. So beyond Forum participants it is not something people generally clammer about.

So, it really depends on how the HD DVR units were stacked in the cabinet. If all the 8300s ended up on the top of the stack for some reason, they might be gone.... or if someone said, ohhhh the silver one's are prettier! can I have one of those?

:) That's what I figured. The general public aren't HD-nuts like most of us on this forum are. Most people aren't in the know and wouldn't have a clue about the different models. Heck most people don't even know about HD yet. Thanks for the insight... I think I'll try my luck tomorrow.

===Local Stations owned by Emmis wont allow on Cable Update=====

The Cox cable regional manager meet in Omaha with a Emmis Manager.

Emmis is still demanding to be paid for there over the air signal that is free.
Emmis is also still planning on dropping to 480P and starting there new USDTV cable tv over the air pay service.

http://www.usdtv.com/

In the meeting the Emmis manager said that ALL station managers will be meeting in March to talk about the HD on Cable issue.

Folks, your Emails to the stations are working keep emailing and calling your Emmis station.

Originally posted by usace
:) That's what I figured. The general public aren't HD-nuts like most of us on this forum are. Most people aren't in the know and wouldn't have a clue about the different models. Heck most people don't even know about HD yet. Thanks for the insight... I think I'll try my luck tomorrow.
Well, good luck. I've been trying to get one at the Greystone location for 3 weeks now. Granted I'm not going down there every day, but still. My buddy went down the day before me and got the last one last week. :mad: Oh, and it was his first try.

My wife is going there right now. I'll let you know and maybe save you a trip.

usace, you are going to hate me, my wife just got the last 8300 at the Greystone location. Sorry.

Uh, yeah, and USDTV is nearly tanking...

I came home and connected by 8300HD box today. Picture looks great and everything seemed to work just fine, until I lost digital audio. I had the audio connected with a digital coax cable, so I hooked up and optical cable and it didn’t make any difference. If I change to an analog channel I have audio or if I change the audio setting on the box from Dolby Digital to Other I get audio (but no DD5.1). If I shut the box off and turn it on, I get sound again, but I lose it once I start changing channels. I did not stop on a channel and see if the sound would drop out after time.

Is this a common problem or do I need to swap out this box?

I wanted to use the 8300 in the home theater room, but I may have to put it downstairs and swap a 3100 to 3250 for the HT. Are there any digital audio issues with the 3250?

Thanks.

Does anyone have these channels? Do they come in clear? Do you ever notice pixellation while watching these two channels? I've had problems for over a month with these channels. I have two 8300's and they both have the same problem. I will most likely need to call a CSR and have a rep come out and check my setup. My S/N level is 36db-39db.

I have never had a problem with these channels and they look awesome on my 8300.

I thought it was at my end. Mostly likely a hub issue in my area. I have called to setup a service call. I should had called when this first occurred. I just figured it was a network issue and it would correct itself, but that does not appear to be my current situation.

Dolby digital output from both my dvrs has stopped. I can switch them to pcm, and they will output through the digital output. Does anyone else have this problem?


Edit: both boxes were rebooted, both came back up in stuttering dolby digital output. Changed channels ,and then came back to the stuttering channel. Now, all is ok. Very strange day in my West Cola/ Lexington area.

No problem here with HD or Dolby Digital and the NASCAR race on TWC WFXB FOX channel 820 8300 DVR.

Originally posted by maurerrm
usace, you are going to hate me, my wife just got the last 8300 at the Greystone location. Sorry.

LOL, so you're the one!? ;) I logged on here to say I had been unsuccessful picking up an 8300HD from the greystone location on saturday morning. The woman at the counter said I should have called ahead to check instead of wasting my time, to which I replied "I was told there wasn't a way to do that." She said she was sorry, but someone had misinformed me. She said to just call and ask someone to check the front counter.

It was a waste of time, but I learned that they will check the front counter if you call ahead.

I'll just have my wife pick one up this week during her lunch break since she works downtown.

Originally posted by usace
LOL, so you're the one!? ;) The woman at the counter said I should have called ahead to check instead of wasting my time, to which I replied "I was told there wasn't a way to do that." She said she was sorry, but someone had misinformed me. She said to just call and ask someone to check the front counter.

It was a waste of time, but I learned that they will check the front counter if you call ahead.


That may be the 'unofficial' activity at the Greystone location. But the general rule is they are not supposed to leave the call center to go to the front counter and if the call volume is heavy I'm sure that you will probably get the answer that they can't do that. If you are trying to go to another location they would not be able to physically do that.

That's what I figured, but she said that "most of the time" they'll run out to the counter and check inventory if you ask them to. I'm not really upset because I knew I was taking a risk, but am a bit dissapointed that there isn't a better system in place.

It just puzzles me that someone has to go through this much trouble to get the box they want. It would be so nice to just make an appt and have someone bring it out to me. If only you could specify on the service ticket the model you wanted. I'm surprised there isn't a comments/notes section on one of these tickets where a telephone rep could make the comment "customer requests model 8300HD" or something similar for the technician.

Originally posted by usace
If only you could specify on the service ticket the model you wanted. I'm surprised there isn't a comments/notes section on one of these tickets where a telephone rep could make the comment "customer requests model 8300HD" or something similar for the technician.

I JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND SCREAMED FOR THAT!

I was outvoted.

Customer comment section of billing system, doesn't print on the Work Order the Tech see's. Plus since the models aren't separate in the billing system, the warehouse doesn't see them any different when the Tech picks up his weekly stock.... etc, its a vicious cycle.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
I JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND SCREAMED FOR THAT!

LOL, at least you tried. If only a few more people down there had had some common sense like you.

I never had a problem getting any model of HD box at the West Columbia location. I also never had to stand in line at that location.

Well, I'm surprised that noone commented on the fact the WOLO switched to SD at 11pm during Oscars and back to HD at 11:25pm. The guide indicated Oscars to finish at 11:30pm.

I did in the HD programming Forum.


Note: American Idol is not flagged as first run for Today or Tommorrow.

Originally posted by usace
If only a few more people down there had had some common sense like you.

Depends on your common sense. For the Billing System Department and Finance Group, maintaining the same model type for the HD DVR was the only thing that made sense.

Originally posted by usace
LOL, so you're the one!? ;) I logged on here to say I had been unsuccessful picking up an 8300HD from the greystone location on saturday morning. The woman at the counter said I should have called ahead to check instead of wasting my time, to which I replied "I was told there wasn't a way to do that." She said she was sorry, but someone had misinformed me. She said to just call and ask someone to check the front counter.
My wife called ahead of time, the person checked for her and told her they were out of 8300's. I told my wife that they can not tell that from the call center, but she told me the person put her on hold for 5 minutes while she checked. I asked for my wife to drive over and check anyway and they had one box left. So I don't know. :confused:

This box is going back anyway because I keep losing digital audio.

Originally posted by maurerrm
My wife called ahead of time, the person checked for her and told her they were out of 8300's. I told my wife that they can not tell that from the call center, but she told me the person put her on hold for 5 minutes while she checked. I asked for my wife to drive over and check anyway and they had one box left. So I don't know. :confused:

This box is going back anyway because I keep losing digital audio.

Uh-oh. My wife is going over during lunch to see if they have one. Hopefully they have enough common sense not to put yours back on the shelf if it's not working correctly. THat is if you're doing this sometime this morning.

Last night's and Monday's AI were much better from an audio standpoint. There were still a few hiccups here and there, but not as bad as the previous week(s).

I've been having a really rough go of it with trying to get an 8300HD from TWC, and I realize this thread isn't for expressing your displeasure with your cable company, but I wanted to share my experience so others can learn something and hopefully be a little more successful than I have been.

After asking my wife to use her lunch hour yesterday to try the greystone office I decided I would call ahead and ask a cust. serv. rep. to check on the inventory first. She had no problem checking for me, but eventually came back and told me they didn't have any, but they would be getting some today. I told my wife to hold off on going until today.

My wife ended up with a few hours off from work this morning so after I read here that the 5 pts. office stocks these units too she said she wouldn't mind trying them before she went in to work. After arriving there they tell her they "rarely" have any 8300's in stock at that location and that most of them were reserved for the trucks. Hmmmm. OK, whatever.

She still has some time before work so she decides to just head over to greystone to try there again....without calling ahead. When she arrives the man at the counter tells her they don't have any and that she should have come by yesterday because they had "plenty" of them! What? Hmmm, I was told they didn't have any, and if they had "plenty" of them then how are these things flying off the shelves so quickly? He procedes to tell her that they usually give the 8300's to new customers. Not sure what to make of that other than that older customers are just out of luck. He then explains that most of the 8300's are put on the service trucks when they come in.

He goes on to say that the 8000's are really very similar and the only difference is the lack of HDMI support, but only because it's switched off on the 8000. In the HDTV Hardware section of this board there are pages of information about the two boxes and most people agree that the 8300 is a better box, whether it provides a better picture, faster processor, smoother operating, fewer bugs/glitches, etc. Does this guy honestly think SA would build a new box with a new model number with different dimensions, but have them work identically? My wife is a lot less patient than I am and explains that this is the 2nd time she's been to this office for this cable box, and she just came from the 5 pts location. She finally just asks what the best way to get one is. His response was to call and have one delivered! Hmmm... somehow I doubt that.

As my wife turned to walk out the door she noticed the big screen tv sitting in the lobby (being used as a display) had a box sitting on top. She walked over and noticed it was an 8300 and asked the man if she could simply take that one because what could they possibly need a DVR for on a tv which was set up just for display? They could hook up the 3250HD she brought in to show off HD content if they wanted to. His response was that the people at the counter used it to record shows during their lunch hour! What?! Trying to remain calm she asked if there was any way for them to just use an 8000 instead and give her the 8300. I mean, if this guy claims there isn't much difference in the two then why not? He chuckled and said no, and told her they wouldn't want to give out a display unit. Why not? The two boxes I have at home now were previously used before being given to me anyway. The laughing didn't really help calm my wife either.

So, she walks out the front door and sitting there in front of her are several trucks, which she said looked like they were preparing to be deployed for the day for service work. She turns and walks back in and asks if there might be any of the boxes on one of these trucks, and if so would it be possible to get one. He again laughs at her and says yes, there are some on the trucks, but no, she couldn't have one. Why?! Talk about good customer service. Why not just do it for this woman who is obviously angry at this point? He finally just takes her phone number and tells her he will save one when they come in and phone her.

Now I'm sure some of you are thinking, what's the big deal? Just take the 8000 home and forget about it. And in the grand scheme of life it's not that important, but if a better model can be had at the same price then why not get the better model? If I'm payng as much as the next guy then I deserve to have the latest and greatest too. Again, I apologize if this doesn't belong here. Just hoping some of you read this and do things differently so you don't have the same thing happen to you.

Your post might not be relevant to others, but I will take it directly downstairs and speak to the front counter reps about it. If by change your wife caught the name of the male counter rep that would be beneficial. If so, could you PM me with it.

I apologize for her experience - most of the information she was told is simply not correct and I will do my best to correct it.

Wow, you're having a rough time. I have an 8000HD and it works flawlessly (knock on wood, please dont break down tonite :) ). Personally I wouldnt want an 8300, go back and read the last 5-10 pages of posts. There are people who are complaining about video defects in the HD recordings, people getting audio dropouts and other assorted problems. I'm totally happy with my "inferior" 8000. But good luck in your effort to get an 8300.

Yeah, I agree with D-rock. The 8300 doesn't sound like the bugs are any better, and most people I've heard said the hdmi output is inferior to the component. So I'll just stick with my 8000. It is working pretty well.

Diana, it's so nice having you here, and thanks for being so responsive to usace's problem.

Mark

I've pm'ed Diana about this because I feel like it's not really appropriate for this thread. But I too want to thank Diana for being so responsive to our needs. It is really nice having her input here.

I have found standard definition to be much better on the 8300. I also like resolution passthrough. Also, S-video out so I can do split screen with another source.

Originally posted by usace
I've pm'ed Diana about this because I feel like it's not really appropriate for this thread. But I too want to thank Diana for being so responsive to our needs. It is really nice having her input here.

Perhaps not appropriate, but an enjoyable read nonetheless. I've encountered similar customer service (certainly not only at TWC), so it's good to hear I'm not alone.

I will say that most of my experience with TWC customer service has been good, but I've had a few of those days when dealing with the Greystone Front Office too. Glad to see Diana on top of it though.

Btw, with all the problems posted on this forum, it seems the only advantage the 8300 has over the 8000 is a slightly smaller footprint. That, and the fact I have TOO much stuff on it that I haven't watched yet, I think I'll stick with my 8000 too. :)

P.S. Last night's Lost on ABC-HD was nigh flawless.

Originally posted by Gary J
Also, S-video out so I can do split screen with another source.

The S-Video out on the 8300 is independant of the box's tuner?

Originally posted by IrmoGamecoq
The S-Video out on the 8300 is independant of the box's tuner?
No. I put whatever channel the 8300 is tuned to on one side of my split screen and whatever the satellite receiver is tuned to on the other side.

well, my wife was able to finally get an 8300 last night from the greystone office. We watched Lost and American Idol last night and everything worked flawlessly. Picture quality was excellent - no pixellation to speak of. And there were no audio dropouts in the couple of hours we watched tv. As a test I recorded both programs and will probably skim through them to check the audio and video quality of the recordings.

So far, so good. And a big thumbs up for the 8300 from me.

The other huge advantage of the SA8300 is the automatic conversion bewteen SD/HD picture formats. It was a hassle to constantly have to manually change the settings with the SA8000 - I would recommend the new box solely due to this fact.

And to get all this 8300 goodness, I have to disconnect my 8000, truck it to a TWC location, and HOPE an 8300 is available to take home?

<groan>...

The plot thickens on my audio drop-out problem. I went to TW and upgraded my 3100 to a 3250 box. I went home to do an A/B comparison between the 3250 and 8300. I connected the 3250, changed the channels and I lost the digital audio. I also get a small “pop” through my speakers when I change the channels. I had the 3100 connected to my home theater since August of last year and I never had any problems. For whatever reason my system does not like the 3250 or 8300. I’ll have to call TW and see what they say.

I fear I’ll have to go back to the 3100 for upstairs and put the 8300 downstairs (audio is through the TV so I don’t have to worry about digital audio).

Usace, I’m glad you finally got your 8300.

Originally posted by maurerrm
The plot thickens on my audio drop-out problem. I went to TW and upgraded my 3100 to a 3250 box. I went home to do an A/B comparison between the 3250 and 8300. I connected the 3250, changed the channels and I lost the digital audio. I also get a small “pop” through my speakers when I change the channels. I had the 3100 connected to my home theater since August of last year and I never had any problems. For whatever reason my system does not like the 3250 or 8300. I’ll have to call TW and see what they say.

I fear I’ll have to go back to the 3100 for upstairs and put the 8300 downstairs (audio is through the TV so I don’t have to worry about digital audio).

Usace, I’m glad you finally got your 8300.

When I first had HD cable installed they gave me a 3100 which I had hooked to a panasonic HTIB for audio. I never had any problems with the audio with this set up. I upgraded to a 3250 because it had a DVI port which I wanted to try out. When I hooked this to my audio system I had some problems. Every time I turned it on it would take a long time for the audio to come through... sometimes a minute or two. On the front display of my receiver the lights for dolby pro logic and dolby digital would toggle back and forth quickly until the sound came on. It was like the receiver was having trouble deciding what type of signal it was receiving and switching modes back and forth trying to get in sync. A few months later I upgraded my audio equipment to an onkyo receiver. After that the audio worked fine, and still works great now after installing an 8300.

Not sure if this is relevent to your set up, but it seemed like my problems went away after switching audio components. So, you may be right about your system not liking the 3250 or 8300.

I have an Onkyo receiver also and have had a 3250 and currently an 8000 hooked to it using the digital coax cable and have never had any problems like those. It sounds like it may be the receiver.

Yes, the resolution passthrough feature is nice. When switching from a 3250 to an 8000 that was the first thing I noticed missing.

I don't use the different setting, I just send all signals to my TV at 1080i from my 8000, but can't you turn on all resolutions in the resolution setup so that it will send each signal in it's true form?

Mark

Ok, I answered my own question. I turned on all resolutions (480i, 720p, 1080i) and found out that you have to select them each time you want to change to a different one manually. My picture looks better at 1080i even for SD though, so I'll just leave mine at 1080i...

Mark

Originally posted by Marky_Mark896
Ok, I answered my own question. I turned on all resolutions (480i, 720p, 1080i) and found out that you have to select them each time you want to change to a different one manually. My picture looks better at 1080i even for SD though, so I'll just leave mine at 1080i...


That's what I did too. I'm not sure I understand the advantage of the 8300 that's described above earlier.

Hmm. Up to this point I assumed (yes, I know :p) it was the cable box because I have fairly decent audio/video equipment. After a quick search I found a few people with the same problems. All of us have the same cable box and a B&K pre/pro. So I’m no closer to a solution (B&K upgrades don't seem to work), but at least I know I don’t have to call Time Warner again.

I've never had the 8000, only the 8300. So, I can't compare the two. But from what Marky_Mark896 stated on the 8000 it seems you have to manually select which resolution you want the box to output to your display. The 8300 sets it automatically, i.e. when on ESPNHD 720p is output from the box then you switch over to DiscoveryHD and the box outputs 1080i.

But again, I've never used the 8000, so I don't know if this is how it works.

Originally posted by maurerrm
My buddy went down the day before me and got the last one last week. :mad: Oh, and it was his first try.

Heh...that was me!! I didn't even plan on getting one and got one the first time :) I went with a friend who was swapping out their standard box for a standard DVR and I just asked if they had any. Sure enough they had one 8300HD in....so doing the smart thing I grabbed it while the grabbing was good.

Tom

Title says it all. OTA is ok.

Originally posted by kevinivey
Title says it all. OTA is ok.
WLTX Ch 810 and 811 are both off TWC here as well. As I was checking it out a few minutes after 10pm my box did a spontaneous reboot. Came back a few minutes late and nada (black screen; no audio). WLTX-DT's OTA signal is fine here too.

810 is on here.

Hey, at least I can watch the ota feed without any HD DVR glitches.

Thanks, Bruce .

Didn't notice the loss of 810 or 811 last night (didn't check those channels), but American Idol had the annoying audio dropouts again last night. Anybody else notice this?

We DVR'ed American Idol last night and will probably watch it tonight. I'll let you know if there are any problems in the playback. But in the week I've had the DVR I have had no dropouts.

Originally posted by IrmoGamecoq
Didn't notice the loss of 810 or 811 last night (didn't check those channels), but American Idol had the annoying audio dropouts again last night. Anybody else notice this?

Absolutely, same ole crap. Cardcard HD DVR can't come soon enough.

Originally posted by usace
We DVR'ed American Idol last night and will probably watch it tonight. I'll let you know if there are any problems in the playback. But in the week I've had the DVR I have had no dropouts.


How full is your harddrive? Over 45%, expect problems.

no audio dropouts or video artifacts on AI or 24 here on an 8000HD last night, and mine has been around 70% full lately.

i am, however, seeing some spontaneous deletions from my recorded list. i had a program from Ovation in february that's disappeared, and i recorded carnivale from HBO-HD sunday night and that has disappeared too.

a couple of weeks ago i was watching something late at night when my DVR froze. i rebooted it but the program i was watching had been deleted and the DVR kept rebooting itself. maybe it's related to that.

Originally posted by kevinivey
How full is your harddrive? Over 45%, expect problems.

Hmmm, that's new to me. Mine is probably between 70-80% full, so that might explain it.

Originally posted by kevinivey
How full is your harddrive? Over 45%, expect problems.
You guys talking about the 8300HD DVR?

I don't know why it would be a problem. One sector is like another and fragmentation is not an issue. How about some technical explanation for that claim?

Originally posted by kevinivey
How full is your harddrive? Over 45%, expect problems.

Only about 15% right now. Have only had it a week.

Originally posted by Gary J
I don't know why it would be a problem. One sector is like another and fragmentation is not an issue. How about some technical explanation for that claim?

2 8300HD dvr=less than 40% of full disc, no artifacts or drops

2 8300HD dvr= plus 40%of full disc, artifacts and drops.

I have had a 8300Hd since last March. I had no real issues until the end of November.

I am not sure what you are saying there but if it is personal experience it is too small a sample to be statistically significant.

Gary, I am glad your cable box works for you.

Good news it would appear; we have Ch 810/WLTX-DT back on TWC tonight.

Originally posted by kevinivey
I have had a 8300Hd since last March. I had no real issues until the end of November.

Did TWCSC even have any HD DVR's out last march let alone the 8300??

I'll take that one - Kevin was kind enough to beta a specific model 8300 for us since last March. It is a prototype of sorts and not exactly the same model that consumers receive over the counter today.

I'm sure this has already been thought of by you and Kevin, but the cause of his DVR problems may be stemming from the fact that he's got a different 8300 than the rest of us.

That has been considered, but unfortunately audio dropouts are impacting other units beyond the prototype Kevin has. My Engineers are aware of all these facts and still trying to figure this issue out.

At most, right now it may turn out that his earlier model is exacerbating the issue for him....

Glad to hear it's being addressed.

FWIW, we watched American Idol last night via the analog output and didn't notice any "drops." Perhaps, since it wasn't a digital output, the drops manifested themselves as "static" that we just overlooked, but I can't be sure.

That has been considered, but unfortunately audio dropouts are impacting other units beyond the prototype Kevin has. My Engineers are aware of all these facts and still trying to figure this issue out.

Diana:

Must be an individual unit issue - i've had the SA8300 for several months with extremely infrequent digital audio dropouts. Have to say that the performance of the new box is considerably better than the SA8000 [at least in my particular case]. The earlier model's DVR playback was often unbearable to watch - even after repeatedly rebooting.

Well, unfortunately there are others beyond this one unit that do have some issues - because I would love to blaime it on one particular unit more than anything - check / done! But as I said earlier, this particular unit may be much more sensitive to whatever is impacting the entire system.

We will keep after it until everyone is uneffected.

The dropouts experienced during Idol on Ch. 820 could be heard over the analog outputs also. I've a SA 3250HD, so I don't think the problem is entrely unique to the DVR STBs.

Watched AI ota with no problems. Checked both DVR recordings and both boxes had the same artifacts. Video shifts, audio, and video staggers. However, last night recordings seemed to better than normal.

These type problems did not exist when my beta box was installed. The dvr on my secondary set is brand new and has 75% of free space.

I even saw artifacts this past Monday on a analog (ch.9) recording of CSI. I have had HD from TWC for a long time, and this is different than anything I have seen in the past.

I suspect that here lately I have become so used to artifacts (audio and video) that they have to be really bad for me to notice or evem comment on. I do suspect though that my 8000HD DVR is not acting up like the 8300 models seem to be. Now I did notice a bunch of problems last night last night on Ch 810 (during NCIS if I recall correctly); major freezing. pixelization and blanking. But I checked the OTA signal and it was the same.

Originally posted by kevinivey
Checked both DVR recordings and both boxes had the same artifacts.

The dvr on my secondary set is brand new and has 75% of free space.

Seems to contradict the 45% speculation.

You are correct, and suspect that I really do not know what the problem is.

Originally posted by kevinivey
You are correct, and suspect that I really do not know what the problem is. Have you looked at signal strength? Both too little and too much can be a problem.

Looks like Wltx-DT decided not to do HD tonight.

Hey Guys - I want you to know that we really do appreciate this detailed input. The engineers are receiving all the info and they are working very hard to clear up all these issues. We will do everything possible to resolve the issues as soon as possible.

Now - I'm headed into a couple of meetings, then to the airport. Four day weekend in Chicago for the Big Ten Tournament - no email, no internet - just Basketball (Chicago Blues, Deep Dish and fun as well). So, you know the drill - if you have an issue please call Customer Service at 866-892-7201. I'll be back in the office Tuesday (but locked away doing month end reports for most of the day)

Go Illini and Have a Great Weekend.

Have a good trip; enjoy the Pizza! If we have problems no doubt we will post them here just so you can see what went on during your absence!

:)

FYI - Not only audio dropouts, but video "skips" were present during the Star Wars Episode III preview on Fox-HD last night. The preview wasn't in HD, btw, but that's where I recorded it.

With AI, and now this preview, it seems Fox-HD is where I'm seeing the dropouts the most. Lost on ABC-HD has been okay lately, and I never see the dropouts on Survivor on CBS-HD, though it's not an HD show.

A nice little nugget for March Madness viewers from WLTX courtesy of The State's website - 39 tourney games to be broadcast in HD.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/11106293.htm

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
Now - I'm headed into a couple of meetings, then to the airport. Four day weekend in Chicago for the Big Ten Tournament - no email, no internet - just Basketball (Chicago Blues, Deep Dish and fun as well). So, you know the drill - if you have an issue please call Customer Service at 866-892-7201. I'll be back in the office Tuesday (but locked away doing month end reports for most of the day)

Go Illini and Have a Great Weekend.
Diana, are you a Big Ten graduate? Penn State, BSME, 1992, right here. Of course Penn State didn't join the Big Ten until after I graduated, but who's counting. :D

OT: Not HD, but has anyone on TWC in Columbia heard that we can get CSS for $6.95/month ?? They had the USC Clemson game today and have the one tomorrow also.

-- Cain

CSS is not available at any price on any Time Warner Cable system.


CSTV is available on the Digital Sports tier. ESPNU will most likely be carrying the USC spring game, and also not available on TWC. It is only available on DirecTV and Aldelphia Cable

Did anyone on TWC have trouble with ESPNHD (ch 950) over the weekend? All I got was a blank screen on Saturday afternoon... and the same thing Sunday afternoon. Standard Def ESPN (ch 26) was working fine. Those were the only times I tried the HD channel over the weekend. It may be working now, but haven't tried it yet today. I'm using a 8300HD.

Originally posted by maurerrm
Diana, are you a Big Ten graduate? Penn State, BSME, 1992, right here. Of course Penn State didn't join the Big Ten until after I graduated, but who's counting. :D

I'm from PA and a big PSU fan. Glad to see there are others in the area. (and a Mech. E. too! :cool: ) Most people down here think I'm crazy for flying my PSU flag during football season. They all want to know what a Nittany Lion is.

Originally posted by usace
Did anyone on TWC have trouble with ESPNHD (ch 950) over the weekend? All I got was a blank screen on Saturday afternoon... and the same thing Sunday afternoon. Standard Def ESPN (ch 26) was working fine. Those were the only times I tried the HD channel over the weekend. It may be working now, but haven't tried it yet today. I'm using a 8300HD.
ESPN did not have the rights to the ACC basketball tournament locally.

Thanks for the reply. I wonder why I was able to tune into analog ESPN, though. I guess I'm not putting two and two together on this.

Either way, I tried ESPNHD when I was home during my lunch break and it worked fine.

Originally posted by usace
Thanks for the reply. I wonder why I was able to tune into analog ESPN, though. I guess I'm not putting two and two together on this.

Either way, I tried ESPNHD when I was home during my lunch break and it worked fine.
Channel 26 is ESPN2 .

Originally posted by Gary J
Channel 26 is ESPN2 .

not in my area. ch 26 is ESPN. ch 27 is ESPN2

Originally posted by usace
not in my area. ch 26 is ESPN. ch 27 is ESPN2 Then was the ACC basketball tournament on channel 26?

I don't remember. I didn't want to watch college basketball. I was flipping and when ESPNHD wouldn't come in I switched to analog ESPN to make sure it was working. I do remember it was college basketball on both times I tried ESPNHD

Then the answer remains - ESPN did not have the rights to the ACC basketball tournament locally.

What Gary is saying is correct, the games were blocked out on ESPN-HD due to local carriage, which is why you saw black.

Las Vegas: Pbms on WIS-DT Tonight?

Periodic freeze and breakup here via TWC on ch 805. Anyone else having same problem?

Tnx,

Mike

Yes, I saw it too; lots of pixelization. I switched over to the OTA signal which was fine. I have not gone back to see if TWC remained problematic or not.

Strangely "Las Vegas" was good in my area, but "Boston Legal" from Sunday was a mess. Lots of microblocks, video swirls,video shifts, and audio staggers.

I gave my recording of Las Vegas a quick check and the freezing/pixelization must have ended right about the time I switched over to OTA (about 8-10 min into the program). The last 45 minutes or so seemed fine.

What is the best settings to use on the 8300. I have it set on 480i and 1080i, but it seems to be cutting the heads off the people. Thanks for any help. Mitch

I have it set for 720p and 1080i passthrough. Seems to be better for analog. Hit the # key until you have the zoom set correctly.

Can someone verify that the two INHD channels are still on the air in Columbia. I get no signal at all for these two channels.

Originally posted by kevinivey
Can someone verify that the two INHD channels are still on the air in Columbia. I get no signal at all for these two channels.
Kevin, as of this hour I am getting both IHND channels just fine here in Sumter.

I dont know about this morning, I'm at work now, but they came in fine last night here in Columbia at my place.

Originally posted by Gary J
Channel 26 is ESPN2 .

26 is ESPN in Columbia DMA and as of April 5th Summerville.

It is not very often that analog channels are 'currently' on the same channel in Columbia DMA and FMB DMA.

Good Morning,

As in past years, we will provide customer's who have Digital Cable in the Columbia DMA with additional 'out-of-market' NCAA Basketball games on TW Digital Cable Channels 810, 811 and 812. Channel 810 will still be broadcast in HD, but channels 811 and 812 are Digital (non-HD).

Since this is a single elimination tournament, we are unable to provide a full schedule for this weekend at this time. Below you will find the schedule for Thursday. As soon as WLTX gets me the schedule for Friday, I will get it out (this should occur today). But we will not have the Saturday schedule until Friday Afternoon and we will not have the Sunday schedule until Saturday afternoon. As soon as we get it though, I will send it out to you.

Thursday and Friday games will be listed on the IPG, but Saturday and Sunday will be listed as "Teams TBD".

Analog Channel 9
12:20 - Kentucky/E. Kentucky
2:45 - Boston College/Penn
7:25 - Gonzaga/Winthrop
9:40 - LSU/UAB

HD Channel 810
12:45 - Oklahoma/Niagara
3:05 - Utah/UTEP
7:10 - Wake Forest/Chattanooga
9:45 - Texas Tech/UCLA

Digital Channel 811
12:40 - Pacific/Pittsburgh
3:00 - Washington/Montana
7:20 - Arizona/Utah State
9:30 - West VA / Creighton

Digital Channel 812
12:25 - Alabama/Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2:40 - Cincinnati/Iowa
7:10 - Texas/Nevada
9:30 - Illinois / Fairleigh-Dickenson

Yes, very proud graduate of The University of Illinois MA ACES '90 and President of the Columbia Illini Club.

Love the Big Ten - the Tournament was GREAT - I have some lovely new orange apparel (that's my issue down here, people just assume Orange is Clemson.. even people who have known me for years and should know better) - Stuffed, Deep Dish Pizza while listening to jazz and watching the snow is soooo wonderful - Chicago is my favorite city (and they provided free bus shuttles too and from United Center and downtown, very cool!) ....

too bad Comcast has Chicago not TWC!

AI was remarkably free of audio drop-outs and video break-ups last night. Good work!

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
too bad Comcast has Chicago not TWC!

too bad TiVo signed a deal with Comcast and not TWC.

i share your love for the city of chicago...

Friday's Games for the Columbia DMA

Analog Channel 9
12:25 - Florida / Ohio University
2:50 - UNC / Oakland
7:25 - Duke / Delaware State
9:30 - Georgia Tech/George Washington

HD Channel 810
12:15 - Charlotte / NC State
2:35 - UCONN / Central Florida
7:10 - Syracuse / Vermont
9:50 - MSU / Old Dominion

Digital Channel 811
12:30 - Minnesota / Iowa State
2:45 - Villanova / New Mexico
7:10 - Louisville / Louisiana LA
9:45 - Stanford / Mississippi State

Digital Channel 812
12:30 - Oklahoma St / SE Louisiana
2:50 - Southern Illinois / St. Mary's
7:20 - Wisconsin / N. Iowa
9:40 - Kansas / Bucknell

Originally posted by IrmoGamecoq
AI was remarkably free of audio drop-outs and video break-ups last night. Good work!

3 brief audio drops here, and the video here was glitch free but, "House" afterwards had video issues.

BTW, the Wach News at 10 still looks terriable on TWC CH 820.

Still can't get INHD, and I will try to have TWC come out and see why this consistently happens to me.

Originally posted by kevinivey
3 brief audio drops here, and the video here was glitch free but, "House" afterwards had video issues.



Yeah, I thought about my post about the previous night (3/15) when we were watching AI last night (3/16), because I noticed the audio drops too. Ah well, can't be perfect, I guess.

no audio dropouts or video glitches on AI, House or Boston Legal here this week (8000HD). Medium is the only show that was pretty glitchy.

How does the Tournament look? The three channels look to holding up pretty well. Let me know what you guys think.

Saturday's Games for the Columbia DMA

Analog Channel 9
1:10 - Gonzaga / Texas Tech
3:40 - Oklahoma / Utah
5:40 - Illinois / Nevada
8:00 - Wake Forest / W. Virginia

HD Channel 810
1:10 - Gonzaga / Texas Tech
3:40 - Oklahoma / Utah
5:30 - Boston College / UW Milwaukee
8:00 - Wake Forest / W. Virginia

Digital Channel 811
1:10 - Gonzaga / Texas Tech
3:20 - Washington / Pacific
5:30 - Boston College / UW Milwaukee
8:00 - Wake Forest / W. Virginia

Digital Channel 812
1:10 - Gonzaga / Texas Tech
3:40 - Oklahoma / Utah
5:50 - Arizona / UAB
8:10 - Kentucky / Cincinnati

Hi Diana-

Can you post here, or direct me to a web site, that will list what March Madness games will be available on the Andrews/G'town TWC system? (WCSC-DT and/or other coverage.) I have a neighbor who is dying to see Syracuse play but I can't find out if it is being covered by CBS anywhere...

Tnx,

Mike

We don't have an extended deal with WCSC to carry the additional games, so your are just gets the primary CBS feed.

I do not have the list of games for WCSC, but I would imagine they are the same as Columbia WLTX (Analog Channel 9 in posting above), so your neighbor is probably out of luck. Have him check out CSTV.com they have streaming On Demand coverage of all games for a subscription rate.

Did anyone else watch the Nascar Qualifying on the Speed channel (#151) last night?

If so, was the video and audio really bad with alot of popping and jumping? I recorded it and the playback was horrible.

I have noticed this alot on the Speed Channel both live and recorded. Is there anyway to check into this Diana?

Thanks for the help.

Originally posted by Nucleartiger
Did anyone else watch the Nascar Qualifying on the Speed channel (#151) last night?

If so, was the video and audio really bad with alot of popping and jumping? I recorded it and the playback was horrible.

I have noticed this alot on the Speed Channel both live and recorded. Is there anyway to check into this Diana?

Thanks for the help.

I'll forward your info to the engineers and ask them about it Monday.

Sunday's Games for the Columbia DMA

Analog Channel 9
12:10 - UCONN / NC State
2:30 - UNC / Iowa State
5:00 - Duke / Mississippi State

HD Channel 810
12:10 - UCONN / NC State
2:40 Vermont / Michigan State
4:45 Louisville / Georgia Tech

Digital Channel 811
12:10 - UCONN / NC State
2:15 Florida / Villanova
4:45 Louisville / Georgia Tech

Digital Channel 812
12:10 - UCONN / NC State
2:20 - Oklahoma State / Southern Illinois
4:50 - Wisconsin / Bucknell
8:10 - Kentucky / Cincinnati

Thursday's Games for the Columbia DMA

Analog Channel 9
7:27 - Illinois / Wisconsin - Milwaukee
9:40 - Texas Tech / West Virginia

HD Channel 810
7:27 - Illinois / Wisconsin - Milwaukee
9:40 - Texas Tech / West Virginia

Digital Channel 811
7:10 - Washington / Louisville
9:40 - Texas Tech / West Virginia

Digital Channel 812
7:27 - Illinois / Wisconsin - Milwaukee
9:57 - Oklahoma State / Arizona

Friday's Games for the Columbia DMA

Analog Channel 9
7:10 - Duke / Michigan State
9:57 - UNC / Villanova

HD Channel 810
7:10 - Duke / Michigan State
9:40 - Kentucky / Utah

Digital Channel 811
7:10 - Duke / Michigan State
9:40 - Kentucky / Utah

Digital Channel 812
7:27 - Wisconsin / NC State
9:57 - UNC / Villanova

Bump.

This has been one of the most active threads in the SE area; you must all be basketball fans and too busy to post!

Mike

American Idol was back to having lots and lots of audio drops and video pixelization again last night.

Lost wasn't too great either.

I saw some last night as well. Same shows. I'm getting so used to it that I hardly ever notice it anymore though. I can miss entire sentences, and it seems normal now. I just imagine what the characters may have said...

Mark

Just read the news about the DVR functionality that TWC is going to be testing with the ondemand service. It's supposed to use central storage instead of a DVR box. How do we request to be put on the testing list? My wife is home with the baby and watches a lot of TV including a lot of ondemand stuff.

Originally posted by Marky_Mark896
I saw some last night as well. Same shows. I'm getting so used to it that I hardly ever notice it anymore though. I can miss entire sentences, and it seems normal now. I just imagine what the characters may have said...

Mark

I know what you mean!

My wife has been asking lately that we go back to just watching these shows in SD, but I've been too stubborn so far. Might have to rethink that.

Originally posted by shahram72
Just read the news about the DVR functionality that TWC is going to be testing with the ondemand service. It's supposed to use central storage instead of a DVR box. How do we request to be put on the testing list? My wife is home with the baby and watches a lot of TV including a lot of ondemand stuff.

Are you referring to the announcement that Columbia would beta test "Start Over". I guess the cat's out of the bag now that our Corporate Office decided to include our city name in the press release concerning the test, but that's the 'big' ITV stuff I keep telling you guys I have been busy with for the past several months.

If so two things (1) I wouldn't describe Start Over as DVR Functionality with On Demand Service - that sets up an expectation of functionality beyond what this service is going to provide (at least for this test and foreseeable future) and (2) the test will be geographical in nature because equipment is required at the hub.

That's about all I can give you right now. As soon as I can release more info on the ITV application, the service and the test area - I certainly will.

This thread may be of interest: http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/61987

I am particularly concerned about the disabling of fast forward capabilities.

Originally posted by tigers
This thread may be of interest: http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/61987
I am particularly concerned about the disabling of fast forward capabilities.
I think that idea would go over like a lead balloon.

Ok guys - I really can't get into Start Over right now, there will be plenty on it later.... I hope you can hang on to one thing for now though. It is not meant to be a replacement for DVR or On Demand. It is kind of a hybrid between the two and will probably be most popular with that group of digital customers without a DVR and who do not use any of the available Free On Demand channels and especially not any On Demand that requires extra fees.

But, that's not why I came here tonight.

Wanted to let you know I'm driving to St. Louis tomorrow for the Final Four. Plan to be back in the office Wednesday. I won't have email or internet, but I will be wearing Orange for 5 straight days!

If you have a cable issue please call customer service at 866-892-7201.

And Bruce - where the heck have you been - I've missed you!

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
Ok guys - I really can't get into Start Over right now, there will be plenty on it later.... <snip>

Wanted to let you know I'm driving to St. Louis tomorrow for the Final Four. Plan to be back in the office Wednesday. I won't have email or internet, but I will be wearing Orange for 5 straight days!

And Bruce - where the heck have you been - I've missed you!
I've been hiding... :) Been here, been there; done this, done that. And had company to boot! Have not watched much live HD in the last couple of weeks. I am leaving for Florida in a couple of hours via choo choo; be back tomorrow (or Sat) with my truck (it's been vacationing down there for a couple of weeks). :)

Do have a safe trip to St Louis and have FUN!

Thanks for the info Diana, we will await your return so we can get the full inside scoop! And hopefully get to be the guinea pigs as well. If it is what I understand it to be, it will be a great addition to the digital subscriber service. To be able to start a show over that you missed the first 10 minutes of. And if we have to have the commercials, it's ok if I'm not paying extra for it and as long as they are no longer than the normal commercial breaks (probably the same commercials, if I understand how this works). We would have had to sit through the commercials anyway if we were watching live. Plus we all have to remember that it is the commercials that pay for most TV programming, and not our cable bill. Can't wait to have this extra feature.

But of course, what I want most is ondemand PPV HD movies (I'm sure this has been covered in the thread before, but it is way too long to read the whole thing) for the same cost as regular movies. I think there is another carrier elsewhere in the country that has HD PPV movies but they are about $7 I think. I would not be interested in paying that. Right now, I don't buy PPV movies at all, because I'm not happy with the picture quality, DVD's are much better, but with HD, I would buy 2 or 3 a month probably at $4 a pop.

Whoops - Almost Forgot!

Daylight Savings Time Change and Potential Issues for your DVR


Daylight Savings Time takes place Sunday, April 3, 2005 at 2:00am. There are certain recordings that may be negatively impacted by the Daylight Savings Time. Please take note of the following trouble areas:


Scheduled Recordings – Those that you set up through your Interactive Program Guide

1. Scheduled recordings that end within one hour of the time change window (1:59am to 3:00am) may not end correctly.
2. Scheduled recordings that you schedule within one hour of the time change (between 1:00am and 3:00am), including instant recordings, may not schedule correctly.

Manual Recordings – Those you set up through the Preferences screen by manually specifying the channel, the start and stop time. [Press LIST, then the B key, then select “Schedule a new Manual Recording”].

1. Manual recordings that are scheduled for anytime on April 3rd, regardless of whether you schedule the recording before or on April 3rd, will start recording one hour earlier than they should, unless you schedule the recording to start one hour earlier than it appears in the programming grid. Although it may seem like you are scheduling a recording for the wrong program, the program that is scheduled to broadcast one hour later will be recorded.


The company that manufacturers our DRVs is committed to continue to work on eliminating these issues for future time changes.

The 'Cocks win last night looked great in ESPN-HD. No audio drop-outs or video pixelization to speak of. It was blissful.

Hope your team can pull it out too, Diana! My office pool does too! :D

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
Are you referring to the announcement that Columbia would beta test "Start Over". I guess the cat's out of the bag now that our Corporate Office decided to include our city name in the press release concerning the test, but that's the 'big' ITV stuff I keep telling you guys I have been busy with for the past several months.


Here's a link to an article that came out back in december:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000741458

Anyone on TWC experiencing trouble right now with their service? I was just home on my lunch break and couldn't get any channels to tune in... just black screens. FYI, I have a 8300HD box. I unplugged the unit and let it reboot itself. It then displayed the message "Advanced services are not available at this time" I was able to change channels but still only got black screens on everything. The clock never came back up on the units display, and there was no prgramming information along the bottom of the tv.

Anyone else having problems? It reminds me of the outage TWC had a couple months ago.

Correct me if I am wrong, but what exactly does "Start Over" have to do with local HD?

My HD service from TWC has been working great, but last night I tried to watch a movie, "Frank and Jesse", on HDNET Movies and the video and audio breakups and pixelation was so horrible it was totally unwatchable. Did anyone else here happen to try and watch it yesterday evening and have the same problem?

I flipped over to channels 940 and 930 and they seemed fine just 931 was terrible. But that figures, just my luck, the once a month they have a movie on that I want to watch and its unwatchable.

usace - are you still experiencing problems.

kevinivey - not a darn thing really .... I'm just trying to be helpful and answer questions when asked, but I'll try to remember to get it off line.

D-rock0030 - I'll inform the headend of your issue

Everyone - IF the Master's is not rained out today, WLTX will provide The USA Network coverage in HD on Channel 810 from 4-7pm ("IF")

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
D-rock0030 - I'll inform the headend of your issue

Thanks, Diana. Sorry I cant give you any more specifics. The only channel that i consistently watch in the 900's is 950. So I dont know for how long 931 had been acting up or how long it lasted after I changed the channel.

2005 Braves in HD schedule - Available in the Columbia DMA. Summerville and Florence only.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/southcarolina/products/hdtvAvailableChannels.html

Then click the button for special events for the entire schedule.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
2005 Braves in HD schedule - Available in the Columbia DMA. Summerville and Florence only.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/southcarolina/products/hdtvAvailableChannels.html

Then click the button for special events for the entire schedule.

Thank You

Any word on ESPN2 HD ??

Hopefully by the College Baseball World Series ???

Channels 930 and 931 are pixellating in my Lexington area. The strength to my stb on these channels is 36-37db. INHD channels look good.

Originally posted by Cain
Any word on ESPN2 HD ??

Hopefully by the College Baseball World Series ???


Really - cross my heart and hope to die - needles/eyes/everything

I would never forget to tell you something about a new HD channel.

If I haven't said anything, there is nothing to say.

HD NET and NET Movies - just called the Headend again and said STILL an issue.

Columbia DMA Only Programming Information:

As happened yesterday, WLTX will air the USA Network coverage of today's Master's in HD from 4 to 7pm on channel 810. If play is rained out, WLTX will maintain regularly scheduled programming.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
HD NET and NET Movies - just called the Headend again and said STILL an issue.

Thank you

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
Really - cross my heart and hope to die - needles/eyes/everything

I would never forget to tell you something about a new HD channel.

If I haven't said anything, there is nothing to say.

Thank you, I have not been around here in a while, so I was hoping I had missed something.

Take care,

-- Cain

Diana,

I noticed that HDNET is still having major issues? Any idea on when these two channels will be fixed?

Thanks

Kevin

I just left another message on the cell phone voice mail of the Headend Manager.

I also want to indicate the HDnet problem in the near Irmo area.

http://www.universalhd.com/

Since the SciFi Channel is usually grainy, it would be nice to get to watch "Battlestar Galactica" in HD...

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/09/business/media/09cable.html?th&emc=th

Diana: this article from NY Times headlines talks about Voom service being cancelled, but their HD programing being available for purchase by cable systems and sattelite providers. Do you know if TimeWarner is considering purchasing any Voom content?

Originally posted by mikepaul
http://www.universalhd.com/

Since the SciFi Channel is usually grainy, it would be nice to get to watch "Battlestar Galactica" in HD...

Me - we are telling corporate we want a deal to launch this channel.

Originally posted by jdjackson
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/09/business/media/09cable.html?th&emc=th

Diana: this article from NY Times headlines talks about Voom service being cancelled, but their HD programing being available for purchase by cable systems and sattelite providers. Do you know if TimeWarner is considering purchasing any Voom content?

Sorry, I do not know.

I spoke with the Headend Manager this morning - they think they got the HD Net & HD Net Movies issue - you guys still seeing it?

Thank you, Diana, it does appear fixed. Good guys on the head end.

Al

Originally posted by Cain
Any word on ESPN2 HD ??

Hopefully by the College Baseball World Series ???

Here's a tip for good health..... don't hold your breath.

This is probably a stupid question but...

What actually causes the graininess of some channels? Some channels actually look quite good, usually they are digital channels, but some analog channels even look good. What actually causes the channels like sci-fi to look so bad. Is it the signal from the source? Is it a function of being a certain distance from the signal? Bad cabling?

Everyone can laugh now but I am just curious.

If it helps any I have an 8300hd dvr and a 30" Phillips CRT HDTV. I have not used the HDMI connection from the cable box to the TV yet as I have heard that others have had audio problems and I am not keen on spending the exorbitant amount of money for the HDMI cable for audio problems.

Hey Chilley,

Primarily its due to how we receive the feed from the affiliate. Some channels we have on the analog lineup now are actually digital feeds (Look at The History Channel, I am always struck at how good it looks). As more and more services switch over to digital feeds you will see continued improvements on the analog lineup.

American Idol had serious audio dropouts again last night.

Plus, the video seemed to "skip" certain section of the broadcast, anywhere from about a half to a full second each time. Oddly, there wasn't any pixelization that I noticed. Maybe the "skips" replaced it?

The audio dropouts are very, very, very annoying though.

I had major problems with both "Scrubs" broadcasts at 8:30 and 9:00. My DVR recorded them, and they were very pixelated, and seemed to skip whole sections of the show. American Idol seemed ok except for the normal audio dropouts, and House was fine after AI.

Mark

I had problems last night with Scrubs (lots of freezing up and pixellation), and an occasional audio droupout and pixellation during AI. I assumed it was because of the thunderstorms we had last night. I've never seen it that bad before so I figured it wasn't just a coincidence.

This question doesnt really pertain to HDTV. But I saw that CSS is picking up the Clemson/USC baseball game tonight. Is there any chance that TWC is going to get that broadcast as they have done in the past and let us people in Columbia watch that game? I've been calling around to all the sports bars and none of them is able to pick it up on satellite. I swear I wish TWCSC would pick that channel up full time instead of just trying to purchase a couple of events per year. They picked up CSET as soon as they went live and that channel is about worthless.

CSS has not provided us the opportunity to purchase programming from them for (over?) two years.

I read an article in The State paper maybe a month ago, possibly during last months Clemson/USC baseball games, and it had interviews with executives from CSS and from TWC. CSS basically said that their programming was available to TWC anytime they wanted to pick it up full time. TWC pretty much said they werent going to do that but would be interested in picking and choosing what they wanted to purchase. You cant go to NBC, ABC, etc and tell them you want to pick and choose and only pay per the show. Basically thats a la carte programming. And TWC would never offer a la carte to their customers, what makes them so arrogant as to think that they should get that from CSS?? Just pick it up and throw it in the sports tier and let the people who want it pay for it.

Its just pretty annoying to have a perfectly good southern sports channel that mostly specializes in S.C. sports and TWCSC wont even get it.

Originally posted by D-rock0030
CSS basically said that their programming was available to TWC anytime they wanted to pick it up full time.

Just pick it up and throw it in the sports tier and let the people who want it pay for it.



The point not included in the article is CSS won't let us put it on the sports tier and just let customers who want it, pay for it. The deal requires ALL Basic Cable customers to pay for an expensive regional sports network whether they are interested in it or not.

We continue to ask Corporate Programming to work on this negotiation, unfortunately it is really only applicable to the South Carolina and Memphis Divisions because it is primarily SEC programming. And Memphis is apparently too far from University of Tennessee to get the same kind of customer requests that we do - so, they do not apply the same pressure to Corporate.

AI looked and sounded great OTA last night.


The last time TWC broadcasted a CSS game it looked about as good as channel 2 or 12. Very poor video, and with video drops.


Its about time our local CBS does the right thing in regards to their audio on their digital station. Best HD programming ,but the poorest audio.

I reformatted my dvr, and most my issues have disappeared. I however do not watch AI via TWC. Just not worth the headache.

Last Nights pixellation issues seem to have been tied to the storms. They look good in the headend today.

Let me know if you continue to see the issues.

Diana,

AI has always been a issue on My TWC. Sometimes less and other times worse.

Ok - when is it on and what channel and I'll record it at home on HD DVR and in office on SD DVR so I can speak more intelligently with my engineers

And, NO I have never watched the program before.

Originally posted by kevinivey
AI has always been a issue on TWC. Sometimes less and other times worse.

maybe in your area, but with the exception of last night it's always come in good here.

FOX's "House" (9pm) came in fine here last night on TWC (using my SA8000HD DVR). I can't speak to "Americal Idol's" signal since I have never watched it myself.

Hey Bruce-
Thought you had left town for good! Glad you are still kicking!

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
Hey Bruce-
Thought you had left town for good! Glad you are still kicking!
Hi Bob! chuckle... nah.. I came back. :) Thanks for thinking of me! I even watch a bit of HD these days, usually recorded and generally not sports or reality.

Originally posted by kevinivey
Diana,

AI has always been a issue on My TWC. Sometimes less and other times worse.


MY added. Glad to hear that it a Lexington problem. OTA last night was good. I don't have any idea of what the TWC feed of AI looked like last night.

I am tempted to try a regular HD box and see if it is a dvr only problem. Honestly, when the glitches started showing up I thought they were network related. Then I started watching more free ota ,and realized that I was mistaken. I have one DVR that has not been reformatted and one that has ,and the one that hasn't been formatted has a lot of issues. I guess I need to let the recordings of that dvr vaporize.

AI-ch820 Tuesday 8-9pm
AI ch820 Wednesday 9-9:30

Kevin,
FWIW, I just watched about 3 minutes of tonight's AI on FOX (Ch 820) and all seems well here. How is it there in Lexington tonight?

Looks great ota.

I've been the main one beating the AI drum over the past few months, so I'll chime in and try to elaborate.

The pixelization issues have always been a problem with AI, for some reason, but this past Tuesday there was no pixelization (as I posted earlier), just video "skips." For example, the video would just pause and then skip forward about a second or less ahead. Perhaps that was related to the t-storms, I dunno.

The AUDIO dropouts are the most annoying though. These occur in particular on the digital output of my 8000HD DVR. I know this because my wife watches AI via the Surround Sound receiver and it is very obvious when the audio drops out...as the receiver volume is much higher than the TV's volume (via analog "RCA" input, btw). As I've said before, perhaps the problem that results in "drops" via the digital receiver manifest themselves as "static" via the analog input and aren't as noticeable for that reason. Strangely, these *seem* to occur most often during an actual singing performance, making them even *more* annoying. Of course, this could just be our perception playing tricks on us, as those are the parts that we pay the most attention to.

As I've posted before, these video and audio issues occur only on "AI" on FOXHD and "Lost" on ABC-HD for us, because those are the only network HD programming that we watch regularly. All other HD channels (INHD, DiscHD, ESPNHD) are blissfully free of such problems.

Hope that helps.

Hi Diana,

Wanted to report that HDNMV ch 931 is completely torn up at the moment (nothing but pixels)

Ch 930 is not having any trouble.


Thanks for any help

Al

(long time lurker from Irmo area)

Originally posted by kevinivey
The last time TWC broadcasted a CSS game it looked about as good as channel 2 or 12. Very poor video, and with video drops.

I beg to differ. I watched the last CSS broadcast that TWCSC got from them. It was a Clemson/USC baseball game a couple years ago and they played it on channel 10. The PQ was the same as any other analog channel on TWC, which isnt great but it was definitely a whole lot better than 2 or 12.

Originally posted by overthehill
Hi Diana,

Wanted to report that HDNMV ch 931 is completely torn up at the moment (nothing but pixels)

Ch 930 is not having any trouble.


Thanks for any help

Al

(long time lurker from Irmo area)


Just reported to the headend - they will check it out.

Originally posted by D-rock0030
I beg to differ. I watched the last CSS broadcast that TWCSC got from them. It was a Clemson/USC baseball game a couple years ago and they played it on channel 10. The PQ was the same as any other analog channel on TWC, which isnt great but it was definitely a whole lot better than 2 or 12.

I was referring to LAST year, which was the one and only time I have seen this channel. I thought you hated the local teams?

FYI - HD Net Movies (TWC Channel 931) will show "ENRON: The Smartest Guys in the Room" at 8pm and 11pm on Friday April 22nd. This is the same night the film premieres in theaters. The movie will not be available on HD NET Movies after Friday until it comes back around on the regular release windows.

Off the air completely, and all shows this evening were new. No ota or TWC. Analog channel is ok.

WLTX was on OTA but you couldn't see them because their PSIP date has been off and on the past couple of day, your OTA Box probably lost track of them. It would not have made a real big difference because their audio quality strikes again. For the first hour they blasted raw binary noise instead of Dolby Digital audio at my DVHS, I came home and called and get SD video instead of a audio fix. I really had it with their audio problems. No 5.1 Dolby Digital,No Close Caption on network shows, and the 2.0 DD sputters 40% of the time. FIX IT Already!!!!

Did anyone else here notice that on Sunday afternoon that for INHD1 the program guide had listed MLB Baseball but they weren't showing any baseball at all. What was on looked like some 1970's movie about Olympic weightlifting. The guide said it was supposed to be Yankees@Orioles. I thought maybe the game was in a rain delay so I checked the internet and the game was taking place as scheduled. Last year INHD had their 3 games a week and we got to see all of them and it was great for me becuase it was the only way I got to watch any yankees games other than what ESPN had. They showed a lot of games from Fenway and Camden yards.

Originally posted by kevinivey
I was referring to LAST year, which was the one and only time I have seen this channel. I thought you hated the local teams?

TWSC hasnt had a CSS broadcast in a while, a cpl years at least.

No, I dont hate all the local teams, just USuC and the Braves. I'm kind of neutral on the Panthers other than when they are playing the Cowboys, but I cant stand watching the Panthers on Fox, they always get the worst broadcasting team and the one guy on there has the worst voice its so annoying. I do like Clemson and CSS shows a lot of Clemson sports. I dont mind the USuC baseball team that much. I go to a lot of the games since its the only baseball left here in Columbia.

Originally posted by D-rock0030
Did anyone else here notice that on Sunday afternoon that for INHD1 the program guide had listed MLB Baseball but they weren't showing any baseball at all. What was on looked like some 1970's movie about Olympic weightlifting. The guide said it was supposed to be Yankees@Orioles. I thought maybe the game was in a rain delay so I checked the internet and the game was taking place as scheduled. Last year INHD had their 3 games a week and we got to see all of them and it was great for me becuase it was the only way I got to watch any yankees games other than what ESPN had. They showed a lot of games from Fenway and Camden yards.

TWC's program guide has been inaccurate for INHD for several days - perhaps Diana can address this. INHD's website provides a current listing. Yanks/Blue Jays Thursday night [4/21] according to the following link:

http://www.inhd.com/item.jsp?item=11

When will Wltx-DT be back on the air? They are not on TWC or ota. Please, have the audio issues worked on when you have the channel back on the air.

Thanks

Kevin Ivey


Good morning Kevin...and thanks for your e-mail.

WLTX-DT is on the air 24 hours a day. Please do a "channel scan" on your receiver and you should see us immediately. In addition, we've always been on Time Warner Cable. Our digital channels on Time Warner are 810, 811, and 812. Channel 810 in the HDTV Channel.

If you continue to have difficulty, please let me know and I'll have our chief engineer speak to you.

Thanks for taking the time to write and thanks for watching News 19 on WLTX.

Regards,

Rich O'Dell
General Manager
WLTX-TV

irish4HD - I sent your information to our Guide Vendor for investigation.

Kevin - I forwarded all three posts to Rich O'Dell. I didn't hear back from him, but I see you did.

Diana,

Channels 810,811 were indeed off on TWC last night. Looks like the PSIP affected whatever TWC uses to receive Wltx-DT. I noticed that they are indeed back on TWC and ota. We can only hope that their "ugly" audio doesn't come back this evening or ever again.

Thanks!