I like the fact that all of my channels on Dish are digital quality and not the crappy picture quality that TW offers for the first 60 channels or so.
Digital quality, huh? Taken right from their advertising hype. I have Dish, for now, and their signal has become so compressed I find the TW analog (first 100) channels to be far superior. I am not sure how you can say TW has "crappy picture quality" since you do not have it to compare. There is no technical reason analog signals can not be every bit as good as digital.

Ok. I will agree with you that the signal is compressed a great bit on Dish network.
But don't think that because I have dish that I can't compare the signal with TW. I see TW's analog signals all the time, all over the place and I cringe every time I see the picture quality on their channels. And before Dish network had local channels, I had both Dish Network and TW on at the same time. I only used TW for the local channels and once they were available on Dish, it was like night and day the quality of the picture.

Sure, I guess the compression could be less and the picture would be better, but on a 27" CRT, the difference is night and day between the digital signal of Dish and the analog signals of TW.

Anyway, my main reason for the post is to find the best service that i can at the best price.

"Can I keep Dish for my SD programming and use TW for only the HD content?"

If you are using TW for HD the box will be upconverting the SD. That is the comparison to Dish you need to make. If that picture is not better than Dish there is something wrong with your setup, cable signal or glasses. :eek: BTW, satellite HD signals are compressed too. TW HD signals are passed exactly as received from the broadcaster.

I really hate to jump into these types of debates because I realize my participation here is is at the mercy of the monitors but if its been 4 years since you have had TWC and you are relying on your current comparison for what you see in commercial establishments without digital converters, that wouldn't be apples to apples.

Beginning last December we started Digital Simulcast and SDV. As I have previously stated, we don't intented to make the capital investment to do it to all the analog channels, so the City Bulletin Board and Richland County schools, etc will remain analog, but the vast majority of cable channels that can be viewed without a converter, are already - and all will be soon - digital simulcast for those customers with a converter.

" TW HD signals are passed exactly as received from the broadcaster.

Not by a long shot... They employ rate-shaping.. which is a polite way of saying they "take" (other choice words could be used).. part of the program data to add other channels.. here, with WCCB, they "take" anywhere from 1 to 3 mb/s from our HD channel alone.. So, to say the least, it isn't transparent. Haven't had time to check Columbia yet, but I will.. :)

This past weekend on TWCSC there was an HBO free preview weekend. When I tuned to any of the regular HBO channels in the 200's it said I had to hit "Select" and purchase the free preview and it also said that HD box subscribers would get the HBO-HD channels, well after doing that I tuned to the HBO-HD channels at 900 and they still wouldnt come in. Did anybody else try this free preview and get the HBO-HD channels?

The HD channels were left out due to human error on the part of the Billing Systems clerk who built the package. Apologies. She knows to make sure HD is included in all future previews. Showtime preview 3/31 to 4/3.

Diana,

Thanks for the information. You are correct, I probably haven't been comparing apples to apples. I didn't realize that you guys were not simicasting the channels digitally now. That is a plus.

So, my next question would be- to everyone, not just Diana, how do the selections and the costs assoiciated with them compare between dish and tw?

I know with dish, i can get 23 HD channels, granted a majority of them are the Voom channels.
Which HD channels are available to both systems, and which are unique to one or the other.
I know TW doesn't have ESPN2HD.. are there others? Are there any channels that TW have that dish doesn't?

Diana,

Thanks for the information. You are correct, I probably haven't been comparing apples to apples. I didn't realize that you guys were not simicasting the channels digitally now. That is a plus.

So, my next question would be- to everyone, not just Diana, how do the selections and the costs assoiciated with them compare between dish and tw?

I know with dish, i can get 23 HD channels, granted a majority of them are the Voom channels.
Which HD channels are available to both systems, and which are unique to one or the other.
I know TW doesn't have ESPN2HD.. are there others? Are there any channels that TW have that dish doesn't?
It is all here (http://www.timewarnercable.com/southcarolina/).

Not by a long shot... They employ rate-shaping.. which is a polite way of saying they "take" (other choice words could be used).. part of the program data to add other channels.. here, with WCCB, they "take" anywhere from 1 to 3 mb/s from our HD channel alone.. So, to say the least, it isn't transparent. Haven't had time to check Columbia yet, but I will.. :)

Hey Bob,

I double-dog confirmed with my Engineers we do not rate-shape either the HD or SD feeds we get from Broadcasters in SC. In addition, they informed me that the Charlotte Division was required to receive a license to do so - so someone at WCCB signed off on their strategy.

We look forward to your checking it out next time your in Columbia and confirming this point for all participants.

Hey Bob,

I double-dog confirmed with my Engineers we do not rate-shape




Hey Bob,

:p

Hey Bob,

I double-dog confirmed with my Engineers we do not rate-shape either the HD or SD feeds we get from Broadcasters in SC. In addition, they informed me that the Charlotte Division was required to receive a license to do so - so someone at WCCB signed off on their strategy.

We look forward to your checking it out next time your in Columbia and confirming this point for all participants.

Yea, we've been told that here too.I expected that to be your response, no offense but you are in "sales-marketing".. ;) However, two analyzers looking side by side at OTA and cable tell a different story.. :)

And no one here has signed off on any such rate shaping, why would we agree to our signal being degraded? However, having been involved in the recent retrans contract, I'm familiar with the "careful" wording used as well that TW could take liscense with doing such...Of course, not that TWC would admit to it any way.

I'd urge viewers to compare side by side OTA to cable and make their own judgements. Ours here have, and can see the difference.

When I look here at TW's 12 mb/s Discovery HD, next to both satellite services,
It looks the worst of the 3.... of course, 1080i at 12 mb/s..you don't rate shape it either, right? :rolleyes:

And Diana, nothing would please me more to confirm you aren't rate shaping..
that would assure our viewers of getting the best possible pictures. At least in Columbia, that is..

It seems she was referring to "Broadcasters in SC" not Discovery HD in NC.

Ok. I will agree with you that the signal is compressed a great bit on Dish network.
But don't think that because I have dish that I can't compare the signal with TW. I see TW's analog signals all the time, all over the place and I cringe every time I see the picture quality on their channels. And before Dish network had local channels, I had both Dish Network and TW on at the same time. I only used TW for the local channels and once they were available on Dish, it was like night and day the quality of the picture.

Sure, I guess the compression could be less and the picture would be better, but on a 27" CRT, the difference is night and day between the digital signal of Dish and the analog signals of TW.

Anyway, my main reason for the post is to find the best service that i can at the best price.
Best Service for the price is free.
You can get a HD over the air receiver from Walmart for $130.00 and get all of the local channels for free all of the time.

Best Service for the price is free.
You can get a HD over the air receiver from Walmart for $130.00 and get all of the local channels for free all of the time.
Another possibility is that a new set today may include the necessary ATSC tuner. A brief check of CC web site shows all their 30 something flatscreen models have them (though they call them HDTV tuners).
_____
Bruce

Let me say first off that HDTV has been a learning experience. I have been a DTV subscriber for 9 years now and I have been pretty happy not counting the price increases over time and compression of signal on some channels. I purchased a 32inch LCD over the holidays and have been looking for an HDTV direction for a few months. Let me also say that I am a TIVO fanatic. TIVO functionality is a must have in my household and HDTV must play into that. I ended up with a HDTIVO that runs on DirecTV and have yet to find an antenna to get my system working the way I want it even though I live in Columbia off Garners Ferry road. The unit does not support QAM so TWC is not an option.

Now to the questions:
TWC seems to have representation in this thread. Why does TWC not have a relationship with TIVO? With the dissolved relationship with DIRECTV, people like myself would jump at a chance to maintain our TIVO functionality with another company. DirecTV has a poor solution to replace the TIVO functionality and quite frankly TWC's DVR is terrible. Don't get me wrong, having a DVR is light years forward to not having one before but I have seen TWC's DVR. It pales in comparision and only people who have never seen a DVR can be happy with it. TWC has a prime opportunity to gather a significant amount of people by establishing a meaningful relationship with TIVO.

My Second Question is this. Is there a recommended attic antenna for Columbia usage and is there anyone out there that actually installs these devices? The indoor antennas I have used are pitiful and I can never get ABC at all.

TWC seems to have representation in this thread. Why does TWC not have a relationship with TIVO? .


At some level very high up the food chain I'm sure conversations have been had or are in the works, maybe not, but I doubt it we have a group of Advanced Technology folks who spend a great deal of time working on future possibilities.

Why hasn't it happened - wouldn't be in a position to say (i.e., those in the no, whouldn't even consider sharing that kind of thing at my level)

The indoor antennas I have used are pitiful and I can never get ABC at all.

Hey J-

WOLO-DT is on VHF-CH8, so using a UHF only antenna won't work that well, but from where you are with the proper antenna yous should not have any problem
getting WOLO-DT.

Best Service for the price is free.
You can get a HD over the air receiver from Walmart for $130.00 and get all of the local channels for free all of the time.


Course that doesn't throw in TNT HD, Discovery HD, Braves Baseball games and other special events in HD. That doesn't include any OD services Free or otherwise, etc., etc.

March Madness -

Thursday March 23rd

Basic Cable Channel 9
7:10 p - Duke v LSU
9:40 p - Texas v West Virginia

HD Channel 810
7:10 p - Duke v LSU
9:40 p - Texas v West Virginia

Digital Channel 811
7:27 p - Memphis v Bradley
9:57 p - UCLA v Gonzaga

Digital Channel 812
7:10 p - Duke v LSU
9:40 p - Texas v West Virginia

Friday March 24th

Basic Cable Channel 9
7:10 p - Villanova v Boston College
9:40 p - Florida v Georgetown

HD Channel 810
7:10 p - Villanova v Boston College
9:40 p - Florida v Georgetown

Digital Channel 811
7:40 p - Wichita State v George Mason
9:57 p - UCONN v Washington

Digital Channel 812
7:10 p - Villanova v Boston College
9:40 p - Florida v Georgetown

<snip>
Now to the questions:
TWC seems to have representation in this thread. Why does TWC not have a relationship with TIVO? With the dissolved relationship with DIRECTV, people like myself would jump at a chance to maintain our TIVO functionality with another company. DirecTV has a poor solution to replace the TIVO functionality and quite frankly TWC's DVR is terrible. Don't get me wrong, having a DVR is light years forward to not having one before but I have seen TWC's DVR. It pales in comparision and only people who have never seen a DVR can be happy with it. TWC has a prime opportunity to gather a significant amount of people by establishing a meaningful relationship with TIVO.

My Second Question is this. Is there a recommended attic antenna for Columbia usage and is there anyone out there that actually installs these devices? The indoor antennas I have used are pitiful and I can never get ABC at all.

TiVo fanatics definitely like TiVos! :) And for now DirecTV is what you need for that. Maybe someday TiVo will partner with cable but that has not happened yet. For now we have Scientific Atlanta DVRs. For basic time shifting of HD programming they work pretty well even if they are not a TiVo and the cost seems to be acceptable to many. One other thing that you touched upon... compression. Many here at AVS believe that cable (incuding TWCSC) and OTA HD picture quality (PQ) exceeds that which DirecTV provides these day. I don't know as I have not checked out DirecTV's HD PQ in a long time. Something to consider perhaps.

Regarding your reception problem.... Might you tell us what antenna you have tried? Do you have an unobstructed view toward Elgin where most of the antennas are? Obstacles? Trees? Buildings? A decent antenna might be all you need (multipath though can cause major problems). Here in Sumter (24 miles from most of Cola's towers) I can get all but one of Columbia's signals just fine using a $15 double-bay bowtie antenna from RadioShack sitting on top my TV. The exception here is SCETV/WRLK and their tower is 34 miles away. To fix that I also have a four-bay Channel Master antenna that is mounted on a 5ft mast that is parked leaning in the corner against the wall behind my TV set (elegant no; functional.. yes).

A word of caution about attic mounted antennae.. .. they don't always work real well (too much signal attenuation) and might be caused by various layers of shingles and/or insulation materials on the roof. Better yet is a roof/chimney mounted antenna or one on the tv itself. As Bob Davis said, WOLO/ABC is VHF Channel 8. My experience is that some "UHF" Bowtie antennas do seem to work adequately on high band VHF channels. Also, you might want to try a simple pair of rabbit ears; that works here too. If that fails; they your location and/or ATSC tuner may really be problematic.

(note: Lowes and similar stores sell decent antennas. Radio Shack has a couple too. Antennas sold at discount stores tend to be both expensive and poor performers. Mailorder is another choice as well.)

Let us know how things are going or worked out for your HD reception!

TERK HDTVi Indoor UHF/VHF HDTV Antenna online
and
Terk Antenna (TV5) Circuit City


Any suggestions?

TERK HDTVi Indoor UHF/VHF HDTV Antenna online
and
Terk Antenna (TV5) Circuit City


Any suggestions?

Ah ha; your antenna is probably the problem.... TERKs are known for being poor performers. You need a much better one (and not necessarily more expensive). If your in a hurry... try one of these. I think many here have tried the various indoor Radio Shack models with some good success. Large outdoor models might work for some in an attic; but it does depend on a lot of factors (construction type; obstructions; roofing type, etc).


Indoor:
Radio Shack Model: 15-1880 Catalog #: 15-1880 $50
Radio Shack Model: 15-1878 Catalog #: 15-1878 $30
Radio Shack Model: 15-624 Catalog #: 15-624 $15 (my personal favorite; their infamous double bow-tie!; their out of stock mail order; call local store to see if in stock).

Outdoor: (these are typical antennas; need to be on a pole with some room around them; grounded too; a patio table with umbrella hole may work fine)

Radio Shack Model: U-75R Catalog #: 15-2160 $26 plus tax
Channel Master UHF/VHF Model # 3016 $37 plus tax (Lowes)

If you have more time
Mail order: stark electronic
Channel Master Four-bay Bowtie CM #3021 $25 plus shipping
Winegard Four Bay bow-tie UHF #PR-4400 $21.23 plus shipping

Antennacraft also may be available in places; they make some decent models (and are related to RS too I believe).

ps: if an antenna looks like an antenna it has a good chance of working. However, it looks hi-tech it probably won't.

_____
Bruce

Ah ha; your antenna is probably the problem.... TERKs are known for being poor performers. _____
Bruce

That's an understatement.. but, Neil Terk, whom I met during the ATSC antenna
tests here, was a great guy and a marketing whiz. He's now passed on sad to say. :(

Went to shak here looking for those antennas you mention the other day, the guy said they didn't have any antennas.. I guess because the box didn't say sprint or nextel he didn't know what they were.. :rolleyes:

Gamecocks play in the NIT Quarterfinals tomorrow night at 6pm on ESPN-U.

Sure wish we could get this channel into the TW lineup.

Best Service for the price is free.
You can get a HD over the air receiver from Walmart for $130.00 and get all of the local channels for free all of the time.


Here's a good article that was in Sunday's observer:

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/14135303.htm

Ah ha; your antenna is probably the problem.... TERKs are known for being poor performers. You need a much better one (and not necessarily more expensive). If your in a hurry... try one of these. I think many here have tried the various indoor Radio Shack models with some good success. Large outdoor models might work for some in an attic; but it does depend on a lot of factors (construction type; obstructions; roofing type, etc).


Indoor:
Radio Shack Model: 15-1880 Catalog #: 15-1880 $50
Radio Shack Model: 15-1878 Catalog #: 15-1878 $30
Radio Shack Model: 15-624 Catalog #: 15-624 $15 (my personal favorite; their infamous double bow-tie!; their out of stock mail order; call local store to see if in stock).

Outdoor: (these are typical antennas; need to be on a pole with some room around them; grounded too; a patio table with umbrella hole may work fine)

Radio Shack Model: U-75R Catalog #: 15-2160 $26 plus tax
Channel Master UHF/VHF Model # 3016 $37 plus tax (Lowes)

If you have more time
Mail order: stark electronic
Channel Master Four-bay Bowtie CM #3021 $25 plus shipping
Winegard Four Bay bow-tie UHF #PR-4400 $21.23 plus shipping

Antennacraft also may be available in places; they make some decent models (and are related to RS too I believe).

ps: if an antenna looks like an antenna it has a good chance of working. However, it looks hi-tech it probably won't.

_____
Bruce
I live in the Lexington area. Antennaweb.org says I am 30 miles from most of the towers/antennas of the major networks in the Columbia area. Would I be able to get good signals with the antennas you have listed at that distance?

OTA is easy to get with a rooftop antenna here in Lexington, but I prefer not to watch commercials.

I live in the Lexington area. Antennaweb.org says I am 30 miles from most of the towers/antennas of the major networks in the Columbia area. Would I be able to get good signals with the antennas you have listed at that distance?
I see that Kevin is your "neighbor" and has experience in that department. I would think any of the outdoor models I mentioned might work mounted on your roof/chimney but it always depends on your particular location and the view you have to the towers. (note I have PM'd you with a bit more info with particulars). Good luck and do let us know how it works out if you go that way.
_____
Bruce

I have a 15 year old large ugly chimney mast style antenna from my Dish Network days.

Picture seems brighter ota ,and Wach-DT looks much better when showing local news OTA. The TWC(820) signal has horizontal banding in it. It has been that way from the launch of that channel.

I've been keeping tabs on this thread all day and I find it interesting that you guys are comparing TWCSC PQ and OTA.....but.....forgot one thing. OTA is using your TV's internal tuner and scaler while TWC's cable box is using it's own and passing "its" signal to your TV(this happens regardless if you are using "passthru or Auto DVI/HDMI" on a SA 3250/ 8300). This is by no means a fair comparison. Bdfox18doe you of all people should know this ;)

Try comparing a cable card and OTA as both use your TV's internal scaling and tuner. I have done this test in the past and found absolutely no difference in PQ with OTA and a cable card provided by TWCSC on both a Pioneer Elite 930 and Pioneer 5050.

Nope, external on one, and external on another. Take a look at the 10 pm news on Wach. Not HD ,but there is a noticeable difference.

I see that Kevin is your "neighbor" and has experience in that department. I would think any of the outdoor models I mentioned might work mounted on your roof/chimney but it always depends on your particular location and the view you have to the towers. (note I have PM'd you with a bit more info with particulars). Good luck and do let us know how it works out if you go that way.
_____
Bruce
Thanks, Bruce and Kevin, for the info. Subdivision covenants, I believe, prohibit outside antennas in my area and I think I live in a "hole". At least, I know I had cellphone reception problems at one time because of the terrain. I was thinking of an attic anteanna but I'm just undecided. Hate to go that trouble and expense and then it doesn't work. I'm really undecided about what to do, but....thanks for the info.

Nope, external on one, and external on another. Take a look at the 10 pm news on Wach. Not HD ,but there is a noticeable difference.

Missed the news as I was watching CSI NY. Anyway, I have never seen horizontal banding on Fox, regardless if it was thru my 8300, OTA, or cable card. Maybe its the wiring in your area/home? My house is connected to the node in my yard with RG11 cable. Each wall terminal in the house has it's own dedicated RG6 cable. There is only one splitter and that is outside were the RG11 meets the RG6 cables.

Thanks, Bruce and Kevin, for the info. Subdivision covenants, I believe, prohibit outside antennas in my area and I think I live in a "hole". At least, I know I had cellphone reception problems at one time because of the terrain. I was thinking of an attic anteanna but I'm just undecided. Hate to go that trouble and expense and then it doesn't work. I'm really undecided about what to do, but....thanks for the info.
Lucky you! Federal law trumps covenants in virtually all cases when it comes to TV reception! (very few exceptions; mostly related to historical districts). So, most folks CAN have broadcast and dbs antennas even if their neighborhood and/or convenants don't not know the law (there are just a couple of limitations; size of dishes and heights of masts). See http://ftp.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/consumerdish.html. Not to say they won't initially argue the point but I imagine their lawyers can easily read and understand what the federal law says. Agreed you may need to put one where it is unobtrusive (chimney mounts come to mind). If you need more info, there have been a number of discussions on this here at AVS in the past if you want to do a search.

Now, the reception hole part may be a problem. Cellphone coverage may or may not be applicable; their towers are short and placed who knows where. TV broadcast towers are pretty tall and their location are easily found. But, to know you will have to give it a try. Note that the 4-bay bowties are not only relatively thin but they are also pretty unobtrusive when mounted on a chimney... got one of those?
____
Bruce

This is by no means a fair comparison. Bdfox18doe you of all people should know this ;).

Yea, I think I do.. :) Plus, I think Kevin already answered that.. :)

My comparisons "HERE" are done using my Mits internal Tv tuner..both for OTA and TWC..so your argument doesn't hold up in my case. (I also have deesh, duhwreckedtv, and c-band HD so I can compare all sources).

However, as far as comparing data rates, that's done with MPEG analyzers.. ;)

You do have a valid point in a lot of installations tho..and, IMHO, there is significant
difference between cable boxes, especially early ones; as well as between hdmi,component and certain sets..

Lucky you! Federal law trumps covenants in virtually all cases when it comes to TV reception! (very few exceptions; mostly related to historical districts). So, most folks CAN have broadcast and dbs antennas even if their neighborhood and/or convenants don't not know the law (there are just a couple of limitations; size of dishes and heights of masts). See http://ftp.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/consumerdish.html. Not to say they won't initially argue the point but I imagine their lawyers can easily read and understand what the federal law says. Agreed you may need to put one where it is unobtrusive (chimney mounts come to mind). If you need more info, there have been a number of discussions on this here at AVS in the past if you want to do a search.

Now, the reception hole part may be a problem. Cellphone coverage may or may not be applicable; their towers are short and placed who knows where. TV broadcast towers are pretty tall and their location are easily found. But, to know you will have to give it a try. Note that the 4-bay bowties are not only relatively thin but they are also pretty unobtrusive when mounted on a chimney... got one of those?
____
Bruce

No chimney, but again, thanks for the information. I will check it out.

No chimney, .

Lex...take a look at this: http://www.rstcenterprises.com/

Yea, I think I do.. :) Plus, I think Kevin already answered that.. :)

My comparisons "HERE" are done using my Mits internal Tv tuner..both for OTA and TWC..so your argument doesn't hold up in my case. (I also have deesh, duhwreckedtv, and c-band HD so I can compare all sources).

However, as far as comparing data rates, that's done with MPEG analyzers.. ;)

You do have a valid point in a lot of installations tho..and, IMHO, there is significant
difference between cable boxes, especially early ones; as well as between hdmi,component and certain sets..

So you are plugging your TWC feed directly into your Mits RPTV. Great. I retract my statement regarding you. However I don't know if Kevin is doing the same. If he is, same for him, but I still have not witnessed any of the banding he claims he sees on his TV.

Where would you go on here to sale and antenna, pre-amp and rotor. Thanks for any help

Where would you go on here to sale an antenna, pre-amp and rotor. Thanks for any help

[QUOTE=D-Nice]So you are plugging your TWC feed directly into your Mits RPTV. Great. [QUOTE]

Actually, I have 10 various HD receivers at home.. including TWC's box, a couple of QAM boxes, and several ATSC and satellite receivers... :eek:

And I get special rates from Duke Power .. :D

Actually, I have 10 various HD receivers at home.. including TWC's box, a couple of QAM boxes, and several ATSC and satellite receivers... :eek:

And I get special rates from Duke Power .. :D

Can/have you plugged a TWC signal and OTA direcly into one tuner...preferably your Mits RPTV if it has an ATSC tuner?

Mits tuner is either ATSC or QAM, obviously not both at the same time without a re-scan, but has dual tuners, so you can set one to each then pip and swap between, etc..

Also have a Sony 40XBR800 with seperate multiple tuner boxes..

I recommend having both OTA and one other capability, I think the best adjunct to that overall is an integrated set with cablecard, if it works properly.

I highly doubt TWCSC is rate-shaping their signal....especially with the advent of SDV. Makes absolutely no sense.

All I know is, I see no MB, pixelation, or plain ol' piss poor PQ on any HD channels with my sets....well except for CSI last night. I blame the local CBS station as they are in "720p" mode for March madness.

I highly doubt TWCSC is rate-shaping their signal.....

Unless you are experienced with MPEG transport streams and digital video,
such suppositions don't have much value. They're just a guess. :confused:

While I can't say for SURE that rate-shaping is occurring in Columbia, I can say for sure that they are here, despite being told to the contrary. Analyzers don't lie. This is common in the cable industry nationwide, as others have also confirmed in many systems. It's one of the cable industry's dirty little secrets...take a little here and there, so that the average viewer doesn't notice..and whala..you can add more OD/PPV and shopping channels! But, I'm sure that you're glad to get all of those that you can right? ;)

Unless you have directly compared signals of cable and OTA as I have, including with MPEG transport stream analyzers..you don't know what's being done. Plus, when you can see certain sources directly off satellite looking at the same feed the cable/satellite guys are taking, you know for sure what is coming in versus what is being put back out.. :eek:

While I realize the following may be way over most heads here, there is some good reference data that applies to digital MPEG video, whether ATSC, QAM, or IP.

http://www.roscor.com/resources_whitepapers/ATSCOverQuam%20.pdf

Unless you are experienced with MPEG transport streams and digital video,
such suppositions don't have much value. They're just a guess. :confused:

Whoa.....slow your roll there buddy. I am QUITE familiar with transport streams, analyzers, digital video, etc. Your "suppositions" of what I know are "just a guess" .

I personally don't pull out analyzes to look for something unless I think something is wrong.

Now if you are insinuating that your local TWC PQ is worst than Dish and DirecTV, I really feel for you guys b/c that is NOT the case here in Cola.

I've seen both Dish and DirecTV's HD PQs on the same type and model TV and I can say that the PQ is inferior to TWCSC....no analyzers were needed to see that.

I highly doubt TWCSC is rate-shaping their signal....especially with the advent of SDV. Makes absolutely no sense.

All I know is, I see no MB, pixelation, or plain ol' piss poor PQ on any HD channels with my sets....well except for CSI last night. I blame the local CBS station as they are in "720p" mode for March madness.

If I put two HD signals side by side.... and asked you to pick the one which is 1080i or 720p, you would probably only get it right by luck. I guarantee your eye for video is not as developed as a broadcast engineer's, who is tasked to look at video and pick it apart all day.

I can only tell them apart on selected scenes. I watched CSI and all of the other shows we offer in HD OTA and they look amazing at 720p. If you are having issues with picture quality, I would take a look at your equipment before blaming resolution or a lack there of.

I have a 38 inch 16x9 picture tube HD set and it shows any little flaw or imperfection. Needless to say there are very few. Only in fast motion dissolves.

I personally don't pull out analyzes to look for something unless I think something is wrong.

Ok, with that said I'm sure you're aware that using mpeg analysis gear in the digital video world is a regular part of maintaining QOS and preventing problems
before they occur, which would allow one to know what is going on with said transport streams?

If I put two HD signals side by side.... and asked you to pick the one which is 1080i or 720p, you would probably only get it right by luck. I guarantee your eye for video is not as developed as a broadcast engineer's, who is tasked to look at video and pick it apart all day.

I can only tell them apart on selected scenes. I watched CSI and all of the other shows we offer in HD OTA and they look amazing at 720p. If you are having issues with picture quality, I would take a look at your equipment before blaming resolution or a lack there of.

I have a 38 inch 16x9 picture tube HD set and it shows any little flaw or imperfection. Needless to say there are very few. Only in fast motion dissolves.


Anytime you want to test your case with me I'm game. Just PM me the date, time and location. My equipment has worked flawlessly with all other broadcasts from CBS when it wasn't downcoverted to 720p.

Now if you are trying to tell me that downcoverting a 1080i stream to 720p into an already bit starved 19.2 MB datastream due to 2 subchannels plus overhead won't present "some" imperfections in the PQ due to the downconversion when compared to the "normal and hopefully" untouched 1080i stream transported in the same bit starved 19.2MB datastream due to 2 subchannels and overhead, I'm going to have to question your credentials as a broadcast engineer.

Ok, with that said I'm sure you're aware that using mpeg analysis gear in the digital video world is a regular part of maintaining QOS and preventing problems
before they occur, which would allow one to know what is going on with said transport streams?

Sure...IF I got paid for looking for those problems BEFORE they happened. That's your job....not mine ;)

Aha..but you don't, and I do.. But only for 8 stations, that is..

Aha..but you don't, and I do.. But only for 8 stations, that is..


Exactly...so please diligently continue your marvelous work. I wish you and TWCNC (Charlotte) the best if figuring out your "lost bits" issue.

If I may...
Although this discussion was seemingly progressing with some civility I would like to mention before it gets out of hand that we keep in mine that it started out with suppositions not yet proven. Bob Davis has said that he has not checked TWCSC locally yet so lets leave it at that. Bob is a broadcast engineer and has stated his point from his perspective given his knowledge and practice of the industry. D-Nice is arguing the point publically yet we have no idea of qualifications. I personally think we should let this one go for now before things get out of hand.

And without being argumentative myself, and contrary to Dan's opinions, I personally feel I can detect a difference between 1080i and 720p presentations as I get them here via TWC or OTA with my equipment. However, that could be just my bias speaking and so who cares. More to the point, I am more concerned at this time over the industry turning to (more) multicasting and it's potential future impact on HD PQ than I am concerned that TWCSC may be rate shaping. But that is me and I am just a layman wanting to watch HDTV at its best.
____
Bruce

I wondered why the NCAA tournment games looked soft and dark. Now I know....

If I may...
Although this discussion was seemingly progressing with some civility I would like to mention before it gets out of hand that we keep in mine that it started out with suppositions not yet proven. Bob Davis has said that he has not checked TWCSC locally yet so lets leave it at that. Bob is a broadcast engineer and has stated his point from his perspective given his knowledge and practice of the industry. D-Nice is arguing the point publically yet we have no idea of qualifications. I personally think we should let this one go for now before things get out of hand.

And without being argumentative myself, and contrary to Dan's opinions, I personally feel I can detect a difference between 1080i and 720p presentations as I get them here via TWC or OTA with my equipment. However, that could be just my bias speaking and so who cares. More to the point, I am more concerned at this time over the industry turning to (more) multicasting and it's potential future impact on HD PQ than I am concerned that TWCSC may be rate shaping. But that is me and I am just a layman wanting to watch HDTV at its best.
____
Bruce

Just cause you don't know my "qualifications" and because good ol' Bob is this "wonderful" engineer we should believe his blasphemy that TWCSC "currently" rate shapes the signal??????

Although.....

1. he hasn't personally verified that himself
2. Is using TWCNC as his point and case
3. Diana has already posted that TWCSC doesn't do that


Hmmmm, exactly how much are you going to pay me under the table to believe that???

I don't think Bruce is asking you to "believe" anything. He's just trying to stop an argument before it really gets out of hand.

Just cause you don't know my "qualifications" and because good ol' Bob is this "wonderful" engineer we should believe his blasphemy that TWCSC "currently" rate shapes the signal??????

Although.....

1. he hasn't personally verified that himself
2. Is using TWCNC as his point and case
3. Diana has already posted that TWCSC doesn't do that


Hmmmm, exactly how much are you going to pay me under the table to believe that???
But it is "one of the cable industry's dirty little secrets". Bob really needs to offer up some evidence that contradict TWCSC engineer's statements before making such generalizations.

But it is "one of the cable industry's dirty little secrets". Bob really needs to offer up some evidence that contradict TWCSC engineer's statements before making such generalizations.

I agree. I'm fully aware that rate shaping is common practice in multiple companies and markets but from what I know about TWC, 2 systems under the same company are NOT the same. It's just gas stations.....The BP station up the street may not have the same gas as the BP station uptown.

I have a 38 inch 16x9 picture tube HD set and it shows any little flaw or imperfection. Needless to say there are very few. Only in fast motion dissolves.I must be more picky about imperfection. I see them all the time...

Just cause you don't know my "qualifications" ?

Just curious, and what are those qualifications? I have no problem providing mine. I'm sure others here are just as interested as I am.

Now if you are trying to tell me that downcoverting a 1080i stream to 720p into an already bit starved 19.2 MB datastream due to 2 subchannels plus overhead won't present "some" imperfections in the PQ due to the downconversion when compared to the "normal and hopefully" untouched 1080i stream transported in the same bit starved 19.2MB datastream due to 2 subchannels and overhead, I'm going to have to question your credentials as a broadcast engineer.

What I am telling you is, if you have a 720P signal that has sufficient bandwidth and a 1080i signal that has sufficient bandwidth, you would be hard pressed to see the difference in the picture.
Sure you can see imperfections in the NCAA tournament....(if you back off of the set a few feet you cannot see them).... We are running three channels in 19Mb of bandwidth. However, had I not switched to 720P, the picture would have looked a lot worse since the bitrate that I am currently using for 720P would be trying to do 1080i.
I am not arguing with anyone about anything. I just want people to realize you can complain all day long about multicasting, but it is here to stay. I don't particularly like it either but it is a reality of our business. As technology evolves, we will be able to run three channels and not degrade the HD. Newer encoders can already run HD 1080i in as little as 12-14Mb with NO pixelation at all.
Remember that we are on the beginning of this technology and there will be some growing pains.
That is the end of this discussion for me. Enjoy the NCAA tournament or not, It's up to you. It is what it is.

Regarding WLTX and March Madness... switching to 720p while multicasting multiple games certainly makes sense to me.

And a couple of items regarding WIS.
- One, they recently upgraded their PSIP; a move which appears to have fixed some problems that were resulting in customer complaints. I personally have noted the regular dropouts that occured frequently during the recent Olympics has gone away
- Two, as of last week WIS completed their fiber optic line to Time Warner's headend and it is now up and running. So, during thunder storms, cable users now won't lose their NBC programming (including their weather channel) if/when the tower power goes out!
____
Bruce

Well finding this thread was a nice touch. I am moving shortly to Lake Carolina, and I'm just curious how and if TWC provides service out there for internet as well as cable. I will be switching to HDTV along with the move, so I also just wanted to know what I needed to look for from you guys (TW) as far as equipment to maximize my picture. I will be using a 42" HD Plasma (likely Panasonic if it matters).

Also...sure would be nice if the package deal with TW for phone/broadband/cable was actually cheaper than just buying them seperately... or is it? If you could beat BellSouth on phone I'd never look back.

what is the rate for cable/phone/broadband all in one? Just curious myself..
I know I pay $41.95 for earthlink, $27 for Vonage and $47 for Dish (no HD content yet)...
that is total with all taxes and additional fees.

I just looked.. their VIP service which has digital cable, broadband RR, and digital phone is $139.99. I assume that is before taxes are add, so that would probably add ~$5. not sure if there are other fees including the Digital converter fee of $10. That fee may or may not be already included.

So, It appears that I am still saving $30 a month!!

$139.95 includes the converter as well as the 44 Channel Digital Preferred Tier / 25 Channels of Free on Demand / ITV functionality / Caller ID on TV / 40 music channels / a handful of bonus channels which for the HD sub includes TNT HD, Discovery HD and some special events.

Greystone SC VIP stands for Video Internet Phone - as in Digital Cable / Road Runner / Digital Phone. I believe most folks out there would support my recommendation that you use an 8300 HD DVR (DVR functionality adds $5.20 to the monthly total).

oceangrace24 - I don't think you remembered to include taxes on the products you are currently paying when you did the math.

Thanks Diana.. I didn't know if it was included or not.

Actually, I did include the taxes.. Earthlink is exactly $41.95 a month (no additional taxes on that)
Dish is $47.22 a month with taxes and vonage is $27.24 a month

It's close, but still about $5 - 10 more. I guess what I don't get is that it seems that you don't get a discount for adding them all. I pay around $100 now for a combo of RR/Digital Something tier (it was an additional $2 and gives me Showtime and some other stuff). If I added the phone, it would be the same price - so where is the discount?

By the way, is there something other than Showtime that you can get with this special tier thing... They've been showing the same movies for a year now.

$139.95 includes the converter as well as the 44 Channel Digital Preferred Tier / 25 Channels of Free on Demand / ITV functionality / Caller ID on TV / 40 music channels / a handful of bonus channels which for the HD sub includes TNT HD, Discovery HD and some special events.

Greystone SC VIP stands for Video Internet Phone - as in Digital Cable / Road Runner / Digital Phone. I believe most folks out there would support my recommendation that you use an 8300 HD DVR (DVR functionality adds $5.20 to the monthly total).

oceangrace24 - I don't think you remembered to include taxes on the products you are currently paying when you did the math.
Diana,
Currently I have the S/A 3250 STB. If I want to swap for the 8300, are the chances good I will get one if I take the 3250 back to one of the TWCSC offices? I was thinking I had seen some discussion back a month or so ago where the 8300 might not be always available and, if it wasn't, that an 8000 (?) would be the STB available.

It's close, but still about $5 - 10 more. I guess what I don't get is that it seems that you don't get a discount for adding them all. I pay around $100 now for a combo of RR/Digital Something tier (it was an additional $2 and gives me Showtime and some other stuff). If I added the phone, it would be the same price - so where is the discount?

By the way, is there something other than Showtime that you can get with this special tier thing... They've been showing the same movies for a year now.


There are absolutely discounts with multiple products - on average over 10% each month throughout the state.

Please email me your home telephone number and I'll look your account up and then tell you the specific discount you are receiving in your promotion.

twcscnews@twcable.com

Diana,
Currently I have the S/A 3250 STB. If I want to swap for the 8300, are the chances good I will get one if I take the 3250 back to one of the TWCSC offices? I was thinking I had seen some discussion back a month or so ago where the 8300 might not be always available and, if it wasn't, that an 8000 (?) would be the STB available.


I haven't heard of any difficulties lately. The Warehouse makes regular deliveries to all front counter locactions, however I can never guarantee a particular models availability due to the nature of the walk in front counter business.

Why was there no sound from the announcers for the LSU/Texas game until about 7 minutes were left in the first half? Whatever it is, can we get that for ESPN when Dick Vitale is on?

Here in Lexington via my 8300HD there were so many video glitches ,and audiodrops that I actually had to view it OTA. The ota for the most part was very good. This may be an isolated event ,but was the first time in quite awhile that I had to fall back to my free signal. Hopefully a fiber run in the future could improve TWC connection, if their ota is the issue.

FWIW: Tuesday's USC NIT game is on ESPN2HD in HD. :rolleyes:

Here in Lexington via my 8300HD there were so many video glitches ,and audiodrops that I actually had to view it OTA. The ota for the most part was very good. This may be an isolated event ,but was the first time in quite awhile that I had to fall back to my free signal. Hopefully a fiber run in the future could improve TWC connection, if their ota is the issue.

FWIW: Tuesday's USC NIT game is on ESPN2HD in HD. :rolleyes:
I only watched a little bit of the NASCAR race today but what I saw was pretty fair compared to yesterday. The Busch race broadcast was horrific with many audio drops and video glitches.

That is the end of this discussion for me. Enjoy the NCAA tournament or not, It's up to you. It is what it is.

Thanks Dan, I love getting all the NCAA games for free. With DTV you have to pay extra for their package. Also this year the HD games seemed to look better than what I remembered from last year.

FWIW: Tuesday's USC NIT game is on ESPN2HD in HD. :rolleyes:

Argh, tell me about it.

For the poster(s) asking about 8300HD-DVR availability, I was able to get one last week, just by going by the Greystone office and specifically asking for one. Luckily, they had one on hand, but the reason I mention this little anecdote is that I noticed the person next to me in line was handed an 8000 model instead. Perhaps they save the 8300's for only those that specifically request them?

Also, FWIW, the remote response rate of the 8300 is far superior to that of my 8000. Can't fairly speculate on PQ though, as I'm comparing a Toshiba CRT HDTV to a DLP Projector...it's not apples to apples in that case.

This is the second consecutive night I've noticed video artifacts and audio dropouts on FOX-HD via TWCSC. Is anybody else seeing this? It's not a lot, but enough to be annoying.

Digital John - I noticed that as well and that is what made me come to the board tonight. I am sure it will get fixed.

As far as the the budles go what all goes into getting digital phone? Do you still use the normal phone line or does it go through a cable line as well.

I have everything else and am paying~120 for Digital Cable, RR, HD-DVR, + HD Tier. If I can throw my phone on there, which I am currently paying $31 for then I am all for it. I rarely use the landline anyway, but I need it since cell phone reception is not too relialbe where I am.

______
I do have another question. I was up in NC this weekend and was watching TWC calbe up there and noticed there Digital Interface has a completely different look and seems to be recent. I figured all TWC interfaces looked the same...guess not. Not really a big deal, but just something I found interesting.

This is the second consecutive night I've noticed video artifacts and audio dropouts on FOX-HD via TWCSC. Is anybody else seeing this? It's not a lot, but enough to be annoying.
Yep, it's even doing it now when the news is on (non-HD). About the same stuff it was doing Saturday and, apparently, Sunday. It's a shame to try to watch that and have to pay for it, too.

OTA is perfect.

Digital John - I noticed that as well and that is what made me come to the board tonight. I am sure it will get fixed.

As far as the the budles go what all goes into getting digital phone? Do you still use the normal phone line or does it go through a cable line as well.

I have everything else and am paying~120 for Digital Cable, RR, HD-DVR, + HD Tier. If I can throw my phone on there, which I am currently paying $31 for then I am all for it. I rarely use the landline anyway, but I need it since cell phone reception is not too relialbe where I am.

______
I do have another question. I was up in NC this weekend and was watching TWC calbe up there and noticed there Digital Interface has a completely different look and seems to be recent. I figured all TWC interfaces looked the same...guess not. Not really a big deal, but just something I found interesting.


FOX - I'll send an email to the Engineers this morning - don't know if I can get anything back to you until tomorrow because this is the 2nd day in a row I'm doing day trips to off-site meetings.

Digital Phone - uses the cable line, not the phone line

NC interface is primarily Pioneer, not SA (SARA) thus the difference. There is a uniform interface in the works that will be pushed out to all TWC over the course of the next 6 to 18 months - SARA divisions like TWCSC will get this after all Pioneer Divisions.

FOX - I'll send an email to the Engineers this morning - don't know if I can get anything back to you until tomorrow because this is the 2nd day in a row I'm doing day trips to off-site meetings.


Thanks, Diana!

DJ

I've been noticing the problems with Fox too. In fact, for me it has gone back as far as last Thursday. My wife DVR'ed The OC and watched it over the weekend. It was full of audio and video glitches.... really bad at times.

My wife DVR'ed The OC and watched it over the weekend. It was full of audio and video glitches.... really bad at times.

Oh, don't blame it on the wife...go ahead and admit that you watch the OC too. :cool:

I have a question on the 8300HD. What do you guys use for HD settings, Fixed, Pass-Through, or Up-Convert1 or 2? I didn't notice a PQ difference between Fixed and Pass-Through on mine, and I can't find the DVR manual on TWC's website to see if it's covered there. I ask because my 8300HD has additional Zoom options via the remote that my 8000HD does not.

Oh, don't blame it on the wife...go ahead and admit that you watch the OC too. :cool:

I have a question on the 8300HD. What do you guys use for HD settings, Fixed, Pass-Through, or Up-Convert1 or 2? I didn't notice a PQ difference between Fixed and Pass-Through on mine, and I can't find the DVR manual on TWC's website to see if it's covered there. I ask because my 8300HD has additional Zoom options via the remote that my 8000HD does not.

OK, I'll admit that.... it's her show and I may watch it occasionally, but that's the most you're going to get out of me. ;)

Regarding the 8300, I have mine set to pass-through mode so that the TV is handling the conversions. When I've set it to fixed in the past I didn't really notice much of a difference, picture-wise. I have heard, though, that most TV's handle the conversion better than cable boxes. But I haven't done enough comparison really to claim one is better than the other. The main reason I go with the pass-through mode is because I'm able to use my TV's rather nice stretch feature on the 4:3 content.

[QUOTE=usace]OK, I'll admit that.... it's her show and I may watch it occasionally, but that's the most you're going to get out of me. ;)
QUOTE]

He-He..that's why I gave her a DVR, so she could record it and not bother me,
and it didn't interfere with "other" things.... :)

Speaking of his and her DVR's, I noticed while I was looking for a manual on the 8300HD on the TWC site , that there were manuals for Multi-Room (MR) DVRs.

Diana - Where are we on the rollout of those?

Speaking of his and her DVR's, I noticed while I was looking for a manual on the 8300HD on the TWC site , that there were manuals for Multi-Room (MR) DVRs.

Diana - Where are we on the rollout of those?


Are you looking on the local site or the corporate site? I think you might find the Multi Room on the corporate site because One Division has decided to launch them under their current restraints. After our beta test last year (of which Kevin Ivey was kind enough to participate) we laid out a few basics that our customers felt needed to be addressed prior to roll out - SA has yet to address these issues, so we are still at NO GO for launch.

If you found it on twcsc.com please let me know so I can get it removed asap.



By the way - the headend found a loose connection in the headend FOX should be good now - let me know.

Got an email just now:

Dear Michael:

Did you know Time Warner Cable plans to drop Game Show Network (GSN) from its place in your channel lineup in the Columbia area? They are and this is entirely Time Warner's decision.

GSN is fighting very hard against it because, as of Saturday, April 1, you will no longer be able to watch GSN on Time Warner in your town, unless you pay more to subscribe to a special 'sports' tier.


Is there a website documenting these changes? Anything like a new HD channel or five?...

By the way - the headend found a loose connection in the headend FOX should be good now - let me know.

FOX-HD was much better tonight during House. Thanks!

DJ

Got an email just now:



Is there a website documenting these changes? Anything like a new HD channel or five?...


GSN and Outdoor Channel have been migrated from The Digital Tier to the newly renamed Sports & Games Tier. No resulting change in bandwidth / the bandwidth used for a digital channel (or two digital channels) wouldn't support a single HD channel, much less multiple HD channels / since we're using SDV now this is not a direct correlation

30 Day notice was provided to all subs that this would happen in South Carolina yesterday (3/28) not April 1. This notice was placed in all newspapers in our footprint.

The vast majority of our digital subscriber base has The Digital Preferred Tier on their monthly subscription, so to add the 12 channel Sports & Games Tier is only a total of $0.70 more per month. For Fans of The Outdoor Channel this is very good news because we launched The Sportsman Channel on the Sports & Game Tier at the end of December and this contains a great deal more of this type of programming.

Are you looking on the local site or the corporate site?

I can't really tell. I navigated to it from the TWCSC site, and when I bring it up, the page shows "South Carolina" in the upper right hand corner...but as you can see from the URL below, it doesn't really reference SC in the address unless by the "MarketID" tag.

Anyway, here's the direct link where the MR DVR Manual is listed in PDF format.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/FAQ/TWCFAQCategories.ashx?CatID=917&MarketID=12

I've been reading some stuff about how ESPN2HD is expected to be added in time for the start of baseball. Which, if I remember correctly, is this coming Monday. Hopefully this holds true. Anyone know anything more about it? I know Diana has always said that new channels get added immediately after negotiations have completed, but until that time they are unaware of how far along the negotiations are. I guess we'll see what happens in a few days.

Well, my SA8300 HD started making some baaaaaaaad noises from the HDD. After awhile it rebooted and came up with Er 51 (Area 51? :cool: ), then went into an infinite hnnn loop (nnn-increaing numbers). I picked up a replacement unit at Greystone that looked like someone poured a beer in it, but it worked...

Do these units die often?..

I can't really tell. I navigated to it from the TWCSC site, and when I bring it up, the page shows "South Carolina" in the upper right hand corner...but as you can see from the URL below, it doesn't really reference SC in the address unless by the "MarketID" tag.

Anyway, here's the direct link where the MR DVR Manual is listed in PDF format.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/FAQ/TWCFAQCategories.ashx?CatID=917&MarketID=12

Your right - I can't tell... I sent it to my webmaster to see if he can remove it - that will tell us for sure!

Thanks,

I've been reading some stuff about how ESPN2HD is expected to be added in time for the start of baseball. Which, if I remember correctly, is this coming Monday. Hopefully this holds true. Anyone know anything more about it? I know Diana has always said that new channels get added immediately after negotiations have completed, but until that time they are unaware of how far along the negotiations are. I guess we'll see what happens in a few days.


Really - that would be cool! I love Baseball!

Do these units die often?..

I haven't ever seen any stats. I've had one die on me since we launched and that was an 8000 very early on.

30 Day notice was provided to all subs that this would happen in South Carolina yesterday (3/28) not April 1. This notice was placed in all newspapers in our footprint.I prefer the message space on my bill, but I don't always read that either. Thanks...

I haven't ever seen any stats. I've had one die on me since we launched and that was an 8000 very early on.

I'm afraid to comment lest I jinx myself... :o

I just e-mailed Dressler about ESPN2HD being added before MLB opening day (as he and others have led us to believe for months now). Well ... surprise, surprise-- he's changed his tune.

He reports no progress in adding ESPN2HD or the NFL Network. If you're like me and love sports, this might just be the last straw. Come on Verizon Fios!!

I prefer the message space on my bill, but I don't always read that either. Thanks...

Time constraints made that option impossible.

to be available on Saturday April 1st. :cool:

All TWCSC Missing HD Channels to be available on Saturday April 1st. :cool:

In addition, encryption on ALL channels will be dropped UFN... :D

Why is TWCSC not allowing it's HD customers the Showtime-HD Free Preview? Customer service says the Showtime HD channels are not part of the free preview. and will not be available. (she did not hesitate in her response) :mad:

For years the HD channels were never blocked during a free preview weekend.

The HD channels were left out due to human error on the part of the Billing Systems clerk who built the package. Apologies. She knows to make sure HD is included in all future previews. Showtime preview 3/31 to 4/3.




I guess this statment must have fallen out the bulls butt, if you get my drift Diana!

Why is TWCSC not allowing it's HD customers the Showtime-HD Free Preview? Customer service says the Showtime HD channels are not part of the free preview. and will not be available. (she did not hesitate in her response) :mad:

For years the HD channels were never blocked during a free preview weekend.


HD Channels are part of the preview - I thought I covered all the bases between the HBO and Showtime preview. I'll do what I can today to get it resolved.

I guess this statment must have fallen out the bulls butt, if you get my drift Diana!


I get your drift and I find it highly offensive because I have never stated anything I don't know to be true on this forum.

Diana, just ignore any stupid comments... Everyone should understand how lucky they are to have you here on this forum. We don't have anything like you on our Toledo, Ohio - HDTV thread. I personally miss the help.

I wish we had someone like Diana here in Charlotte. I too think that comment was totally out of place and disrespectful, especially considering it was an honest mistake that was owned up to.

Can a csr add the Sho package for this weekend only, so us TWC HD customers can preview Sho-HD?

Not quite sure your exact question, so let me answer in two ways:

If you have tried to use the upgrade to add the Showtime Free Preview and it didn't work at all, as in you don't get the SD feeds of showtime, then yes the CSSRs can add the preview.

If you were able to upgrade the preview and are getting the SD feeds, but not the HD feeds that means the correct code is on your account and the CSSRs cannot do anything else (They cannot add the full rate code for you for the weekend). You can ask them to send a hit and see if that will work?

I have sent the information to the headend that this isn't working again. I hope they will be able to resolve it shortly.

Upgrade to preview was successful, but no HD.

Headend computer must be running Windows.. :D

Oh well, it would had been nice to have seen some of the Sho movies this weekend. They seem to be showing more this weekend than in the two years I was a sub. Heck, they even sent me a pair of Carowinds tickets one year.

Just order it Kevin, then cancel it monday... You should be one of the customers that have everything they offer anyways...

not hardly, and I wouldn't have even known about it had Diana not mentioned it last month.

Diana said earlier that the HD channels were supposed to be included in the free preview. But they werent in the HBO preview a couple of weekends ago and they arent again in the Showtime preview this weekend either.

Sorry Diana,

I like having you here in the forum, and appreciate your help,information and advice. I am aware this is not your fault directly about the preview.I guess I am tired of everybody dropping the ball on HD content and then being told if you don't like it you can just watch analog. I also figured being the weekend this preview will be gone and no one can fix it. I have DirectTV service for my HD movie channels and wanted to see the difference in HD quality and if it recorded well to the PVR. If it had, moving all my viewing to cable could have been a option instead of upgrading for future MPEG4 DirectTV will be doing. I didn't buy this equipment and services to keep getting told "Better Luck Next Time" every time something is to be in HD and is not. Why is it ok for HD to be so dismissed and ignored?

All right - I'm sorry you guys think that HD is being dismissed and ignored. That is not the case at all. We are trying to work a new technology and there is a bug in activating the HD channels that we simply haven't ironed out yet. Here's the timeline:


TWC in SC did not participate in ANY premium free previews from the time period of 1996 until 4Q of 2005 because of the FCC requirement to provide a 30 day notice to customers so that we could roll a truck and trap out the line IF they didn't want uncut R rated programming in their homes. Expensive and detracting from BAU, so we opted to stay out of the Free Preview business.

2005 comes around and some NC Divisions conceive of an Impulse upgrade solution to the 'parental control' issue. 30 day notice is placed in a bill message then customer actively selects the preview with a confirmation screen rather than the programming just popping up on the screen. In SC we watched their 'test' through 2 previews until the 4Q when we decided to try it out with an HBO free preview. Thinking back, I don't know if NC included HD screens. I do know that at least one of the NC Divisions, after championing the initial impulse upgrade tests has backed off of doing each and every one that comes down.

4Q HBO Free Preview - so much has happened since then I cannot remember exactly when it was - all I know is we thought we activated the HD screens with the SD screens, although at this point I think maybe we didn't but because we really weren't advertising it so we got no complaints that the HD screens weren't included. PS - all the converter models are tested with the codes in the headend, so both SD and HD work in the lab....

HBO Free Preview - we advertised and we found out from you guys that the HD wasn't coming in with the SD so we investigated and discovered a human error. Ta-Da thought we had it for the next one

Showtime Free Preview - spent an excessive amount of time checking and double-checking the HD aspect of the initiative because HD is important and what do you know - we still don't have it right


In all honesty, given its a FREE preview with 99.9% of customers NOT keeping the service after the fact, we have put a lot of Man hours from some people who have very high salaries into providing HD. So the description that we are dismissing and ignoring HD and/or HD customers is very far from our reality.

Finally, its also our choice in SC to 'try' and provide HD in the preview, its not required by the premium vendors. In my mind that's further evidence that we aren't dismissing the HD customer. Obviously your free to disagree with my opinion.

The best I can do this morning is tell you we'll keep trying till we figure it out.

Seeing as the service can be turned on and off by making a call to TWC, it is my opinion, and only my opinion that you guys could afford to pay to try it out for a day or so to see if you like it. If you aren't willing to do that, then you obviously aren't willing to pay for it on a regular basis anyways, so why should TWC jump through hoops to give you free HD for the weekend when you won't buy it anyways. I think it's time y'all quit complaining about your perception of TWC's lack of support. You complainers don't have a clue what you have down here and on this forum. Sorry if I p!ss anyone off this morning with this, but it's my personal opinion.

Seeing as the service can be turned on and off by making a call to TWC, it is my opinion, and only my opinion that you guys could afford to pay to try it out for a day or so to see if you like it. If you aren't willing to do that, then you obviously aren't willing to pay for it on a regular basis anyways, so why should TWC jump through hoops to give you free HD for the weekend when you won't buy it anyways. I think it's time y'all quit complaining about your perception of TWC's lack of support. You complainers don't have a clue what you have down here and on this forum. Sorry if I p!ss anyone off this morning with this, but it's my personal opinion.

I certainly appreciate Diana and all that she does for us here, but I have to disagree that TWC is doing all they can to get us more HD channels and content.

AND

I definitely disagree with your assertion that people should be willing to pay for a preview. Thats pretty as$anine really, by your thinking we should all have to pay to be able to test drive a car or try on clothes.

" Yes Sir, here is my 1 months payment of $455 to test drive that Tahoe before I buy it."

Nuclear Tiger, Way to take it to extremes...By your assinine thought process, restaurants should give you free food to try before you decide to eat there. You probably do think this, and that's the problem with our culture and America overall. Everyone thinks they are entitled to everything. Well wake up America, nobody owes you a dime. Pitts out.

Nuclear Tiger, Way to take it to extremes...By your assinine thought process, restaurants should give you free food to try before you decide to eat there. You probably do think this, and that's the problem with our culture and America overall. Everyone thinks they are entitled to everything. Well wake up America, nobody owes you a dime. Pitts out.

Way to go yourself. Am I entitled to everything? Obviously not

Am I entitled to reliable Cable TV and Internet without having to pay a small fortune? Yes I am, so is everyone else with TWC. Unfortunately for all of us we are in a market where TWC has a monopoly and therefore doesn't have to work towards reduced downtime and more HD Channels.

To ask people that are already paying 150 some odd dollars a month for cable services to pay an additional fee just to preview channels is indeed AS$ININE!

Now a point of advice, try to bring a coherent thought process to your next debate/discussion. When you go out for food you pay for it on the spot and you actually get something out of it, i.e. Sustenance. If you had to pay for a preview guess what you got nothing but ripped off.

Oh and a little factoid for you:

Most restaurants will let you sample something to make sure that you like it or will fix you something else if you tell them it wasn't very good or that you didn't like it.

Simply put the HD preview is available on DirecTV, Dish Network ,and Comcast.



and Marky :rolleyes:

Diana,

Will selected Atlanta Braves home games from TBS-HD ,and Turner South-HD be shown here in Columbia this year?

Diana,

Will selected Atlanta Braves home games from TBS-HD ,and Turner South-HD be shown here in Columbia this year?

They should be, since we are in the atlanta braves viewing area even though we are 300 miles away, which precludes us from being able to get Yankees or Mets games without having to pay the $150 for the MLB extra innings.

206.0 Miles

Marky_Mark896,

Your comment has a flaw. Give me a freaking brake with the EVIL AMERICAN garbage! The local stations broadcast OTA at no charge. Even with your $210 dollar cable bill to TWC on paper they claim your local stations are free. Doesn't seem to keep you from lamenting about the audio and video quality of WIS and Fox.

I don't think switching services off and on is good. It's fraudulent and could lead to fees for all the accounting and labor it takes to keep track of your free sampling, like what Direct TV has done for partial month service, and I know nobody here wants that added to their bills. This is why TWC have these PreView Weekend, to prevent that behavior. :mad:

Does anyone watch WPDE OTA? Yes, I know what thread I'm in, but I'm sure there are people that can receive Columbia and Florence. I already asked in the Myrtle Beach thread and only one person said they saw a problem. I don't think many get it OTA around here or maybe the few that do wouldn't post on AVS. This Columbia thread is a lot more active.

Anyway, I get a almost constant video stutter ONLY on WPDE, using a HR10-250. Its only that station. ABC out of Wilmington is fine an so is Directv distant net ABC HD. Its a actual video stutter, like a jerking motion or a framerate problem. Its not a signal breakup.

I searched all the local forums and saw people talking about that with different stations, but seems like ABC was talked about the most, along with the receiver I have. So, I was just wondering how common what I see is, an if many other types of receivers are showing the problem.

I have talked to WPDE but said they weren't aware of a problem, but supposely would check it out. From what I've been told an heard, sounds like a encoder setup. I think they currently have a loaner and also suppose to get 5.1 audio back on sometime soon. It hasn't always shown that problem, but I don't know exactly when it started. Its been about 2 months since I just looked one night and saw it.

I know most of the talk is about TWC but I was interested in knowing how many might see the same thing I do. Most of the time its easy to pick up on, especially on Lost.

Diana,

Will selected Atlanta Braves home games from TBS-HD ,and Turner South-HD be shown here in Columbia this year?


I expect that this will be true based upon history with Turner Networks, but with the sale of Turner South to FOX Networks, I can't speak definitely that last years arrangement will be exactly duplicated.

Marky_Mark896,
This is why TWC have these PreView Weekend, to prevent that behavior. :mad:



I really don't want to get in the middle of this discussion, but before it goes any further I want to correct some misconceptions:


We don't encourage customers upgrading and downgrading additional services for short periods of time, because it would simply add to telephone traffic and contribute to hold time, etc that no one likes.

We can't really control upgrades/downgrades of this nature, some customer's sample and it is not an issue for the billing system, and when a customer is relying using sampling to determine if they want to keep a product, that's ok - its why some of our products like the HD tier have long standing promotions of first 30 days free. If a customer becomes abusive the account will be elevated and restrictions will be placed - with explanation to the customer as to why. (For example - they drop the HD tier at the end of 30 days and then call back a few days later to restart the promotion) .

It doesn't have anything to do with our participation in Free Previews. We do Free Previews because (1) premium networks think they are a great way to grow their subscriber base - and to some extent if you remind a customer The Sopranos new season is here with a free preview, you can get some small percentage to keep the product at least for the duration of the season (2) Premium networks tend to spend a lot of money advertising the previews and if we don't participate our customers become upset that we aren't participating (3) The impulse upgrade feature seemed an optimal way to participate because it required customer confirmation on screen to accept the uncut HR rated content in their home and it didn't involve telephone traffic to the call center.

Good morning all,

FWIW, we discovered this a.m. that our 8300HD DVR will not allow one to set up a new recording any which way no how. The proverbial magic fix (cold reboot) was of no help. Previously scheduled recordings still appear to be taking place. Potential problems areas include a bad box here, bad overnight firmware update or a late manifestation of a Daylight Savings Time switchover bug. I called and reported same to CSR and to Diana as well. Suggest anyone else experiencing similar behavior with ther DVRs do the same.
____
Bruce
Sumter

Good morning all,

FWIW, we discovered this a.m. that our 8300HD DVR will not allow one to set up a new recording any which way no how. The proverbial magic fix (cold reboot) was of no help. Previously scheduled recordings still appear to be taking place. Potential problems areas include a bad box here, bad overnight firmware update or a late manifestation of a Daylight Savings Time switchover bug. I called and reported same to CSR and to Diana as well. Suggest anyone else experiencing similar behavior with ther DVRs do the same.
____
Bruce
Sumter


I was able to setup a new scheduled recording this morning on my 8300HD after I read your post.

DJ

Sorry to bring this back up, but I just wanted to share this anecdote with the group and Diana since this doesn't jive with an earlier poster's comment.

Knowing that I wouldn't be around all weekend (BridgeRun in Charleston), I checked the Sho-HD channels friday morning around 9am to see if they were available to see if I could DVR a few movies to check out at a later date. As we all know by now, Sho-SD was available, but Sho-HD was not. I called TWC and spoke with a nice CSR that, after hearing my question, put me on hold for a good period of time (I guess she had to check with someone else) and then came back and said that the Sho-HD channels *were* part of the free preview weekend (just as it said on the Sho-SD sign-up screen) and, after I asked when, said they would be available "later that day."

I checked again at around noon and they still weren't available, so we just forgot about it and left for Charleston.

I checked again when I returned last night and noticed they still weren't there, so I figured this thread must be really lighting up (looks like I was right). :D

My experience was different from the earlier poster who said the TWC CSR told him that the HD channels were not part of the preview...maybe he was calling at a later time than I was and TWC had decided to change their strategy at that point.

Anyway, it's not that big a deal for me (I wasn't going to be home for the preview anyway and I was going to *cheat* and DVR some of the movies), but I thought I'd share my experience nonetheless.

I'd also add that I appreciate Diana's contribution here and heck, I wouldn't have even known about the free preview if it wasn't for her posting about it in this forum, so it wasn't a big loss.

P.S. Scanning ahead on the program guide, I noticed Sho-HD shows ALOT of the same movies over and over. :D

I was able to setup a new scheduled recording this morning on my 8300HD after I read your post.DJ
Thanks for checking! We arrived back home a few minutes ago and find our box is now working correctly too. Glad the problem, whatever it was, was not more widespread or longlasting!
_____
Bruce

If you tried to order the Showtime Free Preview - check the HD channels now and let me know please.

If you tried to order the Showtime Free Preview - check the HD channels now and let me know please.

The two HD Showtime preview channels were working for me last night.

2 SHHD channels working in Florence today Diana.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Well, we think we got it this time... and I don't have a date for the next preview for us to mark on the calendar, but you can rest assured I WILL be adamant in making sure everyone does everything they need to next time.

Diana,

Both channels are open and look very good. Have to see how the PVR recording turns out. Sorry again for being rude, just got PO'ed and took it out on you. Have a good week.

Thanks for the extra effort, it is greatly appreciated. :)

Any word on the Braves Games in HD yet? The season has started and the first TBS game is coming up in the next few days.

Another Question for everyone in the columbia area. (i figured I would get better info in this forum)

I am looking for a local installer for when i purchase my HDTV. I am going to go in one of two directions. I am either getting a 37inch LCD and putting it in my entertainment center for now, or I am going to go ahead and get a 42' plasma (or possibly LCD) and get it mounted.

I am going to mount the TV on the wall above my fireplace.

Not sure yet where or what I am going to buy, but I need opinions about getting it mounted. I will want to have a nice clean install and I will also probably try to get them to do some wiring for my surround sound system. If I go above my fireplace, my arraingment changes and I will have to move all my speakers. The tv stand no is adjacent to the fireplace wall.

What local companies do the best job for the best price?

Any word on the Braves Games in HD yet? The season has started and the first TBS game is coming up in the next few days.

I have not received the HD Schedule from Turner Networks yet. I will send my Rep an email right now.

2006 Master's Coverage


Standard Definition

Thursday 4 to 7 pm USA - local Basic Cable Channel
Friday 4 to 7 pm USA - local Basic Cable Channel
Saturday 3:30 to 7 pm CBS - local Basic Cable Channel
Sunday 2:30 to 7 pm CBS - local Basic Cable Channel


High Definition - COLUMBIA DMA ONLY

Thursday 4 to 7 pm CBS - WLTX - Channel 810
Friday 4 to 7 pm CBS - WLTX - Channel 810
Saturday 3:30 to 7 pm CBS - WLTX - Channel 810
Sunday 2:30 to 7 pm CBS - WLTX - Channel 810


High Definition - Division Wide (including Columbia DMA)

Thursday 4 to 7 pm Universal HD - Channel 945
Friday 4 to 7 pm Universal HD - Channel 945

I am fairly new to the area, but Tweeter (It was Sound Advice in Florida) is my favorite chain retailer. excellent service. I know they do installs but not sure about pricing.

If you tried to order the Showtime Free Preview - check the HD channels now and let me know please.

I checked it last night and it wasn't working for me. Did I just miss the boat?

Yes sorry - the entire package expired at midnight on Monday.

No prob, thought it might be something like that.

I have not received the HD Schedule from Turner Networks yet. I will send my Rep an email right now.

Anything?

Did anyone compare the Masters PQ between CBS HD and Universal HD yesterday? What did you think?

I had a hard time deciding which was best. At one point, I thought CBS (channel 810) was best and then at another, I thought Universal was best. Just wondering what others thought.

Braves in HD


All home games for TBS and Turner South will be filmed in HD.

All TBS Home games will be aired in HD on TWC Special Events Channel 813

During the Month of April, All Turner South Home games will be aired in HD on TWC Special Events Channel 814

We do not know yet what HD rights we might obtain for Turner South after the sale of the network to Fox Cable Networks closes at the end of this month. We are working to obtain this information and will let you know as soon as we know.

C'mon man, you can install it yourself. ;)

Another Question for everyone in the columbia area. (i figured I would get better info in this forum)

I am looking for a local installer for when i purchase my HDTV. I am going to go in one of two directions. I am either getting a 37inch LCD and putting it in my entertainment center for now, or I am going to go ahead and get a 42' plasma (or possibly LCD) and get it mounted.

I am going to mount the TV on the wall above my fireplace.

Not sure yet where or what I am going to buy, but I need opinions about getting it mounted. I will want to have a nice clean install and I will also probably try to get them to do some wiring for my surround sound system. If I go above my fireplace, my arraingment changes and I will have to move all my speakers. The tv stand no is adjacent to the fireplace wall.

What local companies do the best job for the best price?

thanks, Diana

Here the listing of the Atlanta Braves in HD:http://www.twcsc.com/AllHosted/DigitalSportsTier/BravesInHD2006.aspx

thanks, Diana

Here the listing of the Atlanta Braves in HD:http://www.twcsc.com/AllHosted/DigitalSportsTier/BravesInHD2006.aspx
That was quite nice last night...nice picture on 814 (I believe) and virtually NO commercials. Now, if it just hadn't been for that hiccup.

What hiccup?

What hiccup?
My cable box rebooted (not sure of the time but probably 3rd or 4th inning of the game) and some hi-def channels, including 814, were "off-line" for some period of time (maybe 15-30 minutes). When I called Time Warner, the recording said some Columbia customers "might" be experiencing problems with their high definition channels.

hummm, didn't know about that one, sorry

So, are the braves games only going to be available on TBS after April is over?

I do not know. We haven't received information from FOX Cable Networks representatives as to what will happen with Turner South after the deal closes.

HD should really supercede blackout rules. Braves were on ESPNHD and blacked out
yesterday in favor of SD Turner South. If the industry would have written the blackout
rules to treat HD broadcasts separately it would have helped fuel expansion into HD more
quickly by more networks.

HD should really supercede blackout rules. Braves were on ESPNHD and blacked out
yesterday in favor of SD Turner South. If the industry would have written the blackout
rules to treat HD broadcasts separately it would have helped fuel expansion into HD more
quickly by more networks.


HD looked great

HD should really supercede blackout rules. Braves were on ESPNHD and blacked out
yesterday in favor of SD Turner South. If the industry would have written the blackout
rules to treat HD broadcasts separately it would have helped fuel expansion into HD more
quickly by more networks.

TWC customers got the TS HD feed on Channel 814

Ahhh... well, chalk that up as one of the benefits of TWC. There are a handful out there
and having control over localized programming is certainly one of them.

Perhaps providers should have separate blackout contracts then. For instance, if the TS HD
feed isn't available for Direct or Dish and ESPNHD or some other HD outlet is offering the
game, blackout rules shouldn't apply to that broadcast. Black out SD ESPN or whoever,
that's fine, but treat HD separately.

Blackout rules aren't made by networks, cable companies or programmers. They're made by the leagues who have their own agendas. Which usually have nothing to do with making sense.

TWC customers got the TS HD feed on Channel 814
I'm confused by your earlier post and the TWCSC website at the link Kevin shared the last day or two.

I understood from your earlier post that ALL Braves home games shown on TBS would be in HD on 813 (?) and that ALL Braves home games shown on Turner South in April would be in HD on 814(?) and after that, who knows.

The TWCSC website doesn't seem to indicate ALL the TBS games will be in HD, but that it is selected games. Can you clarify?

Home games that aren't on Fox or FSN are in HD. Most braves FSN games are on Wednesday and are not in HD.

I'm confused by your earlier post and the TWCSC website at the link Kevin shared the last day or two.

I understood from your earlier post that ALL Braves home games shown on TBS would be in HD on 813 (?) and that ALL Braves home games shown on Turner South in April would be in HD on 814(?) and after that, who knows.

The TWCSC website doesn't seem to indicate ALL the TBS games will be in HD, but that it is selected games. Can you clarify?


The website lists all TBS home games, which will be in HD as previously posted.

You are correct in that our list doesn't indicate all the TBS games. It doesn't include TBS away games because I have received no indication of (1) which will be in HD and (2) if we are allowed to carry them on a HD Special Events channel.

away games on TBS have never been HD. Some road games have ben HD, but have been blacked out due to the game being on TS or TBD. Sometimes ESPN has the rights and the games are shown on ESPNHD, and ESPN2HD ,but only when they were not on TS or TBS. Saturday's games on FoxHD are widescreen, but are not in HD.

Anybody get any audio dropouts on Lost last night?

I had 3. Each one was long enough to miss at least one sentence of dialogue.

Anybody get any audio dropouts on Lost last night?

OTA or TWC?

I had 3 long dropouts too. Much longer than the normal little hiccup I occasionally see. Kind of annoying. I was watching a recording from my TWC DVR.

OTA or TWC?

Sorry, I should've specified.

TWC.

I had 3 long dropouts too. Much longer than the normal little hiccup I occasionally see. Kind of annoying. I was watching a recording from my TWC DVR.

Exactly. DVRed copy here too.

I have a copy on another HD-DVR in the house, but didn't get a chance to check to see if it was there as well. I'm suspecting it was a drop in the digital audio. I've seen that on my other DVR before, where the Surround Sound dropped out, but the analog audio (fed directly into the TV) kept going. Since I was watching on a Projector last night, with all the audio coming from a SS receiver, it dropped out altogether for me.

Our GM here heard the drop out in lost as well, TWC HD DVR..anyone here ota?

Have inquired with ABC as well.

Was the dropout "clean" and "quiet" or was there any sort of "pop" or "click"??

Was the dropout "clean" and "quiet" or was there any sort of "pop" or "click"??

"Clean and Quiet" is exactly how I'd describe it. It was almost like it was done by the producers of the show, but I don't see any mention of it in the "Lost" thread here at AVS.

Typically, the dropouts I've seen were also marked by the pop/clicks that you mentioned. But, this is the first time I've seen a dropout viewing on my Front Projector, so the typical pop/click could just be coming in over the analog audio and wouldn't show up on the digital-only audio that I was using last night.

Did the Dolby Digital "light or indicator" on your receiver..go out? If no, and based on what you describe, I tend to think it is coming in to us that way. But, It could be the DVR, it would be good to see if it is occurring OTA. I have a few folks who will be looking at OTA to see if it
happens there.

Did the Dolby Digital "light or indicator" on your receiver..go out? If no, and based on what you describe, I tend to think it is coming in to us that way. But, It could be the DVR, it would be good to see if it is occurring OTA. I have a few folks who will be looking at OTA to see if it
happens there.

Bob - My component closet is off to the side of my HT and I didn't think to look over at it to notice. Sorry.

I can check tonight to see if the recording on the other DVR had the same dropout at the same 3 times.

Thanks, let me know. TWC is also looking into the issue.

I just tuned in to SEHD (814) and the sound was a very loud buzzing hissing noise. The baseball video was there OK (not in widescreen) but the noise through my Dolby Digital receiver was horrendous. I'm rebooting my HD-DVR right now to see if it helps.

getting audio drops from Wolo-DT this evening via TWC. Happens during shows and commercial breaks.

Did the Dolby Digital "light or indicator" on your receiver..go out? No

Why is channel 810 not in HD? Does a switch need to be thrown?

Picture is now great, but now no audio. Center channel?

The Braves game on HD 814 is dropping out real bad. The video keeps freezing while the sound tries to play but just stutters.

Anyone else noticing this?

The Braves game on HD 814 is dropping out real bad. The video keeps freezing while the sound tries to play but just stutters.

Anyone else noticing this?
Yes...was very bad early and just bad later. Anyone know where/what is the problem?

WOLO-DT Ch 8 (25-1) experienced numerous audio burps tonight (Saturday) between 7pm and 11:30pm. Audio just would blank out for several seconds. Happened on both the digital and analog feeds, during the program and commercials as well. Don't know if the analog feed was similarly "enhanced".
____
Bruce

Can confirm audio drop out on HD thru OTA and TWC during "The Ten Commandments".

These seem to be the same audio issues that has plagued Wolo-DT during the week.

Thanks All, we are looking into the issue and will keep you posted as to fixing the problem.

You'd think we were airing Jerry Springer.. :)

More of the same audio dropouts on WOLO today during the NBA games.

bdfox18doe, thanks for the attention this problem is getting and keeping us up to date.

No prob USACE..I have to be very careful here, as WOLO-DT actually carry's the WOLO-Tv25 signal.. so can't be too hasty to try something lest I break it ALL. And that wouldn't be pretty!

We're resetting the Dolby decoder as well as the ABC-HD reciever, so let me know how primetime does tonite..

anyone else find their 8300HDs spazzing out lately?

a while back a lot of people were having problems with getting knocked out of watching a recording when 2 programs started recording. at the time it wasn't happening to me. but this past week it did--not only that but a few spontaneous reboots and scheduled recordings being missed.

West Wing recording tonight split into 2 parts--40 minutes + 20 minutes.
Sopranos split into 2 parts--20 minutes + 40 minutes.

very odd.

Bob,

Audio was perfect from 7pm to 10pm OTA and TWC.

Thanks, I did reset the encoder this am, and have been listening to GMA this AM and haven't heard anything yet. We'll keep an eye on it, just let me know if you have any further problems.

Thanks, I did reset the encoder this am, and have been listening to GMA this AM and haven't heard anything yet. We'll keep an eye on it, just let me know if you have any further problems.
I tuned in DH last night for awhile and bounced back and forth for awhile between cable NTSC and OTA HD feeds (different rooms, different TVs) and also noted no audio dropouts.
____
Bruce

Bruce, you don't strike me as the DH type.. But then again, Eva Longoria.. :cool:

Bruce, you don't strike me as the DH type.. But then again, Eva Longoria.. :cool:
;)

No audio dropouts for me either during DH last night on TWC. Seems like the problem has been fixed. Nice job!

I've got a question I hope you guys can help me out with. I feel sure that the solution is going to have something to do with me being an idiot.

I am in downtown Columbia, and have an 8300HD connected to a 30" Phillips LCD flat-panel. I am using an HDMI cable for viewing HD channels, but also have a regular component connection between the 8300HD and the TV. Whenever I view HD channels (whether with HDMI or my previous HD component connection) the view is not centered on the screen - it is skewed to the right a couple of inches. This leads to a few inches being cut off of the right side of the screen. When viewing standard channles using the HDMI connection, the grey bars show the same thing: the 4:3 image is a few inches to the right, and the grey bar on the left is bigger.

I have tried every configuration change I can think of (not saying too much) to fix it. I am inclined to think that the issue is with the cable box vs. the TV, because when I use a regular component output from the box to the TV for standard channels, it is correct (i.e. when I switch to an HD channel, I have black bars on the left/right, and grey bars above/below the picture, and it is a correctly framed 16:9 picture in the middle of the display. Also, when I enter set-up mode on the box, the screen it displays is skewed to the right as well.

Any ideas/thoughts you guys have would be much appreciated.

Sounds like some kind of horizontal centering adjustment needs to be made with the tv, but i dont have much experience with LCD's, so I'm just speculating.

Dbone, I agree with D-Rock (are y'all related btw? ;) )...it sounds like a problem with your TV...you should try posting your question in the Phillips or LCD forums...

I am inclined to think that the issue is with the cable box vs. the TV, because when I use a regular component output from the box to the TV for standard channels, it is correct (i.e. when I switch to an HD channel, I have black bars on the left/right, and grey bars above/below the picture, and it is a correctly framed 16:9 picture in the middle of the display. Also, when I enter set-up mode on the box, the screen it displays is skewed to the right as well.Sounds like some of the box's modes aren't what your TV likes. I now use 1080i even though 420p 'fits' my screen better: in 1080i the bottom is partially cut-off, but I ignore it now. I even ignore the fact that the left side of the screen shows more of the scrolling text on CNN than the right, like the image is slightly tilted.

If you are sure you've tried all the possible video modes the box offers, consider a service call to have your TV adjusted. I'm sure it'd solve my problems, but putting up with them is cheaper...

Still can't find this information anywhere..

What is the price for TWCSC for Digital Cable with an HD DVR (+15.20 mo) and the HD Tier?? including taxes and fees??

without the RR Package... I already have earthlink

I can't find the base price or the taxes and fees other than the package bundles and the various receiver fees anywhere...

thanks

It's all here (http://www.twcsc.com/AllHosted/OffersByZip/PackagesWelcome.asp) .

Once again, I will repeat.. The base price for Digital cable and basic cable and the taxes and fees are not there.

Only the add ons and the combo packages.

What I am looking for is NOT there.

Call TW they will price it out for you

Yea, looks like I am going to end up doing that. I thought maybe I could get a quick answer and not have to worry about dealing calling.. thanks

Website pricing information

Basic Cable is not included because there is no discounting when you simply go for that version of the product. The bundles include Digital Cable with Basic Cable built in after all the discounts have been placed on the various products in the specific bundle you are interested in.

Taxes and fees are not included because those are impacted by the local governing body and can change from Irmo to Lexington to Chapin to Columbia, etc. No way to really find out what they are until you put them into the billing system and see how it shakes out.

Makes sense Diana about The taxes and fees and such.

One reason I thought it may be available there is because I have in the past, gotten a mailing from TWC with a very detailed breakdown on the prices with everything included. It was a little paper rate card type mailing. I think they put it out because of the rate increases that were about to happen at that time.

I think I have gotten the info that I need from some friends on another board!

Do not worry we are sure to get the little card by years end.
:rolleyes:

Without a doubt, and with no increase in channels. Still no NFL Network, ESPN2-HD, ESPN-U, StarzHD, Cinemax-HD, National Geog-HD, etc, ............

Oh I forgot, we did get the on demand commercials channels :rolleyes:

yea, the more I read and research, the more it looks like staying with Dish and upgrading to Their HD plan and equipment will be the best option. Having the Braves in HD is a big draw for me, but I think that Dish is more on top in terms of HD.

I have to decide soon, my TV will be deleivered in the next 3 days..

Without a doubt, and with no increase in channels. Still no NFL Network, ESPN2-HD, ESPN-U, StarzHD, Cinemax-HD, National Geog-HD, etc, ............

Oh I forgot, we did get the on demand commercials channels :rolleyes:


Would you really expect TW to give you what you might want! TW is your father and they will tell you what you need! :mad:

yea, the more I read and research, the more it looks like staying with Dish and upgrading to Their HD plan and equipment will be the best option.
Especially if you like an overly compressed soft looking HD picture.

Makes sense Diana about The taxes and fees and such.

One reason I thought it may be available there is because I have in the past, gotten a mailing from TWC with a very detailed breakdown on the prices with everything included. It was a little paper rate card type mailing. I think they put it out because of the rate increases that were about to happen at that time.

I think I have gotten the info that I need from some friends on another board!


We work very hard on the Annual Price and Product Review....

You can always email me at twcscnews@twcable.com with an address and I can get very close to an exact amount for you.

Can someone please give me some details about the HDDVR's from TWCSC? Or point me in the right direction. There may be info in this thread, but there are 208 pages, so it would take a while to dig through.

Are their more than one Model? If so, which ones are the best. Also What are the connection options?? Do they Have HDMI or DVI, both?? I assume they have the standard RCA, Composite and Componet and probably S-Video outs.. Just wanted to figure out what I might need cable wise..

Best way is to do the research using the search function.

Can someone please give me some details about the HDDVR's from TWCSC? Or point me in the right direction. There may be info in this thread, but there are 208 pages, so it would take a while to dig through.

Are their more than one Model? If so, which ones are the best. Also What are the connection options?? Do they Have HDMI or DVI, both?? I assume they have the standard RCA, Composite and Componet and probably S-Video outs.. Just wanted to figure out what I might need cable wise..

the 8300HD would be preferable to the 8000HD. it has HDMI, all the analog outs you mentioned, a choice of optical or coax digital audio out and an active firewire port.

the 8000HD has DVI but as far as i know it was never activated, you would be limited to component outputs. the analog video outputs were only activated with PIP or Save to VCR functions.

Yea, I guess I could spend 1-2 hours reading and searching. Not a huge deal. But maybe someone that knows off the top of their head could take 5 minutes and type out a response that has the info to help save time. On many of the other boards that i frequent, thats what I do all the time to help people save time..but thats just me.

8300 with HDMI is available, no DVR with active DVI output is available.

8300 has better PQ than 8000


There is a 3250 with DVI active, but I know you are most interested in the DVR.


TWC only provides component cables. Customer's who desire to use the HDMI or DVI connection must purchase their own cables.

Yea, I guess I could spend 1-2 hours reading and searching. Not a huge deal. But maybe someone that knows off the top of their head could take 5 minutes and type out a response that has the info to help save time. On many of the other boards that i frequent, thats what I do all the time to help people save time..but thats just me.
The problem is you did not ask for just a suggestion; you wanted details. And details often cover many aspects of said machine (and trying to talk cogently about same often takes me a bit more than five minutes but then again I am slow). Searching is definitely hard yes (I have not tried here recently myself) but I know there is a wealth of information here in our forum because we have covered this topic numerous times before and I know I do not have all the answers. I might also suggest you visit the HD recording forum here at AVS plus Scientific Atlanta's own website.

However to expand slightly on Scruffy7's info (and Diana's too now for I am really slow tonight) ... there are two DVRs currently available from TWCSC. The older model is the the SA8000HD DVR and it has a 160GB hard disk (~20 hours of HD recording time available); (inactive it would appear) DVI and active Component/YPrPb ports. To my knowledge the analog ports (composite; S-Video) are not activated other than working thru the VCR out (a hassle and generally not worth trying). I believe it also has a Firewire port which is not active either. (TWCSC may have some SA3250 HD converters that have active Firewire if needed).

The 8300HD DVR is slightly newer, has HDMI with HDCP, active analog ports, better HD PQ (an opinion shared by most) and better upconverting capability as well. It too can only record about 20hours of HD. However, it does have a SATA port and some forum members here have been able to buy the requisite SATA hardware and connect it up and find it works. The 8300HD also has Component YPrPB outputs (what I use) and a more sophisticated menu of output resolutions. Unfortunately I am not well versed in how those work and would have to recommend you find the manual off of the SA site. I use 480i/1080i output myself I think. It is Set and Forget and I have definitely forgotten how to use it (but I do have the instructions printed out somewhere on how to set it up; they were downloaded from the SA website).

Both of these DVRs burp on occasion; the firmware has a few bugs. They frequently upgrade it (generally at o'darkthirty) sometimes they fix an old problem and invent a new one. They are also ocassionally add some new features though there are some areas that still fall short in the eyes of many users. However, it is still a worthwhile box to rent unless you are a TiVoholoic in which case I suggest you immediately go with DirecTV and don't pass Go. (I cannot speak how well it compares though to DirecTV in-house brand of DVR nor those provided by Dish Network). Most of us with the 8300HD definitely recommend all HD viewers go and get one.

Many viewers here use HDMI just because they can. The PQ improvement over YPrPb may be significant; may not be. Might be worth checking out and trying the Component outputs since TWCSC Component cables are generally very usable and they come with the DVR. Be advised that sometimes there are switching problems for those who wish to use a A/V receiver with HDMI. HDMI cables from local retailers are often very costly (reasonable priced ones are available over the internet). Starting out with Component cables may be a reasonable choice for the PQ may be fine and gives you a chance to mail order some rather than having to secure a second mortgage first so as to buy them from your local discount retailer. (yes; oxymoron there).

Now, if you go to your local TWCSC office and ask for a HD DVR they may try to give you a 8000. The stock number for a HD DVR is apparently the same for both. So ask for an 8300HD DVR. If they don't have one in stock and you are in Columbia... go try a different TWC office. The Greystone office usually seems the best choice to get one at. Sumterites and some other smaller markets generally have only one local office to visit and so are stuck having to keep trying to get one from that one location.

So, suggest you go get one pronto and give it a try. It will cost you about $5/mo more than a SA3250HD (regular HD converter) and if you don't like it you can swap back for the 3250HD box. Holler if you have further questions.

____
Bruce

There is now both a 3250 and an 8300 with Firewire active, but you have to turn the unit over and look for a specific number on the bottom of the chassis - and you can't get one through the call center, because just like the difference between an 8000 and 8300 - the billing system just knows a the whole unit, not the model number or what part may be active at a time later.... yes I know, not very customer friendly - I have yelled my head off about it....


Please note, due to Construction, the Greystone Office closed for good this past weekend. There is no replacement for that location right now, so we suggest Harden Street or Sunset Blvd. We will have another major location open in a month or so.

Please note, due to Construction, the Greystone Office closed for good this past weekend. There is no replacement for that location right now, so we suggest Harden Street or Sunset Blvd. We will have another major location open in a month or so.
oops
I stand corrected... :)

Everybody here please email TWC and share your thoughts on new HD channels.
We all have a couple minutes to spare to post here so please Email Corporate.

Fred.Dressler@twcable.com

Let's be civilized.

Thanks for all the Great Info.. I appreciate the time and effort

A big thanks goes out to Diana from TWC.. She has been a huge help this week in my decision process.

Whats the deal with channel 813(TWCHD)? If I turn there I see a black screen with title "BRAVES HD", but there is never a game on. Are we supposed to be getting Braves HD or not? I have the HD tier.

I think they may be on 814 for braves home games in HD.

Only the braves home games carried on TBS.. And Turner south through the end of April at least.

The braves are on a road trip right now

the next HD game is Saturday..
http://www.twcsc.com/AllHosted/DigitalSportsTier/BravesInHD2006.aspx (Braves HD Schedule)

813 is TBS Home Games. 814 WAS Turner South Home Games. Here is the link for the schedule when games will air. This is not a 24/7 channel - only when it is a TBS Home Game.
http://www.timewarnercable.com/southcarolina/products/hdtvAvailableChannels.html

Now, about Turner South - I do not know. We asked FOX Cable Networks representatives if we would continue to be able to provide the Turner South Home Games to our customers. They were not even aware of Turner allowing us to do that, so they didn't have an answer. I will send them another email asking if they have made a decision on this point yet.

http://www.hd.net/program_search_results.html?keyword=Dead%20Like%20Me&whattosearch=title

Dead Like Me on HD Net

One of my personal favorites - cancelled before its time. If you never saw it on Showtime, watch it now!

On the 8300HD, is there and audio optical output that works along side the HDMI out??
I want to hook the HDMI into my TV, but I won't be using the speakers on the TV, rather I would like an digital optical output to run the audio through my receiver

On the 8300HD, is there and audio optical output that works along side the HDMI out??
I want to hook the HDMI into my TV, but I won't be using the speakers on the TV, rather I would like an digital optical output to run the audio through my receiver

Yes

You can research everything on the SA website - "User Guides, Installation and Wiring Diagrams".

Gary, it really wasn't hard for me to answer "yes".

Just adding additional resources to your explanation.

I take it is going to be a no-go on the braves hd on turner south from here on out??

I noticed it isn't on tonight. I know we were told it might happen, but i was holding out hope it would stay on

Noticed it too, but at least the non HD tier subs get their free INHD channel. Maybe ESPN2HD will be added to make up for it.

Diana,

Is there a 8300 DVR with firewire and if so what is the best way to get it and activate the connection on it.

I take it is going to be a no-go on the braves hd on turner south from here on out??

I noticed it isn't on tonight. I know we were told it might happen, but i was holding out hope it would stay on


FOX Cable just took over yesterday, so they really couldn't figure it all out before then. I wouldn't say the rest of the season is a loss at this point.... we need to wait for them to answer my question.

, but at least the non HD tier subs get their free INHD channel.


Care to share what that means?

yes there is both an 8300 and a 3250 with a Fire Wire.

you need my help to get either because the only way to tell is to turn the unit over and look for a specific part number on the bottom. No way to call in and get it. You might be able to stand at a front counter and look through several, but I honestly can't tell you how your luck would hold out on that front.

Even the truck roll can be problematic because of all the pieces that have to go correctly from the time the Tech picks up his weeks supply of converters from the warehouse and the time of your install appointment.

Just so you know - I keep Senior Management in the loop as to how difficult it is to give high value HD customers the equipment they require because of our past 'inventory decisions' and I continue to hope that when new units come out with new/active outputs we are allowed to code them differently in the billing system. Of Course SA didn't help with this one by simply coming out with a 'different' 8300 and 3250 - if they had at least put a new model number on each, then it would be easier to identify the units for the field personnel.

Care to share what that means?


814 INHD, it had been turned off before yesterday.

I saw a Sabres' game was on, but after that the channel became unavailable again...

I have noticed that when the Braves have been on in HD on TBS and Turner south for home games, ESPN baseball tonight uses the HD signal in thier highlights on ESPNHD.

Well, tonight I noticed that the turner south hd feed was being used on espnhd baseball tonight. So, that means that they are still broadcasting the game in HD somewhere. Hopefully TWCSC can get it back on soon!!

Well guys, I don't know where to start. I am so frustrated, I didn't even feel like posting. Some of you guys may remember my posts from several months ago, when I was having problems. A tech came out and cured the signal issue, and replace my 3250 downstairs with a 2000. The 2000 was soooo slow but I dealt with it for a long while. It also was unable to get the on demand or start over programs more than 40% of the time. I finally took it back and got a 2100. Much faster. It locks on to SDV channels and on demand stuff great, but it still has the black and white color banding thing on my Sony SD 35" TV. The 3250 did this, the 2000 did it, and now the 2100 does it too. So I STILL cannot enjoy on demand or start over on the TV I watch most of the time. It plays for a few seconds or a few minutes, but then the video turns to black and while and I get rainbow banding rolling on the screen. This has to be a cable box-TV incompatibility issue. But my TV is in no way obscure. It is the most common Sony 35" set and none of my other sources have this issue. The tech was puzzled when he saw it, he thought fixing the signals would cure it. I thought to myself, yeah, maybe if they were analog, but these are digital! I really don't see how this can be cured if I've already gone through 3 boxes. On top of that, I have a new problem with the 2100. I understand that there is going to be somewhat of a volume difference between the analog and digital channels. But on the new box, the volume is so low on digital channels, that I have to crank the volume on my TV to 75%, and nearly blow my TV speakers out when I change to an analog channel. Yes, I changed the setting in the menu from variable to fixed, I wouldn't be on this forum if I was that inept. So I was just glad that my 8300 DVR works so great. The other night I went upstairs to my movie room to watch some DVR content. Well now it seems that the digital out is failing on the 8300. On DVR contect, live tv, anything, the bitstream comes on and off. A reboot was no help. Oh well, stuff breaks, right? But I am going to lose all my prerecorded content that I have not watched yet. AGAIN!!! This happened to me once last year as well, and I lost a ton of stuff then, and it hasn't come back on the movie channels yet for me to recapture it. I can't beleive that TWC has no way to image the hard drive for customers. I am tempted to do it myself! No, I won't actually do it. But I am not so gung ho about getting another DVR yet again. Why, so I can lose all my content again? And if I don't need a DVR, then I don't need movie channels anymore, cause I cannot watch on their schedule. The DVR makes it worthwhile. And without HD movie channels, I don't really need a cable box up there either. I am really considering dumping digital cable alltogether. I know it works great for some, but it has been a bust for me. I love the technology and beleive that TWC SC does a great job with what they have. It's just the crappy SA hardware and software that's so buggy, it makes the whole thing a moot point. Wow, imagine if a car worked like this! I miss the days of analog cable. Turn it on and it works. I love the bells and whistles of Digital cable, and have been willing to shell out big bucks for it so far, but am not sure anymore. I was just about to dump netflix, because TWC was meeting all my needs for movies, but now I am thinking I need to dump TWC and upgrade my netflix subscription. I really don't want to, but I feel like I have paid for all those movies that were on both DVR's that I will never get to watch, and I will never get that money back that flew out the window. What would you guys do in my case? If I get a new DVR, I have no desire to put movies on it for later because I have no faith that they will be there when I want them. I paid for HBO all these months to get those movies and NEVER watch one live. That means that my entire movie package has been a waste of money ALL YEAR. Ok, I'm done ranting, I posted to see if anyone has had as much problem as I and to get you guys opinion on what I should do. Diana has been great, but she doesn't make the hardware. They can only do so much. I just can't spend anymore for what I can't watch.

And on top of everything, today I come to my home office and road runner is down, and I had clilents waiting on me to show them homes and I could not access the MLS to search for homes! I could not beleive it. It was very embarrasing to call my client and tell her that I was not sure when I could meet her cause my internet was down. Earlier today I was going to go DSL and ATSC antenna. Right now I don't know what to do.

I feel for you, but I have never had any extended issues with any stb or with rr.

What level tech did you have? They are all sub-contractors and most are basically installers. When I first got HD I had signal strength issues and a high level tech came out and fixed it in a flash.

They sent out a competent tech who was a rela TWC employee, and I heard his boss tell him over the radio not to leave until the problem was fixed. I don't blame the techs, it's apparent that the equipment is just junk. This has got to be expensive for TWC as well with all the failures, and possible loss of business from frustrated customers. I don't think I've ever spent this much money on something that worked so poorly. Well cable works fine, but like I said, the DVR makes it all worthwhile. Without that, having movie channels or HD content at all is useless. I work as a real estate agent and work fragmented hours and rarely can schedule time to watch TV or movies. Especially in the summer.