The last AI was 4 segments. Have not recorded since.

The changes were made after the last AI.. please do a few test records, both in and out of primetime... and let me know. we'lll fix it...sooner or later..

It is illegal to use the VBI for anything other than EBS messages.Well, OK, then the same kind of technology that tells me I'm not authorized to view a channel can be changed to tell people it'd temporarily out...

I get the impression you are suggesting something disingenuous about my responses.

I will not participate in this line of discussion any further.If you detected my feeling that at no point would any of these ideas be repeated to anyone that might implement them, then you did get those feelings correct.

Hopefully we can talk about something else in the future...

i think this has all gotten way too complicated. it started out because LexHiDef was upset because WIS didn't 'flip the switch' to HD at the start of a golf game. in my experience when this happens it is always a local HD station (usually WIS) and usually their fault. i've never sat down to watch a HD cable channel (HD tier, premium HD channel or other non-local HD channel) and had it flip in and out of HD. maybe it has happened, just not to me. if i'm watching a channel where the center audio channel is missing that usually means i've landed on WLTX-DT with their ongoing audio problems. if 10 channels are out then by all means call TWC because something's wrong. and if you're having that bad service, ask for a credit on your bill. i don't think TWC owes you anything because WIS can't get HD right, or WLTX is still working out their 5.1 kinks though.
If you look back, you'll see that I politely asked Diana why the golf wasn't in HD on Saturday. GaryJ also posted for WIS to flip the switch. I'm only a consumer when it comes to cable TV/HDTV, not an insider or even one who knows a whole lot about the machinations of how I get what I pay for from whomever. My contention, basically, in another post was that I pay TWCSC for cable service and that I expect them to deliver and if/when they don't, I'd be contacting them. With the discussions in this forum, I'm learning, and, from now on, I'll probably contact the station and TWCSC. As info, the FCC's "Cable Consumer Bill of Rights" says, "Consumers are entitled to write or call their cable companies whenever they have complaints about the cable services being provided on the various channels, or about program cost increases, and they should expect a speedy response." While I think some of the wording isn't the easiest to understand, my interpretation is I am entitled to contact the cable company when something isn't right.

As for not having a broadcast "flip in and out of HD", it happened just Sunday on the golf broadcast but it was very brief and only intermittent, so, yes, it does happen. I'm happy for you that you haven't experienced it.

Response from FOX Cable Networks:

"It was driven by a TBS rainout earlier in the year. In order to make all schedules (FSN, Turner South and TBS) whole, TBS took a FSN game, FSN took Friday’s game, and Turner South gets an additional game in July. Why these games? I am sure that it was driven by schedule opportunities and production truck coordination."
Thanks for checking. Let me say it again....I appreciate you being here and helping.

I think you should give the job to Lex, he notices EVERYTHING that goes wrong.

If I were as miserable as Lex, I would sell all my stuff and live in a cave.

I would like the position of Corporate AVS Forum reader several of the folks here write their long-winded tirades of HD channels we don't have in our area to. :D
No, you are wrong BowWow.

"He" is already fully employed and to notice "EVERYTHING" that goes wrong, "he'd" have to watch all channels, all day and that doesn't happen.

If I were as wimpy as you, I'd lay down and let others walk all over me without saying a word. But it ain't happenin'.

Have a good day.

If you look back, you'll see that I politely asked Diana why the golf wasn't in HD on Saturday. GaryJ also posted for WIS to flip the switch. I'm only a consumer when it comes to cable TV/HDTV, not an insider or even one who knows a whole lot about the machinations of how I get what I pay for from whomever. My contention, basically, in another post was that I pay TWCSC for cable service and that I expect them to deliver and if/when they don't, I'd be contacting them. With the discussions in this forum, I'm learning, and, from now on, I'll probably contact the station and TWCSC. As info, the FCC's "Cable Consumer Bill of Rights" says, "Consumers are entitled to write or call their cable companies whenever they have complaints about the cable services being provided on the various channels, or about program cost increases, and they should expect a speedy response." While I think some of the wording isn't the easiest to understand, my interpretation is I am entitled to contact the cable company when something isn't right.

As for not having a broadcast "flip in and out of HD", it happened just Sunday on the golf broadcast but it was very brief and only intermittent, so, yes, it does happen. I'm happy for you that you haven't experienced it.

this will be the last i post about this, hopefully my points will be made with greater clarity because up to now they seem to have been lost.

if you look back you'll see that you didn't just politely ask why it wasn't HD, you said you didn't know why you should even have to call anyone and that it is TWC's responsibility to make sure you get what you pay for. i don't begrudge your right to call TWC, WIS, or Dear Abby when the channels go wonky. my point is that the reason WIS is so lax about HD is because they don't think anyone is watching, apparently no one who works at that station is watching. i think many calls from many viewers might have a better effect than one call from TWC, that's all.

also i think in your haste to dash off a response you did not carefully read what i wrote. i said that i never saw a premium HD channel (such as HBO or SHO-HD) or a HD Tier channel (such as HDNet, InHD, etc) or non-local HD channel (Discovery HD, TNT HD, etc) flip in and out of HD. i've seen it more times than i can recall on WIS, which is who i think you are referring to with sunday's golf broadcast.

No, you are wrong BowWow.

"He" is already fully employed and to notice "EVERYTHING" that goes wrong, "he'd" have to watch all channels, all day and that doesn't happen.

If I were as wimpy as you, I'd lay down and let others walk all over me without saying a word. But it ain't happenin'.

Have a good day.

Some name calling, just what I would expect REXHiDef.

We are all painfully aware of what you are fully employed at, whining and crying like a little kid cause your TV did not work right. WAAAAHHHH!!!!

I think most of us would be very relieved if you would, as the Cable Consumer Bill of Rights states, write or call your cable company.

Write or call the GM at WIS and voice your displeasure over their inability to flip the switch cause I think it is pretty obvious they are not monitoring AVS Forum to find out when they screw up.

Write or call TWC to voice your displeasure over their inability to notice WIS did not flip the switch. Write or call management at TWC to voice your displeasure over whatever channel we don't have you think we should, cause I think Diana has made it pretty clear she doesn't get to make those decisions, nor does anyone else posting here.

Please come back and post the responses you get. I think we would all enjoy reading about it. Anything would be preferable to your consistently negative posts over the same old stuff.

If making my complaints directly to the source of my aggravation makes me wimpy, maybe you should work on some wimpiness yourself. :p

Hope you have a good day as well.

Some name calling, just what I would expect REXHiDef.

We are all painfully aware of what you are fully employed at, whining and crying like a little kid cause your TV did not work right. WAAAAHHHH!!!!

I think most of us would be very relieved if you would, as the Cable Consumer Bill of Rights states, write or call your cable company.

Write or call the GM at WIS and voice your displeasure over their inability to flip the switch cause I think it is pretty obvious they are not monitoring AVS Forum to find out when they screw up.

Write or call TWC to voice your displeasure over their inability to notice WIS did not flip the switch. Write or call management at TWC to voice your displeasure over whatever channel we don't have you think we should, cause I think Diana has made it pretty clear she doesn't get to make those decisions, nor does anyone else posting here.

Please come back and post the responses you get. I think we would all enjoy reading about it. Anything would be preferable to your consistently negative posts over the same old stuff.

If making my complaints directly to the source of my aggravation makes me wimpy, maybe you should work on some wimpiness yourself. :p

Hope you have a good day as well.
How could YOU be so stupid?

You started this negative stuff with your post about me being miserable.....you have no idea as to my state of mind in general. And you showed your biases and prejudices with your assumption that LexHiDef is a "he". Cool your prejudices and biases....you don't know me.

"...whining and crying like a little kid cause your TV did not work right." Please show me, BowWow, where I have EVER posted in this forum that my TV doesn't work right. Please. I have a GREAT TV--it works just fine. But if it didn't, I'd let the business where I bought it know.

And, you should be VERY RELIEVED because, as the Cable Consumer Bill of Rights states, I do call the cable company.

And, you know what? If you don't like my "consistently negative posts over the same old stuff" then don't read them, IDIOT. It's really that simple, simpleton.

this will be the last i post about this, hopefully my points will be made with greater clarity because up to now they seem to have been lost.

if you look back you'll see that you didn't just politely ask why it wasn't HD, you said you didn't know why you should even have to call anyone and that it is TWC's responsibility to make sure you get what you pay for. i don't begrudge your right to call TWC, WIS, or Dear Abby when the channels go wonky. my point is that the reason WIS is so lax about HD is because they don't think anyone is watching, apparently no one who works at that station is watching. i think many calls from many viewers might have a better effect than one call from TWC, that's all.

also i think in your haste to dash off a response you did not carefully read what i wrote. i said that i never saw a premium HD channel (such as HBO or SHO-HD) or a HD Tier channel (such as HDNet, InHD, etc) or non-local HD channel (Discovery HD, TNT HD, etc) flip in and out of HD. i've seen it more times than i can recall on WIS, which is who i think you are referring to with sunday's golf broadcast.
I asked Diana politely why it wasn't in HD.

I did say I shouldn't have to call anyone, but I also asked, "...I send my money to TWCSC and they ARE my cable provider so why shouldn't I expect them to make SURE I have what I am supposed to have from my cable?" That is a question, not a statement that it IS TWCSC's responsibility to make sure I get what I pay for.

I guess we can agree to disagree but I think TWCSC would have a lot more impact calling the local station (with the clout they have) than the limited number of viewers who might call when there is a problem with the HD feed.

Now....I'll admit...maybe I did mis-read what you wrote about HD channels flipping in and out but it wasn't in haste....and...there was a problem recently (May 30th and June 1st) with a non-local HD channel, or HD Tier channel (I'm not sure which it is), with 813/814/TurnerSouth/TBS carrying the Braves games. While the broadcasts didn't "flip in and out" they didn't, or were late in, "flipping in." Please reference my posts on 5-30 at 7:56 p.m. and Diana's response on 5-31 at 5:01 a.m. and, then again, on 6-1 in my post at 7:59 p.m., Diana's post at 8:00 p.m. and my post again at 8:27 p.m. Now, as a average Joe Consumer, how am I to know where the problem is? Am I supposed to know the difference between when it's a "local channel's" fault or a non-local HD channel's fault or the headends fault? In this case whose fault was it that "the switch didn't get flipped?" I believe it was TWCSC's problem.

How could YOU be so stupid?
then don't read them, IDIOT. It's really that simple, simpleton.

There's a neat feature in this forum, it's called "ignore", and is one simple click away for some. Then your posts cease to exsist to those who chose not to see you. ;)

It works VERY well.. :)

There's a neat feature in this forum, it's called "ignore", and is one simple click away for some. Then your posts cease to exsist to those who chose not to see you. ;)

It works VERY well.. :)
Hey, c'mon. I believe it's HDWow's turn.

I think a little perspective here would be in order.

Think back to how it was just two years ago, when every station had issues regarding switching to the HD feed, and we had all kinds of problems with audio synch and lack of DD5.1.

I remember when problems such as these were a daily occurance. Now we may see one or two glitches a month.

The local stations have vastly improved, and will continue to improve, and as soon as they stop the analog broadcasts, you know they will pay more attention to their quality of digital service.

- Blizz

The local stations have vastly improved, and will continue to improve, and as soon as they stop the analog broadcasts, you know they will pay more attention to their quality of digital service.

- Blizz

i agree to an extent. i think technical issues like switching and audio will be better but i'm kind of cynical that any local station's HD quality will increase. when everyone is getting digital tv i think the networks will be thinking about trying to create more revenue from subchannels than trying to deliver a good HD channel. i could be wrong but i think the only decent HD will be from dedicated cable/satellite HD channels or DVD.

i've been slagging on WIS-DT for a while now so i thought i'd say something nice about them. :)

last week i noticed they had a weather alert on the HD channel that was a nice unobtrusive crawl at the bottom of the screen. seems like they used to have to switch to SD for the big obnoxious weather graphics, i hope they keep it low key, people don't need to have a visual anvil dropped on them to get the info.

How could YOU be so stupid?

You started this negative stuff with your post about me being miserable.....you have no idea as to my state of mind in general. And you showed your biases and prejudices with your assumption that LexHiDef is a "he". Cool your prejudices and biases....you don't know me.

"...whining and crying like a little kid cause your TV did not work right." Please show me, BowWow, where I have EVER posted in this forum that my TV doesn't work right. Please. I have a GREAT TV--it works just fine. But if it didn't, I'd let the business where I bought it know.

And, you should be VERY RELIEVED because, as the Cable Consumer Bill of Rights states, I do call the cable company.

You are absolutely correct WRECKSHiDef, I should have asked that the position be given to the miserable Human Being. As to your state of mind, just call 'em as I read 'em.

Can't speak for the rest, but IMO you are pretty miserable human being. I really don't give a rat's as_ what sex you are.

As for not knowing you, you are correct, and I am reasonably certain that is a blessing.

Sorry if you thought I was questioning the quality of your "GREAT TV". I probably should have said, whining and crying like a little kid cause your HD programming was not what you expected. WAAAHHH!!! Either way, it is the same old tired whining and crying stuff from you post after post.

I could ignore your posts, but I have toooooo much fun winding morons like you up. Works every time, and the longer it goes, the dumber your responses get.

Have a nice day, PUTZ. :D

Any ideas on how to turn Caller ID on TV on with an 8300HD? I've tried the method in the booklet involving the "A" key, but "Caller ID" is not one of the selections in my access menu. Not sure I even want it, but I would like to just try it.

Yes - I have digital phone. (working digital phone now Diana ;) thank you much)

What day did we get the 8300 put in? It takes 24 to 48 hours AFTER the work order is closed for CID to begin working.

I think Monday we got the converter in.... so Tuesday work order closed (but what time of day?) ... so it should be showing up any time now....

Just email me tomorrow if you don't have it. If you call in the CSSR fills out an Action Form and sends to me anyway.....

http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2006/06/19/daily34.html?jst=b_ln_hl

http://www.timewarnercable.com/sanantonio/programming/updates.html

What day did we get the 8300 put in? It takes 24 to 48 hours AFTER the work order is closed for CID to begin working.

I think Monday we got the converter in.... so Tuesday work order closed (but what time of day?) ... so it should be showing up any time now....

Just email me tomorrow if you don't have it. If you call in the CSSR fills out an Action Form and sends to me anyway.....

Gotcha - I'll check tonight. I spent all night last night hanging speakers so didn't even watch the TV hardly. The converter came in Monday night, but didn't actually get "installed" until about 2:30 am when he finished. It was a late night for us, but the installer was determined to get everything working.

Not sure I want CID on the TV screen. It's bad enough with the phone ringing to interrupt the movie to start with..

Its cool Bob, one of those things you get used to VERY easily... but if anyone hates it, they just turn it off... that simple!

That's 'zactly what I did.. Now I need a master disconnect for the phone..

Now I need a master disconnect for the phone..
I'm almost positive you have one. It's called "Wire Cutters". ;)

Can someone help me with this....

We have the bandwidth.....
It "seems" the deal is done....
Other TWC divisions have it....

Why don't we have StarzHD and CinemaxHD? I'm really having a hard time with this question.

Howdy.

First - new HD channels. We still don't have all the necessary information so I have no updates. I'm sorry.

Second - I'm going on vacation. Leaving in a few minutes and will not be back until Wednesday July 5th. I know I've been short with my postings lately and for that I apologize, but I honest to goodness haven't had a single day off since I went to Indy in March and I'm exhausted. I will be recharging over the next 11 days.

If you have an issue, please call Customer Service at 866-892-7201

http://www.cableworld.com/cgi/cw/show_mag.cgi?pub=cw&mon=062606&file=meetthemsotime.htm

http://www.tvpredictions.com/timewarnerhd062306.htm

http://www.tvpredictions.com/timewarnerhd062306.htm
To make room for the new HD channels, cable operators will remove some channels from its lineup. For instance, Comcast recently notified subscribers that it will soon drop multiple feeds of some premium movie channels.Until they make a 8-tuner DVR, I still have a use for the West-coast feeds. It'll be sad to see them go here too...

Why would they need to drop anything in SC since that's suppose to be the point of SDV. If thats not the point SDV like TWC CEO says it is, then what is the point. I know it makes cable cards almost useless, but I hope it does more than that.

Also, I thought since SC is a testing bed for TWC and stuck with that SA software, that they could add any HD channel fast.

http://business.itbusinessnet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=47951

To add three more HD channels, all ya gotta do is move ONE MORE analog channel to the digital tier.....should be easy....

However, in order to get SDV out of the "testing" phase and into wide deployment, my guess is that it's part of the new OCAP software release expected later this year and next, rather than the soon to be obsolete SARA and PASSPORT operating systems.

Perhaps the pertinent question to ask is when and where will TWC deploy OCAP (presumably with SDV) after the planned trials this year in NYC, Milwaukee, Green Bay-WI, Lincoln-NE and Waco-TX???
http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleid=CA6344725

=========================================
Unfortunately, OCAP is also tied to the release (later this year? or next?) of two-way CableCard-II.....whenever they get the bugs out of the software....and you all know how that goes....

An additional complication is that CC-II will become almost immediately obsolete by the release of DCAS (Downloadable Conditional Access System) in July 2008:
http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA6323126.html

DCAS means the cable companies don't have the hassle of "managing" CC encryption modules--and hence some Cable companies may decide to wait out CC-II for a year and skip directly to OCAP with DCAS in 2008....after all, CC-II HDTVs aren't even on the shelves yet....

As much as I want all the HD channels I can get I am more worried about ESPN2HD and ESPNU for the upcoming college football season.

There will be alot college football games being moved over onto those two stations from the original ESPN channel.

Not to mention the Tigers first game of the season is going to be televised on ESPNU.

I was truly optimistic that TWC would add ESPN2HD. I really do not see them adding it anytime soon, and adding less new subscribers because of it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/03/technology/03iptv.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/03/technology/03iptv.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
If the merged BellSouth/AT&T offers the 'unlimited bandwidth' product and TWC doesn't even go the discount route to fight, I'll be very interested...

well, AT&T/U-verse has no HD content right now and the DVR only records one show at a time. this is supposed to change by the end of the year but who knows if they will keep to that timetable...

It would be nice if TWC would at least add ESPN-U and NFL Network before the upcoming football seasons. ESPN2-HD would be really nice but at least we can still watch the games on ESPN2. But there will be 8 NFL games that we are going to miss out on, and numerous college football games because TWC is too stubborn to deal with their enemy- Disney.

Diana,

I stumbled across this forum and have been pleasantly surprised to find that the Director of Marketing for Video Services of Time Warner Cable South Carolina(TWCSC) is a frequent poster here. I have spent more hours than I wish to recount reading the postings in this forum and have found the information you provide to be invaluable. It really seems that you are passionate about your work and TWCSC is lucky to have you as an employee.

I live up the road in Charlotte and am a Time Warner Cable North Carolina(TWCNC) subscriber. Unfortunately for us it does not appear that there is a Diana equivalent that posts on the Charlotte HDTV thread here at avsforums so I will pose my questions to you. I currently subscribe to standard analog cable and earthlink high speed internet and pay TWCNC about $100 a month. I also have a separate TiVo subscription that I thoroughly enjoy. I am very interested in buying an HDTV, but after hearing from my colleagues as well as seeing it with my own eyes, I am less than impressed with the Scientific Atlanta 8300(SA 8300) box that both TWCNC and TWCSC provide to their customers. I frequently hear people say that it misses recordings and that they have had to return their SA 8300 multiple times. Fortunately, TiVo is coming out with their own Series 3 HD DVR this fall that accepts cable cards and thus will allow me to access the HD Tier that TWCNC offers.

This is where a technology called Switched Digital Video(SDV), and your very own TWCSC come in. I have read that TWC is testing SDV in Austin, TX and Columbia, SC. This has been confirmed in this very thread as you have posted here when certain channels were moving to SDV. My concern is that SDV will render the upcoming TiVo HD DVR as well as other CableCard DVRs like those using Microsoft’s upcoming including Vista operating system, obsolete before they are even released. This is because SDV is incompatible with the current version of the CableCard standard. The Universal HD channel, for example, is only available to TWCSC users who rent a cable box from TWCSC. It is not available to users with CableCard devices.

I have read your posts and understand that you think CableCard technology was obsolete before it was even released, but the fact of the matter is that CableCard does exactly what it was intended to do: allow cable users to watch broadcast channels without a cable box they are forced to lease. I understand that because of their “one-way” nature, CableCard devices are not be able to access PPV or On Demand channels, but they would be able to access the Universal HD channel if it wasn’t using SDV.

I have read comments from TWC Chief Technology Officer, Mike JaJoie and in his words "Once I have the switching fabric in place, I can add as many channels as I want and never overload” leading readers to believe that the purpose of SDV is to expand capacity. There are many people, howver, who think that the purpose of SDV is not to expand capacity, but to circumvent the Federal Communications Commission’s mandate that cable companies accepts CableCards. Why would a cable company want to circumvent the FCC’s CableCard mandate? Simple, because CableCards limit revenue because the subscribers cannot purchase PPV events.

The issue that rubs people the wrong way here is that cable companies are monopolies that exist only because they are granted franchises by local governments. In other words, they use local governments to shield themselves from competition while at the same time ignoring the Federal government’s CableCard mandate by adding HD channels using SDV.

Please allow me to use an analogy. Let’s say that you had just built your dream house including a beautiful new kitchen. You contact the City of Columbia about turning on your water service and they tell you that they offer this great new service called “hot water on-demand” that pipes hot water directly into your home from the city pump. You no longer need a hot water heater. Sounds great, right? The only problem is that you have to use the sink and faucet that they provide. Can you imagine such a scenario?!? Yet that is exactly what TWCSC is doing by implementing SDV technology.

The purpose of my post is not just to complain, but to propose a solution to the problem. I understand that you are a marketing person so I will try and relate this in terms of incremental and new revenue. As I stated before, I am a TWCNC analog subscriber here in Charlotte that also subscribes to TiVo. While I understand that SDV has not yet been implemented here, your Chief Technology Officer has publicly stated that he wants to roll it out as soon as possible. The current analog lineup here costs $47.25, the digital package is $62 and the high definition tier is another $6.50. Since I am unwilling to exchange my current analog cable and SD TiVo setup for a HD and SA 8300 setup, TWCNC is forgoing an additional $21.25 in monthly revenue(over a 20% increase from my current cost) by implementing SDV. Second, I’m not sure how much you keep up with the satellite companies, but DirecTV is starting to implement MPEG-4 technology and as a result, their current HD TiVo will not work with their new HD channels. As a result, there are numerous forums(avsforum, tivocommunity, dbstalk) where people have publicly stated that they are ready to switch to their local cable provider as soon as the new Series 3 HD TiVo is released. Since these are both HD and DVR customers it is not a stretch to assume that they would be very profitable customers for TWCSC. These same people are not likely to be happy if they switch to TWCSC only to find out that their HD channels cannot be accessed with their new HD TiVo.

One solution to the problem is to ensure that ALL PPV, OnDemand and Music channels are SDV only. Can you comment on what percentage of TWCSC’s PPV, On-Demand and Music channels are SDV? Since these channels couldn’t be accessed with a CableCard device anyway, it will not appear as if TWCSC is forcing their customers to rent cable boxes from them. I know that you don’t comment on the availability of new HD channels, but can you comment on whether or not new HD channels will be SDV only?

Another solution is to continue to remove one analog station to make room for 3 HD stations. This is the approach other MSOs like Comcast and Charter are taking,

I would like to finish by stating that I am not insinuating that TWC or TWCSC is purposefully trying to circumvent the FCC’s CableCard mandate, but I am stating that implementing SDV can be perceived that way. There are literally hundreds of thousands of people waiting for CableCard DVRs to become reality. This isn’t just about TiVo as there are many people who want to plug a CableCard into their Microsoft Vista Media Center PC as well. If TWCSC continues to add new HD channels as SDV only, it will perpetuate the belief that the purpose of SDV is not to increase capacity, but rather to circumvent the Federal Communications Commission’s(FCC) decision to allow consumers a choice by mandating the use of Cable Card technology by cable companies.

Again, I was pleased to stumble across this forum and look forward to seeing your response. I hope that you had a good vacation.

Sincerely,

Michael Fogarty

A fee that you pay Tivo is the equivilent of a SA rental box. Sadly, the Tivo will fade into the sunset. I used to have Tivo, but really once you get used to the SA setup it not that hard to record the programs you want to watcch. I haven't missed a recording in over a year.

There is only so much bandwidth to be reclaimed by your solutions. There is a lot to be reclaimed by SDV.

TIVO Series 3 reportedly will support both one-way CableCard-I and two-way/multi-stream CableCard-II:
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060106-5915.html
CC-II should be no different than an STB and should be compatible with SDV.

Question to TWC is when will CC-II be available to users????
SA finished final certification tests in April and Motorola Press Release date is TODAY:
http://www.cablelabs.com/news/pr/2006/06_pr_mcard_sa_040606.html
http://www.cablelabs.com/news/pr/2006/06_pr_motorola_070606.html

PS: The fol. April 2006 Press Release only talks about "unidirectional" certification for TIVO (presumably Series 3)---so it is ambiguous whether it was tested at the same time with SA's Multistream CC-II product....or whether the test only included one-way CC-I mode:
http://www.cablelabs.com/news/pr/2006/06_pr_tivo_dcr_040606.html

Kevin,

I understand that I could pay either TiVo or TWCNC, but I don't for 2 reasons.

1. It is cheaper to subscribe to analog cable and pay TiVo than it is to subscribe to digital cable and the TWCNC DVR.

2. TiVo has a much better interface.

In any event this isn't about TiVo. It's about the ability to watch content provided by a monopoly without being forced to use the equipment they provide.

Gary,

I respectfully disagree. I bet that TWCSC still broadcasts at least 80 analog channels. If they converted those to digitial they would free enough bandwidth to broadcast 200+ HD channels.

holl_ands,

The TiVo Series 3 will support multi-stream CableCards which means you can tune two channels with one CableCard, but it will not support the 2 way interactivity of CableCard 2.0. This is a common mis-conception as you can see from the arstechica article. Check out the CableLabs website.

The result is that the TiVo and Windows Vista Media Center PCs are DOA.

I bet that TWCSC still broadcasts at least 80 analog channels. If they converted those to digitial they would free enough bandwidth to broadcast 200+ HD channels..

And what about all those analog tv's on cable that don't use convertors?

I don't think TWC would want to provide "free" convertors for all those sets, nor would all those customers want to pay "extra" for a convertor to make their tv's continue to work with cable.. :)

And with my Mits HDTV, cable card doesn't work worth a crap.. :(

And what about all those analog tv's on cable that don't use convertors?

I don't think TWC would want to provide "free" convertors for all those sets, nor would all those customers want to pay "extra" for a convertor to make their tv's continue to work with cable.. :)

And with my Mits HDTV, cable card doesn't work worth a crap.. :(

Hi Bob.

I have read many of your posts on both this forum as well as the two Charlotte forums.

I don't expect TWCSC to convert all the channels from analog to digital at once, I was only showing that doing so would provide plenty of bandwidth. In practice, I would expect TWCSC to remove one analog channel at a time to make room for 3 HD channels. At most we are talking about 3 or 4 analog channels here and that's only once TWC gets the rights to carry ESPN2 HD!!

I have another question for you. Would it be possible to broadcast 1080p OTA if an MPEG-4 codec like VC-1 was used? This is purely a hypothetical question as I know there would be a lot of work involved.

Question to TWC is when will CC-II be available to users????
SA finished final certification tests in April and Motorola Press Release date is TODAY:
http://www.cablelabs.com/news/pr/2006/06_pr_mcard_sa_040606.html
http://www.cablelabs.com/news/pr/2006/06_pr_motorola_070606.html


This is not talking about CC 2.0 it is CC 1.0 Multistream which is NOT bidirectional. You will just be able to decode 2 channels with 1 card instead of using 2 cards. As for the Series 3, it was originally said that it would only supprt CC 1.0 or 1.0 Multistream. I think the poster of that site might be mistaken. You can follow along in this tread http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=302714

Would it be possible to broadcast 1080p OTA if an MPEG-4 codec like VC-1 was used? This is purely a hypothetical question as I know there would be a lot of work involved.


IMHO, using MPEG4 @ 1080p would be possible, however AFAIK MPEG4 is not a part of the ATSC standard..

Jeeze guys, you make we want another vacation.

There is a lot of stuff here to respond to... not enough time over morning coffee so I will make it my weekend homework.

Later.

Diana,

Any idea why TWC San Antonio got new HD channels? I would had thought Austin ,or Columbia would had been the first choice due to increased bandwidth.

I still do not have all the information I requested on the MAX and STARZ additions.

I suspect San Antonio had something to do with the AT&T video launch, but that's simply a guess on my part.

Its funny how one division of TWC can get the additional HD channels while the rest can't. Makes me think that SDV didnt free up as much bandwidth as was let on and digital simulcasting of analog channels is probably using up a lot of that freed up bandwidth.

And if they gave them to San Antonio only because AT&T rolled out some form of video over telephone in that area then thats just a slap in the face to the rest of us TWC customers.

Its funny how one division of TWC can get the additional HD channels while the rest can't... ...And if they gave them to San Antonio only because AT&T rolled out some form of video over telephone in that area then thats just a slap in the face to the rest of us TWC customers.

Don't forget, Broadcast channels are not free to the Cable, Satellite, Telco companies. I do not work for a cable company but I am certain patience is in order.

So how many analog channels are being simulcast in SC? Seems like that's a hard question to be answered. I used a 8300 for about 2 weeks helping someone get a theater room finished, and there were very few that were coming over digital.

The box did have some issues from the beginning but I assumed it was working ok later. While I really haven't watched it much now that its finally setup in his house, what I did see was some pretty snowy pictures on analog the last time I was there, and I know they were not digital.

Really, I only saw about 3 or 4 that I'd call digital, so either the box don't pick up the digital version very good or many aren't being broadcast that way.

Someone should know how many are and I'd like too know.

So how many analog channels are being simulcast in SC? Seems like that's a hard question to be answered. I used a 8300 for about 2 weeks helping someone get a theater room finished, and there were very few that were coming over digital.

The box did have some issues from the beginning but I assumed it was working ok later. While I really haven't watched it much now that its finally setup in his house, what I did see was some pretty snowy pictures on analog the last time I was there, and I know they were not digital.

Really, I only saw about 3 or 4 that I'd call digital, so either the box don't pick up the digital version very good or many aren't being broadcast that way.

Someone should know how many are and I'd like too know.


that's not how sdv works.

I suspect San Antonio had something to do with the AT&T video launch, but that's simply a guess on my part.


That would be kind of sad if you are indeed right, and a real change from the past when new channels have been added.

So how many analog channels are being simulcast in SC? Seems like that's a hard question to be answered. I used a 8300 for about 2 weeks helping someone get a theater room finished, and there were very few that were coming over digital.

The box did have some issues from the beginning but I assumed it was working ok later. While I really haven't watched it much now that its finally setup in his house, what I did see was some pretty snowy pictures on analog the last time I was there, and I know they were not digital.

Really, I only saw about 3 or 4 that I'd call digital, so either the box don't pick up the digital version very good or many aren't being broadcast that way.

Someone should know how many are and I'd like too know.
You can determine whether you are tuned to an analog or digital channel by enabling the Diagnostic Menus (30+ pages worth).
On a SARA equipped SA8300HD, hold down "SELECT" until the "MAIL" light comes on and then hit "INFO" button.
Cursor through the various pages. "SELECT" adjusts transparency and "INFO" will exit.
It should tell you if it's Analog and frequencies above about 550 MHz (CH77) are all digital QAM carriers.

For SDV channels, you might see the QAM carrier frequency change from time to time....

Of course, if all they are feeding you are digitized analog signals, don't expect to see much improvement....indeed it may be worse...
On TWC-SD, most but not all of the digital simulcast channels are greatly improved....cuz most of them are ALL DIGITAL from source to STB/DVR.

http://www.cabledatacomnews.com/weekly_analysis/07062006_02.html

that's not how sdv works.


Well, that really told me a lot. I've read over time about SDV and basically know how it works, according to different sites that cover whats going on with cable. In a forum most times there are hundreds of different versions of how something might work.

So, if they aren't using SDV for digital analog, then what exactly is it they're doing, just digital simulcast? Also, I keep hearing that the analog channels are mostly available digital if one has a box that receives it an the box will get the digital instead of analog.

But when I look at the analog channels, about all I see is analog channels and I can tell the difference. I'm totally aware that digital don't mean better, but with TWC most times it will, or IMO it does.

Of course since they don't tell what analog channels are actually in digital, then its kind weird too me. I know some systems that went simulcast clearly told it ahead of time.

Anyway, thanks holl_ands for listing how to tell in the diagnostic menu. I've read that before but I didn't look while I had the box. The fact is though, what I saw most analog aren't in digital, and on a 110 inch screen its fairly easy to tell. I assume thats why they don't say much about it, because most aren't digital.

Just using startover shows that really. I also have no idea if they would keep it digital all the way or use a conversion. I don't have cable personally so the only time I take time to read about anything new is when I'm checking to see if they've changed much.

I am also very interested in the CableCard/SDV discussion but my main goal is maximum PQ. I have no desire for Pay per View or even TiVo. I paid a premium for my new display in order to get CableCard and am very disappointed in TWCSC's obvious lack of support. I do plan to have a card installed, realizing it may be a bumpy road. If I have to survive on a diet of OTA and HD-DVD...so be it. I would like to hear from anyone else in this market about their experiences with CableCard.

Cheers

The FCC just got an earfull from cable MSOs re CableCard problems:
http://www.cabledigitalnews.com/weekly_analysis/07062006_01.html
http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA6347548.html
Mostly they blame the HDTV manufacturers...

http://www.cabledatacomnews.com/weekly_analysis/07062006_02.html
The article sez OCAP v.1.0 is being tested on a handful of systems later this year.

The proposed OCAP v.1.1 updates will reportedly add Caller ID, Mobile Phone cross-links,
Multi-Room DVR (networking), IPTV and Switched Digital Video (aka switched broadcast).

I guess that means these new features are a couple years away--or (hopefuly)
we'll see them sooner in updates to PASSPORT and SARA operating systems.

I just ran across Motorola's OCAP presentation at last month's SCTE:
http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/Prep_OCAP_Seminar_Motorola_SCTE_6-22-2006.pdf
Page 20 shows DCAS and Switched Digital Video won't be added to OCAP until 2007.

I guess that tells us when they can add dozens of new HD channels on a system wide basis--RATZ!!!
Until then, have fun with your SDV prototype--while the rest of us hope they recycle more analog channels...

My patience is running out. I've been a loyal TWC customer for....well....forever and I'm tired of the 'coming soon' clause. I'm currently looking at becoming a Dish Network customer until Verizon comes to town (Yes they are coming ;) ) or ATT rolls out video service here. I now feel that the other companies will provide me better service with the $220 per month I give to TWCSC.

I would love to see TWCSC churn rate for HD customers.

I'm currently looking at becoming a Dish Network customer
Like that overly compressed HD video, do ya?

Like that overly compressed HD video, do ya?

I've actually been researching that and yeah they are compressing the signal, but no where near what DirecTv currently is. Oh and last time I checked, you have not contributed a dime to my cable bill, so what should you care who my money goes to?

I've also seen lately that my TWCSC PQ is going down the tubes when it comes to HD channels. Seems like that are "rate shaping" more than they use to.

Will someone there in Columbia call WIS and tell them to flip the HD switch on golf. Again.

I've also seen lately that my TWCSC PQ is going down the tubes when it comes to HD channels. Seems like that are "rate shaping" more than they use to.
Bob was going to do the research on that but has yet to offer any evidence. If I may ask, on what do you base the phrase "seems like"?

Bob was going to do the research on that but has yet to offer any evidence. If I may ask, on what do you base the phrase "seems like"?

I've seen ALOT of compression artifacts on HDNet, HBOHD, and ShowtimeHD lately. I've checked the signal strength inside and outside of my house....flawless.

I've seen the same picture on a friend's Dish HD signal. It's looks no better or worst than TWC.

You gotta ask yourself "Why pay more for less HD channels and the same PQ?"

until Verizon comes to town (Yes they are coming ;) )


Do you have a source for this or is it just wishful thinking? I would dearly love to be able to get FIOS.

Do you have a source for this.......


Damn right ;)

I will agree that TWCSC HD channels are not what they used to be, but I just came from my friends new D* hook up and it was dreadful. I had E* and their SD was dreadful on my two larger monitors.

Anyone having problems with the Free on demand channels. None of them have been working today. they keep saying not available at this time, try again later????

I will agree that TWCSC HD channels are not what they used to be, but I just came from my friends new D* hook up and it was dreadful. I had E* and their SD was dreadful on my two larger monitors.

I can count on 1 hand how many SD channels I watch on a daily basis.

The only thing holding me back from ordering Dish right now is the "teething" problems they are having with MPEG4.

If TWCSC doesn't add at least 2 extra HD channels by September 1st....goodbye TWC in my home....I'll deal with the MPEG4 issue.

I can count on 1 hand how many SD channels I watch on a daily basis.

The only thing holding me back from ordering Dish right now is the "teething" problems they are having with MPEG4.

If TWCSC doesn't add at least 2 extra HD channels by September 1st....goodbye TWC in my home....I'll deal with the MPEG4 issue.

Bye,Bye.

TIVO Series 3 reportedly will support both one-way CableCard-I and two-way/multi-stream CableCard-II:
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060106-5915.html
CC-II should be no different than an STB and should be compatible with SDV.

Question to TWC is when will CC-II be available to users????
SA finished final certification tests in April and Motorola Press Release date is TODAY:
http://www.cablelabs.com/news/pr/2006/06_pr_mcard_sa_040606.html
http://www.cablelabs.com/news/pr/2006/06_pr_motorola_070606.html

PS: The fol. April 2006 Press Release only talks about "unidirectional" certification for TIVO (presumably Series 3)---so it is ambiguous whether it was tested at the same time with SA's Multistream CC-II product....or whether the test only included one-way CC-I mode:
http://www.cablelabs.com/news/pr/2006/06_pr_tivo_dcr_040606.html

Unfortunately, while CC 2.0 "allows" for bi-directional communication, most of the cable companies want to use OCAP to do the SDV. And Cable Card is NOT compatible with OCAP.

Also, apparently the cc 2.0 spec is not 100% finalized. It's in the "next to last" stage (i forget what it's called, but you can visit the open cable website).

Lastly, apparently because CC 2.0 isn't finalized, the Series-3 Tivo will not be CC 2.0 compliant. :(

Bye,Bye.

Yeah, the way TWC is dragging their feet, I sure will be.

I've also seen lately that my TWCSC PQ is going down the tubes when it comes to HD channels. Seems like that are "rate shaping" more than they use to.
Bob was going to do the research on that but has yet to offer any evidence. If I may ask, on what do you base the phrase "seems like"?Well, I was sitting really close to the screen Saturday and watched the picture pixelate a lot on (I believe) SHO-HD. Virtually every fast-moving scene.

Thinking that not much effort would be put into PQ if people didn't complain somehow, I point this out without piling-on...

Diana,

......

Second, I’m not sure how much you keep up with the satellite companies, but DirecTV is starting to implement MPEG-4 technology and as a result, their current HD TiVo will not work with their new HD channels. As a result, there are numerous forums(avsforum, tivocommunity, dbstalk) where people have publicly stated that they are ready to switch to their local cable provider as soon as the new Series 3 HD TiVo is released. Since these are both HD and DVR customers it is not a stretch to assume that they would be very profitable customers for TWCSC. These same people are not likely to be happy if they switch to TWCSC only to find out that their HD channels cannot be accessed with their new HD TiVo.

...



Greetings,

I find Michael's post describes my situation exactly. I have subscribed to TWC's service so I would be "ready" when the Tivo S3 came out. I was ready to ditch DirecTv. I've had both services since the Olympics. I've really enjoyed the HD, but prefer my Tivo DVR to the SA8300.

I was really disappointed when I read that SDV pretty much "breaks" cablecard. So now I have to decide which is more important -- Tivo or HD. My wife has been fussing at me to give up one, because hanging on to both is expensive. *sigh*.

I do appreciate the fact that TWC's customer service seems to have improved 200% in the years I've been a satellite customer. And the offerings and quality have improved. And it's good to see the "Dianas" of the cable world in these forums.

David

Ok, so I want to add HBO to my TWC package, but if I go to the website and click "order online" it tells me to pick a time for a tech to come out and install HBO. What's up with that? When I was with D*, I could just go online, order it and within 30 seconds I had whatever package I ordered.

Anyway, I would just call and see about subscribing to HBO, but I get nothing but constant busy signals at the TWC #. Is there some secret # or handshake or something that I can use to order HBO? This just seems more difficult than it should be.

Thanks.

Anyway, I would just call and see about subscribing to HBO, but I get nothing but constant busy signals at the TWC #. Is there some secret # or handshake or something that I can use to order HBO? This just seems more difficult than it should be.

Per some TWCSC employees, when call volumes are high, customers will get a busy signal when dialing both 800 and local customer service numbers.

VERY disturbing!!!!!!!

Per some TWCSC employees, when call volumes are high, customers will get a busy signal when dialing both 800 and local customer service numbers.

VERY disturbing!!!!!!!


The last few times I've tried to call, it has taken me several hours to get through.

You would think that with all this money we are paying them each month that they could afford a phone system upgrade, and a few more CSRs.

Has anyone else noticed that the volume levels have gotten way out of whack lately?

The digital channels are much quieter than the analog ones (or maybe the analog ones got much louder?)


This has become very annoying, especially when switching between the two.

Ok, so I want to add HBO to my TWC package, but if I go to the website and click "order online" it tells me to pick a time for a tech to come out and install HBO. What's up with that? When I was with D*, I could just go online, order it and within 30 seconds I had whatever package I ordered.

Anyway, I would just call and see about subscribing to HBO, but I get nothing but constant busy signals at the TWC #. Is there some secret # or handshake or something that I can use to order HBO? This just seems more difficult than it should be.

Thanks.

if you can get through by phone they can have it turned on right away, i've never used the online ordering.

it seems like the phone system is swamped due to the new billing system. a lot of people (including my dad and myself) have gotten bills in the past week marked "past due" even though we use payxpress. this transition was handled very badly, and it's ending up costing them business.

an article in the paper saturday said the phone lines were overwhelmed but made it sound like it was because people didn't understand their new bills which i don't think was the whole story.

Yeah my bill was screwed up too, but I never called them about it. I just figured it was a glitch.

Needless to say, the QA there is not reassuring.

TWC messed up big time on this new system. (I have the amount directly debited from my account, and was expecting the charges). I got 3 notices in the mail. One to say they were "improving" the bill statement, but not to worry, because everything will be done behind the scenes. A second notice with 2 months worth of charges, and indicating no amount due. And a 3rd being a nasty gram saying I was past due on my bill. Thats the one that caused my phone call. Didn't even get an apology out of that one.

Anyway, on to the SDV debacle. IMO TWC bypassed the cablecard requirement (to which I've already contacted the FCC) by rolling out a technology that REQUIRES the customer to rent a cable company STB to access all the programming that was paid for.
It is my understanding that I have to pay for the HD Tier to get the HD locals with the 8300 box. Is that not correct? I rarely watch anything on the HD tier except the HD locals.
In any case I'll make my statement with my checkbook. When the S3 Tivo comes out, I know it can pick up unscrambled QAM, and I believe the HD locals are not allowed to be scrambled. So if the rest of the HD tier is broken by SDV, I'll just cancel my HD Tier, (possible my whole digital tier), and get rid of the 8300.
If a company messes with me, I have a choice not to reward them for that!

an article in the paper saturday said the phone lines were overwhelmed but made it sound like it was because people didn't understand their new bills which i don't think was the whole story.The new account number, which was pointed out in an earlier mailing and needed to be updated in one's online billpay system, was probably the rest of the story.

I went through this after moving a while back, so I made sure it got updated this time...

Yeah my bill was screwed up too, but I never called them about it. I just figured it was a glitch.

Needless to say, the QA there is not reassuring.

I got the original notice about the billing system changing...but I didn't receive my bill at the normal time...then by the time I got my actual bill, it had double the amount of my normal monthly bill and said I was PAST-DUE!

This was especially alarming since they just debit my account each month.

When I tried to call about it all the rest of that day, the line was busy. Very frustrating. I'd rather wait on hold than get a busy signal.

Ah well, I just figured they were overlapping my bill periods and the double amount was accounting for the bill period I didn't receive, and the next one in the cycle.

Would agree that it was all poorly handled though. I'm usually pleased with the way TWC handles correspondence like this.

It is my understanding that I have to pay for the HD Tier to get the HD locals with the 8300 box. Is that not correct?

No, that's not correct.

HD locals are "free" with digital cable and are not part of the HD Tier package.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/15022522.htm

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/07/10/daily26.html?jst=b_ln_hl ;)

Has anyone else noticed that the volume levels have gotten way out of whack lately?

The digital channels are much quieter than the analog ones (or maybe the analog ones got much louder?)


This has become very annoying, especially when switching between the two.

Check audio range in the settings on the converter. If range is not set to narrow, digital audio level will drop.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/15022522.htm

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/07/10/daily26.html?jst=b_ln_hl ;)

You first quote is no more than a tax write off for them. All major corporations do it.

The second one............

Hey guys,
I figured I'd post this here, because I may be having an issue with my 8300 box.
I've recently come across a problem with my Panasonic 50PX-50U that may or may not be a problem with my 8300 box. Whenever I watch sd in 480i for more than a few minutes, and I decide to watch a HD channel and switch the settings to 720p or 1080i, the screen either goes blank or displays static and I can't access my menu to change the settings. I have to turn off the set and turn it back on for it to display the channel and menu. I have my setting set to "fixed" so I tried switching it to "auto dvi/hdmi" and got static on most HD channels. Could this be a problem with the box converting the signal or is this a tv issue? Thanks for any help on this matter.


Mike

Hey guys,
I figured I'd post this here, because I may be having an issue with my 8300 box.
I've recently come across a problem with my Panasonic 50PX-50U that may or may not be a problem with my 8300 box. Whenever I watch sd in 480i for more than a few minutes, and I decide to watch a HD channel and switch the settings to 720p or 1080i, the screen either goes blank or displays static and I can't access my menu to change the settings. I have to turn off the set and turn it back on for it to display the channel and menu. I have my setting set to "fixed" so I tried switching it to "auto dvi/hdmi" and got static on most HD channels. Could this be a problem with the box converting the signal or is this a tv issue? Thanks for any help on this matter.


Mike


Handshake issue between the 8300 and your plasma with the blame pointing more to your plasma. The screen will go blank when switching resolution, but the picture should come back after 1-2 seconds. You may want to call Panasonic to see if they can send you a firmware update.

Check audio range in the settings on the converter. If range is not set to narrow, digital audio level will drop.

No, its gotten a lot worse lately. I have my audio out set to Narrow range and I use the digital audio out and when going from any analog channel to any digital its night and day difference. Especially when going from TNT on 23 to N.G. on 22, NG is so quiet I cant even hear it, so then I crank up the volume to hear it, then after a few mins I'll change the channel and get blown away. Its totally annoying.

As far as their billing system, mine wasn't too screwed up, it said I had a 9.95 pay per view from May that I never ordered and when I tried calling them I could never get through, so I ended up having to pay for it. And this month I got a $5 late fee, when I paid the bill a week before the due date. Due date was the 27th and it was drafted from checking account on the 21st. But again their phone system is constantly busy. I have a lot more important things to do at work rather than trying to call them all day long. So because its so aggravating to get through and get the situation resolved the customer has two choices; dont pay the over charge amount and get the cable cut off or just give in and pay the amount that you are billed in error. What a great f*cking system they have.

"When it rains, it pours"

bye

Handshake issue between the 8300 and your plasma with the blame pointing more to your plasma. The screen will go blank when switching resolution, but the picture should come back after 1-2 seconds. You may want to call Panasonic to see if they can send you a firmware update.



Will do. There have been instances where there is a delay and the picture shows up, but I've waited several minutes without a picture so I turn the TV off and back on to get the picture to show. Thanks

The second one............Well, the second one will drop soon if they keep having RoadRunner outages every night.

Almost a week now, and I don't recall one day that didn't have an outage. One of the guys with the phone service was complaining Wednesday, and I told him it wasn't just the phone stuff.

I hope somebody READS the survey I filled out about my call on Monday asking what was up...

I also have had signal issues with Roadrunner connection for about two weeks now. Cable db outside my home loves to drop and spike a lot.

Is everyone else in the Columbia area experiencing heavy pixelation and drop-outs on many TWCSC digital channels (including HD) lately?

I live in the NE area near Elgin, and I've been seeing it for the last week or so in the late afternoons, and even thoughout the day this past weekend. At night, the situation seems to be improved. I tried to watch the race yesterday on HD, and it was unwatchable.

I'm thinking components are suffering from the heat.

RoadRunner has been going out a LOT; 8 hours or so on Saturday after it got hot. When dusk came and it cooled, RR came back. Similarly, lots of herringbone action on the analog channels.

Technician is due sometime today, so I hope he comes when it's out so something can be diagnosed...

no problems here lately. <knock on wood>

mikepaul--i feel your pain. i don't know how many service calls i've had where by the time the guy came he was marvelling over what a great signal i had. unfortunately sometimes it takes several calls before they can track down an intermittent problem, just be persistent.

The cable modem has been swapped out. I understand a -10dB signal drop was detected, but why the modem would flip-flop only at certain times (and by my reckoning outside temperatures) and stay flipped for long periods is a puzzler.

However, if you can keep things going by only fixing the things you don't have to dig up, I'm OK. If things still fail, I don't know how I'll get them to only come when it's out. Coming back when it died again was not an option on this trip, per the tech...

mikepaul, I live in Florence SC, 2 summers ago I had the same problem, they came and changed the cable modem and it worked fine until the next day and when it got hot again around midday it would go out, and then when it cooled off and the sun went down it would come back up. It turned out that Bellsouth had replaced some of there wire underground and had cut the cable wire running alongside of it enough to cause the problem. So they had to run me a new wire from the box down on the corner, and no problems since. I now make sure if bellsouth and or gas people go digging to call cable to come mark there underground wires beforehand.

Noted for future reference. Thanks...

Anyone else not getting anything at all except color bars or a blank screen on SEHD1 and SEHD2? I was hoping to catch the Braves in HD, but no luck...

Probably a little late for you, but they're on ESPN-HD.

Kevin

d'oh... Well I feel dumb, but yes, it would have just been for a few minutes.

Okay - question still applies though - Has there just not been anything on?

Made the mistake of unplugging my strip for a few seconds... I now have no digital cable or HD. Don't know why I thought it would just re-boot like it has every other time.

What's up with the system these days?

Has anyone heard from Diana lately?

I guess this billing issue you guys are having has consumed all of her time.

I am waiting for her to respond to my email about SDV and CableCards.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7956765&&#post7956765

On a related note, TiVo told the FCC that the Series3 is about ready. TiVo has also contacted MSOs to tell them that they might experience an uptick in CableCard requests.

Maybe I should ask when ESPN2 HD will be available? Tht usually prompts a quick response. :)

BTW ... through a friend who e-mailed Dressler (VP, TWC Programming) a couple of days ago about whether ESPN2HD and the NFL Network (SD and/or HD) will be available by September 1st ...

In his typical fashion, he responded- "we are negotiating hard and are very hopeful". Translation: no **'ing way.

I'm new here, but I have a question.

MY wife picked up a Hi Def converter box on Harden St. in Columiba today. They gave her a 3100HD. I have read that this is a old and not very good converter. Does anyone else have this box? Does TWSC offer any other non-DVR Hi Def box?

Thanks

They have a 3250 Non DVR box, which in my opinion is better than the 3100.

I called Columbia SC TW yesterday about these two networks and was told that TW has no plans to carry either one of them any time soon.

I am so glad TW cares about it customers -- we live in a condo with no exclusive use area so we cannot have a dish, stuck with TW.

I called Columbia SC TW yesterday about these two networks and was told that TW has no plans to carry either one of them any time soon.

I am so glad TW cares about it customers -- we live in a condo with no exclusive use area so we cannot have a dish, stuck with TW.

That's what happens when you are a customer of a monopoly....they don't give a damn about their customers.

Right now, at my house, there is NO picture on 800, 810, 815, 840, 845, 930, and 950...NONE.

Channels 901, 902, 940, and 941 are exhibiting heavy "pixelization" and sound "drop out", I guess, as the techies call it. Some of this same stuff was happening last night. This afternoon there didn't seem to be any problems.

My spouse and I called Time Warner and were on hold for 30+ minutes. When we finally talked to someone, he blamed the wait on "We answer calls from all over South Carolina and right now, we have heavy call volume. This happens all the time during this time of the year." Either that was a lie, or, duh, hire some seasonal help to answer the damn telephone.

We rebooted/unplugged my box and still no improvement, so he wanted to put me down for a troubleshooting call....for August 1st....yes, 10 days from now.....WHAT A JOKE!!!

All the while, the CSR would not admit any major system-wide or local area issues/problems.

Was just looking at my cable services site and noticed they have the same HD box (3100 HD) I don't have HD yet and don't know a whole lot about it but I did notice it didn't have a HDMI connection in the back... I take it a good HD box will???

4 HD boxes offered by TWCSC.

3100HD -HD Component only(foggy HD picture)
3250HD-HD Component, and DVI(can be converted to HDMI minus the audio track)
8000HD-HD Component (DVI not active) limited HD resolution.
8300HD- HD Component , Firewire*, and HDMI (audio is limited to 2 channel via HDMI).

*newer boxes have this output.


FWIW no issues at all with any channels, HD, digital, or analog.

Was just looking at my cable services site and noticed they have the same HD box (3100 HD) I don't have HD yet and don't know a whole lot about it but I did notice it didn't have a HDMI connection in the back... I take it a good HD box will???
I agree with keninvey except that I never had much of a problem with the 3100HD's HD PQ though most now agree that the newer boxes are better PQ wise and have significantly improved GUI speed/flexibility. What the 3100HD did horribly was mangle upconverting 480i to 1080i. It also had some software issues that, to my knowledge, were never resolved (one expample: tuning Channel 815 was very quirky). In regards to having/using HDMI, millions are happily using component connections (YPrPb) for HD. Technically HDMI should be better. In practice, I am not sure it is that much improved and many users indicate it can be a real pain to use. YMMV.

And, having said all that, I do suggest you swap out that 3100 for either a SA3250HD or a SA8300HD DVR.
____
Bruce

Bruce, I have a new plasma hooked up via HDMI only and have zero issues with the HDMI connection. In fact I have more issues with my rptv via component than the newer monitor, but that could be partially because I have a newer 8300( on the new monitor) ,and the other setup has a external sata drive in the setup. Overall I am very pleased with my signal from TWCSC. I have never had a issue with RR going on 4 years .

Bruce, I have a new plasma hooked up via HDMI only and have zero issues with the HDMI connection. In fact I have more issues with my rptv via component than the newer monitor, but that could be partially because I have a newer 8300( on the new monitor) ,and the other setup has a external sata drive in the setup. Overall I am very pleased with my signal from TWCSC. I have never had a issue with RR going on 4 years .
Kevin,
I recall a recent post (a different forum) that mentioned ongoing handshaking issues. It mentioned one had to turn off the 8300HD DVR first (a SARA unit, not w/TWCSC) and then the TV to avoid messing up an ongoing recording. My impression (not experience) is that HDMI handshaking can still be problematical and dependent on the items/manufacturer and is not yet just plug and play. YMMV. And I too imagine that, when I upgrade to/get a plasma (or ?) I too will give HDMI a try.
_____
Bruce

I actually have a 42" version of the Panasonic that was listed earlier in this thread. I haven't had any issues at all with at all. I also was givin a new SA remote(AT8550) with my newer 8300 that has macros built in. I have it set to turn on my plasma, 8300, and my hdmi receiver with one push of the power on button. It would be nice if the HDMI audio was multichannel instead of 2 channel pcm (which actually sounds clearer).

Add me to the list of overcharged by this "new, improved" billing system. My bill is over 2x what it normally is, and it reflects a sudden unannounced increase in the cost of my cable package along with a nice load of $26 in fees.

TW - Did you even test this system at all?

TW - Did you even test this system at all?

It must be running on Windows.. :D

I also was givin a new SA remote(AT8550) with my newer 8300 that has macros built in. I have it set to turn on my plasma, 8300, and my hdmi receiver with one push of the power on button.

I'm interested in this remote macro feature. The remote looks identical to the one I was issued with my 8300 back in March, is this macro feature a new one or should mine have that as well?

Has anyone experienced problems DVRing movies lately? Particularly on HDNet movies?

My wife and I have sat down to watch 2 movies now in the last couple of weeks, only to have the endings (15+ minutes) shaved off the end for unknown reasons. My recording capacity is nowhere near full, so that's not the issue. Also, there have been no issues with loss of power recently either.

One of the movies actually turned into an episode of "Bikini Destinations" for the last 30 minutes of the recording. Now, I don't mind the content of that show per se, but I did want to see the ending of the movie I recorded.

The other movie just abruptly ended, with 16 minutes left according to the program guide description.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem.

I'm interested in this remote macro feature. The remote looks identical to the one I was issued with my 8300 back in March, is this macro feature a new one or should mine have that as well?

all the remotes i've had back through at least the old 8000 have had this capability. it's been a while since i've used the issued remote as i have a sony rm3100 which has macros out the wazoo. one thing i like a lot about the sony is the timer--i have it send an 'exit' button keypress to the 8300HD at 1:10 a.m. every day so that i never see that annoying 'power saving' nag and my dvr won't shutdown at 1:15.

I'm interested in this remote macro feature. The remote looks identical to the one I was issued with my 8300 back in March, is this macro feature a new one or should mine have that as well?

The remotes have some basic things built in which can be turned on or off by the user. The one that was mentioned will basically cycle through all of your programmed components when you push the power button to turn all of your components off or on with one push of the remote power button.

Of course, you must input the correct components codes to make the remote work with those items. I don't remember off hand the input code to put the remote into the mode to turn on/off all components together, but it's in the manual. (You'll probably have to download it, since TWC probably didn't give you one.)

Has anyone experienced problems DVRing movies lately? Particularly on HDNet movies?

My wife and I have sat down to watch 2 movies now in the last couple of weeks, only to have the endings (15+ minutes) shaved off the end for unknown reasons. My recording capacity is nowhere near full, so that's not the issue. Also, there have been no issues with loss of power recently either.

One of the movies actually turned into an episode of "Bikini Destinations" for the last 30 minutes of the recording. Now, I don't mind the content of that show per se, but I did want to see the ending of the movie I recorded.

The other movie just abruptly ended, with 16 minutes left according to the program guide description.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem.


I had one movie last week from Showtime HD that appeared to record, but was all black upon playback. It has worked correctly otherwise, so I didn't know whether to attribute it to the 8300 or to a broadcast problem. If I see it again I will investigate further, since I never saw that happen with the 8000 box it replaced.

We rebooted/unplugged my box and still no improvement, so he wanted to put me down for a troubleshooting call....for August 1st....yes, 10 days from now.....WHAT A JOKE!!!

so, did you take the appointment? sometimes when they schedule something that far off they will put you on a standby list for an earlier appt. or you can call back and find an earlier slot.

All the while, the CSR would not admit any major system-wide or local area issues/problems.

maybe because there weren't? last time i had RR problems the guy on the line told me that he could see about a dozen other homes in my neighbourhood whose modems were in the same almost online state as mine.

Has anyone experienced problems DVRing movies lately? Particularly on HDNet movies?

My wife and I have sat down to watch 2 movies now in the last couple of weeks, only to have the endings (15+ minutes) shaved off the end for unknown reasons. My recording capacity is nowhere near full, so that's not the issue. Also, there have been no issues with loss of power recently either.

One of the movies actually turned into an episode of "Bikini Destinations" for the last 30 minutes of the recording. Now, I don't mind the content of that show per se, but I did want to see the ending of the movie I recorded.

The other movie just abruptly ended, with 16 minutes left according to the program guide description.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem.My issue is usually time-related, where the program started earlier/later than the program guide stated, so the DVR missed the beginning or ending. Maybe they've had live stuff on, which screws up previously determined schedules.

Someday, I'd like to see the DVR find the program info in the broadcast. It would still need to know I wanted channel 815 at 8PM, but it would be looking for the right program before that time and not stop until the broadcast said it was done with that one...

I called Columbia SC TW yesterday about these two networks and was told that TW has no plans to carry either one of them any time soon.

I am so glad TW cares about it customers -- we live in a condo with no exclusive use area so we cannot have a dish, stuck with TW.

While that may be true (and probably is, given TWC's track record), the CSRs at your local TWC have absolutely no clue about anything to do with programming ... past, present or future.

The remotes have some basic things built in which can be turned on or off by the user. The one that was mentioned will basically cycle through all of your programmed components when you push the power button to turn all of your components off or on with one push of the remote power button.

Of course, you must input the correct components codes to make the remote work with those items. I don't remember off hand the input code to put the remote into the mode to turn on/off all components together, but it's in the manual. (You'll probably have to download it, since TWC probably didn't give you one.)

I know the remotes have "universal remote" functionality for awhile now, but I must've missed the macro functionality being added to it too. Thanks for the posts, guys.

I had one movie last week from Showtime HD that appeared to record, but was all black upon playback. It has worked correctly otherwise, so I didn't know whether to attribute it to the 8300 or to a broadcast problem. If I see it again I will investigate further, since I never saw that happen with the 8000 box it replaced.

Yeah, I've never had this problem with the 8000 box that I have upstairs.

I don't think this was attibutable to the program starting late, or else you'd think it wouldn't have picked up the beginning on time.

And, the one that switched to "bikini destinations" with 30 minutes to go was just bizarre.

In any event, does anyone know how "Close Your Eyes" ends? :D

so, did you take the appointment? sometimes when they schedule something that far off they will put you on a standby list for an earlier appt. or you can call back and find an earlier slot.



maybe because there weren't? last time i had RR problems the guy on the line told me that he could see about a dozen other homes in my neighbourhood whose modems were in the same almost online state as mine.

Hey scruff....long time, no talk.

No, I didn't take the appointment. I will be out of town on Aug. 1 and my spouse cannot leave work for the 4 hour time period they gave to come for the troubleshooting call. They didn't offer any kind of standby list or any other solution even when I questioned a second and third time on why 10 days.

We called back Sunday around noon because we were still having problems, i.e., no picture on 32-Weather Channel and other channels, heavy pixelization and sound drop-out on some channels--couldn't even watch the British Open on ABC-HD until around noon or 1 p.m. As the day went on, overall HD service got better and, for the most part, was watchable throughout the evening.

During the call Sunday, the CSR was very understanding and helpful. Among other things, he suggested returning the stb and getting another one....I have the 3250 and was thinking of getting the 8300 for football season, anyway. So...I'm going to try that and if it still acts up, I'll be calling TWCSC back. The CSR on Sunday admitted they were having some technical issues, apparently wide-spread. He also said that in my area they were having a big number of problems on Saturday with 2 way communication within the system, meaning that their equipment was having problems talking to the stb and vice versa.

Right now, I have no picture on ESPNHD (950), and 901 and 902 are unwatchable with heavy pixelization, etc. I haven't even checked any other channels.
Maybe there is no picture on ESPNHD because they are showing the Braves and FSN, or TS, or TBS has the local/regional rights because I don't mean a very, very bad picture--I mean no picture at all. Otherwise, I don't know.

Any suggestions?

While that may be true (and probably is, given TWC's track record), the CSRs at your local TWC have absolutely no clue about anything to do with programming ... past, present or future.

If you want to put a little pressure on the one and only decision maker, send your e-mails to Fred Dressler at fred.dressler@twcable.com -- and tell him you want ESPN2HD and the NFL Network (SD/HD) before football season starts.

I think this remote that I got with my newer 8300 is a newer model. It has a DVD button as well. All the codes for all my equipment works with this remote. On my main system I have a Harmony 880. I used to have a large Sony lcd remote, but the hard buttons died on that remote after 4 years of extreme use. I am however having a hard time settling for the rptv picture in my main area with the plasma in my secondary being so much superior.My new 42" 720p plasma smokes my 4 year old 1080i rptv.

Any suggestions?

sounds like things are pretty rough in your hood...i'd keep calling because you never know when a hole will open up in the schedule, and if you have unwatchable channels i'd ask for a credit until the problem is resolved.

Has anyone heard from Diana lately? As soon as it was reported that TWC in Texas started carrying new HD channels she's been curiously absent from here. I wish for once someone at TWC would give us a straight answer as to why we cant get new HD channels. First it was "we dont have enough bandwidth" then "as soon as we go to SDV we will be able to offer a lot more HD content" now its "------------". College football is about a month away and still no ESPN-U and no ESPN2-HD. :mad:

Has anyone heard from Diana lately? As soon as it was reported that TWC in Texas started carrying new HD channels she's been curiously absent from here. I wish for once someone at TWC would give us a straight answer as to why we cant get new HD channels. First it was "we dont have enough bandwidth" then "as soon as we go to SDV we will be able to offer a lot more HD content" now its "------------". College football is about a month away and still no ESPN-U and no ESPN2-HD. :mad:

With respect to Diana ... she can't give you any specifics about HD channels other than when they will be deployed in SC-- after a national carriage agreement is reached.

If you want your voice heard, email Fred Dressler at fred.dressler@twcable.com. He's the VP of programming for TWC corporate-- it's his name that goes on any contract. Be prepared, though-- he will reply to your e-mail but he never commits to anything. I've asked him MANY times about ESPN2HD, and he has said things like:

"... we're very close"
"... will be there before MLB opening day"
"... ESPN is obligated to give ESPN2HD to us and they are not willing to do it"

In other words ... he will always deflect the issue. Fact is that TWC wants everything for free and doesn't give a damn about what you want.

How about the NFL Network (SD and/or HD)? Every other major cable provider and both satellite providers have it ... but not TWC. No sir, they consider the NFL a "niche" (Dressler's words) product.

In regards to Diana, perhans she has just been busy and had nothing new to add. Hopefully, it is not due to the hostility shown here as of late what with all the TWCSC bashing. No doubt she has passed along your desires and complaints up the chain numerous times. And like others have said, would not hurt for folks to write to senior TWC executives denoting their programming desires and complaints.

One aspect not mentioned lately that might be a factor is that it was once reported here AVS that Disney was trying to impose higher fees for all subscribers for carriage of ESPN2 HD, not just those who subscribed to it (via the HD Tier). If true, that fact may account for why you don't have those channels now given the bandwidth problems have supposedly been solved (can't speak for NFL-HD). There could also be other stumbling blocks as well such as ancillary channel carriage/bundling demands that TWC has problems with too.

I suspect if true that TWCSC would be unwilling at this time to absorb much of the extra costs of ESPN-2HD and might consider raising rates for the masses untenable as well. Perhaps the unit in Texas is a beta test site (aka guinea pig) for the other 31 or so TWC units and they are testing how much the masses complain about higher cable bills and how it affects churn rate. How that goes may well determine when/if you get ESPN2 HD here. It appears that Disney has the upper hand here and negotiations are mired in mud. We all hope of course this will be quickly resolved.
____
Bruce

Well said!

I hate to post "dittos," but I agree with Kevin...good post, Bruce.

Get ready all you TWC football haters ...

Check out this article in today's USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/foot...l-network_x.htm

I LOVE IT!!!!! Finally, TWC is being exposed. I can't wait until I see the first ad that the NFL Network runs that mentions Time Warner. I especially like the NFL Network rep's quote:

"We think it's asinine that Time Warner (the nation's No. 2 cable provider) carries 12 shopping channels and 50 other channels you don't want — but can't find room for one dedicated to the most popular sport in this country," Palansky says. "We're replacing the kid gloves with bare knuckles."

Amen. :D

The way I see it, TWC now has 2 choices. They can continue their current stance of ignoring customer demand and crying the blues about subscription fees (while they count the record profits they are reaping from you and me)-- all the while not giving a damn how many THOUSANDS of subscribers leave for satellite. OR, they will grudgingly sign up with the NFL ... for about double the cost that they could have gotten 2 years ago.

So, all you shopping channel lovers, can get busy and dial your favorite TWC sychophant and tell them to hold firm and not bend under the pressure of the mean old NFL. Somehow, I think that the football lovers who will finally realize what TWC is doing, will also pick up the phone (better yet, email our pal Fred Dressler, TWC VP of Programming at fred.dressler@twcable.com) -- and I bet they out number the sports haters.

I don't blame the NFL for doing this-- they know that most cable subscribers just sit back ignorantly, and take whatever is jammed down their throat--- sound familiar (i.e. federal government ... but that's another story for another day)?

It shall be interesting, at the very least!!!!

I don't see why they just don't add the channel and make it another subscription option. Maybe because it would result in billing system changes from hell once again.

There's a part of me that wants to watch the Bills in HD. Then there's the part of me that pays the bills, and unless it's free wants no part of it...

There's a part of me that wants to watch the Bills in HD. Then there's the part of me that pays the bills, and unless it's free wants no part of it...

With the outrageous fees we currently pay-- it damn well should be free. I know the NFL is not going to give it away-- but TWC could surely get rid of tons of the garbage channels they have now and not increase our rates one penny!!

Just wanted to add this is a great thread, and what an excellent post by mfogarty5 and I can't agree with him more. I just ran into a similar problem here in the Rochester market as I discovered UniversalHD is also SDV as well as Boomerang network. As I plan to use the CableCard more into the future with a Series 3 TiVo and them heading in this direction will really limit me.

It is great you have someone from TW posting to this thread willing to help and carry your voice. It is hard for us consumers very knowledgable in this area to have an escalation point in our market. I wished someone from our area was more active on the Internet like this.

Just wanted to add this is a great thread, and what an excellent post by mfogarty5 and I can't agree with him more. I just ran into a similar problem here in the Rochester market as I discovered UniversalHD is also SDV as well as Boomerang network. As I plan to use the CableCard more into the future with a Series 3 TiVo and them heading in this direction will really limit me.


Thanks cdp1276. Unfortunately Diana has not responded to my almost month-old post regarding CableCards, the FCC and Switched Digital Video. It is going to be a serious issue for those who decide they are tired of SA8300s that don't record at all or eat the programs they actually do record and want to upgrade to a TiVo Series 3 or a Windows Vista HTPC with CableCard. I know someone in Charlotte that has replaced his SA8300 6 times!

The funny thing is that the cable companies could use the FCC CableCard mandate as an excuse for removing analog channels, but they have elected to break the FCC CableCard mandate and implement SDV instead.

Here in Charlotte, TWCNC has actually ADDED analog channels over the past year. They didn't seem to concerned about bandwidth issues then.

I hope that her non-response is due to the serious billing issues they are having in Columbia and not because she is ducking my questions.

With respect this is a Columbia thread ,and most of you aren't anywhere near Columbia.

I'm with Kevin.

At least they have more to say then - Well said.

They are just trying to see how their TWCs measure up.

Poorly said.

So I live in Murrells Inlet -- that is near Myrtle Beach -- which is on the South Carolina coast of the Atlantic Ocean. TW controls what channels we get and so on from Columbia. If I call Customer Service (sic) I talk to someone in Columbia. I assume I have the right to read and post to a Columbia board. I did not realize it was open only to Columbia residents. If it is do you have to live in the city of Columbia or can you live the county? TW is a major player in the cable field and it treats it customers the same everywhere. Seems if we all band together maybe sometime TW would listen to its customer base and not its bottom line.

I swapped out the stb on Wednesday and got the 8300. That was a customer service story within itself. Despite getting the new stb, I am still having problems as described here last Saturday and Sunday--ranging from everything is fine to I don't have a picture on any channel except those between 2 and 13, and even they suck. Not even the great features such as car advertisements on demand work. Finally, after being very persistent Wednesday night, TWCSC agreed to send a service guy out on Saturday (today). This morning at 8 a.m. I was still having the problem of no picture except on channels 2-13. At 10:30 I checked again and every channel was good. 901 (HBOHD) had maybe as good a picture as I have seen in my 6 months as an HD subscriber. Sure enough the service guy called and came around 11:30. He checked my signal and said it was fine--shouldn't be having any problems because of that.

He admitted TWCSC was having major problems in the Lexington and Irmo areas. The way I understood him to describe the problem to be as he understood it is: TWCSC converted channels 14 and up to digital about a month ago and it has caused major problems. The service guy said he was working mandatory overtime today and had already made 6 calls this morning. I was the 4th that had had the problems including no picture, heavy pixelization, sound dropout, etc. All four had been working fine this morning and the people were saying the same think I was. In general cable service seems to be OK during the middle of the day but other than that, it sucks, at best.

He indicated that they (the service guys) were being told very little about what the problem really was and even less about when a resolution could be expected.

Why doesn't TWCSC just corporately come clean and let the affected customer base know what the problem is/may be, what they are doing about it and when/what the expected resolution is? Is that too much to ask? It is if you are a virtual monopoly and don't have to worry about stuff like that.

Ever wonder why TWCSC gets bashed so bad?

So I live in Murrells Inlet -- that is near Myrtle Beach -- which is on the South Carolina coast of the Atlantic Ocean. TW controls what channels we get and so on from Columbia. If I call Customer Service (sic) I talk to someone in Columbia. I assume I have the right to read and post to a Columbia board. I did not realize it was open only to Columbia residents. If it is do you have to live in the city of Columbia or can you live the county? TW is a major player in the cable field and it treats it customers the same everywhere. Seems if we all band together maybe sometime TW would listen to its customer base and not its bottom line.
kjprr, In my mind you are certainly welcome to participate in our discussions here. This thread does cover the Columbia DMA and that includes a lot of territory including Sumter. I too do not live in Columbia and I helped start all this back in 2001. This thread has also at times supported folks like you from other market areas here in South Carolina. And we have also welcomed posters from outside our state who had questions or information that added to our discussions.

Lately, however, we have seen a number of cross-posted comments that are very hostile to TWC (and TWCSC). I personally found then unproductive. I do understand trying to solicit support to make changes. However, one individual in particular posted almost identical messages to AVS's Programming forum as well as in the local HDTV threads I saw for Charlotte and Raleigh. Perhaps it would have been better to have posted a synopsis and a link to the main discussion (say in the HDTV/Programming forum) rather than have four or more threads?

I can understand that not everybody loves TWC. I also believe it can be useful if we individually and collectively provide them with our input. I also don't agree to demands followed with insults if TWC does not respond to one's liking. And I really do hope for our sake that Diana's absence is only temporary.
____
Bruce

LexHiDef...

Glad things seem to be working better now for you. As you have found, none of the HD converters or DVRs work well if their signal is not really really good and clean.

Some other thoughts if I may...

-- I don't know of any company that likes to air their dirty laundry... do you?
-- TWC often gets bashed cause it is fashionable to do so; carthartic for some maybe.
-- TWC technicians are a varied lot; some are TWC employees, others are contractors. I imagine not all are as informed as we would like.
-- Problem sounds widespread; perhaps your node or the level above. Intermittent as well... hard to trace maybe and hard to predict when it will be repaired.
-- And last.. these are the things that Diana used to step in and help us with if possible; get things sorted out quickly or worked on. Guess those days are gone now...
____
Bruce

I assume I have the right to read and post to a Columbia board. I did not realize it was open only to Columbia residents. .

I think the intent was towards those outside the Columbia "area" who want to drop in and stir stuff up, like toadfannc above is. Who also just happened to post the exact same comments in the Charlotte OTA thread. :rolleyes:

Folks who are not following this topic over in the Programming forum might want to check out this posting today by kjpjr (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8099429&&#post8099429). It appears he got a reply back from Fred Dressler/TWC VP Programming about the NFL network and ESPN2-HD. Interesting take on the ESPN thing (ESPN in default of an existing contract it would seem; no real details though) but it does appear the NFL network impass is over carriage/fee demands from all subscribers.
____
Bruce

Anyone else notice the improvement of Wis in regards to their video quality on their HD channel. I do not know if they changed equipment or the quality from NBC has improved, but it's much better than it used to be. I guess we will see Sunday evenings when the NFL is in play.

I also have not noticed any real video issues with Wltx-Dt since they added another subchannel. As with Wis we should see when football starts up.

Wach-Dt and Wolo-Dt appear to be fine, but the fake 5.1 on non HD programming from ABC is just not all that great. I switch over to the analog channel and the audio is much fuller when my receiver can matrix the audio to DD PLIIx. (sorry Bob)

OTA has been solid for all the locals. Wach, WRLK appear to have the lowest signal on my monitors, but have been solid for quite awhile.

The recent HD golf tournaments on WIS have looked awesome to me. When they decide to flip the HD switch, that is.

For you folks with component and HDMI, does the HDMI on HD look any better than component ??

Back when I first got my box it looked worse and had a heavy green tint.

"Per your request on a date when TWC in South Carolina will launch these two channels, I have to say that is not determined at this point in time. There are some additional requirements that are tied to the launch of these two channels that the South Carolina Division is not in a position to execute at this time. In fact, accomplishing the pre-requisite might take several months."

Diana Smith
Director of Marketing, TWCSC

I guess having SDV means absolutely nothing, sorry to report the bad news but I thought you guys needed to know.

For you folks with component and HDMI, does the HDMI on HD look any better than component ??

Back when I first got my box it looked worse and had a heavy green tint.



I have been using the hdmi connection to my new plasma for a couple of months. There have been zero issues with this connection. My other two hdtv are analog based so I use the component cable connection.

"Per your request on a date when TWC in South Carolina will launch these two channels, I have to say that is not determined at this point in time. There are some additional requirements that are tied to the launch of these two channels that the South Carolina Division is not in a position to execute at this time. In fact, accomplishing the pre-requisite might take several months."

Diana Smith
Director of Marketing, TWCSC

I guess having SDV means absolutely nothing, sorry to report the bad news but I thought you guys needed to know.


Well, come on now, it does mean something like a competing STB, say the S3 TIVO, won't work correctly.

But just go read all those articles where TWC states how many thousands of channels they can add with SDV, even if they do pick HD at first, instead of just regular channels.

But of course they have to do something to stay up with the coming competition, even if it is a "slow" coming.

I must say there aren't many companies that I read such bad things said about them, in many different places, as TWC. I don't really have a opinion either way, but I'd prefer they weren't using SDV until the correct cable card was out.

Why doesn't TWCSC just corporately come clean and let the affected customer base know what the problem is/may be, what they are doing about it and when/what the expected resolution is? Is that too much to ask? It is if you are a virtual monopoly and don't have to worry about stuff like that.


in my experience the guys who know the most about large scale problems like the one in your area are the line guys in the bucket trucks. unfortunately, they aren't the ones who make a residential service call or answer the phones. the guys who have come out to my house have only worked on the section of line from the junction with the main line to my house. some of them keep in touch with the line guys, some don't. if you see some TWC bucket trucks in your area you might want to stop and talk with one of those guys.

i don't think it's a conspiracy to keep the truth from you, just that most of the people answering the phones or making the service calls don't know. that's why i always recommend that anyone with ongoing problems call frequently, you might end up with someone more knowledgeable on the next call.

For you folks with component and HDMI, does the HDMI on HD look any better than component ??

Back when I first got my box it looked worse and had a heavy green tint.

HDMI is noticeably brighter than component to me.

I especially like the NFL Network rep's quote:

"We think it's asinine that Time Warner (the nation's No. 2 cable provider) carries 12 shopping channels and 50 other channels you don't want — but can't find room for one dedicated to the most popular sport in this country," Palansky says. "We're replacing the kid gloves with bare knuckles."

just what the NFL needs--a 'roid rage marketing campaign. paging dr. shortt...

I must say there aren't many companies that I read such bad things said about them, in many different places, as TWC.

google 'comcast sucks' or 'charter sucks' or '<any other cable company> sucks' and you'll see plenty. seems like it's fashionable to hate on the cable company no matter who it is.

Regarding WIS HD quality, I happened to watch a little of the taped Triathlon that they were running yesterday and came away very unimpressed. I don't often watch NBC-HD for content reasons, if this was an "improved PQ" then I hate to see how it's looked the past few months when folks were complaining about it.

FWIW, "Surface" last year used to look pretty good I thought...

Regarding WIS HD quality, I happened to watch a little of the taped Triathlon that they were running yesterday and came away very unimpressed. I don't often watch NBC-HD for content reasons, if this was an "improved PQ" then I hate to see how it's looked the past few months when folks were complaining about it.

FWIW, "Surface" last year used to look pretty good I thought...


I don't remember seeing any sports listed as HD on NBC yesterday.

I don't remember seeing any sports listed as HD on NBC yesterday.

Sorry, it might have been Saturday afternoon instead.

ETA -

This is what I was watching apparently:

http://finanzen.net/news/news_detail.asp?NewsNr=408664

Let's see how is that going? Check this out!

NFL Network Sues Time Warner To Stay On Systems
Monday, July 31, 2006 02:12 PM - WBEN Newsroom

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - When the clock strikes midnight, the NFL Network will be off local cable systems. Time Warner will take over the Adelphia systems at that time. The NFL Network now is suing to keep the network on Time Warner.

NFL Network spokesman Seth Polansky says the lawsuit is a last ditch effort, because Time Warner will not even answer calls from the network trying to plead its case.

TW really cares about thier customers :(

can somebody just start a thread to specifically bash TWC? because i don't see what Adelphia subscribers losing a channel has to do with HD in Columbia other than to provide another opportunity to bitch and moan about TWC.

can somebody just start a thread to specifically bash TWC? because i don't see what Adelphia subscribers losing a channel has to do with HD in Columbia other than to provide another opportunity to bitch and moan about TWC.

Especially since, as someone pointed out above, alot of these posts are cross-posted onto other threads.

This and ESPN2HD are HD channels that many people are asking for. TW in SC is run out of Columbia the posts belong there. I am not sure what posts some of you think are acceptable and what is not. It seems to me that anything dealing with HD in Columbia -- and I get Columbia stations in MB -- should be discussed in this forum. The two networks mentioned above are not carried by TW and many of us want them to be carried. So that should be discussed.

Especially since, as someone pointed out above, alot of these posts are cross-posted onto other threads.Because many people don't know that hence this post in the Myrtle Beach thread today - "any update on nfl network or NFL Network HD?? ". It may be different if a certain person were here to keep people apprised of developments but she is in hiding for good reason right now.

she is in hiding for good reason right now.

Don't say I blame her, some here want to have their cake and eat it too..

Most are willing to pay for their cake if only it were on the menu.

she is in hiding for good reason right now.

Corporate Security?

Huh? More like TWC taking an unpopular stance on the NFLN even though they have a good point about the NFL's insistence to add it to the basic package.

Is there a maximum on the ole' ignore list? :rolleyes:

Just make sure there's room for me. :)

I personally don't care if a thread is posted in multiple forums. I Don't go to other TWC forums (ie MB, Charlotte). I do hopwever like to keep apprised of what is going on with TWC itself. TWCSC does have to answer to TWC corporate and these threads that everyone is complaining about being posted in multipple threads give us an indication of what TWC corporate is doing/where it is going.

So I say keep posting them. This forum is not solely for celebration and butt kissing TWC. It is a place for us to air not only what we like but what we dislike.

There IS a reason that there has been alot of negativity recently on this board. TWC is not delivering on what WE as consumers are paying for. I personally didn't have any billing issues but I have had cable and internet outages this past month or so (haha more like cable outages about 3 or 4 times a week for the last 2 years) and when you try to contact TWCSC you CAN'T get through. My cable was out the other morning and I tried calling 5 times and all I got were busy signals. I had a question about my bill last week and I tried calling multiple times but guess what all I got were BUSY signals.




CLIFFS:
1) This is a free exchange forum, if you want to post news that affects us as TWC subscribers you have every right to do so.
2) You are allowed to post positive AND negative comments about TWC.

From the Wall Street Journal -

"August 2, 2006

Time Warner swung to a $1.01 billion net profit in the second quarter, led by growth in its cable and network divisions. Revenue rose slightly to $10.71 billion. The media company also announced its struggling AOL unit will offer its software and e-mail accounts free to broadband users. "

Is that billion with a "B"?

I feel so much better -- at least my $190 a month is going to help the TW bottom line. I would send them even more if the would give me ESPN2HD, ESPNU, and NFLNHD :)

An interesting link to a story in the LA Times about the NFLN and TW

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp...eadlines-sports


And this in another story on line dealing with yet another college bowl game that will be only on the NFL Network. They just added the All American Bowl? I think that is the name

NFL Network is now the national home of 170 football games each year, including eight regular-season and 52 preseason NFL games, 75 re-airs of NFL regular-season games, 31 NFL Europe League contests, the Insight Bowl, the Houston bowl game, and the Senior Bowl.

"Neither Palansky nor Rockenwagner would discuss the subscriber fees NFL Network is asking, but the Sports Business Journal said the fees have gone from 25 to 35 cents per subscriber per month to 85 to 95 cents, and that there is a $2 surcharge for cable companies such as Time Warner that want to put the network on a digital pay tier."

"Indeed, of the 52 preseason games — the first of which airs Aug. 11 — only six will be carried live, but only because the network cannot show more than one game at a time."


This is the same sort of crap Fox pulled when they got the NASCAR deal. They moved a couple Cup races and the Busch Series to Fx, and stood back to let cable customers scream. Few companies were carrying what was a pretty lame channel at that time. The screaming that came later was over the buck a month increase to everyone's bill to pay for it.

Some would call NFLN's plan a savvy business move, others would be less kind. No matter which side you come down on, it is all about the $. That's business, and I can see both sides in the dispute. Some think it is TW who doesn't care about the customer, but I can just as easily see it as the NFL wanting to stuff more $s into their pockets. I think there is more than enough not caring about the customer to go around.

I do not want to pay an extra $1.00 per month x 12 to see 8 live pro games, 6 of them being pre-season. I especially don't care to pay to see whatever lame bowl game the NFL has managed to payoff to get. If NFLN gets it their way, we will all pay. There are some who would not consider this to be a problem because they have the disposable income. I suspect there are many more folks who do not want their bill to increase, particularly for the programming currently being offered.

I believe it should be on a sports package, and those who want to pony up another almost $3.00 (.95 and $2.00 surcharge), on top of the the existing sports package charge a month for the those games should have that choice. Is what is going to be shown worth $36 a year to see? Not to me. I wonder how many would ditch their sports tier if it were to increase by that much, and it will get passed on, basic package or sports tier. TW is not just going to eat it.


"A wider distribution enables NFL Network to charge more for advertising."

If NFLN's plan is to get into as many homes as possible to be able to charge more for advertising, seems they are going about this the wrong way, but I admit I am not a business person.

It will eventually get worked out, but not likely to the benefit of the consumer. :(

[QUOTE=HDWowIf NFLN's plan is to get into as many homes as possible to be able to charge more for advertising, seems they are going about this the wrong way, but I admit I am not a business person. :([/QUOTE]

As it stands now, we don't even have access to the feeds for highlights.. :(

Anybody know when we will get the new software for the 8300 ?? I really want that 4X FF and rewind !!

====

New Features in software version 1.88.x.x.
NOTE: Some of these may or may not be applicable to your particular cableco.

* Enhanced HDD Spin down - After 15 minutes of inactivity between 1:00am and 1:15am, the HDD will spin-down without powering off the STB, and a screen saver with an MSO configurable logo/graphic will be displayed while the HDD is spun-down. If an external SATA HDD is attached to the DVR, it will also spin down when the internal HDD spins down.
* Currently recording option - When the user selects a currently recording program from the Recorded List, DVR will always display a Currently Recording Program Options screen with “Play from beginning” as the default highlighted option.
* Kick out to live - Let's say you schedule the recording of a program and go out for dinner. When you get home, you begin watching the recorded program from the beginning while the rest is still recording. When the recording ends, you are no longer 'kicked out' of your viewing.
* Live of time shifted video indicator – Added the API for indicating whether user is watching Live or time-shifted video.
* Activated the front panel AUX input - Front panel auxiliary input is activated.
* Macrovision on AUX input – Turned on the macrovision protection on AUX input.
* Return to Live button - While watching a DVR recording playback, pressing the LIVE remote button will tune the last Live TV channel that was previously viewed.
* 4th FFWD and REW speed – Adds a 4th fast forward and rewind trick mode speed at 128x. A fourth arrow will be displayed on the trick mode banner for each direction.
* Broadcast flag – Broadcast flag is activated.
* 1394 support on 8300HD – 1394 port is active on 8300 HD boxes.
* Improved picture quality with "Copy to VCR" recording - This was inadvertently broken in version 1.87.19a and then inadvertently fixed in version 1.87.27, which was not widely released. Most users are probably seeing it with version 1.88.x.x, so it has been included in ths list even though it is not a new feature.

Anybody know when we will get the new software for the 8300 ?? I really want that 4X FF and rewind !!

last time Diana commented on this i seem to recall that the reason we don't have it had something to do with the ITV service which is a drag. i really hate getting kicked to live while watching a recording program that has just ended...

Right now, I'd like to see them add a TRUE Season Pass (Like the Tivo--where it supports first run vs. reruns). Of course, the main fix I'd really like to see is actually recording what you told it to WHEN you told it to. I really love coming home to watch the whole 5 minutes it recorded of a 1 hour show (sometimes it only records 1 minute, or 30 minutes). The OS on these things is very unreliable. I end up having to use my Tivo as "backup" (even though it's in SD). But given that it's taken them this long to even try to fix the "kick to live" I'm not going to hold my breath.

Perhaps things are not the same since you are on a totally different system than most of us. I have two 8300HDs and have had no missed recordings or shortened recordings on either boxes. I have a 320gb setup on one ,and the other is a 560 gb setup on the other. (so, I really record a lot)

but she is in hiding for good reason right now.

Not really hiding - just exhausted. You boys can wear a girl down - well that and Budget season and Adelphia Acquistion and Adelphia Plant Upgrades and being on two regional committees for Web Self Care and Customer Value Creation - both desiged to provide you better customer service before the end of the year. As always, if its an urgent matter there is the email address and there are forum posters who have used it as needed and I think (hope) they are happy with the results.

I really can't go back through the entire 6ish weeks I have missed - so how about highlights from my occasional ability to skim.

NC Guy - sorry you think TWC is intentially getting around Cable Card via SDV just to get your additional dollars each month. Not an accurate intrepretation - look at history, technology often proceeds down different paths simultaneously. Right now one-way cable cards are the Beta Machines of our decade - obsolete almost right off the shelf. Not because anyone is specifically planning to undermine one method of delivery, but because other methods provide more options and capability.

SDV and Digital Simulcast channels in TWCSC - depending on where you sit between 12 and 62 channels available and NO I will not provide a list. The whole point is to provide good pictures right.... well they are there.

Call Center issues - full staff - and hiring more. Outsourcing some calls - all trunks lit up. Its a new system and it takes a while for us to learn it and explain it and for the billing cycles to get caught up. Equipment balancing is getting better from what I can tell though.

STARZ HD and MAX HD - as you probably could have guessed by now the carriage is tied to other requirements (non HD requirements - nothing to do with bandwidth) The end result is greater costs to all Digital Premium subs SD and HD - costs we are not willing to pass through to everyone when the number of HD subs subscribing to either STARZ or MAX is exceedingly tiny.

3100s that got in the field - total mistake - thanks for alerting us. If anyone has a 3100 please take it in and exchange it. As with all model exchanges this cannot be done via a service call because model numbers are not in the billing system. You have to take your chances at the front counter at a time convenient to you, but the warehouse swears to me they have exiled all 3100s to Syberia.

Haven't heard anything about any potential 8300 upgrade, so I can't speak to that potential.

I promise to try to do better about regular participation again.

Welcome back! You neglected to comment on the biggest dust-up of all in your absence - TWC vs. NFL Network.

Right now, I'd like to see them add a TRUE Season Pass (Like the Tivo--where it supports first run vs. reruns). Of course, the main fix I'd really like to see is actually recording what you told it to WHEN you told it to. I really love coming home to watch the whole 5 minutes it recorded of a 1 hour show (sometimes it only records 1 minute, or 30 minutes).

not sure what you mean about first run vs. reruns...setting up an all episodes/first run only recording schedule works well for me most of the time. even with HBO shows that rerun for weeks i only get the original sunday show. the only problem i've had lately is with The Daily Show. that's one that's always plagued TiVo but worked well for me, but lately i've had to switch to all episodes/time slot only.

if you're only getting parts of recordings i would set up a service call to check your signal.

Welcome back! You neglected to comment on the biggest dust-up of all in your absence - TWC vs. NFL Network.


And didn't my neglect of that subject speak volumes?

Screw the NFL network, Espn2HD is a better option at my location. Being the only provider not to have this channel is foolish. Hate to sound harsh .but it about time TWC did the right thing for its customers. Freakin' PBT in Gilbert offers ESPN2HD!


Oh ,welcome back Diana, thanks for helping me last month!

No Problem and no arguments from me on any channel adds.

NC Guy - sorry you think TWC is intentially getting around Cable Card via SDV just to get your additional dollars each month. Not an accurate intrepretation - look at history, technology often proceeds down different paths simultaneously. Right now one-way cable cards are the Beta Machines of our decade - obsolete almost right off the shelf. Not because anyone is specifically planning to undermine one method of delivery, but because other methods provide more options and capability.

SDV and Digital Simulcast channels in TWCSC - depending on where you sit between 12 and 62 channels available and NO I will not provide a list. The whole point is to provide good pictures right.... well they are there.

Diana,

Thanks for responding to my post. You and I will have to agree to disagree about CableCard being an obsolete technology. I think it does exactly what itis intended to do: enable users to watch encrypted content without using cable box. The issue a lot of people have with SDV is that the cable companies always have something on the horizon like CableCard 2.0, OCAP, DCAS etc. Why not support a technology that is here and works? There has been quite a firestorm here at AVS and at engadget about the fact that Time Warner Raleigh said they wouldn't provide CableCards for the new Tivos. They have since recanted, but Time Warner has gotten a black eye over it and fuels the speculation that Time Warner really wants people to use their box.

I actually did breakdown and get the SA8300 yesteday. Now I am just waiting for my new HDTV to arrive this week. I don't expect it to work like a TiVo, but I just hope I don't have to return it 6 times like my coworker.

On a side note, I cringe everytime I read that you went to Illinois because my wife is an Arizona grad and I still haven't gotten over the Illinois vs. Arizona regional final in 2005. Arizona had Illinois totally beat and then proceeded to have the biggest choke in NCAA history.

Anyways, thanks again for taking the time to respond.

To be clear, I think one-way cable card technology is obsolete. I got nothing against the upcoming two-way version and can't wait for them to get here so we can get this phase behind us! (I say this without having an extensive knowledge base on the upcoming M Series, so it may well have some drawbacks I'm just not educated on at this time.)

Well I'm not a fan of Lute and given the lucky comeback Arizona had over Illinois in the Elite Eight a couple of years ago, I totally enjoyed the game two years ago. Really, Illinois should have never let Arizona in that game, we had a much better team and crowd advantage. I have the 2005 Arizona game on both my work and home DVR and watch it frequently. I'm sure you'll find something just as valuable to enjoy on you new DVR!

Don't say I blame her, some here want to have their cake and eat it too..

she has no obligation to us on this website.
You are correct that we want to have our cake and eat it too. Afterall When you pay for a 100 dollar cake you DESERVE to enjoy atleast a slice of it.

I have the 2005 Arizona game on both my work and home DVR and watch it frequently.


A HA!! the truth comes out. You haven't been too busy at work to respond to us! You have been watching DVR'ed College Basketball. :p












just kidding Diana, Its nice to see you back on the forum.

Welcome back Diana - Thanks for your help a few weeks ago. I think we are starting to get things squared away.

Anyone noticing a significant amount of pixelation on the NBC HD NFL game?

STARZ HD and MAX HD - as you probably could have guessed by now the carriage is tied to other requirements (non HD requirements - nothing to do with bandwidth) The end result is greater costs to all Digital Premium subs SD and HD - costs we are not willing to pass through to everyone when the number of HD subs subscribing to either STARZ or MAX is exceedingly tiny.

Hello Diana,

I emailed Tom Southwick from Starz a couple months ago and this is what he said.

"This is entirely the decision of Time Warner. We are happy to make Starz HD available to them free of charge. They just have to decide to take it and make room for it on their cable system."

1. So, have they now changed thier mind and now want to charge all SC subscribers for the HD version of STARZ?
2. Also why would Time Warner owned Max-HD charge another Time Warner owned company? Doesn't the $ end up in TW INC's hands anyway?
3. So if Austin & San Antonio have both these channels, does that automatically mean that thier HD subs subscribing to either STARZ or MAX are thru the roof?

thanks, looking foward to hearing some new info.

Hello Diana,

I emailed Tom Southwick from Starz a couple months ago and this is what he said.

"This is entirely the decision of Time Warner. We are happy to make Starz HD available to them free of charge. They just have to decide to take it and make room for it on their cable system."

1. So, have they now changed thier mind and now want to charge all SC subscribers for the HD version of STARZ?
2. Also why would Time Warner owned Max-HD charge another Time Warner owned company? Doesn't the $ end up in TW INC's hands anyway?
3. So if Austin & San Antonio have both these channels, does that automatically mean that thier HD subs subscribing to either STARZ or MAX are thru the roof?

thanks, looking foward to hearing some new info.


1. No - I didn't say that. The end result is cost to TWC subs and I will not and cannot go into programming contract specifics any deeper. I was simply letting TWC SC subs know that the reason they aren't getting these channels is NOT lack of bandwidth because it had been a topic of conversation.
2. No - we pay for all programming even that owned by our sister companies HBO and Turner Networks. And just because all dollars end up at TW Inc, doesn't mean each line of business isn't held responsible for their own bottom line.
3. No, what I say has no reflection on the situation in Austin and SA at all. I do not speak for them and I am not in a position to do so. They decided for their own reasons to launch. Our decision is based on over all subscriber greater good.

A HA!! the truth comes out. You haven't been too busy at work to respond to us! You have been watching DVR'ed College Basketball. :p
.


busted...

Anyone noticing a significant amount of pixelation on the NBC HD NFL game?


Out of focus, and soft would be the best way to describe it on my monitors, but I wasn't expecting much from NBC ,and the Wis-DT. Pixellation was much less than CBS when they first broadcast the NFL.

Perhaps things are not the same since you are on a totally different system than most of us. )

Yea, like in NEW YORK.

To be clear, I think one-way cable card technology is obsolete. !

True from a technology standpoint. But there are a lot of us customers out there who bought it and it doesn't work very well at all.

Anyhooo, welcome back Diana..!

Welcome back Diana - Thanks for your help a few weeks ago. I think we are starting to get things squared away.

Anyone noticing a significant amount of pixelation on the NBC HD NFL game?

Hm. I noticed a lot of artifacts on WYFF's hd signal also. I guess NBC was sending it across like that. Hopefully they will pull things together before the start of the regular season.

FCC Denies Time Warner Request to Delay NFL Network Return

Aug. 7 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Federal Communications Commission denied Time Warner Cable's request for a delay in reinstating the NFL Network on some recently acquired cable systems.

Time Warner Cable, the second-largest U.S. cable operator, asked the FCC to stay a decision reached by the commission last week that ordered the Time Warner Inc. unit to reinstate the NFL Network on cable systems it acquired from Adelphia Communications Corp. and Comcast Corp., No. 1 in the U.S.

Time Warner had removed the NFL Network from cable systems on Aug. 1, saying negotiations over terms for carriage failed. The FCC found that New York-based Time Warner hadn't given subscribers the required 30-day notice of a change and ordered the company to immediately reinstate the channel. Today the FCC said it would stand by its order.

``Time Warner's subscribers have paid their bills for August with the expectation that they will be able to view the NFL Network,'' wrote the FCC, adding that if the order is delayed, ``those expectations would be thwarted.''

Time Warner said on Aug. 4 that it had reinstated NFL Network, which plans to show 54 preseason games and eight regular-season primetime games this season.

Shares of Time Warner, the world's largest media company, fell 20 cents to $16.36 at 10:50 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They declined 5 percent this year before today.

I wonder if they'll have it only until the proper notice elapses?

Shoved down their throats at whatever cost, they might reject it ASAP, but that might not endear them to the subscribers.

Meanwhile, the Unsilent Minority waiting for Max-HD (above post noted) still wonders when their day will come...

SDV and Digital Simulcast channels in TWCSC - depending on where you sit between 12 and 62 channels available and NO I will not provide a list. The whole point is to provide good pictures right.... well they are there.


Well, far as I'm concerned, the reason I wanted to know was in case I ever start using TWC totally, instead of just basic usage. I use both satellite and cable depending on where I'm at, but satellite is the main source for now. I can barely take that interface on the SA8300, and who knows when it will ever be changed in SC with this beta test stuff they claim to be doing.

I assume the reason for no list is because its not in every area of SC. I thought when most cable systems simucasted analog channels, they wanted it known.

So, where I was sitting, it must be the 12, certainly not 62. Analog can be fine but most times digital will look better, with RF interference so easily putting weird lines or whatever in the picture. It would also depend on how the digital channels were being sent, coverted or allowed straight through.

But its no big deal to me, I guess FIOS will come on someday where I'm at in SC, since the fiber is being pulled now. Course I'm not sure I'd like their interface either on a STB, but I'll get the internet for sure.

I assume the reason for no list is because its not in every area of SC. I thought when most cable systems simucasted analog channels, they wanted it known. .

While some Companys or even Divisions of TWC seem to feel this is marketing point, we don't see the value of that - that's why I'm not going to take extra time to type out a list of SDV and simulcast channels - it serves no purpose and is a waste of my time.

Our point is to provide digital pictures and we are doing that in an organized manner that will be completed in the foreseeable future. If people are happy with the pictures we provide, that's the only message we need.

not sure what you mean about first run vs. reruns...setting up an all episodes/first run only recording schedule works well for me most of the time. even with HBO shows that rerun for weeks i only get the original sunday show. the only problem i've had lately is with The Daily Show. that's one that's always plagued TiVo but worked well for me, but lately i've had to switch to all episodes/time slot only.

if you're only getting parts of recordings i would set up a service call to check your signal.

I should clarifiy I'm using the SARA software. When you setup a "season pass", your only two choices are:
All episodes on this channel
All episdoes on this channel at this time

There is no option to tell it to not record a re-run.

we've had a 'first run only' option for ages here, seems like your cable system is way behind.

While some Companys or even Divisions of TWC seem to feel this is marketing point, we don't see the value of that - that's why I'm not going to take extra time to type out a list of SDV and simulcast channels - it serves no purpose and is a waste of my time.

Our point is to provide digital pictures and we are doing that in an organized manner that will be completed in the foreseeable future. If people are happy with the pictures we provide, that's the only message we need.

I'm not writing this to get a response, but I don't agree about not being clear whats channels are simulcast. SDV, well, that just screws up cable cards and we already know how cable feels about them. So, while knowing ahead of time what is on SDV, so they'd know what to expect, I guess thats not much of a issue at this time. When the S3 TIVO comes out, could be more noise then.

Simucast channels though, thats different IMO. Just like the friend I have who put in a home theater room in a new house. He spent around $22,000 on the equipment in there. So now he is watching what I consider a subpar picture on a 110 inch screen with analog channels. They are too snowy and well, analog!

Now since nobody knows what is simulcast, then there is nothing that can be said wondering if the box is working correctly, when its a snowy analog channel. So to wonder if there is a digital version or not, trying to figure out if its all working right, thats a problem far as I'm concerned.

I have no idea how often he watching analog cable, but I do know what some of the channels look like on his setup. I also have a 110 inch screen and would want the digital version, no doubt about it. Compressed digital isn't perfect but overall its usually better looking than analog on cable.

But thats just my opinion and like you said, I guess it will all be completed in the future and maybe then more clear. I'm sure my opinion is in the minority also.

2 full years - DVR 1.1 upgrade in July of 2004

[QUOTE=Larry J]So, while knowing ahead of time what is on SDV, so they'd know what to expect, I guess thats not much of a issue at this time. QUOTE]

Cable Card subs are informed as to what is SDV, so they know the channels they can and cannot subscribe to / receive.

Cable Card subs get the analog version of any Digitally Simulcast channel because it is out there in SDV, so that is not an issue.

Maybe I'm late to this party, but isn't this a COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA thread ???

Just because COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA has a Time Warner person who is polite enough to answer questions from TWC subscribers who do not live it COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA I'm scratching my head why many folks who not only do not live in COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA but not even in South Carolina at all keep posting in our thread, and at times acting like babies.

Just because Diana is polite does not mean she should be spending/wasting her time answering questions about anything outside of COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA.

She is too polite to say KNOCK IT OFF, so I'll say it.

-- Cain

The Great and Wonderful Wizard has spoken!

Maybe I'm late to this party, but isn't this a COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA thread ???

Just because COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA has a Time Warner person who is polite enough to answer questions from TWC subscribers who do not live it COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA I'm scratching my head why many folks who not only do not live in COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA but not even in South Carolina at all keep posting in our thread, and at times acting like babies.

Just because Diana is polite does not mean she should be spending/wasting her time answering questions about anything outside of COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA.

She is too polite to say KNOCK IT OFF, so I'll say it.

-- Cain

If you're talking to me, I have home's in both states. Also, there is very little going on in Columbia on TWC that isn't in the rest of the state, far as I know. Also she speaks for the entire state and this is the most active thread.

Anyway, yeah its true that cable card people would know whats on SDV, at some point in time anyway. But, using a SA8300 its still just a guess with digital Simulcast.

Thats all I got to say about all that......

Diana - check your email when you get a chance.

OT - Did you DVR the national championship of 2005? ;)

Edit: 814 keeps dropping out. I really wish we could go a week without having cable trouble... Anyone else noticing this? I thought it was a handshake issue with the 8300, but only doing it on that channel.

Incidentally, how many people have had trouble using HDMI with the 8300? Mine works properly about 85 - 90% of the time and requires periodic resets.

The Great and Wonderful Wizard has spoken!

LOL Gary

Pawleys Island is 180 miles from Columbia
Charlotte is 90 miles from Columbia

I guess Larry and I are really intruding by asking Diana about TWCSC since Columbia is one of the places implementing SDV.

I didn't realize I had to live in Irmo or 5 points to post here.

We get Columbia stations in Myrtle Beach. When we call tech support(sic)we talk to someone in Columbia. The TW presence only shows on its web sites as Columbia unless you are looking for guides so I will continue to read and post on this site. Besides the posting rules at the bottom of each page say I can. I did not realize that Cain was in charge.

Most of the issues that are discussed on this site will affect all TW customers in SC if TW ever decides to do anything for its customers.

Are we sure that Cain is not some corporate hack for TW trying to get rid of the dissent?

Diana - check your email when you get a chance.

Edit: 814 keeps dropping out. I really wish we could go a week without having cable trouble... Anyone else noticing this? I thought it was a handshake issue with the 8300, but only doing it on that channel.

Incidentally, how many people have had trouble using HDMI with the 8300? Mine works properly about 85 - 90% of the time and requires periodic resets.


What's been on 814 lately? I think this is only used for FSN/TS Braves home games.

HDMI works perfect on my Panasonic Plasma that is video switched from my Sony HDMI Surround sound receiver. However, the first 8300HD I got for the plasma had video drop issues,so I took it back, and got another and the issues have never reappeared.

She is too polite to say KNOCK IT OFF, so I'll say it.

-- Cain

ditto..and I don't think Cain was addressing those of you like kjpjr and gary, He like me would like the NY and other folks to stay in their own thread..

When certain folks post TWC comments in OTA threads not native to their area, it's obvious to me they're trolling.

Anyone else notice the improvement of Wis in regards to their video quality on their HD channel. I do not know if they changed equipment or the quality from NBC has improved, but it's much better than it used to be. I guess we will see Sunday evenings when the NFL is in play.

I tend to agree with that, the PQ had gotten better, but they are still bad at switching over to HD content at the correct time.

I thought the PQ for the game Sunday night was attrocious. I dont know if it was WIS's fault or the networks fault but every few seconds the picture got blurry and would take a few more seconds to focus again. And anytime there was any movement at all the picture would macroblock to death. It was horrible, i ended up having to watch in SD.

I'm guessing the image "losing focus" was due to some problem with the real time encoding going on in the production truck on site and the macroblocking is due to WIS constraining their HD signal to air all their other stupid multicasts. I'm sure the tv engineers here can provide a more accurate guess.

Folks who are not following this topic over in the Programming forum might want to check out this posting today by kjpjr (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8099429&&#post8099429). It appears he got a reply back from Fred Dressler/TWC VP Programming about the NFL network and ESPN2-HD. Interesting take on the ESPN thing (ESPN in default of an existing contract it would seem; no real details though) but it does appear the NFL network impass is over carriage/fee demands from all subscribers.
____
Bruce

Something is fishy about that. If TWC had a contract with Disney/Espn for espn2-hd they would have taken them to court and suited the pants off them. And there would be news about it by now; face it Time Warner suing Disney over breach of contract would be a major court case. I tend to believe that kjpjr guy is full of *it. I have emailed that dressler guy once or twice per week the past few weeks with very cordial, professional emails and have not received one single response in reference to questions about NFL, ESPN2-HD, ESPN-U, or the addition of any more HD channels.

Welcome back Diana - Thanks for your help a few weeks ago. I think we are starting to get things squared away.

Anyone noticing a significant amount of pixelation on the NBC HD NFL game?

YESSSSSS!!!

Boooo WIS multicasting!!

Hooray Football season!

I thought the PQ for the game Sunday night was attrocious. I dont know if it was WIS's fault or the networks fault but every few seconds the picture got blurry and would take a few more seconds to focus again. And anytime there was any movement at all the picture would macroblock to death. It was horrible, i ended up having to watch in SD.

Oh yeah, it was the worst HD airing of a football game that I've seen to date.

Everytime they switched camera angles, the image would be sharp for about 1/4 of a second and then it would get soft, almost blurry looking. And yes, the pixelization during action shots was very noticeable.

Something is fishy about that. If TWC had a contract with Disney/Espn for espn2-hd they would have taken them to court and suited the pants off them. And there would be news about it by now; face it Time Warner suing Disney over breach of contract would be a major court case. I tend to believe that kjpjr guy is full of *it. I have emailed that dressler guy once or twice per week the past few weeks with very cordial, professional emails and have not received one single response in reference to questions about NFL, ESPN2-HD, ESPN-U, or the addition of any more HD channels.

All I can tell you is that I used the dressler email address and that is the email I got back. If you don't want to believe that that is fine with me. If you want to start the personal name calling please go somewhere else. I save mine for TW corporate. Their employees are only able to do what they are told they can do. What is going on is not the fault of the level of employees that we deal with in person or on the phone or with local email. TW corporate is the problem, not questioning an email I got and calling me names.

YESSSSSS!!!

Boooo WIS multicasting!!

Hooray Football season!


all the locals are multicasting 2 subs. To be honest it will get worse when the analog is turned off ,and they pump more to their SD channel.

Whoa, what happened this weekend? I just got back from out of town and many of my lower (below 100 and supposedly analog channels) are unwatchable on both my digital cable boxes. Lots of pixelation on an news channels, 57,58,42, TLC, most channels. They worked fine last week. Rebooted many times already. Did these switch to SDV? They must be SDV because I can watch all of them just fine on my two other analog TV's in bedrooms. I have tried calling customer service and after searching for it(it's no longer listed on the invoices) I can't get through. Are any here having problems? My wife is fed up as we seem to have issues quite often but I think this is just a temporary glitch, I hope. Any ideas?

What in the world is going on with this 8300DVR..

It has pissed me and my wife off TWICE now tonight.

First, we were watching last comic standing. We set the show to record in case we missed it. We started watching it and had to pause it while we put our Daughter to bed... We then continued watching it.. we get to the last 15 minutes of the show and all of a sudden the recording stops and goes to live tv.. we see the last 3 minutes, but miss the 10 minutes before that. It was set for 1:30mins and recorded on 1:14 mins.

Then, my wife turns to food network at about 10:03pm to watch the new Alton Brown show. She pauses it for 2 minutes and then we start watching it. We watch aprox 20 minutes of the show and a message pops up saying the start over presentation is over, would we like to watch live tv? This is at about 10:50. So, we get to watch the last 10mins, but once again miss about 20 minutes of the show..

This is really irritating me. I have plenty of space on my box..

My 8300 is also buggy sometimes, you just have to accept it. My lower channels are working again this morning. You get start over to work? Wow. I have never had consistent performance from that feature.

From this mornings State(South Carolina) News:

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/15247989.htm


Meanwhile, Santelle was more optimistic about ESPN2 high definition and ESPNU coming to Time Warner.

“I really think we’re close to making it happen, especially ESPN2 HD, and we’re getting pretty close with ESPNU,” Santelle said. “I’ll say anywhere from 30 to 60 days.”

It also says that negotiations for NFL Network are "far away."

“I would say that’s pretty far away,” said Dan Santelle, vice-president and director of marketing of Time Warner Columbia. “Negotiations on the corporate level are continuing, but I think it will be a while before an agreement is reached.”

With the news that INHD is moving to DISH, I think this is just 1 more reason I'll be moving to DISH come Sept 1st if TWC doesn't make some moves on the HD front.

Wow, I think TWC has totally lost it now:

http://nflgetreal.com

I wish on their "form" page they had an option to choose "TWC Get Real!"

Is no one having issues with SDV channels? As soon as I typed my last email, they went out again. Almost all of my favorite channels are gone.

From this mornings State(South Carolina) News:

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/15247989.htm


Meanwhile, Santelle was more optimistic about ESPN2 high definition and ESPNU coming to Time Warner.

“I really think we’re close to making it happen, especially ESPN2 HD, and we’re getting pretty close with ESPNU,” Santelle said. “I’ll say anywhere from 30 to 60 days.”

Although Mr. Nye typically does a good job reporting information, he did misrepresent what Mr. Santelle was saying in this instance. While we are optimistic on ESPN2HD - we cannot guarantee it will launch in 30 to 60 days. In addition, we are much less optimistic on ESPNU

Is no one having issues with SDV channels? As soon as I typed my last email, they went out again. Almost all of my favorite channels are gone.

I've found that since they switched to SDV, its been very hit-or-miss on whether I'd see a channel I wanted to watch. Sometimes I'd see "initializing, please wait.." and then nothing, or just a blank screen. Today I've seen a lot of blank screens.

Although I appreciate the improvement in PQ and reduction in bandwidth with SDV, the current implementation is very unstable. The worst part about it is that there is no way to let TWC know there is a problem. You can't get through on the phone, and they don't respond to e-mails send via their support web page.

Diana, do you have a suggestion on how to get through?

email me at twcscnews@twcable.com include:

Home phone
serial number on converter (if you can get to it, if not I can get it through billing with your home phone number) this number begins with SAB
channel you tried to tune
time you tired to tune
if after not being able to tune the channel in question, could you tune to channel 600 (free to all PPV Barker, its been SDV for over 6 months)
if after not being able to tune channel 600, could you initiate an On Demand stream from a FOD channel (849 - 899)
If you could initiate a FOD stream, can you then tune either 600 or the channel in question? (sometimes just starting an FOD asset will force the unit into two way so that the SDV issue is resolved.)

I checked with DISH Network at the first of the week. They have 25 channels of HD and 200 other channels for 69.95 with a 20.00 discount for the first 10 months which drops the price down to 49.95. This covers 4 rooms(1 room included in basic price and 5.00 charge for the other 3 rooms)). The HD box is included in this price, but if you want the HDDVR there is a 199.00 charge. The reason I check on this is because I called the tv repairman and told him that all my HD channels looked like you were looking thru screen wire(white haze) he came by and took at look and said this was coming from the cable hookup(TWC). I saw a tv hooked up to DISH network(same tv as mine) and there was no white haze like on mine. I've been with TWC for 10 years but I think it is about time to part ways. The tv I saw hooked up to DISH made mine look like crap. I will be calling the installer Monday morning and putting in my order !!!!!!!!

Certainly that's your purgative, but perhaps a TWC Service Call first might just resolve your issue....

I checked with DISH Network at the first of the week. They have 25 channels of HD and 200 other channels for 69.95 with a 20.00 discount for the first 10 months which drops the price down to 49.95. This covers 4 rooms(1 room included in basic price and 5.00 charge for the other 3 rooms)). The HD box is included in this price, but if you want the HDDVR there is a 199.00 charge. The reason I check on this is because I called the tv repairman and told him that all my HD channels looked like you were looking thru screen wire(white haze) he came by and took at look and said this was coming from the cable hookup(TWC). I saw a tv hooked up to DISH network(same tv as mine) and there was no white haze like on mine. I've been with TWC for 10 years but I think it is about time to part ways. The tv I saw hooked up to DISH made mine look like crap. I will be calling the installer Monday morning and putting in my order !!!!!!!!


How many locals can you get OTA? How many years is the contract? Did you look at their SD channels?

Dish Network

1080i channels with full 1920 x 1080i resolution

1. CBS-HD (MPEG2 West)
2. Showtime HD
3. HBO HD
4. Discovery HD Theater
5. HDNet Movies
6. HDNet
7. TNT HD
8. Universal HD
9. HGTV HD


1080i channels downrezzed to HD-Lite

1. CBS-HD (MPEG2 East & MPEG4)
2. NBC-HD (MPEG4)
3. Starz HDTV
4. Animania HD
5. Family Room HD
6. GamePlay HD
7. Equator HD
8. Film Fest HD
9. Kung Fu HD
10. Monsters HD
11. World Cinema HD
12. HDNews
13. Rave HD
14. NFL Network HD
15. Rush HD
16. WorldSport HD
17. Gallery HD
18. Treasure HD
19. Ultra HD

How many locals can you get OTA?

The same amount you can get thru TWC.

How many years is the contract? Did you look at their SD channels?

They do not require a contract. I have seen their SD channels on a Pioneer Elite 1130 (same as mine). They look no better or worse than the SD channels from TWC. E* IS NOT D*.


Dish Network

1080i channels with full 1920 x 1080i resolution

1. CBS-HD (MPEG2 West)
2. Showtime HD
3. HBO HD
4. Discovery HD Theater
5. HDNet Movies
6. HDNet
7. TNT HD
8. Universal HD
9. HGTV HD


1080i channels downrezzed to HD-Lite

1. CBS-HD (MPEG2 East & MPEG4)
2. NBC-HD (MPEG4)
3. Starz HDTV
4. Animania HD
5. Family Room HD
6. GamePlay HD
7. Equator HD
8. Film Fest HD
9. Kung Fu HD
10. Monsters HD
11. World Cinema HD
12. HDNews
13. Rave HD
14. NFL Network HD
15. Rush HD
16. WorldSport HD
17. Gallery HD
18. Treasure HD
19. Ultra HD

You seem to be missing some channels in your Dish HD lineup (this is a copy and paste from someone elses post ;)). Where is ESPNHD and ESPN2HD?

Certainly that's your purgative, but perhaps a TWC Service Call first might just resolve your issue....

That may be very challenging when everytime you call you get a busy signal ;)

email me at twcscnews@twcable.com include:

Home phone
serial number on converter (if you can get to it, if not I can get it through billing with your home phone number) this number begins with SAB
channel you tried to tune
time you tired to tune
if after not being able to tune the channel in question, could you tune to channel 600 (free to all PPV Barker, its been SDV for over 6 months)
if after not being able to tune channel 600, could you initiate an On Demand stream from a FOD channel (849 - 899)
If you could initiate a FOD stream, can you then tune either 600 or the channel in question? (sometimes just starting an FOD asset will force the unit into two way so that the SDV issue is resolved.)

Since last night almost nothing works now on both myboxes. Tried the channel 600 and 849 , no good. Now almost all my digital channels are all blocky and pixelated. I get no channel 33- at least 58, and some beyond that. I really would be asking for a credit since last monday, as it has been doing that since then, but I cannot contact customer service. I think I need a service call, but they never find a problem. I don't know why I have so much problem periodically. I never had problems like this with TWC in Florida. It just worked. I can watch no TV except on my analog sets with no box. Only a few channels come in clear on the box now.

There certainly has to be an issue at your address, because I do not have any problems tuning in any channel on both my boxes. SDV appears to work fine every time I have tried it. Vod works flawlessly. I can relate to being frustrated with no solution insight, but I doubt that the problems you are having describing would be the norm for most TWC digital subscribers.

If I were you I would request a credit from the time your issues first occurred until the time it is fixed. It wouldn't hurt to try a newer stb. The last box I got was actually made a week before I got it. I have had that box for 2 months and have never had to reboot it.


If TWC can't get it fixed. Maybe D* and E* can work for you.

The same amount you can get thru TWC.



They do not require a contract. I have seen their SD channels on a Pioneer Elite 1130 (same as mine). They look no better or worse than the SD channels from TWC. E* IS NOT D*.




You seem to be missing some channels in your Dish HD lineup (this is a copy and paste from someone elses post ;)). Where is ESPNHD and ESPN2HD?


Are you in Darlington? :rolleyes: ESPNHD is 720p! :p What are the local HD channels through E*? Did Columbia increase from the 83rd market? Oh, D* SD looks better than E* in my opinion.