St. Louis, MO - Charter

[siuengr]

I have talked to a few of my friends using Charter, and we have all been having trouble accessing any of the Google services, search, Gmail, Reader, anything Google related.

[Robert Simandl]

This *might* have something to do with trouble accessing Gmail (don't know about the other Google stuff)....

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...m-vendors.html

[elgibby]

Google seems to be back to normal today, tho I won't use it heavily till I go back to work tomorrow...

[gbshuler1]

I got new 10Mbps service from Charter over the weekend. It works, but there are a few odd things I am trying to come to grips with.

Max download speed over old DSL network: 2.5Mbps according to speedtest dot net .
Max download speed with new network over Cable Modem: 4Mbps (far less than 10Mbps!!)

This network consists of:

Cable Modem ----> 8 Yr Old Linksys Router (no wifi) ----> Airport Extreme 802.11b/g/n WiFi Router ----> Macbook Pro locked into 802.11n (or TiVo, or PC)

This network works fine. but I wanted 10Mbps speed. Could it be something in the middle acting as a bottleneck? My 8 year old Linksys router perhaps? Hmm..

I cut out the two middle pieces and connected directly to the Cable Modem. I was unable to surf. I was given an IP of 169.*.*.*. Doesn't sound like a Charter IP..?

The I put the Airport Extreme router back in between the cable modem and the Macbook Pro/TiVo/PC's. Same thing as above (no surfing, IP of 169.*.*.*)

What can I do to
1. Get 10Mbps speed
2. Be able to connect directly to the cable modem if I want to do a speed test.
3. Be able to use my Airport Extreme 802.11n WiFi Router without the old Linksys router?

[UPDATE] Turns out the cable modem is a little shy about giving out the WAN IP address. Recycling both the cable modem and the airport extreme base station a few times finally coaxed the cable modem into giving me an IP starting with 24.*.*.* (Charters domain). Renewing the DHCP address with software is the best solution. Unfortunately I couldn't find a way to do this in the admin software for my base station (thus the modem.router recycles). I also clocked a 9 Mbps on the dslreports site. Sweet..

[bhornberger]

Originally Posted by gbshuler1

I got new 10Mbps service from Charter over the weekend. It works, but there are a few odd things I am trying to come to grips with.

Max download speed over old DSL network: 2.5Mbps according to speedtest dot net .
Max download speed with new network over Cable Modem: 4Mbps (far less than 10Mbps!!)

This network consists of:

Cable Modem ----> 8 Yr Old Linksys Router (no wifi) ----> Airport Extreme 802.11b/g/n WiFi Router ----> Macbook Pro locked into 802.11n (or TiVo, or PC)

This network works fine. but I wanted 10Mbps speed. Could it be something in the middle acting as a bottleneck? My 8 year old Linksys router perhaps? Hmm..

I cut out the two middle pieces and connected directly to the Cable Modem. I was unable to surf. I was given an IP of 169.*.*.*. Doesn't sound like a Charter IP..?

The I put the Airport Extreme router back in between the cable modem and the Macbook Pro/TiVo/PC's. Same thing as above (no surfing, IP of 169.*.*.*)

What can I do to
1. Get 10Mbps speed
2. Be able to connect directly to the cable modem if I want to do a speed test.
3. Be able to use my Airport Extreme 802.11n WiFi Router without the old Linksys router?

Any help much appreciated..

You might get better results at dslreports.com

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/charter

[elgibby]

Anyone having any trouble with HD in St Louis tonight?
I tuned in 792/FSM to watch the Cards and get the no signal screen.
782/Fox and 775/HD Theater are also no signal.
789/PBS and 781/CW are pixelated and unwatchable.

[anhisr]

I called about the FoxHD earlier today. The man on the phone made me reboot the box. Then when that didn't work, he had me check my connections. When that didn't work, he was going to send somebody out tomorrow. Then when FSMW didn't work I called again and the lady said that the network is having a problem with that station and FoxHD. I asked why the other guy didn't know that but, she wouldn't say he was an idiot. Oh, and no idea when it will be fixed.

[elgibby]

Originally Posted by anhisr

I called about the FoxHD earlier today. The man on the phone made me reboot the box. Then when that didn't work, he had me check my connections. When that didn't work, he was going to send somebody out tomorrow. Then when FSMW didn't work I called again and the lady said that the network is having a problem with that station and FoxHD. I asked why the other guy didn't know that but, she wouldn't say he was an idiot. Oh, and no idea when it will be fixed.

Everything started working again about 8:50 p.m. (Good thing I recorded New Amsterdam on my backup DVD recorder, and even there the Fox SD stuttered a few times.)
My wife asked me why I didn't call Charter. I just looked at her, and she said, "Oh, yeah, right."
barry

[tonycsmoke]

Channel 11 has been off and on for several days. I prefer to watch the Blues game on the HD channel even though the game is SD. The pic is much better on my TV. It has been so pixelated that it's unwatchable.
DTV is supposed to come out today - I found somebody that said they would attach to the side of my house. The other installers wouldn't do it. Keeping my fingers crossed that they will and the rain will hold off long enough.

[tcfila]

Has anyone else had problems with ch 782 and 785? I've had so much tiling and audio issues that is throwing up the "blue screen" that I don't subscribe.

Tim

[Saluki]

Originally Posted by tcfila

Has anyone else had problems with ch 782 and 785? I've had so much tiling and audio issues that is throwing up the "blue screen" that I don't subscribe.

Tim

I had tons of tiling on American Idol last night on 782.

[chatanp]

I'm a subscriber to the MLB Extra Innings package. I get the programming with no problem on my Moxi and Moxi-mate.

Until a few days ago, I was also receiving the games on another LCD TV via the built-in QAM. Then yesterday, for some reason, only one of the channels was coming through (Rockies/Diamond Backs game). The rest of the channel gave nothing.

Have any other people who get MLB Extra Innings experienced this?

Thanks,
cp

[CF4L]

I am so sick of Charter - I am done with them. I can no longer put up with their lack of HD channels and the one's that do come through are choppy as all hell more often than not.

The very second that DirectTV offers the NFL Package for free to new subscribers I am switching and will give the middle finger to Charter as I'm turning in my ****

[Left Jeff]

Originally Posted by CF4L

I am so sick of Charter - I am done with them. I can no longer put up with their lack of HD channels and the one's that do come through are choppy as all hell more often than not.

The very second that DirectTV offers the NFL Package for free to new subscribers I am switching and will give the middle finger to Charter as I'm turning in my ****

yeeahhh...they don't offer that for free. ever.

[Left Jeff]

Hey Charter folks, looking for a little help.

Currently I am OTA-only with a TivoHD.

I am considering getting Charter just for summer to watch the Cardinals.

Since I have QAM capabilities, I am trying to decide which package I might go with: either expanded basic analog w/o cablecards or digital w/cable cards.

Here's the big question for me: I know the availability of digital QAM seems to come and go...but my understanding is that the LOCALS are always there, in the clear and in HD correct?

To go along with that, looking over Charter's channel selection, they list FSN Midwest-HD as "HD lifeline", just like the hd versions of nbc, pbs, cw, etc...so is FSNMW-HD passed through in the clear?

Obviously if I can just get cheapest option and watch FSNMW-HD in the clear, that's what I'll do....

*EDIT*
It also my understanding that if I went basic analog cable (like the $15 one) that some kind of filter is placed on my line...does this COMPLETELY block ALL QAM, or just some...and would it block fsnmw-hd.

[bodean]

I have charter HD here in St Louis. Right now I am running a component cable to my TV. Would I benenfit using an HDMI cable, or would that be wasting money?
My digital box is a Motorola DCH3200

[popweaverhdtv]

Originally Posted by bodean

I have charter HD here in St Louis. Right now I am running a component cable to my TV. Would I benenfit using an HDMI cable, or would that be wasting money?
My digital box is a Motorola DCH3200

I have the Motorola DCH6200 from Charter and have the HDMI cable going to my HDTV. The downside of having this setup (from my perspective) is that I can't zoom in when there's a letterboxed movie being aired by an SD channel. I have to switch to my DVD Recorder in order to zoom in (Component from DVD Recorder to the TV). Previously, when I had the Component cable connected from the HD Box to the TV, I had no problem using my TV's Zoom functions.

It's just a matter of preference on which you'd rather use and whether the zoom in function is a necessity for your viewing enjoyment. Others might have a different experience, so I hope this helps somewhat.

[otismalibu]

No playoff hockey on VS/Golf HD tonight?

Weak.

[marcsorel]

Originally Posted by otismalibu

No playoff hockey on VS/Golf HD tonight?

Weak.

Yeah- instead there are non-HD golf HIGHLIGHTS. Who decided that highlights were better than a LIVE PLAYOFF GAME?

Is there some way to blame Charter for this?

[black_macleod]

There's plenty of Hocky on VS tonight .... maybe they're not set up for HD broadcast. I have a feeling that Golf will always trump VS programming on that mixed station, especially this weekend.

[popweaverhdtv]

Originally Posted by marcsorel

Yeah- instead there are non-HD golf HIGHLIGHTS. Who decided that highlights were better than a LIVE PLAYOFF GAME?

Is there some way to blame Charter for this?

Watching Philly vs. Washington right now on Golf/VS in HD via Charter in Western NC.

[marcsorel]

Originally Posted by popweaverhdtv

Watching Philly vs. Washington right now on Golf/VS in HD via Charter in Western NC.

Yeah, after all my complaining I decided to double check it wasn't on the HD Golf/VS and lo an behold it was. Great game, too.

[bodean]

Any recommendations in the St Louis area where I can find some inexpensive HDMI cables for my tv?

[charlesrshell]

Check out Radio Shack

[siuengr]

I recommend Skywalker Communication ,www.skywalker.com, out in O' Fallon. They mainly sell B2B, but anyone can go there and buy stuff. Great place for OTA antennas and cables. And no, I don't work there.

[Saluki]

Another good source here:

http://www.showmecables.com/

[Fury1984]

Originally Posted by bodean

I have charter HD here in St Louis. Right now I am running a component cable to my TV. Would I benenfit using an HDMI cable, or would that be wasting money?
My digital box is a Motorola DCH3200

bodean, I prefer HDMI because it's one cable, as opposed to five. I don't really notice a huge difference in quality, but it freed up my lone component input for video games. If you're looking for inexpensive, but high quality HDMI cables, I recommend Monoprice. I can't post the link, since this is my first post, but just go to monoprice.com. Today's deal is a 3 ft. Black HDMI cable for $2.81. I got a 10 ft. Blue HDMI cable a few weeks ago for $3.94.

[PWSHER]

I got a mailer today from Charter. They will be adding 8 new HD channels on May15th:
AMC HD 762
CNN HD 763
TLC HD 764
ANIMAL PLANET HD 765
SCIENCE CH HD 766
SMITHSONIAN Channel HD 767
THE MOVIE Channel HD 793
TBS HD 798

also C-span3...huh I don't watch 1 & 2 and now I have 3 I can ignore
Well, it's a start.....
Wayne

[phatty]

Originally Posted by PWSHER

I got a mailer today from Charter. They will be adding 8 new HD channels on May15th:
AMC HD 762
CNN HD 763
TLC HD 764
ANIMAL PLANET HD 765
SCIENCE CH HD 766
SMITHSONIAN Channel HD 767
THE MOVIE Channel HD 793
TBS HD 798

also C-span3...huh I don't watch 1 & 2 and now I have 3 I can ignore
Well, it's a start.....
Wayne

Not that I don't appreciate Charters Efforts but TLC, Science, Smithsonian and animal planet... Damn it charter.. I watch enough educational content in HD as it is... I know it makes my brain bigger but my primary purpose for cable is for entertainment, not learning.

Damn you charter for trying to make me smarter.

[CF4L]

Originally Posted by PWSHER

I got a mailer today from Charter. They will be adding 8 new HD channels on May15th:
AMC HD 762
CNN HD 763
TLC HD 764
ANIMAL PLANET HD 765
SCIENCE CH HD 766
SMITHSONIAN Channel HD 767
THE MOVIE Channel HD 793
TBS HD 798

also C-span3...huh I don't watch 1 & 2 and now I have 3 I can ignore
Well, it's a start.....
Wayne

I got so happy when I saw your subject about 8 new HD channels, but then I read the list. The only one that I am even excited about is TBS HD.

They still need to add Food Network HD and get CBS in HD back at the very least before I start to get excited.