Los Angeles, CA - TWC

[edwarto]

Orange County why is CBS 402 not in HD ???

And just like that as i was watching it went to HD hmmmm

[lipcrkr]

I want to change my Movie tier to Variety tier, can i do this over the phone or must i do it in person?

[danki6x]

Originally Posted by lipcrkr

I want to change my Movie tier to Variety tier, can i do this over the phone or must i do it in person?

Call over phone and will be done while you are on the phone. /Dan

[danki6x]

Originally Posted by DSperber

Just ridiculous. Could they make it any more confusing and irritating to us?

Anyway, in my Hollywood/Westchester (aka MDR former Comcast) area it is definitely part of Choice Tier.

That still doesn't explain the mystery as to why I cannot QAM-tune to ANY of the cable channels to which I am definitely paying for and entitled to. I spoke with TWC today and they've scheduled a technician to come out on Monday, to "do something in the street" so that I can get these channels on both my DVR as well as QAM-tune with the ATSC tuner in my HDTV. They, too, feel I should be able to tune without a cable box if my HDTV has a proper tuner. No CableCard should be needed for this.

I'm currently a bit skeptical, but I'll let them run through whatever motions they want to on Monday.

Note that back over the summer when the first 12 new HD channels rolled out I WAS able to tune to them all! Then a few days later, NGCHD disappeared (turns out it was because I didn't have Choice Tier). Then a month later they ALL disappeared. I did nothing to make any of this happen.

So I'll assume it's something on the TWC side that has caused this for me, and may very well bring it back for me.

We'll see.

You do know that the cable box is the unit authorized by TWC to decode the encrypted channels? No TV (without a cable card) can be "authorized" to decode channels you are paying for. So, anything being picked up directly by a digital tuner from the cable line ("in the clear" QAM channels) are not encrypted. There has been many messages on stations "in-the-clear" that were not meant to be. Eventually they usually get caught and enctrypted (FSN - HD for example) from the clear. So, be glad for anything you get extra that are not local channels no matter what you are paying for to TWC. A cable box (or cable card equipment) is needed to unencrypt after TWC authorizes it. /Dan

[motionman]

Originally Posted by danki6x

You do know that the cable box is the unit authorized by TWC to decode the encrypted channels? No TV (without a cable card) can be "authorized" to decode channels you are paying for. So, anything being picked up directly by a digital tuner from the cable line ("in the clear" QAM channels) are not encrypted. There has been many messages on stations "in-the-clear" that were not meant to be. Eventually they usually get caught and enctrypted (FSN - HD for example) from the clear. So, be glad for anything you get extra that are not local channels no matter what you are paying for to TWC. A cable box (or cable card equipment) is needed to unencrypt after TWC authorizes it. /Dan

I completely understand what the cable company wants from its customers, however, I find it odd (that is the best word I can think of at the moment) that the cable company sees no problem in charging you for certain channels then charging you AGAIN for the box to access those channels. The way I see it, I paid for the channels, so they should all be in the clear for me. I should not have to have a box (or card) if my TV can get the channels without it (Don't the cable ads talk about how satellite charges you by the TV but cable doesn't? Cable boxes are a per TV charge (sort of like how gov't fees are not a tax!).

I have not done ANY research on the subject, so I may sound like an idiot (it will not be the first time, nor the last) I suppose you may be able buy your own box or some other such thing, but it still seems like double-dipping by the cable company to, in effect, force most of its customers (uninformed or non-techie) to pay for a box to get the channels they already paid for.

MotionMan

[danki6x]

Originally Posted by motionman

I completely understand what the cable company wants from its customers, however, I find it odd (that is the best word I can think of at the moment) that the cable company sees no problem in charging you for certain channels then charging you AGAIN for the box to access those channels. The way I see it, I paid for the channels, so they should all be in the clear for me. I should not have to have a box (or card) if my TV can get the channels without it (Don't the cable ads talk about how satellite charges you by the TV but cable doesn't? Cable boxes are a per TV charge (sort of like how gov't fees are not a tax!).

I have not done ANY research on the subject, so I may sound like an idiot (it will not be the first time, nor the last) I suppose you may be able buy your own box or some other such thing, but it still seems like double-dipping by the cable company to, in effect, force most of its customers (uninformed or non-techie) to pay for a box to get the channels they already paid for.

MotionMan

Problem is, in-the-clear for one is in-the-clear for all whether paying or not. They need some way to limit who can view. /Dan

[DSperber]

Originally Posted by danki6x

You do know that the cable box is the unit authorized by TWC to decode the encrypted channels? No TV (without a cable card) can be "authorized" to decode channels you are paying for. So, anything being picked up directly by a digital tuner from the cable line ("in the clear" QAM channels) are not encrypted. There has been many messages on stations "in-the-clear" that were not meant to be. Eventually they usually get caught and enctrypted (FSN - HD for example) from the clear.

Well that was exactly what I thought was the case. That's why I kept questioning people who said they were receiving lots of these tier-based channels. Did they have a CableCard? No, they said. Just plugged the coax directly into the TV.

For example just last week, "I get Discovery-HD on with a direct cable connection to my TV, bypassing the cable box.

Also:
125-592 (TLC-HD
125-593 (National Geographic-HD)
125-596 (Disney-HD)
87-561 (Universal-HD)"

Now when these new HD channels first came out last summer, along with CNNHD etc., I was able to get them all via QAM/ATSC tuner, with direct coax-to-HDTV and no DVR.

Then NGC-HD disappeared, presumably because I didn't have Choice Tier. Then they all disappeared... and I didn't know why.

Then others said (and still say) that they get them TODAY... without a CableCard and without a STB/DVR box. Just direct from wall to HDTV.

But on the surface I'm inclined to agree with your analysis, that these are actually encrypted and thus need some kind of decoding box or CableCard. Over and above the obvious requirement for this additional hardware for Premium channels (e.g. HBO and SHO), you're saying the additional hardware is required to decode even the basic tier-related channels.

On the other hand, the counter-argument which is presented that you're already paying for the channels in the tier, so why are you also required to pay for additional hardware (AT EACH TV) to receive those channels you're already paying for, is a good one.

On the other hand, they get away with charging us once for the DVR and a second time for the "DVR service". So why not the same "double-dipping" tier-related program charges plus some kind of additional hardware charge to actually decode that programming?

Anyway, I'm almost certain that when the TWC technician goes home tonight nothing will have been accomplished, and I still will have only the free unencrypted local OTA channels available via QAM to my HDTV. None of the other tier-related channels for which I pay and watch through my DVR will be available directly on my HDTV via coax-direct.

Still don't know why others are "getting away with it", except by sheer accident in their area. Definitely not here in MDR (former Comcast).

[edwarto]

Perhaps there should be a way to have a decoder as the cable comes into the house. I seem to remember a rich friend of mine years ago used to get all the cable channels (HBO, Showtime etc) come on regular TV in the house. he had a box of some kind in a closet that did all the decoding. this was about 15 years ago..

If the cable come into the house a box of some kind can do the encyption then pass all the channels to all TV's if you have a old TV you would just get the lower channels a newer digital TV would get all the channels I am sure it would not be hard to do..

I guess the issue would be we pay for one box and not one for each TV a loss of income for them

[DSperber]

Well... it's really even worse than I expected.

I spoke with another "smarter" CSR today, and she agreed with the original position perspective that it was NOT possible to get TWC-provided channels other than local OTA channels at any TV without either (a) STB, (b) DVR, or (c) CableCard. Her position was that all non-OTA channels are encrypted by TWC and thus require decoding hardware... at each set.

So, current charges for CableCard: $2.75 for the first, $4 (I think) for second and subsequent. Tivo-capable cards are $2.75 for first and subsequent.

STB charge is $9 for first and subsequent.

DVR charge is $16.75 for first and $19 for second and subsequent.

So you need some piece of additional non-free hardware at each additional TV, if you want to watch tier-related programming at that TV.

[I didn't check the prices exactly, so it's from memory.]

That's in addition for the charge for the programming content to your account, which is a 1-shot charge no matter how many receivers you have.

We cancelled the technician's service call. It's obvious that I am getting what I'm entitled to in my MDR (former Comcast) area, and that connecting the coax directly to my HDTV is yielding only the local OTA channels QAM. Nothing else, nor should it.

If others in other former Adelphia/other areas are in fact getting selected or all tier-related channels via QAM direct to your set without a CableCard, STB or DVR, consider yourself lucky I guess. I don't think that should be happening, apparently.

[danki6x]

Originally Posted by DSperber

So, current charges for CableCard: $2.75 for the first, $4 (I think) for second and subsequent.

So, you do see not only do you need to rent a second+ decoding box, but there is an additional TV "digital" charge (now $2 for me) for the extra TVs hooked up to digital cable. I am assuming this is because they pay for the channels based on "watchers", not households and 2 (or more) could be watching different digital channels at the same time. I held off 3 years getting a second box because of the additional charge (was $2.50 until this year). Rent for a box can somewhat be justified (free replacment if breaks, etc.).

/Dan

[RudyG]

As of yesterday NGCHD, UHD and Disney HD are no longer viewable in the clear QAM.

Rudy

[Adelmoxi]

What are the advantages (or disadvantages) of having OTA service from "Crime Warner" as opposed to having it setup by yourself? I was over at a relatives house and I was puzzled to hear that "Crime Warner setup their sevice. I did not see a STB on their entertainment center so this lead be to belive that they have anteana service.

[Kablemodem]

There is no such company as "Crime Warner." You can receive OTA transmissions with an antenna if your TV has a digital tuner.

[RudyG]

Originally Posted by Adelmoxi

What are the advantages (or disadvantages) of having OTA service from "Crime Warner" as opposed to having it setup by yourself? I was over at a relatives house and I was puzzled to hear that "Crime Warner setup their sevice. I did not see a STB on their entertainment center so this lead be to belive that they have anteana service.

There are many areas in LA that cannot see the Antannas that transmit from mount Wilson. In those cases there is no option but to get local channels for money. Also, TWC no longer transmits those channels uncompressed. So there are no advantages per se. Just a case of pure availability. At least to the best of my understanding.

Rudy

[mjjckc]

Hey guys. I'm moving back to SoCal next week and will be getting TWC in Woodland Hills for my HD TiVo. I was wondering if TWC SoCal had implemented SDV yet, and if so if they had the tuning adapters available. Thanks

[CaCHooKa Man]

UHD is officially gone for me now. ive had it free through my box ever since the olympics and it finally stopped working.

[Kablemodem]

Originally Posted by mjjckc

Hey guys. I'm moving back to SoCal next week and will be getting TWC in Woodland Hills for my HD TiVo. I was wondering if TWC SoCal had implemented SDV yet, and if so if they had the tuning adapters available. Thanks

No and no.

[CaCHooKa Man]

http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal...v/default.html

[EvlAsh]

Originally Posted by cachooka man

uhd is officially gone for me now. Ive had it free through my box ever since the olympics and it finally stopped working.

+1

[DJRobX]

When is Time Warner going to fix these compression issues? For the most part it looks OK, but when there's any sudden activity the picture completely loses its composure.



It's been happening at my home in Valencia ever since they added the first round of HD channels. I see the same issues at my Mom's in Tujunga also.

[DJRobX]

Originally Posted by Mogur2

Besides the fact that both these DVRs suck, what is the difference? It seems that the 34 has a smaller hard drive?
Thanks for any information.

The only difference is that the 3416 doesn't have an (expensive) analog MPEG encoder. It's a pure digital DVR. Now that TWC has digital equivalents of everything, the analog encoder isn't necessary, so as far as you're concerned the two units will work the same.

The 16 at the end of the model number is in reference to the hard drive size (12 = 120, 16 = 160).

U-verse picture quality isn't the greatest but it is better than TWC right now. The U-verse DVRs are not feature rich by any means, but the Total Home DVR is nice and the fast channel changing is refreshing. They also have 160GB HDs but because they use MPEG-4 they store a LOT more. I keep "lifeline" TWC as a backup and to feed my Windows Media Center. AT&T gives pretty good incentives to try it ... I didn't think I would like it but we love it. The've jacked the second STB price up to $7 which I'm not too pleased with though. Still cheaper than TW but a price hike nonetheless.

[SPDICKEY]

Originally Posted by DSperber

That still doesn't explain the mystery as to why I cannot QAM-tune to ANY of the cable channels to which I am definitely paying for and entitled to. I spoke with TWC today and they've scheduled a technician to come out on Monday, to "do something in the street" so that I can get these channels on both my DVR as well as QAM-tune with the ATSC tuner in my HDTV. They, too, feel I should be able to tune without a cable box if my HDTV has a proper tuner. No CableCard should be needed for this.

You should be able to tune to any QAM encoded channel broadcast "in the clear" with your QAM turner without a cable card. Both SD and HD. These would include any local broadcast channels and their HD equivalents, any digital channel provided to all subscribers without an extra charge (CSPAN3 would be an example)

Also, any channels the engineers forget to turn on the "scrambled" setting on the digital encoder. Thus the confusion.

So this would preclude your receiving without a cable set top box, or an installed cable card device any channel not offered in the lowest level tier. For Time Warner this would include all the digital tiers (Choice, Sports, etc), premium channels (HBO, Showtime etc) PPV channels and PPV channels. All of these channels need to be accessed conditionally (on the condition that you pay) using the above conditional access devices.

So don't expect to get "channels that you pay for" without the cable card or set top box, nothing a tech coming to your home will change the conditional access system available to your set.

[SPDICKEY]

Originally Posted by DSperber

Well... it's really even worse than I expected.

I spoke with another "smarter" CSR today, and she agreed with the original position perspective that it was NOT possible to get TWC-provided channels other than local OTA channels at any TV without either (a) STB, (b) DVR, or (c) CableCard. Her position was that all non-OTA channels are encrypted by TWC and thus require decoding hardware... at each set.

So, current charges for CableCard: $2.75 for the first, $4 (I think) for second and subsequent. Tivo-capable cards are $2.75 for first and subsequent.

STB charge is $9 for first and subsequent.

DVR charge is $16.75 for first and $19 for second and subsequent.

So you need some piece of additional non-free hardware at each additional TV, if you want to watch tier-related programming at that TV.

[I didn't check the prices exactly, so it's from memory.]

That's in addition for the charge for the programming content to your account, which is a 1-shot charge no matter how many receivers you have.

We cancelled the technician's service call. It's obvious that I am getting what I'm entitled to in my MDR (former Comcast) area, and that connecting the coax directly to my HDTV is yielding only the local OTA channels QAM. Nothing else, nor should it.

If others in other former Adelphia/other areas are in fact getting selected or all tier-related channels via QAM direct to your set without a CableCard, STB or DVR, consider yourself lucky I guess. I don't think that should be happening, apparently.

With your QAM turner connected directly to TWC coax you should get the following. All analog channels (2-99) unless you subscribe to limited basic, and then its 2-36 or so. They will install a "trap" to cut the higher channels from entering the home, the trap is either on the telephone pole, an underground vault or the junction box if you live in a mult-unit dewlling.

You should also be able to receive with the QAM tuner any digital channel TWC is sending you without the conditional access "flag" effectively scrambling them for you. The channels you should get in digital are the HD equivalents of many LA broadcasters, digital duplicates of the local over the air channels and a few others the engineers screwed up and didn't turn on the scrambling. You also will get in digital several different sets of the TV Guide channel customized for different areas, and several sets of public, educational and governmental access channels from the different cities in the TWC area including Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City, etc.

So you get a lot more with TWC and no box than just the over the airs.

[llabine1]

It is now 6pm and I do not have any sound on channel 443 the ScifiHD...anyone else have this problem...

[bruce73]

^^^Sound here in Los Feliz/Eagle Rock.

[radiskull]

Recently, I did an experiment where I wanted to see my OnDemand selection over my TV's QAM tuner (112-## to 115-## in the Thousand Oaks area). When I choose an HDNet selection and get "info", the result says 1080p. As far as I can tell, the other HD OnDemand channels say 1080i.

My TV only can do 720p, so for me it's just an interesting curiosity.

[plateofshrimp]

Does the automatic payment system on their website not work for anyone else? God. Money due yesterday, the site says I'm on recurring payments and that the payment will be applied on the due date, but it's still not taking my money until I do it manually. TAKE MY MONEY PLEASE.

[CaCHooKa Man]

hmm.. it looks like my recurring payment didnt go through either. it was due the 29th and apparently it didnt pay. i guess im just gonna cancel recurring payments.

[therascaldude]

I asked this question before but got no responses so will try one more time.

About a month ago the two subscription HD sports channels, GAMEHD and TEAMHD (732 and 733 for me) stopped coming in. These channels require you to be a subscriber of either NBA League Pass or NHL Center Ice (and MLB Extra Innings when the season is on). Basically, if you subscribe to any sports package, you get one game a day in HD, broadcasted on one of these channels. For whatever reason, both channels just give me the message, "to receive this channel call customer care.." starting a month ago and TWC is absolutely no help. I subscribe to both Center Ice and League Pass and neither channel is coming in, only the SD versions. So, I was wondering if this is an issue for anyone else? Is anyone here who subscribes to either package able to access these channels? I really miss watching my daily HD games.

[greinstein]

This morning Seal Beach finally got the new HD and nba/nhl channels. Only took 4 months longer than originally promised.

In the meantime, Fios is coming, with what looks like a $99 package for tv, internet and phone. Any experiences with Verizon vs TWC?