Boston, MA - Comcast

[chaz01]

Originally Posted by Lodef

I have been complaining of this for 2 years now to no avail. Most people here are content with this as long as they get the game in HD. It does bother some people more than others and I happen to be one of those. To me it just makes no sense. Someone said they think it's the super slo-mo camera and they don't have one of these in HD yet. But I believe if it is, then don't use it for regular close ups and only for the slo-mo replay. Thats something I could live with which would of course result in the game being displayed mostly in HD the way it should be. Sorry but thats my rant for the day.

I sent an e-mail to NESN last year asking about this as well as asking about why and if an HD camera was in the future plans.

Never got a reply.

[raidbuck]

Originally Posted by happystick

Is anyone watching the As vs Yankees game on Fox? I'm just curious if this is supposed to be in HD. Close ups look ok, but field shots look like SD

The regular season Fox games are in Widescreen SD (480p) format, not HD. They don't feel the 3 or 4 HD trucks they would need (since the games are regional) are worth it. So no HD until the playoffs for Fox (although I guess they could have one national game at some point0.

Rich N.

[JM22681]

Yea, I've noticed the camera problem for a couple of years as well. They are such a jackpot you would think it would be fixed by now. Oh well, I guess we can only hope for better service in the future.

I had sent an email to them about DD sound, and no response either (it was actually quite polite).

Is the consensus that other services (RCN, FiOS, DiSH) do not get DD on NESNHD? (I'd really like to blame this on Comcast downgrading the Audio to stereo!)

They are right down the street in Watertown now, I should just go down there and put in my 2 cents

[ScoopsHD]

Originally Posted by JM22681

Is the consensus that other services (RCN, FiOS, DiSH) do not get DD on NESNHD? (I'd really like to blame this on Comcast downgrading the Audio to stereo!)

Video bitrate can be shaped and compressed fairly easily. But one thing that most companies cannot do very easily is modify audio. For Comcast to modify the audio coming from NESN they would have to complete demultiplex the NESN HD signal, run it through some kind of audio processor, then reencode it using an expensive HD encoder. All that to possibly save 100k on the bitrate. Comcast (and nearly every cable, fiber, DVB company out there does not modify audio without doing a full reencode of the service. Doubly so for HD since its an expensive (and inefficient) proposition.

[FAiello]

I noticed this week that my QAM tuner is receiving NESN-HD/INHD2 but without any audio. Anyone else notice this?

[toots]

Mine, too.

At least it was a week ago.

[dashford]

I'm moving to a new Somerville address and am having Comcast activated (I currently have RCN). I also have a new Panasonic plasma TV. Since its QAM tuner can get the local HD channels from Comcast (but *not* their multiplex channels, I gather? -- seems strange), and since there are only a handful of additional HD channels on Comcast (most of which I don't watch anyway), I don't think I want to pay extra for an HD STB.

So what non-HD STBs have decent video outputs for an HDTV? All the models I know of only have composite video -- no good. There is a DVR model, the Moto 3080, that has S-video output, but that isn't much better. I'm not even sure it's available here yet anyway. I don't need another DVR (I have a standalone model), but I'll take one if it has the right outputs.

So are there any non-HD STBs with component, DVI, or HDMI options? (My TV has only one RF input, which I'd be using for the QAM tuner.)

[L Supreme]

Originally Posted by dashford

I'm moving to a new Somerville address and am having Comcast activated (I currently have RCN). I also have a new Panasonic plasma TV. Since its QAM tuner can get the local HD channels from Comcast (but *not* their multiplex channels, I gather? -- seems strange), and since there are only a handful of additional HD channels on Comcast (most of which I don't watch anyway), I don't think I want to pay extra for an HD STB.

So what non-HD STBs have decent video outputs for an HDTV? All the models I know of only have composite video -- no good. There is a DVR model, the Moto 3080, that has S-video output, but that isn't much better. I'm not even sure it's available here yet anyway. I don't need another DVR (I have a standalone model), but I'll take one if it has the right outputs.

So are there any non-HD STBs with component, DVI, or HDMI options? (My TV has only one RF input, which I'd be using for the QAM tuner.)

Non-HD STB would not have any HD connections.

[dashford]

Originally Posted by L Supreme

Non-HD STB would not have any HD connections.

Assuming that's the case, what about S-video, then? I don't know what STBs Comcast carries. (And component video is not strictly an HD connection, as it does have non-HD applications.)

[L Supreme]

Originally Posted by dashford

Assuming that's the case, what about S-video, then? I don't know what STBs Comcast carries.

All boxes have s-video output except for the the dct-700, the small digital box.

[dansevush]

Originally Posted by dashford

I'm moving to a new Somerville address and am having Comcast activated (I currently have RCN). I also have a new Panasonic plasma TV. Since its QAM tuner can get the local HD channels from Comcast (but *not* their multiplex channels, I gather? -- seems strange), and since there are only a handful of additional HD channels on Comcast (most of which I don't watch anyway), I don't think I want to pay extra for an HD STB.

So what non-HD STBs have decent video outputs for an HDTV? All the models I know of only have composite video -- no good. There is a DVR model, the Moto 3080, that has S-video output, but that isn't much better. I'm not even sure it's available here yet anyway. I don't need another DVR (I have a standalone model), but I'll take one if it has the right outputs.

So are there any non-HD STBs with component, DVI, or HDMI options? (My TV has only one RF input, which I'd be using for the QAM tuner.)

I live in Cambridge, and assuming the policies are similar, I pay all of $5 or $6 for the box. I get HDMI/DVI, component, s-video and composite all at once. Also have optical and RCA digital audio.

I'm not sure the quality of SD via component is any better than via s-video, but I can tell you the sound is much better on all channels, HD or SD, via digital outs.

I have the DVR option, mostly because there is no other HD recording solution today and it gives me two tuners, all for $10 extra a month. As soon as the Tivo 3 looks viable, I'll probably switch to that.

[jgoullaud]

Hey, I'm about to upgrade to the HD package through Comcast and I'm wondering what the deal is with NESN-HD? Is it it's own channel or do they just play the games on INHD? Or do they pretty much just play NESN-HD on the INHD channel??

[ScoopsHD]

Rumor has it its going to become Full Time Real Soon Now (TM). And there is already a lively debate here about whether NESN HD will follow ESPN 2 HD's path of becoming an Expanded Basic service. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

[meff]

There is no HD package per say, you just need a digital package and a box/cablecard to get it. There is no extra charge that is 'HD' That being said, if you don't have extended basic, its possible you won't get NESNHD when/if it gets its own channel.

[JM22681]

It will certainly be expanded only, just wait until they remove NESN from people that don't have boxes leeching cable off of other paying subscribers

My guess is they will follow Boston Comcast's path in the suburbs where you can't get NESN without a cable box either. Notice how it is on 195 and channel 13 in Boston. I think they will be removing channel 13 over the next few months.

[mgpt6]

Hazel Mae in HD .............. yes.

[chitchatjf]

Originally Posted by ScoopsHD

Rumor has it its going to become Full Time Real Soon Now (TM). And there is already a lively debate here about whether NESN HD will follow ESPN 2 HD's path of becoming an Expanded Basic service. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

As long as NESN HD is still NOT on Direct TV and or dish network there is some logic in not requiring extended basic.

[danmar5]

NESN-HD is now on 851 and MTV-HD is on 828

[cnewsgrp]

Originally Posted by danmar5

NESN-HD is now on 851 and MTV-HD is on 828

Confirmed in Chelmsford, MA

[chitchatjf]

Originally Posted by cnewsgrp

Confirmed in Chelmsford, MA

Same in Lawrence,but bothy still not authorized on non Standard settings

My cable bill will be going uop $40,but i may end up shutting down the phone

Update: They tried hitting the box wbut with no luck. A Saturday 3-5 appointment takes the filter off.

[DaylightSM]

Originally Posted by danmar5

NESN-HD is now on 851 and MTV-HD is on 828

Same in Arlington, MA.

[cavv123]

Are you sure 828 is MTV HD because so far (the last 4 videos) have been country music videos.

[hdtvjunkie247]

Originally Posted by cavv123

Are you sure 828 is MTV HD because so far (the last 4 videos) have been country music videos.

It's a mix of music from MTV, VH1 & CMT.

[Naylia]

Do both channels require expanded-basic-tier?

[chitchatjf]

Originally Posted by Naylia

Do both channels require expanded-basic-tier?

It is beginning to look that way. I could see it for nESN but not MHD.

[Lodef]

Originally Posted by Naylia

Do both channels require expanded-basic-tier?

I have now 17 HD channels without the premiums with expanded basic. Maybe L Supreme can let us know if it is required or if we still have bandwidth left for more channels to be added.

[Chris Beveridge]

It makes sense for MHD; other than the basic MTV channel, aren't all the others in the expanded tier anyway? Basic access gives you access to the basics, but MHD is an extra above basic.

[chitchatjf]

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

It makes sense for MHD; other than the basic MTV channel, aren't all the others in the expanded tier anyway? Basic access gives you access to the basics, but MHD is an extra above basic.

MHD is a totally different channel from MTV. If they are choosing to put it in enchanced basic then that is one thing. They canNOT take the HD locals away from Limited basic.

[L Supreme]

Originally Posted by Naylia

Do both channels require expanded-basic-tier?

NESNHD requires expanded, MHD requires both expanded & classic.

[Lodef]

Originally Posted by L Supreme

NESNHD requires expanded, MHD requires both expanded & classic.

Thanks L Supreme, your input is always appreciated. I guess this means if your used to watching the Sox on INHD2 and don't have Expanded Basic, you will not be able to recieve it anymore. Good thing I got it ( Expanded ) back a couple of months ago.