Seattle, WA - Comcast

[Tivolicious]

I officially have no new news! However, I wanted to have a thread that I could subscribe to. After Ken took away our little "ATT advertising HDTV" thread, I felt that we needed a new little home to gripe and whine about the fact that Comcast still isn't delivering locals.

I will try to get Ken to send out a note to those subscribed to the other thread.

Cheers,
Steve

[noombs]

Good idea...

I just called Comcast. The CSR I spoke with told me that they had recently been given some information regarding HD locals. Specifically, I was told that the delay is not Comcast's "fault", but that of the local networks, which are seeking costly deals that would require Comcast to raise their rates.

I was also told that negotiations are proceeding and that they are "guaranteed" to be over by the end of the year, but that legal issues prevent the disclosure of any other dates or specific networks involved.

I've seen some speculation and mention of negotiations before, but these were the strongest statements I've seen of what appears to be the Comcast company line.

- Mike

[boykster]

Cool....no real news, but somewhere to go to gripe...



Rich

[drewba]

I wonder why Comcast can get this sorted out with many of the local channels in other markets but all of the Seattle stations are playing hardball?

[Tivolicious]

The whole thing is just driving my nuts.

<sarcasm> I can't wait for when we have to convince them that locals have to be sent via unencrypted QAM. </sarcasm>

Arrghhh,
Steve

[jimre]

Originally posted by Tivolicious
<sarcasm> I can't wait for when we have to convince them that locals have to be sent via unencrypted QAM. </sarcasm>

Sorry if I missed something, but is this a real concern? Is Comcast is using encrypted QAM for HD locals in other markets?

[Tivolicious]

Originally posted by jimre
Sorry if I missed something, but is this a real concern? Is Comcast is using encrypted QAM for HD locals in other markets?

I was just assuming that we would have a problem. Although it has been a long time since I have looked into this.

-Steve

[brente]

no new news, but saw this post on hdtvpub...

http://www.hdtvpub.com/local/viewRep...819/cableco_1/

looks like everyone's trying to figure out how to pay for their hdtv transition...

[jimre]

Hmmm - if all these stations are acting in concert to squeeze money from Comcast, then it sounds like collusion to me. Perhaps the Justice Dept anti-trust folks would be interested....

[poppa]

I just got off the phone with them, and although they say they are still in negotiation with the channels, they also mentioned they plann on being allowed to broadcast those channels by the end of July.

We'll see.

[jimre]

Originally posted by poppa
I... they also mentioned they plann on being allowed to broadcast those channels by the end of July...

Sure, just like they originally told us no later than Q1 2003. I'll believe it when I see it.

[ianken]

Originally posted by drewba
I wonder why Comcast can get this sorted out with many of the local channels in other markets but all of the Seattle stations are playing hardball?

Becuase they got a clue. They spent millions upgrading their facilities for HD. The cable guys NEED local HD content, it's their big club against DBS.

Now that the cable guys NEED HD to compete against DBS some local broadcasters are realizing that what they have has value. If what they have will allow a cable operator to make money and win subscribers back from DBS then why should the local boradcaster provide that content for free?

This is the crux of the issue. A far cry from when cable operators didn't think they needed local channels and had to be forced to carry them under "must-carry" regs. Times change.

"by the end of the year" they say. But not which year.

Personally, I'd pay a premium for my HD locals. Particularly if they were ITC QAM.

-Ian

[ianken]

Originally posted by brente
no new news, but saw this post on hdtvpub...
http://www.hdtvpub.com/local/viewRep...819/cableco_1/

From the liniked post

"To get HDTV thru Comcast you will need their HDTV decoder (set-top-box). The one you have won't work. Their compression is probably different (higher) than over-the-air antena."

This is just not true in any of the current markets where HD is carried. They merely forward the ATSC transport stream remodulated as QAM. The last sticking point: carriage of PSIP data has been resolved. When local HD hits cables it should be QAM in the clear with full PSIP goo so any QAM ready box will work and you will get guide data for the DTV feeds.

[jimre]

Originally posted by ianken
Personally, I'd pay a premium for my HD locals. Particularly if they were ITC QAM.

I'll second that - but only if they also allow us to get the firewire option on our 5100 boxes (or their successors). Based on a quick sampling, though, it looks like most of their digital chanels are encrypted QAM today. I used the 5100's diagnostics screen to check the "current channel status" for about a dozen non-premium digital channels. Most of them said:

ENC 0x13

which I assume means encrypted (using key number 13 hex?)

Only a few - 101 Weatherscan, and the Music Channels said:

UNE 0x00

which I assume means in the clear.

[ianken]

Originally posted by jimre
I'll second that - but only if they also allow us to get the firewire option on our 5100 boxes (or their successors). Based on a quick sampling, though, it looks like most of their digital chanels are encrypted QAM today. I used the 5100's diagnostics screen to check the "current channel status" for about a dozen non-premium digital channels. Most of them said:

ENC 0x13

which I assume means encrypted (using key number 13 hex?)

Only a few - 101 Weatherscan, and the Music Channels said:

UNE 0x00

which I assume means in the clear.

I think they will be unscrambled QAM merely becuase they've already said that's waht they're going to do. HD set vendors are relying on this, that's why we are starting to see support for QAM cable tuners in HD sets.

A time will come whne "basic cable" will be all digital and ITC.

At least I hope it turns out that way.

[Tivolicious]

I was under the impression that by law they weren't allowed to encrypt OTA channels.

Cheers,
Steve

[ianken]

Originally posted by Tivolicious
I was under the impression that by law they weren't allowed to encrypt OTA channels.
Cheers,
Steve

I'm not sure of the regulatry details but I think that's the end result.

[Trevorsplace]

Any further updates on Local availability in the Seattle area???

[ianken]

The only news out of Comcast is that they claim we'll have HD locals by the end of the year.

Not too cheery for those folks who signed up with them when they were AT&T claiming "and comming soon: hd channels you can;t get on satellite."

Their licensing dispute with the local broadcasters still does not explain the lack of DiscoveryHD or PBS-HD.

[Tivolicious]

Originally posted by ianken
The only news out of Comcast is that they claim we'll have HD locals by the end of the year.

Not too cheery for those folks who signed up with them when they were AT&T claiming "and comming soon: hd channels you can;t get on satellite."

Their licensing dispute with the local broadcasters still does not explain the lack of DiscoveryHD or PBS-HD.

You didn't mention ESPN-HD. Do they carry it?

Cheers,
Steve

[brente]

I happened to call on another matter and asked about hdtv locals. was told that they expect them in the next couple of months (i've seen posted elsewhere maybe by end of june?). sounds like maybe sooner than "end of year".

I also asked about others like espn & discovery and was told the normal line "still working on contracts".

[ianken]

Originally posted by Tivolicious
You didn't mention ESPN-HD. Do they carry it?
Cheers,
Steve

Nope.

[Llamas]

AT&T told me December, back in November.

Comcast told me March, back in January. Then they told me April/May, back in February. I'm not sure I believe any of their "two months out" estimates. I suspect those dates are pulled out of thin air to placate the customer.

It's easier for me. Since I'm not a Comcast customer [yet], they don't get any of my money until they provide something I want to buy. I feel bad for those that are already spending the money, and living without what was promised. They'll come through at some point, though, and the frustration will fade. That's what Comcast is counting on, at least.

--Mike

[artpease]

Message on my Comcast box this morning announcing an agreement with Fox Sports Northwest to broadcast a "Package" of Mariner games in HDTV starting in June. Since this is a Fox station, I suppose it will be in their low res HDTV!! It will still be great. Didn't say when in June.

[Budget_HT]

KCPQ-DT actually transmits 1080i. They have shown other programs in 1080i in the past, including Seahawks preseason games, Rose Parades, and maybe more.

All Mariners home games are already sent HDTV to Japan, so it is conceivable that they might do 1080i and not 480p.

Did Comcast give any schedule of HD games yet? I may have to add their HD box to my basic cable package.

[lietn]

Some additional information regarding the Mariners games in HDTV:

1st game: June 11th @ 7:05pm Pacific
Channel 100

[keithaxis]

Here are all the M's games on comcast channel 100 in HD

June:
11th Montreal 7:05
12th Montreal 7:05
13th Atlanta 7:05
28th San Diego 7:05
29th San Diego 1:05
July:
9th Baltimore 7:05
10th Baltimore 7:05
11th Tampa Bay 7:05
13th Tampa Bay 1:05
24th Oalkland 7:05
27th Texas 1;05
August:
2nd Chicago 7:05
3rd Chicago 1:05
15th Boston 7:05
17th Boston 1:05
31st Baltimore 1:05
September:
14th Anaheim 1:05
26th Oakland 7:05
28th Oakland 1;05

Of course I only have directv and expressvu so I won't be seeing these but this in great new from Comcast and the Mariners games in HD.

Keith

[Budget_HT]

Does anyone have details for how to order these from Comcast? I don't want their HBO-HD or Showtime-HD, but I would be interested in Mariners and possibly local stations.

[artpease]

I think you just call them and ask for a Motorola 5100 box. If you don't already, you MAY need to subscribe to Digital Cable, but not HBO/ShowTime-HD.

[Budget_HT]

Thanks Art, I will give it a try.