In my area they have started to test Digital Simulcasting. Channel 24 which is ShopNBC is being Digitally Simulcast.
General Information on DS.
No STB or an Analog STB = 24 is analog
Digital STB = 24 is Digital. The signal comes in QAM (in this case 64 QAM) and you see it Digitally on 24.
Since the signal (from the originator) 24 is sending is still analog, a Headend conversion needs to take place to convert it to digital. It won't be as good as a digital signal, of course. But, should, and I say should, be better than its analog counter part. Since the HE receives the signal analog it will never be better than how they receive it. Only true digital from the originator will look the best.
It probably won't look as good as most all digital channels and even some analog channels will still look better. It all depends on the A to D conversion.
In my area they have some bugs to work out. Hopefully the Digital Simulcast will happen soon after.
One other note... I am able to buffer about 65 minutes of the Digitally Simulcast channel 24 on my 6412 DVR.
For those that want to see if a channel is analog or digital on a 6412 you can do the following:
Tune the 6412 to any channel. Turn the box off. Within 2 seconds hit "OK Select". You will be presented with a diagnostic screen. From this screen arrow to the following:
"IN-BAND STATUS" will indicate xxx QAM (Digital) otherwise it will indicate ANALOG
Also you can check "CURRENT CHANNEL STATUS" That will indicate DIGITAL and the higher frequency. Typically above 550 MHz.
Motorola is showing a 6312 (all digital version of 6412) at Cable-Tec Expo. Should give Comcast more incentive to simulcast since they can order cheaper boxes ...
Originally Posted by dt_dc
Motorola is showing a 6312 (all digital version of 6412) at Cable-Tec Expo. Should give Comcast more incentive to simulcast since they can order cheaper boxes ...
Not progressing too quickly, are they? There's a block of about 30 channels here that they haven't touched yet, along with a few others. (South Jersey).
The other Comcast systems are following the progress of the Philly and Eastern PA local systems.
The hold up is mostly the DPI or Digitally inserting programs, otherwise know as Ads. Here on the Comcast of NJ system they are weeks, if not days away from full completion.
Digital simulcasting of all analog signals is a key part of Comcast's video strategy.
(...)
In Northern New Jersey, the move to digital simulcast will take place throughout September.
"We need more bandwidth," field operations VP Adams says. "We're looking to add HD channels, and the only way we can get the bandwidth to do that is to be doing this all-digital simulcast, eventually having a digital platform."
"The DCT700 is an all-digital set-top that provides operators with a quick and cost-effective means of realizing the benefits of an all-digital network. These benefits include increased bandwidth for high-definition and video-on-demand (VOD) content, on-demand information and entertainment services, as well as a reduction in theft of video services."
Well, I know of some areas in the Boston area that have been completed, but my area hasn't. I was also told that channels like the local access channels WILL NOT change. Have they changed for you, scanpa?
Originally Posted by ssetta
Well, I know of some areas in the Boston area that have been completed, but my area hasn't. I was also told that channels like the local access channels WILL NOT change. Have they changed for you, scanpa?
Yes all 69 Analog CH are now simulcast in Digital.
I just had Comcast St. Paul install the DCT6412. The HD Channels are great. The digital channels are fine. They told be they switched the 1-100 channels to digital - the reason I switched to Comcast. The 1-100 channels aren't clear, especially the when watching Football and Basketball - ghost images. The box is connected via the YpbPr component ports. I tried this switch in the past when the 1-100 channels were analog and was told that the DCT6412 doesn't convert analog channels. If have a Mitsubishi WS-65713 Platinum TV. Any idea's on how to clear up the picture?
We have 3412's and 700's here too. I still have a 6412 and swapped my 22xx for a 700. Comcast has done a terrific job with ADS. Congrats are in order.
Originally Posted by markjrenna
We have 3412's and 700's here too. I still have a 6412 and swapped my 22xx for a 700. Comcast has done a terrific job with ADS. Congrats are in order.
Mark -
I am trying to prognosticate the future when ADS comes to my locale (COMCAST as well). Are most of the ADS channels besides the locals=OTA encrypted in your area? Someone in SF mentioned quite a few were in the clear - which would make my MyHD QAM tuner capablity much enhanced if there were quite a bit in the clear.
I am trying to prognosticate the future when ADS comes to my locale (COMCAST as well). Are most of the ADS channels besides the locals=OTA encrypted in your area? Someone in SF mentioned quite a few were in the clear - which would make my MyHD QAM tuner capablity much enhanced if there were quite a bit in the clear.
Most channels are not encrypted. You will be pleased to know that many channels (at this point in time) are "In the Clear".
The easiest way to tell if a channel is digital it to look for the Dolby digital double D. It only appears on the digital channels on my Moto 6200. The only channel that is simulcast in digital is HBO channel 38 so far in Montgomery County, MD. The reason for this is the 6200 cannot descramble an analog signal. Hopefully most of the analog channels will be replace by digital soon.
Originally Posted by PaulGo
The easiest way to tell if a channel is digital it to look for the Dolby digital double D. It only appears on the digital channels on my Moto 6200. The only channel that is simulcast in digital is HBO channel 38 so far in Montgomery County, MD. The reason for this is the 6200 cannot descramble an analog signal. Hopefully most of the analog channels will be replace by digital soon.
The DCT-6200 STB is a Combo Analog / Digital Cable Box.
The DCT-700 & DCT-34xx are the only Motorola Cable Box that Do Not Do Analog..... They are strictly for Digital Cable systems.
Well, 2005 is done. So when is the rollout of DS to other areas going to happen? Comcast here out of Greensburg PA appears to be still all ANALOG in the lower channels (I didn't check them all - is there a way to go through the channels while in the diagnostic screen?). The poor PQ would indicate the same. Lots of video noise on the analog channels. I'd love to have TCM and a few others in digital.
I sure know that feeling. My area is the same way. They did a few channels back in April, and promised to add more quite awhile back, but they NEVER did. And they DID plan to have all areas done by the end of this year, and for "this year" we have less than 6 hours left, and still no ADS. NOW they plan to have everything done by the beginning of Spring, but the question is:
WILL THEY???
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