AVS › AVS Forum › 3D Central › 3D Content › Comcast 3D topic
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Comcast 3D topic

post #1 of 721
6/11/10 at 1:45pm
Thread Starter 
This is my understanding for what Comcast DVR subs will need to do for 3D viewing, such as with the new ESPN 3D channel:

HDTV w/3D capability
Digital HD subscription package
MPEG4 HDDVR (DCX series)
Call to initiate 3D channel programming

Is that correct? Anything else?
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 721
6/11/10 at 1:47pm
Sounds right to me.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 721
6/11/10 at 2:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

Sounds right to me.

Thanks for all your help, Ken!
(with my other posts too)
It is much appreciated!
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 721
6/11/10 at 3:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mds54 View Post

Thanks for all your help, Ken!
(with my other posts too)
It is much appreciated!

A slight modification, from another recent post, is that at least one Comcast HD sub has a DCH series HD receiver that is working for 3D.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 721
6/11/10 at 9:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

A slight modification, from another recent post, is that at least one Comcast HD sub has a DCH series HD receiver that is working for 3D.

Well, one DCH in Portland, OR, that's working, and my DCH in San Francisco, CA, that's not. Let's see if anyone else has positive or negative results with their DCH3200.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 721
6/11/10 at 9:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by scarabaeus View Post

Well, one DCH in Portland, OR, that's working, and my DCH in San Francisco, CA, that's not. Let's see if anyone else has positive or negative results with their DCH3200.

Did you have to call for activation?
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 721
6/11/10 at 11:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

Did you have to call for activation?

Yes. I had tried thursday evening, and they were not able to find the "service code" anywhere. Today the lady found it right away. After the activation of channel 898, the old 3DTV channel from the masters had moved from 897 to 896.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 721
6/12/10 at 7:17pm
I have an ancient DCT that appears to be working. I'm still waiting for my 3D TV but if I watch the ESPN3(ch 980) channel with my current 2D HDTV I see 2 very similar images side by side.
I had to call Comcast to have the channel activated before I got a signal and there was no charge. I can even record the feed on the DVR.
From what I've read, my Comcast is sending the ESPN 3D feed in both mpeg2 and mpeg4 so both the newer and the older boxes can get the 3D feed. The down side is I recorded one of the soccer games and it took 15% of my recording capacity. I guess it's time to go to the comcast office and see if they have any of the DCX boxes available.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 721
6/14/10 at 5:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clark Burk View Post

I have an ancient DCT that appears to be working. I'm still waiting for my 3D TV but if I watch the ESPN3(ch 980) channel with my current 2D HDTV I see 2 very similar images side by side.
I had to call Comcast to have the channel activated before I got a signal and there was no charge. I can even record the feed on the DVR.
From what I've read, my Comcast is sending the ESPN 3D feed in both mpeg2 and mpeg4 so both the newer and the older boxes can get the 3D feed. The down side is I recorded one of the soccer games and it took 15% of my recording capacity. I guess it's time to go to the comcast office and see if they have any of the DCX boxes available.

Ditto on the DCT but I did not have to call Comcast to activate ch980. TV is due in today!!
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 721
6/14/10 at 9:42am
I have a DCH3416 in the Doylestown (Philly) Comcast market.

I am able to tune to channel 980 ESPN3D and view the SbS video feed and also record for later viewing.

I do not have a 3DTV or HDMI1.4 A/V Receiver.

I did not call Comcast to add the channel to my subscription.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 721
6/14/10 at 2:59pm
Ah, So a DCH3200 may work but I would have to call to activate?

The last time I spoke to comcast about ESPN3D they had no idea what I was talking about, lol.

I was under the impression that I had to change out the box, saves me the trip if not.

Thanks for the info,
Jason
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 721
6/14/10 at 3:40pm
AFAIK each Comcast location was given a choice of receiving the ESPN-3D content in either Mpeg2 or Mpeg4 format. But they can not receive and output both since each location only offers one ESPN-3D channel. Some Comcast locations which have many older Motorola models choose Mpeg2 so they would not have to upgrade as many receivers. I don't know if a similar problem exits for those Comcast locations that support SA/Cisco receivers instead of Motorola.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 721
6/14/10 at 3:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaGamePimp View Post

Ah, So a DCH3200 may work but I would have to call to activate?

The last time I spoke to comcast about ESPN3D they had no idea what I was talking about, lol.

I was under the impression that I had to change out the box, saves me the trip if not.

Thanks for the info,
Jason

In some areas Comcast is sending ESPN 3D in MPEG2, in others MPEG4. The older DCH & DCT boxes will only do MPEG2; the newer DCX & RNG can do MPEG2 & MPEG4.

Further, in some areas phone activation is necessary, but in others the channel is active for all.

So it's luck of the draw where you live and what box you can use, and if you have to call or not.

Here is the official Comcast list of 3D MPEG4 boxes:
Motorola DCX3200 (HD set-top box)
Motorola DCX3400 or DCX3416 (HD/DVR set-top box)
Cisco (Scientific Atlanta) RNG150 (HD set-top box)
Cisco (Scientific Atlanta) RNG200 (HD/DVR set-top box)
Pace RNG110 (HD set-top box)
Samsung RNG150 (HD set-top box)
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 721
6/14/10 at 3:52pm
Thank you both for the added information .

I'll make the call, just in case, and see what happens.

* I called and they added the code to my account, now to wait for a game to come on .

** It's working in side by side but does not auto switch my tv, I guess the next match is tomorrow (tues) at 2pm ET (Brazil vs. Korea).

Jason
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 721
6/14/10 at 5:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by walford View Post

AFAIK each Comcast location was given a choice of receiving the ESPN-3D content in either Mpeg2 or Mpeg4 format.

Wonder how that might work? I asked ESPN which they were sending out and they said MPEG4, no mention of a choice.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 721
6/15/10 at 9:03am
If that is the case then based on the reports some Comcast locations are decoding the MPEG programs and re encoding them in MPEG2.
I also though that the Comcast locations had the choice of receiving the games in 108oi SbS or 720p SbS format but that also may not correct.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 721
6/15/10 at 10:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by walford View Post

If that is the case then based on the reports some Comcast locations are decoding the MPEG programs and re encoding them in MPEG2.

Nope. CMC is providing both MPEG2 & MPEG4 to local systems. They can use either one.

Quote:


I also though that the Comcast locations had the choice of receiving the games in 108oi SbS or 720p SbS format but that also may not correct.

Nope. It's only available in 1080i.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 721
6/22/10 at 4:13pm
Ok i just had Comcast come to my house. I have been trying to get ESPN3D for 2 weeks now. First i found out i did not have the right box. So i got a new Cisco RNG200 and still does not pick up the channel. So the Comcast Tech came out and finally said the channel has not been added to my area yet, after everyone i talked to said i should be getting the channel. I am so pissed, he said i need to just check every once in a while to see if the channel comes in.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 721
6/22/10 at 5:49pm
Justin,
What city are you located in?
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 721
6/23/10 at 7:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by justinclarke83 View Post

Ok i just had Comcast come to my house. I have been trying to get ESPN3D for 2 weeks now. First i found out i did not have the right box. So i got a new Cisco RNG200 and still does not pick up the channel. So the Comcast Tech came out and finally said the channel has not been added to my area yet, after everyone i talked to said i should be getting the channel. I am so pissed, he said i need to just check every once in a while to see if the channel comes in.

As you may or may not be aware, not all Comcast service areas will get ESPN 3D at this time.

Check the local topic for your area, and see what other are getting. Or not getting.
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 721
6/26/10 at 7:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by justinclarke83 View Post

I am so pissed, he said i need to just check every once in a while to see if the channel comes in.

If you call the 3D support line they should be able to tell when the channel will be enabled for your location.
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 721
6/26/10 at 12:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by babgvant View Post

If you call the 3D support line they should be able to tell when the channel will be enabled for your location.

Good idea to have it in this topic:

Here is a 3D support number for Comcast: 877 754 4313. Not sure if it applies to all areas, but for activation you still need to call 800 XFINITY.
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 721
6/26/10 at 1:33pm
From Television Broadcast

Quote:


Comcast Will Switch to MPEG-4 for 3DTV in August

Comcast was among the handful of pay TV providers opting to carry ESPN 3D, the world’s first full-time stereoscopic 3DTV network. Comcast subscribers who want to see the programming in 3D just need the proper TV set and shutter glasses for now. Eventually, they’ll also need a specific set-top box. Comcast plans to transmit 3D content exclusively using MPEG-4 H.264, according to Cable360Net.

The cable operator launched ESPN 3D in both MPEG-2, the video compression standard for over-the-air DTV, and in the more bandwidth efficient MPEG-4 format. Comcast plans to go all MPEG-4 with 3D content in August. It already has around 10 million MPEG-4 boxes in the field, mostly in households with HDTV subscriptions. That leaves around 15 million or so with MPEG-2 decoders.

Comcast is said to be switching from Motorola to Pace set-tops, which will feature two-way capability and MPEG-4. The two-way capability will allow Comcast to adopt switched digital video delivery, which it plans to do this year to preserve bandwidth for 3DTV. Rather than transmitting all channels simultaneously all the time, as is the case now, a SDV architecture delivers the video stream that’s being watched.

-- Deborah D. McAdams
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 721
6/26/10 at 1:51pm
Another possible Comcast resource, from AVS Member HokeySmoke:

"The CSR that I have been emailing was finally able to get channel 898 ESPN 3D authorized on my CableCARDs.

We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com

I heard that they usually can resolve CableCARD issues."
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 721
6/26/10 at 5:26pm
Comcast will offer a '3D Events' Channel in many areas, the first use will be for the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 on Saturday July 3rd.

In Michigan, the channel number will be 333.
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 721
7/1/10 at 8:48am
Quote:
The 3D Event Channel will be broadcast on different channels, depending on where you live. See the list below to determine which channel will be used in your area.

Eastern U.S. (Washington D.C., PA, NJ, VA): Channel 981
Northern U.S. (MA, ME, IL, MI, CT, NH): Channel 333
Northern U.S. (Indiana, except Kokomo (334)): Channel 1863
Southern U.S. (GA, FL, TX, AL): Channel 791
Western U.S. (CA, WA, OR, CO, NM, AZ): Channel 897


http://customer.comcast.com/Pages/FA...l-broadcasting
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 721
7/1/10 at 9:11am
This showed up on my TiVo yesterday. The channel listing is just some generic announcement where they mention the world cup finals. The channel is the same where comcast had broadcast the masters in 3D. That channel carried 480i colorbars since then, and now they put 1080i PLUGE colorbars on it.

I have a bit of a mixup in my lineup. When they activated ESPN3D on 898, the Comcast 3DTV channel moved from 897 to 896. There was some "dead" KTEH SD channel on 898 before the activation, which has then moved to 897. Not sure if this is only in the bay area or in all of the western US?
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 721
7/1/10 at 9:42pm
As just noticed, Comcast Detroit also has '3DTV2' on channel 332.

So the 3D channel line up is now:

332 3DTV2
333 3DTV
334 ESPN3 (ESPN 3D)
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 721
7/2/10 at 2:25pm
The new channels were added today in Baltimore.
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 721
7/6/10 at 9:57am
With the panasonic 3D blu ray player, there are 2 hdmi outputs. One is for the video into the tv. The other goes to the a/v receiver that doesn't have a 1.4 hdmi capacity. With Comcast(or any other 3d provider) if you don't have a new receiver, do you have to use only the sound from the tv and give up the surround capability? Or can you just have the hdmi from the cable box provide video and you still use the digital audio out into the receiver.

Thanks
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: 3D Content

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › 3D Central › 3D Content › Comcast 3D topic