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Chicago, IL - Comcast - Page 346

post #10351 of 10595
5/2/12 at 9:47pm
Hi All,

I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me out. I'm in Evanston, and I pick up my TV from the free channels that Comcast broadcasts in the clear over their cables.

When I plug the cable directly into the back of my TV, I pick up everything just fine. However, I also have a home-built DVR (running Mythbuntu, if it matters). I recently upgraded it and after doing so have not been able to get my DVR to tune to any of the HD WLS channels (7.1 7.2 7.3) or the WGN channels (9.1 or 9.2). (There may also be some other channels I can't pick up, but those are the only two I noticed. I can get WBBM, WFLD, WMAQ, WTTW, etc just fine.)

I understand that the 7.1 "channel" is not a "real" frequency. Does anyone know what the real frequencies that Comcast is broadcasting these at is? I checked on silicondust (their channel tables) and all of the frequencies I get in my scan match up with what they have except for WLS and WGN, which I can't seem to find. I.e., according to silicondust, WLS-HD should be broadcasting on real channel 29-1, which corresponds to frequency 255MHz. (If I'm wrong about this please someone let me know.) However, when I scan that frequency I get nothing.

Does anyone know if that data is still correct? I'm trying to nail down if it's a problem with my software or with something else going on.

Thanks in advance,
Q
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post #10352 of 10595
5/3/12 at 6:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by quadari View Post

Hi All,

I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me out. I'm in Evanston, and I pick up my TV from the free channels that Comcast broadcasts in the clear over their cables.

When I plug the cable directly into the back of my TV, I pick up everything just fine. However, I also have a home-built DVR (running Mythbuntu, if it matters). I recently upgraded it and after doing so have not been able to get my DVR to tune to any of the HD WLS channels (7.1 7.2 7.3) or the WGN channels (9.1 or 9.2). (There may also be some other channels I can't pick up, but those are the only two I noticed. I can get WBBM, WFLD, WMAQ, WTTW, etc just fine.)

I understand that the 7.1 "channel" is not a "real" frequency. Does anyone know what the real frequencies that Comcast is broadcasting these at is? I checked on silicondust (their channel tables) and all of the frequencies I get in my scan match up with what they have except for WLS and WGN, which I can't seem to find. I.e., according to silicondust, WLS-HD should be broadcasting on real channel 29-1, which corresponds to frequency 255MHz. (If I'm wrong about this please someone let me know.) However, when I scan that frequency I get nothing.

Does anyone know if that data is still correct? I'm trying to nail down if it's a problem with my software or with something else going on.

Thanks in advance,
Q


On a somewhat similar note, a friend in Crystal Lake cannot get any channels anymore, even with a scan. Can others there verify that they've encrypted everything?
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post #10353 of 10595
5/3/12 at 7:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by quadari View Post

I understand that the 7.1 "channel" is not a "real" frequency. Does anyone know what the real frequencies that Comcast is broadcasting these at is? I checked on silicondust (their channel tables) and all of the frequencies I get in my scan match up with what they have except for WLS and WGN, which I can't seem to find. I.e., according to silicondust, WLS-HD should be broadcasting on real channel 29-1, which corresponds to frequency 255MHz. (If I'm wrong about this please someone let me know.) However, when I scan that frequency I get nothing.

Those are the physical channel numbers for OTA from the stations, not for Comcast's QAM delivery of them.

Last I checked Comcast's QAM feed here in Chicago Area 2, WLS and WGN feed were somewhere in the 105-115 channel number range (I don't know how many MHz that is), as were the programming of, if I remember right, WBBM, WMAQ, WTTW, WCIU, WFLD, WCPX, WSNS, and WPWR as well.

But that is probably not extrapolatable to your location.
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post #10354 of 10595
5/3/12 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by quadari View Post

When I plug the cable directly into the back of my TV, I pick up everything just fine. However, I also have a home-built DVR (running Mythbuntu, if it matters). I recently upgraded it and after doing so have not been able to get my DVR to tune to any of the HD WLS channels (7.1 7.2 7.3) or the WGN channels (9.1 or 9.2). (There may also be some other channels I can't pick up, but those are the only two I noticed. I can get WBBM, WFLD, WMAQ, WTTW, etc just fine.)

Q

I don't have a solution to your problem, but I am also having only trouble receiving 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 9.1 and 9.2 in Lake Forest. I tried rescanning, but that did not help. All other digital channels are fine.
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post #10355 of 10595
5/3/12 at 3:15pm
Sounds like it's localized to the North feed then.

I had to do a re-scan as Comcast moved the location of My50 and WCIU's stations. Have all the digital local Clear-QAM channels with no issues. Wheaton feed.
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post #10356 of 10595
5/3/12 at 7:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric234 View Post

I don't have a solution to your problem, but I am also having only trouble receiving 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 9.1 and 9.2 in Lake Forest. I tried rescanning, but that did not help. All other digital channels are fine.

Interesting. All five of those are broadcast on the same multiplex (actual channel 29.1, 29.3, 29.4, 29.2, and 29.6), so maybe (hopefully?) there's something funny going on with the Comcast signal.

In an update today I could sometimes get the computer to tune to those channels, say 1 out of 10 times I tried. Very weird. Maybe I'll wait a little while and see if something resolves on the signal end.
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post #10357 of 10595
5/3/12 at 9:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

On a somewhat similar note, a friend in Crystal Lake cannot get any channels anymore, even with a scan. Can others there verify that they've encrypted everything?

At this time I can confirm they have not encrypted any of the local HD or SD channels. Most of Limited Basic is also still in the clear.

As already noted, all cablecos will encrypt all channels, once the FCC approves the request currently before them, but it hasn't happened as yet. Soon, but not yet.
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post #10358 of 10595
5/3/12 at 9:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by quadari View Post

Interesting. All five of those are broadcast on the same multiplex (actual channel 29.1, 29.3, 29.4, 29.2, and 29.6), so maybe (hopefully?) there's something funny going on with the Comcast signal.

The local HD channels will typically be only two packed on a single QAM, in most cases with no other SD channels.

In other words, regardless of what the virtual channel or real over the air channel is (e.g. WLS ABC Chicago is virtual channel 7, real channel over-the-air UHF 44), Comcast may put WLS on channel 118.1, for example, and put WBBM (virtual channel 2, real channel VHF 12) on 118.2.

Comcast may have previously used channel remapping to put WLS on channel 7 for example, or other, but it may now not have the virtual channel remapped to 7, or other, and thus WLS may be located anywhere a QAM tuner picks up channels.

All cablecos move QAM channel locations on a regular basis for system maintenance. Unfortunately when they do, it may be somewhat troublesome to find them again for the average end user. In spite of what some believe, thinking this is a plot to prevent them from getting clear QAM channels, they have so few clear QAM users that it simply isn't much of a concern for them.
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post #10359 of 10595
5/4/12 at 5:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by quadari View Post

Interesting. All five of those are broadcast on the same multiplex (actual channel 29.1, 29.3, 29.4, 29.2, and 29.6), so maybe (hopefully?) there's something funny going on with the Comcast signal.

In an update today I could sometimes get the computer to tune to those channels, say 1 out of 10 times I tried. Very weird. Maybe I'll wait a little while and see if something resolves on the signal end.

WLS and WGN QAM stations were clear for me this morning. WGN is a little pixalated, but not bad. My TV shows WLS and WGN on digital station 117.
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post #10360 of 10595
5/4/12 at 3:38pm
The broadcast QAM's usually mirror the way they are broadcast. If there are subchannels, they are using the same QAM as the HD.

There could be minor signal strength issues. By me, with my normal setup, my main TV (has a cable box, but also has a direct as backup/experimenting) cannot normally pick up the QAM (RF115) for WMAQ/WFLD here in Schaumburg. It will work if I slightly rearrange things to give it a bit more signal. It's not a big deal as it's only a backup anyways. On another TV, and when I do get it in, the signal strength doesn't seem any different than other channels.
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post #10361 of 10595
5/8/12 at 8:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by quadari View Post

Interesting. All five of those are broadcast on the same multiplex (actual channel 29.1, 29.3, 29.4, 29.2, and 29.6), so maybe (hopefully?) there's something funny going on with the Comcast signal.

In an update today I could sometimes get the computer to tune to those channels, say 1 out of 10 times I tried. Very weird. Maybe I'll wait a little while and see if something resolves on the signal end.

I'm not sure if your question was ever really answered.

You're able to see all the channels on your TV so obviously the channels are on your cable feed and are not scrambled.

I see two possible problems:

1. Your software may not be setting up the correct links to the cable feed. There should be some utility with the software to check the linkage. And where the channels are on your cable feed should be irrelevant, the software should be able to find them. This problem seems unlikely since you say it works intermittently.

2. The tuner on you home made DVR may not be very sensitive, or may even be failing, and Comcast may not be providing a strong enough signal in your area. My experience is that the Comcast signal level can vary a lot. Try accessing the channels at a time when few people would be watching and you should get a better signal. If this works, you may need to ask Comcast to boost the signal in your area.
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post #10362 of 10595
5/15/12 at 3:51pm
Lots of changes here in Schaumburg soon, and probably related areas:
Quote:


IMPORTANT CHANNEL UPDATES
Effective June 1, 2012, The MTN.-Mountain West
Sports Network (Sports Entertainment Package
channel 421) will no longer be available on the
Comcast channel lineup. This network is going
dark on that date.
Effective June 12, 2012, NHL Network (channel
404) will move from the Expanded Basic level of
service to the Digital Preferred level of service.
On the same date, NHL Network HD (channel 234)
will move from the Digital Starter level of service
to the Digital Preferred level of service. NHL
Network and NHL Network HD are also available
on the Sports Entertainment Package.
On 4/26, World Fishing Network (WFN) was added on Sports
Entertainment Package channel 426. On 5/15, BabyFirst
Americas will be added on Digital Preferred channels 129/659.
On 5/30, WYIN-Lakeshore Kids will be added on Limited Basic
channel 376, WYIN HD will be added on Limited Basic channel
376, and Spike TV and Spike HD will be added to MultiLatino
Max and MultiLatino Ultra.
On 5/31, Smithsonian Channel will be added on Digital
Preferred channel 153, BBC World News on Digital Preferred
channel 154, CNBC World on Digital Preferred channel 155, and
INSP (Inspiration Network) on Digital Preferred channel 157.
CNBC World is also available on Digital Preferred channel 178.
On 6/6, Outside Television will be added on Sports
Entertainment Package channel 409. On 6/19, ESPN Deportes
channel 609 will be added to Digital Preferred.
On 6/28, Aspire will be added on Digital Preferred channel 482,
GMC channel 475 will move from Digital Preferred to Expanded
Basic, and GMC HD channel 299 will move from Digital
Preferred to Digital Starter. Also on 6/28, Food Network channel
25 & Turner Classic Movies channel 16 will both move from
Limited Basic to Expanded Basic. On 7/10, CNBC World will no
longer be available on Digital Preferred channel 155 or 178.

The CNBC World thing is a bit weird. It says it will be added on 155 (it's currently on 178). Then it says on 7/10 it will no longer be available on either the old or new numbers??

And even more confusing was this in my bill:
Quote:


Partial Month Charges & Credits
Because we had already billed you when the latest changes
were made to your account, we have adjusted this bill.
Listed in this section are credits and/or charges for these
changes.
Effective 05/18/12, Dual Tuner DVR Service at a monthly
rate of $8.00 was removed from your account.
Effective 06/02/12, HD DVR Service Package at a monthly
rate of $8.00 was added to your account.
Adjustments for services removed 05/18/12
Dual Tuner DVR Service 05/18 - 06/01 3.87
15 days @ $0.2580/day based on a monthly rate
of $8.00
Adjustments for services added 06/02/12
HD DVR Service Package 06/02 - 06/17 4.26
16 days @ $0.2662/day based on a monthly rate
of $8.00
Total Partial Month Charges & Credits $8.13

I'm not certain what is going on, or why there is some future change? Worse, why does the partial service equal 8.13 for the month, instead of 8.00?
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post #10363 of 10595
5/15/12 at 6:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by andyross63 View Post

Lots of changes here in Schaumburg soon, and probably related areas:
The CNBC World thing is a bit weird. It says it will be added on 155 (it's currently on 178). Then it says on 7/10 it will no longer be available on either the old or new numbers??

And even more confusing was this in my bill:
I'm not certain what is going on, or why there is some future change? Worse, why does the partial service equal 8.13 for the month, instead of 8.00?

So nhl network is only starter for the regular season and round 1 and 2.

Dual Tuner DVR Service that has got be some really old fee / name that is being killed off.
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post #10364 of 10595
5/16/12 at 1:12pm
While other providers and also Comcast in other markets adds HD channels, what do we get, crap SD channel adds with the exception of WYIN-HD. Un-believable.
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post #10365 of 10595
5/16/12 at 2:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spiderman865 View Post

While other providers and also Comcast in other markets adds HD channels, what do we get, crap SD channel adds with the exception of WYIN-HD. Un-believable.

why can't they ADD CLTV HD?? put it in the CSN + HD slot.

I think that is what RCN does CLTV HD is also CSN + HD. Just like CLTV SD is used for CSN + SD.
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post #10366 of 10595
5/16/12 at 3:18pm
Here in Schaumburg, the analogs will be removed on the 31st. Give a few months for them to rearrange and update equipment to add more HD's. But, I also assume some of that bandwidth will be used for more OnDemand and HSI.
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post #10367 of 10595
5/17/12 at 6:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by andyross63 View Post

Here in Schaumburg, the analogs will be removed on the 31st. Give a few months for them to rearrange and update equipment to add more HD's. But, I also assume some of that bandwidth will be used for more OnDemand and HSI.

Schaumburg and other areas have a lot room (most are 860MHz or higher) but the city of Chicago areas may be lower they may wait to upgrade them before add more HD to the Chicago land systems.
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post #10368 of 10595
5/17/12 at 7:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe The Dragon View Post

Schaumburg and other areas have a lot room (most are 860MHz or higher) but the city of Chicago areas may be lower they may wait to upgrade them before add more HD to the Chicago land systems.

The city of Chicago has more HD channels than we do here in Schaumburg.
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post #10369 of 10595
5/17/12 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FSugino View Post

The city of Chicago has more HD channels than we do here in Schaumburg.

and yet we have more room in Chicago land so what is the hold up. They want to get all systems ready to have all of the same HD channel before doing any big adds?
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post #10370 of 10595
5/21/12 at 7:39am
Chicago Near North side - Problem with Clear QAM for WBBM and WTTW

I'm using clear QAM on my bedroom TV (a recent LG LCD) and with a Pinnacle USB tuner stick for computer recording. Over the last few weeks I was getting very poor "reception" on WTTW (HD and Prime) and on WBBM-HD. In the last few days, those channels are pretty much DEAD. All the other channels I've checked are just fine. (The SD feeds of those channels through an old LG tuner are fine.) I've done a full rescan with the USB tuner stick with the same result.

Bizarre! Any thoughts?
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post #10371 of 10595
5/21/12 at 3:22pm
If it's anything like here in Schaumburg, WTTW-HD and WBBM-HD are on the same frequency. Do you also have problems with WTTW's sub-channels? Normally, they share the same frequency as the main. The SD copies use a different set of frequencies.

Basically, it sounds like your signals are marginal, and WTTW/WBBM is a bit weaker than the others.
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post #10372 of 10595
5/21/12 at 6:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by andyross63 View Post

If it's anything like here in Schaumburg, WTTW-HD and WBBM-HD are on the same frequency. Do you also have problems with WTTW's sub-channels? Normally, they share the same frequency as the main. The SD copies use a different set of frequencies.

Basically, it sounds like your signals are marginal, and WTTW/WBBM is a bit weaker than the others.

Thanks, Andy. I think you've hit the "nail on the head."

My notes on the channels found by my old LG tuner show that WBBM-HD is on 73.1 and WTTW channels are 73.2, 73.3, 73.4, and 73. I use the LG tuner on 73.2 and 73.6 regularly and they are fine. The Pinnacle tuner stick is connected to RF out from that tuner but it no longer gets 73.2...

I have a couple of two way splitters in the setup. The old LG tuner (and Pinnacle) is connected to "output 1" from the first splitter. The new LG TV is connected to "output 2" from the first splitter (with other stuff along the way). As the TV has developed the same problem, I suspect that the source of my problem is a reduction in the Comcast signal level.

Curiously, both FOX-HD and NBC-HD are just fine and they appear to be on the adjacent channel, at 74.2 and 74.5.

Perhaps an amplifier/splitter would solve my current problem with much less aggravation than calling Comcast. I see that some models have an "active return path" and others have a "passive return path". Any recommendations? (BTW, I'm not using a cable modem if that makes any difference.)
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post #10373 of 10595
5/22/12 at 3:18pm
If you must use an amp, I would recommend the Motorola series. Do you have a cable modem? I would put the cable modem BEFORE the amp. You only need active return if your upstream signals are already high. If you have a full cable box, you can check the current upstream level. Otherwise, if you are just limited basic or similar, then you don't need active return.
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post #10374 of 10595
5/23/12 at 1:15pm
Thanks for the recommendation, Andy. No cable modem. Full (old) cable box, but just used to 'tune' the usual channels.

It seems that Comcast's signal level on the affected channel(s) has been restored to a workable level. Hopefully it will stay that way.
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post #10375 of 10595
5/30/12 at 8:48am
Hello Today is the day you loose all of your analog channels you need a digital
adapter to get them. Comcast did not add channel 386 mctv to the digital
adapter stated in the letter.
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post #10376 of 10595
5/31/12 at 3:22pm
So far, none of the new channels we were supposed to get today have shown up.
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post #10377 of 10595
6/1/12 at 3:22pm
I found WYIN-HD and WYIN kids on ClearQAM, but still not programmed on the boxes. Also, TNT-HD is ClearQAM, probably by mistake (46-6 here in Schaumburg).
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post #10378 of 10595
6/4/12 at 5:00am
New channels finally showed up. WYIN-HD is on 239, WYIN-Kids is 372. Smithsonian (SD) on 153, BBC World News on 154, Inspiration (religious) on 157.

Here in Schaumburg, the WYIN's are on RF45. The others are on RF37.
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post #10379 of 10595
6/7/12 at 6:11am
New channel 154 still does not have station call letters or guide programming to tell you whats on
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post #10380 of 10595
6/15/12 at 7:59am
Hello just a note today channel 154 is fixed it has station call letters and guide programming
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