Chicago, IL - Comcast - Page 32

ok, quick question... what is "VOD"

and if it has anything to do with the firmware 7.07 upgrade, no i don't have it as of tonight...(i am in mount prospect)

linkin8r

Does anyone know why Comcast does not carry the WB in HD? are they going to offer this channel anytime soon? I watch a lot of everwood, smallville, and without a trace and am very disappointed this channel is not offered

Video on demand. A new option that will allow us to "pick" programs like movies/news and watch them any time we choose. Sort of like paperview, but you can start, stop, pause the program when you choose.

The way I understand it...
Some programming will cost extra, some won't. Current primetime programming won't be available.

Hi Brian,
I have received several e-mails from both Comcast and WGN (Tribune) alluding to the fact that they will hopefully be adding their digital signal to the lineup soon. They (as usual) will not give any hint on timing, but with the Tribune announcement that starting with this year's Cubs broadcasts, they would be doing a lot of games in Hi-Def, this is a really big deal for all Comcast HD subscribers here in the Chicago area. IMHO this is the most important missing piece right now. I e-mail them about once a week on this issue and I'm sure they are tired of me by now.

ps-you will find this to be a wonderful forum for information of this type-welcome.

I am considering getting the HD package from Comcast here in Downers but when I call, they are telling me I will get the DTC5100 box. I want the 6200. How did some of you get the 6200?

What is preferable about the 6200 v. the DTC5100? Maybe that's part of my problem as described above!

I got the 6200 but I am guessing it was pure luck. It was right out of the box I am assuming since it still had the scratch protection plastic on the faceplate and had that "new component" smell to it.

It may be worth just seeing what you get because we all know how knowledgable CSR's can be . If you don't get the 6200 make them take the 5100 back and cancel. Maybe that will get their attention and they may pay more attention to your request then.

Firewire. Then you can make glitchy recordings of HD.

See the recorders forum. Lots of info all about it.

CSRs might not be totally up to date with what is being offered. I had 5100 and was persistant scheduling appoinments to have it replaced. Every time I called they were not even aware that it existed except once when lady I talked to took an initiative and actually asked around (and even then they told her that there was no need to upgrade since 6200 is not any different than 5100 - except for "DIV" port which is not even active). I just kept scheduling and turning them away at the door if they showed up with 5100. On my last attempt, about a month ago, they showed up with 6200.

I believe that when you call Comcast during business hours, your call will be answered by Chicago call center (I don't know where it is). I assumed this since a girl I spoke to once regarding some issue said that where she lived in Chicago they were rolling out HDTV (or something to that effect).

Also, even though it is not advertised anywhere, your local office does have a phone number. I had a business card of a tech guy at my local Comcast office that one of the installers left for me to call and acquire about availabilty of 6200. This might be your best bet for finding out what boxes they have.

I would think by now most of Chicago are should have 6200 since 5100 is out of production.

Phew...long post, I need a break now.

Hope I helped. (sometimes I tend to confuse more than help)

Yes, thanks.

BTW, I believe their local call center is located in Oakbrook.

When I set my appointment up at the end of January, they told me I'd get the 5100. My appointment was for 2/14 and the tech brought a 6200. I'm beginning to think that's all they're using now, because the tech said that's all he's been installing for a while now...

Kipp

When I ordered my HD service and scheduled the appointment, the CSR was not familiar with the 6200 or knew what a DVI port was. I briefly, and nicely, explained what the differences were between the the 5100 and the 6200 and the significance of DVI connection. I told him I knew that the DVI port was not activated, but since my set was DVI compatable, and I wanted to plan for the future, I asked hm, again very nicely, to make a note on my work order that I requested a 6200. He said he would and I thanked him for his help. 3 days later I called again and asked to verify my appointment and asked if there was a note on the work order that the customer was requesting a 6200. She said it was there. That Saturday the installer showed up with a 6200.

Two important things to remember:

1. You get more with honey than vinegar.
2 Trust but verify.

Good Luck.

Does anyone know the status of Comcast getting WGN-HD in Chicago area?

Thanks.

Look back one page

Thank you sir...

I live in the Northern suburbs. I Don't have an HDTV yet, but it's coming soon. In the meantime, does anyone know of any bars that present their sporting events in HD? I would love to be able to watch the NCAA tourney and other sports in HD.
Thanks.

The Gas Light Bar and Grill on Norh racine(one block north of fullerton) in chicago, has many 42inch plasma screens, one of these is HDTV and is hooked up to D* HDTV system and they show HDTV games.

I live in Downers also, and they installed a 6200 the first time they came out a month or two ago... There is a really good chance you would get a 6200.

Thanks for the replies.

I just purchased a Zenith C32V37 that has both an OTA and QAM HD tuner built-in. Obviously there's no HD on my current expanded basic cable service although the set-up scan saved some strange hyphenated channels with no signals.
What HD channels are not scrambled in my area with an upgrade to digital service? ...or do I need to get HD service?
My other option for the locals is to install an antenna. Any advice on what's needed out here ~40 miles from the transmitters in Cary, 60013 would be appreciated.

I have the lowest basic available ($8.95 a month - basically locals only so I can save money on the internet costs) and I get channels 187 through 191 (CBS, NBC, CBS, FOX, & PBS) in digital with even this basic package). I don't know anything about QAM tuners, but I know you don't need digital to get at least some HD content through Comcast.

Most of those channels are bogus, but you will find several of the local digitals in there. I no longer use my internal qam, but I believe the channels were in 170-190 range. This thread, many pages earlier have the exact channel numbers.

You don't need any higher level of service than what you have to get these channels.


No, but the qam stuff is a hassle. I used it for a while. I now rent the comcast hd box for $5/month and pay for the local only service for $10 or $15/month.

This is a long thread, but there is a plenty of info buried in these pages. PM me if I can answer any specific questions.

I ordered the Platinum Digital package today. My install is scheduled for 2/23. I have D* now and I want to do a month comparison. I do not mind shelling out the extra cash. I am hoping the installer will show up with the 6200. If not, I will turn him away.

My goal is to see if I can live with the ergonomics of the cable service vs D* guide. I think I am willing to give up the ease of use with D* for the ability to record HD off of cable. My wife is not happy that I currently cannot record HD off of D* (I do not want the 169time route).

I will post my thoughts next week about what I think. So if I have it straight, I will get WBBM, WMAQ, WLS, FOX (ED for now), ESPN, HBO, Show, INHD 1+2, Starz and Cinemax in HD....I have heard the final release of the Firebus software will be out soon. If so, I will be trying to use it with the 6200. It is reported the final version will support QAM. I had limited success recording off of the Mits internal tuner to the FB software/D-VHS because the Mits QAM tuner will not isolate the sub-channel, which unfortunately tries to send a higher bit-rate than the AVHDD or D-VHS can handle.

The Comcast guide will drive you crazy after having a E*, D* Tivo or Replay guide. There's supposed to be a new 'blue' guide coming that's supposed to be MUCH better. I really wish that they could have fixed my analog channel problem, I probably would have stayed with them a bit longer.

Do you have any idea on when the new guide is supposed to be released?

I think the rumor mill said it would be made available to Comcast during 1st half this year, now who knows how long before Comcast actually will implement.

Anyone have a problem with their 6200 re-booting at various times? It's started happening more often, usually when I change channels using the channel up/down key. Starting to get annoying. 7.07 firmware, but it was also happening with the 5.03 firmware.

Andy

I've had my 6200 for little over month now and I haven't had any problems like that.

V

Has anybody heard anything new about VOD?
It was supposed to roll out in Mount Prospect 2 weeks ago.
I'm here, and it ain't!