Portland, OR - Comcast - Page 2

Marshdom, it looks like we're of pretty much the same mind on this issue.

FYI, Emmis' response to my reply (see my previous post) was simply: "Thank you for your note." Guess they didn't feel like debating the issue with me!

Please keep writing pleasant but firm notes to Emmis & KOIN!

To whom it may concern,

As a long time CBS watcher in the Portland market, allow me to express my displeasure with KOIN and their continued reluctance to allow Comcast to broadcast KOIN in High Definition. I see that there is a lot of programming on KOIN that is broadcast in High Definition. As an early adopter to this new technology I was thrilled that some of my favorite programs would have amazing picture quality. I have made a significant investment in my home theater (part of this was to watch my favorite CBS shows) but decided against getting an Over the Air set top box to receive HD signals as the cost of these set top boxes is prohibitive and the technology continues to change. When Comcast recently offered High Definition cable, I immediately signed up. I was literally the 3rd customer in Comcast's Portland market to have this installed. The $5 rental fee for their set top box is far more palatable to my wallet and I am astounded at the picture quality. I have a large television and regular Standard Definition broadcasts are of such a low resolution that I cease to watch that programming. Comcast now offers KATU and KGW in high definition and I now spend a lot of time on those channels. I miss my KOIN programming but will not take a step backwards and watch Standard Definition programming when High Definition is available on other channels.

As a technophile and home theater advocate, I am constantly approached by friends and friends of friends on all matters related to home theater and programming. It saddens me to tell them that great programming like CSI, Joan of Arcadia, Cold Case and now the SUPER BOWL (ARGH!!!!) are not available to them. This causes them to drag their feet in making the switch to the next generation of television viewing.

I hope these issues are resolved soon.

Good work on the message. I sent KOIN an email about a week ago and received a generic response. I also called Comcast and listened to the lady say something about not enough room for that channel.

I just so happened to be the first in the Portland area to get HD ( that's what the guy said to the "technician" over his Nextel phone). That was a whole other issue.

Is there any glimmer of hope for the Superbowl?????

Aren't the ATSC tuner manufacturers like Samsung and LG also "profiting" from KOIN's HD signal in much the same way as Comcast? Why isn't KOIN complaining about getting a piece of the $350 and up that is being charged for HD tuner boxes in NW Oregon and SW Washington?

Pressuring from advertisers may be a good idea. I sent a detailed-email to Coca-Cola marketing to let them know of the situation. What are some other "big dogs" to go after?

Stations will only have to broadcast ATSC in SD. Some staion owners are planning to do this.

I haven't decided which side is right yet. KOIN not only had to upgrade their equipment but they also paid for an additional megawatt transmitter to broadcast their digital signal and they're paying the electric bill for it every month. KOIN isn't getting a dime back from cheapskate viewers like me who receive the digital HD signal instead of their SD analog signal. This is an unfair situation but one that KOIN understands and has accepted as part of the business just like many other TV stations have around the country.

However Comcast can charge their customers extra to receive KOIN's HD signal. I don't think this makes KOIN's original situation any more unfair, but it can't make KOIN feel good to see another business profiting directly from their investment when they have no way to.

This happened to me this morning. Abridged version: The website and CSR says I'll get available local HD, ESPN-HD and InHD with the HDTV package, as long as have Basic cable. The installer came, hooked everything up, and it worked fine. Then he called in to the Comcast office, who told him that I can only get 2 HD stations with basic cable, and that I'd need a Digital package to get ESPN-HD and InHD.

I was/am not happy about this. I'm assuming, based on your above comment, that others are going through this too (at least in Portland)? Perhaps I just missed some fine print.

At least I still have my OTA STB...

Regards,
Beat

I believe it is Comcast's policy that:

With basic package you get the Network and PBS HD feeds (I get ABC,NBC,CBS,PBS but some areas don't have approval for all the local HD feeds).

With Digital Package you add EPSN-HD, INHD1 and 2.

With premium packages you get the appropriate HD channel for HBO, SHOW, MAX, STARZ.

So what you were told is in compliance with what I've seen in other areas with Comcast and what is on their websites.

Rich N.

A subscription to digital cable is NOT required to receive local broadcast stations in HD from Comcast (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS or whatever local channels are available in your area).

An additional monthly equipment charge may be required (usually about $5 - $7/month for the HD box rental).

A subscription to digital cable is required to receive INHD, INHD2, ESPN and other cable services available in HD from Comcast.

How do I know this?

from http://www.cmcsk.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=147565&p=irol-hdtv

* Available broadcast network programming varies by market.

** For non-Digital Cable customers who wish to receive only broadcast HDTV signals, Comcast will an HDTV-enabled Digital Cable set-top box at the published monthly equipment charge.

and from http://www.comcast.com/phlhdtvtvg/

HDTV broadcast feeds are included in limited basic service. A subscription to HBO, Showtime, Cinemax or Starz! is required to receive the HDTV channel from that service. ESPN, INHD and INHD2 are included with a subscription to Comcast Digital Cable. To receive HDTV feeds provided by Comcast, an HDTV television (not provided by the company), HDTV equipment and/or digital converter and installation is required. HDTV programming is limited to the programs delivered to Comcast in HDTV format by the underlying program provider. Programming is subject to change. Prices do not include applicable taxes and franchise fees. HDTV is not available in all areas. A monthly equipment charge may apply. Please call your local Comcast office, for pricing, equipment and installation details and restrictions.

Thanks for the info. It's looks like they gave you more info on your local page than on the main website, unfortunately. The CSR I talked to was certainly no help. Nonetheless, it looks like you're correct about the policy though.

Regards,
Beat

I'm planning on "testing" an OTA set top box for the Superbowl. I might decide a few days later it "doesn't fit my needs".

F.Y.I. Comcast is planning on having UPN, the WB and Fox for the start of the fall television season. I'm also told that the plan is to have lots of HD movies on VOD. I like movies in 1080i...

Is this, in fact, impossible as some posters have suggested. At this point it is my only option for a HD Superbowl Sunday?

As far as I know, there is no possible way for the Motorola box to receive ATSC. I think the only cheap solution is to buy a tuner and cheap antennae then decide you don't like it a few days later. You will need a little room on your credit card though (cheapest tuner is about $350). I'm not sure where you are located but a friend in Sherwood (about 20 miles from Portland) bought a small $40 indoor antennae and he says he gets all the HD channels fine.

The Comcast Motorola 5100 box does not have OTA capabilties.

Where did you get this info about UPN, WB and Fox and are you confident of that info? Regarding HD VOD, the pricing that I have heard in a test on the east coast was $6.99 per movie, certainly more than I am willing to pay.

I was really worried about this subject and have since gained another, worry that is much worse. My GWIII no longer works! 3-months old and it's kaput, courtesy the Buzz problem. Tech is coming Thursday to fix, so I'll still have a crappy SD SB. Well once that catastrophe is resolved maybe the "doesn't meet your needs" idea is a reasonable solution.

I got the info from a "high level" Comcast person here in Portland. I don't want to say too much as it may not be "official" Comcast news. I tried to get him to respond to some of the occasionally inaccurate info on this thread, but he hasn't yet. I am confident that this information is what headquarters in Philly is telling their people. Whether it happens according to plan, we'll have to wait and see. From what I can tell, Comcast is flying by the seat of their pants, figuring out this HD stuff as they go. As far as pricing for the HD movies, I haven't heard. I agree, $6.99 is too much. My guess is Comcast will wait to see how much people are willing to pay, then charge them as much as they can.

It makes sense because your Fox and UPN stations are owned by Meredith, and Comcast has carriage deals with Meredith for digital carriage of Meredith stations (CBS) in other market areas.

Also, Fox is going HD in the fall, WB should have even more HD programming than the 11 hours per week it has now, and UPN (if it survives) should have more than its 3 or 4 hours of HD per week.

Also, if Comcast has to rearrange bandwidth to create the space for these digital/HD signals, a launch in the fall gives it plenty of time to set it up.

And, it would send a message to Emmis that it is the only broadcaster that refuses to play ball.

I really can't understand Emmis' thought process in not signing the deal. It seems to me that Comcast only helps them. I pay $9 a month to Comcast to get my cable and an additional $5 to rent the HD box. The only pressure I feel I am getting from Comcast to upgrade to Digital is I really miss having InHD and ESPNHD. With the $5 I get ABC, NBC and PBS in HD with more to come. My alternative (not including satellite) is to go out and purchase an OTA set top box and antennae for a minimum of $400. Let's say Comcast raises the box rental to $6.50. That is still 5 years of HD for under $400! In addition to it being WAY cheaper, it is also WAY easier for the average guy. The average guy (or girl) doesn't want to deal with a separate tuner and antennae. It probably overwhelms them (How many people now own "HD ready" TV's that aren't getting an HD signal?). With Comcast, you just call them and a few days later you have HD. Simple. So, if Emmis is all upset because they had to invest a bunch of cash in HD equipment, they really need to understand that Comcast will be a major help in recouping that investment by bringing their HD signal to a lot more people that, otherwise wouldn't have received it. Come on Emmis, see the light! Stop being a roadblock to bringing HD to all!

That's what I mean by "recouping the investment". It's all in the advertising $.

As far as not watching CBS anymore, the only CBS show I watch is CSI (and the occasional football game). So I might decide to join you in the boycott.

I added my two cents with an e-mail to Emmis (IR@emmis.com) & KOIN (koinsales@koin.com, koindesk@koin.com, koinshows@koin.com) as follows:

To Whom It May Concern,

I'm writing to express my discontent over the feud between Emmis & Comcast over carriage of KOIN's HD feed. I'm sure that you feel you have strong reasons for your position. Here are some things to consider, however. While these thoughts are nothing new to you, hearing them from a representative consumer, such as myself, may add some weight.

Those of us 'early adopters' of HD, while small in number, wield a disproportionate amount of influence due to several factors. We typically are in the top few percent of income earners, with substantial disposable income available, making us the 'Brass Ring' to advertisers. As early adopters, we also serve as resources to friends, co-workers, family, etc, when it comes to making recommendations in the technology arena. We tend to be very vocal about what we like and don't like.

I find myself voting with my remote lately, choosing to bypass KOIN. While CBS has some outstanding program content, this is outweighed in my mind by the fact that the delivery is in an out-of-date low-resolution format. I know from talking with friends and through the HD Internet forums that my feelings are common place. Please be assured that as time progresses, damage to your ratings and ad revenues will increase as consumers align with more progressive content providers.

Conversion to HD is simply the cost of doing business, and those that choose not to will eventually be left behind. I can't agree that Comcast is profiting at this point from HD. The trivial rental fee for the HD box is overshadowed by their acquisition costs for the box and the cost of HD bandwith allocation. They appear to be looking at the ROI from HD as a long-term affair, and it would seem to behoove you to take the same approach.

CBS has by far the most complete HD programming, and so it is a paradox that I should be effectively boycotting KOIN. I hope you can resolve this shortly.

For those of you at KOIN being copied in this e-mail, please understand that this issue affects all of your respective efforts, as viewership is the fuel that feeds the machine. Sounds like the Emmis/Comcast feud has the makings of a good news piece. Maybe a more appropriate piece for KATU or KGW?

Davie Mac, eloquently put.

Very good letter Davie Mac. Let us know if you get a response from Emmis, I sure didn't get one, although I did get a prompt and sincere response from KOIN.

And your point about the news piece I feel is good too. In fact, I sent an email to Katu last week about this. Maybe a few more emails will spark some interest.

Great letter, Davie Mac. I can't believe no Super Bowl in HD ...

Now for another downer topic. I just made my monthly call to Comcast ... talked to a CSR ... and had that CSR talk to his supervisor. Previously I had been told that we could expect Comcast's HD-DVR in the first quarter. Now I'm getting "probably this year"!!! Yikes. Hopefully that just means that Comcast Portland is passing on the single-tuner 6208 and waiting for the dual-tuner 6408.

Zero1 ... does your high level contact have anything to say about the DVR?

One final note ... I don't think anyone has mentioned here yet that Comcast added Starz and Skinimax HD channels to the lineup last week. Both seem to show about 80% HD content ... which is less than HBO, but about 79% more than ESPN!

Marshdom, last time I talked to him (last week?) about the DVR they were still planning on first quarter. The original plan was January. I'll see what I can find out what is going on, if anything has changed. I've found that about 90% of the time the Comcast low level CSR's don't know what they are talking about when it comes to the new technology stuff. It seems they would rather make something up than admit they don't know the information.