Chattanooga, TN - HDTV - Page 61

Yes, I upgraded my Media Center last night to Windows 7 and while going through the ClearQAM tuning, I'd get the PIP data for "HDESPN" and "HDESPN2_"... but couldn't tune it through the built in HDHR viewer, Media Center or Media Player. So... I guess they finally closed off that loophole.


I'd say that this is part of the new deal that Comcast and ESPN setup with their contract re-negotiations. Close off all access to ClearQAM ESPN.

Sheesh! I don't want a box. I don't want to pay the rental fee for it. And until I know for sure that there will be a DirecTV (HDPC-20 tuner) or DishNetwork (project Draco) integration with Media Center... I'm stuck without ESPN.


If I get a cable box... at least it would give me a use for my analog tuners.

Well, after much swearing and cursing, I've solved the ESPN & ESPN2 issue on my MythTV server.

It seems that Comcast is now transmitting incorrect info for these two channels that is picked up during a scan. This started with whatever change they made over the weekend.

When I scanned, I found the channels but would not tune in.
It turns out that the incorrect info was being put in the channel database. The multiplex and service id were incorrect. During the scan MythTV picked up multplex 28 service id 1 for ESPN and multiplex 29 service id 2 for ESPN2

This information was wrong as both are on multiplex 45 (if I remember correctly) and service ids are 3 and 4 respectively.

Once I went in to the mysql database and corrected these values for those two channel... they tuned in fine in MythTV.

I'm just curious.. is anyone else having problems receiving these two channels with a clear QAM tv? Obviously I can correct this info in MythTV... I'm wondering if Comcast were to do this "on purpose" and transmit incorrect info for each QAM channel if it would make it impossible to tune these channels with a clear QAM tv?

And they are full of crap.. the reason you can't get them is because someone at Comcast screwed up the psip info for those two channels over the weekend. They are still there.. they're just transmitting wrong info which is confusing your tv's scanner ability to tune them.

Of course the only tech people that you can talk to at Comcast are about user-end problems... this is a headend problem.. and I have no clue how you go about finding out who is responsible for this stuff.. and if they can fix it. It'd guess if you could ever get to the right person, it'd take all of about 5 seconds on their end to update a two entries in the channel map database to fix this problem.

Thanks Don. I hope you don't mind- I used your explanation in an online chat with a Comcast rep.

Transcript of the conversation (ok, I added the emoticons, or whatever they are called):

user Paul_ has entered room


Paul(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:46:59 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

I cannot get ESPN, ESPN2 on my TV with built in digital tuner (no cable box). Why not?


analyst Aaron.33918 has entered room


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:47:07 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Hello Paul_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Aaron.33918. Please give me one moment to review your information.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:47:09 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

I am here to make your day better by providing world class customer service.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:47:34 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

I understand that you have an inquiry about not being able to get the ESPN and ESPN2, right?


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:48:09 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

I get all the digital channels except ESPN, ESPN. Why are those the only 2 channels Comcast blocks from reception by TVs with built in digital tuners?


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:48:25 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

edit: ESPN, ESPN2


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:49:06 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

I understand that this may have caused you inconvenience. I would be glad to check on this for you.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:49:08 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Do you happen to have your account number?


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:49:11 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
xxxxxxxxxx


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:49:59 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Thank you.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:50:01 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

At Comcast we do value our customer security and privacy. For account verification, may I please have the last four digits of the Social Security Number associated with the account?


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:50:06 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

xxxx


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:50:24 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Thank you for that information.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:50:32 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Paul, your account number is xxxxxxxxxxxx, okay?


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:50:34 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Please give me one to two minutes to check this for you.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:51:39 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Thank you for patiently waiting.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:52:30 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Paul, since you do not have a box connected on the TV where you are unable to access ESPN and ESPN2, we may need to send a technician to check this.


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:53:12 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

It makes no sense that only those 2 channels do not come in. I get every other digital channel.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:54:40 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

I understand how frustrating this has been for you. The codes on the account are correct but you are having problems in access the two channels. That is why we will be sending out a technician to get it fixed.


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:54:56 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

I have asked 3 different representatives from Comcast, including driving to the local office and talking face to face there and the only answer I got was "you have to use a digital box to get those."


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:55:10 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

The earliest possible date and time is on 8/19, around 11 am until 2 pm. Will this be okay with you?


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:56:19 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

No- I am considering moving my business to Dish Network, so I do not want to schedule an appointment. I'm just disappointed that nobody can give me an answer. I'm not the only one with this problem, so it's not something a technician will be able to fix.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:58:31 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

I totally understand the frustration this has caused you, Paul. Actually, the technician is a perfect person to verify if there is a problem with the connection that is why the transmission of signal for ESPN and ESPN2 cannot go through. But unless we send one to your household, we will not be able to clearly identify the problem and have it fixed.


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 19:59:42 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

In a nutshell, here is the answer to the problem. It's not a problem on my end that a technician sent to my house will be able to fix:

the reason you can't get them is because someone at Comcast screwed up the psip info for those two channels over the weekend. They are still there.. they're just transmitting wrong info which is confusing your tv's scanner ability to tune them.

Of course the only tech people that you can talk to at Comcast are about user-end problems... this is a headend problem.. and I have no clue how you go about finding out who is responsible for this stuff.. and if they can fix it. It'd guess if you could ever get to the right person, it'd take all of about 5 seconds on their end to update a two entries in the channel map database to fix this problem.


analyst Aaron.33918 has been temporarily disconnected. Please wait while the analyst attempts to reconnect.


analyst Aaron.33918 has entered room


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:03:03 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

I understand the frustration this has caused you. That is why we may send some one out to check why the two channels are not working. The earliest possible date and time is on 8/19, from 11 am to 2 pm.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:03:04 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Shall we go ahead and get this processed for you?


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:03:14 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Did you read my last post?


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:05:12 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Yes. I read it, Paul. You may contact the local office at 18002662278 to have direct connection with the headend to correct it.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:05:51 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

As much as I would like to do it, I can only set up an appointment for it to be checked.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:06:18 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Paul, what we did today is noted the account about the problem you are having with the ESPN and ESPN2 channels.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:06:20 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Is there anything else I could assist you with today?


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:06:37 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

That's ok, I will attempt to contact the local office and ask for someone "with the headend", as you say.


Paul_(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:06:39 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Thank you


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:06:55 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

You are most welcome.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:06:58 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

I will greatly appreciate it, if you take time to answer the 3 pop-up questions after clicking the end session button. Thank you so much.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:06:59 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

If you need assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us through Live Chat or E-Mail (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Comcast also offers excellent FAQ and Help forums located at www.comcast.com to help you reach a resolution independently.

Thank you for contacting Comcast! We appreciate your business!



Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:07:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Please take care.


Aaron.33918(Mon Aug 17 2009 20:07:03 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>

Have a goodnight!

Can you check again? Because 45.3 and 45.4 are Animal Planet and Headline News on my system.

Though, I guess I did find the WGN-HD feed on 53-1.

So, I guess that's at least something. :/

Nevermind. I just ran another scan with the HDHR and it found them on 49.3 and 49.4.

And it got the PSIP info this time... So I think they fixed whatever they were doing.

I probably created a little confusion because of how clear QAM TV's and MythTV QAM cards read the info during a scan slightly differently.

QAM TV's (and I believe HDHR under windows works the same) look at frequency and assign a ch # based on that frequency. The frequency they are currently transmitting ESPN and ESPN2 on is 375 mhz and the channel numbers that get assigned by a clear QAM tv to ESPN and ESPN2 are 49.3 and 49.4.

My MythTV system doesn't use channel/subchannel during a scan, it uses frequency and multiplex #-program #, and the freq is the same 375mhz, but the multiplex is 45 with prog # 3 and 4 respectively. In MythTV after a successful scan, I can assign whatever channel/subchannel number I want to the channels found. The channel/subchannel have no bearing on my ability to tune a channel.

The problem I had was it appears that Comcast is transmitting ch/subchannel info in place of the correct multiplex/program number. My MythTV scanner was getting confused because it's scanning 375mhz and finding 2 valid QAM signals, but it was getting conflicting information transmitted from Comcast that those signals are on multiplex 28 subchannel 1 and multiplex 29 subchannel 2 instead of the correct multiplex 45 program 3 and 4 respectively.

Sorry for the confusion.

I'll have to check 45.3 and 45.4 when I get home today. However, I've already contacted Dish and scheduled installation for Friday. I am paying $90 a month for cable TV once you add federal fees, and that is with 1 HD DVR receiver and no premium channels (not that I want them). I'll have Dish with 2 HD receivers (1 a DVR) and 2 standard definition TV service for $52/month the first year, then $66/month for the second. I'll probably keep lifeline cable just so they won't increasr my internet rate by $15. After 2 years, I'll see what promos are out there on all three options.

I see the frustration with Comcast and the silly exchange between an informed and educated customer and an Tier 1 service rep... no its actually sad.

Has anyone looked into the EPB offering? I know they are still in tedting mode and adding test cutomers every day.

I think it will be a while till EPB tv is out of beta testing and available to a significant amount of customers, last time I checked I think they said they were shooting to have it available to something like 75% of their electric customers by the end of 2010. But it's been a while since I read that and I'm not sure that time frame still applies anymore

The problem with FIOS, EPB, Dish, or DirecTV for anyone running a computer based PVR is the fact that because the transmit in a nonstandard method, they require one Settop box per tuner card. Right now the fact that Comcast is leaving Digital Starter in clear QAM makes a computer based PVR very easy w/o the need for set top boxes unless you want to capture pay or HD package channels. My MythTV box has 3 QAM tuners and each tuner can capture 3 multiplexes at a time, if on the same freq. It's not uncommon during prime season for me to be recording 4-5 streams at one time since some of the HD locals are on the same freqencies. I couldn't imagine trying to get 4-5 STBs hooked up (much less paying for them) and get my computer to control channel changing on each by ir... that'd be a nightmare...

Comcast is the only option to allow recording that many streams at one time, and probably won't be as soon as the phase out the DTA's, which I believe are a temporary solution to allow them to free up the space for more HD channels. As soon as the stop using DTA's they'll encrypt all the digital starter channels, if not sooner if they get a waver from the FTC.

what an interesting, expensive hobby we have eh?

Yeah, but I actually spend less on my MythTV setup per year than I would if I rented two Comcast DVR boxes, and I can record a whole lot more and it's a whole lot more user friendly.. so I don't complain too much.

I didn't set up my MythTV system because I was trying to be cheap. For me it's just that I don't particularly like the DVR options from the major companies Comcast, Dish, DirecTV. They're too limited regarding scheduling options, recording space, etc.

I just wish comcast would just move all the channels at one time, free up frequencies/transports for future HD channels and be done with it. There's really no reason they have to keep moving digital starter channels every few months, now that we're digital only.

They just do that to screw with the people who want to use clear QAM tv's. They want to make it a hassle to have to rescan all the time, so people will rent their stupid STB's.

Which is another thing that drives me crazy about the whole Digital Cable mess. The fact that everyone is going out and buying nice LCD HD tv.. only to have to set them to ch 3 and use a stupid STB. It's just plain stupid.

Is this something that you have heard they are doing? That would really suck and would probably push me to getting all my content off the internet (which is tough with the bandwidth limits).

I had read that the DTA has a very basic form of security built in (that is currently unused) that could be turned on and would stop you from being able to receive clear QAM digital starter channels. From what I have read the only thing stopping them from using it is some ruling from the FTC. I had heard grumblings that most of the major cableco's are trying to get a waver from the FTC to allow them to use basic security to limit access to those who have cable co boxes (Full STBs and DTAs).

I find it ironic that back in the late 80's they passed the law that cableco couldn't charge per outlet unless you were getting premium channels. This current situation sure looks a lot like pay per outlet to me. If you have more than 3 tv's it's 1.99/mo for add'l DTA's. And I'm sure the 2 DTA's we currently get for free, won't be free forever.

you guys needing a comcast headend problem contact could try emailing Tom Bailey tom_bailey@cable.comcast.com

He's their technical lead on testing their hd digital boxes (at least used to) but could potentially provide the needed help on the QAM issues too. If nothing else he could understand the info and get it to the appropriate people.

He had been extremely helpful in debugging several issues I had with their boxes when they first went live with HD in chattanooga.

Argh! Looks like the ClearQAM party is going to be over very soon:

http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=637

The FCC has granted the request by the cable companies to employ "a 56bit DES-based cypher known as Privacy Mode - which would allow them (DTAs) to receive and decrypt lightly encrypted channels."

I can't believe that! My butt hurts after reading that!

Does anyone else have wavy lines running through on WFLI (CW53)? I think its been going on for over a week now.

Also off topic does anynoe know which station will be showing the SEC games this fall? The new SEC Network lists both WDSI (Fox61) & WFLI (CW53) as affiliates?

I've got the lines on WFLI on Directv. Looking ahead in the guide, WDSI has the Western Ky @ Tennessee FB game scheduled for 12 Noon next Saturday.

Well, once again the morons in Washington have done something stupid without understanding the full ramifications of their actions. This basically kills the HTPC market in the US. Requires everyone on cable to put one of those stupid boxes on every tv connected to cable, wasting millions of dollars of energy in the coming years (Not to mention the additional fees charged by the CableCo's if you have more than 3 TVs. Limit's consumers ability regarding how they choose to watch tv to the features the cableco's decide to put into their boxes.(My 15 year old JVC CRT TV has more customizable channel memory/recall features than a brand new Comcast STB.) Why buy a new LCD TV with a QAM tuner for a bedroom or office, if you just have to connect it to a stupid box and put it on ch3?

This ruling basically this makes it so difficult to continue to record cable tv in a fully lawful manner that more people will either watch less TV, or move to downloading illegal copies of shows from the internet.

If this comes to pass, I'm going to tell Comcast what I think by voting with my wallet. I'll cancel Digital Cable and rent the cable shows I want to watch from Netflix on DVD. I watch too much tv anyway, maybe Comcast is doing me a favor

I wonder if there are enough of "us" out there to even be a blip on their profit radar. They probably have too much invested at this point to turn around though.

The last time I called to complain about something and threatened to switch, their response was one of "well, anyone else requires a STB for each TV [unlike us]." That argument seems to be circling the porcelain throne. The only reason I stay w/ them right now is clear-QAM. I'll drop back to a lifeline+internet if anyone else has a better deal when DES is turned on. EPB is getting closer with fiber in my area. Saw them pulling lines about 10mi from my house the other week. I really don't care where I get what I watch. As long as it's on MY terms not some corp [expletive]. I know EPB has Comcast worried. Why else would they be advertising their 50MB service so much. That's almost an order of magnitude faster than what they offered a year ago. They were barely running 6-8MB residential.

At least you get an opportunity for higher speeds due to competition, in Athens we have no competition and no offer for higher speeds, funny how Comcast can be a national company, yet has such diverse programming, but the pricing is pretty similar and doesn't really reflect what or what you don't get in channel selection.

On WTVC's six o'clock news tonight, Darrell Patterson announced that the Tennessee vs Western KY game would also be on WDSI-HD's channel at noon. Furthermore, he advised that that the Georgia vs Oklahoma State game would be on at 3:30 and the Alabama vs VA Tech game would be on at 8:00 on WTVC-HD as well.

I'm sure you're probably right. There are far too many people who think that $100+/mo for cable tv is reasonable.

It's kinda funny that they advertise 50mbit... but still have the 250 Gig/mo bandwidth cap. So people think, "Oh it's so fast I'll be able to download HD tv content from the internet." The only problem is you'll hit the cap 10 times faster than you did when you had 6mbit connection.

Comcast isn't stupid. They see the handwriting on the wall regarding downloading of TV content, which is the only real need for that kind of bandwidth on any kind of a routine basis for a home user. That's exactly why everyone on Comcast HSI got a TOS notice a year ago adding the monthly usage cap. You can't download much HD content before you'd hit the cap, then they can either terminate HSI service for improper use or charge add'l bandwidth usage fees.

Yep I can simply hit my limit quicker, but I still haven't seen my speed increase. I'm still at 6 Mbps. Although I was installing a new computer for my dad at his shop and his was 22 Mbps down and 2 Mbps up, but it was a business connection. Does anyone know if they limit bandwidth usage on the business accounts? The business accounts also get a router that they won't let you configure yourself. Luckily a simple Google search will get you the username and password...

i'm averaging 20 Mbps download and 4.5 Mbps upload wireless in Ooltewah.

Even though it's not even available on my end of town here, I just checked out the EPB website and all of their different "Fi" prices. I know it's just rolling out but these current prices are ridiculous and make the most expensive comcast packages seem dirt-cheap. What happened to all the hype of promised affordability? Maybe time will tell and the prices will drop as they continue to expand across the region, but at these current prices there's no way I'll pay that much. Let me know your thoughts!


http://epbfi.com/you-pick/

I thought it was rather competitive.

I pay 104/mo to comcast for digital starter and internet. I pay AT&T 30/mo for 1 phone line with no long distance.

I did a package on that site for internet/tv/basic phone and it came up as $111/mo before taxes. Considering I'm currently paying 134/mo w/taxes.

Seems reasonable, if not significantly cheaper.

I'm paying over $150 for 1 step above starter + 1 HD box + 6MB internet. If Don came in w/ phone nearly $50/mon under that then it'd be a no-brainer for me. That would even help offset the cost for HDPVR's for SageTV.