Houston, TX - Comcast / DBS - Page 316

There was an old post that recommended deleting channel assignments before doing a rescan.

Just got the new channels last week in my area - and I can confirm getting both 790 and 791 (though I don't have anything to watch 3D).

Can you tell me if both 790 and 791 display pictures side-by-side?

We have both channels, but no 3-D HDTV. (77096)

Have you tried the old reboot of your STB/DVR? If not, pull the power plug for @ 15 sec, then wait for the clock display to return. If that doesn't do it, there's an issue somewhere up the line, probably at your sub-head end.

Do you have a neighbor you know has Comcast w/HD? See if they have 790.

Yes, tried reboot twice. Neighbors are not Comcast users.

I use TiVo, however. Very strange that I got 791 (which displays pictures side-by-side). I've read somewhere that 790 displayed top-bottom pictures instead.
Anyway, thanks everyone. I gave up now... The Comcast tech never called me back; I'm sure he's clueless as well.

790 pictures are top-bottom. Works in 77059 (Clear Lake).

Is anyone in the Houston area using an a/b switch with their DTA?

http://customer.comcast.com/Pages/He...dapter-to-hdtv

The article seems to say I will get more channels than if I use the a/b switch with an antenna. This is for the HDTV in the kitchen and I really don't want to set up an antenna in the kitchen. But using the a/b switch in the article has a lot more cables, which is also a problem because of the lack of space.

Any of you guys get the 8300HD to work with the Panny plasmas via HDMI? This is my second iteration of Panny plasma, first was a TH4260U. Either way, still unable to get a signal. It seems this unit is hit or miss, as a coworker of mine has one that does do HDMI, though with a Mitsubishi DLP TV.
I recently got the 3D channels so just trying to get my money's worth out of the new TV. I tried unplugging both, then power on the TV first then 8300HD, nothing.
I read earlier about a new software version that should address HDMI issues, so am I really doomed to wait another 6 months to get this resolved?
Any suggestions?

See the following link:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post21387813

If you don't have a digital device, you need a DTA to view the expanded basic channels. If you use a DTA and a QAM tuner HDTV, you can use a splitter and an A/B switch (or different inputs on your TV) to view the local HD channels. I don't see any reason to use an antenna when you are already paying Comcast for the local HD channels.

Comcast is working on getting Pass Through to function without issues using HDMI. I haven't seen any information about Comcast working on issues with Panny and HDMI.

I have not heard of this issue before. We've got an 8300 connected to a 52" Toshiba via HDMI and a 32" Dynex connected to an rng-150 via HDMI...with no problems. The easiest solution might well be to swap your 8300 for an rng-200. I'd go by one of Comcast's storefronts and pick up a 200, take it home and see if it solves your HDMI issue. If so, then return the 8300. If the 200 does not solve the issue, simply return the 200 to the store. At that point, PM me and I will provide an internal contact at Comcast/Houston. Good Luck!

Thanks hdguru, I guess my unit really must be a lame duck.

Any word on when the new channels will be coming to the 77019 zip code. I contacted customer service about this a few months ago and they said that it would be before the end of the year. Since the end of the year was here and I still do not have the new channels I was just wondering if anybody knew when this might happen. Thanks

I get the locals via clear QAM.

Waiting for 77042 as well. I would love to see ESPN-3D.

Have you been switched to all-digital? Are you using a DTA with your QAM-tuner TV?

Yep - all digital - nope, no DTA. I'll try to check the channels they are on so you can test with.

Comcast Cable Box Comes With Cockroach Suprise
As Company is Sued For Very 'Buggy' Gear
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/C...Suprise-117666

Using the term all-digital in reference to Houston Comcast's network enhancement (XFINITY) is misleading. For a number of years, Houston Comcast has been simulcasting some channels in both digital and analog format. These channels are in the Basic Service and the Expanded Basic Service tiers. The current network enhancement is to remove the analog version of the Expanded Basic Service tier (channels 21-52 and 56-80) to provide more digital channels including more HD channels. This creates the following scenarios:

1) If you have a digital set-top box or cable card, there is no problem.

2) If you have an analog TV, you need to get a digital adapter to view the Expanded Basic Service channels.

3) If you have a QAM tuner TV, you will be able to view the channels in the Basic Service tier including the local HD channels, but you won't be able view any encrypted channels. I think most of the Expanded Basic Service channels are encrypted. To view encrypted channels, you will need a digital adapter. The digital adapter only outputs analog format so you can't view the local HD channels through a digital adapter. To view both encrypted channels and local HD channels, you need a splitter and an A/B switch (or multiple inputs on your TV).

I switched to DirecTV from Comcast two years ago because Comcast did not have enough HD, particularly HBO, Showtime, etc. Since my contract with DirecTV is about to expire, I'm taking another look at Comcast.

1. Has Comcast added more HD channels, particularly the premium channels? I checked Comcast's web site and it does not look like any have been added, but the web site may be out of date.

2. Has Comcast's DVR improved? DirecTV's DVR is much better.

The following links to a post that lists the new channels. Note: There have been some changes to the lineup since that post.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post19833508


Comcast replaced the SARA guide with the S25 guide. Several features that were in the SARA guide are not in the S25 guide. Also, the original version of the S25 guide truncated recordings under certain conditions, but the truncation issue was corrected with the new patch. The following links to a post with more information about the missing features.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...9#post20125659


The links in my signature provide more information about the S25 guide and future guide versions

I have a ~3yr old Vizio tv in a room that I used only for gaming. I decided to hook the cable up last night (straight from the wall to TV, no DTA, Clear Lake area). Did channel scan and realized I was getting a lot of digitial channels including CinemaxHD (Megamind was on) and HBO Family HD(Indian in the Cupboard). Expanded Basic (checked ESPN channel 33) had the buy a DTA screen. The premium channels were something like channel RF58-??. So, any ideas as to why I'm picking up premium HD channels?? I didn't check any other channels.

I have a "new" Vizio M320NV that is hooked up like yours. When it scans, it only finds the Houston 600 channels. It does find some RF57- channels and then RF60- but nothing in between.

Consider yourself lucky. But they won't be there much longer, is my bet.

no, they only added a couple of extra HBOs after promising HD all the additional HD primium channels. This is the last straw for me because this proves they will never, and have no intent of ever, providing the services that are important to me.

Channels not "choices"... Greedy, lying, incompetent... It's Comcraptic

I'm guessing there might be a technical reason why they can't make all premium channels HD. Anyone know what it might be? I assume it is bandwidth.

Bandwidth is indeed the biggest factor, but they are also concerned about holding some space for new channels. They added the most popular/watched HBO channels, and a bunch of junk (not meant to include BBC America) networks. If they get enough demand for other premium channels in HD, they have some bandwidth available...and/or can drop some of the lowest viewed channels.

Also...revised versions of the rng-200 and rng-150 will offer multi-room DVR control within the next 12-18 months. The hardware is just being put in service; however, the software is lagging behind. (Gee...big surprise!)

2012 Tip for On-Demand "Previews": Does that huge "Stop/Buy" selection menu cover about 40% of your picture? Press the "Exit" button to clear the menu. When you want to "Stop" the preview or it ends, Press the red "OK/Select" button, which will display the "Stop/Buy" menu again, and allow you to either "Buy" the currently selected program, or return to browsing other programs.

I just realized that maybe some of the premium channels aren't even available in HD. Right now, there is only one STARZ HD channel. Does anyone know whether the other channels are even available elsewhere in HD?

All HBO channels are offered in HD, and I think the same is true of most Cinemax, Showtime, Starz, & The Movie Channel. As far as I know, only the main Encore channel is available in HD.

Many of you may have noticed the addition of the MGM-HD movie channel, if you like some of their older "classics".

Do you mean in other markets/providers (satellite)? The list of channels I got in the mail showed a new MoreMax HD channel, and 5 new HBO HD channels. Those were the only additions I found for the "premium channels".

It means that the network provider (HBO, Starz, etc) uplinks a specific channel in HD, but it's up to the cable or sat operator to determine which channels to offer its subs in HD vs SD.