AVS › AVS Forum › HDTV › Local HDTV Info and Reception › Chicago, IL - RCN
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Chicago, IL - RCN - Page 5

post #121 of 167
3/5/08 at 11:12am
I am currently a Comcast subscribert, but came across this link.http://www.rcn.com/pdf/chicago_lineups_2008-01-14.pdf

This is quite the impressive HD lineup that RCN is touting. Any info on how much is actually implemented would be helpful. Also, I run a Tivo Series 3, is RCN using Switched Digital Video?
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #122 of 167
3/5/08 at 2:11pm
That is my lineup... They switched it a few weeks ago... And when they did they shut off all the analog cable.
Reply
Reply
post #123 of 167
3/5/08 at 2:25pm
Does anyone have an exact list of the local OTA channels for HD so i can add them in manually in Vista MCE
Reply
Reply
post #124 of 167
3/7/08 at 6:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by singletb View Post

I am currently a Comcast subscribert, but came across this link.http://www.rcn.com/pdf/chicago_lineups_2008-01-14.pdf

This is quite the impressive HD lineup that RCN is touting. Any info on how much is actually implemented would be helpful. Also, I run a Tivo Series 3, is RCN using Switched Digital Video?

I just got a postcard for skokie stating they will do the changeover so I can't comment on what channels you will see right away but you should check out broadbandreports RCN section.
Seems like gold coast, downtown, andersonville have the lineup already. RCN put a deadline on themselves to go completely digital by April 18th.

They are NOT using SDV. RCN is going a totally different route for saving bandwidth by going completely digital.

If they did go SDV, (I don't see why they would) there is a USB dongle that Tivo is going to release that will solve the issue,
Reply
Reply
post #125 of 167
3/8/08 at 11:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by spongyfungy View Post

I just got a postcard for skokie stating they will do the changeover so I can't comment on what channels you will see right away but you should check out broadbandreports RCN section.
Seems like gold coast, downtown, andersonville have the lineup already. RCN put a deadline on themselves to go completely digital by April 18th.

They are NOT using SDV. RCN is going a totally different route for saving bandwidth by going completely digital.

If they did go SDV, (I don't see why they would) there is a USB dongle that Tivo is going to release that will solve the issue,

I live in Wrigleyville. I might have to give ol' RCN a call.
Reply
Reply
post #126 of 167
3/13/08 at 11:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdrucker View Post

Hi there,
I live in a condo building where we have RCN's analog tier of channels broadcast through the building on our bulk rate contract, but also have digital and HD capability if you have either a RCN-supplied digital box/DVR or cable cards, and are willing to pay the extra fees through RCN directly. Of course, using cable cards assumes that you have cable card support on your set. When we upgraded our TV last year, we got a Pioneer 930HD that supported cards, and got RCN (after a few calls) to install the cards, which we use in our Series 3 TIVO. So we don't need a converter box per se. At the moment, we personally get the analog cable channels through our building, and we pay separate for the digital channels, premium movie channels, and HD channels.

Anyway, I'm on the cable committee for our building, and our contract's up for renewal. What I'd like to know is:
a) Given the digital conversion taking place, if RCN's encypting their channels, can they compel someone using cable cards to use a digital box, with reduced functionality for us TIVO users, instead?
b) What legal provisions are there that the customer has the right to choose a cable card over a box? Their website, and for that matter, the previous contract, use the term "require" to cover boxes on the FAQ for digital/HD, and also "RCN shall provide...a digital box".

Clearly, those folks without a cable card capability can't get digital channels, once they're encrypted, without a box, which is a whole separate issue. And if you have just a set that support analog, you'd need a D/A converter box to get anything once the switch is made. But what about people that have sets than support cable cards?

I know this isn't a legal forum, but I thought that maybe someone that reads this could direct us to a reference. What I want to avoid is a situation where we renew RCN for the building, and they try to hold us in breach of contract because some unit owners (namely us, and a few others) already have digital cable through our cable cards, and demand that every unit owner have a digital box or digital to analog converter box.

Thanks,
Stuart

Sdrucker:
I am involved with the same task of reviewing our cable contract for our building in Chicago but we're with Comcast. What are your impressions of the new digital lineup of RCN? Do you or any RCN cutomers have concerns about quality or service levels or whatever? How do you think RCN compares to Comcast? I'm a new member of AVS as well. I'm not sure if we can take this topic offline but I'd be interested in talking with you. Thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #127 of 167
3/27/08 at 2:13pm
RCN recently went digital in my neighborhood (Lakeview). My cable is connected through the Motorola RCN box directly to the television (no Tivo). For now, it is SD (not HD). Any others experience frequent pixellation on all channels? By frequent, I mean the picture will freeze and pixellate once every two or three minutes. Calls to RCN have been unavailing. They reset the box, but the problem recurs.
Reply
Reply
post #128 of 167
5/19/08 at 2:21pm
I am currently an RCN Subscriber with HD Receiver and HD Service. Has anyone else with RCN had any problems since their digital conversion in Chicago. I constantly have pixellation and "currently off the air" messages for many different channels, but it is not consistent. BBC America is particularly bad. I have one HD receiver and one SD and the problems are not consistent between sets so it is not the cable signal coming in the unit. I have tried to call and they refresh my boxes, but it either does no good or a few days later it just happens again. Has anyone else had this problem over the past month or two months? Calling seems to do no good and I have the updated converters, etc.
Reply
Reply
post #129 of 167
5/20/08 at 10:25am
I've had some issues on my HD dvr box similar to what you speak of. At times I'll lose comcast sportsnet for 3-6 minutes, usually it will pixellate before it totally goes away... I've also had the pixel issue on NBC HD, but I haven't lost signal there.

My biggest complaint is ESPNHD and ESPN2HD... at least once every 5 minutes the audio will disapear for a few seconds. These are the only 2 channels that this happens... I don't watch espn much anymore but that's another story.
Reply
Reply
post #130 of 167
5/26/08 at 5:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iamkoza View Post

I've had some issues on my HD dvr box similar to what you speak of. At times I'll lose comcast sportsnet for 3-6 minutes, usually it will pixellate before it totally goes away... I've also had the pixel issue on NBC HD, but I haven't lost signal there.

My biggest complaint is ESPNHD and ESPN2HD... at least once every 5 minutes the audio will disapear for a few seconds. These are the only 2 channels that this happens... I don't watch espn much anymore but that's another story.

ESPNHD is doing that for me too but it's also skipping frames on top of audio loss every 5 minutes or so. Totally unwatchable and I'm a huge sports watcher
Reply
Reply
post #131 of 167
6/7/08 at 12:06pm
I am in Chicago at McClurg (between Ohio and Ontario). I had the RCN service Tech here to check my signal and install a new all digital DHC3416 Moto DVR and nothing to be had of the new HD channel lineup. He was cool though and checked with "the office" and said nothing was scheduled yet for us and that my building would get the notice from RCN. Nothing scheduled right now sounds bad, but I think pressuring the building manager to make a few calls that the tenants are in "uproar" demanding the upgrade that they are paying for already can't hurt!

To whom it may concern - well mostly my neighbors - I got the call back from RCN (after some persuasive calls) and was informed the following:

1. We should receive flyer's with updated HD channel line-up with the date of our update.
2. Upon my insistence to find out an exact scheduled date I finally received the date for my building which is set for July, 22nd. I guess it's better late then fall or never.

Hope this helps.
Reply
Reply
post #132 of 167
6/12/08 at 1:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ML237 View Post

I am in Chicago at McClurg (between Ohio and Ontario). I had the RCN service Tech here to check my signal and install a new all digital DHC3416 Moto DVR and nothing to be had of the new HD channel lineup. He was cool though and checked with "the office" and said nothing was scheduled yet for us and that my building would get the notice from RCN. Nothing scheduled right now sounds bad, but I think pressuring the building manager to make a few calls that the tenants are in "uproar" demanding the upgrade that they are paying for already can't hurt!

To whom it may concern - well mostly my neighbors - I got the call back from RCN (after some persuasive calls) and was informed the following:

1. We should receive flyer's with updated HD channel line-up with the date of our update.
2. Upon my insistence to find out an exact scheduled date I finally received the date for my building which is set for July, 22nd. I guess it's better late then fall or never.

Hope this helps.

UPDATE:

Just received a new looking flyer containing RCN Channel lineup for Chicago Metro announcing the following:

-More Expanded basic cable TV
-Flexible channel packages
-More HD programing added
-the whole channel lineup

MOST IMPORTANTLY the effective date confirming the July 22, 2008 date that I was given previously by RCN!

So NOW all we have to do is wait 'til then and hope the latest digital crush will actually happen
Reply
Reply
post #133 of 167
7/9/08 at 4:23pm
Can anyone tell me if the pdf in post 121 is accurate for Lincoln park? I cant get RCN to tell me if rcn is available in my neighborhood let alone what channels they offer.
Reply
Reply
post #134 of 167
9/20/08 at 8:59am
New HD channels.

MyNetworkTV
Lifetime
ABC Family
Disney
Toon Disney
Fox News
Fox Business
ESPNEWS
Speed
NHL
Golf
GreenHD
HBO Family
HBO 2
HBO Signature
HBO Zone
HBO Comedy
MoreMax
Action Max
Showtime Too
Reply
Reply
post #135 of 167
10/1/08 at 9:17am
Anyone who can grab a TS please send me a PM, thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #136 of 167
10/1/08 at 11:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ken h View Post

anyone who can grab a ts please send me a pm, thanks.

ts?
Reply
Reply
post #137 of 167
10/1/08 at 11:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dgordo View Post

ts?

Transport stream.
Reply
Reply
post #138 of 167
10/6/08 at 9:41pm
I just moved to Chicago from the Detroit area, and am in the process of converting my MythTV over to RCN. Unfortunately RCN was my only choice, and they appear to be sub-par (which is sad considering what par is for the cable company course). As i'm sure is not news to anybody, all QAM content aside from some SD-OTA channels are encrypted. Before i start tearing apart my linux kernel, does anybody know if all the HD (including OTA) is also 5C'd over the firewire connection on the STB?
Reply
Reply
post #139 of 167
10/8/08 at 1:19pm
Couple things:
1) RCN is pretty decent. A far superior choice to Comcast, I can assure you. However, as you mentioned, they are crap when it comes to the Clear-QAM lineup.

2) More importantly, the firewire connection is wide-open. Yes, that's right, wide-open, no 5C. Every channel through firewire is recordable (including premiums) and I've been recording with firewire/MS-MCE for over a year.

Have fun.


Quote:
Originally Posted by lucidity View Post

I just moved to Chicago from the Detroit area, and am in the process of converting my MythTV over to RCN. Unfortunately RCN was my only choice, and they appear to be sub-par (which is sad considering what par is for the cable company course). As i'm sure is not news to anybody, all QAM content aside from some SD-OTA channels are encrypted. Before i start tearing apart my linux kernel, does anybody know if all the HD (including OTA) is also 5C'd over the firewire connection on the STB?
Reply
Reply
post #140 of 167
10/24/08 at 5:12pm
Wow! you're right! Amazing! Thank you RCN, you're the best.
Reply
Reply
post #141 of 167
12/16/08 at 12:48am
BravoHD - 621
CNBCHD - 651
SciFiHD - 630
usahd - 624
Reply
Reply
post #142 of 167
1/13/09 at 5:54am
Does anyone have the City of Chicago lineup of the Qam channels for the local stations that they can pass along (or direct me too) ? Thanks in advance.
Reply
Reply
post #143 of 167
1/14/09 at 12:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by newgi View Post

Does anyone have the City of Chicago lineup of the Qam channels for the local stations that they can pass along (or direct me too) ? Thanks in advance.

only SD locals now. everything else is encrypted
Reply
Reply
post #144 of 167
1/15/09 at 10:21am
also a list in this thread somewhere, may be outdated
Reply
Reply
post #145 of 167
2/26/09 at 1:22pm
New HD

629 G4HD
633 Cartoon Network HD
635 FuseHD
637 E!HD
638 Women's Entertainment HD
646 Style HD
665 Crime and Investigation
666 IFC HD
667 AMC HD
668 EncoreHD
696 Outdoor Channel HD
706 HBO Latin HD
712 Thriller Cinemax HD
714 WMax HD
715 @MAX HD
717 OuterMax HD
722 Showtime2HD West
723 ShowcaseHD East
724 ShowcaseHD West
725 Showtime Extreme HD
727 TMC Xtra East HD
728 TC Xtra West HD
Reply
Reply
post #146 of 167
2/26/09 at 1:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spongyfungy View Post

New HD

629 G4HD
633 Cartoon Network HD
635 FuseHD
637 E!HD
638 Women's Entertainment HD
646 Style HD
665 Crime and Investigation
666 IFC HD
667 AMC HD
668 EncoreHD
696 Outdoor Channel HD
706 HBO Latin HD
712 Thriller Cinemax HD
714 WMax HD
715 @MAX HD
717 OuterMax HD
722 Showtime2HD West
723 ShowcaseHD East
724 ShowcaseHD West
725 Showtime Extreme HD
727 TMC Xtra East HD
728 TC Xtra West HD

Thanks for the heads up unfortunately no crush yet here downtown. Will check with RCN and report back. May I ask where are you located?
Reply
Reply
post #147 of 167
2/26/09 at 7:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ML237 View Post

Thanks for the heads up unfortunately no crush yet here downtown. Will check with RCN and report back. May I ask where are you located?

skokie. no crush yet? That's crazy!
Reply
Reply
post #148 of 167
2/26/09 at 7:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spongyfungy View Post

skokie. no crush yet? That's crazy!

Yeah Skokie seems to get it before downtown go figure LOL

Called the clueless RCN reps and apparently the only thing we got updated is TennisHD. No date on the update for my area so I guess we just have to wait. Thanks for the update.
Reply
Reply
post #149 of 167
2/26/09 at 8:24pm
looking forward to this update if it ever hits chicago, hoping i actually get these channels too!! (i know i dont get the movie channels)
Reply
Reply
post #150 of 167
3/3/09 at 5:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by spongyfungy View Post

New HD

629 G4HD
633 Cartoon Network HD
635 FuseHD
637 E!HD
638 Women's Entertainment HD
646 Style HD
665 Crime and Investigation
666 IFC HD
667 AMC HD
668 EncoreHD
696 Outdoor Channel HD
706 HBO Latin HD
712 Thriller Cinemax HD
714 WMax HD
715 @MAX HD
717 OuterMax HD
722 Showtime2HD West
723 ShowcaseHD East
724 ShowcaseHD West
725 Showtime Extreme HD
727 TMC Xtra East HD
728 TC Xtra West HD

update is live in Wrigleyville as of last night, looks like the VOD has been revamped, havent checked it out yet
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Local HDTV Info and Reception

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › HDTV › Local HDTV Info and Reception › Chicago, IL - RCN