[ClearToLand]

I rarely watch LIVE TV. With 3 networked ReplayTVs (5xxx), 1 TiVo (Series 1) and 1 DVDR (Panasonic DMR-EZ17), I 'subscribe' to what I want to watch and it's 'there' whenever I'm ready to view it.


How this Sub-Channel question started is I bought the Panasonic DVDR about a year ago to experiment with ATSC and QAM. ATSC with rabbit ears was terrible, but QAM found DOZENS of channels (that I documented in an Excel spreadsheet for DVDR reference). For example - besides the NON Sub-Channels (aka Analog) that my ReplayTVs and TiVo received, the Panasonic SCAN found:

• 2 _: CBS Analog
• 2.1: CBS HD
• 4 _: NBC Analog
• 4.1: NBC HD
• 4.2: NBC Weather
• 4.3: NBC-4.4 / CNBC-CD
• ...
• 13 _:WNET Analog
• 13.1:WNET-HD
• 13.2:WNET-SD
• 13.3:WNET-VM (Spanish)
• ...
• 87.1:WCBS-SD
• 87.2:WABC-SD
• 87.3:WNBC-SD
• 87.4:WNET-SD
• etc...

Recently, after operating fine for several months, the Panasonic DVDR's clock started jumping from the correct time to plus (or maybe it was minus

) one hour several times per month. After scanning the first 3-4 index pages (and reading a few messages) on both the AVS and DSLR Forums a few days ago, I found messages about analog channel outages so I decided to do another Auto-Scan to attempt to 'update' the DVDR's (possibly internally set) PBS Time Channel to a more stable one. It failed in such a way that I had to unplug the DVDR to regain access. A second Auto-Scan was successful, BUT now all of my previously-detected Sub-Channels are gone. I can't even access them manually. Thus, what the (newer / smarter) Panasonic DVDR w/QAM currently sees is now exactly the same as what the (older / dumber) ReplayTVs and TiVo have always seen.


So, I came back to the AVS and DSLR Forums and read some more:

1. FAQs on Comcast digital switcheroo (update 5 - more QAM and Ch. 25-Cspan2)
2. All-digital cable move may spark viewer ire
3. Comcast Questions
4. Please help I need information.
5. ClearQAM will no longer be supported in WA
6. Comcast's digital switch requires customer action
7. Comcast making switch to digital signals in Portland area
8. How much longer will analog cable exist?

...along with a few messages about "...all channels over 29 (or 22 in another post) going DIGITAL and will require a DTA for each...".


I've stuck with CABLE all these years because SATELLITE *ALWAYS* required a STB ($$$) for *EACH* ReplayTV / TiVo / DVDR. But if that's no longer the story, I guess I have to go back to OTA (with my $40 coupon STBs) for the majority (CBS, NBC, ABC, etc...) and 1 (or 2) STBs for the 'Cable and/or Satellite ONLY' material (HISTORY, DSC, TLC, etc...). Bummer!

Anyone else in 'Comcast of the Plainfields' witnessing the same 'QAM Sub-Channels GONE!?!' problem?

UPDATE #1: Added LINKs 6-8 to 2nd list.

 

[Ken H]

A few notes....


Comcast will always pass the local HD and SD digital subchannels they carry in clear QAM. The rest of their digital channels should be encrypted.


Comcast will, on somewhat of a regular basis, do system maintenance that will result in QAM channel numbers changing. Doing a rescan should find the same local digital channels you previously had.


Comcast is in process to reclaim bandwidth used by analog channels and moving these same channels to digital. They are doing this because the bandwidth for analog channels is much, much greater than if the same channels are sent digitally. The result will vary slightly by location when this happens, but the bottom line is that only a small number of analog channels will remain; local channels in analog (even after the Digital TV analog cutoff) , public service channels, and a very few cable channels.

 

[ClearToLand]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H /forum/post/15514265


...Comcast will always pass the local HD and SD digital subchannels they carry in clear QAM. The rest of their digital channels should be encrypted...

NOT HAPPENING - after two days (thus far) of 'Auto-Scans' on my DVDR.


There are *NO* HD and/or SD subchannels available. The *ONLY* channels I see on my (newer / smarter) DVDR are the same ones that I see on my (older / dumber) ReplayTV / TiVo. I'm doing "Auto-Scans" daily.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H /forum/post/15514265


...Comcast will, on somewhat of a regular basis, do system maintenance that will result in QAM channel numbers changing. Doing a rescan should find the same local digital channels you previously had...

Again, NOT HAPPENING - after two days (thus far) of 'Auto-Scans' on my DVDR. During the past YEAR, I'll agree that QAM Channel Numbers may have changed (i.e. I recall noting a few on my Excel spreadsheet) and/or disappeared completely. BUT, I've never lost the CBS, NBC, ABC, NET, etc... Sub-Channels before!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H /forum/post/15514265


...Comcast is in process to reclaim bandwidth used by analog channels and moving these same channels to digital. They are doing this because the bandwidth for analog channels is much, much greater than if the same channels are sent digitally. The result will vary slightly by location when this happens, but the bottom line is that only a small number of analog channels will remain; local channels in analog (even after the Digital TV analog cutoff) , public service channels, and a very few cable channels.

Yes, I've spent several HOURS reading the posts and I understand Comcast's goal, BUT, I haven't yet read that my previously scanned DVDR-CLEAR-QAM-SD&HD channels have been "PERMANENTLY discontinued"...


AFAICT, over the past few days, Comcast of the Plainfields/NJ has REMOVED / DISABLED *ALL* of my previously received QAM HD and SD content.


Thanks!