Comcast Internet On Demand Beta Testing

joekewl1971 · 10-18-2009, 12:27 AM

The past few days I have been beta testing Comcast's new internet on demand. There is no HD yet. But the fast motion is good, and overall the picture is comparable to SD cable. The selection is unprecedented. HBO and Cinemax have every single movie available, all of them. Have not tried Starz yet. Comcast is improving all the time.

oblioman · 10-18-2009, 05:50 PM

me question is, since one has to subscribe to comcast to get internet on - demand,,,what would be so appealing to watch it on the small screen,,,when, since you be a subscriber,,,why not just watch it on the big screen? Will they allow you to use your computer as a dvr?

joekewl1971 · 10-18-2009, 06:13 PM

I do not watch it on a small screen. My computer is hooked up to my HDTV. The selection is superior too. There is no record capability.

oblioman · 10-18-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joekewl1971

I do not watch it on a small screen. My computer is hooked up to my HDTV. The selection is superior too. There is no record capability.

So what enticing advantage does internet on demand have over comcast's regular on demand? Does this mean that me computer would take the place of a rental box? Me could see this being an advantage for the consumer by not having to rent a separate box.

Lee Stewart · 10-18-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oblioman

So what enticing advantage does internet on demand have over comcast's regular on demand? Does this mean that me computer would take the place of a rental box? Me could see this being an advantage for the consumer by not having to rent a separate box.

If i understand the OP correctly, he is saying that the number of movies offered on Comcast Internet On Demand is much higher than what they offer on their CBL On Demand.

And you can use a PC instead of their STB. Just has to have slots for cable cards - which of course you have to lease from Comcast.

oblioman · 10-18-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

If i understand the OP correctly, he is saying that the number of movies offered on Comcast Internet On Demand is much higher than what they offer on their CBL On Demand.

And you can use a PC instead of their STB. Just has to have slots for cable cards - which of course you have to lease from Comcast.

meaning that one has to purchase a tuner for the pc,,,then rent a cable card,,and at this time in standard def,,to get basically what one would normally get via cable. What me questions is comcast going to have two separate streams of on-demand, one for internet and one for cable, with the internet offering more channels?? the only way this would make sense is comcast wanting to get away from the lumpy boxes (expensive) and move towards the much cheaper card.

joekewl1971 · 10-18-2009, 07:22 PM

No cable card, or computer tuner is required to use the internet. You need Comcast TV, and Comcast internet. For the third time, the advantage is selection. An entire month worth of HBO, and Cinemax is available. That is every movie that is on the regular cable.

oblioman · 10-18-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joekewl1971

No cable card, or computer tuner is required to use the internet. You need Comcast TV, and Comcast internet. For the third time, the advantage is selection. An entire month worth of HBO, and Cinemax is available. That is every movie that is on the regular cable.

Not to disregard your beta testing in all of this, just trying to understand the advantage. if one needs comcast internet and comcast cable (one cannot get the internet without basic cable), what difference is there? You say that they offer all the channels, but does not comcast advertise 10,000 channels on demand for regular service? And what are the added cost's in your location? And what are the added channels?

joekewl1971 · 10-18-2009, 07:51 PM

I am in Shoreline WA and I had always figured my cable came from Comcast in Shohomish County. I found an ad on the Fancast web site that encouraged me to give my email address to be a Beta tester for internet on demand. I use Netflix, and Hulu from the internet on my HDTV. They said after 24 hours I would get an email. Typical of Comcast they did not send the email. After a month I searched the Fancast sight. Found the log in instructions, that was about a week ago.

I am curious if any body else has heard about this around the country, or is using it.

Starz Play is also on Netflix.

joekewl1971 · 10-18-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oblioman

Not to disregard your beta testing in all of this, just trying to understand the advantage. if one needs comcast internet and comcast cable (one cannot get the internet without basic cable), what difference is there? You say that they offer all the channels, but does not comcast advertise 10,000 channels on demand for regular service? And what are the added cost's in your location? And what are the added channels?

DVR requires you to look at the TV guide ahead of time. DVR you keep the copy. (They retain the right to cut us off of that too really.) On demand, cable and internet is limited time. They are pretty much the same.

The Fancast stuff I am using does not cost anything additional. The channels are typical. I have used Cinemax and HBO. Fancast has free tv too, including for anybody. www.fancast.com

oblioman · 10-18-2009, 08:13 PM

what the hell,,,the fancast has a hulu logo,,,and to put it mildly,,,is not a very good picture. tried two different movies,,,and both would not pass as sd. But do keep us posted if you find any HD material that is worth looking at.

Lee Stewart · 10-18-2009, 09:08 PM

Comcast adds Starz to On Demand Online trial

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10283487-93.html

CBS, Comcast On Demand Online partnership faces off premium vs. free internet streaming; 17 cable channels jump onboard

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/14/c...ff-premium-vs/

Bark4Soul · 10-19-2009, 12:52 AM

You can have HSI only, u dont need cable, well in some markets, here in Denver u can have everything seperately

oblioman · 10-19-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bark4Soul

You can have HSI only, u dont need cable, well in some markets, here in Denver u can have everything seperately

What do they charge you for HSI as a standalone? In our area HSI is $63 a month (which includes the very basic cable).

10-18-2009, 12:27 AM	#1
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 595	Comcast Internet On Demand Beta Testing The past few days I have been beta testing Comcast's new internet on demand. There is no HD yet. But the fast motion is good, and overall the picture is comparable to SD cable. The selection is unprecedented. HBO and Cinemax have every single movie available, all of them. Have not tried Starz yet. Comcast is improving all the time.

10-18-2009, 05:50 PM	#2
oblioman OTIS,,me hero Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Someville TN Posts: 4,566	me question is, since one has to subscribe to comcast to get internet on - demand,,,what would be so appealing to watch it on the small screen,,,when, since you be a subscriber,,,why not just watch it on the big screen? Will they allow you to use your computer as a dvr?

10-18-2009, 06:13 PM	#3
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 595	I do not watch it on a small screen. My computer is hooked up to my HDTV. The selection is superior too. There is no record capability.

10-18-2009, 07:22 PM	#7
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 595	No cable card, or computer tuner is required to use the internet. You need Comcast TV, and Comcast internet. For the third time, the advantage is selection. An entire month worth of HBO, and Cinemax is available. That is every movie that is on the regular cable.

10-18-2009, 07:51 PM	#9
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 595	I am in Shoreline WA and I had always figured my cable came from Comcast in Shohomish County. I found an ad on the Fancast web site that encouraged me to give my email address to be a Beta tester for internet on demand. I use Netflix, and Hulu from the internet on my HDTV. They said after 24 hours I would get an email. Typical of Comcast they did not send the email. After a month I searched the Fancast sight. Found the log in instructions, that was about a week ago. I am curious if any body else has heard about this around the country, or is using it. Starz Play is also on Netflix.

10-18-2009, 08:13 PM	#11
oblioman OTIS,,me hero Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Someville TN Posts: 4,566	what the hell,,,the fancast has a hulu logo,,,and to put it mildly,,,is not a very good picture. tried two different movies,,,and both would not pass as sd. But do keep us posted if you find any HD material that is worth looking at.

10-18-2009, 09:08 PM	#12
Lee Stewart Behold - the future! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Age: 58 Posts: 25,193	Comcast adds Starz to On Demand Online trial http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10283487-93.html CBS, Comcast On Demand Online partnership faces off premium vs. free internet streaming; 17 cable channels jump onboard http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/14/c...ff-premium-vs/

10-19-2009, 12:52 AM	#13
Bark4Soul What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 3	You can have HSI only, u dont need cable, well in some markets, here in Denver u can have everything seperately