Comcast -- Digital Cable & HD what they don tell you

Voomster · 07-30-2005, 01:33 PM

Howdy I'm the Voomster ,

I origionally had Comast HD TV cable box for about three months
then I signed up for Voom HD TV Satalite Service and had both of them hooked up for about a two month trial , Comcast gave me two months additional free to try and keep me as a customer.

But the difference was like a Porsche 911 as compared to Yugo
I had about 50 + HD TV stations from a combination of Voom HD TV Satalite and my Voom provided outside HDTV / digital antenna
I had the future of HD TV (years ahead of any other provider)

and Comcast was a memory of a HD provider I never wanted to live again.

Voom terminated service after a year or so , and my home could not receive Dish Network / Voom HD Satalite Service so I had no choice then to return to Comcast Cable HD

First of all Comast is NOT all Digital cable , infact your Comast Digital HD Motorola set top box could receive all stations thrugh the dvi (digital video interface) on back of set top box if Comcast were all Digital

Only the # 700's number stations are digital / HD so I have to have
a set of component cables as well as a DVI cable hooked to the Comast HD Box to the HD Tv's which requires me to manually switch the HDTV remote when I change between the Comcast 700 series Digital / HD TV channel and all of the (Non-digital) cable stations which Comast calls digital.

What Comcast does not tell you is that most people who live close to major tv stations can hook up a digital tv ANTENNA outside and receive about 50% of what Comcast is charging you for. ( minus the station discriptictors )

FOR FREE

I really don't like to watch much non HD tv stations ...and HBO HD and Sho HD are esential . INHD 1 & 2 are pale by comparission to Voom's 21 speciality HD content.

Comcast Cable calls it HD .... perhaps the essesence of HD TV

Voomster

SLedford · 07-30-2005, 04:45 PM

you are correct - some of the stations in the digital package are analog. But I am not sure I understand your having to use both component and DVI cables to get your programming. My Comcast box is tied into my television using the DVI cables provided by Comcast (the sound is run through my A/V receiver). I get ALL the stations with this setup - none of what you are going through. The analog stations fill the screen (stretched), the SD pictures have bars one either side and the HD picture fills the screen. The HD pictue looks pretty good using DVI cables.

I almost switched to VOOM - Comcast cut my bill considerably (I have the cable internet as well) to keep my business. Have stayed with Comcast because I am not sure that Dish / Direct TV are any better with their HD programming.

StereodB · 07-30-2005, 05:18 PM

I just had Comcast hookup Cable/internet/HDTV. My DVI shows all channels, although I also split the cable from the wall, just to try to improve on the analog channels. Maybe you need to complain and get a new box... that is the best part about cable

Voomster · 07-30-2005, 05:30 PM

No, In my area Comcat Cable is less than Digital except for the 700 series of 13 HD Stations , Comcast told me they do not support the DVI Connector in all areas ... only component cable will they totally support.. simly put DVI only works with Digital Video and Comast says it Digitl but teh DVI conncetor proves them wrong.

Voomster

Deuce · 07-31-2005, 10:05 AM

I find it odd, they would have HD channels and not normal digital channels. Digital channels take up much less bandwith and you can fit about 6 in the space it takes to transmit one HD. HD means digital, but digital doesn't mean HD. A digital channel is exactly what it sounds like, it does not have a 480p, 720p, or 1080i resolution, and definitely is not 16:9. It's standard format 480i, 4:3, but is much clearer than analog because you do not get the imperfections that exist in an analog system, such as increased amplifier noise levels, interference, etc.

HBO HD, ESPN HD, SHO HD, STARZ HD, are High Definition channels. Regardless of whether you want to accept it or not. The simple fact is that those programmers choose not to transmit everything in HD, the same way your local HD channels do. When they do transmit in High Def, you surely should be able to tell a difference. For example, watching one of the movie premiers on HBO on Saturday night, or Deadwood in HD . . . it's totally different than HBO digital and analog.

I have comcast Digital Cable, and there are about 13 HD channels (I'm sure it will increase with time). I'm just like you in that I never watch anything else except for those, but I have another 100+ channels that ARE digital and then another 80 that are analog. I've used different versions of the Moto HD box and currently have the 6412.

I have been able to watch all channels using only my DVI connection with each version I have had. The port is either enabled or not. If you can watch your HD channels through it, then you should be able to watch your other channels through it. Try this:

While watching an HD channel through your DVI input, press power (turn the box off), then press menu. You should get an option that will let you tweak your options. I put mine on 16:9, 720p, and no 4:3 override. I noticed with a former box, that sometimes the box is not even set for HD mode and thus the picture suffers. And stretching with a 4:3 override always reduces quality of your digis, and analogs.

Hopefully this helps a little.

kdog044 · 07-31-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce

I put mine on 16:9, 720p, and no 4:3 override. I noticed with a former box, that sometimes the box is not even set for HD mode and thus the picture suffers. And stretching with a 4:3 override always reduces quality of your digis, and analogs.

Hopefully this helps a little.

I think 480i or 480p is a better option for 4:3 programming. With 4:3 off the STB adds the black bars on each side and converts to the Component/DVI setting and you are not able to stretch the signal with the display. I prefer to use my Toshiba's stretch modes when I want.

P.S. Like the previous posters, I use the DVI output and receive all signals (analog, digital, and HD) through it. I'd say somethings wrong with your STB.

Voomster · 07-31-2005, 07:11 PM

Howdy Duce,

Your Advice was excellent I set the setup menu to : 16x9 and the resolution : 1080 and -no to overide 4.3 and now I get to keep the DVI cable connection to the HD TV for all channels and now even the Comcast non HD cable channels have a much improved resolution

thank you !

I have my progressive scan dvd in Component 2 and the Voom Sat Box in Component 1 for my Digital / HD (OTA) over the air outside
antennna which gives me about 20 local digital / HD stations with a 99% signal strength.

Comcast was very much in error by saying they did not support the dvi output from their box.

I still feel Comcast is short Changing me on only 13 HD channels , but I guess I'm very lucky that the Comcast FiberOptic cable and distribution pannel is less than 30 feet from my home.

and my Comcast High Speed Internet Connection is 4.3 Mbs .

But I sure miss Voom HD Sat 50 + HD Channels with the seemless intergration of my outside (OTA) Digital & HD Channels with menu discriptors .

the Voomster

SLedford · 07-31-2005, 08:02 PM

Comcast told me that they did not support DVI from their box as well, but then gave me a very heavy duty set of DVI cable with the box. Of course I had to hook them up (and of course they worked).

When I called back, they again told me that they didn't support DVI. When I asked why they gave everyone a DVI cable with the box, they really didn't have an answer.

Bottom line is that the people you talk to on the phone just don't know their product very well. The same is true at Best Buy, Comp USA, etc. Chances are you know as much or more than the salesman trying to help you.

You are lucky if you have 13 HD stations. Here in LR we have:
CBSHD
ABCHD
TNTHC
FOXHD
INHD1
IND2
ESPN
DISCOVERHD (my favorite)

I remember when the TV stations didn't start broadcasting till 2:00 PM and signed off at midnight, and the picture was in black & white. Someday little kids will be amazed that you watched standard def tv, and you will have to explain what analog is to them. Of course, by then they may be amazed that our tv was only two dimentional.

Progress is fun, although it is hard to be patient. Glad things worked out for you.

kdog044 · 08-01-2005, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLedford

You are lucky if you have 13 HD stations. Here in LR we have:
CBSHD
ABCHD
TNTHC
FOXHD
INHD1
IND2
ESPN
DISCOVERHD (my favorite)

I have basically the same channels but also have PBS in HD and also subscribe to HBO so I have that in HD as well.

ja2935 · 08-01-2005, 09:54 AM

My HD lineup in Atlanta is:-

ABC
FOX
NBC
TBS
CBS
WB
TNTHD
DISCOVERY HD
ESPNHD
INHD1
INHD2

Note, no PBS despite there being two stations here! I have HBO as well.

batmeister · 08-02-2005, 07:09 PM

I just had a cable card installed and lost some of the channels my tuner was pulling in. I just bought the Samsung 1080p and was receiving some 10 channels, with expanded basic, that were pay channels. Now there gone. This is problably why they give the cable-card away for free. I think I'll take it back out. My only problem is the TV doesn't show any channel info without the card. Anyone have a similar problem????

kdog044 · 08-02-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batmeister

I just had a cable card installed and lost some of the channels my tuner was pulling in. I just bought the Samsung 1080p and was receiving some 10 channels, with expanded basic, that were pay channels. Now there gone. This is problably why they give the cable-card away for free. I think I'll take it back out. My only problem is the TV doesn't show any channel info without the card. Anyone have a similar problem????

Something doesn't sound right unless you are referring to PPV channels which you may pick up with the direct connection but ONLY when someone has ordered it. When I had the direct connection occasionally I would pick up someone watching a PPV channel as if the FF or REW you would see that also. It's not very practical to watch TV that way.

Mike Wolf · 08-03-2005, 01:40 PM

The problem is not with Comcast ( as much ) but as with the Motorolla set top boxes. Scientific Atlanta never has that problem with the DVI-Component signal switching. See if your local Comcast dealer is planning on converting to Scientific Atlanta. Scientific Atlanta has a whole range of DVR and non DVR set top boxes that run great.

Comcast is a really large cable company, so they will take a little getting use to providing the HD programming. Every local dealer is different, and so I wouldnt put it past them if they arent up with the times. Just give them time, and pretty soon they will be spurting out high quality HD programming faster then ever before.

jsslifelike · 08-03-2005, 09:44 PM

Here's my issue- are INHD1 & 2 any part of a subscription service? The tech that did my install told me that it may take a day or so for them to come in. The rest of the HD channels worked and he told me to call tech support if those two weren't on by the following day. Well, they weren't and I did, but here's the kicker- they told me I can't get them here. My buddy(who works for Comcast) right over the hill from me has both of 'em. WTH is up wit' 'dis!!?? I wanted to watch John Daley vs. Niagra Falls, you cable providin' bitches...

TheKorn · 08-04-2005, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voomster

No, In my area Comcat Cable is less than Digital except for the 700 series of 13 HD Stations , Comcast told me they do not support the DVI Connector in all areas ... only component cable will they totally support.. simly put DVI only works with Digital Video and Comast says it Digitl but teh DVI conncetor proves them wrong.

Well, smack your Comcast guys around for being dumb as rocks. The _only_ cable I have going from my STB to my projector is a DVI->HDMI cable. _all channels_ work via it. Component input is reserved for the DVD player and computer.

07-30-2005, 01:33 PM	#1
Voomster A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 14	Comcast -- Digital Cable & HD what they don tell you Howdy I'm the Voomster , I origionally had Comast HD TV cable box for about three months then I signed up for Voom HD TV Satalite Service and had both of them hooked up for about a two month trial , Comcast gave me two months additional free to try and keep me as a customer. But the difference was like a Porsche 911 as compared to Yugo I had about 50 + HD TV stations from a combination of Voom HD TV Satalite and my Voom provided outside HDTV / digital antenna I had the future of HD TV (years ahead of any other provider) and Comcast was a memory of a HD provider I never wanted to live again. Voom terminated service after a year or so , and my home could not receive Dish Network / Voom HD Satalite Service so I had no choice then to return to Comcast Cable HD First of all Comast is NOT all Digital cable , infact your Comast Digital HD Motorola set top box could receive all stations thrugh the dvi (digital video interface) on back of set top box if Comcast were all Digital Only the # 700's number stations are digital / HD so I have to have a set of component cables as well as a DVI cable hooked to the Comast HD Box to the HD Tv's which requires me to manually switch the HDTV remote when I change between the Comcast 700 series Digital / HD TV channel and all of the (Non-digital) cable stations which Comast calls digital. What Comcast does not tell you is that most people who live close to major tv stations can hook up a digital tv ANTENNA outside and receive about 50% of what Comcast is charging you for. ( minus the station discriptictors ) FOR FREE I really don't like to watch much non HD tv stations ...and HBO HD and Sho HD are esential . INHD 1 & 2 are pale by comparission to Voom's 21 speciality HD content. Comcast Cable calls it HD .... perhaps the essesence of HD TV Voomster Last edited by Voomster; 07-30-2005 at 01:45 PM.

07-30-2005, 04:45 PM	#2
SLedford HD Fan Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 1,023	I use DVI cable for all Comcast programming you are correct - some of the stations in the digital package are analog. But I am not sure I understand your having to use both component and DVI cables to get your programming. My Comcast box is tied into my television using the DVI cables provided by Comcast (the sound is run through my A/V receiver). I get ALL the stations with this setup - none of what you are going through. The analog stations fill the screen (stretched), the SD pictures have bars one either side and the HD picture fills the screen. The HD pictue looks pretty good using DVI cables. I almost switched to VOOM - Comcast cut my bill considerably (I have the cable internet as well) to keep my business. Have stayed with Comcast because I am not sure that Dish / Direct TV are any better with their HD programming.

07-30-2005, 05:18 PM	#3
StereodB HDTV + DLP = :) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Concord, CA Age: 31 Posts: 104	My DVI works for all stations I just had Comcast hookup Cable/internet/HDTV. My DVI shows all channels, although I also split the cable from the wall, just to try to improve on the analog channels. Maybe you need to complain and get a new box... that is the best part about cable __________________ SAM HL-P4674W, Denon AVR-3805, Panasonic XP-30 DVD, Polk: RT55, CS400, LS f/x(SBL/SBR), RT5(SL/SR), NHT Sub ONE, BlueJeans HDMI ->DVI , X-Box(HD Pak) HD Source: Comcast Moto 6412 HD DVR Presented in Stunning High Definition.... Macho Business, Donkey Wrestler...

07-31-2005, 07:11 PM	#7
Voomster A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 14	DVI Problem Fixed Howdy Duce, Your Advice was excellent I set the setup menu to : 16x9 and the resolution : 1080 and -no to overide 4.3 and now I get to keep the DVI cable connection to the HD TV for all channels and now even the Comcast non HD cable channels have a much improved resolution thank you ! I have my progressive scan dvd in Component 2 and the Voom Sat Box in Component 1 for my Digital / HD (OTA) over the air outside antennna which gives me about 20 local digital / HD stations with a 99% signal strength. Comcast was very much in error by saying they did not support the dvi output from their box. I still feel Comcast is short Changing me on only 13 HD channels , but I guess I'm very lucky that the Comcast FiberOptic cable and distribution pannel is less than 30 feet from my home. and my Comcast High Speed Internet Connection is 4.3 Mbs . But I sure miss Voom HD Sat 50 + HD Channels with the seemless intergration of my outside (OTA) Digital & HD Channels with menu discriptors . the Voomster

07-31-2005, 08:02 PM	#8
SLedford HD Fan Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 1,023	Comcast told me the same thing Comcast told me that they did not support DVI from their box as well, but then gave me a very heavy duty set of DVI cable with the box. Of course I had to hook them up (and of course they worked). When I called back, they again told me that they didn't support DVI. When I asked why they gave everyone a DVI cable with the box, they really didn't have an answer. Bottom line is that the people you talk to on the phone just don't know their product very well. The same is true at Best Buy, Comp USA, etc. Chances are you know as much or more than the salesman trying to help you. You are lucky if you have 13 HD stations. Here in LR we have: CBSHD ABCHD TNTHC FOXHD INHD1 IND2 ESPN DISCOVERHD (my favorite) I remember when the TV stations didn't start broadcasting till 2:00 PM and signed off at midnight, and the picture was in black & white. Someday little kids will be amazed that you watched standard def tv, and you will have to explain what analog is to them. Of course, by then they may be amazed that our tv was only two dimentional. Progress is fun, although it is hard to be patient. Glad things worked out for you.

07-30-2005, 05:30 PM	#4
Voomster A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 14	No, In my area Comcat Cable is less than Digital except for the 700 series of 13 HD Stations , Comcast told me they do not support the DVI Connector in all areas ... only component cable will they totally support.. simly put DVI only works with Digital Video and Comast says it Digitl but teh DVI conncetor proves them wrong. Voomster

07-31-2005, 10:05 AM	#5
Deuce What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1	I find it odd, they would have HD channels and not normal digital channels. Digital channels take up much less bandwith and you can fit about 6 in the space it takes to transmit one HD. HD means digital, but digital doesn't mean HD. A digital channel is exactly what it sounds like, it does not have a 480p, 720p, or 1080i resolution, and definitely is not 16:9. It's standard format 480i, 4:3, but is much clearer than analog because you do not get the imperfections that exist in an analog system, such as increased amplifier noise levels, interference, etc. HBO HD, ESPN HD, SHO HD, STARZ HD, are High Definition channels. Regardless of whether you want to accept it or not. The simple fact is that those programmers choose not to transmit everything in HD, the same way your local HD channels do. When they do transmit in High Def, you surely should be able to tell a difference. For example, watching one of the movie premiers on HBO on Saturday night, or Deadwood in HD . . . it's totally different than HBO digital and analog. I have comcast Digital Cable, and there are about 13 HD channels (I'm sure it will increase with time). I'm just like you in that I never watch anything else except for those, but I have another 100+ channels that ARE digital and then another 80 that are analog. I've used different versions of the Moto HD box and currently have the 6412. I have been able to watch all channels using only my DVI connection with each version I have had. The port is either enabled or not. If you can watch your HD channels through it, then you should be able to watch your other channels through it. Try this: While watching an HD channel through your DVI input, press power (turn the box off), then press menu. You should get an option that will let you tweak your options. I put mine on 16:9, 720p, and no 4:3 override. I noticed with a former box, that sometimes the box is not even set for HD mode and thus the picture suffers. And stretching with a 4:3 override always reduces quality of your digis, and analogs. Hopefully this helps a little.

08-01-2005, 09:54 AM	#10
ja2935 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,034	My HD lineup in Atlanta is:- ABC FOX NBC TBS CBS WB TNTHD DISCOVERY HD ESPNHD INHD1 INHD2 Note, no PBS despite there being two stations here! I have HBO as well. __________________ Toshiba 34HF84 Comcast Motorola DCT 3416 (all digital), Component/Fiber Optic Toshiba SD4900 (Region Free), Component/Digital Coax Toshiba HD-A2, HDMI/Fiber Optic Yamaha YHT-160 Home Theater System

08-02-2005, 07:09 PM	#11
batmeister How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 17	Comcast Cable Card Woes I just had a cable card installed and lost some of the channels my tuner was pulling in. I just bought the Samsung 1080p and was receiving some 10 channels, with expanded basic, that were pay channels. Now there gone. This is problably why they give the cable-card away for free. I think I'll take it back out. My only problem is the TV doesn't show any channel info without the card. Anyone have a similar problem????

08-03-2005, 01:40 PM	#13
Mike Wolf Associate Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toms River, New Jersey Posts: 309	The problem is not with Comcast ( as much ) but as with the Motorolla set top boxes. Scientific Atlanta never has that problem with the DVI-Component signal switching. See if your local Comcast dealer is planning on converting to Scientific Atlanta. Scientific Atlanta has a whole range of DVR and non DVR set top boxes that run great. Comcast is a really large cable company, so they will take a little getting use to providing the HD programming. Every local dealer is different, and so I wouldnt put it past them if they arent up with the times. Just give them time, and pretty soon they will be spurting out high quality HD programming faster then ever before.

08-03-2005, 09:44 PM	#14
jsslifelike SD is for sissies! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Age: 33 Posts: 314	Here's my issue- are INHD1 & 2 any part of a subscription service? The tech that did my install told me that it may take a day or so for them to come in. The rest of the HD channels worked and he told me to call tech support if those two weren't on by the following day. Well, they weren't and I did, but here's the kicker- they told me I can't get them here. My buddy(who works for Comcast) right over the hill from me has both of 'em. WTH is up wit' 'dis!!?? I wanted to watch John Daley vs. Niagra Falls, you cable providin' bitches... __________________ HDTV - Toshiba 34HF84 CABLE - Motorola DCT 6412 III(Comcast) HTIB - Phillips FR-965 Sony Remote Commander RM-AV2500 Proud Co-founder of the Order of the JSS, a gaming guild http://www.jssarmy.proboards24.com/ Wii Console Code: 0648-7039-5517-2890 PSN ID: jsslifelike