Charter Cable HD?

muckdog

Anyone have Charter HD? Comments? Debating on going with Charter vs. DirecTV. Also, does Charter have an HD recorder yet?

SweetMeef

I called Charter two days ago inquiring about their HD service.
Basically, $20 installation fee, $14 hardware fee (the cable that runs from the cable box to the TV - I asked if it was DVI and the guy didn't know, but he said you can keep the cable if you ever downgrade your service - but not the cable box.)
$7/month additional fee for the HD service (that's on top of their premium cable package - It may be more if you only have basic cable [no premium channels] and want to just add HD channels).
At the moment, I believe they only offer 5 HD channels:
ESPNHD
HBOHD (premium)
DISHD
SHOHD (premium)
FOXHD
Also listed are BRVHD and VTMHD but neither of those ever has any programming scheduled.

I'm holding off on Cable HD because of the limited selection, but don't plan to go satellite any time soon either.
Good luck,
-J

BCD

I have a different story from the post above. I'm going to pay 9.00/ month for the DVR when it comes out of beta ~30 days. There is only a 5.00 fee in my area for HD. I have CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, HDNet, HDNEt Movies, Showtime, and HBO. I am unaware of the "if it is broadcast in HD then you get it in HD" response above. I doubt that it is true given the lack of signal quality of the non-HD channels, but will be on the lookout.

I was a Dish user, but you can consider the signal quality of Dish vs. Direct to be similar. Of the two, Direct probably has better quality than Dish. What I found so far with Charter is that the standard analog channels, which is you basic local channels plus a few others, is crap. The digital channels are better, but still not as good as dish. The HD channels are GREAT, and make me want to write a letter a day to anyone who will listen to get more providers on board.

Net/net, if you are willing to go w/o the $1000.00 PVR boxes from the Dish/Direct providers I'd stay with them. If you as addicted to PVR, as I am, and you are willing to take the limited number of HD channels, then Charter is an acceptable option. Note that it is also cheaper. I hope my long-winded response was helpful.

BCD

muckdog

How does Charter look on a DLP? I know the analog channels won't be good, but will the digital?

jojojojo57

I have charter HD- SA 8000 PVR and Sammy DLP hln5065 and The Picture is stellar, HDNET `s old movies are amazing, I watched aunti mame and green berets , I grew up watching these films and I swear It`s like seeing a new film I see things I dident see before.Its so clear ,background detail is stunning.These old films jump off the screen ,Thank you HDNET ,and Charter.jo

muckdog

I got my Charter Cable installed. Looks fantastic, at least the digital channels do...

(Mits 52" DLP)

HDTV and NBA package coming shortly they say...

luvgolf1

I have had Charter High Def since Feb. '04 and it is fantastic. I was reading the previous message and yes it has DVI connection. The MLB playoffs have been phenomenal on HD but I wish that Fox would broadcast in 1080i instead of 720. I live in St. Louis and unfortunately the local ABC affiliate will not let Charter share the HD signal so no Monday Night Football HD yet. I do receive HBO, Showtime, ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC, HDnet, and HDnet Movies. Keep up the great work Charter. Much better than DIRECTV because no equipment to buy. I was a die hard DIRECTV customer for 4 years prior to switching to cable and I am very pleased!

Thanks,

luvgolf1

Barenbaum

I have Charter HD in northern Illinois ( 2 miles from Wisconsin line). We have the following HD channels: HDNet, HDNet Movies, ESPN-HD, HBO-HD, Showtime- HD, CBS (Madison WI), NBC (Madison, WI), and ABC (Madison, WI). Everything looks great, and it's nice to have the networks, even though they are net local for me. I have been requesting FOX and Discovery in HD for several months, but no real answer from Charter regarding a timetable.

They offer a recorder, but I don't get it so I can't comment.

troyh72

Ive been using Charter for 3 months now if Fort Worth, TX, and im not that impressed. The basic and digital channels are crap, in my opinion. I bought a Panasonic 50 inch LCD, and added the Charter HDTV PVR box. The HD isnt bad, but the lack of quality on the other channels is what I dont like. It is a lot cheaper compared to DirecTV, but you get what you pay for. I used DirecTV for 3 years before moving to Texas, and the quality blows away cable. As soon as I buy a house (im in an apartment at the moment), I will be switching back to DirecTV and using OTA Antenna for Locals.

The bottom line is cost. If you want cheaper service and less quality, go with Charter. If you can afford DirecTV, go with it, you will be pleased.

micxba

I have my Charter HD service for about a week now and am actually quite happy with the HD signal. I agree the locals (SD) look somewhat grany but using a good splitter and port the Analog channels into the Tuner directly, taking the HD Box out of the loop, will increase signal strenght. Unfortunately a DVR/PVR box is not available yet here in Atlanta, the installer said they have bugs to sort out. I asked him how can other charter markets have it already and here you fight with bugs, he did not know.
I was Dish Network before that and the normal broadcast are far better thus having HD Dish but keeping Cable Modem did not make sense price-wise to me.

jmjan

Barenbaum,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I live in Richmond, ILL and I'm debating on going back to Charter TV from Direct TV. When I called them, they were not sure what local HD channels they have here. I saw in your post that you are getting the Madison local channels in HD, do you still get the Chicago local channels at all? Also are the local channels digital instead of analog when they are not broadcasting in HD? I have thier internet access with the local cable channels, but the analog signal is terrible. I'm assuming your in the Richmond area if you have Charter, so what you have will also apply to me.

One last thing, have your tried an air antenna for your TV to get the Chicago stations? I'm not sure if we are too far for that to work. Sorry for all the questions, I'm trying to make a decsion to buy an HD tv and make the switch, or wait another year or so.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff
Richmond, ILL

slowmo

In B'ham, they've improved quite alot over the last year. Added NBC and Fox affiliates as well as ESPN. They ran a Braves HD channel as well as a NBA and HDnet channel for the all-star game and conventions, respectively. Still need to add additional programming.

Reliability problems have improved regarding reception. Only problems now relate to NBC but the affiliate is to blame (I see same problems OTA with that channel). Fox and ESPN 720p has been great with the end of baseball and, now, football.

3100HD Sci Atl box sucked. Traded for 3250HD box; much better. Sharper picture with better contrast. Reliable digital audio. Working SVideo for tivo out. Best of all is the versatile settings for native resolution.

Customer service still sucks though. You just have to figure stuff out for yourself.

Still waiting on info for HD DVR availability from Charter.

slowmo

HD DVR's are available in Bham market.

Just traded in 3250HD box for8000HD box. First one was used and defective. Traded again for new unit; so far, works well.

Our area is using the Sci Atl 8000HD unit but apparently other areas using the Motorola Moxi unit.

Tivo now in the closet.

jimhead

Charter does have an HD recorder. A good one. But you must ask for it specifically. Otherwise, you get the outdated version that has to be replaced a week a later.

One you get a good DVR you need several HD channels to choose from however, with the expense of premuim channels, I chose to take out premium channels due to cost but keep HD for clarity. Unfortunately that leaves me very little in the way of HD to watch.
I'm not a sport fan or news fan so espn2,3,4,5,6,7 are out and news hd 1 - 10 are also out. This leaves me with the 4 I can watch and tape each night. Bringing in TBS HD, Sci-Fi HD, spike HD, cw HD, USA HD Network would be a great start. Apparently, these channels cost more than Charter is prepared to pay to answer the needs of their clients. That's unfortunate! That tells me that Charter wants your money to help build what's needed to get HD. Other companies have asked you to pay for the service you are being providing. If given a choice, I think we should be for something we can receive now and not pay for something we might have in the future.

Any others words pay for what you get and if you don't get it, you don't pay for, then go where it's available now and pay for it now.

seibelcj

I have had Charter HD for over a year now in St. Louis MO. Why Charter rather than Dish is a long story but my problem is picture break up and dropped sound. HD picture is great but the pixalazation and drpooed sound drives me nuts. I have checked connects, grounded splitters and had Charter out a couple of timesI have even put new RG6 cabe in myself. Nothing solves it. Could it be the Motorola HD recorder with Moxi?