Questions: Comcast HDSE and PPV

jennymcc

We get a channel called HDSE and all I ever see on it is a big red and yellow sign that says "HDSE" Special Events. The sign is pretty , but I haven't seen any actual programming on it. Anyone know what this channel is? I can't find any info about it on the Comcast site. It doesn't even list the channel on our channel line-up.

Also, if you buy movies on one of the PPV channels, are they broadcast in HD? Widescreen?

Thanks!

Cobra

That is a relatively new strictly HD channel. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area it is essentially the NFL Network. It is not a very active channel as you have noticed, but when it's on it is almost always something having to do with the NFL and not always a game. I have the feeling they are still experimenting with this channel and it's future direction may still be evolving. I'm not sure what area you're in and they may be using it for something different there. As usual, trying to get information from Comcast is an excercise in futility. I would just keep my eye on it and see what programming eventually begins to show in your area.

As for the PPV movies, I never use them as my DVD library is like well over 700 movies so there is really nothing they have that I don't. However, I would venture to say that those movies are full dolby digital and widescreen when available. However, I don't know if they are HD. Sure would be nice if they are but I have a feeling they are not. Good luck.

mendezbp

It might be local sports like Sacramento Kings or other bay area teams

Cobra

That's possible. Most of the stuff that I've seen have been Football related stuff, but they certainly could use it for other sports as you say. I just wish it were more active as most of the time it is "dead air". With the demand for HD content of any kind, having a dedicated HD channel that is largely inactive is sad. I think it will come along eventually though.

Oh yeah . . . welcome to the Forum Mendezbp !

dachay2tnr

Not sure about Comcast, but on my cable system (Cablevision) there is a specific channel allocated for HD PPV. It is in the 700 series channel range, where all the other HD channels are located.

My guess is that the "standard" PPV channels are not being broadcast in HD due to bandwidth issues.

mendezbp

Have you all been getting the run around about the HD DVR that is suppose to be out now. I live in the San Joaquin valley and they said this month. I saw a news report from the SJ Mercury news stating that people in the bay area are being told another few weeks? Typical Comcast I guess.

mshulman

Don't believe what you hear from them over the phone - Just stop by your local office and see if they have them. If it's a case of them not being available at ALL yet, then you may be out of luck, but I was told that they were not in stock and had to have a truck roll for it (they still couldn't guarantee the dual tuner). I decided to take a chance and stop by the local office and to my surprise, they had it.

In addition - If you indicate to them you are willing to pick it up, they'll waive the truck roll fee. And if it's available for pickup, that's always the best way to go.. Why wait around for 3 hours for them to show up.

Cobra

Great advice. I've heard the same thing and I tried dropping by the Rohnert Park office here in Sonoma County. They were out of them but apparently they have been trickling in. Guess it's a hit or miss thing in a lot of areas. Heck of a way to roll out an upgraded product that we are all equally subsidizing if you ask me, but I guess that's the way we'll have to play it. I've learned never to call Comcast for anything. It is always . . . always . . .always to your advantage to walk into your local office.

mendezbp

Called them and told them that I was getting impatient and was considering TIVO. I guess I got their attention because they all of a sudden said i was close enough on the list to get it and set me up with an appt. Analog signal is worse than direct to TV, HD and DVR are great though. Any suggestions on the Analog portion?

Reaunt

Is the DVR free once you have HD service with Comcast? I had my HD service installed yesterday, but nobody mentioned anything to me about DVR... I know it's available because they tried to sell it to me the week before (before they knew I was planning to get HD service), but I just assumed it would be another fee and another box.

If it's free, I'll make sure I get what's owed to me (I'm paying for the digital cable and HDTV...), but I can't see myself using it all that often- so I doubt i'll get it if one has to pay for it.

I saw that channel and wondered what it was, too- I'll let you know if I see anything on it while i'm surfing, or if I call comcast about the DVR issue (and to price how much it would cost to add HBO to my existing service), I'll ask the nice un-helpful phone salesman.

~Sam

SesnOfWthr

@Sam -

Here is how I understood the pricing options when I arranged for a delivery of the HD DVR (6412?), at least in the Boston area.

Digital STB - ~$5/mo
HD STB - $7.25/mo
DVR - $9.95, BUT then the HD charge drops to $5.25, or something

So essentially, upgrading to an HD box costs an additional $2 over what you pay for your digital box, and the DVR costs another $8 on top of that.

Incidentally, I was assured by the rep that the DVI port was enabled in this market, but we'll see when they come on Tuesday. For anyone who is following that little issue.

HTH

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The Sammy DLP is here, and .... woohoo!!

Cobra

That sounds pretty fair and still quite a bit cheaper than a TVO subscription. Now as for the DVI "issue". Comcast had better quickly realize that the public simply won't accept being forced back into an "analog" connection with all this high definition equipment. It just makes no sense. With that Sammy DLP you have coming (beautiful choice by the way) and a HD box with HD programming, it is ludicrous to hook them all up with "analog" cables even decent one's like Component connections.

Comcast for some bizarre reason is starting to shut off the DVI connections in a number of large markets that they previously provided. Not good. I'm beginning to wonder if it has anything to do with the rising complaints about poor SD reception with the new HD boxes? Could be the DVI connection they are using is causing that problem and Comcast is backing off of DVI use until they resolve the problem. Just a guess on my part though.

hads

Reaunt ... the DVR is already built into the Comcast HD tuner, but you have to pay extra for DVR capability. I would believe that Comcast would turn that on from their main office.

You will have to pay a monthly fee for this service.

Hads

Reaunt

Turns out it would cost me another $5 a month to get DVR. Not sure if I want it or not... i'd rarely use it.

Just FYI- I called Comcast and asked about HDSE. It took two people to find the station (the first one tried to tell me it didn't exist, and that I *wasn't* looking right at it while we were on the phone), but they told me that it's reserved for Spanish programing. If you order HD in Espanol, then at least one of the sets of programs would come in on that station.

That's what i've got to report
~Sam

HDTVSam007

If you do like you said with hooking a line directly to the tv and one to the HDTV DVR with Component .DVI to the HD inputs of your tv.This is a common problem with the DVR I have read numerous complaints of this same problem in other forums .I think this is from the buffer because the bitrate of the buffer is faster than the bitrate of the cable signal on the harddrive .I may be wrong on this but it makes sense in theory .

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