New Comcast Customer

svennn · 12-23-2004, 09:53 AM

I just made the jump from DTV to Comcast. With the new 6412 DVR I decided I would give it a shot. The install went well and everything works. I am using a Panasonic PWD6UY 42" Plasma. The HD is just unreal. The analog SD just sucks. It is almost unwatchable.

I am going to try and run S video or Component for the SD and let the TV run in Just mode to see if things improve any. If not, I need to decide if I should keep Comcast or go back to my old 2 tuner TIVO on DTV.

On another note, the guide and functionality of the DVR is good. Because of the HD capability I think it is a worthy alternative to the SD TIVO.

Any thoughts on how to improve SD would be much appreciated.

-Steve

TeeJay1952 · 12-23-2004, 02:35 PM

Try spliting the signal and hook svideo from vcr to Ant input.

Cobra · 12-26-2004, 12:10 PM

Hi Svennn . . . if you search some other threads you will see that quite a number of people are experiencing poor SD issues with the newer Comcast boxes such as the one you have. Others are reporting that they have found that Comcast is using a "lower compression algorithm" or a different "buffer under-run". Also, in many markets Comcast hasn't even turned on their digital compression-less DVI output . . . and in some markets that had it on, it is being turned off !!! (Go figure)

It is ludicrous for Comcast to have lured so many over with a bright full HD digital promise only to either force us all to hook all our HD equipment up with analog cables -or- experience intentional "down res'ing" of the signal through the digital output.

Someone just gave you the best alternative and that is to split the signal and come into the Panny through a VCR or any tuner other than the Comcast Box for your cable SD programming. Route the other into the Comcast Box for HD programming. However, the best thing everyone can and must do is "get vocal" with Comcast on the phone to a supervisor and follow up with dissatisfaction in writing. Tell them this is not acceptable and not what was promised! Personally, if they don't fix this I'm calling VOOM.

slowmo · 12-27-2004, 11:38 AM

Do what I do with my PWD 42" - boycott all SD programming!

It's amazing that I don't really miss it.

What do you want to watch anyway...stretched CNN, etc.?

Though I somewhat jest, I do question one's concern with SD programming on a widescreen TV like a plasma.

Like me, you emphasized value when you decided on a high-quality EDTV vs. the higher-priced HDTV's. However, regardless of their relative value, these EDTV monitors still cost a heck of alot compared to my prior spending on TV's. Thus, I'm not motivated to view alot of SD programming when such content often looks worse on the larger, widescreen plasma than it did on my old $250 25" TV!

My new motto is - If it ain't in HD / widescreen, it ain't worth watching.

Cobra · 12-27-2004, 09:56 PM

Well I do have to admit that "Slomo" does have a point there. There really isn't a whole lot of "quality" programming on the traditional networks anymore. Most of it is a bunch of fluff junk. I find myself either using my display devices for my DVD's or programs like HD Discovery and similar fascinating subject programs, rather than watching the mindless situation comedy / reality show dribble that is on most of the networks. I'd love to see the History Channel and the Sci-Fi network go HD and more Discovery HD type channels.

The only problem is the more people who express this opinion, the more we are sending the message to the signal providers to not care about SD programming, where let's face it . . . most of the programming continues to remain. Personally, I'd rather have just 50 high quality HD channels than to have 200 channels of mostly fluff junk! But I'm with you "Slomo" . . . it's my DVD's and Discovery HD type stuff for me too !

svennn · 12-29-2004, 11:09 AM

HD only it is then.

I tried my workaround and it was better, but not by much. I have found myself watching only HD programing. I don't even check to see what is on the "other" channels anymore.

-Steve

slowmo · 12-29-2004, 01:21 PM

Since I bought my PWD in 9/03; my viewing has evolved dramatically. I was a dedicated TIVO user but was quickly frustrated by the poor PQ of SD content with the new large screen. Almost immediately tossed the Tivo into the secondary viewing area with the old 25" TV.

Within a few months, I added cable HD which only had 3 channels at the time. Just prior to kickoff of the 2004 Super Bowl, I added an OTA HD tuner which added local channels. Cable channels were slowly added too.

I watched more and more HD content exclusively but was handcuffed without the ability to timeshift (the TIVO wasn't HD compatible). My wife got tired of me saying, "Quick - finish your dinner. The Sopranos start in 5 minutes!"

A month ago, I finally upgraded my cable box to an HD DVR. I'm almost happy as a clam now. I still have 2 football games recorded in HD from this weekend that I've yet to watch. Furthermore, ABC HD was finally added to cable on Monday and I watched MNF for the first time since the plasma purchase. I'm watching so much football now that my wife thinks I've picked up a gambling habit.

It's slowly progressing but its changed alot in a year and I believe the pace will continue to accelerate.

Cobra · 12-29-2004, 01:52 PM

Gez . . . we won't be able to call you "slowmo" anymore!

svennn · 12-30-2004, 02:49 PM

That brings up another question.

What do you have the output settings set to on the 6412? I know the panny is 480P but I have the box set to 1080i. Does it make any difference in the PQ of HD content?

slowmo · 12-31-2004, 09:33 AM

My view is to generally set the box to output at the native resolution for the given channel (720 for fox, espn, abc; 1080 for HBO, cbs, etc) and then let the plasma convert to 480p.

Seems preferable versus having the box upconvert a 720 channel to 1080 which is then downconverted by your plasma to 480p.

But, you may not notice much of a difference with respect to the output settings between 720 and 1080.

However, I can tell a difference with respect to motion distortion between 1080 and 720 content (ie. a CBS football game vs. an espn game) but I really can't tell a difference when I change the STB output from 720 to 1080 (and vice versa) while watching the espn game.

12-23-2004, 09:53 AM	#1
svennn What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3	New Comcast Customer I just made the jump from DTV to Comcast. With the new 6412 DVR I decided I would give it a shot. The install went well and everything works. I am using a Panasonic PWD6UY 42" Plasma. The HD is just unreal. The analog SD just sucks. It is almost unwatchable. I am going to try and run S video or Component for the SD and let the TV run in Just mode to see if things improve any. If not, I need to decide if I should keep Comcast or go back to my old 2 tuner TIVO on DTV. On another note, the guide and functionality of the DVR is good. Because of the HD capability I think it is a worthy alternative to the SD TIVO. Any thoughts on how to improve SD would be much appreciated. -Steve

12-23-2004, 02:35 PM	#2
TeeJay1952 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 75	Try spliting the signal and hook svideo from vcr to Ant input.

12-26-2004, 12:10 PM	#3
Cobra Mars-Alpha Quadrant-Base7 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 121	Hi Svennn . . . if you search some other threads you will see that quite a number of people are experiencing poor SD issues with the newer Comcast boxes such as the one you have. Others are reporting that they have found that Comcast is using a "lower compression algorithm" or a different "buffer under-run". Also, in many markets Comcast hasn't even turned on their digital compression-less DVI output . . . and in some markets that had it on, it is being turned off !!! (Go figure) It is ludicrous for Comcast to have lured so many over with a bright full HD digital promise only to either force us all to hook all our HD equipment up with analog cables -or- experience intentional "down res'ing" of the signal through the digital output. Someone just gave you the best alternative and that is to split the signal and come into the Panny through a VCR or any tuner other than the Comcast Box for your cable SD programming. Route the other into the Comcast Box for HD programming. However, the best thing everyone can and must do is "get vocal" with Comcast on the phone to a supervisor and follow up with dissatisfaction in writing. Tell them this is not acceptable and not what was promised! Personally, if they don't fix this I'm calling VOOM.

12-27-2004, 11:38 AM	#4
slowmo High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 759	Do what I do with my PWD 42" - boycott all SD programming! It's amazing that I don't really miss it. What do you want to watch anyway...stretched CNN, etc.? Though I somewhat jest, I do question one's concern with SD programming on a widescreen TV like a plasma. Like me, you emphasized value when you decided on a high-quality EDTV vs. the higher-priced HDTV's. However, regardless of their relative value, these EDTV monitors still cost a heck of alot compared to my prior spending on TV's. Thus, I'm not motivated to view alot of SD programming when such content often looks worse on the larger, widescreen plasma than it did on my old $250 25" TV! My new motto is - If it ain't in HD / widescreen, it ain't worth watching.

12-27-2004, 09:56 PM	#5
Cobra Mars-Alpha Quadrant-Base7 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 121	Well I do have to admit that "Slomo" does have a point there. There really isn't a whole lot of "quality" programming on the traditional networks anymore. Most of it is a bunch of fluff junk. I find myself either using my display devices for my DVD's or programs like HD Discovery and similar fascinating subject programs, rather than watching the mindless situation comedy / reality show dribble that is on most of the networks. I'd love to see the History Channel and the Sci-Fi network go HD and more Discovery HD type channels. The only problem is the more people who express this opinion, the more we are sending the message to the signal providers to not care about SD programming, where let's face it . . . most of the programming continues to remain. Personally, I'd rather have just 50 high quality HD channels than to have 200 channels of mostly fluff junk! But I'm with you "Slomo" . . . it's my DVD's and Discovery HD type stuff for me too !

12-29-2004, 11:09 AM	#6
svennn What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3	HD only it is then. I tried my workaround and it was better, but not by much. I have found myself watching only HD programing. I don't even check to see what is on the "other" channels anymore. -Steve

12-29-2004, 01:21 PM	#7
slowmo High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 759	Since I bought my PWD in 9/03; my viewing has evolved dramatically. I was a dedicated TIVO user but was quickly frustrated by the poor PQ of SD content with the new large screen. Almost immediately tossed the Tivo into the secondary viewing area with the old 25" TV. Within a few months, I added cable HD which only had 3 channels at the time. Just prior to kickoff of the 2004 Super Bowl, I added an OTA HD tuner which added local channels. Cable channels were slowly added too. I watched more and more HD content exclusively but was handcuffed without the ability to timeshift (the TIVO wasn't HD compatible). My wife got tired of me saying, "Quick - finish your dinner. The Sopranos start in 5 minutes!" A month ago, I finally upgraded my cable box to an HD DVR. I'm almost happy as a clam now. I still have 2 football games recorded in HD from this weekend that I've yet to watch. Furthermore, ABC HD was finally added to cable on Monday and I watched MNF for the first time since the plasma purchase. I'm watching so much football now that my wife thinks I've picked up a gambling habit. It's slowly progressing but its changed alot in a year and I believe the pace will continue to accelerate.

12-29-2004, 01:52 PM	#8
Cobra Mars-Alpha Quadrant-Base7 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 121	Gez . . . we won't be able to call you "slowmo" anymore!

12-30-2004, 02:49 PM	#9
svennn What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3	That brings up another question. What do you have the output settings set to on the 6412? I know the panny is 480P but I have the box set to 1080i. Does it make any difference in the PQ of HD content?

12-31-2004, 09:33 AM	#10
slowmo High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 759	My view is to generally set the box to output at the native resolution for the given channel (720 for fox, espn, abc; 1080 for HBO, cbs, etc) and then let the plasma convert to 480p. Seems preferable versus having the box upconvert a 720 channel to 1080 which is then downconverted by your plasma to 480p. But, you may not notice much of a difference with respect to the output settings between 720 and 1080. However, I can tell a difference with respect to motion distortion between 1080 and 720 content (ie. a CBS football game vs. an espn game) but I really can't tell a difference when I change the STB output from 720 to 1080 (and vice versa) while watching the espn game.