QAM Tuner with Houston, TX Comcast

Tex57 · 07-29-2007, 05:44 PM

I have heard rumors that Comcast Houston is now blocking non-scrambled HD programming that you could previously receive using a QAM tuner in HDTV's. Can anyone in the Houston area confirm this? Comcast recently took over from Time Warner.

bcheaney · 07-30-2007, 01:34 PM

Not as of last night. In fact I just bought a 37" Vizio for my mom and didn't use a cable box at all. She has never had digital service and gets all of the HD channels perfectly. The only issue of course is figuring out where the channels are and making your own channel guide.

pphloyd · 01-05-2008, 12:38 AM

Can anyone confirm if they are receiving any HD channels - other than local broadcast ones - with their Comcast extended basic service?

I mean, channels like ESPN HD, USA HD, NatGeoHD, etc - local broadcast channels are required to be unencrypted by the FCC anyway, I want to know if the HD versions of the other channels on extended basic are available.

Thanks!

joekewl1971 · 01-05-2008, 03:52 PM

I found a few digital, with hd channels, primarily the over the air stuff. The really fun basic channels are not there. Some local FM radio in digital.

treycranson · 09-18-2008, 09:19 AM

When I initially connected my TV about 8 months ago, there were plenty of HD offerings via QAM. I remember having all of the local channels as well as USA, TBS, ESPN, and Music in HD. It seems that every two months or so, they shuffle things around and the channels shift, but they also seem to be pulling the HD channels from the lineup. In fact, of the previous offerings, the only HD channel I'm getting now is the local NBC (2.1).

deadhead68 · 09-18-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treycranson

When I initially connected my TV about 8 months ago, there were plenty of HD offerings via QAM. I remember having all of the local channels as well as USA, TBS, ESPN, and Music in HD. It seems that every two months or so, they shuffle things around and the channels shift, but they also seem to be pulling the HD channels from the lineup. In fact, of the previous offerings, the only HD channel I'm getting now is the local NBC (2.1).

I find it very odd that your local cable company allowed you to pull in USA, TBS, ESPN, etc. in HD without a box or cable card. The majority of cable companies will only send the HD locals "free and clear". They do shuffle channels around quite a bit, so rescans are required periodically.

DeadHead68

huy30 · 09-19-2008, 04:40 PM

My JVC one now only can pick up NBC HD (2.1) too.

but my Toshiba one can still pick up FOX HD and CBS HD in some other channel number thou not 26.1 for FOX and 11.1 for CBS. For channel 2.1, sometime i get NBC HD and sometime i get WB HD

fostwal · 10-15-2008, 10:35 PM

I just hooked up a Samsung LN46A650 tv. I did the auto programming and it found all of the std digital channels <100 and it that has the local HD stations. Then there are the random channels like 74-105. It looks like they're the same signal as the 1-100 channels except they are in random order. Is there a listing of what these upper channels are? Also, none of the channels other than the local HD channels have any show descriptions or station labels. Is there a way to update these. I selected STD as the cable broadcast format during the auto programming. I wasn't able to find out if Comcast uses STD, HRC, or IRC. Does this make a difference?

warbird · 10-16-2008, 04:55 PM

Sometimes it does. In my neck of the woods, Comcast uses both STD and HRC. That means if you do a typical QAM STD scan you will find most of the available unencrypted channels, but not all.

For example, WNBC-HD was moved a few weeks ago to 32.3 on QAM HRC. You can use this list to find some of the unencrypted QAM channels near your zip code.

fostwal · 10-23-2008, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the info. I'll have to check it out tonight.

maneuen · 11-11-2008, 09:34 PM

Comcast - NW houston.

NBC 2.1 seems to be gone as well, and I never received fox or many of the other basic channels.

What channels are people still receiving. Basic analog cable and with no converter box?

I thought comcast (and all other cable companies) were supposed to pass the major network channels "in the clear" - why do we have so much trouble getting them?

thanks

deadhead68 · 11-12-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maneuen

Comcast - NW houston.

NBC 2.1 seems to be gone as well, and I never received fox or many of the other basic channels.

What channels are people still receiving. Basic analog cable and with no converter box?

I thought comcast (and all other cable companies) were supposed to pass the major network channels "in the clear" - why do we have so much trouble getting them?

thanks

Here in the Chicago market, Comcast is still passing all of the HD locals "in the clear". I think it is a misconception that the cable companies are required to pass the HD locals "in the clear". I believe the are only required to pass the SD locals.

DeadHead68

DoctorCAD · 11-12-2008, 10:31 AM

Here is a copy of Northland Cable's advertisment.

"Digital TV $39.99 for 3 months with Free HD
Experience the future today with our advanced fiber optic network. Get crystal clear TV channels, digital music and access to Pay-Per-View and premium movie channels.
Terms & Conditions

$39.99 promotional price based on discount from the standard price. Discount valid for 90 days. Standard rate applies after 90 days. Prices subject to change. Offer valid for new cable TV customers only. QAM tuner high definition TV set required to receive Free HD without equipment and activation fees. To receive Free HD without a QAM tuner high definition TV set, equipment and activation fees apply. HDTV set required to view HD channels in high definition. Franchise fees, taxes, equipment and installation not included. Cannot combine more than one discount in a service category. May not be available in all areas. Some restrictions may apply."

They say that there are 8 free HD channels, but I think the only "premium" is Versus. CBS, FOX, NBC, TNT, Versus, HGTV and Food and maybe ESPN (or ESPN2). We still do not have an ABC in HD!

bomaab · 12-03-2008, 08:31 PM

anyone know the latest line-up? its a mess.. they keepmoving em around

lcahmed · 12-04-2008, 07:17 PM

i have all the basic channels in hd on my sony bravia, fox is 89.3, cbs is 89.1, nbc 87.2, abc 86.3, cw 86.1? my 20 80.1? pbs 81.2? not to sure on the last 3 but, these channels are coming in and out....

07-29-2007, 05:44 PM	#1
Tex57 My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 8	QAM Tuner with Houston, TX Comcast I have heard rumors that Comcast Houston is now blocking non-scrambled HD programming that you could previously receive using a QAM tuner in HDTV's. Can anyone in the Houston area confirm this? Comcast recently took over from Time Warner.

01-05-2008, 03:52 PM	#4
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 595	Anyone Or Houston? I found a few digital, with hd channels, primarily the over the air stuff. The really fun basic channels are not there. Some local FM radio in digital.

09-19-2008, 04:40 PM	#7
huy30 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 272	My JVC one now only can pick up NBC HD (2.1) too. but my Toshiba one can still pick up FOX HD and CBS HD in some other channel number thou not 26.1 for FOX and 11.1 for CBS. For channel 2.1, sometime i get NBC HD and sometime i get WB HD __________________ ******************* JVC HD-61Z866 TOSHIBA 32AV500U Onkyo TX-SR602 Polk CSi5 (center)[/ Polk Monitor 50 (front) Polk RC80i (surround and rear surround) Polk PSW12 (sub) Toshiba HD-A1 Toshiba HD-A3 Harmony 880 *******************

11-11-2008, 09:34 PM	#11
maneuen What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1	can't find any HD channels anymore Comcast - NW houston. NBC 2.1 seems to be gone as well, and I never received fox or many of the other basic channels. What channels are people still receiving. Basic analog cable and with no converter box? I thought comcast (and all other cable companies) were supposed to pass the major network channels "in the clear" - why do we have so much trouble getting them? thanks

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07-30-2007, 01:34 PM	#2
bcheaney Ragarm4ever Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 16	Not as of last night. In fact I just bought a 37" Vizio for my mom and didn't use a cable box at all. She has never had digital service and gets all of the HD channels perfectly. The only issue of course is figuring out where the channels are and making your own channel guide.

01-05-2008, 12:38 AM	#3
pphloyd What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1	Can anyone confirm if they are receiving any HD channels - other than local broadcast ones - with their Comcast extended basic service? I mean, channels like ESPN HD, USA HD, NatGeoHD, etc - local broadcast channels are required to be unencrypted by the FCC anyway, I want to know if the HD versions of the other channels on extended basic are available. Thanks!

09-18-2008, 09:19 AM	#5
treycranson What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1	When I initially connected my TV about 8 months ago, there were plenty of HD offerings via QAM. I remember having all of the local channels as well as USA, TBS, ESPN, and Music in HD. It seems that every two months or so, they shuffle things around and the channels shift, but they also seem to be pulling the HD channels from the lineup. In fact, of the previous offerings, the only HD channel I'm getting now is the local NBC (2.1).

10-15-2008, 10:35 PM	#8
fostwal What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2	I just hooked up a Samsung LN46A650 tv. I did the auto programming and it found all of the std digital channels <100 and it that has the local HD stations. Then there are the random channels like 74-105. It looks like they're the same signal as the 1-100 channels except they are in random order. Is there a listing of what these upper channels are? Also, none of the channels other than the local HD channels have any show descriptions or station labels. Is there a way to update these. I selected STD as the cable broadcast format during the auto programming. I wasn't able to find out if Comcast uses STD, HRC, or IRC. Does this make a difference?

10-16-2008, 04:55 PM	#9
warbird A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 11	Sometimes it does. In my neck of the woods, Comcast uses both STD and HRC. That means if you do a typical QAM STD scan you will find most of the available unencrypted channels, but not all. For example, WNBC-HD was moved a few weeks ago to 32.3 on QAM HRC. You can use this list to find some of the unencrypted QAM channels near your zip code.

10-23-2008, 09:53 AM	#10
fostwal What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2	Thanks for the info. I'll have to check it out tonight.

11-12-2008, 10:31 AM	#13
DoctorCAD Direct TV Fresh Meat Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 805	Here is a copy of Northland Cable's advertisment. "Digital TV $39.99 for 3 months with Free HD Experience the future today with our advanced fiber optic network. Get crystal clear TV channels, digital music and access to Pay-Per-View and premium movie channels. Terms & Conditions $39.99 promotional price based on discount from the standard price. Discount valid for 90 days. Standard rate applies after 90 days. Prices subject to change. Offer valid for new cable TV customers only. QAM tuner high definition TV set required to receive Free HD without equipment and activation fees. To receive Free HD without a QAM tuner high definition TV set, equipment and activation fees apply. HDTV set required to view HD channels in high definition. Franchise fees, taxes, equipment and installation not included. Cannot combine more than one discount in a service category. May not be available in all areas. Some restrictions may apply." They say that there are 8 free HD channels, but I think the only "premium" is Versus. CBS, FOX, NBC, TNT, Versus, HGTV and Food and maybe ESPN (or ESPN2). We still do not have an ABC in HD!

12-03-2008, 08:31 PM	#14
bomaab What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1	anyone know the latest line-up? its a mess.. they keepmoving em around

12-04-2008, 07:17 PM	#15
lcahmed What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	i have all the basic channels in hd on my sony bravia, fox is 89.3, cbs is 89.1, nbc 87.2, abc 86.3, cw 86.1? my 20 80.1? pbs 81.2? not to sure on the last 3 but, these channels are coming in and out....