Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Comcast HDTV

0 views
Skip to first unread message

L Alpert

unread,
Jun 7, 2003, 7:41:39 PM6/7/03
to
OK, I just got my Comcast HDTV (SF East Bay area) and here is my initial
impression...

I had to show the installer how to set it up, as it was only his second
installation. I had my receiver inputs all set up for him (digital
input),the TV inputs programmed, and my Harmony remote reprogrammed for it,
as I changed around the receiver inputs to work around the mix of analog
(VCR and OTA) and digital (DVD, and Cable) inputs.

5 channels so far. Local NBC, PBS (KQED), NBC. If the original signal on
these is broadcast OTA in digital format, but not HD, they come through as
digital in 4:3 format 1080i (upconverted by Comcast??), and my Mits 55511
cannot "stretch" it as it is a digital signal.
KQED broadcasts in HD 24 hours a day, and that was a proper 1080i 16:9. I
am assuming the other broadcast stations will also be 16:9. All of these
signals I can also get on my OTA Channel Master, and I was able to
corroborate the digital 4:3 signals.

The HD Showtime and HBO stations are awesome initially. 1080i, looks great
(actually stunning). There are some problems occasionally with artifacts
and a blip in the sound. The DD 5.1 sound works well, good channel
separation and all.
The artifacts can be annoying at times, and appear at random, though more so
when a camera angle changes (could it be the compression works best during
static scenes....??).

The Harmony remote works flawlessly, easily switching my devices on and off
and switching TV and receiver inputs depending on what I want, which is a
big plus (1 remote for everything). It took all of 15 minutes to reprogram
all of the inputs and the new device (cable box).

L Alpert

unread,
Jun 7, 2003, 7:46:51 PM6/7/03
to

"L Alpert" <alpertl@xx_attbi.com> wrote in message
news:TKuEa.874601$OV.818138@rwcrnsc54...

> OK, I just got my Comcast HDTV (SF East Bay area) and here is my initial
> impression...
>
> I had to show the installer how to set it up, as it was only his second
> installation. I had my receiver inputs all set up for him (digital
> input),the TV inputs programmed, and my Harmony remote reprogrammed for
it,
> as I changed around the receiver inputs to work around the mix of analog
> (VCR and OTA) and digital (DVD, and Cable) inputs.
>
> 5 channels so far. Local NBC, PBS (KQED), NBC. If the original signal on
> these is broadcast OTA in digital format, but not HD, they come through as
> digital in 4:3 format 1080i (upconverted by Comcast??), and my Mits 55511
> cannot "stretch" it as it is a digital signal.
> KQED broadcasts in HD 24 hours a day, and that was a proper 1080i 16:9. I
> am assuming the other broadcast stations will also be 16:9. All of these
> signals I can also get on my OTA Channel Master, and I was able to
> corroborate the digital 4:3 signals.

Oops, what I meant here is that the other broadcast stations will be 16:9 HD
when it is offered during prime time.....

Randy

unread,
Jun 8, 2003, 1:19:50 PM6/8/03
to
On Sat, 07 Jun 2003 23:41:39 GMT, "L Alpert" <alpertl@xx_attbi.com>
wrote:

>OK, I just got my Comcast HDTV (SF East Bay area) and here is my initial
>impression...
>
>I had to show the installer how to set it up, as it was only his second
>installation.

The guys that did my installation seemed to know what they were doing.


>5 channels so far. Local NBC, PBS (KQED), NBC. If the original signal on
>these is broadcast OTA in digital format, but not HD, they come through as
>digital in 4:3 format 1080i (upconverted by Comcast??), and my Mits 55511
>cannot "stretch" it as it is a digital signal.

Right, only some shows are broadcast in 1080i, others are in 720p, or
480i, but when they are broadcast in 1080i lookout because it is
beautiful. I really am anxious for them to make a deal, so we can get
CBS too. It would be nice if we could receive HDnet also.


>KQED broadcasts in HD 24 hours a day, and that was a proper 1080i 16:9.

Too bad most of the programming is repeated over and over. The flowers
are amazing, but you can only take so much!


L Alpert

unread,
Jun 8, 2003, 2:00:12 PM6/8/03
to

"Randy" <Randy@?.com> wrote in message
news:6or6evsnbk497l4lk...@4ax.com...

> On Sat, 07 Jun 2003 23:41:39 GMT, "L Alpert" <alpertl@xx_attbi.com>
> wrote:
>
> >OK, I just got my Comcast HDTV (SF East Bay area) and here is my initial
> >impression...
> >
> >I had to show the installer how to set it up, as it was only his second
> >installation.
>
> The guys that did my installation seemed to know what they were doing.

The one that came out to me was OK, though he didn't understand what I
wanted right off. He didn't come in with the component and optical cables,
which would defeat the purpose of hooking up the DCT5100 for HD.
I also had my receiver IO programmed for how I wanted it to work.

>
>
> >5 channels so far. Local NBC, PBS (KQED), NBC. If the original signal
on
> >these is broadcast OTA in digital format, but not HD, they come through
as
> >digital in 4:3 format 1080i (upconverted by Comcast??), and my Mits 55511
> >cannot "stretch" it as it is a digital signal.
>
> Right, only some shows are broadcast in 1080i, others are in 720p, or
> 480i, but when they are broadcast in 1080i lookout because it is
> beautiful. I really am anxious for them to make a deal, so we can get
> CBS too. It would be nice if we could receive HDnet also.

I have to admit, the HD signals are beautiful, though even the Showtime and
HBO HD aren't always in 16:9 format, depending on what they are actually
showing.

Also the "artifacts" and sporadic "jump" in the audio is probably due to
compression. It is somewhat bothersome, and I hope they will resolve these
issues soon.
In the meantime, I can still get CBS/NBC/ABC/PBS on my OTA antenna without
any artifacts, though not with DD 5.1. I guess you can't have it all.
:-(

The new T2 extreme DVD was great though!!!

>
>
> >KQED broadcasts in HD 24 hours a day, and that was a proper 1080i 16:9.
>
> Too bad most of the programming is repeated over and over. The flowers
> are amazing, but you can only take so much!

It's a good station for showing off HD!! Sometimes they have something
worth while to watch....

>
>


Phillip Jefferies

unread,
Jun 8, 2003, 3:28:06 PM6/8/03
to
I've had Comcast HD for a while now, here in Seattle.
They have had a lot of trouble getting local channels to allow them to carry
the HD signal... without having to pay extra and subsequently raising rates.
The HBO and Showtime look great, and we just got a DCT Message that said
beginning June 11, the Seattle Mariners games on FOX Sports Net will be
broadcast in HD on channel 100. I'm excited :)

"L Alpert" <alpertl@xx_attbi.com> wrote in message
news:TKuEa.874601$OV.818138@rwcrnsc54...

Cox News

unread,
Jun 8, 2003, 3:40:16 PM6/8/03
to
That's cool, I didn't know ANY Fox channel was going to broadcast HD. Are
you sure it didn't just say digital widescreen?

Cheers, Dave

"Phillip Jefferies" <p.jef...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:a7MEa.66789$d51.131246@sccrnsc01...

Phillip Jefferies

unread,
Jun 8, 2003, 6:11:30 PM6/8/03
to
According to their press release, "Fox Sports Net will televise the Seattle
Mariners games at 1,080i interface, which enhances the picture quality on
screen for viewers...."

Comcast, Fox Sports Net and the Seattle Mariners have reached an agreement
to present America's most watched team in Major League Baseball in
high-definition television (HDTV). The special HDTV game package debuts on
Wednesday, June 11 when the Mariners take on the Montreal Expos in
Inter-League play. Fox Sports Net Northwest is the first FSN owned and
operated regional sports network to carry MLB in high-definition television.
Games are available exclusively to Comcast subscribers in existing Comcast
HDTV areas in western Washington.

"Comcast is excited to work with Fox Sports and the Mariners to bring our
customers exclusive Mariners coverage in high- definition. For the first
time, Mariners fans can experience all of the sights, sounds and
unbelievable detail that only an HDTV signal can provide. This is about as
close as any fan can get to watching the game live," said Rick Germano,
Regional Senior Vice President for Comcast.

"We applaud both Fox Sports Net and Comcast for making this package of home
games available in high-definition quality to their subscribers in the
Northwest. From the HD telecasts we have seen, it is a very special way to
use the latest technology to allow viewers to enjoy Mariners baseball at
Safeco Field. We hope as many fans as possible are able to experience the HD
telecasts," said Randy Adamack, Vice President of Communications, Seattle
Mariners.

Mariners HDTV Schedule on Comcast Cable:

June 11: Expos at Mariners; 7:05 PM
July 27: Rangers at Mariners; 1:05 PM

June 12: Expos at Mariners; 7:05 PM
Aug. 2: White Sox at Mariners; 7:05 PM

June 13: Braves at Mariners; 7:05 PM
Aug. 3: White Sox at Mariners; 1:05 PM

June 28: Padres at Mariners; 7:05 PM
Aug. 15: Red Sox at Mariners; 7:05 PM

June 29: Padres at Mariners; 1:05 PM
Aug. 17: Red Sox at Mariners; 1:05 PM

July 9: Orioles at Mariners; 7:05 PM
Aug. 31: Orioles at Mariners; 1:05 PM

July 10: Orioles at Mariners; 7:05 PM
Sept.14: Angels at Mariners; 1:05 PM

July 11: Devil Rays at Mariners; 7:05 PM
Sept. 26: Athletics at Mariners; 7:05 PM

July 13: Devil Rays at Mariners; 1:05 PM
Sept. 28: Athletics at Mariners; 1:05 PM

July 24: Athletics at Mariners; 7:05 PM
Each game will be shown LIVE in HD on ch. # 100

"Cox News" <dde...@removethis.cox.net> wrote in message
news:njMEa.58737$hd6.49034@fed1read05...

Cox News

unread,
Jun 8, 2003, 6:35:45 PM6/8/03
to
Kewl. I wonder what that means for the regular Fox channel going HD. BTW.
Can I stop come for the Braves game on the 13th? :>)

Cheers, Dave

"Phillip Jefferies" <p.jef...@attbi.com> wrote in message

news:mwOEa.67604$d51.134871@sccrnsc01...

Phillip Jefferies

unread,
Jun 8, 2003, 7:21:18 PM6/8/03
to
Right on, head on up here :)
This surely means that FOX and Comcast will be working together to make this
happen in other markets too...???

"Cox News" <dde...@removethis.cox.net> wrote in message

news:nTOEa.59946$hd6.45127@fed1read05...

Cox News

unread,
Jun 8, 2003, 8:15:32 PM6/8/03
to
Sorry, gotta work and it's too far for an overnight drive. :>)

Anyway, competition and plain old customer complaints will force it to
happen in other areas as well. Eventually, all this concern about who
offers what will be behind us and we'll find something else to discuss.

Enjoy those ballgames!

Cheers, Dave

"Phillip Jefferies" <p.jef...@attbi.com> wrote in message

news:OxPEa.68492$d51.135825@sccrnsc01...

L Alpert

unread,
Jun 8, 2003, 9:34:43 PM6/8/03
to

"Phillip Jefferies" <p.jef...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:a7MEa.66789$d51.131246@sccrnsc01...

> I've had Comcast HD for a while now, here in Seattle.
> They have had a lot of trouble getting local channels to allow them to
carry
> the HD signal... without having to pay extra and subsequently raising
rates.
> The HBO and Showtime look great, and we just got a DCT Message that said
> beginning June 11, the Seattle Mariners games on FOX Sports Net will be
> broadcast in HD on channel 100. I'm excited :)

The local stations here in the bay area I get on my OTA, but of course, no
5.1 with that. I just hope they fix the issues with the artifacts soon.
I'll geve 'em about a week before I complain.....

I want HDESPN!!!!

Scott Moore

unread,
Jun 10, 2003, 12:45:38 AM6/10/03
to
Cox News wrote:
>
> Kewl. I wonder what that means for the regular Fox channel going HD. BTW.
> Can I stop come for the Braves game on the 13th? :>)
>

The Faux apologists first said that they were saving money by going to only
480p on digital equipment, and now claim that they want to go HDTV, but
it will take time, because of.. drumroll.. all the 480p equipment they bought.

Whatever. Fox has given up their *stupid* fight against HDTV. It is only a
matter of time now.

--
Warning: poster of this email may be under the influence of
sleep inducing documents !

Cox News

unread,
Jun 10, 2003, 12:57:42 AM6/10/03
to
Yeah, I kind of got that impression while reading some stuff (piggybacking
off the STARZ announcement) over in HDTVoice or one of the other forums.

Cheers, Dave

"Scott Moore" <scott....@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:3EE56270...@attbi.com...

0 new messages