losing .....
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anon @ 13th Apr 04:29PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
i would not complain over the losing of Analog channels, in fact losing them is actually a good thing, since you want more HD channels, i personally want all analog removed as fast as possible, in fact comcast should be fined 25 million a day for have analog in the first place, i want New hd right now!!!!!!!
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cypherstream @ 13th Apr 04:50PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
First of all, your loosing a PBS channel, which we already got 3 of them in analog, so once Ch 7 goes, you still have 2 others. The other channel is really poorly done, looks like it's playing tapes off of a 2 head VHS VCR. It's very low budget / low power station that I could care less about.
I would like to see Expanded Basic go away completely. While other systems simply install new fiber, upgrade amplifiers and all that works, Comcast doesn't want to spend the money or take the time to do that. The only other option is to make more efficient use of the bandwidth that we were given. So taking away analog is exactly what the doctor ordered! So lets do this!
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cypherstream @ 13th Apr 05:33PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Oh just for some information, there were some minor QAM changes today, perhaps to prepare for tomorrows changes.
Test ABC feeds on QAM 120 have been removed. I'm now not getting any signal on 120.
Test ABC feeds 119-3 and 119-4 were removed. 119-2 remains MLBHD and it is by itself. Hmm, will WLVTHD go on 119-1??? Maybe... maybe not.
MLB HD, MLB SD, and the 14 "GAME" channels on 118 have now all been encrypted.
However, the Comcast Network remains unencrypted 1080i on 105-1. The QAM tuner detects feeds on 105-2 through 105-12 as well (Talk about packed). I know the ESPN PPV are off air, the PID's are still there, but they are likely sending null packets with next to nothing in terms of bit cost for the QAM.
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anon @ 13th Apr 09:34PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I said feign outrage (fake outrage) over losing limited basic analog channels.My point was to see if I could get a free digital (not DTA) box or a discount.
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sansri88 @ 13th Apr 09:37PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Don't. Please don't.
If you and enough people feign outrage then they could renege on migrating those channels to digital. It's happened before.
--
Sriram Satish
Comcast of NJ II: 39 HD channels.
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pennstatejim @ 13th Apr 10:27PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Got a postcard from Comcast today detailing the Sports Package changes effective tomorrow and the new channel numbers...Just repeating the info we already know...
Still interested by what this all means...I would think it is definitely good news for the future...
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cypherstream @ 13th Apr 11:21PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Yeah I got that postcard today as well. Says something catchy like same lineup different seats.
I think it's great they are moving all the sports channels to the 700's. That can free up space so more HD channels can be next to each other.
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cypherstream @ 14th Apr 08:14AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
244 (WLVT-HD), 266 (Create), 267 (VeMe) - added to 771 MHz.
Guide data is non-existent and there's no channel name at this point, but the channels are working great.
QAM tuner picks them up as follows:
120-1 V-Me 480i
120-2 Create 480i
120-3 WLVT-HD 1080i
Analog channel 7 has been removed(no signal). I thought another channel was going to be removed today as well, but nothing else has changed.
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anon @ 14th Apr 08:48AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
WYBE analog 17 was to be removed but as of 8:15am it was still there,it's nice that my favorite setting for BTN and CBS College Sports moved with the new channels to the 700's.
Now how long for TV Planner to update to the new lineup?
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anon @ 14th Apr 12:55PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
it seems every cable system got there sports channels moved even reading except for us in the Pottsville, Pa. Then again it not a surprise that they screw us here every time Comcast Cable changes things for everyone else, hell were 750 MHz just like reading and they still treat us like crap, i at the point if comcast just wanted to save money, it would actually be better if comcast just pulled out of Schuylkill county period!!!!
they can not say it just simple bandwidth problems because the insiders told me we have less analog then reading has because we never had the minority channels to begin with like BET,Black channels and we do not have all those local channels either, plus they are or were testing out QAM 119 & 120 also!!! So there are No Excuses, comcast please grow some balls and get the job done!!!
I really need help from other people since i do complain to that Rick loser at the comcast web site, but the only thing they do is have one of his lazy ass ladies give a call on my cell phone and tell me that they pass up my recommendations up the food chain and they do this about 3 times a week, but nothing ever as happen after that, i wish rick would grow some balls too and just call me himself so that i can tell him how to fix the entire Central Pa area, so can everyone who reads this tell their friends and family and complain on my behalf, i need as many emails as possible!!!
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JeepMatt @ 14th Apr 03:50PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
John,
You should hope more that Service Electric would swoop South from Shamokin and take over the Pottsville system.
That way you'd have 15/2 internet, 50+ HD channels, along with Digital Phone, and the rest of the stuff..
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"
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cypherstream @ 14th Apr 05:28PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I don't think SECV is a publicly traded company. Cablevision is the same way and they are real innovative as well.
I guess when you have shareholders to please, you only worry about dollars, not technology and system performance.
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cypherstream @ 14th Apr 06:41PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I just got home and noticed that the Sports Channels were moved. I like that move because it makes much more sense to keep all the sports together, including the ESPN PPV's, MLB/NHL Season pass packages, etc... I noticed ESPN News is now in two spots, 102 and 719. One thing that doesn't make sense is ESPN News on 719 and ESPN Classic on 723, leaving a gap of Fox College Sports channels in between. I'd rather they'd organize it and put the ESPN channels right next to each other and leave a few numbers gap for future ESPN channels... ESPN-U maybe? I don't know what they are thinking...
I'm glad to see they put the PBS HD on 120, that keeps Ch 7 available for something in the future. I don't think they will try to push to Ch 121 however, because there are some intermittent pixilation (however it's not bad and the audio is perfect) on Ch 120. The SNR is a great 36 dB and my QAM tuner specifies an unscientific 8 out of 10 bars for the signal strength, so the intermittent long term error count issues may or may not be attributed to 256QAM at 771 MHz on 750 MHz line gear. Perhaps it's from the OTA receiver for WLVT, or something further down... One will not know unless someone speaks up here on the board. Perhaps Ch 121 could handle a less robust modulation scheme like 64QAM and they could put 8 SD on there (like the porno / ppv SD's). Just a thought, hope you are reading this Comcast...
Anyway, with Ch 120 only carrying 1 HD and 2 SD's, it's underutilized, as well as Ch 119 which is only carrying 1 HD. And with Ch 7 now available we could get 5 new HD's right off the bat, or 6 if they go 3:1 on Ch 119. I'm surprised they didn't add NHL Network HD and put it on Ch 119 along with MLB HD, since I believe Lancaster and/or Lebanon have it, and were all under the same Comcast corporate umbrella. Not that I would watch NHL Network HD, I just know they have the OK to carry it.
I am on the other hand I'm quite disappointed that WYBE 17 is STILL analog as of right now. It's running something called 'MIND' which when we have EAS we see this 'MIND' logo in the lower right corner briefly before and after the EAS alert message. So if it's tied into the EAS gear as a pilot channel or something, perhaps there were technical difficulties in moving it in one night?
This isn't the first time that happend. Were also not supposed to have Ch 21, which is local access on analog either. In Feb of 2008 IIRC, the ad in the Reading Eagle mentioned that Ch 21 would REQUIRE a digital converter. Well it does not. As far as I know no retraction was printed in the Eagle either. So poor communication yet again between marketing, the press and the customers. If WYBE is now not going digital, then they need to print a retraction, or at no cost broadcast a set top box message stating the fact... unless again it's just technical difficutlies.
Being it's so difficult to get Comcast to remove analog in the Reading / Pottsvile / Lebanon systems, I wouldn't hold my breath for this channel to go away any time soon. Other systems, such as in NJ also had a new local market PBS HD, along with it's sub channels added, that same PBS removed from analog, and another distant broadcaster slated for analog removal. But they suffered the same disastrous fate, as their additional analog had not moved.
Some other Comcast systems throughout the country also moved CN8 to digital. Why couldn't we be included in that migration? Why are we any different from another Comcast area that has successfully realized the poor bandwidth management from wasteful analog spending? It's the same network, owned by Comcast, and benefits the bandwidth starved systems by migration. Additionally I heard Cartoon Network moved to digital in yet another market today as well. Why again did we get left in the dust?
We are bandwidth starved. Yes we reclaimed some today, but it's not enough to keep up with the times, as well as DOCSIS 3.0. We'll see how long this snails pace continues. As long as Comcast will be traded on wall street, they will most likely put off upgrades and channel expansion plans to keep their capital spending low.
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anon @ 14th Apr 07:00PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
by my count, Lebanon has about 28 more HD channels than us. Why would Reading get NHLHD instead of the 27 others?
I just want History and AMC (and MSNBC come June)...is that too much to ask Comcast??
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anon @ 14th Apr 07:02PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I miscounted, its actually 34 more than us. Why is Reading Comcast's redheaded stepchild?
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cypherstream @ 14th Apr 07:07PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Make sure you check the Lebanon lineup, not the Hershey Lineup. Use 17042 in tvplanner.net. It's virtually the same, but they have Big10 HD.
Hershey has more HD because of 870+ MHz line gear. Lebanon/Pottsville/Reading/Lancaster have 750 MHz line gear.
I'll have new QAM scan results shortly. Looked like some music choice channels could of potentially be scrambled...
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anon @ 14th Apr 07:08PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I'm using the same zip on whereishd.com
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cypherstream @ 14th Apr 07:28PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Ok no loss of Music Choice clear QAM. For some reason my TV thought some were scrambled, but I was able to see them by manually going to the channel number and adding it. I just added them all back in and it works fine. I don't know what would of made my TV's QAM tuner think they were scrambled, when in reality they are not. That never happened before, wonder if the tuner is going bad?
I had to manually add the MC channels in italics listed on this bandwidth planning worksheet:
»home.comcast.net/~cypherx/qam.htm
Try the zip 17046. The first one covers part of the better run, more high end Hershey system.
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anon @ 14th Apr 07:53PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by cypherstream :
...This isn't the first time that happend. Were also not supposed to have Ch 21, which is local access on analog either. In Feb of 2008 IIRC, the ad in the Reading Eagle mentioned that Ch 21 would REQUIRE a digital converter....
I seem to remember that,I thought BCTV Ch 13 was to be part of that also but it never happened. All in all the recent changes are rather underwhelming,it's like Chinese water torture.Until they start rolling out DTA's here I don't expect any substantial changes.
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cypherstream @ 14th Apr 08:03PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
BCTV went digital only on Service Electric Cablevision. That was in the Reading Eagle over a year ago. Maybe that's why that rings a bell?
Yeah, Chinese water torture indeed.
What good is a DTA going to do, when they are afraid of removing analog? Comcast has to get over it's fears of analog migrations first!
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anon @ 14th Apr 08:27PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
BCTV in digital on Service Electric is probably what I remember,as far a DTA's go I thought they were part of Comcast's master plan to move everything but Limited Basic to digital and make it easier by giving everyone 2 for free.
The hope being that when they begin mass distribution of them in an area a clock starts ticking for the BIG migration.
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anon @ 16th Apr 09:35AM:
Late to the party
(reply to roddy3530)
Ad in today's Reading Eagle.Comcast's right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing,we've had these channels for over a month.
Ad in today's Reading Eagle |
cypherstream @ 16th Apr 10:04AM:
Re: Late to the party
Ha, idiots.
Now it would of been nice if on or about May 11th we would get some NEW HD channels...
Specifically Animal Planet, History, Bravo, CNN, AMC
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ComcastTech @ 16th Apr 11:26AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
waaahhh
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anon @ 16th Apr 11:59AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Hey ComcastTech, any new info about HD? :)
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anon @ 16th Apr 12:40PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
ComcastTech, any reason for the delay in moving WYBE (analog 17) to digital or are we still in the "on or about" window?
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ComcastTech @ 17th Apr 04:46PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
well shooting for 100+ hd channels 1st quarter of 2010. as for moving more analog to digital, we hit snags but it will be done soon enough. come the summer you should see more changes. i know you guys are constantly talking about this moving to this and qam changes, but you just need to ride it out. its gonna be like this for a while till june, then it will be more crazy and then we'll continue preparing for more hd and docsis 3. right now its gonna stay a slow moving process.
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anon @ 17th Apr 05:00PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
So until June Comcast is going to let 5-6 HD channels' worth of bandwidth sit unused? Un-fricken-believable. I bet we get hit with another price hike to subsidize your wasted bandwidth. If you want to get to 100+ (I'll believe that when I see it), adding 5-6 is a good start, no?
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cypherstream @ 17th Apr 05:28PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I'm wondering if the snags are technical or political.
I'm leaning towards political snags, like back and forth bickering between the channel moving to digital and Comcast, or even the franchise authorities stirring up problems.
Technical, although there's hurdles with older delivery equipment, can easily be resolved by migrating the bandwidth, installing more QAM's, balancing and maintaining the levels and quality, etc... Pulling the plug on an analog modulator doesn't cost anything (heck maybe they can auction that equipment off), but putting in a QAM does cost $. But again I think it's more political issues at play here.
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ComcastTech @ 17th Apr 08:04PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
its not technical or franchises. its marketing.
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anon @ 17th Apr 10:47PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by ComcastTech :
its not technical or franchises. its marketing.
You sure about that? I would think the marketting people would almost be in the center of the various groups when it came to channel adds since they are the ones who have to deal with the government affairs people (franchise), the engineering people (the technical groups), and the legal groups/ content providers/ corporate groups (permissions, contracts, "branding" etc).
They are also the ones who maintain the public face (PR), so they have to keep in mind things like box supply to avoid the PR nightmare Central PA had the last time they pulls analogs in the region and ended up with HUGE box shortages.
ComcastTech, even if marketting is the group you are hearing say no to the launching new channels earlier, are you sure it's just not because they are the group coordinating all the different factors and groups that need to be considered when making changes to a system?
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ComcastTech @ 18th Apr 09:31AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Yeah. I'm sure.
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Chad473 @ 20th Apr 09:33AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Delays? Never saw that coming.
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ComcastTech @ 21st Apr 10:17PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
new dvr's will be released into the market in a few weeks when they get the ok
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anon @ 22nd Apr 02:39PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
we were supposed to get HDNet on ch 230 here in schuylkill county today, where is it?
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LeftyJR @ 22nd Apr 03:12PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
It was supposed to be on here on Ch. 516, too. I guess it didn't make it today. Hopefully tomorrow!
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cypherstream @ 22nd Apr 03:17PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Hmm, I wonder if Reading will get it. There's physically room for it.... MLBHD sits by itself on ch 119, and there's only 1 HD on the WLVT with 2 SD Subchannels on ch 120. Plus then there's Ch 7 which has no signal currently (They could put 3 HD's on there).
Would be nice if we got it sooner than later.
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anon @ 22nd Apr 04:05PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Even if they add HDNet it's too little too late,I have a DIRECTV install scheduled for tomorrow.Finally got the wife to sign off on it after visiting her sister over the weekend who has DIRECTV and showing the wife the picture quality and most importantly the bill.Getting the Premier package,2 HD DVR's and 2 standard receiver's for less than we pay Comcast now.
I'm keeping HSI and limited Basic only because it's less for both than HSI alone.I'm actually looking forward to returning Comcast's equipment to the bunker on Riverfront.
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cypherstream @ 22nd Apr 06:05PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Awe man, sad to see you go! But your better off!
I have the go ahead from the wife for DirecTV, but the landlord next door has a HUGE tree that's in the way of the southern sky. Even if that big tree was cut down, there's some others that might put us at a fringe reception where the dish would be more sensitive to weather conditions.
Otherwise I would have DirecTV already. Don't get me wrong, Comcast would still provide me phone and internet service. Verizon makes me laugh with those fliers I get every other week. "DSL at 1Mbps!" They make it sound so amazing. Haha, 1Mbps in your dreams Verizon! The fact they won't wire up our area with Fios means I WILL NOT have them for landline service either. I don't want to give them one cent, not even for wireless, until they wise up and bring in Fios, then they could have all my premium class business. Until then, their loss.
When you return the equipment make sure you tell them why your getting rid of it. Marketing apparently doesn't think HDTV is a seller, well if more people prove them wrong, then maybe Comcast will get a better marketing department.
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anon @ 23rd Apr 09:28AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
HDNET was slated for 4-22 where is it comcast?
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gebe @ 27th Apr 09:07AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
We got a public notice that HDNET will be added on 4/22, does anybody have an idea what the hold up is?
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anon @ 27th Apr 11:34AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Would have been nice if they put information in this about new channels or system upgrades instead of the usual crap.
Dream big my a**.
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anon @ 27th Apr 11:57AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by gebe :
We got a public notice that HDNET will be added on 4/22, does anybody have an idea what the hold up is?
Did the other changes happen,the analog migrations,adding Fit TV and WSWB-HD?
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motorola870 @ 28th Apr 03:43PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
looks like reading has THIS TV on 115.3 741MHz according to silicondust zip code 19526.
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ComcastTech @ 28th Apr 05:47PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
gotta use zips 19608,19610,19606,19601,19602,19604,19607,19540,19609,19611, and so on
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motorola870 @ 28th Apr 08:01PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
19608 has it too.
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cypherstream @ 28th Apr 08:29PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I don't see "This TV" in the guide, but Live Well on Ch 245 is there. It's just a black screen though. It shows the video of the last channel tuned for about 10 seconds, then the screen goes black. No messages of any kind.
On 113-3 theres audio for Live Well HD on the QAM tuner, but it's a dolby digital audio stream only. As indicated by the samsung animated "speaker icon" in the center of the screen.
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motorola870 @ 28th Apr 08:33PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
only on qam.
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anon @ 1st May 04:19PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Minor channel change,channel 52 in Reading is now full time ShopNBC not EWTN/ShopNBC split.Need to get my Grandmother set up with a box tomorrow so she can get EWTN back.
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cypherstream @ 1st May 07:35PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
That's stupid, we already have Shop NBC on 283. They should of removed Ch 52 completely for bandwidth.
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ComcastTech @ 1st May 10:50PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
i agree
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anon @ 1st May 10:55PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Is NFL network gone yet? I don't subscribe to it. Its low-brow, lowest-common-denominator BS that is a waste of precious bandwidth.
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motorola870 @ 2nd May 01:53PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
my twc area just reorganized a lot of channels
we now have:
8 CH on 621MHz (was 12)
12 CH on 789MHz (was 11)
13 CH on 795MHz (was 9)
now we have room for your areas 8SD 1HD qam policy I hope they do this.
we are getting Smithsonian HD
they might drop HDNET/HDNETMOVIES (negotiations under way) they are scrambling to find room for them.
they are becoming bandwith conservative
they even dropped tv guide network completely eventhough it was was already digital.
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gebe @ 5th May 01:24AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Does anybody know what the deal is with hdnet? may several calls to comcast, they say its there but i dont see it!
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ComcastTech @ 5th May 10:41PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
i dont even have the answer to that. all in time.
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gebe @ 9th May 07:14PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
i think when they put they are adding hdnet on channel 230 in their public notice,they made an error. i don't think comcast had any intention of adding this channel . i couldn't get anywhere with a csr. the one csr told me no one in my area expressed interest in this channel.
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anon @ 23rd May 04:46PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Any news when Big Ten Network in HD coming to the Reading area?
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anon @ 1st Jun 06:29AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Still no love for Reading,1 sd add and service level changes.
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Mgsports @ 1st Jun 01:06PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
But NFL Network HD is in 181.
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anon @ 1st Jun 01:13PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
181 is open in Reading.NFL HD is on 218.
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Mgsports @ 1st Jun 01:53PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Then what channel is FITV to be on in the Midwest on Comcast because my Comcast doesn't have it yet?
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anon @ 4th Jun 08:47AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Am I to understand that the Reading area will not get the Big Ten Network in HD, because of us being close to the Philly market? I hope someone out there can clear this up for me. :(
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cypherstream @ 4th Jun 02:18PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by roddy3530 :
Am I to understand that the Reading area will not get the Big Ten Network in HD, because of us being close to the Philly market? I hope someone out there can clear this up for me. :(
I don't see how that could possibly have anything to do with it. If we fell into the Philly Market (which I think we should but we don't), then we would be getting DTA's, because that market is doing heavy DTA distributions now.
If the Pottstown system extended as far as say, Wyomissing PA, and then the Lebanon system extended as far east as that Western Wyo Boarder, I think we on the Eastern side would be sitting pretty good. The Eastern "Freedom Region" is distributing DTA's, whereas the Central PA division is not. Since they don't want to throw new 1GHz line gear, or a PON system (I don't blame them), DTA's are the way to go. Without any kind of bandwidth reclamation, we won't ever have the room for all of the channels or DOCSIS 3.0 speeds we all want. Apparently some reclamation was planned, but then everything got put on hold thanks to Obama and his "bright" idea to delay the OTA digital transition. Yeah, I know the OTA digital transition has nothing to do with cable, but yet in some way it does.
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anon @ 4th Jun 03:35PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Is WYBE channel 17 finally going digital only "on or about" the 12'th after being delayed from April, freeing up bandwidth?
I wonder what the percentage of Digital customers is in Reading and on the Lebanon system in general? Does Comcast pick areas with a high digital penetration first to distribute DTA's to make the migration easier and faster?
At this point I'd be happy if they bumped Performance HSI to 12/2,just throw us a bone Comcast!
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cypherstream @ 4th Jun 04:15PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I dunno, I didn't see any public notices on it. I would tend not to believe that would happen until it's advertised.
If you do a search on PA Public Notices, there's only two items. They are for franchise hearings in Maidencreek township and Leesport.
If you Google search Comcast of New Mexico/Pennsylvania LLC. You can find some older documents from the City of Reading. In one, Comcast inaccurately paid franchise fee's to the city. In a hearing, they agreed to pay Reading $85,000 plus another installment of $80,000 in back franchise fee's from 8/1/1997 -12/31/2005. »www.readingpa.gov/documents/comc···ment.pdf
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Comcast Guy @ 4th Jun 07:28PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by roddy3530 :
Am I to understand that the Reading area will not get the Big Ten Network in HD, because of us being close to the Philly market? I hope someone out there can clear this up for me. :(
It's a bandwith issue more than anything. Once some is freed up, you should see more HD channels being added.
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rob316 @ 4th Jun 08:38PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
No offense Comcast Guy did you read what you posted from a script, sounds like the same ole Comcast verbage to me.
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cypherstream @ 4th Jun 09:16PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Script or no script, he's not kidding. I've done examinations of the current spectrum and there's not much room for anything, short of a bandwidth upgrade or analog reclamation.
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mikedz4 @ 5th Jun 12:36AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
i think comcast is better off going with sdv like time warner did or upgrading their systems to 1ghz.
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cypherstream @ 5th Jun 05:32PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Me too.
I drove through the city today. Down Chestnut St. I've noticed a few Comcast related items.
1. The city is a mess. Many rowhomes have coax cable all over the place. It's just a filthy dirty mess.
2. Looked like a General Instrument node or something near that school on Chestnut st. I think it's an elementary school. The only non SA gear I've ever seen in this system.
3. A lot more dishes than I thought. Even though there's a lot of row home and rentals, there's quite a few dishes installed. Some do look awkward, but that's the price people are paying to keep away from Comcast.
I wonder how the theft level is in the city? Sure there's locking caps on unused tap ports, but that doesn't stop someone from splitting into coax or something. There's lines run through alleys and tacked up across the fronts of row homes that are so blatantly obvious, I wonder how many people actually splice into them. I wonder how the CLI index is driving through some of those area's. Looks like a disaster area. It's a lot of low income homes though. Low income is probably why Comcast couldn't give 2 cents about upgrading us. So the people like myself who live in the nice suburb outskirts are suffering because of the terrible conditions in the city. At least they didn't sell our section off to Service Electric. While they are 860 MHz and have a lot more HD, they have a cheezy 50gb cap with ptd.net (prolog). At 10/1, you can easily hit that cap.
But I would have to imagine it would be in Comcast's best interest to do a heavy all digital push in the Reading area. Why? So all of those low income people can't get any useable signal from splicing into each others lines. It just looks all too easy to steal cable in the city.
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anon @ 9th Jun 05:58PM:
Sewage tunnel and Satellite dishes in Reading
In today's Reading Eagle
»readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=142301 (end of article)
"....Council also unanimously adopted an ordinance to require that all satellite dishes in historic districts be placed on roofs or in other hidden areas, if possible, rather than on the fronts of buildings.
Existing dishes must be moved within a year unless property owners get city permission to leave them where they are if no signal is available on the roof."
Reading City Council keeping the city beautiful.
I get the intent, but with all the other problems in the city it's kind of funny that they took the time to pass an ordinance for mounting satellite dishes.
reply
cypherstream @ 9th Jun 08:48PM:
Re: Sewage tunnel and Satellite dishes in Reading
Comcast might be lining someones pockets!
reply
anon @ 9th Jun 08:57PM:
Re: Sewage tunnel and Satellite dishes in Reading
said by cypherstream :
Comcast might be lining someones pockets!
Yep, damn good money too!!! CC bought me a Condo out of that deal.
reply
wanger @ 10th Jun 08:04AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
From what I have heard from a VP is that to reduce confusion between the DTV transition and bandwidth reclamation is that Comcast is having to wait about 90 days after June 12 to do anything major. I know many things were in the works, but Obama's wonderful idea for delaying the DTV transition only hurt the cable industry. Pretty sure Comcast is just chomping at the bit to get things rolling on reclaiming bandwidth.
As for downtown on Chestnut St, I have to agree it is a mess. Downtown in general is horrible mess of wires.
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cypherstream @ 10th Jun 08:41AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
That sucks. I was against the DTV delay from the get go. But still what confusion? Other markets are already proceeding, even our neighbors, the Pottstown / Montco systems are rolling out DTA's. At least saturate the market with them.
I can see theft being a problem in the city. Many exposed wires. Too easy to splice into, and how messy it is, tough to sometimes spot an illegal without tracing the line all the way back. Put 90% of the signals in a digital format, and watch theft decline as there's not much worth steeling on those lines anymore.
Marketing just doesn't want to be burdened with creating a campaign to educate customers about the differences between Comcast's digital transition and the Federal DTV transition. It could be done, it IS being done in other area's as close as PA, NJ and far west as California and Washington state. They could of easily rolled everything into the Federal DTV transition. It would be an easy scapegoat. Get analog laggards to not be able to point the finger at Comcast, but at the Government. Comcast had an easy out, but choose not to.
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wanger @ 10th Jun 09:05AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
You know that most average people out there really don't know the difference between DTV transition and Comcast reclaiming bandwidth. They think that it's all the same thing. Some people are thinking that they go out and buy a DTV converter box thinking that it will work with Comcast. People just don't understand and are too lazy to actually listen to the commercials or go the workshop explaining the DTV transition.
You are right, there needs to better marketing explaining what Comcast is doing by switching to all digital. Once everything goes all digital, theft will go down like you said. I am all to aware of the DTA saturation going on in Pottstown. I think part of that has to pertain to the FIOS presence there. Need to compete with the "Jones" to keep their customers happy.
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Chad473 @ 10th Jun 11:20AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I have to wonder what confusion will be alleviated by waiting 90 days. To me, it just seems like 90 more days to stock up on digital boxes, which they should have been doing for some time.
Oh well, we're planning on moving and jumping ship in about the same time frame, so I've stopped caring what Comcast plans to do around here.
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gebe @ 10th Jun 12:45PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I have trees in my line of sight if they weren't there I would have jumped ship by now. Comcast is lallygaggin to much in my area, all I hear is speculation, 2nd half of this year, available 3Q of another year went by and so on.
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cypherstream @ 10th Jun 05:05PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
A letter from Comcast sent to customers in Michigan. See the blub in the top right? Waiting to not transition to digital until 90 days after the OTA transition date is not required. I'd like to personally see that V.P. of operations or whoever he/she may be reply to that. This letter was from Comcast, which, the last time I looked was the same logo on my cable box, in the cable guide, on my channel lineup cards, bills, and the website I log on to every month to pay my bill. Comcast does not have 2 measly little engineers that have to take their time traveling to headend to headend to perform this. Each area has a team of guys who can do this, independent of another area. It's not like were waiting for or there's a shortage of staff members that could do the job right.
I don't recall there being FIOS in Michigan. Just a bunch of unemployed from the crumbling auto industry.
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anon @ 10th Jun 06:16PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I love how every Comcast correspondence begins with "Dear Valued Customer".I guess it will be awhile before Comcast is able to "...bring your community the World of more." to Reading.
As a side note,Comcast will begin test runs of OnDemand Online soon but no markets were identified.
»www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=299732
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wanger @ 10th Jun 10:16PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Every system is different. Don't know anything about Michigan. All I know is Mont Co area. So, what might be happening in one area won't happen in others. I think it really depends on the local systems infrastructure. Heck Phoenixville and some surrounding areas are D3 areas and other areas are following close behind. Where is Reading in the D3 timetable? Until I get a letter in my mailbox similar to the one from Michigan, then it will be a "wait and see" what happens. I don't think Reading will be D3 until after the new year, but one can only hope.
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cypherstream @ 10th Jun 10:30PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Your right, every system is different. Every headend has different employees, different policies, and different local regulations and hurdles to abide by.
It is a shame that every system is allowed to bear the Comcast name and logo even if it doesn't qualify as "Comcast quality". Some systems are run better than others, but your right, were in a wait and see mode.
I'll have no choice but to wait and see. Nothing against you at all, not like you can do anything really (or any other techs or maintenance guys, csr's, etc.. on here). The problems are from a much different level. I know they will eventually have to get better. It's difficult for many, including myself to pay the same amount (promo or not) for less services and options than other area's.
I'm hoping for the best. I want to see everyone happy. From employees, to customers, to even non-customers who are given many generous options from multiple service providers. I can't make any other choice at this point, so I'm in it for the ride for now.
Thanks for your participation, and I'm sure if you hear any good news, you'll post it here if you can. Being a bearer of good news can sure brighten up this thread!
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gebe @ 11th Jun 09:31PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I would like to hear some good news for a change, I am tired of waiting for Comcast to step up!
reply
Comcast Guy @ 12th Jun 08:45AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by rob316 :
No offense Comcast Guy did you read what you posted from a script, sounds like the same ole Comcast verbage to me.
No script. That's just the whole story right now.
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anon @ 12th Jun 02:39PM:
More confusion from Comcast
(reply to roddy3530)
Got my bill today (no channel change information on it!) and inside was an insert "Franchise Information". Took a quick look and came across the above,for about 30 seconds I thought holy crap is Comcast going to move broadcast channels to digital only.Then I realised they are the stations above channel 13, plus they don't list WLVT that is digital only or WYBE that was supposed to move to digital only.
I don't get why that was printed in the Insert.
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anon @ 12th Jun 02:46PM:
Re: More confusion from Comcast
said by Pullo :
Got my bill today (no channel change information on it!) and inside was an insert "Franchise Information". Took a quick look and came across the above,for about 30 seconds I thought holy crap is Comcast going to move broadcast channels to digital only.Then I realised they are the stations above channel 13, plus they don't list WLVT that is digital only or WYBE that was supposed to move to digital only.
I don't get why that was printed in the Insert.
what is there not to get? they are required to give 30 day notice to cistomers and will notify in variety of ways including bill inserts, newspaper, local ads, etc
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cypherstream @ 12th Jun 05:05PM:
Re: More confusion from Comcast
What date is that effective by?
9 Analogs migrating? Jackpot :)
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anon @ 12th Jun 05:28PM:
Re: More confusion from Comcast
well, with this information then in Reading/Hamburg the following should go blank in Analog!!!!
Here are the numbers in the Reading System
WPSG 57 on channel 25
WWSI on channel 15
WUVP on channel 16
WGTW on channel 18
WBPH on channel 19
ION Television i think that is WPPX in Reading on channel 20
WITF 33 on channel 23
WTVE 51 on channel 24
WMCN on channel 14
WLVT 39 on channel 07 (all-ready digital)
WYBE on channel 17 *(should be, but had problems) (may happen later) according to Pullo
so this means that by the end of July in numeral order 7,14,15,16,18,19,20,23,24, and 25 will be blank in Analog!!
This according to Cyberstream's chart
So if they then take down 17, then everything from 14 to 25 with the exception of 21 and 22, since there local stuff located there will be blank, but they probably just moved those 2 somewhere else then, so they will have multiple consecutive frequency freed up then!!
congratulation's for finally removing analog i salute you!!!!!
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anon @ 12th Jun 06:37PM:
10 year old insert?
(reply to roddy3530)
I may have jumped the gun,it's possible the insert is 10 or more years old.Went back and carefully read it and it and it has sentences like "new technical requirements adopted by the FCC as of July 1997" and "You may also purchase set-top converters at electronic stores or other retail outlets in you area" and I don't think they mean TiVo.
What threw me off was the mention of ION Television,I don't think PAX changed their name to ION until 2007 or 2008. How long has it been that cable ready Tv's have been out and you don't needed a converter to get channels above 13?
Anyway, keep a look out for the insert in Reading/Pottsville/Lebanon and actually read the thing,see what you think and try not to get too excited like I did.
Sorry all.
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motorola870 @ 12th Jun 06:42PM:
Re: 10 year old insert?
pullo if it mentions Cablecard it means the analog is being dropped.
plus in 1997 is when the FCC allowed you to get a settop box from a retail store. so it is mentioning the tivo and Moxi.
compatible converters mean DCT,DCH,DCX also they should be still available on qam.
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cypherstream @ 12th Jun 07:29PM:
Re: More confusion from Comcast
why would it matter about channels above 13? VHF/UHF TV's with the 13 channel limitation are obsolete as of today.
It's weird those are all on the "Basic" package. So are they going to give one free box even for the barebones "basic" subs?
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pennstatejim @ 13th Jun 02:02PM:
Re: More confusion from Comcast
Cypher,
It would certainly sound promising!! Did it give a date on the insert? I don't get the inserts because I get my bill online. They pretty much only send the regulatory information.
And someone else mentioned WPSG on Channel 25, but it's actually on 14.
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cypherstream @ 13th Jun 06:13PM:
Re: More confusion from Comcast
It was on Pullo's bill and I didn't get mine yet. If I get any information I'll post it.
Also with the digital transition, we are now getting PSIP data for some (not all) of the OTA digital channels.
I've updated my listing to show.
»home.comcast.net/~cypherx/qam.htm
Interestingly enough ABC HD, NBC HD and WLVT HD are still not passing PSIP data, even though I thought it was the law to do so. ABC in SD however does have PSIP VCT value of 6-5. Also NBC HD has a Universal Sports channel on 113-6 which Comcast forcefully encrypts (very odd). This channel is free to air with an antenna.
Missing are SD PSIP mapping for:
WGAL 8
WPMT 43
WITF 33
WYBE
PAX/ION whatever it's called now
WFMZ Weather (S/B 69-2)
Interestingly they added PSIP data to The Comcast Network, so it shows up on 1-12. Knowing they can add PSIP data to channels like that would be a great benifit to QAM tuner users. They could theoretically map every digital simulcast channel to the proper numbers, so people could get full expanded basic in digital quality. Would be nice, but I guess their focus is service with the box vs. the casual user with a digital TV tuner straight to the wall.
This is what we get as of today's scan in zipcode 19606:
PSIP Data Included
1-12 - The Comcast Network
3-1 - KYW-3 HD (CBS)
3-5 - KYW-3 SD (CBS)
6-5 - WPVI-6 SD (ABC)
10-5 - WCAU-10 SD (NBC)
12-3 - WHYY 12 HD (PBS)
12-4 - WHYY Arts
12-5 - WHYY Culture?
12-7 - WHYY 12 SD (PBS)
17-1 - WPHL 17 HD (My)
17-2 - WPHL 17.2 ThisTV
17-5 - WPHL 17 SD (My)
29-1 - WTXF 29 HD (FOX)
29-5 - WTXF 29 SD (FOX)
44-1 - WMCN 44 SD (IND)
48-1 - WGTW 48 SD (TBN)
51-1 - WTVE 51 SD (IND)
57-1 - WPSG 57 HD (CW)
57-5 - WPSG 57 SD (CW)
60-1 - WPBH 60 SD (IND)
62-1 - WWSI 62 SD (Telemundo)
65-1 - WUVP 65 SD (Univision)
69-1 - WFMZ 69 SD (IND)
No PSIP Data:
78-10 QVC
78-11 WFMZ Weather (s/b 69-2)
80-9 Hamburg Municipal Access (Not mapped to our boxes)
81-9 BCTV
81-10 Reading Municipal Access
81-12 Local Education Access
102-10 Telefura
103-7 NBA TV
104-7 In Demand Previews
105-11 VOD Barker
106-2 PCN
113-1 WPVI-6 HD (ABC)
113-2 WCAU-10 HD (NBC)
113-3 Live Well HD
113-4 WPVI-6 AccuWeather
113-5 WCAU NBC Weather
120-1 WLVT 39 VeMe
120-2 WLVT 39 Create
120-3 WLVT 39 HD
And of course all the Music Choice channels spread out across channel 90,91,92,93,94,100,104. They all start at subchannel 21 though.
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PGHammer @ 16th Jun 10:49AM:
Re: More confusion from Comcast
Universal Sports encrypted *anywhere* by Comcast? That strikes me as *real confusing*, especially since here in the DC burbs (Comcast of Prince George's County, MD), the channel has been in-the-clear since its launch (despite moving twice; it's now at 122.1805, after WUSA-DT's Doppler9000 loop channel at 122.1804).
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cypherstream @ 16th Jun 12:22PM:
Re: More confusion from Comcast
There's another system around here based on Motorola equipment and they also use 4 digit subchannels. Not sure why they overcomplicate or confuse things. One thing nice about our system is the sane use of subchannel numbering..
ie) video services end in -1 through -15 , audio services start at -21 and up.
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gebe @ 16th Jun 12:24PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
they are only removing 2 in the Pottsville area? WTF! By the way I took a copy of of the public announcment saying they will be adding HDNET on channel 230 on 4-22-09 to the local office and they seemed perplexed on why it wasn't added. I also notice they had the DCX line of boxes there, no DVRs though, just HD boxes.
reply
gebe @ 16th Jun 12:29PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
By the way I would like to thank the very tech sabby guys on this forum, if it wasn't for you and this kick-ass site, We would be clueless on what is going on with our service providers.
reply
anon @ 16th Jun 01:13PM:
Re: More confusion from Comcast
Got that insert in my bill today(I'm in Spring Twp)and it doesn't make any sense about needing a converter or CableCard for those broadcast channels.It's written like it's true now and it is not,there is no date on it.
Something has to give in Reading,we get FitTv on 181 at the end of the month.Beyond that I take it that there is no room for ESPNU in August let alone any of the missing HD's (sorry gebe).
Also Tv listings on Comcast.net has WYBE DT on 263 that's not there as part of that channels aborted analog migration.
»www.comcast.net/tv/tv-listings/#···71741967
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motorola870 @ 16th Jun 05:36PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by gebe :
they are only removing 2 in the Pottsville area? WTF! By the way I took a copy of of the public announcment saying they will be adding HDNET on channel 230 on 4-22-09 to the local office and they seemed perplexed on why it wasn't added. I also notice they had the DCX line of boxes there, no DVRs though, just HD boxes.
that is funny because my local time warner payment center has the DVR's with a 320GB hard drive in them the model is DCX3432.
I just picked up 2 today they just started to deploy them a week ago.
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cypherstream @ 16th Jun 09:33PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Well Time Warner is big on 320GB for their new DVR's (Both Moto and Samsung), plus whole home DVR will be pushed out soon. TWC also is big on SDV. The only thing they don't have going for them is not as heavy push for DOCSIS 3.0, and the negative press with their metered broadband trials (which luckily for you guys didn't come to fruit). Their Mystro software on the SA/OCAP platform is really getting better. Many new features are coming soon as well. I wish Comcast would dump Macrovision and write their own, much better guide system.
When I get my bill I'll analyze the insert and see what it says. I do remember seeing something like that before. Why would in 2009 it warn you about must carries over Ch 13, when they are in analog?
I sure hope they do move digital, but I'm not holding my breath. Comcast has a pretty slow reputation around here. No real competition to push them into high gear.
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motorola870 @ 16th Jun 09:38PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
just another update they even ordered them with 64MB flash and the standard for the DCX3400 is 32MB.
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cypherstream @ 16th Jun 09:40PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
That's because they are going to get creative with their ODN software. BTW it's off topic, but I'll let that one slide...
OK BACK to Comcast in Reading, PA (and surrounding central PA systems)....
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motorola870 @ 16th Jun 09:43PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
nope we are getting the i-guide multiroom DVR.
time warners ODN does not support multiroom. plus they decided to keep the motorola platform separate from ODN and MDN. after the deal with OpenTv fell through.
It has
firmware 22.31
TVguide 74.54-4003
_SEACVO 4.82
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cypherstream @ 22nd Jun 05:24PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
This is a really weirdly worded document. First off it says Important Notices - Franchise Information on the front. It was just issued, so you think it would be up to date.
In one instance, at the top, it lists those 9 must carry channels and states "Please be advised that the following broadcast channels can not be viewed without a compatible set-top converter or CableCard.
But then the language below throws terms around about VCR's and "Cable Ready" and non-cable ready (usually channels 2-13), etc.. It also throws dates like July 1997, and it just seems very outdated.
So what does this mean. Is there analog migration coming for those channels or not? If in the franchise agreements it specifically states (and I've shown a picture of it) that those channels can not be viewed without a compatible set-top converter or CableCard, then it sounds by the likes of it that yes, those channels are OK to migrate without any legal ramifications from the broadcaster or local franchise, as it is written in writing in this agreement.
If that is in fact the case, then what is the hold up in replacing those analog carriers with digital ones? If they did that, Comcast could load a bunch more services, both HD and DOCSIS 3.0 and keep the customers happy, and also keep their wallets happy, as analog reclaimation is much less expensive and time consuming then replacing 750 MHz system amplifiers with the 1 GHz variety.
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Pullo @ 22nd Jun 05:44PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
It's ALMOST a copy of this:
»www.comcast.com/MediaLibrary/1/1···Info.pdf
but with the paragraph about Broadcast Channels.
It's one of those documents that they mail out once a year and no one ever bothered to review or update it except for the list of Franchise authorities on the back.
Still something has to shake loose in Reading to make room for WFMZ HD and ION HD plus ESPNU and the HD's that Lebanon got.
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cypherstream @ 22nd Jun 08:47PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I wonder what the issue is. I don't care for ION HD or WFMZ HD, you'd be lucky to see 2% HD programming on both of those combined. But were still so far behind, and yet Lebanon got some treatment.
There's some Fios in Lebanon county, so that explains it. VZ cherry picks, so Comcast follows in their footsteps. Comcast should want to be one step ahead of the game, so if Verizon ever does come into our county, we would be well prepared for the competition.
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cypherstream @ 22nd Jun 10:39PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Oh why would they still refer to 2-13 channel TV's? Those are so outdated that you need a box even for OTA!
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scanpa @ 22nd Jun 11:33PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Thanks for posting that ancient canned letter. I was ROFLMFAO....
Whats a VCR? the day the FCC put an end to those and tube tv's, I rented a 20 ton dumpster and chucked over 5,480+ video vhs tapes and all 4 of my HI-Fi stereo SHQ 19 micron 4 heads VCR's.
Have yet to miss them yet. I sure don't miss those heavy ass tube tv's that only did SD and ED via component.
:)
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cypherstream @ 23rd Jun 05:24PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Well they finally fixed PSIP on WCAU HD and WPVI HD after breaking it early in 2008.
So now when I enter 113, my TV auto tunes (and added) 6-1.
VC PSIP Name
6-1 WPVI-HD
6-2 WPVI-SD (But it's actually Live Well HD)
6-3 WPVI-WE (6abc Weather Now)
6-5 WPVI-6 (SD Version of Channel 6 ABC)
10-1 WCAU-DT (NBC 10 in HD - Show Info included)
10-3 WCAU-WE (NBC Weather Plus)
10-4 USports (Scrambled Channel)
10-5 WCAU-10 (SD Version of Channel 10 NBC)
Also WLVT-39 on Channel 120 now has mapping:
39-1 WLVT-DT (1080i)
39-3 V-Me
39-4 Create
What's missing is the -5 for the SD version, so it's not compliant like the others.
Also there's no way to tune WGAL 8. There's no 8-5 and the QAM that it's on (76) is now gone from my TV's channel list, because the first channel on that QAM has a PSIP mapping that takes it elsewhere. WFMZ-Weather is also not properly mapped to a subchannel on 69. There's no mapping for ion either. I'm sure ion would love to know their FTA signal is encrypted. They still have a little work to do.
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anon @ 23rd Jun 07:47PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Hey Cypherstream, does this mean good news for future HD channels?
reply
anon @ 23rd Jun 07:49PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Hey Cypherstream, does this mean some good news for future HD channels?
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Pullo @ 29th Jun 06:05AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
FitTV due to go up on 181 tomorrow.Comcast needs to give notice this week if they are making any analog moves to make room for stuff at the end of July beginning of August.It would be nice to get BigTen HD in time for football season not to mention all the other HD's we're missing.
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Pullo @ 1st Jul 03:37PM:
Not the notice hoped for
(reply to roddy3530)
Today's Reading Eagle,no ESPNU or HD's.
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LeftyJR @ 1st Jul 04:09PM:
Re: Not the notice hoped for
Do you guys have a lot of channels in the 700s?
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cypherstream @ 1st Jul 06:40PM:
Re: Not the notice hoped for
Ok FitTV was added today to 711 MHz, so that frequency now has 10 SD services on it, up from the 9 it had previously.
Thanks for posting the notice Pullo (Which is Spanish for chicken, right?)
I am quite dissapointed in that announcement. It's all stuff I already have, and the way it's worded makes it sound like its "BRAND NEW!".
LeftyJR, the stuff in the 700's are all SD sports related, from ESPN PPV, the Team channels, the Game channels (MLB Extra Innings), and it dips slightly into the 800's with the Big10 alternate feeds from 801 to 804.
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LeftyJR @ 1st Jul 09:31PM:
Re: Not the notice hoped for
OK, its the same as here...thanks.
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JeepMatt @ 3rd Jul 07:13AM:
Re: Not the notice hoped for
said by cypherstream :
Thanks for posting the notice Pullo (Which is Spanish for chicken, right?)
That would be pollo. :p (pronounced poy-yo)
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"
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Pullo @ 3rd Jul 07:47AM:
Screen name not from this
It would be nice to get more HD's and one of these in Reading and the way things are going the chances seem better for the El Pollo Loco.
The screen name is a tribute to legionary Titus Pullo from HBO's Rome.
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anon @ 4th Jul 08:44PM:
Re: Not the notice hoped for
well, it looks like Comcast is starting to different the cable systems an little more, as i notice from somewhere else that the Hamburg/Reading was getting more separated from Lebanon, however we are still linked to Reading, but as announcements are listed here in the Pottsville paper they list the Lykens changes with the Pottsville ones!! now we in Pottsville got a notice now!!
Everything else is the same with a few different details!!!
we do not get Espn classic, so no loss or gain there!
Big Ten Network stays, but become digital exclusive
We finally get half of what i wanted, No CNN or that other channel i forgot but will get History HD on 217 and Animal Planet on 230!! so HD Net is not coming since that was to on 230 back in April (That for that Minersville guy)
guess What the Surprising part at the Bottom of the Ad under the part that's in the Reading Ad, comcast actually admits (for the first time in Pottsville) that you can watch the 2 new HD channels with an Integrated HD QAM tuner, i guess it was time to admit the truth since i been telling even their installers about this for 3 years!!
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Pullo @ 13th Jul 01:16PM:
More disappointment
(reply to roddy3530)
Got the August bill today,no mention of any service changes,no channel additions,no migrations,no notice of ESPN360 or ESPNU,no nothing!
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ComcastTech @ 13th Jul 03:04PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Haha hawking over HD still i see. I've known about the channel changes for 2 months at least. Those of you who didn't get anything in the mail for the Reading system, YEEESSSSS your going to see a change. The July/August lineup change is just the start. No, you won't see a 750mhz equip. swap yet. No, no Docsis 3.0 till 1st quarter next year. Yes, to more HD this year and next. This can't happen overnight people. It's up to the Marketing Dept. not us technicians and supervisors.
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cypherstream @ 13th Jul 03:46PM:
Re: Not the notice hoped for
Where did you hear about History and Animal Planet? PA Public Notices finds nothing with keyword "Comcast" from the Reading Eagle...
»pa.mypublicnotices.com/PublicNotice.asp
We may be 750 MHz, but at least they figured out how to squeeze 771 MHz out of it. There for awhile they didn't utilize that small headroom that many other systems were successfully doing. It's a small start. Could be worse and be on Jerrold 550 line gear.
Marketing really needs to wake up. Techs and headend people are apparently more than happy to provide better service with more speeds, hd channels, and all that. Marketing seems to be the nail in the coffin to Comcast Central PA. Hopefully those guys get replaced with some more motivated individuals. In this job economy, it's surprising seeing them not doing anything, when at an instant they should be collecting unemployment until that runs out.
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ComcastTech @ 13th Jul 04:24PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
yea well.
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Pullo @ 13th Jul 04:42PM:
johnjefferson3
You got a notice that Pottsville is getting History HD and Animal Planet HD?
First Lebanon and now Pottsville get HD's and Reading gets nothing,my promo expires at the end of August and I've just about had it with Comcast, DIRECTV here I come!
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rob316 @ 13th Jul 05:07PM:
Re: johnjefferson3
Pullo, I don't blame you switching to Direct TV I did a year ago. I was in the same boat as you, Comcast promising this and that but in the end NOTHING. Switch you will not regret it.
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anon @ 13th Jul 05:24PM:
The Notice was in the Paper
the Notice was printed on Page 5 of The Pottsville Republican on Wednesday July 1, 2009, i noticed it because it was the Day the Price of the paper when up to a $1.00, i did not have a subscription at my apartment, but they gave a paper to everybody, that at a slip of paper with it that you can get an subscription for just $1.99 a week but you had to do it before midnight, i was going to take that deal but did not have enough credit at the time so i was shut out!!
Now i don't know how a channel can skip by reading/reading, and go to pottsville, unless like a water pipe you can change flow directions from another water source, but stating 2 months ago, that now list Lykens changes in the Pottsville paper too!!
i never knew of lykens before, i knew there was Harrisburg and seligrove because they got lots of HD in the last few months, plus they are 860 MHZ systems i think, so i went to Wikipedia and it's first lines said it was "Lykens is a borough in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Pottsville." that was a shock to me!!
but it says that the Following Channels will be added to the Expanded Basic Service and Economy Service channels Lineups: Pottsville only
History channel HD on channel 217
Animal Planet HD on Channel 230
also
The Big Ten Network will Remain on Expanded Basic Service channel 37 and will require digital equipment to be viewed
(which means another channel migration, which is Good!)
Now the Lykens area gets The Comcast Network moved to channel 16 and will require digital equipment to be viewed!
the Following Channels will be added to the Economy Service in Lykens: TWC HD on Channel 237 and Comedy HD on Channel 518
those 2 channels also get added to the Expanded Basic Service with 3 more channels of VH1 HD at channel 520, MTV HD at Channel 519, and CMT HD at 521. This whole Ad take up a whole 1/4 of a whole page, it definably the biggest ad i ever saw in a least 5 years, but then again it's for 2 areas which was never done before here, how ever i have been complaining to that Rick guy week after week over and over again, and still he has no guts to contact me. and yes i still going to bitch at him some more!!!
i know that Pine grove area gets there signals from pottsville if Lykens is even closer to pine grove, then in my theory, i want or would take the lykens signal to pinegrove instead, and then have those signals get pushed up to pottsville, and get all those HD feeds!!
We in pottsville are all fed up, we are totally sick of waiting, we just want HD now!!, we could not care less how it get here, this may piss the reading people off, but if it means to get HD faster, i gladly warm up(suck up) to lykens officials!!
p.s I also notice that both internet and phone services were down this morning from 12:08 A.M. to 12:43 A.M. but the Tv service stay up, i saw this because i was watching ice road truckers at my moms place and all the bottom green light went out, with the top green ones on, if anyone else notice any changes let us know!!!
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anon @ 13th Jul 05:24PM:
Re: More disappointment
Go to the ESPN360 website on there is a welcome for Comcast subscribers and the date for activation.
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gebe @ 13th Jul 06:05PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
i also noticed that the intenet was down, i am with you johnjefferson i am tired of waiting for comcast to step it up in our area...everything with comcast is on the horizon. this is getting old!
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cypherstream @ 13th Jul 06:39PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
It doesn't make sense for Reading not to get History and Animal Planet. They are all carried with Discovery HD Theater on a CMC National 3:1 HD Package via Fiber and also the Hits Quantum Sat feeds. Either way Lebanon get's this feed (and we know they DO have the feed because of Harrisburg, Lykens, Hershey...), they should be able to do a 1:1 push of this pre-packaged 38.8 mbps 3:1 HD multicast stream over to an edgeqam destined for Reading.
What ever happened to that new software licensing for the encoders that allowed up to 15:1 SD compression with no discernible quality loss? They could free up 4 or more 6 MHz slots by just doing that on all of their SD feeds. There are software updates to the encoders by Imagine Communications, Motorola and Cisco that they could download and activate to better equip the limited bandwidth crisis were currently in. God knows they don't want to ditch the analog.
Hey what ever happened to PCN and CN8 moving to digital in Reading? Was PCN put on hold due to some franchise or contract? CN8 however is OWNED by Comcast, and Comcast themselves are moving it to digital in most area's, so why not ours? What about the bandwidth that is available on Ch 7, since WLVT 39 migrated?
There are technical obstacles, yes, but for every one of these there's a valid solution to it. Perhaps there is no Marketing department left at Comcast for the Reading area? Maybe they all got laid off, so no one's steering the ship. Thus no new additions, no notices in the bill, no good customer communication, etc... Doesn't appear like anyones working in our local area in that department one bit. Comcast makes it sound like they have a few guys, 4 or 5 maybe, that travel across the entire U.S. and upgrade systems one at a time. With as big of an area they cover, they should easily be able to divide local comtec 5's and even a few outsourced (Cisco, Motorola) guys to come in and help right this ship. F* marketing, they don't do jack anyway. Whoever is above marketing needs to step in and show marketing the way to the unemployment line.
If there's a reasonable marketing explanation, I would applud an official Comcast Central PA representative to come into this thread and explain the situation. Otherwise their too chicken to admit that their team is driving Comcast's video reputation into the ground.
Maybe in a few months or a year I'll be looking at houses. Originally I would of loved it to be in a Comcast area. Now I'm starting to prefer it NOT to be in a Comcast area. I'll take Service Electric Cable or Dish Network any day. My Dad gets 15mbps down / 2mbps up with SECV, and has about 58 HD channels and a triple play package. How's that for David beating Goliath?
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Pullo @ 14th Jul 06:50AM:
Wire mess in Reading
Better quality picture by using article link.
Article in today's Reading Eagle:
»readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=148016
The view out Charles H. Reed's back window has kept him on edge for over a month.In the back corner of the yard, between two adjacent properties he owns in the 100 block of Orange Street, is a brand new Verizon utility pole.But that's not what has him worried.Reed is concerned about the Verizon pole right next to it. That pole is broken off about 2 feet from the top, and the splintered piece is dangling in a complex web of wires.Reed said a falling tree broke the pole during a storm on June 2.Although he was concerned, he didn't realize how big a problem he had on his hands until he tried to get the pole fixed or repaired.After he placed several phone calls to Verizon and waited about three weeks, a crew installed the new pole on June 22, he said.But they never relocated the wires from the old pole to the new. One of those wires now dips through Reed's backyard within a foot of the ground."I want to be able to enjoy my property," Reed said. "And I can't enjoy it like this."He said the wires are active cable and phone lines rather than electric lines, but he still worries that children or a pet are going to end up getting hurt.Low-hanging wires also dip into his neighbor's backyards.A Verizon spokeswoman reached Monday said the company would investigate Reed's claims.But she also said she could not immediately reach anyone with information on the situation.Reed said he has contacted Verizon at least 10 times. So far, he has had no luck getting them to finish the job."I thought I'd call Verizon and they'd come down and deal with this," he said. "But it's like David and Goliath. You can't get them to do anything."
Although it's a Verizon pole it has Comcast lines on it.Is that big silver box a phone or cable box? Unfortunately this is a typical pole in the city!
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koshoka @ 14th Jul 07:51AM:
Re: Wire mess in Reading
That's all phone.
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cypherstream @ 14th Jul 10:56AM:
Re: Wire mess in Reading
Classic phone termination box. What verizon should do is run all new clean fiber optic lines and convert the area over to fios. Not only would we have great fios service, but it would also persuade Comcast to improve as well. Out of the deal we'd end up with 2 great choices (more if you can put a dish up), so it would be a consumer win-win. Too bad government officials in the county don't see it that way.
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love2bowl300 @ 22nd Jul 01:55PM:
Re: Wire mess in Reading
said by cypherstream :
Classic phone termination box. What verizon should do is run all new clean fiber optic lines and convert the area over to fios. Not only would we have great fios service, but it would also persuade Comcast to improve as well. Out of the deal we'd end up with 2 great choices (more if you can put a dish up), so it would be a consumer win-win. Too bad government officials in the county don't see it that way.
It makes you angry when you think about it doesn't it Cypher. I got rid of Verizon POTS nearly four years ago and I will not get them back unless they bring in FIOS no matter how many advertisements they send me.
--
Life is like a bowl of cherries. Some Sweet, Some Sour, or just the PITS!
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djdanska @ 22nd Jul 02:16PM:
Re: Screen name not from this
said by Pullo :
It would be nice to get more HD's and one of these in Reading and the way things are going the chances seem better for the El Pollo Loco.
The screen name is a tribute to legionary Titus Pullo from HBO's Rome.
We had one of them out by me in Illinois. Was pretty good but they closed down already. (Melrose Park, IL) Not sure about the city locations. We are just getting our first Chik Fil A and we just got sonic drive thru last year.
--
The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult. The day he forgives himself, he becomes wise.
Alden Nowlan
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cypherstream @ 24th Jul 04:01PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Today I was in the menu and I was curious where that Help button would take me. I clicked on it and it took me to an On Demand menu and in there was two videos showing the DTA's and discussing the digital transition.
So is the presence of the DTA videos meaning they will be coming soon to the Reading, PA system, or is it just a coincidence and were hitting the same VOD Server farm as other systems who actually have DTA's?
A full QAM Scan reveals some of the missing SD's mapped to -5's. Only for the OTA style broadcast channels, but surprisingly Weatherscan Local as well (101-5).
3-1 KYW HD
3-5 KYW (NBC 3)
5-5 TCN (Comcast Network)
6-1 WPVI ABC HD (720p)
6-2 Live Well HD (720p)
6-3 WPVI Weather SD
6-5 WPVI (ABC 6)
8-5 WGAL (NBC 8)
10-1 WCAU NBC HD (1080i)
10-3 WCAU Weather SD
10-5 WCAU (NBC 10)
12-3 WHYY PBS HD
12-4 WHYYA SD
12-5 WHYYH SD
12-7 WHYY (PBS 12)
17-1 WPHL MY HD
17-2 This TV
17-5 WPHL (MY 17)
29-1 WTXF FOX HD
29-5 WTXF (FOX 29)
33-5 WITF (PBS 33)
35-5 WYBE (IND)
39-1 WLVT VeMe
39-3 WLVT Create
39-4 WLVT 39 PBS HD
39-5 WLVT (PBS 39)
43-5 WPMT (FOX 43)
44-1 WMCN (Ind 44)
48-1 WGTW (IND)
51-1 WTVE (Local IND)
57-1 WPSG CW HD
57-5 WPSG (CW 57)
60-1 WPBH 60 ind
62-1 WWSI (62 Telemundo)
65-1 Univision
69-1 WFMZ (IND 69)
78-10 QVC
78-11 WFMZ Weather
80-9 Hamburg Municipal Access
81-9 BCTV
81-10 Municipal Access Channel: Reading
81-11 Local Education (RACC/Anneburg)
81-12 Ch 21 Digital Simulcast (LOCAL)
90-21 MC: Kidz Only!
90-22 MC: Stage and Screen
90-23 MC: Metal
90-24 MC: Smooth Jazz
90-25 MC: Dance Electronica
90-26 MC: Classic Country
90-27 MC: Mix Tape
90-28 MC: Hip Hop Classics
91-21 MC: Retro Rock
91-22 MC: Classical Masterpieces
91-23 MC: Singers & Swing
91-24 MC: Adult Alternative
91-25 MC: Soundscapes
91-26 MC: 80's
91-27 MC: Easy Listening
91-28 MC: 90's
91-29 MC: Pop Hits
92-21 MC: True Country
92-22 MC: Musica Urbana
92-23 MC: Light Classical
92-24 MC: Gospel
92-25 MC: Mexicana
92-26 MC: Pop Latino
92-27 Audio Only (Big band / Classical music?)
93-21 MC: Classic Rock
93-22 MC: Rock
93-23 MC: Rap
93-24 MC: R&B Soul
93-25 MC: Contemporary Christian
93-26 MC: Reggae
93-27 MC: Romances
93-28 MC: Tropicales
93-29 MC: Blues
94-21 MC: Alternative
94-22 Audio Only (Mexican?)
94-23 MC: 70s
100-21 MC: Jazz
100-22 MC: Today's Country
100-23 MC: Throwback Jamz!
100-24 MC: Soft Rock
100-25 MC: Toddler Tunes
100-26 MC: Hit List
100-27 MC: Sounds of the Seasons
100-28 MC: Hip Hop & R&B
100-29 MC: R&B Classics
100-30 MC: Solid Gold Oldies
100-31 MC: Classic Alternative
101-5 Weatherscan Local
102-10 Telefura
104-7 InDemand Previews
104-21 MC: Party Favorites
105-11 VOD Barker
106-2 PCN
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anon @ 24th Jul 04:11PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
we were talking about this in another thread 3 weeks ago when i brought it up, appears it was on other systems a while ago, but was just put up on the Pottsville System 3 weeks, before that there were videos about the June 12 Transition, but then they changed them to the Videos that we see now, these were definitely great videos to watch, so i hope it does happen soon!!!!
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gebe @ 24th Jul 09:03PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
thanx for pointing that out Cypher, this may be good omen for us. If I have this weekend I will do a scan to see whats up in the Pottsville system.
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ak3883 @ 24th Jul 09:42PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
cyper-
Once all of your digital starter channels go unencrypted, then you know DTAs are being deployed.
Also, those with limited basic and have cable boxes, they'll get those digital starter channels on their box, along with any TV's QAM tuner, since boxes tune channels that are unencrypted no matter what level of service the box is registered for(this is how they do free previews, just make the channel(s) unencrypted).
Of course once the transition is complete this won't be the case, since those channels will be moved to frequencies trapped out to limited basic subs.
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anon @ 28th Jul 10:05AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
On Thursday, 7/30/09, the Reading are will get the following channels:
ESPNU - channel 272
Tennis Channel
Horse Racing Channel
TV Games Channel
I was just told this when I went in to pay my bill. I was also told that some 30 HD channels will be added to Reading by the end of the year. I know we have been told this stuff before, but the person who told me this is a friend who works at the Reading office. Time will tell if my friend spoke the truth.
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scanpa @ 28th Jul 11:03AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
This info is correct.
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Pullo @ 28th Jul 11:34AM:
This is progress?
No ads in the Reading Eagle or public notices for them. ESPNU I want,Tennis Channel not so much but 2 Horse racing channels?
Are they are putting back the old Penn National/Philadelphia park channel and sharing it with TVG? I hope TVG isn't getting its own channel.I wonder if Comcast gets a cut of the bets placed on line?
TV Games Channel (TVG)
»www.tvg.com/
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mikedz4 @ 28th Jul 12:20PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
tvg has it's own channel here on digital 260. In eastern ohio and northern west virginia we ONLY get tvg but in pittsburgh they also get hrtv on channel 259.
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cypherstream @ 28th Jul 03:29PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I thought ESPNU would go in the 700's. They moved the sports channels in Reading from the upper 200's to 700's not that long ago.
As for the others, it makes sense for consistency. There's no reason why other markets would have them and not us.
30 HD channels, we'll see. That would involve heavy digital migration. I would guess 4th Quarter 2009, because they aren't even seeding DTA's yet. That takes a little bit of time.
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ComcastTech @ 28th Jul 05:49PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
yes we are
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ComcastTech @ 28th Jul 05:51PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
and like i said months ago, the bigger batch of hd channels won't come for a bit... slowly gotta bring in some here and there, but so far we are on schedule.
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pennstatejim @ 28th Jul 09:08PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
GREAT news!! Can't wait for ESPNU, and it's about time we have HRTV and TVG!!! I have been longing for them!! Thank you Comcast!! YAY!
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anon @ 28th Jul 09:49PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
VICTORY! Our months of calling and emailing comcast to demand the horse racing channel have paid off and we will soon have more tennis and horseracing than we can watch!
Seriously, do we really need more sports? Meanwhile, I still suffer through some great shows (Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Monsters Inside Me, Lock and Load, That's Impossible, Countdown with Keith Olbermann) in insufferable zoom mode or 4:3 standard def. I dont care if we ever get 30 more HD channels, I just want History, AMC and MSNBC in HD.
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anon @ 28th Jul 09:48PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Would it be that hard to convince say, Spring Township officials, not to renew their franchise agreement with Comcrap and renew with service electric? I'm sure it just comes down to $ the company is willing to pay to the township.
Most companies seek to underpromise and overdeliver, but not comcast! New HD has been "coming" for years now and nothing has changed but the balence due on my bill.
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anon @ 29th Jul 06:33AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by pennstatejim :
GREAT news!! Can't wait for ESPNU, and it's about time we have HRTV and TVG!!! I have been longing for them!! Thank you Comcast!! YAY!
I hope you were being sarcastic,If not enjoy Penn State's first three games in glorious SD because we don't have Big Ten HD here in Reading.
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pennstatejim @ 29th Jul 07:50PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Nope, not sarcastic. Actually looking forward to those channels. Not having Big Ten HD sucks, but it's not the end of the world. We have it at least in SD!
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anon @ 30th Jul 12:39AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Also New in Pottsville is ESPN U at Channel 272, this is now Active, TTC at channel 277, 284 is Blank as of Now (I guess this must be the Tennis channel as of now)!!,NHLTV moved to 281, 285 is TVG, i guess later on they will make NHLTV and NFL active also!!! I assuming they put up History HD and Animal Planet HD when they pull out the Analog of the Big Ten Network, if there are any other changes i let you know!!
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anon @ 30th Jul 03:24AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
i did not notice this from an earlier post 2 days ago but here where the numbers be in Pottsville!
ESPNU - channel 272
Tennis Channel - channel 277
Horse Racing Channel - channel 284
TV Games Channel - channel 285
NFL Network on channels 180 and 275 are active as of 2:32 am, NFL Network HD on channel 218 also at the Same Time, then NHL Network became active at 2:38 am, if anything else happens i will post it here!!!
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koshoka @ 30th Jul 06:12AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Those channels along with Jewelry TV suck. Right now Tennis TV has PING PONG in HD. Seriously?! Horse Racing TV?! For the Schuylkill county horse race fan?....blah waste of bandwidth.
BTW for anyone in the Pottsville system...MLB clear QAM.
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cypherstream @ 30th Jul 09:45AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I said it before, why put those channels in the upper 200's when the Sports material moved to the 700's? Or didn't that happen in Pottsville?
For our systems though, you have to think that when HD comes, it will come really nicely. Look at all the capital dollars they have been saving. I mean all of our bills goes straight to current operational costs, with the remaining towards savings. Being stale lately, the savings account must look pretty juicy to tap into for upgrades needed for more HD, like eQAM's, wiring, labor, software licencing for the rate shaping, power and cooling, rack space, Satellites / receivers or direct fiber feeds, networking gear (switches, routers,) etc...
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Pullo @ 30th Jul 10:15AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
In typical Comcast fashion there were no announcements for the new channels(newspaper ad,public notice,Etc..)Why they are in the 200's and not 700's with all the other sports channels is also beyond my comprehension.One other thing NHL moved to 739 instead of the previously announced 737.
I guess this pretty much maxes out the Reading system,no room for anything else with out analog migration?
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pennstatejim @ 30th Jul 12:33PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Yeah Cypher, couldnt figure it out either. And I believe the channel numbers are 4 channels that were not used when the sports package channels were in the upper 200's!
I'm looking forward to coming home tonight and catch some horse racing action!
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Pullo @ 30th Jul 12:51PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by pennstatejim :
I'm looking forward to coming home tonight and catch some horse racing action!
Livin Large to place in the 10th at Saratoga
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cypherstream @ 30th Jul 01:55PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
As far as room, no were not maxed out. Ch 7 should still be open, plus not every SD QAM was fully utilized. I also think MLB HD sits all by itself on EIA CH 119. Also WLVT 39 HD only has a few SD Subchannels with it, so they should be able to add at least one more HD there. Also there are more tricks of the trade, such as installing the advanced rate shaping licences to allow for 15 SD Channels to run on a single QAM. Normally the limit was about 12, sometimes 13 if mixed with some stationary graphics type channels. Don't forget analog migration. Many common channels like CN8, MSNBC, Cartoon Network, Sci-Fi, Discovery Health, CSPAN2, etc... have been successfully migrated in other systems. Look for these guys to move first (eventually).
Ch 97 is also wasted for OOB, but don't think they can move that to 74~75 MHz range because there could be a lot of older set tops out there with fixed OOB configurations for 104 MHz. The newer boxes are all frequency agile and can hunt for OOB, but not all of the older DCT-2224's.
As far as the horse racing channels, isn't the TVG integrated with a website where you can place bets and stuff? Still think it's odd to see them in the 200's, when I thought that would of stayed clear for future HD's. Isn't it real close to Shop NBC / EWTN?
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anon @ 30th Jul 02:28PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
i think there were put in the 200 range for you by mistake since they feed them to us here in the 200 Range in Pottsville, but for some unknown reason, maybe because Comcast does not know we exist here, our sport channels were not moved into the 700 range, i believe we were the only Cable system not to have been moved, if there were any others that were not moved, then please tell us!!!
By the way, they still did not had those 2 HD channels yet, but i noticed koshoka said MLB was clear QAM. That because History HD and Animal Planet HD should go to fill that slot, and those will be Clear QAM also!!
I still do not know how they will give us those channels but not make them available in Reading, maybe they will do what there were doing in Philadelphia by put the signal in, but not mapped into the Boxes!!!
So cypherstream, please check again later in the Day, when they should get added here in Pottsville!!
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cypherstream @ 30th Jul 02:34PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Animal and History HD will go with Discovery HD Theater, unless Comcast Media Center changed the distribution.
It's a 3QAM package deal. Were just tuned to the legacy distribution of Discovery HD Theater which packs it alone with 8 or so SD channels.
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Comcast Guy @ 30th Jul 05:43PM:
Re: This is progress?
said by Pullo :
No ads in the Reading Eagle or public notices for them.
Don't feel left out. These updates slipped right by me as well.
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ComcastTech @ 30th Jul 06:20PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Dream on... I live in Spring Twp, and our service is just fine here. Plenty of everything.
said by cek214 :
Would it be that hard to convince say, Spring Township officials, not to renew their franchise agreement with Comcrap and renew with service electric? I'm sure it just comes down to $ the company is willing to pay to the township.
Most companies seek to underpromise and overdeliver, but not comcast! New HD has been "coming" for years now and nothing has changed but the balence due on my bill.
said by cek214 :
Would it be that hard to convince say, Spring Township officials, not to renew their franchise agreement with Comcrap and renew with service electric? I'm sure it just comes down to $ the company is willing to pay to the township.
Most companies seek to underpromise and overdeliver, but not comcast! New HD has been "coming" for years now and nothing has changed but the balence due on my bill.
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ComcastTech @ 30th Jul 06:27PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
You guys need to realize that the channels are coming. Like I said months ago, everything will slowly start rolling out once the digital transition takes place. As for the migration, we already planned it out. There will be around 22-23 channels you will get w/out a digital box once were done. Everyone keeps complaining about the lack of HD on our end, which again I said will change once we have the room and made the migration. Were not making empty promises. Complaining also gets you nowhere. Half the crap that will be on HD will be stuff no one watches to begin with. Everyone wants to see numbers. Reeeelax. In time it will happen. When I said that by the first quarter next year we will be rocking around 100 HD channels its still on that track. I had the list and all of the channels coming to our line up... buuuut i lost it. Until then no one needs to be "hawking" and watching the qams and the rearranging of channels. Yes were always rearranging and getting everything where we want it in prep for the reclaiming of analog. Again...in time you will see it.
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anon @ 30th Jul 08:26PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
The only thing plentiful in Spring Township (and all of the Reading system) is antiquated analog channels.
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anon @ 30th Jul 08:56PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
For someone acting as a Comcast rep to make the statement "Complaining gets you nowhere," is right on target. They seem to listen little to customers or shareholders for that matter. I dumped my stock because they are a poorly run company all around. Their techs I have dealt with are clueless and the CSR's are rude. There is an overall arrogance that gives the impression that they know it all. It's Comcrapstic.
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anon @ 30th Jul 08:56PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
For someone acting as a Comcast rep to make the statement "Complaining gets you nowhere," is right on target. They seem to listen little to customers or shareholders for that matter. I dunped my stock because they are a poorly run company all around. Their techs I have dealt with are clueless and the CSR's are rude. There is an overall arrogance that gives the impression that they know it all. It's Comcrapstic.
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koshoka @ 30th Jul 10:09PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
You really think ComcastTech speaks for Comcast? He could be any Joe Blow.
And you're wrong about the company, Comcast has historically been a lean and mean company. With something like $3-4 billion in cash on hand... and they are in the top 100 best performing NASDAQ stocks this year...not a poorly run company by any means.
But yes, the customer service can suck wads, but they are trying to improve.
--
*******
Disclaimer: I am a Comcast employee. Any statements are my own and should not be construed as official Comcast communications.
1f u c4n r34d th1s u r34lly n33d t0 g37 l41d
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Chad473 @ 31st Jul 12:43PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by ComcastTech :
You guys need to realize that the channels are coming. Like I said months ago, everything will slowly start rolling out once the digital transition takes place. As for the migration, we already planned it out. There will be around 22-23 channels you will get w/out a digital box once were done. Everyone keeps complaining about the lack of HD on our end, which again I said will change once we have the room and made the migration. Were not making empty promises. Complaining also gets you nowhere. Half the crap that will be on HD will be stuff no one watches to begin with. Everyone wants to see numbers. Reeeelax. In time it will happen. When I said that by the first quarter next year we will be rocking around 100 HD channels its still on that track. I had the list and all of the channels coming to our line up... buuuut i lost it. Until then no one needs to be "hawking" and watching the qams and the rearranging of channels. Yes were always rearranging and getting everything where we want it in prep for the reclaiming of analog. Again...in time you will see it.
of course they are coming, but this has been the standard line from Comcast for the past 2 years or so. Most people are just frustrated that it will take until next year to get to where other providers were in 2008. I've long ago filed new channels under "believe it when I see it." You have a point that complaining and watching the qam's isn't going to make anything move faster though.
I'd encourage anyone not satisfied with comcast to switch. We certainly plan to when we move. We'll keep the internet (never had any problems with it) unless we land in a FIOS area, but the tv offerings/hardware has been lackluster/poor.
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Chad473 @ 31st Jul 12:50PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by j jefferson3 :
maybe because Comcast does not know we exist here, our sport channels were not moved into the 700 range, i believe we were the only Cable system not to have been moved, if there were any others that were not moved, then please tell us!!!
ours are still in the 200s as well. sports pay per view stuff is in 700
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ComcastTech @ 31st Jul 05:26PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Correct. The company is solid.... NOT poorly ran or crappy. You think being the best cable service provider was just because we are "crappy?" Doesn't sound right. Just because there are issues in the Reading system doesn't mean it's everywhere. Every company has their issues and their complainers. Yes I do work for the company, Yes I am a tech, Yes I do know what I'm talking about. Yes we have retards that work in our system which is why those of us who don't half ass jobs have to clean it up. Can't save the world though. As for customer service....yeah it sucks.
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cypherstream @ 31st Jul 08:36PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Well I know that we will eventually be caught up. I think what's upholding us is that there's no competition in the area, so it's not like subscribers are flocking left and right. There's no real incentive to put money and attention into our system, as say there is in the Pottstown and eastern PA / NJ systems where there is Fios build outs happening every day.
So if I put my logical thinking cap on, it does make sense. Address the area's that are hurting (or will be potentially hurting) first with all of your resources. Pace, Moto and Thompson can only make and ship DTA's at a certain speed.
Things have been moved around a bit. Changes since my last online listing (it was a little behind) are:
Adds:
90-12 Gospel Music Channel
94-10 HRTV
94-11 TVG
102-10 ESPN-U
104-15 Tennis Channel
110-8 Fit TV
Moves:
105-11 VOD Barker moved to 101-9
102-10 Telefura moved to 120-1
Enhancements:
Numerous PSIP mappings
SD OTA Variants on thier OTA number with a -5.
Comcast Network mapped to 5-5
Weatherscan Local mapped to 101-5
WLVT-39 subchannel ordering fixed.
So QAM 104 is now running the new 15:1 compression. It's only a matter of time until the rest are. That more efficiently uses bandwidth, and with the new rate shaping software and licences, there's no discernible degradation in image quality. Problem is since bandwidth is at such a premium, vendors that wrote the compression software are also charging a premium. I know Comcast choose Imagine Communications(tm) as their vendor for the new Stat-Mux / Rate Shaping system, and I bet they are charging an arm and a leg. All those software companies that sell products designed to haul in revenues charge outrageous prices. I work in I.T. and it's phenomenal some of the costs certain "specialized" software is. It's because it runs your business and you end up making money off it in the long run, so they feel they can charge whatever they want.
Granted the stale period should sit our regions finances in pretty good shape. Rates only go in one direction, and that's up. The money saved up until this point, paired with the low cost per sub DTA initiative makes its 100% certain that when our area is ready to go, they will pull the trigger. Of course a 1 GHz upgrade would be really nice, but the ROI is not as high as DTA's. The cost per homes passed on a 1 GHz or FTTH buildout is exponentially higher then handing out a few $30 DTA's here and there.
I'm eager to see what they do with our area. I have nowhere else to go, so I'll be waiting right here. By the time Fios builds out in Reading (2012+) Comcast will be ahead of the curve. Most likely not only in the lack of HD lineups, but also improved set top software as well.
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gebe @ 31st Jul 09:08PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
i remember a Comcast Technician telling me that they are a little over $2million under budget for our area. So they were running lean and mean in our area.
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ComcastTech @ 2nd Aug 12:57PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
yes were underbudgeted, and now is currently frozen...we can't do anything...
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cypherstream @ 2nd Aug 02:36PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Don't know why it's frozen if you came in under budget. It should freeze if your over budget.
Damn economy. :mad:
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Pullo @ 2nd Aug 03:12PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Comcast's Q2 results come out Thursday,I'm sure they are keeping a tight lid on spending in areas with out strong competition like Berks County.They don't even spend money announcing new channels.My son's Little League picnic was Saturday and no one knew about ESPNU and the other channels that were added,and some of the other dads are hard core,rabid,bordering on the scary sports fans.They were happy for the channels but mad there was no announcement.
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cypherstream @ 3rd Aug 07:10AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I saw the infamous red light on this morning. Power up the TV to see what it says and to my dissapointment it's for some UFC garbage. Who am I kidding, a message used to indicate something new? No way, it's always PPV Spam.
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Chad473 @ 3rd Aug 11:14AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
ppv or now hiring ads, that's all the message system is good for. Or should I say, that's all it's used for around here.
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Pullo @ 3rd Aug 12:03PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Or to announce free previews 3 days after they've started.
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anon @ 7th Aug 04:23AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
well someone here said that in Quakertown, PA that they are going 1st part digital on 09/01/09, so i looked at my PA map. it is a town that is close to Pottstown so it could be the Pottstown Cable system that changing since the system in Langhorne, PA is doing 1st part on 08/18/09, so the system will come just like dominoes!!!
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Pullo @ 7th Aug 05:04AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Except that Service Electric acts like a DMZ between Comcast Freedom region to the East and Comcast Central PA to the West.Any action for Berks and Schuylkill county's will come from the West and we're the last domino,plus Pottstown is getting FIOS.
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cypherstream @ 7th Aug 07:33AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I heard a rumor that Comcast looked into buying Service Electric, but then they decided not to purse it because it needed like $25 million in new feeder (they use a smaller diameter feeder from what I'm told). I don't know the exact numbers but the Comcast tech told me something like Comcast uses .625 and SECV used .25
I guess SECV ended up fixing themselves up, because I've been seeing "Cable Services LLC" contractors around various parts of their area for the last 2 years now. Also people I know that live in certain developments with underground utilities were complaining about SECV digging up the streets. But they did fix everything up and put brand new pedestals in most area's. I've seen them load up on fiber with the big wheels and the lashers up on the strands going. Now they have an analog channel on 135 and that proves out they went to 870 MHz. I'm not sure what they were before, but they had Trinity Broadcasting Network on Ch 116, a little grainy but it was there, and they ran 64QAM (This was back in 2002 or so when I had them). So they must of went from 750 MHz Magnavox amps to 870 MHz C-Cor with new taps, cables, and fiber pushed further. I also noticed they put in all new (larger) power supplies with their logo silkscreened on them. Now they run 256QAM, do triple play and have more HD then Comcast. They still don't do HD-VOD and they are running an I-Guide a version or two prior to ours (large ovals and maybe 3 pages in the full screen menu). Their Internet really upgraded from 800kbps top end to now 15mbps top end. Although when I had it, I uncapped it to 2mbps synchronous and they shut it off the next day permanently (different story for another time).
So now that their system is up to snuff, I wonder if Comcast would ever revisit purchasing them? It surely would monopolize them from Harrisburg all the way to the Atlantic coast. I wonder what region would manage it? Central PA or Freedom Region? As far north and west that it extends, it appears as if it would be closer to Central PA. It goes all the way up to the Berks / Lehigh boarder past Topton, right before Premise Maid Candies on Rt. 222. There RCN takes over, and then Service Electric Lehigh Valley, which is a sister of Service Electric Cablevison. I'm pretty close to the boarder so I know a lot of people who are on both providers. The only complaint I hear about SECV is the intrusive 50GB cap set by ProLog (the company that runs their internet service). I know people who get bandwidth letters ALL THE TIME. The system extends all the way down to Honeybrook, past Morgantown. It's pretty sizeable in area. Down there it butts up against Comcast of Chester county, which I think their office is in Coatsville.
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koshoka @ 7th Aug 08:56AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I heard a rumor that Comcast looked into buying Service Electric, but then they decided not to purse it because it needed like $25 million in new feeder...
I heard the same thing about Blue Mountain Cable. My guess is that Comcast says that about every cable co they want to buy...
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cypherstream @ 7th Aug 09:38AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by koshoka : I heard a rumor that Comcast looked into buying Service Electric, but then they decided not to purse it because it needed like $25 million in new feeder...
I heard the same thing about Blue Mountain Cable. My guess is that Comcast says that about every cable co they want to buy...
When you said Blue Mountain Cable, I thought you meant Blue Ridge Cable (history here: »www.brctv.com/aboutbrctv.php ), but a Google search led me to this "Blue Mountain" lineup »tvlistings.aol.com/listings/pa/o···de=17961 in ORWIGSBURG, PA 17961. I thought Orwigsburg was part of the Comcast of Pottsville system. Look it's 66 Channels, premium on analog, and I can't find a company website AT ALL. I can't believe something like that exists between two Comcast systems. The area is so small I don't see how it couldn't of been gobbled up on the cheap. Never heard of it, but 66 analogs sounds like an overdriven 450 MHz system or maybe an underutilized 550 MHz system still using long amplifier cascades in RF trunk tree and branch configuration.
Edit: found some very POOR Blue Mountain reviews here: »national.citysearch.com/profile/···-reviews
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Pullo @ 7th Aug 10:15AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Here is Blue Mountain's digital lineup:
»tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlistings···A56251:X
I guess there is always someone worse off then yourself.
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cypherstream @ 7th Aug 10:34AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Oh they do have digital.
Well with the small number of digitals and 65 analogs (2-66), it's most likely an HFC 550 MHz system. They could even get away with 64QAM and fit all of that in, including 1 DOCSIS carrier. Judging by the quality complaints on that one site I've linked, I doubt there's digital simulcast, and if the amps are poorly tuned they most likely can't pass 256QAM with a low enough bit error rate. If they offer internet, I wonder how fast it is?
There's too much distortion at the end of a long amplifier cascade for QAM to only use RF Trunk Tree & Branch. I've read HP/Agilent's study on effects of QAM transmission, which was published in 1997. There's at least some portion of fiber, especially for the return path if they have internet.
Comcast should buy them and do a plant extension from Pottsville, transfer all of the drops as customer equipment is swapped out and call it a day.
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ComcastTech @ 7th Aug 12:57PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
We did offer to buy service electric. our smallest feeder is .625 and Service Electric has .500 feeder or smaller. The old lady who owns it won't sell, but her two sons will when they take over. and yea it would be a lot of feeder to replace, which is why service electric sucks.
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koshoka @ 7th Aug 12:57PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I've heard talk of Comcast buying Blue Mountain Cable for years. The Pottsville system ends on the southern edge of Orwigsburg. So parts of Orwigsburg, Auburn, Deer lake and points south are Blue Mountain. The lake Wynonah area is also Blue Mountain.
I've never heard anyone say anything good about Blue Mountain.
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anon @ 7th Aug 01:33PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
well you see Comcast of Pottsville, actually stops to the North at Pottsville in Norwegian Township, i should know this more than anyone since that house is the one i used to live at!! (that's why i was the Very first person to have digital cable and Internet in the Pottville system) north of pottsville on the left past minerville, you are on Wire Tele-View of (Tremont), on the Right side of Pottsville (Route 61 as the dividing line) in Saint Clair, Port Carbon,New Philadelphia and Palto Alto your on Wire Tele-View of (Pottsville) as your going South on the Left side of Route 61 you get into Schuylkill Haven and Cressona you still on Comcast of Pottsville, then you get past the 183 Route intersection part where those lines feed to the Left and go into Pine Grove eventfully, but as you go down on the Right side you are in Blue Mountain and it goes all the Way to Lake Wynonah and ORWIGSBURG, it because the Route 61 does a C shape while in Schuylkill Haven, but Schuylkill haven is still on Route 61 while ORWIGSBURG is too far on the Right (East side of 61 to carry the line from Route 61) Back in those days Cable systems were only built on Easy access to the lines and there were set up like this even before Comcast even Existed!! to be truthful it would actually be better if ORWIGSBURG just went on access the information from Comcast of Hamburg, if you are more south east than that you be getting into Lehigh Valley Area and as i found out from yesterday from cypherstream into Service Electric and more east of them is RCN which then goes East into Allentown, if were directly south you just enter into Comcast of Hamburg then into Reading itself, then if i am still correct south of that is the Area called Service Electric of Cablevision which then is cutting our area off of the good stuff by being the DMZ from Comcast of Reading to Comcast of Pottstown and also to Lancaster, so i finally know where the choking point is!! To bad since i think you could get lots of Data streams from PottsTown Once they Migrate!! Sorry for this Long post but i needed to put all the Pieces of the Puzzle together!! Plus this site needs an integrated map program!!
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cypherstream @ 7th Aug 03:35PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Well Service Electric upgraded, I don't think it.s .5 or smaller feeder anymore. They get clear signals up to 864 MHz, and 38 ~ 40 SNR's, whereas here on Comcast were lucky with 36 SNR's and 771 MHz tops. SECV is obviously technically more advanced plant wise. So if they would ever sell down the road, Comcast would be buying a very capable well constructed system. Cable Services LLC is doing a lot of the upgrading, and they also constructed Comcast of Reading in the mid 90's when they rebuilt the plant from 450 to 750.
As far as Blue Mountain, I am surprised to hear they still exist as of this day. I found yet another local review site with all negative reviews on them. I can't for the life of me find a website for the company. What kind of company doesn't have a website in 2009, yet alone one that provides broadband telecommunications?
I never heard of Wire Tele-View either. Is that small outfit still in existance? If so, why weren't they bought out?
Is Pottsville a 750 or 870 MHz system? Wasn't it rebuilt around the time Reading was rebuilt? I remember a long time ago they merged Hamburg and Reading's systems. I'm not sure who owned us at that time, if it was TCI or Time Warner. We've been through so many acquisitions who can remember anymore.
Yeah j jefferson, a map would be great, but it would require a lot of collaboration from people in the industry who know their true boundaries. I could draw up some rough estimates but it wouldn't be really accurate.
EDIT: Found Wire-Tele View's website. Wow what a P.O.S.
»www.wtvaccess.com/Internet.htm
2 meg by 768k is their fastest internet package and their digital offerings are so slim. They also waste bandwidth on their FM band by transmitting radio stations (Ch 95-97).
I guess we have it made in Comcastland. Wow I really appreciate all that we have now by checking into these little crap outfits that should just sell themselves off to the big C.
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koshoka @ 7th Aug 04:38PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Wire-Tele View is overbuilt by Comcast on the east side of Pottsville. Some of the buildings over there are a real mess with both cable cos. I don't know much about Wire-Tele View, but their tech is a nice guy.
I wish we still had FM radio on the cable system, for some reason I hate music choice and would prefer local radio.
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Pullo @ 8th Aug 12:07PM:
Eastern Pa cable map
said by cypherstream :
Yeah j jefferson, a map would be great, but it would require a lot of collaboration from people in the industry who know their true boundaries. I could draw up some rough estimates but it wouldn't be really accurate
Here's something to get you started,about 1/2 way down the page.Service Electric and Blue Ridge coverage map
»www.readingphillies.com/broadcasts.htm
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anon @ 9th Aug 12:04AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Good news for Bucks (not Berks) county: I saw that on or about 9/1, 12 expanded basic channels are being removed from analog and on to digital-only. On or about 10/1, 27 more channels go. This is in Doylestown.
Could Reading's rumored, theoretic increase to 100 HD channels follow a similar course? The timeframe seems optimistic for us considering it takes Reading Comcast minimum one year to scratch their ass (remember, its all marketing's fault). Skepticism aside, its good to know Comcast is migrating to digital somewhere in our neighborhood now that the OTA digital migration is over.
The question is what additional digital boxes will cost. I have TiVo HD with cable cards, so I dont get on demand but if a digital box were offered for purposes of the digital migration for little or no cost, I would take it simply for that reason.
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anon @ 9th Aug 10:54PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by cypherstream :
I heard a rumor that Comcast looked into buying Service Electric, but then they decided not to purse it because it needed like $25 million in new feeder (they use a smaller diameter feeder from what I'm told). I don't know the exact numbers but the Comcast tech told me something like Comcast uses .625 and SECV used .25
I guess SECV ended up fixing themselves up, because I've been seeing "Cable Services LLC" contractors around various parts of their area for the last 2 years now. Also people I know that live in certain developments with underground utilities were complaining about SECV digging up the streets. But they did fix everything up and put brand new pedestals in most area's. I've seen them load up on fiber with the big wheels and the lashers up on the strands going. Now they have an analog channel on 135 and that proves out they went to 870 MHz. I'm not sure what they were before, but they had Trinity Broadcasting Network on Ch 116, a little grainy but it was there, and they ran 64QAM (This was back in 2002 or so when I had them). So they must of went from 750 MHz Magnavox amps to 870 MHz C-Cor with new taps, cables, and fiber pushed further. I also noticed they put in all new (larger) power supplies with their logo silkscreened on them. Now they run 256QAM, do triple play and have more HD then Comcast. They still don't do HD-VOD and they are running an I-Guide a version or two prior to ours (large ovals and maybe 3 pages in the full screen menu). Their Internet really upgraded from 800kbps top end to now 15mbps top end. Although when I had it, I uncapped it to 2mbps synchronous and they shut it off the next day permanently (different story for another time).
So now that their system is up to snuff, I wonder if Comcast would ever revisit purchasing them? It surely would monopolize them from Harrisburg all the way to the Atlantic coast. I wonder what region would manage it? Central PA or Freedom Region? As far north and west that it extends, it appears as if it would be closer to Central PA. It goes all the way up to the Berks / Lehigh boarder past Topton, right before Premise Maid Candies on Rt. 222. There RCN takes over, and then Service Electric Lehigh Valley, which is a sister of Service Electric Cablevison. I'm pretty close to the boarder so I know a lot of people who are on both providers. The only complaint I hear about SECV is the intrusive 50GB cap set by ProLog (the company that runs their internet service). I know people who get bandwidth letters ALL THE TIME. The system extends all the way down to Honeybrook, past Morgantown. It's pretty sizeable in area. Down there it butts up against Comcast of Chester county, which I think their office is in Coatsville.
i heard rcn was looking to sell the allentown system after it was announced fios was coming. comcast looked at it but balked @ $400 million price tag. then they looked at secv but i dont know them outcome. secv would be crazy to not sell since they would be competing against rcn and fios.
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cypherstream @ 9th Aug 11:01PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
RCN is hanging onto the LHV system now. They are preparing for analog crush and will finally bring that area up to snuff with the rest of their markets.
I guess PA is just a pretty bad state for the Cable industry. It's RCN's worst system, it's the home of Comcast with the lowest HD channels compared to others, there's limited FIOS compared to what PA's tax breaks should of brought on.
Anyway the exhibition game on NBC tonight looks real sharp here in Reading. I notice that the local channels generally look a little bit clearer than others. Like on HBO on the show Hung, where there was basketball there were lots of macroblocking during fast scenes. You don't see as much of that with the locals.
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Comcast Guy @ 10th Aug 11:47PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by koshoka :
Wire-Tele View is overbuilt by Comcast on the east side of Pottsville. Some of the buildings over there are a real mess with both cable cos. I don't know much about Wire-Tele View, but their tech is a nice guy.
I wish we still had FM radio on the cable system, for some reason I hate music choice and would prefer local radio.
Want another funny one? Half the mall is Comcast and the other half is SE or WTV or whatever. I wanted to give the Boscov's service there, but it can't be done...unless they move to the other end of the mall.
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ryan21 @ 30th Aug 01:41PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Anyone know if there are any new hd channels upcoming?
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scanpa @ 30th Aug 04:31PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
yes a few more at end of year. DTA's are about to be mailed out to all non Digital users, as the Migration from CH 22 - 74 is going to happen before the end of the year. There are ZERO plans to convert Lebanon or Reading to 860mhz or 1 GHZ systems. They went the band-aid route. DTA's have been ordered and will be auto shipped to all Non Digital Cable subscribers.
New HSI Tiers up to 50mb will be available soon as the D3 testing is completed.
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cypherstream @ 30th Aug 05:19PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Removing channels 22-74 provides plenty of bandwidth in the interum, and quicker then waiting for a 1 GHz plant upgrade.
At this point in the economy I can understand just doing DTA's for now (cheaper per homes passed), and sticking with the current system.
Now say the economy starts picking up in the next 2-3 years, I would love to see them roll out an RFoG system (RF over Glass). Would be sweet to have a fiber based system. That would give the bandwidth for insane HSI tiers, increadable amounts of all HD programming, and selective addressable advertising by household. While very expensive to design and implement, over time an RFoG system is cheaper to run. With less actives on the lines consuming electricity, a 10 year run of RFoG pays for itself and more, compared to building out a new HFC 1GHz plant.
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LeftyJR @ 30th Aug 07:47PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I'm moving out of the Lock Haven system and into the Williamsport system (which will reduce my HD count by 20), but will this affect the Williamsport system as well?
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mikedz4 @ 30th Aug 09:06PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I talked to a rep from comcast over the phone the other day and he said comcast has no need to upgrade it's plants right now. Everything they plan to do from here on out they can do on the fiber to the node cable to the house system they use.
He did say that sometime in the near future they will launch an "enhanced telephone service." Basically you rent a telephone from comcast and you can play games on it, check your email, get news, get sports scores, check the weather and check stocks all from your home phone. He said it will be the same price as their service is now but didn't say how much it would cost to rent the phone though.
He also said the comcast has told them that they want to be all digital over their entire footprint by this time next year.
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Rickz0rz @ 30th Aug 09:32PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by mikedz4 :
He did say that sometime in the near future they will launch an "enhanced telephone service." Basically you rent a telephone from comcast and you can play games on it, check your email, get news, get sports scores, check the weather and check stocks all from your home phone. He said it will be the same price as their service is now but didn't say how much it would cost to rent the phone though.
This doesn't surprise me. AT&T and Verizon have similar appliances out now. As far as I know, with both services, you don't rent the phone from them--you buy it for $300 (at&t) or $150 (verizon, 2 yr. commitment), outside of regular phone fees.
In reality, they are pretty neat devices. I just don't see myself or anyone else paying for something that's tied to a landline.
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pennstatejim @ 30th Aug 10:10PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by scanpa :
yes a few more at end of year. DTA's are about to be mailed out to all non Digital users, as the Migration from CH 22 - 74 is going to happen before the end of the year. There are ZERO plans to convert Lebanon or Reading to 860mhz or 1 GHZ systems. They went the band-aid route. DTA's have been ordered and will be auto shipped to all Non Digital Cable subscribers.
So, I have 1 HD/DVR and no other digital boxes. Is it still going to be first converter free and up to two DTAs free, with additional ones at $1.99/mo? With 1 HD/DVR, can you still get an additional converter free?
I know this has been discussed elsewhere, but it's been awhile and I forget!
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cypherstream @ 30th Aug 10:42PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Yeah I saw the Thompson home gateway online. It's an enhanced cordless phone with a screen on it. I think up to 4 cordless DECT handsets. The base station is also the cable modem / eMTA and wireless router in one. It's not DOCSIS 3.0 though so if you opt for D3 service you would have a separate modem for that.
I don't know if they can do DTA's in Williamsport. That's a Scientific Atlanta based system, and to date I haven't heard of any SA systems rolling out DTA's. Comcast has agreements to use Pace, Motorola and Thompson DTA's, but I haven't heard if they made an agreement to use the Cisco DTA's yet. They might just make it all digital but require full featured SA 2200/3200 set tops.
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Comcast Guy @ 31st Aug 08:35AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by scanpa :
yes a few more at end of year. DTA's are about to be mailed out to all non Digital users, as the Migration from CH 22 - 74 is going to happen before the end of the year. There are ZERO plans to convert Lebanon or Reading to 860mhz or 1 GHZ systems. They went the band-aid route. DTA's have been ordered and will be auto shipped to all Non Digital Cable subscribers.
New HSI Tiers up to 50mb will be available soon as the D3 testing is completed.
First system on deck for this is the Harrisburg 750 leftovers. Then towards the end of the year, Lebanon will be migrated.
reply
ComcastTech @ 31st Aug 10:30AM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
We just got a Thompson home gateway. They look pretty cool. Phone isn't huge which is nice.
reply
Pullo @ 31st Aug 04:32PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Got this mailer today.
reply
cypherstream @ 31st Aug 04:34PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
ESPN-U HD? Maybe they'll put it on the same QAM as MLB HD. It's fitting since it's a Sports QAM.
reply
anon @ 2nd Sep 05:48PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
When will Reading, Pa get the Big Ten network in HD? :mad:
reply
cypherstream @ 2nd Sep 05:57PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
When they realize that by migrating analog channels to digital will mean less theft. Less theft means better income and potentially more toys to play with, better raises, benefits, etc...
Of course you and I know that by migrating analog channels to digital, we have room for more HD.
reply
pennstatejim @ 2nd Sep 10:32PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by roddy3530 :
When will Reading, Pa get the Big Ten network in HD? :mad:
It was in the Eagle this morning that Service Electric Cablevision has picked up Big Ten and Big Ten HD in time for this week's games.
reply
ComcastTech @ 3rd Sep 01:40PM:
Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Next yr probably
reply
gebe @ 3rd Sep 02:56PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Does anybody have an idea when Comcast plans to run their "project calvary" in the Schuylkill County area? ...or is this yet another event on the horizon for us Comcast customers in Schuylkill F"nCounty.
reply
mikedz4 @ 3rd Sep 03:35PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
it's probably going to be a while. They want to have the nation 100% digital hopefully by next may if not definitely by this time next year. By 100% digital I mean all digital except locals and over 100 hd channels. They finally realize how many customers they are losing do to the fact that they only have 30-40 hd channels in MOST areas and they decided that upgrading equipment would cost billions instead of just spending millions on moving MOST channels to digital.
reply
gebe @ 3rd Sep 03:38PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Can somebody just lie to me and say they are starting tomorrow in my area :-(
reply
mikedz4 @ 3rd Sep 03:54PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
no because then you'll be here tomorrow whining about how we lied to you.
reply
gebe @ 3rd Sep 07:17PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
true...
reply
ComcastTech @ 4th Sep 10:13AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
it will be starting in reading in the next few short months
reply
anon @ 6th Sep 07:25PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
How long will it take?
reply
Chad473 @ 7th Sep 11:02AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
you should know never to ask that question with comcast. "a few short months" regularly turns into years. thankfully they do seem to be picking up with this project cavalry stuff, but don't be shocked in the least if its not until sometime next year.
reply
ComcastTech @ 8th Sep 07:08PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
It will start the first or second quarter next year, and will take the majority of the year. Yes, we will still have 100 HD channels. Docsis 3.0 will be this year for Berks county. The ETM (EMTA,GATEWAY combo) is being released this week or next from our system...any test dummy's? It can hold up to 5 handsets and two phone numbers currently. More phone numbers down the road. I played with one today
reply
mikedz4 @ 8th Sep 07:43PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
why doesn't comcast focus on making the things they have on this cordless phone available on their set top boxes?
reply
cypherstream @ 8th Sep 08:44PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
No HD channels until the 1st or 2nd Quarter next year? Wow. Lame...
There might be plenty of poor people in downtown Reading, but you know the system really sprawls out into the wealthy as well. Everyone I talk to that's up on anything despise Comcast and would jump to Fios if it was available. That's Comcast's savior right now. The lack of Fios.
reply
gebe @ 8th Sep 09:11PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Always on the horizon for us ain't Cypher. Comcast you SUCK!!!
reply
gebe @ 8th Sep 09:18PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Wait a minute I was just informed that Comcast will release a STB that is compatible with a Jensen 2 headed VCR for us folk in Schuylkill and Berks County, and the beta version of a casette based answering machine for Comcast Digital Voice.
reply
cypherstream @ 8th Sep 10:17PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I hear those "build your own cable descrambler for $15 in parts from Radio Shack" still work! J/K...
Wake me up when their software dev's upgrade from their Commodore 64's.
reply
gebe @ 8th Sep 11:59PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Can you imagine in Tru2way was actually implemented instead of just talked about at CES conventions. Our area shouldnt expect it until 2025, by that time my tv should become self-aware.
reply
ryan21 @ 9th Sep 11:29AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
If CSN Philly ever goes to directv, or I get fios, I am dropping comcast in a heartbeat. Just terrible that we don't even have BTN or ESPNU in HD.
reply
ComcastTech @ 9th Sep 07:49PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
oh darn
reply
Pullo @ 10th Sep 11:46AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Got my September bill today,no mention of any analog migrations or HD additions. It is however the new more colorful bill and under "Additional Cable Television Services" it has "additional outlet 2 @ $0.00 each" Is this a portent of future DTA action?
reply
BigBearsFan @ 10th Sep 12:24PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Got mine also no analog reclamation. moving a movie channel to digital classic and adding NBA HD to channel 960. Why not NFL RED ZONE HD or ESPNU HD ??? Sometimes I wonder if they have a list and go down it in order or do the blindfold and what ever they point to that is what gets added thing !!!
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anon @ 10th Sep 01:23PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
that NFL Redzone channel is now in the guide on channel 276 in the Pottsville pa system!!!
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cypherstream @ 10th Sep 01:20PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I got a new lineup card in this months bill. Actually it's the current lineup card, nothing new on it. Has been awhile since they published an up to date lineup card though, considering the sports channel changes.
Bill still costs me the same as it does for those in a system with 80+ HD channels.
I'm not asking for 150 HD channels. Just give me 60 for now and I'll be fine for awhile. Just make sure Bravo HD and History HD are included in that list.
reply
Chad473 @ 10th Sep 02:28PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
feel for you guys up there. At least they threw us a bone last month with history hd (and animal planet)
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cypherstream @ 10th Sep 03:17PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
We could have that too because we get Discovery Theater HD, and that's on the same mux as History and Animal Planet HD. But for some reason they don't want to switch our MUX around. We even have a spare channel (Channel 7) to use as temp space while they shuffle things around properly.
reply
anon @ 10th Sep 04:11PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
they even put it in a public notice for the Pottsville system, but because we are at the bottom of the Totem pole when it comes to distribution, they could not do it since, we feed of the Hamburg/Reading system, they off the Lebanon system, they off Lancaster, so you guys got it first instead of us in Pottsville!!! it's just like the DTA pecking order, the only good thing about it now, it all be public displayed, so everyone knows where everyone stands compared to each other!!!
reply
LeftyJR @ 10th Sep 06:12PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Here too!
reply
ComcastTech @ 11th Sep 04:58PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
ESPNU and REDZONE will be here next year in reading.
reply
cypherstream @ 11th Sep 05:00PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
We have them both now.
I take it your talking about the HD variants? I'm pretty sure I saw an add targeted to our zip code that showed the ESPN-U HD logo. Interesting.
Edit I did see that add..
»Re: hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Any idea why they keep MLB HD on a QAM all by itself. Do they not realize that's a complete waste of bandwidth? 38.8mbps is in a QAM. You'd be lucky if MLB HD took 19mbps if that. The rest of the QAM is padded with null packets. I don't think anyone knows what they are doing in the Reading system. Not you ComcastTech, I'm talking about the guys above you.
reply
ComcastTech @ 11th Sep 05:03PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
there ya go
reply
ComcastTech @ 11th Sep 05:04PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
i just also found out about a buttload of business things we will be doing with phone for our businesses and cell companies....
reply
ryan21 @ 18th Sep 06:51PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Will the Comcast Network HD be reappearing once the flyers season starts on October 2? I looked at their tv schedule and a lot of games are slated for TCN. Does this mean the HD version will become a permanent fixture instead of an overflow channel that goes away after a certain point?
reply
scanpa @ 18th Sep 07:14PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by ryan21 :
Will the Comcast Network HD be reappearing once the flyers season starts on October 2? I looked at their tv schedule and a lot of games are slated for TCN. Does this mean the HD version will become a permanent fixture instead of an overflow channel that goes away after a certain point?
Yes, CH 201 TCN-Philly HD will be back in service real soon.
reply
ryan21 @ 18th Sep 08:15PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
awesome maybe now all of the college football games on TCN will be in HD now.
reply
scanpa @ 19th Sep 01:17PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
just remember that the Sports Overflow is only activated as needed.
reply
ryan21 @ 19th Sep 02:49PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
On the Flyers schedule it shows games on TCN almost every month.
reply
pennstatejim @ 19th Sep 03:01PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
It's too bad they couldn't just make it a sports overflow channel and show the Flyers/Sixers/Phillies on TCN as needed, show the RedZone channel in HD on Sundays, show Penn State in HD from BTN since we don't get it here in Reading.
Guess that would make too much sense!
reply
cypherstream @ 20th Sep 01:29AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I was at someones place tonight in West Reading where they just recently moved in. They have a DCT-6200 and an HDTV. What do you know, Comcast hooked it up with the RF Coax output! No wonder they don't give a damn about HD in our area. It's because they don't know what HD is. How can they know what HD is when they hook up HD boxes through RF cable?! Heck you don't even get stereo sound! So I told them about Monoprice.com and they are going to order a set of component cables.
Sheesh. I'm sure not all techs are that stupid. Mine was really nice and smart when I was hooked up 3 years ago. Just some must not of attended any type of training courses.
reply
pennstatejim @ 20th Sep 03:15PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Funny Cypher, I was at a friends house last night, and we were watching football and I said, man you're TV looks really grainy, and I went to the back of the TV and Voila!, coax hookup. I took him to Walmart immediately for an HDMI cable. LOL
He, too, said that's how the tech set it up.
reply
ak3883 @ 21st Sep 12:48PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I doubt TCN has an HD capable truck(or is interested in paying the higher rent for one) to do HD college football games. It's just a local channel. Besides, all of the HD trucks are taken up this time of year with major college football games on ESPN's channels, and NFL games.
I like their new graphics package that is very close to what all the CSN's use, much better than the old CN8 graphics.
reply
ryan21 @ 21st Sep 04:09PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I meant the SEC network games and FSN games that they show
reply
Comcast Guy @ 23rd Sep 02:37PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by pennstatejim :
Funny Cypher, I was at a friends house last night, and we were watching football and I said, man you're TV looks really grainy, and I went to the back of the TV and Voila!, coax hookup. I took him to Walmart immediately for an HDMI cable. LOL
He, too, said that's how the tech set it up.
I hear this from Geek Squad guys ALL THE TIME. The techs put coax or composite, get a picture and leave. Geek Squad look like gods when they hook the HD cables up.
reply
tvtek @ 23rd Sep 02:46PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by Comcast Guy :said by pennstatejim :
Funny Cypher, I was at a friends house last night, and we were watching football and I said, man you're TV looks really grainy, and I went to the back of the TV and Voila!, coax hookup. I took him to Walmart immediately for an HDMI cable. LOL
He, too, said that's how the tech set it up.
I hear this from Geek Squad guys ALL THE TIME. The techs put coax or composite, get a picture and leave. Geek Squad look like gods when they hook the HD cables up.
While working for Circuit City as a TV tech in the homes, it was not uncommon to fine RF or composite hook ups from Directv, Dishnetwork and Comcast. The worst part was those customers were paying for high definition channels!..
--
What a kid I got. I told him about the birds and the bees then he told me about the butcher and my wife!
"Rodney Dangerfield"
reply
cypherstream @ 23rd Sep 04:42PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
This is why I can't wait to see the new HD boxes that have no RF output on them at all.
An HD box shouldn't need an RF output to begin with, unless they magically had an ATSC HD modulator, which we all know would be ungodly expensive when purchased in bulk.
If a TV does not have any A/V inputs, then it should just have an SD box, or one of those composite A/V RF Modulators that people were using for DVD players on older TV's. Heck even modern video game systems sell the RF modulators separately now too. Everything on baseband A/V is much better.
Funny, everyone's place that has Service Electric Cable seems to have their box hooked up with Component or HDMI.
Now training the uneducated user to go to Ch 503 (CBS HD) instead of 3 (CBS SD) on SECV was another story.... Same thing goes for Comcast ex) Ch 231 ABC HD vs. Ch 6 ABC SD.
reply
ComcastTech @ 23rd Sep 08:06PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
the point of a coax output is for people who want HD but can still run coax into a vcr instead of a/v cables.
reply
cypherstream @ 23rd Sep 08:20PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Well my box is hooked up like this..
Coax into 2 way splitter. 1 output to DCH-3416, 1 to TV's QAM tuner input. (Enables PIP and watch unencrypted program while recording two others).
HDMI from DCH-3416 to TV HDMI1
Yellow, White, Red from DCH-3416 to Video In on VCR
Yellow, White, Red from VCR to TV Video 2
Component cables from DVD player into TV Component 1
Component cables from Wii to TV Component 2
PS2 S-Video cable to TV Video 1
Laptop VGA output into TV VGA In.
Done.
Can't even tell you the last time I powered on the VCR. It's plugged in, time is set on it, but that's IT.
reply
Comcast Guy @ 24th Sep 10:18AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
PS2? S-Video? VCR???
Where's the WebTV plugged in?
I keed, I keed.
reply
scanpa @ 24th Sep 04:28PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by Comcast Guy :
PS2? S-Video? VCR???
Where's the WebTV plugged in?
I keed, I keed.
thats now msnTV - Microsoft took over WebTv years ago.
reply
LeftyJR @ 24th Sep 06:48PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I think that was his point.
reply
cypherstream @ 24th Sep 07:35PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I don't even use those things, but they are plugged in!
reply
ryan21 @ 25th Sep 08:52PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Is anyone else that has comcast in Reading having problems with MLBN HD?, its all frozen and pixelated for me
reply
bnculp @ 25th Sep 09:30PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Yes I am also having problems with ch 252 MLBN HD in Reading PA. All I am getting is "this channel will be available shortly" . I have no problems with any other channels and my signal strength is good. ch 738 MLBN SD is working fine.
reply
ryan21 @ 25th Sep 09:38PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
just checked its back working now, that was weird
reply
cypherstream @ 25th Sep 11:56PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
FYI: The reading office is now handing out DCX-3432's and Pace RNG-110 HD boxes.
reply
motorola870 @ 26th Sep 01:34AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
hey can you get a screen shot of the pace RNG110
reply
jasg @ 26th Sep 01:51AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by motorola870 :
hey can you get a screen shot of the pace RNG110
If you meant a picture of the actual box, they are all here - along with user guides.
»www.comcast.com/corporate/custom···box.html
reply
ryan21 @ 26th Sep 08:09AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
by handing out, do you mean you can go their and trade in an older box? For example, I have an older motorola box, would it Change anything if I got one of these newer boxes?
reply
Pullo @ 26th Sep 08:33AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I might run down to the office on Riverfront this morning and try to exchange a DCH-3416 for a DCX-3432.
reply
cypherstream @ 26th Sep 11:24AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Yeah you get more hard drive space. The DCX also has a faster processor and more RAM so it will be able to run interactive stuff in the future once they download that kind of software to it.
The Pace HD box is really nice. You can do native resolution with that also. It has a really thorough diagnostics screen too, more so than Motorola. It almost looks like a PC's BIOS. I like how small the box is.
I can't go today, but maybe on Monday or Tuesday I'll look into getting the DCX DVR.
reply
ryan21 @ 27th Sep 12:58PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Could Comcast Reading add WGAL-HD and WPMT-HD if they wanted to?
reply
pennstatejim @ 27th Sep 10:15PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Do you guys just go to the Riverfront office and say "Give me a new DCX-3432" and they know what the heck you're talkin about?
reply
scanpa @ 28th Sep 01:03AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by pennstatejim :
Do you guys just go to the Riverfront office and say "Give me a new DCX-3432" and they know what the heck you're talkin about?
That will depend on How well trained or informed the CSR is.
reply
cypherstream @ 28th Sep 07:31AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by ryan21 :
Could Comcast Reading add WGAL-HD and WPMT-HD if they wanted to?
No - There's not enough bandwidth to waste for duplicate affiliates. Perhaps after the digital transition (whenever that may be) they could do it, because Lebanon has the feeds, they just need to add Reading to the multicast, assign it a frequency and a mapping in the cable box.
said by pennstatejim :
Do you guys just go to the Riverfront office and say "Give me a new DCX-3432" and they know what the heck you're talkin about?
I was never able to get across actual model numbers, so be armed with the phrase "you got any of those new black DVR's? Can I see it?" But my friend just picked one up and he said they seemed knowledgeable and helpful. They may of gotten better since I was last out there. I'm going to head out there this afternoon and I'll let you know how my experience goes, and I'll try to find out how many they have.
My friend came back home with a RNG-110 HD box (really nice HD only box), and a DCX-3432. In a bag of goodies he had a set of component cables, an HDMI cable, 2 coax cables with easy twist on ends, 2 new dark grey remotes sealed in bags with new batteries also sealed. Multiple user's guides (I-Guide, DVR, Channel card), and two pairs of 3D glasses. That does sound like major improvement, because every time I was there all they gave me was a power cord and the box. They always told me I was on my own for cables. Maybe enough people complained that the service is getting better? Who'd of thought!
reply
cypherstream @ 28th Sep 03:36PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I'm here now (iPhone). Lines long but I see at least 4 black boxes in the back. I think they are DCX3400.
reply
Comcast Guy @ 28th Sep 03:54PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by cypherstream :
I'm here now (iPhone). Lines long but I see at least 4 black boxes in the back. I think they are DCX3400.
Any luck?
reply
ryan21 @ 28th Sep 04:39PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
how did it go?
reply
cypherstream @ 28th Sep 05:09PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Yup, got it!
I guess I have to call in and have a signal sent because not all of the channels are authorized. For example it says HBO and all that are subscription services. Most of the channels work, there's no real rhyme or reason but I'll get it going then.
You gotta refer to it as "one of them new black DVR's".
Attached is what I got.
Yeah 320GB. It looked like there may of been at least 5 or 6 more in the back, but it was hard to tell. I got the bald guy at the window. The Spanish lady was also working (she's really nice). The Comcast office was packed... mostly people returning equipment or paying their bill.
EDIT: Simple call and all the channels work great. Might take 24 hours for Caller ID to work though.
Coax, HDMI cable, Remote, 3D Glasses, Splitter (asked for) |
Both DVR's |
User Settings Menu |
firmware |
Hard Drive Status |
Memory Config |
Front (bad pic) but Dolby Digital Plus logo, plastic film still on front. |
Rear (I edited this pic) |
mikedz4 @ 28th Sep 06:06PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I got jipped. I got the 250gb and sunday I had to delete half of my shows because it was FULL somehow. I don't know how I can fill up 250gb so fast. Right now it is over half full. Oh well with as much trouble as I had getting this one here I guess I better hold on to it for a bit longer.
reply
Comcast Guy @ 28th Sep 07:06PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Looks nice. I was told these were available, but never really looked into it. The black is a lot more appealing.
So we're giving out 3-D glasses now? Interesting.
reply
cypherstream @ 28th Sep 08:31PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Yeah there's some 3D on demand movies.
So I have 1 hour of SD recorded and so far a half hour of HOUSE recorded. It's showing 2% utilization. That's pretty good.
reply
ComcastTech @ 28th Sep 08:37PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I had 4 of those testing in May. Now just two at home. Nice to be able to record more.
reply
mikedz4 @ 28th Sep 10:04PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
so what is the difference between the 25 and 32 besides hard drive size?
reply
pennstatejim @ 28th Sep 10:44PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Sweet. I am actually "between houses" right now, but when I get my service transferred to my new home when I move in, I wonder if the installer will have "one of them new black DVRs" LOL!
reply
cypherstream @ 28th Sep 10:46PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I noticed TLC HD was "Not Authorized" so I had to watch something on the old DVR. I did call and do the automated system to send a reset to the box. When the show was almost over I switched back to my other HDMI input and noticed TLC HD was working. I went through and it looks like all the right channels are on. So that was pretty odd. Caller ID on screen works on the DCX now. Just took a few hours to register itself into the system I guess.
Neat piece of equipment though. It's got some power in it, can't wait till they make an OS that fully utilizes it.
reply
anon @ 30th Sep 12:53AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
just want everyone to know that TCN HD will be put on Channel 201 in Pottsville!! (but only show the Rainbow effect test screen for now)
Also not to get anyone confused we now have RedZone in SD and HD
Redzone in SD is Channel 276 called NFLRZ
Redzone in HD is Channel 255 called NFLRD
Which means these channels should also be on other subsystems here for the Central Pa zone as well!!
reply
cypherstream @ 30th Sep 07:19AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
When did Redzone show up in HD? It wasn't there this past sunday, I've checked. Heck it wasn't there last night. Is it showing a barker, or no signal yet...
I'm going to guess, but I would say Red Zone HD is paired up with MLB HD(119-2) on 765 MHz (119-1), and TCN HD is back where it was before on 681 MHz (105-1).
That pretty much taps us out, unless they want to squeeze another OTA HD on 771 MHz (120) alongside of Telefura and WLVT-HD. WFMZ 69 would be a logical addition to this frequency, who know's if they will actually do it.
Also Ch 7 was blank for awhile (I'm guessing it still is). I would imagine they would use that for engineering to make moves that take more than one night to complete (nice temp spot to hold channels while things are reorganized).
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Comcast Guy @ 30th Sep 10:56AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by j jefferson3 :
Which means these channels should also be on other subsystems here for the Central Pa zone as well!!
That's not always entirely true. Pottsville is treated as separate from Reading/Hamburg in a lot of cases.
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LeftyJR @ 30th Sep 01:47PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Did this channel (or others) show up overnight? It/they weren't there when I went to bed.
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cypherstream @ 30th Sep 05:00PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
They are both on 615 MHz. Both are showing 480i transmission of colorbars.
Both channels are encrypted.
615 MHz houses 9 TEAM channels and 4 Big10 alternate feeds. They can get away with using this seemingly crowded channel because it's very unlikely that all of those channels would be needed at once. So the proper feeds are switched in or out of 615 MHz as needed. Pretty good use of otherwise waisted bandwidth. Hats off to the guys responsible!
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LeftyJR @ 30th Sep 10:53PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
...and there it is - on channel 255. I can't wait for the preview on Sunday!
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anon @ 1st Oct 08:00PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Did Comcast screwup the annual price increase pamphlet, or did most prices actually go down slightly or stay the same? It says why prices are going up, then proceeds to show few increases at all?
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Pullo @ 1st Oct 08:10PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I didn't get anything in the mail yet,if you did can you scan it and post it or post some of the price quotes.I saved last years price sheet so I have something to compare the new prices to.
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cypherstream @ 1st Oct 08:19PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
If anything I hope equipment rental goes down. Now they have multiple suppliers making boxes. For instance PACE makes the RNG-110. Bidding for equipment between 2 or more vendors (Pace and Motorola) should end up saving Comcast money and improving equipment supplies.
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anon @ 1st Oct 10:27PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
I tried to take a photo of the price sheet but it didn't turn out well because of the shiny paper. It came in the mail yesterday, not attached to a bill. Under equipment rental, every price is either no change or a slight decrease, only modem rental has increased form $3 to $5. DVR price does not change.
Is the economy really that bad that Comcast cannot raises its prices? I thought Comcast price increases were like death and taxes. I guess Comcast cannot justify a price increase with a straight face (nothing has improved, we still have about 1/2 the HD channels of Chicago or Harrisburg) so they didn't bother.
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cypherstream @ 1st Oct 11:20PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
What you actually want higher prices?
Heck if you have a 2nd DVR it's a whopping $25.40 a month. I had 2 DVR's for 4 days and my bill increased by 38.10 for 45 days of HD-DVR A/O. Now that will come off as I returned the other DVR, but still at those prices I would never EVER rent another DVR from Comcast. Hell a Tivo is 12.95 a month, plus whatever a cable card is, is not near 25.40 a month! Plus with a Tivo your getting more features.
I think Comcast should acquire some of the content providers. This way they don't have to pay so much for content. ABC/Disney would be a good jackpot but I don't think anyone can afford them in todays day and age. NBC Universal isn't too bad, but Time Warner has more networks out there (still dreaming).
It's October already. Were winding down to the end of the year with only 3 months left. I highly doubt there will be any major projects starting in 4th Quarter. Q4 is normally a time to reflect and plan for next year.
I almost think Michael Scott runs Comcast of Reading. You know, the office...
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ak3883 @ 1st Oct 11:35PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Cool, somewhere else got a new price card that had the same prices. I thought it was an error.
Three things certain in life: Death, Taxes, and yearly cable bill increases higher than inflation
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anon @ 2nd Oct 12:17AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
We in the Pottsville system got our Price list on Monday, and they changed the Prices so that when we Eventfully get migrated everything Price wise will all ready be ready for it!! of course we here all ready knew this was coming months ago, but at least now it is in Writing!! at least for the first time they actually give prices for almost every type of configuration you can think of!! which actually make me very happy!!
i list these in order of channels available so the Price goes up in sequence!!! Here is the most important stuff and you want something particular just feel free to ask!!!
Effective 11/01/2009
Limited Basic is $12.90
Family Tier is $31.90
Digital Economy is $39.95
Old Standard Cable/New Digital Starter is $54.95
Digital Preferred $71.90
Digital Preferred with One premium service $91.95
Digital Preferred with Two premium service $105.95
Digital Preferred Plus $114.95
Digital Premier $129.35
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Pullo @ 2nd Oct 05:35AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Reading current prices ( )
Limited Basic is $12.90 (13.25)
Family Tier is $31.90 (31.90)
Digital Economy is $39.95 (39.95)
Old Standard Cable/New Digital Starter is $54.95 (61.70)
Digital Preferred $71.90 (76.65)
Digital Preferred with One premium service $91.95 (92.65)
Digital Preferred with Two premium service $105.95 (105.30)
Digital Preferred Plus $114.95 (114.90)
Digital Premier $129.35 (126.20)
The price variability is odd for systems adjacent to each other, fed off of the same headend with almost identical lineups.Reading is higher on the low end and lower on the high end.That may change when the new prices come out.
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cypherstream @ 2nd Oct 07:29AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I would like to know what is happening for equipment rates.
$8.90 a month for an SD box is ludacris. If you want to entice people to move to digital they need to lower this price point to make going digital look more attractive. The more people that have digital set tops on their TV's, the less to be pissed off when they eventually do migrate, as digital customers won't notice any service disruptions.
Then what is the price of an extra HD box? Is it still $8.90 + $5 = $13.90 ? No wonder there's a very limited HD selection, because not many people can afford all the HD equipment!
HD & SD equipment should cost the same. Time Warner can do it and there not hurting for cash!
One thing that does not sit pretty with me is a $5 modem rental. First, we do not have DOCSIS 3.0 in our area. The D1.1/2.0 equipment we have is already purchased and on the road to full depreciation. The only thing I could possibly agree with a $5 rental is an actual brand new DOCSIS 3.0 modem. There are people like myself who cannot purchase eMTA's, so why should we suffer? I guess they want to drive people away from Triple Play. I know if I got rid of CDV, I could then buy my own modem and not pay a rental fee. I thought the whole purpose of Triple Play was to entice customers to sign up for service? It sounds like they'd rather not sign up any more customers because they think they already have enough.
Whoever is in charge needs to be fired. Were talking no innovation, ridiculous prices. They play on the fact that many of us have no other choice in service providers. Sucks they can hang on by that thread, but Berks County is a dark hole when it comes to competition. No VZ Fios, no AT&T U-Verse, tons of apartments and lots of wooded area's where dishes cannot be put up. They know it, we know it, and there's nothing that can be done about it.
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anon @ 2nd Oct 10:23AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Ok cypherstream, i think this is where comcast is making there money for this upcoming year, there going through the back door this year, this is the part where comcast really changed things, at least it's alot for Pottsville, but may still suck for Reading, some for the good and some for the Really bad!!!
First of all If you have a Triple Play all Packages should now have an HD Converter Box + Remote Control, which they never listed before at least in a price listing here in Pottsville!!
HD Starter Triple Play $129.99 (6M internet +CDV)
HD Preferred Triple Play $144.95 (6M internet +CDV)
HD Plus Triple Play $159.99 (8M internet +CDV + HBO)
HD Premier Triple Play $199.99(8M internet+CDV+Premeir+DVR)
that was Consider the simple Stuff, so i hope everyone is sitting down in chair about now!!! because i going to Introduce you to Comcast new Fussy Math formula!!! You may want to start laughing and crying right about Now!!
For SD People!! (First SD Box Included) but now if you get a Second SD Digital Converter it is going to be $3.20 + Remote Control of $0.25 + the level of Service your on!!
(we do not need this stuff now for the lower end stuff but we all know eventfully comcast well start Encryption Soon, so they can make Tons of more Money!!!)
Family Tier Additional Outlet Was $3.70 now $3.40
Digital Economy Additional Outlet Was $3.70 now $3.40
Digital Starter Was $4.95 now $6.95
Digital Classic Was $8.90 Stays at $8.90
Cable Card (For Comcast Equipment there is no charge at all!!)
Cable Card (For Not Comcast Equipment -1st Card still Free!!)
Cable Card (Dual Cable Cards for non-comcast HD DVR's Requiring two Cards) Was $2.00 Now $1.75)
For HDTV People!!!
Reminder if you have Triple Play 1st HD box is now Included, If you need an HDTV Digital Converter (With any other Digital Service or Package) it going to be just $6.50 but if you just have Tv Service, it Was $9.80 going down to $9.25
For Everything else Other Than HD Premier Triple Play (which does even include the DVR also!!)
Digital Video Recorder (DVR) Service Primary Outlet $15.95
Digital Video Recorder (DVR) Service Additional outlet $20.90
and to no one surprise the EMTA Modem Rental is up to $5.00
to make this more simple Comcast is creating a pecking Order!!
(Basically if you were at Digital Starter or lower (with SD) with 2 or more boxes then you are the Greatest Winner (Price Wise Only) this upcoming year, you save at least ($6.50)even at 1 box you got a good deal (For Now!!), since digital starter itself went down $4.00 (With SD), Even in HD Digital Starter is cheaper but only when down to where the Current Price of standard cable is (but of course We here really know why they did this)it because Next year they will begin migration, and take channel off of Analog, and force people to go Digital, and by Getting HD, Get DVR's and use more On Demand Services so that they Can make more money because Comcast is Evil!! and that some people are Fools!!)
if you are Digital Preferred in Either SD or HD (it's a wash everything that went down get negated by the things that went up)
but if you are Premium Person and have alots of HD and DVR, if you want to watch tv at an affordable price in the future, better start getting Triple Plays fast, because even those the price did not go up at all this year at least in Pottsville, I know Exactly Where Comcast is heading and it not good for you in the long run!!!
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Chad473 @ 2nd Oct 10:08AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
redzone HD is in our guide as well as of yesterday. excellent news as it's a great alternative for the weekends we don't go to the bar for games. I still don't get why they don't just run this on the regular nfl channel (well, no, I get it but still...) since it's a waste of bandwidth for all but 8 hours a week.
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Comcast Guy @ 2nd Oct 12:26PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Also, in Harrisburg, Adult VOD went from $13.99 to 11.99. So that's good news for some.
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cypherstream @ 2nd Oct 01:20PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
What's the Digital Classic A/O for $8.90? That's how much my current DCT-700 costs.
Digital Classic - is that some kind of grandfathered package? I have Triple Play Platinum. All Digital channels + the 4 premiums, CDV, 8mb HSI, and DVR.
Shouldn't the terms be updated, I'm not on Digital Classic, I'm on Platinum.
So to hook up extra TV's, if you subscribe to a lower level of service, it's cheaper? That doesn't seem right. So again it seems like they are driving people to digital economy and trying to get people off of higher packages. Is this so they don't have to pay the content providers as much money? I mean they do furnish numbers of how many people subscribe to what networks, so the content providers know how much to charge.
Looks like your best bet is Digital Economy, own your own modem and no CDV (since you can't buy an eMTA at this point). Didn't realize they were penalizing the big spenders.
P.S. J Jefferson, I love your enthusiasm!
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ryan21 @ 2nd Oct 02:18PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
lol
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anon @ 2nd Oct 04:10PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
So cypherstream
You Have Triple Play Platinum. All Digital channels + the 4 premiums, CDV, 8mb HSI, and DVR.
this sounds like you have everything but The HD, so this will actually be an grandfathered package for the People in Pottsville if they offered here in the first place, since after November 1, 2009 comcast is Pushing HD, in fact add in the HD and Sport Package with your Stuff and it become what we will call the HD Premier Triple Play for $199.99, in fact after 11/01/2009 the Only Non-HD Triple Play in Pottsville will be the Economy Triple Play (which Itself is also new in Pottsville) Which is Digital Economy, Economy High Speed and Local Area only CDV for just $79.85!!! Comcast actually had here the names of Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum but comcast actually got rid of those names here back in 2004, we had the terms of the last 4 for some years Starter (New for 2009),classic (was 2004, later merged with Preferred in 2008), preferred (2004), Plus (2004) and Premier (2008), so when in comes to naming some thing were behind, but some things we are ahead!!!
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Comcast Guy @ 5th Oct 02:22PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Hey Reading/Hamburg...History and Animal Planet should have been added today. Channels 230 and 217.
Oh, and Lykens got CMT, MTV, TWC, Vh1 and Comedy Central all in HD.
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Pullo @ 5th Oct 02:28PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
No,no guide data and direct access with the remote defaults to 231 and 218
As an aside the franchise agreement between Comcast and Hamburg is up for renewal.
»pa.mypublicnotices.com/PublicNot···=1576200
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Comcast Guy @ 5th Oct 02:29PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by Pullo :
No,no guide data and direct access with the remote defaults to 231 and 218
Keep checking periodically. It did say "on or about 10/5/09."
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cypherstream @ 5th Oct 02:54PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Oh finally moving away from that legacy Discovery HD Theater QAM?
I didn't see anything this morning yet either, but I will be very pleased to see History in HD!
Oh and damn Lykins and their fancy 860 MHz system!
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ryan21 @ 5th Oct 11:54PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
APHD is channel 868, and HISHD is 875.
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Pullo @ 6th Oct 05:00AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Got this in the mail yesterday.I never would have found Anamial Planet HD and History HD in the 800's it looks like Comcast is setting up Reading to transition all HD's to the 800's like alot of other places.
»comcastworldofmore.com/plainfiel···neup.pdf
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Pullo @ 6th Oct 06:34AM:
AD in todays Reading Eagle
(reply to roddy3530)
Looks like TCN is going digital,although TCN is on channel 5 and QVC is on 26. What happens to QVC?
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anon @ 6th Oct 07:35AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
At first blush I thought that notice said COMEDY Central was being removed from Digital Starter. Heads would role.
Sweet about HistoryHD though.
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ryan21 @ 6th Oct 09:31AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
So now that the long awaited APHD, and HISHD have been added, what do you think is next BTN HD, ESPNU HD, CBSCHD or something else?
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cypherstream @ 6th Oct 11:49AM:
Re: AD in todays Reading Eagle
Uh... Channel 8 is WGAL in Reading. TCN is 5, it's been 5 for the last 10 years.
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Pullo @ 6th Oct 12:06PM:
Re: AD in todays Reading Eagle
A lot of unanswered questions about that ad.Did they really mean TCN on channel 5 (not 8)moving to 26 and requiring a digital converter or cablecard? What happens to QVC that is currently on 26? Is Comcast Central going away or do you need Digital Classic and above to get it? Red Zone HD is on the guide on 255 but I don't have the S&E pack so I just get "Not Authorized"
Question for you cypher,were did Comcast find the bandwidth for the new channels and is there any capacity left?
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ComcastTech @ 6th Oct 12:46PM:
Re: AD in todays Reading Eagle
Rearranging
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anon @ 6th Oct 01:06PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
What about the Schuylkill County Area? Are we not on the same headend as Reading and Hamburg? I wish I knew enough about the cable system to force a rebuttle by Bicker..he is rhedoric is really good!
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anon @ 6th Oct 02:46PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Know in Schuylkill County as The Comcast System of Pottsville, we were to have History HD and Animal Planet HD 3 months ago, but they gave it to the System in Lancaster instead!!! We were going to have them in the 200 Range but if your close to digital Migration they give you them in the 800 Range Instead, (They are coming to a new HD set structure for this Overall Region) in an Overall timescale we (Pottsville) are behind Reading/Hamburg so there really is no necessarily to add them, but i want them anyway!!!! also TCN was removed from analog here 6 months ago, in fact i believe Reading was the Last one to have it in Analog, but Both areas need even more analog Removed as soon as possible!!!!!
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Comcast Guy @ 6th Oct 03:51PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by ryan21 :
APHD is channel 868, and HISHD is 875.
Looks like the email I got was half right. Channels were there, just in different spots.
Enjoy Meerkat Manor!
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anon @ 6th Oct 05:54PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
God I hope not. How much sports do you people need? Is one team of fat guys in tight pants hitting another team of fat guys in tights pants really that much different from any other?
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ryan21 @ 6th Oct 07:00PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
boo this man!
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anon @ 6th Oct 07:31PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Bandwidth is finite. Sports channels occupy too much as it is. Intelligent programming like Smithsonian channel, AMC, Biography, Planet Green etc are not carried or not carried in HD.
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anon @ 6th Oct 07:33PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Does anyone else think History HD looks not so good? It beats zoom mode standard def but its looks grainy and not smooth.
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anon @ 6th Oct 07:37PM:
msg deleted
deleted by a moderator
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cypherstream @ 6th Oct 07:40PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
CSPAN 2 was removed from Channel 95 (93 MHz). In it's place they threw the 3:1 mux of Discovery HD Theater, Animal Planet HD, History HD. We are still mapped to the old Discovery HD Theater though on 669 MHz (Physical Channel 103).
I'd imagine once all systems in Central PA are migrated to the new 3:1 MUX, they will discontinue DHD Theater on the legacy QAM which is a 1 HD / 7 SD package. That QAM will be freed up for more SD or another HD.
I was unaware that CSPAN2 was removed from Analog. Did this happen last night, or was this always free?
I have to say I'll forget about them all the way by themselves next to that spam "Auto's, shop 887, etc.." So I added them as favorites and parental locked the SD versions. Forgot to set favorites on my new DCX box.
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anon @ 6th Oct 07:43PM:
msg deleted
deleted by a moderator
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Pullo @ 6th Oct 07:55PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Cypher can you check channel 22,for me it's dead on an analog TV and with a box,as far as CSPAN2 I don't know when that happened I never watch it.
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cypherstream @ 6th Oct 07:59PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Black screen on both Analog and digital. Quiet static sound.
Ch 22 was supposed to go digital only Feb 2008. They decided not to for whatever reason (Maybe because RACC uses it and they would need DTA's in every room with a TV?)
That's an amateur local access channel so it does eff up from time to time.
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Pullo @ 6th Oct 08:23PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I think I read that with the city of Reading's financial problems they are withholding money from BCTV and BCTV is threatening to shut down the Municipal Access Channel (99).If it happens maybe Comcast could grab that slot back.
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anon @ 6th Oct 08:33PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
hey cypherstream
C-Span 2, TCN and Shop NBC where the 3 channels Removed from the Pottsville, Pa 6 months Ago, so for your system just got Rid of C-Span 2 yesterday (For Animal Planet and History HD)and TCN next month (for Possible few more HD) and i thought i heard they doing something about Shop NBC a while ago, but did not go through with it originally, but it could be gone now or later) This then will bring you up to where you should be, in fact your be one channel ahead because would then have every channel that was taken from us earlier in the year, but we still have Style in analog, it never went to channel 118 here, hopefully they, take this off Analog and then give us the History and Animal Planet HD that we should of had 3 months ago and have both of our systems balance out!!!
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cypherstream @ 6th Oct 08:44PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Well in Hamburg that slot is the Hamburg Bulletin board channel, so that would have to be removed as well (or moved to digital only). We can get the digital version of it only through a QAM tuner, but it's not mapped to our boxes.
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pennstatejim @ 6th Oct 09:12PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by Comcast Guy :said by ryan21 :
APHD is channel 868, and HISHD is 875.
Looks like the email I got was half right. Channels were there, just in different spots.
Enjoy Meerkat Manor!
Is this the start of migrating the HD channels to the 800s?
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LeftyJR @ 6th Oct 09:41PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
We haven't seen anything about of the 200/300s here. When I lived in Lock Haven, they started mapping some HDs in the 500s (WE, Fuse, IFC).
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cypherstream @ 7th Oct 06:52PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Just to let you know, the Reading office on 400 Riverfront Dr. no longer had DCX DVR's as of last Friday afternoon when a friend of mine went to trade up. They are handing out DCH DVR's currently. He will check again in a few weeks.
Ch 22 is still dead in both analog and digital. Did a rescan on my TV and it skipped over 22 completely. Manually typing in 22 it tries to acquire a signal in digital mode for some reason and it fails with "Weak signal".
Since it's not working they should just pull the plug on it and reclaim that bandwidth.
What's up with the Reading Eagle's ad anyway? There are a lot of unanswered questions. If TCN on Channel 5 moves to Channel 26, what happens to QVC on Channel 26? What happens to Channel 5? Are we reclaiming 2 * 6 MHz channel spaces that day?
Is Comcast Central being removed completely? Or are they just now realizing that with a box and basic service you could watch Expanded Basic and up channels that are features on Comcast Central? Right now Lifetime, A&E and MTV are on Ch 960. CNBC, Fox News, Weather, CNN are on 961. Disney Cartoon, Sprout and Nick Jr are on 962. Vs, ESPN, Golf and ESPN2 are on 963. I could essentially have a free ride and watch those channels with basic service if I didn't mind the small video window.
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anon @ 7th Oct 07:29PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
your right cypherstream
in fact right now on the Kids Channel , Nick jr and Sprout are definitely at least digital classic channels everywhere, Disney and cartoon are at least Digital Starter (Disney is Digital Classic in Plainfield, NJ)
In Sports ESPN News is at least digital classic/ Sports Package
In News, all 6 feed as of now are at least Digital Starter
Comcast Central Main feed is just the same Feed that you see when you are in the On-demand system itself so it is a complete waste of bandwidth, i hope reading/hamburg get rid of it , i guess that means it should go away then from here in (Pottsville) sooner or later also!!! I know that the New Jersey area is also getting rid of those 886 to 893 On Demand channels as well, the Day that all this crap is out of My systems i will do a Happy dance!!!!
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Pullo @ 7th Oct 08:24PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Channel 22 is working,it's currently showing the Wilson High School bulletin board.As far as TCN,QVC and Comcast Central go I guess we just have to wait until on or about Nov 5.
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ComcastTech @ 7th Oct 09:35PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by cypherstream :
Just to let you know, the Reading office on 400 Riverfront Dr. no longer had DCX DVR's as of last Friday afternoon when a friend of mine went to trade up. They are handing out DCH DVR's currently. He will check again in a few weeks.
Ch 22 is still dead in both analog and digital. Did a rescan on my TV and it skipped over 22 completely. Manually typing in 22 it tries to acquire a signal in digital mode for some reason and it fails with "Weak signal".
Since it's not working they should just pull the plug on it and reclaim that bandwidth.
What's up with the Reading Eagle's ad anyway? There are a lot of unanswered questions. If TCN on Channel 5 moves to Channel 26, what happens to QVC on Channel 26? What happens to Channel 5? Are we reclaiming 2 * 6 MHz channel spaces that day?
Is Comcast Central being removed completely? Or are they just now realizing that with a box and basic service you could watch Expanded Basic and up channels that are features on Comcast Central? Right now Lifetime, A&E and MTV are on Ch 960. CNBC, Fox News, Weather, CNN are on 961. Disney Cartoon, Sprout and Nick Jr are on 962. Vs, ESPN, Golf and ESPN2 are on 963. I could essentially have a free ride and watch those channels with basic service if I didn't mind the small video window.
yea we will be out for at least 2 weeks. we don't have SMC's either. it was great fun doing commercial triple plays while hunting for them let me tell ya.
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mikedz4 @ 8th Oct 12:28AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
apparently comcast is getting rid of bulletin boards nationwide. I had my local franchise director contact comcast about getting a bulletin board setup for my area and the guy at comcast told him that comcast doesn't setup bulletin boards anymore and will be doing away with them by mid 2010. So unless your area programs it's own bulletin board expect it to go dark soon.
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Pullo @ 8th Oct 05:31AM:
Service Electric going Digital
(reply to roddy3530)
In today's Reading Eagle:
»readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=160464
Highlights:
Service Electric Cablevision is notifying customers it will be converting most of its channels to digital only.That means customers without digital-ready TVs are going to need adapters to keep watching those channels.The company, which serves about 33,000 customers in 30 municipalities in Berks and Chester counties, has prepared a notice explaining the changes.
Additional adapters will be available to rent for $1.95 month or buy for $50 each.
Comcast also making switch
Comcast Cable, with more than 700,000 customers in its central Pennsylvania region, which includes Berks County, also is planning a switch to digital.Called "World of More," the switch is being rolled out neighborhood by neighborhood across the country.The switch has begun in some parts of Philadelphia and New Jersey, but Comcast officials said Wednesday they weren't ready to unveil plans for Berks County.
The officials said customers will receive plenty of advance notice and frequent communications before the switch.
Correction:
"Service Electric Cablevision will offer subscribers up to two digital transport adapters at no charge. Customers who need more adapters can lease them from the company. The fee will be $1.95 a month per adapter or a one-time lease payment of $50. A Service Electric representative provided incorrect information about obtaining the adapters for a story in the Thursday Reading Eagle."
reply
ryan21 @ 8th Oct 09:41AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
TCN HD was removed yesterday, guess it will be back in November. Wish they could keep it, it was nice to get some extra games in HD
reply
cypherstream @ 8th Oct 11:14AM:
Re: Service Electric going Digital will SELL DTA's
Well Pullo,
That explains why on SECV you can get every normal channel (2-99) in clear QAM.
»www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/li···p_936473
So even with the competition going all Digital, Comcast of Berks County still wants to wait? They are lazy. Sure it's coming, but nows the BEST time to announce it. Why? Because SECV announced it first, so they will take the heat. Comcast can use SECV's announcement as a cover to the elderly and analog lovers, as "look, their doing it, so are we".
SECV will have a great system. They upgraded to C-COR 1 GHz equipment. 1 GHz bandwidth with limited analog will provide LOTS of bandwidth.
reply
Comcast Guy @ 8th Oct 10:39PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by cypherstream :
Just to let you know, the Reading office on 400 Riverfront Dr. no longer had DCX DVR's as of last Friday afternoon when a friend of mine went to trade up. They are handing out DCH DVR's currently. He will check again in a few weeks.
Harrisburg office had a few DCXs yesterday and I grabbed one to replace my old DCT DVR. It's far more responsive and just plain looks nicer on my entertainment rack. The smaller Pace HD boxes were few and far between.
So nice to finally get a more attractive cable box for customers. Well...um...and employees.
reply
ryan21 @ 9th Oct 11:09AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
So does anyone know when we will get the massive addition of HD channels like other areas are getting?
reply
ComcastTech @ 9th Oct 06:06PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
April through July 2010
reply
ryan21 @ 9th Oct 10:18PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
k thanks
reply
mikedz4 @ 10th Oct 12:47AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
does anyone know when pittsburgh will get the massive addition of hd channels? I know we are getting 11 this month but that won't even give us 60 hd channels. I'd say 45 tops now.
reply
Pullo @ 13th Oct 12:54PM:
Rate sheet in new bill
(reply to roddy3530)
Got my bill today and the new rate sheet was in it,for the most part no price changes,or very minor.Announcement on bill for NFL RedZone but on wrong channel (276) vs 734 sd and 255 HD plus nothing about Animal Planet and History HD's in the 800's or the Nov 5 changes.
Reading current,(new)
Limited Basic $12.90 (12.90)
Family Tier $31.55 (31.30)
Digital Economy $39.95 (39.95)
Digital Starter $64.65 (59.70)
Digital Preferred (Classic) $76.65 (76.65)
Digital Preferred with One premium service $92.65 (96.70)
Digital Preferred with Two premium service $105.30 (110.70)
Digital Preferred Plus $114.90 (119.70)
Digital Premier $129.35 (129.35)
»i991.photobucket.com/albums/af32···mage.jpg
»i991.photobucket.com/albums/af32···ge-1.jpg
reply
cypherstream @ 13th Oct 02:44PM:
Re: Rate sheet in new bill
said by Pullo :
Got my bill today and the new rate sheet was in it,for the most part no price changes,or very minor.Announcement on bill for NFL RedZone but on wrong channel (276) vs 734 sd and 255 HD plus nothing about Animal Planet and History HD's in the 800's or the Nov 5 changes.
Those guys never talk to each other. So much for a premier communications company.
reply
cypherstream @ 13th Oct 10:26PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
NASA TV is currently on Channel 22 (Analog and Digital Simulcast).
I verified this at the NASA TV live feed website, and it is the NASA TV live feed.
reply
Pullo @ 13th Oct 10:48PM:
Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
They never publish a schedule for that channel so you never know whats going to be on.I don't watch it enough to know if the 4 High schools that put programs on it are on at the same time each week or what RACC's schedule is.
Who controls the channel, is it BCTV,RACC or Comcast?
reply
cypherstream @ 13th Oct 11:06PM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
I thought RACC was responsible for it. I just know it was off the air for a few days but now it's back with NASA TV. A lot of people on the Comcast.net forums request Nasa TV. I think you can get that channel with RCN or a dish, but not many cable operators carry it.
reply
anon @ 21st Oct 09:01PM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
It has been way too quiet, I guess no one has any good news to report. :(
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Chad473 @ 21st Oct 10:45PM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
not really any need to wonder. until they decide to bring dta's and the whole project cavalry thing to the area, there won't be any major additions.
comcast tech posted above "april through july 2010" so don't start holding your breath for awhile. that's a long way away..and judging by the info the insiders are good enough to leak out to us here, comcast rarely hits their projected dates around here anyway.
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Pullo @ 22nd Oct 07:28AM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
This is the next thing on deck,other than that nothing. Comcast Guy posted that Lebanon was to get a 90 day notice for DTA's but I didn't see any notice posted.
»Re: DTAs Available for Harrisburg Central
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cypherstream @ 22nd Oct 09:05AM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
Interesting that they don't mention Animal Planet or History HD in the upper 800's.
Also find it strange that Lebanon would get DTA's but not Reading. After analyzing the QAM layouts on both systems, they are almost identical. At least mux wise, they have the same channels grouped together. A lot are on the same frequencies, but some stuff is just shifted (because they have different # of open spaces than us). Since were all getting the same QAM feeds in the same MPEG PID order, we shouldn't be too much longer after Lebanon's done. We are sister systems that use the same RF line equipment.
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Pullo @ 22nd Oct 09:17AM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
Did Lebanon in fact get a 90 day notice? A search of Pa Public Notices for the Lebanon Daily News turned up nothing,unless it was a general advertisement and not a Legal notice.
reply
Comcast Guy @ 23rd Oct 12:36AM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
said by Pullo :
Did Lebanon in fact get a 90 day notice? A search of Pa Public Notices for the Lebanon Daily News turned up nothing,unless it was a general advertisement and not a Legal notice.
Yep. The 90-day notice was posted 2 weeks ago and DTAs are now available in the Lebanon office (as of 10/22 at 4pm).
Lebanon cut 1: 1/12/10
1st HD adds: 2/1/10
Lebanon cut 2: 2/9/10
2nd HD adds: 2/16/10
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cypherstream @ 23rd Oct 07:38AM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
See a lot more of the Lebanon system channels are labeled over at Silicondust...
»www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/li···p_995615
149 programs vs 115 programs found for the Reading system:
»www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/li···p_995112
But now if you notice the multiplexes in the Lebanon system, a town with DTA's, compared to Readings, the channels are grouped together in the same fashion.
Sort the Lebanon lineup by channel by clicking on the channel column header:
»www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/li···p_995615
Now compare that to Reading's QAM layout:
»home.comcast.net/~cypherx/qam.htm
For example scroll down to Reading's physical channel 77:
1 e BET
2 e Cartoon Network
3 e Comedy
4 e MTV
5 e Disney
6 e Nickalodeon
7 e SCI-FI
8 e AMC
9 e Discovery
10 e TLC
11 e VH-1
12 e USA
Look at Lebanon's lineup and this same combination is on their physical channel 74.
74-1 61 BET
74-2 58 TOON
74-3 38 COMEDY
74-4 32 MTV
74-5 63 DISN
74-6 35 NIK
74-7 71 SYFY
74-8 26 AMC
74-9 60 DSC
74-10 34 TLC
74-11 31 VH1
74-12 47 USA
And I bet you it's that same combination through all of PA. The systems east of us even, when they went into Clear QAM for their DTA's in Montgomery and Chester counties, had the SAME channels grouped together. With the big site in Lebanon with all the dishes, I wouldn't be surprised if that's the regions content ingest and multiplexing site. Now it shoots over those combinations of channels over multicast UDP IP streams over their local gige/10gE network to Motorola SEM's (or SA MQAM / GQAM's) and out comes a tuned QAM for that system.
Some of the channels and frequencies are the same, like Channel 91 take a look at the Music Choice numbers on both Lebanon's listing and Reading's. Identical. In fact pretty much everything over Channel 91 is the same, except for HD Locals and a few odds and ends here & there. But still where you see an NBC in Reading, there's an NBC in that same spot in Lebanon (although a different one).
So a lot of this behind the scenes standardization should help in accelerating DTA deployment once the Lebanon base system is completed.
It also explains why some of the 860 MHz area's took so long for HD additions despite having plenty of bandwidth (Hershey, 860 area's of Harrisburg, Lock Haven, etc...). They had to "break the mold" so to speak.
Some of the Motorola based equipment used in these processes could be:
Motorola Astria Content Processors
»www.motorola.com/business/v/inde···b00aRCRD
Motorola DM6400 Cherry Pickers
»www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/···00_US-EN
Motorola SEM
»broadband.motorola.com/catalog/p···0804.pdf (PDF)
In SA/Cisco networks they could shoot video to the GQAM
»www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collate···ec44.pdf
Or the older MQAM
»www.ciscosystems.org.ro/en/US/pr···eb73.pdf
The stuff can pull video via standard ASI inputs or over IP networks. In case of the older SA MQAM I believe that only takes ASI, so you could use Terrayon/Motorola equipment to convert the IP UDP multicast video streams to ASI.
Heck you could use VLC player to stream UDP audio, transcode it to MPEG2 ts and feed it into a mux (Motorola, Harmonic, BigBand, Cisco, etc...) and as long as you populate the PMT, TS and SID, after it's muxed push it to an outbound security processor/qam and yes a Cable box can tune content driven from a server running plain old VLC!
Comcast if your hiring network/headend techs contact me via PM.
reply
ak3883 @ 23rd Oct 12:28PM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
cyper, that is one of our "packages" of SD channels as well, way over in Bucks county close to NJ. Exactly the same 12 group/order of channels. I'm betting the other 4 groups of 12 SD channels muxed together are the same too.
reply
ComcastTech @ 25th Oct 11:17AM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
said by cypherstream :
Comcast if your hiring network/headend techs contact me via PM.
Wouldn't hold your breath. We have a guy in each.
reply
cypherstream @ 25th Oct 11:24AM:
Re: Channel 22 "Educational Programming"
Yeah, don't need it, got a good stable job!
reply
anon @ 25th Oct 01:11PM:
msg deleted
(reply to roddy3530)
deleted by a moderator
reply
cypherstream @ 26th Oct 09:35PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
2 new SD crappy channels added on 771 MHz (RF Ch 120).
263 - MIND2
264 - MHZWV
Seem to be some third rate programs which I believe are subchannels of WYBE 35. Al Jazeera was on MHZWV earlier, now it's Australian Football.
Seems like the end of the spectrum all the way out there at 771 MHz is a dumping ground for secondary must carries... (WLVT, Telefura, WYBE).
reply
Pullo @ 26th Oct 09:51PM:
More channels I don't want
Just love these stealth channel additions,I'd be OK with it if they had moved WYBE on channel 17 to digital like they announced back in April.
This lists the channels as being on 264 and 265:
»www.mindtv.org/styles/mind/www/channels.html
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sansri88 @ 26th Oct 10:24PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
MHZWV is MHz Networks Worldview
»www.mhznetworks.org/mhzworldview/
--
Sriram Satish
NYU FAS Computing
reply
Pullo @ 26th Oct 10:31PM:
Analogs removed
I should have checked before posting,it looks like WYBE (channel 17) and C-SPAN2 (95) are gone from analog in Reading.
reply
cypherstream @ 26th Oct 10:50PM:
Re: Analogs removed
Yeah it Mega Hurts! Get it? Megahertz MHz! :D
Good find, yeah WYBE is off the dial now. That seems to be the stipulation that an analog station can move as long as they add the digital subchannels for it. Remember they did this with WLVT-39.
They should move channel 22 off to digital only. What an effing waste. It's a blue screen that says "No signal." in the upper left corner.
So there's 2 free spaces that are currently unused. Channel 7 and Channel 17. I predict that the QAM's on 113 and 114 move to 7 and 17, then QAM's 113 and 114 become DOCSIS 3.0 carriers. Just a thought, maybe.
reply
ryan21 @ 27th Oct 03:38PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
When will Reading get the I-28 guide?
reply
cypherstream @ 27th Oct 05:00PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Not sure about A28. The CSR on the phone was clueless about it.
The PSIP on the new channels is effed up.
35-4 Labeled Global
There are 2 yes 2 35-5's.
The first 35-5 is labeled WYBE-35
The second 35-5 is labeled World.
They all appear as ENCRYPTED (So much for Must Carry compliance) to my QAM tuner.
HOWEVER the diagnostics in the cable box says CLR. So the PSIP issue is making my QAM tuner think they are encrypted.
reply
Pullo @ 28th Oct 07:45AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Talked to a friend who has Digital Starter with a DCT-700 and they are getting "Not Authorized" on the two new channels.They should be included in limited basic and above like all the other PBS subchannels.
reply
cypherstream @ 28th Oct 07:47AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by Pullo :
Talked to a friend who has Digital Starter with a DCT-700 and they are getting "Not Authorized" on the two new channels.They should be included in limited basic and above like all the other PBS subchannels.
Well your friend isn't missing much at all. 3rd rate, lower audio/video quality programming at best.
They work on my box, but I have Digital Platinum.
reply
ComcastTech @ 30th Oct 11:53AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
it happens. i'm out of work for a week with swine flu, so any coming updates i wont have a clue about.
reply
anon @ 31st Oct 05:22AM:
msg deleted
deleted by a moderator
reply
cypherstream @ 2nd Nov 09:10AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Anyone notice that Comcast Central does not work properly on a DCT-700? If you arrow off to one of the other windows to listen to it's audio, in about 3 seconds the screen will flash and the cursor will return to the home spot along with the default audio coming back on. This seems to be the issue on News, Kids, and Sports.
reply
Pullo @ 2nd Nov 07:37PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Same here on a DCT-700 but does it even matter,will Comcast Central still be around after Thursday? Will TCN go digital only and move to channel 26,what happens to QVC? why can't they put TCN HD back on 201 right now?
So many questions that will have to wait until Thursday to be answered!
reply
anon @ 5th Nov 02:13AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
here in Pottsville, Channels 960 to 963 are now gone, and CSNHD is back on channel 201 even those the Guide says Off-air. so i am assuming these changes Happen in Reading and Hamburg also!!
p.s there was a little scary moment, i actually had the Tv on 963 when the signal was pulled when it when to the famous "One Moment Please" saying so, then i put on the mini guide with the 3 one line channel banner, and then a few moments later, the whole guide data for the guide system went completely blank, it said No Listings Available at this Time, but then came back on 5 minutes later with everything back on except 960 to 963, and with 201 included, this happens when your on the guide the very second that there changing everything, but they did not waste time, it went to effect at 12:13 A.M.!!!!!
reply
Pullo @ 5th Nov 08:05AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Yes,in Reading the changes announced actually took place.Comcast Central is gone,TCN HD is back on 201 (it's labeled CNPHD),QVC and TCN switched channel positions and TCN is now digital only.
I don't know if this is new but I just noticed that C-SPAN2 is on channels 95 and 104,also some box menu items have shifted positions
reply
cypherstream @ 5th Nov 08:55AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Yeah I can confirm all the changes.
Ch 26 is now available for digital broadcasts.
Ch 95 CSPAN2 was used for Animal Planet and History HD a month ago, but just today I see CSPAN 2 also on 104. Fitting through, right next to CSPAN3.
QVC on 5...
No more Comcast Central. Not a big loss. Guide diagnostics say VRN is enabled and authorized, but master not found.
Noticed TCNHD on 201.
TCN SD is still mapped to 5-5 on my TV's QAM tuner. Not sure if that will change. Checked and channels 7 and 26 are now available for signals (didn't detect any on them yet).
reply
motorola870 @ 5th Nov 08:59AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by cypherstream :
Yeah I can confirm all the changes.
Ch 26 is now available for digital broadcasts.
Ch 95 CSPAN2 was used for Animal Planet and History HD a month ago, but just today I see CSPAN 2 also on 104. Fitting through, right next to CSPAN3.
QVC on 5...
No more Comcast Central. Not a big loss. Guide diagnostics say VRN is enabled and authorized, but master not found.
Noticed TCNHD on 201.
TCN SD is still mapped to 5-5 on my TV's QAM tuner. Not sure if that will change. Checked and channels 7 and 26 are now available for signals (didn't detect any on them yet).
TCN HD on 17 or 119?
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cypherstream @ 5th Nov 10:37AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Oh yeah forgot that Ch 17 is also available.
We have 7, 17, and 26 now open for service.
TCN HD is still on a mux with Redzone HD and other sports stuff that is switched in or out depending on what sporting events are running.
reply
pennstatejim @ 5th Nov 12:43PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Now if we can only get TCN to show accurate guide information, we'd be all set!
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LeftyJR @ 5th Nov 07:39PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
My Passport guide has all of the info, actually - but - why is the game that is on right now in SD on the HD channel? I thought that was the purpose of CSN-HD?
BTW, I'm not in Reading, I'm in Williamsport.
reply
pennstatejim @ 5th Nov 08:20PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
My TCN has NEVER had the correct guide info! This afternoon, it said "Boxing" and it was an infomercial.
reply
Comcast Guy @ 6th Nov 10:55AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by pennstatejim :
My TCN has NEVER had the correct guide info! This afternoon, it said "Boxing" and it was an infomercial.
Hmm. Was it a boxing infomercial?
reply
pennstatejim @ 7th Nov 12:56PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Well, it looks like the TCN finally has the right guide information, at least on the SD channel. The HD channel still says "Off Air". However, I did notice that the SC-Ark game that is being shown on TCN is, in fact, in HD on TCN-HD. Very cool! I hope they do this with a lot of the other sports they show on there besides Flyers and Sixers.
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cypherstream @ 7th Nov 01:50PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I'm up in N.E. PA on Blue Ridge Cable for the weekend. Holy crap 60 HD Channels, it's freaking amazing... not 100 but it's STILL amazing. If they'd only add 20 more HD channels in Reading it would be a HUGE improvement!
Passport guide is much nicer too, and their video mozaic channels (News & Kids) operate MUCH nicer and smoother than Comcast Central ever did. These little SA boxes change channels SO FAST compared to the Motorola's we have in Reading.
reply
anon @ 8th Nov 05:08PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
My TiVo just popped up with a message re: a lineup change:
272 ESPNU
277 Tennis
284 HRTV (Horse Racing)
285 TVG (More horse racing)
Nothing HD
I can't actually see any of the channels which I assume is because I don't subscribe the sports pack? Is there some huge demand for standard def horse racing of which I am unaware?
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Pullo @ 8th Nov 05:17PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
They were added at the end of July,a little late there TiVO.
reply
anon @ 8th Nov 05:38PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Yeah its kinda hit or miss. It learns of the big additions quickly, but the little, worthless adds like this one take sometime. Still beats the hell out any DVR comcast has every produced.
reply
Pullo @ 8th Nov 05:53PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Do you know if your TiVo lineup is up to date? Did it pick up last Thursdays changes (TCN and QVC swapping chanels and TCN HD back on 201)and that Animal Planet HD and History HD are on 868 and 875?
reply
anon @ 8th Nov 06:11PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
It got TCN on 201. I tell it I don't get QVC (and Fox News). It knows about APL and History HD but the guide all says to be announced, which is annoying. When MLDHD was added it took months to get an actual programing list for that channel.
reply
anon @ 8th Nov 06:46PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Well, that is a surprise, we do not have the Animal Planet and History HD yet, but we should of had it 4 months ago, but Comcast gave it to Lancaster Instead, and Reading/Hamburg got it last month, and Lebanon will get it when it gets finish Migration in February 2010, but even in Pottsville we got the Fx HD (193), Fox News HD (196) and Speed HD (197)Mux, even in a Migration Area Fx HD is 824, Fox News HD is 820 and Speed HD is 857 so it you do not have, there just not putting the signal out past the Head-end, so Comcast is screwing with you!!!, of Course Comcast is doing the same thing in our areas too, but just with other channel combinations!!!
reply
ryan21 @ 10th Nov 07:12PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Any chance we get ESPNUHD or BigTen HD anytime soon? I hate watching CFB and CBB games in crappy SD
reply
scanpa @ 11th Nov 01:18PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by j jefferson3 :
Well, that is a surprise, we do not have the Animal Planet and History HD yet, but we should of had it 4 months ago, but Comcast gave it to Lancaster Instead, and Reading/Hamburg got it last month, and Lebanon will get it when it gets finish Migration in February 2010, but even in Pottsville we got the Fx HD (193), Fox News HD (196) and Speed HD (197)Mux, even in a Migration Area Fx HD is 824, Fox News HD is 820 and Speed HD is 857 so it you do not have, there just not putting the signal out past the Head-end, so Comcast is screwing with you!!!, of Course Comcast is doing the same thing in our areas too, but just with other channel combinations!!!
Lebanon Has had APHD and History HD for several months.
reply
ryan21 @ 15th Nov 08:18PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
So is Reading getting any new HD channels in December?
reply
Pullo @ 17th Nov 06:54AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Ad in the Reading Eagle today.It's not clear from the ad if the HD's are moving to the 800's or if they are just moving the On Demand channels to make room for them.From this it doesn't look good for any new HD's this year unless they are stealth additions.Isn't there capacity for at least 6 new HD channels and what ever happened to the DOCSIS 3.0 rollout?
reply
LeftyJR @ 17th Nov 08:30AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by Pullo :
Ad in the Reading Eagle today.It's not clear from the ad if the HD's are moving to the 800's or if they are just moving the On Demand channels to make room for them.From this it doesn't look good for any new HD's this year unless they are stealth additions.Isn't there capacity for at least 6 new HD channels and what ever happened to the DOCSIS 3.0 rollout?
I am going to have to check the Williamsport paper today for a similar ad...
I know that up here, we just got DOCSIS 3.0 about 3 weeks ago - where are they in Reading?
reply
cypherstream @ 17th Nov 09:06AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
There's room for 9 HD adds. 3HD's x 3 QAMs.
However I believe they are going to use the room for DOCSIS 3.0 first.
Channels open: 7, 17, 26.
Channel 97 will never be used because the Motorola OOB frequency interfears with this space.
reply
ryan21 @ 17th Nov 09:38AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
maybe there just going to move our current HD channels to their world of more spots?
reply
anon @ 17th Nov 12:56PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
It says updating channel lineup to include ALL your HD CHANNELS in a single area (801-899). Sounds pretty clear-- your HD channels will be in the 800s per what the rest of the country is getting on or about Dec. 17.
reply
Pullo @ 17th Nov 02:20PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to sepaperson)
PDF of World of More page for Levittown I edited to guess where our HD's would go on or about Dec 17. Comcast would still need to move the BTN overflow channels off of 801-804 and the Premium HD's would stay in the 300's.
We got a lot of catching up to do.
Original document for comparison:
»www.comcastworldofmore.com/levit···neup.pdf
reply
ryan21 @ 17th Nov 02:26PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Where would the HD redzone channel go?
reply
Pullo @ 17th Nov 02:31PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
861,fixed the PDF. If I missed any existing HD's in Reading(other than the Premiums) let me know.
reply
cypherstream @ 17th Nov 04:36PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Wow that looks sparse once you see all the blank numbers.
Well it's step 1 to slowly migrating into a "Class A" system.
I look at it this way... there's different system "classes" out there.
Class A - Done with digital transition. 2 waves of HD adds, fully up to date, latest software on the set tops, DOCSIS 3.0
Class B - In progress with digital transition. 1st wave of HD's added or analogs just removed. A25 or better software on the set tops. DOCSIS 3.0 in planning or a soft launch.
Class C - 750 MHz or lower systems who haven't started the transition yet. 28-42 HD channels. A25 or lower software. DOCSIS 3.0 CMTS not yet installed
Class D - 550 MHz or lower systems who haven't started the transition yet. 20 HD channels if your lucky. DOCSIS 3.0? - Ha, I laugh on your grave! Your lucky if you have 16QAM upstream at 6.4 MHz. Your plant prolly can't even handle it due to noise.
Class E - 550 MHz or lower systems who don't even have Video On Demand. What century are you guys in? Your lucky if you even have digital set tops. If you have digital your not even on the CRAN. Your a HITS shop, nothing is centralized... the system is in it's own little world.
Class F - 450 MHz analog only cable circa 1980's. Nuff said...
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anon @ 17th Nov 05:15PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Big 10 overflows go to the 700s, 711-714 here in Chester County.
We got same lineup as Levittown PDF but nobody seems to have an answer for when premiums HD channels are forthcoming as in other areas across the country. Take it they go in 900s.
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jmoz2989 @ 17th Nov 08:24PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
This was in the Scranton Times Tribune today. Central PA markets must be getting organized.
ScrComcast111709 |
cypherstream @ 17th Nov 09:36PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Comcast.com shows CNN HD in reading on Ch 221 and AMC HD on 238. Could that be foreshadowing?
Well they show nothing in the 800's. No Big 10, no Animal Planet, No History.
Odd....
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motorola870 @ 17th Nov 10:01PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
comcast.com shows Animal planet HD and History HD in the 200's.
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cypherstream @ 17th Nov 10:16PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by motorola870 :
comcast.com shows Animal planet HD and History HD in the 200's.
Well comcast.com is wrong. Maybe I should take a screen shot with the guide up and e-mail it to them. It's a shame that they don't know their own lineup. They are too big for their own good! I think Comcast is going to purchase Ticketmaster if the Anti Trust investigation goes through.
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LeftyJR @ 17th Nov 10:17PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to cypherstream)
said by cypherstream :said by motorola870 :
comcast.com shows Animal planet HD and History HD in the 200's.
Well comcast.com is wrong. Maybe I should take a screen shot with the guide up and e-mail it to them. It's a shame that they don't know their own lineup. They are too big for their own good! I think Comcast is going to purchase Ticketmaster if the Anti Trust investigation goes through.
I see commercials that tell me that NFL RedZone is on Channel 754 (or something), but its on channel 255 here!
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cypherstream @ 17th Nov 10:22PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to LeftyJR)
said by LeftyJR :said by cypherstream :said by motorola870 :
comcast.com shows Animal planet HD and History HD in the 200's.
Well comcast.com is wrong. Maybe I should take a screen shot with the guide up and e-mail it to them. It's a shame that they don't know their own lineup. They are too big for their own good! I think Comcast is going to purchase Ticketmaster if the Anti Trust investigation goes through.
I see commercials that tell me that NFL RedZone is on Channel 754 (or something), but its on channel 255 here!
This is why they need to go to a Universal Channel Lineup. Not only for us Customers simplicity of the same channel number everywhere, but for their database simplicity as well. Make one change in Expanded Basic or higher, and do it across the entire Comcast footprint.
Vote for Universal Channel Lineup!
»Comcast On Screen Guide - Community Feature Wishlist
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mikedz4 @ 17th Nov 11:00PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Off Topic, but I don't see why the merger between ticketmaster and live nation wouldn't go through. Live nation does most of ticketmaster's tickets now anyways. Like my local concert venue used to use ticketmaster. Now it uses live nation ticketing. I can't see comcast buying something else.
Comcast speed up the digital transition, improve the guide, offer more features, offer more hd channels (like maybe beat dish and directv to offering over 200 hd channels?), and get your cable business straightened out before embarking on new endeavors.
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LeftyJR @ 18th Nov 09:42AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
This (like the others) was in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette today. Hopefully a few HD adds will take place too!
ATTENTION COMCAST CUSTOMERS!
Effective on or around December 17, 2009, Comcast is updating the Williamsport channel lineup to include all of your HD* channels in a single area (channels 801-899), conveniently grouped for easier viewing. To help make room, the following On Demand channels will be move to new channel numbers:
-Entertainment On Demand from 886 to 986
-Shop 887 from channel 887 to 997
-Automotive On Demand from channel 889 to 989
-Travel and Leisure from channel 891 to 991
Additionally, the following channels will mvoe from Digital Classic Service to Expanded Basic Service**:
-Biography on channel 115**
-G4 on channel 162**
-History International on channel 116**
-Sprout on channel 128**
-Style on channel 118*
Don't have Comcast Digital TV with HD? Call 1-800-COMCAST today!
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nerdburg @ 18th Nov 10:29AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Comcast just took over Blue Mountain Cable in Schuylkill County, it will be part of the Pottsville system.
--
[Insert Comcast employee disclaimer here.]
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pennstatejim @ 18th Nov 12:35PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to LeftyJR)
said by LeftyJR :
I see commercials that tell me that NFL RedZone is on Channel 754 (or something), but its on channel 255 here!
That is the standard definition version of the channel, in the 700s. 255 is HD.
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LeftyJR @ 18th Nov 12:39PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by pennstatejim :said by LeftyJR :
I see commercials that tell me that NFL RedZone is on Channel 754 (or something), but its on channel 255 here!
That is the standard definition version of the channel, in the 700s. 255 is HD.
I might have been mistaken, but anyway - the SD version here is 275, not 754.
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cypherstream @ 18th Nov 01:21PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Yeah Reading's the only area in Central PA's management group that put RedZone SD in the 700's with the other relevant Sports channels.
Good for the people of Blue Mountain Cable! Must be a lot of work to do to get that plant up to modern day standards.
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LeftyJR @ 18th Nov 01:35PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
said by cypherstream :
Yeah Reading's the only area in Central PA's management group that put RedZone SD in the 700's with the other relevant Sports channels.
Good for the people of Blue Mountain Cable! Must be a lot of work to do to get that plant up to modern day standards.
All of our sports are in the 250s-270s.
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ComcastTech @ 18th Nov 04:18PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
Better get used to posting. These channel rearrangements will be happening for months. Docsis 3.0 will come first. Once we start the transition in spring 2010, you will see the boom in HD. Until then don't expect much but arrangement to prepare for this.
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motorola870 @ 18th Nov 04:39PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to cypherstream)
i was just saying that they are wrong. I have a feeling that they might add CNN HD and AMC HD
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ComcastTech @ 18th Nov 08:05PM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
It's possible, but I'm saying don't expect it to happen
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anon @ 22nd Nov 11:52AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
just to let Everyone here Know, The Comcast Cable System of Pottsville will be doing Network upgrades on the Fiber System between 12:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M. Real Late Tonight, Both Internet Services and Phones Services will be down for about 30 to 90 Minutes, but TV signals should remain Fully Active!!!
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ryan21 @ 23rd Nov 09:22AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
(reply to roddy3530)
just woke up this morning and the HD cable channels are listed in the 800s. All are still in the 200's as well
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ryan21 @ 23rd Nov 09:30AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
The Comcast Network is the only "cable channel" as of right now that is not in the 800's like all of the others. All of the locals are still just in the 230's probably because of the BTN alternate channels which the could move now because there is not going to be more than one game at the same time on BTN for the rest of the year
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Pullo @ 23rd Nov 09:47AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
Looks like they got a jump on Dec 17.Revised channel lineup for Reading 800 series HD channels,Like Ryan21 posted The Comcast Network is missing from 856 where you would expect it to be.
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LeftyJR @ 23rd Nov 10:26AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
I checked my lineup this morning, and here in Williamsport we still have the HDs in the 180s-260s...maybe tomorrow.
Was anything added, btw?
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ryan21 @ 23rd Nov 10:54AM:
Re: [HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
no they were just moved to their "world of more" slots
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[HD] hd updates for the Reading, Pa area
