Comcast added new Hi-Def channels.

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I don't see how cable is going to compete with Direct TV and Dish Network- you can only have room for a certain number of HD channels on a coax cable.

They'd have room for a ton of new HD channels if they'd just axe the analog signal. I don't see why they can't do this now and just make everyone get a box. Sure people would be pissed off, but they could go to directtv... and still have to use a box.

The FCC has ruled that they're not allowed to axe the analog signal until 2012.

boooooo. I'll be an old fart by then.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: blurredvision
My local Time Warner quietly added TBSHD earlier last week as well. Over the past year with TW, we've went from 1 local HD and around 5 national HD channels to 2 local HD and around 9-10 national HD channels. It suddenly doesn't even compare to the new HD stations that went live on DirecTV, though. If the HD package from DirecTV doesn't suffer from their typical "HD-lite" down-rezzing, then I be very tempted to switch over.

What's this HD-lite down-rezzing business?

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: blurredvision
My local Time Warner quietly added TBSHD earlier last week as well. Over the past year with TW, we've went from 1 local HD and around 5 national HD channels to 2 local HD and around 9-10 national HD channels. It suddenly doesn't even compare to the new HD stations that went live on DirecTV, though. If the HD package from DirecTV doesn't suffer from their typical "HD-lite" down-rezzing, then I be very tempted to switch over.

What's this HD-lite down-rezzing business?

I think he's saying directv does a lot of compression on their hd-feeds.

 

[cubby1223]

Had Universal HD from Comcast since perhaps March? And having the analog channels is good, can send the cable to other tvs without having to pay for each extra box.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: KLin

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: blurredvision
My local Time Warner quietly added TBSHD earlier last week as well. Over the past year with TW, we've went from 1 local HD and around 5 national HD channels to 2 local HD and around 9-10 national HD channels. It suddenly doesn't even compare to the new HD stations that went live on DirecTV, though. If the HD package from DirecTV doesn't suffer from their typical "HD-lite" down-rezzing, then I be very tempted to switch over.

What's this HD-lite down-rezzing business?

I think he's saying directv does a lot of compression on their hd-feeds.

Ugh

I've actually been considering making the switch from Insight cable to DirecTV b/c of the HD packages available through DirecTV. The cable options are pathetic and damn near insulting.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: KLin

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: blurredvision
My local Time Warner quietly added TBSHD earlier last week as well. Over the past year with TW, we've went from 1 local HD and around 5 national HD channels to 2 local HD and around 9-10 national HD channels. It suddenly doesn't even compare to the new HD stations that went live on DirecTV, though. If the HD package from DirecTV doesn't suffer from their typical "HD-lite" down-rezzing, then I be very tempted to switch over.

What's this HD-lite down-rezzing business?

I think he's saying directv does a lot of compression on their hd-feeds.

They're doing several things. First they're using MPEG4 AVC(H.264) instead of MPEG2, which is technically more compressed in the first place (but it can achieve the same quality at lower bitrates). Second is that they're reducing the resolution of most HD channels that use 1080i, from 1920x1080 to 1280 x 1080, which does create a loss in quality. Finally they are compressing their HD streams further than what's needed to maintain picture quality with the MPEG2 version, causing a further drop in picture quality.

It's still a hell of a lot better than SD, but an unmolested HD feed is better yet.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: KLin

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: blurredvision
My local Time Warner quietly added TBSHD earlier last week as well. Over the past year with TW, we've went from 1 local HD and around 5 national HD channels to 2 local HD and around 9-10 national HD channels. It suddenly doesn't even compare to the new HD stations that went live on DirecTV, though. If the HD package from DirecTV doesn't suffer from their typical "HD-lite" down-rezzing, then I be very tempted to switch over.

What's this HD-lite down-rezzing business?

I think he's saying directv does a lot of compression on their hd-feeds.

They're doing several things. First they're using MPEG4 AVC(H.264) instead of MPEG2, which is technically more compressed in the first place (but it can achieve the same quality at lower bitrates). Second is that they're reducing the resolution of most HD channels that use 1080i, from 1920x1080 to 1280 x 1080, which does create a loss in quality. Finally they are compressing their HD streams further than what's needed to maintain picture quality with the MPEG2 version, causing a further drop in picture quality.

It's still a hell of a lot better than SD, but an unmolested HD feed is better yet.

Suggestions on an HD provider then? Insight Cable here in Columbus offers a pathetic HD lineup.

 

[Kev]

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I don't see how cable is going to compete with Direct TV and Dish Network- you can only have room for a certain number of HD channels on a coax cable.

They'd have room for a ton of new HD channels if they'd just axe the analog signal. I don't see why they can't do this now and just make everyone get a box. Sure people would be pissed off, but they could go to directtv... and still have to use a box.

The FCC has ruled that they're not allowed to axe the analog signal until 2012.

boooooo. I'll be an old fart by then.

Still, when they get rid of the analog signal it doesn't mean every channel will be HD. It will still be 80% SD garbage.

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: LS20
why does comcast offer TNT? whow atches that network? why cant they give me Discovery HD??!?!??!

I get Discovery HD thru Comcast.

 

[LS20]

Originally posted by: Steve


I get Discovery HD thru Comcast.

the real discovery, with interesting programming, or the faux one? i have the fake discovery with that discovery sunset africa safari walllpaper bullcrap!

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: LS20

Originally posted by: Steve


I get Discovery HD thru Comcast.

the real discovery, with interesting programming, or the faux one? i have the fake discovery with that discovery sunset africa safari walllpaper bullcrap!

I don't know, how do I tell the difference between the two? I can check at home.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Universal HD does or did show Firefly in HD.

 

[Jschmuck2]

Charter is even worse - I get 6 - count em - 6 non-local HD channels.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I don't see how cable is going to compete with Direct TV and Dish Network- you can only have room for a certain number of HD channels on a coax cable.

They'd have room for a ton of new HD channels if they'd just axe the analog signal. I don't see why they can't do this now and just make everyone get a box. Sure people would be pissed off, but they could go to directtv... and still have to use a box.

The FCC has ruled that they're not allowed to axe the analog signal until 2012.

boooooo. I'll be an old fart by then.

Even then, there's only so much you can squeeze on a coax line. THey'll have to come up with something like channel addressing (where the cable box requests a signal to be turned on/off) in order to fit a lot more HD channels in 1080i. I think they're doing 720p right now. Of course if they do this, a TV Guide will be the only practical way to channel surf as the lag in flipping channels will be annoying.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
TBS HD tells me I have to call up and pay for it. Is that a mistake? I get TNT HD and all the other channels around it (I know, not a scientific basis or anything).

Yes it is a mistake. Call up customer service and they should be able to correct the problem remotely.

 

[tw1164]

Originally posted by: LS20
why does comcast offer TNT? whow atches that network? why cant they give me Discovery HD??!?!??!

Where else are you going to watch Law & Order 23 hours day?

 

[Aharami]

UHD has been in listed in my Guide for quite a while now but the channel doesnt work. It says something like should be activated shortly. Funny thing is, my gf couple towns over has been getting UHD for a while now. I called up comcrap to find out when I will be getting UHD. CSR didnt know what I was talking about.

Oh and UHD used to show BSG...reruns though.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I don't see how cable is going to compete with Direct TV and Dish Network- you can only have room for a certain number of HD channels on a coax cable.

They'd have room for a ton of new HD channels if they'd just axe the analog signal. I don't see why they can't do this now and just make everyone get a box. Sure people would be pissed off, but they could go to directtv... and still have to use a box.

The FCC has ruled that they're not allowed to axe the analog signal until 2012.

boooooo. I'll be an old fart by then.

Even then, there's only so much you can squeeze on a coax line. THey'll have to come up with something like channel addressing (where the cable box requests a signal to be turned on/off) in order to fit a lot more HD channels in 1080i. I think they're doing 720p right now. Of course if they do this, a TV Guide will be the only practical way to channel surf as the lag in flipping channels will be annoying.

It may take 10 years, but Switched Digital Video (SDV) will be the future.

 

[Eos]

I ordered Charter HD today. They are giving a free month to try try it out. Pay the $9.95 now and get the money credited back if I cancel.