|
Post by xzi on Mar 7, 2006 21:06:33 GMT -5
I called TW recently about an issue I've had with my Cable CARD where a lot of analog channels were no longer showing up. At first, I ignored it because everything that I lost had a digital or HD counterpart anyway but then I lost TBS, then ESPN2, stuff like that.
I started noticing my TV was no longer showing "NTSC" for those channels (on either the low numbers, or the high numbers). If I removed the card I could get the analog channels again, but reinserting and resetting the card I got the same issue.
They solved it for me by doing something on their end, but now that it's working the channels are now actually still "480i" so they are actually finally overlapping the analog channels with digital versions now it looks like.
Not sure if anyone noticed this (since the boxes probably don't tell you) or if anyone with Cable CARD had the same issues I did but I thought I'd share... I didn't see it mentioned on here yet.
|
|
|
Post by xzi on Dec 19, 2005 11:44:32 GMT -5
I personally prefer the PQ on my cablecard. I compared it to tuning locals OTA and see no differences. I should note that OTA reception on most locals in Clifton Park is difficult due to poor line of sight with the Helderbergs. I agree, I see no difference between OTA and CableCARD either. I usually catch myself watching OTA anyway just because it has it and the novelty of it I guess but I've never noticed any differences either.
|
|
|
Post by xzi on Dec 18, 2005 13:18:16 GMT -5
So too will you lose Pay-Per-View. You see, VOD and PPV require two-way communication between your box and the cable company’s system. The current implementation of OpenCable is unidirectional. My understanding is you lose the two-way pay-per-view channels (On Demand) but regular pay per view (where they just play the same movie over and over, or "events") can be ordered over the phone, even with CableCARD. That being said, I don't think there is much one-way PPV left, and I'm pretty sure it's an extra fee to order over the phone so it's not really a viable alternative to the STB for PPV.
|
|
|
Post by xzi on Dec 18, 2005 12:58:48 GMT -5
It has been posted in other forums that Albany Time Warner supports Dolby Digital sound output for a TVs optical interface w/CableCARD for HD-locals: 1806, 1808, 1810, 1811 and 1813 and disables optical digital sound out for HD channels 1827 - 1885. Maybe dkennedy can confirm/deny this? I get Dolby Digital with my Sony WS655 with CableCARD and optical out on all those channels. I even get Dolby Digital on regular digital cable channels when they have it... for example 742 (SHO2) is in DD right now with CableCARD/optical output. Finally, digital-only channels like 201 (MIL) as an example are Digital PCM output, and analog channels have no digital output at all, and the TV needs its analog audio out connected to get this audio to the receiver--which switches back to "analog" on absence of the digital signal automatically.
|
|
|
Post by xzi on Nov 22, 2005 23:46:04 GMT -5
I've had an MRDVR channel at my house for months now, never seen any mention of them offering the service. Don't remember if it was 951, and now i have CableCARD so I don't get anything anymore
|
|
|
Post by xzi on Mar 1, 2008 13:18:56 GMT -5
DirecTV packages 2007 vs. 2008 (I don't see any 10-12% in here)
PREMIER™ $104.99/mo.; (was $99.99) -- 5% PLUS HD DVR™ $72.99/mo.; (was $69.99) -- 4.2% PLUS DVR™ $62.99/mo.; (was $59.99) -- 5% CHOICE XTRA™ $57.99/mo.; (was $54.99) -- 5.1% CHOICE™ $52.99/mo.; (was $49.99) -- 6%
Time Warner Packages 2007 vs. 2008
All The Best $133.90; (was $129.90) -- 3% Standard $52.95; (was $50.90) -- 5.2% Digital $59.95; (was $57.90) -- 3.4%
Also remember, some of DirecTV's packages include the DVR fees (PLUS DVR) and the HD and DVR fees (PLUS HD DVR) so these numbers don't match up with TW because TW itemizes everything where DirecTV uses "packages" to cover those costs up and roll them in.
|
|
|
Post by xzi on Mar 1, 2008 13:04:11 GMT -5
Has Directv really raised its rats by 10-12 percent this year or is that just one of the TW lies? Also, adding value to products doesn't mean raising the price. Someone should fill them in on that. No, 4-8% depending on packge. Maybe they are adding it together... morons.
|
|
|
Post by xzi on Nov 29, 2005 23:04:39 GMT -5
A la carte? Tier? That's a nice can of worms... nothing I hate more than going by channels I don't get because I didn't get some obscure package. To me, that just reads "nickel and dime me to death". No thanks. Good example right now is "In Living Color" on BET. No way I would subscribe to a package that includes BET, but I'd definitley watch reruns of In Living Color!
|
|
|
Post by xzi on Nov 29, 2005 23:00:43 GMT -5
A la carte? Tier? That's a nice can of worms... nothing I hate more than going by channels I don't get because I didn't get some obscure package. To me, that just reads "nickel and dime me to death". No thanks.
|
|
|
Post by xzi on Nov 22, 2005 23:48:10 GMT -5
I don't see any mention of this being in Albany, etc., just Dutchess, Greene, Delaware. And even if they do turn it out, I can't see why it would need to be in the adult teir, it's not porn correct? I'm not religious and don't watch religious TV, but we "subsidize" a few of those networks too. Just another channel I'll ignore...
|
|
|
Post by xzi on Apr 16, 2005 18:02:58 GMT -5
I am one of the earliest adopters of Vonage that I know of, we've had it almost two years (we actually have the first box they used to offer, a Cisco ATA-186) and it's fantastic. There's no reason not to get it. The ATA-186 actually has no QoS like the new ones and that's never been an issue. Plus, it works with existing NAT and firewalls without issue either-- mine sits behind a Linux (Smoothwall) box with no problems.
As for the number porting issue, they give you a temporary number immediately, and I just used call forwarding on my existing analog house phone (before disconnecting it permanently) to that temp. number they provided and basically had my number "ported" immediately. Once they actually port it, it just continues to work with no intervention. Plus they handled all the paperwork for porting the number.
Finally, I have had it hooked to all phones in the house using the existing wiring by just unhooking the analog jack incoming from the street, and plugging in the output on the ATA. Done... although obviously your setup may vary and you want to have that ATA (and thus the cable modem, router, whatever) close to your incoming phone wiring.
|
|