Russ6 join:2011-03-17 Houston, TX |
Russ6
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2012-Aug-28 12:20 am
Re: New Guides for SA/Cisco Areas (Info from Ted Hodgins Blog)The following post is from Comcast's Ted Hodgins, Sr. Director, Video Product Development - Navigation, in Media & Entertainment, "New Guide for Scientific Atlanta Cable Boxes" blog and has schedule updates for some areas to get the S26 Guide (the update to the current S25 Guide). quote: SCHEDULE UPDATE: Customers in the Forsyth County and N. Cherokee County areas of Georgia are scheduled to start getting the updates to their current on-screen guide this week, including the areas listed below. This update includes DVR Manager.
»info.xfinity.com/Portal/ ··· dvr.aspx
GEORGIA: Alpharetta, Ball Ground, Canton, Dawsonville, Duluth, Gainesville, Holy Springs, Johns Creek, Lake Arrowhead, Lebanon, Milton, Suwanee, Waleska, and White
Ted Hodgins replied to comment from Ted Hodgins | August 27, 2012 10:55 PM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-56426
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to cypherstream
said by cypherstream:Maybe it's like migrating a million user network from Windows NT 4 to Windows Server 2008 R2 domain. Not a trivial task. I'd accept that excuse if the monthly bill reflected the lack of services the legacy OS provided. But there are no discounts for SA/Cisco areas where fewer services are available. It is patently inexcusable. As I've long said, Comcast reflects all of the worst traits of monopolism in their business model. As soon as customers have an alternative, many will flee out of pure spite after years of being ripped off. |
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kreisman join:2012-08-29 Boynton Beach, FL |
Well I'm in south Florida, a state that is supposedly one of the first to get the new guides for S/A Cisco boxes. We do have the new RNG 200N available. But in our area, as of 8/28/2012, we have no caller ID, no Guide 2.0, no Guide S26, no any room DVR, no controlling DVR remotely. And, of course, no one to talk to about this, no one locally that has a clue about what these are, let alone when they will be implemented. The only thing implemented recently was the elimination of analog channels so that the DTA boxes are now necessary. So costs go up, and service remains the same. Beyond frustrating. It amazes me that it takes years to do this implementation. Apple releases major software upgrades to millions of people using different models all at once. If Apple ever produces a TV, or even just a set top box that gets "cable" channels, we'll all be cheering. If cable companies like Comcast are included in the revenue stream, I think they'll be cheering as well. Imagine an interface designed for those who use it, not for those who write it! |
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The Q join:2008-06-26 Collegeville, PA |
The Q
Member
2012-Aug-29 11:09 am
said by kreisman:Well I'm in south Florida, a state that is supposedly one of the first to get the new guides for S/A Cisco boxes. We do have the new RNG 200N available. But in our area, as of 8/28/2012, we have no caller ID, no Guide 2.0, no Guide S26, no any room DVR, no controlling DVR remotely. And, of course, no one to talk to about this, no one locally that has a clue about what these are, let alone when they will be implemented. I thought I read that anyroom dvr and guide 2.0 were available in the cisco areas of florida? You would need new boxes. guide 2.0 would give you the dvr manager and caller id as well. |
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kreisman join:2012-08-29 Boynton Beach, FL |
Yes, Q, you read properly that this is available in Florida. But not here! My point is when you hear that it's available in a state or even a part of the state such as south Florida it's not really in all communities. Although parts of south Florida have had this for quite some time our area still does not. And I'm not in a remote area. I'm in heavily populated palm beach county which includes many very wealthy residents. (not me). I have the latest DVR the RNG200n and would even obtain a newer version of that box if it would help. But those services are STILL not available. I just have to wait, and wait, and wait. Grrr. |
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The Q join:2008-06-26 Collegeville, PA |
The Q
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2012-Aug-29 12:43 pm
Have you asked on the comcast help forum or the referenced blog? someone there may be able to get you set up. |
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kreisman join:2012-08-29 Boynton Beach, FL |
Thanks Q. As the president of my homeowners association, I do have access to the local Comcast rep, and occasionally a technical rep. The latest info I received indicated a change is coming this summer. But I'm skeptical because it has been promised multiple times before but not delivered. I answer not just to myself, but to many homeowners because we have an association contract with Comcast. Unfortunately, that contract doesn't guarantee specific updates at specific times. |
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Russ6 join:2011-03-17 Houston, TX |
Russ6
Member
2012-Aug-30 2:03 am
The following posts are from Comcast's Ted Hodgins, Sr. Director, Video Product Development - Navigation, in Media & Entertainment, "New Guide for Scientific Atlanta Cable Boxes" blog and Ted explains that when on an HD channel and with this guide, the guide overlays are now displayed in a 4:3 format instead of stretching to a 16:9 format: quote: Canton, GA area. The cable guide has suddenly shrunk in width to what would normally be non-HD width. Same is true of any info screens I call up from the main menu. Ditto with OD menu. I tried the normal unplug and reboot - no help. Any ideas?
Jim Irvin | August 29, 2012 4:39 PM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-56767
quote: @Jim Irvin, for our customers with Cisco or Scientific-Atlanta branded HD cable boxes; there has been a slight change in the latest version of the guide (currently available in CT, MN, GA, and parts of LA and TX).
When on an HD channel and with this guide, the guide overlays are now displayed in a 4:3 format instead of stretching to a 16:9 format.
We heard from many customers that with the previous guide that having the guide auto-stretch to 16:9 on an HD channel made it very hard to read the text and made the fonts very "bitmappy" and overly accentuated the font aliasing especially on larger TV sets.
The 4:3 guide experience when on an HD channel is consistent with what the majority of our customers have had for some time.
Now, there is an observed issue with the new guide where in certain conditions (when the User settings are set to Stretch) the new guide introduces an unusual guide overlay and experience when in On Demand.
In order to get out of this state and to a better experience, you would need to modify the cable box user settings; this should be a one-time change.
1. To access user settings, turn OFF your set-top box; it will remain in standby mode.
2. Press GUIDE on your remote while the set-top box is in standby mode. OR press Channel Up + Channel Down simultaneously on the front panel of the set-top box. 3. From here you can set up your video settings and resolution output. Video Settings - Configure the settings to your TV type. 4:3 Letterbox, 4:3 PAN/SCAN or 16:9 wide-screen. Resolution Output - Configure the HDMI/YPbPr output to either 480p std, 480i std, Pass Thru, 1080i. 4:3 Override - Options are Off, 480p, 480i, Stretch. Changing the 4:3 Override to any option other than Stretch mode should solve the issue described above.
4. Use the arrow buttons near the center of your remote to select the appropriate settings
One thing you can check is in the user settings (steps outlined above) is to change the 4:3 override to 480p, that should have a full screen guide and info bar when on SD channels and the other experience when on HD channels.
Ted Hodgins replied to comment from Jim Irvin | August 29, 2012 6:31 PM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-56769
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Russ6 |
Russ6
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2012-Aug-30 2:07 am
The following posts are from Comcast's Ted Hodgins, Sr. Director, Video Product Development - Navigation, in Media & Entertainment, "New Guide for Scientific Atlanta Cable Boxes" blog and Ted explains the current status of the new guides: quote: Hi - can you tell me when the Northern Virginia (Prince William County) are Virginia will get the DVR update and Caller ID? Reps at local office seem to know nothing about it and /or any new boxes (for the new latest version of the Guide? When can we expect that as well? Many thanks for your response. Bob
Bob Jurgensen | August 29, 2012 4:59 PM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-56767
quote: @Bob Jurgensen, all of our areas where we use Scientific-Atlanta or Cisco branded cable boxes are currently scheduled to receive DVR Manager and the other included features (like Caller ID to the TV) by the end of the year.
We have already had successful upgrades in CT, MN, GA, and parts of LA and TX.
Additional locations are being scheduled for September and through the rest of the year.
Once I get an updated and confirmed schedule for the next areas I will be able to post that information here. You won't need a new cable box. Thanks for your patience.
Northern VA is not scheduled for On-Screen Guide 2.0. On-Screen Guide 2.0 »www.xfinity.com/onscreenguide2
The following Comcast areas that use Cisco or Scientific-Atlanta branded cable boxes already have On-Screen Guide 2.0 available: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Minnesota.
New Mexico is also currently scheduled for this year. Available with a subscription to AnyRoom DVR on the Cisco RNG 200N and Cisco RNG 150N cable boxes.
On-Screen Guide 3.0 »xfinity.comcast.net/x1/
Currently available to new HD Triple Play customers in Augusta, Boston, Atlanta and Chattanooga. Additional locations are scheduled for 2012 and 2013. Those locations have not yet been publicly announced.
Ted Hodgins replied to comment from Bob Jurgensen | August 29, 2012 6:37 PM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-56770
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Russ6 |
Russ6
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2012-Aug-30 4:02 pm
The following posts are from Comcast's Ted Hodgins, Sr. Director, Video Product Development - Navigation, in Media & Entertainment, "New Guide for Scientific Atlanta Cable Boxes" blog and states that the Londonderry NH area is targetted to get the X1 guide by the end of September/early October: quote: Good morning Ted,
I heard yesterday from a local manager out of Londonderry NH that this area would be getting x1 by the end of sept early oct. Can you confirm on a date? I live in 03051 but my feed is from 03053. Thank you
Nathan | August 30, 2012 9:06 AM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-56864
quote: That timeframe aligns with what I have seen for your area. Of course, schedules are subject to change.
You would need a new cable box and a professional installation once it is available in your area.
More info on On-Screen Guide 3.0 (X1) can be found here: »xfinity.comcast.net/x1/
Ted Hodgins replied to comment from Nathan | August 30, 2012 10:34 AM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-56871
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The following posts are from Comcast's Ted Hodgins, Sr. Director, Video Product Development - Navigation, in Media & Entertainment, "New Guide for Scientific Atlanta Cable Boxes" blog and states that On-Screen Guide 2.0 is available in all Comcast areas of Florida where Comcast uses Cisco or Scientific-Atlanta cable boxes. Please note the specified requirements. quote: I live in Boca Raton, FL. Is the Cisco RNG 200N with onscreen guide 2.0 available in my area? Also, what about anyroom dvr? If not, when will it be available? Thanks
Michael | August 31, 2012 10:26 AM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-56979
quote: @Michael, yes On-Screen Guide 2.0 is available in all of our areas of Florida where we use Cisco or Scientific-Atlanta cable boxes.
A subscription to AnyRoom DVR, new cable boxes and a professional installation are required. More info at »www.xfinity.com/onscreenguide2
Ted Hodgins replied to comment from Michael | September 4, 2012 10:22 AM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-57344
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I live in that area. Why won't Comcast push that update out to all of their boxes? I just don't understand why your forced into paying for AnyRoom DVR for an updated guide? This is just absurd! |
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Russ6 join:2011-03-17 Houston, TX |
Russ6
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2012-Sep-4 7:41 pm
said by FifthE1ement:I live in that area. Why won't Comcast push that update out to all of their boxes? I just don't understand why your forced into paying for AnyRoom DVR for an updated guide? This is just absurd! I don't think this was Comcast's original plan. Click » Re: New Guides for SA/Cisco Areas (Info from Ted Hodgins Blog) for more info. It just worked out that way because it took Comcast so long to release the guide updates. Comcast has just started deploying the S26 Guide (the follow up guide to the current S25 Guide). On-Screen Guide 2.0, which includes AnyRoom DVR functionality, is a bridge to On-Screen Guide 3.0 (a.k.a. the X1 Guide). Click » Re: New Guides for SA/Cisco Areas (Info from Ted Hodgins Blog) for why On-Screen Guide 2.0 is not being pushed out. Currently, it is only about 7 states and scheduled for New Mexico this year. On-Screen Guide 3.0 will be pushed out to specific Cisco RNG STBs, click » Re: New Guides for SA/Cisco Areas (Info from Ted Hodgins Blog) for more info. Currently, only a few sites have On-Screen Guide 3.0 and use the Pace STB. |
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I have the Motorola DCX3400 and the iGuide A28. Thanks for all the info in an easy to read format for others. According to the original OP the DCX moto models will get version 3.0 (X1) of the guide sometime in 2013. I don't know why they don't push this out faster as they are already so far behind.
According to them the reason they are having so many issues is that they don't want to update the boxes and force users to lose their favorites, recorded DVR shows, series, etc. The problem I have with that response is that I lose those twice a year anyway? My favs always disappear or change by themselves, series recordings sometimes change on their own and I don't care if I lose shows on my DVR as long as they give me a date by which to watch everything before the switch.
Also still has a huge amount of DCH and DCT model boxes out there. What are all those users going to be stuck on the current guide forever? |
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said by FifthE1ement: I don't care if I lose shows on my DVR as long as they give me a date by which to watch everything before the switch.
That's the problem right there. They don't like to give dates because what if there's a screwup and its delayed for some reason. Thus, they are on software from the Windows ME generation. |
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Russ6 join:2011-03-17 Houston, TX |
to FifthE1ement
said by FifthE1ement:I have the Motorola DCX3400 and the iGuide A28. Thanks for all the info in an easy to read format for others. According to the original OP the DCX moto models will get version 3.0 (X1) of the guide sometime in 2013. I don't know why they don't push this out faster as they are already so far behind. I think one of the reasons Comcast is so far behind is Comcast does not do a good job at quality control testing of the software. The S25 Guide deployment had to be stopped so Comcast could create and send out a patch because the S25 Guide would truncate recordings under certain conditions. Creating and testing the patch took about 6 months and deploying the patch took about 4 months. I hope they don't try pushing out On-Screen Guide 3.0 (X1) on Cisco or Motorola STBs without extensive quality control testing. said by FifthE1ement:According to them the reason they are having so many issues is that they don't want to update the boxes and force users to lose their favorites, recorded DVR shows, series, etc. The problem I have with that response is that I lose those twice a year anyway? My favs always disappear or change by themselves, series recordings sometimes change on their own and I don't care if I lose shows on my DVR as long as they give me a date by which to watch everything before the switch. The main reason for On-Screen Guide 2.0 is to provide AnyRoom DVR functionality in the SA/Cisco areas so I don't have a problem with having to get a new box via a truck roll so a POE filter can be installed. said by FifthE1ement:Also still has a huge amount of DCH and DCT model boxes out there. What are all those users going to be stuck on the current guide forever? I think they may be updated to the A30 Guide depending on how many issues the A30 Guide has. I am surprised that Comcast is working on the A30 Guide instead of working on On-Screen Guide 3.0. I don't think Comcast has enough people to program and test all the different guides they have. |
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Russ6 |
Russ6
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2012-Sep-5 10:17 pm
The following excerpt is from Comcast's Ted Hodgins, Sr. Director, Video Product Development - Navigation, in Media & Entertainment, "New Guide for Scientific Atlanta Cable Boxes" blog and states that AnyRoom DVR functionality for Houston, Texas has been delayed again. It was initially targetted for August 2012, then it was targetted for this year and now it is targetted for early 2013. quote: AnyRoom DVR is a separate feature that we are targeting for Houston in early 2013. Thanks for your patience.
Ted Hodgins replied to comment from Kevin Stephenson | September 5, 2012 11:40 AM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-57483
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Arg... lolWe've had the AnyRoom DVR service available here for quite sometime now. The South Florida market usually gets features and other test plans first. I wish they would make some moves as they are years behind. I remember getting the iGuide over ten years ago! Before then we had a yellow guide with (blue?) show lists in bubbles.
Now over the ten years they've added features, fav lists, recently MyDVR, etc but utilizing the same guide for a decade while everything else around has moved at warp speed is crazy. I look at my tiny phone which is more powerful than my home PC and with a 720p screen to boot and looking at my TV I'm brought back to reality having to remember what HCHD, WSVN, BTVHD, etc mean? Why can't they use full channel names?
Quality control isn't going to help when they never release anything? I mean what happened to the TIVO DVR, Tru2Way TV's & guide, switched digital video (SDV), Instant Info Widgets, and multiple "other" guide updates which they (Comcast) has named over the years?! I've never seen a company do so much and yet so little at the same time and never release anything new?
As for the always coming X1 platform: According to the Ted Hodgins Comcast blog you didn't have to get a specific box (Motorola DCX3501) as the X1 platform should work on all DCX models? Is the X1 a platform or a box as the X1 website doesn't show any box on the site or faqs? According to his blog it's a platform that can go on any capable (newer) box but I have no idea why Comcast is making their loyal customers suffer by limiting X1 service to NEW triple play customers ONLY! The only reason I can see is that they know they can't get away with a decade old guide today and new users would hate it right away (BYE BYE) but older, loyal users are just used to it so STFU. WTF?
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Russ6 join:2011-03-17 Houston, TX |
Russ6
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2012-Sep-6 4:43 am
said by FifthE1ement:We've had the AnyRoom DVR service available here for quite sometime now. The South Florida market usually gets features and other test plans first. I wish they would make some moves as they are years behind. I remember getting the iGuide over ten years ago! Before then we had a yellow guide with (blue?) show lists in bubbles. If you think the Motorola STB markets are years behind, you should see the SA/Cisco STB markets. The S25 Guide is the equivalent of the Motorola A25 Guide. The current update being deployed is scheduled through the end of the year is the S26 Guide. I think this is the equivalent of the Motorola A28 Guide but without AnyRoom DVR functionality and there may be other missing features. On-Screen Guide 2.0 will add AnyRoom DVR functionality in the SA/Cisco STB markets. said by FifthE1ement:Now over the ten years they've added features, fav lists, recently MyDVR, etc but utilizing the same guide for a decade while everything else around has moved at warp speed is crazy. I look at my tiny phone which is more powerful than my home PC and with a 720p screen to boot and looking at my TV I'm brought back to reality having to remember what HCHD, WSVN, BTVHD, etc mean? Why can't they use full channel names? While the Motorola STB markets were being updated, the SA/Cisco STB markets were not updated for years with most markets using the SARA Guide. When the SARA Guide was replaced with the S25 Guide, the S25 guide removed more features (Picture-In-Picture, No Skip to End of Recording, No Pass-Through, etc.) than it added and introduced major bugs (truncated recordings, overrecording of shows, etc.) said by FifthE1ement:Quality control isn't going to help when they never release anything? I mean what happened to the TIVO DVR, Tru2Way TV's & guide, switched digital video (SDV), Instant Info Widgets, and multiple "other" guide updates which they (Comcast) has named over the years?! I've never seen a company do so much and yet so little at the same time and never release anything new? Comcast will "test" new guides in limited market trials, but it takes years before these guides are rolled out to most customers. Comcast is using Tru2way technology in the On-Screen Guide 2.0 & 3.0 (a.k.a X1 Guide). I haven't seen any Consumer Electronic Companies that will use this Tru2way technology. The TiVo DVR that allows the user to view Comcast VOD has recently been introduced in a few more markets. Comcast has put SDV on the backburner and is in the process of reclaiming bandwidth by eliminating analog channels. said by FifthE1ement:As for the always coming X1 platform: According to the Ted Hodgins Comcast blog you didn't have to get a specific box (Motorola DCX3501) as the X1 platform should work on all DCX models? Is the X1 a platform or a box as the X1 website doesn't show any box on the site or faqs? According to his blog it's a platform that can go on any capable (newer) box but I have no idea why Comcast is making their loyal customers suffer by limiting X1 service to NEW triple play customers ONLY! The only reason I can see is that they know they can't get away with a decade old guide today and new users would hate it right away (BYE BYE) but older, loyal users are just used to it so STFU. WTF?
5th X1 is both a box and a platform. X1 is being introduced using a Pace Gateway DVR. The Pace Gateway DVR has 6 tuners but Comcast has restricted it to only record 2 shows at the same time although you can watch a different show while recording 2 other shows. Comcast is working on the X1 guide for both Cisco and Motorola STBs with a projected release sometime in 2013. Since X1 is new, Comcast is trying to use it to bring in new customers. I think Comcast will allow existing customers to get it after a period of time when it is no longer "new". |
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rej4sl join:2008-07-11 Minneapolis, MN |
to RKB_t
Re: New Guides for SA/Cisco Areas (Info from Ted Hodgins Blog)We want the Guide 2.0 , it is available in the Twin Cities but we need to be a new customer and then subscribe to the Anyroom service. Our contact at Comcast told us we could have it but there is no point as we only have on t.v. and one box at the moment. And there is no way around it so no Guide 2.0 for us. |
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to Russ6
OK so then what about the need for this new remote control? » customer.comcast.com/hel ··· -remote/ Should I expect to see this remote coming in the mail? I mean they do have the mailing address on file with the billing department... I mean hell if they're rolling out this new guide onto set top boxes then they should be rolling out the new remotes as well, or do we need to stage a little "Occupy Wall Street" at Comcast's HQ in Philly? |
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Well Mike, do you have any STBs that are currently running On-Screen Guide versions 2.0 or 3.0, or an HD-DTA? I didn't think any of those were available in our area yet. From that webpage on the XR2 Remote: The new XR2 Remote Control is rolling out with Comcast set-top boxes running the latest version of the on-screen guide - On-Screen Guide 3.0 (X1 Guide) and On-Screen Guide 2.0 (Barcelona), and with High-Definition (HD) Digital Transport Adapter (DTA) devices.
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Russ6 join:2011-03-17 Houston, TX |
Russ6
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2012-Sep-6 5:29 pm
The following post is from Comcast's Ted Hodgins, Sr. Director, Video Product Development - Navigation, in Media & Entertainment, "New Guide for Scientific Atlanta Cable Boxes" blog and explains that X1 will initially be deployed to new customers. quote: @Nick, yes it should be around that same timeframe for Merrimack, NH as well that the X1 guide and platform would be available. New cable boxes and a professional installation would be required and there is likely an initial period where we will be deploying first to new customers.
Ted Hodgins replied to comment from Nick | September 6, 2012 2:38 PM
»blog.comcast.com/2010/05 ··· nt-57632
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said by rej4sl:We want the Guide 2.0 , it is available in the Twin Cities but we need to be a new customer and then subscribe to the Anyroom service. Our contact at Comcast told us we could have it but there is no point as we only have on t.v. and one box at the moment. And there is no way around it so no Guide 2.0 for us. To get On-Screen Guide 2.0 now, you don't have to be a new customer, but you do need to subscribe to the AnyRoom DVR service. Sometime in the future, On-Screen Guide 3.0 (X1) will be available to Cisco RNG STBs. |
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to Mike Wolf
said by Mike Wolf:OK so then what about the need for this new remote control? »customer.comcast.com/hel ··· -remote/ Should I expect to see this remote coming in the mail? I mean they do have the mailing address on file with the billing department... I mean hell if they're rolling out this new guide onto set top boxes then they should be rolling out the new remotes as well, or do we need to stage a little "Occupy Wall Street" at Comcast's HQ in Philly? I think you will be able to use the existing remote for your STB, when you get the new X! guide. |
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Glad to hear it though I still like the new remote, especially with the battery level testing command. I wonder what R&D would say. The DTA remote that comes with the Pace and Thompson DTA gear controls the RNG200N and the Platnium RNG200N remote control the Pace and Thompson DTA gear, so maybe the same can be said with the new remote? |
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Yes, I believe the XR2 remote supports the XMP IR remote protocol used by all the latest Comcast STBs and the DTAs. |
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so then all I would need to do is obtain the XR2 or XR1 remote? I mean I would assume that the remotes would have the same buttons found on the platnium remote in a different position. |
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said by Mike Wolf:so then all I would need to do is obtain the XR2 or XR1 remote? I mean I would assume that the remotes would have the same buttons found on the platnium remote in a different position. If you have a RNG150N/RNG200N you won't need a new remote when the guide eventually gets pushed to the box (That is if they still have plans to update the boxes OTA). The existing remote will work fine. The new remote is only for the next boxes. |
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Thats good for customers who are familiar with the operation of the current remotes. I still like the new remotes. |
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