Topic 'Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?' in forum 'Verizon FIOS TV' - dslreports.com

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:22:53 EDT

09129800 posted :

Comcast is also dropping almost all HBO/Cinemax HD channels except for each primary channel.

I fail to see how this is a problem as all new HBO or Cinemax content airs on the main channel first anyway. And then it repeats several times throughout the week.

All the other HBO/Cinemax channels are just repeats of stuff that aired on the main channel weeks ago.

said by webcobbler :

I would love to get the H2 HD channel. A lot of good History Channel shows were ported over to H2. Those shows being broadcast on H2 in SD does not give the same experience, than if they were in HD.

If Verizon dropped History HD today and put H2 HD in its slot they would receive no complaints from me. I can't stand History now. I want my new episodes of Modern Marvels in HD!!

said by Greg2600:

It's not simply the # of premiums. Comcast compresses more channels on a MUX than does Verizon.

This really isn't accurate anymore; most HD channels on FiOS are packed 3 or 4 to a QAM as well now. The problem is that the distribution feeds of HD channels these days are such garbage that they will fit 3-to-a-QAM natively. Verizon also re-encodes a lot of of the MPEG-4 distributed premiums to MPEG-2 at bitrates that allow them to put them 3 to a QAM.

Only a minority of HD channels on FiOS (maybe 15-20%) now have bitrates high enough that they won't fit 3 to a QAM.

said by Reyr:

I'm not judging...just surprised that a lot of people really want H2HD and Cartoon Network HD. Two opposite ends of the spectrum in programming material.

No, not really. Both these channels appeal to people who like 'smart' programming. H2 HD features actual documentary content which is rare in today's "reality" show crap-infested cable landscape, and Cartoon Network has several well-written shows enjoyed by the college demographic like 'Adventure Time' and 'Regular Show'. The animation is also very good; Cartoon Network truly shines when it is in HD.

They stand out as refreshing alternatives to the rednecks and trashy housewives who seem to flood most of the channels.

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:37:39 EDT

Reyr posted : I'm not judging...just surprised that a lot of people really want H2HD and Cartoon Network HD. Two opposite ends of the spectrum in programming material.

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:19:24 EDT

Greg2600 posted :

said by bohratom:

But then you will have people complain about the quality being lower as the mpeg2 bitrate will be decreased.

Only solution is the mpeg4 migration which is taking place but moving slowly.

Last time that was brought up, it was said that MPEG4 is NOT happening with existing channels. Without QAM space, I don't see how MPEG4 will improve anything if they can't move existing channels?

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 15:58:51 EDT

bohratom posted :

said by Greg2600:

It's not simply the # of premiums. Comcast compresses more channels on a MUX than does Verizon.

But then you will have people complain about the quality being lower as the mpeg2 bitrate will be decreased.

Only solution is the mpeg4 migration which is taking place but moving slowly.

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:46:27 EDT

McBane posted : We really do need H2 HD :( That's probably my 2nd most wanted behind Cartoon Network HD

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:53:11 EDT

Miataman posted :

said by Mac973:

Verizon already carries Nat Geo Wild HD and Investigation Discovery HD,

Yes I was aware of that. My primary interest is BBCA/HD and a true IPAD app, even if restricted to "inside the LAN" viewing.
--
"My hat, my cane, Jeeves".

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:54:20 EDT

Mac973 posted : Verizon already carries Nat Geo Wild HD and Investigation Discovery HD, so you can check those 2 off the list right away.

Also, there's no way I would pay extra for a premium channel like HBO/Cinemax and have to watch all the secondary channels in SD.

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 08:16:30 EDT

JeepMatt posted :

said by Miataman:

said by Strommy:

Comcast is also dropping almost all HBO/Cinemax HD channels except for each primary channel.

I can only think that this is a HD bandwidth issue. Is this nationwide?

No - it was done with the Philadelphia Center City lineup - which is the only area in the entire Mid-Atlantic that actually had all of the premiums. While the statement is true - only a small fraction of folks had them to begin with - and no, it's not a bandwidth issue. I'm actually trying to figure out what they're going to do with all of this open QAM space. :p
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!"

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 23:57:20 EDT

Andy from CA posted : Personally if I could afford HBO, Showtime etc I wouldn't mind if they dropped all but the main channels (for live events) as long as all the movies & shows were available on demand.

Call me an idiot but I predict this is how TV will end up by 2020. ;)

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 23:53:42 EDT

anon posted : I see where directv is about to add 5 new HD channels also,including BBCA,and nat geo wild which we already have,i think they are also adding disney jr HD ionHD and BEin sports channel also which i have seen a lot of people asking about here.

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 23:48:47 EDT

Greg2600 posted : It's not simply the # of premiums. Comcast compresses more channels on a MUX than does Verizon.

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 22:08:17 EDT

bohratom posted : Verizon executives seem to have a business plan that provides more premium channels in HD while Comcast has gone the opposite route. I do not see Verizon changing their viewpoint and we will all have to wait till later this year when they hopefully roll out more HD mpeg4 channel.

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:51:49 EDT

bushleaguer posted :

said by webcobbler :

I would love to get the H2 HD channel. A lot of good History Channel shows were ported over to H2. Those shows being broadcast on H2 in SD does not give the same experience, than if they were in HD.

Ditto.

The history channel (H1) and history channel 2 has become what happened to MTV when the original channel became littered with reality shows and such and they created MTV2 for the music videos. Most of the content on history channel 1 is their reality type stuff (American Pickers, Pawn Stars, Ice Road Truckers, etc.).

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:49:35 EDT

anon posted : I would love to get the H2 HD channel. A lot of good History Channel shows were ported over to H2. Those shows being broadcast on H2 in SD does not give the same experience, than if they were in HD.

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:46:07 EDT

Miataman posted :

said by Strommy:

Comcast is also dropping almost all HBO/Cinemax HD channels except for each primary channel.

I can only think that this is a HD bandwidth issue. Is this nationwide?
--
"My hat, my cane, Jeeves".

Re: Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:27:00 EDT

Strommy posted : Comcast is also dropping almost all HBO/Cinemax HD channels except for each primary channel.

Comcast is doing this, what about VZ ?

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:51:25 EDT

Miataman posted : Notice in Exeter, NH:

On 9/25/12: The following channels will be added to the channel lineup in your area

Investigation Discovery HD will be added to digital starter channel 909
H2 HD will be added to digital starter and digital economy channel 910
!!! BBC America HD !!! will be added to digital starter channel 920
National Geographic Wild HD will be added to digital preferred channel 922
--
"My hat, my cane, Jeeves".