mgmgmg join:2002-09-08 Minneapolis, MN 1 edit |
mgmgmg
Member
2013-Nov-14 12:02 pm
[Content] HD DTAI have Digital preferred and want to get a hd dta for my bedroom. Will i get the same channels as a stb? but without idemand and tv guide? Or is the hd dta limited channels? |
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Re: HD DTAWell, the DTAs can normally receive/decrypt only up to the "Digital Starter" tier of channels. For the "Digital Preferred" tier and above (incl. On-Demand and PPV) you need to use a full digital cable box. But, there is also this page on the Comcast Support site about a "Digital Adapter Enhancement" that is also being rolled-out: » customer.comcast.com/hel ··· ncement/Also, however, according to what was said a while ago in another thread (» Re: [DTA] What DTAs is Comcast acquiring that are brand new), the HD-DTAs may have built in "more flexible security mechanisms that will allow for the support of higher-level tiers, including premium cable TV services." I don't know if that actually turned-out to be the case now, however. But for right now, I believe Comcast's HD-DTAs are limited to receiving up to the Digital Starter tier of channels (people who already have HD-DTAs can verify this for us). As far as an On-Screen Guide for the HD-DTAs, there's been talk about providing one for them sometime later on. See: » www.cedmagazine.com/news ··· -to-dtasRight now, Comcast is actually trialing one for use with some SD-DTAs in Bristol, CT and Springfield, MA: DTA On-Screen Guide FAQs» customer.comcast.com/hel ··· a-guide/How to Use the DTA On-Screen Guide» customer.comcast.com/hel ··· en-guideSo maybe Comcast will provide a guide for the HD-DTAs soon. |
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to mgmgmg
I don't have an HD DTA, but the regular DTA does get a few Preferred channels. This is because they are in the Economy or Family tiers, which sometimes have channels that are not in Starter. In my case, these include NatGeo and Science, and maybe a few more. Looking at the virtual channel map in the diagnostics (HD channels are listed, but tagged with a "**" to show as not available on this device), those extra channels are NOT available in HD. |
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In our area: » [Comcast Equip] HD-DTA's are here in Springfield, IL - a reviewquote: Here is what I am able to receive; keep in mind I have Digital Preferred HD service, & of course, YMMV on YOUR system.
- I can view ALL SD & HD channels up thru our Digital Starter tier channels, including the HD-only channels like Velocity, Palladia & Universal HD - I can view the following Digital Preferred SD channels: TeenNick, DIY, Hub, Nat Geo & Science; however, any HD versions of these are NOT available (our system has HD feeds for the last 4 channels) - All channels in MultiLatino are now mapped in our DTA's; because of this, I can also view the ones that ALSO happen to be part of Digital Preferred down here, such as Nuvo TV, MTV Tr3s, Galavision & the East feeds only of Univision, UniMas & Telemundo - The only channels in the Sports/Entertainment pkg that can be viewed, are both the Eng/Spanish versions of BeIN sports; as well as any that happen to also be part of Dig Starter. (only Hallmark Movie channel on our system)
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to telcodad
If DTA's are so dead simple, then why does that on screen guide look better than iGuide? If the DTA is really that simple, then it should be easy to port that look to older set top boxes and get a unified look and feel. |
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said by cypherstream:If DTA's are so dead simple, then why does that on screen guide look better than iGuide? If the DTA is really that simple, then it should be easy to port that look to older set top boxes and get a unified look and feel. And probably because of the DTA's processor-power limitations, there are no advertisements shown in it either! |
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to cypherstream
said by cypherstream:If DTA's are so dead simple, then why does that on screen guide look better than iGuide? If the DTA is really that simple, then it should be easy to port that look to older set top boxes and get a unified look and feel. Well that's the irony of trying to continue to support/use i-Guide with all boxes. It's got to work on a circa 1999 platform as the lowest common denominator. An HD-DTA which is a rather simple device by todays standards easily has at least 2x more CPU power in it than the original digital cable GE/Moto boxes did. |
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  On the CED Magazine site this afternoon: Rovi cues up SD, HD DTA guide for North Americaby Mike Robuck, CED Magazine - January 8, 2014 » www.cedmagazine.com/news ··· -americaquote: Instead of a basic grid guide, the Rovi DTA Guides features include the ability to find out whats on TV, tune channels directly from the program grid, set parental controls, and set language options for the guide and audio.
Rovi said it was working with DTA vendors, including Cisco, Evolution Digital and Pace, to test and pre-port Rovi DTA guides. In 2012, Evolution Digital was the first announced customer for Rovis new guide. : Rovi is showing its DTA guide at CES this week.
  Also see the Rovi Press Release: Rovi Announces Guide Solution for Standard Definition and High Definition Digital Terminal Adapters in North AmericaEnhances the User Experience on Basic Digital Set-Tops and Provides Solution for Cable Operators Switching to All-DigitalRovi Press Release - January 7, 2014 » www.rovicorp.com/company ··· dta.html |
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That's nice and I bet they release it but no one will see it on cable providers for another 5 years. |
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said by cypherstream:That's nice and I bet they release it but no one will see it on cable providers for another 5 years.   Well as I had reported before:   I see that those links no longer work now, so I guess the DTA On-Screen Guide trial is now over. However, above are screen captures that I had made from the DTA On-Screen Guide FAQs page while it was still up. |
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telcodad |
The MCN site has an article about the Rovi DTA Guide this morning: Rovi Brings Smarts To DTAs Launches Guides For SD And HD Cable Channel-Zappers Tagged For North AmericaBy Jeff Baumgartner, Multichannel News - January 9, 2014 » www.multichannel.com/tec ··· s/147570 |
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ScreeIn the pipe 5 by 5 join:2001-04-24 Mount Laurel, NJ |
to mgmgmg
Re: [Content] HD DTACouldn't even get HD-DTAs in my market, they forced real HD boxes on me when I went to return the two SD-DTAs we had. (I only took one and got an antenna for the least used tv since clearqam is completely borked.) :/ |
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to cypherstream
Re: HD DTAsaid by cypherstream:If DTA's are so dead simple, then why does that on screen guide look better than iGuide? If the DTA is really that simple, then it should be easy to port that look to older set top boxes and get a unified look and feel. If I am not mistaken all of the guide info and initial DTA guide download are using SCTE-65 which means it is being sent out over the existing QAM system not too shabby but with having guide data sent out over the QAMs I wonder how much of a QAM must be sacrificed? I know that these boxes don't have a OOB carrier at least the technicolor DTAs. I do know the Cisco HD DTAs can use the Cisco OOB carrier I have looked for info on the Technicolor DCI401 I have and they don't have OOB or QSPK return. |
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to mgmgmg
Re: [Content] HD DTA Moto HD-DTA Label |
OK, as I received my official notice of Limited Basic tier encryption back on January 8th » [Content] Re: Report notifications of Limited Basic tier encryption here , I stopped into my local Comcast office (Eatontown, NJ) yesterday afternoon and found that they finally had the HD-DTAs in stock. As seen in the picture of the unit's label above, they gave me the Motorola HD-DTA100u ("HD-uDTA-M" on the lower right front panel) model. I had a hard time getting it activated, however. I first tried the automated system, and when that failed, spoke to an agent, who also was unsuccessful. The unit's power indicator just kept showing 2 quick blinks, indicating it was waiting for an authorization signal (code). I let it go overnight, and tried to activate it again this morning. I ended up getting (another) agent on the line. When her attempts also failed, she said "let me check your account." She said she found that while the HD-DTA was added to my account, it was not authorized to receive any channels! Once she set the correct "rate code" for it, a picture finally came on the screen. Yay! In the unit's menu, I checked that it was set for 16x9 aspect ratio (it was) and changed the resolution setting from "Auto" to "720p" to match that of the (19-inch) HDTV it was connected to. Next I verified that it was receiving all the HD channels OK (it is). Finally, I set the remote's (an XR2 ver R1) TV code for that set so it could control the set's Power, Volume and Mute functions. I'll have to try pairing it for RF mode some other time, so I can hide the HD-DTA behind the set. |
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telcodad |
DTA On-Screen Guide Trialsaid by telcodad:Right now, Comcast is actually trialing one for use with some SD-DTAs in Bristol, CT and Springfield, MA : I see that those links no longer work now, so I guess the DTA On-Screen Guide trial is now over. However, above are screen captures that I had made from the DTA On-Screen Guide FAQs page while it was still up.   FYI - The DTA On-Screen Guide trial has now been expanded to the Portland, OR area, and those web pages are now back on-line, updated as of January 10th: How to Use the DTA On-Screen Guide» customer.comcast.com/hel ··· en-guideDTA On-Screen Guide FAQs» customer.comcast.com/hel ··· ta-guideFrom those pages: quote: Currently, the DTA On-Screen Guide is being made available via market trials only. In July 2013, the DTA guide was made available to customers residing in Bristol, CT, and Springfield, MA. On December 10, 2013, the trial was expanded to customers in Portland, OR.
National deployment dates are TBD.
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Armstrong Cable just deployed Rovi's OSG for their DTA's: Armstrong Lights Up Rovi's DTA Guide Amstrong Is First U.S. MSO To Deploy Rovi's UI Tailored For The Simple Channel Zappers » www.multichannel.com/dis ··· e/148093 |
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said by dishrich:Armstrong Cable just deployed Rovi's OSG for their DTA's:
Armstrong Lights Up Rovi's DTA Guide Amstrong Is First U.S. MSO To Deploy Rovi's UI Tailored For The Simple Channel Zappers »www.multichannel.com/dis ··· e/148093 Yeah, saw that, and the mention of Comcast's current DTA Guide trial at the end of it: quote: Comcast has been testing a DTA guide on standard-def models in select markets, including Bristol, Conn.; Springfield, Mass.; and Portland, Ore. Comcast has deployed tens of millions of DTAs as part of its all-digital Project Cavalry initiative.
The DTA UI Comcast is testing was developed and built by Comcast. The test guide was developed in close cooperation with Rovi, which built the user agent for the guide, but Comcast led the guide design implementation, an MSO spokeswoman said.
EDIT: Updated the quote after the MCN article was updated with more info on Comcast's DTA Guide. |
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PaulGo join:2005-01-29 Gaithersburg, MD |
to telcodad
Re: HD DTAHD DTAs are now available in Montgomery County, MD. I just swapped my three SD DTAs for HD versions made by Pace. The biggest problem was getting the correct codes into the new HD DTA to allow me to watch HD programs. I have Digital Preferred service but the HD DTAs will only allow me to watch channels up to the Digital Starter tier. These boxes as of now do not include the music channels. |
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I don't have an HD DTA, but the diagnostics do have a channel list. It does list what HD channels it is programmed for, but they are disabled. Generally, even though some Preferred channels can be received on a DTA (if they are in something like Economy or Family, but not Starter), only the SD's are listed in the channel map. |
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ThatGuyUKnow to mgmgmg
Anon
2014-May-16 9:57 am
to mgmgmg
Re: [Content] HD DTAThey are now trialing guides for the HD Dta's in Little Rock, AR |
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flwpwr to mgmgmg
Anon
2014-May-16 10:18 am
to mgmgmg
It may depend on the FFO you are in, but in mine, you can get any non premium channel this excludes HBO, stars, showtime, TMC, and any foreign channel [I have no idea why but they are considered premiums] so no russian, chinese, phillipino channels, other than that no on demand and the rest works the same. |
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PaulGo join:2005-01-29 Gaithersburg, MD |
PaulGo
Member
2014-May-16 10:50 am
Do you get the Encore channels which are part of the Digital Preferred tier? They have a highr level of encryption that the channels available on the Digital Economy tier. |
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(again) the ONLY Dig Pref channels that are on DTA's, are channels that (also) happen to appear on other (lower) tiers, such as Family & Latino tiers. As an example, this is what we get in our area: » Re: HD DTASo, unless you happen to be a VERY rare exception, Encore(s) will NOT be on DTA's... |
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PaulGo join:2005-01-29 Gaithersburg, MD |
PaulGo
Member
2014-May-16 2:25 pm
I didn't think any of the Preferred only channels were currently on the HD DTAs but flrpwr seemed to say he only the Premium channels were excluded which would infer he was getting the Preferred channels. |
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I'm 99% sure he's mistaken...again, his system would be a VERY rare exception...or maybe he doesn't sub to Dig Pref, so in his mind, he DOES get everything but premiums... |
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PaulGo join:2005-01-29 Gaithersburg, MD |
to telcodad
Re: HD DTAIt appears Music Choice is being added to the HD DTA channels selection. It's a somewhat slow process for it to be added (two of my three HD DTAs now have it). You may be able to speed up the process a bit if it is available by unplugging the DTA for about 30 seconds. This forces a reload of the available channels. |
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·PenTeleData ARRIS SB8200
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to mgmgmg
Re: [Content] HD DTASo can these things tune regular HD channels now, like TBS, ESPN, CNN, USA, Nick, MTV, etc... ? Or is HD still just limited to your OTA networks like CBS, NBC, Fox?
Do they send a special channel map to the HD-DTA yet like TWC is doing where if the device is HD, it tunes the HD version ie) ESPN on Ch XX would show in HD, rather than having 2 ESPN's with one really high up on the dial that no one will find but us techies. |
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PaulGo join:2005-01-29 Gaithersburg, MD |
PaulGo
Member
2014-May-28 9:13 pm
If you are on a tier above Limited basic you need to pay a HD Technology Fee to get the HD channels. You will be getting all the HD channels up to but not including Digital Preferred exclusive channels (such as Encore). The DTAs have both the SD versions of the channels along with the HD versions of the same channels with no auto switching to the HD version. |
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2014 and still an "HD Technology fee". Christ, no wonder they are one of the most hated companies in the world. And Brian Roberts said they aren't even trying. Maybe he should look at his HD Technology Fee for starters.
Oh well. I feel bad for those who pay for it and never use it because the HD channels are on weird numbers no elderly or non-techie can bother to look for or remember. |
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PaulGo join:2005-01-29 Gaithersburg, MD |
PaulGo
Member
2014-May-28 10:48 pm
In my area all the HD channels are either in the 800 or 900 channel range, I believe Comcast will be moving all the HD channels to the 1000 range. So if an SD channels is say channes 20 the HD version would be 1020. If you have the X1 platform then the box will automatically switch to HD as a default. On a standard HD box when you tune to a SD channel if their is an HD exuivelant all a message will be shown at the bottom about the HD channels and all you do is press enter. |
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