heatsker151
join:2007-10-14
Lebanon, PA
4 edits |  Central PA HD additions 2/14/08
Eight High Definition channels – A&E HD, HGTV HD, Food Network HD, TBS HD, USA HD, Discovery Channel HD, TLC HD and Sci-Fi Channel HD – are being added to the following channel lineups beginning February 14, 2008 to the Expanded Basic Service level requiring a High Definition Digital Converter:
* Carlisle, Chambersburg/Shippensburg, Fort Loudon, Greencastle, Waynesboro/Mont Alto, Harrisburg, Hershey, Millersburg
* Hanover, York, Williamsport, Mill Hall
* Huntingdon, Lykens, State College, Philipsburg, Lock Haven
* Lancaster, Elizabethtown
* Lebanon, Reading, Pottsville
* Scranton, Dunmore, Dallas
Two High Definition channels – MHD and MOJO – are being added to the following channel lineups beginning February 14, 2008 to the Expanded Basic Service level requiring a High Definition Digital Converter:
* Adams County, York County (ex-Adelphia, not ex-Suscom cable systems)
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
1 edit | Re: Central PA HD additions very soon Thank you for the information!!!!!!!!! | |
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pennstatejim
join:2007-10-10
Reading, PA | Great! Keep us posted on what you hear!! | |
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Chad473
join:2007-12-18
Lancaster, PA
2 edits | crossing fingers too, but i'm not getting excited till I hear something official. back when we got nat geo and nfl we were rumored to get the others in that wave..didn't happen. rumored to get new stuff in december...didn't happen. I have noticed some weird stuff lately with channels going out for a few minutes and the "channel will be available shortly" message comes up. This has happened probably 3 or 4 times in the last week, and I wondered if they might be working on anything.
definitely keep us posted if you hear anything though. I think we're all chomping at the bit in central pa. | |
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gebe
join:2004-12-09
Minersville, PA | Thanks heatsker..keeping fingers crossed for some long awaited good news for our area | |
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vir koto
@comcast.net | Cypher, what is your best guess of available capacity on the Reading system? How many HD channels could they add? | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
4 edits | Re: Central PA HD additions very soon said by vir koto :
Cypher, what is your best guess of available capacity on the Reading system? How many HD channels could they add?
Well TCM and History are now digital only.
I'm not pulling up anything on Ch 82, so let's imagine that's also blank for now...
Service Electric is a 750 MHz Magnavox system, and they have NBA TV on Ch 120, 4 channels above 750 MHz. I used to think SA line gear was regarded as top notch in quality and performance. I know I would of choose SA over Magnavox (and our system did), but who knows. There should be no problem overdriving the system.
Say they push out to Ch 120, add three free channels from the old History and TCM spot, and Ch 82, that's 7 channel spaces right there.
At 2:1 HD Compression that's 14 new HD's.
At 3:1 HD Compression (which is starting to become more commonplace) that's 21 New HD's, not to mention changing the 2:1 HD compression on our current channels to 3:1.
I've noticed that some channels is 1 HD paired with 8 SD on it. Not sure how optimal this loading scheme is, but if they employ a good VBR statistical multiplex they should be able to group all of the HD's together in a row, 3 per frequency. They should put local OTA HD channels on the specific open frequencies per hubsite, for instance Channel 70 is open in Reading, but may not be in Lebanon. Therefore Channel 70 should be WPVI HD6 in Reading, but Lebanon would have an open spot that Reading doesn't, in this situation they would put WHTM HD 27 ABC in that location. The reason why I bring that up is because most of East Central PA shares the same bandwidth for the national channels. I've noticed everything from Channel 83 to 116 is identical on the QAM side between Lancaster, Reading, Pottsville, and Lebanon.
Also if they could change the Motorola OOB frequency to Ch 1 in the 74 MHz range, that would open up Channel 97's slot. Channel 97 is a little noisy in some area's due to WRFY 102.5 FM, but they could move an analog there, and put a digital in the space where that analog used to be. Or perhaps put a 64QAM channel there with all of Music choice or something. Not sure if our system has all frequency agile OOB tuners in the older boxes though. Some older DCT-2000's were special ordered with the OOB frequency hard coded into it. Newer boxes have an 8 or 10 channel hunt group, therefore it's agile.
I just think they could organize the system a bit better. Why spread all of the Music choice out like they are doing? What if they put all of those together with a few SD? Maybe it would be easier to look at and manage. Just a thought. | |
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| | | scanpa
Premium
join:2006-09-06
Lebanon, PA
| Re: Central PA HD additions very soon said by headend234 :
cypherstream u r very smart. u should apply to work for a cable company headend
he already makes more at his current job, then comcast corp. would pay him. I already said the same thing to him, back when I still worked for Comcast. | |
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JamesDax
join:2001-02-24
Philadelphia, PA | Guess Philly will continue to be left in the cold.
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He who lives the longest will know the most. | |
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| heatsker151
join:2007-10-14
Lebanon, PA | Re: Central PA HD additions very soon I doubt it. I only get news and updates for Central PA. Philly will get its updates too, but you'll probably know before I do. | |
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| | heatsker151
join:2007-10-14
Lebanon, PA | Re: Central PA HD additions very soon Also; it looks like there will be analog channels migrating to allow this change. Details... they will come. | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| Re: Central PA HD additions very soon said by heatsker151  :Also; it looks like there will be analog channels migrating to allow this change. Details... they will come. Sounds great!
I will be checking back every day! | |
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Chad473
join:2007-12-18
Lancaster, PA
1 edit | hmm...so if it's analogs moving, that means over a month till any changes can occur right? I thought they had to give 30 day notice before they could move them. So maybe sometime end of Feb? | |
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| heatsker151
join:2007-10-14
Lebanon, PA | Re: Central PA HD additions very soon I would imagine that's going to be the case.  | |
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ExitWound
Porsche Snob
join:2001-12-13
State College, PA | What cities/regions does "central PA" encompass? I ask because I'm 90% sure I'm dropping Comcast for DirecTV within the month.
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»www.theexitwound.com | |
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| heatsker151
join:2007-10-14
Lebanon, PA
| Re: Central PA HD additions very soon Central PA definitely includes State College. Soon I'll probably see a launch timetable that will tell me when they expect each cable system to move analogs/add HD channels. Specifically in my office (Lebanon) there have been numerous vague office memes about HD launch "excitement". It shouldn't take more than a few weeks to launch now, hang on for a little bit before you reach that decision. | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| Re: Central PA HD additions very soon Hey MadMANN, does the former Suscom building still use that Simulsat dish for reception, or do they get all of the channels from a Comcast provided fiber now?
I found some cool simulsat pictures here as well:
»www.simulsat.com/simulsatprojects.php | |
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MadMANN
Premium
join:2005-08-19
 ·Comcast
| Re: Central PA HD additions very soon I believe that everything except for the locals are now being fed from the CRAN. The dish is still there, though.
To be honest, I get to speak to a headend tech about once a month now that our office is located separately from the headend, as opposed to everyday when we were in the same building. Therefore, I am not as up to date as I was before. | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
1 edit | Re: Central PA HD additions very soon That's what I thought. Perhaps they tied your area, along with all the other acquisition area's into the same central PA master headend. Maybe that's what the holdup was, for the last few month's HD channel dry spell?
Well once everything is connected and lined up, hopefully it will make things easier next time when it comes to adding new HD channels. It's interesting, I put 17701 zip code into Zap2it.com's web site, and the old Suscom system has an identical lineup to ours over 100. | |
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| | Apollo729
join:2006-08-28
Avis, PA
| I know Apollo729 See Profile will be drooling over the Sci-Fi HD channel! I haven't watched SCI-FI since they killed Stargate SG1, History HD and Discovery HD are good though, we need CNN HD and since no one watches it they could remove the Fox Finance channel. 
BTW, what brought me into this? 
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Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759 | |
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Vir Koto
@comcast.net
| 1/16/08 Reading Eagle | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| Re: Central PA HD additions very soon Nice find Vir Koto!
Happy Valentines Day indeed. Yeah I'll take 8 HD channels before chocolates. The woman on the other hand will most likely still be wanting flowers!
As scanpa stated, we spoke briefly about myself applying for a job at Comcast. I looked into the pay scales, added the extra commute and in the long run I make more at my current job.
The cable industry always fascinated me, I guess you can call it a self study hobby. I'd love to work in the industry, but at this current point in time I'm doing well managing a network for a manufacturing company. I do everything from run cable, programming, managing servers, PC repair and tech support, you name it. At Comcast I would most likely have to start as a tech and take years to get into the headend. | |
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Comcast Guy
@comcast.net | These will be effective for Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading, Lebanon, Chambersburg, Ship, and hopefully York and State College. Date to begin launch has been set as 2/19. | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| Re: Central PA HD additions very soon said by Comcast Guy :These will be effective for Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading, Lebanon, Chambersburg, Ship, and hopefully York and State College. Date to begin launch has been set as 2/19. So your saying the 2/14 date listed in the Reading Eagle paper is incorrect???
I hope a few become active sooner, but I'm not pushing my luck. I'm at least happy for an official announcement.
You Philly area folks should see those 4 HD's in the right side of that ad. Especially since you have 2 open spots available for 4 HD's.
Comcast seems to be going by the book, still.... not loading past Ch 116 and not loading more than 2 HD per channel. Notice we are getting 8 HD's, but 2 more analogs are going on the same date. 2 analogs left in December, so there you go, 4 lost analogs and 8 new HD's. After that you think we will be stuck for awhile again? | |
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| | | Comcast Guy
join:2008-01-16
Harrisburg, PA
| Re: Central PA HD additions very soon said by cypherstream :said by Comcast Guy :These will be effective for Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading, Lebanon, Chambersburg, Ship, and hopefully York and State College. Date to begin launch has been set as 2/19. So your saying the 2/14 date listed in the Reading Eagle paper is incorrect??? Not necessarily. I noticed the date discrepancy as well and I am confused how the two dates are different. I am hoping it was a typo or mistake on our end. I will try to confirm this next Wednesday afternoon (hopefully earlier). Always something. | |
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Travelfan1
RIP Analog Go Digital
join:2005-08-23
Iselin, NJ
·Comcast
| vir koto and Cypher,
What's this Local programming channel on channel 24 in your area? Is it a town channel or something else?
jericho08 >> Other than style, I am afraid in our areas Comcast has already moved the channels on the add to digital, CMT, GSN and there was even a leased channel that was moved to digital only back in October. But I agree with you overall, they must start moving channels out of analog yesterday in our area!
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Comcast of New Jersey II(Union)
Verizon DSL
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vir koto
@comcast.net | Re: Central PA HD additions very soon It's Channel 21,a mix of paid programming,State Reps and Senators TV shows, Spanish music,Frisbee golf,fishing,Comcast Public affairs. Best description would be it's like a public access channel | |
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pennstatejim
join:2007-10-10
Reading, PA
1 edit | Cypher,
Maybe they will add Style prior to the 2/14 switch? Although, I would love to see some of the HD prior to then too...
I also think it's kinda dumb how they will have them intermixed with the premium HD channels... | |
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| | | Chad473
join:2007-12-18
Lancaster, PA
| Re: Central PA HD additions very soon said by pennstatejim :Cypher, I also think it's kinda dumb how they will have them intermixed with the premium HD channels... yeah, the intermingling with premiums is kind of annoying but hey, they can put the channels whereever they want at this point, I'm just glad we are getting them. | |
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cavuto
@comcast.net
| Dont want to sound greedy but shouldnt there be 4 more to the list. I also agree that Cypher would be a welcomed addition to the comcast team, but I wouldnt place him in the tech dept, I would put a tie on him and put him in charge of the whole headend..put him on a perch if you will like an eagle ..scanning over the blue marsh.. | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| I'd also like to add that the Reading Eagle ad's for channel additions in the past have always been behind.
Sometimes the ads would proclaim a new channel in a month, but the reality is that the channel is available within a few days of the ad. The only cavet to this is since adding these channels hinge on removing some analogs (GSN and CMT), we probobly won't see anything prior to 2/14/08. I am hoping we at least get 4 of those 8 ahead of time, but I'm not going to get my hopes up. 29 more days people, 29 more days! It's quite tough to wait that long, but at least there's a formal announcement! | |
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JamesDax
join:2001-02-24
Philadelphia, PA | But..but...what about Philly?? | |
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CRP
Comcast of Ocean County
join:2005-12-26
Brick, NJ | Re: Central PA HD additions very soon NJ needs to follow suit and move some more analogs to digital, so we can see some new HD channels. I wish they'd move networks like Discovery Health, TCM, Style etc. to the digital side in my area. | |
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gebe
join:2004-12-09
Minersville, PA | I hope Pottsville, Pa is part of this HD makeover. | |
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| Comcast Guy
join:2008-01-16
Harrisburg, PA
| Re: Central PA HD additions very soon said by gebe :I hope Pottsville, Pa is part of this HD makeover. Should be. They are a "Classic market" and have the same HD lineup as we do in HBG and Reading. | |
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Chad473
join:2007-12-18
Lancaster, PA
2 edits | good list of additions. finally some concrete news
do wish we were picking up CNN. I know actual HD has been limited but I've heard some of the Election coverage and debates were in HD and looked fantastic. I'm glad they passed on History for right now considering it doesn't show much HD.
edit: I noticed they put bloomberg 103 as a new addition? didn't you guys get that along with us in Lancaster maybe 2-3 weeks ago? | |
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See 7 replies to this post |
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karmaghost
join:2005-01-14
State College, PA
| My current promotion for Digital Cable ends the end of Feb and I'd really like to see some more high def content before I decided whether to keep Comcast or move to another provider. I wish they would just bite the bullet and add CBS HD, at the very least. | |
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| Comcast Guy
join:2008-01-16
Harrisburg, PA | Re: Central PA HD additions very soon Good news for all of use here in Central PA. I just got confirmation that the date is the 14th, not the 19th. The info I had was a projected date.
Happy Valentines Day from Comcast. | |
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wwfguy2000
join:2002-07-25
Pine Grove, PA | Great...I get to miss Raw's first HD show next week...and where the hell is Speed in HD? Grrr
Also, I agree with the previous poster with this better be in the Pottsville market! | |
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pmjoe
@comcast.net
| Does "Expanded Basic Service" = Clear QAM? The only HD we currently get in State College with what I would call "Expanded Basic Service" are the local HD stations, everything else (non-premium) is in "Digital Classic". This would truly be great news if that's finally the case. | |
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| heatsker151
join:2007-10-14
Lebanon, PA | Re: Central PA HD additions 2/14/08 No, it should only mean that you can get the channels now with a Comcast HD receiver without a digital plan. (For that, the HD rental is $9.95) or if you prefer, a cable card or two. | |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs: | I'm sure they will encrypt them.
Even if they put them where CMT was on Ch 55, which would be under an Expanded Basic Service Trap for basic subs... they will still encrypt it. | |
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