PGHammer
join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
 ·Comcast
| reply to cypherstream
Re: Comcast vs. Verizon FIOS
said by cypherstream  :bicker is right. For the most part, if someone is having issues with their HD hookup, 9 times out of 10 they need the 5 wire hookup anyway. You don't want them posting here "Why don't I have any sound?" do you? I don't think they use an A/V receiver or route digital audio to one if they think 3 cables of Red, Yellow, and White are for HD. The 5 wire cable package I posted looks exactly like the only type of cable Comcast provides with their HD boxes in our area. And if you want HDMI, your on your own for that one (at least when I was installed). That is no longer true, as installers now carry HDMI cables on their trucks, and will supply them. The biggest issue is TVs that only have composite/component (no HDMI). |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| reply to sansri88
Agreed. On demand is nice, but it's slow and there's no searching ability.
With linear HD channels you are sometimes reminded of interesting programs by paging through the normal channel guide. You have to poke in and out of every menu in the on demand system to find something. It can be useful, but also time consuming to find something. |
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bushleaguer
join:2007-01-22
Gillette, NJ
| reply to BSD24
said by BSD24 : They have plenty of HDMI cable boxes, you just have to ask for one. I suppose it varies by location, because when the boxes I received were installed and when I asked CS about it at a later time, I was told that they didn't have any and that I would be put on a waiting list. |
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sansri88
Go digtal you analog laggards
Premium
join:2005-12-17
New York, NY
clubs: | reply to BSD24
Yes, I would rather have channels that I can flip through rather than On Demand.
On Demand, while it is good, is slow compared to tuning to actual channels. It also doesn't carry content from some channels that I want to watch. |
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BSD24
Tier 4
Premium
join:2008-04-30
Middleboro, MA
clubs: | reply to BSD24
But don't get me wrong. I agree that Comcast needs to add more HD channels, its only a matter of time - the sooner Comcast can dump analog, the faster they can implement more HD channels. |
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BSD24
Tier 4
Premium
join:2008-04-30
Middleboro, MA
clubs:
·Comcast
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to sansri88
said by sansri88 :As I've said before, our system doesn't care about HD. Yes, HD On Demand is there, but personally I and many other customers would love to just flip through linear channels. Where are those linear channels? We were supposed to get them in May, and something made the marketing department change their mind. Why? Won't tell me. When are those channels going to come? Won't tell me. If we don't see USA-HD before the Olympics I'm going to make a huge stink over it. There's no reason why our system can't add channels while every single other system is. So you would rather have your choice of lets say 70 HD channels (not all showing HD programming - some may show Standard def) than being able to watch 30 HD channels or you also have the option of instantly (and even many are free) watching any 1 choice of the 500 HD programs and movies available in HD on demand. For those of us that know how to use on-demand. It is more convenient to use. I remember switching to DirecTV and missing on-demand because although back then they had more channels, I could never find something on that I wanted to watch. While when you have on-demand you can usually always find something you will want to watch. Theres more selections to choose from. |
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Roche1972
join:2008-02-22
| reply to PaulGo
said by PaulGo :Although I am not thrilled by Comcast HD quality (on some channels), I find their Video On Demand quality quite good. I hope when they have switched video in my area it will be at the same quality as the VOD. Comcast does have much more free movies (including HD ones) and other free programs in their Video On Demand than Verizon FiOS TV has. If you enjoy Comcast's Video On Demand then I don't recommend Verizon FiOS TV. My older brother liked Comcast's VOD and I didn't care too much for it. When we got Verizon FiOS TV back in February, my brother hated its VOD while I rarely use it at all. The reasons why I signed up for Verizon FiOS TV were for its low cost on basic channels plus more channels like Boomerang, Fox Movie Channel and American Life TV. So if you don't care for VOD that much then I recommend Verizon FiOS TV. However, if you do like VOD then stick with Comcast. |
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sansri88
Go digtal you analog laggards
Premium
join:2005-12-17
New York, NY
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to BSD24
As I've said before, our system doesn't care about HD. Yes, HD On Demand is there, but personally I and many other customers would love to just flip through linear channels.
Where are those linear channels? We were supposed to get them in May, and something made the marketing department change their mind. Why? Won't tell me. When are those channels going to come? Won't tell me.
If we don't see USA-HD before the Olympics I'm going to make a huge stink over it. There's no reason why our system can't add channels while every single other system is.
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Sriram Satish
Comcast of NJ II sucks. Period.
25 HD channels compared to the average 32 or so. |
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BSD24
Tier 4
Premium
join:2008-04-30
Middleboro, MA
clubs:
·Comcast
·Verizon FIOS
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to PaulGo
Not to mention they have more HD Video On Demand than Verizon. They have plenty of HDMI cable boxes, you just have to ask for one. Comcast is working to add more and more SDV and are migrating analog channels over to Digital in my area this month, and other areas as well. You could always wait, but that has to be your decision. I like the HD quality in VOD with Comcast. The channels are pretty good, and will only improve as they continue to move forward with upgrades.
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BSD |
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PaulGo
join:2005-01-29
Gaithersburg, MD | reply to sansri88
Although I am not thrilled by Comcast HD quality (on some channels), I find their Video On Demand quality quite good. I hope when they have switched video in my area it will be at the same quality as the VOD. |
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Roche1972
join:2008-02-22
1 edit | reply to tew1165
Verizon FiOS TV will have more HD channels than Comcast has in Northern NJ starting July 30. However, if you're a basketball or hockey fan, in Northern NJ, Comcast has more sports in HD than Verizon FiOS TV does. Comcast shows MSG HD and MSG+ HD programming of the Knicks, Rangers, Devils and Islanders but they share that sports programming with a duplicate CN8 (Comcast Network) channel and with MOJO HD I believe, at least that's what it was like before I switched from Comcast to Verizon FiOS TV back in February. MSG HD, MSG+ HD and TBS HD are not currently available on Verizon FiOS TV yet but NFL Network HD, YES HD and SNY HD are plus Versus/Golf HD will be available on July 30. TBS HD will be available on Verizon FiOS TV soon, hopefully in time for the MLB playoffs in October. |
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sansri88
Go digtal you analog laggards
Premium
join:2005-12-17
New York, NY
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to ComcastTech
quote:
we actually have a lineup thats TRUE 1080, not 720p like satelitte, and more than fios
DirecTV, with their MPEG-4 channels, send them out as they receive them, 1080i or 720p. Not all channels broadcast in 1080i buddy, like the ESPNs and ABC (they're 720p).
As for FiOS, by the end of the summer most areas served by FiOS will have way more HD channels than Comcast subs can dream of right now. Example: In Northern NJ, Verizon will have 50+ HD channels by the end of the month, while Comcast has 25.
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Sriram Satish
Comcast of NJ II sucks. Period.
25 HD channels compared to the average 32 or so. |
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ComcastTech
join:2008-05-31
| reply to tew1165
well avsforum is right. the idiots at the headend put 3 hd channels per qam and tiling is the result. the machines are built to handle it, but arent. as for hd with the lineup, were not dead last. we actually have a lineup thats TRUE 1080, not 720p like satelitte, and more than fios. fios is good, but enjoy the prices while they last. running that technology with a new network thats being built... shits gonna hit the fan down the road for you folks. we have 40 some channels in hd and more coming. |
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bushleaguer
join:2007-01-22
Gillette, NJ
| reply to celeritypc
said by celeritypc :said by bushleaguer :Unfortunately the installer didn't have any cables, and I only had the HDMI cable. Funny that Comcast bought out our existing, small-fry cable company (Patriot Media) and they had HDMI-capable boxes on hand. If I'm not mistaken, Pat Media used Motorola boxes as well and when Comcast took over, they are probably using the same inventory Pat Media had. It could be that they ran out of the newer boxes. Yes, Patriot did use Motorola boxes, and they had HDMI connections. I don't know if they are using Patriot Media's old boxes (I don't know why they wouldn't), but the ones I got were Comcast - judging by the stamp on the front and the worn condition of it.
I called about it and they said they were aware of the issue and said every other provider was going through the same problem (I remember reading about Verizon running out of HD boxes early in 2007 but that problem has been resolved). They said there was a "waiting list" for new boxes and they would add my name to it. The way I see it, spending $$ on new hardware is not something that they are going to be anxious to do, as they can't charge more for the new box and would have to raise rates somewhere to make up for the expenditure. |
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celeritypc
For Lucky Best Wash, Use Mr. Sparkle
Premium
join:2004-05-15
Caldwell, NJ
| reply to bushleaguer
said by bushleaguer :Unfortunately the installer didn't have any cables, and I only had the HDMI cable. Funny that Comcast bought out our existing, small-fry cable company (Patriot Media) and they had HDMI-capable boxes on hand. If I'm not mistaken, Pat Media used Motorola boxes as well and when Comcast took over, they are probably using the same inventory Pat Media had. It could be that they ran out of the newer boxes. |
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bushleaguer
join:2007-01-22
Gillette, NJ
| reply to cypherstream
said by cypherstream :HD Needs to be hooked up with either HDMI / DVI or Component video cables. Component cables are 5 wires like this:  Thanks. I'll head down to Radio Shack to pick them up.
Unfortunately the installer didn't have any cables, and I only had the HDMI cable. Funny that Comcast bought out our existing, small-fry cable company (Patriot Media) and they had HDMI-capable boxes on hand. |
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aaronwt
Premium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to cypherstream
said by cypherstream :bicker is right. For the most part, if someone is having issues with their HD hookup, 9 times out of 10 they need the 5 wire hookup anyway. You don't want them posting here "Why don't I have any sound?" do you? I don't think they use an A/V receiver or route digital audio to one if they think 3 cables of Red, Yellow, and White are for HD. The 5 wire cable package I posted looks exactly like the only type of cable Comcast provides with their HD boxes in our area. And if you want HDMI, your on your own for that one (at least when I was installed). Comcast had HDMI/DVI cables here. Although I certainly didn't use it.
Even when I used the component connection, I always used the optical or coaxial output for audio. I've been using digital audio capable receivers since 1997. |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| reply to aaronwt
bicker is right.
For the most part, if someone is having issues with their HD hookup, 9 times out of 10 they need the 5 wire hookup anyway. You don't want them posting here "Why don't I have any sound?" do you? I don't think they use an A/V receiver or route digital audio to one if they think 3 cables of Red, Yellow, and White are for HD.
The 5 wire cable package I posted looks exactly like the only type of cable Comcast provides with their HD boxes in our area. And if you want HDMI, your on your own for that one (at least when I was installed). |
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bicker
join:2007-05-10
Burlington, MA | reply to aaronwt
HDMI is definitely sweet, but I think it'll be a while before the Average Joe will be using that connection exclusively. |
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aaronwt
Premium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to bicker
said by bicker :There is no sure-fire way to explain to someone who isn't technically inclined the difference between component connections and composite connections by the count of the cables, because such folks will often not be able to tell the difference between audio and video connections. I suspect that cyperstream's (very sound) thinking was that if you've got five cables, then you can be sure that you've got a component connection, whereas if you talk about three cables, someone who isn't an expert may think that you mean the red (left audio), blue (right audio), and yellow (composite video). The picture very cleary shows the colors for the cable and the connection point on the device. Personally I haven't used any video analog connections in 3 years. It's nice to have my 20+ devices connected with one cable that carries both audio and video. |
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