Comcast Launches 'Project Infinity'Cable company gets serious about On Demand ( old news - 11:54AM Tuesday Jan 08 2008) tags: business · bandwidth · cable · ComcastTipped by gate1975mlm  Comcast this morning announced "Project Infinity," a ramping up of their high definition On Demand film platform. According to Comcast they'll be offering 1,000 HD "choices" this year -- and by a choice they mean an individual film or TV series. The company says they offer On Demand content 100 times per second, with 275 million views monthly. The press release toys a little with DirecTV, currently the industry leader when it comes to HD channels: Comcast plans to expand its current HD lineup beyond the hundreds of HD choices available today, which is already more than any other provider offers. By the end of the year, Comcast will make available more than 1,000 HD movies and TV shows every month, as well as the most popular television networks in HD as they debut. HD content is the fastest-growing category in Comcast's On Demand library. Beginning next year, Comcast says they plan to offer more than 6,000 movies a month, more than half of them being available in HD. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts should give his keynote today at noon, during which he'll touch on Project Infinity, the new Tru2Way platform, and the company's DOCSIS 3.0 plans.
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|
 
not
@comcast.net
thumbs down from:
TKJunkMail
| Yeah, sure.... Last time I counted (last weekend), all HD on demand choices (free and pay for) hardly topped 100, let alone 1000. They finally came out HD SciFi... what, years after everyone else had it? They need to quickly start replacing the current MPEG2 gear... it's getting old and HD content is suffering because of it and their lacking network. | |
|  | jester121
Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL | Re: Yeah, sure.... Psst... it's only the 8th day of the year. | |
| | 
banditws6
Shrinking Time and Distance
join:2001-08-18
Naples, FL
 ·Comcast
| said by not :
They finally came out HD SciFi... what, years after everyone else had it? You mean Sci-Fi Channel HD? That channel only launched this past October. I was actually surprised that Comcast got it to us so fast. (It barely matters anyway; almost nothing on that channel is actually in HD.)
On Demand doesn't really interest me; never has. I guess it's because it doesn't work very well in our area; always breaking up, macroblocking and pausing during playback. Plus the interface is slow and ugly. We're in a Scientific Atlanta area, so that's probably why. SA is always the butt end of Comcast cable operations...
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"I'll follow the law until it's just stupid." -Ted Nugent | |
| | nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD | the only thing that's ever going to reach infinity with comcast is their pricing. | |
| | | 
N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs | Re: Yeah, sure.... I was going to say: "Infinity, the new name for my Comcast bill." But you beat me to it.....
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Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power… | |
| | 
KrazyDawg
join:2001-02-07
Vallejo, CA
clubs:
| My wife was telling me about a Comcast commercial referencing more HD "content" than DirecTV. Deceptive and misleading. It's nice to have that on On Demand. What about getting the rest of the channels converted? DirecTV still leads in the number of channels. The newer content that you want to watch will be on those channels not previously recorded and aired on On Demand. | |
| 
ztmike
Mark for moderation
Premium
join:2001-08-02
Michigan City, IN
·Comcast
| docsis 3 "Comcast CEO Brian Roberts should give his keynote today at noon, during which he'll touch on Project Infinity, the new Tru2Way platform, and the company's DOCSIS 3.0 plans."
Sadly, I bet roberts is not going to give much info about docsis 3, he'll probably say yea..we will start pushing it to peoples houses on blah blah year, and that's all hes going to say.
No mention of speeds or where its going to show up at. I bet on it.
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"I am the worst president in U.S history, I'm either stupid or dumb most of the time, but people still believe me." George W. Bush | |
| |
ztmike
Mark for moderation
Premium
join:2001-08-02
Michigan City, IN | Re: docsis 3 Will there be a live video feed of roberts keynote?
Noon..in what time zone? | |
| | | | | JSRoman
Premium
join:2005-03-10
Callahan, FL | Do you expect him to give a gooogle map presentation with exact addresses that will get it and exact dates?
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»www.seabee.navy.mil | |
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ztmike
Mark for moderation
Premium
join:2001-08-02
Michigan City, IN
·Comcast
| Re: docsis 3 said by JSRoman :Do you expect him to give a gooogle map presentation with exact addresses that will get it and exact dates? 
No. But to name the citys that will get it, or at least tell people its not going to be just for the fios areas.
Sure, docsis 3 is going to come to everybody, but i bet they only go for the fios areas first. Like I've been saying all along.
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"I am the worst president in U.S history, I'm either stupid or dumb most of the time, but people still believe me." George W. Bush | |
| | | | JSRoman
Premium
join:2005-03-10
Callahan, FL
| Re: docsis 3 said by ztmike :said by JSRoman :Do you expect him to give a gooogle map presentation with exact addresses that will get it and exact dates? Sure, docsis 3 is going to come to everybody, but i bet they only go for the fios areas first. Like I've been saying all along. Like it should, to stop Comcast subs from possibly switching to Fios.
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»www.seabee.navy.mil | |
|
Mr Anonymous
@bellsouth.net
| Once again, Comcast is ignoring some of their customers. They should be focusing on providing their customers on ancient analog systems with basic digital services instead of continuing to ignore them.
They are already providing some HD content to everyone who has digital service. They should ensure their entire system is digital before blowing their own horn about how they are going to keep up with the Joneses (in this case, the telcos).
Brian Roberts needs to do his job. | |
| | 
MalibuMaxx
join:2007-02-06
Chesterton, IN
·Comcast
| Re: Once again, Comcast is ignoring some of their customers. hmmm... i dont think they are ingnoring their analog customers... after all Febuary of 2009 is the deadline so get your digital tuner now if you already havent...
I believe if you are on their digital tuner... all channels are digital... am I wrong??
And since they are the 4th largest telco... I believe they are doing a good job in the CDV area...
I don't see your issues... comcast is giving you options... you just havent grabbed them yet... do it before its too late... Oh wait... your on bellsouth... that explains it all... | |
| | | BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast
| Re: Once again, Comcast is ignoring some of their customers. Some people commonly make this mistake.
Cable is not affected by the cut over only regional broadcasters.
On a digital tuner all channels are not digital , tuner support all older technology too. So you get analog and digital.
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"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!" | |
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MalibuMaxx
join:2007-02-06
Chesterton, IN
·Comcast
| Re: Once again, Comcast is ignoring some of their customers. Right, I do understand that local programming right now even if you have the digital tuner will be analog... but thats because local broadcasters havent made the switch... When they do they will be digital. Most of our local broadcasters have made the switch already... if your viewing the digital channel that is what you get when they drop the analog in 2009... But arent all channels besides local in digital... I believe so... at least thats what I was told by a line tech...  | |
| | | | | BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast
| Re: Once again, Comcast is ignoring some of their customers. said by MalibuMaxx :Right, I do understand that local programming right now even if you have the digital tuner will be analog... but thats because local broadcasters havent made the switch... When they do they will be digital. Most of our local broadcasters have made the switch already... if your viewing the digital channel that is what you get when they drop the analog in 2009... But arent all channels besides local in digital... I believe so... at least thats what I was told by a line tech... Completely depends on the area. Comcast uses Digital Simulcast, so they send both , some cable boxes use digital if its available then fall back to analog if its there. Analog is usually present for all the lower channels not just locals.
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"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!" | |
| | bicker
join:2007-05-10
Burlington, MA
| said by Mr Anonymous :
They should be focusing on providing their customers on ancient analog systems with basic digital services instead of continuing to ignore them. Why do you think those specific systems deserve more attention than they're being provided. Comcast actually knows how competitive each market is, and devotes is resources in proportion to where such resources will provide the best returns.
said by Mr Anonymous :
Brian Roberts needs to do his job. Seems to me that you're advocating that he do a bad job. | |
|
MalibuMaxx
join:2007-02-06
Chesterton, IN
·Comcast
| Woot Docsis 3.0... need I say more...
Woot, I like the idea of networking the ondemand servers so that its not just a local server running our on demand... that will give us tons more choices btw...
Now just get rid of sandvine and we'd be doing something for every customer... Good thing its not implemented where I live... | |
| | | donjuan2002
join:2002-10-06
Kearny, NJ | Re: CES coverage They are filing the pain of Directv, | |
| elister
join:2006-07-17
Seattle, WA
| Forced to adopt Analog I have only 1 TV in my apartment, its HD. I have absolutely no need for analog cable tv, yet Comcast policy states that I have to pay for the following to get HDTV.
Enhanced Basic SDTV + Digital Classic (SDTV) + HD Equipment Rental + HD Tier = About 18 channels in HD (Seattle,WA) or roughly 75$ a month. Of course when you call Comcast they quote alot more channels, but they include the Premiums (HBO, Showtime, etc).
I think its a law that if you want just HBO, you can get it with Limited Basic + Digital Access (which includes 1 SD Cable Box) + HBO Subscription. But the same thing cant be applied for HD content? I've asked them several times and as usual I keep getting a different answer.
I have limited basic right now and I'll never upgrade past it. Why? I've got QAM tuners and most of the stuff I watch are on local channels anyway. I've seen how cool Discovery HD looks, but I'm not going to pay an extra 60$ just to get 10 extra HD channels. | |
| | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| Re: Forced to adopt Analog Then enjoy your analog TV...
Why should you get HD content in a separate tier for a smaller fee? With Comcast, you get the HD tier when you purchase the lowest level of digital TV at no additional charge for the HD.. why? Because those are the networks that come with the full basic cable line up.
The rest of us that invested in an HD tv FOR the HD portion of the TV are in it for the long haul and are paying for people like you, later, to get the HD on the cheap end.
It sounds to me that you purchased HD capability that just came with your flat panel TV... and not that you purchased it for the ability to have HD..
That $40 voucher should come in handy for you. | |
| | 
PGHammer
join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
·Comcast
| They actually have a separate HD Tier? That's the first I've heard of that in *any* Comcast area. Here's what's needed to get HD here (Comcast of Prince George's County, MD, an ADS system):
1. HD Equipment Lease (any of the following: CableCARD, DCT-6200, DCT-3412 III, DCH-3416).
That's it.
The HD Block is part of Digital Starter; however, you need to lease the HD Equipment to receive it. Other than the equipment lease fee (and if you lease only a single CableCARD, you pay nit) you pay no more than you would merely for Digital Starter.
Thing is, you get more than the ten HD channels. You also get the many additional channels included in Digital Starter, all channels above 99 that are included in either Limited Basic or Digital Starter that you *aren't* getting (due to lack of equipment; the programming itself costs nothing extra) plus all the free (including free HD) OnDemand content available monthly.
I have Comcast Standard Service (all analog channels except pay-TV). I have a single digital cable STB (which replaced an analog STB during the ADS cutover); with that, I get Digital Starter *free* on that single TV. I have a single TV with a QAM tuner (in my bedroom). There are no other STBs anywhere in the house. There are also no other QAM tuners anywhere in the house. The single digital (non-HD) STB gets some channels that my QAM TV does not (due to scrambling, which Comcast is certainly authorized to do to prevent theft of service), such as Turner Classic Movies, which is in Digital Starter. However, I get HD programming on my QAM TV which my digital-cable STB does not, such as A&EHD, which is in the HD Block. Meanwhile, I could certainly get a CableCARD for my QAM TV (which supports them) and also get all the same programming that the STB gets (remember, because this would be the first CC, I would pay zero for it) *and* get all the remaining channels (other than subscription services) in the HD Block (which includes HD Theater, the other Discovery HD Networks, SciFiHD, etc. which I do NOT get now). Total additional cost to me: *none*.
You don't need to add Digital Classic. You don't pay extra for the HD programming. You simply pay for any extra equipment you lease (STBs, CableCARDs, etc.), and only where you want to watch that programming (you may not want to have it on *every* HDTV in the house). | |
| Weatherman
join:2004-12-04
Bel Air, MD
| Price Infinity.. That is what it should be called. This will be just another excuse to raise the already overpriced service.
For the current rediculous price of Comcast Digital Cable, we should already get all the channels in HD. I would gladly give up 95% of the worthless channels to get the remaining 5% of channels in HD.
Take all the extra crap off - and give me 100Mbs Docsis 3.0 up/down! | |
| 
pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD |  Blah Blah Blah
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Only SHATNER is Kirk. | |
| | 
Drex
Beer..It's What's For Dinner
Premium
join:2000-02-24
La Place, LA
 ·AT&T Southeast
| Re: Blah Blah Blah said by pnh102 :Comcast keeps telling us how great this mythical "On Demand" service is. I want to see for myself! Exactly! What's this "On Demand" stuff I keep hearing about?
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I gave up drinking and eating bad food. And in 14 days, I had lost 2 weeks. | |
| | HarperJG
Premium
join:2002-03-30
Mount Juliet, TN
 ·Vonage
| said by pnh102 :Comcast keeps telling us how great this mythical "On Demand" service is. I want to see for myself! It's OK when it works, but a majority of the time I get a communication/time out errors when I try to access it, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when everyone else must be using it as well.
I called their support number regarding it, and the rep told me that the on demand part was in the testing stages and the time out problems were a known issue. A year later, the problem still remains. Guess it is still in the "testing" stage. | |
| 
jgkolt
Premium
join:2004-02-21
Lakewood, OH
clubs:
2 edits | thats a lot on demand but I fail to see the on demand equaling out to a tv channel which continues to deliver content one after the other without having to pay 5.99 or w/e per movie. Also these hd channels are overrated. 70% of the channels are SD anyways with a few HD shows here and there.
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3 free for you/3 free for me: Free Stock Trades : PM Me | |
| b10010011
Whats a Posting tag?
join:2004-09-07
Bellingham, WA | Project Infinity? Sounds like some the the billing department would come up with.  | |
| |
hehehe
@tel-ott.com | Re: Project Infinity? Comcast Marketing Dept: Gee.. what can we call our service that sounds like unlimited but has none of the legal ramifications....hmmmm
Comcast employee: How about infinity.... | |
| 
odreian615
join:2006-01-18
Chicago, IL
·AT&T Midwest
| More here on USA Today »www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2···m?csp=34
FTFA
•Comcast in 2008 will offer Internet speeds as fast as 160 megabits per second, up from its current top of 16 mbps. "We're going to download a two hour-plus movie in high-definition in three minutes and 56 seconds," he says. The price will depend on demand.
•Comcast is launching Fancast.com, a website for finding and managing TV shows, video and movie viewing. Users can provide their location and the TV services they get to see personalized listings that cover conventional TV channels, video-on-demand (VOD) and Internet offerings from broadcast and cable networks. Eventually, they'll be able to program their DVRs via Fancast.
Those looking for a particular movie can see whether it's available on video services including Netflix, (NFLX) Blockbuster.com, (BBI) Amazon (AMZN) and iTunes. (AAPL) For movies in theaters, Fancast will sell tickets via Fandango, a service Comcast bought last year.
•Comcast will increase high-definition offerings on VOD to better compete with satellite companies that offer more HDTV channels than most cable companies. Comcast will have 1,000 HD options by year's end, including conventional HD channels and up to 300 VOD movies, TV shows and music videos.
By the end of 2008, Comcast will be testing Project Infinity, an initiative to increase its high-definition VOD capacity. Roberts says VOD servers across the country will offer 6,000 movies, half in HD, in 2009. | |
| | |
comcast_customer
@accelnet.net
| They will have to work hard to pry my $18.50/month... ... from Netflix' hands which if you're anal retentive enough, could yield you over 50 movies/month at that price.
If Comcast can give me 100 hrs of viewing time for $18.50/month (any on-demand movie), I'm signing up for their 'Infinity' tomorrow! | |
| | 
prestonlewis
Premium,MVM
join:2003-04-13
Sacramento, CA
·VoiceStick
| Re: They will have to work hard to pry my $18.50/month... said by comcast_customer :
... from Netflix' hands which if you're anal retentive enough, could yield you over 50 movies/month at that price.
If Comcast can give me 100 hrs of viewing time for $18.50/month (any on-demand movie), I'm signing up for their 'Infinity' tomorrow!
Hey, I'm just the anally retentive person for your Netflix proposal. Thanks for the idea. Also, if you sign up for their "Infinity" tomorrow, I think the idea is you have to wait for infinity to get the service. Kind of like my neighborhood, which was promised RTs under Project Lightspeed (SBC) several years ago is still waiting for them. | |
|
prestonlewis
Premium,MVM
join:2003-04-13
Sacramento, CA | Project . . . Lightspeed? Did the SBC exec who came out with the never (or should I say lightly) implemented Project Lightspeed go to work for Comcast and dream up another "project" name? | |
| |
Comfrustrated
@comcast.net
| Re: Project . . . Lightspeed? Unfortunately, a lot of the "on demand" content on Comcast is also "commercials on demand".
That's right..
You sit back to watch the tube. You select some "on demand" movie. You watch it for a while, and blam!, out of no where the movie is interrupted with an commercial!
In particular are movies on the "Fear.net" selection.
Not only do they interrupt the movie with commercials, but often there is very large and animated watermark thing on the side of the screen.
If I had widgets to sale, I would appreciate marketing.
I need to sell products, and to do that I need to advertise.
But this kind of stuff puts them right up there with spam emails.
It's bad enough you have to sit through one Comcast advertisement after another on every other channel, you have to sit through it on "On Demand" too.
The service doesn't live to the marketing hype and they don't bother to tell you about the injected advertising.
I "Demand" not to watch "Demanded" commercials.
I'm switching to satellite TV..
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