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story category DirecTV, FiOS Top HD Offerings
Comcast still in last place playing catch up...
(old news - 04:19PM Friday Feb 13 2009)
tags: Video · competition · business · alternatives · stats · HDTV · Comcast · Verizon FIOS · DIRECTV
DirecTV continues its reign as the king of high-definition channel counts, though Verizon's FiOSTV service keeping pace with the satellite operator, according to new analysis by market research provider Pike & Fischer. According to the firm's press release, as of January DirecTV was offering as many as 104 channels in HD -- just one more than Verizon. Meanwhile Comcast, which offers as few as 22 HD channels in some markets, comes in last in the study -- as the company is still working to free up enough capacity to catch up with industry HD leaders. That hasn't stopped Comcast from criticizing Verizon's HD lineup lately. Of course by this time next year, HD channel counts should be a meaningless metric, with carriers competing on image quality (and someday, maybe, price).

Related:
  1. Comcast HD Image Quality Vs. FiOS
  2. Comcast Attacks Verizon Over HD Claims
  3. Comcast Successfully Delays Philly FiOS
  4. Internet Video Still Just a Baby
  5. Game Consoles Lead The Internet Video Revolution
  6. Verizon: Cut Your Landline To Save Money
  7. FiOS Broadens Multi-Room FiOS Functionality
  8. Comcast Internet Video Launching Before Year End
Forums » DirecTV, FiOS Top HD Offerings
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Who cares anyway?

As I discovered, most of the "HD" channels don't broadcast 50% of their content in HD and it's a crap shoot as to whether a channel just stretches the SD picture and calls it HD.
permalink · 2009-02-13 15:50:54 · Reply to this

BF69

join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

Re: Who cares anyway?

said by Matt See Profile :

As I discovered, most of the "HD" channels don't broadcast 50% of their content in HD and it's a crap shoot as to whether a channel just stretches the SD picture and calls it HD.
Well most content espcially old content is SD. Mos t fo these channels are filming new content in HD. I noticed on my SDTVs I have black bars on the top and bottom on many shows which means they are widescreen.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:19:54 · Print · Reply to this

NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX

Re: Who cares anyway?

Actually any "Filmed" content can be rescanned at 1080p. Only downside is that clearing up the dust is expensive.
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:35:05 · Reply to this
Ytsejamer1

join:2008-01-18
Somersworth, NH

 not necessarily...some shows may be presented in LetterBox which would give you the bars on top and bottom. Granted, there aren't that many shows presented in LB format.

The only one that comes to mind was HDNet's presentation of Star Trek: Enterprise. I know for a fact they shot that show in HD, but for whatever reason, HDNet decided to show the LB version. So I had bars on the side AND on top and bottom. I don't like stretching SD content.
permalink · 2009-02-16 09:35:34 · Reply to this

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ		 More content is being put into HD every day. In fact we just did a major HD upgrade and our entire primetime lineup is now in HD.
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:11:47 · Reply to this
fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20

Re: Who cares anyway?

said by Eat Me See Profile :

More content is being put into HD every day. In fact we just did a major HD upgrade and our entire primetime lineup is now in HD.
Unless you reveal "your" network which you say "the site is one of the most visited on the web" of.. your bragging rights mean nothing.
permalink · 2009-02-14 04:41:29 · Print · Reply to this

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

Re: Who cares anyway?

Nope, don't like stalkers.
permalink · 2009-02-14 12:23:21 · Reply to this
fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20

Re: Who cares anyway?

Then pipe down about it. Otherwise, I'm going to be the Prime Minister of England.
permalink · 2009-02-15 04:22:26 · Reply to this
BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast

Re: Who cares anyway?

said by fiberguy See Profile :

Then pipe down about it. Otherwise, I'm going to be the Prime Minister of England.
Go enjoy hulu , set up an account and tell it you want the high speed hd feeds as default
--
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!"
permalink · 2009-02-15 20:15:39 · Print · Reply to this

whizkid3
Premium,MVM
join:2002-02-21
Queens, NY
·Earthlink Cable Mo..

1 edit
said by Matt See Profile :

As I discovered, most of the "HD" channels don't broadcast 50% of their content in HD and it's a crap shoot as to whether a channel just stretches the SD picture and calls it HD.
A wide picture and HD have little to do with each other, as I think you know. This is confusing to many. HD is simply a higher resolution picture, square or not. Most television (unfortunately) is video'd in a square format. God forbid (IMHO) that stations start stretching their video formats to make it wider. If you have a widescreen TV, you have the ability to do it on your own. It works good for some broadcasts (football and other sports), but for anything showing peoples faces, it is very distorting.

With the prevelance of widescreen, HD televisions in the home; I see a switch to cameras that will video in HD, and possibly 16x9, which is when the quantity (and quality) of available HD broadcasts will accelerate.
permalink · 2009-02-15 11:41:12 · Print · Reply to this

rawgerz
In Debt we trust
Premium
join:2004-10-03
Grove City, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·Sprint Mobile Broa..

 You said it brother.
The only channels I found that do HD justice are Discovery, TLC, Natgeo, and history channel. I figured if the channel was in HD, ALL the content was in HD.
--

You can't make all the people happy all of the time. But it should be common sense to shoot for the majority.
permalink · 2009-02-15 23:59:07 · Reply to this
markofmayhem

join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA

QUALITY

Remember when 18 mbps MPEG2 was "HD"?

I do.

I'd rather have 20 channels like this than the 100+ crap all providers with the exception of Verizon are offering. Fios is superior, it's a shame it's a Verizon product: Low availability, horrible customer service, questionable billing.... oh wait, that's all of them! Alright, bring on more Fios!
permalink · 2009-02-13 15:52:03 · Reply to this

grydlok

join:2004-01-06
Richmond, VA

Re: QUALITY

Considering that ESPN was never and currently isn't 18mbps.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:07:43 · Reply to this
markofmayhem

join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA

Re: QUALITY

ESPN is 720P, it doesn't need to be.

Your point?
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:26:39 · Reply to this

grydlok

join:2004-01-06
Richmond, VA

Re: QUALITY

by your logic ESPN isn't HD
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:40:53 · Reply to this
markofmayhem

join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA

Re: QUALITY

Not even close, sir. Thanks for trolling.

I'd like for you to point out where "isn't" or "ESPN" was anywere in my statement.

Fios is the only provider left with channels in MPEG2 approaching 18 mbps. Comcast has a few down in the 12's, 1080i no less. DirecTV and Dish moved to MPEG4 to alleviate a bit of the quality loss at running a dismal bitrate. While MPEG4 lets the foreground take precidence, the 16-bit color blocked background is attrocious on larger quality displays. Quality has been sacrificed for quantity. I'd rather quality.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:58:26 · Print · Reply to this

grydlok

join:2004-01-06
Richmond, VA
·Verizon FIOS

Re: QUALITY

1st of All FIOS passes on what it receives. If it's not receiving 18meg it can't pass 18 meg.
2nd why would they pass 18mbps when 19.4mbps for 1080i.

Not all broadcasters transmit 19.4 mmbps or even close to.

The next time you bring a feeble attempt to call someone a troll have the numbers right.
permalink · 2009-02-13 18:17:31 · Reply to this
xlimitx

join:2001-12-31
Wilkes Barre, PA
·ProLog

1 edit

Re: QUALITY

Hrm,

I beg to differ, ESPN pushes greater than 18Mbps almost all day long.

I just checked our statmux this morning and they're running at 18.793Mbps along with ESPN2 and ESPN NEWS.

EDIT:

I watched two commmercial breaks and they did drop down to 12Mbps then, but during regular programming they're at 18Mbps consistently.
permalink · 2009-02-15 07:20:26 · Reply to this
markofmayhem

join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA
said by grydlok See Profile :

1st of All FIOS passes on what it receives. If it's not receiving 18meg it can't pass 18 meg.
2nd why would they pass 18mbps when 19.4mbps for 1080i.

Not all broadcasters transmit 19.4 mmbps or even close to.

The next time you bring a feeble attempt to call someone a troll have the numbers right.
Yes, FIOS pushes what it receives, remember when cable used to do that? If you allocate a 19.4 mbps pipe to a feed, roughly 18 is used for video. The numbers were correct, I did check, then called out the troll. Feeble is incorrect as are your numbers.
permalink · 2009-02-19 12:58:20 · Print · Reply to this

jmn1207
Premium
join:2000-07-19
Reston, VA
·Verizon FIOS

 Verizon allocates up to 18 mbps MPEG-2 for every HD channel, but that doesn't mean every HD channel is taking advantage of the bandwidth. Also, many of the broadcasters have moved to MPEG-4, which Verizon must convert to MPEG-2 before sending the signal out.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:56:58 · Reply to this

grydlok

join:2004-01-06
Richmond, VA

Re: QUALITY

Yup. Like HBO
permalink · 2009-02-13 18:18:17 · Reply to this
xlimitx

join:2001-12-31
Wilkes Barre, PA		 Can someone say bit stuffing? =)
permalink · 2009-02-15 10:15:58 · Reply to this

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
·PenTeleData
·Future Nine Corpor..
·VOIPo
·Vonage
said by markofmayhem See Profile :

Remember when 18 mbps MPEG2 was "HD"?

Normal over the air broadcasts are 19.2mbps with mpeg2 transport and most channels actually broadcast less than that due to subchannels.
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:08:34 · Reply to this
Gilitar

join:2000-11-20
Mobile, AL

U-verse

What about U-verse? Crappy boxes, crappy service, bad technology, uncompetitive, limited HD line up, limited bandwidth with limited a number of TVs being able to watch HD at the same time. "Your world delivered"
permalink · 2009-02-13 15:59:12 · Reply to this
pfschim

join:2001-08-30
Livermore, CA

Re: U-verse

hmmm, not so sure that you have your "facts" straight on this post.

I'm a recent subscriber to U-verse.
- U-Verse 200+HBO package
- MAX18 Internet service
- VoIP phone unlimited use package.

DVR technology seems good to me, but I am not a "power TV" user
44 HD channels
Once the local loop wiring techs came out 2nd time, the signal was good (no pixellation and solid/consistent 16.3/1.4 internet speeds)
$25 less per month than my prior Dish/ATT DSL/Comcast Phone combined bill for the same services
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:16:27 · Print · Reply to this

djrobx

join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
·PHONE POWER
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T CallVantage
·Time Warner VOIP
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: U-verse

44 HD channels? U-verse has more than 75 channels in most markets. They're in the process of adding around 9 more. They have several that DirecTV doesn't have. If they ever manage to complete their Viacom and Disney agreements they will actually have a stronger HD lineup than DirecTV.

DirecTV does have a great HD lineup, but their numbers are inflated by the inclusion of 17 PPV HD channels. Cable and U-verse don't need to match that, as VOD is a better distribution method for PPV HD.

Interestingly, DirecTV is missing almost all of the HBO HD premiums except the E/W feeds of the primary HBO one. They could add at least 10 more HD channels if they did what they said they were going to do in a 2007 press release!

»www.cable360.net/data/23991.html
--
AT&T U-Hearse
Your funeral. Delivered.
permalink · 2009-02-13 18:26:06 · Print · Reply to this
pfschim

join:2001-08-30
Livermore, CA

Re: U-verse

Thanks for the correction on the U-Verse HD channel count. As you can tell by my original post I was offering a pro U-Verse reply, however mis-informed, not a criticism. I am perfectly happy with my service so far (1 month).
permalink · 2009-02-15 15:44:24 · Reply to this

sansri88
Go digtal you analog laggards
Premium
join:2005-12-17
New York, NY
clubs:

Karl, tidbit of info here

Comcast of Union here, with close to 300k subscribers, has only 27 HD channels. Not even 40.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:02:29 · Reply to this

BF69

join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

Re: Karl, tidbit of info here

said by sansri88 See Profile :

Comcast of Union here, with close to 300k subscribers, has only 27 HD channels. Not even 40.
Here Charter has 22 at the most and that includes locals.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:17:45 · Reply to this

sansri88
Go digtal you analog laggards
Premium
join:2005-12-17
New York, NY
clubs:

Re: Karl, tidbit of info here

Wow, worse than us. Our count includes locals as well.

Weird thing is, they have 4 open QAMs for new HD. They've had it for a good 2 weeks now, and yet nothing's been added.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:19:57 · Reply to this

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Re: Karl, tidbit of info here

Noted, thanks guys!
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:23:52 · Reply to this

Travelfan1
RIP Analog Go Digital

join:2005-08-23
Iselin, NJ		 are you sure it's close to 300K subscribers, not 300K households that are wired for Comcast service but may or may not have service? I thought was the latter...
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:47:00 · Reply to this

sansri88
Go digtal you analog laggards
Premium
join:2005-12-17
New York, NY
clubs:

Re: Karl, tidbit of info here

Pretty sure it's subscribers.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:52:26 · Reply to this

baineschile
2600
Premium
join:2008-05-10
Sterling Heights, MI		 I have comcast, and we have 41 stations here...with somea areas with 52 already. then again, i live in a largely competitive area.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:59:34 · Reply to this

sansri88
Go digtal you analog laggards
Premium
join:2005-12-17
New York, NY
clubs:
·Comcast

Re: Karl, tidbit of info here

I live in even more of a competitive area than you, by far.

5th largest township in the state. FiOS available in pretty much the entire map of the Union system. Dish Network and DirecTV satellites popping up all over the place in areas FiOS isn't available.
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:00:54 · Reply to this

en102
Canadian, eh?

join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA		 How is Sterling Heights these days ?
I suspect a little quiet with Chrysler there.

I would expect Novi, Farmington Hills, Ann Arbor to be doing a 'little' better.
permalink · 2009-02-13 18:22:19 · Reply to this

baineschile
2600
Premium
join:2008-05-10
Sterling Heights, MI

Re: Karl, tidbit of info here

Not as bad as most people think. Even though there is a GM and chrysler plant here, most workers are from warren/roseville, which is getting hit the hardest
permalink · 2009-02-14 12:37:30 · Reply to this

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ		 Wow, here in Service Electric land aka mom and pop TV we have around 40 channels.
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:10:53 · Reply to this

cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:

Re: Karl, tidbit of info here

Service Electric in Birdsboro PA has 48 HD channels.

Eat that Comcast. Comcast of Reading borders SECV of Birdsboro and Comcast only carries 36! What ever happened to keeping up with the joneses? Everyone always bitches about Comcast of Reading, and they always praise Service Electric. I remember when the NFL Network debate went on, people in bars were saying "Oh you have Service Electric, must be nice".
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:58:29 · Reply to this

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
·PenTeleData
·Future Nine Corpor..
·VOIPo
·Vonage

Re: Karl, tidbit of info here

SE Cable in NJ (Sparta system) has 45 channels including the NYC local channels. Not FiOS but not too shabby.

Some are 3 per QAM but they are pretty smart about it. The low bandwidth channels including "talking heads" channels like CNN and FNC are 3 per QAM. The high quality ones like HDNet and local channels are 2 per QAM.

They're also 860MHz so they have lots of room.
permalink · 2009-02-14 00:45:36 · Reply to this

minidu
Premium
join:2002-09-28
Mackinac Island, MI

Re: Karl, tidbit of info here

ON Mackinac Island, MI there are 42 channels PERIOD.
NO HD, NO Digital.
Thats with Charter. Same thing for Mackinaw City.
--
Experience -- a great teacher, but the tutition fees... . BOFH
permalink · 2009-02-14 09:21:22 · Reply to this

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

Re: Karl, tidbit of info here

You can always get satellite.
permalink · 2009-02-14 12:24:17 · Reply to this

pende_tim
Premium
join:2004-01-04
Andover, NJ
·ProLog
·ViaTalk
·Verizon Online DSL

 If you have a HD set, how is the picture quality on SE? We are considering getting a HD set later this year and have SECTNJ, Dish or DirectTV as options.
--
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.
permalink · 2009-02-16 08:04:40 · Reply to this
Joe12345678

join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL

Direct tv has better drvs then comcast with bigger HD's and

Direct tv has better drvs then comcast with bigger HD's and better gui.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:26:43 · Reply to this
rob316

join:2005-10-17
Carteret, NJ

DTV Love

I love D-TV and even if FIOS comes to my area I may just get the Internet and Phone and keep DTV. I have no issues with the signal, their service or their DVR.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:33:11 · Reply to this

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

Re: DTV Love

I would go with FiOS and just keep my Series 3 TiVo.

But it's unlikely that we'll get FiOS up here - embarq territory and low pop density.
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:21:14 · Reply to this

DHRacer
Fire Survivor

join:2000-10-10
Lake Arrowhead, CA

How can Charter beat Comcast?

I mean Charter HD sucks in every possible way, yet they have more channels than Comcast?

Inconceivable!!!

permalink · 2009-02-13 16:34:11 · Reply to this

cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:

Re: How can Charter beat Comcast?

Yeah Comcast is pretty shitty when it comes to HD. Sure they have that HD on demand, so they try and market as having more HD than anyone else, but did anyone actually take a look at the HD on demand? Besides all the crap that you have to pay $3.99+ for just to see, there's tons of pillarboxed material, 2~5 minute music video clips, G4TV game review clips, and other oddities. Plus 99% of the shows I look for are not there. No Grey's Anatomy, no Hells Kitchen, no The Office, no BBC America in HD, no HBO HD, and the list goes on and on.

I have 36 HD channels and pay quite a premium for that. That's 4 premium networks, plus NFL HD which also costs extra. It would be nice if Comcast could even come close to competing with DirecTV, U-Verse or Fios. Oh and don't get me started on their horrible DVR software with miniscule disk space.

Maybe that's why Comcast could give two shits about HD. Because their Motorola Cable boxes do not allow one to add hard drive space. Thanks Gemstar for making that HORRIBLE crap you call I-Guide. I hope whoever made the decision to go with Gemstar for Comcast is currently collecting unemployment.
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:55:24 · Print · Reply to this
me1212

join:2008-11-20
Pleasant Hill, MO

Re: How can Charter beat Comcast?

Comcast charges $7 for the first HD box and $13 for 2nd and on. And thats per month.
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:09:16 · Reply to this

dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast

1 edit

With the right package...


Free HD baby!
... Comcast is GIVING AWAY HD!.

Yep! FREE HD! No charges for service or equipment.

I have a question for the Other Guys, how many of those "More Channels" consist of something you will ever watch?

--
Think outside the Fox... Opera
permalink · 2009-02-13 16:53:41 · Print · Reply to this

jmn1207
Premium
join:2000-07-19
Reston, VA
·Verizon FIOS

Re: With the right package...

said by dadkins See Profile :

I have a question for the Other Guys, how many of those "More Channels" consist of something you will ever watch?

 
Plenty from my experience. Have a look at the channels listings for each provider.

»www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre···=1058081
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:03:11 · Print · Reply to this

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ		 I wouldn't take comcrap "HD" even if they were paying me to.
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:35:37 · Reply to this
rob316

join:2005-10-17
Carteret, NJ
·Comcast
·Verizon Online DSL

 I watch alot of what you call those More Channels such as History HD History Intl HD, AE HD, Spike HD, ToonHD, NIC HD. Do you want me to list more, Comcast in my area has none of these in HD and likely won't in the near future. Ohh FOXHD, FOX Business HD etc etc etc.
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:46:38 · Reply to this

jmn1207
Premium
join:2000-07-19
Reston, VA

Re: With the right package...

For me it's all about the World Fishing Network HD. Once you've seen a crappie in high definition, you'll never settle for less.
permalink · 2009-02-13 18:30:53 · Reply to this

FastiBook

join:2003-01-08
Newtown, PA		 Then why am i being charged 15 dollars a month for my comcast HD box? Comcast has like 10 real HD channels.

- A
--
LETS GO METS!
permalink · 2009-02-14 03:04:56 · Reply to this

ztmike
Mark for moderation
Premium
join:2001-08-02
Michigan City, IN

Comcast marketing

Wasn't Comcast making fun of other companies for the amount of HD channels? And how they had the most?
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:31:55 · Reply to this

dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast

Re: Comcast marketing

said by ztmike See Profile :

Wasn't Comcast making fun of other companies for the amount of HD channels? And how they had the most?
No.
Comcast makes the claim that at any given time, they have more choices available to watch.
Not more channels, more choices.
--
Think outside the Fox... Opera
permalink · 2009-02-13 19:02:43 · Print · Reply to this

N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs

Re: Comcast marketing

The exact wording used in their adverts I believe is...

"Comcast: More HD, more than anyone."
--
Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power…
permalink · 2009-02-15 10:26:22 · Reply to this

dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
·Comcast

Re: Comcast marketing

said by N3OGH See Profile :

The exact wording used in their adverts I believe is...

"Comcast: More HD, more than anyone."
... and they're right too!
At any point in time, you have more HD available than anyone else.

Nowhere do they say more channels - they obviously do not have more channels.
If you count all the channels, and the OnDemand from those channels, and the Free HD movies, and the PPV HD, and all the rest that is able to play RIGHT NOW when you select it - Comcast does have more HD.

More channels does not mean you have more to watch... with 49 channels, you have 49 options.
With OnDemand, you have over 1,000.

No deceptions... they really do have more!
--
Think outside the Fox... Opera
permalink · 2009-02-15 12:14:16 · Print · Reply to this
ravensfan55

join:2008-06-16
Severna Park, MD

Comcast isn't close to being last

Verizon has 110 here, Comcast has 55.
permalink · 2009-02-13 17:40:47 · Reply to this

cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:

Re: Comcast isn't close to being last

Uh yeah they are close to being last. 36 HD channels here is a far cry from what Verizon and DirecTV have.

sansri88 also has 27 HD channels total. Wow talk about dead last. There's even some people with less than that.

Point is, you get no consistency with Comcast. That shouldn't be the subscribers fault that they don't want to fix up their systems. There's plenty of tools out there for them to do. 1 GHz upgrades, MPEG4, SDV, Analog reclamation. Yet you have to be in one of those lucky area's to see any of that. They need to work on being consistent. Your not good unless your consistent!
permalink · 2009-02-13 18:02:37 · Print · Reply to this

MalibuMaxx

join:2007-02-06
Chesterton, IN

Re: Comcast isn't close to being last

Cypher... fortunately we have 1ghz here... and all we got is 40ish HD stations... and yet to have docsis 3...

So dont feel bad...

Comcast needs to look at what they are offering... as far as live tv goes...
permalink · 2009-02-15 15:09:26 · Reply to this
elister

join:2006-07-17
Seattle, WA

Comcast Limited Basic

On Comcast, been subscribing to Limited Basic TV for 2 years now, using QAM tuner, I see absolutely no reason to upgrade to HD. Pay 65$ more for 12-15 extra re-compressed HD channels and a ton of SD channels that I wouldn't watch. In fact, I probably get more HD content online that I ever did with my QAM tuner.
permalink · 2009-02-13 20:00:37 · Reply to this

RR Conductor
RailRoadDude
Premium
join:2002-04-02
Redwood Valley, CA
·Comcast

3 edits

Correction on number of HD Channels w/Comcast in some market

In our market (Mendocino County, NW CA), Comcast offers a total of...... 6, yes, you read that right, a huge, whopping, gargantuan 6. Thankfully, we are on Directv, and only have Comcast for HSI

Edit-Comcast's whopping HD Choice here-

707 Discovery Channel - HD High-Definition TV
711 ESPN - HD Sports
750 HBO - HD High-Definition TV
751 Showtime - HD High-Definition TV
752 Starz - HD High-Definition TV
760 MOJO- HD High-Definition TV

We're a former Adelphia market by the way.
permalink · 2009-02-13 20:27:02 · Print · Reply to this

See 6 replies to this post

The Folsom
Kindly Shut Your Noise Hole.
Premium
join:2003-01-31
Yucaipa, CA
·Verizon FIOS

FiOS @SD is good enough for me

Verizon FiOS offered me a nice bundle. Internet? Check. Phone? Check. Television? Check.

I don't have any HDTVs. I like the lineup choices on Prems and VOD. Multi room DVR is sufficient for my needs.

HDTV is a nice step up, but for now, I'm good with FiOS as is.

Truth be told, my crappy old eyes can't see well enough to appreciate the difference between the two definitions. The 36" screens we now have provide fine pictures.

My F.I.L. has a 50" high def. Looks good, but not so good that I want to rush out and buy a couple for my place. The cost vs. benefit just doesn't weigh out.

FWIW, what's best for me is not necessarily best for others. Verizon gives me just what I want for the money I am willing to pay.
--
Some people don't like me. Fair enough...
permalink · 2009-02-13 21:15:37 · Print · Reply to this
jameswade

join:2001-12-09
Hot Springs, NC
·US Cellular
·Verizon BroadbandA..
·AT&T Southeast

Quantity over quality

Yes, if you compress enough you too can have the most HD channels. DirecTV compresses so much that I wouldn't consider it HD much of the time, it's getting more like highly compressed Internet video.

Compressing 1.5 Gbits to around 19 Mbits doesn't look so bad, but when you get to around 6 Mbits or lower it's no longer HD or even good SD.
permalink · 2009-02-14 09:48:32 · Reply to this

Nerdtalker
Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-02-18
Tucson, AZ
clubs:

Re: Quantity over quality

Just about everybody is doing compression now; Food TV used to be a 17 megabit stream on Comcast. Now it looks barely acceptable.

My favorite is when there is so much tiling on the SciFi channel during action, you can't see anything at all. It frustrates me to the point of wanting to chuck a wiimote into my TV.
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permalink · 2009-02-14 15:47:59 · Print · Reply to this

trparky
Bite My Shiny Metal Ass
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-24
Cleveland, OH
clubs:

Re: Quantity over quality

I've never seen this on my SciFi HD feed on DirecTV.
--
Tom
permalink · 2009-02-15 21:30:38 · Reply to this

Comcablrtl

join:2003-10-25
Midwest
·Comcast

HD channel count varies by market

Comcast's, and other MSO's, HD channel counts vary by market. It is inaccurate to compare any one area's counts to a satellite provider that offers national coverage. For example: Comcast City of Chicago has 91 HD channels now. Most of the suburbs are over 50 HD channels. As time passes, more channels will be available. I think Comcast does a good job at putting the most popular channels out there first. There's no need to fill up space with nonsense HD channels that no one watches.
permalink · 2009-02-14 12:33:26 · Reply to this
RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
·AT&T Midwest

Re: HD channel count varies by market

Nonsense HD channels no one watches? That's most of them, especially those "choices" Comcast likes to advertise.

Sorry, but even if what you say is true, Comcast is hemorrhaging so many customers out here in the west burbs there's dozens of new OTA antennas and satellite dishes up since fall just along my short drive to work. It's pretty amazing how many people have cut the cable around here. Comcast simply can't compete.
permalink · 2009-02-14 17:44:29 · Reply to this
Joe12345678

join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL

Re: HD channel count varies by market

said by RadioDoc See Profile :

Nonsense HD channels no one watches? That's most of them, especially those "choices" Comcast likes to advertise.

Sorry, but even if what you say is true, Comcast is hemorrhaging so many customers out here in the west burbs there's dozens of new OTA antennas and satellite dishes up since fall just along my short drive to work. It's pretty amazing how many people have cut the cable around here. Comcast simply can't compete.
$7 a hd box + outlet fees

$15 + outlet fees a month for the first HDDVR and $20 + outlet fees after that for half space of direct tv does not help.

Having channels in the sports pack that direct tv has in choice / choice extra

Best base pack (with out HD or DVR) about the same as Direct HD DVR PACK.

No MRV, NO media sharing, No on line Online DVR Programming, HD channel hunting and about 10-15+ (CITY OF Chicago) only hd channels you pay the same get less.
permalink · 2009-02-15 15:33:21 · Print · Reply to this
pcwiz

join:2000-04-11
Haledon, NJ

What about Dishnetwork?

They offer over 100 HD channels and are the ONLY ones currently offering some 1080P Bluray quality content.

It is a crime to overlook them.

1080P is offered on 1 on demand movie at a time - currently Eagle Eye and they have for free the A&E show with Patrick Swayze "The Beast" available for download on the DVR a day or two after it airs in 1080P.

IMHO this is a very biased and unprofessional review to skip over DISH!
permalink · 2009-02-15 07:46:31 · Reply to this

MalibuMaxx

join:2007-02-06
Chesterton, IN
·Comcast

Re: What about Dishnetwork?

Ive heard its not quite blueray quality... but hey its an option... I just dont like how they treat their customers...

They need to rethink they're business ethics.

I had them for years... always around their contract time we would lose a chunk of channels... 25-50ish... made me mad... not sure if they still do this but they did back in the day...
permalink · 2009-02-15 15:19:25 · Reply to this

cableties
Premium
join:2005-01-27

102 HD channels of Sh-t to choose from...

Wonder if Pink Floyd would update their lyrics...

I know what I am watching in HD because:
-the (info)commercials aren't in HD
--
Weeeeeeee!
permalink · 2009-02-15 08:59:50 · Reply to this
MFfan310

join:2007-06-15
Fort Wayne, IN

The state of Comcast vs. FiOS here in Fort Wayne

This is the state of HD programming here in Fort Wayne:

Comcast: 28 HD channels, without premiums. The latest Comcastic addition... good ol' Fox News Channel HD. However, they got rid of NFL Network HD (and SD) in the process, and right before the Super Bowl, which made sports fans furious (not like they were furious about Comcast moving it to the sports tier anyway). And still no FSN Midwest HD (or SD even).

FiOS: 67 HD channels, without premiums. And no, they didn't take NFL Network HD away before the Super Bowl, as they already had Fox News HD and FSN Midwest HD, too.

And yes, both figures include locals.

I can only imagine what Comcast here would be like if we didn't have FiOS... twelve HD channels, including locals? Ah, the joy of competition.
permalink · 2009-02-15 16:02:51 · Print · Reply to this

herdfan
Premium
join:2003-01-25
Hurricane, WV

Comcast has no HD

Comcast has Zero (0) HD channels in my market. Can't get much lower than that.
permalink · 2009-02-15 19:12:45 · Reply to this
ebubman

join:2002-01-17
Enola, PA
·Comcast
·Vonage

Re: Comcast has no HD

sometimes i wonder if comcast puts out there that they have more hd programming (in which they really mean "live" & "on demand" shows) when the other folks typically mean actual hd channels. a game of semantics though it be, i for one typically would be interested in more hd channels that separate shows. btw, here in the harrisburg, pa area we do not subscribe to premiums & i believe we get circa 46 hd >>channels not programs.
permalink · 2009-02-16 11:54:18 · Reply to this

FiOSOPHER

@hsbc.com

FiOS displaced DirecTV

DirecTV compression was painful on SDTVs. Went to FiOS and had to look really close to see blocks or pixelization on most HD feeds. And since I never buy PPV/VOD, I don't count those channels. FiOS beats DTV in the number of HD channels I watch, particularly the premium channels, where (I haven't counted) it seems there are twice as many HD channels as DTV. If you have a decent big HD display and FiOS is available it's a no-brain decision (also saving about $35 a month and getting many more channels I actually watch, including all subchannels of the locals).
permalink · 2009-02-16 09:36:27 · Print · Reply to this
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