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[isamu]

Hi guys. Got a couple questions about digital cable for ya....

I just got Comcast Digital Cable today. The full Platinum package with all the channels.

1)I ordered and received a magic widget as well from *these guys* so I can watch Teletubbies as well.

Should I be concerned that I find Teletubbies interesting at my age?

Another question I have is...

2)I was a bit surprised to discover the kind of receivers the cable companies are still using. There are no S-Video or component video outputs on this box...only RF and composite. WTF? I then discovered that only the HD-DVR receivers contain S-Video and component, which my TV has.

My question is, how much better is the picture quality from these cable receivers when jumping from the RF signal to S-Video or component? Being that they are still running a coaxal line from the outside to the cable box, will it still make a difference? Even though my RPTV is not HDTV compliant, it does support S-video and component video. So should I still get the cable receiver with the S-video and component video connections? Or just stick with these RF and composite signals?

 

[DCX]

You'll see a difference, the signal if not really RF this is coming in, it's just " the singla " it outputs to whatever you got it hooked up to, be it RF, composite, S-Video or component.

DCX

 

[Mumbles]

1) Not touching this one, sorry.

2) I don't have the HD or DVR functions, but my digital box still has S-video output, as well as a coax for digital audio. And yes, the signal for the digital channels does look better through S-video than through RF. The signal does come through an RF connector, but it comes through as a digital signal which is decoded by the cable box, so this is not the equivalent of an analog coax feed. Whether it's worth getting the S-video depends on how much it costs, and how easily you perceive the difference in quality. Personally, I wouldn't pay much extra, but then again, I've got a Tivo, and DVR is *very* nice to have.

 

[isamu]

Hmm, interesting. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[EarthStormFire]

1) I don't think you should ask people about stealing cable because that is what you are doing.

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

Hi guys. Got a couple questions about digital cable for ya....

I just got Comcast Digital Cable today. The full Platinum package with all the channels.

1) Should I be concerned that I find Teletubbies interesting at my age?

LOLLERBLADES

 

[isamu]

1) I don't think you should ask people about stealing cable because that is what you are doing.

I'm not stealing it. I've got the Platinum package. The highest, most expensive package you can get, at a whopping $100/month. Comes with every channel including several HBOs, Cinemaxes, etc. The only thing the filter is for is the PPV channels. So my question pertains to those.

 

[EarthStormFire]

Stealing PPV is still stealing. You are getting movies and not paying for them. That is stealing.

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

I'm not stealing it. I've got the Platinum package. The highest, most expensive package you can get, at a whopping $100/month. Comes with every channel including several HBOs, Cinemaxes, etc. The only thing the filter is for is the PPV channels. So my question pertains to those.

That filter is to steal ppv. Not that I can give other people shit for doing it or anything.... But you don't need the filter to watch ppv, well unless you want to watch it for free.

 

[isamu]

Stealing PPV is still stealing. You are getting movies and not paying for them. That is stealing.

Wrong. I am already paying $100 monthly. Being able to watch all ppv content at no additional cost is right, not a priveledge. Them charging for every movie I want to watch on PPV is what you call A RIPOFF! It's their attempt at gouging the fuck out of an already paying customer. At 100 a month, I should no longer have to pay for each additional movie that comes on ppv. Not to mention the fact that the picture quality of movies I've watched on ppv so far stink in comparison to that of a dvd! So...you want me to shell out $10...nearly full price for a movie that looks like shit compared to the dvd? Stop it killa. They're not even in widescreen or 5.1DD

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

Wrong. I am already paying $100 monthly. Being able to watch all ppv content at no additional cost is right, not a priveledge. Them charging for every movie I want to watch on PPV is what you call A RIPOFF! It's their attempt at gouging the fuck out of an already paying customer. At 100 a month, I should no longer have to pay for each additional movie that comes on ppv. Not to mention the fact that the picture quality of movies I've watched on ppv so far stink in comparison to that of a dvd! So...you want me to shell out $10...nearly full price for a movie that looks like shit compared to the dvd? Stop it killa. They're not even in widescreen or 5.1DD

I absolutely agree. It is still stealing though. Not that I have a problem with it.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Wrong. I am already paying $100 monthly. Being able to watch all ppv content at no additional cost is right, not a priveledge. Them charging for every movie I want to watch on PPV is what you call A RIPOFF! It's their attempt at gouging the fuck out of an already paying customer. At 100 a month, I should no longer have to pay for each additional movie that comes on ppv. Not to mention the fact that the picture quality of movies I've watched on ppv so far stink in comparison to that of a dvd! So...you want me to shell out $10...nearly full price for a movie that looks like shit compared to the dvd? Stop it killa. They're not even in widescreen or 5.1DD

No matter what you say, you're still stealing. No matter how much you can try to justify it, you're still getting something that you didn't pay for.

That being said, you're also being ripped off cuz you went Digital Cable rather than DirecTV. PPV is at least widescreen and 5.1DD on there. Not to mention all the channels are digital unlike Comcast Digital Cable which has only a fraction of their channels being digital while the rest are analog. And again, it's cheaper. =)

 

[Cooper]

Not to mention all the channels are digital unlike Comcast Digital Cable which has only a fraction of their channels being digital while the rest are analog.

Alas, "digital" and "quality" are not synonymous. Still, I do think most non-local channels look better on DirecTV.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Not to throw this offtopic but how much is Cable internet with Comcast? After the promotional period, not during.

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

No matter what you say, you're still stealing. No matter how much you can try to justify it, you're still getting something that you didn't pay for.

That being said, you're also being ripped off cuz you went Digital Cable rather than DirecTV. PPV is at least widescreen and 5.1DD on there.

Same with Comcast if you have the HD box.

Not to mention all the channels are digital unlike Comcast Digital Cable which has only a fraction of their channels being digital while the rest are analog.

Only the first 70 channels are analog. And if you have the HD box all of your local channels, and a few of the other analog channels (ESPNs among others) come in HD.

And again, it's cheaper. =)

Not by much. He is either exaggerating, or is also including his cable modem bill in the price. I pay $100 a month for cable and cable modem through Comcast. About $10 more than my friend with DirectTV. But then again he has to pay $10 more per month for his cable modem because he doesn't subscribe to Comcast cable. Only reason I'd think about switching to DirectTV is for the NFL Sunday Ticket, but friends already order it anyway.

Plus, Comcast just added all of the On-Demand HBO, Cinemax etc channels to my area. My cable doesn't go out during storms either. Both the tv and modem have been rock solid for the 3 years I've had it here. I've been very happy with it.

 

[isamu]

No matter what you say, you're still stealing. No matter how much you can try to justify it, you're still getting something that you didn't pay for.

That being said, you're also being ripped off cuz you went Digital Cable rather than DirecTV. PPV is at least widescreen and 5.1DD on there. Not to mention all the channels are digital unlike Comcast Digital Cable which has only a fraction of their channels being digital while the rest are analog. And again, it's cheaper. =)

Yeah but it doesn't carry G4/TechTV, The Anime Network or NBA TV. pWn3d??

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

Not to throw this offtopic but how much is Cable internet with Comcast? After the promotional period, not during.

$40 if you subscribe to at least their basic cable plan. $50 if you don't. You can cut about $5 bucks off either price if you buy your own modem instead of renting it through them.

 

[isamu]

Same with Comcast if you have the HD box.




Only the first 70 channels are analog. And if you have the HD box all of your local channels, and a few of the other analog channels (ESPNs among others) come in HD.




Not by much. He is either exaggerating, or is also including his cable modem bill in the price. I pay $100 a month for cable and cable modem through Comcast. About $10 more than my friend with DirectTV. But then again he has to pay $10 more per month for his cable modem because he doesn't subscribe to Comcast cable. Only reason I'd think about switching to DirectTV is for the NFL Sunday Ticket, but friends already order it anyway.

Plus, Comcast just added all of the On-Demand HBO, Cinemax etc channels to my area. My cable doesn't go out during storms either. Both the tv and modem have been rock solid for the 3 years I've had it here. I've been very happy with it.

Excellent point CB. Just to clarify, I do not have cable internet, just cable tv, since I already have SBC DSL....though I am thinking of getting rid of it and switching. My bill is $80 for the first 3 months and then $99.95 thereafter. But since I am getting ALL 500 some odd channels including multiple HBOs, Showtimes, and Cinemaxs up the ass, the price is more than justified.

I might say fuck it and get rid of the filter, since I don't wanna risk my box getting sabatoged and locked. 'Sides, those films go to HBO and Showtime rather quickly anyway. I'll just dig it out for the occasional heavyweight fight

My mistake was that I got the standard box and not the HDTV one, which does have all those connections you mention. I can't wait 'til I get the HDTV box and hook it up via component so I can see for myself how much a difference its gonna make on a non-HDTV set.

The only thing is they want an extra $10/month to lease the damn box

CB...what kind of TV do you have? Tube? RPTV? LCD? What kind of connection is the TV hooked up with. Is there is big difference in pq in your case?

 

[Marty Chinn]

Same with Comcast if you have the HD box.




Only the first 70 channels are analog. And if you have the HD box all of your local channels, and a few of the other analog channels (ESPNs among others) come in HD.




Not by much. He is either exaggerating, or is also including his cable modem bill in the price. I pay $100 a month for cable and cable modem through Comcast. About $10 more than my friend with DirectTV. But then again he has to pay $10 more per month for his cable modem because he doesn't subscribe to Comcast cable. Only reason I'd think about switching to DirectTV is for the NFL Sunday Ticket, but friends already order it anyway.

Plus, Comcast just added all of the On-Demand HBO, Cinemax etc channels to my area. My cable doesn't go out during storms either. Both the tv and modem have been rock solid for the 3 years I've had it here. I've been very happy with it.

Only? That's like a majority of them. I went from DirecTV to Digital Cable for the last two years and dreaded it. The quality was just terrible in comparison, especially cuz of the analog stations including locals.

Also, you get widescreen and Dolby 5.1 without getting HD. It's standard. With HD, you actually get movies in HD in addition to widescreen and 5.1.

I think when you compare it channel to channel, Comcast still always comes out more. You always get less with Cable it seems like. You don't get the luxary of like the east coast feeds if I recall when getting premium channels.

My satellite never goes out during storms either, and DirecTV has always been rock solid for me.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Yeah but it doesn't carry G4/TechTV, The Anime Network or NBA TV. pWn3d??

I didn't realize there was an anime network, but DirecTV does have G4/Tech TV and NBA TV.

 

[Dilbert]

<AHEM> Feel free to keep talking about cable, but let's leave the widgets out of it, mkay?

 

[mrmyth]

That same 'get every channel' deal is only $78 on Dish Network. And satellite only gets taxed at the state level by federal law. No local taxes on my bill, which brought my cable near $120.

And I got a free DVR.

 

[DarienA]

My satellite never goes out during storms either, and DirecTV has always been rock solid for me.

Marty our services ALWAYS gets knocked out during the rain here... do you think this is a dish alignment issue? I thought I saw the last time I look in our configuration that we had a high percentage on the signal but I can't remember.... does a higher percentage give you a better shot of keeping your service up during rain storms?

 

[Marty Chinn]

Darien: I'm not totally sure to be honest. High signal numbers usually mean good alignment. We've had some really hard rains at times and the signal has never gone out. Didn't pay attention to what the numbers were at the time. I know when we first got DirecTV back in the mid 90s (god, can't believe I just said that phrase), rain would knock it out, but then after that, it never went out no matter what. That was at my old place though, I'll have to see what happens here.

Is it getting knocked out anytime it rains or just hard rain?

 

[mrmyth]

Signal strength over 85 should give you no problems. I used to get what I thought was rain fade like a mother every.single.time. it rained, but then I realized I live in one of those 'burbs named for its trees. After some judicious use of a chainsaw-on-a-stick, no more issues. The fringe branches were waving into the path of the signal.

Check to make sure nothing blows in the way of the signal. Also make sure the dish itself doesn't move too easily.

 

[Marty Chinn]

That same 'get every channel' deal is only $78 on Dish Network. And satellite only gets taxed at the state level by federal law. No local taxes on my bill, which brought my cable near $120.

And I got a free DVR.

I almost got Dish Network because the apartment here has a guy who installs Dish Network here, but I hear the DVR is terrible if you're used to Tivo. So I just stuck with DirecTV which I know I'm happy with. Tivo is a prime concern in what I choose. Accept no substitutes =)

 

[DarienA]

Our dish is on the back part of our roof shooting up the roofline into the sky. There are no trees higher than our home in the neighborhood we live in.... the only thing I can think of is that the dish itself must not be well secured. Does it go out in every rain... no but it goes out during most...and what Marty said tivo > everything else

 

[mrmyth]

Yes, Tivo> *, but Dish's DVR is supposed to get name-based recording later this summer which should bring it to par. Right now its just a well designed VCR.


You're going to lose some signal in heavy rain no matter what you do. You can only make sure the dish is steady and aimed well. Also make sure the outside connections are waterproof.

 

[DarienA]

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this... or if it has always done this... but hear me out on this TiVO story.

We were watching something on TIVO a bit back, and a commercial for a product or a movie trailer came on... I can't remember what.. anyway I leaned over to the missus and said... you know what you should be able to press a button to get more information on this.... and then later a commercial for a upcoming show came on and I said to her geez I wish you could just hit a button during this commercial to jump to the record or season pass option.

Well I've noticed a few times in the last 2 weeks that certain commercials now give you the option to press you green button to take you to an additional clip... I saw it for a commercial on the new corvette... and something else.

That's the kind of stuff I'm looking to see more off...

Oh BTW let me take this brief moment to bitch about the fact that the only Tivo's you can purchase out the box that allow online scheduling and media sharing are the Series 2's direct from TIVO... why haven't they passed that tech on to their 3rd party manufacturers?

 

[isamu]

I'm hoping the DVR I get with Comcast next week isn't as bad as te DVR you say comes with DirectV .

 

[Marty Chinn]

I'm hoping the DVR I get with Comcast next week isn't as bad as te DVR you say comes with DirectV .

Hah, Comcast DVRs make Dish Network's look godly. It's even more basic than Dish Networks. No dual tuners, noon screen time guide that tells you where you are in the program when you fast forward or rewind. There is nothing out there right now that comes close to Tivo.

 

[Marty Chinn]

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this... or if it has always done this... but hear me out on this TiVO story.

We were watching something on TIVO a bit back, and a commercial for a product or a movie trailer came on... I can't remember what.. anyway I leaned over to the missus and said... you know what you should be able to press a button to get more information on this.... and then later a commercial for a upcoming show came on and I said to her geez I wish you could just hit a button during this commercial to jump to the record or season pass option.

Well I've noticed a few times in the last 2 weeks that certain commercials now give you the option to press you green button to take you to an additional clip... I saw it for a commercial on the new corvette... and something else.

That's the kind of stuff I'm looking to see more off...

Oh BTW let me take this brief moment to bitch about the fact that the only Tivo's you can purchase out the box that allow online scheduling and media sharing are the Series 2's direct from TIVO... why haven't they passed that tech on to their 3rd party manufacturers?

I didn't know about the more info feature, but it's been around for I think at least over two years now that some commercials will have the option to record that program whenever it is aired. It's a neat feature which I've used every now and then. I'd like to see it expanded more. The problem is Tivo needs cooperation with the networks on this.

As for your gripe, I agree. One of the best things I did to my series 1 DirecTivo was to install an ethernet card in it. It was awesome using TivoWeb to program, erase, and completely manage my Tivo from a computer rather than going through the menus. It worked great when I was away from home too. TivoWeb was far more useful than Tivo's existing online access because the changes are instant where as Tivo's online access has to wait like a day or something before it takes effect. I think it's because it does it from the daily update call rather than access the Tivo right away though the net.

 

[boo7z]

Hi guys. Got a couple questions about digital cable for ya....

I just got Comcast Digital Cable today. The full Platinum package with all the channels.

1)I ordered and received a magic widget as well from *these guys* so I can watch Teletubbies as well.

Should I be concerned that I find Teletubbies interesting at my age?

You do know that it is IMPOSSIBLE to steal digital cable / digital cable PPV right? All this device does is stop the cable company from knowing what PPV you have ordered recently. Eventually they will find out and you will be required to pay for all the PPV you got for "free"...

 

[Error Macro]

Does digital cable still look like ass? I remember my friend got it a couple of years ago, and it had obvious artifacting all over the place. Reds were pixelated, macro blocking in scenes, washed out colors, etc.

 

[LinesInTheSand]

Does digital cable still look like ass? I remember my friend got it a couple of years ago, and it had obvious artifacting all over the place. Reds were pixelated, macro blocking in scenes, washed out colors, etc.

Sounds like your friends cable provider just sucked or it was a shitty connection.

 

[Mumbles]

I'm hoping the DVR I get with Comcast next week isn't as bad as te DVR you say comes with DirectV .

Just to be clear, Directv's DVR is tivo, and pretty much everyone else uses another provider - for cable, it's whoever provides the box.

Oh, and Comcast's DVR does provide dual tuners, or at least they do around here, but Tivo is by all accounts the best.

Sounds like your friends cable provider just sucked or it was a shitty connection.

It could also be a shitty box. My digital channels were unwatchable until I got eh box replaced - literally a few seconds were displayed every minute, plus a few extra seconds of audio only. After I got the box replaced, it worked perfectly.

 

[isamu]

_________________________________

 

[isamu]

You do know that it is IMPOSSIBLE to steal digital cable / digital cable PPV right? All this device does is stop the cable company from knowing what PPV you have ordered recently. Eventually they will find out and you will be required to pay for all the PPV you got for "free"...

Yeah, found that out last night. Yesderday was my first day with digital cable. I only ordered about 4 movies with the filter yesterday. But I took off the filter now, since next week, the guy is coming back to put in a different box....an HDTV box. So hopefully what I've ordered so far won't get noticed since I'm switching boxes in 6 days anyway....right?

I was under the impression that the filter would just make the ppv channels come in automatically, the way my old analog box used to do it. I had no idea that you have to actually order the damn movies, then *hope* that you don't get billed a month later...THEN have to reset the box, etc etc. WAY too much hassle for me. I'll just stick with my normal platinujm package and then buy brand new movies on DVD. Hell PPV flicks aren't even in widescreen or 5.1. Bleh....

Anyway man...it feels so good to finally be able to watch Cartoon Network without it scrambling every other minute. Get to watch Pokemon and Yugio in peace. Also been watching G4/techTV.

Speaking of G4/TechTV, Morgan Webb is fucking hideous...this is the chick you guys were drooling over??? Man.... Diane Mizota is where it's at. Now THAT is a hot fucking gaming babe! Diane Mizota>>>>>Morgan Webb by a country mile!!!

Anyway back to the anime thing....Anime unleashed with Betterman on G4 is pretty cool. What other anime do they show?

What other channels are showing anime? Isn't there a channel called "Action" that shows anime regularly?

I talked to the Comcast rep and she said a lot of people have been requesting ADV's AN and said that they ARE WORKING ON GETTING IT! Woohoo...can't wait! While Toonami, Adult Swim and Anime Unleashed are OK, nothing would beat watching an all day/all night anime channel...even with bad dubs!

Infact, I have been slowly warming up to English dubs, even the crappy ones. I dunno...it's probably just me being lazy but it's been much easier to just sit back and chill watching the show in English while I surf the net. With subs, you have to be pretty much glued to the bottom of the screen and try to absorb the story. Being that the current crop of anime being shown on cable isn't THAT great anyway, I don't mind the english dub version. If something comes on that looks VERY interesting but has an aweful dub, then I'll probably just get the dvd and watch it subbed. Maybe, maybe not. But so far I'm just glad I can get Adult swim and Toonami with no scrambling.

Let me know if you guys know of any other cable channels broadcasting anime.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Again, why didn't you just get DirecTV or Dish Network?

 

[isamu]

Again, why didn't you just get DirecTV or Dish Network?

1)A Dish setup isn't feasible where I live

2)I am getting cable broadband soon, and if you already have digital cable you get a discount. And there's a helluva promotion going on currently.

3)To my knowledge, DirecTV or Dish will not be getting G4/techTV or ADV's Anime Network anytime soon.

 

[DarienA]

Marty how hard is it to convert a series 1 Tivo to being accessible online?

 

[Stuggernaut]

Comcast cable can lick my balls.

I left them 2yrs ago and switched to DirecTV and couldn't be happier.

The picture quality is great, the sound quality is great....no complaints at all!

And some things of note for DirecTV

- Yes all the channels are Digital
- YES you get G4/Tech TV (Channel 354 for me)
- YES you get NBA TV (Channel 601)
- NO you don't get Anime TV yet ;P
- NO it does not go out in storms or any other severe weather
- YES you pay less than cable (your same package probably is $15+ less)
- YES I got a free Tivo box (40hr)
- YES I only pay $4.95 for my Tivo service (vs $12.95 elsewhere)
- YES I have dual tuners for no extra charge

My same package that I do through DirecTV would cost me $26 more a month through Comcast...no thanks, f*#@ you, see ya later.

 

[mrmyth]

3)To my knowledge, DirecTV or Dish will not be getting G4/techTV or ADV's Anime Network anytime soon.

Holy shit, then I better call somebody. Dish is stealing G4 from cable! I'd better turn it off before the government sues me!



^^^Sarcasm^^^

 

[Marty Chinn]

Marty how hard is it to convert a series 1 Tivo to being accessible online?

It's pretty easy. You need to get either a wired or wireless ethernet adaptor for the Tivo. It's pretty much plug and play as far as installation goes. There's a port where you can plug it inside the machine. Wireless means you wouldn't have to worry about a cable coming out of it. If you do wired, you'd have to figure out how you want the cable coming out. Either drill it, or leave the lid loose enough so it comes out or something of the sort. If you want to be fancy, you can even put an ethernet jack on the case of the system.

From there, I believe you should be able to telnet right away into the unit and configure it. It's been awhile, but it wasn't very hard from what I can remember. There are plenty of tutorials out there.

 

[Marty Chinn]

1)A Dish setup isn't feasible where I live

2)I am getting cable broadband soon, and if you already have digital cable you get a discount. And there's a helluva promotion going on currently.

3)To my knowledge, DirecTV or Dish will not be getting G4/techTV or ADV's Anime Network anytime soon.

1) It might be more feasible than you might think.

3) They already have G4/Tech TV. They've had tech tv longer than cable has had it in many areas. ADV's Anime Network isn't available on cable around here, is it even out yet?

DirecTV is cheaper, is better, has more channels, and has Tivo. Unless you somehow can't get DirecTV, there's no reason to pick cable over it.

 

[isamu]

___________

 

[Willco]

I have alerted the authorities about your digital theft, you thief.

 

[isamu]

I have alerted the authorities about your digital theft, you thief.

Oh teh nos!!!!!!

 

[isamu]

HOLY SHIT I just discovered my next door neighboor just got DirecTV installed and he says it's great. I showed me the dish and everything. Hmmm, I may just have to switch if I'm not satisfied a month from now.

Marty....how would you compare the picture quality of standard def TV between digital cable and DirecTV, for a non-HDTV set like mine?

I just got my Hi-Def box hooked up yesterday via component video, S-Video and RF simultaneously to my TV(RPTV Widescreen). Believe it or not, unless it's my eyes, I am seeing virtually NO difference in PQ between all three connections. Infact, as crazy as this sounds, the RF signal seems to be just as good if not better than the component video signal! It's definitely brighter! WTF...can anyone explain this?

And while some of the channels look pretty nice, a bunch of them leave a lot to be desired. Digital artifacts abound in quite a few channels because of the digital signal. Does DirecTV suffer from this? I know I know....I really need to get an HDTV but for now, my set 'll just have to do.

 

[isamu]

Bump for Marty