TWC Update (not)

[SugarRay]

I sent an email to TWC to inquire about them adding any more HD Ch's to their lineup.  Here is what I got (nice of them to reply to my question --- Not!)

I have recently received your email to Time Warner Cable regarding your request for information on HDTV services.  Please see the information below.  If you have any questions or wish to make an installation appointment, please call our customer service team 24 hours a day at 1-800-627-2288 for assistance.


HDTV, or High Definition Television, is a relatively new television transmission format which delivers a very sharp, crisp picture. In addition, the shape of the HDTV screen is similar to the shape of a movie theater screen in that it is much wider (about 25%) than the traditional TV screen. Cable networks and broadcasters are starting to utilize this new format to produce movies and specials. HBO's Band of Brothers is an excellent example, which airs simultaneously on HBO and HBO Plus. If you watch Band of Brothers on HBO Plus, you will enjoy the program full screen because..."This film has been modified from its original version. It has been formatted to fit your screen." However, if you switch over to HBO, you will see black bars both on the top and bottom of your TV screen. This is because HBO is airing this program in the HDTV format. If you had a HDTV receiver, and a HDTV Terminal from Time Warner Cable, you would see this program full screen on the extra wide HDTV screen. You can see this new format and a HDTV monitor in the front lobby of our new Milwaukee Division office building. The majority of movies already fit the HDTV format. However, due to the additional cost of the equipment necessary for programmers to produce HDTV (or to convert current programming to HDTV), day to day TV fare (sitcoms, soap operas, news shows, etc) in the true HDTV format will take longer to develop as demand from consumers grows, and the cost of equipment declines.
HDTV Channels
MPTV HD 710
Showtime HD 721
HBO HD 731
TWC Milwaukee HDTV Terminal
Some of our customers have made the investment in HDTV receivers and/or monitors. In order for them to fully enjoy HDTV, Time Warner Cable now stocks a new HDTV terminal - the Explorer 2000 HD Digital Home Communications Terminal (HD DHCT.)  While these new HDTV terminals are quite similar to our current digital terminals, both in looks and operation, there are additional wiring and installation options for customer convenience. These terminals are operated by the same remote control as our digital terminals, although there are some minor differences. Remember that these terminals are ONLY for customers who have HDTV equipment.
Current HDTV Channels
Programs in the HDTV format are very limited. At this time, there are only three services currently utilizing the HDTV format, MPTV, HBO and Showtime. (As the demand for this format grows, this list will be expanded.) When these new HDTV terminals are tuned to channels other than MPTV, HBO or Showtime, they will provide the same high quality digital picture and sound as our current digital terminals. The broadcast networks (Channels 4,6,12, etc) have not yet upgraded their equipment to HDTV in the Milwaukee area.
HDTV Terminal Rates
The monthly rate for the HDTV terminal is currently priced the same as our digital terminal...including the "Lost/Stolen" replacement charge.
HDTV Terminal Availability
We have a limited supply. Please give the warehouse 2 days advanced notice for install to get the HDTV terminal loaded and field ready.
HDTV Terminal Pre-requisites
The HDTV Terminals are only for customers who have a HDTV receiver or HDTV monitor. In addition, customers must subscribe to Basic, Standard, and one of the Digital Cable packages and HBO or Showtime. See Chart below.


HDTV Installation Procedures
In order to take advantage of our system's HDTV signals, the customer must have 2 pieces of equipment, a HDTV Monitor and an Explorer 2000HD Digital Home Communications Terminal. A HDTV receiver is not required.  The HDTV Monitor will have multiple input types. In order of best to worst picture quality, these inputs are:  1. Component Video - 3 wire or 5 wire 2. S-Video 3. Base Band Video 4. R & L Audio 5. RF (also multiple, ANT A / ANT B)  Some inputs allow you to use either Base Band or S-Video for the video. These are auto sensing. It is important that you match the audio & video to the same input.  The Explorer 2000HD Digital Home Communications Terminal (HD DHCT) has the following connections on the rear panel:  1. Component Video - 3 wire & 5 wire  2. S-Video  3. Base Band Video  4. RF  5. Digital Audio  6. R & L Audio   The connection of the HD DHCT to the HDTV Monitor is quite simple and the same hook up options usually exist that you would see on other high end consumer electronics equipment. The additional connection of the HD inputs to outputs will allow the customer to display the high definition signals. To establish this connection:  1. Examine the rear of the HDTV Monitor for Component Video input types. The 5 wire is the purest input type. The 5 wires represent Green, Blue, Red, Vertical Sync and Horizontal Sync. These signals are passed right to the TV tube for display. The 3 wire type combines the Vertical and Horizontal Sync with the color information resulting in Luminance (Y), Phase Blue (Pb) and Phase Red (Pr). This signal requires some processing by the TV to drive the tube but requires fewer cables to connect. All connections are either RCA or BNC coaxial type. 2. Decide which Component Video input you will be using and connect the proper cables between the HD DHCT and the HDTV Monitor. 3. Connect at least one more video / RF source from the HD DHCT to the HDTV Monitor in this order of preference (for best quality): S-Video, Base Band Video, RF. 4. Connect the Digital Audio output of the HD DHCT to the AC-3 or Digital Audio input on a compatible digital audio decoder if the customer has one. This is not required. 5. Connect the Right & Left Audio cables between the HD DHCT and the HDTV Monitor.   Two key operational issues to understand: 1. When the Digital TV input is selected on the HDTV Monitor and you are viewing NTSC analog channels, this combination results in the poorest picture quality. Use the S-Video or Base Band Video input to view NTSC analog channels. The RF output of any cable terminal device is always the least preferred.  2. The GUIDE nor INFO buttons will not react when actually viewing an HDTV channel. When not viewing a HDTV channel the GUIDE and INFO buttons will work and allow you to see programming scheduled for the HDTV channels.


As far as the other channels that broadcast in HDTV such as some of the local channels and other cable channels ie discovery, you can get those in HDTV if you have an HDTV and hooked that up through an antenna. Time Warner Cable does not currently support any other channels in HDTV but the 3 mentioned above. In the future there will be plans to carry more channels in the HDTV format, but until then there are only 3. FYI

Thank you for using Time Warner Cable!


Deanna Messer      
Customer Service  
Metro Division

[kjnorman]

I have never seen such a lot of inaccurate nonesense!

Judging that she keeps referring to the SA2000HD which TWC do not even install now (they now install the SA 3100HD) I would guess that this formula letter was written some time ago and obviously no body knows or care enough to update it.

 

As far as the other channels that broadcast in HDTV such as some of the local channels and other cable channels ie discovery, you can get those in HDTV if you have an HDTV and hooked that up through an antenna

Discovery over the air?  Where Ms Messer live?  I guess technically she is right, as you CAN get it over the air.  Yep thats right!  Beamed to you via satelite using Dish!  However I do not think my antenna is good enough there :/

Do you have this CSR's email?  We should all write her an email to correct her on her misinformation...

Kerry

[gparris]

TWC stands for "Training Will Come",as I have never come across a more stupid and uncaring bunch of idiots. This Milwaukee company,(not all TWC at other locations,in my experience) is the "poster child" for the need in competition like satellite and other forms of multichannel distribution. TWC acts like its the only game in town. Well, it isn't. Thank God!!