New TWC HD Channels (For Real)

[akitakoi]

I was told that they were all recalled! :mad:

I was having trouble with the sound and had TW come out and put in all new lines from the pole, (still had to add a $30 amp). I asked them when I set up the appointment that I wanted the New Pioneer Box, they told me that they had been recalled!:mad:
:bang:

Doesn't TW have a schedule for the new channels? Why is it such a big secret when they are going to make new HD channels available?

[gparris]

You are right, I got the same information at the Kenosha office when I picked up my second HD receiver for my second HD set before I moved to an apartment and got stuck with TWC-only.:mad:  As for analog anything on TWC, I doubt that ANYTHING could improve the picture except for a DIRECTV input for the same set of channels. I would really, really, like to see the picture The Law is watching. :confused:

As for ANY more HD channels on TWC, I have scanned every site I know of for TWC locations regarding that supposedly summer addition of the Discovery HD Theater and found that all TWC locations except NYC have it (like SE Wisconsin): These are the 2 locations not getting it yet.
Minnesota got it on the Aug. 1st. Even Maine TWC has it.  
I will be glad when I can "dish" it to TWC in the upcoming months with the exception of maybe local HD offerings like before.

 I cannot figure out the big secrets, either. It is was good when our TWC forum members came out and told us what they could...it was at least better than what I get when I call TWC customer service!:mad:

[akitakoi]

So have the Pioneer boxs been recalled or was that just a line they told me because they did not have any in stock?

[Shirow]

I don't know, I still have one at home but I haven't tried to swap it.

I'll see if I can find out what's going on with them, maybe there is a newer box.

[akitakoi]

NFM

[The Law]

Initially, I called to have the box swapped several months ago.  There were tons of problems with it - pixelations, staggered picture, sound cutting in/out.  The tech tested out the cable, swapped out the connectors and tested the levels and got them tweaked to eliminate that portion of it.  He made several phone calls and got the response that many of the units had been recalled due to such issues.   He mentioned that one of the offices had been internally demo-ing the same model for a month or so with no problems whatsoever - it is a hit or miss on whether they work.

He advised to wait a couple of months until new one's come in, then call into the office to swap out.  This is what I did.  I am know the proud renter of a Pioneer box.

My take is that there were (are?) known bugs that caused some of them to be crappy and that those units were to be returned.  I would also guess that the number returned was a sufficient enough volume to warrant a backlog on the manufacturer replacing them - though this is a pure speculation on my part.

I do have issues, however, with this box:
1)  The sound sometimes cuts out.
Workaround:  flick to antoher channel then flick back and it goes away.  Not a big deal for me at this point since I'm happy with the box otherwise
2)  Non HD stuff on 505 (CBS) gets jarbled picture.
Workaround:  watch it on channel 05.  Not a big deal for me since I rarely watch non-HD stuff on the networks anyway (Packer games notwithstanding) and I can deal with the picture/sound differences just fine.

Now, here's my own little personal want - Fox Sports World in HD so I can watch me Footy!

[agrundman]

ESPN HD; ESPN HD; ESPN HD ?

[The Law]

So I goto WISNHD (512) for the game - No PICTURE. Swift call to TWC - must swap out box.  HBO HD works, so do the others - but NO PACK.......and, of course, the local feeds always get shadows......

*sigh* - and I was really enjoying the Pioneer

[Shirow]

Well, some more news.. apparently the payment centers are now carrying HD boxes for pickup/swap, so if you have a malfunctioning one or are looking for a Pioneer, try giving the payment centers a call (I'd recommend calling before just showing up.)

I did ask and the manager said that they were 'probably Pioneers' that were available, but I don't know how true that is.

Just FYI for those of you that have been salivating over a Pioneer for a while

[sp44again]

They don't have phone numbers to call!

[Shirow]

Well, the local reps can call the payment centers for you - I'm not sure if I can release the numbers here, but I'll check.

OK, apparently the payment centers don't have public numbers anymore but all of them are stocking up on HD boxes and (allegedly) they are stocking mostly pioneers because 'no one wants the SA boxes.'

[rawoodwi]

I am a TWC customer and wanted to upgrade to the pioneer.

I tried calling the customer support number, and got a response saying i will just have to turn up at the payment centers on the off chance of their being a box...
:mad:
However by a strange twist of fate my wife tried the same thing a got a helpful rep who tracked a box down in menomonee falls and had it put to one side for her to collect.
:confused:
We pickup it up and it worked like a charm.

The rep did say that this pioneer box was the last one currently around.

[The Law]

Just swapped out the Pioneer box today, and the replacement is worse than the first - flickering channels, sound cutting in and out.   A tech is coming out next wed.

Though, I do now get WISNHD - infact, it appears is the only channel I can get w/out flickering

go figure.  The last time the techs were out, they said my signal strength was great.  Any suggestions?

[The Law]

Ok.  I re-read my previous post and decided to play with the output formats - the Pioneer allows 480p, 480i, 720p, 1080i.  By enabling/disabling in certain comibinations, I can coax (no pun)the box to work on any channel.  With 720p enabled, no WISNHD.  With 720p disabled, I get picture just fine.

Here's a couple of other results:

CBSHD I get broken picture unless I watch with 1080i disabled and 480p enabled
FoxHD - 480p must be disabled
All other Channels - 1080i enabled 480i enabled, 480p enabled.

I have a mits WS-65819.  which I believe autoconverts everthing to 1080i (??).  Could it be an issue with the TV trying to conver things?  Would better cables help?

Suggesions?

[Shirow]

That's weird.. on my Toshiba I have them all enabled and it seems to work fine - some channels are hideously ugly but I don't think I'd be watching 'em anyway