TWC Update - nothing new

[SugarRay]

Here is the response I got from TWC when I requested an update regarding TWC broadcasting NBC/CBS/ABC in HD. Sad... very sad....
Time Warner Cable does broadcast HDTV on some channels in your area. It is necessary to have a digital HDTV cable box in order to receive them.

Programs in the HDTV format are currently very limited. At this time, there are only three services currently utilizing the HDTV format, Milwaukee Public TV HD (channel 710), HBO HD (channel 731) and Showtime HD (channel 721).

When the HDTV terminal is tuned to channels other than MPTV, HBO or Showtime, it will provide the same high quality digital picture and sound as our current digital terminals. The broadcast networks (Channels 4,6,12, etc.) are in the process of upgrading their equipment to HDTV in the Milwaukee area, and negotiations to carry the HDTV signal are underway.

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 Prerequisites
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.

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.

I hope this is the information you were looking for.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
 Response (Kate M.) 10/15/2002 07:00 PM
Dear ,

Due to the nature of your request, it may take an additional day to reply. Please be patient, as we are still working on it.

If you would like to review/update your request, please click the link at the bottom of this E-mail.

Thank You for your patience in this matter.

Sincerely,
Time Warner Cable
 

[Gregg Lengling]

Sounds like a very poor technology....not for me....I'll stay with my STB and Dish.

------------------
Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
glengling@ameritech.net

[kjnorman]

This is their stock letter that they have been sending out for a long time.

I recieved this many many months ago.  Even then it was out of date.  For one, they do not even supply the 2000HD box any more.  The current shipping box is the 3100HD.

I am currently not impressed by them, and I am currently considering cancelling cable all together.  I do not have time to watch it any way.

Sucks though, as I hate paying for cable, but how else do I get SciFi, TLC, Discovery and Speed channel?

Kerry.

[Todd Wiedemann]

DirecTV ?

 

[kjnorman]

Well, I do not need SciFi channel anymore after learning today that Farscape is being cancelled.  Damn!  It was the only decent sci-fi show on...

Not sure about DirectTV.  I'm currently hanging out to see if Dish's PVR921 comes out in January as rumoured.  I quite fancy twin tuners, HD sat and OTA capability, firewire, DVI, component and recording!!  

Well, is the 921 does come out in Q1 and TWC still does not have locals in HD, it will be good bye TWC, hello dish.  I do not mind putting up an attenna on my roof.  Heck, come to think of it, there is one already; its just not connected to anything.    

[kmoore]

What happened to WTMJ on channel 704? I thought this was scheduled to hit TWC sometime this month. Anybody know anything?

[John L]

Its my understanding that TWC won't start airing WTMJ-DT until the first of the year 2003.  I believe that is the plan.