For Cable Guys Only (Not to be read by OTA people )

[JoeK]

The link below describes the scientific Alanta HD cable boxes. Interesting to note the soon to be available 3250HD will have aspect ratio control. The lack of this feature is my only real complaint about the current TW HD service. Not that we ever complain.  Just that occasionally we make constructive suggest for possible improvements.
 http://www.twckc.com/services/hdtv/compare.asp

[kjnorman]

I think the more interesting things to note in this link are:

The 3250HD will also downconvert HD to SD.  That will be great for people like me who want to record to TiVo and would like to do so from a clean HD source rather than from a poor analog source.

You finally get graphics over the DH overlay with the new box as well as switchable output resolutions.

But the one to get is the 8000HD.  It does not state it on this page, but this baby is a fully fledge HD PVR ala Tivo.  This is what I want.

Kind of makes you wish you lived in Kansas, doesn't it?

Kerry

[gparris]

 

Originally posted by kjnorman:
I think the more interesting things to note in this link are:

The 3250HD will also downconvert HD to SD.  That will be great for people like me who want to record to TiVo and would like to do so from a clean HD source rather than from a poor analog source.

You finally get graphics over the  overlay with the new box as well as switchable output resolutions.

But the one to get is the 8000HD.  It does not state it on this page, but this baby is a fully fledge HD PVR ala Tivo.  This is what I want.

Kind of makes you wish you lived in Kansas, doesn't it?

Kerry

Kansas-no- but certainly NOT Milwaukee- I have posted many times on this forum how other cities like Houston and cities in Florida have had advanced HD systems superior to anything Milwaukee has. Its like TWC hates Milwaukee or thinks we are all a bunch of local idiots,unable to understand value when we see it (HD at a reasonable price and setup). Kansas is not New York or Chicago. It is like Milwaukee in backround and size, but without the Chicago influence nearby. It should still be getting a analog basic of 40 channels, as backward as it is. Note the explanation of the system and the details. Note this on the central Florida websites for TWC on how to connect you HD box up,etc. Milwaukee TWC website has old data, no mention of the new HD stations or in their listings online, or any technical data relevant to HD like the other cities. Until this happens, folks like me either have to create a monster antenna outside their house for OTA and DIRECTV-for what little they want to shell out. TWC could get all of my business (I already have RoadRunner) if the HD locals where all there, the service was good (Mr Yeti) and those 8000HD PVRs were available. But no. As to the recording thing with SD TIVO :
this seems correct - analog anything on TWC stinks unless you have maybe a 27" TV set.Then the small picture and a few feet away from it sort of blends in( my gym I work out at  has 11 sets hanging from the ceiling over the machines and it looks fine)and recording SD better. But the 8000HD with PVR is a dream come true. Add to that the CBS and WB channels with Discovery HD and HDNET, pinch me! Again: what's going on with our CBS affilate's "negotiations"? ABC came on so fast to TWC right after broadcasting!

[Tom Snyder]

 

Milwaukee TWC website has old data, no mention of the new HD stations or in their listings online, or any technical data relevant to HD

Tell me about it! Over year ago, their Webmaster called my company about doing a major update to their Web site and their Intranet, and building a knowledge base for their CSR's. Several discussions followed and an intial proposal went out, but it was like the Webmaster and we were the only ones who really gave a crap about any of it.

The thing that they were all misty-eyed about was their new 24 hour news operation, and at budget, time that's where they decided they needed to throw the money. I don't even think the Webmaster we met with even works there any more...

[Joseph S]

There's no chance I'd ever use the aspect ratio junk unless TW by default starting stretching everything, but the 8000 lists a firewire interface!!!

An HD Tivo that could interface with my current HD Tivo(HiPix)!

[gyoung]

Let me get this straight in my head.  When I am watching non HD programming on channels 721 (HBO), 504 (NBC), 512 (ABC) and there are black bars on top and the sides (on my Sony XBR450) this is a SD broadcast right?  And there is no way for me to "strech" the picture?  

This new cable-box (3250HD & 8000HD) will allow me to change the aspect ration and watch it full screen?

Could someone explain what downconverting from HD to SD would do?

[mr_yeti]

For one, you'd be able to record the extremely clean HD feed on an SD-format recording device (VCR, Tivo) rather than recording the crummy analog signal.

[mr_yeti]

I should clarify what I just said. You cannot record the actual HD signal (unless you have an HD DVR), but the SD you record will be as good as an SD signal can be.

[JoeK]

gyoung,

I'm puzzeled by the comment about a black bar on top?  I would expect you to be seeing black bars on the sides on SD material on the digital channels?

It is technologically possible to change the aspect ratio of 4:3 1080i feeds.  A video processor is needed between the cable box and your display. A PC with a video card or separate processor can scale a 1080i feed.  It's just a matter of $$$.  My projector's processor converts every thing to 720P, but will not "smart stretch" the TW 1080i feed.

Some do not like the stretching of the 4:3 to 16:9.  "Not like" is really too mild of term. Blasphemy is a better description.  I personally "smart stretch" the Packer games and find it preferable to the analog 4:3 image. Nobody else watching the screen is even aware that I'm stretching the image.

Joe              

[gyoung]

 

I'm puzzeled by the comment about a black bar on top? I would expect you to be seeing black bars on the sides on SD material on the digital channels?

Let me clarify.  I should have said black bars on the top, bottom, and sides.  Basically, a black frame around all sides of the picture.

[kjnorman]

 

Originally posted by gyoung:
Let me clarify.  I should have said black bars on the top, bottom, and sides.  Basically, a black frame around all sides of the picture.

This is an unfortunate side effect of 4:3 HDTV "ready" TVs.  Then detecting a 1080i signal they will automatically switch to a 16:9 ratio, as afterall 1080i is widescreen.

The problem lies in that when non HD programming is broadcast the 4:3 material is upconverted to a widescreen image by putting black bars on the side.  The 4:3 TV takes this widescreen image and squeezes the display to produce a widescreen picture.  Hence you end up with black bars all round.

For proper 16:9 HDTV displays this is a non issue.  Only effects 4:3 displays.

Kerry

[This message has been edited by kjnorman (edited 11-26-2002).]

[gyoung]

Will the new TWC boxes allow me to resize this image to fit the screen?

On a side note, when the HD channels aren't broadcasting a HD program (not widescreen) is that referred to as SD?

[This message has been edited by gyoung (edited 11-26-2002).]

[JoeK]

Of course these boxes are not available anywhere yet.  They are rumor to be testing the 3250 in NC.  The spec sheet is all I think we have to go on.  Under aspect ratio control the 3100HD is listed as No and the 3250HD and 8000 is listed as YES.  Maybe some one has a site reference that has more info than just the spec sheet. I couldn't find one.


That is what I mean by SD.  

[JoeK]

Another cable box anouncement.

News Release

Release Date: December 3, 2002

Scientific-Atlanta Combines High-Definition With High-Speed Internet in New Explorer 4200HD Set-Top

--New home gateway will be able to receive HD programming in any currently deployed format and will feature an integrated DOCSIS cable modem--

ATLANTA, GA - Cable subscribers who want the quality of HD programming plus fast DOCSIS connectivity will be able to have it all with a single device - the new Explorer® 4200HD home gateway. The versatile digital set-top is designed to receive HDTV programming in any ATSC standard format and communicate with the headend and the Internet through a DOCSIS cable modem, a powerful entertainment and information combination.

The Explorer 4200HD home gateway, scheduled to be available for shipment in December 2002, will have the ability to deliver a broad range of video and communications services in a single device. It will support the full complement of subscriber- and MSO-requested HDTV features and functions, plus it can operate in either a DOCSIS or DAVIC headend environment.

The Explorer 4200HD home gateway will be able to display video at user selectable scan rates of 480i, 480P, 720P, or 1080i out of the HDTV outputs. In addition, the user will be able to stretch and zoom the video picture to maximize the viewable area on HDTV displays and scale HDTV video within the program guide. The Explorer 4200HD home gateway will be capable of simultaneously displaying an HD image while down-converting it to SD via the NTSC outputs. This will allow subscribers to output HD content to their VCRs in SD format. Plus, the Explorer 4200HD complies with the EIA-708 closed captioning specification. The new home gateway will include a USB port, an optional DVI HDTV digital interface with HDCP high-bandwidth digital content protection and an optional IEEE 1394 digital interface with 5C copy protection capability.

In addition, the Explorer 4200HD home gateway, with an internal dual-capable DOCSIS/DAVIC modem and high-performance CPU, graphics and memory interfaces, will deliver digital interactive services such as on-demand TV, Web browsing and t-commerce at rapid speeds. The device can also be utilized to deliver high-speed data to home networks and personal computers.

[kjnorman]

I want one!