Milwaukee HDTV User Group

Quote from: ArgMeMatey;58404Based on what I have read elsewhere they would download a config file to the modem that tells it how fast it can go.  So no, it's not dependent on software or firmware per se.  

I'd be interested to know if the frequencies on the Signal menu (posted below) vary or if they are consistent, at least in this market.  

I used an html file to view the signal, status, and log menus:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r26466092-

Downstream Status
Locked
Channel ID
37
Downstream Frequency
693000000 Hz
Modulation
QAM256
Bit Rate
5360537
Power Level
0.6 dBmV
Signal to Noise Ratio
39.9 dBmV

Upstream Status
Locked
Channel ID
4
Upstream Frequency
21000000 Hz
Modulation
64QAM
Symbol Rate
2560 Ksym/sec
Power Level
41.2 dBmV

On my Waukesha RR connection, things that are different than what you posted:
Downstream Frequency: 699000000 HZ
Upstream Frequency: 22000000 HZ
Upstream Channel ID = 2

My Motorola SB5101 doesn't show the modulation values.

Quote from: ArgMeMatey;58401That's what I got this morning.  
Scientific Atlanta "WebSTAR" on front panel.  
Hardware Version 2.1
Software Version dpc2100rx-v202r1256-110513Uas-TWC

Admin interface is at 192.168.100.1, although only the "System" tab is accessible showing dbmv levels.  

The old SurfBoard showed me the RF channels used and I don't remember what else.  

So I am still wondering if I supplied my own modem if they would lock me out of parts of it.  Would they use SNMP to do this?  

Or, because the 2100 has a software version ending in "TWC", is it safe to assume they have just built their own somewhat more bullet-resistant software?

Isn't the software (I always referred to it as firmware) what TWC uses to cap your speeds?  The few times I've upgraded or downgraded, they've had me cold reboot the modem, that way the new firmware gets used, with the current approved speed caps.  So that's probably why you can only use a modem in the list...those are the only ones they developed custom software for.

If a re-scan doesn't help, check if there are any splitters in your lines.  If so, does it mention the frequency range the splitter is capable of?  A lot of old splitters don't pass thru the required frequencies for QAM and Roadrunner signals.  Those channels are definitely available for free via QAM, so you should be receiving them.

Here in Waukesha, I had TWC change out my modem (free, grandfathered in from long ago) back in September, and it was a Motorola Surfboard 5102.

I don't have knowledge of what tuners are available now, but I wanted to ask what your expectations are for what channels you'll be able to record.

Do you plan to record just from TWC, or also OTA (over the air)?  On TWC, do you just expect to use the HD locals (which can be picked up unencrypted via a QAM tuner), or do you want the ability to record most/all of your TWC channels?

For now I'm just assuming you plan to record the High Definition channels.  Most tuners also have the ability to record the analog channels, though some cards require that to be a separate connection as it's a different tuner on the card.

If you are looking to record most/all, you'd need to look for something that interfaces with a CableCard (or whatever they are called now...M cards?), as that's the only way to receive encrypted channels.  That essentially mimics having a cable box, without actually needing the box.  I think there's a small per-month charge for the card.

If you just want to pick up your HD local channels from TWC, that info is already free and clear on the line.  As you mentioned, you could split your Roadrunner connection, then connect that line to any tuner card that can process a QAM signal.  There are lots of cards or USB sticks that can do this, and they're relatively cheap.  How well they work, or which program interfaces best with them is something you'd need to research more (and if you know you plan to use Windows Media Center, that would be a good specific search to see which hardware it plays well with).

Sorry I didn't necessarily answer your question, but I wanted to give you some ideas on what to think about so you really know what to try and buy when the time comes.

Any chance the techs mentioned if the temp changes can also cause the same problems to the Roadrunner signal?  I've had frequent disconnects on Roadrunner over the past 7 years, but anytime I get a tech to come out and look at it, they don't find any problems.  In my case, seems to happen less in the Winter and much more in the Summer.

The part where you mention you turned to ESPN and saw the box change to 720p...I wonder if you set the box to ALWAYS output a specific resolution would fix the problem?  I imagine some TVs adjust to different resolutions more gracefully than others, so maybe it's fussing over the change.

I notice over the past 2-3 weeks, I can no longer access the MilwaukeeHDTV.org site from work.  The McAfee webwashing program they use says there is a security risk.
Then today at home I noticed my McAfee Security Scan Plus flagged the website as "Dangerous".

Is there any scan you can do to verify if there's a problem behind the scenes, or a contact at McAfee to report false positives?  Has anyone else noticed this recently?

Mike

WDJT must know they're going to field complaints on picture quality...but wouldn't it be a lot LESS calls if the SUBCHANNELS were the ones unwatchable, not their main channel?  I'd love to see a breakdown in viewers between main channel and subchannels in the course of a week.  I know when Brewers games are on WMLW most Saturdays, we don't even watch because the picture is SO HORRIBLE.

There has to be a way for them to send more bandwidth to the channel they expect more viewers for at any given time.  You'd think Packers games would be their highest priority, and then maybe the 7-9pm weekday slots.

They must charge advertisers a rate based on viewers & time, so you'd think the advertisers would want viewers to be able to see the ads CLEARLYy.  I'm thinking without the ADVERTISERS complaining, they must not care what VIEWERS think.

With the Dish sling adapter, the key is calling customer service or doing an online chat.  I made the mistake of just ordering the adapter on their website, then waiting for the magic link to the rebate to show up in my account.  When I called to ask, they explained it has to be done by a customer service rep.  I was still able to get the rebate, just a little extra work on my side to follow up.

If you're ordering service new, I imagine it'll be easier as they can add it right on your initial install package.

Quote from: budda;57664What he said. But I would add if you can ask for Free HD for life. Free sling adapter. 722k and OTA moduale. gives you the ability to record 4 things two sat and two OTA and watch a r
ecorded show as well 722K I believe is the best DVR and features right now. Have fun. The ota air thing is a perk if you have some sort of antenna,

Like Budda said in another post, everyone would have a different reason which service works best for them.  It's just up to everyone on the board to provide as many facts as possible so the OP can make his own informed decision.

For Dish, the Sling Adapter is free after rebate (not sure for how much longer), and it's nice if you're on the go a lot and want to watch the Brewer game at work or on your laptop or phone.  You can also tap into your DVR with it.  If you have one of the dual-tuner DVRs, it basically takes control of tuner 2 so you can watch something remotely, and anyone at home still has tuner 1 to use.  It's also smart enough to kick you off if that tuner is set to record something.

Another nice thing is Dish removed the cost for adding an external hard drive.  So you can add your own hard drive to increase the recording size.  Sure, it's not as nice as having unlimited space with a HTPC, but it's nice having an extra 1TB of space to add on yourself at a reasonable cost.  I think previously it was like $40-50 for the ability to use the external drive.

My wife and I are happy with Dish Network.  We get all the channels you are asking for in our Dish America SILVER package (bronze wouldn't include the Brewers games).  Advertised at $50/mo, but add $6/mo for DVR service, and $3/mo for taxes.  Total is $59/mo.  We also pay a $6/mo service plan, but that is optional.

We still have our internet via TWC (which means you can still pick up the QAM local HD channels on the TWC line to any other TVs you have in the house that can decode QAM).

Price-wise, I'd bet we pay the same or maybe a bit MORE than if we had both our TV and internet via TWC.  With that said, I'm still happier with the quality of the feed and the 2-tuner DVR we have with Dish and never plan to go back to TWC.

From reading this forum and a few others, here are the general opinions I see the most.

DirecTV offers NFL ticket and tons of channels...but you pay a premium for that ability.

Dish Network is the cheaper alternative to DirecTV, but you won't be able to get NFL ticket.

Uverse is good if you can't/won't get satellite, but the HD picture quality is nowhere near as good at the satellite versions (much lower bitrate).

With Dish, we joined about 3 years ago.  At that time we had to pay a bit more up front to get their VIP722 dual-tuner DVR, but still very happy we did.  Can change the box at any time to be 2 tuners on 1 TV (picture-in-picture, or record 1 channel watch a 2nd, or record 2 channels and watch a 3rd on DVR), or separate to a single tuner in 2 rooms (only 1 room can be HD, other uses coax for an SD feed).  I just added an HDMI switcher, so then we can have the same HD feed in both rooms.

Hope this helps a bit for comparing the various options.  Definitely find others with each service to compare...I can only speak definitively with the 2 I have had in the past, Dish and TWC.

Mike

foxeng,

Please don't get discouraged with this one bad apple. You've provided lots of great info over the past few years, and I'd hate to see you go over some ignorant comments by Xizer.  I for one enjoy your out-of-market perspective on things, and you've been great in bridging the gap between the consumer point of view and the station point of view.  Keep doing what you do!

We had our roof and gutters done this winter and went with Infinity Exteriors out of Waukesha (http://www.infinityroofing.com/).  Similar experience as WPXE - they built the gutters on site and I can't see seams.  I think our cost for the 1100sq/ft ranch plus garage was around $2000.

I was wrong tonight - no HD broadcast available.  I did get a kick out of how my wife even commented about how the picture seemed blurry compared to what we normally see on FSN.  Back when HD was new, she didn't get it...but now that it's commonplace, she can see the difference when it's NOT in HD.
Cmon networks...if our wives see the importance for the game to be in HD, surely you can too!