Anyone using the new Pioneer 3511HD from TWC?

[gyoung]

Has anyone received this yet from TWC?  The best it will do is HDTV HBO and HDTV Showtime if you have it.  I guess you will get HDTV PBS also.

[kjnorman]

As far as I am aware, I thought TW was only giving out the Scientific Atlantic 3100HD box, which is what I have.

Do you have any information on the Pioneer box?  I would be interested if it was better than the SA.

As far as HD channels go there is HBO and Showtime.  I can not comment on Showtime as I do not subscribe to it, but HBO looks quite good.

As far as PBS is concerned, all you get is a demo channel.  The regular WMVT-DT and subchannels are all on TW, however they do not pass though the HD feed.  I checked out Nova on WMVTDT on Tuesday night which was listed as being in HD.  TW had it as a crappy bit staved letterbox SD program.  What a waste of bandwidth - continually showing a demo reel in HD (that no one cares for) - instead of showing true HD programming when it is available.  Sorry, rant over..

I have requested to TWC via email to add Discovery HD Theater and the locals, but this is like trying to get blood out of a stone.  But please request yourself:  The more requests the sooner they may do this.

Kerry

[kjnorman]

I just checked Google on the pioneer box, and this was only announced by Pioneer on Monday and is being demoed this week to cable operators.  Therefore I think it will be a while before TWC here in Milwaukee gets some (if ever).

Kerry

[gyoung]

I'm just moving into the area and called TWC to inquire on the packages and deals that they currently have.  The flier that I received in the mail mention HDTV was available so I asked what the box was.  The rep on the phone said, "Just a sec, let me go check."  He came back and said it was a pioneer.  

I didn't ask anything more than that.  The 3511HD is the only Pioneer cable set top box that I am aware of that supports HDTV.  So maybe my assumption is incorrect.  I'll call back tomorrow and ask.

The announcement that I saw was dated May 7.
 http://www.designtechnica.com/print.php?sid=1550

Oh by the way, I guess we are practically neighbors!

[This message has been edited by gyoung (edited 06-20-2002).]

[kjnorman]

I would be surprised if TW had the Pioneer HD cable boxes but who knows?  Perhaps they did a deal before Pioneer announced the box.

Whether it is the Pioneer or the Scientific Atlanta, TWC do have HD boxes.  They do not cost any more; all you have to do is ask for one.

As for neighbors?  Yep, we are probably about as close as any others on this forum.  Incidentally, I moved into Whitefish Bay just a few weeks back.  We are still unpacking!  We do not have any curtains up, but the home theater is up and running!  You know where my priorities lay......  

Kerry

[torgo]

If you boot up the SA3100HD, it actually has a Pioneer splash screen. It looks like SA just repackages Pioneer boxes.