Coming in November (maybe), what TWC could add (if it wants to)

[RLJSlick]

GP I'm having a hard time believe this whole bandwidth thing, they have been working around our subdivision like crazy the last few months, and it appear that some of that is fiber. I just have a hard time believing that they don't have the bandwidth at this time. It maybe so but you do have to wonder if that's the case, why don't they just say that they are upgrading the neighborhoods to run more HD channels? Just like they did when Road Runner came to time. They gave us a blow by blow, neighborhood by neighborhood update.
 They just need to tell us the truth then, that their technology is way behind and they are playing catchup.

Ricky, think locally-only for TWC :
Others drop all 8-10 HD channels all at once, not "piecemeal" like here.
TWC squeezed in that TBSHD for baseball, but it is not a good example of what a HD channel should be:
It is worse than TNTHD, IMO.

TWC here is like the guy who brings roses to his wife, (for example):
As he travels home, he has a dozen in his hand (TWC national HD channel offerings).
But by the time he gives them to her- he has only a couple left in his hand, without any reason (the two HD channels today).
Maybe TWC couldn't deliver FoodHD with HGTVHD, so it added A&EHD, instead (that looked nicer, a prettier "rose").
Our household is waiting for History ChannelHD (would be TWC channel 539) and the Lifetime Movies HD channel (possibly TWC channel 536 since 565 is too far down).

The only reason I can think of is for these one-or-two at a time additions, is because TWC locally is short on bandwidth space.
It needs to find the equivalent of 4 more analogue channels to insert those other 8-12 HD channels into our local TWC system to put these in
-or find a way to implement SDV on a few dozen digital SD channels, too, but it won't tell us consumers (subscribers) that, will they?

Directv will say, for example, that until the D11 satellite goes up and is operational, some HD LiLs won't be in place:
While this is not great news, at least D* tells its subscribers...something.

[brewguru]

Maybe I missed it but did Tim mention DirecTV in his column when they added new HD channels this fall?  If he didn't I would wonder why does a measly two new HD channels merit  a free pimp but 70 doesn't.

I guess it could be the standard JS company line that "A lot more people have TWC".  They probably said that about the horse and buggy when autos were new.

His trumpeting the 2 TWC HiDef channels has me scratching my head. If you read his chats, his blog or his column, one thing is clear, he doesn't mention D* because it is "niche" programming; so many more people have TWC than Direct TV (according to him).

However, in his blog last week after the 2 additions to TWC, he mentioned that HiDef TV's are still in their infancy, not too many people have them that's why TWC is so slow and feels no urgency to add channels.

HOWEVER, if HiDef is "niche" programming and so is D*, why advertise the new HiDef offerings at all?? I have to think that TWC pays him somehow with free cable or whatnot so that he will ALWAYS advertise any little move they make.

If he advertises the 2 new HiDef channels on TWC, but doesn't even mention the 70 that Direct TV is offering, something doesn't add up.

[gparris]

GP I'm having a hard time believe this whole bandwidth thing, they have been working around our subdivision like crazy the last few months, and it appear that some of that is fiber. I just have a hard time believing that they don't have the bandwidth at this time. It maybe so but you do have to wonder if that's the case, why don't they just say that they are upgrading the neighborhoods to run more HD channels? Just like they did when Road Runner came to time. They gave us a blow by blow, neighborhood by neighborhood update.
 They just need to tell us the truth then, that their technology is way behind and they are playing catchup.

Yes, TWC locally is playing "catchup", but their technically ready for those other 6-9 HD channels right now:
Maybe TWC Milwaukee doesn't think us TWC HD subs are "worth" those other "Free HD Channels", eh?:confused:

My area in general is literally "booming" with new housing and all TWC does is add fibre lines (I'm told) to support their claims of an "advanced fibre network".
RoadRunner runs on the same cabling, but it is kept somehow separate in the "bit stream", what I am told, too, just like Digital Phone is.
You can be "down" with RR and DP, but still have cableTV, for example.

So with this technology, maybe it's what the fibre is connected to that can "clog" up?
Seems strange to me, that TWC couldn't deliver those last six HD channels with what it delivered today.
This is indeed, very odd, since TWC hasn't added any of the remaining 3 of the HD premium channels, either.
:huh?:

[RLJSlick]

Yeah i don't get it, but I did noticed a person with a TWC truck just moved into a house down the street from me, I was thinking of walking my dog that way and maybe stop and ask him a few questions. Then egg his truck! :rock:

Yes, TWC locally is playing "catchup", but their technically ready for those other 6-9 HD channels right now:
Maybe TWC Milwaukee doesn't think us TWC HD subs are "worth" those other "Free HD Channels", eh?:confused:

My area in general is literally "booming" with new housing and all TWC does is add fibre lines (I'm told) to support their claims of an "advanced fibre network".
RoadRunner runs on the same cabling, but it is kept somehow separate in the "bit stream", what I am told, too, just like Digital Phone is.
You can be "down" with RR and DP, but still have cableTV, for example.

So with this technology, maybe it's what the fibre is connected to that can "clog" up?
Seems strange to me, that TWC couldn't deliver those last six HD channels with what it delivered today.
This is indeed, very odd, since TWC hasn't added any of the remaining 3 of the HD premium channels, either.
:huh?:

[gparris]

Most of the time the poor installer has no idea of what is going on channel addition wise, but they do have more consideration of those that question, not to lie.
These folks aren't trained like the telemarketers' "10+ HD channels in October" or
whatever "story" is being told at your local kiosk or pay center.

Now, I'd be happy that he (or she) hooks up the HDTV with an HD box and at very least, use some video-component cabling.
While the installer is at it, make channel 541 the turn-on channel, just so the sub remembers where the HD channels actually start.
(So they go to 504 for NBCHD, not "4" as some do, thinking it's HD:rolleyes: )

[kevbeck122]

Looks like cablecard's screwed out of the new channels again.  Maybe I shouldn't expect anymore new channels on this TV.

[PaulKTF]

Looks like cablecard's screwed out of the new channels again.  Maybe I shouldn't expect anymore new channels on this TV.

Well yes... They want you to rent the box.

[RLJSlick]

It's odd HGTV & HGTV HD isn't simulcast, they show different things but A&E and A&E HD seems to be.

[syrett4]

...However, in his blog last week after the 2 additions to TWC, he mentioned that HiDef TV's are still in their infancy, not too many people have them that's why TWC is so slow and feels no urgency to add channels.

We need to gang up on one of those chat sessions.   I'd like to ask him why if HD is niche, why did Best Buy stop selling SD TV's.  ...and furthermore, why is it that at Wal-Mart you can find 15-20 different models of HDTV's but only 6-7 SD.

Even if you can buy into the fact that its still a niche, doesn't it make sense that the people that read his column are at least mildly interested in TV/HD?  I would suspect that the old ladies that have their analog cable hooked up directly to their TV's with their 99 channels, are not the readers of his column.

Its time to call him out...but he'll probably just log-off when it gets too hot.  :OnAir:

[RLJSlick]

It was a niche last year, it's a down right epidemic this year. Even my mom has a HDTV now.

We need to gang up on one of those chat sessions.   I'd like to ask him why if HD is niche, why did Best Buy stop selling SD TV's.  ...and furthermore, why is it that at Wal-Mart you can find 15-20 different models of HDTV's but only 6-7 SD.

Even if you can buy into the fact that its still a niche, doesn't it make sense that the people that read his column are at least mildly interested in TV/HD?  I would suspect that the old ladies that have their analog cable hooked up directly to their TV's with their 99 channels, are not the readers of his column.

Its time to call him out...but he'll probably just log-off when it gets too hot.  :OnAir:

[brewguru]

We need to gang up on one of those chat sessions.   I'd like to ask him why if HD is niche, why did Best Buy stop selling SD TV's.  ...and furthermore, why is it that at Wal-Mart you can find 15-20 different models of HDTV's but only 6-7 SD.

Even if you can buy into the fact that its still a niche, doesn't it make sense that the people that read his column are at least mildly interested in TV/HD?  I would suspect that the old ladies that have their analog cable hooked up directly to their TV's with their 99 channels, are not the readers of his column.

Its time to call him out...but he'll probably just log-off when it gets too hot.  :OnAir:

I think in his last chat he mentioned he was thinking about doing an article on TWC vs. Satellite with HiDef ramifications.

It must have just been a passing thought.

[gparris]

The topic you folks are currently discussing is in the thread about Directv adding 23 more channels, okay?
This one is about the new HD channels TWC is adding-only, not about Tim C...please!:wave:

Ricky, TWC locally launched HGTV HD and A&EHD without Food HD until it can squeeze another HD channel in or two, which it is doing bit by bit.
Food HD and HGTV HD offer differenct HD programming than their analogue counterparts and this is why D* offers the "-1" in their guide for the HD channels.
Your mom, I'm sure with her HDTV would have liked LifetimeMoviesHD and FoodHD added, too, just as much as you and I would like History HD Channel.

Maybe TWC locally will offer more HD channels, soon, this month yet in a manner similar to D*, but without the big HD channel loads.
The other 6-9 HD channels could appear bit by bit until January, or sooner, just like these two did and the one, TBSHD, did earlier.

[bubbaridesfast]

We need to gang up on one of those chat sessions.   I'd like to ask him why if HD is niche, why did Best Buy stop selling SD TV's.    :OnAir:

Best Buy did not stop selling SD TV's, they stopped selling analog TV's. Unfortunately there is a common misconception that digital = HD.

Now, why anyone would buy a digital SD TV opposed to a HD set is beyond me. I know price means alot to people but how long do people keep a TV? If they pass on HD this time, they passed on it for 10 years with that set most likely.

[Gilbert]

...so I ask again:
WHERE are the new HD channels of History HD, MHD, FoodHD, Vs. HD and Lifetime MoviesHD in addition to TheMovieChannelHD, CinemaxHD & StarzHD (last two NYC has already)?

That whole line about "quality and quantity" is "typical" TWC Milwaukee BS
...another one of their deceptions.:mad:

Dear TWC,

Quality AND quantity can go hand in hand. This is especially true with your competition. Speaking of which, let's see what the HD channel lineup is for one of them, DirecTV, as of today:

70 - HBO HD East
71 - Showtime HD East
72 - ESPN2 HD
73 - ESPN HD
74 - Universal HD
75 - TNT HD
76 - HD Theater
78 - HDNet Movies
79 - HDNet
80 - CBS East - WCBS New York, NY
81 - CBS West - KCBS Los Angeles, CA
82 - NBC East - WNBC New York, NY
83 - NBC West - KNBC Los Angeles, CA
86 - ABC East - WABC New York, NY
87 - ABC West - KABC Los Angeles, CA
88 - FOX East - WNYW New York, NY
89 - FOX West - KTTV Los Angeles, CA
95 - Miscellaneous HD Events Channel
98 - PPV Events
99 - PPV Movies
101 - CD USA
135 - PPV Movies
136 - PPV Movies
137 - PPV Movies
138 - PPV Movies
145 - PPV Movies
146 - PPV Movies
147 - PPV Movies
202 - CNN HD
206 - ESPN HD
209 - ESPN2 HD
212 - NFL Network HD
215 - NHL Network HD
218-1 - Big Ten Network HD (Alternate)
219-1 - Big Ten Network HD (Alternate)
220 - Big Ten Network HD
229-1 - HGTV HD
231-1 - FOOD HD
242 - USA Network HD
244 - Sci Fi HD
245 - TNT HD
247 - TBS HD
248 - FX HD
255 - MGM HD
265 - A&E HD
267 - Smithsonian HD
269 - History Channel HD
273 - Bravo HD
276 - National Geographic HD
278 - Discovery HD
280 - TLC HD
282 - Animal Planet HD
284 - Science Channel HD
296 - The Cartoon Network HD
299 - Nickelodeon HD East
325 - Spike HD
327 - CMT HD
331 - MTV HD
332 - MHD
335 - VH1 HD
355 - CNBC HD+
359 - FOX Business HD
362 - Weather Channel HD
501 - HBO HD East
504 - HBO HD West
509 - HBO HD East
512 - Cinemax HD East
514 - Cinemax HD West
518 - Starz Kids and Family HD
519 - Starz Comedy HD
520 - Starz HD East
521 - Starz HD West
522 - Starz Edge HD
537 - Showtime HD East
538 - SHO TOO HD East
540 - Showtime HD West
543 - Showtime HD East
544 - The Movie Channel HD East
601 - NBA HD
604 - Versus HD / Golf Channel HD
607 - SPEED HD
612 - FUEL HD
620-1 - Comcast SportsNet New England
622 - YES
623 - New England Sports Network
625 - SportsNet New York
628-1 - FSN Pittsburgh
629 - Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic
630-1 - FSN South
631-1 - SportSouth
632-1 - Sunshine Sports
634-1 - FSN Florida
635-1 - FSN Florida/Sunshine Sports Alternate
636 - FSN Detroit
637-1 - FSN Ohio
638-1 - FSN Cincinnati
639-1 - FSN Houston Alternate
639-1 - FSN Southwest Alternate
640 - Comcast SportsNet Chicago
641-1 - FSN North
642-1 - FSN Wisconsin Alternate
643 - FSN Southwest
644-1 - Altitude
645-1 - FSN Rocky Mountain
646-1 - FSN Utah
647-1 - FSN Midwest
648-1 - FSN Midwest Alternate
649-1 - FSN Arizona
651-1 - FSN Northwest
652 - FSN West
653 - FSN Prime Ticket
654-1 - FSN Bay Area
669-1 - FSN Detroit Alternate

There will be at least one more HD channel coming by the end of November, and *20* more in mid-December, according to sources on Satguys and AVSForum, which have been reliable. What? Quite a few of these channels offer little to no HD programming? They're just starting up, give them a few months. Nothing in HD on Speed TV until February, granted. But the moment they're "hot", your competition has it. However, "Smithsonian" has very high quality programming. Some, if not many, would argue HDNet and HDNet movies do. And dare I say more about all of the movie channels?

I hate dissing anyone. I would be in "panic mode" in the TWC corporate offices right now. You don't make your money on digital phone or even Internet, you make it off of TV (porn, unfortunately), and now even more so, HDTV.

DirecTV netted 250,000 new subscribers in this past quarter. Do you not think your angry customers are among them? If you don't want to see your "churn" go through the roof over the next year, here's your final warning: HD channels. Get them. Lots of them. Or else we walk. And look up to the "birds".

As for the your official comments of "there aren't that many HDTV's", "quality over quantity", you are dangerously close to qualifying for being a star on a certain beer company's "Real Men of Genius" series. Stop it. Now! You're embarrassing yourselves.

Rant over...

[gparris]

Thanks, Gilbert, its all very (unfortunately) true about TWC.
They waited for what to happen?
While Directv and others signed contracts and got their technology together for many, many more HD channels.
What did TWC think, anyway:

A. That HDTVs wouldn't sell, meaning more HD channels as the competition now has wouldn't ever occur?
OR
B. That HDTV would somehow be a "fad" and no one would notice that it offers a greatly improved picture and sound?

Directv promised and it delivered over and over again.
TWC corporate must be shaking in the corporate "boots" with Directv's HD channel selection by now.

Yes, TWC, it IS a nightmare, for you - and it's not going to get any better.
Meanwhile, in places such as its franchise "empire" like TWC Wisconsin, they get all excited over 2 HD channels being added
-as if the other 6-9 HD channels other locations have already got, don't even exist:

Well, guess what, TWC Wisconsin: These other 6-9 HD channels do exist:OnAir:

Where the heck are they? Or is this just one of those piecemeal additions like always
(one or two at HD channel additions at a time because your bandwidth solution, after all this time, isn't fixed yet)?

Whatever happened to those other HD channels, you know, the few TWC has to offer vs. the competition, here locally in Wisconsin:
CinemaxHD
StarzHD (since you raised the rate again)
TheMovieChannel HD
MHD (MTVHD)
FoodHD
Golf/Vs.HD
LifetimeMoviesHD
History ChannelHD
&
CNNHD?
At a time when subs are running from TWC for better HD service (yes, even in Wisconsin),
are you in any way stalling the delivery of the few HD channels TWC actually offers?

Hope not.:rolleyes: