new hd channels maybe

[gparris]

First I tried to get Sci-Fi HD, then StarzHD, then Animal Planet HD and some of the many new HD channels and all I got was "Not available, try later" and when I hit the A button to restore, it was useless.:bang:

Then they came back on again, as if some idiot engineer flipped a switch and gave it back again.

TWC, are you messing with us with your SDV tonight, attempting to add more HD channels while screwing with newer additions?
-But it was with HDNET, too, something TWC has had for years, so something is going on, I wonder what?

[Jack 1000]

Not a dumb question at all. I'm not sure exactly where Sage gets guide data (though you do have to input your zip code and service provider), but before the last couple rounds of channel additions the new channels were showing up in my HTPC guide before they showed up on my cable box, first without any program data for a few days, then with program data, and then a few days later the channels went live and showed up on my cable box. So it appears that TWC is turning something on before the channels actually go live, and at least the last couple times this gave a "sneak preview" of what was coming.

Thanks!

Let's watch for Chiller.  That's the new channel that I am most interested in!

They said in January, but no exact date was given.  

What I don't like is having to "play detective" with new channels or updates.  Why can't TWC put a newsletter or something in the mail with the monthly statement?  Even their Answers on Demand is now a part of Wisconsin on Demand, but hasn't been updated for months! (Channel 1111)  They used to say in the bill when channels were coming out.   Than it was "Check our website or legal notices for channel changes."  That's crap.  And though it may seem strange to us, not everyone in the world has a computer but might still want to know when new channels are coming out or when changes are scheduled to take place.

There is absolutely no excuse for the type of poor communication from this company. For example with the latest Viacom/TWC channel debacle, I did not know about the contract retransmision issues going down to the wire until THE DAY BEFORE THE DEADLINE!  I know there was info on the site for 30 days, but how many people just think things will work themselves out?  If you have a retransmission issue, and are in the process of trying to renegotiate a contract, give the customer a good 60 days notice of what's going on.  That's just common courtesy and good business.  We should contact TWC and work on their management team to put out a newsletter for subs with regard to upcoming changes.  This example should be followed by ANY CABLE, DISH, U-VERSE, or other form of TV networking.

I mean, is it so hard to put a newsletter in the mail, or put something on the On-Demand Channels regarding new services and updates?

Jack

[wireblsam]

First I tried to get Sci-Fi HD, then StarzHD, then Animal Planet HD and some of the many new HD channels and all I got was "Not available, try later" and when I hit the A button to restore, it was useless.:bang:

Then they came back on again, as if some idiot engineer flipped a switch and gave it back again.

TWC, are you messing with us with your SDV tonight, attempting to add more HD channels while screwing with newer additions?
-But it was with HDNET, too, something TWC has had for years, so something is going on, I wonder what?

I have had this problem for the last 2 months periodically, and have had Time Warner out 3 times.  Primetime on Friday I had 9 channels at one time that would not come in.  45 minutes later it was 8 channels, but only 3 from before and 5 new ones.  

I know it doesn't help at all, but you are not going crazy, and it's not just you.

[Danno321]

I mean, is it so hard to put a newsletter in the mail, or put something on the On-Demand Channels regarding new services and updates?

Jack

Because they are a lazy monopoly?  Just like the USSR: will give you bread whenever.  Looks like Dish is the way to go now.

[Jack 1000]

By doing the "New Channel" test, (page 6 of my post in this thread)  we have Chiller (SD) joining Bravo (HD) and CNBC (HD) now on the launch pad.  Most likely, everything will happen at once:

Those three channels added.

Also We and Oxygen swapping channels.  HSN moving to channel 97 in Milwaukee, (to 96 in other areas)

Keep watching for changes.

Jack

[gparris]

Yes, it is been some time since we got new HD channels and about the same period of time since the CNBCHD and BravoHD channels have been in test mode, too.

-I Wonder when these will appear, along with Weather Channel HD and Planet Green HD and the others mentioned (in their website about not getting them with cablecards/no tuning adapter).:huh?:

[ckkopenski]

FWIW and to continue beating on this very dead horse, any SDV channels, HD or otherwise remain very spotty for me. I would say it works around 50-60% of the time. I have had them out twice in the last two months. The last time, they all worked for about 3 days before falling back to spotty.

MLB Network debuted on 1/1. I have been able to watch it maybe 2 hours since then. I have completely given up trying to do Series Recordings on any HD version of an SD channel. I had to switch everything back to SD so I didn't have a recording log full of NOT RECORDED DUE TO CHANNEL NOT BEING AVAILABLE.

I have never witnessed a rollout of technology as FUBAR as this. I have no options at this point. I do not have a clear shot to the southern sky and U-verse is not green in my area yet.

I'm about to hand my boxes back in and just record via the two TiVo's I have in the bedrooms.....connected to plain old cable!! :eek:

Sucks to be us.

[EmuZombie]

Chiller (SD) is now available on 1836 for me.  BravoHD and CNBCHD still unavailable :bang:

[Jack 1000]

Chiller (SD) is now available on 1836 for me.  BravoHD and CNBCHD still unavailable :bang:

Same story here.  Thanks for the update!

Jack

[EmuZombie]

More recent update.  BravoHD, CNBCHD, and Chiller (SD) all now available at 1836, 1837, and 1838 for me.    :guitar:

Yay for Top Chef in true 16x9.  (Unfortunately, it is not recorded in HD)

Hopefully We'll be able to watch these channels when we want and not when TWC SDV decides to let us.

[Jack 1000]

More recent update.  BravoHD, CNBCHD, and Chiller (SD) all now available at 1836, 1837, and 1838 for me.    :guitar:

Yay for Top Chef in true 16x9.  (Unfortunately, it is not recorded in HD)

Hopefully We'll be able to watch these channels when we want and not when TWC SDV decides to let us.

Correct,

And hopefully TWC will keep those test channels accessible to viewers until they show up in the guide grid with official assigned channel numbers.

The new big channel is Chiller which is on test station 1836.  What I noticed is that you CAN go to the keyboard to search for Chiller programs even though the station has not been "officially added" (i.e added to the grid) yet.  There's a way you can find out programs for Chiller during this test phase.  (Note that TWC MUST have SDV test channels activated during this process for it to work.)

1.) Go to Chiller on 1836

2.) Press INFO on your Remote

3.) Now, use the right-arrow key to browse for programs at other times of the day on Chiller.

4.) Once you find a program on Chiller using Info, exit out and than if you press B to bring up the keyboard and type the name of the show on Chiller, it does show up in the Find Shows category.

4b.) DVR USERS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECORD FUTURE SHOWS ON CHILLER OR ANY TEST STATION IF THE VIDEO FOR THAT STATION IS PRESENT. (BUT NOTE THAT I HAVE NOT RECORDED ANY TEST STATIONS IN THE 1830'S RANGE YET.)

I don't know if test stations are searchable when browsing by other categories such as THEME.  I give TWC kudos for making the station available before the official launch date or grid channel number is assigned.  No date has been given for it to appear in the grid, but it should be soon.

Jack

[Jack 1000]

Update:

SDV and coming soon channels in the 1830's range WHO'S VIDEO IS ACTIVATED are accessible through Navigator Category Searches as well as Title Searches.

Navigator:  Hit B button (Find Shows) and Category Search.  The movie that I was looking for on test channel 1836 (Chiller-SD) was available WITH recording options.  (I did a THEME search, than Selected Movies, than Selected Horror.)  I  set up this test channel to record.  Will try to post back tonight to tell you guys whether or not it worked.

Remember, the channels are not "official" until they show up in the IPG time grid.  But if the 1830's test range remains active for "Coming Soon" channels, I LOVE IT!

Have you guys watched any of the test mode channels in the 1830's range?  Any problems with pixiation or audio dropouts?

Jack

[Danno321]

Chiller (SD) is now available on 1836 for me.  BravoHD and CNBCHD still unavailable :bang:

I don't have any of the 3 yet!  :mad:

[Danno321]

Update:

SDV and coming soon channels in the 1830's range WHO'S VIDEO IS ACTIVATED are accessible through Navigator Category Searches as well as Title Searches.

Navigator:  Hit B button (Find Shows) and Category Search.  The movie that I was looking for on test channel 1836 (Chiller-SD) was available WITH recording options.  (I did a THEME search, than Selected Movies, than Selected Horror.)  I  set up this test channel to record.  Will try to post back tonight to tell you guys whether or not it worked.

Remember, the channels are not "official" until they show up in the IPG time grid.  But if the 1830's test range remains active for "Coming Soon" channels, I LOVE IT!

Have you guys watched any of the test mode channels in the 1830's range?  Any problems with pixiation or audio dropouts?

Jack

How do I find the test channels?  Where is "Coming Soon"?

[klwillis45]

1836, 1837, & 1838 are all coming in for me tontite. They aren't in the guide but you can manually tune.