Channel currently unavailable

[Jack 1000]

Note also that the channel not available message may happen just before new channels are added.  I think that WPXE (ION-HD) is going to be added within days, as well as two new HBO-HD channels if they aren't there already HBO-Signature-HD and HBO Comedy-HD.  Has anyone seen those channels in the guide yet?

Anyway, the "Channel Not Available" doesn't bother me too much, because I can almost always time it to TWC adding new channels to the system.  Within hours (at MOST) usually minutes, the channel is back. Or I just temporarily switch to the SD version.

And sometimes if you get that message, just switch to another channel, or hit the LAST button on your remote than go back to the channel that said, "Channel Not Available."  It should be back.

However, I would call and speak to a technical operations supervisor about the poster's issue with MSNBC.  That should NOT be happening, and you IMO are getting a b.s answer from a CSR who says, "Well, sometimes we have to take away a channel when working on badwidth or whatever they said."  The only time you get that is for the brief instances described above.

My recommendation would be to consult TWC's corporate blog.  It's actually staffed by about 5 big wigs at TWC who work in technical operations.  You should browse the blog and you can leave comments for the tech team.  They also provide individual e-mail addresses where you can talk to a tech.  They can also get in contact with the local division.  Feel free to leave a comment on the blogs here:

http://www.twcableuntangled.com/

I think between getting in touch with a supervisor and the tech blog, you might be able to get some help.  I certainly would not switch providers over one channel.  But at the same time, I sympathize for having an issue with a channel for weeks at a time.  And make sure that you've gone through all the box swaps, lines, and signal strength issues with the supervisor techs.  My experience has been as long as you are polite with the supervisors, they have been very helpful.

Jack

[ddeerrff]

Well, here's my report if anyone is interested.

As for the missed appointment, they had the phone number area code on both the account and work order incorrect.    Apparently, the tech could not call us so did not show.  

The tech replaced a section of coax (old RG59, new RG6) between the entrance point outside and the splitter in the basement.  I was configured with a 2-way splitter first, one side feeding the modem, the other side feeding a 3-way splitter to the 3 TVs.  He replaced that combination with a single 4-way splitter.  

Cable modem is now showing -8 dBmV down, 51 up.  Was -5 down, 50 up so lost a bit there but still good enough.  

STB is now locked, showing FDC -9, RDC 50.  Start Over works!  A little less signal level than I'd like (I think the tech said the limit is -10) but as long as the signals were in spec he said he could not do any better.  Changing the signal level at the node, (or hub or whatever the local distribution point is called) would affect more than just my connection and he could not do that.

It appeared he was getting signal levels - or at least some kind of test data - in his truck without being actually connected to my cable.  Appeared to be a dipole antenna mounted on the right front of the vehicle.  Where would that data be coming from?  

The tech seemed a bit put off when he first arrived and I tried to explain to him what I thought the problem was.  Relaxed a bit when he recognized I really did know what a dB is.

[zoothorn]

Hey, thanks Jack. That's good info.

When I lose the channel I've tried to change channels and come back and it still doesn't kick in. I've noticed that if I go down about the next three channels they are all 'not available' usually. when I go up from 1354 I get a picture. Flipping back I still get 'not available' so it's definitely more than you describe. Eventually it comes back. Sometimes in minutes, sometimes later in the day. I've been recording and have it just stop part way through. I'm assuming that's when it suddenly went 'not available'.

The customer support supervisor was trying to explain that if they felt that you were no longer watching they channel, they stopped shipping it down they wire. To conserve precious bandwidth according to her.

I'd decided I was going to write a letter to the VP of Customer Service or something like that and, if they responded, let me hear them say this is the way this is designed to work. I will check out the blog you mentioned though.

Thanks again.

Zoot.