Comcast Puts the Screws To HDTV

[safan80]

http://slashdot.org/articles/08/03/30/2113218.shtml

"Comcast, like every video distributor, compresses its digital video signals. But to fit in more HDTV channels, Comcast is squeezing some signals more than others. The cable operator claims it is using improved compression techniques, so that most subscribers won't see any drop-off in picture quality. But A/V buff Ken Fowler claims the differences between some of Comcast's more highly compressed channels and Verizon's FiOS TV are indeed noticeable. He's posted his comparative test results on AVSForum.com — and the results are not pretty."

[Speederlander]

I'm sorry but I kind have to call bull****...

Comcast
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/MHD/Red%20Hot%20Chili%20Peppers%20Live%20in%20Milan/540/Comcast-MHD-RedHotChiliPeppersLi-1.png


No way are Comcast HD pictures looking like that as part of normal viewing. I mean seriously. That looks like someone went in and pixelated that using photoshop.

Yeah, I will buy some picture quality loss, but that's ridiculous, even for Comcast evil as they may be.

[bluehaze]

They do when you take a still frame, I am not sure how the compression works but I asume it alters pixels in that in each individual frame not all pixels are rendered but when 24 frames per second are rendered the loss of pixels is not as noticeable.

Try it yourself, hit the pause button on your Comcast remote and compare the pictures. It looks very similiar to the service i get from Comcast...kind of makes buying a 1080p TV pointless :(

[003]

I'm sorry but I kind have to call bull****...

Comcast
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/MHD/Red%20Hot%20Chili%20Peppers%20Live%20in%20Milan/540/Comcast-MHD-RedHotChiliPeppersLi-1.png


No way are Comcast HD pictures looking like that as part of normal viewing. I mean seriously. That looks like someone went in and pixelated that using photoshop.

Yeah, I will buy some picture quality loss, but that's ridiculous, even for Comcast evil as they may be.

We unfortunately have comcast HD cable on an HD LCD, yes it does look like that.

[Kunaak]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008271

since HD is a digital signal, it is very possible that if you reduce the bit rate enough, that will happen.
its clear, that the HD compression they are using is too much for high action, or high contrast scenes.

HD isnt perfect.
having HD myself, theres been times where I see it and notice pixelation can get pretty bad sometimes.

however, with comcast, it certainly looks like your getting screwed if your actually paying for a HD package with them.

[IcY18]

It doesn't matter if it's HD or non-HD, i've had that problem happen where the picture pixelates like that. It seems like it's from a signal drop or other issue but it is only fairly common when changing a channel or starting up an On-Demand movie. To say that is the typical quality of the picture is BS though.

[003]

It is for us. It dosen't look as bad on the TV though, because it is on a much higher resolution screen when viewed on a computer monitor like this.

[Kayin]

Looks like my tv too. Glad I just watch movies OnDemand or on DVD upconverted.

[MuffinFlavored]

Wow.
I was always interested in how, with all these high definition televisions, the cable for them performed.

Verizion FiOS seems amazing.
If it expanded more, it could hold a monopoly over fast internet and high definition cable.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/MHD/Red%20Hot%20Chili%20Peppers%20Live%20in%20Milan/540/FiOS-MHD-RedHotChiliPeppersLiveinMi.png

[Nicksterr]

I have Charter HD cable, and gotta say it's pretty good. I've noticed some pixelation on ESPN or ABC live NCAA/NBA broadcasts, but other than that, the picture quality is REALLY good.

I have the MTVHD channel shown above and it looks crystal-clear 24/7.

Sucks for Comcast customers.

[Reznik Akime]

I normally don't wish doom upon corporations because it can affect the market as a whole, but Comcast needs to get slapped down something fierce here. Simply absurd.

[Decami]

comcast can die, so can time warner, they seriously just need to change the company completely, or leave us alone.

DTV here. Am also a DTV sub contractor.

[nr2134]

I actually noticed MHD looking like crap couple days ago, but thought it was just a bad day.

[Bobsama]

So what's wrong with Time Warner?

[Yoxxy]

After speaking with Comcast last week about this same problem. They said it is only temporary and only in some markets. By the end of April they claim that they are moving approximately 10 analog channels to the digital tier. This will free up room for another 20 HD channels in each market and they will moving back to 2 channels per 38 mbit QAM. It is not a bandwidth problem per se. It is a problem with people that are only watching analog channels. At a certain point analog TV needs to go the way of the wind.

[Grafton]

After speaking with Comcast last week about this same problem. They said it is only temporary and only in some markets. By the end of April they claim that they are moving approximately 10 analog channels to the digital tier. This will free up room for another 20 HD channels in each market and they will moving back to 2 channels per 38 mbit QAM. It is not a bandwidth problem per se. It is a problem with people that are only watching analog channels. At a certain point analog TV needs to go the way of the wind.

aitto all the way analog tv ftl

[XS Janus]

HD without a decent bit rate is no HD!

[jas420221]

NONE of my Comcast HD channels look anything like that ever.

42" 1080p LCD.

[xb1az3x]

comcast can die, so can time warner, they seriously just need to change the company completely, or leave us alone.

DTV here. Am also a DTV sub contractor.

Doesn't DTV have even worse problems with HD signals? I wouldn't think they have anywhere near the bandwidth of cable.

Anyway, I have no idea where this guy is getting his screen shots from. I have a 55" 1080P RPTV(Sony A3000) and I do not see anywhere near this bad a signal with Comcast. If Verizon FIOS was in my area though I would switch immediately.

[vengance_01]

WE have comcast, and my picture looks fantastic. Seriously thought I am not picky, but everything looks clear, and good.

[coo-coo-clocker]

We made the switch from Comcast over to FIOS.
HD picture quality wasn't that much improved, but we have noticed much fewer slow-downs/pixellation with FIOS. Also the on-demand and guide response times completely put Comcast to shame. The Internet service is also much better (speed-wise...reliability seems about the same - I think both were actually quite stable.).

[G4h4o8s6T]

NONE of my Comcast HD channels look anything like that ever.

42" 1080p LCD.
+1 None of my HD channels have ever looked anywhere near that bad
We made the switch from Comcast over to FIOS.
HD picture quality wasn't that much improved, but we have noticed much fewer slow-downs/pixellation with FIOS. Also the on-demand and guide response times completely put Comcast to shame. The Internet service is also much better (speed-wise...reliability seems about the same - I think both were actually quite stable.).Hows the FIOS HD channel lineup compared to Comcast?? About the same # of channels, or more?

[need bb]

This is nothing new! Satellite companies have been doing this for year!

[Bail_w]

Direct TV FTW!!!

[XS Janus]

The guy said he recorded both programs for comparison.
How does this affect the original picture broadcast?
What he used as a recorder, how does it compress the recordings?
Any ideas?

[jas420221]

My DVR copies it very well. There isnt any loss that I can see on playback. It certainly is not the crap that was posted earlier.

[Kingcarcas]

LOL DTV looked like that so i wouldn't doubt that Comcast looks that horrid. DTV has gotten better since their switch to MPEG4, but i still notice some macroblocking.

[Decami]

So what's wrong with Time Warner?

their internet is unreliable, their customer service is crap, they lie to you about specials and free months to only suck you in and charge you later, they make areas sign contracts for exclusivity and have lawyers write up contracts on rules of satellite installation in that area which is basically a huge thing saying you cant do it, not exactly saying you cant, but creating so many rules in which to use it that it makes it completely impossible. Other things as well, just what I could think of atm.

[Decami]

Doesn't DTV have even worse problems with HD signals? I wouldn't think they have anywhere near the bandwidth of cable.

Anyway, I have no idea where this guy is getting his screen shots from. I have a 55" 1080P RPTV(Sony A3000) and I do not see anywhere near this bad a signal with Comcast. If Verizon FIOS was in my area though I would switch immediately.

Not at all actually, since MPEG-4 as stated above, the only real problem atm with direct tv is delay. For instance I installed some DTV HD in a bar recently, but on the corner of the bar they still had cable hooked up (incase a huge storm or something they have backup) When they put a football game on all the tvs one side of the bar will cheer on a good play (cable) 7 seconds later the other side will cheer, kinda funny actually.

Made me think, maybe i should hide a tv with cable in my kitchen, hook DTV up in the living room, and invite friends over to watch sports and go into the kitchen and come into the living room and make quick bets.

[i found nemo]

lmao!

[Lestat]

i am seriously thinking about switching to DirectTV cuz of the huge HD package(s)

my cable company is mediacom and they suck something fierce, even their regular cable is absolute sh|t.

we have a GRAND total of 6 non movie channel hd channels and NONE of them are worth a crap. its probably 4 channels of garbage and 2 channels worth having, which most of the time they show crap too.

they just now got TNT HD which never shows anything but Law and Order, which is annoying as hell.

I have heard NOTHING BUT horrible stories about direct TV when it comes to post install support.
that is something i can not stand. when i call i want polite service people who take care of me. which from everything i know, DirectTV is the worst.

[Brother Esau]

You know they say that you're Brain is more Active when you are sleeping then when watching Television :eek: Thats 100% True and has been stated for many years now! This is the reason I really don't watch allot of T.V its really bad for you and entirely to suggestive and all they do is try to convince you to buy stuff and influence your decision making:down: Strickly HD Internet Porno for me:slapass: :hump: :D

[Bobsama]

their internet is unreliable, their customer service is crap, they lie to you about specials and free months to only suck you in and charge you later, they make areas sign contracts for exclusivity and have lawyers write up contracts on rules of satellite installation in that area which is basically a huge thing saying you cant do it, not exactly saying you cant, but creating so many rules in which to use it that it makes it completely impossible. Other things as well, just what I could think of atm.

I'll address the first point you tried to make--more because I don't actually watch TV. As in--I might watch TV a few hours a week. Most of the time I just ignore TV, since it's the same BS every day. I doubt your unreliable comment--to say the least, I've not had an internet outage in quite a few months. Yeah they happen, but closer investigation (and family working for their cable division) reveals that most outages are due to a car accident somewhere. As for the specials and free months, never trust any offers like that. I say the same for TW as I say for Verizon--as they're the other provider around where I live. As for a contract--I've not heard of contracts to the consumer, unlike Verizon requiring contracts. I've not seen or heard of any rules you posted about.

BTW--I talk about Time Warner and Verizon since they're the local cable providers.

[fiskov]

Just curious here, how many HD channels are avaliable in the U.S? And whats the premium for those HD channels?
In the UK we have 12 avaliable for ($20) As it comes through a satellite its never Blu-Ray Quality, True HD.

[coo-coo-clocker]

Hows the FIOS HD channel lineup compared to Comcast?? About the same # of channels, or more?
At the time we switched, the FIOS HD lineup was quite a bit better, I haven't checked comcast lately, but here's the FIOS lineup in our area:
TNT HDTV 825
NFL Network HDTV 828
HD Net 833
HD Net Movies 834
Universal HDTV 835
HD Theater 836
Wealth TV HDTV 837
National Geographic Channel HD 838
MHD 839
Food Network HD 840
HGTV HD 841
A&E HD 842
Lifetime Movie Network HD 845
Discovery HD 846
ESPN HD 826
ESPN2 HD 827
Plus all the HD broadcast channels NBC, FOX, PBS, etc.

Edit:
For comparison's sake, here's the comcast HD lineup in my area:
210 ABC HD
211 NBC HD
212 CBS HD
213 FOX HD
214 CW HD
220 PBS HD
223 A&E HD
225 HD Theater
226 MOJO
227 MHD
229 HGTV HD
231 Food Network HD
232 TBS HD
246 NFL HD
249 TNT HD
250 Universal HD
252 ESPN HD
254 Versus/Golf Channel HD

They look about the same. Of course, both also carry premium HD channels like HBO, Starz, etc.

[An0nym0us88]

Guys... Comcast is not as bad as Northland Cable Television. NCTV is the worst cable company in the America, I can promise you that. They taken advantage of their Customers by collecting alot more money like HDTV/DVR for $64.99 with only 7 HD Channels, 3mps/256kps for $52.99, and if you like 6mps/1mps then it would cost you $139.99!!!!!! I am freaking serious. I think their Servers also outdated too and one of the cool technician there said they're 10 years behind. They're the worst and we're living in a 60K people town and one of the fastest growing city in Texas so look how bad that is. I'm very much waiting for Suddenlink out here for more HDTV Channels like 30 they have I think.

I'm getting sick of Northland Cable Televisions. :mad: Verizon FIOS needs to be out here for Fiber-To-The-Home.