HDTVoice.com - High-Definition Television Talk - Charter in CT (the state of things)

jj9126

07-26-2005, 05:41 PM

Well, it's been a while since anyone posted in this thread. Charter in CT (despite adding quite a few HD channels early in the year) has not added anything in quite a while. Nor do there seem to be any changes on the horizon...

Interesting side note: Did you know that no networks other than NBC or FOX are broadcasting in HD in CT? At least that's the case according to the fine folks in Charter's call center.

God, I love their insane (yet still hillarious) evasion tactics...

Kal Rubinson

07-26-2005, 06:09 PM

jj9126

07-26-2005, 09:13 PM

Yes. I recently queried them about additional HD offerings and they replied with a lot of phumphering about plans and negotiations but gave no specifics. So, I asked if that meant "none" and they replied "yes."

Kal

Yep, that sounds like them... gotta love it.

I had hoped that we'd be getting CBS or ABC in time for the fall season - but with August right around the corner - that's looking unlikely.

Kal Rubinson

07-26-2005, 09:38 PM

I heard that ABC was next but that was last Fall.

Kal

jj9126

08-17-2005, 08:18 PM

I heard that ABC was next but that was last Fall.

Kal

What a joke. I was flipping through a friend's HD selection (via Cablevision) in Milford yesterday... good God. Both Mets & Yankees in HD -all the networks, PBS, Universal. Foxsports. In Demand in HD. Various additional movie channels, In-HD, MSG.

I was close to tears...

jj9126

09-15-2005, 09:08 PM

Well, the fall season has started and no CBS, ABC, WB or UPN. Ahhh, some things are so predictable.

Thank God I'm moving to a Cablevision town next month! 17 channels (not even counting PPV from day one). Sorry...just had to gloat!

btrain

09-20-2005, 11:53 PM

Comically, I just found something on the dpuc web site that Charter is going to add an HD channel on 10/12. And, to no one's surprise, it's....PBS?!?!?! WTF?

Kal Rubinson

09-21-2005, 12:10 AM

Comically, I just found something on the dpuc web site that Charter is going to add an HD channel on 10/12. And, to no one's surprise, it's....PBS?!?!?! WTF?

Hot dog! It's the one I would have picked.

Kal

Ratman

09-21-2005, 07:31 AM

Nothing bad about PBS...

btrain

09-29-2005, 02:34 PM

It's a step, but what about NFL Football on CBS and Lost and Invasion on ABC? Shouldn't they be able to tackle the major networks? It's getting a little ridiculous with the rest of the state sitting pretty with all the networks while we sit back and can do nothing to further things along with this.

Ratman

09-29-2005, 02:37 PM

Ah yes... and you can always look into your own receiver and an antenna. It's a 'cable thing' I guess.

Radio Shack has an OTA receiver for $89....

btrain

09-29-2005, 03:09 PM

The one nice thing Charter has going for them (and what is currently the only thing keeping me from going to the dish) is the "free" HD DVR. With the dish, you have to buy it and they are like $1000.

Also, I'm not sure if I can get the OTA signals from Hartford where I am (about 15 miles west of Waterbury). It would be nice if DirecTV would offer HD locals through the satellite.

pmalve

10-08-2005, 12:11 PM

Comically, I just found something on the dpuc web site that Charter is going to add an HD channel on 10/12. And, to no one's surprise, it's....PBS?!?!?! WTF?

where do you find the documents on the dpuc website? I used to have it as a favorite but lost it when I gat a new computer. Thanks

btrain

10-09-2005, 10:26 AM

http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/DPUCUndocketed.nsf

Then, go under CATV Tariffs. They have the most recent on top. I just checked and they are adding a couple new digital channels for December, but nothing more on the HD front. It's amazing that they can get The Tennis Channel, which I'm sure people are screaming for, but not ABC-HD or CBS-HD, which no one probably wants. :)-

pmalve

10-09-2005, 05:12 PM

kayaker

12-29-2005, 09:42 PM

Hi... first post. :) ... I'm in Connecticut on the Charter Newtown, CT system and just got my HDTV service (CableCard) on Tuesday. Surprise, surprise, Charter's HDTV lineup still sucks! Nothing has been added since PBS on 10/12. Hard to believe they don't have ABC, CBS, WB or UPN.

I've also found that they are blocking the digital audio output on one of the paltry 6 HDTV offerings that I DO get (TNT-ND). It seems that they're setting the copy protect flag on it. Simply pathetic. I'll be contacting them about it, but I bet they'll either say that they "have to" for copyright reasons or they'll say it's the TV (which I'm sure is not the case).

Kal Rubinson

12-30-2005, 11:55 AM

Not HD but Charter just notified me that they are discontinuing DMX music service in favor of their truly lame MusicChoice. As DMX was the main reason that I have not been considering satellite, I will now be off to CES to speak with DTV and Dish. Heck, if I can't get the music I want, maybe I can get something else.

Kal

emerito99

01-10-2006, 02:56 PM

How was CES Kal? Any new info on HDTV? Thanks.. Dave

Kal Rubinson

01-10-2006, 04:35 PM

How was CES Kal? Any new info on HDTV? Thanks.. Dave

A whirlwind! Aside from being impressed with the huge >100" plasmas and the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray demos, I was mostly absorbed with tracking down audio stuff. Since I am not a real videophile (tell that to my wife, please), I will probably watch how HD plays out before making any moves.

Kal

emerito99

01-10-2006, 05:24 PM

thanks for the update Kal.. Thanks,
Dave

Kal Rubinson

01-25-2006, 07:01 PM

I thought some of you might be interesting in this message I just got from Charter. It read, in part,: "I would like to confirm that you are on the waiting list to receive the SA8500 HD/DVR with an the active HDMI port. Once the inventory arrive we will be calling the customers to set up installation date."

Kal

emerito99

01-26-2006, 01:04 PM

Thanks for the info Kal - Did you go online to get put on a list for one or call them? I have to get me one of them with the HDMI connection for sure..

Thanks,
Dave

Kal Rubinson

01-26-2006, 03:35 PM

Thanks for the info Kal - Did you go online to get put on a list for one or call them?

Both!

Kal

emerito99

01-26-2006, 05:12 PM

on the list... thanks for the heads up Kal. If you know, what are some of the improvements from the SD8000 to the new SD8500?

Kal Rubinson

01-26-2006, 06:42 PM

If you know, what are some of the improvements from the SD8000 to the new SD8500?

I have no idea. All I want is a functional HDMI connection.

Kal

emerito99

01-29-2006, 08:52 PM

btrain

02-02-2006, 11:07 AM

I don't have that channel either, and I use charter out of newtown as well. They had better add it, because they have for the last 3 super bowls. But, just when you think you can expect something from them, they'll turn around and pull a fast one. who knows, to show their great customer support, maybe they'll just pull channels 7 and 8 for the day on Sunday? If only DTV or Dish would offer HD Locals in CT, I'd drop Charter like a bad habit.

kayaker

02-02-2006, 06:35 PM

Kal Rubinson

02-02-2006, 06:45 PM

Kal - Do you have ABC HD on channel 799? A person in New Fairfield states that he has ABC HD on 799 and uses Charter out of Newtown. Just wondering.. Would love to have it at least for the Super Bowl.
Thanks,
Dave
I'll check tonight. OTOH, it won't do me any good for the Super Bowl since we'll be in NYC that night.

Kal

emerito99

02-02-2006, 07:21 PM

I'm the guy (the ONLY guy?) that's getting ABC-HD via Charter/Newtown. Do you use a set-top box or CableCard? I can't think of any reason I'd get it and nobody else, unless it has to do with the fact that I'm going through a CableCard. Maybe the set-top box is blocking it because they haven't "officially" added it (?) :headscrat I'd invite you all over to my house for the Superbowl, but I'm not sure my wife would approve!

I called Charter and they said they are adding it for the Super Bowl and then taking it off. You may be correct on the blocking of it by the box.. Thats the only thing that makes sense. Most people use the cable box as oppsoed to Cable card. BTW - thank you for the invite.. I'll bring the beer and the wings from TK's :) ENJOY!

PS - keep us posted on how long you have ABC HD for out of curiousity.

-Dave

btrain

02-06-2006, 12:30 PM

Did anyone actually get the game in HD? My 799 TEST was "Not Authorized" during the game. I called the 800 number and they had no record of our system even having a 799. Interesting...

But, I have some good news! I just heard from a Charter source that WFSB-HD should be added in the next couple of days! They reached an agreement and are going to add it. I also heard that LIN Broadcasting, who owns the Hartford ABC affiliate, are making unreal demands of Charter to allow them to carry their HD signal. I think I'm going to contact LIN to see if any viewer pressure will help these negotiations. I'd recommend everyone do the same and maybe we'll get ABC-HD soon too!

emerito99

02-07-2006, 11:05 AM

BTRAIN - maybe "799 TEST" will be the future home of CBS-HD as you stated we are getting. The problem with Charter and most cable communication companies is a failure to communicate to its customer base. I was told before the Super Bowl by Charter that we would get the Super Bowl in HD and we didn't... If they had said "no your not getting the Super Bowl" I would be upset but I would have appreciated the truth. But, thats life! "We live and die by the sword"

kayaker

02-07-2006, 12:13 PM

I'm still getting ABC-HD on 799 / TEST... but I sure hope they do add CBS there. My wife's favorite show is Numbers, and it'd be great to see it in HD. Charter is supposed to notify the public utilities commission in advance of any changes and they're posted on this page: =http://http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/DPUCUndocketed.nsf/6e9beec82815c42f85256a61005a47fc?OpenView&Start=1&Count=30&Expand=1#1 . In the past, they seem to have posted the change at least 2 weeks before the effective date. I don't yet see anything about a new channel.

emerito99

02-07-2006, 01:02 PM

kayaker

02-07-2006, 03:10 PM

I just don't understand why your getting ABCHD and we are not. We are both using Charter out of Newtown. The cablecard vs cablebox shouldn't change the signal. Maybe someone who knows more about this can enlighten us on this issue.. very strange
I really should probably just shut up before they figure it out and shut me down. I really don't know but I think it HAS to be the CableCard... nothing else is different. There certainly are differences in how they work. I'm fairly certain that the set-top box and CableCard don't share the same communication standards / protocol, so the channel authorizations are sent different ways. If the authorizations are not in sync, then they could be blocking the set-top box and not blocking via CableCard (i.e. they added ABC-HD for "testing", set a "no access" code so the set-top box won't pick it up but neglected to change the corresponding CableCard authorizations). Not that I'm complaining (and I'm not bragging, either... I only watch an hour or two of network TV a week anyway). I do hope it stays, though. If your TV has an ATSC tuner, maybe you could try splitting the cable feed before the STB, and run it to the tuner input and see if you get it that way. Before they installed the CableCard, I intermittently got all kinds of pay-per-view stuff (including XXX stuff).

emerito99

02-07-2006, 04:29 PM

Thanks.. Thats probably what they did. I do have an ATSC tuner - how would I hook that up using a cable box? Do I need an antenna to pick up the signals? Sounds like I am not using the TV to its potential...

kayaker

02-07-2006, 08:25 PM

I was thinking maybe you could just split the signal going INTO the cable box... using a 1-input, 2-output coax splitter... and then run one of those outputs into your set-top cable box (that then goes into your "cable" input) and run the other output to your TV's over the air tuner (the "Antenna" input) ... but, I don't think that works and I'm a bit over my head here(I think the Antenna input is ATSC but the cable signal is QAM)... anyway, just to test, you could just try bypassing the cablebox and see if you can find ABC-HD on 799.... just speculating here.

emerito99

02-08-2006, 10:43 AM

Thanks for the info.. I don't think I can get Local HD programing over the air in New Milford. But I may try..

Kal Rubinson

02-08-2006, 01:03 PM

Thanks for the info.. I don't think I can get Local HD programing over the air in New Milford. But I may try..

Please try. Others would like to know, too. :wave:

Kal

kayaker

02-08-2006, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the info.. I don't think I can get Local HD programing over the air in New Milford. But I may try..
What I'm suggesting is to just take the cable wire that is now going from the wall into your set top box... and connect it directly to your TV's Input and see what channels you get. If you get channel 799, then it's the set-top-box that is blocking it. Before I got my CableCard, I did that and got all kinds of stuff... but what I did NOT get was all of the encrypted digital stations... If they're passing ABC-HD "in the clear" it may show up. That would at least prove something.

JJS0122

02-08-2006, 06:12 PM

New to the forum- have Charter HDTV out of Newtown as well. I just checked the CT DPUC website. Per Charter's latest filing, WFSB-DT (on Ch. 783) and Universal HD (on Ch. 795) are slated to go live on Friday 2/10! Great news. Charter is definately behind some of the other companies though (both Comcast & Cablevision have the four major networks + WB in HD). I understand that some of the other cable co's are having the same trouble w/ negotiating WTNH-DT (e.g. Cox). Wonder if Charter can negotiate for & pull in the WABC-DT signal instead (I beleive this is what both Comcast and Cablevision are using)..part of the Charter Newtown system is in Fairfield County which is the NY City DMA and not the New Haven/Hartford DMA. BTW, I also get an "unauthorized" message on "Test" Channel 799 and have a HD Box from Charter.

kayaker

02-09-2006, 11:15 AM

I got a scare last night when I turned on my TV and didn't get any channels above channel 99. I immediately figured somebody from Charter was watching my posts here and thought they'd pay me back for discussing how ABC-HD seems to be unencrypted and comes in via CableCard. I called Charter Customer service and they said everything looked OK, so I thought I'd try pulling out the CableCard and putting it back in. I did that and everything went back to normal. :) ... Looking at my PC last night, I noticed that we had a brief power outage (my PC has a "UPS backup" battery), so I guess that screwed up the TV/CableCard.

Getting CBS is great news! FINALLY! After I got the TV cranked back up, I noticed I'm now getting Universal-HD on two channels: 795 (where it's supposed to go - marked as "UNIHD") and also on 798 (marked as NBCU).... but no CBS yet.

Kal Rubinson

02-09-2006, 11:42 AM

Wonder if Charter can negotiate for & pull in the WABC-DT signal instead (I beleive this is what both Comcast and Cablevision are using)..part of the Charter Newtown system is in Fairfield County which is the NY City DMA and not the New Haven/Hartford DMA.

That would be ideal for us weekenders who never watch local CT news. :)

Kal

upset264

02-10-2006, 11:24 AM

I'm in Woodbury and I get WTNH HD with a $30 Radio shack indoor antenna. That might be an option for you.

Kal Rubinson

02-10-2006, 12:27 PM

I'm in Woodbury and I get WTNH HD with a $30 Radio shack indoor antenna. That might be an option for you.
Assuming one has a tuner...............................

Kal

luna

02-18-2006, 09:05 AM

I am a Charter HD subscriber (set top SA 3250 HD box) located in Harwinton and just discovered this site and forum. I've read the posts and have a couple of questions. An earlier post mentioned the DPUC web site and information about Charter there but I have not been able to find the info on the web site. Two channels listed on my guide TNTHD ( 797) and UNIHD ( 795) appear to not be available to me. I get the "Not Authorized" screen when I try and access them. After reading the posts it seems that they are being received by some subscribers at least. Are these channels only available in certain parts of CT from Charter ? Thanks in advance for any info.

luna

02-18-2006, 03:30 PM

I Called Charter and found out that I had to subscribe to these two and ESPNHD and DISHD for an additional $3.99 a month.

Kal Rubinson

02-18-2006, 08:11 PM

IMHO, DiscoveryHD is worth it and the rest is free.

Kal

luna

02-19-2006, 08:22 AM

Haven't had a lot of time to check out Discovery much yet. But for me it's worth it just to get good sound from TNT for the Nascar Busch series races they have on. The standard TNT channel sound has no channel seperation to speak of here and the DD 5.1 on the HD channel is great. TV sound has come such a long way since the mid 70's and early 80's when I was selling some really good HiFi equipment here in CT and didn't own a TV for several years that I have trouble watching anything that doesn't have good audio. I wish SciFi channel would move up into the digital domain of our channels just to improve the sound quality. It's another channel that could really benefit from surround and on my Charter cable here it also has no seperation.

pmalve

02-19-2006, 02:52 PM

luna,

Some of the scifi channel shows are shown on UniversalHD in dd5.1. I think we are keeping the channel after the olympics but can't be sure. Some cable systems are only getting UniversalHD for the olympics. Time will tell. Happy they added WFSB. Went out and got bigger harddrive for recording now that we actually have some Hd channels. There are actually times that i have 2 HD shows at once to record.

kayaker

02-28-2006, 11:46 PM

Anybody else having trouble with dropouts on WEDW (CPTV / PBS), on channnel 782? I'm receiving via CableCard and have been having trouble for the past 2 weeks or so (freezing picture, sound dropping out, gross pixelation, etc.). I only have a problem with this one channel, though... all the others are fine. When the cable guy installed the CableCard (about 2 months ago), he said my cable feed had good signal strength.

pmalve

03-03-2006, 07:09 PM

Its the same over the air too.

kayaker

03-04-2006, 03:07 PM

Its the same over the air too.
Thanks for the response. I was beginning to think it was my TV. Last night was the first night in 2 weeks that it seemed to come in OK. Maybe they're getting it straightened out.

BillY2KFRC

03-21-2006, 01:35 AM

I just moved to Monroe and got the Charter HD setup with the SA8300hd box. Overall I like it but have a couple questions:

1. Is there an HD PPV or HD On Demand channel? My friend with Optimum in Fairfield has both of those, plus a ton more HD channels, it seems like we're getting the short stick with Charter. Only thing I have up on him is Discovery HD.

2. Does anybody know what HD channels we will be getting next? I know Charter shows HDnet and HDnet Movies on their website, but for some reason we don't get them in our area. Plus I think it's odd we don't get ABC HD.

Just getting a little frustrated wishing I had more HD content to flip through. Watching SD 8 feet from a 60" HDTV is not fun. :)

pmalve

04-04-2006, 08:23 PM

YES HD added 04/04/06 in western CT systems.

Kal Rubinson

04-04-2006, 10:54 PM

YES HD added 04/04/06 in western CT systems.
Really? I go to CT on weekends and still cannot get rid of those Yankees! :headb:

Kal

BillY2KFRC

04-05-2006, 01:09 PM

YES HD added 04/04/06 in western CT systems.

Do you know what channel, I can't find it in my guide? thanks

pmalve

04-05-2006, 07:20 PM

According to form Charter filed with state Dpuc it is supposed to be on channel 772. I don't see it either. It was supposed to start yesterday along with THe horse racing channel on channel 321. Horse raciing channel is there but yeshd isn't. Also had a message on answering machine from Charter announcing channel. Called Charter amd they have no clue.

pmalve

04-06-2006, 10:38 PM

It's on today

BillY2KFRC

04-07-2006, 10:18 AM

It's on today

Yup, I've got it too. Thanks for the heads-up. :cheers: Please keep us updated when you hear about more new channels. :thankyou3

emerito99

04-10-2006, 05:52 PM

I have YESHD, however it says "OFF AIR" - blank screen.. Anyone have this problem?

BillY2KFRC

04-10-2006, 06:06 PM

Same here. I looked forward into the guide and it only shows programming for a few MLB and NBA games. I wonder if that's just how YES HD normally is or if we simply don't get the full channel?

Kal Rubinson

04-10-2006, 06:43 PM

I have YESHD, however it says "OFF AIR" - blank screen.. Anyone have this problem?
No. "OFF AIR" for them is just fine with me. :whistle:

Kal

emerito99

04-11-2006, 07:41 AM

A Sox fan Kal must be...

Kal Rubinson

04-11-2006, 10:27 AM

A Sox fan Kal must be...
Nope. Anti-Yankee (and I don't care about any other team either).

By way of explanation, I am not interested in baseball at all but Yankee Stadium sits as a traffic impediment in my weekend commute to and from CT. And the home opener is today! :rmoon2:

Kal

kayaker

04-11-2006, 12:50 PM

I have YESHD, however it says "OFF AIR" - blank screen.. Anyone have this problem?
Same here.. I came back from a business trip and went to check it out for the first time, last night. The channel says "YESHD", but just a blank screen. I checked around 9pm last night.

p.s. I'm the guy that was getting ABC-HD on 799 for the past 3 months, via CableCard. Last night it was gone too. :mecry:

BillY2KFRC

04-11-2006, 01:50 PM

kayaker,

I wonder if this means they're going to add ABC HD for real soon? It's so stupid that they don't carry ABC and WB HD.

kayaker

04-11-2006, 04:03 PM

kayaker,

I wonder if this means they're going to add ABC HD for real soon? It's so stupid that they don't carry ABC and WB HD.

I would hope... but I doubt it. I got ABC-HD on 799 (with the channel ID showing "TEST") right before the Super Bowl... so I think they were considering granting access for that one special event as they had done in previous years. They ended up NOT activating the channel for the Super Bowl for set-top-box users, but I think they accidentally left it open via CableCard (different security protocols, I think). SO... my guess is that, when adding YESHD to the CableCard security profile (or whatever it's called) they noticed that ABCHD was in there and disabled it. :boo2:

pmalve

04-17-2006, 09:34 PM

Charter added SNY Mets channel over the weekend on channel 42. No HD channel though.

emerito99

04-20-2006, 03:55 PM

anybody getting the Yankees on YESHD? I get some nets games but no Yanks.. Always says "OFF AIR"

kayaker

04-20-2006, 05:14 PM

anybody getting the Yankees on YESHD? I get some nets games but no Yanks.. Always says "OFF AIR"
Hi Emerito,
I don't normally watch them... but the website says they're broadcasting all the home games in HD, and 34 of the away games in HD (with the first one listed being on May 1st). They only had 3 home games so far (a 3 day series with KC on April 12-14), and I didn't look then. Next home game is this Saturday night, against the Orioles, 7:05pm. Here are the away games they have listed to be broadcasted in HD:

DATE / OPPONENT / TIME
May 1 Boston Red Sox 7:05 p.m.
May 2 Boston Red Sox 7:05 p.m.
May 22 Boston Red Sox 7:05 p.m.
May 23 Boston Red Sox 7:05 p.m.
May 24 Boston Red Sox 7:05 p.m.
June 2 Baltimore Orioles 7:05 p.m.
June 3 Baltimore Orioles 4:35 p.m.
June 4 Baltimore Orioles 1:35 p.m.
June 18 Washington Nationals 1:05 p.m.
June 21 Philadephia Phillies 7:05 p.m.
June 22 Philadelphia Phillies 7:05 p.m.
July 3 Cleveland Indians 7:05 p.m.
July 4 Cleveland Indians 6:05 p.m.
July 5 Cleveland Indians 7:05 p.m.
July 6 Cleveland Indians 7:05 p.m.
July 7 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7:15 p.m.
July 8 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7:15 p.m.
July 9 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1:15 p.m.
July 20 Toronto Blue Jays 7:05 p.m.
July 22 Toronto Blue Jays 4:05 p.m.
July 23 Toronto Blue Jays 1:05 p.m.
August 4 Baltimore Orioles 7:05 p.m.
August 5 Baltimore Orioles 4:35 p.m.
August 6 Baltimore Orioles 1:35 p.m.
August 8 Chicago White Sox 8:05 p.m.
August 9 Chicago White Sox 8:05 p.m.
August 10 Chicago White Sox 8:05 p.m.
August 21 Boston Red Sox 1:05 p.m.
September 9 Baltimore Orioles 4:35 p.m.
September 10 Baltimore Orioles 1:35 p.m.
September 11 Baltimore Orioles 7:05 p.m.
September 18 Toronto Blue Jays 7:05 p.m.
September 19 Toronto Blue Jays 7:05 p.m.
September 20 Toronto Blue Jays 7:05 p.m.

emerito99

04-21-2006, 10:06 AM

Thanks a bunch!

kayaker

04-21-2006, 01:45 PM

Oops, just a correction... that next home game is TONIGHT, Friday night... not Saturday night. I'll try to remember to look for it on channel 772.

kayaker

04-21-2006, 08:20 PM

:headscrat Hmmm... No game YES-HD channel 772 OR on standard def YES on channel 39. I think it's something to do with blackout restrictions, but I don't know. Seems stupid, though.... having a "Yankees" channel then blacking out the YANKEES games.

pmalve

04-23-2006, 02:02 PM

Game was on UPN. YESHD had Saturdays game.

cg1200

08-19-2006, 09:14 PM

Has anyone heard anything about the status of ABC-HD? ABC is supposedly showing all Sat night college football games in HD this year. When the hell is Charter going to add this to their system? it is truly disgraceful that they do not have this yet. What are they waiting for? How much more could it possibly add to my already very high cable bill? Anyone know anything? Thanks.