jeffscott
join:2008-08-19
Atlanta, GA | [HD] Comcast "world of more" Atlanta
Anyone with an update on Comcast's HD expansion in the CITY of Atlanta?...they seem to be upgrading in surrounding areas but not in the city limits...this expansion seems to be taking f..o..r..e..v..e..r... |
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cracker 52
join:2007-01-23
Atlanta, GA
1 edit | Although I'm not in the city of Atlanta proper, I'm fairly close in North Dekalb county, just south of the Perimeter Mall (zip 30319). The transition date in my area was on 10/20 and I got the full slate of HD channels on 10/22. My area has had U-Verse since November of last year.
My father's area, near Lakeside High school (zip 30345), also had the same transition date, but he still has yet to get the new HD channels as of yesterday. His area still doesn't have U-Verse.
The original transition date for both of us was on 9/15. We both received mailings about the transitions and the requirement of DTA/STB boxes to get channels 30-78 after the transition date.
From postings in AVS forum (Comcast Atlanta thread), the transitions and additions of new HD channels always took longer than announced dates. But in my case, the new HD channels came much quicker (2 dqys) than what I've seen from others.
I can certainly understand your exasperation, as Comcast has been very slow to react to the arrival of U-Verse as well as adapting to new technologies. But once the new features do arrive (D3 and new HD channels), Comcast finally has a great service that's competitive.
I would call CSR to see when the transition date is scheduled to occur in your area. (If you encounter a CSR who gives you vague/general response, try calling another. Some are indifferent, but others do try to get answers.) If you received notification in the mail, then at least that's a start. If not, then you probably won't get the new HD channels until early next year, based on the slow pace ongoing now.
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joelkirzner
@bellsouth.net
| Hey there,
Yes, this whole upgrade to the "world of more" is painfully slow. I'm in Toco Hills in unincorporated dekalb 30329 (Lavista Rd near N. Druid) and my area is not yet upgraded. I was excited for the October 20th date after receiving the numerous "we're delaying the digital transition" leters and I thought that would be the upgrade date. Nope. I've called several CSR's and some are vague while others told me that it will be closer to the end of this year/early 2010 for the upgrade. 
I have a media center pc with a digital cable card tuner so I manually changed my guide to atlanta's world of more lineup. There are over 100 HD channels in the new lineup, so it's definitely going to be a nice upgrade if it ever freakin happens! |
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darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
| said by joelkirzner :
I have a media center pc with a digital cable card tuner so I manually changed my guide to atlanta's world of more lineup. There are over 100 HD channels in the new lineup, so it's definitely going to be a nice upgrade if it ever freakin happens!
Once it does come, enjoy while it lasts because everything but the locals will be encrypted eventually so without a CableCARD, you'll be out of luck. |
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jeffscott
join:2008-08-19
Atlanta, GA | I've emailed Comcast c/s...which I'm sure will be answered with a vague reply, as mentioned...I've considered U-Verse but delaying due to the hassle factor..but it's looking more attractive all the time... |
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joelkirzner
join:2009-11-05
Atlanta, GA
1 edit | reply to darcilicious
I already have a cable card from comcast inside my ATI Digital Cable Card Tuner allowing me to receive all channels--HD, premiums, anything I subscribe to. This is the only digital cable card tuner device available right now for Media Center PCs. Other cable card tuners for pcs are going to be coming out soon. The only downside is that it is not 2-way, so no on-demand, but I rarely use that feature. I just record my shows.
This is the ideal setup for a much better dvr/guide/tv interface. Comcast guides/dvrs frankly suck the big one IMHO. Plus, with a media center pc, you're not limited to the paltry hard drive size inside their cable boxes--what is it, like 160GB? Give me a break, that can hold like 12 HD shows.
Luckilly, the cable card cost just $1.50/month; unfortunately, comcast makes it extremely difficult to get them setup. You have to have a guy come to install it and pair it with the head offiice, or whatever the heck they do. Of course, they're required by the FCC to provide these cards, yet maybe 1% of comcast customers go this route. Indeed, they'd rather rent you an overpriced HD-DVR for $20/month. What a ripoff!
Anywhoo, that was my rant.
Joel |
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jeffscott
join:2008-08-19
Atlanta, GA
| reply to joelkirzner
a reply from Comcast re my inquiry....as expected, WOM Atlanta not avail..and no mention of when it would be....
"I am not seeing WOM in the channel lineup for your area."
then the usual mumbo jumbo..
..".Our goal is to provide a wide choice of quality cable networks and local
broadcast channels reflecting the diverse programming interests of our
customers. In addition to requests from customers, the following
factors play a part in our decision making process:
· FCC regulations, such as requirements to carry all local broadcast
channels
· Requirement by local broadcasters to carry their affiliated cable
networks
· The number of access channels required by local government
· Customer satisfaction with networks carried in other systems
· Customer satisfaction with similar networks
· Importance of the network to our diverse community
· Level of interest across a percentage of our customer base
· Per-subscriber programming fees charged by the network versus the
value added to the line-up
(Digital Systems Only)
As you may know, we have been investing millions of dollars in new
technology to increase the channel capacity of the system through
digital technology. So an additional factor in launching new channels
is whether or not a particular network is available in the digital
format.
What this all means is that we take all requests for new networks very
seriously, and that we carefully consider the overall impact of adding
each network. While we cannot honor every request, we do take each
request into consideration in planning future changes to the line-up."
I think it's time to give AT&T a call... |
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mikedz4
join:2003-04-14
Weirton, WV | reply to jeffscott
i'm glad you have a choice. I have comcast or antenna here. |
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markofmayhem
join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA
| reply to joelkirzner
said by joelkirzner  :Other cable card tuners for pcs are going to be coming out soon. The only downside is that it is not 2-way, so no on-demand, but I rarely use that feature. I just record my shows. There are new PC tuners that will be Tru2Way. The question is if they will be available retail or OEM.
Intel's Gateway Server (looks OEM to me)
That particular solution is just really, really cool! |
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jeffscott
join:2008-08-19
Atlanta, GA
| more of the company line from Comcast...apparently it will be quite some time before additional HD content is offered in Atlanta proper...that being said, I'm dumping Comcast, going with U-Verse...
Thank you for taking the time to write to the Comcast Office of Rick
Germano, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations. My name is Robert
and I thank you for this opportunity to assist you regarding your HD
channel programming complaint.
We understand how frustrating circumstance such as this can be Mr.
Stallings. We need to hear about any unsatisfactory situations in order
to correct them and to enhance our level of customer service. I have
forwarded your comments to the appropriate members of our development
and management teams for further review. We appreciate the fact that you
took the time to let us know what is important to you.
Comcast is committed to deploying HDTV service. We are working to
provide as many high definition channel broadcasters as possible. Here
are some of the factors involved with expanding our high definition
lineup:
- the negotiation and contract process required to obtain the rights to
carry a specific high definition broadcast, such as TNT-HD and HD-Net.
- the increased bandwidth resources which are required
- the relatively low number of subscribers (currently only a small
minority of customers have high definition compatible television sets)
We will continue to explore additional HD programming opportunities as
more content providers make plans to offer their programming in HD
format.
We hope to expand our high definition channel lineup as fast as we can.
Unfortunately we are unable to provide specific details regarding the
launch of new channels at this time, please keep an eye on your monthly
billing statement as the announcement of any channel additions will
appear on those statements.
Comcast is committed to provide the best customer experience possible.
Your opinion matters to us so we look forward to your feedback Mr.
Stallings. We appreciate that you chose Comcast for your communications
and entertainment products. Please contact us if you have any questions
or require additional information.
Thank you for choosing Comcast. |
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jeffscott
join:2008-08-19
Atlanta, GA
| Have to say, I agree with this take on VOD....
»www.engadgethd.com/2009/11/07/co···s-month/
any thoughts?... |
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sherrsw
join:2009-10-26
Powder Springs, GA | reply to jeffscott
Has anyone in South Cobb (Powder Springs, 30127) gotten the upgrade yet? Last I heard was October, but that has come and gone. |
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GTFan
join:2004-12-03
| Nope, I'm in Austell and no upgrade here. You'll know when they do it because your analog channels (those above channel 29) will go away on sets that have a direct cable hookup. That's why they shipped the DTAs.
The new HD channels will show up within a week or two thereafter, but I'm not 100% sure whether we'll have to change the Tivo HD lineup to World of More or not. |
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Georgiaboy
join:2005-06-25
Savannah, GA
·Comcast
| reply to sherrsw
said by sherrsw :Has anyone in South Cobb (Powder Springs, 30127) gotten the upgrade yet? Last I heard was October, but that has come and gone. Wow, funny how Comcast-Atlanta has difficulty giving even minimally direct information. When I e-mailed Comcast in Savannah, they gave me an exact timeframe for the digital migration thing. They specifically said Nov. 4- Dec. 30. I am up here (Atlanta for school), but my dad was kinda concerned. My guess is that they plan to do it within phases over the 2-ish month period. Don't know when they'll buff up the HD line-up. I really hope they correct the quality of the SDs by "decramming" some of the frequencies while they are at it. |
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