Trouble with Comcast

[ctribble]

I've had the WORST Time with Comcast and their so called "DVR" HD Box. It's a long story but I get a lot of "pixalation" and "tiling". I've had several techs come out and give me several different reasons. Is anybody else having this problem? I live in Richmond, Virginia!

Thanks
C.T.

 

[agarwalro]

Switch around the inputs. If the STB gives the same problems on DVI out and Component out, and on different inputs on the TV, have the STB replaced. Not saying that the TV is definitely trouble free, but you might as well start with the STB since it will be free to get a replacement from Comcast.

I am assuming you are not having any issues with DVD, etc.

 

[agabriel]

Did any of them fiddle with config of the box (grey screen)? They did with me and got all wrong. I set it up for 720p if I recall for all modes and it looks good on my screen.

Good luck -
Anthony

 

[markw]

It could be either the box or the service.

I've had the WORST Time with Comcast and their so called "DVR" HD Box. It's a long story but I get a lot of "pixalation" and "tiling". I've had several techs come out and give me several different reasons. Is anybody else having this problem? I live in Richmond, Virginia!

Thanks
C.T.

If it happens only on recorded material, then it's definitely the box.

What reasons did the techs give?

If you have one of their offices local to you, just give the customer service rep a call and tell her that you want to switch the STB yourself at a local unit.

 

[Audioholics]

You may just be seeing the compression artifacts which are rampant in most cable company set top boxes.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I've had the WORST Time with Comcast and their so called "DVR" HD Box. It's a long story but I get a lot of "pixalation" and "tiling". I've had several techs come out and give me several different reasons. Is anybody else having this problem? I live in Richmond, Virginia!

Thanks
C.T.

Lemme toss in a guess...........

Is this Comcast DVR a brand new model being offered under the Camcast name?

I had the same problem with my DirectTV HD-DVR. I was one of the guinea pigs who purchased the
"Direct-TV model" DVR as soon as it hit the market, and the unit came out of the box with many of those same issues during playback of HD recordings from specific sources. After a few software updates became available and they were downloaded, it worked perfectly. In my case, HD-SAT programming(like HDNET, DiscoveryHD, ESPN-HD, etc, etc) were recording and playing back perfectly, but the HD local channel recordings were buggy until the updates became available.

My 2 cents.......

It sounds like Comcast still needs to iron out a few bugs in their software.

PS.... In my case, DTV danced around the issue too when I asked specific questions about whether or not the DVR itself was buggy. Im not sure if the deception was intentional, or if the people answering phones were simply clueless.
I'll put my money on clueless, because somebody was obviously busy working on fixing the bugs behind the scenes.............. because the problem was soon remedied.

 

[ctribble]

What is STB?

What is STB?

The last tech said Comcast is coming out with a new box that has HDMI (my equipment doesn't support HDMI, only component). He said yesterday that it might be my receiver. What I might do is bypass my receiver and see if it still does it!

I noticed the last software update a few weeks ago had a lot of glitches and I had to power cycyle the box.

I think once Verizon Fiber comes into my area I am switching.

C.T.

 

[markw]

What is STB?

STB = "S"et "T"op "B"ox. Anything that the cable has to plug into for tuning stations before the picture reaches the television.

The last tech said Comcast is coming out with a new box that has HDMI (my equipment doesn't support HDMI, only component). He said yesterday that it might be my receiver.

He may have a point.

What I might do is bypass my receiver and see if it still does it!

I'm surprised you didn't try this already in order to try to isolate the source of the problem.

I noticed the last software update a few weeks ago had a lot of glitches and I had to power cycyle the box.

That happens

I think once Verizon Fiber comes into my area I am switching.

..and you may be trading one batch or problems for another.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I've had the WORST Time with Comcast and their so called "DVR" HD Box. It's a long story but I get a lot of "pixalation" and "tiling". I've had several techs come out and give me several different reasons. Is anybody else having this problem? I live in Richmond, Virginia!

Thanks
C.T.

Come on and make the drive up to Lorton and you can see how my Cox cable box looks.

With standard defintion TV on the analog channels (typically below 100) you are going to see the worst possible image in the known universe.

On the other hand, the digital channels from 100 to 999 should deliver a better image by a long shot.

Finally, the best of the best is going to come from your HD channels when they are actually showing a HD show. Discovery HD is a great one to constantly be showing HD programming.

Now, of course, we have a few other factors you have to consider with the setup....

1. Is your cable box actually connected to your TV via component video cable?

2. Is your cable box setup to output 1080i or 720p viewing?

3. What kind of TV do you actually own? I can't tell you how many times it is the TV that is the more serious culprit.

I probably should be asking more questions, but seriously, I've seen cable and DirecTV and feel that my cable is very close in quality across the board compared to satellite.

 

[markw]

I've got comcast. I can't complain.

All in all, I have to say I'm satisfied with Comcast.

Well, the customer service reps are as beautiful and as simple as ball bearings and just as dense but, picture quality wise I have no issues.

I've got a Motorola HD (no recorder) box connected to my Toshiba HD (via component) and one of them new, tiny digital boxes on the old 4:3 set.

I can't fault the picture at all. HD is great, standard digital stations are very, very good and even the analog ones below 100 are pretty good as well.
Now, if I were to expect them all to look as good as the HD channels I'd be very disappointed.

Once in a great while I get some pixilization, but not very often. Nothing is 100%perfect.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I think once Verizon Fiber comes into my area I am switching.

C.T.

If and when they come, jump on it Right now they advertise 50mHz down, 5mHz up loads.
You are a lucky guy if they get to your area. Not to mine. Too much street digging and doubt Comcast will sell them conduit space