HDTV TIVO channel list with Comcast cable

[bsacco]

I currently subscribe to comcast high-speed cable service.

I have two LCD HDTV sets (1080i) in my house.

I split the Comcast high speed cable signal with a splitter and send a signal to each of my HDTVs.

I currently get BASIC EXTENDED service (channels 2-60 or so) So, that means I get ESPN 1 & 2, History Channel, Discovery Channel, VH1, MTV, Food Channel, Hallmark, TNT, USA SCIFY, etc...

My LOCAL NEWS stations broadcast their stations with two different signals 1) a digital signal and 2) an HD signal

What's strange is that after scanning for channels on BOTH sets I get slightly different line-ups in the way the HD signals are placed in order even though I'm tapping from the same incoming comscast signal source.

For example: my HD digital signals for my LOCAL stations are broadcast normally on Ch. 3, 6, 10, 13 and 40.

TV SET #1 puts these signals on Ch. 3.1, 6.1, 10.1, 13.1 and 40.1

TV SET #2 puts these signals on Ch. 203, 206, 210, 213 and 240

Can anyone on this thread explain why this happens?

I'd prefer to receive my HD signals on Set #2 the same as i do on Set #2 but do not know to do so.

ANy help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
bob

[bicker]

First: What are the model numbers of the two televisions?

Second: What did Comcast say when you asked them about this?

[matt@thehickmans]

You are scanning via the TV tuner or the TiVo?

Both setups include TiVO HDs with cable cards? The cable cards have been paired by Comcast? Under messages and settings -> settings -> channels, are all channels checked for both?

Some older splitters cannot handle the entire bandwidth that Comcast uses. You can test this by removing the splitter and connecting directly to each TiVo (or TV) one at a time and seeing if that changes anything.

In the initial setup for your TiVos, you may have made different choices for your provider information. If this is the case, under messages and settings -> settings -> channels, the channels listed will be different. Re-doing the setup for the TV that is not configured the way you want will fix this situation.

[bsacco]

TV # 1 is a samsung LN52750B

TV #2 is a Sony KDL-40v2500

Good idea on troubleshooting the different splitters, never thought of that.

I do not use cable cards in my TIVO HD units. Therefore I never checked anything for Cable cards during my initial tivo setup.

In the initial setup I chose Comcast and the correct local zip code info for both of my TIVO Units. The problem isn't that I'm getting DIFFERENT channels on BOTH TVs it's that I'm getting DIFFERENT channel number assignments for the SAME channels.

My Samsung conveniently assigns and pairs the SD broadcast channel right next to the HD broadcast ...example ch 3 (SD) , 3.1 (HD).

Whereas, my Sony does not assigning ch 3 (SD), 203.1. (This huge spread in the channel lineup is annoying because instead of just flipping one channel up to see the HD simulcast I have to page all the way up to channel 203.1!

[matt@thehickmans]

This probably has something to do whether your TVs have QAM tuners and how the tuners handle the QAM signals that go through the cable. I have an Akai in one room and a Sharp in the other. Both claim QAM tuners, but don't always display the same content on the same numbered stations. Not only that, but the channels have changed over time. Channel numbers I wrote down last year no longer show the same stations.

Now, usually, the only time I watch through the TV tuner is sports and then only if my TiVo tuners are in use, recording something else. Otherwise I use the TiVo with cable card. Cable cards will map the nonstandard QAM channels to standard channels that stay relatively stable so I have a better idea where to find them.

[dddiam]

The split channel number (e.g., "12.3" or "12-003") is the actual broadcast channel number. That is the channel number that comes through an antenna or through raw cable.

Comcast converter boxes and cable cards remap those "in-between" channels to three-digit integer numbers (e.g., "237").

If one of your splits is going through a cable box, or through a cable card in your TV or your TiVo, then it will have the latter, remapped channel convention.

If the other TV does not contain a cable card, and is not receiving a signal that has come through a cable box, then it will show the natural channel numbering convention.

- David

[bsacco]

My channels, 203.1, 210.1, 213.1, ect contain NO channel broadcast info. In addition, they have a maximum of 30 minutes recording time if you hit the record button while viewing these channels. Anyone know why?

[dddiam]

I assume that the DVR that is showing the split channels does not have a cable card in it, and that its input did not go through a Comcast converter box.

Comcast programming schedules are based on the three-digit re-mapped channels -- not on the natural, split channels. Therefore the DVR knows nothing about the Comcast programming when it sees natural, split channels. It does not know the programming content, nor its length. Even some of the channels that are integers (no split part), might not map correctly to downloaded Comcast programming.

- David

[bsacco]

yes, I do not have a cable card OR a cable box...it's a straight cable signal from teh wall into my TV/Tivo.

Any suggestions on how to get the digital channels to recieve program info so that i can program them to record shows?

[bicker]

See this thread: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=362736