http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/ Engadget HD Comments for Comcast's CFO claims that "not every HD channel deserves to be in HD" http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 10th 2008 6:15PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
Perhaps he was trying to talk about stretch-o-vision or something though.]]>Mar 10th 2008 7:15PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 10th 2008 7:58PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 10th 2008 11:04PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 10th 2008 6:17PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
As an extreme example, who wants the shopping channels to go HD and waste more bandwidth? Not me.

But I kind of suspect he's just saying this because he knows on March 17th, DirecTV will pull far ahead in the bandwidth war and Comcast will have to be more choosy about what channels to provide than DirecTV will.]]>Mar 10th 2008 6:37PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 10th 2008 6:47PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 10th 2008 7:55PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
--
Non-HD channels should just be sent out in widescreen 480p. DVD quality. If people are happy with upscaled DVD's on their HDTV's, then such a signal from the cable company could be upgraded just as easily.

On the other hand, a pillarboxed 4:3 480i signal just looks terrible on an HDTV and makes me sad. Those zoom and stretch modes to make the image fill the screen are even worse, and make me angry.]]>Mar 10th 2008 7:09PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
Keep everything in the original aspect ratio, PLEASE. If I wanted my picture distorted, I'd seek out a TV that would let me do that to the signal myself.]]>Mar 10th 2008 8:03PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
I don't want anything stretched, and if the channels stretch it, I don't have a way to unstretch it.

Especially those awful fisheye stretches.]]>Mar 10th 2008 9:16PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 10th 2008 7:12PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
Why tell the boring truth when you can tell an interesting lie?

Especially at a Bear Stearns Media Conference.......]]>Mar 10th 2008 7:34PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Dave]]>Mar 10th 2008 7:57PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
A la carte pricing FTW!]]>Mar 11th 2008 10:33AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Hahahaha I was thinking the same thing.]]>Mar 10th 2008 8:06PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
This is like saying that the customers don't need HD, or won't no the difference. Stop insulting us. Those of us (however few there might be in the end) that get HD, realize what the difference is between it and SD digital cable, and have spent money to appreciate the difference should be able to get every HD channel that Comcast has to offer.]]>Mar 10th 2008 8:09PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
Color me shocked.]]>Mar 10th 2008 8:30PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 11th 2008 12:21PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 10th 2008 10:13PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
Comcast Sucks!]]>Mar 10th 2008 11:46PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 11th 2008 1:56AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 11th 2008 5:31AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
As I understand it, aren't they supposed to be able to fit several HD channels into the bandwidth used by ONE SD channel? And why don't providers like Comcast just out and out DROP the SD version once the HD version is available? Just slot HistoryHD into where History used to be in the lineup, don't make me keep track of two different channel numbers. And have the set top box be smart enough to downconvert if the subscriber doesn't have and HD capable set.

Too many of the "new" HD channels are REALLY what should just be considered digital equivalents of the analog originals. They aren't broadcasting HD. However, it's likely they WILL, it will just take time. Most of these channels even in analog form didn't exist 10 years ago, let alone made a complete switch to HD production of new content.

Heck, I live near the nation's capital and we can only get ONE local news in HD (CBS), the other 3 are still buggering along in SD.

One thing that DOES irk me is Comcast (and others) claiming channels such as HBO-HD, SHO-HD, etc. in their "count" of HD offerings. That's misleading the consumer if you ask me, since those sorts of channels require an extra charge over and above the "HD" package.
]]>Mar 13th 2008 6:16PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
also, even though the potential of more channels on the same bandwidth exists, they have to pay for those extra channels, weather or not people are watching. i think satalite, with it's broad reach gets a cost savings on this one. sadly, even if they kept the same channel lineup, that extra bandwidth would allow faster cable internet speeds, but i think untill consumers start to complain (or untill competition in the form of fiber comes to town) they wont care.]]>Mar 11th 2008 9:34AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 11th 2008 8:13AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 11th 2008 9:15AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/
Also hide all the channels I don't subscribe to.]]>Mar 11th 2008 12:05PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 12th 2008 11:21PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 11th 2008 4:39PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Mar 13th 2008 9:17PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/10/comcasts-cfo-claims-that-not-every-hd-channel-deserves-to-be-i/Apr 8th 2008 2:33AM