Comcast to carry Universal HD in time for the Olympics
It appears that most Comcast customers won't be left out during this year's winter Olympics, as reported by the AVSForum. AVSForum is known for breaking news before an official release, so we
trust them.Universal HD will be carried on Comcast systems across the nation in time for the winter Olympics, unless of course your regional Comcast has bandwidth issues: you know who you are. For those people, Universal HD's Olympic coverage will be on the channel you expect INHD2 to be on .
Filed under: Programming, Misc, NBC, Cable
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Christopher Johnson @ Feb 6th 2006 4:31PM
Yeah Baby, and just in time.
Per Mikef5 of AVS...
The rumor of Universal HD coming to the Bay Area is not a rumor. I just received the ok to confirm that it is not a rumor but a fact. Here is a little question and answer I had with Mr. J.
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Q--Does that imply that sometime after the Feb to April time frame that the
implementation of digital simulcasting will begin in the Bay Area or is in
progress now
A-- Both. It is a multi-phased operation that is following a strict implementation process resulting in a new network protocol that we will use to transmit the signals on our local network. At the end of the process, ADS will be up and running, we will begin to recapture bandwidth and launch new channels.
Q-- Some people in the AVS forums are interested in getting Universal HD in advance of the Olympics.
A--On February 9th, the day before opening ceremonies, we will launch Universal HD in the Bay Area. It will be located on Channel 726. And, since you are painfully aware of the bandwidth constraints we face in Los Gatos, Saratoga and Milpitas, we will not be able to launch the channel there or in the other 550 MHz systems in the Bay Area. Our ADS work described above will start to tackle the bandwidth issue in 550 MHz systems.
Q-- Speaking of the Olympics, will INHD be showing some of the events or will that only be with NBC and their coverage.
A--Given the information I've seen from NBC, no.
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So good news to the people that have the bandwidth but not for us in the 550 MHz systems until the conversion to all digital gets done but at least it has started and there is some light at the end of the tunnel for us. So for now we of the bandwidth starved areas will have to watch the NBC coverage of the Olympics but he did say not to give up hope that there were other things in the works but he wouldn't say much more than that.
Thanks for the update Mike!
Christopher Johnson @ Feb 7th 2006 11:06AM
UPDATE to the Universal HD roll out !!!!!!!
Just got an email from Mr. J. who wanted to clear up somethings about Universal HD and the Olympics so here it is.........
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Ok to post on the Forum.....
(1) Given a number of questions we have received there is some need to clarify the status of Universal HD after the Olympics conclude. At the moment, we do not have the rights to cablecast Universal HD full-time, but we were able to secure the rights to put the channel on our line-up during the Olympics.
(2) Instead of using Channel 726 for the Universal HD Olympic programming we have decided to use Channel 720, the spot where INHD2 sits so more cable systems can carry the Olympic Games.
(So that means Los Gatos, Saratoga and Milpitas and other 550 MHz systems that carry INHD2 will see the Olympics. My thanks to MikeF5 for bringing this suggestion to my attention)
Regular scheduled programming on INHD2 will resume after the Olympics.
No Fox Sports Net Bay Area HD programming is scheduled to air during the Olympics.
(3) The technical work on establishing the foundation for our All Digital Simulcast continues. As my earlier email indicated, this will be a lengthy process because so much of the work takes place in the maintenance window which typically runs from 1:00am to 5:00am. The ADS network we are putting in place will ultimately result in freeing up bandwidth to add more products and services, including more video and HD channels.
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So it looks like the contract with Universal HD is not final but enough so they can show the Olympics and even include some of the 550 MHz systems. So more people will be able to see what Universal HD has to offer since it's going to be shown on 720 instead of 726 . I guess that's what he meant by not giving up hope on the Olympics. Kudos to Comcast on trying to get the most people they could for the Olympics......
Sorry Keenan..... I don't know what to tell you and the other Santa Rosa people. I have a bad feeling Santa Rosa has done a Walnut Creek or there is some problem with Santa Rosa that I just can't find anything about but I'll keep trying. My only suggestion is to go to the Franchise Board and find out what's going on with Comcast.
Laters,
Mikef5
HighDef Edition @ Feb 13th 2006 2:20PM
I have Universal HD and I love it. Snow has never looked this pretty. However I still have InHD & InHD2, Universal HD is on chanell 208. Watched some Ice Hockey & Luge on Saturday and Sunday. Plus I get to watch Battlestar Galactica:The Series & Quantum Leap in HD. Saw Jaws this weekend too. Now if I could have X-Files in HD I would be in heaven.
wrightman23 @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:47PM
does anyone know when they will start upgrading the infrastructure for los gatos and/or when it might be complete? i am trying to switch service from Direct TV to Comcast, but they do not carry the one channel i need (PBS sprout) Any news on the timing would be appreciated