It has been a long time coming, but those 14 HD channels that Comcast promised back in May are just about ready for primetime. Based on a followup in The Longmont Times-Call, we're told that the carrier is around 80% complete with its $6 million infrastructure upgrade, which will bring 14 new high-def channels and 35 pay-per-view stations to the lineup. When all's said and done, LoMo residents will have access to the same lineup that's currently in Denver and Boulder, and if everything stays on schedule, that 80% figure should reach 100% within six weeks. Huzzah!

Not that a survey necessarily assures us that this will happen, but Comcast is at least thinking about offering its subscribers the option of buying a DVD or Blu-ray (HD DVD is mentioned, though we're hoping its an egregious oversight) once a video-on-demand movie is finished. No specific prices look to be hammered out just yet, but the questions revolved around how many discs users would buy at given price points or how many they'd buy if the cost of the VOD rental was discounted. Interestingly enough, rival Cablevision has been doing this with new release DVDs since February, though we're not sure if Comcast would be looking to Popcorn DVDs On Demand for its iteration of the service. Even if this does launch, would any of you buy your flicks in this manner?

[Thanks, Nathan]

Piecing together a programming, internet and digital phone package (or any mixture of the three) can be a real headache. Granted, many consumers only have one or two choices outside of satellite, but even choosing between those few can be a daunting task. Electronic House has taken the time to put together a number of easy to read charts that explain how much the average user will be billed for depending on which services they choose. Of course, we'd highly recommend lobbying your CSR for discounts (promotional or otherwise) before paying the full tab, but the writeup in the read link is a great place to get your bearings.

The FCC put a stop on selling non-CableCARD-equipped set-top-boxes in the United States around this time last year, but it did leave open the possibility for small cable carriers and other providers in strange market conditions to sidestep the new rule. Choice Cable TV, which services parts of rural Puerto Rico and the cities of Ponce and Mayaguez, finally received its long-awaited FCC waiver which will enable it to start selling HD DVRs that lack CableCARD support. It's hoping that this will rekindle demand for high-def service and consequently allow it to add more HD content. On a related note, the island's Liberty Cablevision is also applying for a similar waiver, as it argues that the low median annual household income in its service area constitutes a "idiosyncratic factual situation."

Currently, Ukrainians looking for satellite TV service can only point their attention in two directions: NTV+ and Viasat. Now, however, another rival is entering the ring, and we've always heard that three was company. Poverhnost is reportedly gearing up to launch Poverhnost Plus, and its claim to fame is its premium sport and HD channels that will likely trump offerings from the other two. According to a recent report, the satcaster will "launch its own premium sport and HD channels among a package of 60 priced at UAH100 (€13.50) a month," and it's also slated to add 15 more channels in short order without increasing the price. For prospective customers, you should also know that the outfit will be relying on the HD Homecast 5001 IR set-top-box (around $250 or so), but additional STB choices could be made available in the near future. Mum's the word on a launch date, but it certainly can't be far off now.

It's tough for Longmont citizens. Sitting just north of Denver and just south of Loveland -- both of which boast upgraded cable systems from Comcast that deliver 29 HD channels -- Longmont's system has yet to be brought up to speed. As it stands, the carrier can only pipe through 14 high-def options, but between now and October, it's dishing out $6 million in upgrades in order to bring Longmont's lineup up to speed. Reportedly, the city will have access to the same number (29, for now) of HD channels as Denver / Loveland, and according to Comcast's northern Colorado general manager, Mike Trueblood, the company "expects to offer more before the end of the year." Now, the wait begins.

We'll be honest -- we're not exactly sure the television hotbed that is Hampton Roads, Virginia would be the first place we'd look to compete in the industry, but Cavalier Telephone & TV apparently sees opportunity. The Richmond-based company -- which stands as "one of the few survivors that emerged as a telephone service industry player after the phone business was deregulated in 1996" -- is reportedly gearing up to compete with Cox and Verizon in the region. Interestingly, Cavalier actually pushes its digital TV signals over Verizon-owned lines, and if you're wondering how it'll compete without high-def, the company is already busy "signing deals with networks so Cavalier can carry their channels in HD." Hey, if one more in the mix keeps prices (more) reasonable, we're all for it.

If you'll recall, Comcast went out of its way to enhance the infrastructure and add a number of new HD channels to much of the Northeast late last year, and now it's finally time for South Florida to experience the same. Reportedly, a "major upgrade" is currently underway on Comcast's South Florida cable system, and we're told that said changes will provide a platform for DOCSIS 3.0 -- set to roll out in 2009 -- which will enable 100Mbps download speeds. Furthermore, subscribers throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties can look forward to a new slate of HD VOD choices to go along with six new HD channels: Food Network HD (414), USA Network HD (420), History Channel HD (422), Discovery Channel HD (424), Animal Planet HD (426) and Sci-Fi HD (427). Best of all, those newcomers are only part of the "phase one" HD expansion plan -- go on, let those imaginations run wild.