Roku streaming problem really a Netflix problem?
by Darren Murph 
posted Dec 2nd 2008 at 1:40AM
[Image courtesy of AeonScope, thanks Tyler]
complaint posts
[Image courtesy of AeonScope, thanks Tyler]
Cable One makes some HD channels viewable only with CableCARD / STB
by Darren Murph posted Nov 20th 2008 at 5:43PM
At first glance, we assumed that Cable One had relegated a number of channels to switched digital video, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Instead, company officials have proclaimed that "cable programmers like Discovery HD, Nat Geo HD and ESPN HD have requested their signals to be scrambled," meaning that subscribers will now need to fork out for a CableCARD or cable company-issued set-top-box in order to see all 24 high-def stations offered in Sioux City, Iowa. Ah well, you've been looking for a valid reason to make the leap to a carrier with a real dose of high-definition anyway, right?TiVo Suggestions goes kaput in the United Kingdom
by Darren Murph posted Oct 1st 2008 at 1:59PM
Tough news for the few loyal TiVo users still hanging on over in the UK. The outfit's director of product marketing has affirmed that Series1 UK users have lost a piece of functionality that really set it apart from rivals: TiVo Suggestions. For those unaware, the feature would record similar shows that you might like based on your viewing habits, thus helping you discover content without any real effort on your part. Now, TiVo has regrettably nixed the feature entirely after finding an unavoidable conflict with the new program data supplied by a third-party. Worst of all, it doesn't sound like there's any real hope of the feature returning, so those who already forked out for a lifetime subscription are really feeling the burn right about now.[Via Blorge, thanks Nick]
Operators select video quality issues as primary reason for complaints
by Darren Murph posted Mar 31st 2008 at 11:59PM
We can't say we're shocked to hear it, but new data released by Symmetricom explains that cable operators have identified video quality problems as the primary reason customers call in with complaints. Potentially more disturbing, however, is the note that "only 31-percent [of carriers surveyed] said they use network monitoring tools to discover quality problems," while 61.9-percent learn of said issues via angry subscribers. As expected, these very facts are the same reasons given for high customer churn (along with high prices), and while 40-percent of respondents suggested that VOD is causing the most quality concerns today, 51.6-percent stated that HD is "expected to produce the most quality problems one year from now." Here's a tip -- stop shoving three HD channels on a single 6MHz slot, and we'd bet the quality complaints drop significantly.[Image courtesy of Donna Earl Training]
Bright House CableCARD customers win battle, get their HD channels back
by Darren Murph posted Mar 31st 2008 at 11:45AM
Chalk one up for the little guys. After Bright House Cable ganked a number of HD channels from CableCARD users early last month in "preparation" for the SDV transformation, a chorus of complaints flooded in. Now, it seems as if the carrier has caved, and the channels that were removed (along with the networks added to non-CableCARD lineups) will be redelivered sometime this week. Granted, the jubilation will come to a screeching halt in August / September once SDV is actually implemented, but hopefully a workaround will be available by then to enable switched digital support for CableCARD. Be sure to chime in below once you see the stations come back online, and yeah, we're raising our glasses over here in celebration, too.[Thanks, TiVo Community]
FiOS TV service is great, Verizon customer service -- not so much
by Darren Murph posted Mar 28th 2008 at 8:46PM
[Via TampaHDTV]
Verizon whines to FCC: make it easier for us to gain market share
by Darren Murph posted Mar 26th 2008 at 12:52PM
In a somewhat perplexing (okay, maybe not so much) release from Verizon, it is essentially crawling to the FCC and begging that it assist the telco in bolstering its own market share. How so? By enabling cable subscribers to jump ship without even notifying their cable company, that's how. More specifically, it's seeking to banish "a significant obstacle to consumer choice and competition in the market for bundled communications services" by allowing disconnect orders from the new provider (read: Verizon) to take the place of, you know, the customer calling up their carrier and shutting things down. Verizon argues that said procedure "significantly complicates the process of switching video providers, thereby entrenching the cable incumbents' dominant market position." Beyond the inordinately high level of ridiculousness crammed into those statements, we wonder if Verizon's all geared up to start receiving similar letters from Comcast, Cablevision and the whole gang should any of its customers decide to walk away in silence.TWC transitioning three HD channels in Albany to SDV, CableCARD users out of luck
by Darren Murph posted Feb 27th 2008 at 2:59PM
Uh oh, here we go again. Earlier this month, we heard a chorus of complaints from CableCARD Bright House customers that had four of their HD channels snatched out from under them, and now it looks like Time Warner Cable subscribers in Albany, New York will soon be dealing with the same. According to a recent note sent out to CableCARD users, the carrier plans to start delivering TBS HD, A&E HD and Universal HD via switched digital video (SDV) on March 18th. Considering that we're still waiting for support for SDV on CableCARD devices, TWC is advising these users to come on in and join the dark side -- er, pick up one of its own HD set-top-boxes that can handle two-way services (which SDV is). So, here's your options: concede and pick up a box (if only temporarily) from TWC, or stick with your CableCARD setup and go without this trio. Check the full letter after the jump. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Mark P.]
Battlestar Galactica: Season 1 HD DVD arriving sans quality?
by Darren Murph posted Dec 14th 2007 at 10:23AM
[Image courtesy of Amazon / J. Ryder, thanks Robert P.]
Comcast to NFL Network: stop coaxing customers away... or else
by Darren Murph posted Nov 21st 2007 at 12:27PM
[Thanks, Ryan G.]
Circuit City trims HDTV selection, blames 1080p for slipping sales
by Darren Murph posted Jul 4th 2007 at 10:18AM
To be perfectly honest, it's only disappointing that it has taken Circuit City this long to realize that relying primarily on the sales of highly marked-up HDTVs to boost its bottom line was a direful decision. Still, it is impressive to see the company finally break away from its past and "no longer regard TVs as the centerpiece of its product strategy." Reportedly, the firm will soon be eliminating many models from its floor, giving users fewer selections and aiming to sell more 42-inch and under models that may fall below the magical $1,000 price point. Interestingly enough, CEO Phil Schoonover was quoted as stating that his outfit had really been "emphasizing 1080p, maybe to its detriment," and noted that 720p ought to be "good enough" for today's modern shopper. Right, we're sure the plummeting sales have nothing to do with that Wally World across the way.[Image courtesy of ICSC]
