var json_comments = new Array("
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Ash78 ain't got time to bleed
December 8, 2008 5:39 PM
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This is like watching two child molesters argue over who's got the better shoes.

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8 replies
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jamar0303
December 9, 2008 3:26 PM
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@The Name's Ash78, Housewares: Yep- not gonna say Verizon's better 'til I see 100M symmetric internet for $50.

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donsolo
December 8, 2008 6:18 PM
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@The Name's Ash78, Housewares: Your insight is staggering... I feel like my life is better for reading your comment.

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GuinevereRucker
December 8, 2008 8:09 PM
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@donsolo: I sort of agree. TV sucks. There's maybe two programs we like. So we wait a year and get the whole set at the library, sans commercials and waiting a week for your next fix.

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Gearhead_42 - Nibbles ate my garage!
December 8, 2008 5:56 PM
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@The Name's Ash78, Housewares: Doesn't matter, they're both wearing white velcro running shoes from Big Lots.

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crazyasianman
December 8, 2008 5:55 PM
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@The Name's Ash78, Housewares:


my girlfriend looked at me crazy for laughing so loud. jerk.

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Necoras
December 8, 2008 5:42 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I actually quite like my FIOS service. Best service for the price where I am, and I've never had any trouble with it.

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3 replies
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Rhayader
December 8, 2008 6:21 PM
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@Necoras: Any thoughts on the HD availability?

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jnrcorp
December 8, 2008 9:55 PM
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My FIOS HD is the best TV service I have ever had, hands down! It's got more HD than any cable service available. It's got ALL the HBO, Cinemax and Showtime premiums in HD format instead of just the original and the bandwidth to handle the rest as they become available. My multi-room DVR works wonderfully on my second box. The DVR can be set to record TV via verizon's website and from any verizon wireless phone. The multi-room DVR can also stream media from my computer. The box is responsive and the image has a much lower compression ratio than cable. They are still developing a lot of their software for the service, but the possibilities are endless and very exciting. The internet is blazing fast, with upload speeds that cable can only dream about. The telephone service comes with software that will soon be capable of managing calls in ways only a VOIP service can provide.

I don't work for Verizon, I never have and I have had bad experiences with them in the past. However, my experiences with cable companies have always been worse. Verizon has great potential, I hope they follow through.

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Necoras
December 8, 2008 7:20 PM
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@Rhayader: It's actually quite good, much better than what I had on satellite when I transferred a year ago. They just upped the number of HD channels a few months ago, so most of the things I watch (history, discovery, sci fi, broadcast stations, etc) are now in HD. I've never really researched cable as it's usually too pricey.

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OmniZero
December 8, 2008 5:43 PM
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I like how the data Comcast released says the number movie channels Comcast offers is exactly double compared to Verizon, 224 compared to 112. The same thing happens with the HD television shows, with it being 288 to 144.

Somehow I don't think that's true....

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3 replies
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RevRagnarok
December 8, 2008 6:56 PM
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@OmniZero: East coast/West coast feeds. Math is done. ;)

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BrianDaBrain
December 8, 2008 8:30 PM
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@RevRagnarok: I was about to say the same thing. At least here in Colorado, that's exactly what Comcast does.

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OmniZero
December 8, 2008 5:45 PM
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@OmniZero: Oh, and the music clips numbers are NEARLY double, with 2.14 being the factor.

Thanks for fudging, Comcast!

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bonzombiekitty
December 8, 2008 5:52 PM
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I live in philadelphia. A couple years ago when I was moving to my current house I tried to find an alternative to Comcast and asked Verizon if there's plan for FIOS in my neighborhood. The rep actually laughed at me and said no.

If FIOS ever makes it to my neighborhood, I'm ditching Comcast and getting it.

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6 replies
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quizmasterchris
December 9, 2008 2:59 AM
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@bonzombiekitty: I too live in Philadelphia and THE VERY SECOND that Fios becomes an option for internet (I don't own a TV) I switch!

The Verizon person likely laughed b/c of the politics of challenging Comcast here.

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bonzombiekitty
December 9, 2008 12:13 PM
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@quizmasterchris: Yeah, that's why they laughed. Also, partly due to the neighborhood I live in. My house is on the corner of lower middle class blue collar and ghetto.

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Courteous_Gentleman
December 8, 2008 6:19 PM
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@bonzombiekitty: I had DirecTV when I lived in center city. Not sure if that is an option for you, but it's worth looking into.

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bonzombiekitty
December 8, 2008 7:26 PM
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@Courteous_Gentleman: Could get direct TV, but Verizon doesn't have DSL available in my neighborhood. So I'd be paying a bunch more if I had cable internet and Direct TV.

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ckaught78
December 8, 2008 8:05 PM
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@bonzombiekitty:


Verizon doesn't offer DSL in my area so I pay Comcast $40 a month for cable internet and have my TV with DirecTV. At the end of the month I am still cheaper than having both with Comcast. The discount for having both with Comcast is minimal especially after any promos wear off.

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bonzombiekitty
December 9, 2008 12:12 PM
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@ckaught78: The way we worked it out, we'd be paying something like $75 for satellite plus $40/month for cable internet. We pay comcast $75/month for cable and internet. Granted, it's with a promotion, but they extend the promotion every time we ask.

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JustThatGuy3
December 8, 2008 5:55 PM
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@bonzombiekitty:


Call the city council, then. Verizon's trying to launch FiOS in Philly, but they're getting pushback over their rollout plans (i.e. how fast they cover the whole city).

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Oranges w/ Cheese hates what Christmas has become
December 8, 2008 5:58 PM
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I don't give a crap. I don' thave an HDTV. I won't have one for many many years (until my tv takes a crap).

Sorry forced obsolescence, you don't have me.

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10 replies
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Triborough
December 8, 2008 11:40 PM
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@Oranges w/ Cheese: I agree. I have three old Sony TVs. One 20 inch built in 1985, one 13 inch from 1992, and one 13 inch TV/VCR combo that I trash picked from Bobby McFerrin's garbage when he lived down the block. All work perfectly fine.
I have seen HDTV and I really don't want or need it. Really, most of the stuff is garbage in standard definition and high definition doesn't make it any better.

Plus, most of the digital subchannels, if offered, are in standard definition and the more of those the more the high definition signal suffers.

The whole digital transition thing is more unneeded governmental meddling at the hands of some in the telecommunications industry who had enough money to rent some empty suits on Capitol Hill.

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nataku8_e30
December 8, 2008 8:49 PM
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@Oranges w/ Cheese: I have to agree. Sure, a fancy plasma has a sharp picture and pretty colors, but the increase in my quality of life / dollar spent is much less than just about any other way I could spend that money. Also, while TV itself isn't necessary, just watching SD on a regular old television offers 90% of the experience for 20% the cost (disclaimer: those numbers are completely made up). In addition, I don't like the added complexity of dealing with HD - if you're watching SD sources, there's pixelation, depending on the standard you're using, you have hot spots, color issues, etc... Plus, then you can start worrying about HDMI, it's copyright bs, etc... It just seems much easier to go with SD and save the extra money.

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sockrockinbeats
December 8, 2008 7:58 PM
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@Oranges w/ Cheese: agreed. i don't care about HD, the tube-style tv i have now works just fine. do i really need to see every hair in someone's eyebrow to enjoy a television show?

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unobservant
December 8, 2008 7:40 PM
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@Oranges w/ Cheese: Having an HDTV is good for two things: sports and video games.


If what you want to watch isn't in HD, it looks like CRAPOLA on an HDTV. The funny thing is that, because a regular TV can't process HD, it makes standard signals look BETTER.


It's sad. If what I want to watch isn't available in HD, it's almost worth leaving my 42\" LCD and going into the other room to watch it on my 21\" tube.


Once EVERYTHING is available in HD, THEN you can get an HDTV.

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Rhayader
December 8, 2008 6:23 PM
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@Oranges w/ Cheese: I see what you mean, but I gotta say, HDTV is the shiznit.

Not only is the picture much sharper, but the widescreen aspect ratio really improves things like movies and video games, even in standard def.

I'm sure if I had no HDTV I would feel the same as you, but now I find standard def, 4:3 TV almost unwatchable.

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2719
December 9, 2008 12:50 AM
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@Rhayader:

That's because SD programming looks worse on a HD screen. If you watch SD on a good tube TV it's looks perfect.
I have 3 HD TVs and I really don't care that much about HD. It sure looks better but considering most of programming is still SD and a lot of \"HD programming\" is not really true HD I could do just fine with a good tube TV.

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youbastid
December 8, 2008 7:05 PM
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@Rhayader: WIdescreen aspect ratio in standard def looks worse - either the image is stretched wide, or there are black bars on the sides of the screen. What are you talking about?

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stands2reason
December 10, 2008 4:41 PM
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@youbastid:

Video that's intended for 16:9 is scrunched, so that when it's stretched out, it looks right on the 16:9. Doesn't add more definition per se, but it does improve the field of view.

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spazztastic
December 8, 2008 7:20 PM
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@youbastid: You need to turn your TV on it's bottom, instead of it's side.

Stadard def on HDTV has black bars on the sides; unavoidable, unless you really like to see pancake headed people. High def on a standard set (letterboxed) puts the black bars top and bottom of the picture.

Both options are preferable to 'Formatted to fit your [square] TV' where you can't see the entire scene.

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Oranges w/ Cheese hates what Christmas has become
December 8, 2008 7:01 PM
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@Rhayader: But did you *need* it?
I just hate how people don't realize how manufacturers and retailers are basically brainwashing you into buying shit you don't need.

I'm sure your tv worked perfectly well before you bought your nice HDTV. I'm glad you can sit and stare at your eyecandy. I'm glad you had the money to burn.

I don't mind the black bars on the top and bottom of the screen when I'm watching a movie. If I want my video games to look pixel-perfect, I'll play on my computer, or better yet I'LL GO OUTSIDE.

Much rather spend the $1000 on a couple nice dinners anyway. Or a new computer, or like 5 bicycles.. or.. several hundred gallons of gas.

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Primate
December 8, 2008 8:30 PM
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@Oranges w/ Cheese:
Of course not, but guess what. You don't need TV at all!
If you're going to have it and have the means why not spend $600 and get a nice sized HDTV to watch it on.

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floraposte
December 8, 2008 7:16 PM
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@Oranges w/ Cheese: I don't think it's necessarily brainwashing--for many people it is a genuinely improved experience in something they spend a fair amount of time doing, and I don't think analog TV or cable are more inherently a need than HDTV, after all. But at heart I'm in agreement with you that there's no need for the purchase to be a default, and that a lot of people do tend to treat availability as a mandate for spending money rather than figuring out if that's really the best expense with which to enhance their lives.

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Ash78 ain't got time to bleed
December 8, 2008 6:14 PM
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@Oranges w/ Cheese: Ditto...I keep thinking I want one, but there's a big part of me that scoffs at how manufacturers and retailers have conspired to convince the average family that their primary TV needs to be some $1,000+ monstrosity. Sure, they're bigger and have far more features than 10 years ago, but the average family 27\" or 32\" TV used to be well under $500. HDTV just doesn't enthrall me enough to discard a perfectly working piece of equipment from my den.


/rant over

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liquidnumb
December 8, 2008 11:23 PM
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@The Name's Ash78, Housewares: My 32\" HD set was well under $500. That's after shipping. A year ago. And they are only getting cheaper.

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Oranges w/ Cheese hates what Christmas has become
December 9, 2008 12:15 AM
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@liquidnumb: I got a 37\" tube for $150. And still had some left over to buy a burger.

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Gearhead_42 - Nibbles ate my garage!
December 8, 2008 5:59 PM
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I can't speak to FIOS, but Comcast's HD offerings are pathetic. Sorry boys, but 6 week old episodes of \"Desperate Housewives\" do NOT count as added content. Where's SpeedHD? BBC? Hell, CBS for that matter...

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2 replies
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Nick1693
December 8, 2008 8:09 PM
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@Gearhead_42: I think the stations have to give Comcast the programs in HD before they can put them up.

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captainfrizo
December 8, 2008 6:24 PM
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@Gearhead_42: I agree, Comcast's HD channel line-up is rather pathetic. This is also coming from a former Comcast employee.

They use their HD On-Demand content to skew numbers in their favor, allowing them to claim they have more HD content available than everyone else at any given time, despite having few HD channels available for viewing and it doesn't seem like they're interested in expanding anytime soon.

I'm still waiting for ESPNEWS HD.

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Anonymous
December 8, 2008 6:01 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

That's hilarious - I'd love to know which how-to video is most popular with customers: \"how to shave your legs\" or \"how to get rid of acne.\" Whose legs are they? Seems like the type of thing someone would download solely out of morbid curiosity: \"I can't BELIEVE they actually have a video for how to boil water!\" The irony of Verizon using a high-tech service to teach this stuff is overwhelming. Can't wait for the \"how to walk, talk and chew gum at the same time\" vid.

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2 replies
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liquidnumb
December 8, 2008 11:26 PM
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@MarniaGwar: I don't know what Verizon has, but this one made me stop hanging up my shirts.

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liquidnumb
December 9, 2008 12:05 AM
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@liquidnumb: how'd that get by me so easily...

here:

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Jenkinsbball
December 8, 2008 6:09 PM
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Lets see...


fiber or cable. Fiber wins.
uncompressed HD or compressed HD. Uncompressed wins.
fiber direct to house or fiber to box and cable to house.... you see where I'm going.


I have FIOS here in Texas and it is amazing. The cable I had in the past that was \"fiber\" was never as good as FIOS. Plus, 10mb fios internet gets me 1.2mb downloads... cable 10mb gets, maybe, 300-500.


Comcast should just fold.

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bastion72
December 8, 2008 6:10 PM
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How about working some numbers on how many complaints your companies resolve? I know of plenty of horrible customer service stories from both the companies. Work on that first you big babies.


@ The Name's Ash78, Housewares: ZING!

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narq
December 8, 2008 6:20 PM
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Let's look at the difference, because I had comcast HD before going FIOS. FIOS has much higher quality, more channels, gives me a better price and better service.

My FIOS has not been down once, comcast would have problems almost every week. Shows wouldn't record, cable cuts out, DVR won't allow me to watch recorded shows, guide doesn't work... you know the usual comcast issues.

So I'd like to know where these hundreds of channels are that tell me how to chop garlic and fold pillowcases, because I haven't seen them. Are they referring to food network? Because I think people actually watch that channel.

I'm all for FIOS on this one.

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1 replies
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Rhayader
December 8, 2008 6:25 PM
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@narq: Yeah I call bull on Comcast's numbers. I think nearly all of the different things listed could be called \"irrelevant\" or \"mundane\". It's the real HD channels that matter, and according to this story, Verizon has 104 and Comcast is sputtering along at 37.

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Anonymous
December 8, 2008 6:23 PM
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I can see why Comcast doesn't want fios in their neighborhood but I see no reason why FIOS shouldn't move in. My family has comcast cable and internet for years and it was one of the worst experiences. The price would always increase with ever decreasing speed and quality of the service. Then FIOS moved in and we switched with 2 times the speed and channels and cable boxes at the same price. The real reason comcast is complaining is because they know they are no competition.

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philipbarrett
December 8, 2008 6:26 PM
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With my rooftop antenna & $40 converter box over 30% of my channels are now full HD. Monthly cost = $0.

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3 replies
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philipbarrett
December 9, 2008 2:02 AM
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@liquidnumb: Yes, but if I spoke Spanish it would be 30% of 18!

Actually I travel for a living & my experience with Sat/Cable in my hotel rooms has pretty much convinced me that it's mostly 60 channels of crap with commercials.

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That One Caveman
December 8, 2008 6:55 PM
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@philipbarrett: Same here. I just dropped cable last month and installed an antenna. Now all I get is digital signals and most are HD. The only \"monthly\" cost is the power running to the pre-amp at the antenna.

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nataku8_e30
December 8, 2008 6:28 PM
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I'd just like to see them publish who has more HD bandwidth. I'm pretty sure that a) Comcast counts its HD on demand offerings like that matter and b) Comcast compresses their HD a lot more than Verizon. I think the on-demand is pretty stupid since during the period where I had no alternative to Comcast, I noted that they generally update their on demand content on a monthly basis. I'd also like to point out that my on screen guide had ads on it... Anyway, to Comcast - you're shitty service, unreliable billing and just general douchebaggery have lost you a customer for life. I'm much happier with U-verse, but will give FIOS consideration if it ever comes to my area. I'm pretty pissed at AT&T for not honoring their referral rewards and cashback promises.

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2 replies
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philipbarrett
December 8, 2008 6:33 PM
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@nataku83: My point exactly. How many of the chumps with their huge \"full 1080p\" flat screens have any idea that the so-called HD they're watching (and paying a princely sum for) is heavily compressed? Do an A/B test between a local channel on FIOS/Cable HD and the same channel on OTA - not pretty.

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liquidnumb
December 8, 2008 11:30 PM
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@philipbarrett: My signal is interrupted or distorted more often on comcast than over air.

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2719
December 9, 2008 12:58 AM
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@liquidnumb:

You need to have a strong off air signal to avoid breaking up (tiling). Cable industry was created because a lot of people did not have good off air coverage. Sad thing is many still don't.

You seem to be one of the lucky ones. At my place I would need to have a roof/attic antenna to get off-air locals to come in half decent.

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philipbarrett
December 9, 2008 2:03 AM
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@2719: I have a rooftop, cost me $45 about 8 years ago. Birds love it too.

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moore850
December 8, 2008 6:29 PM
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our hd kicks your hd in the teeth! now that's some good hd.

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madanthony
December 8, 2008 6:34 PM
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I think the worst part about this is the fact that Verizon has to get the government to give it permission to compete with Comcast.

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TimmyGUNZ
December 8, 2008 6:34 PM
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Please, is this even a battle? Comcast's HD is atrocious, and when compared to FiOS it's not even in the same league.

I am very happy with my FiOS HD package. My only complaint is that I still don't have MSG HD, but that's all damn Cablevisions fault. BASTARDS!

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TheFuzz53
December 8, 2008 6:45 PM
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When are these companies going to figure out that people don't care about the other BS like music clips and to an extant movies as they the NUMBER OF HD CHANNELS they have, where DirecTV has them both smoked.

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eichorsmith
December 8, 2008 6:45 PM
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We were told a few years ago that the NFL Sunday Ticket was 1, under exclusive contract, and 2, incredibly expensive. I wouldn't expect it on any cable box any time soon.

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blogger X
December 8, 2008 6:48 PM
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I live in Philly. I get a kick out of flipping through the channel guide and certain shows have (HD) in the description when they are on the standard definition channels!

Now that's what I call Comcastic!

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Anonymous
December 8, 2008 6:53 PM
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After the battles I've had with Comcast here in West Virginia I can't wait to get Verizon FIOS if it becomes available.Comcast has got to be tied with Microsioft as one of the greediest, most abusive monoploies in the USA.If I wasn't stuck with Comcast as a monopoly provider for Broad band I'f dump them right now.

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1 replies
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johnva
December 8, 2008 9:38 PM
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@DarcyPolyphemus: Microsoft isn't really much of a monopoly anymore. Comcast, on the other hand, may well be the only choice you have if you want cable TV. And not everyone can get satellite due to horizon obstructions, etc.

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What The Geek
December 8, 2008 6:53 PM
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We just switched from Comcast high speed internet to Verizon FiOS. We didn't bother with the FiOS cable box - we don't watch a whole lot of TV - between Netflix streaming, and the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, we're all set for TV. What I can tell you is that FiOS internet punches comcast's high speed internet in the teeth.

First, what you pay vs what you get

Comcast:
6mbps/1.5mbps = $59.99

Verizon
20mbps/5mbps = $57.99

That's over 3x the speed for $2 less than we were paying w/ comcast.

Next, quality of service. Our comcast cable modem would lose it's connection at least once a week, requiring me to unplug the modem, count to fifteen, and plug it back in. We've had FiOS for just over a week now, and I haven't seen any sort of issues with the signal, and I haven't had to restart the FiOS modem once.

Let's not forget the difference in traffic management with the two companies. With comcast, we had a 250gb cap. We came very close to it every month - like I said, we stream a lot of video. I don't have to worry about it with FiOS. Also, comcast would choke any type of traffic we used too frequently. For example, when we first started streaming Netflix, everything we watched streamed at the highest video quality available. After a week of that, everything started streaming at the lowest quality available. I'm an IT contractor, and I monitor my network very carefully. Running a normal speed test on the line would show a full strength signal, however, the traffic coming from Netflix was only able to take advantage of a very small portion of the bandwidth that should have been available to us. In other words, comcast was penalizing us for using our connection too much. This is also not a problem with FiOS

The big disadvantage is the equipment. We live in an apt, and as such, the white box powering the bigger outside box had to be mounted in our living room, instead of, let's say, a basement in a house. This isn't really a deal breaker - it was pretty easy to hide, but it did take up an extra outlet. It's really a small price to pay for having a dedicated 20/5 line though.

Comcast keeps talking about how they're going to be offering better speeds, but honestly, given all the restrictions they put on what you can do with your traffic, I'd rather have a hassle free 20/5 than a choked 50/10.

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2 replies
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RogueSophist
December 8, 2008 8:05 PM
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@What The Geek: \"That said, my house has been on fire for three weeks.\"

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RogueSophist
December 8, 2008 8:05 PM
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@RogueSophist:
I kid. That sounds pretty sweet, to be honest. Freedom from Comcast's throttling would be...refreshing.

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ianmac47
December 8, 2008 6:56 PM
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The only thing keeping people from switching to Verizon is the time it takes them to lay the fiber cable. Comcast has abused and mistreated their customers for too long. Even if Verizon offered no HD channels, I would switch upon immediate availability because at least I would no longer be sending money to Comcast every month.

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3 replies
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GrandizerGo
December 9, 2008 9:13 PM
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@ianmac47: AMEN!
As soon as they hit Boston, I am jumping ship from Comcrap cable and Verizon DSL and phone to FIOS...

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DePaulBlueDemon
December 8, 2008 7:16 PM
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@ianmac47:

Exactly. I cannot wait for the day I can tell Comcast to suck it. :)

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Oranges w/ Cheese hates what Christmas has become
December 8, 2008 7:03 PM
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@ianmac47: I don't even have comcast and for the speed/bandwidth boost I'd see from Verizon I want it!
Plus its hella cheaper!

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pmcpa2
December 8, 2008 6:59 PM
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What's HD music? I have this thing called Satellite Radio.... I don't need to have my TV on for it to work. Much more energy efficient!

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Bahnburner
December 8, 2008 7:14 PM
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Comcast is like the 1910 buggy whip company claiming the automobile is a fad. I love my FIOS--phone, 20mbps Internet and tons of HD for $99 per month.

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DePaulBlueDemon
December 8, 2008 7:16 PM
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I can't wait until FiOS comes to Chicago.

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Sir Winston Thriller
December 8, 2008 7:40 PM
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I'd switch to FIOS, but Verizon ran away from Vermont, selling its lines to Fairpoint. And Fairpoint is having trouble finding tin cans compatible with its string supply.

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parad0x360
December 8, 2008 7:43 PM
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The picture on Fios SD cable is almost as good as comcast's HD. Verizon Fios HD content is amazing quality and I wish I could get it here but I will will because Verizon laid all the lines for Fios then sold them to FairPoint and they only offer DSL..plus they suck.

FairPoint tried to get me to switch to 3mbps/1mbps DSL for $60. i told them I pay $60 for comcast running at 16mpbs/2mbps. The lady on the phone asked me again after that if I wanted to switch and I laughed at her.

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GrandizerGo
December 9, 2008 9:16 PM
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@parad0x360: People should not forget that Comcrap is OVER compressing their HD content...

Basically there is supposed to be a max of 2 channels per wire, they are re-compressing their signal to fit 3 channels per wire.

It is EASILY noticeable compared to Verizon's FIOS...

Go here for the information and pics proving it...

[www.avsforum.com]

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scoosdad
December 8, 2008 7:43 PM
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And how many of those \"288 HD television shows\" in the count were actually in true HD? What gets my goat is when providers use channels like TBS and TNT to boost their count of HD channels (everyone is to blame here-- Comcast, Verizon, Dish, DirecTV, Charter, Time Warner, etc.) when most of the so-called HD programs in the schedule of those channels are nothing more than their regular SD programming stretched out to fill a 16x9 screen. \"Stretch-o-vision\" is what it's called.

And anything that used to be seen only on an analog cable channel looks 100 percent better when put on a digital tier, even if the original resolution doesn't increase. I had someone tell me recently how great it was to see Seinfeld in HD finally after all these years.

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Anonymous
December 8, 2008 7:55 PM
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they both suck. But Comcast sucks balls by saying they have more HD. They count the lame on demand HD movies and shows. Come on that doesn't even count. What counts is the quality and until comcast upgrades its infistructure they are going to keep losing the HD war. These two companies fighting like children. Its ridiculous

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Hooray4Zoidberg
December 8, 2008 7:58 PM
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Well I just noticed last night Comcast recently added QVC to the HD channel list. Glass houses?

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Anonymous
December 8, 2008 8:31 PM
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I just moved and had to say goodbye to FIOS and hello to Comcast and let me just say - Comcast blows compared to FIOS. HD on FIOS is better, the on-screen menus are better, the speed of those menus are better. The customer service is about the same though.

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Floobtronics
December 8, 2008 8:35 PM
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Sheesh, do we really need to get the ruler out?

My in-laws have Comcast's HD stuff now. It's ok. Nothing to write home about though. We've got FiOS HD here, and it's much nicer looking, with more channel choices. That said, more doesn't always mean better. VS HD, Speed, and all those do nothing for me. MavTV HD - there's a real winner - they've actually got a program on there where you watch hot women doing their workouts. More channels in HD? Without question. OnDemand crap doesn't count for me, on either side, since I'm a TivoHD user.

At the end of the day, Fios has the better picture, and slightly more actual good programming in HD.

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xwildebeestx
December 8, 2008 8:38 PM
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They both have more HD channels than Cox does in Arizona.

/doesn't feel sorry.

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MadameX
December 8, 2008 8:59 PM
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@xwildebeestx: I know, and I can't convince my husband to go back to DirecTV!


I'd love nothing more than to tell Cox where they and their crappy Scientific Atlanta DVR can go.

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axiomatic
December 8, 2008 8:41 PM
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I don't know what Comcast means about \"offerings\" but speaking as someone who can tell what the resolution of the signal the provider is actually pushing to the decoder. Comcast does not actually have any HD channels.

Verizon is in fact pushing a true HD signal 720p or better in some cases. Comcast.... yeah no so much. Definitely less than 720p though, but different channels vary with the worst of them showing up at about 660p.

Comcast needs to shut the hell up on this one at lest until they deploy DOCSIS 3.0 in more areas and crank the resolution back up.

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Papercutninja
December 8, 2008 8:46 PM
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i have a head to head comparison. My parents have FiOS installed at their house on their HDTV in NY, and i literally just got an HDTV to go along with my HD Comcast box.

The result? The Comcast selections are MISERABLE. There are only really about a dozen, watchable HD channels on Comcast, meaning if you exclude premium channels (Showtime, HBO etc). And of those? most of the \"HD\" channels don't even AIR in HD. It just SAYS HD in the description. For instance, ABC Family had Hannah Montana \"in HD\", paused in a surf-through and it was an ANALOG broadcast in 4:3. PATHETIC.

FiOS on the other hand, seemed to have dozens MORE HD channels. There was a lot more genuine HD content without having to resort to bullshit \"HD On Demand\" that Comcast has.

I'm switching to FiOS as SOON as i figure out how to remove some saved DVR content off my box.

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valthun
December 8, 2008 8:49 PM
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Have you ever noticed though that the more channels that these people prop up, the more channels are simply repeats of SD channels lower on the channel queue. We have Time Warner and have 3 SD versions of Cartoon Network. 1 of which we can't view because we aren't in that program group. I saw stop tripling the content by giving the same channels and give us a clean interface to search for content. A block of SD and a block of HD channels would be best.

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radiochief
December 8, 2008 9:13 PM
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I have Comcast HD and a HDTV.

You know what? Service is teh suck.

Sure, Comcast has HD-- lots of channels. All compressed. I was watching Dallas vs. Pittsburgh on FOX yesterday. GD dropouts and pixelation all during the game. Comcast increases channel but does not increase their bandwidth.

At some point, it'll reach a head; and people will leave and go to FIOS once they have the chance. I know I will.

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sn1per420
December 8, 2008 9:26 PM
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I actually have watched a few of those HD on demand \"how to\" videos, and they're not half bad, if you'd like to learn a new/better way of doing some chores...

Anyway, you just need to compare the quality of HD video on Comcast and FiOS to see that Comcast isn't worth your money. (proof on that claim: [www.avsforum.com])

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Anonymous
December 8, 2008 9:37 PM
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I think both of these \"HD\" services if you want to call them that suffer from extreme pixelation/macroblocking especially during high motion scenes and its just a total shame.

HD really could be so much more, but both of these guys need to figure out how to reduce the compression of the channel I am watching.

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albokay
December 8, 2008 10:07 PM
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Maybe instead of them saying who has more channels they should be working on who has better HD quality. I have comcast HD and the thanksgiving parade in HD was horrific. Anyone who wasnt pretty much standing still was riddled with digital breakup from compression.

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Anonymous
December 8, 2008 10:24 PM
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Is Comcast running off a fiber optic network ? My friend moved to Staten Island, NY, one of our 5 boroughs. He is the first person I know of that has fiber optic Verizon service. I fell in love with it, the HD channels are HD channels...they look and sound much better then regular TV signals.

What I do like is the super fast refresh rate from channel to channel. There is no 2 second pause like Time Warner, or 3 second pause like Cablevision, it's instant!

The internet is the best on Verizon...super fast... I nearly pooped myself when I saw it. I also hear many people complain about Comcast from coast to coast.

Verizon has been promising Fios for the rest of New York for years...& years..& years. Few people I know, have it.
Time Warner blows turds...big time! Cablevision makes me wanna crawl up with a good book at the end of the night...kind of a good thing now that I think of it.

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TCTH
December 8, 2008 11:28 PM
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Comcast should flipping talk, You should see the ration of crap I have to pay for just to get the few channels I want. And the commecials? Penis stretchers, acne cream, get it up pills, work from home scams, exercise equipment, diet pills and the two most obnoxious people ever to appear on TV, the Video Professor and Billy Fricking Mays.

And after midnight, Comcast magically morphs into this \"paid programming\" wasteland where you're actually paying to watch commercials (that have already been paid for by the advertisers) for every scam ever devised by every two bit con artist who depends on first tier digital for a place to hawk his ripoff because nobody else will tolerate his crooked ass.

I know nothing about FIOS but if it can deliver me from just part of that crap, I want it as soon as it's available in my area.

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Sollus
December 9, 2008 1:21 AM
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I don't even have any experience with Verizon FiOS and I know it kills Comcast's service right in the groin. Comcast sucks the big one. Their HD selection is down right horrendous. I count at least 40 channels that aren't goddamn duplicates of other HD channels on different numbers. Why do I have to have a copy of each of the HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax HD channels? Couldn't that bandwidth be used for other stations? Also, I know for a fact that Directv has HD feeds for the other premium cable channels(i.e. HBOZone, Comedy, Sho2, etc)

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MooseOfReason
December 9, 2008 2:34 AM
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I don't have an HDTV in my house, so I don't give a crap.

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G_Money21
December 9, 2008 3:44 AM
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I just switched over from COmcrap to FIOS last week. I can honestly say that FIOS has an HD channel for just about every SD channel. FIOS menus are better, faster, and the picture is CRYSTAL CLEAR on my 46\" sammy LCD. I didnt even have all the espn HD's on comcrap. Did I mention FIOS is cheaper too? Party is over comcrap, the monopoly is over!

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majortom1029
December 9, 2008 12:44 PM
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How many of these hd channels are actual channels and not say la version of abc


here in nyc cablevision has 68 actual hd channels FOR FREE.

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GrandizerGo
December 9, 2008 9:20 PM
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@majortom1029: I woould actually prefer the capability to catch shows from the west coast...
Too many shows that I watch are on at the same time, so my DVR can only catch 2 of them, I miss the third and have to catch it on a later showing, (Mythbusters) or find it on the net, not hard I admit...
With the West coast feed, I could still catch shows in real time, just West Coast real time.

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Anonymous
December 9, 2008 10:30 PM
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@Sollus: @majortom1029: @majortom1029: @GrandizerGo: But West Coast feeds only give you one option to shift your viewing time. I think you're right that all of those channels could be better used - how about for more on-demand options? That's the model of the future, and it's what most of us already do with Internet video, downloading/streaming a single show or movie when we want to watch it. FiOS could offer 200 channels but if they're redundant I'd rather see them make the individual programs available on-demand and stop selling me on the idea of all of this \"channel choice.\"

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majortom1029
December 9, 2008 12:45 PM
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@majortom1029: PS cablevision has 38/5 speeds for $60 which includes ports 80 and 25 open for web and email servers. Plus free web space and a domain name.


Maybe against comcast fios is the best but against cablevision here in the north east its not as simple.

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Angryrider
December 9, 2008 1:27 PM
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Who needs cable when you've got flippin' fast internet in American terms?

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Firesoul1
December 9, 2008 10:25 PM
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verizon ownz.
fiber optic (light) > coaxial (electricity)

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Kiamat
December 9, 2008 11:44 PM
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And let's not forget about the quality of Comcast's HD offerings which are crammed down the bandwidth meant for two.

I am so in love with my FiOS now.

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jstonemo
December 10, 2008 4:43 PM
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@undefined: Why spend upwards of $1000 for a decent HDTV that will break down and require very expensive repairs in 5 years? I have a nice 32\" tube TV that is 14 years old and the picture still looks great. Definitely better than some of the cheap crap HDTVs I have seen in Walmart.

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