XfinityTV and Equipment

[GuideDog]

Greetings all,

I'm a new active participant in the forums, but have been following posts for a while.  I'm a User Experience Researcher with Comcast- my specific focus is on the Guide and other interactive video features.  My job is to evaluate and enhance the "usability" of the Guide and the television experience as a whole.  In simple terms, my goal is to ensure that customers can use our products and features quickly and easily, and that the experience is a pleasant one.

We use several methods to obtain feedback from customers, but after reading some of the thoughtful (both positive and negative) posts here, I thought that this would be an excellent forum (no pun intended) for hearing directly from those who live with the Guide on a daily basis.

Over the next few weeks/months, I will likely pose some questions to the group focusing on specific aspects or features of the Guide, but I'd like to start with a general temperature-read.

So, my question to everyone is- do you consider the Guide to be "user-friendly"?  Are you able to do what you want quickly and easily?  Is there anything in particular you find difficult or frustrating?  Is there anything you can't do with the Guide today that would make it more useful to you?

Thanks everyone for your time! 

[WarEagle57]

I'll try to steer some customers your way. 

[cypherx]

Oh man, I could write a LONG reply to this post...

Instead of repeating myself, like I do CONSTANTLY in hopes that someone high up the corporate ladder would read it...  I'll direct you to my thread on here:

http://forums.comcast.net/comcastsupport/board/message?board.id=CTV_OnScreen&thread.id=379

Please view that thread, and notice all the other posters are in wholehearted agreement.

In short... The guide should be doing a lot more (especially on the higher priced DVR models).  I understand that the hardware in the DVR boxes are more robust (Hard drives, more memory, faster processors, docsis tuners, etc..).  So I would be more than understanding if an "enhanced" guide was available to DVR customers.  After all DVR customers pay a little extra, and are generally more tech savvy than the non DVR customers.

If you need any examples of good user interfaces, there's tons out there.  Pick up an I-Phone for example.  Everything is so intutive and screens smoothly transition with high resolution graphics.  Take a look at Vista Media center.  Look at Tivo's colorful screens and great features such as PC integration with the Tivo Desktop software, upgradeable hard drives, remote DVR scheduling, and more.  Take a gander over at FIOS IMG guide.  Wow that thing is sweet.  Play fantasy sports, view what programs are popular in your area, look at cover art on VOD titles, every channel has a logo for quick visual identification, more remote DVR programming over the web, multi room DVR, and the list goes on.

I feel as if the current Comcast guide is bottom of the barrel.  It's even worse in area's subject to the default SARA guide on Scientific Atlanta hardware.  The Passport guide on the SA platform is very nice.  It has MR-DVR, on screen games, one click ordering, nice graphical barker screens on PPV event's and unsubscribed channels, UI enhancements like drop shadows, fades, slides and other animations, channel logo's, on screen remote control setup help, and more.  

Basically I know advancements are possible.  I'm just very disappointed that Comcast seems to be bottom of the barrel in this department.  For the nations largest cable operator, this should of been a priority a long time ago.  I welcome you to the forums and I'm happy to see that Comcast may start to take a stand and take the on screen guide seriously.  It really has to... If I had line of sight for dish, or if Fios or AT&T U-Verse were available to me, I'd run away from Comcast, not only for more HD channels, but for the much better user interface.   

How about utilizing the HD resolution on our displays?  How about getting rid of that banner advertisement at the bottom?  Or, it wouldn't be such a big deal if they made it "one row" in height, so we could get our 6th row back.  Hey you know many other guides offer 7 rows or more?!  Yeah, the more information the better.  It's a guide right?  Wow, I could go on for HOURS.   Let me stop now and let you have a chance to reply.  It's very important you read my original thread that I linked above.

There are also other sites for harvesting this kind of information.  There's AVSForum and Broadbandreports to name a few.  Feel free to pop your head in one of those sites.  Broadbandreports has a very vocal and successful Comcast cable TV forum.

[omcleod]

For me, it would be nice if the guide:

1) Could be view at 16:9 instead of 4:3.  The OTA tv guide is visually a lot better and can fit a 16:9 display.

2) Could cancel more than 1 recording scheduled at the same time.  My moto is using the latest software but I can't cancel multiple recordings scheduled at the same time.  It's absolutely baffling that the software bug (whack-a-mole) has not been fixed.

3) Could display the correct titles (instead of to be announced) with the correct recording flag (new/repeat).  I understand that a third party supplies the guide data but all too often the guide has holes.

[GuideDog]

---

cypherx wrote:

Oh man, I could write a LONG reply to this post...

Instead of repeating myself, like I do CONSTANTLY in hopes that someone high up the corporate ladder would read it...  I'll direct you to my thread on here:

http://forums.comcast.net/comcastsupport/board/message?board.id=CTV_OnScreen&thread.id=379

Please view that thread, and notice all the other posters are in wholehearted agreement.

---

Don't worry- I did my homework...I have already read through this as well as other recent posts.  You bring up some very good points in terms of functionality.  What I can tell you is this- several of the features you mentioned are either under consideration or already under development.  As I gain more specific information about possible timelines, I will do my best to keep the group informed.

I would be interested in knowing where others stand in terms of the perceived utility of some of the features mentioned.  Which ones would you actually use if there were available?  Would it really make your life easier to be able to order a pizza through your set-top box?  Would you really shop on your TV?  What I'm getting at is what new features would really make your life easier and/or your television experience more enjoyable, as opposed to things that sound cool, but you would never actually use?

In terms of the "look and feel" of the Guide, I can tell you that there is significant effort being put forth here and this is the area where I'd really like to pick everyone's brains.  You brought up an excellent points about the channel logos, as well as screen transitions and sounds and how these features may not just be "window dressing", but might actually make the Guide easier to use and navigate.  This the feedback I'm looking for.  Is it easy to navigate the Guide, find what you're looking for, do what you want to do today?  If not, what makes it difficult or frustrating?

Thanks for the feedback and please keep it coming.  By the way, you'll be pleased to know that I've withdrawn my application to NASA 

[WarEagle57]

"No" to ordering pizza or shopping. 

[cypherx]

Thanks Guide Dog (great name by the way!).  

Yes I would order a Pizza (Prefreably Pizza Hut).  We currently do this on the computer.  But if I didn't have to leave the coutch, wow that would be easy.  Maybe Comcast could get some kickback from Pizza Hut, or Coke (for advertising for drinks, etc..)

I'd also like to search yellowpages listings like you can on U-Verse.

Let's start with the basics though...  Let the current search results include VOD titles.  VOD is tough to navigate because there's so many folders to go in and out of.  Most of the times I know what I'm looking for, but just not sure what menu it's under.

Thanks again! 

[rardin]

I'll agree with WarEagle regarding shopping not being of interest and with cypherx on the importance of being able to search VOD.  There are times when it would be awfully nice if I could program my DVR via the internet.  If the interface for such a feature were easy enough to use, I might utilize it rather than the remote to program my DVR in many instances even when I'm at home.

Message Edited by rardin on 02-27-2009 09:39 AM

[madylarian]

My biggest problem right now is that there seems to be this MISconception that everyone has HD.  Some of us don't and have no plans to and even now the guide is off the screen on both sides.

mady

[cypherx]

GuideDog,

FYI, there's more people talking about this subject at this link:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21989471-What-do-you-think-of-the-On-Screen-Guide

You may want to watch that thread as well as this one. 

[hornets27]

Guidedog,

I agree with what cypherx has said, but with some additional wants.

Don't ignore the mini-guide.  I use this 99% more than the full guide and would like to see some changes there too.  I would like to have the feature when you are scollring through the mini guide, where hitting the previous channel button will take you back to that channels listing in the mini guide and not exit it.  The old Hughes H-1 receivers for DirecTV were like this and it was nice feature.

Channel icons would be good here too.

How about some web based customization of the guide too?  If you're going to allow web based programming, how about taking it a step further to let us setup the channels within the guide as to how we want them?  Let us get rid of all the stuff we dont subscibe to or will never watch?

[ChrisWB]

I am personally so sick of the guide that I am using TitanTV software on my computer to see what is on.  At least there I can delete the 90% of channels I will never ever watch so I can quickly find out what is on.  I just don't have all day to scroll through hundreds of channels I will never watch.

[cypherx]

Well if you don't have HD, then the software should detect that.  If the output is set to 480i or 480p, it should display a 4:3 guide.  So you might not get an extra hour of listings.  Dish Network has an HD and SD version of it's guide.  I'd suggest Comcast get a Dish Network box in house just to test and play with it.

If by chance the box is set to 720p or 1080i, the SD outputs would show stuff letterboxed, like it does on HD channels over regular video or coax outputs.  

I'd also like to see an option that you could turn on that automatically shows HD versions of channels when available.

Then when setting up a recording, on the more settings screen there should be an option to get in HD or SD (To save space).

Countless times people are tuned to the wrong channel when there is an HD version available. DirecTV and Dish Network allows you to display only HD channels, or replace SD counterparts with HD versions. Dish Network even has a superimposed HD behind the channel name in the guide (or when pushing info).

Again it could be an option (so some may turn it off). Just like it is an option on the competitions software.

[slouke]

GuideDog,

Thanks for taking an interest in this.  However, I don't want to get my hopes up that it will be improved any time soon.  Some of my random thoughts:

1. Call me old-fashioned (some do), but I can't imagine ordering anything over the TV.  I guess I use my TV to watch shows and movies, not surf the internet.  That's what my PC is for...

2. The HD Moto DVR that I have seems to hang all the time.  If I want to look at what recordings I have or what's going to record at a future time, the silly thing gets really slow and sometimes completely stops.  Also, if I want set a recording for the next day, for instance, I can press the button and see the little orange indicator light that says it saw the button pressed, but it just sits there for a minute or two.  That should be fixed for sure, over anything else done to improve my experience.  I've seen several indications that it has been worked on, but it still continues to be a problem.

3.  I have no experience with any DVR except the Comcast one.  However, it seems like the Comcast one is pretty 20th century in the 21st century.  I agree with others that the full HD screen is not being well utilized.  It is not "slick" at all, there is no "gee wizz" with it, it is just boring and not very user friendly.

[timstack]

"GuideDog" when will we see the guide be upgraded from A25 to A28?

[cypherx]

I also would like to know if A28 (or whatever the next iteration is) will have a visual refresh.

If it's a slight one like on the Tru2Way TV's

 

Or major..

I'd prefer the major overhaul... 

[GuideDog]

---

timstack wrote:
"GuideDog" when will we see the guide be upgraded from A25 to A28?

---

I don't have specific timelines at this point and it may depend on the area you're in.  As I find out more, I'll share whatever I can. 

[GuideDog]

---

cypherx wrote:

I also would like to know if A28 (or whatever the next iteration is) will have a visual refresh.

If it's a slight one like on the Tru2Way TV's

 

Or major..

I'd prefer the major overhaul... 

---

So, what is it that impresses you about each of these?  Is it just the look? 

[GuideDog]

---

hornets27 wrote:

Guidedog,

I agree with what cypherx has said, but with some additional wants.

Don't ignore the mini-guide.  I use this 99% more than the full guide and would like to see some changes there too.  I would like to have the feature when you are scollring through the mini guide, where hitting the previous channel button will take you back to that channels listing in the mini guide and not exit it.  

---

Two great points and topics of discussion here.  First, when using the guide, do people favor seeing more of the current program, while limiting the number of cells that can be seen (mini-guide) or maximizing the number of channel rows, but only being able to see small scaled video?  Are there specific circumstances when each is useful?

Second, I'd be interested in folks' thoughts about how the "Last" and "Exit" buttons on the remote currently function while in the Guide.  Is there a clear understanding of the difference between the two?  Does the way each currently works make sense? 

 Thanks, everyone for the continued feedback... 

[ChrisWB]

I would prefer more cells and the smaller video myself, but how about giving us a choice between the two under settings?  The last and exit buttons make perfect sense to me.

What I would like to see is for you guys to move all the channels marked as favorites to the front of the guide.  That way, I can quickly see what is on the channels I usually watch.  If nothing is on, then I can continue through the rest of the channels.

Another thing I would like is an option to not only set a reminder for a show, but to have the box switch the channel to that show when it comes on.

[timstack]

I would like to point out that alot people don't realize that the Motorola DCT 2000 doesn't support "Scaled Video" when you press guide. Not really a guide issue but comcast should tell their comcast this by letter or e-mail.

[ChrisWB]

I would also like an option to force the guide button to go directly to the guide instead of a list of on demand options.  My remote has an on demand button and I would press that if that is what I wanted.

I hope these suggestions apply for those of us with Scientific Atlanta boxes and not just those with Motorola boxes.

[cypherx]

Ok, good conversation here.  Let me begin with the first screen shot.

You most likely know that the top screen shot is the I-Guide look that you get on a new Panasonic Tru2Way TV.  Why I don't get this look on my Motorola DCH-3416 which has a cable card that supposedly is Tru2Way is beyond me, but I won't divulge into technical specs here.

Pros: 

First, you have a very similar interface to the current I-Guide.  As far as technical support or transitioning to the "Updated look", customers both old and new, should not have any difficulty.   

The updated look that includes a higher resolution background image, smooth gradient bars, nicer polished buttons and a much smoother, aesthetically pleasing font.  Not only does this visual refresh look more pleasing and easier on the eyes, it actually looks more polished and I would call it a "finished" form of I-Guide.  It looks like what a guide should be.  The background image shows a relevant picture, in this case a magnifying glass, which correlates to searching.  The title of the menu in the upper left corner is a larger, bolder font, easy to catch if you accidentally went into the wrong menu, or as a good confirmation your where you wanted to be.  The cursor is a nice shiny yellow rounded block, rather than a solid yellow square.  It's easier to pick out.  There's up and down arrows at the bottom of the screen to signify that you have the ability to scroll up and down in the listings.  Currently there's no indication of that in I-Guide A25's Title search menu.

Cons:

It's still rather limited in screen resolution.  Everything looks stretched.  While nice that the guide fits the screen (unlike mine, which is 4:3 and in middle), it doesn't take advantage of the screen real estate made available to it.  This brings us to the second image below.

"J-Guide 3.0" image.

Pros:

This is very professional guide displaying much more information.  The fonts used are still easy to read, but now you see 11 listings in the search, along with easy to spot On Demand results via the icon.  With the higher screen resolution, not only do you get more search results, but there's room for a video window in the top left, along with a description to the right with the length of the selection.  In the upper right hand corner you have a big bold Search text, with a nice easy on the eyes fading gradient behind it.  The search results actually gives you a total.  In this example there are 1789 results. There's quick access to Save & Record, and Saved Searches all within this screen.  With the current I-Guide, or the Tru2Way I-Guide, you have to back out and go into another menu to find saved searches.  Plus no one has found a way to delete saved searches.  Look at the bottom right of the guide.  There's an icon of a person and it states Family, which has a nice background shade to make it stand out.  This screen element is telling me there's some kind of personalization going on.  Perhaps you can "log in" and see your favorite channels or recommendations.  Or perhaps you can go into a "Family" mode, where search results and guide data only display family friendly programming.

Yes the aesthetics of both screen shots are visually pleasing to me.  Much like Apple Mac OS X is much nicer looking than Windows 3.11 (remember that?!!).  While both screen shots are a major improvement over what we currently use, I prefer the bottom one for the fact that there's more information on the screen, yet it's still not cluttered.  It doesn't look stretched, the fonts are proportional and easy to read, and besides results, there's quick access to other features (saved searches, family filter, etc...).  I'm a kin to details as well, such as the number of hits in the search request.  I do like how both guides are searching immediately.

As for searching, I'd like to be able to search by other criteria as well.  (Actor/Actress, Date, Genre/Subject, Description, etc...) But that's more a feature request than an aesthetic change.

Again I'm paying attention to detail here.  I like what looks polished and pleasing to the eye.  Such in life I prefer nicer things.  Such as the look of a BMW or Audi interior vs.. a Honda, Ford, Chevy, etc..  Or prefer designer items from Target, Ikea, Pier1 vs.. Walmart or KMart.  I prefer an Apple I-Phone over a Motorola Q.  I know were all getting into personal preference with my last statements, but in this case I don't see how you could go wrong with the "J-Guide 3.0" or even the Tru2Way I-Guide as a bridge to the new and better guide. 

Regarding the Last and Exit buttons...

They do make sense to me, but on that note, I find myself accidentally exiting on demand completely, rather than going to the last menu.  I also sometimes mistakenly exit a settings menu, when I meant to go back one.  I'd think if the Last button was called "Back" and on the left of the remote instead of the right, it would make a little more sense.  The back button in Windows, Mac, and Linux is on the left.  Even mobile phone browsers it's on the left.  I don't know if this is why I make that subconscious mistake with these two buttons or not.  Unfortunately these buttons are hard coded in the remote along with their labels, so I don't expect a change here.  What's interesting in I-Guide, if you push Guide, then exit, you go back to the channel.  If you push Guide then Last, you not only go back to the channel, but this time you see the banner along with the short description, channel number and name.  I guess it works fine.  I know that exit is the quick way out, where last takes you back a screen (or previous channel).  I'm just hitting the wrong one on occasion. 

Thanks so much for your reply and your participation in this subject.  It's really an interesting topic and I would love to help provide any input where needed.  If you want to discuss other user interfaces, such as Moxi, PSP/PS3 crossbar, Tivo, Boxee, etc... we can go into further detail in future posts.

Looking forward to what comes out of these studies.  Hopefully you've read some of the responses over at dslreports.com as well.  Many users over there have great input, and I can agree with most of what they are saying.  I'd even be willing to beta test a new guide either in a Java demo on the PC or a full working demo on my Motorola DCH-3416.

[CJ923]

The title search doesn't seem to work very well. We've searched on "Star Trek" multiple times and nine times out of ten get 'no matches found,' even though various incarnations of the show run on three separate stations here (we just never know quite when, as we can't get them to show up in searches!) Also, if you just go with, say, 'Star' and then scroll down the menu of results, it's still not listed - EVEN WHEN YOU'RE WATCHING IT WHILE PERFORMING THE SEARCH! I can't imagine how many other shows are having this problem; we never use the search except to do the Star Trek test now and again.

Also, more and more often the show descriptions in the guide are the generic type (one example of many: for The Larry King Show on CNN the guide usually reads: "CNN's durable interview/call-in show with the avuncular, suspenders-wearing host."-I KNOW that; I'd like to know who the guest will be.Meanwhile, many other shows are listed on many stations with no description at all as to what they are,one only sees the title. I'm not tuning in to find out what "Octavia Dies" is. The shows that could use the generic descriptions don't have them; the obvious ones do.

[WarEagle57]

---

CJ923 wrote:

The title search doesn't seem to work very well. We've searched on "Star Trek" multiple times

...

---

I see several Star Trek programs listed when I enter "START" in the guide search.

[cypherx]

But you should be able to search by description also.  Sometimes I don't know what the show is called, but I know who's in it or some keywords.

Example, typing Star in the search box would get stuff like:
Star Trek

Star Wars

Dancing with the Stars

Rock Star

Pet Star

etc..

Or say I search for Bale,  Maybe it would return Christian Bale movies..

The Dark Knight (HD-VOD)
I'm Not There

3:10 to Yuma

The Prestige
Rescue Dawn

etc...

Also I just got Boxee installed on my laptop.  WOW if you haven't seen that UI and it's features, you need to check it out.  Watch the video at http://www.boxee.tv/

[tmontana1]

Not sure if it's been mentioned or not but it would be nice if the HD channels were next to the regular channels in the guide instead of being hundreds of channels away.

[cypherx]

---

tmontana1 wrote:
Not sure if it's been mentioned or not but it would be nice if the HD channels were next to the regular channels in the guide instead of being hundreds of channels away.

---

I agree.  Something needs to be done to fix the ease of use factor.  How many times do I catch people watching the SD channel instead!  I change it and they act like they didn't know, it's too hard to figure out.

You want ease of use, show HD feeds automatically when you type in the number for A&E, TNT, CBS, FOX, HGTV, TBS, etc...  Just like Cablevision, DirectTV and Dish Network have the ability.

Then when you go to record a show, under the more options there should be a selection to record in SD just to save space.  Otherwise if you have your box set to 720P or 1080i, you should see the channel in HD by default, unless you tell the box otherwise. 

[cypherx]

Some great UI examples here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29133065@N05/

Additionally, how about condensing like recordings.  Say I have 3 episodes of HOUSE on the DVR...

Make you drill down...

HOUSE (3 Episodes)   >    Episode 1, 2, 3

etc... 

[IndyHoops]

Here are my most wanted features:

1. Search on show descriptions, not just titles

2. Add option to find upcoming options of a recorded show.  For some reason this is only available for future shows, not shows saved on the DVR or currently playing.

3. Create a theme that would record shows based on keywords appearing in title or description in addition to setting recordings based on show titles.

4.  Group SD channels and their HD counterparts together in the lineup.

5. Group similar types of channels together (local, news, childrens programming, etc.)

[cypherx]

Ok I ran into a 99% DVR full issue, so I'm cleaning up some stuff to reclaim space.

One of the things I notice is we have a show called "The Doctors" recording on Ch 233 - CBS-HD.  Well this show is pillarboxed anyway, so I might as well record it in SD to save space.

Here's the problem:  If I go into Scheduled Recordings and modify "The Doctors", I go under Set or Cancel a recording, then View recording settings for this program, there's no place to select "Get in SD".

So now I have to navigate that hard to navigate Series Priorities screen, and not mess up moving items down, but actually page down.  I get down to #25 which is the show in question, then I can delete it.  Now I have to go in the guide and find it in SD on Channel 3 and create a new series recording again!

This is not easy at all.  In recording options there should be a place to "Get it in HD, or Get it in SD".

Additionally the series priority screen is not easy to navigate.  You might think you'll page down but you end up moving a show down in priority.

What a fiasco.  I wouldn't of run into this problem if I could of added a 2TB external hard drive. 

[WarEagle57]

Why can't you just cancel the HD series recording and start another one with the SD channel (using the guide listing of the show on the SD channel as a starting point)?

[cypherx]

That's how to cancel the HD series recording as far as I know... at least the most reliable way.  You go find it in the series priority list and cancel it there.  Theres some kind of wack-a-mole thing trying to cancel it any other way.

Point is, I want the show recorded.  I don't want to cancel recording the show, I just want to change the recording quality from HD to SD to save space (and since it's a pillarboxed show anyway).  So in recording properites there should be a toggle.

This would help if HD channels automatically came up on SD numbers.  Because then you could just toggle it to record in SD to save space, or don't toggle anything to get it in HD. 

[andyross]

If you want to cancel a series, you can hit RECORD on one of the entries in the schedule. Go to 'modify series recording'. One of the options is 'Do not record this series.' I think that should cancel it entirely.

[cypherx]

Oh I didn't relize that could cancel the whole series.  I thought that would just cancel the one recording.  What was that Wack-a-mole bug about?  Didn't that have to do with canceling recordings?  Whatever that is I want to avoid it.

[WarEagle57]

Whack-a-mole. 

[cypherx]

Hmm, dish's top option 9 channels by 2 1/2 hours.  Far better than 5 by 1!

See here:

http://bit.ly/pzkZg

[MisterBeasley]

Hi - This isn't about the on-screen guide, but rather the online guide on the computer.  I use this sometimes when I'm not near the TV, or when another family member is using it.  I've tried leaving feedback there, but it seems to be a black hole with no response.

I can't get a listing of HBO or STARZ On-Demand programming.  When I go to that section, I only get highlights - a few pre-selected "hot" programming options.  There doesn't seem to be any way to select just HBO or STARZ using filters, either.

It takes a long time to scroll through all the pages of listings on the TV screen.  This information must be available, but the online guide just doesn't seem to support it.

[jdbcmt0323]

Sounds like I may have an older version than the one everyone here is talking about, but the guide that I have is awful. We got an "upgrade" several months ago that, in addition to causing everything stored on my DVR to go away, seemed to take away all the useful features that the old guide had.

For one thing, we no longer have the ability to search by title. On the old system, I could punch in the title of the show I was looking for and see every time it was scheduled to come on every channel for the next 5-7 days. Now, I can search by letter and scroll through everything that begins with that letter one day at a time, or I can go to a channel and manually scroll through until I find what I'm looking for. It's pretty much useless. The "upgrade" is like the dark ages compared to the previous version that we had.

Likewise, I have much less control over my DVR than I did. I can't see a list of series that I have scheduled to record and manage them the way I used to. I have still not figured out a way to cancel one episode without canceling the whole series record. If something I've got scheduled to record runs longer than usual or has to change times creating a conflict, I'm never notified of that conflict. Instead, the DVR just chooses not to record one of the shows. The DVR decides shows are coming on apparently without the aid of the guide and when the shows don't come on at the time it expects, the title just sits out there on the scheduled recordings list. I've got stuff from back in February that's still showing as a scheduled recording. And that's when the DVR's working at all. The last two weeks, it has just randomly decided not to record things I had scheduled. It does that occasionally.

I've been hanging in, hoping that either Comcast would fix the "upgrade" or that I'd get used to it. After six months, I've gone from being pretty happy with my Comcast service to so frustrated that I just want to chunk the box out the window and go get a dish.

Like I said, it appears from the conversation that some of the folks on here have a newer version of the guide. Here's hoping it comes my way soon.

[andyross]

Sounds like you have SA (Scientific Atlanta) equipment and were part of those downgraded from Passport to some other software. Supposedly, they are working on a version of iGuide for SA boxes. Most of Comcast uses Motorola equipment and iGuide software. SA equipment is used in areas that Comcast took over.

[GuideDog]

This does sound like an SA box.  Can you confirm if your set-top box is Scientific-Atlanta or Motorola?  This would help determine which guide you have.

[jdbcmt0323]

That makes sense. It is an SA box, and Comcast did take over from Time Warner a few years back. The guide change didn't happen until last fall.

It's the pits, though. It's like going from a modern system to the one that we had 15 years or so ago. I don't really care so much about improvements. I'd just like to have the features and functionality that I used to have.

Message Edited by jdbcmt0323 on 04-08-2009 07:00 PM

[wja]

With all the channels that Comcast offers, scrolling through all the channels to see what is on is very time-consuming.  Some improvements:

1) Eliminate from the guide all the channels that this particular box cannot get since it is not subscribed to particular premium services.

2) Allow an option to show JUST favorites, not simply mark favorites but still show all the other channels as well.  If you scrolled through your favorites quickly and found nothing intriguing, then you could use the option to look at everything that your box subscribed to.

3) group SD and HD channels of the same broadcaster together,  Someone already mentioned this.

4) allow various grouping options in setup.  For example, you could group sports, movies, series, news shows each together.

[sahunt1]

I just switched from Directv to Comcast to save $40 a month, but the Comcast guide and features I have on my SA HD/DVR box are so bad I'm starting to think it was worth the extra $40 a month just for the guide!

I figured with Comcast's size and number of years in the business they would be top of the line. Guidedog if you want to see what your service should like hook up a Directv.  The guide I have looks like the guide I had when I first got cable 15 years ago.

[cypherx]

Yeah Comcast is just letting their contracts for Passport run out on it's aquired systems.  Passport is a far better guide, but it costs a little more for the support and maintanance contracts, so they let the system default to the SARA guide that comes included with SA set top boxes.

Passport was originally designed by Pioneer Digital, which became Aptiv.  Then Gemstar bought Aptiv (Gemstar makes I-Guide).  Finally Macrovision bought Gemstar.  Even though they are now all under the same umbrella, they still must be charging a premium for their premium guide and navigation product.  Passport is also available on Motorola hardware via PassportDCT.  RCN uses this software on their Motorola systems.

What I like about Passport are the simple nice touches.  Smooth scrolling, channel logo's, guide fades and animated windows.  The asthetics portion of the guide is just nicer, and the UI actually has a flow to it.  It has passtime games (yes GAMES!), an interactive channel called iSubscribe, which lets you change your subscription package on the fly without even phoning a CSR and getting on hold.  It has an interactive channel that walks you through programming your remote to work with your TV/VCR/DVD Player/etc.  It does have Caller ID on screen and Multi-Room DVR support.  For techies, it has a much more thorough diagnostic system, and you don't have to power the box off to access it.  You can select multiple output resolutions (like 1080i channels come to your TV at 1080i, and 720p come over at 720p, without forcing all HD to convert to one resolution).  It's all around a great guide.

I heard that Comcast's Mark Hess said that Improving the navigation is job no. 1 at Comcast.  So yes, I'm glad to hear it's on the list of things to do.  It couldn't come soon enough.

 I also found this on ComcastVoices:

Comcast Remote:  Love it?  Hate it? 

http://www.comcastvoices.com/2009/04/comcast-remote-love-hate.html

BTW is GuideDog Gerard Kunkel?  Are you on twitter? 

Thank you for the shout cypherx made the link clickable  

Message Edited by ComcastGeorge on 04-15-2009 11:12 AM

[jdbcmt0323]

Glad it's on the list of things to do, too, and I hope I'm still around to see it. I've been generally happy with Comcast to this point, but now my bill has just gone up, the functionality of my service has just taken a nosedive sending me back in time to about 1995, and I may not be able to watch my favorite team when they play on NFL Network this fall. That's a perfect storm that's got me thinking that there's got to be a better option.

I'm frustrated by this on a daily basis. Searching out and manually record shows that I have set to record automatically because they didn't record (that's on the occasions when there are repeats of the shows available). Rolling the dice trying to record a couple of minutes over the end time so that I don't lose the last minute of the show (sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.) Wading through a bunch of series that I set to record that are over but keep popping up on my scheduled recordings list (a reboot takes them off temporarily, but they come back). And just generally trying to jump through hoops to do a simple title search that used to be one of the easiest, most convenient things about my service. It's just massively frustrating to be paying more money for a service that offers me a great deal less than I had just a short time ago. 

[philw1776]

Features like 'ordering pizza' or 'shoping'.  NO interest.

What I want is a DVR that...

1. Knows when a show is a series REPEAT and doesn't waste space recording the repeat

2. Knows when I manually deletethat future REPEAT show, it does not rescan and decide to record it again

3. Knows that I have a HDTV and a guide that does not select a SD cablecast when a HD channel is available

4. Makes Title Search easy, fast and THOROUGH (finds the show, ALWAYS)

Instead of looking for revenue enhancement trick ponys, Comcast marketing would be better served by studying successfull user interface styles with Apple as the best and 10 year old TiVo as good for the masses.  Both are substantially better (more features, easy to use, and RELIABLE) than the present Comcast Guide.

[timstack]

"GuideDog" - When will "SA" boxes see the "I-Guide"???

[cypherx]

I would like Comcast to learn from this product called "MOXI".

Comcast execs, please read the review here:

http://www.hometheatermag.com/pvr/digeo_moxi_hd_dvr/

Notice how much better this thing is than the current DVR. 

[lunski]

---

cypherx wrote:

I would like Comcast to learn from this product called "MOXI".

Comcast execs, please read the review here:

http://www.hometheatermag.com/pvr/digeo_moxi_hd_dvr/

Notice how much better this thing is than the current DVR. 

---

 

Good Morning cypher,

MOXI is a product to watch in my opinion. We do currently support MOXI with Comcast Cable Cards.