HD Discussion: The Science Channel (Channel 284)

[Doug Brott]

Discussion thread for the new HD channel: The Science Channel (Channel 284)

Topics: PQ, Programming, Stretch-0-vision (we hope not!), etc.

And don't forget our other coverage of the new DIRECTV HD channels:The list of Launched Channels (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=97211),
Troubleshooting Tips for the New HD Channels (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=99528),
and just for fun, The "I Got Them!" Challenge (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=99586).

[Earl Bonovich]

SCIHD - Confirmed Channel 284

[msmith198025]

Looked pretty good.
Nice crisp images, no blocking or pixilating that i saw.
Good, clear HD!

[petergaryr]

I still have the old "Total Choice" package, so this isn't part of what I can receive. Is the content worth an upgrade?

[Indiana627]

Could not find 1 HD show in the guide for this channel.

Will it just take time for the HD flag to show for the shows on these new channels?

[mhking]

Waiting for new episodes of Survivorman....Les stuck in HD...

[iowaberg]

I get error 721 even though I have the Premier package. Solutions? I already called D* to get Starz HD fixed.

[byrdpack]

I get error 721 even though I have the Premier package. Solutions? I already called D* to get Starz HD fixed.

They should have refreshed your HD package and that should have cleared up everything.

[mhking]

Nice. "The Sun" looks pretty clean in HD

[iowaberg]

Finally got it fixed by calling them again. Recent account activity now looks like this:

09/26/2007 xxxxxxxxxxxx DIRECTV DVR Service $0.00 $0.00
09/26/2007 xxxxxxxxxxxx Starz HD - Charge $0.00 $0.00
09/26/2007 xxxxxxxxxxxx Cinemax HD - Charge $0.00 $0.00
09/26/2007 xxxxxxxxxxxx SHOWTIME HD - Charge $0.00 $0.00
09/26/2007 xxxxxxxxxxxx HBO HD - Charge $0.00 $0.00
09/26/2007 xxxxxxxxxxxx LOCALS HD - Charge $0.00 $0.00
09/26/2007 xxxxxxxxxxxx Sports HD - Charge $0.00 $0.00
09/26/2007 xxxxxxxxxxxx Sunday Ticket HD - Charge

[RyzzWLC]

I had the old total choice package which didn't include this channel. I just upgraded on the website to choice extra package. I didn't see any difference between my old bill and my new bill so I upgraded. I reset my receiver and still I get the 721 error.

I guess I'll have to make a call

[rutgersfan]

I had the old total choice package which didn't include this channel. I just upgraded on the website to choice extra package. I didn't see any difference between my old bill and my new bill so I upgraded. I reset my receiver and still I get the 721 error.

I guess I'll have to make a call

I still have total choice and was watching Smithsonian today at lunch. edit: i have total choice plus. sorry

[RyzzWLC]

I still have total choice and was watching Smithsonian today at lunch. edit: i have total choice plus. sorry

I get smithsonian too but not the science channel which this thread is about.

[hasan]

Perhaps it is bad timing, but I haven't seen anything in HD on the Science channel yet. It all looks like upconverted SD to me.

[gulfwarvet]

i haven't seen/watched anything the suggest this it isn't upconverted SD. anyway it still looks way much better than just regular SD.
and i can't wait to see Survivorman tongiht

[MrKlaatu]

Waiting for new episodes of Survivorman....Les stuck in HD...

Unfortunately, I've seen them all. The new season ended about a week ago. They're rerunning the new ones though.

[PeeWee10]

I've been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Science Channel (284) in HD...but of all new HD channels, it appears to be the least crisp and visually impressive...I thought it might be the current programming that's being shown, but saw a Science Channel program the other night on Discovery HD that looked much much better, and how I'd expect it to. Any thoughts or similar observations?

[joeyvice]

I've been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Science Channel (284) in HD...but of all new HD channels, it appears to be the least crisp and visually impressive...I thought it might be the current programming that's being shown, but saw a Science Channel program the other night on Discovery HD that looked much much better, and how I'd expect it to. Any thoughts or similar observations?


When I checked Directv last they said this channels was in the list of upcoming HD channels in October... Yet it's been on since the start of the new channels... Wassszzzup with dat?:D

[John4924]

When I checked Directv last they said this channels was in the list of upcoming HD channels in October... Yet it's been on since the start of the new channels... Wassszzzup with dat?:D

was it science HD or Sci Fi Hd in October?

[Earl Bonovich]

was it science HD or Sci Fi Hd in October?

Big difference...

Sci-Fi HD is not available yet

The Discovery: Science Channel.... is

[John4924]

Big difference...

Sci-Fi HD is not available yet

The Discovery: Science Channel.... is

getting closer to the BIG 20,000 post, Earl....a celebration planned? :)

[ansky]

Science Channel HD doesn't look any worse than the other HD channels to me. Earlier I had TBS HD on and during an episode of Friends the PQ was so bad it was unwatchable. It may just be an upconversion issue with that show.

[Earl Bonovich]

getting closer to the BIG 20,000 post, Earl....a celebration planned? :)

New Keyboard... :)

[celticpride]

Strange i was just about to post how good this channel looks! i watched a couple of programs today and even though the guide did not list the progams as being in HD i thought the PQ was excellant. i watched a program called hot rocks and the other one was geologic journey.

[RyzzWLC]

I still don't have the science channel but should be getting it. It is the only channel out of the new HD channels I don't get. When I talked to a CSR, he had me reset it and did some things on his end but still no Science Channel. Finally, he told me to wait a couple of days and call back.

Anyone have any advice?

[mdl]

I still don't have the science channel but should be getting it. It is the only channel out of the new HD channels I don't get. When I talked to a CSR, he had me reset it and did some things on his end but still no Science Channel. Finally, he told me to wait a couple of days and call back.

Anyone have any advice?

I'm in the same boat. So, we should call and have them refresh our HD packages?

Is this the consensus?

Thanks.

[purtman]

I still don't have the science channel but should be getting it. It is the only channel out of the new HD channels I don't get. When I talked to a CSR, he had me reset it and did some things on his end but still no Science Channel. Finally, he told me to wait a couple of days and call back.

Anyone have any advice?

Call right back. Don't wait.

[Radio Enginerd]

I just caught my first new episode of How It's Made in HD and it was truly breathtaking!

[Googer]

Indeed, the new episodes of How It's Made that are actually true HD are absolutely breathtaking - I consider segments such as the carved candle being made reference-quality HD. :D Smithsonian HD looks pretty good but it's still not in the same class that this is. :)

[Radio Enginerd]

Indeed, the new episodes of How It's Made that are actually true HD are absolutely breathtaking - I consider segments such as the carved candle being made reference-quality HD. :D Smithsonian HD looks pretty good but it's still not in the same class that this is. :)

Between looking at steel wool, stoves, slot machines and carved candles, it was worth saving on the DVR to showcase my plasma. The best HD I've seen on the Science Channel to date.

Smithsonian looks amazing as well.

[DanL74]

Has anyone found a solution for this yet?

I have the premiere package with the original HD pack. I had to call in and have the Starz charge line added to finally get Starz. but still no Science.

3 calls to D* , reset several times and they have no idea what the problem is.

This is the only HD channel I am not getting....any ideas?

[w6fxj]

Has anyone found a solution for this yet?

I have the premiere package with the original HD pack. I had to call in and have the Starz charge line added to finally get Starz. but still no Science.

3 calls to D* , reset several times and they have no idea what the problem is.

This is the only HD channel I am not getting....any ideas?

If you do not see SCIHD in the guide, and have an HR20 or 21, make sure you have both the 284 SCIHD and 284 SCI enable in the guide you are using.

[DanL74]

I'm getting SCIHD in the guide, but when I hit that channel I get a blank screen with the "channel not ordered" message.

[troman]

The Science Channel is the only new HD channel that I get the 721 message for. I had the Total Choice Plus package, which is no longer offered, so they are billing me for Total Choice. The strange thing is, I get alot of the Choice Extra channels. like ESPN Classic, Fuel, Fox Reality, VH1 Classic, but I don't get others like Science Channel, the Military Channel, etc.

I'm guessing they are honoring the Total Choice Plus lineup for me, and it didn't include the Science Channel. Unfortunately I don't have a list of Total Choice Plus channels, and it's not on the DirecTV website.

Can anyone confirm this?

[weaver6]

I have the old Total Choice Plus package, and I get the Science Channel.

[davring]

I have the old Total Choice Plus package, and I get the Science Channel.

Ditto

[troman]

Hmm, well then I'm confused. You guys are billed for Choice, not Choice Extra, I assume?

The DirecTV rep is telling me Total Choice PLus doesn't include Science Channel, and I need to upgrade to Choice Extra....

[DanL74]

Well, the Science channel just came on by itself today. No calls, no resets.
Strange. But glad it's finally there. Great picture!!

[robmfielding]

I'm seeing something unusual on the Science Channel. My picture has what can only be described as "twinkling little lights or stars" across the middle section of the screen. It's subtle but it's there and only on this channel for me. I have a HR20-700 with hdmi to a Sony 40" LCD. Please let me know if anyone else sees this. You have to look closely and it appears noticeably with darker backgrounds. It could just be my setup causing this but I am interested to see if anyone else can confirm what I am seeing.

[mmicha]

I'm seeing something unusual on the Science Channel. My picture has what can only be described as "twinkling little lights or stars" across the middle section of the screen. It's subtle but it's there and only on this channel for me. I have a HR20-700 with hdmi to a Sony 40" LCD. Please let me know if anyone else sees this. You have to look closely and it appears noticeably with darker backgrounds. It could just be my setup causing this but I am interested to see if anyone else can confirm what I am seeing.

I see it as well. You are not alone.

[soloredd]

God, I love this channel. I had it on Comcast (SD) and watched it continuously. So glad to have it in HD, though! And they show a TON of HD programs.

269-287 is the best block of channels, IMO.

[Josh]

Hey guys -- i had the same problem and here's how we fixed it:

I used to have the old TiVo setup that was 59/month.
When i upgraded to the '20 they kept me on the same 59$ plan and charged me 10/month for the HD package.

Aparently, D* was supposed to back me out of the 59/month plan, and put me on the HDDVR plan for 69.(Same price different "behind the scenes")

After I called them they did this and the Sci channel comes in now. No resetting or anyhting it appeared during the phone call. No change in cost of programming.

[romulox]

I see it as well. You are not alone.

FINALLY..... someone else seeing this issue with the noise / pixelation on the Science Channel.

I've posted this issue here and in the directv forums and no one can seem to relate. Out of frustration I hooked up a 27" Olevia lcd flat panel (my normal tv is the kds-60a2020) to the hr20 via both hdmi and component - I see the problem. Based on that alone I can rule out the TV and my cables (doubtful both sets of cables made by different vendors would be bad).

I then checked my signal strength on 103a (or was it b? - which ever is the one people here have you check for the HDs). My signals were all between 94 and 100.

I don't suspect my rg6 cabling or this white noise would happen on all channels and would only be happening to me - not to mmicha, robmfielding, or my buddy in town with the same issue.

This leaves we with 3 culprits - the hr20 itself, the science channel, or the b band converters. If it's the science channel, nothing I can do. If it's the HR20 - I don't even feel like dealing with it. But the BBCs? I guess I could order some new ones.

Anyone else with thoughts or ideas?

[DTTC]

Sparkle problem has been fixed.

[Carl Spock]

Thanks, DTTC. I appreciate your good work and letting us know. I really enjoy the Science Channel. It's one of my presets on my Harmony remote.

Any chance I can get you to comment on the audio sync problems widely reported here on Mythbusters over the past few weeks?

* rubs lamp *

[DTTC]

There are numerous reports of lip sync problems across many channels. Speaking for the Discovery HD networks (Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet and Science), I can assure you that the signals that we monitor on the satellite downlinks for our own networks are all correctly in sync. These downlinks that we monitor match the signals that are delivered to our affiliates (DirecTV, the cable headends, etc) so we are confident we are delivering correctly timed signals to these affiliates.

From postings on various forums it appears that if home viewers reboot their STB's it corrects the lip sync problem, which validates the statement above.

[Carl Spock]

Thanks again, DTTC. That's good to know.