If you have a half-way decent 4K TV then my recommendation would be to set the X1 to output 720p to leave the signal as native as possible and do the upscaling in the TV. The TV upscaler has intimate knowledge of the panel it will be upscaling to and is likley to result in a better overall outcome. If you do the upscaling in the X1 you may be doing unnecessary conversions between YCbCr --> RGB and back again. Each time you do a conversion you lose precsion and could wind up with banding issues.
Of course at the end of the day the real discrimination is what looks better to your eye? If you don't see a difference, which is quite possible depending on the size of the TV and distance to your viewing position, then I would default to having the TV upscale IMHO.
I have XG1V2 and it works fine. I got a 75" JU7100 Samsung TV and get amazing Netflix and Youtube 4K through TV app. Xfinity wants to charge me $60 for pro installation to swap out the box and test cable quality for compatibility.
Do you think it's worth it?
Or should I just change out current box and take chances on getting the V4.
I don't think you should pay Comcast to test thier line to see if it works with their equipment. Do you pay the electric company to see if their meter works on their lines serving your house?
Most, if not all, of those compatibility tests can be done remotely anyway.
Also, what happens to the $60 if it doesn't work?
X1 offers no 4K programming so swapping the boxes won't advance you in any way that we are aware of. Netflix, Amazon and YouTube will look better using your TVs Smart Hub.
In regards to XG1 V4 picture quality the jury is still out. Comcast is dreadfully behind in regards to 4k and as every second goes by they are falling further behind.
@mrpickem wrote:
I have XG1V2 and it works fine. I got a 75" JU7100 Samsung TV and get amazing Netflix and Youtube 4K through TV app. Xfinity wants to charge me $60 for pro installation to swap out the box and test cable quality for compatibility.
Do you think it's worth it?
Or should I just change out current box and take chances on getting the V4.
They said if lines weren't up to V4 standards, then I would not be charged the $60 and they would not leave the box.
Thanks for quick replies.
I will likely cancel Thurs appt for install.
Tech6:
I was not aware that Comcast was supplying "Blu-Ray" (1080p) programs over their new 4K box yet. Not linear cable or high-speed broadband on the Internet.
So where are you getting Blu-ray from?
@MNtundraRET wrote:
Tech6:
I was not aware that Comcast was supplying "Blu-Ray" (1080p) programs over their new 4K box yet. Not linear cable or high-speed broadband on the Internet.
So where are you getting Blu-ray from?
Blu-ray or bluetooth? The XG4 has bluetooth.
Robert:
I am talking about Blu-Ray. Since mid 2000's the only way to watch a 1080p signal was to use a Blu-Ray Player. I do not think the recent poster as actually viewing any 1080p programming through the new cable-box yet.
The new cable-box covers 4K and 1080p. Comcast has yet to send either version of programing on the new box. If Comcast get's the new box working they could supply either 4K or Blu-Ray programs to people without a special 4K broadband player, or those without a Blu-ray player and purchased Blu-ray movies, etc.
Any of us with a UHD smart television can get both Blu-Ray (1080p) and 4K HDR programing from You Tube and other providers.
Since I have DSL optical broadband, I have no need for Comcast any more if they do not get their act together for 4K (or 1080p).
@MNtundraRET wrote:
Robert:
I am talking about Blu-Ray. Since mid 2000's the only way to watch a 1080p signal was to use a Blu-Ray Player. I do not think the recent poster as actually viewing any 1080p programming through the new cable-box yet.
The new cable-box covers 4K and 1080p. Comcast has yet to send either version of programing on the new box. If Comcast get's the new box working they could supply either 4K or Blu-Ray programs to people without a special 4K broadband player, or those without a Blu-ray player and purchased Blu-ray movies, etc.
Any of us with a UHD smart television can get both Blu-Ray (1080p) and 4K HDR programing from You Tube and other providers.
Since I have DSL optical broadband, I have no need for Comcast any more if they do not get their act together for 4K (or 1080p).
Ah: Blu-Ray = 1080p.
My TV's upconvert the Comcast 720p to Blu-Ray(1080p).
Am I understanding you correctly?
And since I don't have a 4k TV, I assume the Comcast 720p from the XG4 is upconverted to 4k by anyone who has a 4k TV?
Robert:
What I am trying to point out is that watching at movie, or other program, that was produced in widescreen 1080p and sold on a Blu-Ray Disc is far better quality than watching the same program: OTA, Cable, or Satellite. The program needed to be transmitted 1080 interlace (2 frames) to view on your 1080p television. Anyone with a Blu-Ray player knows the Blu-Ray copy was better then when watched on the same tv by normal means. And watching the same movie in dvd quality (480p) has no comparison to the Blu-Ray copy.
720p is nothing more than 480p (4:3 screen) with extra pixels added to fill (16:9 screen). The sharpness of the picture is the same. Blu-Ray 1080P has more the double the pixels and produces a better picture.
By the same token; converting any lower quality signal on a UHD (4K) television to 4K is nowhere near as good as the real 4K signal viewed over broadband from You Tube, etc.
@MNtundraRET wrote:
Robert:
What I am trying to point out is that watching at movie, or other program, that was produced in widescreen 1080p and sold on a Blu-Ray Disc is far better quality than watching the same program: OTA, Cable, or Satellite. The program needed to be transmitted 1080 interlace (2 frames) to view on your 1080p television. Anyone with a Blu-Ray player knows the Blu-Ray copy was better then when watched on the same tv by normal means. And watching the same movie in dvd quality (480p) has no comparison to the Blu-Ray copy.
720p is nothing more than 480p (4:3 screen) with extra pixels added to fill (16:9 screen). The sharpness of the picture is the same. Blu-Ray 1080P has more the double the pixels and produces a better picture.
By the same token; converting any lower quality signal on a UHD (4K) television to 4K is nowhere near as good as the real 4K signal viewed over broadband from You Tube, etc.
I bet you accidently mixed up the description. the 480/720/1080 is the count of the 'raw' number of vertical lines that make up the image. the old 4:3 interlaced was 525 lines (at 262 1/2 lines per offset field). the 4:16 HD 480 is 480 lines making up each individual 'image' (think of it like the 35 mm film as a still picture flashed on the screen, then the next image is flashed). no doubt the rest of your description is accurate too.
Box is available in the Bradenton/Sarasota area. The old Pace014 box went weird (lightning probably). Took it back to retail store and they gave me an Arris XG1v4-A. I have a 4K TV (Vizio 2017). I noticed a couple of things:
1. Recorded TV shows did not transfer over — they disappeared. However, the "scheduler" recognized that and put the missing episodes back on the scheduled list to be recoded.
2. Picture quality is fine. I set the TV up with AVS709 HD. The 4K stuff on Netflix CAN look better if the production was done well. I selected the 2160 setting on the XG1.
3. The skip-ahead feature seems slower on the XG1, but only by a second or so.
4. Haven't been able to find a manual yet.
5. For those using an alternate remote (IP control), there is an IR port on the front of the XG1.
@Artherious wrote:
Will it support Dolby Atmos surround sound?
Not at this time.
http://forums.xfinity.com/t5/X1/XG1v4-TV-Box/m-p/2907630#M129152
@DKSac wrote:
"720p is nothing more than 480p (4:3 screen) with extra pixels added to fill (16:9 screen). The sharpness of the picture is the same. Blu-Ray 1080P has more the double the pixels and produces a better picture."
This isn't even remotely true. 720 has over 80% greater pixel density than 480p.
Actually a correction the PD of 720p is over 125% greater than 480p
So is there anyway to specifically request the XG1v4 and Xi5 boxes during or prior to install? I'm a new customer looking to mount my cable boxes and these would fit into much smaller mounts.
"I am talking about Blu-Ray. Since mid 2000's the only way to watch a 1080p signal was to use a Blu-Ray Player. I do not think the recent poster as actually viewing any 1080p programming through the new cable-box yet."
Sorry but there have been many ways to watch a 1080p signal in the last 10 to 15 years.
Every version of the Apple TV, Roku, Amazon TV and many Android STB's have all supported playing video both streamed over the internet and over your local network from a server. For at least 5 years I have been streaming full uncompressed 1080P video files sourced from my BluRay's including the high Def audio tracks (TrueHD and DTS MA HD) via a number of devices. My current best of breed is the Nvidia Shield TV. But I am planning on picking up the 4K Apple TV. 1080p has also been available as an over the air broadcast for quite a number of years, 10 at least. So you are way off in stating BluRay is the only way to get a 1080P image to your set.
I just recieved mine. It appears to support 4K output just fine. However NO HDR support yet. I'm guessing expected late 2017 gives them until 12/31/17. I personally thing HDR is a bigger deal than 4K...
@troywein wrote:
I just recieved mine. It appears to support 4K output just fine. However NO HDR support yet. I'm guessing expected late 2017 gives them until 12/31/17. I personally thing HDR is a bigger deal than 4K...
Did you have to pick one up at your local Comcast store or are they finally shipping them to people homes?
I chatted with COMCAST on 10/25 and asked for the XG1v4 and it arrived yesterday. I live in Colorado Springs.
would someone with netflix HD and the Xg1V4 please use search in Neflix for test patterns, 2014, Season 1 ep 8 and run it (mute sound). let the server side numbers stablize in upper right corner. what is the max reading you see? (I don't have a UHD or 4k to test).
Just self installed XG14 . the only install issue was paring the remote. After 45 min with tech support, they said the remote needed to be replaced, could not get it to pair. so another is arriving in a few days. In the mean time wife reads the remote instructions for pairing, size 2 font, page the side of a quarter of a post card. Says use micro phone, ask remote settings. Ha, then remote paring, select it and the codes appear on the TV screen, after a few code inputs, BINGO, remote pairs. Now, all good, sound bar is working, TV picture is excellent. Better th anthe previous top-box, TV Samsung, 2012 7500. Only issue remaing, never a problem for year past; audio, video syncing issue. Have not upgraded HDMI cables to 4k since Comcast installed in 2015. Are cables the issue? Audio has always been HDMI.
Cheers,
DR
@DR21 wrote:
Just self installed XG14 . the only install issue was paring the remote. After 45 min with tech support, they said the remote needed to be replaced, could not get it to pair. so another is arriving in a few days. In the mean time wife reads the remote instructions for pairing, size 2 font, page the side of a quarter of a post card. Says use micro phone, ask remote settings. Ha, then remote paring, select it and the codes appear on the TV screen, after a few code inputs, BINGO, remote pairs. Now, all good, sound bar is working, TV picture is excellent. Better th anthe previous top-box, TV Samsung, 2012 7500. Only issue remaing, never a problem for year past; audio, video syncing issue. Have not upgraded HDMI cables to 4k since Comcast installed in 2015. Are cables the issue? Audio has always been HDMI.
Cheers,
DR
the sync can either be the sound bar (usually if bluetooth connected) or the TV's settings. run a test by using the tv remote to turn up TV sound. is it in sync on a local TV channel (broadcast)? If it is in sync the TV will offer a sync adjustment to time the audio from your receiver/sound bar.
Are these still only available to new customers? It would be nice to get one for if/when they start rolling out true 4K content. However, I was surprised to see that Xfinity is just now beta testing HD for NBA league pass. That does not bode well for 4K content, when their competition is announcing live 4K HDR NBA games this year. Assuming Xfinity catches up, I would like to get a box so I'm ready for 4K and Dolby Atmos. And the World Cup will be in 4K next summer as well (again not sure if Xfinity will be able to pass that on to us or not).
I called Comcast about these boxes since I heard about them this morning.
They are going to ship these units to me today at no charge. The service centers in the North West do not have them instore yet as it is sitting in the warehouse since it has not been implemented yet; they suspect next month next the holidays. I maybe the first one to get for my area as it should arrive later this week.
Got my box today and set it all up!! Works great so far and it does respond faster.
Just curious for the resolution, is it best to set it to the native resolution of the panel or just set it to 1080p60? My panel is 4K, so I could change it to 2160p60 if I wanted.
If you want to display 4K content then you need to set the box to 4K. For content other than 4K see what looks best. It depends whether your set or the X1 box has a better upscaler.