About mark.bidewell

@Jyeager71 wrote: I'm in the same boat. Have Digital Starter, I get all HD channels on my cablecard with Tivo, android streaming, but not on Roku. My bill does not show the HD Technology Fee. This should be fixed for those us that recieve HD in all other methods excect Roku, for no other reason than our bill is coded differently. I stopped using the app and went back to my CableCARD due to this issue.  Even though it appears that triggering off the fee rather than the entitlement is intended behavior, having the app manage entitlements differently from STB/CableCARD/Web is unequivocally a bug as it introduces a situation where 3 methods of video consumption use one value and 1 does another.   I am coming to the conclusion that even though the app was initially presented as an alternative to CableCARD and AllVid, its purpose is to power the OTT Video service Comcast is rumored to be considering not as an alternative to an STB. ... View more

@ftrain99 wrote: So there is a v2.0 coming next month according to the first page of this forum.    The part about the renaming to xfinity stream does not bode well.   Below is a Comcast page about the xfinity stream app as it exists now in its limited release to certain markets and the charges. Let us hope against all hope that there are no charges in store for the future. I for one have been an advocate for this app with the expectation that this would likely become a niche product for a relatively small portion of users. Realistically I cannot see all comcast customers going this route. Alas, the lack of real back and forth in this forum with real comcast folks (apologies comcastdan) makes me worry that this was nothing more than govt appeasement under the now lifted Obama administration mandate to find ways to remove stbs.   https://www.xfinity.com/support/cable-tv/stream-faqs/?currentTopicId=624fac04-667f-42de-88d8-ef79da56ca9b&currentCollectionId=624fac04-667f-42de-88d8-ef79da56ca9b-2   I was never naive enough to not expect charges but I suppose one can always hope eh? The Android and IOS apps as well as the xfinity.tv website have been rebranded to xfinitystream, so I think this change is just branding. ... View more

@rrkrol wrote: It's great that I can see live TV.  But I see only a handful of local stations.  I was expecting to see all cable channels which are available on my subscription. I would suggest contacting Comcast in order to keep this entitlements mess in their mind, however, given it worked then stopped working, and the silence from Comcast, I don't think there is interest in resolving the issue. ... View more

To everyone who has SD/HD issues,   I tested tonight and I have what appears to be some HD back.  The 800 Block is not there, but some SD channels appear to auto tune HD (i.e. they fill the screen).  I don't see the "format" option in settings so perhaps this is a fluke.   EDIT, after some more checking, it seems that, strangely, only FX was in HD.   ... View more

@bdw4791 wrote: Interesting. I just got and hooked up my cable box. But there has been a TV outage in my area since yesterday so I wont be able to see if the same problems I have on the Roku app occur on my box until the outage is over. But what puzzles me about this is that if we are not using internet data with the Roku app and it is using the TV signal then why with a TV outage in my area is the Roku app working at all, albeit with the problems I previously described? If I understand correctly,  the TV data travels over a private IP network,  A TV outage could be caused by any number of devices not involved in delivering IP data to you. ... View more

@Bird85 wrote: Everything was running fine but about a week ago the basic hd channels such as abc hd cbs hd and etc which are normally found in the 800's have disappeared off of the tv guide..it jumps from the end of the 700's to the 900's.nor can you access them by typing in the number...I could however access them in last watched but of course they get bumped off if start watching a new variety. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the app to no avail as a last ditch effort...so now even last watched is useless. FWIW, I just got off a chat with (supposedly the Roku App Team).  They stated they are very aware of the issue. ... View more

@mark.bidewell wrote: @asndad wrote: Yes, all local, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and all of the non-network channels like local TBN. Thanks,  I'll check that out and report back. I have local channels but only in SD.  I don't have premium subscriptions so I can't test that. ... View more

@asndad wrote: Yes, all local, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and all of the non-network channels like local TBN. Thanks,  I'll check that out and report back. ... View more

@asndad wrote: I lost all local and HD service, as well as some HBO channels. I talked to a tech named Devin, out of Colorado. He got the issue fixed. He is the one that said my account was programed as "national ". Just relating what was told to me. What is best is, after 3 hrs on the phone and 5 days for repair, it is now working. Remember, try to get them to escalate your call. Thanks, I'll have to check if I any access to local channels via the App (I assume you mean ABC, CBS, NBC, etc)? ... View more

@asndad wrote: Not to be mean or anything like that but, there is a known issue with accounts. As I have posted before, you need to call comcast tech support, and explain the issue. You will need to escalate the call to app support team. Have them look closely at your account setup and programming. It took 5 days to fix my account. They said my app account was mistaken as a "national" account accidently. This caused no HD, HBO did not work properly, and many issues with on-demand. I had to talk to a tech for over three hours. The tech added a test sign on, and verified the issue. That was the only way I got it fixed. Out of curisosity, in your conversation, did they indicate if you were entitled to HD independent of the national account issue?  Also, did you have access to local channels (in either SD or HD) prior to resolving the problem? ... View more

The Digital Preferred Package has been mentioned several times in this thread.  The package predates the HD Technology Fee, and I believe used to include HD.  Could it be that older package entitlements are not being honored by the app? ... View more

@bdw4791 wrote: @kad392002 wrote: I just rechecked my newest bill and I am definitely a digital preferred tv subscriber.   If HD service is included in the Digital Preferred package at no additional charge and that is why there isn't an HD fee on your bill it might help if you would explicitly state that. Unless you are trying to make ComcastDan look stupid or something. The SD/HD problems with the app go beyond just account issues.  ComcastDan confirmed my account was correct on 3/1, but the app does not provide HD channels, despite STBs working correctly. ... View more

@Deaofly wrote: I live in Baltimore MD and my package for cable believe is Digital preferred. I have the same package and internet as you and don't have HD, When did you install the app?  I don't know if this is related, but I swapped out my cable modem, I wonder if this could be an issue?   ... View more

@gjblajian wrote: Well, I log in to the Xfinity TV Beta app on the Roku Express this morning and see that now I don't have access to the OTA HD channels (in the 400's). Which is interesting because they were there when I last looked (and I get them from my roof mounted antenna for free). In addition, I do have access to the HD channels in the android Stream TV app and in the browser (https://tv.xfinity.com/live).   On top of that, the community channel(s) still does not work. I still get error, "Sorry! Something went wrong. Please try again later (Error DRM.-3)". Since the government mandates these channels be carried as part of their licensing I have to assume this is an error on the part of the Roku app or on Comcast's part especially since they work fine via the web streaming app and the android streaming app. I did manage to get the channel to stream while I had the same channel up streaming in the browser but when I closed the browser window and restarted the roku app, the issue returned with the same error message. Cable Channel Maps often differ from OTA channels, can you find and of the channel names in the 800 block? ... View more

@ComcastDan wrote: @mark.bidewell wrote: I wish someone from Comcast would chime in, I receive HD on 2 CableCARD STBs, but not on the app.  I would love to understand why. Hi Mark,   I checked your account and see that HD channels show as "entitled" (meaning you are subscribed) and that they have IP streaming versions available.  When you try to tune to channel 810 (NBC in your area), you can't?    -ComcastDan Thanks for your reply, given the confusion during my chat session, I wasn't sure the exact state of my account.  When I use the Roku App (my STBs, and XfinityStream are functioning correctly), The Live TV guide will not scroll into the 800 block of channels.  If I Push * and enter a number (811 for example - CW), the guide will scroll to, I think, 789 and stop, so there is no way for me to hit "watch" on an HD Channel. The HD channel block is inaccessible.     Does that make sense?  Also, the last time I tried on-demand, I got SD.    Thanks again! ... View more

@Bgnome wrote: All my HD channels have suddenly disappeared this week as well. My channel lineup on my Cable card device and the new Xfinity Stream app seem to be working just fine. Unfortunately, this makes the Roku app nearly unusable for me. It has been working mostly well so far. I'm using it on a Roku 4 with a 100+ Mb Homeplug connection. You make the third CableCARD user to encounter loss of HD on the App. This would indicate that CableCARD accounts are not being set up properly for HD.  Have you contacted support? I wonder if you will get a similar response to the one I noted above. ... View more

I wish someone from Comcast would chime in, I receive HD on 2 CableCARD STBs, but not on the app.  I would love to understand why. ... View more

Just had a rather confusing series of chats with Comcast on the SD/HD question.  The first agent transferred me to the app support who inferred that I didn't have HD (even though I have access to HD on my STBs and have always had HD) he the transferred me to another agent who stated that my account was marked as being able to receive HD channels and he would esclate the issue to the app team.   Right now I use CableCARD STBs for my two TVs.   Could someone from Comcast comment on what is required for HD channel availability on the app? ... View more

Tonight I went to use the app and channels in the 800+ block (HD Channels) did not appear in the guide.  In contrast, I DO receive HD channels on both of my cablecard STBs. ... View more

@Rustyben wrote: @mark.bidewell wrote: I just upgraded my cable modem from an Arris TM822g to the DPC3941t wireless gateway (I am running in bridge mode in order to leverage my WRT1900ACS).  I can no longer use the Roku app which worked with the TM822g even after signing out and reauthorizing.  I can enter the app and navigate the guide, but I get a DRM-6 error when I attempt to "tune" to a channel.   I tested on-demand and I am able to view on-demand. have you tried after taking it out of bridge mode? Do you have your wireless router configured for ipv6? do you use the DHCP provided DNS servers? When I tried the next day, the app was functioning normally once again.  I will say that updating to the wireless gateway seems to have improved network performance while using the app. ... View more

I just upgraded my cable modem from an Arris TM822g to the DPC3941t wireless gateway (I am running in bridge mode in order to leverage my WRT1900ACS).  I can no longer use the Roku app which worked with the TM822g even after signing out and reauthorizing.  I can enter the app and navigate the guide, but I get a DRM-6 error when I attempt to "tune" to a channel.   I tested on-demand and I am able to view on-demand. ... View more

Should the on-demand show lists in the app be the same as online for network TV?  I went to catch up on a show via the app, I could see the latest episode on the xfinity.tv website (5 episodes total), but not on the app (3 episodes total). ... View more

@ComcastDan wrote: Your point is well taken but I don't have any information on any potential future pricing plans so not sure if or how this would be managed. I agree that it gets more challenging with customer-owned devices - particularly if fees become involved. Thanks, I understand you don't have all the answers, I just wanted to make sure the issue got raised. ... View more

@ComcastDan wrote: @mark.bidewell wrote: @ComcastDan wrote: @lkpolovchik wrote: How do you opt out of this app once it is authorized? Is it as simple as signing out of the app and removing it from the Roku device? What do you mean by "opt out"?  Within the app settings area, there is a "Sign out" option. There's no way for Comcast to know if the app is installed on your device or not, only if it is signed in and being used, so removing it from your device is optional. I believe what is being asked is, once fees are institued, how do you ensure that fees are not assessed for devices where the app is no longer in use?  Will My Account eventually show authorized Rokus?  I don't have any info on potential fees but can speculate on what may happen when we transition from the beta to full production version of the app. I'm guessing that we would deprovision (unauthorize) all existing Roku devices which would force customers to sign in again and accept any updated terms of service and potential fees.   Again, this is speculation but seems logical based on what I know about our back-end systems. Thanks, thats part of it.  However, once the beta ends, the situation is exacerbated.  The 3rd party STB/Smart TV market is far more fluid than the STB rental market.  People swap devices a lot, someone swaps a roku STB for a Roku TV or vice vera.  Or if the partner program takes off possibly an Apple TV or Nvidia SHIELD.  Ensuring the correct devices are activated is critical from a customer service standpoint once fees are being assessed.  On my Amazon Account, I can view a list of devices I have authorized for my account, and I can force deauthorization of a device if necessary.  Is something like this planned for Xfinity My Account? ... View more

@ComcastDan wrote: @lkpolovchik wrote: How do you opt out of this app once it is authorized? Is it as simple as signing out of the app and removing it from the Roku device? What do you mean by "opt out"?  Within the app settings area, there is a "Sign out" option. There's no way for Comcast to know if the app is installed on your device or not, only if it is signed in and being used, so removing it from your device is optional. I believe what is being asked is, once fees are institued, how do you ensure that fees are not assessed for devices where the app is no longer in use?  Will My Account eventually show authorized Rokus?  ... View more

@JEB11 wrote: @mark.bidewell wrote: Here are some feature requests.     *  The guide should "wrap" at the beginning and end  i.e.  Channel up from the lowest channel should move to the highest channel and vice versa *  The up and down buttons on the roku while in live TV mode should change stream to the next or previous stream.     Out of curisoity, can anyone say if the app operates via UDP Multicast or TCP stream? I set up a static IP address for my 3600 streaming stick and tracked it through my router's system log.  Looks like TCP only. Thanks!  I was curious because the app seems to impact other network traffic far more than streaming via amazon. ... View more

Here are some feature requests.     *  The guide should "wrap" at the beginning and end  i.e.  Channel up from the lowest channel should move to the highest channel and vice versa *  The up and down buttons on the roku while in live TV mode should change stream to the next or previous stream.     Out of curisoity, can anyone say if the app operates via UDP Multicast or TCP stream? ... View more

@JEB11 wrote: I'm not sure if this is causing the instability problems I've been seeing on the Roku TV, but I've been monitoring bandwidth usage on my Router from the Roku Streaming Stick (3600).  Although the stick appears to maintain a stable connection, bandwidth usage fluctuates wildly.  Every 2-3 seconds the download voluime shoots up to approximately 8 Mbps and then plunges to about 75 Kbps.  You could use the needle on my router's bandwidth gauge as a fan. This could be valid,  The app buffers then play through that buffer, the grabs another buffer etc. ... View more

I used the app for about 3 hours last night.  Very nice for an initial release.  Streaming was smooth except for rebuffering near the end of programs.  One thing I did note was that it seemed that Bandwidth utilization was unusually high.  For reference I have an Arris TM822g eMTA connected to a Linksys WRT1900ACS running LEDE.  I know this setup is capable of pushing at least 220Mbps (speedtest) via wireless.  I have the Blast internet upgrade. Using the router's monitoring it looked as though I was seeing about 24Mbps consistent load on the wireless and peaks even higher.  This seems high for a TV capable of 720p/1080i.  A speedtest (over wireless) while streaming gave about 119Mbps which should allow web surfing without issues.  However it seems like DNS queries became very slow while streaming, after initial DNS queries were cached performance improved.  All xfinity sites (such as "My Account") were almost unusable.  For comparison, I have not noted performance issues when streaming from sources like Amazon Prime. I don't think the router is at issue as its load average was rarely above 0.5.  Do the newer Wireless Gateway have better performance than the TM822g? ... View more

I would add two other things: 1)  The stream often rebuffers near the top of the hour which can interrupt a program. 2)  The guide does not keep up to the current time, For example if tuning to channel with a half-hour program, if the time is past the first half of the hour, pressing "OK" will open the information for the first half hour rather than tuning to the current program.  ... View more

The Xfinity Beta App Has been released!!!!   https://channelstore.roku.com/details/123132/xfinity-tv-beta   http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/comcast-xfinity-app-roku-1201974253/ ... View more

Can you confirm if you see the app in the Roku Channel store? ... View more

Do "eligibility requirements" mean that not all Xfinity TV subscribers will be able to use the Roku app?  Also can you confirm that Roku app usage won't count against the data cap? ... View more