Hathway goes HD in Bangalore??

[appuchan]

In my apartment almost 40-50 channels are now blocked by Hathway, including StarWorld/movies/action, Star sports and other sports channels, and 4-5 channels in each regional language. We are paying 270 per month for the last 6 months or so. Not sure which package this falls under as the amount and channels doesn't seem to match those on their website. Customer service is almost non-existent and nobody we call up seem to have a clue of what is happening. HD channels also disappeared and they have no clue how to get them reactivated.

 

[gopichandpai]

Current package is the default package. Yes, they have removed many channels from there. New packages will come into effect from Feb 16 for those who are having connection from LCO and from 1st Feb for those having connection directly from Hathway.

If HD channels are missing, it is probably because your HD subscription expired? Contact your LCO.

 

[rahulxy]

I had noticed this about a week ago but forgot to post here...

Yes, I've also seen that major channels like NDTV 24x7, Good Times are blocked. But its inconsistent because NDTV Profit is coming. I dont think its as much as 40-50 channels being blocked for me but certainly a large number of them have gone without any notice.

Here we go again with this nonsensical business...

 

[rahulxy]

This link leads to the Hathway page containing info about the HD PVR.

Hathway Digital Cable

The page also has a HD STB which I havent seen before. Its model number seems to be HDS6300 and is supposedly 3D-ready. Has anyone seen either of these boxes or have any info about their availability?

 

[gopichandpai]

I am not sure about the HD box but I heard that HD PVR box will be available from Monday.

 

[gopichandpai]

Finally got the Hathway HD PVR box. I went for 6 months subscription - Hathway HD PVR box plus 6 months of Vajra package(Rs349/month) and 6 months of HD(Rs150/month) free. I paid Rs10,000

The box looks like this

Contents of the boxes are, HD PVR box, 2 AAA batteries, Remote, HDMI cable, Power Adapter and Manual.

HD PVR box

Dolby Digital Plus Option

EPG-You can see record option, dolby digital indicator among others.

Pressing the info button on the remote brings this screen

There is a menu where you can see recorded and scheduled recordings

Recording is in progress. You can see the seek bar which shows how much is recorded so far. You can also cancel the recording using the record button.

Recorded videos can be seen here

You can cancel the recording of a channel which is happening in the background even when you are on other channel

Different menu items available

EPG looks like this. You can record from EPG menu as well.

Different options on how hard disk is managed and how soon the recording should start and end

Search feature works well. You can search and schedule the recording

310 GB is allocated for the recordings. You can format the harddisk as well

 

[vrishraj]

Thanks Gopi,
Really informative.
Raj

 

[seker]

Looks promising::

Much cheaper than airtel tata & videocon

 

[Nags]

Thanks for the detailed info gopichand, just wanted to know how many channels we can record simultaneously other than currently watching? Is it single cable or need to put one more wire (cable) for recording?

 

[gopichandpai]

Hathway advertised saying you can record 2 channels at a time which watching the third. But that doesn't work. It is a false advertisement. The one you are watching automatically gets recorded and you can record one more channel in the background. So you can record only 2 channels at a time and you need to be watching one of those channels if you wish to record 2 channels at a time. This feature is exactly like what Tata Sky, Airtel and Videocon d2h provides.

There is just a single cable. The tuners are inside the box so only one cable in enough.

 

[gopichandpai]

NG Music HD is working now.

 

[vrishraj]

Thanks Gopichand, for the update.

Is there a user manual softcopy of the new PVR HD set top box?

-Raj

 

[gopichandpai]

I really doubt about the availability of the soft copy of the manual. If you have any questions you can ask me.

 

[rahulxy]

It looks like there is a USB port on the front right side of the STB. Does it do anything or is it a 'dummy' for now?

 

[gopichandpai]

It is a dummy for now.

I heard 6 HD channels will be added in Bangalore. Not sure when. Hopefully soon. Looks like Star Sports HD3 and HD4 are coming. May be they will bring back Fox Life HD and Nat Geo People HD. Two more can be two out of Animal Planet HD, TLC HD, Life Ok HD, &Pictures HD and Travel XP HD.

 

[rahulxy]

There are plenty of new HD channels which we are not receiving. Hathway generally has had the reputation of introducing new channels in bursts (5-8) in one shot. Fingers crossed!

 

[gopichandpai]

Is any one having issues with sound on History TV 18 HD? It is distorted even in PCM mode.

 

[rahulxy]

Yes. History has been distorted for me over a week now.

I was under the impression that it was due to disturbances in my signal because there has been lots of pixellation & distortion which are more noticeable in the HD channels. It may sound strange but the disturbances seem worst around evening time (7-10 PM). Its not so bad during other times.

My cable guy checked the local hub in my building and found nothing wrong. Yet to pinpoint the cause for this. Has anyone had any such issues?

 

[gopichandpai]

Even I have seen the pixellation & distortion recently.

 

[gopichandpai]

What was the message about HD Plans on the STB? When I open the message, it is a blank message.