Comments on: Comcast’s DVR: Still Dumb But Doing Better

By: Vin

Vin — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:15:35 +0000

I have the same complaints about Comcast's DVR: not understanding what is new/repeat and the “key queueing" issue. Family Guy and DEA are two programs that will be recorded multiple times when only "new" is requested (I do not need the 3 Family Guy's a day, even if it is some of the best programming out there). Comcast needs to get with a better info provider like TiVo uses, me-thinks. As for “key queueing", very annoying and happens once every two weeks at least or more. This happens in live programming when rewinding and when using the pre-recorded DVR shows. Anyway, hope it gets better...wanted to add the same testimony.

By: GigaNET AM: Millennial TV, Comcast DVR & More - GigaOM

GigaNET AM: Millennial TV, Comcast DVR & More - GigaOM — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:37:44 +0000

[...] NewTeeVee: Comcast DVR: Still dumb, but doing better. [...]

By: Chris Albrecht

Chris Albrecht — Mon, 19 May 2008 03:29:38 +0000

Hey Vinay,

The problem you are experiencing is called “key queueing,” and I wrote about it a few months ago:

http://newteevee.com/2007/12/06/pushing-buttons-comcasts-key-queuing/

It seems to have gotten worse though lately. I emailed Comcast to see what was up. I’ll let you know when I find out.

Sidenote: Comcast has had severe technical issues in my little corner of the east bay. On Demand is down as are numerous HD channels. A recording says they know about the problem, but it’s been busted all weekend.

By: Vinay Bharel

Vinay Bharel — Mon, 19 May 2008 02:28:48 +0000

I agree that over the past three years that I've owned the Comcast DVR it has improved by leaps and bounds. The biggest problem I still have with the Comcast DVR is the slow interface. Sometimes its just painfully slow but manages to fix itself after a few minutes. I'm not sure what causes this. Perhaps a reoccuring background task or a software update.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 18 May 2008 13:56:06 +0000

Too bad the Comcast TiVo being rolled out in New England appears to be really poorly written code. I don't think you nor I will see Comcast's TiVo for a very long time if ever.

By: Bill G

Bill G — Sat, 17 May 2008 20:59:51 +0000

Chris, I think you and I will be waiting a very long time for the TiVo implementation on the Comcast boxes in SF. Everything I’ve read about the Boston area trial says its going very slowly with lots of problems.

Check this report by Daniel Lyons [aka, Fake Steve Jobs]

http://www.forbes.com/technology/forbes/2008/0519/054.html