Comcast’s Flawed “On Demand” System

9 Responses:

1. Jack Says:
   March 30th, 2008 at 6:03 pm

   Looks like you have a problem with your hardware. Or your cable signal is too high or low. My On Demand has no pauses, or crashes. Use it all the time although it is difficult to find some movies.

   Some programs don’t appear to be listed on the master list yet can be found in other menus. Seems like Comcast could do much better.

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2. DoorFrame Says:
   March 30th, 2008 at 6:38 pm

   While it’s possible that the problem is localized to my setup, I know that at least one of my neighbors a few blocks away has the same problem, only more severe. I suspect it’s a regional problem.

   On Demand is a function I use infrequently, so it’s not that big a deal. But, regardless, it should function properly if it’s going to be offered to me.

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3. ComcastCares1 Says:
   March 31st, 2008 at 3:19 pm

   Thanks for the valuable feedback. We are currently working to address this issue. If you notice any poor reception issues, we may want to schedule a service call to check the signal levels. Please feel free to reach out to me if you would like my assistance in getting this resolved.

   Thank you for being a Comcast customer. We appreciate your business!

   Sincerely,

   Mark C.
   Comcast Executive Offices
   We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com

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4. Troeltsch Says:
   March 31st, 2008 at 3:50 pm

   I wish I had a blog that the executive offices of my utilities paid attention to. Also, it may not work so well, but that was a surprisingly long list of free on-demand movies. I don’t remember anything so good when I had comcast.

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5. jbg. Says:
   April 1st, 2008 at 10:55 am

   comcast = doorframe’s bitch.

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6. 88pathoffroad Says:
   May 9th, 2008 at 10:57 pm

   $5 says I’d be able to fix that problem with a Stealth 5000 digital sweep meter with spectrum analyzer option. It’s a toy only the REAL GOOD cable guys know how to use. ;)

   Could be anything from shoddy splicing or careless equipment assembly in the field, squirrel chews on your house drop, lack of grounds on actives, overactive AGC’s pushing levels too high, loose fittings, old fittings, bad power supplies in amp modules, poor cable system design at your location or in your general vicinity, water in the cable, fittings or equipment, a bad tap, a bad splitter, a bad amp module….you have no idea until you get out there and look at the signal source, levels and powering.

   This is why the subcontractor installers can’t fix anything. They’re paid to drill holes, tack up cable and make digital boxes look pretty on top of your TV. Not to troubleshoot anything on the main lines and system. Not to know anything BUT in-house quick fixes, ie, power-cycle the cable modem…call for a box hit on your new box, etc.

   Comcast’s system should be solid before the contractor gets there, and 85% of the time it is. The other 15% however….usually due to Comcast’s mismanagement of resources, lack of QC work, lack of attention to common problems and complaints in specific areas, and a near-total disregard for employees and customers alike.

   I’d like to say this is an isolated incident but I know better. I’ve worked as a sub on many projects in many different cities, the end result is always the same: SNAFU.

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7. Mark DC Says:
   May 15th, 2008 at 6:26 pm

   Yes. This is my experience as well. I’m in DC and this happens ALL the time. Now that I’ve called Comcast to get some assistance with the error, I now have NO On Demand at all. It just says, “This channel should be available shortly” below the ever annoying “ONE MOMENT PLEASE”.

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8. Tina Says:
   July 8th, 2008 at 8:27 am

   I live in Baltimore County in Maryland. A cable tech told me when you get the error code ( META-6 ) it means Comcast has put a lock on your on demand features because your bill is 30 days or more late.

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9. DoorFrame Says:
   July 8th, 2008 at 8:55 am

   That wasn’t true in my case. My bill was auto-deducted from my credit card each month and always went through. In addition, as you’ll see in the video, I get the error code sometimes, but not other times; it’s inconsistent, so Comcast obviously didn’t block my account.

   META-6 might mean you’ve been blocked for non-payment in some instances, but not in mine.

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