WolfStalks (Aka Bob's) Ramblings

Jacksonville, FL Comcast QAM Channels Jan 31, 2008

Bob — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:04:00 +0000

Jacksonville, Fl Comcast QAM Channel Line Up
(Updated Apr 18, 2008)

1-1 CW - (113)
1-1 ei 70
1-1 CBS TV-47 (HD) (114)
1-1 TV-4 (HD) (117)
1-2 FOX TV-10 (HD)
1-2 WJCT Public TV
1-2 NBC TV-12 (HD)
1-3 WJCT World
1-3 TV12 Weather Plus
1-3 LATN
1-4 The Florida Channel
1-6 ABC TV-25 (HD)

71.1 HGTV HDTV
73.1 Discovery
73.2 TLC
73.3 Nickelodeon
73.4 Cartoon Network
73.5 AMC
73.6 USA
73.7 Comedy
73.8 SciFi
73.9 VH-1
73.10 BET
73.11 MTV
74.1 HGTV
74.2 Disney
74.3
74.6 CMT
74.8 History
74.9 E!
76.1 Public
76.2 Fe
76.3 St. Johns
76.4
76.5 Gems
76.6 Real Estate
76.7 FCCJ
76.8
76.9 WGN
77.1 Weather Channel
77.2 TBS
77.3 Fox News
77.4 FX
77.5 TNT
77.6 ABC Family
77.7 TV Guide
77.8 Sun Sports
77.9 Weatherscan
77.10 Fresh TV
77.11 EWTN
77.12 CNBC
78.13 TV-4
78.14 ABC
78.15 CBS
78.16 NBC
78.17 iTV
78.18 WJCT
78.19 CW17
78.20 WJEB
78.21 FOX WAWS
78.22 WUFT ei
79.104 NOGGIN - TNT.TV
79.105 Occasional Movie (not always available)
79.106 AMC
79.108 Occasional Movie (not always available)
79.109 [adult swim] (Question if this is always available)
80-103 Nicktoons (New 4/18/2008)
80-104
86-7 Shop NBC
88.1 NBA TV
88.2 Sports TV
89-4 BTV
91.12 Movieplex
93-8 - 93-55 Music Channels
94.10 History
94.11 Bravo
96 HSN
98 QVC
99 Shopping
101-3
106.3 Music High Def HDTV
110.1 CNN
110.2 HLN
110.3 Animal Planet
110.4 C-Span 2
110.6 MSNBC
110.8 WE
110.9 Hallmark
110.10 FSN
110.11 CSS Sports
111.1 CourtTV
111.2 C-Span
111.3 ESPN2
111.4 HSN
111.5 ESPN
111.6 Food
111.7 Lifetime
111.8 A&E
111.9 Spike
111.10 TV Land
111.11 Bravo
111.12 QVC
113 CW (1-1) (New 4/18/2008)
114 CBS TV-47 (1-1) (HD)
117 TV-4 (1-1) HD (New 4/18/2008)

~~As I noted in my previous post I am unable to locate the HD QAM channels for NBC, ABC or FOX...~~

-Bob

Wide Screen TV, QAM Channels, BestBuy...

Bob — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:45:00 +0000

Yep finally took the plunge after studying everything I could find regarding wide screen TVs online for over 3 months.

Our TV was a 35" CRT that was well over 12 years old, possibly 15 or more, and the front controls have been unusable for a number of years and lately it didn't always want to come on.

After much, and I do mean MUCH, studying online I had come to the conclusion that a Rear projection Wide Screen would be our best option, for the size we needed and cost, a $4,000.00 TV was not on this man's horizon.

The drawback to rear projection for us is the bulb replacement every two years or so, the depth and weight was not a consideration for us. I then found the Panasonic Rear projection LiFi series of TVs. 5 year warranty on the Bulb with some suggesting it may last the life of the set. Reviews online for these TVs was mostly positive, noting that it would not have as good a picture as a $4,000.00 set, most that reviewed were positive about it.

One notable less then stellar review was by CNet basically saying that the black reproduction was less then expected. However other reviewers who had bought this set debunked that review saying that adjustments available from the main menu could be used to overcome any such short coming.

I also, from all that research, saw many mentions of BestBuy selling the Panasonic 56" 1080p LiFi on Black Friday for under $1000.00. However the price for this model was back to $1,699.00 and the least expensive I could find was $1,299.00 at Tiger Direct with almost $200.00 in shipping costs and tax to be added bringing the total to almost $1,700.00...

Anyway to make a long story a bit shorter 3 weeks ago I happened to look at the BestBuy web site and lo and behold there was the Panasonic 56" LiFi 1080p Rear-Projection LCD HDTV-PT-56LCZ70 set for $969.00, with shipping at only $60.00 and tax the total was $1,130.98 so I bit the bullet and pushed the buttons and well...

6 days after placing the order the BestBuy truck rolled up to our door and the two guys making the deliveries were great. The moved our existing 35" CRT, which weighs a ton, from the stand, brought in the New TV and placed it in it's final resting place, handed me the papers and remote and I signed the dotted line and that was it.

Now out of the box we were absolutely thrilled with the TV however making some adjustments as suggested in some reviews and forums posts did help make the picture better but unless you are comparing this (or any other TV for that matter) side by side with one of the aforementioned $4,000.00 no way you will tell that the picture isn't the best in the world...

Bottom line is if you are an average TV viewer, as I consider us to be, I really believe you can't go wrong with this set especially if you can get it in the price range we paid.

Picture of the TV in our, now expanded, home built entertainment center is here...

Oh as included in the title of this post, QAM tuner is included with the set, contrary to some of the reviews I read... Now that brings me to the other subject of this post, a Rant really. In searching I find all the regular Comcast channels on the QAM tuner even a few HD channels, which look amazing, However the only local station I can find currently in HD is CBS WTEV TV 47, while ABC, NBC and FOX only appear available in SD.

I was under the impression that cable was required to carry the local TV stations in unencrypted HD however I am unable to locate them and if anyone has any information on this please let me know. I will be posting a list of QAM channels I found in a separate post following this post.

Anyway a BIG Plus for this Panasonic 56" LiFi Rear Projection and BestBuy both for pricing and their outstanding service.

-Bob

Sometimes even I can't understand our Gov't

Bob — Tue, 29 May 2007 23:11:00 +0000

The headline reads...

US on Mad Cow: Don't Test All Cattle

The article is here:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=3222947&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

If a company wants to test more then is required, for any food, then I say Good for you. If it hurts your competition, well then tough...

I mean it's like the Hendrick Teams testing on non-sanctioned tracks without Goodyears and guess what, they are winning, and Jack starts crying...

Here is the deal folks, if you want to do more then your competitors and it is legal, then Go For It!

Especially when it comes to our Food Supply! How about some common sense here folks?

-Bob

Nascar 2007

Bob — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:21:00 +0000

Nascar's 2007 Season is upon us and questions abound... How will Toyota fair, will JJ be able to repeat? Will Jeff Gordon's new family status affect his driving? Which Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards will we see this year?

Well speedweeks has pretty well answered the Toyota question for now, they have lots and lots and lots of work ahead of them.. Michael tell us it ain't so, you didn't try to cheat did you?

Jimmie Johnson sure looked solid but not spectacular in Qualifying and in the Shootout but Nascar still rewards consistency and with a few wins I have no doubt JJ will be in the hunt for the Cup when the Chase arrives.

Jeff Gordon looked horrible in the Shootout but that appears to have been all mechanical in nature, which takes us back to the Consistency equation... Jeff sure can't have 7 DNFs this year again and expect to make the Chase. Winning will get you to the front but consistency is what carries you... Very solid qualifying run on Sunday however hopefully will start a better overall season for Jeff.

Tony sure jumped to the front in the Shootout and was Ok in qualifying, Carl looked, ummm, well can you say average at this point.

The Twin Duals on Thursday provide more clues as to each teams readiness for the 2007 season and also start some teams off on the wrong foot, missing the first race and the points that go with it...

More after the Duals on Thursday.

Till then keep an eye on the penalties being handed out today or tomorrow and don't be surprised if Michael is ruled to have cheated to see him miss the first 4 races of the year virtually guaranteeing a very rough road ahead of the 55 car...

-Bob

The Tale of Two Plays...

Bob — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:27:00 +0000

But for two plays by the same player yesterdays Loss to the Redskins would have been a win...

Santana Moss catches a pass and twists and turns it into a touchdown... Then as everyone knows he catches another, in Over Time, and twists and turns it into the winning score...

Our Offense honestly didn't look bad but our Defense wasn't near the caliber of play we have come to expect and we need to get 100% on both sides of the Ball if we expect to get to the Playoffs and beyond...

Disappointing? Yes... Disheartened? No

A week off and then some games back here in Jax may be just what the Doctor ordered, only time will tell.

-Bob

Jags lose a Heartbreaker...

Bob — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 13:56:00 +0000

Well for almost a 1/2 of the game yesterday against the Colts I believed that the Jaguars were a changed team. They utterly controlled all aspects of the game and combining that with last weeks Victory over the Steelers I was thinking finally we are putting it all together...

Well it turns out I was wrong :(

Our Special Teams let us down and Byron lost whatever edge he had and started playing lackluster football... That allowed Indy to stay in the Game and ultimately win the day.

Kudos to our Offensive Line, Defense and Running Game.

We better find the missing ingredients before next Sunday. Mark Brunell had a standout day yesterday setting a New NFL record for consecutive completed passes, Twenty Two (22), yes that is right 22 completed passes in a row.

Jags find what you had in Pittsburgh and no one can beat us, come up short in any aspect and we get days like yesterday...

-Bob

The Steelers Meet the Teal Colored Steel!

Bob — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:32:00 +0000

Wow what a game, 9 - Zip Jaguars over the Pittsburgh Steelers!

Before you start with the "Ben wasn't 100%" talk let me be the first to agree Ben Roethlisberger appeared rough around the edges a few times however that doesn't take one little bit away from the Jag's Defense which just flat out played a Great Game...

The Jag's Offense, while not scoring in the 1st half, did move the ball and get 1st downs not allowing the Steelers unearned field position. The Offense actually came out of the Gate swinging which is a much sought after result for this Offense.

The Jaguars showed me more passion and excitement as a whole Team last night then I can remember in quite some time. If they can bring the same mind set and execution to the Game next week you never know Peyton and the Colts may find they have their hands full as well...

GO JAGUARS! 2 - 0

-Bob

Jags win a big one and other notes...

Bob — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 15:19:00 +0000

The Jaguars won a big one against the Cowboys this past Sunday. As usual the Offense got a slow start but did manage to come to life in the First half rather then waiting for the second... A Win is a Win and a good way to get the Season started :)

The Tropics are finally starting to get rolling, Hurricane Florence, Tropical Storm Florence and now Tropical Depression 8... Makes you wonder can we really predict Hurricane activity more then a few days in advance?

Who woulda thunk that Tony Stewart would miss the Nextel Chase?

What is today's status of Friendship Fountain? If you know let us know cause it doesn't seem that even the Mayor knows?

Will I get to post another WIN story next Tuesday? The Jaguars finally get back on Monday Night Football but now it is on ESPN...

Was it just me or did the media go way overboard with the Sep 11 5th year anniversary remembrances???

Good Job Atlantis! Come home safe.

-Bob

2006 NFL Season - Jacksonville Jaguars

Bob — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 16:49:00 +0000

The 2006 NFL season is upon us and while I am excited about Football being back and the Jaguars I must confess that I was less then impressed with the Jaguars Preseason which while a winning record of 3 and 1 I still saw the same old slow starting Offense hoping that the Defense would keep us in the game till they could get something going...

What is up with Jack's fixation on Leftwich, while Byron was the best looking QB we had in the Preseason and I do not doubt for a moment that he is the best overall QB we have I still don't see the intangibles on the Field from Leftwich, where is the pumping up your team when a ball is dropped or you miss the throw?

Bottom line to me is if we are to make the Playoffs and get past the first Game everyone must step up a notch and Byron needs to make a difference on the field, both with his playmaking and leadership and spirit...

I don't know why we haven't looked to draft the next QB yet and if we fail to at least get to the AFC Championship we best be thinking strongly about doing just that next year...

Long season coming and a brutal start but it is time to say GO JAGS! and stand up and support our team...

Game one prediction... Jags 20 - Dallas 17

-Bob

Friendship Fountain needs YOUR Help!

Bob — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:56:00 +0000

In the event you are not aware I also have been running the unofficial web site for Friendship Fountain since 1999 (or so) JaxFountain.com - FriendshipFountain.com.

The Fountain is in danger of being completely replaced and anyone with an interest I urge you to view the web site and contact the Mayor and your local Elected officials and voice your concerns, displeasure over these plans...

SAVE Friendship Fountain!

Never said everything would be Internet Related ;)

Bob — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 03:16:00 +0000

With the upcoming Florida elections, especially Governor, we have all been bombarded with the Election TV Ads and while I can't say who I am voting for, I honestly don't know yet... I can say that the Republican Ads for Gallagher and Crist almost scare me...

Christ claims that Gallagher once bashed Jeb Bush but now claims to want to follow his programs while at the same time Christ claims to have never have voted for a tax increase...

Ok so on one hand we have Gallagher who, if Christ is to be believed, is two faced, well what elected official isn't now-a-days...

On the other hand Christ claims to have never voted for a tax increase. While I am the last to want tax increases it seems to me that never, ever voting for a tax increase could almost be as irresponsible as voting for every tax increase as there are times when taxes do have to be increased...

I just have to say that everytime I see the Christ Ad the "I have never voted for a tax increase" makes me want to look elsewhere for real leadership, and Gallagher worries me just as much...

On the Democratic side it appears we have Davis and Smith, aren't they really FBI Agents?, and quite honestly while I know I have seen Ads for each I cannot remember a single item that caught my attention, good or bad, and that usually isn't a good thing if they can't even get my attention...

*sigh* Politics as usual I guess :(

I don't care who you Vote for, but do a little research, and at least Vote...

-Bob

Friendship Fountain

Bob — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 15:21:00 +0000

As anyone that knows me in the slightest will know that I run JaxFountain.com, http://JaxFountain.com , a site dedicated to Friendship Fountain which is a major focal point of Jacksonville's downtown...

Friendship Fountain has been only in partial operation for almost two years now and recently it came to light that the City was considering demolishing the Fountain and replacing it with a interactive kids park with "Water Feature". I am opposed to such a move and have made as much noise possible to get concerned citizens to be made aware of the situation and to get the City to repair Friendship Fountain and improve the surrounding park area.

For more information and what you can do please visit The JaxFountain Web Site.

While posting this post for some reason I decided to check on the availability of FriendshipFountain.com and FriendshipFountain.net and guess what... Yep they were both available. I last had checked some time ago and they were both taken but today they were available and now they are part of jaxFountain.com :)

Thanks,
Bob

Going to try this yet again...

Bob — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 19:43:00 +0000

Over the years I have started many different posting solutions, even before blogging was a word, however either they died due to the difficulty in updating them or recently with comment spam and hacking attempts...

I am going to try and post at least weekly on something, and no promises that the posts will always make sense and I absolutely can guarantee you that at times a post may seem like it is from way out left field but I will at least try and keep posting...

You may never find anything of interest here, and I wouldn't be surprised at that, as I will simply post what comes to mind and about a subject that happens to be something I am thinking of at the time...

Check back and see what develops :)

Enjoy,
Bob (Aka WolfStalks)