We are trying to help simplify life wherever we can. This year, Fancast will enable you to program your DVR recordings in advance from your computer. You’ll never miss a show again – at least if you miss one, it won’t be our fault. It will be as simple as logging onto the site and choosing the programs that you want to record. It’s one more example of how we are always thinking about ways that we can simplify your entertainment experience. Better, easier and more efficient. We want you to be able to sit back and watch…whatever you want, when you want.
Comments (40)
Congrats to the Fancast team. I am shocked that a giant such as Comcast can have the ability to pull off this quality of a web presence. I hope it continues...nice job guys, keep up the good work.
Posted by Andy Halvorsen | January 8, 2008 8:00 PM
Posted on January 8, 2008 20:00
Whoa, i'm very impressed.. looking forward to seeing how this works :)
Posted by Brian | January 8, 2008 10:46 PM
Posted on January 8, 2008 22:46
Congratulations to Comcast for introducing this feature, although I wish they would concentrate on fixing the latency problems they have with their Motorola DVR.
Unfortunately due to line of site problems I have with DirectTV and Dish's HD satellites Comcast is my only option or I would have dumped them long ago.
Posted by JB | January 9, 2008 9:38 AM
Posted on January 9, 2008 09:38
Great!!!!! This is the one TiVO feature that I miss.
Posted by James Tarpley | January 9, 2008 10:52 AM
Posted on January 9, 2008 10:52
Will this remote DVR management functionality work with the new Tivo-based Comcast DVR's?
Posted by Jason | January 9, 2008 12:54 PM
Posted on January 9, 2008 12:54
This site is sick. This is way to cool.
Posted by Sai Surapaneni | January 9, 2008 2:29 PM
Posted on January 9, 2008 14:29
From the comments above, who works for Comcast?
Posted by Dan | January 9, 2008 3:01 PM
Posted on January 9, 2008 15:01
I like the idea of a better way of programming DVR. The Comcast DVR is primitive compared to TiVo.
Like many, I upgraded to HDTV over the holidays. One point of pain is HDTV takes 4 times the DVR disk space. The Motorola DVR box has a USB connector on the back. I'd like to plug in a big disk. Unfortunately it seems Comcast may have dummied down the DVR box so it won't support additional disks.
As Comcast increases the the number of HDTV channels, disk space limitations will become a big turn off.
Hopefully Comcast has a plan!
...John
Posted by John Telford | January 9, 2008 6:15 PM
Posted on January 9, 2008 18:15
I am glad to see Comcast finally trying to turn the tide a bit in the business model they are trying to conduct business with now. They really need to improve their DVR's to be able to record more programs in HDTV definitely. I know that the Scientific-Atlanta boxes do have the option of having bigger Hard Drives but they elect to only put on the 20 hours of HDTV recording capability. Wait till they release the Tivo function due to come out sometime this year in most of their areas, then they will really need to up the ante on these DVR boxes for sure then i think. I know quite a few answers to what is going on actually with Comcast as I have a good friend that is a head technician for their operations actually. You can email me at: sean3300@comcast.net
Posted by Sean Bramlett | January 10, 2008 4:03 PM
Posted on January 10, 2008 16:03
Controlling a DVR from a website ... very interesting, the last I checked the DVRs did not have any type of web interface or internet connection. I supposed it could be possible, since Comcast offers internet thru cable already - I just dont see it as probable without something extra. I'm missing something here as to how this website is going to communicate with the DVR. From what I've seen, Comcast can only send codes to the DVR (or any cable box really) that tells it what you can and cannot watch.
And yes, I am an employee.
Posted by Brandon | January 10, 2008 4:56 PM
Posted on January 10, 2008 16:56
I'll be impressed when they follow through with the promises.
Posted by seatex | January 10, 2008 11:01 PM
Posted on January 10, 2008 23:01
when is the new boxes coming in pa penn hills i have dvr with comcast
Posted by roy | January 11, 2008 12:02 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 12:02
this is 2008 don't hate. if you don't like it don't comment or leave comcast, it is that easy.
Posted by George | January 11, 2008 7:54 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 19:54
I can't wait until they come out with new DVRs. The one I have sucks. It freezes up alot and something if you are fast fowarding or rewinding, the button sticks.
Posted by SingleGuyMoney | January 12, 2008 11:27 PM
Posted on January 12, 2008 23:27
I think Comcast can provide Online Scheduling to their boxes very easily. The existing boxes already accept guide updates and software upgrades, no reason why --recording instructions-- can't be sent the same way. They do know the address of the box.
Peter
Posted by Peter | January 13, 2008 10:20 AM
Posted on January 13, 2008 10:20
I have two Comcast digital boxes with DVR on two different TV's. The boxes are the same, one configured for my old analog Sony TV, and the other for my digital Sharp HDTV. Will I be able to program the two TV's separately?
Posted by Irv from East Lansing | January 17, 2008 7:40 PM
Posted on January 17, 2008 19:40
Will this allow us to pull movies off the DVR and record them to DVD?
Posted by Shannon Kin | January 18, 2008 4:52 PM
Posted on January 18, 2008 16:52
so how many trouble tickets will this cause of i`ll train people trying to do it them selves
Posted by Anonymous | January 18, 2008 6:08 PM
Posted on January 18, 2008 18:08
brandon employee all comcast boxes are already connected to the internet the boxes need an ip for ondemand to work. I hope comcast gets the ability to watch your recordings from your other boxes or transfer to your other dvr's
Posted by jeremy | January 18, 2008 10:22 PM
Posted on January 18, 2008 22:22
Notice that nobody from Comcast is responding (save a tech that is also a subscriber and had a question himself)? The proposed function is cool and all (if it can be made to actually work), but what is the point of this board? Hmmm, why am I posting on it, LOL?
Anyway...since I am, I do agree with the points already made about capacity. Even the latest model HD DVR, which I have, maxes out very quickly on HD program recording. If we take a 2 week vacation we have to record broadcast in standard definition (not HD) to avoid running out of space or auto-delete of oldest previously recorded programs.
Finally, why don't the two LED "REC" indicators on the front panel display work? Obviously it's a software thing that Comcast has chosen not to support along with the PIP feature that should be available. PIP works on Sci. Atlantic DVR's deployed by Cox in No. VA. I've seen it and used it while visiting friends.
Posted by David Fiedler | January 19, 2008 12:47 PM
Posted on January 19, 2008 12:47
This idea makes perfect sense. I've wanted to be able to do this for quite some time, like when people at work are talking about some really great show that's coming on that night but you can't set your DVR to record it because you had a prior commitment and wouldn't get home until it's over. Way to go for taking the necessary steps to make it happen. Please send out e-mail notification when it's up and running. Thanks. :-)
Posted by phoenixuniverse | January 19, 2008 5:18 PM
Posted on January 19, 2008 17:18
I was wondering if along with the ability to manage our DVR selections from the PC, is Comcast going to offer a way to download digitally recorded content from the DVR to a hard drive, USB flash drive or something of the sort. I know that at least one of the Satellite companies are already doing this with their DVR systems and I would love to see it offered to us. I keep having to delete shows from mine because I run out of room and some of them are things I would like to archive somewhere else.
Heres hoping!
Kent
Posted by Kent Sullivan | January 19, 2008 6:25 PM
Posted on January 19, 2008 18:25
I think you guys are analyzing this thing way too much. This shouldn't be difficult to do at all by today's tech standards. BTW, The Scientific Atlanta 8300HD HD/DVR combo box is the worst POS hardware I have ever seen. I think I'm on my 15th box since getting my service bumped up to HD a year and a half ago. Give me Motorola or give me death! Thanks Rigas family.
Posted by automatic_ab | January 22, 2008 1:46 PM
Posted on January 22, 2008 13:46
This will be a nice feature borrowed from the likes of ReplayTV and TiVo. Now if we could network DVRs at home like we can with ReplayTV and TiVo and replay recorded programs on any DVR/TV or a PC at home. Take a hint also from Dish and allow us to plug in an external disk drive into that handy USB port on the new Moto DVR.
Watch out for AT&T and Verizon too. They are nipping at your heels with their offerings regarding features and speed.
Yes Comcast, we want it all. In this competetive environment, perhaps we will. :)
Oh, good job on customer service too. I'm a happy customer.
Posted by Curtis Patterson | January 26, 2008 9:56 PM
Posted on January 26, 2008 21:56
To All The Idiots Who think they Know it all:
To all those who have not a clue the Motorola DVR is also used by more than one company and yes the problems are all the same.
If you think you have frezze problems then let them let the USB software work it would make more problems.And as for recording to other thing get your head out of your EAR. We have recorded onto the computer and onto a dvd you just have to hook it up tp a dvd recorder or computer { we have done both}. by the way you can have pip most cable companies just dont support it.I have worked and sold in more than one cable company and dish/direct tv.
PS :at lease with cable it wont go out if it rains
Posted by Kelly Rossi | January 27, 2008 10:27 PM
Posted on January 27, 2008 22:27
When does this start, to record a program on dvr.?
Opus
Posted by Richard Raney | January 30, 2008 12:54 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 12:54
If you have more than one DVR in the house how would you know which one you have programed and can you program each one individually?
Thanks,
Posted by Steven | January 30, 2008 10:00 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 22:00
This technology was readily available four years ago with ReplayTV DVRs...
Posted by CJ | January 31, 2008 1:56 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 13:56
This is cool, but you need to fix the typo in the intro - the word "on" should be "one'
Posted by Anonymous | January 31, 2008 11:40 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 23:40
Had to go to cable when my trees grew, dish dvr was better than Motorola DVR. Same problems as above plus a new one that Comcast will not address.
Example: Local HiDef channels are 702 thru 712. 702, 703, 704, 708, 712 all come in great, 706 and 710 are unwatchable most of the time, they just respond that the cable must have a bad connection.
Also the Motorola DVR box has an ethernet connector on it, It should allow us to use it as a cable modem.
Posted by Klaus | February 1, 2008 6:41 PM
Posted on February 1, 2008 18:41
this is a message to
Brandon:
you claim to be an employee but obviously need more training
how do you think OnDemand works?
it is based upon having a modem inside the case
you must have an IP adress which is standard if you have ondemand and a dvr.... whats to get?
so while they donot have web interface the do have upgradable firmware a hard drive and an ip... do the math!
Controlling a DVR from a website ... very interesting, the last I checked the DVRs did not have any type of web interface or internet connection. I supposed it could be possible, since Comcast offers internet thru cable already - I just dont see it as probable without something extra. I'm missing something here as to how this website is going to communicate with the DVR. From what I've seen, Comcast can only send codes to the DVR (or any cable box really) that tells it what you can and cannot watch.
And yes, I am an employee.
Posted by Graeme | February 9, 2008 1:10 PM
Posted on February 9, 2008 13:10
Programming your DVR from the web is a nice idea, but I have had both a TiVo and a Comcast DVR for a couple of years now and I have only ever felt the need to use the feature (long available on the TiVo) once or twice. Maybe if Comcast's DVR had a halfway decent listings-browsing interface or a two-week schedule instead of one week or the ability to see future episodes of a program, you would be able to know what's coming up well in advance and not have to resort to scheduling recordings at the last moment when you're away from home (presumably the major reason for scheduling-via-web). Comcast would better spend their effort fixing those inadequacies in their DVR software, as well as the many other problems the DVR has, which are way too numerous to list here.
Posted by Jay | February 9, 2008 6:39 PM
Posted on February 9, 2008 18:39
Doesn't DIRECTV offer this already? Even on mobile phones? 14 day guide, I think.
Posted by *AJ* | February 11, 2008 2:44 PM
Posted on February 11, 2008 14:44
I have experienced a lot of problems with Comcast. I would post the problems, but I know Comcast would censor and not allow negatives to be posted. Only favorable comments are posted!
Posted by joe | February 13, 2008 2:00 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 14:00
First of all Comcast will be able to do this for the same way you can order video on demand. Each cable box has its own ISP address including DVR's. So when you program anything online, the signal will be sent to your cable box ISP address assigned to your DVR. So the same way you can order different Pay Per View on different DVR. You also will be able to program different DVR's in your house, for each one will be labeled according to room location and ISP address. Because after all what is a DVR other than a basic Computer with a ISP address.
G
Posted by Gman | February 14, 2008 2:28 AM
Posted on February 14, 2008 02:28
In reply to your comment, we do have two-week schedule on the dvrs and if you bring up a show info all you need to do is go to the little clock icon and it says see future showtimes.
A Current Employee
Jay:
Programming your DVR from the web is a nice idea, but I have had both a TiVo and a Comcast DVR for a couple of years now and I have only ever felt the need to use the feature (long available on the TiVo) once or twice. Maybe if Comcast's DVR had a halfway decent listings-browsing interface or a two-week schedule instead of one week or the ability to see future episodes of a program, you would be able to know what's coming up well in advance and not have to resort to scheduling recordings at the last moment when you're away from home (presumably the major reason for scheduling-via-web). Comcast would better spend their effort fixing those inadequacies in their DVR software, as well as the many other problems the DVR has, which are way too numerous to list here.
Posted by Cristina | February 28, 2008 5:44 PM
Posted on February 28, 2008 17:44
Hey Nice Feature for a Giant Cable operator to throw out to the General Public, I don't know if everyone knows but thie Beta Fancast site is Available to everyone! Cool! I only wish my Cable company thought of their customers this way, Keep up the Hard work!
Posted by Nick | March 15, 2008 7:40 PM
Posted on March 15, 2008 19:40
The new TIVO for HD have the ability to add an external hard drive to increase it's capabilities. They treat the box just like a PC or MAC and use all the capabilities and software that a smart PC is designed for. Unless Comcast can allow additional HD space and something like season passes it will be worth it to still have a nice dual tuner TIVO. I really do not like having to have two boxes and at last look TIVO has built a box that will interface with Comcast so you do not have to have the Comcast DVR to get the channels and that includes HD....if that is wrong please let us all know.
Posted by Bill Patterson | March 19, 2008 12:08 PM
Posted on March 19, 2008 12:08
Does "Comming Soon" carry the same weight as when Comcast said "Tivo comming soon to your DVR" in other words it's been 2 years and I'm still waiting for "Soon" to arrive.
Posted by SirOssis | March 19, 2008 9:15 PM
Posted on March 19, 2008 21:15
is comcast going to have new DVR boxes when they launch the website were you can set a recoreding on your computer?
Posted by t-tiger | March 22, 2008 6:49 PM
Posted on March 22, 2008 18:49