comcast fail.

Comcast's DVR is the only device I've ever owned that seems to consistently get worse with every firmware update. From the removal of useful shortcuts, to putting invasive advertising in the program guide reducing screen space for useful stuff (like program info). The last two updates have really got under my skin though.

After playing back a recorded program, it used to pop up a dialog asking if you wanted to delete it. This no longer happens. Instead you stare at a frozen image. When you press 'stop' the dialog appears (it also appears after 15 seconds of staring at the frozen screen). According to forum posts I found somewhere, this 'feature' was added because some customers (read as 'morons') felt "panicked" and "rushed" into making a decision. Comcasts official line is that this feature was added so that people could rewind from the end and watch the last scene of a program again. Sounds great. The best part is, this was always possible. Even when the dialog was onscreen.

The latest "feature" that drives me up the wall: The DVR box has an LCD on the front displaying the time, or the current station being watched. When in standby mode, it shows the time. This is really handy, it means I don't need another clock in the room. Or at least that was the case until the last firmware update. Now, after a period of inactivity (ie, whilst in standby for a while), the LCD powers off. I'd like to think there's some benefit to this, like saving power. However, due to comcasts ineptitude, the DVR box actually uses the same amount of power in standby mode as it does when powered up. Winning. Net result: I no longer get to put my DVR in standby mode. (Not that it ever did anything anyway).

Every time this gets under my skin, I get renewed enthusiasm to get mythtv set up. Then I remember what a pain in the ass that was the last time.

Syndicated 2008-05-07 23:25:36 from Dave Jones recollection of stuff that happened.