Comcast Cisco/SA markets are finally getting the iGuide

Although only about 25 percent of Comcast markets use Cisco/SA equipment, there's good news for the minority as Comcast is finally rolling out the iGuide to you. We're not saying we're fans of Comcast's iGuide, but if you've been using the SARA guide for the past few years we don't have to tell you that anything is an upgrade. This project has been in the works for five years and just goes to show how slow the cable set-top box upgrade process is. To make matter worse, about 60 percent of Comcast Motorola customers already have access to a more advanced A28 iGuide that isn't available to Cisco/SA boxes yet, but this older version will work with the new EBIF based interactive features we've been seeing recently. In either case, we couldn't see using either for even a day and although we're not the biggest fans of TiVo, it is easy to see why some are when you consider the competition.

[jnemesh Posted May 19th 2010 7:13PM]

GOD ALMIGHTY! What kind of POS system would make you THANKFUL for Comcast's horrific iGuide? I used to think the Microsoft interface was bad, until it got replaced by iGuide! It really makes me glad I am on a different service now and dont have to use Comcrap, I mean Xfinity's lousy guide!

[cypherx Posted May 19th 2010 8:32PM]

I guess they have to start somewhere. I-Guide is an improvement over SARA, but in the last remaining Passport markets (Williamsport and York PA) I-Guide is a downgrade.

I'd rather see that huge grid guide showcased in 2008. It was running on a simulation on a PC at that point, but they have it running on some test boxes in development labs.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r24262603-Official-Comcast-blog-about-new-SA-guide

[Barbaric Posted May 20th 2010 4:20AM]

Time Warner finally got in step. In the western NY (Buffalo) area we finally got an upgrade too. I've had SARA on every STB (all SA) for over the last 7 years since before HD. They call it "navigator" and it's a huge leap. VOD is incorporated into the guide, making it way easier to find anything- plus a qwerty search screen. I mean totally integrated in the guide & search, making VOD finally useful, it is hard to describe. And best part, it still recognizes my 1 TB external eSATA dvr extender drive. I was worried I would lose it. Funny guide aspect ratio- not 16:9 not 4:3- actually 5:3. But anyway, I was really sick of TWC and planning on switching to a dish, but this really swayed me.

[jason202 Posted May 20th 2010 10:47AM]

Now that the iGuide and Passport Guide are co-owned by Rovi, I'm not sure why they wouldn't move everyone over to Passport, because it is vastly superior to the ancient iGuide.

[ngsm13 Posted May 20th 2010 3:12PM]

Or you could just get a MOXI...

[rv65 Posted May 20th 2010 7:08PM]

Eventually Comcast is working on a tru2way guide. Aspen is their current guide and it looks a lot like iGuide but with spiffy graphics and it's tru2way compliant. Barcelona will replace Aspen and it will be available some day to Comcast STB's but only the DCX3400, RNG-200, Panasonic DVR, Cisco RNG150, Samsung RNG150, and the Pace RNG110. Barcelona is a proper 16:9 HD guide and it's much better, and it shows 8 channels and at least 2 hours all at once.

[dgburns Posted May 26th 2010 11:41PM]

I just want ANYTHING better than the crap SARA i'm stuck with on my Cisco rebranded SA DVR's. PLEASE, HOW DO I GET THIS NEW GUIDE???

[dgburns Posted Jul 7th 2010 8:46AM]

So I check with my local Comcast office and they say it is being "rolled out" in phases, but won't describe those phases OR give any indication when the phase that brings the new guide will "roll" through my neighborhood. Come on Comcast, get out of 1995 and get with the program! This isn't rocket science. OMG, just DEAL WITH THE PAIN of some stupid customer phone calls saying their guide is broken (since the old one will be gone) and roll the damn thing out en mass already!