Have you tried tvfool.com for antenna and signal search? I always used antennaweb.org but someone else on here had link to the fool and it is way better. The folklore goes that some folks in NW part of tucson metro can get phx HD off south mountain with a big antenna! As another person stated, the west end of the catalinas is hurting you badly. Are you old enough to know what rabbit ears are and how we had to monkey with them to get a picture? The "rich" people who could afford a TV shop to come put antenna on the roof had much better pictures. When color came in, rabbit ears went out. HD is even more demanding, and while I can sort of get DTV off rabbit ears in my bedroom at home there is no substitute for a rooftop array. Don't give up! Avoid cable at all cost; it is the last resort when all else fails. --Tom near gates pass

Directv was telling people at the recent homeshow to expect Tucson locals in HD early in 2008. New satellite with expanded HD capacity is scheduled to launch next week on the 13th, so a couple of months after that places the timetable into early 2008.

This summer's launch apparently had some problems with the LIL section which is what delayed the planned September launch of HD locals.

The satellite info above from dbstalk.com.

Dave

I just got an HD TV with a QAM tuner. Here is the HD list I have on Comcast Standard Cable Lineup (in Marana 85653 ZIP). It seems to be a little different than some others.

4-1 KVOA (NBC) 1080i
9-1 KGUN (ABC) 720p
11-1 KMSB (FOX) 720p
13-1 KOLD (CBS) 1080i
87-1 KTTU (MyTV) 1080i
87-2 KUAT (PBS) 1080i
117-3 KWBA (CW) 1080i
129-1 MOJOHD 1080i



I think those are all of the HD channels. Strangely, the assignments are slightly different than what I'm getting on the northeast side of town (zip 85750). I get Mojo at 129-2 instead of -1, and CW at 117-7 instead of -3.

I'm experiencing skipping / judder on fox (via cox, 711) during sports events, like the NFL game on right now. It looks like there are frames being dropped. I thought it was my DVR, but the non-dvr box does the same thing. Is this limited to me or is anyone else seeing this?

I'm experiencing skipping / judder on fox (via cox, 711) during sports events, like the NFL game on right now. It looks like there are frames being dropped. I thought it was my DVR, but the non-dvr box does the same thing. Is this limited to me or is anyone else seeing this?

It's the crappy receiver I think. I have the same thing if I watch 711 through my cable box. I recently upgraded to the one with DVR, and I never remember this jitter on the old box.

I typically watch channel 11 via the TV's tuner or my Myth box, but those both use the antenna now that I think of it. So I can't be sure if 11 HD is bad through a regular QAM tuner or if it's the receiver.

But I can agree that we have problems too on 711. I guess I should call and complain so that they become aware of the problem, or get more complaints so that they'll actually fix it.

My Plan B:

For our 7 months in Green Valley, AZ:
* Dump Cox as TV, PVR, telephone, & internet provider
* Buy TiVo Series 3 & settle for what I can get OTA
* For internet & telephone, maybe Qwest (We now have Verizon & Skype)

For our 5 months in Michigan:
* Take TiVo with me
* Use Comcast as TV & internet provider. (we're in a hole & get unacceptable OTA)
* Rent Comcast cable cards.

Does anyone see any downsides, or opportunities for a better plan?

Gary

One possible suggestion is get Vonage (VOIP). Transfer you number from Michigan, then get a virtual number for Tucson. So now your friends/relatives from Michigan can call you toll free here in Tucson (same number you currently have in Michigan), and your friends/relatives in Tucson can call toll free to Michigan. When you move take your Vonage adapter back and forth. Costs will be about $37/month, no matter where you are. We've been doing this for about 3 years from N. Nevada.

Thanks Sytguy.

I know little about Vonage. Can you recommend an informative web site that doesn't bombard me with "offers", etc.?

Just go to vonage.com, and select features at the top. There may be some "faqs" somewhere, but didn't see them.

Best of luck.

P.S. If you want, send me a PM with your phone#, and I will call you, and I can answer most of your questions.

I currently have Comcast analog cable and am looking to upgrade to digital cable, or one of the satellite providers. For those that have switched between cable and Dish or Directv, can you tell me your experiences on picture quality between the different systems. Both HD and SD content. I already get OTA HD content for local channels.

And has anyone heard anything about when FiOS will be available in Tucson?

-- Scott

I have Directv with about 70 HD channels, soon to be almost 100 by years end. I think the PQ is great, not as good as OTA, but the HR20 DVR has an OTA tuner, so you could still receive those channels.

HTH

I had Comcast when they were still Jones Intercable, Dish and now Directv. The best picture quality has been with Directv and also the most reliable service. Directv plans on local HD via satellite early in 2008. The HD quality on Directv is dependent on the channel. Someone like Discovery HD Theater or National Geographic is great. Someone like TNT or TBS that is upconverting...

Dave

If you do go the DirecTV route, you'll need to ensure you DON'T get the latest HD-DVR (Model HR21). This unit does not have OTA capabilities. You'll need to stress that you want the HR20-100 or HR20-700.

And has anyone heard anything about when FiOS will be available in Tucson?

-- Scott

FIOS is a verizon product, I suspect we will all be long dead before it is (if ever) offered in Tucson.. I live in Rancho Vistoso and Qworst does not even offer DSL..

FIOS is a verizon product, I suspect we will all be long dead before it is (if ever) offered in Tucson.. I live in Rancho Vistoso and Qworst does not even offer DSL..

Yeah, it doesn't look like Qwest will be doing any fiber to the premises in existing neighborhoods anytime soon. Unfortunately only AT&T and Verizon are aggressively expanding their FTTP installations.

It will be interesting to see how that plays out for the different strategies of the baby bells in 10 years.

It's too bad really...

It sucks to have Comcast as the ONLY option for my high-speed internet...

It's too bad really...

It sucks to have Comcast as the ONLY option for my high-speed internet...

Oh for a little competition.....

Couple other questions about digital options.

Why is it that Dish and Directv require a phone line to their box? I don't currently have a phone jack near where my TV is located. I'm sure I can get a line there, run it under the carpet or something. Just curious what they want with the phone line.

With the Comcast digital cable, can this input also go into a VCR to use the VCR tuner (for the lower channels)? Right now I use an RF transmitter to send the signal to a TV in another room that does not have a cable. My daughter uses this a lot when I want to watch sports.

The Dish 622 DVR looks attractive since it has three separate tuners. I could use one tuner for my main HD TV. One tuner for the SD TV I use with the RF transmitter, and an OTA tuner. In all the one box replaces two of my boxes, that would be nice. Does the Directv DVR have this feature as well? I don't think the Comcast box has three tuners, and I don't think an OTA tuner.

-- Scott

They use the phone lines to process pay-per-views and ensure that if you have more than one box, it is located in the same house. The installers will hook it up, but you can remove it down the road if PPV is not a big issue for you.

The 622 can output 2 different sources at a time while recording a third. There is no DirecTV box that can do this. If you don't hook up a phone line to the box, Dish will charge you a $5.00 fee/month.

Direct says you need a phone line for the HR20 but in reality you do not. However, with no phone line you cannot order PPV or special events.

The HR20 actually has 4 tuners, 2 OTA and 2 satellite. You can record 2 things in any combination at one time. You can also be recording 2 shows at one time and view a 3rd show previously recorded.

Dave

FYI: Those of you who get HD OTA and live at the "cliff" of the digital signal might lose some of them from December 11-23. We're putting up a new antenna after the old one caught fire from a lightning strike, and for the safety of the crew, all the other Bigelow stations are reducing power to 25%

http://www.kuat.org/notice/channels.html

Edit: It's too wet to put up a crane, so it's on hold for 2 weeks at least.

KOLD signal strength and picture was spotty as usual during the storms this past weekend, but for some reason my HT receiver is showing Dolby Digital now for them OTA DTV rather than Pro-Logic II like it always has been. Is it possible they upgraded their sound equipment and are actually providing Dolby Digital sound now? KVOA is the only one of the 4 major networks that isn't if that's the case.

They still need to get an auto-HD switch of some kind though since the entire 1st Half of the Cardinals game on Sun was in SD until it finally changed to HD with :34 seconds left in the first half. The stupid thing was I checked the beginning of the recording to make sure it was in HD so I could call them if it wasn't and it was the Sportsdesk in HD so I figured good it's working, then the game starts and it's in SD not HD!!! They won't fool me again with that though.

All audio in an ATSC broadcast is Dolby Digital, whether it's 2.0, 5.1, or some other mix. You likely have your receiver configured to simulate surround sound using PL2 when given a stereo source. The easiest way to see if it is a true 5.1 source is to unplug the center speaker and see if you have any dialog during shows with a real 5.1 mix such as any of the CSIs or football.

Actually...yes! KOLD now has true 5.1 signal. Confirmed tonight with NCIS.

Direct says you need a phone line for the HR20 but in reality you do not. However, with no phone line you cannot order PPV or special events.


IIRC you could still order PPV over the Internet. I'm not positive, because I never order PPV, but I think that is the case. The phone line simply adds the convenience of using your remote to order PPV.

Tucson HD Locals coming by Mid-2008 to DirecTV. I wonder if it we will get a full compliment of the Big 4 or if we'll see the same issues as Cox.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=111753

gworkman,

What is the "full compliment"? And what issues does Cox have?

Having all four channels light up at the same time. It took Cox nearly 2 years to get all four online. Granted, they do have all of them up, it just took forever.

Heck, I would like CW HD in addition to the 'big 4.'

Heck, I would like CW HD in addition to the 'big 4.'
And I would like PBS (i.e. KUAS)!

And I would like PBS (i.e. KUAS)!

Both CW & PBS are in HD.

D* does not carry CW or PBS in HD in most markets, and the new DVR boxes don't have an OTA tuner, leaving many subscribers without the ability to watch those channels.

over analog Cox cable, with a new tv equipped with a Qam tuner?

just wondering, thanks.

D* does not carry CW or PBS in HD in most markets, and the new DVR boxes don't have an OTA tuner, leaving many subscribers without the ability to watch those channels.
I mentioned this on the other site, but you can still get the HR20-700, which as you know can receive OTA.

I just moved to the Oro Valley area and need sugestions on who to get to install an outside antenna and TV and CAT6 drops in several rooms.

I mentioned this on the other site, but you can still get the HR20-700, which as you know can receive OTA.Many areas of the country have limited availability on the HR20, and D* has already announced that they aren't making any more. Anyone looking to use OTA and D* would be wise to get an HR20 now since they won't be around forever.

Many areas of the country have limited availability on the HR20, and D* has already announced that they aren't making any more. Anyone looking to use OTA and D* would be wise to get an HR20 now since they won't be around forever.

From what I understand, production of the HR20-700 sub-model (manufactured by Pace) has ceased, but the HR20-100 sub-model (manufactured by Thomson) is ongoing.

Hello all. I am helping my parents move to Tucson (zip 85743 which is near Marana). I have been reading through these posts and searching the web in order to help my parents decide on how to setup television service for the home theater they are transplanting from PA. They are primarily interested in network TV in HD.

As I understand it, the situation in Tucson, at my parent’s location is:

1. Dish Network – no local stations in HD
2. DirecTV – no local stations in HD
3. Cox – locals available in HD via QAM tuner
4. Comcast – locals available in HD via QAM tuner

Do I have this correct?

I have already tried to tune OTA stations at their place (using Samsung DTB-H260F), but only received 2 Spanish channels. While this was done using a small indoor antenna, it doesn’t sound like a bigger antenna will help much at this location.

So my questions are:

1. Can someone confirm that local HD OTA (with bigger antenna) will not work?
2. With Cox/Comcast, what is the lowest cost service that will provide the ability to tune local channels in HD via QAM tuner?
3. With a front projector (no built-in tuner), is the Samsung DTB-260F a good choice to tune local channels in HD from Comcast/Cox? Is there a better option?

Sorry for the long length. and thanks in advance for any help or suggestions you can provide!
------------------
I live in zip 85743 near Silverbell and Wade and get all the digital OTA locals, so it can be done. Here is my setup:
Dish 622 receiver
Channel Master 4228 antenna on the roof, with rotator, clear view of Catalinas
Channel Master Titan 2 preamplifier

Tucson HD Locals coming by Mid-2008 to DirecTV. I wonder if it we will get a full compliment of the Big 4 or if we'll see the same issues as Cox.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=111753

there is a list at dbsforums that indicates agreements are in place for all channels..

According to the flyer in Thursday's nights Tucson Citizen from Qwest, they are claiming locals in HD on 12/12.

Dave

Does anyone else have very inconsistent reception of QAM signals over Comcast? I am in zip code 85737.

Full list (only have received once)
4-1 KVOA (NBC) 1080i
9-1 KGUN (ABC) 720p
11-1 KMSB (FOX) 720p
13-1 KOLD (CBS) 1080i
87-1 KTTU (MyTV) 1080i
87-2 KUAT (PBS) 1080i
117-3 KWBA (CW) 1080i
129-1 MOJOHD 1080i

I always receive MyTV, PBS, CW, and MOJO. However, the main 4 network channels are quite random. This morning I was getting FOX and CBS and not NBC/ABC, but now I'm getting NBC and ABC but not FOX/CBS. I see it happen that I only see one of these pairs of channels often. And sometimes, I do not see any of those 4.

Anyone else see the same thing? Anyone else in 85737 that does not have these issues?

According to the flyer in Thursday's nights Tucson Citizen from Qwest, they are claiming locals in HD on 12/12.

Dave

That would be great, but I would be real surprised if it happened..

I am in zip 85749 and have a similar issue. I could receive all channels fine for about two months. A couple of weeks ago I had a little trouble receiving KVOA on 4-1, that has cleared up.

My new problem is much worse. KMSB comes in on 11-1 but after ~10-60 seconds the TV signal switches to KOLD (which is normally 13-1). KOLD on 13-1 comes and goes. Both channels are basically unwatchable since 13-1 is blank at least have the time, and 11-1 toggles between KMSB and KOLD.

I can restore KMSB to 11-1 by tuning the TV to 13-1 and then tuning back to 11-1, but I have to do that too often to be practical. I called Comcast (of course no help there).

I am in zip 85749 and have a similar issue. I could receive all channels fine for about two months. A couple of weeks ago I had a little trouble receiving KVOA on 4-1, that has cleared up.

My new problem is much worse. KMSB comes in on 11-1 but after ~10-60 seconds the TV signal switches to KOLD (which is normally 13-1). KOLD on 13-1 comes and goes. Both channels are basically unwatchable since 13-1 is blank at least have the time, and 11-1 toggles between KMSB and KOLD.

I can restore KMSB to 11-1 by tuning the TV to 13-1 and then tuning back to 11-1, but I have to do that too often to be practical. I called Comcast (of course no help there).

I thought I had something going wrong on my TV and I just passed the 90 day return allowed....I am having the exact same issue.

I am in zip 85749 and have a similar issue. I could receive all channels fine for about two months. A couple of weeks ago I had a little trouble receiving KVOA on 4-1, that has cleared up.

My new problem is much worse. KMSB comes in on 11-1 but after ~10-60 seconds the TV signal switches to KOLD (which is normally 13-1). KOLD on 13-1 comes and goes. Both channels are basically unwatchable since 13-1 is blank at least have the time, and 11-1 toggles between KMSB and KOLD.

I can restore KMSB to 11-1 by tuning the TV to 13-1 and then tuning back to 11-1, but I have to do that too often to be practical. I called Comcast (of course no help there).

I'm in zip 85737 and am having the same type problem. This started last Friday and has been driving me crazy. My problem is with KOLD 13.1 going off after 10-60 seconds and appearing on a second 11.1 for a like amount of time.

Other than this problem, the rest of the HD channels look and sound great.

I am in zip 85749 and have a similar issue. I could receive all channels fine for about two months. A couple of weeks ago I had a little trouble receiving KVOA on 4-1, that has cleared up.

My new problem is much worse. KMSB comes in on 11-1 but after ~10-60 seconds the TV signal switches to KOLD (which is normally 13-1). KOLD on 13-1 comes and goes. Both channels are basically unwatchable since 13-1 is blank at least have the time, and 11-1 toggles between KMSB and KOLD.

I can restore KMSB to 11-1 by tuning the TV to 13-1 and then tuning back to 11-1, but I have to do that too often to be practical. I called Comcast (of course no help there).

Man..thanks for the info. I'm in 85718 and am having the same issue on a 2- week old set. Was contemplating a return, but apparently not the TV...

Directv now has Locals in HD for Tucson.

The circle is now complete!!

Ok well, it just make it even better not to have COX anymore!

Locals aren't showing up at 85749. Did you have to re-setup????

Directv now has Locals in HD for Tucson.

The circle is now complete!!

Ok well, it just make it even better not to have COX anymore!

have to say i am surprised, pleased but surprised.. I did not think it would happen until next year..

Locals aren't showing up at 85749. Did you have to re-setup????

If you are using a Favorites list, make sure you add the new channels to that list. No reset should be necessary.

I am in zip 85749 and have a similar issue. I could receive all channels fine for about two months. A couple of weeks ago I had a little trouble receiving KVOA on 4-1, that has cleared up.

My new problem is much worse. KMSB comes in on 11-1 but after ~10-60 seconds the TV signal switches to KOLD (which is normally 13-1). KOLD on 13-1 comes and goes. Both channels are basically unwatchable since 13-1 is blank at least have the time, and 11-1 toggles between KMSB and KOLD.

I can restore KMSB to 11-1 by tuning the TV to 13-1 and then tuning back to 11-1, but I have to do that too often to be practical. I called Comcast (of course no help there).

I also have noticed this problem. I know the head engineer at Comcast and have forwarded this information to him this morning just in case they are not aware of the problem.

Which locals is D* carrying?

ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Did you notice PHX got My 45 added?

I also have noticed this problem. I know the head engineer at Comcast and have forwarded this information to him this morning just in case they are not aware of the problem.

Please let us know when or if you hear anything back from him. The 2 people I talked to yesterday didn't know anything. The first one said I had to have a card and box to get HD and that I was picking the signal up off the air. The second one said "We don't have any problems, it is KOLD's problem. What else can I help you with?" It went south from there.

Clif,

Please let us know when or if you hear anything back from him. The 2 people I talked to yesterday didn't know anything. The first one said I had to have a card and box to get HD and that I was picking the signal up off the air. The second one said "We don't have any problems, it is KOLD's problem. What else can I help you with?" It went south from there.

Clif,

I heard back by a auto email response saying he is out of town till the 18th so I'm sure I will hear from him when he returns. If he is in town he normally responds in less than an hour. There have been a number of times that I noticed something that they were not aware of and they usually take care of things quickly.

The telephone people in the bull pen are not really privy to whats going on in the rear building where all the equipment is. I have been there and have seen it and when you see all the equipment that is needed and maintained you can understand why a problem might not be noticed.

For anyone who might be interested or might know someone that might be interested, I have a JVC HM-DH30000u D-VHS Digital VCR for sale. It can be used to record HD (up to 1080i) via firewire from a cable box, or HDTV (some have firewire out), or OTA HD receiver with firewire output as has been mentioned at various times in this forum.

I used the VCR for only a few months before I built an HTPC to record HD. I got it new open box on Ebay, and it is still in like new condition. I have the original remote, user manual, box, cables, and I have 7 D-VHS 300 tapes which are good for 2-1/2 hrs of HD recording each. I've used the tapes to record 5 - 10 times each. I'd like to get $200 for the VCR and $25 for the D-VHS tapes if whoever wants the VCR would like the tapes also.

Thanks in advance if anyone is interested, or could let me know of someone else who might not check this forum that might be.

ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Did you notice PHX got My 45 added?
Hmmm, and I just changed from Phoenix to Tucson locals.

I have a home in Phoenix and one in Tucson Arizona. My address for my DTV stuff is the Phoenix address were local HD's are available. I will be taking one of my HD receivers to Tucson for use. Will I have any problems receiving the Phoenix local HD's? Tucson is about 90-100 miles to the south of Phoenix. I'm not sure what the footprint of the "spot beams" are?

Thanks in advance!

Threads merged.

Please let us know when or if you hear anything back from him. The 2 people I talked to yesterday didn't know anything. The first one said I had to have a card and box to get HD and that I was picking the signal up off the air. The second one said "We don't have any problems, it is KOLD's problem. What else can I help you with?" It went south from there.

Clif,

I just talked with the chief engineer at Comcast for about 1/2 hour and explained the problems in detail. He said this is something that they would never have noticed because they do not ever check their signal on a QAM tuner. They have some equipment that will check the PSIP data that is encoded on the signal they receive to see if the locals are adding something wrong or if somehow Comcasts equipment is reencoding something that is the cause. He will get back to me once they have completed the testing to see what they find.

I mentioned the problem with the call center people and he admits that a lot of them have no idea what a QAM tuner is and what it can do. They are trained mostly to add service levels and schedule service calls.

Received the following via email today from Chief Engineer at Comcast:

Comcast: Check and see if you can lock in those channels now. We switched KOLD/KMSB to a newer processing unit, so it may make a difference.

My Response to him: Seems to work now but CBS is now at 88.3 instead of 13.1 and Fox is at 88.6 instead 11.1 on the Pioneer set after a new channel scan. Neither set is receiving any program information on these channels but both sets can lock in on both CBS and FOX digital channels again.

Comcast response: OK, it was definitely the multiplexer it was on before, now we just need to get the PSIP data going through. Thanks for the assistance!

It's too bad really...It sucks to have Comcast as the ONLY option for my high-speed internet...You don't have Qwest DSL where you are?

Received the following via email today from Chief Engineer at Comcast:

Comcast: Check and see if you can lock in those channels now. We switched KOLD/KMSB to a newer processing unit, so it may make a difference.

My Response to him: Seems to work now but CBS is now at 88.3 instead of 13.1 and Fox is at 88.6 instead 11.1 on the Pioneer set after a new channel scan. Neither set is receiving any program information on these channels but both sets can lock in on both CBS and FOX digital channels again.

Comcast response: OK, it was definitely the multiplexer it was on before, now we just need to get the PSIP data going through. Thanks for the assistance!

RJ, I have been receiving KOLD HD since noon, but on the second 11.1 channel. Fox is on the first 11.1 and both say KMSB in the upper right corner.

I haven't done a channel scan on my Vizio yet, so I don't have anything in the 88 channel range. I'll let you know if anything changes when I do a scan.

Thanks a lot for all your time.

I just talked with the chief engineer at Comcast for about 1/2 hour and explained the problems in detail. He said this is something that they would never have noticed because they do not ever check their signal on a QAM tuner. They have some equipment that will check the PSIP data that is encoded on the signal they receive to see if the locals are adding something wrong or if somehow Comcasts equipment is reencoding something that is the cause. He will get back to me once they have completed the testing to see what they find.

I mentioned the problem with the call center people and he admits that a lot of them have no idea what a QAM tuner is and what it can do. They are trained mostly to add service levels and schedule service calls.

Received the following via email today from Chief Engineer at Comcast:

Comcast: Check and see if you can lock in those channels now. We switched KOLD/KMSB to a newer processing unit, so it may make a difference.

My Response to him: Seems to work now but CBS is now at 88.3 instead of 13.1 and Fox is at 88.6 instead 11.1 on the Pioneer set after a new channel scan. Neither set is receiving any program information on these channels but both sets can lock in on both CBS and FOX digital channels again.

Comcast response: OK, it was definitely the multiplexer it was on before, now we just need to get the PSIP data going through. Thanks for the assistance!

OK, Comcast must have made a change, this is what I get now (85749):

4.1 NBC (KVOA) - same as before
9.1 ABC (KGUN) - same as before
87.1 My TV
87.2 PBS
88.1 FOX (KMSB) - working great now! (was 11.1)
88.2 CBS (KOLD) - working great now! (was 13.1)
117.7 The CW - same as before
129.2 (Mojo) - same as before

Thanks

OK, Comcast must have made a change, this is what I get now (85749):

4.1 NBC (KVOA) - same as before
9.1 ABC (KGUN) - same as before
87.1 My TV
87.2 PBS
88.1 FOX (KMSB) - working great now! (was 11.1)
88.2 CBS (KOLD) - working great now! (was 13.1)
117.7 The CW - same as before
129.2 (Mojo) - same as before

Thanks

Comcast is working on getting the PSIP data going again on CBS and Fox and when that happens they will once again remap to the 11.1 and 13.1 channels and the program information will be back.

You don't have Qwest DSL where you are?

I don't know where Packfan is located. I can tell you that in my development in Sahuarita, Qwest DSL is available on some streets and not available on others. My street happens to be one on which it is not available.

I have asked COX several times whether or not they will continue to deliver analog service after Feb 17, 2009. The only answer they will give me is that they "are not able to advise customers how they will support analog services at this time".

I suspect that they will offer a STB that will convert the digital stream to analog for those who wish to continue using analog TV sets. And looking at the troubles people are having with QAM tuners and cable cards, COX may be hoping that a STB will be required for every TV in a customers home, even the brand new digital sets. I am not particularly looking forward to renting a COX STB for each and every TV in the house.

I like being able to just connect a TV to the cable outlet and not needing an external box and multiple remotes to operate it. Is this a capability that will disappear with the implementation of digital broadcasts?

Does anyone else have alot of crackling and popping sound on the FOX HD channel from Comcast? Seems to be getting worse lately.

Comcast is working on getting the PSIP data going again on CBS and Fox and when that happens they will once again remap to the 11.1 and 13.1 channels and the program information will be back.

The more serious issue from my point of view is the complete lack of knowledge on the part of the call center people AND the service techs. The one that came to my house kept arguing with me that you could not get HD without their digital service. He had to phone two people at HQ before he found someone who could clue him in. Someone should pass along to the powers at Comcast that they have a training problem that they need to address - assuming that they give a rats that is.

The more serious issue from my point of view is the complete lack of knowledge on the part of the call center people AND the service techs. The one that came to my house kept arguing with me that you could not get HD without their digital service. He had to phone two people at HQ before he found someone who could clue him in. Someone should pass along to the powers at Comcast that they have a training problem that they need to address - assuming that they give a rats that is.

I did bring that up on the phone and actually copied some of the remarks to the Chief Engineer. He and his staff really care that everything is as good as it can be and he will call me to see what is bothering me about the service and to check out new things when they are made available. But the truth is that there is no return on the QAM capability so it is not something that is monitored closely by Comcast. They reacted quickly as soon as they were aware of the problem and actually thanked me for the help in troubleshooting the problem.

I have Directv with HD. I receive CBS on both LA and Tucson. Yesterday I started to watch this game on the local Tucson game on 13. This was broadcast as 1080i in a 4:3 format. I checked the LA station and they were broadcasting 1080i in a 16:9 format. The PQ seemed to be about the same (didn't spend much time with 13). Could someone tell me how this was broadcast on comcast and over the air?

Thanks

I toggled between the Cards game and the Dolphins game and both were in 16:9 HD OTA. Are you sure you were looking at the HD feed from channel 13 and not the SD feed?

Some quick questions for my old friends.

First, Cox just sent out e-mails that they are going to be adding 80 HD channels in 2008 and 12 by the end of March. Now, they currently count premium channels that have to paid for in the number of total HD channels that they carry, which totally misleads consumers, so are we likely just going to get more pay for service HD? What else is out there in HD that we don't have that could even add up to 12 by March, much less 80 HD channels by the end of the year? I didn't know that many channels were even broadcast in HD yet.

Now, is Dish Network better than Direct TV, because I read in an earlier post someone mentioned that Dish has locals in HD?

Is there a lot of cost involved in switching to a dish? I feel like I pay too much for the few channels that I watch on Cox, but it's difficult to change if you're used to something or if there a lot of out of pocket charges.

And if Direct is better than Dish, when will Direct have locals soon? Is the biggest advantage to having a dish in having more control of the pricing and selecting of what you want to watch, so as to keep package prices more reasonable?

I pay $180/month for a Cox bundle with phone and internet. I have 1 hd dvr receiver and 1 standard digital receiver and 1 premium channel. That seems like an awful lot, because the phone and internet come to about $70 and Cox creams me with so many charges for the cable portion of the bill and there are so many channels I never even look at. In fact, to get the bundle, you MUST select one of their 3 tiers (movies, variety, and sports are the choices, I think) and that costs $. So, to get a lower price, I have to pay for something that I don't want, which jacks up my price taking away from the discount.

That can only make sense to the people who run Cox.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

I toggled between the Cards game and the Dolphins game and both were in 16:9 HD OTA. Are you sure you were looking at the HD feed from channel 13 and not the SD feed?

Thanks for the reply, I won't give up my LA stations just yet. My receiver was showing that I was receiving 1080i. Also the PQ was definitely not SD. I'm still wondering why it was 4:3.

Some quick questions for my old friends.

First, Cox just sent out e-mails that they are going to be adding 80 HD channels in 2008 and 12 by the end of March. Now, they currently count premium channels that have to paid for in the number of total HD channels that they carry, which totally misleads consumers, so are we likely just going to get more pay for service HD? What else is out there in HD that we don't have that could even add up to 12 by March, much less 80 HD channels by the end of the year? I didn't know that many channels were even broadcast in HD yet.

Now, is Dish Network better than Direct TV, because I read in an earlier post someone mentioned that Dish has locals in HD?

Is there a lot of cost involved in switching to a dish? I feel like I pay too much for the few channels that I watch on Cox, but it's difficult to change if you're used to something or if there a lot of out of pocket charges.

And if Direct is better than Dish, when will Direct have locals soon? Is the biggest advantage to having a dish in having more control of the pricing and selecting of what you want to watch, so as to keep package prices more reasonable?

I pay $180/month for a Cox bundle with phone and internet. I have 1 hd dvr receiver and 1 standard digital receiver and 1 premium channel. That seems like an awful lot, because the phone and internet come to about $70 and Cox creams me with so many charges for the cable portion of the bill and there are so many channels I never even look at. In fact, to get the bundle, you MUST select one of their 3 tiers (movies, variety, and sports are the choices, I think) and that costs $. So, to get a lower price, I have to pay for something that I don't want, which jacks up my price taking away from the discount.

That can only make sense to the people who run Cox.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

You can get local channels on Direct in Tucson, you just have to pay for them - $5.95 per month. Depending on what package you buy Direct will through in the locals including a DVR. Maybe its time you use your high speed internet and check out the competetion. I too have Cox with the phone and internet. I have an HD-DVR and no premium channels. $130.00 per month

I did bring that up on the phone and actually copied some of the remarks to the Chief Engineer. He and his staff really care that everything is as good as it can be and he will call me to see what is bothering me about the service and to check out new things when they are made available. But the truth is that there is no return on the QAM capability so it is not something that is monitored closely by Comcast. They reacted quickly as soon as they were aware of the problem and actually thanked me for the help in troubleshooting the problem.

My problem was solved quickly as soon as you were able to contact Comcast's Chief Engineer, thank you.

I am somewhat concerned as to how any future issues get resolved if you (or he) is not around. It would be nice if there was a way for customers (who know what they are talking about) to contact Comcast staff (who know what they are talking about). I know that is a difficult issue to solve, since the Comcast staff can easily be swamped with stupid questions.

I toggled between the Cards game and the Dolphins game and both were in 16:9 HD OTA. Are you sure you were looking at the HD feed from channel 13 and not the SD feed?

The CBS Dolphins / Patriots game on Comcast KOLD (my 88.2) started off in 4:3 mode, but it switched to 16:9 mode before half time.

At first I thought there was another issue with Comcast local QAM HD, but I saw a scoring highlight from the CBS game on FOX (KMSB, my 88.1) during the Cards game and it was in also 4:3. The entire FOX game was in 16:9, so my guess is CBS had an HD issue early in the game.

Locals in HD on both Direct and Dish?

It would be easier to look into the competition if some dish owners posted what to look for and what deals to ask for or even what they have to compare with what I have.

Is Direct considered to be superior to Dish or vice versa?

It really does pay though to get help from others who have the service. I read on one thread that Dish was offering Cinemax for 2 years for only 2 cents if you sign up now. That's a sweet deal and there may be other things like that you should know what to ask for to get the best deal.

I switch between HBO. Cinemax, and SHO depending on the original programming that is on and spend over $120/yr and if I had that dish plan it would be 1 cent a year including the HD channel.

Thanks!

PS-Seems like there's a huge gap between your $130 and my $180. We probably have most of the same features other than the premium channel, but that's only $13 of the difference. What else do you have, if you don't mind posting? I also included taxes in my total.

Satellite friendly apartment complexes?

I'm considering a job transfer to tucson and was interested in information about apartment complexes that are satellite friendly(I'm under contract with Dish)and hopefully in an area that receives good OTA reception with indoor antenna. Any advice would be appreciated!

DirectTv is the only satellite service offering locals in HD, and there is no extra charge if you have the HD package. If you don't subscribe to the HD package you will get the locals in SD, also at no extra charge.

The HD package is $10/month and the DVR is $5/month. An HD DVR currently will cost you $200 with a $100 rebate. A non-HD DVR I believe is free. DirecTv also has a package that includes the HD package and an HD-DVR. Check their website for current pricing and promotions.

Dave

Rory_Gilmore,

I have DirecTV, and like it very much. CHOICE XTRA / PLUS DVR / PLUS HD DVR $69.99/monthly, the Most Popular Entertainment Package, combined with DVR and HD Service, has over 185 channels. Includes locals, but no premium channels.

If you call them up and demand a "deal", one might be surprised as to what you can receive from them. When I called up over a hear ago, I got one HR20 DVR for free and another for $99, plus a credit for $100.

Best of luck.

PS-Seems like there's a huge gap between your $130 and my $180. We probably have most of the same features other than the premium channel, but that's only $13 of the difference. What else do you have, if you don't mind posting? I also included taxes in my total.

I too have phone, Inet, & cable w/ 1 HD DVR from Cox for about ~$125 a month total charges. When I signed up originally the digital cable, phone, & inet were a $99 package. The $25 is taxes and the HD DVR as that isn't part of the $99.

Without the discounts from the package it would be closer to what you're paying. You could try calling Cox and getting the $99 package, and try to leverage your temptation to switch to D* or E*. As far as which is better, I think most owners will say the one they have is better, that's just human. I personally like cable for the analog signals to our other TVs. When they take that away, I will start shopping around.

My problem was solved quickly as soon as you were able to contact Comcast's Chief Engineer, thank you.

I am somewhat concerned as to how any future issues get resolved if you (or he) is not around. It would be nice if there was a way for customers (who know what they are talking about) to contact Comcast staff (who know what they are talking about). I know that is a difficult issue to solve, since the Comcast staff can easily be swamped with stupid questions.

I think that we should be told the Chief Engineer's name and number. I am constantly frustrated with their internet service outages due to an ongoing node issue. I am located off La Cholla north of Overton. I have had two outages since last Friday. The call center people are truly clueless and this problem has been ongoing for a year now in this area. Comcast should be thankful that FIOS is not in this area. This is basically the same issue as with the QAM issue mentioned earlier. The call center people are poorly trained and are not empowered to actually do anything to get issues dealt with on the ground.

I have asked COX several times whether or not they will continue to deliver analog service after Feb 17, 2009. The only answer they will give me is that they "are not able to advise customers how they will support analog services at this time".

I suspect that they will offer a STB that will convert the digital stream to analog for those who wish to continue using analog TV sets. And looking at the troubles people are having with QAM tuners and cable cards, COX may be hoping that a STB will be required for every TV in a customers home, even the brand new digital sets. I am not particularly looking forward to renting a COX STB for each and every TV in the house.

I like being able to just connect a TV to the cable outlet and not needing an external box and multiple remotes to operate it. Is this a capability that will disappear with the implementation of digital broadcasts?

Cox switching off analog is completely unrelated to the broadcast switchover. Cox will switch stations to digital in order to provide bandwidth for other services such as more HD channels. Cox may continue to utilize analog distribution after the broadcast cut over date.

With someone else's post mentioning Cox adding a large number of HD channels in 2008, I expect that the number of channels in analog to start decreasing to allow the new channels to be added. I'm not sure if Cox is maxed on bandwidth, but for 80 channels, they will certainly be at some point.

Any cable companies that switch at the same time as broadcast would be doing so for marketing/public relations issues, blaming it on the government.

I don't like the prospect of adding STB's to my other TVs. But I think that is going to be the only way for cable companies to remain competitive with their HD offerings.

I think that we should be told the Chief Engineer's name and number. I am constantly frustrated with their internet service outages due to an ongoing node issue. I am located off La Cholla north of Overton. I have had two outages since last Friday. The call center people are truly clueless and this problem has been ongoing for a year now in this area. Comcast should be thankful that FIOS is not in this area. This is basically the same issue as with the QAM issue mentioned earlier. The call center people are poorly trained and are not empowered to actually do anything to get issues dealt with on the ground.

I had a similar cable problem until I replaced my cable modem, which worked fine at my old apartment with the same provider. I don't know anything about your situation, just throwing it out there.

I think that we should be told the Chief Engineer's name and number. I am constantly frustrated with their internet service outages due to an ongoing node issue. I am located off La Cholla north of Overton. I have had two outages since last Friday. The call center people are truly clueless and this problem has been ongoing for a year now in this area. Comcast should be thankful that FIOS is not in this area. This is basically the same issue as with the QAM issue mentioned earlier. The call center people are poorly trained and are not empowered to actually do anything to get issues dealt with on the ground.


The QAM issue and Internet or two totally different things. QAM is used by a very small number of people in comparison so when there is a problem it is not noticed untill enough people complain.

When they have a internet problem in a area they know about it real quick because the number of calls from people in one area. I had a problem with intenet dropping connection quite often and called the engineer to see if they were having any general problems and they were not. He explained to me that if they start to have a problem they know it quickly because the call center gets flooded. He suggested I check my splitters and the connections because most of the time that is what is wrong and I found I had one connection that had loosened slightly. I went through and loosened and retighened the connections and then no longer had a problem.

A marginal splitter or connector most likely will not cause any problems in your cable service that you would notice but can cause an outage on the internet service.

Rory_Gilmore,

I have DirecTV, and like it very much. CHOICE XTRA / PLUS DVR / PLUS HD DVR $69.99/monthly, the Most Popular Entertainment Package, combined with DVR and HD Service, has over 185 channels. Includes locals, but no premium channels.

If you call them up and demand a "deal", one might be surprised as to what you can receive from them. When I called up over a hear ago, I got one HR20 DVR for free and another for $99, plus a credit for $100.

Best of luck.


The decision to switch right now is VERY difficult. I thought satellite would be a clear winner when they offered HD locals, but it's not. Maybe slightly better and then there's always the fear of being locked into a contract and switching to something brand new. If something really popped out at me, the switch would happen tomorrow, but I don't see it.

Your $69.99 package is probably what I'd see myself getting and then add $10 for the HD package and that's really what I'm paying for Cox right now. And if you knocked off my premium channel it would be a total trade off and if I kept it, I'd be paying more for satellite. And possibly buying equipment.

On the one hand, I know Cox is raping me by charging my $216 just to rent their HD DVR receiver. Cox claims that HD is free, but if you look at the $10 it takes to get the HD channels on satellite and how, with rebate, you own your own receiver for $100 (more than half less what you rent for on Cox) and don't have to keep paying each month, I think Cox is full of it saying that we don't pay. They just shift the charges around.

I will call Direct and see if I can get lucky and get offered some crazy deal, but even then I might wait until at least March to see if Cox comes through with their promise to add 12 HD channels and if they are any good. If they don't come through on that, that might be one lie too many and I might leave even if I end up paying a little more.

Finally, this is going to be a big year with cable, broadcast, and satellite and I fear that I'll sign something for 18 months and pay a little more only to find that Cox has passed satellite by the end of the year when the pressure will really be on for them. 80 new HD channels they claim. In Demand they are also promising which is about damned time. I wonder how many of those 80 channels will be In Demand movies in HD that you have to pay for just the way the lie to inflate the number of HD channels they have now by including the premium HD channels which cost you additional money.

I actually shot off an e-mail to Cox and Anne Doris about that page they have at their website that talks about the myths of satellite being better than cable and their carefully worded responses making it look like cable is vastly superior. One of their most absurd points was that satellite companies mislead (like Cox should talk about misleading customers) customers by including west coast and east coast feeds of the same HD channel in their total number of HD channels. I mean, I don't know about the rest of you, but I prefer having both feeds. I see it as an advantage to be able to see something earlier on the east coast feed. I went through their list point by point and the person who wrote be back literally didn't have an answer or a comment to defend Cox and Anne Doris, who was sent an obligatory copy, because we all know how much she CARES, didn't respond at all.

This reminds me of when I went all out to get the WB in HD and got these people to finally do something by not relenting and catching them in their lies. Of course after all of that, the WB is now the only network with not one show that I watch. Still, I hate letting these people lie. They way they did to get their license renewed by strong arming the city and filling the meetings with Cox employees, and then going on a PR campaign, led by Anne Doris, that the meeting were unfair to Cox.

Ok, my post-Christmas, spent too much money rant is over. I wish that there was an easy decision, but there's not. At the end of the day, I see satellite right now with Direct as the slight winner, but with Cox still having a chance to get in the game this year. I will wait to March and see. Remember, they promised 12, but they didn't promise 12 to Tucson. They've pulled that kind of crap before too. Phoenix will get 12 and we'll get 4 and the people we call won't even know and will tell us that WE DO have the same line-up.

UGH!

PS-Any chance I might get some kind of prize for longest post EVER?? :)

Your $69.99 package is probably what I'd see myself getting and then add $10 for the HD package and that's really what I'm paying for Cox right now. And if you knocked off my premium channel it would be a total trade off and if I kept it, I'd be paying more for satellite. And possibly buying equipment.

I will repeat what I posted for your benefit.

CHOICE XTRA / PLUS DVR / PLUS HD DVR $69.99/monthly, the Most Popular Entertainment Package, combined with DVR and HD Service, has over 185 channels. Includes locals, but no premium channels.

In case you didn't notice that included the HD, DVR, and locals......and obviously not premiums, as stated above.

Best regards.

Finally, this is going to be a big year with cable, broadcast, and satellite and I fear that I'll sign something for 18 months and pay a little more only to find that Cox has passed satellite by the end of the year when the pressure will really be on for them. 80 new HD channels they claim. In Demand they are also promising which is about damned time. I wonder how many of those 80 channels will be In Demand movies in HD that you have to pay for just the way the lie to inflate the number of HD channels they have now by including the premium HD channels which cost you additional money.

D* will have over 100 HD channels by the end of this year, from what I have heard. Also, D* already has VOD, AKA "Directv on Demand".

I think your best bet is wait for a few years, and see what happens.....J/K.....but why not, particularly since you now have the longest post of anyone on this site, I say wait at least 10 years to make up your mind.

D* will have over 100 HD channels by the end of this year, from what I have heard.

Well, they have only a few days left to fulfill that obligation of 100 HD channels by the end of the year.. I don't have them, I've got dish, but I've been interested to see what they would be doing. They keep on running these ads saying they have true HD and don't believe the lies, or something along those lines. I think it was related to some suit they lost to a cable co. that won, saying DirecTV's HD was not full resolution. But they continue to run the ads in states that the cable company is not in. However Dish in NM has the HD locals, not DirecTV.

I wish Dish would have a better SD picture, it's 480x480 lines makes for a softer picture then what I've seen on DirecTV.

Cable companies will be obligated to carry the analog package for at least three years from the digital transition date in 2009. After three years, the FCC will determine if they will keep the obligation for cable systems.

D* will have over 100 HD channels by the end of this year, from what I have heard. Also, D* already has VOD, AKA "Directv on Demand".

I think your best bet is wait for a few years, and see what happens.....J/K.....but why not, particularly since you now have the longest post of anyone on this site, I say wait at least 10 years to make up your mind.


Hmm, waiting till March to see what Cox gives us or wait 10 years. Yeah, I guess you really have me pegged.

Even if you have your HD service and locals with your service, if you added the premium that I have we'd be paying the same price. And, after checking, I might want the next package above yours in terms of channels. Possibly. So, $$ wise it's a wash.

Benefit to you is that you own your HD DVR receiver and have more HD channels now. Negative, you can't change if you see something better until your contract is up and could be stuck with equipment you can't use and won't need if you do change.

What you really win big on is total number of HD channels. Of course, just like the rest of cable, it's not how many that matters (I don't watch 80 different channels, much less 100), but whether they're the ones that I want and consider valuable or not. I don't need the Disney Channel in HD or HGTV HD. So, if I didn't already have servive, I think I'd probably lean towards Direct TV, although I'd lean towards Dish even more if they had our locals in HD. But considering what I already have, I want to see what Cox rolls out in March.

As I posted, if they fail to come through in March, I will go hunting for new service. That's hardly 10 years, but maybe you're better than math than me.

I just got my 1st HDTV and I can pickup only nbc OTA in HD. When I go to cbs 13.1 and abc 9.1 they both come in only as Digital not HDTV. Is this normal? I couldnt get anything at all thru my analog cable in digital or HD.

All D* boxes are leased now. More HD channels is a nice thought, but the majority of those 100 either have no HD, are PPV and cost extra, or are sports channels that are only useful with the purchase of a sports package for extra cost. Cox's lineup is pretty weak right now, but given that 11 of the 12 channels being added in March account for the majority of worthwhile channels out there, Cox will be caught up quick. We don't know what the 12th is yet, but the only extra channels I am waiting for from Cox that we haven't heard anything on are FX, SciFi, and HDNet.

Benefit to you is that you own your HD DVR receiver and have more HD channels now. Negative, you can't change if you see something better until your contract is up and could be stuck with equipment you can't use and won't need if you do change.

I have no contract, and haven't had one in years, but I do own my DVR's, and like coyoteaz mentioned the boxes are leased now.

Best of luck.

All D* boxes are leased now. More HD channels is a nice thought, but the majority of those 100 either have no HD, are PPV and cost extra, or are sports channels that are only useful with the purchase of a sports package for extra cost. Cox's lineup is pretty weak right now, but given that 11 of the 12 channels being added in March account for the majority of worthwhile channels out there, Cox will be caught up quick. We don't know what the 12th is yet, but the only extra channels I am waiting for from Cox that we haven't heard anything on are FX, SciFi, and HDNet.

How do you know what the 11 channels are, as you stated the majority where the worthwhile ones? Would you mind sharing what you've heard we are getting?

Thanks.

I am considering switching to D*, and if I did that, I would switch from cable internet to DSL. But I am concerned about the DSL speeds and my distance from the CO. I know it won't be anything like cable speeds.

Could some people that have DSL (particularly in 85750 zip) go to the following page and post the results of their speed test:
http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest?flash=1

For my cable (clicking on the Sprint in Chicago) I got 5273Kb/s download and 361Kb/s upload.

-- Scott

I too have phone, Inet, & cable w/ 1 HD DVR from Cox for about ~$125 a month total charges. When I signed up originally the digital cable, phone, & inet were a $99 package. The $25 is taxes and the HD DVR as that isn't part of the $99.

Without the discounts from the package it would be closer to what you're paying. You could try calling Cox and getting the $99 package, and try to leverage your temptation to switch to D* or E*. As far as which is better, I think most owners will say the one they have is better, that's just human. I personally like cable for the analog signals to our other TVs. When they take that away, I will start shopping around.

I'd still love to see your bill (not asking) because it still seems kind of fishy. They have lower rates for packages but they only last for 3 months. Unlike what I've heard about satellite, if cable services go up, they go up for everyone equally and you're not protected by an agreement to, say, pay x amount of dollars for x amount of years.

My cable portion is around $80/month with 1 premium, expanded, digital, hd-dvr box, regular digital box. This is the portion where they deduct my package discount which is $17.

High Speed is like $44.95 and the phone is $29.95 and extra for voice mail. The fees and taxes associated with the phone are easily the worst of the 3 services individually bumping my phone bill to over $40.

So, then add in the fees and taxes for cable and internet and that's where my $180 comes from.

If you took away my premium, changed to the lower high speed service, changed to the next lower phone service, and removed my extra basic digital receiver in the bedroom, that would save me about $45/month total plus taxes would go down, so that's what it would take to get to what you're paying now.

I think I could do everything listed above except get the slower high speed.

I am considering switching to D*, and if I did that, I would switch from cable internet to DSL. But I am concerned about the DSL speeds and my distance from the CO. I know it won't be anything like cable speeds.

Could some people that have DSL (particularly in 85750 zip) go to the following page and post the results of their speed test:
http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest?flash=1

For my cable (clicking on the Sprint in Chicago) I got 5273Kb/s download and 361Kb/s upload.

-- Scott

I run Qwest DSL and consistently get 6000k/768k. You need to go to the Qwest site, plug in your phone number and determine if you qualify for the higher speed at your house.

I run Qwest DSL and consistently get 6000k/768k. You need to go to the Qwest site, plug in your phone number and determine if you qualify for the higher speed at your house.

At the Qwest site, it says I can get their Qwest Connect Silver which has download speeds of up to 1.5Mb/s. I evidently do not qualify for their Platinum connect package. However the actual rate would vary depending on distance from the CO. That is why I am curious what others in the 85750 zip code actually get.

-- Scott

How do you know what the 11 channels are, as you stated the majority where the worthwhile ones? Would you mind sharing what you've heard we are getting?

Thanks.
Animal Planet, Discovery, Science, TLC, History, TBS, CNN, Vs/Golf, Food, HGTV, and NHL. Cox already has deals in place for these channels and has launched them in other markets. No indicator as to what the 12th is, but it might be a full-time spot for NFL Network instead of it just showing up during games.

I just got my 1st HDTV and I can pickup only nbc OTA in HD. When I go to cbs 13.1 and abc 9.1 they both come in only as Digital not HDTV. Is this normal? I couldnt get anything at all thru my analog cable in digital or HD.

Kind of confused by your message. When you say "digital" are you saying that you are receiving the digital feed, are you saying that you are tuning to 13.1 and seeing a digital feed that is not in HD? If so, most local programming is still 4:3. You'll need to be watching network programming to see anything in HD. Channel 4 (NBC) is the only local affiliate doing news and local programming in HD.

What part of town do you live in?

Some quick questions for my old friends.

First, Cox just sent out e-mails that they are going to be adding 80 HD channels in 2008 and 12 by the end of March. Now, they currently count premium channels that have to paid for in the number of total HD channels that they carry, which totally misleads consumers, so are we likely just going to get more pay for service HD? What else is out there in HD that we don't have that could even add up to 12 by March, much less 80 HD channels by the end of the year? I didn't know that many channels were even broadcast in HD yet.

Now, is Dish Network better than Direct TV, because I read in an earlier post someone mentioned that Dish has locals in HD?

Is there a lot of cost involved in switching to a dish? I feel like I pay too much for the few channels that I watch on Cox, but it's difficult to change if you're used to something or if there a lot of out of pocket charges.

And if Direct is better than Dish, when will Direct have locals soon? Is the biggest advantage to having a dish in having more control of the pricing and selecting of what you want to watch, so as to keep package prices more reasonable?

I pay $180/month for a Cox bundle with phone and internet. I have 1 hd dvr receiver and 1 standard digital receiver and 1 premium channel. That seems like an awful lot, because the phone and internet come to about $70 and Cox creams me with so many charges for the cable portion of the bill and there are so many channels I never even look at. In fact, to get the bundle, you MUST select one of their 3 tiers (movies, variety, and sports are the choices, I think) and that costs $. So, to get a lower price, I have to pay for something that I don't want, which jacks up my price taking away from the discount.

That can only make sense to the people who run Cox.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

I have to really jump in on this one, so I went back to the first post.

I changed over to Directv in October. I was a long time COX customer with HD DVR and HSI. ( I use Vonage for phone). I debated the change for a couple of months, did research, asked friends that had the service yada yada. The investment for the HD DVR (199.99) was something I had to consider as well.

So to the point. This by far was the best thing I have ever done for the TV viewing life. (I do watch too much). The PQ is IMO better than COX. The addition of Local HD on 12/12 made it even better (I did OTA before). So without sounding like a salesperson for Directv, let me say this.

If you want HD that you pay for (not OTA or QAM), then the only choice that I can see is Directv. They have a number of specials that give you $10 off for the first year. Also there is a nice little referral program, so if you know someone with Directv you can receive another $10 off for 5 months. And anything else you can work them for. Oh and last but not least - there is no taxes/fees and other BS attached to your bill like COX that runs up another $20-$30..

2 HD DVRs and 4 SD DVRs that are actively used in the house. If I went with Cox, the DVR rental fee would be outrageous.

Animal Planet, Discovery, Science, TLC, History, TBS, CNN, Vs/Golf, Food, HGTV, and NHL. Cox already has deals in place for these channels and has launched them in other markets. No indicator as to what the 12th is, but it might be a full-time spot for NFL Network instead of it just showing up during games.

Thanks, it's a mixed bag. I was hoping hdnet and fx would be two of them. I don't like that that they are going to have 2 channels sharing one channel and, in fact, on the Cox page that's one of the things they blast about satellite. You know they'll be showing golf when they could be showing a live hockey game.

And the NHL network seems odd for now. I mean, the regular season ends in early April. I would imagine that Vs owns the rights to the playoffs, but if this gets me extra playoff games it might be good. Still, it figures they'd get this at the end of the season instead of giving us something like FX now and let the NHL network roll out in October for the next regular season. Also, what will that channel be when this Stanley Cup is over? Hockey is my favorite sport, but it's slipped behind Nascar and golf in popularity in this country.

So, is this just going to be a blank HD channel from late June until pre-season in September? What is on the NFL network when there aren't games? Do they really talk about football 24 hours a day?

PS-might Cox just consider Vs and Golf, although sharing a channel, as 2 channels, which brings the total to 12?

2 HD DVRs and 4 SD DVRs that are actively used in the house. If I went with Cox, the DVR rental fee would be outrageous.

Who do you have again? Did you buy those? I thought someone posted there is a rental fee with satellite. Is it just much less than with Cox? If you bought them, that had to set you back a lot.

You sure do like tv by the way to need 6 dvrs. ;)

3 kids each have their own DVR
2 HD DVRs in Living room - Shared with Master Bedroom
1 DVR in my den (not really necessary to be DVR, but it was cheap)

I've been buying and selling for years on E-Bay. When I moved to Tucson, I sold off all of my Dish Network gear in favor of DirecTV. I spent about $700 to get installed, and I got about $900 for my Dish Net stuff.

Last year, I got an HR20-700 and new dish installed for $99.00
Recently, they swapped my HR10-250 to an HR20-700 for free
The last two SD tivos were less than $50 on e-bay

Net result for now is...3 SD Tivos, 1 R15, 2 HR20-700s and an HR10-250 in the closet.

I still really like the Tivos because of the hackability to MRV and play music. The HR20s are starting to come around. Music and photos are there and video is in its early stages. I can currently play a DIVX encoded from my PC. I have some VOB files that have Dolby Digital tracks that can't play yet. I can see the video, but the codecs for AC3 audio aren't there.

I believe I also get more record time off of the HR20s than I could from Cox, but I could be wrong.

With the "premier package" (all movie channels), HD Access and mirror fees, my TV bill is $130/month.

So, I just picked up a Mitsubishi 65" HD television for christmas and Im having a hard time finding HD programing on my COX cable. I only get the cox expanded basic, but a friend told me that Cox is not putting out the local programing in HD. Can anyone give me a list of the channels that Cox is sending out HD programing on?

You can find all of the local stations on Cox, but you need a QAM tuner to get them. ATSC is the over the air format. If your new TV does not have a QAM tuner, you will need Cox's digital box or an over air antenna to get them. If you subscribe, the following are available in HD on Cox: KTTU, KVOA, KUAT, KWBA, KGUN, KMSB, KOLD, MOJO, NGC, HDT, UHD, TNT, ESPN 1, ESPN 2, A&E. If you have a QAM tuner you can get the locals without subscribing.

You can find all of the local stations on Cox, but you need a QAM tuner to get them. ATSC is the over the air format. If your new TV does not have a QAM tuner, you will need Cox's digital box or an over air antenna to get them. If you subscribe, the following are available in HD on Cox: KTTU, KVOA, KUAT, KWBA, KGUN, KMSB, KOLD, MOJO, NGC, HDT, UHD, TNT, ESPN 1, ESPN 2, A&E. If you have a QAM tuner you can get the locals without subscribing.

Ya, so what channels are they on? I have a QAM tuner, but I dont know what channels they are.

Ya, so what channels are they on? I have a QAM tuner, but I dont know what channels they are.

Did you check the first page of this thread?

Ya, so what channels are they on? I have a QAM tuner, but I dont know what channels they are.

You'll need to do a scan and click through the channels to find them. Cox moves them around as needed (like when adding channels) so they'll move from time to time.

I found, where I live, that an antenna gets great reception and the channels never move, so it's just easier for me to use OTA rather than QAM. I missed one too many recordings because they changed the QAM assignments on me.

Anyone have analog cable here? The picture is terrible as ive read it can be with many HDTVs. Just wondering if anyone has been able to do anything to improve the pic such as an amplifier or something else? Thanks

It might help if you indicated where you are, after all there is Cox and Comcast, and WesternBroad Band. You can change your profile to indicate your area.

Done. :)
Carey, I don't know if you knew about this site
http://www.silicondust.com/wiki/hdhomerun/channels

Let you know that Kuat does not have 6.5 anymore and KOLD now have 3 13.1 13.2(NewsNow) and defunct "The Tube" 13.3 although it is now "To be announced"

KVOA does not have 4.2 I believe they turned it off. anyway check the link and enter your zip code to see list of all OTA digital channels for Tucson (should be total of 17)

Regards

It might help if you indicated where you are, after all there is Cox and Comcast, and WesternBroad Band. You can change your profile to indicate your area.

Comcast has made another change to the local HD (16:9) channels effecting QAM. Here is what I get now (85749).

4-1 KVOA (NBC) 1080i
9-1 KGUN (ABC) 720p
11-1 KMSB (FOX) 720p * was 88.1
13-1 KOLD (CBS) 1080i * was 88.2
18-1 KTTU (MyTV) 1080i * was 87.1
27-1 KUAS (PBS) 1080i * was 87.2
117-7 KWBA (CW) 1080i
129-2 MOJO 1080i

Carey, I don't know if you knew about this site
http://www.silicondust.com/wiki/hdhomerun/channels

Let you know that Kuat does not have 6.5 anymore and KOLD now have 3 13.1 13.2(NewsNow) and defunct "The Tube" 13.3 although it is now "To be announced"

KVOA does not have 4.2 I believe they turned it off. anyway check the link and enter your zip code to see list of all OTA digital channels for Tucson (should be total of 17)

RegardsThanks. I updated that. Nice link too. I got 15 total when I checked. Maybe due to my zip area.

So, no more KUAT DT3 "YOU" channel on cable either? If so, I should update that too.

KUAT DT3 is now V-Me. The Spanish PBS.

Thanks. I updated that. Nice link too. I got 15 total when I checked. Maybe due to my zip area.

So, no more KUAT DT3 "YOU" channel on cable either? If so, I should update that too.

Yeah probably due to zip code... try either 85714 or 85719 then you will see those 17

FYI:
KVOA-DT - 4.1 - 2-CH - HD - 720p <-- 1080i

KUAT-HD - 6.1 - 2-CH - HD - 1080i (evenings) <--- KUAT-SD DD(2-CH) SD 780x480
KUAT-SD - 6.2 - 2-CH - HD - 1080i <--- KUAT-PBS KID DD SD 704x480
KUAT-KID - 6.3 - 2-CH – HD - 1080i <--- KUAT-V-me DD SD 704x480
KUAT-X -- 6.4 – 2-CH - HD - 1080i <--- KUAT-Create DD SD 704x480

KOLD-DT - 13.1 - 2-CH – HD - 1080i <--- KOLD-DT DD5.1 HD 1080i
News Now - 13.2 - 2-CH – SD - 480i <--- KOLD-DT2 DD SD 704x480 (Weather/NewsNow)
To Be Announced - 13.3 - 2-CH – SD - 480i <--- KOLD-Tube "To Be Announced" DD SD 704x408

KUAS-DT - 27.1 - 2-CH – HD - 1080i (similar to 6.1 prog) <-- KUAS-HD DD HD 1080i (not similar to 6.1 though but when you pick up analog signal then ch 6 and 27 are similar so digitally it's different)

KHRR-DT - 42.1 - 2-CH – SD - 1080i <--- KHRR-DT1 40.1 - DD - SD - 704x480 641mhz

KUVE-DT1 - 46.1 - DD - SD - 704x480 671mhz
KUVE DT2 - 46.2 - DD - SD - 704x480 671mhz

KWBA-DT - 58.1 - 2-CH – HD - 1080i <--- KWBA-DT - 58.1 - DD - SD - 1080i
KWBA-DT2 - 58.2 - DD - SD -704x480

Carey,

If you have Google Earth installed then you should check this out;
http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=41

They will show you all those TV stations for Tucson as well as many cities in AZ and other states.

Thanks Boult. I updated what I could. Hard to keep up with all the changes. :o

A little off-topic:

Has anybody tried Comcast Digital Voice here in Tucson? Likes, dislikes?

On topic Comcast: They have the digital only DCH3416 (160GB) DVR's now, seems speedier and less prone to freeze up....but it has been less than a month so the verdict is not in yet.

Nevermind..fixed my own problem haha

Is anyone else on Comcast still getting Mojo via clear QAM? I used to get it a 129-2, but it has been gone for the last few weeks. I'm guessing that they either decide to encrypt it, or just moved it to a different channel.

Nope, Mojo and Pay-Plex E (a movie channel) both up and went encrypted. A pity since there were going to be some decent HD movies on Mojo coming up, Bullit for instance. I think they should never have been non-encrypted to begin with. I will miss them though....

Has anyone had any luck in purchasing a CABLE BOX/DVR and getting Cox to activate the box? I know Dish Net and Direct TV will activate boxes that were not purchased or leased through them. I know that I was able to purchase my Modem without leasing or purchasing it from Cox. Seems to me that the laws should be in place that allows the end user to be able to supply a setup box and not have to lease it though Cox.

Also has anyone lowered their internet connection to the lower tier and noticed a noticeable difference in speed? Here in Tucson we are offered 3 different speeds, Speeds up to 1.5 Mbps $29.95, Speeds up to 9 Mbp $44.95, Speeds up to 15 Mbps $59.95. I currently have the $44.95 connection bundled with phone and cable. I do not recall ever being given a choice when I connected with Cox. It also seems to me when I first signed up with Cox for high speed our internet speed was not even at 1.5 Mbps, I really have no use for these kinds of speed unless it would affect my phone.

I have looked at comparing Dish Net, Direct TV, and Cox in providing my Internet, TV, and Phone, when you look at all the hidden state and local taxes they are all about the same price. I have spent many hours trying to configure pricing even looked at Vonage to provide my phone needs but when you look at the big picture I have not really gained anything.

Dodgeviper -
If you have a TV with a cablecard slot, COX will provide a card to plug in the slot. This seems to be an obsolete technology, as there are almost no new TV's being sold with cablecard slots. For the time being, the only other way you can get digital service from COX is to lease a set top box from them. At the recent CES in Las Vegas, Comcast and Panasonic were promoting a technology called tru2way (http://www.tru2way.com/). With this technology, you will not need a set top box -- the encryption stuff is automatically downloaded to the TV from the cable provider. As to whether such technology will ever show up, I don't have an answer. I don't know of anything else on the horizon that will preclude the need to lease (or buy) a set top box from the cable (or satellite) company.

As for the COX internet service, I recently switched from their Home Pak bundled service to a la cart services. The reason I switched is that they sent a notice that the bundle price was increasing from $99.95/month to $109.95/month. They noted that the bundle includes the "premier" internet service (12Mbps downstream). For a la cart services I am getting the slowest internet, the basic phone and analog TV. I am saving approximately $25/month vs the bundle price. I have not noticed any problems due to the slower internet -- it still goes plenty fast for my needs. As for TV, I get the digital broadcasts from the local stations OTA, and I am happy with such.

COX now tells me that they will continue to deliver analog TV for a minimum of three years from the date the OTA analog broadcasts cease. I think I will wait and see if some technology (e.g., tru2way) that will preclude the need to lease set top boxes from COX comes along before I consider buying any more TV sets.

Dodgeviper -
If you have a TV with a cablecard slot, COX will provide a card to plug in the slot. This seems to be an obsolete technology, as there are almost no new TV's being sold with cablecard slots. For the time being, the only other way you can get digital service from COX is to lease a set top box from them. At the recent CES in Las Vegas, Comcast and Panasonic were promoting a technology called tru2way (http://www.tru2way.com/). With this technology, you will not need a set top box -- the encryption stuff is automatically downloaded to the TV from the cable provider. As to whether such technology will ever show up, I don't have an answer. I don't know of anything else on the horizon that will preclude the need to lease (or buy) a set top box from the cable (or satellite) company.

As for the COX internet service, I recently switched from their Home Pak bundled service to a la cart services. The reason I switched is that they sent a notice that the bundle price was increasing from $99.95/month to $109.95/month. They noted that the bundle includes the "premier" internet service (12Mbps downstream). For a la cart services I am getting the slowest internet, the basic phone and analog TV. I am saving approximately $25/month vs the bundle price. I have not noticed any problems due to the slower internet -- it still goes plenty fast for my needs. As for TV, I get the digital broadcasts from the local stations OTA, and I am happy with such.

COX now tells me that they will continue to deliver analog TV for a minimum of three years from the date the OTA analog broadcasts cease. I think I will wait and see if some technology (e.g., tru2way) that will preclude the need to lease set top boxes from COX comes along before I consider buying any more TV sets.

I started out with the $99.00 package but once you throw in HD, DVR, state and local taxes I am up to $136.00 which will be going to $146.00. With your basic phone do you get any extra's? I need Caller ID, Call Waiting, and Number Block. Also I think I would would be happy with the lower speed internet. For some crazy reason I think they may not do anything to slow it down as I would think Cox would need to place some type of trap on the cable line outside of my home.

Hey guys, hope this is the right place to post.

I've been curious for a while about FSNAZHD. I have direcTV, and this channel is always blank. Forced to watch UofA basketball games in crappy standard definition :p - Why doesn't this channel work and does FSN ever broadcast UofArizona basketball games in HD on any channel? Are there any plans to? Thanks.

Which is better for HD in Tucson? I have Dish now (but not HD options). I see that Direct has more HD channels including local channels. I'm not sure that there is any advantage to having the local channels via satellite since I can get them OTA.

I would like to upgrade to HD in order to be able to get an HD PVR. But I hate to pay all the extra costs.

We have no cable where I live.

Hey guys, hope this is the right place to post.

I've been curious for a while about FSNAZHD. I have direcTV, and this channel is always blank. Forced to watch UofA basketball games in crappy standard definition :p - Why doesn't this channel work and does FSN ever broadcast UofArizona basketball games in HD on any channel? Are there any plans to? Thanks.
I went to that channel and I get, "Channel not purchased (721)". Are you sure that is suppose to be a good channel, and free?

FSNAZHD is only active when there is HD content to deliver. On DirecTV, 649 is FSNAZ and 649-1 is FSNAZHD. There were only several UofA games planned to be in HD this season. Most of the Suns games are there, in HD.

If you have primary service in a Tucson Zipcode you should be getting 649 as part of your DirecTV package. To get 649-1 you need the HD package.

As for Dish or DirecTV, I switched from Dish 18 months ago and haven't had a single regret. The HD quality is good and locals are also good. Compare prices for total channels you want and then add equipment, then amortize over the 2 year commitment you'll need to make to get total cost.

Dave

I started out with the $99.00 package but once you throw in HD, DVR, state and local taxes I am up to $136.00 which will be going to $146.00. With your basic phone do you get any extra's? I need Caller ID, Call Waiting, and Number Block. Also I think I would would be happy with the lower speed internet. For some crazy reason I think they may not do anything to slow it down as I would think Cox would need to place some type of trap on the cable line outside of my home.


You do not get any extras with the basic phone service. We never used them while we had them, so it is no loss to us to have the basic service. As for the internet speed, I can go to a speed test site (http://test.lvcm.com/) and see that it is clamped at a lower speed, but I don't notice any difference as to how fast most web pages load. Perhaps if I were doing large downloads (e.g., music and movie files) the higher speed would be worth it. But for ordinary usage (e-mail, web browsing, etc.) it doesn't seem to make any difference.

I live in 85749 but I have Cox and not Comcast. I just got my first HDTV and have Cox Analog. While I try to decide between Cox and D* I can't seem to find KMSB (Fox) digital. 76.2 doesn't seem to work. I can get all the other Locals. Have they moved?

I live in 85749 but I have Cox and not Comcast. I just got my first HDTV and have Cox Analog. While I try to decide between Cox and D* I can't seem to find KMSB (Fox) digital. 76.2 doesn't seem to work. I can get all the other Locals. Have they moved?

I also live in 85749 and have Cox analog. I am receiving 76.2 with no problems.

Also I think I would would be happy with the lower speed internet. For some crazy reason I think they may not do anything to slow it down as I would think Cox would need to place some type of trap on the cable line outside of my home.

I think they control your internet access speed remotely via your cable modem configuration. Your particular cable modem can be throttled to whatever speed you are paying for. Or perhaps it is done at the head end, but the effect is the same. They don't need to physically change anything on your cable line.

as per this website: http://www.nab.org/AM/ASPCode/DTVStations/DTVStations.asp
Market Current DMA Rank Station Primary Network Affiliation Tune To RF Channel
Tucson (Sierra Vista), AZ 68 KGUN-TV ABC 9.n 35
KHRR Telemundo 40.n 42
KMSB-TV FOX 11.n 25
KOLD-TV CBS 13.n 32
KTTU-TV My TV 18.n 19
KUAS-TV PBS 27.n 28
KUAT-TV PBS 6.n 30
KUVE-TV Univision 46.n 47
KVOA NBC 4.n 23
KWBA CW 58.n 44

the list does not show multicast channels though...

I also live in 85749 and have Cox analog. I am receiving 76.2 with no problems.
Thanks. I had to redo my auto channel preset. It found it this time.

Did 11.1 Fox and 18.1 My TV OTA Digital just go down? wondering what happened eh...

EDIT: finally both came back alive...

Does anybody know why the nascar budweiser shootout race on FOX isn't broadcast in HD tonight? Tv guides all over the internet says it is broadcast in HD... hmm it is just showing SD hmm? I wondered if KSMB is not broadcasting properly tonight?

finally now it is in HD! It should have been in HD from the start.. blah...

I contacted the KMSB Engineer about it and he sent this reply:

"We think it was because a switch code was missing in an automated log file.
We checked and it was missing for this weekend as well. We have notified the appropriate personnel to correct the log entries."

Hopefully this means the Daytona 500 will be in HD like it should be, and for the whole race, not just the last 1/4.

I watched the Arizona/Stanford basketball game today on ABC in HD. It was wonderful to see a game in HD, but the feed on Comcast in the northeast was horrible. There was so much signal breakup that at times it was unwatchable and I had to switch to analog SD. I don't watch ABC much, so I don't know if this is typical, or if it was just during the game. Did any anyone else see similar issues?

I contacted the KMSB Engineer about it and he sent this reply:

"We think it was because a switch code was missing in an automated log file.
We checked and it was missing for this weekend as well. We have notified the appropriate personnel to correct the log entries."

Hopefully this means the Daytona 500 will be in HD like it should be, and for the whole race, not just the last 1/4.
Thanks for the info...

I watched the Arizona/Stanford basketball game today on ABC in HD. It was wonderful to see a game in HD, but the feed on Comcast in the northeast was horrible. There was so much signal breakup that at times it was unwatchable and I had to switch to analog SD. I don't watch ABC much, so I don't know if this is typical, or if it was just during the game. Did any anyone else see similar issues?

We had the same issue. It was breaking up terribly, and the sound cutting out.

I switched over to my OTA HD signal for ABC and it was just fine there. Luckily I didn't need to DVR the game...

-- Scott

Is anyone using a cablecard with Comcast? If so, how well has it worked for you? I'm considering going that route. (I am aware of the lack of VOD with cablecard, but I don't really care about that.) Thanks.

Spocko,
I'm going to talk to the Comcast folks over on Swan tomorrow. On the phone they told me their cable card won't work on my JVC LT-46FN97 so I'm going to look at their $1 per month set top box. :(

Mick

Do you all use TitanTV for guide for your OTA viewing? if so, please report to TitanTV that schedule for both ABC and NBC channel is off by one hour early.. Thanks

It was good to see that Cox had added additional HD channels yesterday.
Now waiting for ON Demand.

Does anyone know why MNT KTTUDT1 (18-1) is showing "no signal" ? it's been like that all day today...

While at the new Cox digital store yesterday, I was told that the Video On Demand service is to start tomorrow, the 27th. Let's hope so...

Well, no joy ond the VOD here. Anyone?

Cox is so....20th century! They lost their relevance here when they decided to hold out on HD locals for so long. Their slim HD lineup and VOD are no match to the service/price of DirecTV.

As many things Comcast does wrong they turned on the ability to start watching a VOD on one box and resume it on any other. I tried it, it works. Cool. Catching up with my ReplayTV's. ;)

Cox is so....20th century! They lost their relevance here when they decided to hold out on HD locals for so long. Their slim HD lineup and VOD are no match to the service/price of DirecTV.

Well, no joy ond the VOD here. Anyone?

It's working for me here, maybe you need to reset your box?

It's working for me here, maybe you need to reset your box?

Well, still no-go here, at Broadway/Harrison. Maybe it's coming up by area?

Well, still no-go here, at Broadway/Harrison. Maybe it's coming up by area?

Could be, I'm on the northwest side, Prince/I-10 area. It's on channel 666 for those who don't know, but it may be moved to channel 1.

Well, dumb ole me... I thought it would work with the "on demand" button on the remote. I tried 666, and there it is....

Yep on channel 1 here around Broadway and Camino Seco. Its funny the on demand button on the remote doesn't work.

Journal Communications buying KWBA. The same group that owns KGUN and a handful of radio stations adds it's second television station.

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/all_headlines/80059

Cox must be bringing this up by area. I can see it listed on 666 on the guide but when I go to 666 I get an accessing on demand features message then a Blank screen. Hope they get it going in Sahuarita soon.

What has the service been like for those that can access it?

I live in Hereford and receive DT from channel 6, 11, 13 and 18 but nothing
on 4 or 9. I thought these stations were all on the same tower at Bigelow.
I'm using a Channel Master 8 bay UHF bow tie. Why don't I get 4 and 9 digital?

Jack

Well, after 3 days, I find the "on demand" very disapointing. Much like the free HD channels, the programming is blah... HBO has better, but so far everything I have tried to watch was pixelated and had sound drifiting in and out so bad I gave up. One was a pay-per-view, too... Leaves much to be desired...

lets hope that Cox is still working on implementing Ondemand and that when its announced on line officially they will have worked out the bugs and added better programing.

Is anyone else getting a VERY NASTY "pop" through the digital out when transitioning in and out of On Demand programming?
It's enough to overload my Onkyo and sent it into protect mode!!!:mad:

NCAA Final Four game 1 UCLA vs Memphis
Major HD issues here switching feeds from SD to HD
HD Multicolor pixelation looks like going with the SD feed for now.
Cox Cable 713-KOLD-Tucson

Trying to watch final four ota and theyre broadcasting in sd. Looks like they tried going to HD but had major issues. Whats going on?

HD back on Cox 713

Perhaps not the right place for this but:
I have had Comcast Digital Voice for just over 8 days. Worked great, and I mean great, clear, cool web control of voice mail, etc. till this weekend. Out for many hours, customer service couldn't roll a truck till Monday....came back late Sunday night. Not a local premises issue.

Today, out 3 times and currently if you dial my number nothing happens, no ringing, no answer, no voicemail. The poor rep says a "switchboard" error. Don't know when it will be back....

Beware.

I use Vonage for the last 3 years, and have never, seriously never had a problem with Vonage. However, we have had our internet go down, which, obviously disconnects Vonage, but all calls are then automatically forwarded to our cell phone, so no lose.

I just purchased my first "Magic Jack". $40 which includes one YEAR of service, then $20/YEAR after that.

Downside is, it has to be connected to a computer that is booted and logged in. Sound quality is good and price is unbeatable.

What the hell is wrong with KVOA OTA HD Audio during SNL.. and perhaps in general. SNL comes across in 5.1 DD on the OTA ATSC channel 1041.

1) During SNL, the rear two channels keep the show's audio feed DURING the commercials. This means there's clapping and random noises coming out of the rear speakers while the fronts are playing commercials. Bizarre.

2) Other commercials ranomdly seem to be on 'stadium' mode, that is there is a huge echo noise for the audio for some commercials. If I had to guess I'd say its high-def commercials that are supposed to be 2.1 but the bitstream is 5.1 and the rear speakers have significant delay.

I think someone at KVOA dorked with an audio switch. I do know that NBC sends the audio in a special format to KVOA who then has to remux it into 5.1. I am guessing that's where the problem is.

This is all kind of standard issue with HD in Tucson. Why is HDTV still in the stone age in Tucson? We've got the ABC idiots (KGUN) who can't seem to switch back into HD after every other commerical break, CBS (KOLD) who screws up their mpeg encoding every month or two causing the various ATSC decoders to whack out, and then this.

According to this, NBC transmits in raw 6.1 PCM and then the local station must mux them, so it seems like its KVOA's fault.

http://www.dolby.com/professional/pro_audio_engineering/5_1_implementations/

NBC feeds 8 channels of PCM audio (L, R, SL, SR, C, LFE, Lt, Rt) along with metadata that can be passed into the station's AC3 encoder to control format switching. As for audio weirdness during commercials, that's probably something KVOA is doing wrong locally. The correct way to switch audio is to swap all channels at once, either in baseband or Dolby E. Most older equipment is only capable of switching 2 channels of baseband audio, and the equipment needed to do Dolby E correctly runs around $10,000. My wild guess is that KVOA is only switching out the L/R channels from the network broadcast and replacing them with the Lt/Rt (stereo mix) channels used for the SD broadcast, while always passing through the other 4 channels from the network side. This would potentially leave dialog in all 3 front channels which would not be compensated for delay against each other, resulting in an echo. This is the cheap and lazy way to accomplish DD5.1. I have no inside information as to how KVOA is actually doing it, but it fits the symptoms described.

If I understand correctly, all Tucson stations except KGUN will remain on their respective UHF channels next February when the analog broadcasts are shut off. KGUN plans to move their digital broadcast from UHF channel 35 to VHF channel 9 at that time.

Those of us who have UHF antennas will hope that enough of the channel 9 signal will get through our antennas so that we can still receive KGUN. Since I don't have room in my crawl space to replace my UHF antenna with a UHF/VHF antenna, I'm not sure what I will do if I am no longer able to receive KGUN.

They will all eventually switch most likely, as that is the reason that is one of the reasons for the digital switch, to free up the UHF space. At least I think.

Channels 52-69 are being removed from TV use and resold to the highest bidder for telecommunications use.

They will all eventually switch most likely, as that is the reason that is one of the reasons for the digital switch, to free up the UHF space. At least I think.

Each station was given a second channel space in which to operate their digital transmitter during the transition period. At the end of that period (next February), they each have the choice of using their original channel space or using the digital channel space to which they were assigned. Since pretty much all of the VHF space was already taken by the analog assignments, the digital assignments were all UHF in the Tucson area.

As pointed out by coyoteaz, only part of the UHF spectrum goes away permanently, and none of that was used for the digital channel assignments.

I'm just noting that for those of us who rely on OTA, KGUN's choice to revert to the channel 9 space will make life a bit more complicated for us.

No signal on Comcast local QAM HD 4.1 KVOA (NBC) and 9.1 KGUN (ABC).

Is anyone else having this problem? These two stations came in fine on Thursday (5/8), but "no signal" yesterday and today.

Anyone know what Comcast has done with the digital feed (QAM) for the main PBS channel (KUAS)? I believe it was on 87-2 but can't find it anywhere for the past few days. I know their "other" channels are up at 121-1,2,3 but I'm looking for the main channel.

Thanks

Ray

Anyone know what Comcast has done with the digital feed (QAM) for the main PBS channel (KUAS)? I believe it was on 87-2 but can't find it anywhere for the past few days. I know their "other" channels are up at 121-1,2,3 but I'm looking for the main channel.

Thanks

RayHave you tried the one's listed on the first page (27-1 or 98-9)? Let me know if something has changed. Thanks.

Yes I have tried those and many others.

FYI, here are a few updates for Comcast QAM:

KWBA-DT CW (214) (117-3 QAM - 1080i)
KUAT PBS-DT2 Kids (200) (121-2 QAM - 480i)
UAT PBS-DT4 Create (121-1 QAM - 480i)

...KWBA-DT CW (214) (117-3 QAM - 1080i)
KUAT PBS-DT2 Kids (200) (121-2 QAM - 480i)
UAT PBS-DT4 Create (121-1 QAM - 480i)Thanks!

Anyone know what Comcast has done with the digital feed (QAM) for the main PBS channel (KUAS)? I believe it was on 87-2 but can't find it anywhere for the past few days. I know their "other" channels are up at 121-1,2,3 but I'm looking for the main channel.

Thanks

Ray

Ray,
I'm in 85750 and I found that Comcast has moved KUAT to 2-0 on my QAM tuner. I've been working with them and Gemstar regarding a problem with the TVGOS data that is normally inserted on KUAT Ch 6 Analog. I'm wondering now if they moved the TVGOS data to digital and forgot about the analog feed on Ch 6. :(

The head-end guy will be back on Monday and hopefully they will fix it with Gemstars help.

Mick

I'm not seeing anything on QAM 2-0, didn't even know "-0" was a valid QAM channel. Just started a channel rescan to see if that changes anything.

BTW, KUAT analog is available on channel 6, at least here in 85718.

Thanks

Ray

I'm not seeing anything on QAM 2-0, didn't even know "-0" was a valid QAM channel. Just started a channel rescan to see if that changes anything.

BTW, KUAT analog is available on channel 6, at least here in 85718.

Thanks

Ray

Yep, Surprised me too. All my other QAM channels are x-1, x-2, x-3, but
never a 0 Odd.

I do get PBS analog channel 6 just fine. The problem is the Gemstar TVGOS data is missing.

Mick

Not surprising, the channel rescan made no difference. If KUAT digital has been moved to 2-0 maybe my year and a half old Samsung DLP is not capable of receiving it? I don't understand why they don't just put it at 6-1?

Thanks

Ray

-0 is reserved for analog channels on broadcast TV, but is perfectly valid for anything on cable. Samsungs are not particularly good at working with odd channel mappings, so it's not unexpected to hear that yours doesn't work with it. You might want to email KUAT and see if they can put pressure on Cox to fix their mapping.

We finally implemented a graphic ID on KUAS-HD (27-1), so no more VO interrupting programs longer than an hour. It's not pretty, but it is significantly less annoying :)

Thank you!

We finally implemented a graphic ID on KUAS-HD (27-1), so no more VO interrupting programs longer than an hour. It's not pretty, but it is significantly less annoying :)
Does that mean KUAS will now pass DD5.1 when available? I remember the legal ID being the main reason that the audio had to be stereo.

After 8-10 calls and email to Cox and speaking to 7 clueless CSR, Cox has added NASA TV on channel 990. We can watch the Phoenix landing on Mars on this channel. No word on how long this will last.

On a related note, what is the difference between KUAT channel 6 and 94? Are they both analog?

why is KGUN broadcasting WNBA game in SD via OTA when there is a HD version of that game available? It's been like that for a while... If my tv can pick up HD why isn't KGUN letting me get HD instead of SD?

It's not available in HD. http://www.hdsportsguide.com/

Does that mean KUAS will now pass DD5.1 when available? I remember the legal ID being the main reason that the audio had to be stereo.

Sorry for the delay in a response...

That, and EAS alerts. Our switcher can pass and mix AC3, but will not convert PCM to be mixed with it. Until we can get an AC3 encoder for locally generated audio, we'll still be a 2.0 shop.

That being said, I am working on a 'cheap and cheerful' solution to the AC3 problem until we can afford the proper broadcast equipment.

This news appeared today...
http://tucson.cox.net/cci/newslocal/local?_mode=view&view=LocalNewsArticleView&articleId=3497953&_action=validatearticle

Local Broadcaster Has Two Tucson TV Stations After FCC Waiver
06-04-2008 5:05 AM
(Tucson, AZ) -- The Federal Communications Commission is allowing an exception to their rules regarding a local television station. Last month, the FCC allowed Journal Broadcast Group to purchase The CW affiliate KWBA-TV, granting a failing-station waiver to the station. The Commission said that KWBA-TV was doing so poorly in the Tucson market that it was at a 'competitive disadvantage" to other stations. FCC rules generally prohibit companies from owning multiple network affiliates in the same market, especially if that ownership led to less than eight independently-owned stations in that market. Journal Broadcast Group also owns ABC affiliate KGUN-TV. However, the Commission can make exceptions in cases where stations are in the kind of financial straits that would threaten their existence.<

Has Comcast in Tucson changed someting recently? Just today I tried to watch an HD program on my JVC(QAM tuner) and ALL my digital channels were gone. I had to do a re-scan of all channels to regain any digital channels.
Now, after the rescan I have 0-0(KUAT,CREATE), 2-0(KUAT, KIDS), plus some other new channels like 6-1(KUAT,PBS) 58-1(KWBA) 58-2(KWBA-1) and a few more that I'm just now exploring.

Something changed. :) For the better, I think.

Anyone else notice this?

Mick

Anyone else seeing the sound problems KVOA has been having the past couple of weeks? I use OTA DTV not the cable feeds, but I would guess those would be the same. I've seen it during American Gladiators, the sound was out of sync with the video by a second or two, and again last night during Fear Itself the sound was in sync and Dolby Digital but the dialogue was muffled and echoing. I also haven't seen Dolby Digital very much recently, but maybe they have that turned back on now, just not working right, at least for HD programs. I think Last Comic Standing was okay, I didn't watch most of it, but went past it a few times and don't remember noticing the sound echoing, didn't notice if it was in Dolby D or not either.

Has Comcast in Tucson changed someting recently? Just today I tried to watch an HD program on my JVC(QAM tuner) and ALL my digital channels were gone. I had to do a re-scan of all channels to regain any digital channels.
Now, after the rescan I have 0-0(KUAT,CREATE), 2-0(KUAT, KIDS), plus some other new channels like 6-1(KUAT,PBS) 58-1(KWBA) 58-2(KWBA-1) and a few more that I'm just now exploring.

Something changed. :) For the better, I think.

Anyone else notice this?

Mick

They had an equipment problem that caused problems with the PSIP data and they fixed the equipment and made additional corrections like moving KUAT HD from 2.0 to 6.1.

After 8-10 calls and email to Cox and speaking to 7 clueless CSR, Cox has added NASA TV on channel 990.FYI, the QAM channel number for NASA-TV on Cox appears to be 108-20.

Today, I noticed that KUAS now have 27-2 SD while 27-1 is HD

UPDATE as of Jun 16th There is now KUAS 27-3

KUAS 27-1 = KUAS HD
KUAS 27-2 = KUAS SD1 (this is PBS Kids)
KUAS 27-3 = KUAS SD2 (this is "Create" channel)


EDIT: clarification: those are OTA channels, not QAM channels.
On OTA KUAT HD which is 6-1 and other 3 are still there 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 as listed in first post of this thread. I am just letting OTA user know that KUAS has added subchannels.. So few days ago, KUAS 27-3 has disappeared I am assuming here that KUAS is testing... in preparation for Feb 2009 cutoff.

Today, I noticed that KUAS now have 27-2 SD while 27-1 is HD

UPDATE as of Jun 16th There is now KUAS 27-3

KUAS 27-1 = KUAS HD
KUAS 27-2 = KUAS SD1 (this is PBS Kids)
KUAS 27-3 = KUAS SD2 (this is "Create" channel)


Are you talking about COX? For COMCAST, KUAT HD is now on 6-1 and the other three PBS feeds (Create, Kids and Vme) have been MIA for the past few weeks.

Are you talking about COX? For COMCAST, KUAT HD is now on 6-1 and the other three PBS feeds (Create, Kids and Vme) have been MIA for the past few weeks.

Ray,
Did you miss my post from the 5th?
Now, after the rescan I have 0-0(KUAT,CREATE), 2-0(KUAT, KIDS),3-0 (KUAT V) plus some other new channels like 6-1(KUAT,PBS) 58-1(KWBA) 58-2(KWBA-1) These are on Comcast.

You should also be able to find the SD PBS channels up at 98-xx

Mick

Ray,
Did you miss my post from the 5th?
Now, after the rescan I have 0-0(KUAT,CREATE), 2-0(KUAT, KIDS),3-0 (KUAT V) plus some other new channels like 6-1(KUAT,PBS) 58-1(KWBA) 58-2(KWBA-1) These are on Comcast.

You should also be able to find the SD PBS channels up at 98-xx

Mick

Yes I did see your previous post but for whatever reason, it doesn't match what we receive from Comcast here in 85718. KUAT HD did reappear on 6-1 the morning of the 5th after disappearing from 87-2 about a month prior. Sometime late in May, Create, Kids & V-me disappeared from 121-1, -2 and -3 respectively.

Maybe its our TV but we don't receive any "-0" stations. If I enter 2-0 it reverts to 2 which is a very noisy feed of ESPN. Likewise, 3 is KTTU, and 0-0 and 0 aren't available. And I believe the two KWBA feeds on 58-1 and -2 showed up around June 2nd.

Can't explain why you're getting different programming from Comcast than we do, or why Comcast insists on screwing with the station assignments so often.

Thanks

Ray

On Comcast in zip 85750, I'm getting the same channel assignments as Mick. I was surprised at the -0 channels, but they work for me. Mick and I both appear to have JVC TVs. Ray, what brand do you have? Maybe some sets don't support -0 channels. You could try a rescan and see if those PBS feeds show up on different channels for you.

Comcast probably doesn't give a rip about frequently changing channel assignments, because it only affects cheapskates like you and me who are tuning QAM directly rather than renting a cable box from them. If they change assignments often enough, that encourages people to rent the boxes. I may be old-school, but personally I just don't want the extra box. I also think it's lame that they encrypt most of the basic digital channels. If a basic cable subscriber gets those same channels via analog, they should be able to get them via digital too. They want to force everyone to use cable boxes, which in my mind defeats the main advantage of cable vs satellite. If I must have a box at every TV, then I might as well switch to satellite.

Why wouldn't they scramble the dtv simulcast stations? If it's legal (non-locals) then they can advertise those as being part of their "digital package" which generates them revenue. I'm not a fan of cable (use satellite), but I would think this to be a smart method for them since by encrypting them, its a revenue generating venture (forces one to subscribe).

The aspect that I find most ironic is that all of the cable companies have been advertising "digital cable" for years when everyone knew that the first 85 channels were analog. At least they're finally getting away from false advertising, or deceptive practices at least.

Yeah I understand their business reasons (although with Comcast the basic digital package costs about the same as analog). Encryption is also an impediment to cable theft. So I expect encryption and boxes are here to stay, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. :)

I'll stop here since this is off topic.

On Comcast in zip 85750, I'm getting the same channel assignments as Mick. I was surprised at the -0 channels, but they work for me. Mick and I both appear to have JVC TVs. Ray, what brand do you have? Maybe some sets don't support -0 channels. You could try a rescan and see if those PBS feeds show up on different channels for you.

Comcast probably doesn't give a rip about frequently changing channel assignments, because it only affects cheapskates like you and me who are tuning QAM directly rather than renting a cable box from them. If they change assignments often enough, that encourages people to rent the boxes. I may be old-school, but personally I just don't want the extra box. I also think it's lame that they encrypt most of the basic digital channels. If a basic cable subscriber gets those same channels via analog, they should be able to get them via digital too. They want to force everyone to use cable boxes, which in my mind defeats the main advantage of cable vs satellite. If I must have a box at every TV, then I might as well switch to satellite.


Its 1-1/2 year old a Samsung DLP. Have tried rescanning in the past and it never made a difference. It does seem to automatically pick-up channels coming and going without a rescan.

I am cheap but we use Comcast limited basic just to get our locals. We have an old DirecTV system I (round dush) we use for all but our locals. Just been too lazy to figure out what we want to do to upgrade to the latest HD satellite dish and tuners. Also reluctant to give up our TiVo's, even if they are SD. But Comcast is pushing me hard to make the final switch to DitecTV for our locals. The only benefit we've had from Comcast is local PBS, but that's been pretty hit or miss the last few months.

Ray

It would be nice if they had to publish the QAM listings and give the 30 day notices of changes like franchises typically do with regular channels. It would make these issues much less common.

RayT see my last post above for clarification.

Right now almost all OTA channels are showing "no signals" from 4 to 18 since those are on the same mountain while others like 27 to 58 are from other location...

something happening?

Right now almost all OTA channels are showing "no signals" from 4 to 18 since those are on the same mountain while others like 27 to 58 are from other location...

something happening?
all of them came back on around 7am yesterday morning.. and couple of hours ago, they went off the air again...

I have had static on Dish channel 6 - KUAT for days. Anyone else notice this?

Dish tech support is incompetent. They say it is likely a software problem:confused:

I subscribe to D* and I am also getting noise on KUAT for about a week. Since we both have it I am guessing that the fault lies with KUAT or their feed. I do not have this on any other channel national or local

I heard KUAT was getting their antenna replaced or something this week, due to past lightning damage. This would also result in a power boost on the OTA digital signal.

- Trip

Has anyone heard anything about the locals putting up some repeater digital towers to serve the people in the NW Tucson area? I live NW and have a good roof top antenna with a unrestricted view but we are in the shadow of Mt. lemon for most of the NW area so all signals from Bigelow are blocked to most of our area, The only two I can get are 27.1 and 40.1 that are being broadcast from the Tumamoc Hill area. Channel 13 cannot even pick up their own digital OTA signal at their studios near Cortaro and I10.

KVOA has a Construction Permit for a digital translator on channel 4 on Tumamoc Hill (where KUAS broadcasts from). KGUN had an application for a similar channel broadcasting from Flowing Wells, but they canceled it because another broadcaster had an application in for the same channel.

KVOA's permit is for .3kW ERP, which combined with their low VHF channel will result in a completely useless broadcast that no one will be able to receive because of impulse noise.

Well looks like KOLD is still the red-headed stepchild of all the DTV stations here in town. When they finally got Dolby Digital sound last year that was nice, too bad they apparently don't have very good equipment or don't know how to manage it because their sound is brashish and tinny and WAY LOUDER than any other station, and apparently contacting them about it just falls on deaf ears. Too bad they are going to be my deaf ears if I have to listen to their BLARING overly saturated surround sound mix so you can hear more background noise and music than you can dialogue or commentary on sports programs. They have yet another new chief engineer who apparently is no better than the last two one who obviously never cared and quit, and the other who was too old I guess to handle the new digital technology and always had his lackies respond to his messages about issues with the digital broadcast. I guess I will try giving the new guy a call to see if he responds to his voice mail himself or not, and will actually check into problems with the broadcast.

My OTA signal is not working for the PBS stations. I'm still getting 27-1.

Is this a known outage?

My OTA signal is not working for the PBS stations. I'm still getting 27-1.

Is this a known outage?

I believe they are fixing or replacing a damaged antenna on Mt. Bigelow where they broadcast channels 6.1-6.4 from. The HD channel 27.1 is broadcast from another antenna location on Tumamoc Hill on the SW side.

I am picking up 6.1-6.4, albeit with a rather weak signal.

On Comcast Tucson, I have recently lost 0-0(KUAT,CREATE), 2-0(KUAT, KIDS),3-0 (KUAT V) plus some other new channels like 6-1(KUAT,PBS). The 480i channels up in the 98-xx band are still there, just no HD signals on the above channels.

The good news is that I just received my DTV/PAL converter box and by pointing a homemade indoor antenna at Mt. Bigelow, I get 17 HD channels :)

Mick

I am picking up 6.1-6.4, albeit with a rather weak signal.

The last few days the signal has been TERRIBLE. On my TiVo Series 3 it shows a signal strength of around 50, which is way lower than the other channels broadcast from Mount Bigelow, they all have between 80-95.

Before they "upgraded" their antenna a few weeks ago, I got a signal around 60, which is good enough to not have any problems. Then it dropped a little, around 55, but still good enough except for occasional drops in the signal.

Now, it's completely useless. And I have not done any changes on my side. And supposedly they have finished work on the antenna.

Does anyone know if they are doing work again, or if there have been lightning strikes or something? My son watches 6.2 (PBS Kids) all the time and this is not good...

I sent an email a few weeks ago to them asking about why the signal was weaker after they supposedly were going to make it stronger, but I have not received a reply.

Has anyone heard anything about the locals putting up some repeater digital towers to serve the people in the NW Tucson area? I live NW and have a good roof top antenna with a unrestricted view but we are in the shadow of Mt. lemon for most of the NW area so all signals from Bigelow are blocked to most of our area, The only two I can get are 27.1 and 40.1 that are being broadcast from the Tumamoc Hill area. Channel 13 cannot even pick up their own digital OTA signal at their studios near Cortaro and I10.

Have you tried an amplifier? I had a big channel master on my roof (CM4228 I think), hoping to get Bigelow, but couldn't. I don't have line of sight. I had nearly resigned myself to 27.1 and 40.1 and WB, but doubled down and bought a channel master amp (a proper one, two piece, one part near antenna, power supply inside house) and now I get all of Bigelow fine.

It also perhaps helps that I use an HTPC to get HD, so I can take my laptop up to the roof, log into the HTPC and watch signal strength so I can dial the antenna in perfect, a few degrees make a lot of difference with that antenna.

I live off Sweetwater Rd, YMMV, good luck.

Have you tried an amplifier? I had a big channel master on my roof (CM4228 I think), hoping to get Bigelow, but couldn't. I don't have line of sight. I had nearly resigned myself to 27.1 and 40.1 and WB, but doubled down and bought a channel master amp (a proper one, two piece, one part near antenna, power supply inside house) and now I get all of Bigelow fine.

It also perhaps helps that I use an HTPC to get HD, so I can take my laptop up to the roof, log into the HTPC and watch signal strength so I can dial the antenna in perfect, a few degrees make a lot of difference with that antenna.

I live off Sweetwater Rd, YMMV, good luck.

I live near Cortaro and Silverbell and when you get this far NW most of the area is totally blocked out by Mt. Lemon. Channel 13's studio and station is one mile directly East of me and even mounting their antenna equipment on their towers they can not pick anything up from Mt. Beigelow towers. If I go up to my antenna on the roof I have a unrestricted shot of the Catalinas and cannot get even a 10% signal from there. Sweetwater is far enough South to get out of the Mt. Lemon shadow.

The last few days the signal has been TERRIBLE. On my TiVo Series 3 it shows a signal strength of around 50, which is way lower than the other channels broadcast from Mount Bigelow, they all have between 80-95.

Does anyone know if they are doing work again, or if there have been lightning strikes or something? My son watches 6.2 (PBS Kids) all the time and this is not good...I'm also seeing a weaker signal from KUAT's new antenna. Prior to the switch, I was receiving 100% readings on both of my CM-7000 boxes and 92-94% on my Panasonic EZ-17. Following the switch and completion of antenna tuning, the 6.x channels have been never been much better than the low 30s on the CM-7000 boxes and mid 50s on the EZ-17. These are threshold signal levels for these receivers and I occasionally experience video/audio breakups. The signal readings of the other Mt. Bigelow digital transmitters remain unchanged. Fortunately I still get a reliable signal from their KUAS-DT transmitter on Tumamoc Hill.

A neighbor mentioned they've lost reception of KUAT's OTA digital channels. We've both sent e-mails about the lower signal levels, but haven't received a reply.

I don't know if this is a localized problem for those of us on the east side of Tucson. (I'm about 0.5 mile east of Broadway & Houghton.) The AZPM antenna replacement status page was removed several weeks ago. So, it appears the work has been completed and this is the level of performance we should expect from the "new and improved" antenna.

I'm also seeing a weaker signal from KUAT's new antenna. Prior to the switch, I was receiving 100% readings on both of my CM-7000 boxes and 92-94% on my Panasonic EZ-17. Following the switch and completion of antenna tuning, the 6.x channels have been never been much better than the low 30s on the CM-7000 boxes and mid 50s on the EZ-17. These are threshold signal levels for these receivers and I occasionally experience video/audio breakups. The signal readings of the other Mt. Bigelow digital transmitters remain unchanged. Fortunately I still get a reliable signal from their KUAS-DT transmitter on Tumamoc Hill.

A neighbor mentioned they've lost reception of KUAT's OTA digital channels. We've both sent e-mails about the lower signal levels, but haven't received a reply.

I don't know if this is a localized problem for those of us on the east side of Tucson. (I'm about 0.5 mile east of Broadway & Houghton.) The AZPM antenna replacement status page was removed several weeks ago. So, it appears the work has been completed and this is the level of performance we should expect from the "new and improved" antenna.

Thank you for your response. I'm glad that I'm not the only one seeing inferior performance after the "upgrade". In addition to sending an email, I also called them and was told someone from engineering would call me back, but nobody did. I plan on calling again on Monday.

As with you, the signal is now around the threshold for me, so it comes and goes. Sometimes it's slightly higher, enough to have good reception for quite a while, and then it goes down back to marginal again. I am also on the east side.

I am still curious why the KUAT signal is so much lower than the others.

Qwijib0 has been rather silent lately. He's been the resident PBS informer. Hopefully, he'll come back and let us know if the current signal strength is permanent or if they had installation issues that prevent them from going full power. Hopefully, it is the latter.

Current status of HD programming: KOLD (13)
Frequent audio dropouts. Antenna power may be “optimized” in future.
Uses same tower as 4, 11, and 18 at Bigelow. Fiber optic feed direct to Comcast cable.
Contact: Chief Engineer, Stewart Romain 744-1313 Ext. 283. KVOA (4)
Stable signal.
Uses time delay server.
Contact: Gary Nielsen, General Manager of KVOA, at GNielsen@KVOA.com
KGUN (9)
Stable, good sound. Current D-35 antenna is a side mount ½ way up analog tower on Bigelow. New 200ft tower to be completed by July 20, 05, with 10KW power and de-icer. Plans for repeater by Mar’06 on Tumamoc hill for NW side.
Contact: AStewart@kgun9.com
KMSB (11)
Stable picture, good sound, strong signal. Signal provided by KTVK in PHX. Antenna on same tower as 4 , 13 and 18 at Bigelow.
Contact: Jim Cole at KTVK Ch. 3 Phoenix 602-207-3369.
Or manager@kmsb.com for local issues.
KTTU (18)
No HD on the few programs that are broadcast that way. Though upconverted SD is very sharp compared to KOLD or KGUN due to different equipment used. Antenna on same tower as 4, 11 and 13 at Bigelow.
KUAT (6)
University station. Has its own tower on Bigelow. 5 subchannels.
KUAS (27)
Tower on Tumamoc Hill (behind ‘A’ Mtn.).
KWBA (58)
Most recent station to broadcast in HD.
Contact: mpowas@kwba.com
Any chance of getting an update on this information...?

Peter H.

Hi Y'all,

I'm new to the forum and new to HDTV (Pioneer Kuro 5020)--so please go easy on me if for the newbie mistakes and ignorance.

At the moment, I'm doing OTA via an ancient skinny wire dipole T antenna. I have line-of-sight to both Bigelow and Tumamoc. The antenna's arms are oriented roughly perpendicular to Tumamoc.

KVOA comes in great. Wimbledon final was spectacular. DD5.1 and incredible resolution--I could see the fuzz on the tennis balls.

My question is about KUAS 27.1 which, as I understand it, broadcasts from Tumamoc Hill which is less than a mile south of me.

As I mentioned, my antenna is orientated perpendicular to Tumamoc--I believe this the correct orientation for optimal reception. Yet, I get breakup of this signal. In contrast to KVOA which gives me perfect reception despite non-optimal antenna orientation. What's the problem with KUAS-HD...?

Also, KUAS-HD never seems to have DD5.1 despite the shows saying DD5.1 was "available". What's up with this? I have emailed KUAT for information, but they were not very helpful. I thought KUAT was supposed to be on the cutting edge of HD, but their video and audio seem pretty poor compared to KVOA.

I'll appreciate any light that can be shed on the issues with KUAS. Please advise. Thanks,

Peter H.

KUAS-HD never has actually broadcast 5.1 to my knowledge. Also most of their programs are only SD Widescreen originally so that is why they appear not as sharp. If you go to TitanTV.com you can see which programs will be in HD.

For those of you on Comcast with analog subscriptions, here is some interesting info. Their "digital starter" package is only $1/mo more than the "standard cable" (a.k.a. "extended basic") analog package. Digital starter now includes about 15 HD channels in addition to the locals, which is most of the non-premium HD channels they carry. If you have a cablecard equiped TV, there is no extra charge for these HD channels. If you don't have cablecard, then you have to pay an extra $8/mo for a HD cable box. If your TV has cablecard, it's a very low cost upgrade.

KUAS-HD never has actually broadcast 5.1 to my knowledge. Also most of their programs are only SD Widescreen originally so that is why they appear not as sharp. If you go to TitanTV.com you can see which programs will be in HD.
Thanks for your timely reply, RJRSW. I have been to TitanTV for scheduling information and it seems to me that there are a lot of KUAS programs in HD that are not identified as such at Titan. At least, when I tune them in, they are 1080 per my Pioneer HDTV.

Still puzzled,

Peter H.

Thanks for your timely reply, RJRSW. I have been to TitanTV for scheduling information and it seems to me that there are a lot of KUAS programs in HD that are not identified as such at Titan. At least, when I tune them in, they are 1080 per my Pioneer HDTV.

Still puzzled,

Peter H.

They were SD 480 widescreen upconverted to digital 1080i before broadcast so they look pretty good and sometimes it is hard to tell. If the original program was really produced in HD they will identify it as "HD" in the program title area but if it was produced in SD they do not put HD in the title area.

That is also true on the network channels. If Titan does not identify it as HD then it really is SD digital.

Quote from dummies.com:

"Compatible DTV standards
720p and 1080i are the two HDTV standards, but you'll also find a lot of digital TV material will be broadcast at lower resolutions that don't quite make the grade as HDTV. You can still watch this programming on your HDTV — in fact, most HDTVs will make this programming look better than it does on a regular TV — but remember: That stuff is not really HDTV.

480p (EDTV): This enhanced-definition TV standard provides higher-than-NTSC resolution, with progressive scan (NTSC is interlaced). EDTV can be (and often is) 16:9 widescreen, but it is not required to be widescreen.
480i (SDTV): This is interlaced, non-widescreen (4:3), standard-definition TV, equivalent to NTSC analog broadcasts."

By the way I also have a Pioneer Plasma and it is an outstanding TV.

If you watch a show that was shot in the 50's on a digital channel it will still show either 1080i or 720p because that is what that channels broadcast standard is and not what the program actually was. Most of the local networks use 1080i but FOX uses 720p for all of their broadcasts.

Anybody catch the CBS Evening News' HD Debut? Of course you didn't...KOLD broadcast in SD.

Here in Sun City Vistoso on the far northwest side I'm receiving KUAT's 6-1 through 6-4 from Bigelow again. I'm using an outside yagi antenna and have ordered a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp with hopes it will capture KOLD's 13-1 and 13-2. On the same antenna I also get 27-1, 27-2, 27-3 and 42-3.

Thanks again, RJRSW for the helpful information. There sure is a lot for me to learn--all the permutations and combinations of the various originals and broadcasts make it overly complicated. I suppose I could just ignore the technical details and watch the programs I find entertaining! And if they are HD all the way--so much the better.

I don't see (visually) much difference between 720 and 1080. I have read the 720 actually reduces the appearance of motion artifacts. One article I read claimed to have analysed a great many cable, satellite, and OTA HD transmissions and found them all deficient--mainly as a result of over compression.

Somewhat off topic, but it seems the only way we can see what 1018p really looks like is with a BluRay player. The bigbrowntruck should bring my Playstation 3 this week. Not a gamer, but the PS3 is, apparently, the only upgradeable BluRay player out there (good deals can be found on eBay).

In the meantime, I have a couple of upconverting DVD players that do a pretty fine job of making my Standard Definition DVDs look better than much OTA material.

Regards,

Peter H.

Anybody catch the CBS Evening News' HD Debut? Of course you didn't...KOLD broadcast in SD.

According to tvpredictions.com, it was a problem at the source in NY. They had problems with the sound in the HD broadcast so the various affiliates switched to the SD version. True, the sound issues were corrected after about 11 minutes, while KOLD continued with the SD version until the end of the show (after the segment covering the Evening News's transition to HD).

---

On a completely different tangent, any word on when Cox will fix USA HD, CNBC HD, and Science Channel HD? I got digital cable last Thursday and these channels had issues to start, but I knew that Cox had just added USA and CNBC, so I figured these were just issues with getting these channels out. They were on Sunday evening, but were back off Monday. Finally, last night and this morning, these channels were off and on.

As usual, the only notification of the DVR upgrades was my DVR rebooting IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OLYMPICS! I contacted tech support via chat (no upgrades were done they claimed) and phone (confirmed upgrade, but no info on what was fixed).

I had to reset the resolutions to my HDTV via:

Power off
INFO + GUIDE
run wizard as prompted

Curious....how much do you pay Cox, bottom line, for cable w/HD DVR?

Apparently, when using the 8300HD with HDMI connection to the TV and "auto/HDMI" selected as default format, the picture format is always widescreen--meaning stretch-o-vision! By changing the default format to "fixed", it is back to normal, i.e. widescreen for HD and 4x3 for SD.

We are moving from Prescott to Tucson in the Fall. At present we have a contract with Dish Network and are receiving the Phoenix Networks in HD. We have been told by Dish that they cannot provide the Tucson Networks in HD.
So my question is, is it possible to receive the Phoenix Networks in Southwest Tucson using the standard size dish that we presently use in Prescott?
I will have to set up the antenna myself as Dish have told us that if they do it we will automatically be switched to Tucson stations. Is this easy to do without the special equipment that Dish engineers use?
Thanks in advance for any advice on this problem.

Squeasel,

I would believe you would be switched to Tucson locals regardless of who does it. There is such a thing called a "Spot Beam" which regulates what you receive as far as locals.

I have Directv, and initially I had Phoneix locals due to my zip being 85739, and I live in Pinal County. However, I had them switch to Tucson locals, since I no longer have anything going on in Phoenix.

Best of luck

Thanks sytyguy, as the Phoenix 'spot beam' reaches Prescott do you think it will reach Pima county - we will be living near the Ajo/Kinney junction so no OTA HD because of the mountains - and as we will not be connected to a phone line, Dish should not be able to tell where we are ..... I think!

Thanks sytyguy, as the Phoenix 'spot beam' reaches Prescott do you think it will reach Pima county - we will be living near the Ajo/Kinney junction so no OTA HD because of the mountains - and as we will not be connected to a phone line, Dish should not be able to tell where we are ..... I think!
I seriously doubt it. Remember I am with Directv, so things maybe different with Dish. Our daughter lived in our other house in Surprise, and still had one of our SAT receivers when we moved to Tucson, so she received everything we did, but when I changed to Tucson locals she lost the Phoenix local channels, and could not receive the Tucson locals.

I think that if your billing address changes from Prescott to Tucson you will loose the Phoenix HD channels no matter who installs the equipment. I believe that Direct TV carries the local HD channels.

I think that if your billing address changes from Prescott to Tucson you will loose the Phoenix HD channels no matter who installs the equipment. I believe that Direct TV carries the local HD channels.
That is absolutely correct, and yes, Directv carries what local HD channels are in Tucson.

I was going to keep an address in Prescott but as I pay and receive my bills over the Internet Dish never write to me. My contract with Dish expires in April 2009 so I just want to keep the Phoenix networks until then.
So it is just a question of does the spot beam reach me in Tucson.
Thanks for everyones input.
I suppose the easiest way of finding out is to take my Dish receiver there, connect it to a dish antenna and see what happens.

Phoenix spot will reach Tucson. The Tucson spot beam is much tighter as it only needs to reach SE Arizona. The Phoenix spot is large as it needs to cover nearly the entire state.

DIRECTV adds 30 HD channels, full 1080p
Beginning today, DIRECTV, the US' largest satellite television provider, will add 30 additional HD channels to its service, bringing the total to 130. More notably, the provider says it will begin to transmit all of its HD programming in superior MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC), the first company in the industry to do so. By the end of the month all HD programming will have Dolby Digital ...

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/15097.cfm

Phoenix spot will reach Tucson. The Tucson spot beam is much tighter as it only needs to reach SE Arizona. The Phoenix spot is large as it needs to cover nearly the entire state.

Thank you, thank you, that's just what I had hoped to hear. So I will move my dish with me and just hope that finding those satellites is not too much like looking for a needle in a haystack!
Is there anything I can purchase that makes this easier? Besides a good compass.

If it is like Directv there is a signal strength meter, so one person in the house watching the meter, and the other outside moving the dish, or walking talkies if you've got them. Or even a cell phone to cell phone, or landline.

You probably could hire someone who is more proficient and tell them before hand you JUST want a good signal, and not to worry about calling the Dish Network.....you'll do that.

It is rather simple to setup a typical dish. The important points are to make sure the mounting arm is level and the elevation is set properly. Once you have those two key points down, and you know which general direction to point (usually South, SouthEast), you should be able to find the signal rather quickly.