Fox Sports Arizona HD just went live a couple of weeks ago.


I know it's not available to Cox subs but how about Comcast?

FSAZ HD went live on DirecTV a couple weeks ago.

Sinclair is asking for fees for their HD station for every single person who subscribes to cable, not just those with HD service. This would theoretically mean a $6 per month increase for every cable subscriber in a city. All this for signals available for free to most.

I would pay because my only interest is getting those channels in HD. I do not have an OTA or tuner as yet and I would prefer to record programming using my SA HD-DVR. Until the TiVo series 3 debuts, I am kinda stuck. There's too much expense in biulding a HTPC right now and $6 (if it were that cheap) would be a welcome addition to my service plan which is already at $140.

Fox Sports Arizona HD just went live a couple of weeks ago. Tucson residents qualify for this programming with a Total Choice package. A call to DirecTV will get the ball rolling, and you may have to sub to the HD pack to get a deal. I've seen posts of folks who get the upgrade for free and others who pay a nominal fee. Tucson does qualify for the HD upgrade (dish/receiver) to get FSAZ HD.

I was not aware FSAZ was available with TC, thanks for the good info.. I am not going to go for the HD upgrade yet.. I don't think the bigger 5-LNB dish will mount where my current dish is.. Perhaps when we finally get HD locals, the newer slimline dish will be available.. I get all the locals on Comcast anyway..

KOLD now has 2 subchannels. Tube has moved to 13.3 and Weather is showing on 13.2. I get no signal for 13.2, but the PSIP is giving this channel a label of "Weather".

KOLD would be the last station I'd want to see adding subchannel programming. I enjoy The Tube and don't want to see HD programming sacrificed.

Also of note...what's going on with KOLD's feed to DirecTV. It's been down since last night with a banner saying the station is having problems...

Where's the rain????Not here on the eastside...

Lightning struck our antenna on the mountain at KOLD. OTA has been down ever since. The engineers have been up there ever since it happened. No word on an ETA of getting it repaired. So at this moment all OTA signal is gone, as is HD, and some COX customers are not seeing us as well.

I've been getting 13.1 & 13.3 since at least 5 PM this evening...

Channel 9s FCC license is up for renewal and as required are asking
that anyone who wants to comment on thier renewal to write the FCC.
Maybe if a lot of people were to send in negitive letters complaining on the station not finding a solution for the people who cannot recieve ther digital signal OTA they would reconsider not making the signal available to COX.
Im sure its a long shot but I also dont think they want a lot of negitve letters sent to the FCC either. Maybe just a lot of email threatning to send a letter may at least get some responce from this station managment.

Lightning struck our antenna on the mountain at KOLD. OTA has been down ever since. The engineers have been up there ever since it happened. No word on an ETA of getting it repaired. So at this moment all OTA signal is gone, as is HD, and some COX customers are not seeing us as well.Does that have something to do with all the audio dropouts of late?

Does anybody know if TVGOS (TV Guide On Screen) is broadcast by the Tucson Channels?

I have a LG LST-3410A receiver/recorder and one feature of it is TV Guide. It can not
pick up a signal for TV Guide in Tucson. I have complied withe the instructions many
times and it still comes up blank.

Does anybody know if TVGOS (TV Guide On Screen) is broadcast by the Tucson Channels?


I have been using TVGOS for about 8 months with my Samsung TV using Cox. I believe it is sent via Cox, not OTA. The TV says something like leave it connected to cable with the TV off overnight to get the lineup.

Having said that, it has been all messed up this past week. Almost every channel now says No Listing. I don't use the TVGOS much so I haven't cared too much, but if it's not working next week then I guess I'll start making some phone calls.

This past week I've been unable to tune into 58-1. Is anyone else having similar problems?

I haven't actually tried moving the antenna yet. It points at bigalow but has always pulled in 58 anyway.

3 digital tuners here and none have a problem with the mighty kwba....

This past week I've been unable to tune into 58-1. Is anyone else having similar problems?

I haven't actually tried moving the antenna yet. It points at bigalow but has always pulled in 58 anyway.
I have been getting the CH 58 digital off of there transmiter down south, in the general area of Madera Canyon. They put out a beautifull picture both analog and digital from down there. Ch 11 is down there also with analog.

I have been using TVGOS for about 8 months with my Samsung TV using Cox. I believe it is sent via Cox, not OTA. The TV says something like leave it connected to cable with the TV off overnight to get the lineup.

Having said that, it has been all messed up this past week. Almost every channel now says No Listing. I don't use the TVGOS much so I haven't cared too much, but if it's not working next week then I guess I'll start making some phone calls.

Often the local PBS will broadcast this data, if a local PBS does not reach into certain areas then GemStar will use one of the big three broadcasters to also include that data in their signal. When you power down the TV overnight it goes and looks for that data on every channel that's programmed into it. When it finds it automatically, then it proceeds to download the data. Some of the TV's have an option for automatic search or manual. If you have manual option, then first select the PBS, and go on down from there to the other local stations. The cable Co.'s set-top box's get their data from a stream on the system that also controls authorization etc.. The cable Co. only carries the TV Guide On Screen because it comes with a local broadcasters signal.

Any of you have more information on FSNAZHD on DirectTV? My contract with Dish is expiring and I'm considering a switch to DirectTV. The order takers tell me FSNAZHD is included with the HD package in Tucson, but customer service says it is not available. Anybody actually have FSNAZHD and can report on what channel and what quality?

Any other comments about switching from Dish to Direct?

Dave

Those of you stuck in the shadow of Mt. Lemmon take heart. At least a few of the stations in Tucson have filed applications for low-power digital stations with coverage of NW Tucson and Oro Valley.
KGUN (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=AZ&city=Oro+Valley&serv=LD)
KVOA (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=AZ&city=CASAS+ADOBES&serv=LD)
The service contour maps are definitely wrong and it may be a while before these get built, but at least they're a step in the right direction.

Those of you stuck in the shadow of Mt. Lemmon take heart. At least a few of the stations in Tucson have filed applications for low-power digital stations with coverage of NW Tucson and Oro Valley.
KGUN (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=AZ&city=Oro+Valley&serv=LD)
KVOA (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=AZ&city=CASAS+ADOBES&serv=LD)
The service contour maps are definitely wrong and it may be a while before these get built, but at least they're a step in the right direction.
Nice! Thanks for the info.

Often the local PBS will broadcast this data, if a local PBS does not reach into certain areas then GemStar will use one of the big three broadcasters to also include that data in their signal. When you power down the TV overnight it goes and looks for that data on every channel that's programmed into it. When it finds it automatically, then it proceeds to download the data. Some of the TV's have an option for automatic search or manual. If you have manual option, then first select the PBS, and go on down from there to the other local stations. The cable Co.'s set-top box's get their data from a stream on the system that also controls authorization etc.. The cable Co. only carries the TV Guide On Screen because it comes with a local broadcasters signal.

Cool, thanks for the info. Never really knew how it worked. Am I the only one with problems with TVGOS these days? I think it may be my TV, the listings have been behaving weirdly lately.

I do not get the TVGOS signal for channel 4.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 9.1 (HD NBC, HD PBS, HD ABC), does anybody get these? I seem to get the rest fine.

For those of you getting HD from Cox, can you provide me with some general pricing info? The Cox people have been giving me inconsistent info on the phone.

My main confusion is that I want a DVR and HD, and they're telling me I would subscribe to digital cable, then get an HD DVR box instead of the regular digital cable box. For that box I would pay a $10 HD box fee and a $10 DVR fee. Does that sound right?

I guess I'm confused because I thought Cox only had one HD box, and DVR functionality was just a feature of that box.

-Aaron

I have Cox and an HD box without DVR . That costs an extra $5 a month over the regular digital price. For another $5 it could be a HDDVR box. But without having the locals in HD I don't really care for the DVR.

I think what it is is $5 a month for a digital box, normal, $10 for an HD non DVR, $10 for DVR non HD, and $15 for a HD&DVR combo.

Actually, I think I get digital & the HD box for ESPNHD & TNTHD for sports. So I'm paying like 25 bucks extra a month to watch 2 channels. I get some other stuff too, yeah, and watch them sometimes. I'm pretty close to talking myself into cancelling digital cable right now the more I talk about it....

For those of you getting HD from Cox, can you provide me with some general pricing info? The Cox people have been giving me inconsistent info on the phone.

My main confusion is that I want a DVR and HD, and they're telling me I would subscribe to digital cable, then get an HD DVR box instead of the regular digital cable box. For that box I would pay a $10 HD box fee and a $10 DVR fee. Does that sound right?

I guess I'm confused because I thought Cox only had one HD box, and DVR functionality was just a feature of that box.

-Aaron

Just received my latest Cox bill..

$7.00 for Digital Gateway
$15.00 for DVR/HD Receiver
$5.00 for Digital Video Recorder Service. I guess I have to pay to use the recorder, this is a JOKE. Placing a call Monday morning.

Trying to get my new Sony DVR to work with the TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS) system. I use the box for OTA only. The box tunes all of the Digital channels in town perfect. I only care about digital channels. TVGOS does not get channel 4.1, 9.1 or PBS Digitals (6.1 through 6.4). TVGOS got the analog 4 and 9 so I can use those guides for the digital channels. Has anyone had better luck with TVGOS in Tucson?

I would like to share with you some bullsh** response I got from the local NBC station when asking about a DirecTV waiver. I had already begun to receive the west coast feeds of ABC and FOX, so I thought I would contact the NBC and CBS stations to see what was going on. I explained that I had tried with a large radio shack antenna without any luck and describe my location - indicating that the mountains are likely blocking my signal. Here is the response I got from the NBC affiliate:

KVOA has been advised by our attorneys that we should not be granting waivers as it would put our market exclusivity agreement with NBC at risk.
KVOA is actively investigating all options including a translator to deliver our signal to the northwest side.

Thank you for watching,

Dave Kerrigan
Operations Manager

I responded indicating that I thought that was a strange reason, considering I was receiving waivers from some of the other stations, and I got this response:

I am aware that some of the other stations are granting waivers (not all). KVOA would be foolish to hire an attorney and not follow their advice.

What a load of crap! Who are they going to lose their NBC affiliation to? The LA station I get while waiting for them to figure out how to get a signal over here? There is an old saying; "Sometimes lawyers are stupid."

:mad:

The response may not be what you wanted but at least KVOA is acknowledging they have a problem with coverage and they are looking at options to address that problem. That's not all that bad.

Maybe the more appropriate response would be to ask why you cannot be granted a waiver until KVOA has addressed the problem. Explain you would rather receive the local feed versus LA and as soon as KVOA fixes this problem you would no longer need the waiver.

Do you have any idea when Tucson locals are scheduled to come up on DirecTVs MPEG4 SATs?

I know - I appreciate that they are "working on the issue", but man - I can get waivers from half the stations - why are their lawyers worried about it?

You are correct, the bit about their attorneys being worried is BULL. Just because they grant a waiver to individuals that do not receive their signal doesn't have anything to do with their exclusivity agreement with NBC.

You might consider sending a copy of both your letters to NBC. They may be more concerned that you can watch another network station and not NBC. They would have much more infulence with KVOA than you.

The response may not be what you wanted but at least KVOA is acknowledging they have a problem with coverage and they are looking at options to address that problem. That's not all that bad.

Maybe the more appropriate response would be to ask why you cannot be granted a waiver until KVOA has addressed the problem. Explain you would rather receive the local feed versus LA and as soon as KVOA fixes this problem you would no longer need the waiver.

Do you have any idea when Tucson locals are scheduled to come up on DirecTVs MPEG4 SATs?

Hard to tell when Tucson will get HD locals via D*, they do not seem to be going in market size order and nobody (but them) knows what criteria they are using..

Most are guessing sometime in 2007 at best..

D* will not be the savior for us in Tucson. Look at how many markets they've deployed that are missing channels. D* will be doing the same negotiating as Cox. If the stations hold to their position with D*, most likely, they won't be on satellite either.

D* will not be the savior for us in Tucson. Look at how many markets they've deployed that are missing channels. D* will be doing the same negotiating as Cox. If the stations hold to their position with D*, most likely, they won't be on satellite either.


Wow, if direct can't get a contract from a station then there is a real problem. Direct charges viewers extra for the locals, and I would assume they compensate the local channels for rebroadcast rights. Some local stations must want way too much money.

You might consider sending a copy of both your letters to NBC. They may be more concerned that you can watch another network station and not NBC. They would have much more infulence with KVOA than you.
You know - I'd love to do this...

Anyone have any suggestions as to WHO I should e-mail? On NBC.com, their "Contact Us" page doesn't seem to have any contacts to cover something like this...

Thanks!

I would like to share with you some bullsh** response I got from the local NBC station when asking about a DirecTV waiver. I had already begun to receive the west coast feeds of ABC and FOX, so I thought I would contact the NBC and CBS stations to see what was going on. I explained that I had tried with a large radio shack antenna without any luck and describe my location - indicating that the mountains are likely blocking my signal. Here is the response I got from the NBC affiliate:



I responded indicating that I thought that was a strange reason, considering I was receiving waivers from some of the other stations, and I got this response:



What a load of crap! Who are they going to lose their NBC affiliation to? The LA station I get while waiting for them to figure out how to get a signal over here? There is an old saying; "Sometimes lawyers are stupid."

:mad:


Since they brought up the lawyer, you should ask them if there are cases where this happened to a station because of waivers?

If there is some case law on the books where a neighbor city on the other side of the mountain, but farther away, gained rights to an area, I can see their point. But since the Phoenix antennas are behind their own mountain, it's kindof no mans land so there shouldn't be much to worry about.

Quick, someone start a Casa Grande NBC station!

You know - I'd love to do this...

Anyone have any suggestions as to WHO I should e-mail? On NBC.com, their "Contact Us" page doesn't seem to have any contacts to cover something like this...

Thanks!

Send a PM to NBC Mixer. He does the audio on NBC football now and may be able to give you a contact.

I just sent a message to Randy Falco at NBC - seems to be in charge of affiliate relations.

Anyone having problems with KTTU? I have two tuners that can pick it up and one that is having "issues". It's a Magnavox set with a built in tuner. Autoscan picks up the channel but it shows as 19.1 and won't give me a picture or sound. It's been like this for several weeks.

Oh...and by the way...any word on Cox getting more.....just kidding....

PackFan: Let Us know if you get any responce from NBC. If NBC hears from a lot of people who are not watching NBC because they cannot get the digital signal from OTA, cable or one of the dish companies then maybe they will preasure the local stations to change thier policies on rebroadcasts.

I'm betting PackFan will hear absolutely nothing from NBC or a canned, vague response that will not address the issue.

Just received my latest Cox bill..

$7.00 for Digital Gateway
$15.00 for DVR/HD Receiver
$5.00 for Digital Video Recorder Service. I guess I have to pay to use the recorder, this is a JOKE. Placing a call Monday morning.


How is this possible? I am getting charged $10 for the DVR service and the same $15 for the HD-DVR. I am also paying the $7 for digital gateway (anyone know what this is?). I am dumping the HD-DVR and the other SD-DVR for TiVos. Ordered a OTA for HD signals. I may not be able to record them via the TiVo, but I can watch them... not like Cox is really battling to get more HD channels for us.

Would anyone care to speculate as to my chances of getting good reception with an indoor antenna like the Silver Sensor or equivalent?

I've been meaning to get an HD receiver to go with my set for a good while now, and had been planning to use the big 10 foot antenna and mast that came with my house to get OTA HD reception. Problem is, the antenna got struck by lightning last week while I happened to be under it, going through me, and sending me for a quick ER visit. Now, for the safety of me, my house, and my family, I'd have to get better grounding than the thin aluminum wire that was on the antenna and melted. That would probably be expensive, so the most likely option is to cut that thing the heck off of my roof.

So, my house is a two story off of Silverbell, south of St. Mary's. I'm up on a hill that's essentially a foothill to Tumamoc Hill. I've got clear line of sight to the Catalinas about 20 miles away. Antennaweb says yellow for all stations except 46.1 which is green. But, if I choose the option that asks if there are any buildings taller than four stories (St. Mary's hospital is 1/3 mile away...), then half the stations (including ABC, NBC, and CBS) turn to red.

Is there anyone in this area who has anything good or bad to report about an indoor antenna in this area? I'm speculating that I might not have any problems getting the stations from the Catalinas, but I'm wondering if I'll be able to get the station(s) that are on Tumamoc Hill.

Anyone?

-Aaron

Aaron: I do not live in your area but I do use a silver sensor with good results. I live in Sahuarita so am a lot further away than you are from the transmitters. If St. Marys is not directly between you and the transmitters its not an issue. As far as the stations on Tumamoch you may have a problem with them overloading the amplifier in the silver sensor as you are so close.

D* will not be the savior for us in Tucson. Look at how many markets they've deployed that are missing channels. D* will be doing the same negotiating as Cox. If the stations hold to their position with D*, most likely, they won't be on satellite either.


I would tend to agree with you, but all of the local channels are on Comcast, so an agreement must be possible..

Send a PM to NBC Mixer. He does the audio on NBC football now and may be able to give you a contact.

I did a search and can't find this user...

I did a search and can't find this user...

My mistake, had the wrong name, it's SNF Mixer.

Here is a link to a thread that he started in the HDTV Programming forum about the audio on Sunday Night Football.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=706054

It is quite interesting the insight that he gives and how he goes about looking for feedback from viewers in relation to his production.

I have seen other people who work in the business in the programming forums before, and many of the moderators seem to have quite a few contacts in the business. Unfortunately, I can't remember any of their names....

It's been 6 months or so since I mentioned this so I thought I would again. I sold the SIR-T165 tuner that I had, but I still have a JVC HM-D30000u D-VHS Digital VCR that can record HDTV via firewire from either a digital tuner with a firewire output, or an HDTV (Mitsu, RCA, Toshiba, etc.) with a firewire output.

I don't have the firewire cable anymore, included it with the SIR-T165, but you can pick one up for around $5, and I still have an extra DVI cable I could include with the VCR. I got the VCR on Ebay as a new open box item, it was still wrapped in the plastic coverings in the box. I used it for 6 months or so before I switched over to a HTPC. It's in like new cosmetic condition with all original cables, box, user manual, and remote. I also have 7 D-VHS 300 tapes I recorded on 10 - 15 times each to go with it.

I'm asking $225 for the VCR with the tapes, if you don't want the tapes for some reason, I would take $200 for just the VCR, and I will try to sell the tapes separately. I live on the east side, and could demo playing HD from tape on the unit, but I won't be able to show it recording HD since I don't have the SIR-T165 tuner anymore. It worked fine up until I stopped using it, so I wouldn't expect there to be any problems.

You can PM, or I think my e-mail address is attached to my account if you're interested.

How is this possible? I am getting charged $10 for the DVR service and the same $15 for the HD-DVR. I am also paying the $7 for digital gateway (anyone know what this is?). I am dumping the HD-DVR and the other SD-DVR for TiVos. Ordered a OTA for HD signals. I may not be able to record them via the TiVo, but I can watch them... not like Cox is really battling to get more HD channels for us.

The digital gateway is the digital service which includes channels 101-114 as well as the Musicchoice channels. You pay $5 for your first digital box and $2 for each additional. If you have 2 boxes, you pay $7.

You pay a $5 DVR service fee for each box you have, since you have 2 DVR's, you pay $10.

The digital gateway is the digital service which includes channels 101-114 as well as the Musicchoice channels. You pay $5 for your first digital box and $2 for each additional. If you have 2 boxes, you pay $7.

You pay a $5 DVR service fee for each box you have, since you have 2 DVR's, you pay $10.

Seems like a scam to me.

I have an HD box and DVR. I can't help that Cox has their regular movie channels in the digital tier.

But I don't watch ANY channel from 101-199. I have HBO, but I'd be paying for that even if they only offered an HBO HD channel, so why should I not get the benefit of watching the other HBO channels?

Seems like a total scam of another $5 that I'm forced into. Which could go to paying stations for me to actually get the HD channels that I want.

Oh, the musichoice channels mean nothing to me as well.

They are getting me on the HD box and DVR and still sticking me with the digital gateway charges and there's nothing that I can do about it. That doesn't seem fair.

Even if I argued that I watch none of the digital channel and pay for HBO to have it in HD, they'd tell me that I also get those other HBO channels in the 200s, so I am watching the digital tier.

Not that Cox believes in making things fair for the customer. Yet another issue the city should be looking into.

Good news, I'm getting all the major networks in HD with cable!!!

Bad news, it's not from Cox.

We're moving out of state by the end of the year. Major metro area and their cable carries all of the networks in HD.

See what I finally had to do to free myself from Cox's icy cold grip?

Congrats Rory. Where are you headed?

Congrats Rory. Where are you headed?

west bloomfield, mi

west bloomfield, mi
Very nice area!

west bloomfield, mi

I'm sorry... That's near Detroit! I used to live near Detroit...

MHD and UHD to be added to Comcast's lineup on the 28th of this month according to their website.

Bad news is that it looks like INHD2 and ESPN2 are being taken away, I emailed comcast to see if this is true, hopefully I'll hear something back.

Hi,

After a year of working trying off and on, I still can not get the ABC and CBS OTA here in Oro Valley reliably. Waivers were of course denied. KVOA always comes in solid, KOLD is variable and KGUN is non-existent. This with an HD10-250 and a CM-4228 antenna with a clear view to Mt. Lemmon. (Of course the broadcasts come from Mt. Bigelow, which is behind and blocked by Mt. Lemmon. But the waiver folks could care less.)

I have two Tivo PVR's, one SD and one HD. With Comcast, I can get the HD signals for all networks and some others as well not provided by DirecTV. I was all set to make the switch. In talking to sales folks at Comcast, I was warned that their PVR's can only support "up to" 15 hours of HD with 10 hours being more likely with their measly 120 GB hard disk. Further, their guidance is the new Tivo Series 3 that will be out later this year will not be provisioned in the Tucson area - it will be going to larger DMA's first! So Tucson PVR users are stuck, at least for the 2006-2007 season, with a woefully inadequate PVR.

Interestingly enough, the Comcast PVR has a SATA port on their version III PVR's from Motorola that would enable more storage. But Comcast has disabled that port and has no intent to support it.

DirecTV "estimates" Tucson local broadcast around 4/2007, just in time for reruns. This will require the 5 LNB dish to get the other two satellites and a new PVR that accepts MPEG4.

If there was a frequency shifter that would move the Comcast network HD signals into the acceptable passband of the HD10-250 (channels 2-69), that would be a workable solution since basic cable carries those unencoded. Even though technically possible, I know of no such device.

I am writing just to share the results of my investigation. At this point, there is no good solution I can think for reliable time-shifting HD from the networks for this season.

Any thought or suggestions most welcome.

John

Johnzonie
Try pointing that antenna South by South West. I presume you have VHF & UHF antennas

Possible solutions:
1. Add a $99 Fusion 5 lite to a PC. This will allow you to record ATSC or clear QAM. The interface isn't always great, but if you have a dual monitor video card and a TV that has a VGA input, you're set for watching or playback.
2. "Move" to NY or LA and pick up the big 4 HD channels from the DNS feeds as locals.
3. Get a 5 LNB dish and the HR20 when it comes out and "move" to Phoenix. This has the added advantage of giving you FSN AZ HD. However, this is the biggest unknown as the HR20 is barely out in beta in LA so it's quite possibly a steaming pile.

As for frequency shifting, you'd not only have to change the frequencies but also have to remodulate them from QAM to ATSC and split them into multiple channels. Certainly possible, but at that point, why bother.

Tony,

The transmitters are east of me - why point south or southwest?

Coyoteaz,
1. doesn't work with my HDTV plasma
2. Tried this but they wouldn't turn it on because LA is going to MPEG4.
3. Tried this but retention didn't bite, even when I requested it for FSN AZ. May try again with another call.

The frequency shifting etc. was a pipe dream from my ancient ham radio days.

Some additional info from Comcast: In an email, they said:
"We have made a considerable investment in the equipment we are using currently which has an approximately 120 gig harddrive.

While the possibility of upgrading our equipment or expanding our storage capacity is always present we have no plans currently to do so. "

What inputs does your plasma have? If not VGA, you could find a video card that has a VGA->component adapter, or spend $40 on eBay and get a dual-DVI video card. I ended up doing that when I bought my HDTV (Dell 2001FP as my primary monitor, with the Olevia Syntax LT26HVX on the other DVI). The practically unlimited storage of a PC is rather nice as I have over a gig or space I can use for HD captures.
As for 2, did you try with retention? I would mention not having the money at this time to go MPEG4 and that TWC/Charter/Cox (depending on what address in the LA area you choose) will give you locals with no upfront cost.
For 3, I'd wait for the HR20 to go live everywhere and let them work out the bugs before considering making the jump. Personally, I'm quite happy with Cox Phoenix and option 1, but apparently some like their Tivos. Keep in mind that the HR20 isn't a Tivo and that there have been many reports of poor quality (stuttering video) on the MPEG4 locals, so 3 is probably the worst option IMO.

johnzonie
The translaters (transmiters) for Ch's 11 Fox, 13 CBS, 16 ABC, 18 UPN, 27 PBS, 58 WB,
64 NBC, are all south or south west of you if you live north of Oracle and Ina. Give it a whirl.
You could be blocked from them to, but you might just have an open shot.
Tony

No one has digital translators running yet. The FCC just opened up applications for them a few months ago, and they haven't been approved yet.

COYOTEAZ
Curently PBS, ch. 27.1, KHHR-DT, ch.. 42.1, and WB , KWBA.1, ch. 58.1 are all transmitting however KHHR shifts back and forth, right now 7:58 AM they are 480i, the other 2 are 1080i.
Tony

The OP is trying to pull in stations from Mt. Lemmon. None of the signals you're listing come from Mt. Lemmon. CoyoteAZ is correct in reporting that none of the DIGITAL stations brodcasting from Mt. Lemmon have translators broadcasting the Digital/HD signals. Folks who live in an area where the signal is blocked can't see HD OTA from those stations.

OP = Other Person? I guess that's me :)

I have been measuring signals with the HR10-250 and it appears that both KVOA and KOLD are now acceptable with the former averaging 90 and the latter averaging 70. Watched most of the PGA championship OTA and there was nary a flicker. I think the signal threshold for acceptability with my tuner is around 65. KGUN is AWOL most of the time.

After a round of emails, DirecTV is again submitting waiver requests but neither they or I hold out much hope. I will try a direct appeal to KGUN as well.

Not to appear ungrateful to coyoteaz's suggestions, but my wife is a TiVo fan and not likely to accept a PC-based solution. I currently have a YPrPb connection from a PC to the Plasma for picture viewing at 1080i. The Fusion Lite looks like an interesting card indeed. The key for me is the programming interface.

2 and 3 attempts were both with retention. I am waiting to see how the HR20 shakes out since they are just beginning to roll out in LA.

If Comcast rolls out Tivo software this fall AND they do what they said in their press release of 3/2005 to support networking, then two Comcast PVR's may give a marginally acceptable 20 - 25 hours of HD storage. I have not been able to find any way to achieve external storage for the Motorola 6412 boxes. The Tivo series 3 is another option with a CableCard.

I think there are a lot of alternatives "about to happen" in the next 2 -3 months. Perhaps a solution will emerge.

John (aka OP)

Just chiming in to add my voice to the Chorus of Futility. Got the Cox runaround again trying to give feedback via phone, so decided to post a few comments to the Tucson city website. Looking forward to the public forum sessions this fall.

"Regarding Cox's cable television franchise with the city: it is inexcusable that Cox is allowed to continue providing only one of the four major networks in High Definition, while continuing to run incessant misleading advertising implying that all programming is available in HD. Cox gives consumers no way to communicate their dissatisfaction, and has been unresponsive to its subscribers, given the fact that the current situation has not changed in years. The city entity which oversees CATV franchises should revoke, or refuse to renew, Cox's franchise, if it does not IMMEDIATELY respond to its customers and provide this service. If Tucson's regulatory bodies do not intervene on behalf of citizens, then they themselves should be removed."

COYOTEAZ
Curently PBS, ch. 27.1, KHHR-DT, ch.. 42.1, and WB , KWBA.1, ch. 58.1 are all transmitting however KHHR shifts back and forth, right now 7:58 AM they are 480i, the other 2 are 1080i.
Tony
Is this a recent change? Or has it been like this for a while?

About a month ago, I picked up a radio shack antenna, and although I did not mount it on the roof, all I could pick up, even while raising is up on a ladder, was 27.1 and 42.1 - no 58.1.

I live just south of Catalina - in the very north part of Rancho Vistoso.

John - When referring to the question of origin...we speak of the OP or "Original Poster"

epluribus - Your paragraph sums up the last 40+ pages of posts re: Cox. It seems as if Tucson is just a suburb of Phoenix of which Cox could care less about. Occasionally, I'll call Cox based on a mailer they send to the house. Initially, I'll play dumb about what their local HD offering is. EVERY time I ask, I am told that the big four exist. Then I'll say something like..are you sure they are available in Tucson now...30 second pause, then no..sorry, I was reading the list for Phoenix. The last excuse I was given by a CSR was that they didn't have the capacity for all of the channels. BS Cox! One only needs to read the "About Cox" on this press release to see how valuable the Tucson market is to them.

http://www.cox.com/arizona/press/20060717_overhaul.asp

Finally...PackFan...click on the Tucson link to see where the digital signals originate. It'll explain why you can get 27/42 and not 58.

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/programming/broadcast.php

COYOTEAZ
Curently PBS, ch. 27.1, KHHR-DT, ch.. 42.1, and WB , KWBA.1, ch. 58.1 are all transmitting however KHHR shifts back and forth, right now 7:58 AM they are 480i, the other 2 are 1080i.
Tony
KWBA's transmitter is located about halfway between Tucson and Sierra Vista, not on Tumamoc Hill with KUAS. And as for KHRR, they have no HD content, so they're not really relevant to this forum (Local HDTV Info and Reception).
Not to appear ungrateful to coyoteaz's suggestions, but my wife is a TiVo fan and not likely to accept a PC-based solution.
OK, I understand the WAF (Wife Approval Factor) plays a big role in any decision :). There are quite a few different PVR packages out there, though I'm not sure how good any are with an HD card. Since the WAF is not applicable in my case, I just stick with the default Fusion software for recording and playback so I can't offer recommendations on any.

PackFan
58-1 is on digital all the time, good strong signal. They are located just east of Madera Canyon and way up the hill. Ch. 11, no dig. is on the other (west) side of the canyon, also way up the hill.
Tony

A simple little statement like " It sure can get interesting receiving TV as you move around the
valleys of TUCSON" SURE CAN GET INTERESTING!!

Hmmm... I don't know why I wasn't picking it up... Distance? Not a big enough antenna?

I'm not sure it's worth it for one station anyhow. If more of the stations start offering reception on this side of the Catalinas, maybe it would be...

While changing channels yesterday, I noticed KOLD's The Tube was no longer on 13.3 but is now on 13.2. My TV tuner used to show KOLD transmitting on 13.2 and listed it as "Weather" but I've never gotten any programming, weather or otherwise on that channel. I reran my channel search to see what other changes might have occured since the last time I ran it and discovered that KVOA is no longer transmitting the uselessly converted analog format via 4.2.

Just wondering if anyone knows if KVOA is planning on using 4.2 for something useful in the future and if KOLD is going to do more than transmit a carrier on 13.3?

Thanks

Richard

Cox has apparently signed a deal with TIVO to offer their software on DVR Boxes, but the article refers to the Motorola hardware. Anyone privy to information relating to rollout on our SA hardware?

Article about deal: http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2006-08/tivo-coming-to-cox/

While changing channels yesterday, I noticed KOLD's The Tube was no longer on 13.3 but is now on 13.2. My TV tuner used to show KOLD transmitting on 13.2 and listed it as "Weather" but I've never gotten any programming, weather or otherwise on that channel. I reran my channel search to see what other changes might have occured since the last time I ran it and discovered that KVOA is no longer transmitting the uselessly converted analog format via 4.2.

Just wondering if anyone knows if KVOA is planning on using 4.2 for something useful in the future and if KOLD is going to do more than transmit a carrier on 13.3?

Thanks

Richard


I hope and pray that KVOA never uses that subchannel again. The blocking was aweful on sports back when they used 4.2, and is much improved now. I was pissed when I saw it come back on, but it's gone again so that's good. I'm quite happy with our local NBC sports visually. 5.1 audio would be nice though :)

I wish KOLD would turn off the Tube during sports broadcasts, as they suffer from the blocking too, especially football. But I do like the Tube.

Any word on if/when channel 18 will be going HD for the new season starting Sept. 5th?

Tony

bluestar48
No, I talked to the station engineer mostly about their shadow or ghost problem, for quite a while. His only indication about WHEN, as far as HD goes was not SOON.
Tony

Ref: MIGHTY KWBA
There are 2 reasons they are MIGHTY 1. They are way up on top of a ridge.
2. They put out 5 thousand watts!

Tony

MHD and UHD added to the comcast HD lineup today. INHD2 has been removed.

Let's start the month off right. I'm guessing Cox will have one of the three missing locals by the end of this month. Sure...I've already had a couple of beers...but what do I have to lose?

Happy Labor Day all !!!! This place sure is getting quiet....

I just moved here recently and got cox i browsed the last few pages here and i am in shock that cox doesnt have the major stations.... I am about to buy a new lcd tv too. How much does the hd service cost with cox. I have the digital package right now with one movie tier. My new tv is going to have qam/atsc tunners. Will i be able to pick up HD over the air here.. Does comcast have HD local stations ?? i live in the starr pass area, and i am pretty sure comcast doesnt service this area. Thanks..

You're right, Starr Pass is a Cox area. I live in Fox Hideaway and have no trouble getting all the ATSC broadcast stations (including those that broadcast HD) from antennas atop Mount Bigelow (4.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 9.1, 11.1, and 13.1, 18.1). I am blocked from antennas on Tumamoc Hill (27.1).

The small, cheap, indoor Silver Sensor does the job for me. YMMV

Thanks Jhays
Are you using the zenith antenna from amazon??

Yes, it's this one:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006FXR9?v=glance

I've gotton some basic info from the antennaweb site, but does anyone have experience with OTA HD reception around the U of A? Specifically I am in Babcock hall (dorm) at the NW corner of Speedway and Campbell. Anyone know if this is a good area to receive all OTA HD channels? Thanks much! Go Cats!

Yes, it's this one:


I have that one also. Works great from indoors @ south end of Green Valley.

I have that antenna too.

Wish it picked up anything worthwhile just south of Catalina... ;)

It used to pick up everything up by milwaukee.

Mongoos,

Look out the window and see if you can see the antennas on top of Mount Bigelow. If so, it's pretty sure to work! If not, it still might work. :-)

I live at Valencia and I-10. Where can I get the TV Guide showing the NFL Superfan games? It's Tuesday, what games this sunday are local, what games are HD?

I live at Valencia and I-10. Where can I get the TV Guide showing the NFL Superfan games? It's Tuesday, what games this sunday are local, what games are HD?Try ww2.titantv.com

Look in the guide.

Thursday - 9/7

KVOA -

5:30 PM Dolphins @ Steelers (Opening Day)

Sunday 9/10

KMSB -

10:00 AM Seahawks @ Lions
1:00 49ers @ Arizona (No more blackouts !!!!)

KOLD

10:00 AM Broncos @ Rams

KVOA

5:15 PM Colts @ Giants

Monday Night Double Header

ESPN

4:00 Vikings @ Redskins
7:15 Chargers @ Raiders

I've gotton some basic info from the antennaweb site, but does anyone have experience with OTA HD reception around the U of A? Specifically I am in Babcock hall (dorm) at the NW corner of Speedway and Campbell. Anyone know if this is a good area to receive all OTA HD channels? Thanks much! Go Cats!


We can receieve them all from modern languages @ KUAT, so I'm guessing you'll have no problems.

Bah now Cox is increasing their rates for internet and premium channels..........

I have a new house at the Valencia & I-10, Swan area. Rancho Valencia- I need a good affordable tucson tech to see if I can mount an antenna on the roof of my two story house. Any recommendations? What's the best OTA for someone 23 miles from Mt. Bigelow?

Dax

See posts above by jhays & those following. You probably don't have to put it outside & still get excellent reception.

Been in Tucson a couple years now but new to AVS. Any of y'all ever meet up and hang out, drink and listen to tunes, etc?

Wes

Anybody else having any problems with KOLD last night and today? My HTPC can't tune the channel again like a few months ago when they did something so some receivers could tune them in but others couldn't. My Accurian tuner can get the channel, but the sound is muted. At first I thoguht there was no sound at all, but then I hit the mute to see if that was on, and after hitting mute and then turning mute off low and behold the sound came on. If I go to another channel though where the sound works fine and then back to 32-1, the sound is gone again until I mute and turn mute off. It's also tuning in very slowly compared to the other DTV channels OTA so there is definitely something wrong. Ended up missing all of the early US Open Tennis this morning, at least I found out there was a problem so I could watch the Women's final this afternoon. Anybody who is in contact with Romain at KOLD if he is still the chief engineer, please let him know there is a problem. Thx!

[QUOTE=opnupurize]Anybody else having any problems with KOLD last night and today? My HTPC can't tune the channel again like a few months ago when they did something so some receivers could tune them in but others couldn't. QUOTE]


yep same problem as before... no pic or sound but 50-68% signal..

Check today's Daily Star for locations and times when the city of Tucson is holding hearings regarding the Cox Cable franchise. Now is the chance for all of you with complaints to let them be heard.

Dave

Was it me or did the Cardinals game today look a lot more like widescreen SD than HD?

Wes

It was widescreen SD. Fox only shows a max of 6 games in HD a week, with the 7th being widescreen SD. Low-interest teams like the Cardinals tend to be selected as game #7 more often than not.

I thought the game look fine I was just very annoyed with FOX's stupid sound effects any time their graphics changed. I didn't notice it at all with the Seattle/Detroit game but sure did the late game.

Check today's Daily Star for locations and times when the city of Tucson is holding hearings regarding the Cox Cable franchise. Now is the chance for all of you with complaints to let them be heard.

Dave

I couldn't find the info in the paper.... what section was it in? I have exchanged emails with Carol West, and another council member's staffer about Cox. I figure the more, the better....

The ad is on page A14 of Sunday's Star. The hearings are:

9/13: 7-9PM @ 7575 East Speedway
9/14: 7-7PM @ 1575 E. 36th St.
9/18: 6-8PM @ 3202 E. 1st St.
9/27: 7-9:30PM @ 8155 E. Poinciana Drive
9/28: 6-8PM @ 1510 E. Grant

Open forums, no reservations needed. More details appear in the ad such as which council member, etc.

Dave

I thought the game look fine I was just very annoyed with FOX's stupid sound effects any time their graphics changed. I didn't notice it at all with the Seattle/Detroit game but sure did the late game.
For the love of all that is good and simple in this world, is there any way to get that audio sound effect CRAP off the game? I didn't get it during the Seattle game either - but during the AZ/SF game - I almost started watching it with the mute on...that is INCREDIBLY annoying and worthless. Anyone else notice it?

I went to a few other FOX games on NFLST and it was there but not noticeable/annoying. I guess FOX loves play with sounds and graphics. What about the dancing robot figure in the bottom left of the screen. Cute the first couple of times but again annoying after a day of it.

Any insiders know why KWBA is no longer doing HD D-Backs home games?

Also...not that big a deal but how 'bout Jeopardy and Wheel in HD?

You have an HR10-250, right? I have not received the 6.3 update (coming out as of today on random machines) - have you? Just curious if you have seen it...I can't wait for the speed increase and folders. Just in time for the new TV season!

Pixel

Isn't it interesting that the long-awaited HR10-250 6.3 download starts almost to the day the TiVo series 3 for HD cable is shipping? Very curious...

Forced a call this morning, but no luck. Hoping to see the upgrade soon. I finally broke down last night and set up my season passes for next week. Wasn't too bad, but would have been nice to be at 6.3. Let us know when you get it..

I got mine last night. Quite a speedy grid guide now!!!!

I got mine last night. Quite a speedy grid guide now!!!!
Man, all I want is the speed and the folders. Pressing the record button forces such a loooooong wait, also moving around the season passes - holy buckets. So glad that is being fixed in the short term. Will update when I get it.

We can receieve them all from modern languages @ KUAT, so I'm guessing you'll have no problems.

Thanks much!

Anyone here who has bought a TiVo Series 3 in Tucson and use it with OTA signals and/or Cox?

Man, all I want is the speed and the folders. Pressing the record button forces such a loooooong wait, also moving around the season passes - holy buckets. So glad that is being fixed in the short term. Will update when I get it.
This won't make you happy...
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=4388420&&#post4388420

Let's see how long this delay is...

I can pick up everything but the 13 range - KOLD will NOT come in. Anyone know what the issue is? Everything else is great! I've moved the antenna around and no dice. also - KVOA has a little line at the top of the screen (it's like static) during certain commercials and local news. Jay Leno looks great, however.

Not a good night for Tucson HD. Fox HD went off the air at 8:15. Justice recording is screwed. CBS HD showed "loss of input" for 10 seconds, then Jericho recorded in SD.

The fun continues !!!! :(

Not a good night for Tucson HD. Fox HD went off the air at 8:15. Justice recording is screwed. CBS HD showed "loss of input" for 10 seconds, then Jericho recorded in SD.

The fun continues !!!! :(
Son of a........I just had it record Justice to check out the show, so now I will only have the first fifteen minutes of it?

Between the 6.3 rollout being delayed and the HD OTA towers going down occasionally, I am getting to be a real sad panda...

Hey all, I just got a lcd hdtv with qam/ntsc/atsc. I have cox digital service right now with the movie tier. The way I understand it is that i need to get a new box which is like 5 bux more then i will be able to get all the HD channels cox has? The OTA stuff works pretty well for me but i want ESPN HD etc. Also is it possible to buy the box so i dont have to rent it from cox ??
Thanks

I just ordered two HR-20 with the 5-LNB dish, scheduled to be installed on Oct. 1. Cost was $99 plus $19.95, the 2nd one was free, and this will include locals in HD. Actually, cost was $212 with a $100 credit. I know my sig says Surprise and Tucson, but this install will be in Tucson.

Anyone else using the HR-20, if so, how's it working out?

I just ordered two HR-20 with the 5-LNB dish, scheduled to be installed on Oct. 1. Cost was $99 plus $19.95, the 2nd one was free, and this will include locals in HD. Actually, cost was $212 with a $100 credit. I know my sig says Surprise and Tucson, but this install will be in Tucson.

Anyone else using the HR-20, if so, how's it working out?
I didn't know you could get the locals in HD in Tucson yet... If this is true - I'll be calling very soon.

They told me when I ordered my HR10 a month or two ago that I would get the new equipment for free. I hope they hold to that...

I specifically asked that question, otherwise I told them I was going to cancel Directv. So if they lied, or misled me, I cancel. I had to go through customer retention to do this.

Tucson does NOT have the MPEG4 HD locals yet, and no announcement has been made. Maybe late in 2007?

Currently, the HR20-700 ATSC tuners have not been activated; so you won't be able to get HD locals over the air, either. However tuner activation may come as early as October (?).

I specifically asked that question, otherwise I told them I was going to cancel Directv. So if they lied, or misled me, I cancel. I had to go through customer retention to do this.
It might be worth a call to verify...

I was wondering what OTA antenna you guys would recommend a fellow Tucsonian. I live just south of the University and antennaweb gave me these numbers for the digital channels I'm interested in:

* yellow - uhf KUAT-DT 6.1 PBS TUCSON AZ 35° 19.1 30
* yellow - uhf KMSB-DT 11.1 FOX TUCSON AZ 35° 19.1 25
* yellow - uhf KTTU-DT 18.1 MNT TUCSON AZ 35° 19.1 19
* green - uhf KGUN-DT 9.1 ABC TUCSON AZ 34° 19.0 35
* green - uhf KOLD-DT 13.1 CBS TUCSON AZ 35° 19.1 32
* green - uhf KVOA-DT 4.1 NBC TUCSON AZ 35° 19.1 23

I have a poll on my roof that I could mount the antenna, so a large external one will not be a problem. Thanks.

I just called again, and again they indicated that Tucson was eligbile for the HR20, and locals in HD via satellite. BTW, I don't care about ATSC, since there is no way I can receive OTA.

I just called again, and again they indicated that Tucson was eligbile for the HR20, and locals in HD via satellite...

Then they lied to you again. Let us know how it goes on Oct. 1st when the installer can't actually find any Tucson locals in HD for you to watch.

Wow, harsh words. Of course, I will let everyone know what the outcome is. I told the CSR that if what she told me, and the other CSR told me, is not a reality then I will cancel Directv service, period. And, of course, she indicated and double checked, what she said was the gospel.

So WE will see, and I will let you know.

BTW, all this came about from me ordering a move of our service to Tucson, I never requested the HR20, me assuming it was not available, they offered it.

What kind of OTA antennas are people in Oro Valley( north of Moore) using?

What kind of OTA antennas are people in Oro Valley( north of Moore) using?

What is your elevation?
Can you see A mountain or Tumamoc or the mountains south of Tucson where Madera Canyon is or the Tucson Mountains from the top of your house? Each location houses transmitters except A mountain
Can you see Bigelo
Also give www. antennaweb.org wherl with your home address. It can be a blessing or a total flop
A good first step is look on your neighbors roofs, then nock on the door.
TonyMap

Wow, harsh words. Of course, I will let everyone know what the outcome is. I told the CSR that if what she told me, and the other CSR told me, is not a reality then I will cancel Directv service, period. And, of course, she indicated and double checked, what she said was the gospel.

So WE will see, and I will let you know.

BTW, all this came about from me ordering a move of our service to Tucson, I never requested the HR20, me assuming it was not available, they offered it.

I can tell you with 100% certainty that Tucson locals are not available at this time. Your problem will be...before the installer starts working, you will sign a two year contract. Once signed, you may be able to get out of it, but it will be difficult.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/localChannels.jsp?assetId=900018

Plug in a zip from Phoenix - 85023
Plug in a zip from Tucson - 85747

When you're done with this, call DirecTV again.

From the site:
===============================================

Local Channels Availability
Yes! Local channels are available in Tucson AZ 85747. We've provided a complete list of local stations and channel numbers below.


Get a Package with Local ChannelsIt's easy to add local channels to your DIRECTV® programming package.

Order Now


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HD Local Channels: High-definition (HD) local channels from DIRECTV are not available in your area at this time.

Available ChannelsNetwork Affiliate Local Channel # 3-Digit Channel # (older receivers)
TFT KFTU 3
NBC KVOA 4
PBS KUAT 6
ABC KGUN 9
FOX KMSB 11
CBS KOLD 13
MNT KTTU 18
TMO KHRR 40
UNI KUVE 46
CW KWBA 58

Is there any chance that they will be offering the HD Locals starting in October, hence the response they gave sytyguy?

One could hope...

They tend to announce groups of market months in advance. Acccording to this page, Tucson is not coming this fall. Again...this wouldn't be the first time a CSR gave mis-information (lied) about services. How many times have we heard them say we'll have 150 national HD channels soon????


http://directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/channelChart2.jsp?assetId=1100086

Here's a list of upcoming markets that will launch this fall:

Austin, Cincinnati, Greensboro, Las Vegas, Madison, Memphis, Portland ME, Portland OR, Providence, Reno, San Antonio



Also...DirecTV will most likely play hardball with our stations in the same respect as Cox. I see them skipping our market because they can't come to terms with the stations.

May be best to get the eq installed, then "move" to Phoenix. (There...I said it...)

I was going to do that, but forgot, and then too late.

Well, it looks like KOLD is adding another subchannel, NewsNow.

Yea, we get even blockier football & CSI.

Some things KOLD does right (free to Cox) but some things not so well (weak signal, subchannels, no 5.1)

USC VS UOFA looks pretty good on KGUN too bad Cox only has it on standard def.

Re local HD channel access:

I went through a long discussion with D* Retention on this topic. At that time, I was told that locals would be available 4/2007. (Last fall, a CSR told my next-door neighbor that locals would be available on D* 4/2006! Clearly that didn't happen. I suspect there is a lot of mis-information out there.)

A year ago I had applied for waivers, which were denied. I then went through the frustrating attempt for OTA reception. After a lot of work (I'm in Oro Valley), I am now able to get CBS, NBC and UPN with reasonable reliability. I use a CM-4228 8-bay antenna with an antenna pre-amp. At that point, ABC barely registered. I again talked to Retention, explaining my situation (Mt. Lemmon at 9000' between me at 3000' and Mt. Bigelow at 8000'. They again submitted waivers. I didn't have a lot of hope but what the heck.

Now, here is where it gets interesting. I received two calls from D* asking some specific questions. I again described the above mountain issue. After 4 weeks, ABC-W HD out of LA was turned on! Still no FOX but 3/4 isn't too bad.

I think part of my problem may be the tuners in the HR10-350 not being as sensitive as the tuner in my Panny plasma. I may try an internal cable mod in the HR10 that has been reported to improve sensitivity.

Anyhow, that is where my quest stands now.

John

I read (in this tread) that D* will do the AT9 dish and mpeg4 receiver upgrade in Tucson because FSNAZ is available in HD and that is the only way you can get it.. Don't know if it is true or not.. My dish is mounted on the side of my house and I'm pretty sure the AT9 will not be able to mounted that way.. I get all the locals in HD from Comcast anyway..

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packP...?assetId=900018

According to the above link I will be receiving the following channels in HD from Directv.

High-definition (HD) local channels from DIRECTV are also available in your area. To receive them you will need an HD system

HD Channel #
IND KTVK 3

CBS KPHO 5

FOX KSAZ 10

NBC KPNX 12

ABC KNXV 15

And this is at zip code 85739

So perhaps they aren't lying, if one believes that link.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packP...?assetId=900018

According to the above link I will be receiving the following channels in HD from Directv.

High-definition (HD) local channels from DIRECTV are also available in your area. To receive them you will need an HD system

HD Channel #
IND KTVK 3

CBS KPHO 5

FOX KSAZ 10

NBC KPNX 12

ABC KNXV 15

And this is at zip code 85739

So perhaps they aren't lying, if one believes that link.
Are you in Pinal county?

That would be correct.

Then that's different. You must live north of Catalina. I live in the same zip code, but south of Catalina - therefore in Pima county.

Pinal county is considered part of the Phoenix market.

Re local HD channel access:

I went through a long discussion with D* Retention on this topic. At that time, I was told that locals would be available 4/2007. (Last fall, a CSR told my next-door neighbor that locals would be available on D* 4/2006! Clearly that didn't happen. I suspect there is a lot of mis-information out there.)

A year ago I had applied for waivers, which were denied. I then went through the frustrating attempt for OTA reception. After a lot of work (I'm in Oro Valley), I am now able to get CBS, NBC and UPN with reasonable reliability. I use a CM-4228 8-bay antenna with an antenna pre-amp. At that point, ABC barely registered. I again talked to Retention, explaining my situation (Mt. Lemmon at 9000' between me at 3000' and Mt. Bigelow at 8000'. They again submitted waivers. I didn't have a lot of hope but what the heck.

Now, here is where it gets interesting. I received two calls from D* asking some specific questions. I again described the above mountain issue. After 4 weeks, ABC-W HD out of LA was turned on! Still no FOX but 3/4 isn't too bad.

I think part of my problem may be the tuners in the HR10-350 not being as sensitive as the tuner in my Panny plasma. I may try an internal cable mod in the HR10 that has been reported to improve sensitivity.

Anyhow, that is where my quest stands now.

John

Where in the area do you live? I live just south of Catalina and can't seem to pick up CBS, NBC or UPN...

I read (in this tread) that D* will do the AT9 dish and mpeg4 receiver upgrade in Tucson because FSNAZ is available in HD and that is the only way you can get it.. Don't know if it is true or not.. My dish is mounted on the side of my house and I'm pretty sure the AT9 will not be able to mounted that way.. I get all the locals in HD from Comcast anyway..
I have a similar set-up. I would love to get them to come out with the new dish and new HD-DVR and then "move" to Phoenix, but I don't want to have to bury cable all the way back the the back wall of my property...

Speaking of which - when you "move" to a new location, do you have to call their moving line and give them a valid address? Or do you just change the zip code on the receiver set-up?

Speaking of which - when you "move" to a new location, do you have to call their moving line and give them a valid address? Or do you just change the zip code on the receiver set-up?
No, unless you go through Directv. You could have it done all on your own $$$, which would mean you pay for everything, installation, hardware, everything.

I went through retention, so I have a 2-year contract to stay with them, and they will install everything, including hardware and everything I described in an earlier post.

HTH.

Then that's different. You must live north of Catalina. I live in the same zip code, but south of Catalina - therefore in Pima county.

Pinal county is considered part of the Phoenix market.
We are moving to Saddlebrooke, which is in Pinal......no smog controls for vehicles. :)

No, unless you go through Directv. You could have it done all on your own $$$, which would mean you pay for everything, installation, hardware, everything.

I went through retention, so I have a 2-year contract to stay with them, and they will install everything, including hardware and everything I described in an earlier post.

HTH.
No - I mean "move" - in quotation marks. Staying at the same address, but telling D* I've moved to a new address that is served by the Phoenix market. Voila - instant HD locals.

Sure, better have a valid address with a valid phone number representing that address.

Actually, I could have done that since I am currently living in Surprise, and I was going to do that, but I forgot to do it in a timey manner, so it became too late. But it looks like it will work out after all.

My dad lives in the Cave Creek area, so it wouldn't be a problem...

Where in the area do you live? I live just south of Catalina and can't seem to pick up CBS, NBC or UPN...

Packfan,

I live 1.5 miles WSW of the junction of Oracle and Rancho Vistoso. My antenna points almost directly at Mt. Lemmon ;)

I posted on this forum about a year and a half ago with much frustration that I could not get locals in HD. I tried several set top antennas and even a roof top model...but no luck except for kold and pbs....I am jumping back in the game again!!!

Here is my prob...
I live at La Canada and Orange Grove..zip 85704.. have good sight of A mountain but Mt lemmon is parallel to me....I have read some of the posts about amped ant..should I now look in that direction? Do you folks recommend any paticular one?

I have Dish..with a HD dvr..(622)

Thanks in advance!!

Has anyone tried this just changing the zipcode in setup and rebooting?

Has anyone tried this just changing the zipcode in setup and rebooting?
Changing the zip code in the receiver (or DVR) will not change what you are authorized to view. The card controls this, and the card is programmed by the folks at DTV through the stream (simplifying this quite a bit).

I think folks are missing the point possibly about "moving" and how it works. You have two addresses on file with DirecTV. One is your billing address, which is where your paper bill goes to, and the other is the "service address". The service address is the one you "move" to another location. This causes their system to update your card via the stream to the new zip code (yes, you can THEN update your zip in your reciever if you wish) and you will recieve anything in that zip code - WITH A FEW RESTRICTIONS...

If you are getting something via a "spot beam" - you have to actually be in the spot beam to receive the programming. Therefore, if you wish to get Seattle locals, but you live in Phoenix, you can't do this because (AFAIK) the Seattle locals are "spot beamed" to the Northwest region of the US and don't hit here in the desert.

Now, because LA and NY locals are carried nationally on the main bird (that way if you qualify for 'waivers' you can get them), you won't have the spot beam problem. You could theoretically "move" your service address to somewhere in LA and then get the locals via the sattellite. Not very helpful for most people as we want "local" locals.

But, because PHX and TUS are so close, TUS falls in the spotbeam (from what I have heard) and you could therefore get the PHX locals IF you have an MPEG-4 capable reciever (HR10-250 is NOT one) and the 5-lnb dish but live in TUS. Change to a PHX service address and you get them in high def.

Have I thoroughly confused anyone yet? Also, if that was not supposed to be posted, i apologize and will remove it at an admin's request.

The rationale to have two addresses at DTV - some people have receivers in their RVs, summer house, etc. The fact of the matter is that the programming card is what determines what you can see, not the antenna (absent the spot beam description above). For example - you could have a duplex, with one antenna on the roof. Run a cable from the same dish to each side, and you both could watch, with the programming being controlled by the receiver/card, not the dish. The dish receives whatever it is pointed at (and depending on the size/make, which sats) and simply sends it all down the pipe. The multiswitch/receiver singles out the proper signal and displays/decodes it. One side could have NFL ST and the other not, but the dish doesn't care, or the address - it's the card and receiver.

As an extreme example - you could have programming in your house in Seattle, pick up your receiver and card, go to your friend's house in PHX who also has service, simply hook yours up, and you would get the Seattle programming (minus the spot beam channels - locals) and whatever extras you have on the account in Seattle. The signal is the signal, and the dish is the dish (within the same sizes) - it comes down to the card programming and service address.

I think most people already knew this - but wanted to get those that didn't in the 'know' about "moving" your service address - especially something as close as TUS and PHX.

Please feel free to correct any errors I have posted.

PixelFreak

The one tonight is at
8155 E Poinciana

from 19:00 to 21:30

and tommorrow at

1510 E Grant
Ward 3 offices

from 19:00 to 21:30

according to the info on the public access channel Tucson 12

Please show up and ask Cox why we still don't have local HDTV channels!

I just moved to Tucson 4 months ago,
- have DirecTV,
- receive all but Fox,
- could not get waiver
- DirectTV told me I'd have HD locals this year when I hooked up.
- heard it now might not be until next year
- my house had an antenna
- received Fox from that antenna on an analogue TV when I tested for signal
- Hughes HDTivo found only 3 obscure stations but not Fox or, I don't think,
any other network.
- I'm above Sunrise off Craycroft

Am I aimed the wrong way, does Fox not yet have digital here in Tucson, am I blocked from the Tower or what's going on?
Again, I apologise as I'm sure this is covered some where in this thread but can someone offer a quick fix for HD football this week end or am I stuck?

thanks guys
Chappy

Does anyone in the Tucson/Pima county market have the HR20 yet?

I am planning to call soon, saying I want the 5 LNB dish and HR20 so that I can get FoxAZ Sports (actually so that I can "move" to Phoenix") - but I want to make sure the HR20 is available to us.

Thanks!

I just moved to Tucson 4 months ago,

Am I aimed the wrong way, does Fox not yet have digital here in Tucson, am I blocked from the Tower or what's going on?
Again, I apologise as I'm sure this is covered some where in this thread but can someone offer a quick fix for HD football this week end or am I stuck?

thanks guys
Chappy

Go outside at night, look northeast on top of the mountains and see if you can see the antennas on top of Mt.Bigalow. 4,6,9,11,13 all broadcast their digital/hd signals from Mt Bigalow. Since you're right at the foothills you may be blocked by some ridges, though I'm not sure. All networks in Tucson have HD local OTA broadcasts, it's just the terrain (and Cox) that makes it difficult.

Go to http://www.antennaweb.org and put in your address and see where it says the digital channels are. I put in 6200N Craycroft as a guess and it doesn't list the digital channels, so they may be blocked. but it does list KVOA and KGUN analog which are on Bigalow.

Also, if you're in Comcast land, and have a QAM capable TV, order some Comcast basic cable for $15 or so. The local channels are in HD unencrypted and you can tune them in with a QAM tuner. Unfortunately Cox doesn't have all the channels, but the same is true for them, but only for KOLD & KWBA.

Go outside at night, look northeast on top of the mountains and see if you can see the antennas on top of Mt.Bigalow. 4,6,9,11,13 all broadcast their digital/hd signals from Mt Bigalow. Since you're right at the foothills you may be blocked by some ridges, though I'm not sure. All networks in Tucson have HD local OTA broadcasts, it's just the terrain (and Cox) that makes it difficult.

Go to http://www.antennaweb.org and put in your address and see where it says the digital channels are. I put in 6200N Craycroft as a guess and it doesn't list the digital channels, so they may be blocked. but it does list KVOA and KGUN analog which are on Bigalow.

Also, if you're in Comcast land, and have a QAM capable TV, order some Comcast basic cable for $15 or so. The local channels are in HD unencrypted and you can tune them in with a QAM tuner. Unfortunately Cox doesn't have all the channels, but the same is true for them, but only for KOLD & KWBA.Thank you,
I tried the attenna site and it showed that I would receive the same relatively obscure 3 DT channels that my DirecTV HTTivo found. Only heard of PBS among them. On the other hand it showed I would receive all the networks including FOX but apparently only in analogue. I thought if a station was broadcasting digital I would receive it if I could receive the analogue version.?!?

I don't know if I have a QAM capable TV but I can find out. It does have a receiver and it's a virtually brand new JVC.

As tempting as it is to go Cable I've signed a commitment with DirecTV and I don't need both providers. However as I was miss-led to believe that I would get local HD this year I might have some grounds to get out of it. When I have an hour and a half, I'll call customer service on that one. ;)

Has anyone successfully appealed the non-granting of a (FOX) waiver if I can not reasonably receive their local signal OTA?

Chappy

I am posting this again since I was basically ignored last time...

I was wondering what OTA antenna you guys would recommend a fellow Tucsonian. I live just south of the University and antennaweb gave me these numbers for the digital channels I'm interested in:

* yellow - uhf KUAT-DT 6.1 PBS TUCSON AZ 35° 19.1 30
* yellow - uhf KMSB-DT 11.1 FOX TUCSON AZ 35° 19.1 25
* yellow - uhf KTTU-DT 18.1 MNT TUCSON AZ 35° 19.1 19
* green - uhf KGUN-DT 9.1 ABC TUCSON AZ 34° 19.0 35
* green - uhf KOLD-DT 13.1 CBS TUCSON AZ 35° 19.1 32
* green - uhf KVOA-DT 4.1 NBC TUCSON AZ 35° 19.1 23

spgomez:

See earlier posts about antennas for the University neighborhood. If you can see Mt. Bigelow, almost anything will work. If not, you may have problems. The stations you list all have antennas on Mt. Bigelow.

spgomez:

See earlier posts about antennas for the University neighborhood. If you can see Mt. Bigelow, almost anything will work. If not, you may have problems. The stations you list all have antennas on Mt. Bigelow.

If Mt. Bigelow is those red lights to the northeast, than yeas I can see them and any antenna I would use should have a clear view of it.

Someone in another thread recommended a Channel Master 4221, is that a good one to pick?

If Mt. Bigelow is those red lights to the northeast, than yeas I can see them and any antenna I would use should have a clear view of it.

Someone in another thread recommended a Channel Master 4221, is that a good one to pick?
I heard that the Channel Master 4228 is even better.

I tried the attenna site and it showed that I would receive the same relatively obscure 3 DT channels that my DirecTV HTTivo found. Only heard of PBS among them. On the other hand it showed I would receive all the networks including FOX but apparently only in analogue. I thought if a station was broadcasting digital I would receive it if I could receive the analogue version.?!? Unfortunately, this isn't exactly the case - most of our analog channels here are VHF, while all of our digital channels are UHF. Fox, for example, is on channel 11 for analog, but channel 25 for digital.

Unfortunately, this isn't exactly the case - most of our analog channels here are VHF, while all of our digital channels are UHF. Fox, for example, is on channel 11 for analog, but channel 25 for digital.Channel 25 must be cables version. According to Antennaweb I'm looking for 11.1.

So nobody has convinced DirecTV or FOX directly to change their mind on the their denial of a waiver? No appeal process even? :(

Channel 25 is the OTA channel the Fox station transmits on. Your receiver will probably display it as 11.1 due to the Fox channel including PSIP in their transmitted signal on channel 25. PSIP (among other things) tells your receiver which channel to display. Many, but not all receivers have an option to show you the actual channel instead of the PSIP channel.

The Fox analog signal is on channel 11 so the digital channel needs to use another channel.

Well, it looks like KOLD is adding another subchannel, NewsNow.

Yea, we get even blockier football & CSI.Is that why KOLD is no longer broadcasting CBS prime time shows in HD?

My wife and I returned home earlier this week and were looking forward to watching the season premier episodes of CSI Miami, CSI NY, Criminal Minds, etc. we had recorded in HD . Imagine our surprise and disappointment when all of them were 4:3 aspect 480i signals upconverted to 1080i. We looked at this weeks CSI Miami hoping that only the season premier episodes were SD but no such luck. It was also upconverted 480i.

Has KOLD stopped broadcasting the CBS HD feed?

It's typical Tucson HD. Stuff seems to break often. CW/WB has had problems as well. It's rather comical that the only two local HD stations on Cox aren't broadcasting in HD.

Channel 25 must be cables version. According to Antennaweb I'm looking for 11.1.(

Chapdog,
The FOX analog transmitting antenna (channel 11) is located south of Tucson (near Elephant Head). The FOX digital transmitting antenna (channel 25, mapped to 11.1) is located on Mt. Bigelow. If you don't pick up the digital broadcasts of KVOA, KGUN, etc., you probably will not pick up KMSB (FOX).

Chapdog,
The FOX analog transmitting antenna (channel 11) is located south of Tucson (near Elephant Head). The FOX digital transmitting antenna (channel 25, mapped to 11.1) is located on Mt. Bigelow. If you don't pick up the digital broadcasts of KVOA, KGUN, etc., you probably will not pick up KMSB (FOX).Correct on all acct's including that I get none of the digital networks (cpt PBS).

After a long call with customer service yesterday, They ended up sending another waiver request to FOX. One thing I learned was that the decision is made locally by KMSB. No surprize that they would not want to grant waivers knowing anyone who is granted a waiver would miss their local ads. :cool:

Then I wrote the station several e-mails explaining that I have tried all avenues to get FOX HD without success and to please expedite the granting of the waiver.

Fingers crossed. I'd really like to see more HD Football, not to mention Prison Break and 24 in HD.

Chappy

Yesterday Directv came and installed both HR20's, and I must admit the PQ is better than I imagined, in fact, as good as MPEG2, through my eyes. I have not had time to play with it, although my wife recorded Desperate Housewives, but hasn't watched it yet.

The kicker is I was able to keep my HR10. They were suppose to take it in exchange for the second HR20

I watched a little HD from all four national networks, and they all looked superb.

I watched a little HD from all four national networks, and they all looked superb.
But aren't the four national feeds your're receiving still MPEG2? I thought only HD Locals were out in MPEG4.

But aren't the four national feeds your're receiving still MPEG2? I thought only HD Locals were out in MPEG4.
I think he is in Pinal county, so he is receiving the Phoenix stations for the "national" networks: CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX.

I called D* to ask about getting Fox Sports AZ, and they said I don't need the 5-LNB dish to get it. I then asked about the HR-20, and they said I wouldn't be able to get it here because we don't have the locals available yet....

:(

I called D* to ask about getting Fox Sports AZ, and they said I don't need the 5-LNB dish to get it. I then asked about the HR-20, and they said I wouldn't be able to get it here because we don't have the locals available yet....

:(
You don't need the 5-LNB to get FSNAZ, you do need it to get FSNAZ in HD along with a H20 or HR20.

You don't need the 5-LNB to get FSNAZ, you do need it to get FSNAZ in HD along with a H20 or HR20.
So, I specifically need to mention the HD version of FS AZ?

Correct on all acct's including that I get none of the digital networks (cpt PBS).


PBS KUAT (6.1,2,3,4) are on Bigalow. If you are getting those you can see Bigalow. PBS 27.1 isn't on Bigalow. That's probably the PBS you get. I just remembered 27.1 typing this post. I got excited that you could "see" Bigalow for a second.

Although 27.1 would be in the opposite direction of Bigalow from where you are at. Maybe you're looking the wrong way?

So, I specifically need to mention the HD version of FS AZ?
If that's what you want. SD only needs 3-LNB. HD version, which is available in Tucson, requires 5-LNB and a receiver capable of receiveing MPEG4.

But aren't the four national feeds your're receiving still MPEG2? I thought only HD Locals were out in MPEG4.
My understanding is they are in MPEG4, and that is why they went with MPEG4.....more compression, but I see no difference, when viewing from my HR10 via OTA in Surprise, but that's me.
I think he is in Pinal county, so he is receiving the Phoenix stations for the "national" networks: CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX.
Correct.

Hey Guys,
I live out in Continental Ranch / Marana (Cortaro & I-10) and I was curious which antenna(s) I would need to receive OTA HD or if that was even dooable.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it (Antenna web was really not that helpful).

My understanding is they are in MPEG4, and that is why they went with MPEG4.....more compression, but I see no difference, when viewing from my HR10 via OTA in Surprise, but that's me.

Correct.
HD National feeds are MPEG2. Phoenix locals are MPEG4. Are you getting Phoenix locals or LA locals? What channels do you turn to for your locals?

HD National feeds are MPEG2. Phoenix locals are MPEG4. Are you getting Phoenix locals or LA locals? What channels do you turn to for your locals?
I am receiving the Phoenix locals. Pretty much all the basic channels that Cox offers, 2-61 is what is shown on the guide, although not all the channels (numbers) are shown.

PBS KUAT (6.1,2,3,4) are on Bigalow. If you are getting those you can see Bigalow. PBS 27.1 isn't on Bigalow. That's probably the PBS you get. I just remembered 27.1 typing this post. I got excited that you could "see" Bigalow for a second.

Although 27.1 would be in the opposite direction of Bigalow from where you are at. Maybe you're looking the wrong way?It is 27.1 but I think I'm picking it up even though I'm pointing away from it because I have an unobstructed view to it's sourse to the south.

Some interesting stories in the STAR the last couple of days.
seems COX stacked the public meetings that the city council had with COX employees. Then the public acess proponents had a large group at the last meeting. It also strange that COX implied that we do not have more HD content or video on demand because of limited bandwith caused by public access.

Hey all. Desperate to enter the HD age and eager to see the XBox 360 games on a good HDTV, I recently purchased a Phillips 37" LCD. I love it. I also got a modest Pioneer surround system from WalMart too.

Anyway, here is my situation. I live in an apartment complex at the corner of Speedway and Campbell. The area (as you probably know) is dominated by Cox. Furthermore, since my complex is mostly inhabited by graduate students who are on their own for the first time, we have a lot of utilities (including Cox basic cable) taken care of with the rent.

Anyway, curious as to if I could get HD signals through the cable I contacted the company. I was told that it was possible for only $20 and that if I did, I would be getting all the major local channels, including FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, and the CW as well as some cable channels. Not aware of the situation here, I bought into that load of crap.

I mean it makes sense that if a channel is available in HD OTA that it would also be available via the cable company, right? :rolleyes: I mean the local SD channels are already being offered via Cox, so it never entered my mind that I'd be getting shafted.

Well, it took me a bit to discover this, but I didn't even really believe it until I did a Google search and found this place. Looks like I came just in time too. I hope the city of Tucson kicks Cox the hell out. This whole situation just seems like a great big joke to me.

On the plus side, the Sears at the Tucson mall had a few Zenith Silver Sensors. They were on sale for $15 too! It works perfectly. I can pretty much get every channel being broadcast from Mt. Bigelow. And the big 4 come in crystal clear. Whew! I'm just glad that I can watch 24 in HD when it comes back in January.

Agent_Scott, Sounds to me like you just saved a lot of money. Instead of $20 a month you got all the HD for a one time bill of $15.

Oh, and if Cox did have the local HD's and your TV has a QAM tuner you'd be able to get them with the basic cable package. You should be able to tune 13 & 58 with your QAM tuner now, you just have to find them. (They're in the 100's.) You don't need the cable box. You would need the cable box for ESPNHD, TNTHD, etc. I think QAM tuners are becoming commonplace on HDTVs.

Billy

Of course Cox gets my money anyway cause I want ESPNHD. I am holding out on a DVR until they get all the locals.

I am holding out on a DVR until they get all the locals....because??? :confused:

TIVO (or some other DVR) is what allows TV to be worth watching AFAIAC. ;)

I don't think this is a KOLD thing, although I'm not sure why there are 4 NFL games on CBS right now and none of them are available to us here on CBS.

HD or not, I'd like to see one of the games. Is it the same in the Phx area?

Thx!

cards on cbs and fox has the doubleheader. hey fox thanks for those stupid TO bugs on the crawl they keep switching the game back to SD?

I would like to hear from anyone in the Tucson-Comcast area who has successfully used their HDMI version DVR to feed a signal through an HDMI receiver (repeater) to an HDMI display. Thanks.

...because??? :confused:

TIVO (or some other DVR) is what allows TV to be worth watching AFAIAC. ;)

I have an HTPC (myth) that has 4 tuners for SD analog. I don't feel like investing to upgrade it to be HD capable, but would rent a DVR to record HD if all the locals were available.

I'm thinking about getting a FP and have been seeing deals on the Optoma HD70 for only $999 for 1280x720 (1080p projectors are 4K+ so still a little pricey). I was wondering if anyone has one of the 1280x720 FPs and might be willing to even provide a demo? I'm worried about the light requirements and how dark the room needs to be for regular TV viewing. Movies or anything that's "dark" I can certainly watch at night, but sports say on the weekends during the days would be a concern. If anyone has any experience or could offer some advice.

TIA!

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=683560

I suspect they are looking at how many HD subs they have in specific areas and using that to determine which locals get added. That might be why they are not going in DMA order.. They are adding Reno and Santa Barbara, both not even in the top 100 markets..

Based on the Cox situation and seeing D*'s track record, Tucson should be easy. They could agree with CBS, then disagree with NBC, FOX and ABC. Uplink CBS then say "HD Locals now available in Tucson!" with the fine print explaining that the other 3 are "currently unavailable".

they could, but the comcast subs would scream (me for one).. Since CC has all the local digital feeds, it would indicate the problem might be with Cox rather the the local chanels..

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=683560

Interestingly enough, my neighbor just had his failed D* HD receiver replaced after going around with Retention. When the CSR delivered the receiver, he also insisted on installing the 5 LNB dish and commented Tucson locals in HD would be available within a month! I am of course very skeptical about this but perhaps they are finding the initial bandwidth estimate was conservative and they can squeeze in a few more locals. Given the Tucson growth rate and the cable competition, maybe they are moving faster than the DMA list would indicate.

To date...no DMA has been bumped up without being on a press release. CSRs can say the wackiest things. Look at the Vegas thread and you'll see the same type of mis-information was given out there as well. They are up now, but not ahead of schedule. Also, they only get ABC/Fox as the other two couldn't come to an agreement. Again...don't get overly enthusiastic about getting HD Locals via sat for at least a few more months.

Interestingly enough, my neighbor just had his failed D* HD receiver replaced after going around with Retention. When the CSR delivered the receiver, he also insisted on installing the 5 LNB dish and commented Tucson locals in HD would be available within a month! I am of course very skeptical about this but perhaps they are finding the initial bandwidth estimate was conservative and they can squeeze in a few more locals. Given the Tucson growth rate and the cable competition, maybe they are moving faster than the DMA list would indicate.


Was this a new HR-20? If so, from what I've heard from some folks is that the OTA tuners are supposed to be activated before year's end. This is what's probably causing the confusion.... installers not knowing what the actual situation is right now concerning HD locals.

Tony

Was this a new HR-20? If so, from what I've heard from some folks is that the OTA tuners are supposed to be activated before year's end. This is what's probably causing the confusion.... installers not knowing what the actual situation is right now concerning HD locals.

There is no confusion, the HD locals come with the HR20, if one requests them, without OTA, I am receiving them now. But you are correct the OTA tuner is not activated.

There is no confusion, the HD locals come with the HR20, if one requests them, without OTA, I am receiving them now. But you are correct the OTA tuner is not activated.

Are you getting the Tucson locals in HD?

Was this a new HR-20? If so, from what I've heard from some folks is that the OTA tuners are supposed to be activated before year's end. This is what's probably causing the confusion.... installers not knowing what the actual situation is right now concerning HD locals.

Tony

No, this was not an HR-20 - just a basic HD receiver.

There is no confusion, the HD locals come with the HR20, if one requests them, without OTA, I am receiving them now. But you are correct the OTA tuner is not activated.HUH? :confused: You say there is no confusion but I, for one, am confused with your statement. :confused:

There is no confusion, the HD locals come with the HR20, if one requests them, without OTA, I am receiving them now. But you are correct the OTA tuner is not activated.
No - he doesn't get the Tucson locals in HD. He is getting the Phoenix locals in HD because he lives in Pinal county - not Pima county.

HUH? :confused: You say there is no confusion but I, for one, am confused with your statement. :confused:
Sorry, one of the whole points of the HR20, and the 5-LNB dish is to bring more HD locals to communities via D*'s additonal satellites utilizing MPEG4, and for the time being not via OTA.

However, I am receiving Phoenix's HD locals.

I hope that's a little better explanation.

I have them coming out in early November to upgrade to the 5-LNB dish and the HR20.

I have them coming out in early November to upgrade to the 5-LNB dish and the HR20.

That's great, are you going to be able to receive the HD locals at that time?

That's great, are you going to be able to receive the HD locals at that time?
No - Tucson still won't have locals available in HD probably until sometime in 2007...

But I might consider "moving" to a Phoenix address after the install...

But I might consider "moving" to a Phoenix address after the install...
That would be an idea!!! Tucson is obviously in the same spot-beam as Phoenix, and I am living proof.

I would like to hear from anyone in the Tucson-Comcast area who has successfully used their HDMI version DVR to feed a signal through an HDMI receiver (repeater) to an HDMI display. Thanks.

Okay, I'm going to answer my own question (after further research :) ). It appears that my Comcast Moto 6412 DVR is still running firmware version 12.31. According to other threads on AVS, version 12.35 fixes the problem; allowing a repeater (i.e. AV receiver) to pass the HDCP handshakes necessary for pure HDMI connection to a display.

This brings up the next obvious question, when is Comcast-Tucson going to get on the ball and push down the firmware update??? I'll call them and ask, but if anyone else is in the same boat and has contact with a Comcast tech you might want to join the chorus...

Hey Guys,
I live out in Continental Ranch / Marana (Cortaro & I-10) and I was curious which antenna(s) I would need to receive OTA HD or if that was even dooable.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it (Antenna web was really not that helpful).
----------
From what I have read here this is a hit or miss area even if you have the best antenna and preamp.
I consider myself lucky to receive all of the local OTA HD broadcasts. Here is my setup:
Live near Silverbell and Wade and have a clear view of the Catalinas from my roof.
CM 4228 antenna on the roof with a rotator.
CM7777 preamp.
Dish Network 622 receiver.

Good luck to you.

I am using Western Broadband for only internet services, and the other day I plugged in a TV to see if my modulator was working, and low and behold we receive all the expanded basic channels. Talk about a nice freebee!! Anyone else using Western Broadband?

Does anyone have any experience with OTA digital (HD) reception near Catalina HW between Harrison and Houghton. I think it's in the shadow of the mountains. If reception is poor, does anyone have any experience with getting a waiver for local channels via dish network?

Forget about waivers from Dish Network. Barring a miracle in the court system, Dish Network will no longer be able to provide distants to anybody (waivers/RV/white area) effective 12/1.

That area is served by Comcast and you can get all the locals on Comcast.
Just wish I had not moved to an area served by Cox.

Anyone with impressions on the old ATI HD TV Card? I've got one coming today. Found it on buy.com for $59.99 and got $10.00 off for using google checkout. TL cost =$49.99. Good deal...is it a good card?

I have one of those. It works great, but it was a bear to install. If simply installing the card, and then installing the software doesn't work (it sometimes does and sometimes does not), it is necessary to reinstall windows xp. Windows will recognize the card on a reinstall. Other than that, it works like a champ.

Guess I got lucky. The install went painless. Seems to be working well. Going to move it next to the TV and see how the picture looks. The UHF remote was a bonus I wasn't counting on. For the price..it's seems like I got a great deal.

Just wondering -- does Cox sometimes carry Fox Sports Net Arizona (FSNAZ) in HD? If so, what channel is it on?

If they do, I have never seen it. Cox's lineup for HD is simply terrible.

Hi Folks-

My problem is that I have a 622 dvr from dish. Love it but as you all know ...No local HD programming. I was reading another thread that reminded me that I do have comcast high speed internet service plus the bare bones basic cable service (TV). Believe it or not, its cheaper to do that than to just have internet alone. (I never watch the cable feed. )
So I called comcast and sure enough for just $5.00 bucks a month I can have a new box that will give me all the HD locals.
Here is the rub. My tv is located on an interior wall and the feed I use is the one that was built with my home. Cable prewired. My dish runs off that. So how can I switch back and forth from Dish to Cable easily without going outside to my feed box to switch them?

Thanks in advance!!

You would use a diplexor to join the two signals outside then another diplexor inside to split them back out again. I used them with Dish and Cox in Las Vegas and had no problem with High Speed Internet.

You can find the diplexors at Home Depot for less than $15.00 a piece. Don't buy them at Radio Shack..last I checked, they wanted $27.99 for one.

Thanks Gman-

Doesnt the sat sig have a diferent frequency than the cable? It cant be just a regular splitter right?

I do have a 622 receiver that is a dual tuner...I beleive it has a diaplexer in it already to work a bedroom. Can you split that again?

Diplexors split the signal based on the frequencies. What you'll want is a diplexor outside where the cable and satellite signals feed the house. Use another diplexor inside to split the signal back out between the two. They may have already diplexed the cable in the house. Do you have one or two cables coming in at the satellite receiver?

One cable comes out from the wall.....then it goes into a diaplexer then one line goes to another splitter/diaplexer that is split to tuner #1 and tuner #2. The second line fronm the first diaplexer goes to a input on the back on the receiver called Home distribution.
Confused now? I am.

Short answer is, no, you can't split more than your current setup. Your description is..

Cable from the wall carries signal from the dish and sends signal to other TVs in your house. The diplexor is splitting the signal from the dish on one side and providing your output to the other TVs. The extra splitter has the ability to provide two outputs from your dish to your receiver enabling both tuners on your DVR. The only way you'll be able to use the cable signal is if you abandon the use of "home distribution" or the output of your satellite receiver to other tvs in the house. With one coax, you are very limited.

So if I unscrew the cable that is going into the home distribution and plug that cable into the cable box I am golden right?....The bedroom TV is used about once a month. So thats no biggie. But wait I will need to change things outside as well because I need to have a cable line going in instead of two sat sigs right?
This is a real B#tch.
I also have a TV on my Patio that uses up the last lnb. I dont use it all that much this time of year either.
Thanks for all your help. I will keep pondering.

OK...Remove the cable going to the Home Distribution output on the 622. Go to where the satellite dish and cable are diplexed at the source (outside, in the garage, in the attic). Disconnect the cable that was feeding the house from the diplexer and replace it with your cable source. The cable you removed from the 622 should now have a cable signal and you're good to go.

To clarify on the 2 sat signals...yes, you do need two coming from outside. Those two should be joined by a combiner that Dish provided. From the combiner, those two are fed into the diplexor along with the additional cable you will be disconnecting to add the Comcast signal.

Thanks for all the advice gworkman!!!!!

I will let you know how it all works.

Mark

Thanks for all the advice gworkman!!!!!

I will let you know how it all works.

Mark

Anybody know what the frequency is (Kenneth?) COMCAST uses for KOLD-DTNWS the, I guess?, 24 hour storm tracker weather sub channel? I am not even sure when it showed up but it is on channel 209...I am too lazy to want to rescan the entire QAM to get it and would rather enter it manually.
Thanks,
BB

After much effort I received the Fox DirecTV waiver so after 4 months and 3 waiver attempts, I am finally getting glorious FOX HD via DirecTV!!

Vippeeeeeeeeeee! :D

Speaking of Fox HD...anybody notice a drop in the signal strength of KMSB? All of the sudden, it's been a difficult signal to pull in.

Speaking of Fox HD, anyone notice how much better HD football looks on KMSB compared to KOLD 13 HD?

13 is just destroying their HD picture with their subchannels.

I have also noticed a signal drop on KMSB. It was always 84-86 on my Dishnetwork 622 receiver until saturday when it dropped to 68. Still at 68 today with no changes on any of the other Tucson stations.

Speaking of Fox HD...anybody notice a drop in the signal strength of KMSB? All of the sudden, it's been a difficult signal to pull in.

Definitely a problem with the KMSB DTV signal, can't tune it anymore on any of the 3 HD tuners in my HTPC, can still get it on the external Accurian though at a strength of only 65 (pretty sure it was 75 or higher before). I just sent a message to Walcott at KMSB and Jim Cole at FOX in Phx asking if it's a known problem and if they know when it might be resolved. I forgot to send a message yesterday. Looks like I'll be watching House "live" tonight. What am I going to do during the commercials???

There is nothing wrong with KMSB-DT that I am aware of. The transmitter is at 100% power and reflected power is normal. I am having no problem getting it in my office on a UHF circle antenna hanging in the window. Signal strength looks to be the same as always. However you are the second person to say that. So I am unclear as to why you or the other gentleman is having problems all of a sudden. He noted that it started on Saturday.

I will check tonight on my set at home and see what the signal strength is relative to what it normally reads. I may also take the signal strength meter home as I have recorded readings in the past at my house for reference.

Walcott, Director of Technology, KMSB, KTTU

I got the same response (I must be the other guy). Something appears to have changed. I'm now getting a solid signal on all four of my tuners.

Got a response from Walcott. They restarted the main transmitter this afternoon. Everybody else OK now?

Got a response from Walcott. They restarted the main transmitter this afternoon. Everybody else OK now?

Nope... I recorded House tonight and it was breaking up every few minutes. This is been going on for the last few weeks. The Redskins/Cowboy game and last weekend's Redskins/Philly games did the same thing. It's basically unwatchable.

All the other locals channels seem to be normal. I'm recording via a DirecTV HR10-250 TiVo.

Got a response from Walcott. They restarted the main transmitter this afternoon. Everybody else OK now?

Yep it was working again last night when I got home. My signal strength was 78 when it was 65 over the weekend. I recorded House and there was a pause/glitch maybe 5 times or so for a second or two which I think was more the broadcast feed than the signal strength.

Nope... I recorded House tonight and it was breaking up every few minutes. This is been going on for the last few weeks. The Redskins/Cowboy game and last weekend's Redskins/Philly games did the same thing. It's basically unwatchable.

I couldn't record the NFL games on Sun at all because of the weak signal, prior to that though my FOX recordings are usually 98-99% good with the occassional break-up/freeze or SD for a little while instead of HD. If you were able to get any kind of recording of the NFL games this past weekend I would expect them to be bad because the signal was so weak. House did freeze/break up 5 or 6 times for me on my recording from last night, but not every couple of minutes. You might still have a weak signal even with the "normal" signal strength that's back now for FOX.

Nope... I recorded House tonight and it was breaking up every few minutes. This is been going on for the last few weeks. The Redskins/Cowboy game and last weekend's Redskins/Philly games did the same thing. It's basically unwatchable.

All the other locals channels seem to be normal. I'm recording via a DirecTV HR10-250 TiVo.
The 6.3 upgrade on the 10-250 has been causing alot of audio dropouts (about 7-10 seconds) then a video blip then restored audio,particularly with Fox. Is this what you are experiencing? If so...welcome to the club. If not...what is your signal strength showing for Fox?

The 6.3 upgrade on the 10-250 has been causing alot of audio dropouts (about 7-10 seconds) then a video blip then restored audio,particularly with Fox. Is this what you are experiencing? If so...welcome to the club. If not...what is your signal strength showing for Fox?

No. This is different. I have had 6.3a update for close to two months and those audio drop outs behave different. What I’m seeing is video and audio breakup that can last for 10-15 seconds. It’s a signal issue. All the other OTA channels are coming in normally. So, I really don’t think it has anything to do with anything with my setup.

Yesterday 11/13 KMSB signal strength was back to normal at 85 at my home in Queen Creek.

Much to my surprise I found a couple new HD channels on Cox. We now have ABC and ESPN2. Looks like we gave up INHD2 for them.

Yep just found out we have ABC and ESPN2 hopefully we get some more locals

Looks like some one at COX has a rooting intrest in the Ohio State vs Michigan game. The loss of INHD 2 is not surprising since its going dark as of Jan 1st still i'll miss the FSN HD hockey.

Much to my surprise I found a couple new HD channels on Cox. We now have ABC and ESPN2. Looks like we gave up INHD2 for them.

That's awesome. Sucks that I watched the MD basketball game on ESPN2 SD not knowing any better....