Jerry,

Thank you so much for your reply. I certainly didn't mean to imply that KLRN did anything on purpose or that they were incompetent. :-(

KLRN also suggested that something in the neighborhood could be blocking the signal.....although I know of nothing new between here and the towers. What kinds of things create RF interference that would block a signal? So I'm going to zero in on the antenna and go pick up a VHF/UHF from Radio Shack and see what happens.

I'll let you know what happens and thanks again for your info.

Sandy1202

So, according to the article at:
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/entertainment_columnists/article/0,1406,KNS_360_2945159,00.html

WMAK is going on-air on digital channel 7 in mid-July. Well, here we are at July 15th. Anyone know if they are on the air yet? Or, if they will be soon? I would just try tuning them in myself, but unfortunately the Voom STB box I have won't let me manually tune a channel. (The next version which I hope comes out soon will let me do this.) If it is on the air, has anyone seen any HD content on it yet? How does it look?

Thanks.

Sean Dudley

I read the colum, sounds great. I wonder if it will be HD or SD. I scanned but did not find it. I have been having trouble as of late picking the others up, I plan on putting up an out door ant. soon. Anyone else try yet?

I'm trying to update a master list of OTA HD stations. San Antonio has not yet been updated. Can somebody that knows what networks are broadcasting in HD or HD/DD5.1 go to the following link and post the info?

National List of Stations Broadcasting HD / DD5.1 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=422073)

Just need the Network, Re-mapped Channel#, and if they're DD 5.1. For any of the networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, UPN & WB) that are currently broadcasting in HD.

Thanks....

Jerry,
Well, I did everything I could to get KLRN signal and since
both you and KLRN pointed to the antenna as the problem,
I replaced it and presto here comes 9-1,9-2,9-3,9-4. The signal
strenth is triple what it was with the old antenna on all channels.
So there was something going on there.

I want to thank you for replying to my e-mails and helping me troubleshoot
the problems. Looks like you were right on the money about possible
reasons.

I think the reason I was so adamant about nothing being wrong with my setup was that in the early days of OTA digital broadcasting, things would happen at the station to cause problems and this mimicked that situation.

Anyway...problem solved and I apologize and thank you. :-).

Sandy1202

This is interesting (in the story from seandudley's link).

WMAK will be "the second or third highest-power VHF digital station east of the Mississippi," Cosby said. "It's going to be a powerful station."

Anyone found it "on air" yet?

Just checked and I am now getting channel 7. I am not getting any signal or anything, but it was added when I scanned. Is anyone picking it up yet? I may not be getting it untill I move my ant or something or it could be they are just getting ready. If anyone else is "picking" it up, let us know.

Tried finding a website for WMAK, still have not found one, but found this.
http://www.cityviewonline.com/July%202004%20website/TV.html

WMAK will be one of the most powerful all-digital stations in this part of the country, and Cosby says the new station "will be one of only a few stations in the Southeast, and the first in Tennessee and Kentucky, to have the infrastructure to produce high-definition and digital signals locally."

Harold, I tuned in 7 and it had side-bars and an electrical hum-bar was rolling up the screen. Low-power testing, I suppose...? The part about having a digital camera delights me! I figur the other stations won't wanna' be outdone and will start plotting to get their own. :)

Glade to hear someone else is picking it up. Hope they go live soon.:D

Sean: I have *E* and my 811 box when scanning shows nothing at
channel 7. It scans in all the OTA we have available so I don't think
they are up and running yet.

Yea, they are not on air now. I had picked them up at very low power. I have rescanned and now it is gone (ch 7). I hope they are up soon.:D

what sort of channel is this gonna be ?Is it a network channel or a cable channel?

Here is the article from the KNS. It gives all the info known so far. I will also put the other one on here.


Knoxville to get new station

A new full-power, high-definition independent television station is signing onto the Knoxville airwaves in mid-July.

WMAK, Channel 7, will be the 11th station in the Knoxville market, and will be available on Comcast and Charter cable systems.

This summer is shaping up to be a historic time in Knoxville television history. June 28 is the date when WVLT unveils its UPN affiliation and WEEE, a low-power station, transforms into an independent wrestling channel.

Since it is an independent station, WMAK will not have a network affiliation, and it will not have local news.

However, WMAK will be part of the Nielsen meters and will have ratings information available. WVLT's UPN and WEEE will not be part of the meters.

Programming will consist of classic television (such as "Gomer Pyle" and "The Beverly Hillbillies"); court shows ("Judge Mathis" and "People's Court"); and syndicated repeats of "Fear Factor."

A movie will dominate primetime from 8-10 each night.

"Little House on the Prairie" repeats - anticipated to be a favorite on the station - will air at 10 a.m. weekdays.

Local entrepreneur Lewis Cosby and South Central Communications are the owners of WMAK. Cosby, who retains 30 percent of the station, also launched the former WKXT in Knoxville and WBXX.

South Central, owned by the John D. Engelbrecht family, operates five radio stations in Knoxville.

It is taking more than $3 million to launch WMAK, Cosby said. The station has already hired most of its staff, which will consist of fewer than 30 employees.

The station is at 6215 Kingston Pike, and the tower is on Sharps Ridge.

WMAK will be "the second or third highest-power VHF digital station east of the Mississippi," Cosby said. "It's going to be a powerful station."

The station chose to get repeats of "Hogan's Heroes" and "Cheers" because they are broadcast in high definition, which will be one of the station's drawing cards for viewers and advertisers, Cosby said.

WMAK will not be targeting a specific demographic, but will aim for various target groups throughout the day, Cosby said.

There are no immediate plans to do in-house productions. Cosby said the station wants to take advantage of its high-definition technology by airing locally produced shows.

"For me, this is the third station I have signed on in this market, and no one has ever done that before," Cosby said.

Is it his biggest challenge? "Well, it will be the most fun (of the three)," he added.

Knoxville's other stations include WBIR (NBC), WATE (ABC), WVLT (CBS and UPN), WTNZ (Fox), WBXX (WB), WKOP/ WETP (PBS), WVLR (independent) and WPXK (Pax).



Here is the one from CityView.

TV Land
Hgh-definition, high-resolution images and sounds are coming out of Koxville television sets.

by Steve Row

HDTV will change the "vision" in television. As in, from night to day, rotary phones to push-button, vinyl records to compact discs. Although not all consumers are aware of the distinctions between analog, digital and high-definition television, local broadcast officials are preparing for the day when all programming will be in the clearest, sharpest format.

One Knoxville television station, WMAK-DT (Channel 7) is scheduled to start broadcasting in all-digital format before the end of the summer, and station owners John D. Engelbrecht of South Central Communications Corp. and Lewis Cosby already have ordered a high-tech digital camera that can be used to originate local programming.

WMAK will be one of the most powerful all-digital stations in this part of the country, and Cosby says the new station "will be one of only a few stations in the Southeast, and the first in Tennessee and Kentucky, to have the infrastructure to produce high-definition and digital signals locally."

CityView also interviews Ken Maxwell (pictured here), an award-winning Knoxville television veteran, about his plans to get into high-definition television for corporate communications.



To read more of this article, pick up the July issue of CityView.

Just found out that my cable co. will carry ch 7 as soon as they go on air. They have them on ch 17. There is no signal, but ch 17 is there when I scan. Not sure if they will carry it has HD or not. Right now it is an analog ch. I also asked for a CableCard, they said- "a what?". Communicomm sux.

Haven't been to this thread in a while and noticed people getting 4-2, 12-2, 9-3, and 9-4. I cant seem to get those. I've tried rebooting with negative results. I do get the other HD stations 4-1, 5-1 and 2, 9-1, 9-2, 12-1. Using hughes E-86 with large radio shack antenna....any suggestions would be appreciated.

ttt

Originally posted by quickfire
ttt =??? Is it seVen yet? What time is it?:)

Whats with the HUGE BLUE SQUARE FOX logo??????They already have the Red Tenn Fox 43 logo and when a prime time program comes on there is 3 FOX logos ...........This is PURE STUPIDNESS ANYBODY AGREE?

Yea, I agree, but did you have to yell? You hurt my ears :D

If you are not receiving 6-2 you may want to scan. Thats right, another channel. :) It's WATE. It's a news/weather channel. Where is channel 7? Have they ran into problems?

Well .. Its sunday afternoon at 5Pm... Channel 7-1 is on... some movie .. is it blue lagoon?.. in Hi Def, but in reg aspect ratio. .. then on 7-2 is the same thing in standard def.

Well,I finally got HD(HR10-250 satellite HDTV+tivo) and am getting OTA signals through a Silver Sensor(will replace with an attic antenna soon).The HD is amazing(the Sunday night baseball is smokin')and HDNET is georgeous,etc.
But I'm confused.The three major networks all claim to be HD at 10PM tonight(Sunday).On 6-1 it's "The Days" and is widescreen(16:9 @1080I) .On 10-1 it's "Crossing Jordan" and is widescreen 16:9.....BUT,on 8-1 It's "The Pilots Wife" and is supposed to be in HD.But there are black side bars and the picture is pretty lousy(still at 1080i,though.Does this mean it's a digital broadcast,but not HD?Or is it something else?I thought ALL HDTV was 16:9(or some other widescreen aspect ratio) with NO sidebars.
Someone please straighten me out on this...Thanks!! Fred

I'm not getting 7-1 or 7-2. Are they still very low power? Where is the tower?

Also anyone notice Fox is now 34-2. I wonder if they are adding something?:rolleyes:

aVOLanche,
If it wasn't 16:9 it wasn't HD. Sometimes either the local affiliate will forget to "flip the switch" or the scheduling service you're looking at is wrong. TitanTV for example is often wrong and they're currently listing several FOX shows as HD. I didn't see that show last night so I can't say which it was.

cpcat, you getting 7-1? If so, how much sig are you getting?

No, I have WLJC from Beattyville, KY on vhf digital 7 so I doubt I'll ever be able to get the new station down there. I currently have my vhf antenna pointed toward Hazard for WYMT (ch. 12, CBS) and I'll probably try for the new station once it goes to full power but at this point I doubt I'd have a chance. Come to think of it, it's kind of weird the FCC would have allowed this to happen, don't you think?

Well I'm not getting it(ch 7) at all. I wonder if it is not broadcasting now. I should get it if it is up. I have just started pulling in all 4 pax stations without changing anything for some reason.

Started receiving Channel 7 Sunday. So far there is no "compelling content"
to watch. I don't know if the station is at full power yet. I wonder if they
are sending the PSIP with the broadcast? That is information a lot of set
top boxes need to lock in a steady signal. If the content does not improve it wan't be much a big deal anyway.

I am only getting about a 5% signal. I don't have a stb, I have a built in tuner. My cable co. also has a channel set aside for it when its up. It is just a black screen right now. With all the talk about being the strongest station(ok #2 or 3) this side of the mississippi, they sure are off to a weak start.

Channel 7 is directional with reduced power toward the north to protect WLJC on channel 7 in Kentucky. They are located on the old WTVK tower, the northern most tower on Sharp's Ridge. I receive them well at 7 miles distant but to the east of their tower. All of this information is available from the FCC's web site including ERP (55kw), antenna patterns, coverage maps etc. I did not notice an STA for lower power but they may still be shaking out the bugs. An antenna designed for UHF usage will be less than optimum for channel 7 although it may work well enough close in.

I looked at the FCC site for them out of curiosity and I was unable to find anything. Here's the link I used:

http://www.tvradioworld.com/region1/tn/tv_information.asp?m=kno

Maybe there's a different way in to search for it?

Lately (or maybe I just recently noticed), I've only been getting KENS in stereo. Anyone else seeing (hearing) this? I assume it is DD 2.0. I'm only getting sound out of the left and right channels. NBC and ABC have been surround.

Thanks.

7 is up and running on my cable system. I am unable to get it ota. I guess its time to bite the bullett and put up an outside ant.

The FCC search page is http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio2?x=tvq.html

I would select the detailed output search. You'll have to drive down to find application and engineering data.

Does anybody have any information about a Nascar Nextel rcae being broadcast in HD............either on NBC or TNTHD????I was thinking that it was this weekends race the Brickyard 400 @ Indianapolis Speedway but I could be totally wrong .....it could very well be another race

I just did a scan, and am now picking up WMAK on channel 7. Coming in strong in Loudon.

Anybody out there know what's going on with WB? It's been off for the past several days.

Also, WKOP recently received their digital license 8/2 according to the FCC site so I'm assuming full power from them soon? I'm not certain but I think that would be the case. Maybe someone with knowledge of the FCC rules could chime in here.

I also have it second-hand from WVLT's CE that they'll be increasing power sometime in the next mos. or so. I'm not sure if this means full power or their STA for 230kw.

Edited to correct WKPT to *WKOP* sorry.

Anyone know where to find a guide for WMAK? I pick it up over the air, and don't have a cable guide available to me. I tried TitanTV, but they aren't listed.

Thanks.

Sean Dudley

cpcat, see the Johnson City thread

Has anyone seen any HD on WMAK yet? I haven't yet, but the articles I had read indicated they would be doing a lot of HD.

Originally posted by seandudley
Has anyone seen any HD on WMAK yet? I haven't yet, but the articles I had read indicated they would be doing a lot of HD.

Sean: I have not seen anything on Channel 7 that is compelling. Certainly
no HD. After all the anxiety, what a let down

Can someone help out a newbie again? I would like to recieve OTA HD broadcast, but only have and HD monitor.

Can anyone suggest a low cost, good reciever and antenna. I would much prefer an internal antenna, or some way to avoid putting an antenna on the outside of my home.

Thanks.

Gummi,
Pick up a tuner such as the LG LST 3100a (might be available used now) or it's current equivalent LST 4200a. Other tuners are available but the LG is among the best and it's the one I have experience with. Your choice of antenna/installation will depend on your location. I'm 65 mi away from Knoxville so I that will be where my own experience derives from.

Hello all. I have been reading this forum for a couple of days now and am happy to see that there are a lot of people here in San Antonio that are receiving HDTV programming.
I currently have a non HDTV tv and receive all my programming (including local channels) through my DirecTV Tivo satellite.
Yesterday I took the plunge and purchased a 50" Sony LCD rear projection TV that will be delivered Friday. This morning I was lucky enough to grab the new DirecTV HDTV Tivo which will arrive tomorrow. I am looking forward to receiving and watching HDTV programming.
I am new to this and had a few questions:

sfmartin, you mentioned you too have the new DirecTV HD Tivo. How are you receiving your local channels in HD? Do you use an antenna or are you receiving them over the dish?

sandy1202, you recently purchased a new antenna to allow you to receive all the OTA channels including KLRN. Which antenna did you purchase? Is it mounted outside or inside. I believe you once said you had a CM 4221 in your living room.

By the way, I live in Churchill Estates (Huebner and Bitters). Anyone in this forum live near here? If so, how are you receiving your programming? Which antenna has been successful? I'm assumming that I need one even if I will get the DirecTV HD subscription and request local channels.

Thanks everyone for all of your postings. Just think, a few years from now nearly everyone will have had to go through this process.

<SNIP>Originally posted by CurtisSATX

By the way, I live in Churchill Estates (Huebner and Bitters). Anyone in this forum live near here? If so, how are you receiving your programming? Which antenna has been successful? I'm assumming that I need one even if I will get the DirecTV HD subscription and request local channels.

<SNIP>

I'm at Vance Jackson & IH10 and receive all the local OTA HD channels via a large recently purchased Radio Shack outside antenna (I forgot the model #). My problem right now is that I stopped receiving audio on the KLRN HD channel about a month ago. I've rotated the antenna as much as 180 degrees with no luck.
BTW, I'm watching the NFL on ABC right now and gotta say that the pic is awesome in HD. I'm using Dish DVR510, but want to upgrade to an HD receiver....HOWEVER....it'll cost a cool $1k for a new Dish DVR HD 921 receiver...OUCH!!......I'm tempted to jump over to TWC, where I can rent their new HD DVR for $10 a month. Just don't know about picture quality or customer svc and frequency of rate increases with TWC, though. For now, I'll have to keep that big ugly antenna on the roof if I want local HD for free.

CurtisSATX....
Where did you get your HD receiver?...at a local retailer or online?
Congrats...I'm sure you'll enjoy that Sony and DirecTV HD programming.
You must've visited Bjorns for that Sony.
Anyone else have the audio problem with KLRN HD?

Originally posted by Gummi
Can someone help out a newbie again? I would like to recieve OTA HD broadcast, but only have and HD monitor.

Can anyone suggest a low cost, good reciever and antenna. I would much prefer an internal antenna, or some way to avoid putting an antenna on the outside of my home.

Thanks.

You don't need the giant antenna like the old days. I have a little Squareshooter on the side of my house. Nobody would notice it if I didn't show them. An attic crawlspace might be a good place to mount one? It's certainly small enough! If you saw one, you might not object to mounting it outdoors anyway. It's just a little square thingy on a mount like a satelite dish's. It has a gray plastic exterior covering the the antenna elements. It doesn't look like an antenna.

I got mine at East Tennessee Satelite on Broadway. It's in Fountain City. It's on the right, going north, on the way up the big hill just past the Duck Pond...maybe a half a mile or so.

I tried a Radio Shack indoor HD antena for my mom and I didn't get anything, nada. However, she lives right down at river level surrounded by ridges. :)

EZ2BME...
I purchased the Hughes DirectTV HDTV Tivo from circuitcity.com. Yea, it was $1000 but will be worth every penny!!
I currently have the non-HDTV DirecTV Tivo receiver and absolutely love it. Tivo is the greatest thing ever invented; far better than a standard DVR which acts only like a VCR. I once almost made the move from DirecTV to TWC digital but when the TWC tech hooked up the box I actually had far better picture quality from my DirecTV. I have been a DirecTV customer for over 6 years and have been extremely happy with their services, packages, and rates.
I can't wait to hook up my HDTV Tivo receiver. I love the fact the the two greatest technologies have been married together into on box.

Originally posted by CurtisSATX
EZ2BME...
I purchased the Hughes DirectTV HDTV Tivo from circuitcity.com. Yea, it was $1000 but will be worth every penny!!
I currently have the non-HDTV DirecTV Tivo receiver and absolutely love it. Tivo is the greatest thing ever invented; far better than a standard DVR which acts only like a VCR. I once almost made the move from DirecTV to TWC digital but when the TWC tech hooked up the box I actually had far better picture quality from my DirecTV. I have been a DirecTV customer for over 6 years and have been extremely happy with their services, packages, and rates.
I can't wait to hook up my HDTV Tivo receiver. I love the fact the the two greatest technologies have been married together into on box.

CurtisSATX...
I agree with your comments re DirecTV svcs and picture quality. I was with them from '94-'03, then switched to Dish.
Ha!....just went over to DBS for a sec, and yours was the first post on the list. Another great site, but I enjoy AVS for details on HDTV hardware and info on my Mitsu. I can't justify spending $1k on the Dish HD DVR, since I've read about the issues owners now encounter in this new product.
On the other hand, I'm wondering how reliable the new Hughes HD Tivo is turning out to be (post your thoughts once you get yours hooked up).
BTW, what's the advantage the Tivo has over the Dish PVR I now have? I can pause live tv, ff, schedule recording of tv programs or movies, access my acct and make payments, play games, view ESPN live stats and don't have to pay a monthly subscriber fee for this svc.
As for TWC....everyone seems to make the same comment you did above re pic quality of sat vs. cable.

I haven't had a non-Tivo DVR so I can't truly compare the differences. Chris on DBS has had both and did a comparison on one of his threads.
Anyway, the best thing about the Tivo is the Season Pass. If you like a particular show, say Seinfield reruns, you can have it record ALL episodes across ALL stations with one click. Does DVR do that? Also, Tivo will record shows for you as suggestions. If you like them you give it a thumbs up and it will continue to record them and other shows like it. If not, give it a thumbs down and it won't record it again. Sounds more complicated than it truly is. I've, with the help of the Tivo, discovered many new programs that I enjoy watching.
The overall biggest difference is that I no longer channel surf. With all the shows I have on Season Pass and with all of Tivo's suggestions I always have something recorded for me that I want to watch.
How do you select shows to record with the DVR? Do you record by program name, by channel/time, or both? This may be off the overall subject of this forum but I'd love to understand how DVR works for you.

Originally posted by CurtisSATX
<SNIP>How do you select shows to record with the DVR? Do you record by program name, by channel/time, or both? This may be off the overall subject of this forum but I'd love to understand how DVR works for you. <SNIP>

The DVR has an onscreen menu that lets you scroll or search programming for timed recording. It then asks you if want to record the selected program once or on a regular basis (I guess kinda like SeasonPass). It also allows you to search by Theme. I think Tivo still has an edge with the feature you described, which also suggests programming. Of course, there's the ability to record instantly without programming anything. My favorite feature is being able to pause live tv or instant replay. I use the pause feature often, especially when I don't want to miss any part of a program. The naughty side of me also likes it to get a 2nd, 3rd and even 4th look at a pretty lady that catches my eye in a commercial or program. Last night I was watching Bill O'Reilly in a heated debate with a NY Times journalist, so kept using instant replay to watch Bill lambast the columnist over and over...lol.
http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/products/receivers/dvr/index.shtml
A HD DVR has got to be the ultimate. I'm sure it's got a huge hard disk for recording space-hungry HD programming.
http://www.dishnetwork.com/downloads/pdf/product_brochures/RETAIL_1293_DISH921_UPDATE.pdf
I think you asked somewhere about receiving local HD channels via sat dish. I don't know about DirecTV, but Dish has been encouraging subscribers to contact elected officials about this issue. Seems cable can offer its customers the local HD network channels as part of a HD pkg, but satellite customers still have to receive HD locals via antenna hooked up to Dish receiver. You can get all other HD channels directly through the HD receiver, though. I'm able to receive my locals in analog through Dish and I also subscribe to NBC feeds from L.A. and NY, as I enjoy watching their local news and programming. I'm amazed that an old-fashioned outside antenna can pick up a HD signal so well. I'm still fascinated by HD picture on my tv, knowing it's coming through that antenna on the roof.
Soon....I'll be able to enjoy other HD channels, once I can decide what I want to do about upgrading my receiver to HD.

FYI: http://www.iwantmyhdtv.com/iwanthdtv/

Two steps forward, one step back! About three years ago I had my DirecTV dish for my programming and had to subscribe to TWC's basic cable package to get my local channels (or I could use the dreaded OTA antenna.) Deals were made between DirecTV and the major networks which resulted in me being able to receive my local channels through my dish for about $5 more a month. I no longer needed an antenna or TWC's basic package. All channels through one dish and only one monthly bill. (By the way, there are about 65 major markets that can get their local channels via the dish only method.)
Now if I understand correctly, I'll keep my same service with DirecTV but add $11 per month to get HDTV programming added. FYI.. DirecTV is currently offering 6 months free of HDTV service. I will continue to receive my local channels via the dish in digital but not HDTV. If I want to watch them in HDTV I must hook up an OTA antenna. I guess sometime in the future DirecTV will be allowed to feed the local channels in HDTV over their network like they now do with the digital feed.
Until then I'll be looking for an antenna.

I saw a little bit of HD on WMAK yesterday night. I saw some ads for programs on the channel, and at the end of the ads it showed a 1080i picture with pictures from the program, etc. Not exactly what I was hoping for when they said they would have HD, but hopefully they will get real HD content going soon.

CurtisSATX,
Sorry, I haven't checked the thread for a few days. I'm near Vance Jackson and Dreamland. I have a large RS antenna with rotator for my local channels, but it's more than is necessary for the ones currently broadcasting HD. I have it as a backup for locals if a thunderstorm stops DirecTV. It is necessary to pull in 35 (Kerrville) and 2 (Fredericksburg). Otherwise, as I have stated before, the simple circular loop supplied with a cheap TV gets sufficient signal for digital and HD reception for 4,5,12,and even 9. The RS antenna is connected to the HD DirecTivo downstairs in the den, and the simple loop to a Zenith 1080 upstairs in the bedroom. Note that the HD DirecTivo will not receive analog OTA, so I subscribe to locals on the dish. OTA digital channels don't seem to be 100% reliable yet, in terms of always being on the air.

The HD DirecTivo has performed flawlessly since day 1. (Late April). The tuner seems to be very sensitive, showing as good or better signal strength than the Zenith.l

I am picking up new channels out here in Maryville like 6-2 the WATE all news channel and PAX. Anyone have a complete list of channels? Also, the signals are stronger, I have a tv top antenna from radio shack that does the trick.

Originally posted by hotshot
I am picking up new channels out here in Maryville like 6-2 the WATE all news channel and PAX. Anyone have a complete list of channels? Also, the signals are stronger, I have a tv top antenna from radio shack that does the trick.

That Radio Shack set-top didn't work for my mom...at river level, in da canyon. So, she's not gonna get the Olymics in HD...

Your question about "the complete list", inspired this thought, could the lot of us not all contact the News-Sentinel and ask them to carry listings for PBS HD? Is there anything else we should ask for in the way of listings?

Rachel, I don't know if your mom is in Knoxville or subscribes to Directv, but if she does have her check out channel 84. I don't think we're supposed to receive the Olympics in HD via directv here in Knoxville, but check it out. I'm getting it on channel 84 on my Directv receiver. There's no real advantage to watching it on the satellite however because the commercials are few and far between on the OTA broadcast. It was boring however watching the same commercial over and over. To my knowledge WBIR-DT is not owned and operated by NBC. It's supposed to be on channel 84 in markets served by NBC O&O stations.
Larry

Larry my mom is a DirecTV customer but doesn't have a DirecTV HD reciever. I'm getting the Olympics on one of my HD recievers on channel 84 but not on a standard def reciever. Thanks for the tip if 10 has problems I'll switch to 84. I'll try 84 at her house but I'm doubtful:)

Anyone noticed the new channels? I have this antenna it rocks http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=15%2D1880&hp=search

I have Samsung T-151

WMAK-HD 7-1 Se7en
WMAK-SD 7-2 Se7en

UPN 8-2

WKOP 15-1 HD PBS HD
WKOP 15-2 SD PBS

WBXX 20-1

WPXX 54-1 PAX
PAXWEST 54-2
Worship.net 54-3
FAITH 54-4

I've also recently started picking up 6-2 a WATE SD subchannel. I only see it on my HD-200 and not my HR10-250??

It seems in this thread that many people have rooftop mounted antenna, attic or just antennas in the other room than the TV that uses those signals. Since the length of the cable connecting the antenna to the STB will likely be quite long, I'd like to know if an inline amplifier is necessary.

My room is on the north end of the house and obviously I can't point an antenna south because the house is made of cinder blocks. Pointing my Silver Sensor out the North window is fine for ABC, CBS and NBC (with NBC getting 90% strength) but PBS and Fox are impossible to get now (since April) that all the leaves are out. So am am thinking of buying a long coax cord and putting the antenna elsewhere. My question is, will a 50 foot cord warrant an amplifier? If not, what lenght would be the safest estimate I could go without the need for one? My TV is a Zenith with an integrated tuner (so the antenna cord connects directly to the TV). The TV doesn't seem to like weak analog signals. I have to tune some of the TWC channels with my VCR because they look a lot better than the TV. With that said, I am not sure if it has this problem with digital signals and there is really no way to find that out unless I had another HDTV in my room.

If you use RG-6 coax you can run over 100 ft without any appreciable loss. So I would try it without an amp first.

jr

Leave a few extra feet on either end in case you do need to put an inline amp on there. It'll leave you room to tuck it out of the way more easily. And RG6 is a minimum requirement. I'd look into some quad shielded if it runs anywhere near electrical runs as well. It's not that more expensive.

CurtisSATX,

Sorry it took so long to respond....just got home from vacation. To answer your question about the antenna you might need. Way back when the SA stations first started broadcasting I had a ChanneMaster 4221 sitting in the living room next to the TV and it worked perfectly. Back then the stations were sporadic in their broadcasting and it was always a guess as to whether the problem was with you or with them. Eventually I moved the antenna up to the attic and all was well for awhile. Then suddenly I had problems with PBS (see my posts). I was so convinced that it was the station but when I took down the antenna I noticed that one of the lead wires had snapped off and was probably not connected all the time. Meanwhile I had a large UHF/VHF antenna installed in the attic and I hooked up to it and I'm now getting all the stations that are broadcasting. But I would say that the 4221 would be fine from where you are located. Now a question for you....how do you like your Sony LCD rear projection tv KF-50WE610? I'm thinking of getting one.

Not to change the subject too much but maybe some of you could help with KABB DT. I get the major networks with the exception of Fox.
I have both a Dish 811 and Dish 921.
On the 921, I get a solid signal strength and lock but it does not see the PSIP data for channel remapping. I know that the 921 will not display a channel unless it can see the PSIP. I called the station today and one of the engineers stated that they were indeed sending out the PSIP. Are the rest of you seeing it? If you are, any suggestions on what I could be doing wrong in my setup? BTW, my 811 sees channel 30 but no remapping to channel 29...so neither one sees the PSIP.

WMAK 7-1 & 7-2 and 6-2 are the only realy new channels. The others have been up for awhile. But as for the PAX stations, I think they may have increased thier power.

But as for the PAX stations, I think they may have increased thier power.

I've not noticed any difference up here. According to the FCC site, they're licensed for 18kw with no recent changes that I could tell.

I'm still awaiting power increases from WVLT, WKOP up here. Both still require alot of tropo enhancement (early a.m.) and even then have dropouts for me.
This DTV transition just isn't moving fast enough. I think FOX is still cutting power at certain periods of the day as well. Either that or it's just freaky conditions but it seems like their signal is often very poor in the morning and later in the evening (10ish) when you'd normally expect tropo enhancement and a good signal.

It may just the weather or something, but I was having trouble with PAX and now all is good. I put up a squareshooter today with preamp. I am still unable to get WMAK. I was able to pick up blue ridge, but had to turn it to do so. I am thinking of mounting it higher up and see what happens.

Sandy1202,
I really like my new Sony! The HD feed from the Olympics is absolutely amazing!! I played around with the settings to figure out that the "Zoom Full" setting is best for watching non HD feeds. I just received a video calibration DVD I ordered from Amaozon but haven't run through it yet. For standard TV my 27" Sony Triniton CRT had a better picture, but the HD programming makes the upgrade to the 50" Sony LCD rear projection worth the investment. It also helps to know that as the months progress I'll only be getting more HD programming. I have the DirecTV HD package and an antenna. By the way, my DVD player also looks great on the new TV.
I got a GREAT deal on it at the Best Buy in the Forum at 1604/35. Michael and Lance marked it down for me over $400 and I bought it when BB was running the 18 months free financing. Can't beat that!!

Originally posted by CurtisSATX
I really like my new Sony! The HD feed from the Olympics is absolutely amazing!! I played around with the settings to figure out that the "Zoom Full" setting is best for watching non HD feeds. For standard TV my 27" Sony Triniton CRT had a better picture, but the HD programming makes the upgrade to the 50" Sony LCD rear projection worth the investment. It also helps to know that as the months progress I'll only be getting more HD programming.

A 13" will look better than the 27" as well. It's because you are cramming all 480 lines of resolution into a smaller area. Concentrating resolutions into smaller spaces with equal quality of display devices the smaller one will always look better. HD does away with a lot of this when you are watching true HD programs but the theory is still there. HD on a 60" XBR950 is going to look better than HD on a 70" XBR950. Both share the same projector mechanism, having the same number of pixels, and if you cram those pixels into a smaller area the quality increases. at that point how far you sit from the unit comes into account and its just a matter of how much $$ you want to spend.

Personally, I never can stand using the Zoom features and stuff to artificially stretch the width of a screen with 4:3 content or using a mode which cuts off some of the picture. I can live with Pillar Boxed 4:3 content as long as I see it as it originally was meant to be seen. I'm a "original format" type of person regardless of aspect ratio. HD does shine on these units! Don't get your hopes up too much on the HD front yet though. We'll start seeing more Prime Time and sports in HD but I think we are years away from the studios settling on 16 x 9 as a standard for all of their airings. In 2006 when the digital mandate goes into effect I think you'll still be seeing a ton of 4:3 shows, they'll just be digital instead of analog is all. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for True 16x9 HD though. :)

I see the fox43 preseason game tonight 8/19 was not widescreen. When is the local fox affiliate going to pass the widescreen? Anyone know?
They missed all last season I hope they show widescreen NFL games this year.

They do at most fox OTA stations in the country. Not Knoxville...

Troy

They have never passed widescreen. However, they are ready for full HD when Fox offers it in September. We are lucky, really. I don't think any of our adjacent DMA Fox stations are ready.

I just wish I could receive them more consistently. I think something is up with their transmitter.

Yes, I'm certainly looking forward to next month when we start getting Fox in HD. Seems like hell has frozen over.. Fox doing HD, seemed like it would never happen.

I called and talked to WMAK, and was told that they are having difficulty sourcing high-def material. He said that for shows like Becker that were origionally aried in hi-def, the syndicated version is only available in standard-def, which is really annoying. He said they are working hard to try and secure some high-def programming, but to this point they haven't had any. (With the exception of some high-def screens on local commercials they have put together.)

Is WMAK going to do anything to improve reception for us to the north of them? I am getting ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, WB, PAX, UPN all in the upper 80's (no lower than 87%) and am getting WBIR at 94%. Why is it so hard to get WMAK? I have a friend who turned his very large ant to get it, but was still very weak.

They are directional to the south to protect from interfering with WLJC ch 7 digital in Beattyville, KY. The same reason I have no chance at it. I can't see that changing unless one of them changes channels.

I live in the SE corner of tennessee. I can get the analog stations ch 8 is the worst. My question is will the new digital stations be as strong as the old stations. I am working on a theater room and have bought the onkyo hts7600 and am debating between the x1 and benq 6200. I would like to try a hdtv receiver but will the stations be stronger in the future. Comcast is available but pricey for what you get.

I live in the SE corner of tennessee

That would put you in the Chattanooga DMA, correct?

They are directional to the south to protect from interfering with WLJC ch 7 digital in Beattyville, KY. The same reason I have no chance at it. I can't see that changing unless one of them changes channels.

I think they may be protecting it a little to much. All I can get is 3%, no lock.

According to the FCC site, WVLT was granted their digital license on 8/16/04. WKOP received theirs 8/2/04. Any speculation out there on either of these (hopefully both) increasing power soon? I have it second hand from WVLT's CE that they would be taking their power to "another level" this month. Anyone think there's a reason for both to simulataneously increase power since they're on the same tower? I don't know the details/ins and outs of such things but am hoping some here might.

Can anyone please assist in getting my OTA up and running? I'm using an HD10-250 and I live just off of Ball Camp about 8 miles West of the towers.

* red - uhf WVLT-DT 30.1 CBS Knoxville TN 76° 7.7 30
* red - uhf WTNZ-DT 43.2 FOX KNOXVILLE TN 74° 8.6 34
* red - uhf WKOP-DT 17.1 PBS Knoxville TN 76° 7.7 17
* red - uhf WBXX-DT 50.1 WB CROSSVILLE TN 310° 17.3 50
* red - uhf WATE-DT 6.1 ABC KNOXVILLE TN 74° 8.6 26
* red - uhf WBIR-DT 31.1 NBC Knoxville TN 74° 8.6 31
* blue - uhf WPXK-DT 54.1 PAX JELLICO TN 338° 18.2 23
* violet - uhf WFLI-DT 42 WB CLEVELAND TN 02-06 237° 84.6 42

All I really want are the majors (ABC,NBC,CBS,FOX) HDTV broadcasts.

I've tried everything from a Silver Sensor (indoors and out, with cables up 100' long run to my attic), to a CM3221 Bowtie, to a Square Shooter with no luck. The only preamp I've tried is the one that came with the Square Shooter, but I've ordered a CM preamp that will be here soon.

I've also tried attenuating the signal as some on the HDTivo boards suggested. Nothing works. I get a consisten signal in the 10-20% range with occasional spike as high as 60% that only last a second or two.

I'm on the side of a ridge (maybe a HAIR on the downhill/far side from the towers) with very tall trees in my back yard (60' or so, but not very thick since the hill drops off behind the first 30' or so of trees).

I really need a good installer locally, since the ones I've dealt with haven't gotten the job done. They just seem to do what I am able to do: stand around swinging an antenna and hoping for a signal!

PLEASE HELP!

I'm out in Maryville I've had my TV since before they increased power. I tested numerous antennas. The Zenith Silver was my main antenna until I gave this Radio Shack one a try. I've used it ever since. See my previous post, I get all the channels without turning it.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=15%2D1880&hp=search

Grendel2000
Here's a site with tons of antenna recommendations.I'm still working to get a stable signal,too.I had an antenna installed by Sharps(Winegard Pr-7042).It's a VHF/UHF combo that has fairly high gain on UHF.But the installer was pretty poor.I hope to adjust it this weekend.
If I can't get a solid set of signals on locals,I'll probably order either a Channel Master 4228 or a Winegard Pr-9032.So far I can get all but one local well(but if I adjust to get the poorest one better,another will drop off-frustrating!).
The site I've linked has all kinds of info on why antennas work,their quirks(and there are many),and what to look for.

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html

I'm near Cedar Bluff at Middlebrook,so we should be close in proximity.

Did you try to locate the "square shooter" outdoors? It has reasonably directional charteristics.

At 8 miles distant signal strength should not be a problem but multipath may be keeping you from reception.

One trick that might help is to use the analog signal from channel 43 as a guide to antenna positioning. Orient the antenna for minimum ghosting. This "trick" has the possibility of helping because WATE-DT, WBIR-DT, and WTNZ-DT share the same transmit antenna as WTNZ analog.



Originally posted by grendel2000
Can anyone please assist in getting my OTA up and running? I'm using an HD10-250 and I live just off of Ball Camp about 8 miles West of the towers.

* red - uhf WVLT-DT 30.1 CBS Knoxville TN 76° 7.7 30
* red - uhf WTNZ-DT 43.2 FOX KNOXVILLE TN 74° 8.6 34
* red - uhf WKOP-DT 17.1 PBS Knoxville TN 76° 7.7 17
* red - uhf WBXX-DT 50.1 WB CROSSVILLE TN 310° 17.3 50
* red - uhf WATE-DT 6.1 ABC KNOXVILLE TN 74° 8.6 26
* red - uhf WBIR-DT 31.1 NBC Knoxville TN 74° 8.6 31
* blue - uhf WPXK-DT 54.1 PAX JELLICO TN 338° 18.2 23
* violet - uhf WFLI-DT 42 WB CLEVELAND TN 02-06 237° 84.6 42

All I really want are the majors (ABC,NBC,CBS,FOX) HDTV broadcasts.

I've tried everything from a Silver Sensor (indoors and out, with cables up 100' long run to my attic), to a CM3221 Bowtie, to a Square Shooter with no luck. The only preamp I've tried is the one that came with the Square Shooter, but I've ordered a CM preamp that will be here soon.

I've also tried attenuating the signal as some on the HDTivo boards suggested. Nothing works. I get a consisten signal in the 10-20% range with occasional spike as high as 60% that only last a second or two.

I'm on the side of a ridge (maybe a HAIR on the downhill/far side from the towers) with very tall trees in my back yard (60' or so, but not very thick since the hill drops off behind the first 30' or so of trees).

I really need a good installer locally, since the ones I've dealt with haven't gotten the job done. They just seem to do what I am able to do: stand around swinging an antenna and hoping for a signal!

PLEASE HELP!

Has anyone else noticed that WKOP (channel 15-1) has really bad sound? Not only do they not pass dolby digital 5.1, but there is a static sound in the background whenever there is anyone speaking or any sound. Makes the Sound Stage concerts and most of the other programming not that enjoyable to watch.

Yea, I have noticed it to. I even sent them and email about it. It is not always bad, but it seems that when it is something worth watching like a concert or something thats when they have all the static. It may be one of their decks has a bad cable or something. They did not reply to my email.

(this is a post I intended for this thread and it ended up on the main forum:so I'm duplicating it here.....sorry)


I'm struggling to get a good signal OTA.Some days I get no break-up and some days it is a problem.I feel like I must be close to getting a stable signal,but not quite there.I can adjust the antenna to get rock solid signals on most channels,but always have one or two that are not good.I have a Winegard PR-7042,which is a VHF/UHF antenna that was installed by Sharps in Knoxville(didn't seem to know what they were doing).It is rated at about 11dB gain(UHF) by Winegard.They rate some of their other antennas up to 15+ dB(the PR-9032 and 9022).The 8 bay PR-8800 is rated at 12 dB.
I also see where many folks use the Channel Master 8-bay(CM4228) and the CM4248 Yagi style.
Is anyone using any of these?My setup has the antenna's RG6 going into a diplexer which combines the antenna signal with the satellite.If I add a Channel Master CM 7775 preamp,does everything go on the antenna line BEFORE it gets to the diplexer?I assume the antenna leg would still not pass power in this setup?I'm really a neophyte at all this.Any advice will be greatly appreciated.Fred(Cedar Bluff area,Knoxville).

WB20 out? Or is it just me? I am getting about 87% sig (it drops to 0% every now and then) Are they having problems or (hopfully) upgrading to HD?

WB20 out?

It's been out for me for a few days as well. I can still intermittently lock on it, but never a picture.

That's what I'm getting also. Wonder if they are upgradding to HD? I hope so.

Only if they changed their plans. I called before asking when they were going to upgrade to HD, and they told me 2006.

Who can we email, write or call to complain about the cruddy OTA NBC Olympic feed with all the artifacts?

What's up with this turning off and on the HD early/late? Monday Night Football HD didn't start until right before the kickoff was caught! The entire beginning was all in HD and we missed it. I noticed also they will cut the HD signal off early when you are watching something like CSI or other stuff.

WHAT A CROCK!

Yea, having to put up with local affiliates is really annoying. I sure wish that the satellite companies could provide a good full bandwidth feed from New York or somewhere, but of course, they aren't allowed to do that if you get any local affiliate.. so, we just have to put up with them not "flipping the switch" (why isn't this automated anyway) all the time, and subchannels that crap out the picture all the time. Makes me almost not want to watch the local channels at all with the crap we have to put up with.

I've wondered if they have been doing it as a passive protest because of the ability to copy the 1080i signals, etc.

Unfortunately, I think it illustrates that HD is simply not a priority yet. They'll have to shape up as more viewers come online.

This will be a time to remember. "remember when" they had live broadcast that were a testing playground?

I have a 1080i tape of ABC's HD Loop. I watched the last few minutes of one of the NBA championship games whilst waiting for the local news to ever begin, back in June. When the game ended they forgot to flip the switch. So, I was seeing the network's loop. After the first go, I thought I should record it. I got out a tape and got the whole 3rd loop, after which, somebody did flip the switch about 18 minutes into the newscast. The loop is about 6 minutes, give or take a few centons.

There's a dude with a clapperboard that's dated in the late 90's. There's helicopter flying into New York City footage set to industrial rock. Then there's a tour of the new HD Good Morning America studio. There's an HD commercial for the Monsters Inc. movie. There's several splash screens with ABC logos. There's footage of a space shuttle and various Cape Kennedy shots, but instead of the original audio....you get a 5.1 surround sound test complete with 50 hz burp and test tones going round the mains.

It can be fun when they flub up!

Yes, but most of the time it's just annoying. You're half way though a TV show, and all of a sudden they come back from commercial break and now you're in 4X3 SD, and have to watch a crappy picture for the last half of the show.

Originally posted by Rachael Bellomy

There's a dude with a clapperboard that's dated in the late 90's.

I've seen that. It came on one night late.

Anybody else have problems with Fox tonight? I've had constant breakups
all evening (unwatchable). It is often inconsistent but not this bad. It may be tropo to blame.

Had a storm this PM and was watching WBIR (NBC) on 10-1when it went blank and the "searching for antenna" message came on.Now it's at 31-1 and 10-1 is blank on my D****** HR10-250.Anybody else having this anomaly?Will it remap itself?

Also noticed HBO_HD and SHO_HD have moved to channels 70 and 71 today.

same problem here, 10-1 remapped also, channel 6-1 was half black tonight with gree stripes.

At least it's not the receiver going kaput!Maybe they'll get it corrected soon.

Is WB20 still out? Whats up with them? Or is it me?

Same here,still out!

Hi,

My dad has a widescreen SD TV. He has signed up for Charter, and has just their standard SD box. He would like to be able to view the HD channels so that he can get the widescreen part even though he wouldn't be able to view the higher resolution on his TV. Does anyone know which HD box Charter is providing for Farragut, TN? Also, if you happen to know if the box is capable of outputting HD channels at 480i, that is specifically what I'm trying to figure out. Would just ask Charter, but they seemed clueless about their equipment & what it can do.

Thanks.

Sean Dudley

Did he get one of those 30" ones they had a Sams Club a while back?

Sean: That box will not output HD, if it can only do 480i. Hd is either 720P
or 1080i.It's just a standard SD box. Does Charter not have a HD box?
Is comcast an alternative? Why not go to sat? Either Dish or Direct. It's a
shame to have a HD set and get the crap that cable provides. Is the Tv capable of HD since you say it is SD wide screen?

Hi,

No, he didn't get the TV at Sam's.. he got it quite a while back before HDTVs were available.

Citco,

Thanks for the reply. I think you misunderstood my question, though. Charter does have an HD box, but his tv is just an SD TV, but it is widescreen. So, he would like to be able to get the HD box to view the HD channels in widescreen. Since it is just a widescreen SDTV, he would have to get the output out of the HD Box in 480i. He called Charter again, and they were able to tell him that the HD box they are offering is their "latest Motorola box". Anyone know if that box is capable of outputting 480i for the HD channels?

Thanks.

Sean Dudley

Shawn I just purchased a 27 inch analog Tv for my bedroom and was curious to this as you are so ..........I decided to hook up my Samsung 160 from the living room to the new set and it will most definately produce a widescreen picture but only at 480i thru component or 240 standard tv thru s-video.....but it will most definately give you a widescreen picture...........P.S IF you tune to a HD program the picture will look alot better than any analog channels!

Any other tennis fans out there? I noticed that for the second year in a row that someone at WVLT forgot to throw the switch on labor day so that we tennis fans cannot watch the US Open tennis in HDTV. It was SD 4x3 for the times that I watched it. I tried to call the station to get someone to throw the switch, but they don't answer the phone on weekends or holidays. I don't see why it can't be automatic, but there must be some plausible explanation. It is annoying anyway especially if you are planning something with guests to gather around the TV for a sporing event or other special occasion. By the way for the part of the US Open thats being carried on USA it is also available in HDTV on channel 74 directv (Bravo HD)
Larry

I have those goofballs on speed dial....man they frustrate me....

I call the news hotline...they almost always answer, then I ask to be transferred to engineering....works most the time.

They always give me some BS about CBS is not sending a HD signal, but then 3 min later.....the HD is there.....

Why this is not automated I have no idea.....


But....I feel your pain

Sean: I definitely misread your post on the wide screen TV.
Sorry,
Ed

Yea, a couple of nights ago I tried watching "Yes, Dear" which was in 4x3 standard. I called the news room, and he said he would have them fix it. About 20 minutes later, I called again, and he said that the feed was placed somewhere different on the satellite or something like that and that they didn't receive the HD feed like they were supposed to, so all the nights programs would be in SD. I decided to watch NBC after this happened.

They really don't seem to know what they are doing at WVLT. I think we all need to start calling them whenever they screw up and don't pass HD. Maybe if they get a bunch of calls bugging them every time they screw up they will take a little more care not to screw up all the time.

For those that don't know, the news room number, the only way you seem to be able to get ahold of them after hours is 865-450-8880.

Sean Dudley

By the way, my dad was able to find out what receiver is provided by Charter, and it can output the widescreen 480i on the HD channels. Thanks for the help everyone.

Sean Dudley

Anyone able to pull KSAT-DT in on 12-1? I currently can only receive it on 48-1 on 2 different high def receivers. I guess it is a PSIP problem. A call to the station got me no where (after hours, admittedly).

Originally posted by joealtus
Anyone able to pull KSAT-DT in on 12-1? I currently can only receive it on 48-1 on 2 different high def receivers. I guess it is a PSIP problem. A call to the station got me no where (after hours, admittedly).

Well, it's fixed now, not long after I called. That's great response.

Has everyone noticed that KABB (FOX) is now much higher power and hidef?

I saw over in the Fox HD thread that KABB had installed their splicer and should be transmitting HD. Haven't been able to watch it though since I'm now on TWC and they haven't added KABBHD yet. I guess I'll have to drag out the satellite HD receiver before the first HD Cowboys game. I was hoping I didn't have to do that.

jr

Well,WVLT's at it again.I called at 2:15 PM and 15 minutes later,the HD comes on for the US Open tennis!They acted like they had no idea what was wrong"but we'll look into it".
WVLT,Knoxville CBS. Phone 450-8880(engineering).

I pick up 12.1 no problem. (using internal tuner in Sony 34xs955)

KABBHD is not going to be on cable. (rumor I heard)
I get it off air with no problem. Guess we will see tomorrow. Two games in HD on Fox, including the Cowboys.

I will post results.

For the first time, WTNZ has provided a widescreen presentation, Fox News this morning. I don't think it's HD. HD football comes later today, though, as well as an HD movie tonight.

Woohoo!

Will someone call WVLT and tell them to throw the switch...................Im getting 4x3 sd picture.....................

Is that enough acronyms for you.

Redskins and TB looks a little grainy and not nearly as good as ESPNHD games last night. I guess for the first try not bad.

i called them...the lady on the news line got snippy with me...

the screen flickered 16x9 green.....

still SD......


The idiots who work the weekends (when all the good HDTV programing is on) have no clue....

why is this not addressed by management.....

they never did flip the US open last night

Here it is. HD from Fox for the first time. 5.1 seems to be working as well.
Looks very good but maybe a little ?overcontrasted. Could be the bright sun on Washington's jerseys.

Our local CBS station pisses me off. I'm going to start calling them every time I see a problem. I think I will call during the day when higher ups are there to complain, too. It's rediculous that they make their business an aparent hobby that they really don't care about. Get someone in there that knows what the heck they are doing!

Is WVLT capable of passing 5.1 audio?????????????I'm finaly getting 16x9 HD but with DD 2.0 only!!!!!!!!!!!!I sanybody else getting 5.1????

KABB OTA 720p DD5.1


Looks very good. Much better than the TB-Redskins game. Some of that may have to do with the fact that this game in inside.

Originally posted by cpcat
Here it is. HD from Fox for the first time. 5.1 seems to be working as well.
Looks very good but maybe a little ?overcontrasted. Could be the bright sun on Washington's jerseys.

The game did look very good and there wasn't any sound problems with the 5.1.

Are you guys getting a light hissing sound with PBS HD?

And what is WMAK? Some FOX station in Chattanooga?

Originally posted by Jamie571
The game did look very good and there wasn't any sound problems with the 5.1.

Are you guys getting a light hissing sound with PBS HD?

And what is WMAK? Some FOX station in Chattanooga?

I got some audio dropouts on the FOX HD football presentation. Was very happy to see them passing DD 5.1, though.

PBS-HD (WKOP) has a problem where they have a background hiss sound when their is audio on many or all of their programs. It is very annoying, especially when trying to watch something like SoundStage. I have called them and reported it. They said they didn't know anything about it, and were unable to monitor their digital feed, but would look into it. That has been over a month ago now.

Regarding what WMAK is, that is the newest channel in the Knoxville market. It is a local indepentent channel. They are supposed to have a lot of HD content, but have had difficulty actually obtaining the HD content. To my knowledge, they haven't actually had an HD show yet. They do have some things they produce that are shown in HD like some local commercial spots.

Originally posted by quickfire
Is WVLT capable of passing 5.1 audio?????????????I'm finaly getting 16x9 HD but with DD 2.0 only!!!!!!!!!!!!I sanybody else getting 5.1????

At this time, WVLT and most CBS affiliates don't pass 5.1. (Don't know if any affliliates pass it or not, but WVLT sure doesn't). As far as I know, the only Knoxville stations to pass DD 5.1 are ABC & as of today, FOX.

thanks for the info Sean.

I think I typed too soon. The Fox HD started getting a lot of audio breakups and drop outs.

I suggest we send the station manager a email and ask him to review his policy for fliping the switch on HDTV.

chris.baker@wvlt-tv.com

I think they had a lot of calls yesterday....the lady who picked up the newsline, said...."we know, we know"

Let him know what you think.....

UT Fla is on HDTV....they botch this one.....would not be good...

OK, I sent the following email to Chris:

Hi Chris,

I am one of your viewers, and would like to ask if you can do something to take care of the failure to switch to 1080i on HD programs quite often. (After coming back from commercials.) Most of the time when I try to watch something on CBS, someone will forget to "flip the switch" and suddenly I'll be stuck in 480i 4x3 mode. Sometimes I call to try and get them to correct this, but then I miss part of the program I am trying to watch. Is there not a way you can set this up to it is automated? Obviously depending on someone to flip a switch doesn't work very well since they forget to do it all the time. Please do something to correct this problem.

Thanks.

Sean Dudley

I am also a big tennis fan, but I didn't stay at home to watch the US Open mainly because I figured they wouldn't throw the switch. This is the second year in a row. I have sent e-mails to Chris Baker, but they have been ignored.
Larry Raulston

TWC did not show the Cowboy game in HD yesterday. Since KABB broadcasted the game in HD OTA, does anybody know why TWC here in SAT hasn't picked up KABB HD? How can they have Fox Sports Net, channel 150, yet not have the main Fox channel?

The rumor I heard said that TWC and KABB had no plans for HD on cable.

Like I said "Rumor".

It looked and sounded great OTA. (a few audio drops here and there)

Boy, did ESPNHD come along just in time. They blow everyone away with their games. (IMHO)

4$$ & more $$$$$ you want it ALL??

Originally posted by egrady
TWC did not show the Cowboy game in HD yesterday. Since KABB broadcasted the game in HD OTA, does anybody know why TWC here in SAT hasn't picked up KABB HD? How can they have Fox Sports Net, channel 150, yet not have the main Fox channel?

With FoxSportsNet you bargain with Fox corporate. With KABB you bargain with Sinclair. I have heard that Sinclair is asking for a fee from TWC in order to carry KABB-HD. To my knowledge TWC is not paying any other local station to carry their HD channel and will not ever pay for one. You have to believe that TWC is being bombarded by all the Cowboy's fans here but I don't think they will budge on this.

I dragged out my old DTC-100 yesterday to watch the Fox games and thought they looked pretty good. The first quarter of the Redskins game was not HD here and may not have been HD anywhere judging by the comments around the country. AFter the first quarter though someone switched to the correct feed and it looked good thereafter.

jr

John,

Thanks for the information. I thought the battles were over when ESPN HD showed up out of the blue last weekend.

I have to side with TWC on this one. If they pay extra to KABB, the other locals will be right behind them and the cost will be passed on to us. Since TWC is already paying to broadcast Fox programing, asking them to pay again for the same material in HD is strained. If I remember correctly, TWC beat KMOL into submission on this point. Lets hope they do the same with KABB before the season is gone.

The cable compnays no longer get a FREE RIDE when it comes to carrying a local TV station as they had in the analog past. The cable co's made billions by being able to carry locals for free. That ship has sailed with the coming of the digital age, and the subsequent ability for them to get paid for it. The FCC now allows local stations to charge companys that want to re-broadcast their digital signal. Analog was the other way around, with cable co's getting them for free not having to pay a red cent to the stations.

I was surprised to learn all this but I can definitely see why the stations want people like TWC to pony up some dough. Your complaints need to go to the cable compnay for being tightwads. Their unwillingness to pay is why you don't have that station. And they can't go outside your market to pick up someone elses either from what I understand (which isn't much). So burn down Time Warners phone lines, when enough of their subscribers complain they'll start to address the situation with their pocketbooks.

I received a response back from Chris pretty quickly (within only an hour or two). What he said is below. Hopefully this problem will be a thing of the past soon:

Thanks Sean,

We just met about this issue this morning. We have installed an automation device which should take care of your concern, but we are still working out some bugs. One problem is that CBS has been switching coordinates on us last minute. We are letting them know of the problem as well. The problem you are now seeing in not that our folks are forgetting, but rather the automation is not aware of changes which formerly our people would havecaught. We are addressing these and putting new procedures in place to deal with them. Thanks for your very constructive input. Please never hesitate to write with such input or concerns. Thanks for your patience.

Chris

Very cool......power of the internet...a few emails and phone calls and now its a big deal for them.


I dont 100% buy his response, still seems like the problems on the weekends when the "B" team is on duty.


Thanks to all who emailed.

Cip

Does anyone know if the Tennessee Florida game on CBS Saturday night is going to be in HD? I know last year the only game in HD was at 3:00pm

Yes it is scheduled to be in HD.

Hopefully Ivan wont bring to much rain and CBS decide to HDTV the earlier game.

They dont like to get the $$$ equipment wet when they dont have to.

But if you check CBS Sports website, http://www.sportsline.com/cbssports

Following the in-studio broadcast, CBS Sports presents the LSU-Auburn matchup from Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama (3:30 - 7:00 p.m., ET). And, stay tuned to CBS Sports later Saturday as the Florida Gators travel to Neyland Stadium to take on the Tennessee Volunteers. The Florida-Tennessee game is also available in HDTV (8:00 - 11:00 p.m., ET).


This is also confirmed from the local station manager.


Cip

Hi,

I also asked Chris another question which I thought some of you may be interested in the reponse to:

My Question:

Hi Chris,

I had another quick question for you if you don't mind. I was wondering if
your organization has any plans to have UPN 30 on its own separate channel
at some point? It would be nice to be able to get the shows on UPN in
HD. I realize that with UPN and CBS both being on the same digital channel
that there isn't the bandwidth to do HD on both channels at the same time,
and thus we don't get any HD on the UPN sub-channel.

Thanks.

Sean Dudley


Response:

Due to duopoly laws, we cannot currently own 2 stations in the Knoxville
market. If this changes, and should there be a second signal available, we
would certainly consider it. For now we are looking forward to new
technology which will allow us to compress the signal and offer 2 channels
in HD. We are told it is not that far away. I hope this answers your
question. I appreciate your interest. Have a great day.
Thanks,
Chris

Sean, Thanks for your efforts to get WVLT on track. Since you got a response from Chris Baker I'll not bother him with what were my complaints. I don't want the people at the station to think that I've got nothing better to do than complain about something like that which is probably not even on their radar screen. I guess we should be pretty thankful for what we're getting especially from the free OTA programming. I'm sure the broadcasters see HDTV as a big expense and in terms of sheer numbers we're not even in the Neilsen ratings system. I do think that will be changing soon. You know there is nothing in the law that says that the broadcasters have to provide us with any HDTV. The law only says that they have to broadcast a digital signal.

You know it hasn't been too long since the only HDTV available was HBO on directv and the endless directv demo loop which I'm ashamed to say I probably watched 25 times. Now I can watch 12 HDTV channels. As good as it is though and I have some of the best equipment that you can buy its not as good as the Japanese Muse system that I saw many years ago on a professional Sony HDTV monitor. Very few of us have actually seen what HDTV has to offer. Most of what most of us are watching only offers part of the resolution of HDTV. The only way that you can see it now is with a 9" CRT FP or the new Sony Qualia or JVC HD2K.
Larry

Larry, I have a Muse decoder. It will do OTA or cable Muse, however they delivered it, I'm not sure. I got it to decode Muse LD's. I'm ready if we switch systems! ;)

I'll just have to wait until it's time to upgrade.. I'll make sure whenever I do upgrade displays that it will be a display capable of the highest resolution available at the time. Can only upgrade so often, though, or you go bankrupt :) .

I don't really care if TWC does not carry Fox. I get it off air and it is a great signal. I do have one tv without a tuner and would be concerned if the other locals were not on cable. I probably would not pay extra, just go out and get a tuner.

As far as I know, all FOX has in HD is football anyway. I just watch it out in my den (hdtv with tuner)

Fox has North Shore and a few other new series out this year. Last year they had 24. And in some citys (Austin) the OTA signal is not receivable due to extremely low broadcast power.

Well WVLT blew it even though the game was on....

I thought I noticed how bad the PQ was...but I thought I was being overly critical....

I read some posts in the Fla Ten thread and its obvious that the CBS stations who multi cast had a poor picture and those who did not had what was called the best CBS PQ ever.....


Im gonna fire off another email ......im still sorta ticked off..


Did you guys notice how bad the pixelation was?

ESPN game was on at same time and it was so much better.

Cip

I saw hundred of thousands, maybe millions of pixels?:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Cipro

Did you guys notice how bad the pixelation was?


It wasn't as bad as the olympics. I have a 60" Philips, I also believe the size of the TV enhances the visable artifacts.

Overall, I have to say I was satisified with the PQ, especially when put up against the Olympics.

It was definately not as good as Monday night football.

Any comments on Fox NFL football HD today?

Originally posted by Cipro
Well WVLT blew it even though the game was on....

I thought I noticed how bad the PQ was...but I thought I was being overly critical....

I read some posts in the Fla Ten thread and its obvious that the CBS stations who multi cast had a poor picture and those who did not had what was called the best CBS PQ ever.....


Im gonna fire off another email ......im still sorta ticked off..


Did you guys notice how bad the pixelation was?

ESPN game was on at same time and it was so much better.

Cip

The picture quality was Hideous! The focus problems and the pixelization were equally annoying. I am calling engineering tomorrow to let them have it. Something has to be done....

Who are you calling about the focus problem, the camera crew?

Originally posted by hotshot
Who are you calling about the focus problem, the camera crew?

No, the focus issue was only observed on affiliates that were multicasting. The "focus" issue extends beyond the actual action; it is visible even on the computer graphics. Obviously it is not a camera focus issue, it is apparently some kind of artifact induced at the local station. If you look at the Florida UT thread in HDTV programming forum, you can read how the picture was pristine on those stations without a subchannel, but pixelization and the "focus" issue were both visible in markets where there is a subchannel, including Knoxville.

Hey, I am in Maryville and I just got WEMT 39.1 FOX from Greenville to come in with my Radio Shack Amplified indoor antenna!

Hotshot, I can't get 39.1 . Are you on a ridgetop with some decent elevation? I used to get 39's analog channel when I lived in a tall apartment building that put me up several hundred feet up and was on a hilltop to boot, in Knoxville, I should add. I'm beting you're sitting at 1000 feet, or more...? I'm too low, apparently. :)

No, I'm in Maryville in a sub division near the mountains, but in the foothills.

Originally posted by hotshot
No, I'm in Maryville in a sub division near the mountains, but in the foothills.

Yeah, but as you go east elevation goes up. A few hundred feet would make a difference on getting a sight line. Just because you don't live on top of Chilhowee Mountain doesn't mean you don't have decent elevation. I'm at about 850, I live near the river, near the bottom of the bowl. You're proably a little higher than you suspect? Surely 2-400 feet above me!:)

Maryville is south (http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&un=m&2tabval=address&cl=EN&ct=NA&1tabval=address&1y=US&1a=&1c=knoxville&1s=tn&1z=&1ah=&2y=US&2a=&2c=maryville&2s=tn&2z=&2ah=&idx=0&id=414fb229-00076-03541-400c2531&aid=414fb229-00077-03541-400c2531&bs.x=0&bs.y=0) of Knoxville

Originally posted by hotshot
Maryville is south (http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&un=m&2tabval=address&cl=EN&ct=NA&1tabval=address&1y=US&1a=&1c=knoxville&1s=tn&1z=&1ah=&2y=US&2a=&2c=maryville&2s=tn&2z=&2ah=&idx=0&id=414fb229-00076-03541-400c2531&aid=414fb229-00077-03541-400c2531&bs.x=0&bs.y=0) of Knoxville

Yeah, 'an a bit east too. If you don't live in Friendsville or Louisville, down by the river/s, the altitude goes up gradually in your county. I'm glad you're getting 39. I wish I could. When I could get 39 at Shelbourne Towers years ago, I figured I was at 1100 feet or a bit more. People on the lower floors didn't get it. There's an analogy, have made I. :)

Maryville is South West of Knoxville. click here, print map line up ruler if the eye is off (http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&un=m&2tabval=address&cl=EN&ct=NA&1tabval=address&1y=US&1a=&1c=knoxville&1s=tn&1z=&1ah=&2y=US&2a=&2c=maryville&2s=tn&2z=&2ah=&idx=0&id=414fb229-00076-03541-400c2531&aid=414fb229-00077-03541-400c2531&bs.x=0&bs.y=0)

WOAI-DT is about to increase horsepower! We outfitted the transmitter with a new Holley 4 barrel, headers, and a dual Flowmaster exhaust. :D

Seriously, we just installed an additional transmitter cabinet that will take WOAI-DT to full maximum power. We should be at full power on Friday 9/24, possibly sooner.

Please give me some feedback. If you are receiving WOAI-DT over the air, please send me an e-mail detailing any improvements or changes you notice in signal strength, and/or picture and sound quality. Also include your approximate location and any info about your receiver/antenna that you think would be beneficial for me to know.

Appreciate it!

Regards-

Thanks Greg. Maybe sometime soon I can get rid f the 14 ft antenna on my roof. :)

jr

It's tropo. Over the past few days I've intermittently been able to tune stations from Louisville, Bowling Green, and Nashville. The crappy thing is that it messes up the locals as well. WEMT has also come in but very sporadically. Several weeks ago I got Paducah. You can go to http://home.cogeco.ca/~dxinfo/tropo.html
for the latest tropo forecasts.

Andrew,

Did you get any info out of WVLT? CSI Miami monday night was so bad compared to last year....


Cip

What are you guys viewing WVLT with? I have a Samsung t-351 OTA and it looked fine.

Does anyone know when WTNZ will increase their signal strength? I live in Grainger county near Rutledge and all the other digital stations come in OK.

The company that installed my OTA antenna said an Amp would not be needed. I am still getting a flaky signal even with a new UHF antenna. Does anyone know if the amp would help and if so which on I should get?

Long time lurker, first time poster.

To make a long story short, I'm about to drop some dough on a new Mitsubishi 62525 DLP within the next two weeks. I've a few questions concerning TWC:

1. The Mitsu model above supports CableCard. I'd prefer using it over a set top box. I'd like some feedback on how the CableCard seems to be working...any problems, concerns?


2. I know KABB (FOX) is still not available on TWC. As I live outside of Converse, will I need to spring for a large antenna, or would a small indoor antenna do the trick?


3. Or, should I ditch TWC entirely and get my HDTV from DirectTV. Pros, cons? What do you recommend?



Thanks in advance!

1. Are cablecards even available yet? I sure haven't heard anything.

2. I think KABB must have a decent amount of power since I'm picking them up fine with a very directional antenna pointed in the opposite direction. Try a small antenna to start.

3. I have TWC and have the SA8000HD HD DVR. Once you have a way to timeshift HD you won't want to give it up. Also, DirecTV is not always passing the full HD bandwidth on all their channels whereas TWC apparently does. TWC also has FoxSportsNet HD which should have quite a few Spurs games on this year. TWC has INHD1 and INHD2 and DirecTV does not.

jr

2. KABB increased their transmission power within the last 2-3 weeks. It is one of the strongest signals I get now. Trying a small antenna first is a good idea.

3. I'm not so sure that TWC passes full bandwith and I wouldn't believe them if they told me that they did (they've told me 2 seasons straight that they will "definitely" have NFL sunday ticket "next season" among other things that have never panned out or been outright false). DirecTV is apparenlty not passing full bandwith only on ShowtimeHD and HDNet movies. This is b/c they are carrying all the Sunday NFL games in HD as part of the Sunday Ticket. DirecTV carries BravoHD and TWC does not. TWC carries InHD 1 & 2, FSN, and TNTHD and DirecTV does not.

I've never seen the compression artifacts that people complain about from Directv so that's why I assumed we're getting full bandwidth.

I forgot about TNTHD. If you're a basketball fan then there should be many HD games on there this year.

jr

Thanks for the info....looks as though I'll be going with TWC.

I just got off the phone with TWC's customer service, and they said they do have the CableCard available, however, due to a bug, it only works with Panasonic TVs. Since I plan on getting a Mitsubishi 62525 before the week is out, I guess I'll have to use their STB until they've worked out all the issues with the CableCard.

Try the HD DVR. You won't go back to a cablecard I promise you.

jr

Originally posted by Colorado
The company that installed my OTA antenna said an Amp would not be needed. I am still getting a flaky signal even with a new UHF antenna. Does anyone know if the amp would help and if so which on I should get?

What city are you in? I have this antenna in Maryville and it rocks.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=15-1880

The thought of the HD DVR has crossed my mind...but does the box have firewire? I did a Google search on the 8000HD and discovered that there are some that have it, and some disabled. Which one is TWC here in SA using?

If not, looks as though I'll be checking in with TWC occasionally to see if they have received a new version of the cablecard that works with Mits.

As far as I know the only HD output we have on the HD DVR here in SA is the component output.

jr

Does anyone know when WTNZ will increase their signal strength? I live in Grainger county near Rutledge and all the other digital stations come in OK.

Drop an email to their CE. He's very responsive to questions and seems very interested in customers receiving an adequate signal. I have some problems with it as well. The address is ttheilmann@wtnzfox43.com.

I went around and around with TWC over a cablecard for my new Sony. They even sent a tech out (why they have to send someone out I will never understand but...) His first comment was " what is a cablecard"

I finally got someone to tell me that they only have the cards for the Panasonic (do you think if you told them you had a Panasonic, they would tell you they only have cards for a Sony?) called them again the other day, still no word on when they will have any. Was told by someone at Bjorns that Mits rep was there to help get cc to work with a mits tv
I have complained to Bjorns about this (since they are partnered with TWC)

I want a CC an the DVR. I got the dvr instead of a stb to hold me over until I get the cc and I love it. I am going to keep it but still want the CC.

No firewire. Just component. and a DVI that is not active (i have been told)

There is an new 8300 version coming that has firewire as an option i believe.

FYI about sunday ticket.. DirecTV and NFL signed an extension last year they have 4 more exclusive seasons left on the extension after this season.

Originally posted by Cipro
Andrew,

Did you get any info out of WVLT? CSI Miami monday night was so bad compared to last year....


Cip

I thought CSI looked okay.. not as good as I have seen though... but something like a football game with all its fast action is really required to see the over compression...

and no, I did not seem to get anywhere with WVLT...

Andrew

Well, I finally got my Mits WD-62525. I also ponied up and got the HD DVR box from TWC. So far, everything is working like a champ. I even was able get my DVHS to sucessfully record FOX HD programming from KABB's OTA signal via antenna. I'm set.

BTW, what network is the Super Bowl on this year? If it's Fox, that's even more incentive for TWC to get busy and add FOX HD programming to their lineup in our area.

Trying to watch WTNZ(Fox) ch43 this afternoon (NFL in high def) and it's totally unwatchable due to pixelization.All the other locals are perfect.Anybody else having really low signal strength on Fox?

Originally posted by aVOLanche
Trying to watch WTNZ(Fox) ch43 this afternoon (NFL in high def) and it's totally unwatchable due to pixelization.All the other locals are perfect.Anybody else having really low signal strength on Fox?

Its not in High Def here.... 4:3 SD.

Andrew,you're right,SD.But I still can't get a signal to stay locked.Is yours OK?

Originally posted by aVOLanche
Andrew,you're right,SD.But I still can't get a signal to stay locked.Is yours OK?


Yeah... I have a good signal locked... have a large rooftop antenna, in Lenoir City... sometimes I do have a problem locking WTNZ and WVLT, though.....

Andrew

What's up with WB20? It's going in and out. My signal strength is 91%.

This is getting old.WVLT channel 8-1 in Knoxville;"Clubhouse" was to be in HD at 9 PM.It wasn't.Called at 9:15 and HD came on at 9:30.The employee said "we are having trouble with the AUDIO in HD".How could that be when they weren't even broadcasting HD?The audio was fine(video,too).Sounds like CYA type BS to me!

about the last 1/3 of NCIS was not in HD.....happned after a commercial break, and the Clubhouse show did not start in HD.

NCIS also was not in hd for the first segment.

Because its Manual they are going to screw it up. People that work that shift just dont get it I guess.


Knoxville's own David Keith was the bad guy on NCIS last night.


Im gonna reference that when I voice another complaint.

Its sad that they cant get this right.....

Cip

It sure can't hurt to call them every time they screw up.Maybe they will "get it" and quit making excuses.
We are certainly not seeing this problem with the other local channels.........WVLT(CBS)....phone...450-8880.

I get nice strong signals from OTA ABC,FOX, and NBC for HDTV but KENS is about 15-20% lower and barely acceptable. It is supposedly being transmitted from the same area. What gives? Will it get better?

Originally posted by martin45
I get nice strong signals from OTA ABC,FOX, and NBC for HDTV but KENS is about 15-20% lower and barely acceptable. It is supposedly being transmitted from the same area. What gives? Will it get better?

My understanding is that KENS transmits at a lower power than WOAI, KSAT, or KABB.

I'm a little perturbed with KENS right now b/c of their low power and their audio transmission. On the CBS programs that are not DD 5.1, KENS transmits them as DD 2.0 in such a way that receivers are locked in as stereo audio only. I've communicated with other CBS affiliate engineers who indicate that there is a way for KENS to configure their equipment so that the DD 2.0 signal can be processed as DPL or DPLII (or even DTS Neo for that matter). It's just a matter of KENS going to Dolby engineers to figure out how to set up their equipment. I've communicated with KENS on this, but so far they've just thanked me for the information but done nothing to fix it.

Jerry Paonessa is KENS' engineering supervisor. He occassionally posts in this topic under the name Realthogue.

I live near downtown and get KENS digital OTA ok. I did notice a couple of brief moments of pixelation last night. I was watching OTA and not over TWC.

I have always had a hard time getting a real good analog signal for KENS. I would think that it would definately be difficult in Boerne.

Has anyone else noticed KENS-DT picture blinking, like white colors turned pink momenterely and then back again. It was happening on a regular basis last night. KENS is the only channel that is doing it on my tuner, all the other channels are fine.

Just checking to see that it is not my HD tuner

Originally posted by Zagor
Has anyone else noticed KENS-DT picture blinking, like white colors turned pink momenterely and then back again. It was happening on a regular basis last night. KENS is the only channel that is doing it on my tuner, all the other channels are fine.

Just checking to see that it is not my HD tuner

What tuner and what show were you watching?

It was pretty much the entire evening all the way through the 10 oclock news. I haven't seen it tonight so maybe it was just a temporary thing. The only reason I brought it up was because last night was the second time I'd noticed it (The first time was last week). I also noticed it on my recorded shows that I taped using my Fusion3 gold HD card. I'll see if it happens again.

According to TitanTV WTNZ is only showing the late game today. FOX the network is offering a double-header. Anyone know the scoop?

I have not been able to get 15.1 PBS HD and the WB digital 20.1 in awhile. Is anyone else having problems or heard of problems with these?

If not I may have to move my antenna a bit. I'm right in Knoxville.

Troy

I'm getting PBS HD just fine. I've never picked up 20.1 .

My name is Lewis Cosby, General Manager of WMAK-DT Ch 7 KNoxville. I just found your forum yesterday. WMAK is digital only station, one of the first in the country. 7-1 is a HDTV 1089 i feed. 7-2 is a 4by3 aspect ratio 480 i feed for the cable companies to pick us on. We are one of the first station in the country to be able originate HDTV local signals not just a pass through of network signal. We are an independent station depending on the syndicators( Warner Bros, Sony, King World etc.) to provide us content in HDTV, At this time there is not much available. It is chicken before the egg issue. I believe this will change rather quickly as the market place will demand it. We have bought the rights to Sex and the City and I think that might be in HDTV .
All our local spots, promos and commericals we produce are in HDTV 1080 i. We have a HDTV camera shooting in 1080 i DVCPRO HD format. We edit on Apple G5 Final Cut Pro HD. This is the only HD equipment in Knoxville and maybe the only in the state. Our goal is to do some local HDTV content as we grow. The lead time on acquiring program is 2 years for syndicated product so when we signed on in August we were left with what was not picked over by the other station. For a sign on station, our scedule is pretty good. This is the third station that I have been associated with signing on in Knoxville. We started ch 8 in 1988 and WBXX ch 20 in 1997. Ch 7 might be the most fun. We share your excitement abour digital television especially HDTV. I have owned HDTV tuners for several years waiting on WATE to put up the first signal. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them. Lewis Cosby

Yes, I noticed the persistent blinking the other night on KENS. It was very distracting. Last night, I did not notice it.

About the signal strength......thanks for the input. I noticed yesterday during the NFL games that signal strength on all channels (regardless of whether they are broadcasting in HD or not) are less than during Prime Time. Why? I could barely keep a coherent picture on the KENS HD football game as the signal was barely above the poverty line. Does it cost that much more to run at full or near full power?

Great to have you aboard, Lewis. I'm in Corbin, KY and unfortunately I don't hold out much hope in ever receiving your signal. We have a digital religious channel on 7 in Beatyville and I guess the FCC won't let you broadcast my way. Maybe after the analog shutoff one of you will change and so you'll be able to shoot some power to the north.

lcosby, great to have you here. What little I have seen of your station it looks great. I do have a quetion for you. I live in New Tazewell, I am unable to get enough signal from Ch 7 to lock on. I do have a roof top ant and am able to get the "other" stations from knoxville. I am also on a hill. I have a pre amp also. There are several other people I know in this area that are having the same problem. Do you plane on increasing the signal coming our way, north. My signal is at 18% right now. Thanks for any info you can give and again, great to have you here.


Edit: FYI, I am getting 90%+ from the "others"

We have a directional signal to the north of Knoxville protecting DTV Ch 7 in Beatyville, KY. CPcat in Corbin will have a tough time receiving us. We are on Comunicom Cable in New Tazewell. They put a preamp on there ant near the top of the lead. A friend of mine watch us in Kingsport. Because of the cliff effect you either get DTV with a perfect picture or nothing. We are finding out that preamps can make a big difference. Harold do you receive WBXX-DT on Ch 50 and WPXK-DT on Ch 23? Unfortunatly, the FCC issued a freeze on August 8, 2004 to file upgrades pending sorting out the transition from anolog to digital.

I get WB20 on 20-1, not on 50. Don't get WPXK. I do have a pre amp. Yes Communicomm does carry 7, but their picture sux, and they lose it alot. I can't get anything from KY. Thank you.

Last evening, Monday, I noticed no perceptable increases in power during prime time. CBS - KENS was not really watchable as it wouldn't hold the signal. MNF was gorgeous on ABC.

Well, WVLT still looks like crap... the over compression due to multicasting is obvious...pixelization and loss of "focus integrity" as I like to call it... independent of any actual lenses... thats the only way I know how to describe it. Going to look for alternative ways to get the CBS feed.. like through Dish or Direct....

I just hooked up a new LG OTA HD reciever. Good repection on most channels, but all night I was unable to get a signal from CBS.
Can anyone comment?

Zagor, I noticed that color change/flicker also....I also have noticed that KENS signal has been weaker than usual...

Last evening (10/6) I could barely get KENS and at times only intermittently.


Question #1: Do all receivers measure signal strength on the same scale; i.e, 0-100? Just curious since if I say I received KENS at 53-58, will this mean the same thing to all others?

Question #2: Can signal strength vary 5-10% each time one tunes in the same station? I noticed last evening that when I first went to KENS I couldn't hold the picture and the signal was <50-55. I surfed through and then came back and got 55-59. It seems almost every other time I would get these alternating readings. I noticed this on ABC and NBC also but more in the 75-90 range. Is this a receiver issue?

Question #2.5: Are some receivers better than others in the signal strength dept?

Question #3: Not confined to the HDTV realm, why is there so much color, tint and brightness discrepencies between programs? Is this strictly artistic license or does transmission settings have some say so here? Example: Hawaii last evening. Color saturation and tint was ridiculous the few minutes I checked it out. It appeared everything was shot right at sunset with natural light (it wasn't), thus skin tones were all yellow-orange and very saturated. Law and Order has always been a shade on the dark side but pretty normal color, especially during interior scenes and still is in HD. Does everyone else adjust their TV for individual programs? I realize incandescent lighting, flourescents, etc., give off different tints and have no problem with that, but shouldn't anyone standing in natural light retain their natural skin tint, be it fair, tanned or whatever? In other words, why do skin tones on HDNet always look so darn natural?

So many questions, so little .........

Toshiba 52HM84
Dish 6000
Weingard OTA

Good luck. Unless WVLT offers you a waiver, Dish & Direct can't give you the CBS feed. :(

i finally got my hdtv up and going!!!!!! i tried the low profile square antenna, only pulled in a few channels with a weak signal. then i tried the channel master stealth antenna, i didn't pick up a thing. now i went to radio shack and picked up an outdoor antenna that is uhf only (#uf-75 i think) this is a small outdoor antenna unlike the huge combo vhf/uhf units. it works great and really isn't a bad sight on the side of the chimney. i have a ?. I'm getting all the channels now, but would like to know what my signal strength should be. they are high 70's on some and mid 80's on others. is it possible to get in the 90's??????? i'm south of knoxville on alcoa hwy.

As long as you're getting stable reception, don't worry about signal strength. With digital it's either there or not. The best you can do is stable picture/sound with no dropouts. The picture quality is otherwise unaffected by signal strength.

I watched 2-day's TN versus GA on WVLT. They seem to be getting worse. "Screen door" broadcasting at it's worst! Is it them or is 1080i just flawed for sports broadcasting?

Previous WVLT games have been better(still flawed,but much better).For some reason,tonight,I really don't care:)

Originally posted by Rachael Bellomy
I watched 2-day's TN versus GA on WVLT. They seem to be getting worse. "Screen door" broadcasting at it's worst! Is it them or is 1080i just flawed for sports broadcasting?

1080i looks wonderful at full bandwidth. When I lived in Hunstville, the presentations where absolutely outstanding. Ever since WVLT started multicasting, the picture on sports has stunk.

When 1080i is done right, it is my opinion that it handily beats 720p. But take bandwith away from it through multicasting, it can get bad real quick.

I am going to call WVLT and continue my crusade to take bandwith away from the multicast channel and put it back where it belongs.

Andrew, I wonder? I wasn't impressed with the men's NCAA basketball coverage last spring before the multicasting. ESPN's coverage of the women's NCAA just smoked CBS'es in every way, seemingly.

What can we do to influence or make a complaint against WVLT? This pixelization problem has taken mediocre down to the level of suck-city!

We just moved into a new home and got HD from Time Warner here in San Antonio. I need to know what is the latest greatest set top boxes here in San Antonio for both HD viewing and/or possibly HD-Recording. I also would like to know if TWC here in town has any box's with the DVI cable activated. The installer brought an HD box with no DVI and said he did not think they had DVI box's here in town...which i find hard to believe since DVI would be preferable for HD viewing. Any help would be appreciated.

FYI...i am currently using Scientific Atlantic Explorer 3100HD

in regards to time warner
check this site out

http://www.twc-sa.com/

they seem to have a reasonable deal on their tivo equivalent setup

D

I have one of the 8000hd recorders from twc-sa. it is ok. It is missing a lot of options I would like.

DVI or HDMI with passthrough
Some way to tell how much more you can record
Ability to adjust the record start and end (in order to catch shows that start early or end a little late)
Firewire output (some way of archiving, even if it was to tape, I have actually used the pip workaround to archive a show to tape, but that is a pain in the ... and the quality sucks)
I had a SD ReplayTV and it could network with the computer and you could burn to DVD. But that was only SD and when I got the 8000 I canceled ReplayTV to offset the cost

There has been discussion in the HDTV Recorders section about the quality of the 8000 vs the standard Pace HD box. I have the Pace on one tv and the recorder on another. Have never tried them on the same tv for a comparison.

Originally posted by martin45
Last evening (10/6) I could barely get KENS and at times only intermittently.


Question #1: Do all receivers measure signal strength on the same scale; i.e, 0-100? Just curious since if I say I received KENS at 53-58, will this mean the same thing to all others?
tints and have no problem with that, but shouldn't anyone standing in natural light retain their natural skin tint, be it fair, tanned or whatever? In other words, why do skin tones on HDNet always look so darn natural?

So many questions, so little .........

Toshiba 52HM84
Dish 6000
Weingard OTA

I get all the locals with a 92-98 signal. I am almost downtown sa. I imagine your problem is the fact that you are in Boerne and the towers are SE of SA.
My tuner is internal to my Sony TV and I have read that their tuners are very good picking up signals. Some have said they have gotten signal with no antenna. One of these days I am going to experiment.
I am using 4bay uhf antennas ChannelMaster I believe.

i noticed last night alot of pixilation when there was a fast moving object or really bright colors, i think others call this macroblocking?? my signals are upper 70's to mid 80's. is this normal for knoxville?? can i fix it somehow??

I am also curious if we can expect a more onmidirectional signal from WMAK when analog ch7 out of Kentucky ceases operation. I am just outside of Kingsport and receive everything else (6,8,10,15,43) from Knoxville perfectly with a 90%+ signal. WMAK is OK approx 40% signal but has some dropouts.

The channel 7 in Kentucky is a DTV station. If I were already on channel 7 and omni-directional as is Beattyville, I'd stay on channel 7. So there is little chance of WMAK becoming omni-directional barring some negotiated agreement. There is also little to be gained by WMAK going omni except at the Kentucky state line.

You'll need an all channel antenna or at least one that includes the high-band VHF channels to get a reasonable signal on channel 7 at that distance. Closer to the transmitter lesser antennas would be okay.

Ahh! You are correct. I did not notice that the Beattyville Channel 7 was digital as well. I guess I'll have to improve my setup to receive WMAK. I ought to be able to improve it quite easily as all I am using is a standard set of rabbit ears hooked to the VHF side of a CM 7777 amp. I have a UHF Winegard PR4400 for UHF and didn't anticipate needing a VHF antenna.

I have been receiving a lot of calls about KENS-DT being harder to receive lately. First let me assure you we have not reduced power, but we have only 2 kW input power to operate with in the first place. Second, our neighbor stations are now operating at much higher power than KENS. Receivers being what they are, a weaker signal next to a very strong one is difficult to receive. A phenomenon called "capture ratio" causes a receiver tuned to a weak signal to be drawn to the stronger one, especially if it is near the same frequency.

If you have ever driven on IH-37 through downtown San Antonio and had your radio reception interrupted momentarily as you drive near the Tower of the Americas, you've heard what "capture" does to radio. Weaker signals from stations located in other parts of town are intermittently taken over by the strong signals radiating from the three transmitters on top of the tower. This is similar to what is happening to the weaker KENS-DT signal in the presence of two very strong DTV neighbors, KSAT and WOAI. Both of our neighbors are radiating approximately 500 kW or more, in contrast to the 30 kW KENS has available. Some receivers are better than others in rejecting strong signals and holding on to weaker ones, but I can't recommend any one over another at this microsecond in time.

There's good news, however. KENS-DT will add new high power equipment in the first quarter of 2005, making us competitive in the HDTV arena once more.

One other thing: about a week or so ago, near the end of September we were suffering from "color flashing." This was caused by a component failure in the system reference area of the HDTV encoder. We're doing a lot of upgrading in other parts of the KENS technical center, and in the process we did not notice the loss of reference on the DTV side. By the time I had fixed the problem, I had several emails reporting the trouble. Thanks, everybody; I sincerely appreciate the extra sets of eyes and ears out there helping us keep our signal the best it can be.

what is the best high def service in san antonio?
i will be getting a HD tv soon and was debating between sticking with tw or going with voom

D

Originally posted by Realthogue

One other thing: about a week or so ago, near the end of September we were suffering from "color flashing." This was caused by a component failure in the system reference area of the HDTV encoder. We're doing a lot of upgrading in other parts of the KENS technical center, and in the process we did not notice the loss of reference on the DTV side. By the time I had fixed the problem, I had several emails reporting the trouble. Thanks, everybody; I sincerely appreciate the extra sets of eyes and ears out there helping us keep our signal the best it can be.

Hey Jerry, Does KENS use a Harris Flexicoder? I ask because I think I'm starting to see the out of focus/back in focus problem on the NFL HD games. KSAT had this problem last year with the basketball games but they changed a setting and it cleared up. I may be seeing things with KENS but I thought I'd ask.

John Richmond

Originally posted by dhodson
what is the best high def service in san antonio?
i will be getting a HD tv soon and was debating between sticking with tw or going with voom

D

I'm very pleased with TWC and their HD service--especially now that ESPNHD is on there. I have the HD DVR and love being able to timeshift HD. I have no experience with VOOM but from what I have read I would only consider them if I had no other choices.

jr

I have to agree about twc. (poetic?)

My only beef with twc now that espnhd is here, is I still do not have a cablecard for my new Sony.

No Fox HD on twc. (poetic again?)
You have to get Fox OTA, which means you need a tuner.

Re::The channel 7 in Kentucky is a DTV station. If I were already on channel 7 and omni-directional as is Beattyville, I'd stay on channel 7. So there is little chance of WMAK becoming omni-directional barring some negotiated agreement. There is also little to be gained by WMAK going omni except at the Kentucky state line.

You'll need an all channel antenna or at least one that includes the high-band VHF channels to get a reasonable signal on channel 7 at that distance. Closer to the transmitter lesser antennas would be okay.


From L Cosby with WMAK
You are correct, WLJC-DT Ch 7 Beattyville will stay on Ch 7. They have picked up a substantial increase in service area with there VHF signal. We signed on after them and had to do a directional signal protecting them. I have heard from some viewers from Kingsport area that are watching us. They are using VHF ant even though coverage maps says they should not be getting WMAK.
FYI. All TV stations have to make an election by November 1, 2004 with the FCC as to which of there two frequencies they will stay on after the transition period from analog to digital. Most current VHF stations that are high band (ch 7 thru 13) will elect VHF, for there final DTV channel. For example, WJHL in Johnson City will opt for Ch 11 versus out of core Ch 58. So a combo UHF-VHF ant is a wise investment. Lewis Cosby

Thanks for your reply Lewis. I kind of hate to see WJHL go to VHF. So far I have been more impressed with UHF DT signals especially when greater distances are involved. The UHF signals tend to be less susceptable to interference. For instance on WMAK I can see greater than 50% signal but still have some freezing and signal break up, but on an equilvalent UHF signal there are no dropouts whatsoever.

I have a brand-new in the box Channel Master 7775 preamp(the UHF only version that everyone recommends as the best available) that I don't need.I'm in the Knoxville area.I can return this preamp to the dealer,but have to pay a restocking fee,so I'd like to sell it in Knoxville($50,no tax or shipping if sold locally).Thanks,Fred Rule

John Richmond wrote, "Hey Jerry, Does KENS use a Harris Flexicoder? I ask because I think I'm starting to see the out of focus/back in focus problem on the NFL HD games. KSAT had this problem last year with the basketball games but they changed a setting and it cleared up. I may be seeing things with KENS but I thought I'd ask."

Yes, John, KENS does use a Harris Flexicoder. As with many other things, we are on the verge of a firmware upgrade to improve the overall performance as well as the motion vector prediction performance, which affects the apparent out of focus situation. Most of the time the bitrate budget has the greatest impact, which is why we allocate only the smallest amount of bitrate for the radar, on the order of 3 megabits/second.

Originally posted by Rachael Bellomy
Andrew, I wonder? I wasn't impressed with the men's NCAA basketball coverage last spring before the multicasting. ESPN's coverage of the women's NCAA just smoked CBS'es in every way, seemingly.

What can we do to influence or make a complaint against WVLT? This pixelization problem has taken mediocre down to the level of suck-city!

We all see things differently, and to my eyes CBS sports HD has always been the best looking sports coverage out there. ESPN and ABC productions are just now starting to look really good on a consistent basis.

Of course, most of my watching CBS has not been on WVLT. But I did see a couple of broadcasts on WVLT that looked great, if I recall. At any rate, things look really bad right now.

Thanks for the quick response Jerry. Has there been any discussion at KENS about possibly disabling the radar during live sports (assuming no rain is in the area)? Live sports at 1080i really taxes even a 19 Mbit stream. If you knock off another 3 Mbit for a radar that absolutely no one will see (in good weather) then the picture starts to get dicey.

The prime time shows probably don't suffer much, if any, loss due to the radar so that doesn't seem to be a problem. My main concern is that CBS HD football via KENS is not up to par with ABC, ESPN, or even FOX (never thought I'd say that). CBS games in 1080i should be more crisp than all those other networks broadcasting at 720p but they're not and I hope there is something KENS can do to fix that.

Hopefully the updates you're doing will make things better but please also consider going full stream during the live sports.

Thanks

Originally posted by Realthogue
John Richmond wrote, "Hey Jerry, Does KENS use a Harris Flexicoder? I ask because I think I'm starting to see the out of focus/back in focus problem on the NFL HD games. KSAT had this problem last year with the basketball games but they changed a setting and it cleared up. I may be seeing things with KENS but I thought I'd ask."

Yes, John, KENS does use a Harris Flexicoder. As with many other things, we are on the verge of a firmware upgrade to improve the overall performance as well as the motion vector prediction performance, which affects the apparent out of focus situation. Most of the time the bitrate budget has the greatest impact, which is why we allocate only the smallest amount of bitrate for the radar, on the order of 3 megabits/second.

Jerry,

The last 2 weeks in a row, I've had to call KENS to get them to switch the NFL game over to HD. Two weeks ago, I was told emphatically that the game they were broadcasting was not available in HD. About 15 minutes later, the game flipped to HD. This past weekend, it wasn't so emphatic, but still, it was well into the game before the switch to HD and only after a phone call. Isn't there some way for you to automate that? or at least set an alarm clock in the engineering room or something?

Thanks for that Joe. I just assumed the game wasn't in HD since KENS has always been good about switching in the past. I was surprised to see it was after surfing back there later.

jr

Originally posted by Andrew_Ballew
We all see things differently, and to my eyes CBS sports HD has always been the best looking sports coverage out there. ESPN and ABC productions are just now starting to look really good on a consistent basis.

Of course, most of my watching CBS has not been on WVLT. But I did see a couple of broadcasts on WVLT that looked great, if I recall. At any rate, things look really bad right now.

Well, last spring, during the basketball tournaments, CBS'es picture quality of the games was good, except for the backboard cams which were narrow images and anytime the commentators spoke, yes, again, narrow image. The image stayed W-S more on the ESPN games. That's what made it better for me. CBS, atleast, had none of this horrid pixelization, macroblocking, or screen-door effect, whatever you want to call it, that they have now. The ABC/ESPN group has done more right covering sports than CBS so far, IMO.

Do you think I should write a letter to the editor of the paper critisizing channel 8 and try to embarass them into action? Their two Vol football telecasts this season were pathetic! Is the same thing happening on the feed that goes to Crumcast Cable? Anybody know?

I want to snap into action but I don't know what to do as of yet....:)

Can someone help me out here. I currently live in Heiskell....just up 75 from Knoxville. I have Comcast HDTV, however I want to get FOX in HD, and I don't know if they will be doing that anytime soon.

I have decided that I need to get an OTA receiver and antenna. I don't know much if anything about them.

I basically need to know what receiver I should get for my Panny 53x54 (something like that) and what antenna, if any, is needed.

Also, if you do get an antenna, how does it connect to the TV? Do you have to run a cable and drill a hole in the wall, can you connect it to the cable tv hub? How does it connect? Also, are there any cheap inside antennas that can be used?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.....as I am basically needing to know what to buy, and how much I can expect to spend. Is it worth it since I have comcast HD? What's the cheapest, while still maintaining quality, way to go?

Thanks....

You'll be better served by an outdoor mounted antenna. This gets the antenna away from noise sources inside the home and away from the pattern distortions caused by house wiring and people moving around the room. If I were going to spend some money on this outside antenna I'd buy an all channel antenna to make the purchase more future proof. If you include a rotator you can add your FM (radio) tuner to the mix and listen to stations from a good distance.

That said, try http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

All they require is your zip code to give you some recommendations as to what type antenna might serve. One thing that they will not know is whether you are in a poor location for reception or not. Their recommendations mostly consider just distance.

Try to receive the Knoxville stations using the analog tuner already built-in to your set as a guide. If you can get a "halfway" viewable signal on the NTSC stations especially the UHF stations you most likely have a usable antenna for HDTV. Some ghost canceling is built-in to the ATSC (HDTV) tuners and once you have a solid HDTV signal there will be no ghosting evident in the picture. Poor reception will cause freezes in the picture or at worse a blank screen.

The antenna will connect to your over-the-air set-top-box by coax using cable and connectors that look much like the ones the cable folks use. From this set-top-box you will run either 3 separate runs of video coax or one DVI cable. It would be a big help if your set included more than one HD input so you could easily select either the Comcast box or the OTA tuner. Audio from the STB runs in a pair of audio cables (simple stereo) or in a single coaxial or fiber cable to your set or Dolby receiver if you have one.

Before you settle on a receiver model, go to the manufacturer's web site and you can usually download and view the users manual to see how the box might work with your existing TV.

Its not as simple as it used to be!

I was watching something on my HD-DVR tonight and when I stopped and hit the guide button I saw that channel 641 is now FOX HD and 642 is WB HD. I just checked the SA Time Warner site and those channels aren't showing up. Typically TW places there HD channels somewhere between 100 and 200. Interesting. Now I will be able to time shift 24 this winter instead of having to watch it OTA in real time.

My DVR does not have those two channels listed on the guide

I checked this evening and I didn't see the channels today either. I wonder if they were just performing temporary testing. I even scrolled through the guide and they were showing that tonights baseball game on FOX was going to be HD. I guess that would explain why they weren't grouped together with the other HD channels when I saw them. I will call tomorrow and find out if they are planning on introducing them soon.

Originally posted by Rachael Bellomy
Is the same thing happening on the feed that goes to Crumcast Cable? Anybody know?


I'd say they have the same thing we get over the air. If I'm not mistaken, that is how cable gets their signal is with an over the air antenna, just like we do. WMAK has said that the reason they have a subchannel 2 with the same thing as the main channel, but with everything in SD is for cable, so I'd say it is the same deal with WVLT.