While I have the utmost respect for true broadcasters such as Capital Broadcasting here in Raleigh, I despise those who operate broadcast stations like real estate syndicates.

It's ironic that WRAL is aggressively persuing real time internet streaming of their signal to computers within their DMA because "we need to be available on any and all platforms the consumer uses to access programming".

It's good to know that the accountants haven't ENTIRELY taken over.

I can not deny that the bean counters have taken over. There are very few, "true" broadcasters anymore. My guess is that we have seen the peak of consolidation and the pendulum will start to swing in the other direction, certainly much more slowly than it swung in this direction. And when the bean counters have squeezed all they can out, they will move on and the "true" broadcaster will return to pick up the pieces.

I was in Circuit City in Greensboro last night... they had several HDTV tuners that could be connected to a UHF antenna to provide a signal for your 140" screen.

They were priced between $225 and $275. An outside UHF antenna would add less than $100 to that. Don't know if an inside antenna would work from your location. Odds are an inside antenna may not work. Don't know if you need a preamp to get sufficient signal... (I did not need one from NW Greensboro)
Go to antennaweb.org to determine the distance, direction, and signal level based on your specific location.

So... not sure how much you can spend without taking out a second mortgage, but for $300 - $400 you might be able to present something other than NTSC. Let's see, 40 guests, $10. per...

Joe L.

Anyone know if Circuit City has a special return policy for ota tuners? I'm tempted to get one for the SB, and then return the dang thing next week!

The funny thing is that after this weekend, there won't be any impetus for either side to come to an agreement until Feb. 2009. With no more NFL on ABC, there really isn't going to be anything that draws the masses' attention like the Super Bowl until WXLV cuts off their analog broadcast completely.

I can not deny that the bean counters have taken over. There are very few, "true" broadcasters anymore. My guess is that we have seen the peak of consolidation and the pendulum will start to swing in the other direction, certainly much more slowly than it swung in this direction. And when the bean counters have squeezed all they can out, they will move on and the "true" broadcaster will return to pick up the pieces.

You're more optomistic than I. I think that before it's over, all ownership restrictions will be gone, the networks will become even more vertically intergrated by owning ALL their stations (think PAX).

You'll see more regional newscoverage, i.e. three or four adjacent markets consolidating news operations. The top 50 markets will have "parent" stations, while the surrounding smaller markets will be served by "satellite stations" simulcasting the parent station with the exception of local ad insertion.

Syndication deals will be made nationally. Microsoft will buy CBS. Google will buy NBC. ESPN will buy the NFL. Walmart will buy Disney. And so it goes.....

Anyone know if Circuit City has a special return policy for ota tuners? I'm tempted to get one for the SB, and then return the dang thing next week!I would only do that if it was "defective" and you could not get it to work with your display. :(

Joe L.

no kidding. unless you like judge mathis, let wxlv rot in analog ntsc hell. Next question though... If ABC's Monday Night Football goes to ESPN... Don't we have to pay extra for ESPN Hi DEF? So i guess that puts us in the same boat next year... but at least we have the choice to pay or not pay. But! Sunday Night Football will be on NBC! thier free time warner 1080i retransmission rocks! So I guess we have some trade offs to look forward to. No matter how this controversy turns out, I probalby will never watch ABC again... since they really have no programming of intrest.

^ Add to that the 5 BCS college football games moving to FOX next year, and I won't need WXLV, either.

The funny thing is that after this weekend, there won't be any impetus for either side to come to an agreement until Feb. 2009. With no more NFL on ABC, there really isn't going to be anything that draws the masses' attention like the Super Bowl until WXLV cuts off their analog broadcast completely.Even when WXLV turns off their analog broadcast there is no guarantee that ABC HD will show up on TWC. Sinclair has two digital channels. One is SD and one is HD. Sinclair can give TWC the SD version and continue to hold out the HD until an agreement is reached.

While there won't be any football games in HD on ABC after the super bowl and the BCS games move to Fox, there still are other HD programs worth watching. Three of the highest rated tv shows are on ABC (Desperate Housewives, Lost, and Grey's Anatomy) that people will want to watch in HD. Also in 2007 ABC/ESPN gets 17 NASCAR races with most of those on ABC including all of the Chase for the Cup races. There still willl be the NBA and college basketball which maybe ABC will start showing in HD.

The funny thing is that after this weekend, there won't be any impetus for either side to come to an agreement until Feb. 2009. With no more NFL on ABC, there really isn't going to be anything that draws the masses' attention like the Super Bowl until WXLV cuts off their analog broadcast completely.
I know it's not the Super Bowl, but the Academy Awards are on ABC March 5th....
I would love to see that in HD!

OK, what I'm about to tell you is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God. I'm not one for pulling such a maneuver however I thought this crowd would find it pretty funny. I was personally amazed and have been somewhat dumb struck by this event for a few days.... Enjoy!

Like you, I received a letter from Time Warner Cable regarding the whole Sinclair v. TWT and HD ABC broadcast. It really shined a bad light on Sinclair and did a good job of riling me up as I've had enough and I just want ABC in HD! So I decided my next target of complaint would be Sinclair since they are obviously too blame according to the letter. I looked up the local station contact number, WXLV. Remembering that I had already called them once I knew this would be useless but persistant badgering would be necessary I thought. I noticed a link to the Sinclair website (they own of the affiliate) at the bottom of the site so I click on it and then went to the contact info for Sinclair. Bingo, they had the main number. I figured for sure there would be thousands of calls poring in after this letter went out and I wanted to contribute to that campaign. I called and it said the operator was busy and could not take my call, press 2 for the company directory by name. Hummm, (I was thinking) I don't know anybody there that I can register my thoughts about this situation with. Being in front of a computer with a handy Google Toolbar, I type in Sinclair CEO. I was sure that would be public knowledge. David Smith came up in many search so I type "Smith" in the phone and then #. Type in more it asked. I type in "David", #. OK, remember at this point I don't really have a game plan or agenda. I was just going to make some smart allec comments to an underpaid operator that was getting abused by thousands for the sins of others in their company....I wasn't planning to voice my concern with the CEO!... the phone started ringing,

"Yeah?" I heard.... Oh crap, I thought.
"I believe I have the wrong extension, who is this?", I said nervously.
"Who is this?" the person on the other side said. They didn't sound real happy. Was this the mail room perhaps? I thought
"Is this David Smith?" I said as I was thinking there's no way it could have been this easy to get to the CEO.
"Yes, who's this?" Mr. Smith said.
Now you remember how I was expect to just lodge my complaint with an operator... Not really the CEO of Sinclair!
So I proceed to nervously plead my case that I just want ABC in HD and that I was under the assumption that Sinclair was to blame as TWC had sent out a letter stating this. So get it together and strike a deal because I want to see the Superbowl in HD! Blah Blah Blah. Probably not really the elloquant arguement I would have put together had I know I would be talking to the big cheese.
He proceeded to tell me that really TWC are the ones to blame and they've successfully negotiated deals with just about every other cable operator with the exception of TWC. He rattled off half a dozen... His advice in the end was to vote with your wallet and go to DirectTV and assured me they would be in our market with HD very soon.
I thanked him for his time and he said call anytime. (hum, I wonder if he'll be in the directory tomorrow?)
We hung up, end of story.

Unfortunately, there's no resolution and there won't be anytime soon it appears. But I thought you guys might find it amusing to at least hear/read the story. And yes, this is TRUE!

OK, what I'm about to tell you is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God. I'm not one for pulling such a maneuver however I thought this crowd would find it pretty funny. I was personally amazed and have been somewhat dumb struck by this event for a few days.... Enjoy!

<snip>...

Now you remember how I was expect to just lodge my complaint with an operator... Not really the CEO of Sinclair!
So I proceed to nervously plead my case that I just want ABC in HD

<snip>

Unfortunately, there's no resolution and there won't be anytime soon it appears. But I thought you guys might find it amusing to at least hear/read the story. And yes, this is TRUE!Wow...

If it helps any, the CEO of TimeWarner is Richard D. Parsons and their main headquarters number in NY is 212-484-8000 :D Perhaps a conference bridge?

Maybe NBC, CBS or FOX could buy LOST from ABC........

Why does WXLV broadcast two digital signals? 1 SD and 1 HD? Doesn't make sense.

Well I called the number you just posted and just quckly asked for Dick Parsons when the operator answer... Kind of thinking that a lot of (older) Richards go by Dick or that they would think that I was referring to him as Dick because I was a long time buddy. I got his assistant. My heart about jump out of my chest, once again I didn't really have a game plan other than... it can't be this easy. So I hung up. I pass the torch, I've done my part (I'm checken basically!) now I challenge some one to call Dick!

Anyone who would fall for Sinclair's tactic of striking a deal with smaller operators such as Way Out West in Columbus, OH, and Lexcom in NC, in order to make Time Warner look like the bad guy, is, well, an idiot.

I'm reading that these have not been cash deals. In fact, they're essentially blackmail.

Sinclair, Nexstar, and Emmis have a history of being a pain in the ass with large operators, while pulling their pants down for the small guy.

But then David Smith is no stranger to pulling down his pants............

None of those other events are going to generate the type of fervor that not having the Superbowl in HD will. Last year the superbowl had more than twice as many viewers as ANYTHING else that aired on TV. After this weekend, neither TWC or WXLV is likely to face the same amount of angry complaints as they have this week.

Is there any hope at all that they might resolve this prior to sunday?

Is there any hope at all that they might resolve this prior to sunday?


Would be nice but maybe if a few thousand people from TWC protested at WXLV's doors.....

Too late to organize anything but I think TWC's letter opened a lot of sleeping eyes from TWC customers who had no clue what was happening.

Would be nice but maybe if a few thousand people from TWC protested at WXLV's doors.....

Too late to organize anything but I think TWC's letter opened a lot of sleeping eyes from TWC customers who had no clue what was happening.
What took them so long? I guess they don't read the newspaper... :rolleyes:

Our little group here has tried for quite some time to get Sinclair to work with TWC. Maybe we stayed quiet (and to ourselves) too long, and should have started this public discussion at the beginning of the NFL season instead of waiting until the last few weeks.

Hindsight is always 20/20 (sigh).

I'd really like TWC to add NGC-HD or UHD this year. Too bad INHD and HDNET don't have a lot of programming that interests me cause I'd like to subcribe to them if they had some good stuff.

You're more optomistic than I.

I have reason. These things run in cycles. What you predict is a worse case. There has to be a limit everything. You just can't keep going forever. Even Time-Warner has realized their mistake with AOL.

Anyone know if Circuit City has a special return policy for ota tuners? I'm tempted to get one for the SB, and then return the dang thing next week!

I returned a Samsung SIR-T451 there the other day, after trying it out for about 15 days. I found one new-in-box on eBay for $100 less, and grabbed it.

The only question asked was if I wanted to exchange it for something else.
The return policy for these should be 30 days. They do have a 14 day policy on some items, and you can check that out online.

Don't much care for the QAM tuning on that receiver, but since I primarily wanted it for OTA, it's fine.

EDIT: FWIW, I wouldn't normally take something back like that, but $100 is to much to lose. And the other one did arrive, as stated, new-in-box.

OK, what I'm about to tell you is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.

Just to let you know, Sinclair corporate reads this thread. MR DTV (the guy who posted Sinclair's response a day or so back?) is a Sinclair engineering VP at corp. Also, this is not the first market to howl about the cable carriage issue. They have heard it all before. You are not breaking new ground. Just thought you might like to know.

By the way, for those who didn't know,

Let's keep this clean. No reason to go beyond the facts upfront.

By the way, for those who didn't know, David Smith, CEO of Sinclair, was arrested a couple years back for the same "behavior" that got Bill Clinton in so much trouble, with a prostitute, in a company Mercedes, that by the way, he would like you to help him pay for through your cable bill.

Smith paid for his, while Clinton got his for free.


Maybe you mis-read, but this is about the Super Bowl? Maybe you got the letters in the word jumbled up somehow? :D

Now, on a completely different subject.

FOX updated our splicer today so those who watch OTA, you may need to do a rescan or something as simple as a reboot or change to a different channel and then come back. According to the engineer who did the update, this will be most evident with older receivers if the PSIP isn't right. With two Samsung 150's, it all worked OK so I am assuming most of you (all of you?) will not have any problems, but if you do, that is what happened.

foxeng, did I miss an update? what is the general targeted date now for the new transmitter/tower? I have never been able to pick it up at all with the low power.

foxeng, did I miss an update? what is the general targeted date now for the new transmitter/tower? I have never been able to pick it up at all with the low power.

We had some issues come up this past week. So at this point, I don't have a specific date yet. Soon though.

Now, on a completely different subject.

FOX updated our splicer today so those who watch OTA, you may need to do a rescan or something as simple as a reboot or change to a different channel and then come back. According to the engineer who did the update, this will be most evident with older receivers if the PSIP isn't right. With two Samsung 150's, it all worked OK so I am assuming most of you (all of you?) will not have any problems, but if you do, that is what happened.I had no problem with my Samsung 160s. No rescans needed.

Let's keep this clean. No reason to go beyond the facts upfront.

I just thought the integrity of the parties accusing each other of lying might be of some interest. :rolleyes:

Did I get some of the facts wrong? :confused: If so, please post corrections.

I just thought the integrity of the parties accusing each other of lying might be of some interest. :rolleyes:

Did I get some of the facts wrong? :confused: If so, please post corrections.

That was just a direction I think we didn't need to take this discussion. because of the subject matter, sexual encounters.

I was checking out abc45 again last night and they had "Harry Potter" in HD. The picture quality looked pretty good, but when they cut to most commercials I could hear TWO different commercials audio tracks... the one I was watching... and a second unrelated commercial.

At first I thought I might have had something wrong in my configuration, but a quick check on all other channels showed I was fine. In fact, the same commercial on the SD abc45 subchannel sounded fine. It only had the two sound tracks on the HD subchannel. I wonder if anyone at the station monitors the audio on the HD channel?

Obviously, one sound-track was the (possibly local) commercial I was watching, the other... who knows??? Perhaps it was the one on the corporate feed.

I hope abc45 notices and corrects this in time for this evenings programming... Normally, I don't care as much about the commercials, but tonight's show is different.

I'm sure the Superbowl advertisers would agree...

Joe L.

I have noticed this problem before. Also during the road to the super bowl program,
the audio and video would occasionally jump out of sync. I experience the A/V sync
problem quite often during primetime shows on this station. Compared to the other
HD broadcasts in the area, they certainly seem to be a "notch" off pace.

C Snyder

That was just a direction I think we didn't need to take this discussion. because of the subject matter, sexual encounters.


YES, let's keep "sexual encounters" confined to broadcast program content. (sarcasm) ;)

Bigsnyder...... and just think, they want TWC to actually pay extra for the "worst" digital TV station in NC.
\

TWC has added channel 530--WXLV to the IPG. Nothing but black-screen now, but could this mean that a super bowl deal has been reached between Sinclair and TWC?

Edit: And, yet, there is a crawl across analog WXLV pointing people to www.abc45.com to see why we aren't seeing the NBA game in hi def! WTF????

The picture is good today and so far the audio is in sync. While not perfect I think WXLV is better than used to be. There were times in the past were you could go for weeks and there wouldn't even be any audio much less in sync. And when there was audio it was always out of sync. The out sync audio, while still occuring, is much less freguent than it used to be.

Bigsnyder...... and just think, they want TWC to actually pay extra for the "worst" digital TV station in NC.
\

NO, the worst digital (I assume you mean HDTV) I've seen anywhere is Sinclair's WB affilitate in Raleigh WLFL-22.

Three problems:

1) Noise Reduction is set way too high, giving the picture that gauzy, smeary look, kind of like your screen has a thin coating of Vaseline petroleum jelly on it.

2) A 4:3 image zoomed up to 14:9 lopping off the top and bottom of the picture, with those obnoxious grey bars on the sides.

3) A 9000 watt pee powere signal that doesn't penetrate the heavy tree density in the market worth a crap, and of course it's not on cable. Don't try to get it on a windy day.

And their UPN affiliate here (or anywhere they have one for that matter) does not pass through network HDTV.

I hate them, but then I bet you couldn't tell. It's not enough that they're half-ass broadcasters, there's all the political rhetoric they try to cram down your throat.

I rest my case and will not trash them anymore.

Does anyone else notice a flashing white line across the top of the screen that occurs on WXLV during local network commercials? It doesn't seem to appear during the NBA broadcast, but as soon as it goes to commericial, it shows up. This is very annoying, and I hope corrected by tonight.

YEAH!!!!! ABC is now broadcast on channel 530 by TW.

NBA currently on.......Super Bowl pre-game next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


OOPS! Doesn't seem to be HD programming yet! ;o(

Hopefully by kickoff????????

Hi, I'm new to this thread. And my question may be answered somewhere in the 77 pages, but I was just wondering when or if WFMY-DT is going to begin broadcasting in 5.1 sound? I just recently started getting their OTA signal, but not having DD 5.1 sound makes a big difference in HD programming! Anyone know?

ANyone know of a QAM channel for that? Have to try a re-scan. Does WXLV send any sounds through the rear speakers? Basically nothing on mine.

QAM channel is 115-4. no HD though yet.

I'm seeing ABC in HD via OTA antenna. If you're not seeing it in HD via TWC then the problem is TWC. Or maybe their are showing WXLV's digital SD channel instead of the HD one.

YEAH!!!!! ABC is now broadcast on channel 530 by TW.

NBA currently on.......Super Bowl pre-game next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


OOPS! Doesn't seem to be HD programming yet! ;o(

Hopefully by kickoff????????
I see that too.......crossess fingers!!!!!!!!

And their UPN affiliate here (or anywhere they have one for that matter) does not pass through network HDTV.I disagree here. I've seen WUPN 48 broadcast the UPN shows in HD. They are in 16:9 format and look HD quality to me, not stretched 4:3 480i. Now this is for when the program originally airs. When they reair the show on the weekends (like the used to do for Enterprise) it isn't in HD.

I see that too.......crossess fingers!!!!!!!!Maybe you can try to call Time Warner or WXLV because WXLV is broadcasting in HD OTA.

For you station engineers is it possible that WXLV can broadcast their OTA signal in HD but send a non-hd version of the same channel over fiber (or some other means) to Time Warner?

WUPN has suspended HD passthrough of UPN network until new equipment can arrive to properly pass and switch programming. Should get here in a couple of weeks.

For you station engineers is it possible that WXLV can broadcast their OTA signal in HD but send a non-hd version of the same channel over fiber (or some other means) to Time Warner?

Yes, possible.

I disagree here. I've seen WUPN 48 broadcast the UPN shows in HD. They are in 16:9 format and look HD quality to me, not stretched 4:3 480i. Now this is for when the program originally airs. When they reair the show on the weekends (like the used to do for Enterprise) it isn't in HD.

I was refering to the Raleigh UPN affiliate, WRDC-28, not doing HDTV. According to Sinclair's website, none of their UPN's have HDTV capability. It may be that Sinclair's website is not updated.

PS Stab Stab Stab TWC is VERY good about updating info on their website

Yes, possible.

Zane, aren't you the cheif engineer at WXLV and WUPN. Certainly you could (should) shed some light on what's up with TWC channel 530. Or do you have strict instructions not to.

Yes, possible.

It is also possible to work this out without punishing WXLV's viewers. One of the Davidson County commisioners I spoke to recently stated they thought WXLV was trying to commit "highway robbery" and was disturbed that WXLV was trying to use the citizens of this area as bargaining chips. Shame on WXLV.

I was refering to the Raleigh UPN affiliate, WRDC-28, not doing HDTV. According to Sinclair's website, none of their UPN's have HDTV capability. It may be that Sinclair's website is not updated.

PS Stab Stab Stab TWC is VERY good about updating info on their websiteOk, I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about WUPN. Also with Zane's info it would seem that WUPN has stopped broadcasting HD. They used to, I have seen it before. But there isn't any program I actually watch on UPN so I haven't noticed that they stopped sending out the HD signal.

It is also possible to work this out without punishing WXLV's viewers. One of the Davidson County commisioners I spoke to recently stated they thought WXLV was trying to commit "highway robbery" and was disturbed that WXLV was trying to use the citizens of this area as bargaining chips. Shame on WXLV.He must be a fan of Lost and a TWC customer. :D

Seriously, as a satellite customer who gets WXLV-DT with an OTA antenna I have no dog in this fight but I agree that it is a pretty crappy thing for Sinclair to do. If they have agreements in place with other cable companies and money wasn't exchanged, they should give TWC the same deal.

He must be a fan of Lost and a TWC customer. :D

Seriously, as a satellite customer who gets WXLV-DT with an OTA antenna I have no dog in this fight but I agree that it is a pretty crappy thing for Sinclair to do. If they have agreements in place with other cable companies and money wasn't exchanged, they should give TWC the same deal.

Considering I have no recourse against WXLV and I, like most in this area, subscribe to TWC, I find this all very disconcerting. They should turn the HD signal on for the SB, turn it off afterwards, and the two companies can work it out later. I could care less about ABC's programming, but I am a sports fan who just spent some money on an HDTV in anticipation of this day and I am pretty angry. WXLV blatantly could care less about its TWC viewers who already enjoy the other networks' HDTV signals. I would wager that WXLV banked on the Panthers getting to the SB to really put the pressure on TWc. That pressure, unfortunately, never materialized and we are now left with a ringside view of WXLV's greedy tactics.

is anyone else getting a significant delay with picture vs sound?

I thought it was just my TV/Reciever because that happens every once and a while but goes away when I reset the TV.

I went upstairs and turned on the plain tv and got the same delay...

For all those who've been following the TWC/WXLV situation, vote with a simple one word reply, either "TWC" or "Sinclair" as to who YOU think is really the bad guy. You can also pick who you think will win that other game being played today.

I'll go with Sinclair and Seattle.

Sinclair = bad guy

Steelers - For Cowher. I am pretty neutral. Was hoping for Carolina!

is anyone else getting a significant delay with picture vs sound?

I thought it was just my TV/Reciever because that happens every once and a while but goes away when I reset the TV.

I went upstairs and turned on the plain tv and got the same delay...For me the audio and video are perfectly in sync on WXLV-DT.

Wow, I just went to the TWC web site and they now have a big response to WXLV's response to their letter. I wonder if WXLV will post a response to the response of their response of the letter. (my head hurts)

Interesting that TWC added the 530. I am guessing that they are maybe hoping for a last second agreement, but I wouldn't be too optimistic given that huge message on the TWC site. The pregame is in HD which is nice, and so far I haven't had any audio/video sync issues which seemed to plague WXLV a lot this year. Hopefully, they won't have any technical gaffes tonight.

As to who is or isn't wrong, jeez it's like picking between Darth Vader and Sauron. I guess in this case, Sinclair is the one I blame more, but really, I have plenty of issue with TWC as well. I'll be rooting for NCSU grad Bill Cowher tonight! Enjoy the game all! :)

TWC is trying to work this out up to the last minute if necessary. Seeing that Sinclair has no roots in this area and have no compassion for their customers, they are CLEARLY the bad guy in this. This is one of the best days to sit around the TV with friends and family and all Sinclair has done has made a lot of people unhappy. What they have to gain from this I have no idea.

Looks like they worked something out...at least for the Superbowl since channel 530 is broadcasting. Hope it lasts...

Never mind...I changed to box to auto HDMI

I noticed a crawl at the top of the screen during pregame referring people to the WXLV website.

If it appears during the game, I will make it my life's ambition to burn WXLV to the ground.

What possible reason would TWC have ABC on channel 530? Makes no sense unless they are going to broadcast the game in HD.

I'm watching ABC45 via OTA and I'm getting no dialogue (center channel) when the pregame show is on. I've got no problems with the SD commercials, HD commercials have no dialgoue either.

Anyone else getting this?

Yep. Had the same problem. Sigh. The Stevie Wonder thing appears to be ok.

What possible reason would TWC have ABC on channel 530? Makes no sense unless they are going to broadcast the game in HD.
I have it on good authority that it will be simulcast in HD on 530 today. A deal was struck at the 11th hour. I just got the call about 10 minutes ago.

Real deal, or just for SB?

I wonder if TWC knows that 45-2 is the HD feed, not 45-1?

I don't see HD on my TWC DVR

I wonder if TWC knows that 45-2 is the HD feed, not 45-1?

Good question. Without the HD what's the point?

I'm watching ABC45 via OTA and I'm getting no dialogue (center channel) when the pregame show is on. I've got no problems with the SD commercials, HD commercials have no dialgoue either.

Anyone else getting this?When I started to type this reply I had the center channel. Then they went to commercial and played local commercials and switched to DD 2.0. When they came back to the pregame they went back to DD 5.1 but the center channel was gone. Then they dropped out of HD and DD 5.1 with the center channel returned. Then they finally got back to both HD and DD 5.1 with the center channel and the audio is sync with the video. It does seem like they are having trouble keeping everything working correctly.

^ yet another reason it's a joke for TWC to pay for this channel. They're totally inept. I remember the first 6 months it was on the air, there was either no audio or a 3 second delay. If Sinclair is so serious about getting paid for their signal, they had better put their own money where their mouth is and get a product worth selling.

Why is 530 being broadcast in SD?

OK, I just got up to my theater and I've got center, but it's pretty weak, and it just seems really poorly mixed to me.

OK, I just got up to my theater and I've got center, but it's pretty weak, and it just seems really poorly mixed to me.On my downstairs home theater the center channel is pretty good. On my upstairs home theater the center is a little weaker. I always keeps the center channel turned all the way up on my home theater systems. Both are Yamaha systems but the downstairs one is a high-end system and the upstairs is an inexpensive system since I don't need as much in the bedroom.

I only have qam, and it's in SD for me as well... The above mentioned qam channel is scrambled as well.

Channel 530 and 7 look the same to me

Zane, aren't you the cheif engineer at WXLV and WUPN. Certainly you could (should) shed some light on what's up with TWC channel 530. Or do you have strict instructions not to.

Sorry for not replying sooner, I have been chasing a audio sync issue with the analog air signal. I do not know anything about cable 530.

On the loss of 5.1, yes the dolby switch did not cooperate and switch as programmed. Now we must manually follow each auto-switch with a manual backup command to try and insure the audio follows video.

For all those who've been following the TWC/WXLV situation, vote with a simple one word reply, either "TWC" or "Sinclair" as to who YOU think is really the bad guy. You can also pick who you think will win that other game being played today.

I'll go with Sinclair and Seattle.

Why are you trying to stir the pot on this thread? If remember correctly, you live in the Triangle, not the Triad. Yes?

As of right now, TW channel 530 is still in SD in Greensboro. It's watchable if I back up to about 18 feet from my 61FH96.

what a tease from TWC

WXLV runs two subchannels. 45-1 is SD and 45-2 is HD which is backwards from the other multicast channels locally. My bet is that when TWC setup the receiver, they are picking up the wrong subchannel.

WXLV runs two subchannels. 45-1 is SD and 45-2 is HD which is backwards from the other multicast channels locally. My bet is that when TWC setup the receiver, they are picking up the wrong subchannel.


Has anyone called TWC yet?

I am not aware of any last minute deal (but I wish there was).
Soon we will change the channels around to match everyone else. On 48 to. We may drop the SD channel altogether for a time, but we have to rethink signal distribution. We currently send a copy of the SD signal out to Time Warner on fiber. They are not able to use it very much as there is a problem with closed captions in the fiber link.

While your here Zane, can you tell me if WXLV will change the format on 45.2 when showing SD programming? The video looks like it is zoomed a little and part of the top and bottom are cut off and the bars on the side are thinner. This doesn't seem to be a problem on 48.2.

While your here Zane, can you tell me if WXLV will change the format on 45.2 when showing SD programming? The video looks like it is zoomed a little and part of the top and bottom are cut off and the bars on the side are thinner. This doesn't seem to be a problem on 48.2.

I should be able to match both channels. I will look into it this week. I have an older Hughes HD receiver and it stretches out the video and I cant' correct it in the menu while the Samsungs and the LG's letterbox it. Old firmware versions I guess.

Well, I guess my info was incorrect - I am getting SD on TWC 530, but HD on OTA.

Did anyone else lose the sound toward the end of the half on ABC OTA?

;) Why are you trying to stir the pot on this thread? If remember correctly, you live in the Triangle, not the Triad. Yes?

Yes, but this is not a local Triad problem. We have TWO Sinclair stations here in the Triangle as well. This is just a pot that needs to be stirred. It's between TWC corporate and Sinclair corporate. The Triad is just one battlefield in a bigger war, kind of like Iraq and terrorism. (Again, couldn't resist)

Remember: "Progress is usually preceded by discontent". The only thing that will get this thing resolved is pressure from the viewers.

I'm also remembering this as a "free" country where I can freely voice my opinion. Why is that OK for Sinclair but not for me??? I've apparently caused some emotion here. But then maybe that was my intent. ;)

With all due sincerety, I feel sorry for all of the TWC employees, and all the Sinclair employees, who are also victims of stubborn and selfish management.

Did anyone else lose the sound toward the end of the half on ABC OTA?I've had a couple of times during the game where the sound dropped out for a split second but it never lasted.

The audio drop out during network is a problem with the Tandberg 1280 TT HD receiver. Something about the buffer loads up and dumps at intermittant times. This is brand new equipment supplied by ABC. We are getting a software upgrade next week. There is also a drop of audio that occurs sometimes when we switch from local to net and vice versa. Still investigating that one.

By the way, for those with a surround sound system, how does the 5.1 really sound.
The wohler monitor seems to indicate that ABC is really pumping the surround channels.

;)

Yes, but this is not a local Triad problem. We have TWO Sinclair stations here in the Triangle as well. This is just a pot that needs to be stirred. It's between TWC corporate and Sinclair corporate. The Triad is just one battlefield in a bigger war, kind of like Iraq and terrorism. (Again, couldn't resist)

Remember: "Progress is usually preceded by discontent". The only thing that will get this thing resolved is pressure from the viewers.

I'm also remembering this as a "free" country where I can freely voice my opinion. Why is that OK for Sinclair but not for me??? I've apparently caused some emotion here. But then maybe that was my intent. ;)

With all due sincerety, I feel sorry for all of the TWC employees, and all the Sinclair employees, who are also victims of stubborn and selfish management.

I have no problem with discussing the issue. I have D* and watch OTA so I don't have a dog in this fight, but stirring up feelings with who is worse, what good does that do? I think by now everyone knows what the issues are.

I have no problem with discussing the issue. I have D* and watch OTA so I don't have a dog in this fight, but stirring up feelings with who is worse, what good does that do? I think by now everyone knows what the issues are.

What could be more American than deciding who to blame????

The audio drop out during network is a problem with the Tandberg 1280 TT HD receiver. Something about the buffer loads up and dumps at intermittant times. This is brand new equipment supplied by ABC. We are getting a software upgrade next week. There is also a drop of audio that occurs sometimes when we switch from local to net and vice versa. Still investigating that one.

By the way, for those with a surround sound system, how does the 5.1 really sound.
The wohler monitor seems to indicate that ABC is really pumping the surround channels.I think the 5.1 sound has been pretty good. But there were some others with compliants. One complaint was a weak center channel.

Looking at the wohler the center seems to be hitting pretty hard, it's peaking more than the other channels. We worked earlier in the week on a couple of days setting the levels according to ABCs test loop during the day. They don't give you much time to adjust levels or audio sync, but we got the levels set correctly. Mixing a live event can be difficult I guess.

Mixing live music for tv tape can be challenging. We record straight to Beta SP from the Mackie 32.8. Show is "A Word from Glory" on TCT Ch61. Working with 10 year old equipment and making do. Tapes get converted at the station to go on the server for broadcast.

By the way, for those with a surround sound system, how does the 5.1 really sound.
The wohler monitor seems to indicate that ABC is really pumping the surround channels.
For the most part it sounds great. The rear surrounds really sound good. Its close to the surround feeling that you get in the CBS live football games which I think sound the best; my own preference. For me the center is a little weak, but I turned it up. I had a few drop outs during the second quarter and lost the center channel during some of the pregame. I also noticed the dropout in audio and video pixelation you mentinoed during the network to local switch over. Overall it sounds great for me.

The audio drop out during network is a problem with the Tandberg 1280 TT HD receiver. Something about the buffer loads up and dumps at intermittant times. This is brand new equipment supplied by ABC. We are getting a software upgrade next week. There is also a drop of audio that occurs sometimes when we switch from local to net and vice versa. Still investigating that one.

By the way, for those with a surround sound system, how does the 5.1 really sound.
The wohler monitor seems to indicate that ABC is really pumping the surround channels.
Zane,
I'm watching in HD OTA and the center channel is much lower than it should be.

I don't have the most ideal setup for my OTA receiver (simple RCA stereo cables), but I could hear the surround sound with a lot of the graphics' sound effects. However, I thought the commentary was way too low in the mix tonight. (Although, that was also a blessing at times! :) )

Did 530 ever get to be HD? What was the deal? Did they reach a deal or not?

I have observed the center quite low at times and at other times it hits high in the red above the left and right. I really think it's the way its being sent. The menu is very confusing and if I open it up to adjust the dolby unit while on air, I would probably lose the audio totally for a time. (I mean longer than the intermittant dropouts).

I have noticed the center channel of Greys Anatomy is quite consistant. I have not seen any unusual low dips like during the Supebowl.

The center channel during the Super Bowl commentary was too low. It was fine for "on field" referee calls and 5.1 commercials. I think it was just the commentary - sometimes you couldn't hear them at all above the crowd noise.

I also noticed that the center channel was too low for the game. I have also thought that it was a little low at times during Grey's Anatomy for the last few weeks, but I can't figure out if that is the affect they are going for or not. At times I have to turn the sound up too loud to hear the dialog because of the background music. (I haven't gone to the trouble to turn up the center channel yet since I don't have a problem with any other channel) Also tonight, a few times I had loud pops generated when I changed channels a couple of times when the game went to commercial. I forgot about trying to switch to ABC in Charlotte until the end of the game to see if similar things were happening with their feed as well. It was so sporadic. I couldn't hear a big difference during Grey's Anatomy with the Charlotte feed.

I had to crank my center from -2.5db to +5 db just to get the commentary balanced. Piss poor, ABC. I didn't drop five figures on A/V equipment to have to adjust every time I change channels. Again, WXLV is the worst digital channel in the Triad.

Zane,

During the SB on 45-2, center channel was low. It was a good 10 db down compared to the rears. Side and rears sounded good. The overall level was lower than us by about 2 db. Congrats on holding it together.

FOX uses the TT1280 demod, less RF section, and it can be a little cranky at times too.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/piedmonttriad/programming/wxlvresponse.html

WXLV is a licensed UHF station, which we have given a preferred location on our Basic broadcast tier of service. Furthermore, at no cost to WXLV, Time Warner Cable provides a fiber optic connection between WXLV’s studio and our primary distribution facility. From this facility, WXLV’s signal is transmitted to the most remote areas of Time Warner Cable’s footprint in this region. Time Warner Cable’s advanced fiber optic network provides WXLV with a consistent signal quality to all of the areas that they would otherwise not be capable of effectively serving. This in turn gives WXLV the opportunity to maximize its viewing audience.

foxeng and/or zane,

We over in Raleigh noticed a significant improvement in WTVD's picture quality last night, as they shut down one of their subchannels and thereby increased the bitrate available to the main channel.

Would it be possible to do what I suspect UNC does, provide a different higher quality feed to cable companies (and sat operators) which have more bandwidth flexibility, than is sent to the transmitter. Or is this cost prohibitive??? Just a thought.

foxeng and/or zane,

We over in Raleigh noticed a significant improvement in WTVD's picture quality last night, as they shut down one of their subchannels and thereby increased the bitrate available to the main channel.

Would it be possible to do what I suspect UNC does, provide a different higher quality feed to cable companies (and sat operators) which have more bandwidth flexibility, than is sent to the transmitter. Or is this cost prohibitive??? Just a thought.

Actually UNC doesn't provide a higher feed. I have personally been to RTP and have seen their setup. (they use a lot of the same gear we do here) What they do is statistical multiplexing (I think WFMY is the only station locally doing stat muxing, but I might be wrong. WXII maybe doing that as well now. We are not since we don't have a second stream). The encoders run the same bandwidth and the multiplexer allocates how much bandwidth is output at a given point in time. When the 2 SD channels are shut down OTA, they reallocate bandwidth OTA through the stat mux for HD. The fiber optic cable to TWC-RDU is fed from the encoder where the network is fed from the stat mux, if I remember the flow correctly that I saw last year. That is how they can keep HD up 24/7 on the cable and only 8pm to 11pm OTA.

a couple of questions about yesterday's WXLV/TWC developments:
1. During the Super Bowl was TW channel 530 (qam 115-4) intended to be HD or SD digital?
2. Do we know yet if the additional channels are here to stay?
3. If the impasse was not resolved, then what lead to the inclusion of WXLV's digital signal yesterday and today thus far? I mean, why add the digital signal if the controversy was not settled? And a better question-why in blue blazes add digital in SD when HD is available?

Why does WXLV broadcast a digital SD and HD signal? Wouldn't 99% of the people out there recieving the digital broadcast be watching the HD signal? I am not sure why anyone would buy an HDTV OTA STB and watch the SD signal instead of the HD one.


I have not seen any SD only digital OTA STB's.

Why does WXLV broadcast a digital SD and HD signal? Wouldn't 99% of the people out there recieving the digital broadcast be watching the HD signal? I am not sure why anyone would buy an HDTV OTA STB and watch the SD signal instead of the HD one.


I have not seen any SD only digital OTA STB's.

I never got that either. Any (H)DTV set top box or DTV I've seen, OTA, cable, satellite, can not only downconvert the HD channel to 480i (letterboxed 16:9), but can zoom it back up to a cropped 4:3 as well. WTVD has dropped their SD simulcast, I think WRAL's might be a "cable only" product (which makes even less sense), but WNCN still does theirs.

I know it's been said multiple times, but I too can verify low center audio. I switched to ABC Charlotte OTA and there were no problems.

Got new software in today for upgrading the Tandberg and the dolbys. I installed the Tandberg upgrade which Andrew Corp. said would take care of the audio dropouts. I will run the dolby upgrade tomorrow after GMA. GMA is only sent in stereo so I am hoping after the west coast feed is done they will loop the HD test feed for a while. I will give the center channel more gain when I do the setups.
If I remove the mapping for the SD channel TWC loses the fiber feed. I understand they were using the fiber feed for Greensboro yesterday and off air for Winston.

I recently purchased an HDTV with built-in ATSC tuner. (panasonic pt-52lcx15-b)

Using a 20 year old outdoor antenna w/rotator, I can successfully receive:

WFMY-DT
WXII-DT
WXLV-DT
WUPN-DT

Although I can receive the analog version of WGHP, I cannot get the digital version. I have pointed my antenna to 140° but still no luck. Is WGHP brodcasting in DT yet?

^ They're almost done upgrading their transmitter. search posts by "foxeng" and you'll get all the info from the source.

I recently purchased an HDTV with built-in ATSC tuner. (panasonic pt-52lcx15-b)

Using a 20 year old outdoor antenna w/rotator, I can successfully receive:

WFMY-DT
WXII-DT
WXLV-DT
WUPN-DT

Although I can receive the analog version of WGHP, I cannot get the digital version. I have pointed my antenna to 140° but still no luck. Is WGHP brodcasting in DT yet?

Yes we are broadcasting in digital. Our reduced power coverage doesn't quite make Clemmons. Clemmons is just beyond by just a couple of miles. We are in the final stages of completing a new transmitter site that will have full power digital. We had hoped to have it running by now, but we have hit several snags in the last week that we are working through as we speak. At this point, we do not have a date yet. It will depend on others whom we have no control over. We are at their mercy right now.

Here is our reduced power coverage area:

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DS598972.gif

And this will be our full power coverage:

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT1100397.gif

Question for the broadcasters in the audience,

I know it's a ways off, but what exactly happens on February 17, 2009?

Example: WUPN-TV abandons analog channel 48, and WRAL-DT moves to channel 48, which means WCTI-DT 48 has to move to channel 12, which is currently occupied by WCTI-TV. All this is going to have to be carefully coordinated, like the big AM frequency shift of 1941.

After all that has happened, do stations drop their "mapped" channel number and become identified by their new permanent assignment. WFMY-TV 51???

Do I have to rescan my ATSC tuner to deal with all these changes???

Do LPTV channels still broadcast in analog???

What about all the small SMATV (hotels, hospitals, apartment) headends that have to deal with DT's suddenly moving to a different channel, assuming they were at least prepared equipment wise???

And we thought Y2K was going to be an event. We ain't seen nothin' yet. It promises to be a busy day.

Question for the broadcasters in the audience,

I know it's a ways off, but what exactly happens on February 17, 2009?

Example: WUPN-TV abandons analog channel 48, and WRAL-DT moves to channel 48, which means WCTI-DT 48 has to move to channel 12, which is currently occupied by WCTI-TV. All this is going to have to be carefully coordinated, like the big AM frequency shift of 1941.

Don't know yet. The FCC hasn't given us a timetable on whether they will let stations stay on their digital channels post Feb 17 until they can change or if we have to be on the permanent assignments on Feb 18th. The only thing sure is at 11:59pm on Feb 17, 2009, there will be no full power analog television in the US.

After all that has happened, do stations drop their "mapped" channel number and become identified by their new permanent assignment. WFMY-TV 51???

No, what ever a stations analog channel was, they will always be known as that no matter what channel they are on and they have to always map as their analog channel number.

Do I have to rescan my ATSC tuner to deal with all these changes???

Depends on if any station changes channels. In the Triad, the answer is yes since WGHP will be the only station in the Triad moving back to its analog channel post Feb 17, 2009.

Do LPTV channels still broadcast in analog???

As of right now, yes, but it is expected that they too will be required to either cease analog and flashcut to digital on that date or will be required to be digital pre-Feb 17. Those rules are still in flux.

What about all the small SMATV (hotels, hospitals, apartment) headends that have to deal with DT's suddenly moving to a different channel, assuming they were at least prepared equipment wise???

They are responsible for their own systems, just like the TWC's of the world.

And we thought Y2K was going to be an event. We ain't seen nothin' yet. It promises to be a busy day.

I suspect so.

Don't know yet. The FCC hasn't given us a timetable on whether they will let stations stay on their digital channels post Feb 17 until they can change or if we have to be on the permanent assignments on Feb 18th. The only thing sure is at 11:59pm on Feb 17, 2009, there will be no full power analog television in the US.



No, what ever a stations analog channel was, they will always be known as that no matter what channel they are on and they have to always map as their analog channel number.



Depends on if any station changes channels. In the Triad, the answer is yes since WGHP will be the only station in the Triad moving back to its analog channel post Feb 17, 2009.



As of right now, yes, but it is expected that they too will be required to either cease analog and flashcut to digital on that date or will be required to be digital pre-Feb 17. Those rules are still in flux.



They are responsible for their own systems, just like the TWC's of the world.



I suspect so.
And I thought Tuesday would be dull...
Dang ya'll!! That's way too much for my tiny brain today - I guess I'll just go back to sipping my chardonnay and planning my tennis schedule for the week...;)

Depends on if any station changes channels. In the Triad, the answer is yes since WGHP will be the only station in the Triad moving back to its analog channel post Feb 17, 2009.


Yea, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my 4228 will still be able to pick up WGHP-DT. I know VHF 8 is borderline for the 4228.

Why is the best college basketball game so far this year not in HD? Man I'm mad!

And we thought Y2K was going to be an event. We ain't seen nothin' yet. It promises to be a busy day.I would disagree. Y2K was much bigger that the general public realizes. When the clock struck 2000 and nothing happened people think Y2K was overblown. It wasn't. Its just that many people like me, a computer programmer, spent countless man hours and companies spent billions of dollars to eradicate the Y2K problem so that when the year struck 2000, nothing happened. Myself, along with the other 150+ IT professionals in my company worked for over a year to correct our Y2K issues and we were done by September 1998.

Comparing people's ability to watch broadcast tv to an issue that could've deprived people of electricty, heat and other essentials isn't really valid.

Got new software in today for upgrading the Tandberg and the dolbys. I installed the Tandberg upgrade which Andrew Corp. said would take care of the audio dropouts. I will run the dolby upgrade tomorrow after GMA. GMA is only sent in stereo so I am hoping after the west coast feed is done they will loop the HD test feed for a while. I will give the center channel more gain when I do the setups.

FWIW, I like some others, also saw (heard) the issues with the 5.1 sound on the OTA signal. I also had to boost the center significantly, and also had to reduce my R&L to compensate. On the other hand, the SD subchannel seems fine, and at the right levels.
I hope the upgrade/adjustments will show some improvement.

In addition, I notice that both UPN48 SD and HD seem to have fairly consistent levels, as do both subchannels of WXII. On the other hand, WFMY is far to loud on both SD&HD in comparison to other OTA signals, and also to other sources (Cable, Sat, DVD).
Finally WUNL seems to be using Dolby Prologic, which I have always disliked, and it is below 'normal' levels.

Curious how others find the audio levels on the various OTA channels.
It's annoying because the levels are so different, that when changing channels I hate having to adjust the volume so dramitically (up or down).

Isn't the programming monitored for consistency and comparison against other digital broadcast signals?

For comparison, using a Samsung SIR-T451, with Optical for audio to a KLH receiver. No issues on other sources (Cable, etc).

EDIT: Just changed the channel to Boston Legal, and can't really hear the center channel at all over the others. Basically unwatchable without adjusting my receiver, which I won't be doing anymore for a single channel. (and shouldn't have to)

Why is the best college basketball game so far this year not in HD? Man I'm mad!

It was. We are just cursed to live in the middle of the best basketball country in the US. Thank Raycom/JP for their territorial coverage.

I still don't get why the HD channel that we pay extra for can be blacked out, but what do I know? 'Tis life on Tobacco Road.

Yea, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my 4228 will still be able to pick up WGHP-DT. I know VHF 8 is borderline for the 4228.

It should. Even with analog, I get us on 8 with my 4228 with no problem.

Comparing people's ability to watch broadcast tv to an issue that could've deprived people of electricty, heat and other essentials isn't really valid.

Are you sure about that???? My guess is that you've never worked at a cable company. :rolleyes:

Are you sure about that???? My guess is that you've never worked at a cable company. :rolleyes:

I have done without cable for the last eight years just fine thank you. Cable is NOT a necessity like electricity. That is part of cables problem. They thing they are just as important, but in the real world, they are expendable. just like the phone. Lights and water are not. If not for my job, I wouldn't have as many phones and lines as I do.

I have done without cable for the last eight years just fine thank you. Cable is NOT a necessity like electricity. That is part of cables problem. They thing they are just as important, but in the real world, they are expendable. just like the phone. Lights and water are not. If not for my job, I wouldn't have as many phones and lines as I do.

Actually what I meant to say was doing without "TV". But reference to cable applies to the 65% of the households connected to cable are clueless on how to use their TV without it. So when the cable goes out, they go ballistic.

What makes a cable outage such a big deal is that so many people use it continuously, and are instantly aware of any problems. Other than electricity, no other service has such immediate visability at times of failure. Your phone could be out for days, and you might not even know it, unless you wanted to order a pizza or something.

And with half of the cable subcribers dependant on the cable for their internet, and a third for their phone service, it is a lot more essential to those who are tethered to it than one might think at first glance.

For those 65% of the households that subscribe cable is of extremely high importance not only for information from broadcasters in an emergency situation, it is also more and more their primary communication link with the outside world.

Yes, there are alternatives to cable; broadcast TV, satellite, radio, cell phones, but then one could also have a electric generator and an emergency water supply. Like it or not, the future communications model is as follows: deep fiber optics, last mile copper/coax, last 100 feet wifi wireless.

I have both satellite and cable. From a pure "future-ready" perspective, cable is the hands down winner. It can just do SO many things satellite can't.

As for picture quality, the digital simulcast standard defintion channels on my local cable system are superior to those on DirecTV and will only get better with abandonment of analog signals. Satellite certainly has it's niche, as does OTA TV, and "uggh" POTS (telco ligo for Plain Old Telephone Service), but the big winner is cable.

Just my 2 cents.

PS, Another thing cable can easily do that broadcast and satellite never can is to sell advertising on a node (neighborhood) by node basis. Imagine the possiblities.......

foxeng,

While I'm obviously a "cable" guy and live in the Triangle, I enjoy the sometimes passionate discussion on this board, and while we obviously don't always agree, I enjoy your reponses.

I'll give you a reception report from North Raleigh from my 4228/7777 on WGHP-DT once you're up and running.

It was. We are just cursed to live in the middle of the best basketball country in the US. Thank Raycom/JP for their territorial coverage.

I still don't get why the HD channel that we pay extra for can be blacked out, but what do I know? 'Tis life on Tobacco Road.

Surprisingly, neither channel 203 or 73 were blacked out for me last night. I was able to watch the game on DirecTV channel 73 (the HD channel) and it was in SD all night with the "ESPNHD" gray bars on the side. But they did mention something pretty cool. When Duke UNC play next time, ESPN is doing some 360 coverage where the game will be shown on 3 different ESPN channels, and 3 different aspects of the game. Regular, above the rim and a stat channel. But don't get too excited Triad, they will probably black that out too.

I currently have 4228 for 4 years and my rotar will not turn and i need help with this. I can not do this myself and need professional help. who do you recommend. I think "roger" set this up for me 4 years ago.....

thanks for any suggestions.

I have asked dow electronics and they do not know of anyone....

Surprisingly, neither channel 203 or 73 were blacked out for me last night. I was able to watch the game on DirecTV channel 73 (the HD channel) and it was in SD all night with the "ESPNHD" gray bars on the side.

That's disappointing. They did have the previous game (UK vs. Tennessee) in HD. Disappointing that they wouldn't or couldn't do both in HD.

On the bright side, getting the ESPN feed meant you didn't have to listen to Billy Packer (although that meant you DID have to listen to Dick Vitale and probably the awful Mike Patrick as well. Wow, talk about pick your poison! :) ).

That's disappointing. They did have the previous game (UK vs. Tennessee) in HD. Disappointing that they wouldn't or couldn't do both in HD.

On the bright side, getting the ESPN feed meant you didn't have to listen to Billy Packer (although that meant you DID have to listen to Dick Vitale and probably the awful Mike Patrick as well. Wow, talk about pick your poison! :) ).


I could not beleive that ESPN-HD didn't do this game in HD. I mean, all they do is talk about the rivalry and play it up for a month in advance. And I don't understand why they didn't black out ESPN-HD, although I'm not complaining. And yes we did have to listen to Vitale but not Patrick thank God. I agree, he's the worst.

Zane,

I don't know if this was a network problem last night or if it was a local or cable problem, but during the last half of Boston Legal there was cracking in the audio, and only for parts of the audio - especially Michael J. Fox's dialogue. I did not go to check the OTA broadcast - I was "snug as a bug in a rug " cocooned in my room and too lazy to check ;).

Just wanted you to know.

Zane,

I don't know if this was a network problem last night or if it was a local or cable problem, but during the last half of Boston Legal there was cracking in the audio, and only for parts of the audio - especially Michael J. Fox's dialogue. I did not go to check the OTA broadcast - I was "snug as a bug in a rug " cocooned in my room and too lazy to check ;).

Just wanted you to know.

FYI, I watched Boston Legal (on ABC) last night over TWC cable and I didn't notice any problems with the sound.

PS. I was watching it on Digital channel 530 as opposed to analog channel 7.
I don't know if that matters or not.

Zane,

I don't know if this was a network problem last night or if it was a local or cable problem, but during the last half of Boston Legal there was cracking in the audio, and only for parts of the audio - especially Michael J. Fox's dialogue. I did not go to check the OTA broadcast - I was "snug as a bug in a rug " cocooned in my room and too lazy to check ;).

Just wanted you to know.

There was indeed an audio problem which affected the off air analog signal. We experienced an audio subcarrier problem in the microwave unit transmitting to Sauratown. It has been very sporatic and somewhat difficult to troubleshoot. It happened again this morning and stayed long enough for me to find the problem in the microwave. We switched to the hot standby and will have to have the card repaired or replaced.
It should not have been on either of the digital feeds.

February 8, 2006
Bush Signs DTV Conversion Bill
By Doug Halonen - TV Week

Making the digital TV conversion mandate official, President Bush on Wednesday signed legislation that would require broadcasters to pull the plug on analog TV broadcasts by Feb. 17, 2009.

The controversial measure includes a provision that would provide up to $1.5 billion to help consumers buy digital-to-analog converter boxes to ensure that analog-only TV sets will still be able to receive over-the-air signals after the transition.

There was indeed an audio problem which affected the off air analog signal. We experienced an audio subcarrier problem in the microwave unit transmitting to Sauratown. It has been very sporatic and somewhat difficult to troubleshoot. It happened again this morning and stayed long enough for me to find the problem in the microwave. We switched to the hot standby and will have to have the card repaired or replaced.
It should not have been on either of the digital feeds.
I was watching the analog channel 7. I'm glad you found the problem!

Ok, we've got people from FOX and ABC on here to help answer our questions, what about CBS? At the beginning of a lot of their programming, you'll notice "Available in 5.1" Well, as we all know here in the Triad CBS 2-1 doesn't give us true Dolby Digital 5.1. I was just wondering if anybody knows when they are going to upgrade their equipment? I watched the Grammy Awards last night and could only imagine how much better it would be in true surround sound.

February 8, 2006
Bush Signs DTV Conversion Bill
By Doug Halonen - TV Week

Making the digital TV conversion mandate official, President Bush on Wednesday signed legislation that would require broadcasters to pull the plug on analog TV broadcasts by Feb. 17, 2009.

The controversial measure includes a provision that would provide up to $1.5 billion to help consumers buy digital-to-analog converter boxes to ensure that analog-only TV sets will still be able to receive over-the-air signals after the transition.

Perhaps FEMA can be involved in the distribution of the boxes ??? That way, everyone that needs one can get one by 2011. But they better get in line NOW.

Ok, we've got people from FOX and ABC on here to help answer our questions, what about CBS? At the beginning of a lot of their programming, you'll notice "Available in 5.1" Well, as we all know here in the Triad CBS 2-1 doesn't give us true Dolby Digital 5.1. I was just wondering if anybody knows when they are going to upgrade their equipment?

Back in September I emailed WFMY and asked them that very question. Here is the polite, but ultimately useless answer I got back:

Great question...we're not ready to set a date yet, but will keep our
viewers posted. Thanks for asking though.

For those of who are paying customers for the HD Pack service from Time Warner Cable in GSO it is deplorable that we did not recieve HD broadcast for the most important sporting events of the year - The Superbowl & Duke vs. Carolina. We are most certainly cursed by JP/Raycom and many other factors. Hopefully it will get better to justify the EXPENSE or I may cancel and go with OTA system.

I'm glad one conflict apperas to be over and we now get ABD in HD.

ABC is not in HD yet as far as I can tell on TWC> CHannel 530 is SD.

ABC is not in HD yet as far as I can tell on TWC> CHannel 530 is SD.

You're right. :( It has been in SD, not HD, ever since channel 530 was accessable on TW. I think that they just got it ready in case they got a last minute deal with ABC(Sinclair) for showing the Super Bowl in HD. Unfortunately it never happened.

:mad:

^ Plus, I noticed that 530 is the only 500 level channel without "D", HD", or "DT" in its label. Since the low level channels are now sent out digitally to HD boxes, TWC is simply mapping either channel 7 or 45-1 to 530 to take up the space in that slot. I agree that they were probably hoping for a deal when they brought it online Sunday, but it never happened, and I guess it won't be until at least Q3 of this year if at all that they renegotiate.

ABC is not in HD yet as far as I can tell on TWC> CHannel 530 is SD.

According to TWC-GSO, channel 530 is the SD signal only not the HD. There has been no agreement on the HD signal according to TWC-GSO.

Regarding Time Warner's position on the ABC issue, this may shed some light:

"The Copyright Act requires cable operators to obtain a compulsory license for the carriage of programming. The cable operator pays the fee to the copyright office, for distribution to the copyright holders of the program material. The fee for each cable system is based on the system's "gross receipts" from the carriage of broadcast signals and the number of "distant signal equivalents" a term identifying non-network programming from distant television stations carried by the system." Source "FCC Fact Sheet - Cable Television" June, 2000

In other words, cable operators ARE paying to retransmit broadcast stations, these fees being redistributed to the copyright holders.

It is a substantial amount.

Can anybody say "double dipping?"

Regarding Time Warner's position on the ABC issue, this may shed some light:

"The Copyright Act requires cable operators to obtain a compulsory license for the carriage of programming. The cable operator pays the fee to the copyright office, for distribution to the copyright holders of the program material. The fee for each cable system is based on the system's "gross receipts" from the carriage of broadcast signals and the number of "distant signal equivalents" a term identifying non-network programming from distant television stations carried by the system." Source "FCC Fact Sheet - Cable Television" June, 2000

In other words, cable operators ARE paying to retransmit broadcast stations, these fees being redistributed to the copyright holders.

It is a substantial amount.

Can anybody say "double dipping?"

Then it is double dipping for ESPN, HBO, Discovery Channel, CNN, etc. Your arguement doesn't hold water.

Then it is double dipping for ESPN, HBO, Discovery Channel, CNN, etc. Your arguement doesn't hold water.

Well, it does, because the fees collected under the compulsary license provision of the Copywrite Act are redistributed to the copywrite owners of programming on broadcast stations. ESPN and CNN do not share in these revenues.

However, I'm not sure if stations themselves receive compensation. Maybe it's just Oprah that's double dipping ;)

Seems like compulsary license was 3.75% of gross revenues generated from any and all tiers of service which included broadcast stations, which is why cable operators offer a "lifeline" basic of mostly broadcast channels, and that TBS and WGN were historically assigned to that tier, although now the are excluded from compulsary license because of how they write their syndication contracts.

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that certain channels like nbchd, discoveryhd, unchd video intermittently pauses while audio continues. CBS is fine though. All channels are fine with OTA. I'm using a Fusion gold qam-t with 3.2 drivers, anyone else experiencing this?

now on Triad TWC ch 565!!

Just in a nick of time. Not sure if it is free or with the HD pack (i have hd pack.)

Wolfmans2000,
Ok, what is Universal HD? I am not familiar with this channel. Thanks in advance, WolfpackRon.

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that certain channels like nbchd, discoveryhd, unchd video intermittently pauses while audio continues. CBS is fine though. All channels are fine with OTA. I'm using a Fusion gold qam-t with 3.2 drivers, anyone else experiencing this?

My situation with the qam's is the reverse-CBS has dropouts and the others are fine. (no problems with any of the OTA's that i receive.

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that certain channels like nbchd, discoveryhd, unchd video intermittently pauses while audio continues. CBS is fine though. All channels are fine with OTA. I'm using a Fusion gold qam-t with 3.2 drivers, anyone else experiencing this?

It almost sounds like a buffering problem on the video side of your TV's signal processing. If there is a cable "hic cup", you usually lose both video and audio. In Raleigh TWC, channel 999 gets into the Set Top Box diagnostic screens, and with a little navigation you can see just how many bit errors are in the stream. I'm not sure your system uses the same channel to access the diagnostics. Perhaps someone reading this can offer you some additional info.

It almost sounds like a buffering problem on the video side of your TV's signal processing. If there is a cable "hic cup", you usually lose both video and audio. In Raleigh TWC, channel 999 gets into the Set Top Box diagnostic screens, and with a little navigation you can see just how many bit errors are in the stream. I'm not sure your system uses the same channel to access the diagnostics. Perhaps someone reading this can offer you some additional info.
I have have been wondering the samething about the channel, does anyone know the channel for the Triad its not 999, I know that.

It almost sounds like a buffering problem on the video side of your TV's signal processing. If there is a cable "hic cup", you usually lose both video and audio. In Raleigh TWC, channel 999 gets into the Set Top Box diagnostic screens, and with a little navigation you can see just how many bit errors are in the stream. I'm not sure your system uses the same channel to access the diagnostics. Perhaps someone reading this can offer you some additional info.

Thanks. If it's a buffering problem what's the culprit? the card, or other system hardware or software?

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that certain channels like nbchd, discoveryhd, unchd video intermittently pauses while audio continues. CBS is fine though. All channels are fine with OTA. I'm using a Fusion gold qam-t with 3.2 drivers, anyone else experiencing this?

If you are have problems with signals (video or audio) that are coming to you through a Time Warner cable box, I would suggest that you UNPLUG (not just turn off) the cable box for at least 2 minutes and then plug it back in and see if the problem persist. The digital sound signal to my A/V receiver recently just stopped working. Using my DVD player, the sound to my speakers was just fine, but when I was watching TV, NO SOUND! I knew it had to be something to do with the cable box. I called TW customer service and got a recording that said if you were experiencing any video artifacts or intermitent 'skipping', to unplug th box for 2 minutes and see if that fixes the problem. I tried it, and sure enough, my sound started working just fine. Just my 2 cents. It won't hurt to try it. :)

now on Triad TWC ch 565!!

Just in a nick of time. Not sure if it is free or with the HD pack (i have hd pack.)
I have it as well and I don't subscribe to the HD pack.

If you are have problems with signals (video or audio) that are coming to you through a Time Warner cable box, I would suggest that you UNPLUG (not just turn off) the cable box for at least 2 minutes and then plug it back in and see if the problem persist. The digital sound signal to my A/V receiver recently just stopped working. Using my DVD player, the sound to my speakers was just fine, but when I was watching TV, NO SOUND! I knew it had to be something to do with the cable box. I called TW customer service and got a recording that said if you were experiencing any video artifacts or intermitent 'skipping', to unplug th box for 2 minutes and see if that fixes the problem. I tried it, and sure enough, my sound started working just fine. Just my 2 cents. It won't hurt to try it. :)

It's not thru a box, the tv card decodes the signal.

It's not thru a box, the tv card decodes the signal.

You are using a 'cable card'? You probably should check with whoever installed it to see what they would suggest. (Possibly unplugging the TV will cause the 'cable card' to 'reset', similarly to my situation.)

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that certain channels like nbchd, discoveryhd, unchd video intermittently pauses while audio continues. CBS is fine though. All channels are fine with OTA. I'm using a Fusion gold qam-t with 3.2 drivers, anyone else experiencing this?

Sounds like a signal problem. Make sure you have good connections to your Fusion card and you aren't going through alot of splitters. Every 2 way splitter you go through, you are halving the signal. Each 4 way you are dropping it by 66% and each 6 way you are dropping it by 75% out of each port.

Yea! Uni-HD on TWC!

I sent TWC a letter about getting UHD for the Olympics and just in time! Thanks TWC!

And it's part of the standard HD package.

Does WXII send out a DD 5.1 on TWC HD channel? I dont see where Im getting it for the Olympic like it said.

Yay for TWC.

Adding UHD today is a big move on their part. Kudos.

Has anyone noticed channels 17 and up are digital now? Well at least mine are in winston. I noticed it this morning but didn't think anything about it. But I realized the slight pause between channels as if I was in digital and the clearer picture.

QAM channel is 115-1 for TWC Lexington for Universal HD. Beautiful picture...

Sounds like a signal problem. Make sure you have good connections to your Fusion card and you aren't going through alot of splitters. Every 2 way splitter you go through, you are halving the signal. Each 4 way you are dropping it by 66% and each 6 way you are dropping it by 75% out of each port.
I think you're right. The signal goes thru one two way splitter and a 3 way splitter before it connects to my card. Can I improve the signal by getting higher quality splitters?

I think you're right. The signal goes thru one two way splitter and a 3 way splitter before it connects to my card. Can I improve the signal by getting higher quality splitters?Splitters are not 100% efficient, a two way splitter sends a bit less than half of the signal to each of its two ports. For rough calculations, you can use 3dB, but in reality it is probably closer to 4 dB loss.

A three way splitter internally is usually wired as a two way splitter with one output feeding a second internal two way splitter. This gives you one output port (4dB loss) with a signal level higher than the other two output ports. (8dB loss)

So... if you take your configuration... better quality splitters might get you closer to the theoretical 3dB loss per two-way-split, but even if everything was perfect, you are still looking at 9dB loss to two of the outputs of your splitters. Now, -3dB is half of the signal, -10dB is one-tenth, -13 would be one-twentieth of the signal.

You should seriously consider an amplifier before splitting your signal from the cable company so many times. (You will probably need a bi-directional amplifier if you have any cable boxes from your cable company) Your fusion card might only be getting a small fraction of what the cable company is providing.

Joe L.


-----(-4 dB)--------------------------------------- -4dB
|
--(0 dB)----| ------(-4 dB)---------------------- -8dB
| |
-----(-4 dB)----| -----(-4 dB)----- -12dB
| |
------(-4 dB)-----|
|
-----(-4db)------ -12dB

Splitters are not 100% efficient, a two way splitter sends a bit less than half of the signal to each of its two ports. For rough calculations, you can use 3dB, but in reality it is probably closer to 4 dB loss.

A three way splitter internally is usually wired as a two way splitter with one output feeding a second internal two way splitter. This gives you one output port (4dB loss) with a signal level higher than the other two output ports. (8dB loss)

So... if you take your configuration... better quality splitters might get you closer to the theoretical 3dB loss per two-way-split, but even if everything was perfect, you are still looking at 9dB loss to two of the outputs of your splitters. Now, -3dB is half of the signal, -10dB is one-tenth, -13 would be one-twentieth of the signal.

You should seriously consider an amplifier before splitting your signal from the cable company so many times. (You will probably need a bi-directional amplifier if you have any cable boxes from your cable company) Your fusion card might only be getting a small fraction of what the cable company is providing.

Joe L.


-----(-4 dB)--------------------------------------- -4dB
|
--(0 dB)----| ------(-4 dB)---------------------- -8dB
| |
-----(-4 dB)----| -----(-4 dB)----- -12dB
| |
------(-4 dB)-----|
|
-----(-4db)------ -12dB



Yeah!! What HE said!!

Thanks for taking the time to explain it better than I did Joe. Just don't have the time right now, since I am at work, 4th Saturday in the last 5 working on this DTV "thang!!"

Splitters are not 100% efficient, a two way splitter sends a bit less than half of the signal to each of its two ports. For rough calculations, you can use 3dB, but in reality it is probably closer to 4 dB loss.

A three way splitter internally is usually wired as a two way splitter with one output feeding a second internal two way splitter. This gives you one output port (4dB loss) with a signal level higher than the other two output ports. (8dB loss)

So... if you take your configuration... better quality splitters might get you closer to the theoretical 3dB loss per two-way-split, but even if everything was perfect, you are still looking at 9dB loss to two of the outputs of your splitters. Now, -3dB is half of the signal, -10dB is one-tenth, -13 would be one-twentieth of the signal.

You should seriously consider an amplifier before splitting your signal from the cable company so many times. (You will probably need a bi-directional amplifier if you have any cable boxes from your cable company) Your fusion card might only be getting a small fraction of what the cable company is providing.

Joe L.


-----(-4 dB)--------------------------------------- -4dB
|
--(0 dB)----| ------(-4 dB)---------------------- -8dB
| |
-----(-4 dB)----| -----(-4 dB)----- -12dB
| |
------(-4 dB)-----|
|
-----(-4db)------ -12dB



Now I just have it going thru one splitter and the problem's solved.

I just wish they would hurry up and add ESPN2-HD as well! (Not to mention WXLV-ABC-HD)

Yea! Uni-HD on TWC!

I sent TWC a letter about getting UHD for the Olympics and just in time! Thanks TWC!

And it's part of the standard HD package.

Can anyone explain to me why I was able to get the VA vs VA Tech basketball game tonight on D*TV (channel 48) and analog OTA but not DT or HD? My signal strength was good but there was no audio or video.

Thanks!

Has anyone noticed WXII signal breaking up during Olympics saturday night? The SD channel was fine whenever I switched over to that. I wonder if it was TWC, NBC or WXII that was having the problem

Has anyone noticed WXII signal breaking up during Olympics saturday night? The SD channel was fine whenever I switched over to that. I wonder if it was TWC, NBC or WXII that was having the problem

It appears to be a network issue. Other people in other areas are seeing the same thing.

Has anyone noticed WXII signal breaking up during Olympics saturday night? The SD channel was fine whenever I switched over to that. I wonder if it was TWC, NBC or WXII that was having the problem

Yes, I experienced the same and I am using OTA. I even tried WCNC (channel 36.1) but it made no difference.

Yeah, last night's broadcast was a little wiggy.

Around 10:00 pm, while watching the Olympics, I lost the OTA signal tonight (Sunday) on WXII channel 12.1 and 12.2. It went from 88% to 6%.

I was able to tune to WCNC channel 36.1 and continue to watch the Olympics.

At 11:15 pm, channel 12.1 was still no good. Then, I had an idea. I tuned to channel 31 and the signal returned back to 88% and channel 12.1 & 12.2 are working again.

Any ideas on what may have caused this?

Did my TV lose the "psip" information?

NBC's HD feed is out of New York. The snowstorm was causing major problems with the dishes. Though the dishes are heated, they were still having problems with snow buildup. That's what was causing all of the issues. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe other networks have HD feed sites on the West Coast that they can switch to in cases of severe weather. NBC does not.

NBC's HD feed is out of New York. The snowstorm was causing major problems with the dishes. Though the dishes are heated, they were still having problems with snow buildup. That's what was causing all of the issues. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe other networks have HD feed sites on the West Coast that they can switch to in cases of severe weather. NBC does not.
That makes sense. Thanks MR12!

Can anyone confirm if Universal HD is only being offered temporarily during the Olympics and will go away once they are over?

I have not heard anything from TWC about UHD. I emailed them a question last weekend.

Those of you that have DirecTV's HD package, check out channel 75. Looks like they've added TNT HD. Anyone else seeing this?

They added TNT-HD this morning (2/17/06)

If you have one of these TV's, you will want to call Sony for the software upgrade:

"We have recently learned that a limited number of Bravia (Flat Screen)
and Grand Wega (Rear Projection LCD) televisions manufactured through
November 2005 temporarily may not, after several months (depending upon
usage), turn on or off due to a software issue. This problem is easily
resolved with a simple software update provided by Sony at no charge."

Models affected:
Bravia
KDL-V26XBR1
KDL-V32XBR1
KDL-V40XBR1

Excellent! Great find guys; didn't even notice!

Those of you that have DirecTV's HD package, check out channel 75. Looks like they've added TNT HD. Anyone else seeing this?

Are there any antenna installers in the area that any of you could recommend? I live in Rockingham County and cannot find anyone local who installs them. I am unsure if any would travel this far from Guilford Co.

Thanks in advance.
Kev

seems to have true 5.1 Dolby surroundsound. Things are getting better all the time. Now if we could get ABC to turn up the volume on their HD broadcasts, life would be good.

Is the over all volume of ABC low or just portions of the 5.1? Several posters on here have complained about the center channel being low. I had hoped recent changes had cured that problem. Current settings are to ABC specs for the 5.1 audio broadcasts.

Are there any antenna installers in the area that any of you could recommend? I live in Rockingham County and cannot find anyone local who installs them. I am unsure if any would travel this far from Guilford Co.

Thanks in advance.
Kev

I live in Rockingham County also (in Stoneville) and I don't know of anyone who installs antennas either. You probably will have to get someone from Greensboro or Winston-Salem. I put up mine myself. Good luck.

Trey

Is the over all volume of ABC low or just portions of the 5.1? Several posters on here have complained about the center channel being low. I had hoped recent changes had cured that problem. Current settings are to ABC specs for the 5.1 audio broadcasts.

Seems to be just the center channel. It's very annoying and makes it very difficult to hear the dialogue.

Foxeng:

Just wondering if you could say whether or not the new antenna install will be on the air by this weekend. Really looking forward to watching NASCAR on Fox in HD. My friends with HDTV's say FOX has the best HD. Thanks for all the updates you have given.

Trey

The center downmix is set at -3. That is the setting that ABC recommends. I notice on the wohler the center coming in seems to get buried. That is the way ABC sends it. Can anyone flip between WXLV and WSOC and compare? I can get 18, 3, and 36 at my house but not 9. I know they have a different dolby encoder than we do.

Zane,
I can verify that center channel on WSOC is higher than on WXLV. Hope that helps.

Foxeng:

Just wondering if you could say whether or not the new antenna install will be on the air by this weekend. Really looking forward to watching NASCAR on Fox in HD. My friends with HDTV's say FOX has the best HD. Thanks for all the updates you have given.

Trey

I would love to be able to say yes, but to be completely honest, I don't know. There is a chance (this is Monday and Sunday is a ways off so keep your fingers crossed, I have everything I own crossed!! ;) ) but I don't know how much of a chance. We have one issue left to resolve and it is an issue that is out of our control. As soon as we can get it resolved, we should be ready to go. Believe me, it is killing us too!

From TWC

Dear Mike,

Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable. As of right now, Universal HD is
only available for the Olympics coverage. It is currently unknown if this
station will be offered as a permanent channel after the Olympics.

We have not been granted permission from WXLV-ABC to transmit its high
definition signal at this time. Under FCC Regulations, Time Warner Cable had to
discontinue carriage of WXLV HD (channel 530). When permission is granted and a
contract has been finalized, carriage of WXLV's digital and high definition
signal will be resumed. We do not know when this may happen.

I would love to be able to say yes, but to be completely honest, I don't know. There is a chance (this is Monday and Sunday is a ways off so keep your fingers crossed, I have everything I own crossed!! ;) ) but I don't know how much of a chance. We have one issue left to resolve and it is an issue that is out of our control. As soon as we can get it resolved, we should be ready to go. Believe me, it is killing us too!


Thanks!

Universal HD is only available for the Olympics coverage.

This is so weak. Why is Raleigh TWC providing Universal HD and Greensboro not?

Man, I wish we could get some cable competition in this area! COMCAST! Come to Greensboro, I beg you!!!!

is UHD free in Raliegh or part of the extra cost HD-pack?

is UHD free in Raliegh or part of the extra cost HD-pack?

Free for the month of February, but part of the HD-suite ($6.95/mo) after that.

Believe me, UHD is pretty lame. Nothing but "Law and Order" and "Knight Rider" re-runs. They do have the US Open Tennis in August and currently has some Olympic coverage. But, for the other 50 weeks during the year, it's worthless. I'm still waiting for ESPN2HD (more than 15 months after launch) and the NFL Network (TWC is the only one of the top 5 cable providers to NOT carry the NFL Network ... which will have 8 regular season NFL games starting this year).

The only thing that UHD would do for me is the Battlestar Galactica shows in HD. Sci-Fi in SD stinks.

Free for the month of February, but part of the HD-suite ($6.95/mo) after that.

Believe me, UHD is pretty lame. Nothing but "Law and Order" and "Knight Rider" re-runs. They do have the US Open Tennis in August and currently has some Olympic coverage. But, for the other 50 weeks during the year, it's worthless. I'm still waiting for ESPN2HD (more than 15 months after launch) and the NFL Network (TWC is the only one of the top 5 cable providers to NOT carry the NFL Network ... which will have 8 regular season NFL games starting this year).

Maybe some of you all should consider DirecTV. Once they get all the locals with the new MPEG4 receivers and the new Media Center, there's no reason to stay with Time Warner. There's also talk of a PCI based add-on card that can be installed into your computer. Combine that with Windows Media Center and you'll have the internet, PVR, HDTV, DVD, music, and much more all combined together. Sounds pretty cool to me.

I will have to see how HD-Lite is with MPEG4. I also am not sure if a Dish will work on my townhouse. I also really like the recording two programs at a time with the SA8300HD.

It's not that I am even that wild about Universal HD - it's just the principle of the thing. The stupid franchise nature of TWC is infuriating. Why should TWC in Raleigh always get stuff before we do? It's irritating.

Frankly, the channel I really want from TWC is ESPN2-HD. If they don't get that before the 2006 college football season, I will be very, very angry.

There are a bevy of reasons why I don't like Sattelite as an option vs. cable.

- Having to buy equipment
- Having to have an ass ugly dish somewhere around my house
- Having to have a set top box on every TV in my house
- Having reception issues during storms
- Having no concrete date when locals will be available
- HD Lite

It will be interesting to see what happens come 2009 with cable. Will the cessation of analog broadcasts mean that you have to have a cable box on every TV for cable as well? That would eliminate one of my objections to Sattelite (or at least remove the advantage cable has).

I agree on all your points (cable vs. satellite). I also agree that TWC is absolutely infuriating. If they continue to be the last to add sports content (ESPN2HD, ESPNU, NFL Network), I'll have to consider D*- ugly dish and all.

Changes were made today to WXLV and WUPN DT's 45-1 is now the HD and 45-2 should be missing. 48-1 is the HD and 48-2 should be missing. An autoscan should find the new designations.

FYI,

For anybody who hasn't seen this info yet, D* has announce the next 24 markets to get HD locals starting in April. Charlotte and Raleigh are in that group of 24. In D*'s quarterly conference call they said that 70 markets will get HD locals by the end of this year. If Sinclair to be believed, the triad may get them by this summer.

Look at this pdf which details D*'s future plans.

http://www.longhornxp.net/directvnews.pdf

According to this pdf D* estimates that by second half next year D* will have about capacity for 150 hd channels, E* about 90-100 and the cable average will be about 50.

Edit to say that this is capacity, not actual channels.

Also according to LonghornXP from satguys.com he says this:

"A low risk customer with a good credit score won't have to pay the 250 dollar upfront fee for the HD DVR with a two year agreement while a high risk low credit customer will be required to pay 250 bucks upfront and also have a two year agreement. This 250 dollar charge will be a deposit and you will have to call and they will do a credit check once you order which will decide if you pay it or not. I think the general rule of thumb will be if your credit score is good enough to buy a house it will be good enough to not pay the deposit."

I've been holding out from getting a HD DVR because I didn't want to pay a huge amount for the HD-Tivo box.

This info also jives with what's in the above pdf on page 25 which says D*'s new leasing program will require up front payments from high risk customers.

Somebody else from satguys listed these highlights from D* quarterly conference call which went over the above pdf.

"I listened to the webcast and they expanded a bit on the slides in the PDF.
• New HD DVR with interactive this summer
• Reduce size, weight, cost of new dish, looks better… end of this year
• A couple national channels this year, major roll out next year with new sat.
• HD locals- 70 markets by the end of the year
• New product- professional grade receiver for high end systems (systems that cost $25,000+)
• Broadband delivery of video
• Very briefly talked about not having to run lines from dish- New technology will reuse existing cable wires without having to make dedicated lines from dish
• Power-line technology so that only one box needs phone line
• Hard Drive expansion, next year
• Diagnostic tools on boxes, call home to directv so they can contact consumer before it becomes an issue
• New integrated tvs, 1 month or 2
• Windows media centers later this year, will support HD, also xbox"

This is very exciting info for us D* customers.

Changes were made today to WXLV and WUPN DT's 45-1 is now the HD and 45-2 should be missing. 48-1 is the HD and 48-2 should be missing. An autoscan should find the new designations.

Zane,

Do you have anything to do with WLFL-22/WRDC-28??? Who does???

Zane,

Do you have anything to do with WLFL-22/WRDC-28??? Who does???

No, I do not. Even though they are Sinclair stations I do not have anything to do with them. I may have general knowledge concerning them but cannot speak for those stations. If you have technical questions for them you would need to call the stations directly.

Changes were made today to WXLV and WUPN DT's 45-1 is now the HD and 45-2 should be missing. 48-1 is the HD and 48-2 should be missing. An autoscan should find the new designations.


Cool what's our bandwith on these channels now? Are you guys switching to HD on 48 anymore. I record EveryBody Hates Chris and noticed it's been SD the last few weeks.

Bandwidth has not changed as we are still providing a SD signal for fiber. We will be switching HD on 48 very soon, probably next week. Our new Harmonic MV 450 has been locking up intermittently since it was installed yesterday and we are trying to figure that out now.

Bandwidth has not changed as we are still providing a SD signal for fiber. We will be switching HD on 48 very soon, probably next week. Our new Harmonic MV 450 has been locking up intermittently since it was installed yesterday and we are trying to figure that out now.


By the way ilikeHD is not me but another person here. I was at his computer and we were looking at the forum and I posted from his computer.

Zane,

It's probably just a side effect of the channel move but I've noticed that on both of 45.1 and 48.1 the audio is out of sync with the video. Yesterday I replace my old Phillips 60" HDTV with one of the new Sony 60" KDS-R60XBR1 HDTV. This tv shows more of the screen than the old tv. I've noticed that at the top of the picture you can see what looks the the edge of the picture. Kind of like the picture is slightly out of top/bottom alignment.

http://home.triad.rr.com/uncrules/images/100_0642.jpg

Click this link and look the picture and you should be able to see (I hope) what I'm talking about. Look at how the top edge of the picture is not a straight even line.

Does anyone know what the reception is like for HD channels in the Chapel Hill/Durham area? I have an HDTV but have yet to buy an HD receiver or antenna b/c I live in a smalltown currently and can't pick up anything anyways. Would I be able to pick up any HD stations in this area?

Does anyone know what the reception is like for HD channels in the Chapel Hill/Durham area? I have an HDTV but have yet to buy an HD receiver or antenna b/c I live in a smalltown currently and can't pick up anything anyways. Would I be able to pick up any HD stations in this area?

From the towers at Auburn, you get WRAL-DT, WTVD-DT, WNCN-DT and WRAZ-DT. They are full power. At reduced power from the same tower, is WLFL-DT and WRDC-DT. From the UNC tower at Carboro you can get WUNC-DT.

There is a complete Triangle thread that talks about all of the stations that are receivable in the Triangle.

I will have to see how HD-Lite is with MPEG4. I also am not sure if a Dish will work on my townhouse. I also really like the recording two programs at a time with the SA8300HD.

FCC Fact Sheet on Placement of Antennas - search google: FCC OTARD
(Sorry there's no link, working on 5 posts first)

Take a look at this if you have questions about whether or not lease restrictions on satellite dishes are actually applicable to you. My townhome lease prohibits satellite dishes. I spoke to management about allowing me to put up dish under the FCC's rules but they didn't seem to understand my questions. I did it anyway, since they have to provide proof that their restrictions are valid. My dish is on a 4x4 post sunk in a bucket of concrete on the patio. No questions asked since I put it up around Thanksgiving.

I will have to see how HD-Lite is with MPEG4.

There has been no indication that D* will continue the so called "HD-Lite" in MPEG4 HD There is no reason for it since MPEG4 uses the bandwidth more efficiently but I realize that no information spawns responses based on emotionalism and not facts.

There has been no indication that D* will continue the so called "HD-Lite" in MPEG4 HD There is no reason for it since MPEG4 uses the bandwidth more efficiently but I realize that no information spawns responses based on emotionalism and not facts.The initial reports from the first people to get local HD from D* was that they couldn't tell a difference between OTA and MPEG-4 from D*.

A friend of mine in High Point just got DirecTV and the installer installed the new 5 LNB dish at his house. He said that they are hesitant to install them on roofs due to the weight of the new dishes. That could be a potential problem for me since my current dish is on the roof and it's the only way I can clear the trees. Anyway, judging by the dish they used, I guess we're getting close to getting locals via satellite in the Triad.

A friend of mine in High Point just got DirecTV and the installer installed the new 5 LNB dish at his house. He said that they are hesitant to install them on roofs due to the weight of the new dishes. That could be a potential problem for me since my current dish is on the roof and it's the only way I can clear the trees. Anyway, judging by the dish they used, I guess we're getting close to getting locals via satellite in the Triad.
Did your friend get the MPEG4 receiver too or just the 5 LNB dish?

A friend of mine in High Point just got DirecTV and the installer installed the new 5 LNB dish at his house. He said that they are hesitant to install them on roofs due to the weight of the new dishes. That could be a potential problem for me since my current dish is on the roof and it's the only way I can clear the trees. Anyway, judging by the dish they used, I guess we're getting close to getting locals via satellite in the Triad.
Check the first post in this thread. Click on the attachment which shows what the new slimer Ka-Ku antenna will look like.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=57742

More discussion on this thread http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=57679

I've noticed that TWC hasn't yet taken away UHD. Here's hoping they won't.

Hey guys first time poster here. I saw where Zane gave the info that wxlv abc had removed 45.2 and made 45.1 their HD channel, tonight 2/28/06 at 9 I turned on according to JIM, and it was not in HD, is this just me, or is the channel having issues? thanx in advance

Hey guys first time poster here. I saw where Zane gave the info that wxlv abc had removed 45.2 and made 45.1 their HD channel, tonight 2/28/06 at 9 I turned on according to JIM, and it was not in HD, is this just me, or is the channel having issues? thanx in advance
I noticed that too, but it seems to be back in HD now with George Lopez.

I noticed that too, but it seems to be back in HD now with George Lopez.

Our eazysound died and we had to drop to upconverted to troubleshoot the probelm
We are still having issues with it today not "remembering" its programming. It wants to revert to audio input 1 after making a switch.

Ok, I have been reading this thread, search the forum in general, and looked up antennaweb. I still need some help though,

Right now the wife and I only have the lowest available TWC in Winston-Salem. We have a HDTV ready LCD.

She wants more channels, I want HDTV.

I was thinking of getting DishNet. for the extra channels. Then I want local channels in HD, so I need an antenna.

How do I go about getting this?
Would this work:
- Subscribe to 60 channel option from Dish.
- Get their Vic211 receiver.
- Install a antenna in the attic or on the roof and feed signal to the receiver. (Problem is I need to go 2 directions to get WXII in one direction and the rest in another direction).

Thank you for your patience and I'm sorry for all the questions.
Chris

Why not try the SA8300HD DVR from TWC? I priced things out and Dish isn't really all that much difference in price.

I have the extended tier (channels 2-78) plus the HD channels (501-565) for $65 a month with HD DVR. The Digipic packages aren't always the best deal.

Ok, I have been reading this thread, search the forum in general, and looked up antennaweb. I still need some help though,

Right now the wife and I only have the lowest available TWC in Winston-Salem. We have a HDTV ready LCD.

She wants more channels, I want HDTV.

I was thinking of getting DishNet. for the extra channels. Then I want local channels in HD, so I need an antenna.

How do I go about getting this?
Would this work:
- Subscribe to 60 channel option from Dish.
- Get their Vic211 receiver.
- Install a antenna in the attic or on the roof and feed signal to the receiver. (Problem is I need to go 2 directions to get WXII in one direction and the rest in another direction).

Thank you for your patience and I'm sorry for all the questions.
ChrisIf you want satellite you might want to wait before getting Dishnet. Directv is likely to roll out local channels in this area sometime this summer then you won't have to worry about an antenna. If you're not worried about the process of putting up an antenna and want more national HD channels right away, Dish currently offers more HD channels than either Directv or TWC from this area. However, by summer next year Directv will have more capacity for HD channels than either Dish or TWC.

Thank you.
I guess my #1 concern is cost.
Being a student I'm looking at the most affordable way to get local channels in HD. It might be out of my price-class anyway I look at it, unless I hone my negotiation skills with the wife. :D

If you have TWC basic calbe, you can probably get the HD channels for an additional $10. Digital access fee + Digital cable box fee.

No more UHD on TWC :(

Just started to watch Knight Rider again LOL

Yeah I noticed it was gone yesterday too. TWC=lame.

American Idol: Chris Daughtery

Chris's band performed at our church last summer:

Here are the live mp3's:

http://www.soundclick.com/artist/8/sundayat7_music.htm

Did your friend get the MPEG4 receiver too or just the 5 LNB dish?

I'm not sure as of right now. They are still moving into a new house, so TV was kind of on the back burner. The next time I'm over there, I'm going to check it out closer.

MyNetworkTV Signs 17 Sinclair Stations

By Michele Greppi - Televsion Week

The new-network affiliate wars heated up with the announcement Thursday that Fox's MyNetworkTV has signed as affiliates 17 of the 24 Sinclair Broadcast Group owned-or-operated stations that have been affiliated with The WB or UPN, which is merging into The CW.

The announcement was made jointly by Fox Television Stations CEO Jack Abernethy and Sinclair President and CEO David Smith.

The 17 stations cover 11.9 percent of the U.S. TV universe.

The WB-affiliated Sinclair stations signed in the deal include WTTA-TV in Tampa, Fla., (the 12th-largest market in the country), WCWB-TV in Pittsburgh (market No. 22), KVWB-TV in Las Vegas (48), WSTR-TV in Cincinnati (34), WBSC-TV in Greenville, S.C. (35), KRRT-TV in San Antonio, (37), WTVZ-TV Norfolk, Va. (42), WNYO-TV Buffalo, N.Y. (49), WNYS-TV Syracuse, N.Y. (76), and WDKA-TV in Paducah, Ky. (80).

The UPN-affiliated stations affiliating with MyNetworkTV include WRDC-TV in Raleigh, N.C. (market 29), WUXP-TV Nashville, Tenn. (30), WCGV-TV in Milwaukee (33), WABM-TV in Birmingham, Ala. (40), WUPN-TV Greensboro, N.C. (47), WMMP-TV Charleston, S.C. (64).

Also part of the deal is Sinclair's independent station WFGX-TV in Mobile, Ala. (market 62).

In a handful of markets where Sinclair has UPN-WB duopolies, it retains stations that presumably face the choice of going independent or competing for affiliation with The CW.

Interesting. I guess in theory this is good news if you like any UPN/WB programming that will survive to the CW. In theory if WTWB ever gets off their asses and starts doing HD, we'll get it on cable, and then you might finally get to see some of these shows in HD (on cable).

Of course if MyNetworkTV ends up with good stuff, then it will be bad news until TWC and Sinclair come to an agreement.

As for me, I know nothing about MNTV's programming and don't care about UPN/WB/CW programming so uhmmm.. yeah. :)

Interesting. I guess in theory this is good news if you like any UPN/WB programming that will survive to the CW.

Well maybe not. My sources tell me that CW hasn't contacted WTWB.

Well maybe not. My sources tell me that CW hasn't contacted WTWB.

Well, I figure they probably assumed (as I did) that the UPN affiliate would be theirs. Given that it broadcasts in HD today (occasionally even correctly) I assumed that it would be their preference. I doubt that they would not go to WTWB if the alternative was no affiliate in the area at all. And, I am sure WTWB will probably be knocking at their door so they can try to remain a somewhat relevant channel, unless there is some reason they would NOT want to be a CW station.

Has anyone heard if WFMY plans to add the subchannels for the NCAA tournament games?

Hello fellow TWC customers, the following is info gathered from emails to TWC Executive Fred Dressler. These are his quotes.

Future HD channel update

ESPN2-HD - hopeful to have espn2hd in time for baseball.
STARZ-HD - End of the year at the earliest
CINEMAX-HD – is almost done
TMC-HD - is done
Wealth TV-HD - are not in the works
Outdoor Channel 2-HD – are not in the works
MHD (MTV) - will take many months to conclude.
National Geographic-HD - No Word
Food Network-HD - Scripps has not yet made us a proposal.
HGTV-HD - Scripps has not yet made us a proposal.

Question I thought I would pose here since I want to know specifically what is needed for TWC Greensboro....

I have heard before that with a TV with an HD Tuner you can get certain HD channels without ponying up the monthly fee for a box. Specifically, I believe I read that the non-HD Tier channels are all tunable by simply connecting the coax to your HD TV. Is this correct? (ie. the networks, + TNTHD, etc.)

Will ANY HD TV with a built in tuner work, or do you need a specific type of HD Tuner? Some specific compatibility required? Thanks guys.

Question I thought I would pose here since I want to know specifically what is needed for TWC Greensboro....

I have heard before that with a TV with an HD Tuner you can get certain HD channels without ponying up the monthly fee for a box. Specifically, I believe I read that the non-HD Tier channels are all tunable by simply connecting the coax to your HD TV. Is this correct? (ie. the networks, + TNTHD, etc.)

Will ANY HD TV with a built in tuner work, or do you need a specific type of HD Tuner? Some specific compatibility required? Thanks guys.Many HDTVs will not tune the digital channels on cable encoded with QAM modulation, some will, but many can only receive ATSC modulation. Check your users manual for your specific set.

You will probably be able to receive all the unencrypted NTSC "analog" channels, but they are not HDTV.

If your HDTV can tune to QAM encoded signals you will get NBC-HD, FOX-HD, CBS-HD, etc as you have read. (I'm not certain, but Discovery channel and TNT might also be unencrypted)

You will not be able to receive any of the encrypted QAM HD signals (HBO-HD, SHO-HD, ESPN-HD) as those are subscription only using a cable box from TWC (or parhaps a "cablecard" from TWC)

Joe L.

Directv is likely to roll out local channels in this area sometime this summer...

Is there any documentation to backup this statement? I have heard the same and that the Triad is somewhere around 40th when ranked among TV markets, but have yet to see anything concrete about the timing of D* rollout of local HD/MPEG4/5 LNB to the Triad.

I was intrigued by pwrmetal's question so I hooked up my OTA tuner to the cable from the wall (no box). I scanned standard, IRC, and HRC, and I got one blocky and unwatchable nature channel at 87-2 but that was it. Back to the antennae for me!

Is there any documentation to backup this statement? I have heard the same and that the Triad is somewhere around 40th when ranked among TV markets, but have yet to see anything concrete about the timing of D* rollout of local HD/MPEG4/5 LNB to the Triad.

DirecTV hasn't publicly announced when the Triad will go (we are market number 47, but market size isn't playing that much of a factor but with DirecTV customer base size) but earlier in the thread, a representative from WXLV is quoted as saying they will offer HD local service around the summer. DirecTV is on record saying they will have all markets in HD no later than 2007. Both local HD sats are in orbit, the equipment to receive these new birds are out and they are putting on new markets all the time. The problem is the time line to get the receive equipment manufactured and installed in homes. Based on that, I would say we have a good chance to be on this year.

I can say that DirecTV recently reconfigured their central receive site here as an off air only site and has removed fiber optics from the stations.

Is there any documentation to backup this statement? I have heard the same and that the Triad is somewhere around 40th when ranked among TV markets, but have yet to see anything concrete about the timing of D* rollout of local HD/MPEG4/5 LNB to the Triad.

In addition to WXLV claiming that Directv will roll out locals by this summer, D* had a webcast last month that said HD locals would be rolled to 70 markets by the end of year.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=492777&postcount=76

With the Triad at #47 I would think that would mean that we would get it before the end of year. Also starting in April D* will be rolling 24 additional markets to bring the number of markets with HD locals to 36. You'd think that we would be in the next group of 24.

I can say that DirecTV recently reconfigured their central receive site here as an off air only site and has removed fiber optics from the stations.

What would be the benefit here. I would think that receiving the signals via fiber would be better than OTA.

What would be the benefit here. I would think that receiving the signals via fiber would be better than OTA.

Contrary to what many people will try and make you believe, fiber optic is still very expensive on a limited per mile basis. They took it out because it was costing too much money. You have to remember that only WFMY, WGHP, WXII and WXLV had the fiber connection. All of the other stations were picked up off air. With the deadline for analog shutdown set and now less than three years away, it doesn't make much financial sense to keep putting in fiber for analog signals when a digital OTA is just as good if not better quality.

I have heard that D* has no plans to use fiber from stations for digital. They are going to pull them off air at a central receive location and then multiplex all of the signals down one fiber to the local spotbeam uplink teleport. Here in the Triad, the receive location is off of Galimore Dairy Rd in Greensboro.

Has anyonw heard about the new WFMY Digital Channels.I have these channels 520 thur 524 loaded now. Are they adding them for the NCAA coverage like WRAL does?

^ Yes. If your screen is larger than 32", prepare to have 2 extra games that aren't watchable. No matter what size your screen is, expect pixellation and audio pops on your HD game.

Woo-Hoo! I love when someone else decides for me that I need quantity instead of quality!