For those interested, we are poised to run our first non network HD program tonight at 11pm. Seinfeld. The server passed its check outs, the automation software was successfully upgraded, the HD version is loaded and ready. Just waiting on 11pm now.

Well sounds like a reason to watch this sitcom for the first time ever. Some say it was a pretty decent show. About nothing?

Well sounds like a reason to watch this sitcom for the first time ever. Some say it was a pretty decent show. About nothing?

Kick ass show :)

WE MADE IT! Seinfeld ran in HD at 11pm for the first time!

For the next few weeks only the 11pm M-F Seinfeld will be in HD as we continue to get the auto recording setup on the HD server. We hope that this time next week we will be able to record all the Seinfeld feeds in HD since there are technically 4 of them, one for the first run, one for the second run, one for the first run weekend and one for the second run weekend. We are installing a new record system next week to handle not only the Seinfeld feeds but the other shows we will start airing in HD such as Dr Oz and the weekend runs of Bones and Grey's Anatomy that we run in 16:9 widescreen now. This will be in addition to the SD system we use now. As a matter of fact, we will just expand the HD system to start doing the SD duty as well so not have to maintain two systems. We are pretty stoked about what this will open up for us.

WE MADE IT! Seinfeld ran in HD at 11pm for the first time!

For the next few weeks only the 11pm M-F Seinfeld will be in HD as we continue to get the auto recording setup on the HD server. We hope that this time next week we will be able to record all the Seinfeld feeds in HD since there are technically 4 of them, one for the first run, one for the second run, one for the first run weekend and one for the second run weekend. We are installing a new record system next week to handle not only the Seinfeld feeds but the other shows we will start airing in HD such as Dr Oz and the weekend runs of Bones and Grey's Anatomy that we run in 16:9 widescreen now. This will be in addition to the SD system we use now. As a matter of fact, we will just expand the HD system to start doing the SD duty as well so not have to maintain two systems. We are pretty stoked about what this will open up for us.

Congrats on the success after what I'm sure was a lot of hard work.

WE MADE IT! Seinfeld ran in HD at 11pm for the first time!

Looks great!! We watched Thursday and Friday night's episodes and the improvement has moved us to start watching the series again (for some untold number of times). Good work!

I read on another forum that QAM will be going away because the FCC has told cablecos they don't have to provide it anymore.

the writer didn't state his source. is this true??


i sure hope not.

-amos

Congrats on the success after what I'm sure was a lot of hard work.

Looks great!! We watched Thursday and Friday night's episodes and the improvement has moved us to start watching the series again (for some untold number of times). Good work!

Thanks for all the kind words. The next week or so will be a little rocky I suspect. We are manually having to record the show we air at 11p (it actually feeds at 12:30a the day before) until we complete the install of the new HD recording system this coming week so if someone forgets to set the timer, we will have the SD version on in place of it. Once we get the record system up and running as it should be (before Christmas is the plan) just a loss of the actual sat receiver or the server itself would be the only thing not allowing us to air Seinfeld (along with the 3 other shows we get in HD) in HD.

The episode last night I had set the recording up on so I knew last night would be in HD. Monday's episode was recorded yesterday morning (well it was supposed to, I set that record too but took the day off so I don't know if it got recorded or not, but I suspect it did) but the one that will record on Monday morning for Tuesday air will have to be set up by the operators Sunday night so we will keep our fingers crossed they get it right! :o

Anyway, it is pretty exciting to get this going and once we get everything commissioned like it needs to be, we will be adding the other 3 programs we have in HD. (Dr Oz, Weekend runs of Bones and Grey's Anatomy) We are off and running.

We are pretty stoked about this whole thing!

I read on another forum that QAM will be going away because the FCC has told cablecos they don't have to provide it anymore.

the writer didn't state his source. is this true??


i sure hope not.

-amos

Do you have a link to the forum? It doesn't sound right to me.

Belive it or not TWC is 1 to 2 years ahead of Comcast in it's infrastructure. Comcast is going SDV also but is 18 to 24 monts ehind TWC. Look for TWC picture quality to vastly improve after the first of the year. Oh yes TWC is rolling out a Cisco SA8642HDC in certain select areas. It fully supports external hard drives but also has a 500 gig hard drive.

Crazywoody, I live in Winston-salem, do you know as to when those new cisco box's should be available? Also how is the best way of getting one instead of the box I have(8240)?

Foxeng, I watched the 11pm Seinfeld on Friday night and it looked great! But I was wondering how there is an HD version available since the show was filmed before HD cameras became the norm. Is it some sort of 480 resolution upconverted?

Do you have a link to the forum? It doesn't sound right to me.

sure, it wasn't a forum about media... it's fatwallet.

http://www.**************/forums/expired-deals/975545 here's what he said:

This doesn't appear to have clear QAM capability, and pretty soon all the cable co's are going to pull it anyway because the FCC said they could...

Foxeng, I watched the 11pm Seinfeld on Friday night and it looked great! But I was wondering how there is an HD version available since the show was filmed before HD cameras became the norm. Is it some sort of 480 resolution upconverted?

I was going to explain it but Wilipedia does a better job! Remember, any film source has more resolution than SD to start with. The amount depends on the type film. 35mm is more than 1080p. 16mm will give you slightly less than 1080i.

There are two high-definition versions of Seinfeld. The first is that of the network television (unsyndicated) versions in the original aspect ratio of 4:3 that were downscaled for the DVD releases. Syndicated broadcast stations and the cable network TBS have begun airing the syndicated version of Seinfeld in HD. Unlike the version used for the DVD, Sony Pictures cropped out the top and bottom parts of the frame, while restoring previously cropped images on the sides, from the 35 mm film source, to use the entire 16:9 frame.

sure, it wasn't a forum about media... it's fatwallet.

http://www.**************/forums/expired-deals/975545 here's what he said:

This is what concerns me right now. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/439854-NAB_Use_Airwaves_To_Fight_Potential_Spectrum_Grab.php

I would have never thought this could happen, but with the current administration, I would not rule it out.

This is what concerns me right now. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/439854-NAB_Use_Airwaves_To_Fight_Potential_Spectrum_Grab.php

I would have never thought this could happen, but with the current administration, I would not rule it out.


Really? I thought the big push for switching from analog to digital broadcast was to free up the old frequencies to sell off to wireless providers? Now they want to push out the digital broadcasts too? How deep are comcast and time warners' pockets? I know "nothing free lasts forever", but c'mon. Interesting.

It's gone WAY beyond Time Warner. The FCC screwed up in the first place when they used low VHF for digital TV. Now that stations don't want any part of VHF because of the interference, and people cannot pick up those stations, the FCC is saying digital TV was a failure, and wants to pull it. They blame the TV stations, and say maybe they do deserve to lose their spectrum. After all the time and money wasted (if this idea actually comes to fruition) by stations to upgrade-and the government on converters which they never actually spent all the money on from what I gathered, the people will be with one less choice yet again. Cable and satellite will love this. They can charge whatever they want now. Local TV stations, cable and sat. would be happy to dump, and just offer one national ABC, CBS, FOX etc. That is where this could lead from what I am seeing. What would people do who live in areas that have no cable, or can't get sight for a dish? This is government at work! They have no business in business!!!

Remember FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is a former exec at Internet firm IAC/InterActive so he has an agenda for his friends in the Internet/broadband industry. It is pure political payback and has nothing to do with the best interest of the public. They don't care if all this money has been spent for DTV. They don't see a need for it and so they have no feeling about what the public might feel. HHMM. Seems I have heard that before about this Administration.

They always have an agenda it seems up in Washington. This isn't the United States of America these days, it's just "America". I hope the states separate themselves from DC before it's all over if that is what it takes to get the people what they need. It won't be long and radio will be taken away too if this happens. Neither political party have done us right for many many years now. This group has just picked up where the last left off, in wasting, just in a different direction of things they know not what they are doing with.

I was going to explain it but Wilipedia does a better job! Remember, any film source has more resolution than SD to start with. The amount depends on the type film. 35mm is more than 1080p. 16mm will give you slightly less than 1080i.


I guess that what you are saying is that Seinfeld was recorded on 35mm film rather than on video tape. I would think this was the exception rather than the norm for most TV programs. I would also assume the shots were composed assuming that the entire frame would be displayed not just the center of the film.

Off the top our your head, do you know of any other show that were filmed rather than video taped?

Off the top our your head, do you know of any other show that were filmed rather than video taped?

While I don't know which ones were and weren't but the original version of Law and Order and Everybody Loves Raymond may have been. Both were airing episodes in the mid 90s (long before HD) but when you watch episodes of both shows from that time period, they are in HD. And unlike Seinfeld that crops the 4:3 to 16:9, neither of the shows I mentioned do this and are 16:9.

I guess that what you are saying is that Seinfeld was recorded on 35mm film rather than on video tape. I would think this was the exception rather than the norm for most TV programs. I would also assume the shots were composed assuming that the entire frame would be displayed not just the center of the film.

Off the top our your head, do you know of any other show that were filmed rather than video taped?

When talk began in the early 90's that HD was coming soon, many scripted programs began to start filming shows again and then editing them in video as a way to cut costs while future proofing for HD. Up until that time, the cost effective way was to shoot in video and edit in video (all SD). While to shoot with film and edit in video is more expensive than video/video, it is cheaper than film/film, plus it also future proofs for syndication.

Many of the dramas from the 70's and 80's were shoot on film (many on 16mm so the HD transfer isn't quite as good as it could have been had they used 35mm, again, 16mm was cheaper and HD wasn't even on the radar with many of the 80's shows mastered on SD video to cut the cost even more) while the sitcoms were shot on video and will never be in HD since the master source is 480i 1 inch video tape. In the early to mid 90's Sony and CBS did some transfer testing and found that to future proof for HD, they had to get away from 16mm film. Most of the 16mm filmed used was a lower grade film and some of it hasn't aged well. At that point is when many shows moved from 16mm back to 35mm and mastered on SD video, like "Seinfeld" (since HD video mastering was in its infancy and not cost effective).

"Star Trek:The Next Generation" was shot on film (a higher grade 16mm film is my understanding, but it could have been 35mm, I don't really know) and was mastered on SD video with the special effects created on SD video because it was cheaper to create them on video over film. Because of the cost to replicate the tremendous number of special effects of the show for a 7 year run, it will be a while before that is transferred to HD. The hope is when the cost comes into line with what can be recouped from syndication in HD, it too will be remastered in HD. The remastering of "Star Trek: The Original Series" two years ago was a test run to see how well the special effects would work since there are relatively few in that show (and fairly uncomplicated) compared to TNG and everything was available on 35mm. The HD version has only been released on HD DVD and Blue Ray, not to broadcast yet, even though the SD downconvert of the HD was used by OTA stations (not cable, they used the original syndication dubs from the 1970's) the last 2 years.

"Cheers" was also shot on film and has been remastered in HD but the HD version has yet to be released to syndication, is my understanding. "Seinfeld" was also remastered at the same time "Cheers" was, in 2004, but wasn't released in HD until last year.

HDNet's Mark Cuban had "Charlie's Angels" and "Hogan's Hero's" remastered to HD back in 2003/4 (in 14:9 AR). "I Love Lucy" has also been restored and remastered in HD. It too has yet to be released in HD. I have seen a couple of before and after frames (4:3) of "I Love Lucy" and it is striking the difference between the before and after. HDNet aired the HD remastered movie Marlyn Monroe's "Some Like It Hot" that had been remastered. It was shown in its original black and white, 4:3 aspect ratio, but the PQ was amazing! People in the Programming section of AVS talked about it for weeks.

The issue at this point for remastering older shows is can the cost of HD transfer be recouped in syndication. That will drive how fast many of the "pre-HD" shows are remastered.

Two and Half Men are available in HD for syndication. They still shoot on film. master in HD video. I remember reading that the CSI's are also shot on film and mastered in HD video. It too is available for HD syndication. I think I saw where WFMY airs CSI syndication in HD. All the CSI's are in HD on cable. There are still many shows shot on film and edited in HD video.

FYI - The FCC has approved our request to amend the Table of Assignment to change our channel from 8 to 35. We now have to file a Construction Permit to "build" our channel 35, that we already have on the air. After that permit is granted, we then have to file our License to Cover that tells the FCC we have built channel 35 and then we can turn off channel 8.

Refer to this post of mine on the previous page.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=17678814&postcount=7979


This wouldn't be an issue for me as I will have at most 3 TVs, more likely just 2. Did you have any other issues with Dish?

We're in the process of moving and I wanted to know if any regulars here lived in the area where hwy68 hits hwy220 and if so, how's the internet traffic and TV PQ there over TWC? In NW GSO where we are now, the net gets pretty spotty from 4pm to around 7pm some days.

This wouldn't be an issue for me as I will have at most 3 TVs, more likely just 2. Did you have any other issues with Dish?

The ones I talked about in that post are the primary ones and are deal breakers to me. Without those I would consider Dish Network a possibility. But there are some other less important (to me anyway) differences.

Some people believe Directv has better PQ than Dish but some disagree and think Dish does so that is a debatable subject. But at least with Directv I know the PQ that they do have now which is pretty good. They only provider that I think without question has better PQ than Directv is FiOS but that isn't a choice around here. Also Dish has had issues in the past with dropping channels without notice (the Voom package of channels for instance) but in fairness to Dish, that hasn't happened in a while. In fact more recently Directv is in a dispute with Comcast which led to Versus dropping off of Directv. But aside from college football, there is nothing else on Versus that I watch. And the games carried on Versus are mostly Pac 10 and Mountain West games so it doesn't hurt my rooting interests.

Also Directv has more full time and part time HD RSNs than Dish so on stuff like NHL Center Ice and NBA League pass you'll get more HD games for those sports packages with Directv than you get with Dish or TWC. Plus Directv has the NFL Sunday Ticket which nobody else does. And Dish Network doesn't have the MLB extra innings package. All that said, I personally don't subscribe to any of those sports PPV packages so that doesn't affect my decision.

Now in favor of Dish, they have a much better selection of SD and HD premium movie channels than Directv. But I only get the Starz movie package and with that package Directv and Dish are pretty even. About the only real difference I know of is Dish has Encore East in HD and Directv does not. So again the difference in premium movie channels doesn't affect my decision.

Also from I what I've read Directv has better On Demand that Dish but I don't use it much either.

Now in the near future (spring 2010) Directv will gain additional capacity and should be able to close the movie channel gap while at the same time add other HD channels that Dish/TWC don't have.

Overall I'm pretty satisfied with Directv and the only other provider I would consider is FiOS but until when/if they ever come to this area I won't have to make that decision. And like with Dish, how FiOS does their DVR setups would be a big factor in my decision.

We're in the process of moving and I wanted to know if any regulars here lived in the area where hwy68 hits hwy220 and if so, how's the internet traffic and TV PQ there over TWC? In NW GSO where we are now, the net gets pretty spotty from 4pm to around 7pm some days.

Recently there have been some complaints about TWC's declining PQ. It seems that TWC's recent increase of HD channels have been at the expense of PQ. It has caused a few here to switch.

IMO I just switched from TW because of bad PQ on their HD channels , Directv had great PQ and dvr holds up 100 hours of HD content, but it seems to depend on what part of the triad you are located in, how good TWs PQ is Im in the edge of Winston Salem near Davidson county line and its was real bad, but their Roadrunner internet is pretty good only thing I still have with TW

IMO I just switched from TW because of bad PQ on their HD channels , Directv had great PQ and dvr holds up 100 hours of HD content, but it seems to depend on what part of the triad you are located in, how good TWs PQ is Im in the edge of Winston Salem near Davidson county line and its was real bad, but their Roadrunner internet is pretty good only thing I still have with TW

I am probably right near you. Off of Old Salisbury or Ebert right near the border. My PW was crap, switched last Friday. Couldnt be happier.

I just made the switch to Dish Network on Monday, and couldn't be happier. I just wish I did it a long time ago. I have Dish's Gold 250 tier. I got the HD Duo DVR. It is hooked up in the Den and I have the 2nd TV hookup in the bedroom. The bedroom only gets the SD signal, but I like that I can operate the DVR from the bedroom and be able to watch any taped shows there. Also, there is no box in the bedroom, which I like better. I also have a HD receiver hooked up in the living room. I am only getting charged for one receiver ($7.99/month).

The PQ is a lot better. No more pixelation that I had with TWC and no messages that this channel cannot be seen because of the crappy SDV. Dish's DVR is better than TWC. Dish's DVR (722k) can hold 55 hours of HD programming. If you have multiple shows taped on the DVR, it will group them into folders. Something that I liked when I use to have the Tivo.

I highly recommend the Dish Network tech that was here. It took him 4 hours to do the installation, but it was professionally done. He did not rush through the job and he took the time to show my wife and myself on how to operate the remotes on both the DVR and the regular HD receiver. Also a Dish Network manager came to supervise his employee's work and talked to me as well. The Dish Network tech asked us about 20 times if we had any questions and he did not leave until everything was working perfectly and we were completely happy. I never got that with TWC.

I did have to call Dish Network tonight because I was missing a few of the HD channels. The call to there customer support was a lot different than when I would have to call TWC. The first tier had me go through the normal troubleshooting with the receiver, they pushed the programming several times to the reciever, but it would not go. I was still missing channels. I was sent up to 2nd tier and the person said that it was strange that I was missing only a few channels and not a whole bunch. So he ruled out a signal issue. He found the error in my account and had everything fixed. I was only on the phone for 15 minutes. Big difference from TWC. Not too long ago I picked up a DVR from TWC and I was on the phone for an hour just to get the DVR working.

So far, I Love Dish Network. I am waiting for my phone number to be ported to Vonage, then I will call to cancel my cable after that. I will keep roadrunner, since I have never had a problem with that. Can't believe that roadrunner is a TWC product.

I just made the switch to Dish Network on Monday, and couldn't be happier.

Six or eight years ago, I lived with a friend in a new house that was going to take the cable company several months to get to. We opted for satellite and chose Dish. We loved the DVR, the service was great, etc.

It seems like everyone frustrated with TWC on here either has DirecTv or is heading that way. I was wondering if anyone had used Dish lately and what their results were. Thanks for posting your experience.

Just wondering, did you schedule everything directly with Dish or use a reseller?

Six or eight years ago, I lived with a friend in a new house that was going to take the cable company several months to get to. We opted for satellite and chose Dish. We loved the DVR, the service was great, etc.

It seems like everyone frustrated with TWC on here either has DirecTv or is heading that way. I was wondering if anyone had used Dish lately and what their results were. Thanks for posting your experience.

Just wondering, did you schedule everything directly with Dish or use a reseller?

I scheduled it online with Dish Network. After you sign-up, it will give you a page on how much Dish will cost after the 3 months is up with HBO and Showtime, then after one year. The price includes taxes, so there are no surprises. The first bill you get is for 2 months service, then they bill you for every month afterwards.

I am probably right near you. Off of Old Salisbury or Ebert right near the border. My PW was crap, switched last Friday. Couldnt be happier.

yeah im on Ebert right at davidson border area so we probably on same node , the node TW didnt care about very much to improve it any, what did TW say to anyone that kept their roadrunner ,they told me it would go up 10dollars since it was now standalone service

yeah im on Ebert right at davidson border area so we probably on same node , the node TW didnt care about very much to improve it any, what did TW say to anyone that kept their roadrunner ,they told me it would go up 10dollars since it was now standalone service

My price did not increase.

I was paying 42.95 for Road Runner Standard 7mbits/sec or whatever it is. With the most recent rate increases it will be 44.95, I made sure it would not increase after the cable cancellation, and they confirmed. I was not on any type of special pricing... maybe I was getting jipped the whole time.

Sinclair is at it again. Does this give anyone Deja vu?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/12/17/tv-dispute.ap/index.html

Saw a piece on FOX BUSINESS Channel. It said Rupert Murdoch the head of NEWS CORP. was considering buying Direct TV again.

I know Murdoch has said that he regrets selling Directv so it wouldn't surprise me if wanted to get it back. I personally don't think this would be a bad thing. IMO, Directv was run better while under his ownership than under John Malone's ownership.

I know Murdoch has said that he regrets selling Directv so it wouldn't surprise me if wanted to get it back. I personally don't think this would be a bad thing. IMO, Directv was run better while under his ownership than under John Malone's ownership.

I agree with you. I hope Murdoch grabs it again, and makes D* what it really could be. I think they can do better than they are personally.

I wish Murdoch would buy US back! :) (but if he got DirecTV, I wouldn't cry at all!) With Comcast buying NBCU, it puts News Corp in a little of a bind.

Foxeng, maybe you can give some insight. I am currently running a Sony kdl-52w4100 a decent tv, through direct tv as of Friday. I previously had TW Cable. I have noticed on my set as well as a few friends via Direct tv or TW, that when comparing football games to CBS or NFL network there is some "wash out" via the fox feed. The picture is just not as sharp (almost looks out of focus). Is this a result of compression on either system? Does the local feed have anything to do with this? Just curious. I always thought the CBS games looked better, I am wondering if it is a fox thing... who knows. I am ignorant to any of that, so any insight would help.

Foxeng, maybe you can give some insight. I am currently running a Sony kdl-52w4100 a decent tv, through direct tv as of Friday. I previously had TW Cable. I have noticed on my set as well as a few friends via Direct tv or TW, that when comparing football games to CBS or NFL network there is some "wash out" via the fox feed. The picture is just not as sharp (almost looks out of focus). Is this a result of compression on either system? Does the local feed have anything to do with this? Just curious. I always thought the CBS games looked better, I am wondering if it is a fox thing... who knows. I am ignorant to any of that, so any insight would help.

First off, we do not have direct access to the network feed. FOX uses something called a "splicer." It takes the network signal directly from the network receiver and sends it straight to the transmitter bypassing any processing the station may have. The signal we use to switch from local to net and back again is off of a separate SD feed since the HD on air feed is 6 seconds delayed. We also have no subchannels so all the network signal fed to us winds up on the air. We don't recompress it.

Secondly, FOX uses 720p as CBS uses 1080i.

It has been noted for several years that FOX's 720p sports lack the crispness of even ABC/ESPN's 720p. I know they use basically the same remote vehicles between networks, 720 or 1080, they will do either format with the flip of a switch. None of the networks own their own trucks anymore. Usually it is the same truck at the same NFL venue throughout the season, no matter which network the game is on. Same with NASCAR. NASCAR owns their own trucks (NASCAR Digital Productions) and no matter which network the race is on, it is the same trucks.

The difference is each network has one of their own engineers on site to set standards for the broadcast and to interface with the network's TOC and this is where things can look different. PQ is really a subjected thing and what one person thinks looks good, another will not. Also networks have started using fiber optics to send the signal back to the network. FOX uses MPEG2 compressed over the fiber link to have the signal ready for the uplink to the stations. This may also have something to do with it as well.

First off, we do not have direct access to the network feed. FOX uses something called a "splicer." It takes the network signal directly from the network receiver and sends it straight to the transmitter bypassing any processing the station may have. The signal we use to switch from local to net and back again is off of a separate SD feed since the HD on air feed is 6 seconds delayed. We also have no subchannels so all the network signal fed to us winds up on the air. We don't recompress it.

Secondly, FOX uses 720p as CBS uses 1080i.

It has been noted for several years that FOX's 720p sports lack the crispness of even ABC/ESPN's 720p. I know they use basically the same remote vehicles between networks, 720 or 1080, they will do either format with the flip of a switch. None of the networks own their own trucks anymore. Usually it is the same truck at the same NFL venue throughout the season, no matter which network the game is on. Same with NASCAR. NASCAR owns their own trucks (NASCAR Digital Productions) and no matter which network the race is on, it is the same trucks.

The difference is each network has one of their own engineers on site to set standards for the broadcast and to interface with the network's TOC and this is where things can look different. PQ is really a subjected thing and what one person thinks looks good, another will not. Also networks have started using fiber optics to send the signal back to the network. FOX uses MPEG2 compressed over the fiber link to have the signal ready for the uplink to the stations. This may also have something to do with it as well.

Fox, thanks for the insight that clears some things up. As always your expertise is appreciated :)

www.nchdtv.com

From all of us at FOX8 WGHP, thank you for your support this year and we look forward to serving you next year and have a safe and happy holidays!

From all of us at FOX8 WGHP, thank you for your support this year and we look forward to serving you next year and have a save and happy holidays!

And thank you for another year full of great insight and technical information.

Merry Christmas,

Joe

Merry Christmas to All!

Thanks for the help in the past year!
Merry Christmas to all!:)

Very merry christmas to all!

Can we still access the advanced menu with navigator? In the past, all we had to do was to press the setting button twice to access it.

Merry Christmas

So... getting Navigator has been a fairly painless experience at my house. It hasn't been nearly as slow on either my DVR or normal HD box as my previous experience at my in-laws.

However, at my brother's house on the "newer" 8240HD DVR it's unbelievably slow. They don't do any resolution changes between channels, everything is fixed to output at 1080i, but I just can't believe how slow it is. Even flipping from one HD channel to the next has a noticeable delay. Flipping to one of the channels you don't get is particularly painful, as the box hangs and won't accept any input for several seconds. Do those of you with the 8240HD have any suggestions on how to fix this? Should he just swap for a new box? Is there some cryptic setting that could speed things up?

Navigator works fine on my old 8300HD.

Navigator works fine on my old 8300HD.

Same here.

So i've been reading back a few pages since i'm new here, but I just bought my first home 6 months ago here in High Point off of Hwy68 across from Oak Hollow Dam, and i've grown tired of TW myself. It's not just the rate hikes but it's also the constant threat of capping on the internet and other things, but i've been waiting for Northstate to finally get their rears in gear and run fiber to my neighborhood and to my home so I could switch to them. I was wondering if anybody could relay any experiences with that.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I am on vacation this week but the better half has to work so my vacation is me sleeping late and doing honey do's around the house! (Hey, I am enjoying my new Blu-Ray the wife gave me for Christmas though!)

Looks like we have started airing Seinfeld second run at 11:30pm and Dr Oz at 9am in HD now along with the first run HD of Seinfeld at 11pm. I know before I left to go on vacation last week, we were setting up to do that and I didn't want to say anything until I saw something or heard something about it.

I am not sure if this is the weekend we start the Seinfeld weekend runs in HD or not along with the weekend runs of Bones and Grey's Anatomy (since I haven't checked in to work, on purpose). I know we are trying to get all the shows that are fed in HD to us on the air in HD as quickly as we can since we have the new HD recording system in place now and it appears to be working pretty good.

Also, within the next week or so, we will be filing with the FCC for our channel 35 Construction Permit so we can permanently stay on channel 35 and turn channel 8 off. So those of you who have been watching RF 8, you may want to start transitioning over to channel 35. I would hope the FCC would act quickly on this and maybe by March or April we will be turning off channel 8. Of course, we are completely at the mercy of the FCC on that timing.

One other thing.

The current retrans stand off between TWC and News Corp DOES NOT EFFECT WGHP.

I wanted to be clear about that.

Since we are no longer owned by FOX, we have to work out our own retrans deals with the cable and sat providers separately. Now, the FOX owned properties like FNC, FX, FOX Sports, etc could be effected if both sides "go to the mattresses" and that is only on TWC. D*, E*, Charter, etc would not be effected.

One other thing.

The current retrans stand off between TWC and News Corp DOES NOT EFFECT WGHP.

I wanted to be clear about that.

Wow, thanks for clearing that up. I assumed this was an issue of ownership of content and not ownership of the station. It's nice to know we won't lose FOX on Friday if no deal is made.

I can see the loss of Fox Sports pissing off plenty of ACC fans around here with basketball about to get rolling on Sunday nights...

So... getting Navigator has been a fairly painless experience at my house. It hasn't been nearly as slow on either my DVR or normal HD box as my previous experience at my in-laws.

However, at my brother's house on the "newer" 8240HD DVR it's unbelievably slow. They don't do any resolution changes between channels, everything is fixed to output at 1080i, but I just can't believe how slow it is. Even flipping from one HD channel to the next has a noticeable delay. Flipping to one of the channels you don't get is particularly painful, as the box hangs and won't accept any input for several seconds. Do those of you with the 8240HD have any suggestions on how to fix this? Should he just swap for a new box? Is there some cryptic setting that could speed things up?
I would swap for a new box. My 8240HDC is fast or faster than SARA used to be on my old 8300HD. I belive he must have a old or faulty box. A exchange should solve his problem. If it does not have TWC come out and check his exterior connections to see if that might be the problem. Couple years ago my 8300 was slow they put a power booster on my exterior line and it doubled my speed. Hope one of these suggestions helps. Lack of proper signal strength can slow your box down. CHEERS

Crazywoody,

Does an external SATA drive work with the 8240HDC?

Wow, thanks for clearing that up. I assumed this was an issue of ownership of content and not ownership of the station. It's nice to know we won't lose FOX on Friday if no deal is made.

I can see the loss of Fox Sports pissing off plenty of ACC fans around here with basketball about to get rolling on Sunday nights...

Retrans is not just the network programming. It is completed with each station on its total content, not just network. Since WGHP is not owned by News Corp anymore, even though we still air FOX network, the retrans agreement we have with the MVPD's is a whole package of content, FOX Network, the judge shows, the sitcoms, the newscasts, everything and is conducted by and for our current owners, LocalTV, LLC. FOX has nothing to do with that.

Here's a scary story. A possible end to free OTA TV and the possibility of Network TV channels, like NBC and ABC, becoming a cable channel, which would mean local affiliates would have to survive on syndication and local news. I don't know if that would be enough to pay the bills.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/nation/assailed-by-cable-and-the-web-broadcast-tv-looks-to-build-a-new-business-model-80249547.html

For more than 60 years, TV stations have broadcast news, sports and entertainment for free and made their money by showing commercials. That might not work much longer.

The business model is unraveling at ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox and the local stations that carry the networks' programming. Cable TV and the Web have fractured the audience for free TV and siphoned its ad dollars. The recession has squeezed advertising further, forcing broadcasters to accelerate their push for new revenue to pay for programming.

That will play out in living rooms across the country. The changes could mean higher cable or satellite TV bills, as the networks and local stations squeeze more fees from pay-TV providers such as Comcast and DirecTV for the right to show broadcast TV channels in their lineups. The networks might even ditch free broadcast signals in the next few years. Instead, they could operate as cable channels — a move that could spell the end of free TV as Americans have known it since the 1940s.

"Good programing is expensive," Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp. owns Fox, told a shareholder meeting this fall. "It can no longer be supported solely by advertising revenues."

Fox is pursuing its strategy in public, warning that its broadcasts — including college football bowl games — could go dark Friday for subscribers of Time Warner Cable, unless the pay-TV operator gives Fox higher fees. For its part, Time Warner Cable is asking customers whether it should "roll over" or "get tough" in negotiations.

The future of free TV also could be altered as the biggest pay-TV provider, Comcast Corp., prepares to take control of NBC. Comcast has not signaled plans to end NBC's free broadcasts. But Jeff Zucker, who runs NBC and its sister cable channels such as CNBC and Bravo, told investors this month that "the cable model is just superior to the broadcast model."

The traditional broadcast model works like this: CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox distribute shows through a network of local stations. The networks own a few stations in big markets, but most are "affiliates," owned by separate companies.

Traditionally the networks paid affiliates to broadcast their shows, though those fees have dwindled to near nothing as local stations have seen their audience shrink. What hasn't changed is where the money mainly comes from: advertising.

Cable channels make most of their money by charging pay-TV providers a monthly fee per subscriber for their programing. On average, the pay-TV providers pay about 26 cents for each channel they carry, according to research firm SNL Kagan. A channel as highly rated as ESPN can get close to $4, while some, such as MTV2, go for just a few pennies.

With both advertising and fees, ESPN has seen its revenue grow to $6.3 billion in 2009 from $1.8 billion a decade ago, according to SNL Kagan estimates. It has been able to bid for premium events that networks had traditionally aired, such as football games. Cable channels also have been able to fund high-quality shows, such as AMC's "Mad Men," rather than recycling movies and TV series.

That, plus a growing number of channels, has given cable a bigger share of the ad pie. In 1998, cable channels drew roughly $9.1 billion, or 24 percent of total TV ad spending, according to the Television Bureau of Advertising. By 2008, they were getting $21.6 billion, or 39 percent.

Having two revenue streams — advertising and fees from pay-TV providers — has insulated cable channels from the recession. By contrast, over-the-air stations have been forced to cut staff, and at least two broadcast groups sought bankruptcy protection in 2009.

Fox illustrates the trend: Its broadcast operations reported a 54 percent drop in operating income for the quarter that ended in September. Its cable channels, which include Fox News and FX, grew their operating income 41 percent.

Analyst Tom Love of ZenithOptimedia estimates that ad revenue at the big networks dropped 9 percent in 2009 and will be followed by an 8 percent drop in 2010 and zero growth in 2011.

A small chunk of the ad revenue is being recouped online, where the networks sell episodes for a few dollars each or run ads alongside shows on sites such as Hulu. Media economist Jack Myers projects online video advertising will grow into a $2 billion business by 2012, from just $350 million to $400 million in 2009.

But that is not significant enough to make up for the lost ad revenue on the airwaves. Advertisers spent $34 billion on broadcast commercials in 2008, down by $2.4 billion from two years earlier, according to the Television Bureau of Advertising.

So rather than wait for the Internet to become a bigger source of income, the networks and local stations are mimicking what cable channels do: They're charging pay-TV companies a monthly fee per subscriber to carry their programming.

Since 1994, the Federal Communications Commission has let networks and their affiliates seek payments for including their programming in the pay-TV lineup. Not everyone demanded payments at first. Instead they relied on the broader audience that cable and satellite gave them to increase what they could charge advertisers.

The big networks also were content to let their broadcast stations essentially be subsidized by higher fees for the cable channels that fell under the same corporate umbrella. A pay-TV company negotiating with the Walt Disney Co., which owns ABC, is likely paying more for the ABC Family channel than it otherwise would, with the extra assumed to help Disney cover its costs for the ABC network broadcasts.

But over time — such contracts generally run about three years — more networks began demanding payments for the stations they own. And affiliates already receiving the fees have bargained for more money.

Some talks have been tense. In 2007, Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates 32 network-affiliated stations around the country, pulled its signals for nearly a month from Mediacom Communications Corp., which provides cable TV to about 1.3 million subscribers, mainly in small cities.

Mediacom may again lose signals from Sinclair's affiliates in markets as large as Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after last-ditch negotiations on fees Monday failed to produce a replacement for an agreement expiring Friday. Mediacom spokesman Tom Larsen said Sinclair wants a 50 percent hike in fees, though neither company would provide specific figures. Sinclair's general counsel, Barry Faber, said no new talks have been scheduled.

The American Cable Association says its members — mainly small cable TV providers — have seen their costs for carrying local TV stations more than triple over the past three years. The group's head, Matt Polka, says those fees have gone "straight to consumers' pocketbooks" through higher cable bills.

Gannett Co., for instance, which operates 23 stations, has taken in $56 million in fees from pay-TV operators in 2009 after negotiating a new batch of agreements, up from $18 million in 2008. Dave Lougee, president of Gannett's broadcast arm, defends the fees, saying "broadcasters were late to the game in really starting to go after the fair market value of their signals."

Analysts estimate CBS managed to get as much as 50 cents per subscriber in its most recent talks with pay-TV providers that carry CBS-owned stations. CBS Corp. chief Leslie Moonves said such fees should add "hundreds of millions of dollars to revenues annually."

That could be just the beginning. CBS and Fox are also asking for a portion of the fees that their affiliates get, arguing that the networks' shows are what give local stations the leverage to ask for fees.

Over time, the networks might be able to get even more money by abandoning the affiliate structure and undoing a key element of free TV.

Here's why: Pay-TV providers are paying the networks only for the stations the networks own. That amounts to a little less than a third of the TV audience, which means local affiliates recoup two-thirds of the fees. If a network operated purely as a cable channel and cut the affiliates out, the network could get the fees for the entire pay-TV audience.

If forced to go independent, affiliates would have to air their own programming, including local news and syndicated shows.

Fitch Ratings analyst Jamie Rizzo predicts that at least one of the four broadcast networks "could explore" becoming a cable channel as early as 2011.

Any shift would take years, as the networks untangle complicated affiliate contracts. At an analyst conference in 2008, CBS's Moonves called the idea an "a very interesting proposition." But he added that it "would really change the universe that we're in."

To do away with OTA networks would take YEARS to have happen. Networks sign 10 year deals now with stations. It would be at least 2020 before they could realistically begin to put that into practice because of binding contracts in place now. I wouldn't get too hung up on it now.

Here's a scary story. A possible end to free OTA TV and the possibility of Network TV channels, like NBC and ABC, becoming a cable channel, which would mean local affiliates would have to survive on syndication and local news. I don't know if that would be enough to pay the bills.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/nation/assailed-by-cable-and-the-web-broadcast-tv-looks-to-build-a-new-business-model-80249547.html

Dime Wanter Cable asks customers if they want to "Get Tough", but they DID NOT ask their customers what channels they should get tough on!!!!! Does that make ANY sense? Why not "GET TOUGH" on those junk channels like WE, SOAP TV or LIFETIME that nobody cares about.??? Time Warner has ALWAYS been tough on broadcast TV>

Crazywoody,

Does an external SATA drive work with the 8240HDC?
If you have MDN which I would doub is on a
8242HDC. It does not work with ODN however I hear some hard drives do. I understand a fix to make external drives on ODN work is comeing early next year. CHEERS

It appears Time-Warner has blinked with News Corp (glad we are not involved with all that):

Time Warner Cable Offers Arbitration With Fox
RYAN NAKASHIMA, AP Business Writer

LOS ANGELES -- Bart Simpson and the Sugar Bowl game are among the possible casualties of a bitter dispute over fees that the Fox network's owner is demanding from Time Warner Cable systems in New York, Los Angeles and other markets.

As a midnight Thursday deadline approaches, though, Time Warner Cable offered an olive branch that could leave the Fox network and some of its cable TV channels on the lineup for millions of subscribers -- for now.

Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt said Wednesday the cable operator will agree to binding arbitration and any interim steps necessary to keep Fox channels on while talks continue.

"Consumers should not be held hostage during these negotiations. That's just wrong," Britt said in an interview Wednesday.

Britt disclosed such willingness in a letter to Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who had pleaded for both sides to agree to uninterrupted television for football fans "through the college bowl season." A copy of Britt's letter was forwarded to News Corp. Chief Operating Officer Chase Carey.

Fox said it will respond to the offer later Wednesday.

If a deal isn't reached, programs that could disappear from Time Warner Cable Inc.'s lineup include "The Simpsons" and several football games, including the Sugar Bowl on Friday, the Cotton Bowl on Saturday and the NFL's final regular season contests on Sunday. Bright House Networks' cable TV systems also face a Thursday deadline with Fox's owner, News Corp.

In Florida, two television viewers filed a lawsuit Wednesday against News Corp., seeking an injunction to ensure that the Fox broadcast of the Florida-Cincinnati Sugar Bowl contest would remain on Bright House' cable system. Circuit Judge Maura Smith in Orlando did not immediately rule, saying she would first let a federal judge decide if federal court was the proper venue for the case.

Fox is arguing that it needs to be paid more for broadcast signals that are retransmitted to subscribers of Time Warner Cable and Bright House. Time Warner Cable says the demanded fees are excessive.

The dispute concerns the signals of 14 Fox-owned stations covering such markets as Los Angeles, New York, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, Texas and Tampa Bay-St. Petersburg and Orlando, Fla. Stations carrying Fox programming but owned by other companies are not affected.

Besides the Fox broadcast network, six cable channels -- FX, Speed, Fuel, Fox Reality, Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Espanol -- and certain regional sports networks were also up for negotiations. Unaffected are Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network and National Geographic Channel, which is partially owned by News Corp.

Fox didn't blink back

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2009-12-30/news-corp-rejects-time-warner-cable-s-offer-for-arbitration.html

News Corp. rejected Time Warner Cable Inc.’s offer to submit their dispute over fees to carry the Fox broadcast network to binding arbitration.

“This is an issue that needs to be settled at the bargaining table,” News Corp. Chief Operating Officer Chase Carey said today in a letter to U.S. Senator John Kerry, who first suggested arbitration. “Binding arbitration all too often looks to the past, not the future.”

Time Warner Cable Chief Executive Glenn Britt said in a letter released today that the company was willing to accept arbitration.

I have said that FOX is a hard one when it comes to negotiations. From what I have heard, they are prepared for this to go all the way for a good length of time. The O & O's have been told to brace for it. Thing of it is, the stations can survive longer than TWC can. When people know they can go somewhere else to get what they want, they will bail out of TWC as has happened right here in the Triad recently. The Sinclair/MediaComm standoff 2 years ago proved that beyond any doubt. The cableco's are at a disadvantage here and they know it. That is why TWC is asking for arbitration here. That is the only leverage they have now.

I really shouldn't do this, but I am putting out a plug for Scott Fybush's yearly calendar of broadcast tower sites. 2010's calendar is a special issue since it has a picture of the WGHP towers taken in October 2007 at sunset. It is a great picture (my favorite!) but there are other tower sites around the country that are also pleasant to the eye for those into such things. The sale of these calendars help keep the Tower Site of the Week site ( http://www.fybush.com ) going and pays for the trips it takes for Scott to visit these tower sites.

So, if you are interested in purchasing one, go here: http://www.fybush.com/calendar.html You can tell him I told to. :D

http://www.fybush.com/2010calendarmockup-310px.jpg

I really shouldn't do this, but I am putting out a plug for Scott Fybush's yearly calendar of broadcast tower sites. 2010's calendar is a special issue since it has a picture of the WGHP towers taken in October 2007 at sunset. It is a great picture (my favorite!) but there are other tower sites around the country that are also pleasant to the eye for those into such things. The sale of these calendars help keep the Tower Site of the Week site ( http://www.fybush.com ) going and pays for the trips it takes for Scott to visit these tower sites.

So, if you are interested in purchasing one, go here: http://www.fybush.com/calendar.html You can tell him I told to. :D

http://www.fybush.com/2010calendarmockup-310px.jpg

This would have been a great choice for at least one on my Christmas list.

Will probably just have to get one for myself.

Joe

Crazywoody,

Does an external SATA drive work with the 8240HDC?


Yes, it does. Get a Western Digital DVR Expander 1TB SATA. It will work on a 8240HDC. I had one when I had Time Warner and worked fine. Actually, I am going to sell that drive on eBay sometime.

Yes, it does. Get a Western Digital DVR Expander 1TB SATA. It will work on a 8240HDC. I had one when I had Time Warner and worked fine. Actually, I am going to sell that drive on eBay sometime.

One question, was that with Navigator or were you on the old IPG (SARA or Passport)?

From all of us at FOX8 WGHP, have a Happy and Safe 2010!

One question, was that with Navigator or were you on the old IPG (SARA or Passport)?

The drive worked with Navigator.

Any new TWC HD channels coming to the Triad?

Any TWC customers seen any improvement on the ESPNHDs? My PQ is still horrible.

Nope, espn still looks like crap. CBS is a bit better.

Nope, espn still looks like crap. CBS is a bit better.

I had TWC check my signal strength. They added a booster on my line. Now my HD channels includeing ESPN are crystal. Much improved.

My PQ is very good to excellent. Cheers

I had TWC check my signal strength. They added a booster on my line. Now my HD channels includeing ESPN are crystal. Much improved.

I thought your PQ was already good.

I had TWC check my signal strength. They added a booster on my line. Now my HD channels includeing ESPN are crystal. Much improved.

That doesn't make sense. A booster would improve grainy analog signals, not digital/HD pictures. All it would do for those is raise SNR possibly a tick or two.

I thought your PQ was already good.

That doesn't make sense. A booster would improve grainy analog signals, not digital/HD pictures. All it would do for those is raise SNR possibly a tick or two.


He is in bed with TWC... :)

I noticed this morning that WFMY 2 news was 16x9, but I don't think it was HD. Their news scroll at the bottom was still 4x3.

I noticed this morning that WFMY 2 news was 16x9, but I don't think it was HD. Their news scroll at the bottom was still 4x3.

They started noon Tuesday and it isn't HD. I saw a morning "topical" promo (announcing what they would be covering) run last night and it was not in 16:9 but 4:3. I heard that they started their 5pm news today in 4:3 then sometime after switched to 16:9. Looks like they haven't completely gotten the hang of 16:9 news yet.

He is in bed with TWC... :)

i was thinking same thing ,a timewarner plant in our forum:eek:, nooobody loves tw 24/7 but we all still love WOODY:):)

i was thinking same thing ,a timewarner plant in our forum:eek:, nooobody loves tw 24/7 but we all still love WOODY:):)

I have absolutely no connection to Time Warner save for a friend that works in another division and gives me a tidbit of upcomeing news on occasion. My signal boost was done several months ago and my pic quality much improved. The fact that I am satisfied with my TWC service does not mean I am a plant or in bed with them. Just because I do not want to flee to Directtv like others does not make me right or anyone else wrong. If you hate TWC leave it. I try on occasion to pass on what I have heard. I love all you guys but if you do not want me to pass on any imformation I hear I won't.. Just trying to help and enjoy discussions on this thread. Guess I will just lurk for a while . Hope you all have a great New year. CHEERS.

I have absolutely no connection to Time Warner save for a friend that works in another division and gives me a tidbit of upcomeing news on occasion. My signal boost was done several months ago and my pic quality much improved. The fact that I am satisfied with my TWC service does not mean I am a plant or in bed with them. Just because I do not want to flee to Directtv like others does not make me right or anyone else wrong. If you hate TWC leave it. I try on occasion to pass on what I have heard. I love all you guys but if you do not want me to pass on any imformation I hear I won't.. Just trying to help and enjoy discussions on this thread. Guess I will just lurk for a while . Hope you all have a great New year. CHEERS.

I was completely joking, I respect your input on matters. No worries mate.

I was completely joking, I respect your input on matters. No worries mate.

me too ,I was joking

I have absolutely no connection to Time Warner save for a friend that works in another division and gives me a tidbit of upcomeing news on occasion. My signal boost was done several months ago and my pic quality much improved. The fact that I am satisfied with my TWC service does not mean I am a plant or in bed with them. Just because I do not want to flee to Directtv like others does not make me right or anyone else wrong. If you hate TWC leave it. I try on occasion to pass on what I have heard. I love all you guys but if you do not want me to pass on any imformation I hear I won't.. Just trying to help and enjoy discussions on this thread. Guess I will just lurk for a while . Hope you all have a great New year. CHEERS.

Crazy, I didn't mean to imply that the two posts I quoted meant you were up to something nefarious. I was confused by what I thought were two conflicting statements. I inferred (obviously incorrectly) that your signal boost was just done recently. You're a good source of info for the TWC folks so I'm sure they wouldn't want to you to stop posting.

I apologize for making it seem something was up. :o

I think we all should go to H00ters and get a beer and watch some tv:D

I think we all should go to H00ters and get a beer and watch some tv:D

lol yea, 80% of the girls up there I probably went to high school with... always makes for a fun/awkward moment :)

reminds me are there any adult channels in HD yet , i havent been able to find hd content of that nature yet

reminds me are there any adult channels in HD yet , i havent been able to find hd content of that nature yet

And I thought this was a family friendly thread.

Happy New Year to all,

Joe

D* does have that cinemax? deal. Just guessing.

And I thought this was a family friendly thread.

Happy New Year to all,

Joe

D* does have that cinemax? deal. Just guessing.

Yeah but its doesnt have that great of a selection

Anybody else in the Greensboro area running TiVo's with CableCards and Tuning adapters besides me? Every single switched channel I have is showing "temporarily unavailable" since yesterday. First time that's ever happened, and it happened on all 3 TiVo's at the same time so I'm guessing that either TWC changed something at the head end or Tivo released some software change that affected it.

Had a guy come out and check the signal today and he was able to get everything on his TWC box, so it's something with the CC's or TA's. They're coming back tomorrow, just wanted to see if anyone else was experiencing any similar difficulties.

Jacksonian,

For once, I'm not having problems with Tivo/CC/TA. I've got a S3 and THD, both are working fine with switched channels today. I usually get that error message 2-3 times a month, and I have to go through the dance of rebooting, unplugging USB, calling TWC, etc. to get them working again. Today they are OK.

Jacksonian,

For once, I'm not having problems with Tivo/CC/TA. I've got a S3 and THD, both are working fine with switched channels today. I usually get that error message 2-3 times a month, and I have to go through the dance of rebooting, unplugging USB, calling TWC, etc. to get them working again. Today they are OK.
Must be something at my house. We got all of the channels back on #1, but still missing about 8-9 on #2 and #3.

FCC Notes
FCC: We're Not Picking Spectrum Winners, Losers
Director of scenario planning for broadband team says aim is to establish "voluntary marketplace mechanism" for spectrum use

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/12/2010 9:53:00 PM

The lead staffer on the FCC's spectrum reclamation plan tells B&C that broadcasters have been lobbying against a worst-case scenario that is no longer on the table--if it ever was.

Phil Bellaria, a former cable executive with Charter Communications, has been working on the broadband team as director of scenario planning. He says the plan currently being prepared for vetting by the FCC commissioners would be voluntary and would not require any broadcaster to sell its spectrum to the government or give up the ability to transmit in HD, multicast or mobile, at least initially. However, the commission might have to look at the spectrum issue again later, depending on demand.

Bellaria says that suggestions by broadcasters that the FCC or special interests are trying to take broadcasters' spectrum were off the mark. "The reality is that we are not trying to take spectrum from any individual broadcaster unless that broadcaster chooses to do it," he said.

Bellaria says that when the team began looking at freeing up spectrum for broadband, the scenarios ran the gamut from ones that freed up very little spectrum to the most extreme, which could have meant not being able to deliver HD over the air.

He says that during the process of talking to stakeholders, the team narrowed the scenarios and has come up with one that he says gives broadcasters flexibility while still preserving free, over-the-air TV, which he says is a commission goal.

"Where we have landed is a scenario that establishes a voluntary marketplace mechanism so that broadcast TV stations have a choice in how they want to use their spectrum," Bellaria says. "That choice could include retaining all of it and continue to broadcast in HD with broadcast and mobile; relinquishing some of it, because there are many stations not using all of the bandwidth available to it; or in some cases stations making the decision to relinquish all of their spectrum."

Look for John Eggerton's complete interview with Phil Bellaria in the January 18 issue of Broadcasting & Cable.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/444009-FCC_We_re_Not_Picking_Spectrum_Winners_Losers.php

Something is wrong at FOX 8. They are in 4x3 SD mode during the pregame show. But FOX 27 out of Roanoke is in 16x9 HD mode.

It's fixed now.

Out again. Are we having our sun spot outages today?

Fixed again.

We had a splicer issue this morning. It should be fixed now.

We had a splicer issue this morning. It should be fixed now.

But can we fix the Cowboys? ;)

I noticed this morning that WFMY 2 news was 16x9, but I don't think it was HD.

It looked like the channel 2 news tonight was true 16:9...

Just to let everyone know, the letters telling the cable companies about our channel change is going out today. On March 3rd, we are scheduling to cease broadcasting on channel 8.

Opinions on the threats to OTA Broadcasting. An editorial opinion...


I am writing this to express my opinions, as I am seriously concerned about all of the threats to our beloved radio spectrum we as TV broadcasters use. I have been giving this issue a lot of thought and have come up with a few ideas that I hope could help educate legislators and the public alike about the benefits of DTV, as well as the continued need for a reliable method of delivering emergency communications to the masses in time of need.

If broadcasters can fill that entire 19.36-megabyte channel with new and innovative services, and implement the “Use it or lose it” mantra that Amateur Radio has had to implement over the years to keep their spectrum, it would fill unused bandwidth on one hand, and provide other possible revenue streams at the same time. New ideas are needed to help fill the space they will view as unused.

As you well know, most broadcasters have taken the "Public Interest" aspect of their “Privilege to Broadcast in the Publics Interest” to heart by having some type of emergency reserve power capacity, but the broadband industry has not taken this approach due to the high costs associated with having so many individual sites to equip and maintain, and they are not required to provide any investment in the "Public Interest" aspect for their frequency “Privilege” (Or in their eyes “Rights”) as their interest is mainly a financial, and "Public Interest" regulations do not apply to them.

A full Power DTV transmitter can cover literally thousands of square miles, where a Cell Site is lucky to cover 10, square miles at best. I have never looked at coverage for cell sites, but the location and power levels, interference issues, and even regulations limit a cell sites coverage area by their very nature.

Cable TV line amplifiers have no reserve power source either, and can cover zero square miles when the power is out, and most satellite and cable TV viewers would have no way to power their receiving equipment anyway. There are now many more models of portable or battery powered DTV receivers being produced with the capability of being powered from small solar panels, rechargeable, or automotive batteries for emergency use.

As it stands now, the broadband communications infrastructure has a very serious lack of reserve backup power, and to me that is a major flaw in the overall broadband plan to “Use the spectrum for better and more efficient uses”, which is the current excuse being used to steal the DTV spectrum that the broadband industry is in such a mad rush to do right now.

It just seems to me that the need (or greed) of the broadband industry is overtaking common sense, and the concept of the “Publics Interest” is taking a back seat to “Fads” such as Face Book, My space, Twitter, and online video games of all things that are not absolutely necessary to life and limb in times of extreme emergencies.

There is currently legislation being considered in the House and Senate right now that parallels the urgent need to keep OTA TV for all of the emergency needs mentioned previously. There is a House bill (HR-2160) titled "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications act of 2009" that was introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson from Texas that outlines the need to preserve Amateur Radio for emergency communications needs.

The legislation currently has 29 supporters along with a Senate companion bill (S-1755) with the same title proposed by Senator Susan Collins of Maine, and Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut that mirrors the house bill.

Its almost a complete parallel of the importance of preserving DTV for the same emergency communications reasons, and give it the same importance level they are giving to Amateur Radio for exactly the same reasons. If this point could be made with these legislators and supporters, it could go a long way in helping the cause of saving DTV.

Lets get logical about this and apply the same amount of “Public Interest Concern” and emphasis on emergency communications that the FCC has always applied to TV broadcasting since its conception, as that aspect of emergency communications has always ruled where OTA TV broadcasting is concerned.

In the past, it has always been the reason broadcasters have been allowed to “use” the bandwidth, and they have always taken that role seriously and made real infrastructure investments into ensuring that they could be depended on most all of the time to provide needed emergency communications to masses of people in times of emergency situations. It’s now time to put the same amount of real emphasis and concern into not losing that communications method in times of dire need.

It seems to me that the mission statement of the FCC has changed from protectors of the airwaves to procurers of the dollar, and they have abandoned the concept of “Public Service” to the extreme detriment of the general public at large, for the needs, wants, and wishes of the broadband industry.

Just what was the purpose of the DTV conversion in the first place? In a free society that is supposedly ruled by “The People”, at some point in time the needs of the “all of the people” should at least be as important as the needs of a minority of Face Book, My Space, Twitter Tweeters, or broadband video gamers. And we won’t even go into details about what all of this questionable technology is doing to the social skills of the younger generations.

Are the needs of the “Twitter Tweeters” really more important than the needs of the “Minority” of antenna viewers whose numbers seem to range from 14 to 20 million depending on whose numbers you read? I also believe that these numbers are very inaccurate due to the current economic situation. When the economy is bad, entertainment is normally the first to go, so goodbye Satellite and Cable TV, and hello Antenna TV. Considering this aspect of our times, are the current penetration numbers for OTA viewers really accurate?

In an all-broadband world as it exists now, the number of users who will loose urgent emergency communications will climb dramatically above the 14 to 20 million to include almost everyone if the current business model of the broadband industry is adopted, as the current infrastructure model of the broadband system lacks adequate reserve backup power capacity to address extended power outages, unlike most OTA broadcasters, and should not even be considered as plausible or feasible until that issue could be addressed and drastically improved upon. This is our nations, as well as our personal security we are playing with here for the benefit of the “Twitter Tweeters”, and broadband profits, and at the expense of our personal and national security.

The fact that the broadband industry has no “Public Service” obligations to comply with, makes this a drastically important and urgent issue to consider, regardless of the final fate of OTA TV broadcasting. If this flawed concept is implemented to quickly, and without considerable additional thought into all of its potential pitfalls, the results could be fatal for many.

Lets hope that real, productive, and fair thought is actually given to this extremely urgent and alarming Public Safety issue, and hope that DTV is not ruled into non existence just for the sake of less important uses such as “Tweets” and profits over the actual and critical emergency needs of other spectrum users and owners, and could be considered criminal in some minds.

Also at question here is the taking of the radio Spectrum itself which has been designated by the laws of this land as a “Limited, and shared Public Resource”, and use it for private profits at the expense of the very same American Public who is actually supposed to collectively “Own” the spectrum as outlined in the laws of this land. “

Just some of my thoughts as a Broadcast Engineer and industry insider on how to help convince the powers that be that Face Book, My Space, and Twitter Tweets (That just sounds so juvenile to me to be laughable) are no more important than the than the needs of the “Minority” of antenna viewers whose numbers seem to range from 14 to 20 million, and will surely grow larger in an extended power outage or emergency situation such as Hurricane Katrina in the not adequately prepared, but technologically advanced “All Broadband” world of the near future if powers that be get their wish.

Is more technology always better? Is it wise to throw away a current proven technology to make way for a system whose pitfalls have already been tested and proven to fail in extreme emergency situations such as 9-11-2001? Is it wise to throw out a technology before all of its benefits have even had a chance to be realized, discovered, or exploited fully before we abruptly move on to a to another untested technology, and then forget the merits of the last one?

Technology now has adopted the “Keep up with the Joneses” aura about it that may come back to bite society at some point in the future by losing track of “The Old Ways” of doing some basic things. If we have learned anything from technology it is that no matter how far it advances, we normally have to look back to the past for some solutions to current issues that new technology itself simply cannot solve on its own. Sometimes ignoring, or forgetting history could have its own unknown consequences.

Current estimates put OTA viewers at around 14 to 20 million, and Isn’t it strange that we are rebuilding our entire health care system at a cost of trillions of dollars for about that same amount of people, but that same amount of people are not considered important enough to be counted in the bandwidth battle? Isn’t there a great deal of irony here, or is it a complete lack of logic, or should we be “Following the Money” for the answer to that question? The DTV transition is not over !!

FCC Notes
FCC: We're Not Picking Spectrum Winners, Losers
Director of scenario planning for broadband team says aim is to establish "voluntary marketplace mechanism" for spectrum use

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/12/2010 9:53:00 PM

The lead staffer on the FCC's spectrum reclamation plan tells B&C that broadcasters have been lobbying against a worst-case scenario that is no longer on the table--if it ever was.

Phil Bellaria, a former cable executive with Charter Communications, has been working on the broadband team as director of scenario planning. He says the plan currently being prepared for vetting by the FCC commissioners would be voluntary and would not require any broadcaster to sell its spectrum to the government or give up the ability to transmit in HD, multicast or mobile, at least initially. However, the commission might have to look at the spectrum issue again later, depending on demand.

Bellaria says that suggestions by broadcasters that the FCC or special interests are trying to take broadcasters' spectrum were off the mark. "The reality is that we are not trying to take spectrum from any individual broadcaster unless that broadcaster chooses to do it," he said.

Bellaria says that when the team began looking at freeing up spectrum for broadband, the scenarios ran the gamut from ones that freed up very little spectrum to the most extreme, which could have meant not being able to deliver HD over the air.

He says that during the process of talking to stakeholders, the team narrowed the scenarios and has come up with one that he says gives broadcasters flexibility while still preserving free, over-the-air TV, which he says is a commission goal.

"Where we have landed is a scenario that establishes a voluntary marketplace mechanism so that broadcast TV stations have a choice in how they want to use their spectrum," Bellaria says. "That choice could include retaining all of it and continue to broadcast in HD with broadcast and mobile; relinquishing some of it, because there are many stations not using all of the bandwidth available to it; or in some cases stations making the decision to relinquish all of their spectrum."

Look for John Eggerton's complete interview with Phil Bellaria in the January 18 issue of Broadcasting & Cable.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/444009-FCC_We_re_Not_Picking_Spectrum_Winners_Losers.php

Do you really believe them? I don't...

Just to let everyone know, the letters telling the cable companies about our channel change is going out today. On March 3rd, we are scheduling to cease broadcasting on channel 8.

Has any of them already switched back to 35?

Has any of them already switched back to 35?

I think Lexcomm has and that is the only one I know about.

Anyone with TWC - problems with diagonal lines scrolling across screens on all channels along with very high pitch? I am on a 30 minute wait on the phone as well as a long online wait. I'm thinking I'm not the only one with the problem....it started right at 10 pm.

Anyone with TWC - problems with diagonal lines scrolling across screens on all channels along with very high pitch? I am on a 30 minute wait on the phone as well as a long online wait. I'm thinking I'm not the only one with the problem....it started right at 10 pm.

Just got off the phone with TWC - it seems there are over 100 calls from our area - all with the same problem. Oh, yeah - the high pitch is also coming across the phone lines as well (yes I have TW phone service). I guess we'll find out what happened later...:confused:

I love when non-technical people in Washington try to make a decision about technology. I have been a network systems engineer for 11 years and what these people fail to realize is that this wireless broadband is a bad idea and people will drop it fast once they see the reliability of it. I have seen several customer scrap private wireless 30+ mile networks because every time it is foggy, snowy or heavy rain, they lose signal or it is extremely slow. Broadcast TV is high power so it overcomes the impacts of the weather. Since broadband uses bi-directional communications, the transmit and receive re-tries could make it extremely slow. You also have the security aspect of 100's of people connecting their computers that are either not secure or loaded with viruses on a shared network. Being a OTA DX "Geek", I love to see what broadcast stations I can get. Since I live in Ft. Mill SC where I can watch the Columbia channels OTA that are not offered since we are in the Charlotte region, this would severly impact consumer choice.

I wanted to pass along something I thought was interesting.

Our buddy Trip in VA on his rabbitears.info web site has taken the FCC coverage data and the Longley-Rice data on the same map. The two links included are for our current channel 8 and channel 35 coverages. If you look at it, you will see the solid FCC coverage line is equal on both channels (11.5 kw on channel 8 and 1000 kw on channel 35). The graphical Longley-Rice is vastly different. Red areas are underserved while the Green and Yellows are receivable.

Remember, both calculation methodologies are all based on dipole antennas in free space placed at 30 ft above average ground level and the FCC data is using a 50% signal 90% of the time (known as the 50/90 Rule). The FCC only recognizes the solid line when determining coverage and interference and power levels, not actual as the red, yellow, green shows.

This may help people understand why many VHF High-Band stations chose VHF channels over their UHF channels before the transition and why there was such high hopes and now much teeth gnashing.

Channel 8 (http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1238143&map=Y) may take some time to load and display
Channel 35 (http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1318358&map=Y) may take some time to load and display

The red areas should theoretically be able to receive the signal as well, but it would require a deep fringe roof antenna to do so. My maps are run assuming a height of 13 feet rather than the FCC's standard 30 feet, to better account for Mobile DTV and for indoor antennas, so they're pessimistic rather than optimistic.

Also, F(50,50) was for analog. For digital the FCC's standard is now F(50,90) which my maps also take into account.

- Trip

The red areas should theoretically be able to receive the signal as well, but it would require a deep fringe roof antenna to do so. My maps are run assuming a height of 13 feet rather than the FCC's standard 30 feet, to better account for Mobile DTV and for indoor antennas, so they're pessimistic rather than optimistic.

Also, F(50,50) was for analog. For digital the FCC's standard is now F(50,90) which my maps also take into account.

- Trip

Typo my end. Too many years typing 50/50! Corrected.

The red areas should theoretically be able to receive the signal as well, but it would require a deep fringe roof antenna to do so. My maps are run assuming a height of 13 feet rather than the FCC's standard 30 feet, to better account for Mobile DTV and for indoor antennas, so they're pessimistic rather than optimistic.

Also, F(50,50) was for analog. For digital the FCC's standard is now F(50,90) which my maps also take into account.

- Trip

Have you done these comparisons in all markets? If not are you soon? It's very interesting.

No, I did it a few months ago for WGHP because of foxeng here. :) Just that now I'm making it an actual feature of the website. I'm running WLS in Chicago right now, mapping first 7, then the 44 CP, then the current 44 STA.

I'm not planning to do a lot more of these, though I do have a list of stations I'm doing. They take about 20 minutes each to generate on my computer here, so I'm just doing a few major UHF signals. I'm going to post a complete list in the Allotment thread at some point.

I'm also taking requests if there are specific requests, but I'm only going to generate facilities which are either current or future. Nothing like WTVD where there's no chance of 52 coming back.

(BTW foxeng, I'm still available for chatting if you are.)

- Trip

Thanks.

I looked at WXII since it was on a mountain, and they do not have the signal into VA it appears they do now do they!

Thanks.

I looked at WXII since it was on a mountain, and they do not have the signal into VA it appears they do now do they!

Good choice. WXII is the only other Greensboro station for which I've generated a map! :D

- Trip

Foxeng, I read a Bloomberg report where a FOX exec stated that about 60-70% of the affiliates would be free to carry a Conan O'Brien late night show at 11pm if one came to pass. Do you know (or can even say) if you guys would be one that could?

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aDrdfLS1Ttus

Foxeng, I read a Bloomberg report where a FOX exec stated that about 60-70% of the affiliates would be free to carry a Conan O'Brien late night show at 11pm if one came to pass. Do you know (or can even say) if you guys would be one that could?

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aDrdfLS1Ttus

I don't know what our situation is on a Conan late-night. I don't know what our Sony contract with Seinfeld is.

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of former WGHP Chief Meteorologist Frank Deal. http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-frank-deal-obit-100124,0,4732061.story He was 84 and died of complications to Alzheimer's Disease early this morning.

Feel very lucky that I had the opportunity to work with Frank from 1992 until he retired in 1997.

http://www.myfox8.com/media/alternatethumbnails/story/2010-01/51827343-24134224-400225.jpg

So sad - thank you for the news.

For those interested, here is Frank Deal's last weather forecast when he retired in 1996. http://www.myfox8.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=6318d11f-c7b2-4587-9ad6-479ecadd06ac&src=front

foxeng, quick question... do you work with the control room on early mornings at all?

foxeng, quick question... do you work with the control room on early mornings at all?

We are aware of the issue some TV's have with the crawl. We are working on it.

We are aware of the issue some TV's have with the crawl. We are working on it.

uhhhh, not what I was going to ask... I know somebody who works in there and wanted to see if you were around when they were there

uhhhh, not what I was going to ask... I know somebody who works in there and wanted to see if you were around when they were there

Oooops! That seems to be the question of the day lately! Sorry.

Who is it. I know pretty much all of them.

Oooops! That seems to be the question of the day lately! Sorry.

Who is it. I know pretty much all of them.

Ms. Cox

Ms. Cox

Yeah, I know her!

For those interested, the FCC has posted our application for a channel 35 construction permit. If past experience is any indication, the FCC should approve this pretty quickly. Since this is all paperwork and there will be no actual construction involved since we have been operating channel 35 under and STA since June 19th, when that has happened, we will file the paperwork for the license to cover for channel 35 and we can then turn off channel 8. We are still looking at March 3rd for that.

Opinions on the threats to OTA Broadcasting. An editorial opinion...


I am writing this to express my opinions, as I am seriously concerned about all of the threats to our beloved radio spectrum we as TV broadcasters use. I have been giving this issue a lot of thought and have come up with a few ideas that I hope could help educate legislators and the public alike about the benefits of DTV, as well as the continued need for a reliable method of delivering emergency communications to the masses in time of need.

If broadcasters can fill that entire 19.36-megabyte channel with new and innovative services, and implement the “Use it or lose it” mantra that Amateur Radio has had to implement over the years to keep their spectrum, it would fill unused bandwidth on one hand, and provide other possible revenue streams at the same time. New ideas are needed to help fill the space they will view as unused.

As you well know, most broadcasters have taken the "Public Interest" aspect of their “Privilege to Broadcast in the Publics Interest” to heart by having some type of emergency reserve power capacity, but the broadband industry has not taken this approach due to the high costs associated with having so many individual sites to equip and maintain, and they are not required to provide any investment in the "Public Interest" aspect for their frequency “Privilege” (Or in their eyes “Rights”) as their interest is mainly a financial, and "Public Interest" regulations do not apply to them.

A full Power DTV transmitter can cover literally thousands of square miles, where a Cell Site is lucky to cover 10, square miles at best. I have never looked at coverage for cell sites, but the location and power levels, interference issues, and even regulations limit a cell sites coverage area by their very nature.

Cable TV line amplifiers have no reserve power source either, and can cover zero square miles when the power is out, and most satellite and cable TV viewers would have no way to power their receiving equipment anyway. There are now many more models of portable or battery powered DTV receivers being produced with the capability of being powered from small solar panels, rechargeable, or automotive batteries for emergency use.

As it stands now, the broadband communications infrastructure has a very serious lack of reserve backup power, and to me that is a major flaw in the overall broadband plan to “Use the spectrum for better and more efficient uses”, which is the current excuse being used to steal the DTV spectrum that the broadband industry is in such a mad rush to do right now.

It just seems to me that the need (or greed) of the broadband industry is overtaking common sense, and the concept of the “Publics Interest” is taking a back seat to “Fads” such as Face Book, My space, Twitter, and online video games of all things that are not absolutely necessary to life and limb in times of extreme emergencies.

There is currently legislation being considered in the House and Senate right now that parallels the urgent need to keep OTA TV for all of the emergency needs mentioned previously. There is a House bill (HR-2160) titled "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications act of 2009" that was introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson from Texas that outlines the need to preserve Amateur Radio for emergency communications needs.

The legislation currently has 29 supporters along with a Senate companion bill (S-1755) with the same title proposed by Senator Susan Collins of Maine, and Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut that mirrors the house bill.

Its almost a complete parallel of the importance of preserving DTV for the same emergency communications reasons, and give it the same importance level they are giving to Amateur Radio for exactly the same reasons. If this point could be made with these legislators and supporters, it could go a long way in helping the cause of saving DTV.

Lets get logical about this and apply the same amount of “Public Interest Concern” and emphasis on emergency communications that the FCC has always applied to TV broadcasting since its conception, as that aspect of emergency communications has always ruled where OTA TV broadcasting is concerned.

In the past, it has always been the reason broadcasters have been allowed to “use” the bandwidth, and they have always taken that role seriously and made real infrastructure investments into ensuring that they could be depended on most all of the time to provide needed emergency communications to masses of people in times of emergency situations. It’s now time to put the same amount of real emphasis and concern into not losing that communications method in times of dire need.

It seems to me that the mission statement of the FCC has changed from protectors of the airwaves to procurers of the dollar, and they have abandoned the concept of “Public Service” to the extreme detriment of the general public at large, for the needs, wants, and wishes of the broadband industry.

Just what was the purpose of the DTV conversion in the first place? In a free society that is supposedly ruled by “The People”, at some point in time the needs of the “all of the people” should at least be as important as the needs of a minority of Face Book, My Space, Twitter Tweeters, or broadband video gamers. And we won’t even go into details about what all of this questionable technology is doing to the social skills of the younger generations.

Are the needs of the “Twitter Tweeters” really more important than the needs of the “Minority” of antenna viewers whose numbers seem to range from 14 to 20 million depending on whose numbers you read? I also believe that these numbers are very inaccurate due to the current economic situation. When the economy is bad, entertainment is normally the first to go, so goodbye Satellite and Cable TV, and hello Antenna TV. Considering this aspect of our times, are the current penetration numbers for OTA viewers really accurate?

In an all-broadband world as it exists now, the number of users who will loose urgent emergency communications will climb dramatically above the 14 to 20 million to include almost everyone if the current business model of the broadband industry is adopted, as the current infrastructure model of the broadband system lacks adequate reserve backup power capacity to address extended power outages, unlike most OTA broadcasters, and should not even be considered as plausible or feasible until that issue could be addressed and drastically improved upon. This is our nations, as well as our personal security we are playing with here for the benefit of the “Twitter Tweeters”, and broadband profits, and at the expense of our personal and national security.

The fact that the broadband industry has no “Public Service” obligations to comply with, makes this a drastically important and urgent issue to consider, regardless of the final fate of OTA TV broadcasting. If this flawed concept is implemented to quickly, and without considerable additional thought into all of its potential pitfalls, the results could be fatal for many.

Lets hope that real, productive, and fair thought is actually given to this extremely urgent and alarming Public Safety issue, and hope that DTV is not ruled into non existence just for the sake of less important uses such as “Tweets” and profits over the actual and critical emergency needs of other spectrum users and owners, and could be considered criminal in some minds.

Also at question here is the taking of the radio Spectrum itself which has been designated by the laws of this land as a “Limited, and shared Public Resource”, and use it for private profits at the expense of the very same American Public who is actually supposed to collectively “Own” the spectrum as outlined in the laws of this land. “

Just some of my thoughts as a Broadcast Engineer and industry insider on how to help convince the powers that be that Face Book, My Space, and Twitter Tweets (That just sounds so juvenile to me to be laughable) are no more important than the than the needs of the “Minority” of antenna viewers whose numbers seem to range from 14 to 20 million, and will surely grow larger in an extended power outage or emergency situation such as Hurricane Katrina in the not adequately prepared, but technologically advanced “All Broadband” world of the near future if powers that be get their wish.

Is more technology always better? Is it wise to throw away a current proven technology to make way for a system whose pitfalls have already been tested and proven to fail in extreme emergency situations such as 9-11-2001? Is it wise to throw out a technology before all of its benefits have even had a chance to be realized, discovered, or exploited fully before we abruptly move on to a to another untested technology, and then forget the merits of the last one?

Technology now has adopted the “Keep up with the Joneses” aura about it that may come back to bite society at some point in the future by losing track of “The Old Ways” of doing some basic things. If we have learned anything from technology it is that no matter how far it advances, we normally have to look back to the past for some solutions to current issues that new technology itself simply cannot solve on its own. Sometimes ignoring, or forgetting history could have its own unknown consequences.

Current estimates put OTA viewers at around 14 to 20 million, and Isn’t it strange that we are rebuilding our entire health care system at a cost of trillions of dollars for about that same amount of people, but that same amount of people are not considered important enough to be counted in the bandwidth battle? Isn’t there a great deal of irony here, or is it a complete lack of logic, or should we be “Following the Money” for the answer to that question? The DTV transition is not over !!







Bravo !!!

Excellent Work !!!

Thank you,
DTV Student

4 February 2010

On June 12, 2009, almost all Over-The-Air (OTA) Television Broadcasters in the United States of America turned off their analog transmitters and began broadcasting exclusively using a new standard approved by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC). The research and development phase of this process began about two decades before the “DTV Transition” became a reality. There were many different ideas on the best way to proceed, heated arguments were common, but eventually a consensus was reached.

Now, our OTA television system is based on a digital image compression and packetization technique called MPEG-2 and a radio frequency modulation method called “vestigial side band 8” (8-VSB). This is quite different from the old analog system. The equipment required to implement the new ATSC standard is not cheap. Broadcasters had to scrap a great deal of their analog hardware and invest heavily in the new technology. It will take many years for them to recover these expenses mandated by the FCC and Congress.

The “DTV Transition” was pretty easy and not too expensive for OTA viewers like my wife and I. We retired about five years ago and live on a modest fixed income. To keep expenses down, we do not subscribe to any satellite or cable television services. We rely on local television broadcasts for news, weather reports and a large part of our personal entertainment.

Last year, we rescued our old analog TV from a certain death by adding a small Zenith “Digital to Analog Converter Box” and a new UHF antenna to our old equipment. The picture quality is better than the old analog broadcast systems except for spotty signal dropouts which seem to occur mostly during very windy conditions.

We recently purchased a 26 inch wide screen Digital TV and hooked it up to our new UHF antenna system. We can now receive prime time TV programs in “High Definition”. The picture quality is absolutely stunning !!!

Excluding the one time cost for an HDTV and antenna system, our on-going monthly outlay for digital television should be nothing. This is very important to us since we live on a fixed and rather limited income.

With the real unemployment rates running somewhere between 15% and 20%, I bet many families, who pay good money for cable or satellite services, want to reduce their monthly entertainment expenses too. I suspect there are lots of folks out there who have no idea they can receive most, if not all, of their local DTV stations by using an antenna. I am surprised that broadcasters do not publicize this fact more openly. Perhaps it has something to do with the very important revenue streams broadcasters receive from the cable and satellite companies.

It is not always necessary to put up an outdoor antenna for many urban households. For example, we are using an amplified indoor antenna. We can reliably pull in signals from most of the transmitters within a 40 mile radius of our home. Our local stations include WFMY (CBS), WGHP (FOX), WXII (NBC), WCWG (CW), WUNL (PBS), WXLV (ABC), WMYV (MYTV) and WLXI (TCT). All these stations are broadcasting on the UHF band. Our amplified indoor UHF antenna does the job very nicely.

Oh yes… I found a few more links concerning pending policy changes in our public radio frequency spectrum. The reallocation of spectrum is a topic that came up when the President in late 2009 directed the FCC to work on a national wireless broadband initiative. There have been a number of reports, articles, and comments about spectrum reallocation. The most obvious were a series of TV spots sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters suggesting the FCC is beginning to explore reclaiming much, if not all, of the TV frequency spectrum for use by mobile point to point devices. After the initial comments about reclaiming broadcast spectrum, the FCC appears to have backed away from that and is now be looking at a full radio frequency spectrum audit. Some members of Congress are quite outspoken about this as well, especially Maine’s Senator Olympia Snowe.

Below are some links to various articles about the subject. Hopefully the articles can provide you with more information.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/366286-CEA_Study_Reallocating_Broadcast_Spectrum_Could_Yield_1_Tril lion.php

http://www.nab.org/advocacy/issue.asp?id=2025&issueid=1011

http://snowe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=0a303f99-802a-23ad-4330-eb1a3e9b1433&Region_id=&Issue_id=d698a945-9fe8-6c98-445d-028f871fad22

Thank you for supporting FREE Over-The-Air DTV,
DTV Student

It is not always necessary to put up an outdoor antenna for many urban households. Our amplified indoor UHF antenna does the job very nicely.

I'm still trying to decide what to do re: OTA. Would you be willing to share where you're located in the Triad and what antenna you have?

The FCC has now shelved the idea of taking spectrum away from broadcasters.

I'm still trying to decide what to do re: OTA. Would you be willing to share where you're located in the Triad and what antenna you have?

I live about 2 miles South of Hanes Mall.

For some time now, I have been learning how to use Arie Voors' 4NEC2, a freeware antenna modeling software package and experimenting with various antenna designs. I have built several antennas in my garage using very simple tools. One of my favorites is shown below.

It is a Double Diamond (8 Rod Reflector) design. I think I first saw this design in the background of an old WW2 movie called “Run Silent, Run Deep”. The active elements are made with 6 gage bare copper wire. The total cost of the wire was somewhere around $5 to $8. Notice the gray object on top of the horizontal wooden support. This is a 300 ohm to 75 ohm transformer called a "balun", it costs about $2. The black wire coming out of the back of the balun is a short thin low loss 75 ohm coaxial cable that came with the Zenith DD901 "Digital to Analog Converter Box" I had purchased earlier. The converter box is not needed if your TV has a digital turner. The thin black cable runs from the balun to the antenna side of a VHF-UHF pre-amplifier (not seen). From the pre-amp, I use standard RG6 75 ohm coaxial cable to run to the power supply for the pre-amp and eventually to the antenna input of the "Digital to Analog Converter Box" or antenna input of a TV with a digital tuner.

This antenna stands about 2 feet tall and is about 1 foot wide. The supporting structure is made of 3/4" X 3/4" wood and was designed so that I could adjust the distance between elements by one inch at a time. The structure is much stronger than necessary. It sits on top of a skinny book case in our kitchen. Our kitchen is the most difficult room in our home to receive DTV broadcast due to all the nearby metal objects, e.g. pots, pans, sinks, stoves, refrigerators, air ducts, plumbing, and a metal bath tub on the floor just over the antenna.

This little antenna will pull in the stronger channels by itself, but needs some extra help for the weaker ones. I use a Channel Master pre-amp (model 7777) to boost the signals it receives. It really does the trick. The CM-7777 can be found on the internet for about $50 to $60. This pre-amp has proven to be a very worthwhile investment.

Our Double Diamond with 8 Rod Reflector Antenna:


http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6932/dd8rrkitchen.jpg (http://img18.imageshack.us/i/dd8rrkitchen.jpg/)


Good Luck,
DTV Student

Nicely made antenna! You could start a cottage company with that antenna!

Anybody having issues seeing the Superbowl? I'm watching TimeWarner Cable. Channels 9 (SD) and 520 (HD) are heavily pixelated. The other channels are fine. could it be that SDV can't cope with the one show that gets the single highest viewing of the year?

Looks fine OTA and DirecTV.

Looks fine OTA and DirecTV.

LOL can you please remind me what OTA channel it's on?
:)

-nevermind.........digital signal strength too low............watching "living with ED" instead.

lol can you please remind me what ota channel it's on?
:)

-nevermind.........digital signal strength too low............watching "living with ed" instead.

2-1 (rf 51)

Our TWC is just fine here.

thanks to everyone who helped with my question. we tried it again a few minutes ago and NOW it's working. Great. Missed the first quarter AND The Who.

Anybody having issues seeing the Superbowl? I'm watching TimeWarner Cable. Channels 9 (SD) and 520 (HD) are heavily pixelated. The other channels are fine. could it be that SDV can't cope with the one show that gets the single highest viewing of the year?

I don't think it's an SDV issue, I am told that TWC does not have the three broadcast channels (2,8,12) in the SDV pool. They have dedicated freqs within the band.

Still Lurking. Posting most of my information on the Navigator thread.

We just learned yesterday that a faux news cameo piece taped last summer on our news set with Julie Luck for the new movie debuting today, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" will be in the movie.

Pretty neat indeed!

I see that WXII has finally joined us and WFMY with 16:9 SD widescreen news. I figured they must have been close since this week they told us they could now accept 16:9 SD anamorphic commercials, but they can't manipulate them if they need to be cut to 4:3 which doesn't make any sense unless they are having to do it on the cheap to try and keep up with the rest of us and they really don't have the needed conversion equipment like we do.

Their weather graphics are still 4:3 though.

Well the Time Warner Cable pixellation is back, tonight it is on the Olympic's channel. That channel is heavily pixellated, but the adjacent channels are clear.

This is the Olympics on my television. Note that the info bar is clear, so it is not the television
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu270/colfaxmac/DSCN0770.jpg

Here is an adjacent channel 1 minute later:
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu270/colfaxmac/DSCN0771.jpg

so what's up?

Well the Time Warner Cable pixellation is back, tonight it is on the Olympic's channel. That channel is heavily pixellated, but the adjacent channels are clear.

This is the Olympics on my television. Note that the info bar is clear, so it is not the television
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu270/colfaxmac/DSCN0770.jpg

Here is an adjacent channel 1 minute later:
http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu270/colfaxmac/DSCN0771.jpg

so what's up?

The "info" bar is from the set-top-box. the "pixellated" is probably from a noisy or weak signal to your set-top box. I saw none of the "breakup" here in northwest greensboro on TWC, so the feed to the cable company from NBC was OK.

You probably should schedule a service call with TWC so they can check the signal levels to your house. (If you have splitters in line, you might check their connections... too many splitters can also cause too low a signal level)

The "info" bar is from the set-top-box. the "pixellated" is probably from a noisy or weak signal to your set-top box. I saw none of the "breakup" here in northwest greensboro on TWC, so the feed to the cable company from NBC was OK.

You probably should schedule a service call with TWC so they can check the signal levels to your house. (If you have splitters in line, you might check their connections... too many splitters can also cause too low a signal level)

Info bar from set top box: agreed. I noted it's existance to demonstrate it is not the television.
Feed to cable: I expected it to be o.k, thank you for confirming
Signal level to house: I disagree with your comment. It is a signal level issue, but the fact that adjacent channels are clear suggests that the signal quality is not degrading between the road and my house. IF it were my service cable, or IF I had too many splitters, then ALL channels would look the same, and I wouldn't be posting on the internet either. I posted the photo of the adjacent channel to prove it's not signal strength.

Thanks for the suggestion about calling Time Warner and arranging a service call. Noted.

What happened to Fox 8? They dropped out of HD and the race is still going on. 27 in Roanoke is still in HD.

It's fixed now.

Info bar from set top box: agreed. I noted it's existance to demonstrate it is not the television.
Feed to cable: I expected it to be o.k, thank you for confirming
Signal level to house: I disagree with your comment. It is a signal level issue, but the fact that adjacent channels are clear suggests that the signal quality is not degrading between the road and my house. IF it were my service cable, or IF I had too many splitters, then ALL channels would look the same, and I wouldn't be posting on the internet either. I posted the photo of the adjacent channel to prove it's not signal strength.

Thanks for the suggestion about calling Time Warner and arranging a service call. Noted.Respectfully, I disagree. Even though the channels might be adjacent in the cable listing, they might not be adjacent in frequency and the amplifiers on the poles to your house have very different gain depending on frequency. In the same way, the coax cable and splitters have more loss at higher frequencies than lower.

It is easily possible for one channel to be above the "threshold" where pixilation occurs, and an adjacent numbered channel to be below that threshold. Since we are talking about digital signals it indeed is a "threshold" above which good signal-to-noise ratio ensures a solid picture decode.

Joe L.

Respectfully, I disagree. Even though the channels might be adjacent in the cable listing, they might not be adjacent in frequency and the amplifiers on the poles to your house have very different gain depending on frequency. In the same way, the coax cable and splitters have more loss at higher frequencies than lower.

It is easily possible for one channel to be above the "threshold" where pixilation occurs, and an adjacent numbered channel to be below that threshold. Since we are talking about digital signals it indeed is a "threshold" above which good signal-to-noise ratio ensures a solid picture decode.

Joe L.
I would have to agree with Joe. I have had signal issues at my house with TWC and the pixellation, or sometimes complete loss of channels would affect some channels, but not adjacent channels. And it can be signal being too high or too low. Apparently at one time my signal was low so they put an amp on it. Then later something changed upstream and my signal was way too high. It caused the same problems as when it was too low.

What happened to Fox 8? They dropped out of HD and the race is still going on. 27 in Roanoke is still in HD.

Looking forward to what foxeng has to say about this. I switched to 27 also and finished watching on it.

Looking forward to what foxeng has to say about this. I switched to 27 also and finished watching on it.

I have no idea. The station never called to say they had a problem and I switched to us around 7:30 (I am not in to NASCAR so I will tune over if I am around just to check to be sure stuff is working and then tune away again) I think it was and saw there was 2 laps left (couldn't believe the race was still on) and it was in HD then. I will look at the logger video when I get to work today and see if I can figure out what happened.

What happened to Fox 8? They dropped out of HD and the race is still going on. 27 in Roanoke is still in HD.
I noticed last nite during The Cleveland Show & American Dad. The shows weren't in HD nor were any of the commercials. I saw some of the news commercials and they were in 16:9 but the national commercials weren't. I wonder what the problem was.

We had a piece of equipment that was connected to network fail at the end of the race. It should be working now.

oh ok, glad its fixed....House & 24 come on tonite...lol

Yeah, if something is going to die, it is going to do it in the middle of something big. Never fails.

Yeah, if something is going to die, it is going to do it in the middle of something big. Never fails.

Well, the problem is back. American Idol is on and no HD. But 27 in Roanoke is in HD.

It's fixed.

It was HD from the start at my house with TWC.

I was watching on Directv instead of my OTA but if I'm not mistaken, Directv gets the signal for all of the local HD channels via an OTA signal which I think is different than how TWC gets it. So I guess the problem was just with Fox 8's OTA signal.

Everyone gets the same feed, sat, cable or OTA. How it is delivered is different.

Respectfully, I disagree. Even though the channels might be adjacent in the cable listing, they might not be adjacent in frequency and the amplifiers on the poles to your house have very different gain depending on frequency. In the same way, the coax cable and splitters have more loss at higher frequencies than lower.

It is easily possible for one channel to be above the "threshold" where pixilation occurs, and an adjacent numbered channel to be below that threshold. Since we are talking about digital signals it indeed is a "threshold" above which good signal-to-noise ratio ensures a solid picture decode.

Joe L.

Your points are compelling, and I would agree except that the pixilation is dynamic, as I mentioned earlier. For example, the superbowl was unwatchable for the 1st half but o.k. the second. Same with the opening night of the olympics, couldn't watch it, the other nights not an issue. If then the pixellation is caused by my home cableing/local amplifiers, then these losses from the pole to my TV must vary as a function of the number of viewers!

I appreciate your comments, and without trying to insult anyone, what then is the probablilty of TWC technicans to be able to diagnose and service this matter? there's nothing they can measure because the problem is a dynamic rolling one, here one moment gone the next. These random dynamic problems are difficult to solve regardless of technican skill level or on whatever kind of apparatus they occur on.

quite honestly, I'm fed up with TWC and find myself wondering if I should even stay with cable after this "episode". The whole process of:
*call + wait
*explain problem
*reboot cable box
*diagnose problem as "signals"
*schedule visit
*wait for technican
*explain problem
*evaluate fix
*repeat every 6 months
seems positively last century and I expect TWC could do better if they were so inclined. After all my internet comes in on the same ding dang wire and they can find out exactly where that broke ( the one and only time it happened in ten years). If every business had this service technique coupled with the repair frequency no one would have a job anywhere.

thanks for the help, I'll call TWC tomorrow.

quite honestly, I'm fed up with TWC and find myself wondering if I should even stay with cable after this "episode".
thanks for the help, I'll call TWC tomorrow.

Eventually you'll get to the point where you just stop doing business with them and make sure they know why. I had similar issues that drove me crazy, so switched to satellite. It's not perfect either, but after my experience with TWC, it's a huge improvement.

WAXN, Charlotte received a CP from the FCC today to construct a translator on channel 36 in China Grove. I am shooting for an April 1 air date.

Your points are compelling, and I would agree except that the pixilation is dynamic, as I mentioned earlier. For example, the superbowl was unwatchable for the 1st half but o.k. the second. Same with the opening night of the olympics, couldn't watch it, the other nights not an issue. If then the pixellation is caused by my home cableing/local amplifiers, then these losses from the pole to my TV must vary as a function of the number of viewers!
Probably not by the number of viewers, but certainly by temperature, humidity, rain ingress to the cable, signal-to-noise ratio (is a nearby noise source getting into your cable because of a poor connection?), etc. Most of these will be nearly impossible to predict.
I appreciate your comments, and without trying to insult anyone, what then is the probablilty of TWC technicans to be able to diagnose and service this matter? there's nothing they can measure because the problem is a dynamic rolling one, here one moment gone the next. These random dynamic problems are difficult to solve regardless of technican skill level or on whatever kind of apparatus they occur on.
You hit it on the head... If the cause of the pixillation is not there when they look, it will test perfectly. The "picture" of the screen you took is a great way to prove it is bad. You might want to look into how to get into the maintenance screens on your set-top box. It will give signal level and signal-to-noise levels that YOU can read when the problem is occurring. It will not find the cause, but you'll identify if it is a signal level issue, or a signal-to-noise level issue.
quite honestly, I'm fed up with TWC and find myself wondering if I should even stay with cable after this "episode". The whole process of:
*call + wait
*explain problem
*reboot cable box
*diagnose problem as "signals"
*schedule visit
*wait for technican
*explain problem
*evaluate fix
*repeat every 6 months
seems positively last century and I expect TWC could do better if they were so inclined. After all my internet comes in on the same ding dang wire and they can find out exactly where that broke ( the one and only time it happened in ten years). If every business had this service technique coupled with the repair frequency no one would have a job anywhere.

thanks for the help, I'll call TWC tomorrow.
Good luck... hopefully it will be acting up when they get there.

Joe L.

Just to give everyone a heads up. This week has been a pretty challenging one on the network splicer front. A piece of ancillary equipment that interfaces the network splicer to the Master Control/Automation system (it is a computer actually) has decided that for no apparent reason to lock up unannounced at weird times severing the link between the network splicer and Master Control/Automation.

After having the manufacturer on site this week reinstalling software and installing a whole new box, it is still locking up. The only good news is instead of it locking up every 4 to 6 hours, it is now out to 18 hours or so. The bad news is the only way to find out it has stopped working is when you need it!

So there maybe times this weekend that certain segments of network programming may not be in HD since it takes a failure to find out it has failed and then reboot the stupid thing.

This is shaping up to be a classic "so obvious you can't miss it fix" that we just can't see it right now. Monday will be an interesting day as we have a list of things to try if the latest "fix" doesn't work. The problem is you try one thing and then wait to see if it locks up.

I hate intermittent problems. You can't seem to fix them quick enough!

I thought you guys would like this:

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/uc/20100221/largeimagecrspe100221.gif

Anyone having trouble with MSNBC HD on TWC? Don't know if it's just the Olympic hockey coverage but it's so blurry it's unwatchable.

Anyone having trouble with MSNBC HD on TWC? Don't know if it's just the Olympic hockey coverage but it's so blurry it's unwatchable.

Conversion of the pixels from Metric to Imperial! :D

Thought I would share a picture of some of the things we have been doing lately. After YEARS of begging for one, we finally installed a "multiview" monitor system for Production Control. With the cost of TV's, well actually monitors, that what these are, down in the MUCHO affordable range, we were allowed to change out our old CRT monitors for something MUCH more green, 5 LCD monitors for everything. We did this Sunday with the later start of the race and no 6pm news. Still some things to tidy up, but now we feel like we have finally made it into the 21st Century!

Here is the old wall of monitors

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/64498777.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1266857236&Signature=dydyHlI4N%2FRqf5MNMe4iJa3OMZ0%3D

And the new:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/68418016.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1266875235&Signature=vNAOWHvXgU%2BvJEiMzUixnntiSXw%3D

Thanks to our 5pm news producer for the pix.

The website declined to show this webpage

Sure would like to see the pictures...

Anyone having trouble with MSNBC HD on TWC? Don't know if it's just the Olympic hockey coverage but it's so blurry it's unwatchable.

Yes, the HD coverage of the hockey game on CNBC was horrible. I've never seen pixelation so bad that it freezes the screen for a few seconds. I switched to the SD channel and it was a little better.

Yes, the HD coverage of the hockey game on CNBC was horrible. I've never seen pixelation so bad that it freezes the screen for a few seconds. I switched to the SD channel and it was a little better.

I had the same problem but stubbornly stuck with the HD channel. About mid way thru the third period the picture froze for a second or two and when it returned it was as good as ch 540. It was as if a switch had been thrown. Hard to tell if it was an MSNBC issue or a TWC issue. But from then to the end of the game it was very clear w/o pixellation or tiling.

The website declined to show this webpage

Sure would like to see the pictures...

Something weird happen. I reentered the URL and there it is!

Well one out of two isn't bad...

Well one out of two isn't bad...
I don't see either of the pictures...

Joe L.

Sorry,

I guess you had a 15 minute window. It's gone...

OK, here are the actual links:

Old

http://www.twitpic.com/12efkp


New

http://www.twitpic.com/14qfog

We have also set up a twitter account for the Engineering Department for those who want to keep up with the latest. It is http://twitter.com/fox8eng

Very nice! :)

- Trip

I like it! It's nice to see them on the wall instead of in the floor next to your workbench accompanied by a "DO NOT TOUCH" sign, haha.

I like it! It's nice to see them on the wall instead of in the floor next to your workbench accompanied by a "DO NOT TOUCH" sign, haha.

Yeah, me too. Not having table top mounts, 47 inch monitors take up a LOT of floor space!

Here is a picture I took during the 6pm news with all the monitors in operation. Because the room is dark and I couldn't take a flash, the monitors wash out the picture a little bit.

http://www.w4cl.net/fox/0222001754.jpg

Here is a picture I took during the 6pm news with all the monitors in operation. Because the room is dark and I couldn't take a flash, the monitors wash out the picture a little bit.

http://www.w4cl.net/fox/0222001754.jpg

It appears as if the operators are wearing their coats... The old wall of CRT monitors probably gave off a lot more heat than the new LCD monitors...

Has the HVAC been left at the same level as in the past, making the room a bit cold? Probably need to turn it down (and become a bit more green in the process)

Joe L.

It appears as if the operators are wearing their coats... The old wall of CRT monitors probably gave off a lot more heat than the new LCD monitors...

Has the HVAC been left at the same level as in the past, making the room a bit cold? Probably need to turn it down (and become a bit more green in the process)

Joe L.

Actually we keep it around 70, but some people are just cold natured when they are sitting for long periods of time in a dark room. I run around in short sleeves all year round at work while others wear long sleeves all year round at work. Just depends on the individual.

foxeng:

I was poking at the RabbitEars server logs and I couldn't help but notice this: http://www.myfox8.com/about/dtv/

It looks like VHF and UHF got flipped a few times, with references to VHF 35 and UHF 8 instead of the opposite.

Also, those maps you've got linked just show the contours. Don't know if you wanted to link to the ones with the colors on them--though you'd have to say "Google Chrome STRONGLY recommended for viewing these!" :D

- Trip

foxeng:

I was poking at the RabbitEars server logs and I couldn't help but notice this: http://www.myfox8.com/about/dtv/

It looks like VHF and UHF got flipped a few times, with references to VHF 35 and UHF 8 instead of the opposite.

Also, those maps you've got linked just show the contours. Don't know if you wanted to link to the ones with the colors on them--though you'd have to say "Google Chrome STRONGLY recommended for viewing these!" :D

- Trip

Yea I see that too. Maybe foxeng wanted to see if anyone was paying attention. ;)

I wish more stations would promote their OTA signal with information like that.

That was from a blog I wrote on our station website and I guess the web guys had an issue putting it together like they wanted it. I didn't know they had done that. Guess I will have to talk to them tomorrow.

We have on air announcements going on about it now and the number of cable/sat people calling outnumbers the OTA people by a large margin. They don't understand why on their cable or sat box 35 doesn't work!! I guess that is because the OTA people either have both 8 and 35 or are already watching 35 so they don't care!

I am an OTA DTV viewer. I have been following with great interest the problems FOX8 engineers have had to deal with from the FCC. I know it would have been much less expensive to broadcast on VHF 8 than UHF 35. Unfortunately, the FCC under estimated the power that was really needed to broadcast DTV on VHF 8. Oh well... such is life!

I have seen FOX8's recent public annoucements concerning shutting down VHF 8 transmissions in a few days. The annoucement is very well done and seems perfectly clear to me. Perhaps there are a lot of cable/satelite viewers who have no idea how they receive their audio/video signals. I also suspect these same people have no idea how great a HIGH DEFINITION picture they can recieve for FREE OVER THE AIR by using an amplified indoor antenna. It is stunning! Thank you FOX8. The switch to UHF 35 has made it possible for me to build a rather compact indoor antenna capable of receiving all of local DTV channels.

Thank you,
DTV Student

Just so you know, this weekend is Sun Outage Sunday. The outage is calcuated for Greensboro to be between 1:40p - 1:58p.

Just so you know, this weekend is Sun Outage Sunday. The outage is calcuated for Greensboro to be between 1:40p - 1:58p.

Thanks for letting us know. Would 27 out of Roanoke be affected at the same time or would they be different. I ask cause if I'm watching the race at that time on Sunday, I wonder if switching to 27 would be helpful.

Thanks for letting us know. Would 27 out of Roanoke be affected at the same time or would they be different. I ask cause if I'm watching the race at that time on Sunday, I wonder if switching to 27 would be helpful.

Theirs is within a minute of ours.

FYI. Today we are turning off the channel 8 transmitter for 1 hour between 10AM and 11AM to check which cable companies are still tuned to 8 and not 35. If you are around and we go dark on your provider, give us a call at the station so I can go postal on someone! ;)

Then Monday at 11AM we will officially "change channels" from 8 to 35 by turning off channel 8 for good.

Where is the tower located for the uhf signal? I am up in Eden and pick up 8 fine, but no joy on 35. Should be marginal but able to get it, I get all the other uhf signals out of the area.

Steve

Where is the tower located for the uhf signal? I am up in Eden and pick up 8 fine, but no joy on 35. Should be marginal but able to get it, I get all the other uhf signals out of the area.

Steve

This site has that info along with the others.

http://www.triad-hdtv.org/pointing.html

http://www.triad-hdtv.org/graphics/triad-map.jpg

So when I put in 35 my TV automatically tunes to 8. Is it supposed to do that?

Thanks, UNC! Same location as the current vhf, it appears.

I wonder if the signal on 35 is at the full 1000KW? If it is, I may be watching Roanoke/Lynchburg after this weekend!

So when I put in 35 my TV automatically tunes to 8. Is it supposed to do that?Yes... that means you are getting 35. It maps itself to 8.

Where is the tower located for the uhf signal? I am up in Eden and pick up 8 fine, but no joy on 35. Should be marginal but able to get it, I get all the other uhf signals out of the area.

Steve

Yes, the 35 antenna is right below the channel 8 antenna. Make sure your receiver isn't mapping 35 as 8. 99% of all the calls I have had have been that very issue.

FYI. Today we are turning off the channel 8 transmitter for 1 hour between 10AM and 11AM to check which cable companies are still tuned to 8 and not 35. If you are around and we go dark on your provider, give us a call at the station so I can go postal on someone! ;)

Then Monday at 11AM we will officially "change channels" from 8 to 35 by turning off channel 8 for good.

Interesting results to the test. Only one call and that was from DirecTV. Seems they had the SD headend at Gallimore Dairy Rd receiving 35 and the HD headend at WFMY was receiving channel 8! They quickly fixed that.

I wonder if the signal on 35 is at the full 1000KW? If it is, I may be watching Roanoke/Lynchburg after this weekend!

Yes, 35 has been and still is and will continue to be 1000 kw.

So, should we rescan after noon Monday?

I'm in Winston near the university and using a Winegard SS-3000 indoors can get Sauratown Mountain and everybody at Level Cross, but not you.

Any tips?

Yes, 35 has been and still is and will continue to be 1000 kw.

So, should we rescan after noon Monday?

I'm in Winston near the university and using a Winegard SS-3000 indoors can get Sauratown Mountain and everybody at Level Cross, but not you.

Any tips?

You can rescan now. I suspect you will only get 35. 8's signal in Winston has been hit and miss. 35's signal is much stronger.

Have to admit that the butterflies are starting to build. It is kinda feeling like June 12th all over again.

Yes, the 35 antenna is right below the channel 8 antenna. Make sure your receiver isn't mapping 35 as 8. 99% of all the calls I have had have been that very issue.

I'll know tonight when I go home and try to tune you guys in! I sure would miss Neil, Van and Julie!

My TV likely knows what it is doing and already is on 35; I already knew it was smarter than me when I disconnected cable and got 37 channels OTA. Another hundred bucks that my wife can spend instead of Time Warner! Now, just make sure that the FCC doesn't take channel 35 away from us!!!

Steve

The channel 8 transmitter was turned off at exactly 11:02:00 ET. RIP.

I too am in Eden. The WGHP signal on 35 is coming in well . . . . much better than even the pre-transition 35. I guess it makes us glad that all those folks in the late 50's figured out how to switch Florence, SC to 13 so that a Ch. 8 could be squeezed into High Point. Had it not been for them, there would probably be no transition now, and the third leg of the "triad" would have never been though of as more than a suburb of Thomasville. Good work and congrats to all of your engineering crew.

We have had very few calls over this change. Most have been either cable/sat viewers who the change didn't effect or people who didn't understand they needed to rescan their receivers. This has been a much different result than the June 12th transition. We hated to give up RF 8, but with little relief in sight, we feel we have made the right decision. There are still some things we can do to improve 35, but we are going to wait and see how this works out before spending any more money, especially in this economy.

Hey foxeng, I just noticed this morning that on my HR20 D* box that I have two 8.1 digital channels. The new one is listed as WGHPSTA. It shows the same stuff as the original channel. Do you know what this is?

It has been there for a while. The one that says WGHP-DT had been mapped to RF 8 while WGHPSTA had been mapped to RF 35. Looks like both are mapped to 35 now.

D* was a little behind on the channel change. We did a test last week turning off the channel 8 transmitter for an hour and found that D*'s SD was set to 35 and the HD was set to 8. Something happened on the HD side that the word didn't get to them so I suspect it will take a while for them to get it all straight. We have been operating with a STA on channel 35 since last June so that is where that is coming from. When the paperwork clears on all this, I would suspect that will go away and it will go back to just WGHP-DT on RF 35 for the tuner.

Well, no luck on 35.

Matt, I am on the ridge south of the Dan off 14, wonder if my problem is height. I have a rooftop Winegard (my wife calls it an "ugly, bristly thing") that I am unsure of the model number as a "pro" installed it. What are you using?

I get 16, 20, 26, 27, 45 and 48, but no 35. Had to watch channel 2 news last night and "24" on channel 27. Too many numbers, my head hurts...

Steve

Well, no luck on 35.

Matt, I am on the ridge south of the Dan off 14, wonder if my problem is height. I have a rooftop Winegard (my wife calls it an "ugly, bristly thing") that I am unsure of the model number as a "pro" installed it. What are you using?

I get 16, 20, 26, 27, 45 and 48, but no 35. Had to watch channel 2 news last night and "24" on channel 27. Too many numbers, my head hurts...

Steve

It sounds like a combo VHF/UHF. It might just need to be turned a bit, or you might want to get just a UHF antenna and have more receiving power.

I am on the ridge south of the Dan off 14, wonder if my problem is height. I have a rooftop Winegard (my wife calls it an "ugly, bristly thing") that I am unsure of the model number as a "pro" installed it. What are you using?

I'm using a Radio Shack 6x8 panel amplified antenna hung 8 feet off the ground on my front porch. I live on old 87 near the rec center, and get 2, 8, 12, 16, 20, 43 (61), 45, 47, and 48 with no problems. On clear, cold days, I can add 3, 4, 7, 10, 13, 21, 26, 27, 38, 40 (analog) and 50 (analog) with varying degrees of reception. I plan on erecting a 20ft. pole mount for the antenna at some point to see how much improvement I get.

For now, I'm well satisfied with what I'm getting digitally. I know where you live, generally. There seem to be a lot of pine trees up on that ridge. Do you have your antenna above the treeline? Sometimes getting it up another 5-10 feet can do you a world of good. I'm wondering too if you get us on 47.

Later . . . .
Matt

I'm wondering too if you get us on 47.

Later . . . .
Matt

Matt:

Clear as a bell! If my mother in law had her way, that would be the only channel we need!!!

Steve

I am probably going to set my dad up with a new antenna and I am considering a UHF only Channel Master 4228. Are any of the Greensboro/High Point/Winston Salem/Roanoke/Lynchburg stations really still on VHF? Specifically, 2, 7, 10, 12 and 13 (I think the 4228 will be fine on 10, 12 and 13, but probably not 2 and 7). I need to stay on his good side and lot's of channels would help! Losing WFMY2 would be bad.

If this antenna works well, it may be my solution for 8/35.

Thanks all!

Steve

Thanks!
Steve

WSET-13 is on VHF.

- Trip

WSET-13 and WTVD-11 are the only VHFs in the region now. Everyone else is UHF now.

foxeng:

Looks like your construction permit has now been issued.

- Trip

foxeng:

Looks like your construction permit has now been issued.

- Trip

"And there was much rejoicing (YAH!)" Monty Python and the Holy Grail

(I love that movie!)

On a different note, AT&T's U-verse must be getting ready to launch. They touched base with us yesterday about running fiber to their headend.

^Best news I've had all month.

AT&T's U-verse must be getting ready to launch.

I agree that this is good to hear. Before I moved back to the Triad a couple of years ago, I lived for a few months with some friends outside of Dallas who had Verizon FiOS. It'd be great to have options here...

I agree that this is good to hear. Before I moved back to the Triad a couple of years ago, I lived for a few months with some friends outside of Dallas who had Verizon FiOS. It'd be great to have options here...

Don't confuse U-Verse with FiOS. FiOS runs it's fiber all the way to your house which brings the best PQ in the business and no video stream limitations. U-Verse on the other hand only runs fiber to the VRAD box in your neighborhood. Then from that box they only run copper to your house. Because of that there is limited bandwidth available which means a limited number of active video streams which IIRC, is only 4. It can be either 2 HD and 2 SD or 1 HD and 3 SD.

Which means if you have a HD DVR, then you can't have another HDTV and watch separate programming from the first HDTV. Also you're limited with the total number of TVs and DVRs you can have active. In my situation, 5 TVs (2 of those HDTV) and five DVRs (2 of those HD DVRs) U-verse wouldn't work. I realize that my needs are more than most would need, but even lesser needs couldn't be handled. If you want 2 DVRs, then you couldn't have a 3rd TV.

Having read reviews on PQ, the limited bandwidth available (IIRC 25 mbps) means that there are issues there too. SD PQ is suppose to be great and the HD PQ is good on smaller HDTVs. But if you have like 55 inch and above, the PQ is less than desired. Less than say Directv, and definitely less than the best which is FiOS. The PQ gets worse if you have Internet from U-Verse since it comes from the same source of bandwidth that the TV signals comes from.

But in U-Verse's defense, they have a great HD channel lineup. Better than TWC, Dish or Directv. IIRC, FiOS is equal or better. Now sometime in late April Directv will start adding channels again and the have enough capacity coming online soon that if used properly, should put them back on top in the HD channel race.

WSET-13 and WTVD-11 are the only VHFs in the region now. Everyone else is UHF now.

You're forgetting about WBRA. It is broadcasting on RF channel 3, which makes it a VHF as well.

You're forgetting about WBRA. It is broadcasting on RF channel 3, which makes it a VHF as well.

Oh, how I would like to forget about WBRA permanently... :D

- Trip

You're forgetting about WBRA. It is broadcasting on RF channel 3, which makes it a VHF as well.

I should have been more clear, VHF high band. No one that I knows takes any VHF low band seriously.

You're forgetting about WBRA. It is broadcasting on RF channel 3,

WOW Low Band ATSC...So hows that working out?

Not well. Last spring when there were thunderstorms in the vicinity you had to check the tv schedule and Doppler radar before deciding what to watch. They were not watchable days (evenings) at a time. They're now at 10KW with a new antenna so the final evaluation comes in a few weeks.

Hi Folks,

I just got back from visiting Mom in Georgia. While down there, I noticed the DTV broadcasters in the Atlanta area doing the very same thing as broadcasters here in the Triad area. That is... commercials seem to be set up to run about 10 to 20 times LOUDER than the shows. I guess that is so one will still be able to hear the commercial all the way in the bath room or kitchen... LOL.

I thought this practice was supposed to come to an end in 2010???

Your comments are appreciated,
DTV Student

Hi Folks,

I just got back from visiting Mom in Georgia. While down there, I noticed the DTV broadcasters in the Atlanta area doing the very same thing as broadcasters here in the Triad area. That is... commercials seem to be set up to run about 10 to 20 times LOUDER than the shows. I guess that is so one will still be able to hear the commercial all the way in the bath room or kitchen... LOL.

I thought this practice was supposed to come to an end in 2010???

Your comments are appreciated,
DTV Student
I solved the problem here by purchasing a new home theater receiver with Dolby Volume (only a few receivers have this new feature). It works better than the volume leveling option built into my Samsung TV.

Fox 8 on TWC here was switching in and out of HD between 8:00 & 9:00 pm yesterday, getting worse as the hour went on. Anyone else notice that?

So why is WFMY only adding one sub-channel this year for the NCAA tourney? Traditionally they add 2 so we can watch 3 games at once. I have checked cable and OTA. I wish they'd ditch the weather sub channel for the tourney.

Fox 8 on TWC here was switching in and out of HD between 8:00 & 9:00 pm yesterday, getting worse as the hour went on. Anyone else notice that?

We had an issue with some equipment. I had to come back and ball-peen it to get it to work before Idol. These things NEVER fail at 10AM in the morning!

Fox 8 on TWC here was switching in and out of HD between 8:00 & 9:00 pm yesterday, getting worse as the hour went on. Anyone else notice that?

I noticed it too - Thanks foxeng for the fix!

Interesting reading parts of the FCCs broadband recommendations. They are sure good at talking out of both sides of their mouths!

http://download.broadband.gov/plan/national-broadband-plan.pdf

Start reading at page 88 and you will see what I mean...

Steve

Yeah, for some reason the Tivo defaulted to 8, not 35.

But I'm still getting some dropouts with my "medium directional w/ pre-amp" set in the window so I guess I'll need an outdoor roof mounted antenna.

Anybody recommend installers in the Winston area?

I'm not climbing on a roof. :)

You can rescan now. I suspect you will only get 35. 8's signal in Winston has been hit and miss. 35's signal is much stronger.

Sure is quite here. here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here

Sure is quite here. here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here


ROFL. Yea, and most of the NC markets are for some reason... ? Maybe everyone is talking health care on other forums.:eek:

ROFL. Yea, and most of the NC markets are for some reason... ? Maybe everyone is talking health care on other forums.:eek:

Naw. Watching basketball! :)

Hope everyone made it through the tornadoes last night Ok.

We were on the air with storm coverage for 5 1/2 hours straight taking out the whole FOX Sunday Prime and overrunning the 10 O'Clock News by half an hour. Luckily we didn't loose power so the generators weren't needed. I started the one at the transmitter remotely about 9:50 and ran it through the 10 O'Clock news just to be sure there was no interruption since if the power did go down, it would take 20 seconds for the generator to crank up and get on line and then the UHF transmitter would have to reset, another 20 to 30 seconds so it seemed to make sense to go ahead and put it on line during the news time since people would be expecting us to be there and then about 11:05 I switched it back to Duke Power.

The wife and I switched around between WFMY, WXII and us to see who had the better coverage and we both agreed, we seemed to have better visuals with more on scene video and eyewitness reports and we went with the roof cams much sooner than WXII and WFMY did. It is just utilizing what you have when you have it. I think what helped us was we were getting ready for a 6pm news wihen the storm stuck and WFMY was in basketball at the time and WXII doesn't put as much emphasis on the southern part of the market like we do and that is where most of the damage is and so that helped us with this storm. Other storms it may come out different.

Preparation is a big help, but you need a little luck too!

I was interested to see your post, foxeng. I was thinking about posting something similar last night, but, since I'm newer to the forums, I didn't know if it would be too generic for the board since it wasn't HDTV-specific.

Here are my thought from last night's storm coverage...

I moved back to the Triad in late '07 after being away for a little over 18 years. Since I've been back, I've maybe seen a total of 4 or 5 minutes worth of WGHP's news coverage. In fact, just this past week, we somehow stumbled across the 10pm version for 20 seconds as it ended and I commented about the new-to-me set and the sports person that I never remembered seeing.

That being said, somehow we ended up on WGHP during the beginning of the storm coverage last night. As the storms moved through, I occasionally switched to WFMY or WXII when channel 8 was covering the movement toward Brown Summit, Reidsville, etc. I was pleasantly surprised how much better I liked the WGHP coverage (my favorite part was Melissa's comment about the mobile homes in Davidson county being "flipped over a little bit"), both in terms of the graphics as well the team coverage in the studio.

I was interested to see your post, foxeng. I was thinking about posting something similar last night, but, since I'm newer to the forums, I didn't know if it would be too generic for the board since it wasn't HDTV-specific.

Here are my thought from last night's storm coverage...

I moved back to the Triad in late '07 after being away for a little over 18 years. Since I've been back, I've maybe seen a total of 4 or 5 minutes worth of WGHP's news coverage. In fact, just this past week, we somehow stumbled across the 10pm version for 20 seconds as it ended and I commented about the new-to-me set and the sports person that I never remembered seeing.

That being said, somehow we ended up on WGHP during the beginning of the storm coverage last night. As the storms moved through, I occasionally switched to WFMY or WXII when channel 8 was covering the movement toward Brown Summit, Reidsville, etc. I was pleasantly surprised how much better I liked the WGHP coverage (my favorite part was Melissa's comment about the mobile homes in Davidson county being "flipped over a little bit"), both in terms of the graphics as well the team coverage in the studio.

Our current set was built in 2003. We started the hour long 10pm news when we went FOX in 1995. We are using the FOX O & O graphics package, highly modified since we are very graphic intensive, more so than the other stations in the market. Does that help? It depends on who you ask. Some it helps. Others say it hurts. Personal preference I think.

As you may have noticed, Neill McNeill came in to do work in the field and let Melissa keep the anchor duties. Even though Neill sits in the "big chair" during the week, he still loves getting out and covering the story when he can. That is just the way he is. I didn't see the prime anchors from the other stations do that. I think those little things go a long way with viewers. With us, what you see on the air is the way we really are and I think that helps too. We have always been that way.

Some days you get the lion and some days the lion gets you. Last night, I think we got the lion. Next time, it could go the other way just as easy.

I was watching the Tornado north of Greensboro last night on Google earth. (weather geek) lol - and glad to hear it wasn't really bad.

I get a good variety of stations down east, and sometimes they do good, other times they are awful with bad weather, but having someone who knows how to deliver the message calmly and clearly of what is happening and what to do seems to make all the difference, at least to me... Some get on the air and try to just go with enough tongue for ten rows of teeth, and it is not receivable or is painful for the viewer to listen to and in turn the viewers complain to the station about ramblings and understandably so sometimes. Then you've got some stations that won't cross the border of the DMA like it is poison, even thought there is a monster storm just over the edge, and people who receive a signal there. Those are some of my observations with watching TV coverage of storms over the years in the triangle and ENC. :D You would never see 5 1/2 hrs steadyof weather coverage here, unless it was a Hurricane, and even then not every time. Good job up there for the viewers in that storm path.

I was watching the Tornado north of Greensboro last night on Google earth. (weather geek) lol - and glad to hear it wasn't really bad.

I get a good variety of stations down east, and sometimes they do good, other times they are awful with bad weather, but having someone who knows how to deliver the message calmly and clearly of what is happening and what to do seems to make all the difference, at least to me... Some get on the air and try to just go with enough tongue for ten rows of teeth, and it is not receivable or is painful for the viewer to listen to and in turn the viewers complain to the station about ramblings and understandably so sometimes. Then you've got some stations that won't cross the border of the DMA like it is poison, even thought there is a monster storm just over the edge, and people who receive a signal there. Those are some of my observations with watching TV coverage of storms over the years in the triangle and ENC. :D You would never see 5 1/2 hrs steadyof weather coverage here, unless it was a Hurricane, and even then not every time. Good job up there for the viewers in that storm path.

We do stream all our newscasts and local breaking news segments. We had almost 175 streaming at the time I looked. The most I have ever seen streaming. Many had been on their several hours at that point. If you are that interested in seeing what is going on, you could check into that.

As you may have noticed, Neill McNeill came in to do work in the field... With us, what you see on the air is the way we really are

I saw the part where Neill called in and then later, flipped by when he was on camera in jeans. I can see where some might see that as a lack of professionalism or whatever, but I thought it was a nice touch. The humanity that that showed, along with Van leaving for a bit to check on his family after the tornado was reported by Green Street, were nice to see. (I thought I remembered Neill starting at WFMY then switching over to WGHP, so I finally read his bio and see that I remembered incorrectly.)

Watching last night was enjoyable, but I find myself still having enough issues with each station's broadcasts that I'll probably just resign myself to stay with my current less-than-ideal habits.

Watching last night was enjoyable, but I find myself still having enough issues with each station's broadcasts that I'll probably just resign myself to stay with my current less-than-ideal habits.

All we ask is that you sample us. :)

TWC is changing their channel lineup to base it by category. Here's a link:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/Carolinas/learn/new_digital_lineup.html

Grouping Your Programming
By rearranging your lineup by category we’ve made finding what you want faster and easier than ever. You can find the shows you love based on the following categories:



Channel Block
100's
Local Programming
200's

Kids and Family, Learning and Discovery, Faith and Inspiration
300's

Entertainment, Home and Leisure, Shopping
400's

News and Information, Music (MTV, VH1, etc)
500's
Sports and Sports Packages
600's
Movies
700's

Premiums, Pay-Per-View and Events
800's

International
900's
Music Choice
1000's

On Demand
1100 and up

High Definition (Local Programming, Entertainment, Premiums and more..)

Won't affect the Triad until June.

March 30, 2010

Thank you so very much for the coverage of those storms and tornadoes that marched through the Triad last Sunday night. It is very important to have that sort of coverage. I truly appreciate your public minded efforts to keep your local viewing audience informed on a minute by minute basis. It might have made some of your viewers mad that their favorite shows were interrupted by your coverage but certainly not my wife or me. As these very strong storm cells howled through the Triad, one right after another, your coverage let folks know exactly where the most dangerous spots were and to take cover when a tornado was most likely to appear in those locations. You provided an excellent warning service and I am sure you saved lives. Thank you again… Bravo!!!

My wife and I retired a few years ago. We live on a modest fixed income. We do not subscribe to any satellite or cable television services. We need to keep expenses down, so we rely on local television broadcasts for news, weather reports and a large part of our personal entertainment.

About two years ago, I became interested in learning how to build a small footprint indoor UHF antenna which could pull in all the local stations serving the Triad area. I now have a pretty good design inspired from an old WW2 Navy movie, “Run Silent, Run Deep”. It works very well. We live a few miles south of Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, NC. From our location, we can reliably pull in signals from most of the transmitters within a 40 mile radius with our home-made amplified indoor UHF antenna. These stations include WFMY (CBS), WGHP (FOX), WXII (NBC), WCWG (CW), WUNL (PBS), WXLV (ABC), WMYV (MYTV) and WLXI (TCT). Most of the prime time shows are in High Definition and the picture quality is absolutely stunning!

Thank you for supporting free over the air digital television broadcasts and covering events of great local importance!

Thank you again,
DTV Student

I rarely post here anymore but I will give out one of many items of information I have on Time Warner Cable. The 8640HDC boxes with I belive a 350 meg harddrive are now available in limited suppy at the Greensboro office. I have one 40 to 45 hours of HD recording or 200 hours of analog or digital recording. Bye

Crazywoody, don't stay gone. Come on back around! We miss you!

Does anyone have a listing of the clear QAM channels that are currently available on the TWC Triad system? Thx

We had a nice tropo opening this morning. I missed most of it but I was picking up stations in SC and eastern NC nicely. Trip in Va had stations in Florida, but he had been in it a lot longer than I and it seemed to be mostly in a narrow line up the coast east of us.

We had a nice tropo opening this morning. I missed most of it but I was picking up stations in SC and eastern NC nicely. Trip in Va had stations in Florida, but he had been in it a lot longer than I and it seemed to be mostly in a narrow line up the coast east of us.

I missed it. :( Was gone from home so I didn't get to scan around...