Originally posted by jacksonian
As a coincidence to my post the other day, I went upstairs to look at something on the 8000 and it said, "DISK TROUBLE - UNRECOVERABLE WRITE ERROR"


That is the same thing that happened to my 8000. The symptoms started over Final Four weekend with corrupted recorded programs (tough on a Tar Heel fan!) and progressed to complete disk failure. Despite what I posted earlier, I feel that the PQ of HD programming IS much better on the 8300. YMMV.

Had my 8000Hd swapped for the 8300HD. Now to get an external SATA hardrive to extend capacity. I do like having SD and HD output at the same time on 8300 so I can record live to my dvd recorder.

Originally posted by telemike
I do like having SD and HD output at the same time on 8300 so I can record live to my dvd recorder.

What DVD recorder do you have? I'm considering the LiteOn 5005.

On Monday I took delivery of an LG 52" DLP (courtesy of Bart at Elite Audio & Video). On Tuesday Kyle from the D* installation company put in a new HD receiver and dish with an OA antenna on top (great guy Kyle - very helpful). Anyway the point of this post is to express my extreme disappointment at the paucity of local HD OA feeds. All I can get is UNCTV (great reception), WXII and one other minor. No ABC, no FOX (which means no NASCAAAAAAARRRRRR). I read in this post that Lewisville sucks as regards OA HD feeds as the stations transmit from east of GSO (except UNC and NBC which transmit from Sauertown Mountain).
I spent about ten minutes on the phone with D* and the guy finally put me through to the department that submits exceptions to the local stations so they can feed them through the satellite. He asked me if I wanted them to submit waivers for all of the locals and I thought "why not". He said it would be about four weeks before I would hear anything.
Kyle said there was a good chance of getting a waiver for FOX as he got one because he lives in King but good luck on the others. My understanding of the "law" as told by the first D* guy is that if you can receive regular SD stations then they could not give me HD over satellite. Well if they can give me FOX why not the others or is it that FOX is just a little more accommodating?
What're the odds of getting other than FOX? Also anyone in Lewisville getting anything other than NBC and UNCTV? I have a two story house on probably the highest point in Lewisville.
Alan

Originally posted by EnglishRebel
Kyle said there was a good chance of getting a waiver for FOX as he got one because he lives in King but good luck on the others. My understanding of the "law" as told by the first D* guy is that if you can receive regular SD stations then they could not give me HD over satellite. Well if they can give me FOX why not the others or is it that FOX is just a little more accommodating?

FOX in the Triad is an O&O. That means that the network owns and operate the station. The networks basically automatically clear the national HDTV feeds (for the appropriate time zone) in markets where they own the affiliate. So, you'd get WNYW/NYC.

I believe WGHP isn't quite up to full power yet, but others here would know that much better than I would...

Get a better antenna with a rotor. I live in Asheboro and can recieve all of Greensboro's channels, All of Charlotte's channels and all of Raleigh's channels except 22 upn. A dish mounted antenna is a joke.

I got the new 8300 box today. I can't really tell a difference in HD pq. However, the SD does look much better and the speed of channel changing is MUCH improved.

Originally posted by jacksonian
I got the new 8300 box today. I can't really tell a difference in HD pq. However, the SD does look much better and the speed of channel changing is MUCH improved.

I have an 8000 here...that alone might make it worth it for me to switch to an 8300.

Alan-

Ask Bart what kind of antenna options he can offer. I have done business with him for years and he will get you what you need.

Roland
I got the antenna directly from D* with a good priced upgrade package. It was only $50 extra. I don't know what antenna will work with the D* receiver (an H10 I believe). However I will check with Kyle the installer to see whats available. I guess georgestruthers gets all the stations because of his elevation (and a good antenna) that's why I was asking if anyone in Lewisville was using an OTA antenna. However having said that I certainly don't want the huge antennas I see some people in this forum have to have in order to receive OTA. If I can get FOX I'll be happy. When NASCAR switches to NBC I'll be okay.
Alan

Originally posted by Inundated
FOX in the Triad is an O&O. That means that the network owns and operate the station. The networks basically automatically clear the national HDTV feeds (for the appropriate time zone) in markets where they own the affiliate. So, you'd get WNYW/NYC.

I believe WGHP isn't quite up to full power yet, but others here would know that much better than I would...

No. We are not at full power yet, but I just saw, in person, the full power DTV transmitter. It isn't ready yet (they are just begining it) but I have seen it. It DOES exist.

Originally posted by EnglishRebel
Roland
I got the antenna directly from D* with a good priced upgrade package. It was only $50 extra. I don't know what antenna will work with the D* receiver (an H10 I believe). However I will check with Kyle the installer to see whats available. I guess georgestruthers gets all the stations because of his elevation (and a good antenna) that's why I was asking if anyone in Lewisville was using an OTA antenna. However having said that I certainly don't want the huge antennas I see some people in this forum have to have in order to receive OTA. If I can get FOX I'll be happy. When NASCAR switches to NBC I'll be okay.
Alan

If it is a clip onto the dish, forget it. That will never work. You will need a separate outside antenna. My recommendation is a Channel Master 4228. I have one mounted on my one story roof off of Battleground by the battlefield and get WGHP-DT all of the time with no problems and have been since we put it on the air in April of 2002.

Good to hear about your Full Power equipment Foxeng! please post when you have it running. thanks

Originally posted by fairtomiddlin
What DVD recorder do you have? I'm considering the LiteOn 5005.

I have the iLO DVDR4 from walmart. It is also hacked with firmware to ignore macrovision and adds a 3 hour recording mode.

basic but works.

Originally posted by telemike
I have the iLO DVDR4 from walmart. It is also hacked with firmware to ignore macrovision and adds a 3 hour recording mode.

basic but works.

I picked up the Liteon 5005 at Costco. I like it, but was disappointed to discover that the 8300HD will not output fullscreen 16:9 via the s-video out.

Originally posted by 4theheelz
Good to hear about your Full Power equipment Foxeng! please post when you have it running. thanks

It will not be here for a few months yet. It has to be built and tested, shipped, installed, tested again. It should be ready during football season sometime.

FOXENG
It's not a clip-on its a separate antenna that sits above the dish and is multiplexed (correct word?) into the dish down feed. At the other end there is a multiplex switch that splits the sat and antenna into two cable to the H10 receiver.
Sorry if my technical knowledge is limited.
Alan

Originally posted by EnglishRebel
FOXENG
It's not a clip-on its a separate antenna that sits above the dish and is multiplexed (correct word?) into the dish down feed. At the other end there is a multiplex switch that splits the sat and antenna into two cable to the H10 receiver.
Sorry if my technical knowledge is limited.
Alan

Is it more like a tee-bar antenna like a Terk? If so, not many people like those. They don't work well.

For those who have been complaining about the level differences on WGHP-DT, this afternoon we received our digital audio processor and I installed it this afternoon/evening. You should see better level control. It will take a week or so to get it right so please be patient as I make the adjustments.

Because of the way the FOX Network splicer works, that does not run though the new audio processor so we have to depend on FOX to get the audio right, but all of the non-network programming we can control.

Let me know what you think of it.

Noticed there is a new channel 702 which looks like it's for multi-room DVR. Anyone know if this is available from Time Warner?

For those who have been complaining about the level differences on WGHP-DT, this afternoon we received our digital audio processor and I installed it this afternoon/evening. You should see better level control. It will take a week or so to get it right so please be patient as I make the adjustments.

Because of the way the FOX Network splicer works, that does not run though the new audio processor so we have to depend on FOX to get the audio right, but all of the non-network programming we can control.

Let me know what you think of it.

Charlie,

That is great news.

I've had to sit with the remote control in my lap as we watched "24" "House," and "American Idol" because the local commercials were WAY louder than the network feed. So loud, that I was forced to hit the mute button since the "down volume" was not fast enough to react. I fairly certain your local advertisers might want me to listen to their ads, so anything you can do to get the volume of local material in line with that on the FOX network is sure appreciated by me, my wife, and (probably) your advertisers.

Joe L.

I'll also be glad when you guys get local/network audio issue resolved. I think last night was the worst yet, but I appreciate all you have done at WGHP to become the best looking and sounding local we have.

I'll also be glad when you guys get local/network audio issue resolved. I think last night was the worst yet, but I appreciate all you have done at WGHP to become the best looking and sounding local we have.

Problem is, if it is network, we have no control over it. The splicer inserts the network audio and video as the last thing in line and there is no way to insert the audio processor, unlike analog where the network is pre-processing and we do have control over it. It is my understanding that network doesn't use a processor at all and depends on the levels being correct all of the time. I have attempted to set the level as close to an average of network as I can, but during a transistion to or from network, the level may change between the local and network source.

If you see the grey bars up, that is local and the audio is automatically leveled by us usng an audio prpcessor. If you see black bars or a full 16:9 picture, then it is network controlling the audio and anything is possible.

If you see the grey bars up, that is local and the audio is automatically leveled by us usng an audio prpcessor. If you see black bars or a full 16:9 picture, then it is network controlling the audio and anything is possible.

Interesting...I noticed the levels being different last night (first time to watch Idol this season) - and foxeng - thanks for the "heads up" on where the feed is coming from.

Anybody notice the new blank 1900 series channels on TWC?

Anyone have any idea when TWC is going to expand its HD lineup? I know we won't be getting ABC or UPN anytime soon, but what about all the cable networks broadcasting in HD (like EPSN2HD, USA, TBS, WGN, etc.)? Our HD lineup is pretty paltry right now.

I really want ABC-HD.....

I really want ABC-HD.....

I watch it all the time off OTA! ;)

Since this thread hasn't had much action for a while, I'll liven it up by asking this question. Does anybody know if any of the local TV stations will broadcast their local newscasts in HD anytime soon?

I watch it all the time off OTA! ;)Yeah, but tonight there is no sound whatsoever for the NBA finals.

Well the sound came in for a minute, then everything went out. Then it all came back in.

I talked to TWC last week and the account person said that ABC is coming that they were working on the contract now... I tried to pump her for more but that's all she had. I recommend that everyone call them at least once a month or so and just to see what's new and to make sure they know we are wanting more! Personally, I'd like to see WB for Smallville and SciFi (Yeah right!) for Battlestar Galactica.

Dude, you were lied to. WXLV is owned by Sinclair, who have no interest at all in giving their digital signal away for free to the cable companies. Get a Silver Sensor and an OTA box for about $200 all together off E-bay and you can watch all the ABCHD you want.

Let's hope Monstermike wasn't lied to. Maybe they finally worked something out? I figure the showdown has to end sometime. But I'll believe it when I see it on my TV and not a second sooner.

Roland
I got the antenna directly from D* with a good priced upgrade package. It was only $50 extra. I don't know what antenna will work with the D* receiver (an H10 I believe). However I will check with Kyle the installer to see whats available. I guess georgestruthers gets all the stations because of his elevation (and a good antenna) that's why I was asking if anyone in Lewisville was using an OTA antenna. However having said that I certainly don't want the huge antennas I see some people in this forum have to have in order to receive OTA. If I can get FOX I'll be happy. When NASCAR switches to NBC I'll be okay.
Alan

Another Lewisville resident here. I have a 4228 antenna in my attic and receive local CBS, NBC, and UNC channels very easily. As for FOX and ABC, well, I have to pull those signals from Charlotte. From Charlotte, I can get CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX (on good days), and occasionally the WB channel out of Rock Hill. Because the antenna is directional, I have a rotor installed as well. The plus on the Charlotte stations is the fact that little or no direction changes are necessary to get them all, whereas with the local channels they're all directions N, E, W, and S.

For those wanting to watch ABC-HD OTA, Wal-Mart has their USDTV HD receivers for $120 marked down from $198. They arent marked that price but when they are scanned that is their markdown price. Got one tonight at the Battleground WalMart along with a set top antenna. Watched "Lost" for the first time in HD. Worked great.

Is a cheap set top antenna going to be sufficient to get ABC 45's signal? I thought you needed a roof mounted, power antenna! Where is ABC 45's signal coming from?

Where is ABC 45's signal coming from?

WXLV's analog comes from Sauratown Mt, the same place WXII's and WUNL's analog and digital come from.

WXLV's digital comes from Level Cross, the same place that WFMY's, WTWB's, WUPN's analog and digital and WLXI's digital come from. WGHP's analog and digital is 5 miles further south.

For those wanting to watch ABC-HD OTA, Wal-Mart has their USDTV HD receivers for $120 marked down from $198. They arent marked that price but when they are scanned that is their markdown price. Got one tonight at the Battleground WalMart along with a set top antenna. Watched "Lost" for the first time in HD. Worked great.
Thanks for the info catdaddy! I currently have the HD cable, but this is a deal I cannot overlook.

Is a cheap set top antenna going to be sufficient to get ABC 45's signal? I thought you needed a roof mounted, power antenna! Where is ABC 45's signal coming from?

I bought a $25 Phillips Set Top Antenna with built in amp at Walmart and it works great for me. I live off Bunch Rd in Summerfield. The antenna is on top my home theater stand on the 3rd floor of our house. It took some tweaking to get it set up but now its locked in nicely. If you are looking to pull in all the local channels it may be more difficult but I have mine optimized for ABC since that one is not available on TWC. WFMY and WUPN come in well also.

Hmm, thanks for the info foxeng and catdaddy!

That is a very intriguing tempting deal. My big problem is that I don't have any free digital inputs on the TV. Something would have to go analog. Still, I really want ABC HD badly, especially during college football season.

Would the old Radio Shack double bow tie antenna work? There was a thread a long while back that praised it for HD reception.

Still, I really want ABC HD badly, especially during college football season. Historically ABC hasn't broadcast regular season games in HD. Only the major bowl games have been in HD. I haven't heard if that is changing for this year.

Hmm, thanks for the info foxeng and catdaddy!

That is a very intriguing tempting deal. My big problem is that I don't have any free digital inputs on the TV. Something would have to go analog. Still, I really want ABC HD badly, especially during college football season.

I don't know if you use the Pace box from TWC but if you do it has "pass through" inputs on the back of it. I used it for both optical audio and componant inputs. When the Pace box is turned off it passes those signals on through. Might solve your problem.

I don't know if you use the Pace box from TWC but if you do it has "pass through" inputs on the back of it. I used it for both optical audio and componant inputs. When the Pace box is turned off it passes those signals on through. Might solve your problem.

Hmm, I don't remember if my box is the "Pace" box, but I think I did check for any inputs on it and found none. I'll have to double check.

I take it that the HD receiver box you picked up doesn't have any inputs?

Historically ABC hasn't broadcast regular season games in HD. Only the major bowl games have been in HD. I haven't heard if that is changing for this year.

Really?! How lame. How about EPSN and ESPN2? CBS?

I must say since recently joining the ranks of HD TV owners, I have been very VERY disappointed with the lack of HD content available. :(

Really?! How lame. How about EPSN and ESPN2? CBS?

CBS has their SEC game of the week in HD. ESPN's Saturday night game is in HD and I think they may have had some others. ESPN2 didn't start broadcasting HD until after college football was over so we have to wait and see what it does.

CBS has their SEC game of the week in HD. ESPN's Saturday night game is in HD and I think they may have had some others. ESPN2 didn't start broadcasting HD until after college football was over so we have to wait and see what it does.

Thanks for the info. Please don't smack me for being dumb enough to ask about ESPN2 HD, *last year*! LOL.

Well, now that I know ABC didn't broadcast their weekly games in HD I don't feel quite so vitriolic about their HD signal not being on cable.... for now!

Thanks for the info. Please don't smack me for being dumb enough to ask about ESPN2 HD, *last year*! LOL.

Well, now that I know ABC didn't broadcast their weekly games in HD I don't feel quite so vitriolic about their HD signal not being on cable.... for now!You might miss it this fall when MNF comes around. The NBA finals and Lost are the only other things besides MNF that I watch on ABC that is in HD.

Guys, long time reader, decided to post here for the first time on this forum. Watching TWC a few minutes ago they were advertising the NBA in High Def on ABC. Ad ended and it was clearly for the TRIAD. Has something been finalized and ABC is close to being added to our HD TWC package? I currnetly have the HD DVR from TWC and a 52" Mitsubishi DLP - I'm very pleased with the HD pictures.

No news on this on either TWC's or WXLV's web site.

Welcome to the forum Charlie!

Here's news from about a week ago - we don't know if it's gonna happen, but maybe your seeing the ad may mean it may be true.
I talked to TWC last week and the account person said that ABC is coming that they were working on the contract now... I tried to pump her for more but that's all she had. I recommend that everyone call them at least once a month or so and just to see what's new and to make sure they know we are wanting more! Personally, I'd like to see WB for Smallville and SciFi (Yeah right!) for Battlestar Galactica.

It seems odd that they would advertise specifically showing the NBA in HD. There's only at MOST 2 games left. They would have to get that new channel up quickly in order to ensure showing even one game in HD. (Since it could end in only one game.)

Anyway, I certainly hope a deal is done before football season! :)

WFMY-DT is now at full power. Field reports appreciated. Thanks. Rickey.

WFMY-DT is now at full power. Field reports appreciated. Thanks. Rickey.I was receiving WFMY-DT at 93% OTA. It's now at 100%. So for me there isn't a lot of difference. I will take time to mention that WFMY has made a lot of progress with their digital channel. When I first got HD a couple of years ago and was receiving WFMY OTA there was a lot of video and audio problems. Now WFMY has become very reliable about switching to the HD feed and having good audio. On the audio front Rickey, can you tell us when you guys will go to 5.1.

On a related note foxeng, can you tell us when 8 will go full power?

On a related note foxeng, can you tell us when 8 will go full power?

Looks like late fall at this point. We are working as hard as we can to get it up and going as quick as possible. Equipment has already started to arrive but there is lots more that needs to be done before we can "flip that switch."

Shortly you should be able to see things happening at the site.

Rickey and foxeng,

We "lay" folks really appreciate you keeping us up to date on your stations' HD status - I know that sometimes the tech talk goes over my head, but I can understand enough to make sense of what is happening in the Triad. Thanks!

As for uncrules question about 5.1 audio: I "know" it's in the works. The plans are laid out. It's a simple matter of time and money. Some things are on a pay as we go basis. Now for the real truth: Sometimes the only advance warning I get for new installs is when I have to help unload the new equipment off the truck. foxeng: I kinda know where you are at now, heady times for sure. Good luck sir. I offer you my moral support or my toolcase or both if necessary. Here's to DTV, HDTV, and multicasting. A look at the horizon for PamW: Plug and play HDTV. New sets will have built in multiple antennae. Phase and gain controls built into the tuner will automatically electroically "rotate" the multiple fixed antenna's reception patterns to optimize reception even in the face of multipath, weak signals, and interference to result in perfect reception. MPEG-4 and similar encoding will make possible about twice the programming now possible per channel at the same or better quality levels. All of this is possible and even likely in our future. Time and money that's the essence of the problem and the solution. Hang on it's going to be an interesting ride for sure! Good luck... Rickey.

foxeng: I kinda know where you are at now, heady times for sure. Good luck sir. I offer you my moral support or my toolcase or both if necessary.

Thanks for the good thoughts. When you are down in the neighborhood, stop by some time. You are always welcome. Oh I did check, the IOT is a 2130 in the Landmark but I think I will refrain from running it at 40kw! :D

Hey Guys,

Wow what a great forum and local to the Triad as well. I am just getting my feet wet in HD and I am very excited about venturing into OTA broadcast. I am located near NW Highschool. Just wanted to say hi - looking foward to continued learning from reading your posts.

I'd get the TWC HD premium package (INHD, HDnet) if they also added Universal HD (nbc) and ABC (to satisfy sinclair)

I'd get the TWC HD premium package (INHD, HDnet) if they also added Universal HD (nbc) and ABC (to satisfy sinclair)

Yeah as a current HD premium subscriber (solely for EPSNHD, the other 4 channels basically suck) I would be happy for them to get the Universal HD and am hoping they will work something out with ABC.

Welcome to the forum, Steven!

You'll learn a lot here - very helpful members - especially these folks on the local HD thread!

Thanks Pam! As a newbie to the forum (and HD) I want to make sure I use the correct forum for some basic HW questions. So to get me going in the right direction can you or others in this forum assist me? My question relates to what I need to start out receiving OTA broadcast? Currently I have the SA8000HD box and subscribe to the TWC premium HD offerings but it is leaving me wanting more, thus my search for OTA HW reqt's. Am I correct to assume that my ST box from TWC does not have an ATSC tuner and therefore will not allow connection of an antenna? If this assumption is correct -- can anyone recommend a good/affordable ATSC tuner and antenna? This question maybe better suited for another forum so I apologize if this is a duplicate thread or in the wrong forum. My search did not result in an answer for my question. Thanks -- Steven.

This is the right place - read back a few pages on this thread and see what kind of answers you get. I will admit, I have the TWC Pace box and basic HD. No antenna for me. So I am not the one to ask about that - but if you have a curtain issue or popcorn problem, I am your gal:D !

For those wanting to watch ABC-HD OTA, Wal-Mart has their USDTV HD receivers for $120 marked down from $198. They arent marked that price but when they are scanned that is their markdown price. Got one tonight at the Battleground WalMart along with a set top antenna. Watched "Lost" for the first time in HD. Worked great.
Ah! That's the post I was looking for! Hope it helps you Steve!

If this assumption is correct -- can anyone recommend a good/affordable ATSC tuner and antenna?

Depending on where you are located, with an outside OTA you would be able to receive the Raleigh stations, the Charlotte stations or the Roanoke stations. I personally live off Battleground Ave by the battlefield and I get the Raleigh stations and the Roanoke stations. I have DirecTV and OTA only.

Thanks Pam...looks like I need to get up to Battleground Walmart and see if any of the USDTV boxes are still available. No one has responded yet but my guess is that my current SA 8000HD box will not allow connection of an antenna. Popcorn and curtains??? Hmm, I like popcorn (with tabasco sauce) but I leave the curtains to my wife.

Foxeng I am located off of Alcorn near NW High school.

Steven..........first off, welcome to Triad HDTV. Secondly, I have the Pace and not the SA box, but there is no extra input for antenna. I use my DirecTV reciever from a past life to pull in soley ABC45.

If you're out of inputs, try your audio reciever. I have my DVD player and OTA reciever hooked into the two component inputs, with the out going to the projector. Sure you have to do a little more messing with the remote, but it allows for all the equipment to be patched in.

Steven..........first off, welcome to Triad HDTV. Secondly, I have the Pace and not the SA box, but there is no extra input for antenna. I use my DirecTV reciever from a past life to pull in soley ABC45.

If you're out of inputs, try your audio reciever. I have my DVD player and OTA reciever hooked into the two component inputs, with the out going to the projector. Sure you have to do a little more messing with the remote, but it allows for all the equipment to be patched in.

I have a SA HD box and there is no input for an antenna. I have thought about getting an HD receiver for ABC come college football season, but I am going to wait and see how many games they actually broadcast in HD this year first.

TWC SA8300Hd located near Westover Church.

I can't see speniding over $100 to get ABC-HD.....I'll wait until something gets worked out.

I'm pretty infuritated by the impasse between TWC and Sinclair. Some of us at work have wondered if TWC could use another ABC affiliate to get an HD ABC signal to their customers? Would this be allowed?

I'm pretty infuritated by the impasse between TWC and Sinclair. Some of us at work have wondered if TWC could use another ABC affiliate to get an HD ABC signal to their customers? Would this be allowed?

Depends on how the contract is written. My guess would be no.

anyone know what's up with the http://www.nchdtv.com/ site?

Hi,

Is anyone using VOOM HD ST boxes for OTA? They are cheap on ebay.


Also I wanted to ask why my HD channels from TWC are showing in 4:3 for WGHPD, WFMYD and WXIID. Is this a setup issue on my end?

Thanks.

anyone know what's up with the http://www.nchdtv.com/ site?

What is it doing?

Hi,

Is anyone using VOOM HD ST boxes for OTA? They are cheap on ebay.

Yes. The VOOM boxes had excellent OTA tuners, very sensitive, I am able to easily pull in the Roanoke stations here in ELON.

A word of warning though. If you buy a VOOM box, make sure that it was never deactivated or you'll be out of luck. Preferably you can find a box from someone who had VOOM till the end and with the latest software. ALso it would be good to get one form someone who lives in this market or Raleigh, Charlotte. THen the stations will be already up and you won't be running into a scanning problem that some are having adding new stations. Right now I can't add WSET out of Roanoke even though I should be able to according to the signal meter.

Hi,

Is anyone using VOOM HD ST boxes for OTA? They are cheap on ebay.


Also I wanted to ask why my HD channels from TWC are showing in 4:3 for WGHPD, WFMYD and WXIID. Is this a setup issue on my end?

Thanks.


I just answered my question I think...I went to the CBS website to check what shows are shown in HD...Cold Case is now coming in 16:9 so I suppose that would apply to the other stations as well.

Also I wanted to ask why my HD channels from TWC are showing in 4:3 for WGHPD, WFMYD and WXIID. Is this a setup issue on my end?

Only primetime and sports programs from the networks are in HD/16:9. The rest of the day the stations still transmit 16:9, but they only have 4:3 pictures available so they have to put fill in the space between 4:3 and 16:9. On WFMY and WGHP, you see grey bars when there is no network 16:9 programming. WXII and WXLV and WUPN use black bars when in 4:3 programming.

If you see a smaller picture/grey bars during non network programming, then you know everything is OK. If you see a full screen picture during none network hours, then you have a setup issue.

What is it doing?

It keeps timing out. "The operation timed out when attempting to contact w4cl.net" is what I'm getting.

- Trip

Thanks Foxeng - I am starting to catch up on some of the basics and the more I learn I find myself wanting to learn more. Right now I am in a search mode for an OTA tuner (btw...for those who were interested in the USDTV Receiver at Walmart. I went to battleground Walmart today and the USDTV Receiver is scanning at $198.00 so I passed on it for now).


Also, probably old news to you guys but I thought I would pass along a link I am using to check HD content www.checkhd.com just in case some are not aware of it.

zmeister....maybe this will help some.... http://www.*************.us/showthread.php?t=72056&highlight=VOOM+OTA+eBay oops...maybe I am not supposed to post a link from that site???

I haven't found a local voom box yet. Still searching.

Thanks,
Steven

It keeps timing out. "The operation timed out when attempting to contact w4cl.net" is what I'm getting.

- Trip

I'm getting the same thing when I try and go to your site.

I'm getting the same thing when I try and go to your site.

I think I am loosing a CPU. I am in the process of moving it now. I hope to have it back up shortly.

Looking for a little help. Trying to figure out what I would need to be able to record HD content on my RCA DLP. My current setup is I am receiving an analog signal from TWC-Lexington, and hooking up the cable directly to my TV, since it has an internal tuner.

I get the free digital HD channel networks, plus Discovery HD and TNT-HD, as TWC automatically passes those on through with the analog signal. I've checked with TWC about getting a DVR box, but I would have to upgrade to digital cable and get the extra tiers of channels. It would basically be a $30-40 increase in my monthly bill.

Is there any other device I could get like D-VHS that could hook to my Firewire ord HDMI port? Or do I always have to have something to decode the signal? I've done some reading on the 8000 and 8300 series boxes from TWC, but it sounds like that is out of the question for me.

Is there any other hope? I'd just like to be able to record some of those awesome daytime shows I always miss! Thanks for any help!

So, today I was at Custom Hi Fi buying some speakers for my HT. Anyway, while waiting around for the salesman during the always fun haggling process, I happened to notice that one of their TVs had the Pace HD cable box instead of the Scientific Atlanta ones, which I have. I took a look at the box, and WOW. It's WAY better than the SA junk I have. How do I get cable to swap one of these in? Can I just demand it? Do I have to be subscribing to some service to get it? Anyone know about this and how they determine which HD box you get?

Better in what way? I have both, a Pace and a SA box. Since the latest 8300 SA box, I can't tell any difference in pq between the 2.

So, today I was at Custom Hi Fi buying some speakers for my HT. Anyway, while waiting around for the salesman during the always fun haggling process, I happened to notice that one of their TVs had the Pace HD cable box instead of the Scientific Atlanta ones, which I have. I took a look at the box, and WOW. It's WAY better than the SA junk I have. How do I get cable to swap one of these in? Can I just demand it? Do I have to be subscribing to some service to get it? Anyone know about this and how they determine which HD box you get?
To answer your question, just request your box preference.

Better in what way? I have both, a Pace and a SA box. Since the latest 8300 SA box, I can't tell any difference in pq between the 2.

Sorry didn't mean to imply a difference in PQ. I was referring to the huge # of inputs/outputs (specifically component inputs) on the Pace box I looked at. Plus it looked noticeably smaller and sleeker.

Thanks Pam. I will have to call TWC.

The pace 550 was deployed by TWC early on but last time I called they only deploy SA boxes now. Any Pace boxes will be customer returns, I don't think there are any new ones around.

BTW, the new SA8300HD works great.

The pace 550 was deployed by TWC early on but last time I called they only deploy SA boxes now. Any Pace boxes will be customer returns, I don't think there are any new ones around.

BTW, the new SA8300HD works great.

Does the 8300 have component inputs?

No, the 8300 does not have component inputs.

It has component output, HDMI out.

S-video, RF and composite video out for "Archive to VCR" function from DVR.

Bah! I want the pace box then! :)

Bah! I want the pace box then! :)

I like the Pace box too for its component and audio pass through feature. It made connection of my USDTV HD Receiver very easy.

Guess you will have to see if TWC has any in inventory then. It is too bad TWC did not keep the Pace 550 and order a DVR from Pace. I've had two SA8000HD DVR's fail (one I think was due to problems with the line but I got an SA8300 replacement :-))

I don't know how we lived without the DVR before. Being able to record lots of shows to the HD to watch later is great.

I bought a $25 Phillips Set Top Antenna with built in amp at Walmart and it works great for me. I live off Bunch Rd in Summerfield. The antenna is on top my home theater stand on the 3rd floor of our house. It took some tweaking to get it set up but now its locked in nicely. If you are looking to pull in all the local channels it may be more difficult but I have mine optimized for ABC since that one is not available on TWC. WFMY and WUPN come in well also.

Hey catdaddy, I just bought the same antenna but can't pull in ABC. When tweaking did you just rotate it and rescan until you got it locked in? I live just down from NW Highschool so I should be able to get it to work. NBC and CBS lock with no problem.

Hey catdaddy, I just bought the same antenna but can't pull in ABC. When tweaking did you just rotate it and rescan until you got it locked in? I live just down from NW Highschool so I should be able to get it to work. NBC and CBS lock with no problem.

I went to antennaweb.com and found the exact compass direction for ABC and then aligned my antenna accordingly. Then I rescanned and it locked in nicely.
BTW, I live about a mile from you so hopefully you will be able to get it to work.
Let us know how it turns out.

Remember that WXLV-TV and WXLV-DT are NOT at the same locations. WXLV-TV 45 is located on Sauratown Mt north of Winston-Salem. WXLV-DT 29 is located at Level Cross, south of Greensboro.

Remember that WXLV-TV and WXLV-DT are NOT at the same locations. WXLV-TV 45 is located on Sauratown Mt north of Winston-Salem. WXLV-DT 29 is located at Level Cross, south of Greensboro.

Good point Foxeng. I aimed my antenna at WXLV-DT south of Greensboro.

foxeng,

What's up with Fox tonight??? I wanted to see "So you think you can Dance" and it is pixellating like crazy! both the analog and digital. I am assuming it is the feed since the commercials are also acting up. Dang, finally a REAL reality show :) and I can't even see it :(

foxeng,

What's up with Fox tonight??? I wanted to see "So you think you can Dance" and it is pixellating like crazy! both the analog and digital. I am assuming it is the feed since the commercials are also acting up. Dang, finally a REAL reality show :) and I can't even see it :(

It was a network issue. They got it straightened out pretty quickly.

Thanks foxeng - after my message , I went back to the TV to find it had straightened out....

Thanks foxeng - after my message , I went back to the TV to find it had straightened out....

If you see problems on both analog and digital, then it is a network issue and not local.

Also over the next two days we are to be updating the splicer software. We have some software updates we have to do to a mux today and then tomorrow the splicer is to be updated with version 2 software that is suppose to do lots of new stuff, but I don't know how much you as a view will be able to recognize as different.

I also hope in about to month to post an interesting picture for all to see, but I will just have to leave you in limbo on that right now. ;)

Well the splicer software update hit a snag this morning.

If you watch WGHP-DT via TWC or Lexcom Cable, the following has no effect on you. If you watch OTA, it could effect you greatly tonight.

A piece of external equipment that deals with PSIP refused to reboot once it's update was made. After spending some time on the phone with the manufacturer and FOX Network, they are shipping in overnight a new multiplexer. Until the new unit arrives, the actual splicer update can't happen until the multiplexer is updated.

Good news is that this will not effect the network HD programming tonight. But the bad news is if you watch OTA, the PSIP data is not there, so the remapping function that tells your TV that we are 8-1 is not working so your receiver may need to be either rescanned or you will have to enter 35-1 to receive us until the new multiplexer is received and installed tomorrow. After that new unit is in, the splicer itself can then be upgraded.

Sorry for the inconvience.

Thanks for the update!

To PamW and the others who had problems last night with the network feed that pixilated, I have found out that the network was trying the new upped sat link bandwidth of 73 mbps last night and there were problems at a considerable number of stations so they dropped back to 55 mbps which is what they had been running prior. So networks PQ work continues.

Thanks for the update - we really appreciate you, foxeng, for keeping us apprised of what's happening.

PSIP is working again (and it appears to be working better now too) and we got the new splicer update completed this afternoon. All appears to be working correctly.

Hi all, I'm new to HD and want to see if I'm doing Ok so far. I 've had DirecTV with Tivo for 2+ years and just got an HD w/Tivo receiver. I live in Advance (West of Winston-Salem) and only have a amplified set of rabbit ears behind my TV (my wife refuses to consider a rooftop antenna.)

I can get 2, 12, 45, 48 well (signal strength 85 and above.) This actually shocked me, I thought I would probably get nothing with an indoor antenna! Foxeng--do I have any hope of getting you when you go full power this fall?? OR--any chance of getting a HD waiver through DirecTV--I promise your station manager I'll watch your news, just want the HD network stuff (wink, wink!)

As a side note, the DirecTV HD Tivo is wonderful--a little slower than the SD ones I have, but WOW, HD really is neat to watch!

Bill

I can get 2, 12, 45, 48 well (signal strength 85 and above.) This actually shocked me, I thought I would probably get nothing with an indoor antenna! Foxeng--do I have any hope of getting you when you go full power this fall?? OR--any chance of getting a HD waiver through DirecTV--I promise your station manager I'll watch your news, just want the HD network stuff (wink, wink!)

You are in luck. Since FOX owns us, they have waivered the HD subs to DirecTV for WNYW-DT on channel 88. The stickler is parts of the market are covered by WCCB-DT Charlotte and WFXR-DT Roanoke and WRAZ-DT Raleigh and if your address is in their coverage area, they can deny you a waiver and keep you from getting WNYW-DT. Even I had to get a waiver from WFXR-DT myself to get WNYW-DT! The only thing I can suggest is that you call DirecTV, ask for the HD Dept, it is a second layer past the CSR's who answer the phone, (the first layer CSR's have no idea how to do this) and they can get the waiver ball rolling for any station that might claim your address in their coverage area. It will take about 30 to 45 days for an answer back.

As far as full power goes, we are building right now to have this done this fall, but things are looking like it will be late fall until we get it all running. We are having to build a new tower and transmitter building. When we went to start building in early spring, the State of North Carolina stopped us and delayed us until a couple of weeks ago. It is a long boring story, but the bottom line is the state had to have their say so we had to wait.

The new tower has been waiting at the factory since May (I was there and saw it then but its arrival is now imminent) and the new digital transmitter has been under construction for awhile too just waiting for a place to put it (I will see it in September when I go to the factory for training on it. We had hoped that it would be here by then but that isn't going to happen now.) Coordination between the tower people, the building people, the transmitter people and the antenna/transmission line people is a must with the schedule so tight. We are just crossing our figures that the stars align correctly and all of this goes without a hitch.

There is physically a lot going on at the site (even though from a distance it doesn't look like it, yet, but it will VERY shortly) and behind the scenes and many other things I can't talk about but lately my full work days consist of making sure we are on the air full power late this fall. We have applications on file with the FCC for this as well as the FAA and just about every local and state agency. The paperwork for this project has been monumental to say the least and literally, if you add up all of the time spent on paperwork to get this thing going, it will take less time to build it than it took to get it approved. No joke. I personally have been working on this project since 1999 in spurts and every day since January of this year. I just hope the light at the end of the tunnel I am seeing isn't a train!

Does anyone else in Greensboro have these errors when they attempt to use Video On Demand features or PPV with the Explorer8000 DVR?

Occasionally PPV and VOD do work, but mostly all we get are the Error Codes 1112 and 1102.

I have no idea what these errors mean, or what to do about them. The Time-Warner techs' only suggestion was to re-cable our backyard!

I've noticed a post by a Time-Warner executive in South Carolina here in this forum. She says the errors "seem to be tied to the fact that the converter is not 'letting go' of all the memory required to load Instant News & More (IN&M). You see, the software that enables VOD and the software that enables IN&M are 'too' much for the converters to maintain both all the time, So, if you ask for a VOD Channel, the converter releases IN&M and loads the VOD software, vice versa to load IN&M software. The result is a slight delay on loading either service which I'm sure you all have seen ("Please Wait" with the hour glass). It appears that sometimes the converter has a problem releasing all the IN&M software to load VOD and this results in the 1112 or 1102 error codes. Our engineers have determined that if you go back to IN&M and allowed the software to fully load, then go back and access a VOD channel, the converter will recognize that it needs to release all of the IN&M software and load the VOD software. Obviously this isn't an acceptable customer service resolution, so we have a call into Corporate Engineering for a permanent resolution. ETA unknown."

I have no idea if Triad T-W offers IN&M, and therefore I don't know if this is causing my problem.

Does anyone else here in the Triad (Time-Warner) have this issue and/or know how to fix it?

Thanks for any help!

Alan

Can anyone help me with a question about QAM reception, here in the Greensboro, Winston Salem area?
What channels are available through TWC using QAM and are in the clear (free).
I have a friend that just bought a new Hitichi with a built in digital receiver with QAM and I'm trying to help as much as I can.
Thanks for any help.
WOW

Can anyone help me with a question about QAM reception, here in the Greensboro, Winston Salem area?
What channels are available through TWC using QAM and are in the clear (free).
I have a friend that just bought a new Hitichi with a built in digital receiver with QAM and I'm trying to help as much as I can.
Thanks for any help.
WOW

The last I heard only WFMY-DT, WGHP-DT and WXII-DT were in the clear and they were in the low 100's

Here's the QAM channels I know of:

CBS 80-1
WFMY Weather 80-2 (Subs of 80-3 and 80-4)
UNC 82-1 through 82-4 (I think UNC-HD is 82-4)
Discovery HD Theater is 85-11
TNT HD is 102-300
NBC is 116-2
Fox is 116-3
NCB Weather Plus is 116-4

If there's any others out there, I'd love to know too!

Here's the QAM channels I know of:

CBS 80-1
WFMY Weather 80-2 (Subs of 80-3 and 80-4)
UNC 82-1 through 82-4 (I think UNC-HD is 82-4)
Discovery HD Theater is 85-11
TNT HD is 102-300
NBC is 116-2
Fox is 116-3
NCB Weather Plus is 116-4

If there's any others out there, I'd love to know too!

It depends on which headend you get your service from. If you get it off of Greensboro, the channels are one thing, the Winston-Salem headend numbers are different. Where are you located?

Wow. Things are pretty quiet around here. Either no one is watching HD or everyone is watching A LOT of HD! ;)

Wow. Things are pretty quiet around here. Either no one is watching HD or everyone is watching A LOT of HD! ;)
Nope - been stuck in West Texas with NO HDTV!!! :(

Nope - been stuck in West Texas with NO HDTV!!! :(

What are you doing in West Texas?

Actually we just got back about an hour ago. We were visiting the grandparents (husband's family). Storms in Dallas kept us in Lubbock overnight, but we finally managed to make it back home!!!!!

I went to antennaweb.com and found the exact compass direction for ABC and then aligned my antenna accordingly. Then I rescanned and it locked in nicely.
BTW, I live about a mile from you so hopefully you will be able to get it to work.
Let us know how it turns out.

I am still out of luck with getting ABC in HD. I took the indoor Phillips back and yesterday bought a CM 4221 and an amplifier (Spartan 3 by CM). Still no luck. I am beginning to think that my heavy tree cover will never allow me to get the signal. I don't have a compass (plan to get one today) but I a good idea where South to Level Cross is. I have tried the 4221 in the attic and then moved it outdoors to the deck. I am about 12 feet from the ground but then I have 50' trees all around. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Considering putting the antenna in the top of a tree but I have no idea how to get up there!

Oh yeas one more thing. I am scanning of course but just to be sure ABC DT is channel 45.1 - right? I see 29 mentioned as well??

Also, FOXENG - are you guys hiring?? Would love to do this stuff full time as my current job (also in Electronics) is killing me with no "fun factor" at all.

I am still out of luck with getting ABC in HD. I took the indoor Phillips back and yesterday bought a CM 4221 and an amplifier (Spartan 3 by CM). Still no luck. I am beginning to think that my heavy tree cover will never allow me to get the signal. I don't have a compass (plan to get one today) but I a good idea where South to Level Cross is. I have tried the 4221 in the attic and then moved it outdoors to the deck. I am about 12 feet from the ground but then I have 50' trees all around. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Considering putting the antenna in the top of a tree but I have no idea how to get up there!

Oh yeas one more thing. I am scanning of course but just to be sure ABC DT is channel 45.1 - right? I see 29 mentioned as well??

The channel 2 tower is about 3 miles from the tower that has the digital transmitters of channel's 20, 45, 48 and 61. If you get channel 48's digital, that is the very same tower. 45 and 48 are at full power.

Channel 45 transmits on channel 29 digital not 45. If you are entering 45 and your receiver hasn't locked on 45 yet, it never will. You will have to go to channel 29 and let it remap to 45.

Station Digital channel
WFMY-DT 51
WGHP-DT 35
WXII-DT 31
WGPX-DT 14
WTWB-DT 19
WUNL-DT 32
WXLV-DT 29
WUPN-DT 33
WLXI-DT 43

Also, FOXENG - are you guys hiring?? Would love to do this stuff full time as my current job (also in Electronics) is killing me with no "fun factor" at all.

We are pretty stable in Engineering, but we are always looking for Operations positions in the Studio and Taperoom/Master Control areas.

Did anyone see Roy's Folks yesterday (Friday)? If you did, you had a REAL treat and you might have a better DTV idea too. It should be repeated in the Morning News on Monday.

I am still out of luck with getting ABC in HD. I took the indoor Phillips back and yesterday bought a CM 4221 and an amplifier (Spartan 3 by CM). Still no luck. I am beginning to think that my heavy tree cover will never allow me to get the signal. I don't have a compass (plan to get one today) but I a good idea where South to Level Cross is. I have tried the 4221 in the attic and then moved it outdoors to the deck. I am about 12 feet from the ground but then I have 50' trees all around. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Considering putting the antenna in the top of a tree but I have no idea how to get up there!

Oh yeas one more thing. I am scanning of course but just to be sure ABC DT is channel 45.1 - right? I see 29 mentioned as well??

Also, FOXENG - are you guys hiring?? Would love to do this stuff full time as my current job (also in Electronics) is killing me with no "fun factor" at all.

Mine is on the third level of our house and it is pointing toward the front of our house where there are no trees. This may be what is allowing mine to work. Is there anyway you can get more height on your antenna? Also the compass may help you fine tune it. I would think with the CM you would be able to get it.
Also, try to scan at night. I get a stronger signal then.
Let us know how it turns out.

Mine is on the third level of our house and it is pointing toward the front of our house where there are no trees. This may be what is allowing mine to work. Is there anyway you can get more height on your antenna? Also the compass may help you fine tune it. I would think with the CM you would be able to get it.
Also, try to scan at night. I get a stronger signal then.
Let us know how it turns out.


Woohoo!! I finally have it! Just decided to leave it as is (still on my deck) and rescan and picked up 45, 45.1 and 45.2. On 45.2 my display indicates 720P 16:9 but I don't believe it. The picture (horseracing) seems a little off to me (blotchy) and like it is being upconverted and stretched a bit. And according to www.checkhd.com the next ABC HD offering will be at 8:00PM (Any Given Sunday). But this is still good news as I have never even picked it up before so I will take it as good sign that I can pick up the signal. I also have 48.1, 48.2, 2.1,12.1 but no Fox :-( with the current direction but I have that with TWC. I will check again at 8:00 to see if the pict cleans up.

Oh yeah - one more thing in case you guys are not aware of DOW Electronics at the Holden/I85 Business Park. They have the CM products and other goodies (HDMI cables, etc) at GREAT prices.

Woohoo!! I finally have it! Just decided to leave it as is (still on my deck) and rescan and picked up 45, 45.1 and 45.2. On 45.2 my display indicates 720P 16:9 but I don't believe it.

On 45 and 48 both, the first stream is SD (480) and the second is 720p on 45 and 1080i on 48. ABC doesn't have much HD sports except for MNF and some college sports so the rest of the time 45 has to upconvert a SD signal to 720p and that is what you are seeing. It is the same thing as a black and white show being broadcast on a color station. The station is transmitting color, but there isn't any color in the program to send.

Where are you located Steve? WGHP's tower is about 5 miles south of the tower that has 20, 45, 48 and 61's digital antennas on.

Where are you located Steve? WGHP's tower is about 5 miles south of the tower that has 20, 45, 48 and 61's digital antennas on.

Korem Drive -- out by NW Highschool.

Thanks for clearing up the upconvert suspicion I have. How do you know that or is it because you are in the business? The reason I ask is it would be nice to double check my suspicions at times.

Thanks for clearing up the upconvert suspicion I have. How do you know that or is it because you are in the business? The reason I ask is it would be nice to double check my suspicions at times.

I am the one who makes the HD go at WGHP. I am the transmitter supevisor.

We have to do the same thing. When there isn't any HD material to transmit, we take the SD signal and upconvert it to 720p. HD receivers do not like being changed from one resolution to another on the fly like that. It takes a couple of seconds to relock and during that time, you have no picture at all. Looks nasty. So to get around that problem, all stations transmit one resolution all of the time and then convert non HD signals to HD so your receiver is happy and it looks pleasing. It is still an SD picture, but it has been converted to work in an HD environment (either 720p or 1080i).

If you are by NW HS, you should be able to pick up WGHP-DT on channel 35 OTA. I live off of Battleground at Westridge and get us solid with a CM 4228 on my roof. When we increase to full power in late fall, you will not any problems then.

and get us solid with a CM 4228 on my root. ...

That just doesn't work at all for me! :p

That just doesn't work at all for me! :p

Be careful what you wish for!! V and U! :eek:

I had D* HD installed a few months ago and got their cheapo OA antenna. I live in Lewisville and initially received NBC (WXII DT 12-1), PBS (WUNL 26-1), and a couple others I don't remember right now. The NBC and PBS signals are very strong and I almost never loose a signal (I believe the towers are on Sauertown mountain). Anyway I couldn't get ABC (WXLV DT 29) at all, and with CBS (WFMY 2-1) the signal kept dropping out and there was no way to get Fox. Well I had to set up my H10 STB the other day due to the software download and low and behold I now get a very strong CBS signal. I even got to watch the PGA yesterday.
How can I now pick up CBS? Have they changed their broadcast tower or signal strength? Was it a weather related phenomenon? Also WXLV-DT on 45 is shown as being broadcast from Sauertown yet my STB does not pick it up. It would be great if I could get ABC in HD as I get Fox NY from D* and it would complete my line up. :D
Thanks for any help.
Alan

I think that WFMY went full strength not to long ago. Could that be the reason?

Easley signed the new budget yesterday that increases taxes on satellite tv. It seems to me to be rather dubious to raise taxes on satellite tv but not on cable tv. In know that NC has raised taxes on satellite tv a few times. Have they every raised it on cable tv?

WXII and WUNL transmit analog and digital from Sauratown Mt. WXLV only transmits analog from Sauratown Mt. WFMY and WXLV did increase power in late June. WUPN has been full power for a while.

WFMY, WUPN, WTWB, and WGHP all transmit analog and digital from towers within 3 miles of each other off of US 220 north of Asheboro. WXLV and WLXI transmit digitally from the same tower that WUPN and WTWB are on. WGPX transmits analog and digital from a tower near Reidsville and WLXI analog transmits from a tower north of Kernersville.

How are you all coming along for getting to full power?

WFMY, WUPN, WTWB, and WGHP all transmit analog and digital from towers within 3 miles of each other off of US 220 north of Asheboro. .
Thanks for your response. Given the above why am I able to receive WFMY digital when my little cheap antenna is pointed to Sauratown? Doesn't seem possible does it? If I can get WFMY from the tower near 220N then why can't I get WXLV digital from the same tower - is it at lower power?
Alan

How are you all coming along for getting to full power?

We are building now. It will be late fall before we go full power.

Thanks for your response. Given the above why am I able to receive WFMY digital when my little cheap antenna is pointed to Sauratown? Doesn't seem possible does it? If I can get WFMY from the tower near 220N then why can't I get WXLV digital from the same tower - is it at lower power?
Alan

It could be that your little antenna is tuned bettter for the upper channels. WFMY's digital channel is 51. WXLV's digital channel is 29 and they are at full power.

Just heard through some other sources that ABC Network, New York will not be transmitting HD programming to all of the ABC stations nationwide from Tuesday, the 23rd thru the 26th (that would include WXLV-DT). The are replacing some HD equipment in New York and until that is done, ABC will be only sending SD on their HD feed for stations.

As long as they're back up by the Labor Day F$U/Miami game, I have no use for ABC programming until then

Speaking of ABC, any new rumors on Sinclair/Time Warner Cable negotiations? Please? :)

Speaking of ABC, any new rumors on Sinclair/Time Warner Cable negotiations? Please? :)

Nothing I have heard of.

Where can I find the CM4228 and electronic component parts ( caps, diodes and resistors) here in Greensboro?

Dow Electronics


2606 Phoenix Dr Ste 104
Greensboro, NC 27406-6347 Phone: (336) 856-0930

News from TWC:

Good afternoon Mike,

Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable's customer service department, where
your satisfaction is our priority.

Unfortunately, Time Warner Cable has not been granted permission from WXLV to
transmit its digital signal at this time. Under FCC Regulations, Time Warner
Cable had to discontinue carriage of WXLV. When permission is granted,
carriage of WXLV's digital signal will be resumed. We apologize for any
inconvenience caused by this change.

We are currently in negotiations regarding the addition of UPN, Universal-HD,
FOX-HD, and Food-HD to our channel lineup. At this time we do not know if or
when we will begin carrying these channels. Your concerns have been forwarded
to our programming department.

We appreciate your patronage and are committed to delivering superior customer
care. Please do not hesitate to reply to this e-mail, or call our customer
service department at (336) 379-0200, with any unanswered questions or
concerns. If you wish to speak with me directly, ask for extension 3749. Thank
you for your time, and have a wonderful day.


Stephanie Parrott
Customer Care Team
CustomerService@triadtwcable.com

Customer Service: (336) 379-0200
24-Hour Repair Line: (336) 379-0207

Food-HD? Do I really need to see freaking Emeril in HD?

GET ESPN2HD TWC!!!! (and ABC!)

:)

Has anyone tried to add extra storage to their TW HD box? THere is a thread HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=516559&highlight=external+hard+drive) about it only working on SARA enabled boxes, which I believe TWC uses here.

ANyone had any luck with this? It sounds pretty simple, and relatively inexpensive to add 4-500 gigs.

has anyone tried firewire out on the SA8300HD?

Has anyone tried to add extra storage to their TW HD box? THere is a thread HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=516559&highlight=external+hard+drive) about it only working on SARA enabled boxes, which I believe TWC uses here.

ANyone had any luck with this? It sounds pretty simple, and relatively inexpensive to add 4-500 gigs.

I haven't tried it yet, but yes, our TWC uses SARA, which sucks by the way. There was a notice in this month's TWC monthly email update about adding the storage. I don't need to add the hard drive yet because I don't record enough because the interface is so poor. I'm really hoping they'll overhaul the system.

Hi, all

Finally rigged my antenna system so I could pick up WUPN from my location in Cary. I get it excellent, with better signal strength than even some of our local Raleigh stations (funny, I can't even get our local UPN... not that it matters because they don't transmit HD).

Anyway, I sat down last night to watch Veronica Mars in HD for the first time, and was surprised (and pissed) to discover that there was no sound!!! Apparently, it was only for this show, as I checked again a little after the show ended and their Cosby reruns or whatever they were showing had normal sound.

So my question is for those that watch WUPN regularly... was this a one-time glitch, or have you seen this happen regularly with UPN prime time programming?

So my question is for those that watch WUPN regularly... was this a one-time glitch, or have you seen this happen regularly with UPN prime time programming?

That is a new one on me. Everytime I have gone to WUPN, there was audio.

Can most people in the Triad pick up WRAL-HD Channel 5 out of Raleigh with a roof top antenna? I live in High Point.

Can most people in the Triad pick up WRAL-HD Channel 5 out of Raleigh with a roof top antenna? I live in High Point.

I get it in north Greensboro and we can pick it up at the WGHP transmitter site north of Asheboro.

My Samsung SIR T151 died and I replaced it with a
Pro Brand HD Receiver (HD3150).

Now I find that I can't pull in some of the stations that I could with the Samsung.
Especially WGHP - DT.

Should I return the Pro Brand and get the Samsung 451 instead?
Is there another brand that I should consider too?
Thanks for any help or opinions.
WW

Should I return the Pro Brand and get the Samsung 451 instead?

If you had been receving stations on a 151 and not on a Pro Brand, I would take the Pro Brand (never heard of that one at all) back.

Well. the onset of football season came and I totally caved today and picked up an $89 Radio Shack receiver along with a $50 antenna. So, now I finally can get ABC in HD. I appear with this cheap setup to be able to get everything but FOX right now.

Now I have to struggle with figuring out how to connect this extra component I wasn't planning on having. (I seriously need to see if TWC will give me a Pace box now.)

While I am here, I might as well ask a couple of questions.

Am I correct in thinking that our local CBS affiliate only has stereo audio? I watched the PGA Champ. a few weeks ago in HD on cable and it was just in strereo and today the US Open in HD is in stereo. I'm pretty sure that I have read that CBS in general does do Dobly Digital, so I am assuming it's WFMY that is lacking the full audio. Is this correct? And if so, any word on when they will upgrade?

Does our local ABC do High Def with Surround Sound?

(Sorry if this is answered within this giant thread earlier.) Thanks! :)

While I am here, I might as well ask a couple of questions.

Am I correct in thinking that our local CBS affiliate only has stereo audio? I watched the PGA Champ. a few weeks ago in HD on cable and it was just in strereo and today the US Open in HD is in stereo. I'm pretty sure that I have read that CBS in general does do Dobly Digital, so I am assuming it's WFMY that is lacking the full audio. Is this correct? And if so, any word on when they will upgrade?

Does our local ABC do High Def with Surround Sound?

(Sorry if this is answered within this giant thread earlier.) Thanks! :)

Last I heard, WFMY needed and waiting on an equipment upgrade from CBS before they can send 5.1. CBS had not given them any idea when or if that might happen.

I have heard WXLV only do stereo.

So my question is for those that watch WUPN regularly... was this a one-time glitch, or have you seen this happen regularly with UPN prime time programming?

I normally don't watch UPN but that problem is happening to me tonight. It was like this a couple of days ago as well. I normally don't watch UPN but I've noticed this while channel surfing. However, this used to not be a problem and it only seems to be a problem when the show is in HD.

Tonight, (my first night of HD UPN) when flipping from ABC I noticed that UPN HD has no audio. Weird.

WXLV appears to broadcast a Dobly Digitital audio signal. [EDIT: Bah, it is a dobly digital signal, but like Foxeng said, completely stereo. BOO!] Nice to have tonight's game in HD. :)

Thanks for the info on WFMY Foxeng. :)

Tonight, (my first night of HD UPN) when flipping from ABC I noticed that UPN HD has no audio. Weird.

WXLV appears to broadcast a Dobly Digitital audio signal. [EDIT: Bah, it is a dobly digital signal, but like Foxeng said, completely stereo. BOO!] Nice to have tonight's game in HD. :)

Thanks for the info on WFMY Foxeng. :)

All DTV stations are required to transmit DD5.1. The catch is you might not have audio on all 5.1 channels. That is handled via another box. In our own situation, we do not locally transmit 5.1 either, but I have the encoder setup to pass surround so you do get audio in the center channel as well as left and right. Network does pass true 5.1 so you get that and if you have a way to tell on your receiver which flavor of Dolby you are receiving, you can see the surround come and go during network programming as well as if you see grey bars, it is locally transmitted and if you do not see grey bars, that is network programming.

Foxeng,

I have a followup question to your previous post. Are you saying that for network programming (American Idol, 24, etc) you pass the network's DD 5.1 audio stream and that for local programming (news for example) you do not send out a DD 5.1 stream?

Thanks,

SB

Foxeng,

I have a followup question to your previous post. Are you saying that for network programming (American Idol, 24, etc) you pass the network's DD 5.1 audio stream and that for local programming (news for example) you do not send out a DD 5.1 stream?

Thanks,

SB

During network, we pass through the network stream as it is and on it has true 5.1 audio. Since we do not have a 5.1 encoder locally, I have set up the DTV encoder to take the standard surround signal we normally pass on analog and route it through the DTV encoder so you don't have just left and rigtht speakers only. You have a true surround for local programming, the same as you do on the analog signal but we still send 5.1 on air, we just don't use 5.1 locally even though your receiver says it is. It is a little confusing.

If you don't see grey bars (4:3 or 16:9), the audio is 5.1. If you see grey bars (4:3), the audio is surround on a 5.1 stream.

I have mentioned this before with no takers, but I bring it up again.

Is there any interest to having a monthly or twice yearly or weekly (or something) get together of HD enthusiasts to talk about what is happening in the HD world locally and what is available?

Does anyone know which High Def box TWC is handing out right now? I need another one, but I was hoping they had something with the HDMI active to cut down on my cabling. Anybody gotten a new box lately?

Hello,
I am moving from Florence, SC to Lexington, NC at the end of the month. I run a LG 4200A HDTV receiver and a Panasonic AE700 video projector. I subscribe to Time Warner Cable's broadcast only cable for $5.80 per month. I also have a Winegard's two UHF and VHF top of the line antennas unconnected in my attic.

What are my reception options via TWC free QAM HDTV channels and the OTA channels? I would rather not to have to hook up my antennas if I didn't need to. All I want is ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and FOX. What are my options?

I was semi-active in the Myrtle Beach and Columbia pages. So I say, HELLO!

Hi everyone...first time post, but I have PMed a couple of you and lurked for months. What a great forum!

I have TWC and am sick of waiting on Sinclair. Wanting to buy a cheap HD receiver and antenna to pick up WXLV HD for football and what not. I live in Greensboro near North Elm and Lake Jeanette. Roof antenna probably won't work for me living in a townhome and being married (-;

Anyways I know walmart has a cheap US digital receiver, but I'm really in the dark with antennas. Keep in mind, all I really care about, right now, is getting ABC.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
wolfmans

Wolf,

I reached the same point yesterday and I can happily receive HD ABC. I went to Radio Shack and bought their inexpensive $89 set top box from Accurian. Link (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=16-3499)

I also bought one of their amplified indoor antennas for $50. Link (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F001%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D1880)

I can receive HDABC easily with this setup. I have a onestory townhouse and live almost in Summerfield (North and slightly East of the airport). I am very happy with this setup and enjoyed the Miami vs FSU game last night in HD. Good luck!

On a dim note, I called TWC today to see if I could get the much vaunted Pace HD box (with component inputs) and was denied. Another reason to hate TWC. Oh for some cable competition.

Flo,

If you want ABC in HD you will have to get it via Over-the-air antenna as Time Warner Cable and Sinclair (parent company of our local ABC affiliate) are currently embroiled in a nasty argument over the rights to Sinclair's digital signal.

I believe to get PBS, ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC you have to either get a TWC HD Cable Box or have a HDTV with a cable card slot. I don't think you're going to be able to get them as cheaply as you do now. If I am wrong about this, someone please correct me.

Hope you enjoy the area.

pwrmetal,
The PACE box isn't as big of a deal as it once was. I have 1-Pace and 1-SA8300HD box and I can't tell any difference in PQ. A year or so ago there was a difference, but not now.

I'm tempted to do the same thing with an antenna for ABC. Thanks for the tips. Sinclair is a really crappy company.

Flo,

If you want ABC in HD you will have to get it via Over-the-air antenna as Time Warner Cable and Sinclair (parent company of our local ABC affiliate) are currently embroiled in a nasty argument over the rights to Sinclair's digital signal.

I believe to get PBS, ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC you have to either get a TWC HD Cable Box or have a HDTV with a cable card slot. I don't think you're going to be able to get them as cheaply as you do now. If I am wrong about this, someone please correct me.

Hope you enjoy the area.


Depending on where you will be in Lexington will determine whether you have TWC or LexCom. To my knowledge LexCom has ABC HD on their system, but I am not sure. CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS are available via open QAM channels on TWC and on LexCom you will need the cable box.

Thanks for the quick response. ABC has Alias airing on it, so its a must get, lol. Antenna it is. Thanks.

Foxeng,
I just had my Directv HD Tivo unit set up yesterday. With chimney mounted antenna I only receive 45, 48, & 2 in HD. This antenna is large but very old and I suspect that the terminals on it are corroded. I suspect this because when it tried a set of rabbit ears I could receive all the above plus channel 12. I also tried manually moving the large antenna to different positions and rescanning with no luck. Could you offer any sugestions for a fix for this. I suspect I will need a new antenna with some sort of amp. Also do you think I will need a rotating motor. My goal is to pick up WRAL 5-HD in Raleigh but I would like to pick up as many digital stations as possible. If you recomend a new antenna what kind of setup do you recommend to maximize reception. Where do I pick one up and who do you recomend to do the install. I would do it myself but this thing sticks up 10 to 12 feet above the top of the chimney. Sorry for all of the questions, I just figure why waste time figuring it out when I can get it right the fist time by asking someone in the know. Thanks for any help you could provide.

Foxeng,
I just had my Directv HD Tivo unit set up yesterday. With chimney mounted antenna I only receive 45, 48, & 2 in HD. This antenna is large but very old and I suspect that the terminals on it are corroded. I suspect this because when it tried a set of rabbit ears I could receive all the above plus channel 12. I also tried manually moving the large antenna to different positions and rescanning with no luck. Could you offer any sugestions for a fix for this. I suspect I will need a new antenna with some sort of amp. Also do you think I will need a rotating motor. My goal is to pick up WRAL 5-HD in Raleigh but I would like to pick up as many digital stations as possible. If you recomend a new antenna what kind of setup do you recommend to maximize reception. Where do I pick one up and who do you recomend to do the install. I would do it myself but this thing sticks up 10 to 12 feet above the top of the chimney. Sorry for all of the questions, I just figure why waste time figuring it out when I can get it right the fist time by asking someone in the know. Thanks for any help you could provide.

You didn't say what kind of antenna it was. If it is old (more than 10 years old) and was used to pick up the local stations, it is a good possiblity that it is a VHF only antenna and therefore would be useless for much more than very powerful local UHF stations.

I personally use the Channel Master 4228 8 bow tye antenna and I have it mounted on my roof with a Radio Shack pre-amp and RG-6 coax. You will need a rotor to pick up the local stations and the Raleigh stations.

Here is a picture of my antenna. The 4228 is the top antenna. The big bottom antenna is used for TV and FM DXing, something that you don't need.

http://www.w4cl.net/fox/p2050023.jpg

Foxeng- My antenna looks simular to your lower antenna but half of it has the UHF elements. It resembles a second or third tier radio shack antenna with both VHF and UHF elements. According to the radio shack web site their like antenna should pick up approx. 250 miles VHF and around a 100 miles UHF and FM.
With something this big I would think I could dial it in to Raleigh and by default pick up at least all the local channels of the triad. because of their close proximity to High Point. Is that just wishfull thinking?

With something this big I would think I could dial it in to Raleigh and by default pick up at least all the local channels of the triad. because of their close proximity to High Point. Is that just wishfull thinking?

It should at least get all of the locals with no problems. Since you are getting more stations with an inside antenna, that tells me you have some serious antenna or feedline problems. You really need to be sure you don't have any splitters in line and you aren't using twinlead line. You really need RG-6 coax and it should be as short a run as possible. We are at low power but we do put in a city grade signal over High Point. I live in north Greensboro off of Battleground and have no problems receiving WGHP-DT.

I'm about to take the HD plunge. Can someone tell me what HD DVR triad time warner uses and if it works ok? I like my current SD setup and i'm a little nervous about the switch. I currently have 2 direct tivo units and really like the Tivo software. I'm mostly concerned about realibility and can live with a few less features. I can't really tell from the TW triad site what I will have to order to get HD and a DVR? I assume at least a standard package.

TWC uses Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300 HD DVRs. They have a 160GB hard drive which is about 20 hours of HD recording. The interface is a little archaic, but it's useable. I have never had a Tivo, so I have no reference.

The firmware is SARA, whic I hear is inferior to the Passport offered in other regions, but it does have an advantage: it is compatible with an outboard SATA drive to add more recording space. There is a good thread on this in the HD recorders forum. I just ordered a 250GB kit, and will hopefully report success back in a week or so.

In the Triad, TWC offers local CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, TNT, and Discovery in HD with their digital cable package. You can add INHD 1 & 2, HDNet, HDNet Movies, and ESPNHD for I think 6.95/month. It's also an extra 5.95/month for a DVR HD box.

Hope this helps you get started...

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm excited about the switch but trying to temper my enthusiasm a bit. I remember how excited I was about getting dtv a few years ago only to be dissappointed in the amount of compression in the signal.

Has anybody else lost the sound on 45.2?

Hammer65,
You'll love HD, it will blow you away. But you'll hate the SARA software with the DVR if you're coming from TiVo like me. I can't complain much about TWC, we get a lot of HD compared to most of the country. I just wish they could get different or updated software for the DVR. I don't know who makes or owns SARA, but I'd be embarrassed if I were them.

I have no sound on 45-2 also. :mad: I'm fairly new to HD (about a month--DirecTV HD Tivo and locals OTA) and hope this is an isolated problem--If I don't have sound on a recording of Lost or Alias I'll be ______ed (insert favorite descriptive). :D

Bill

Foxeng- Well I've had only partial success. After buying and installing a new 300ohm to 75ohm transformer, a new 50ft rg6 coax line and a radioshack preamp-amp combo I can pick up all the Triad locals except WB network by pointing the antenna to approx 335 degrees. The crazy thing is that the gain on the signal booster must be turned all the way down. If it's turned up at all none of the stations come in so I suppose that it's doing me no good at all. The only thing that I have not replaced is the antenna itself. It is about 20 years old but is otherwise in good shape. As I stated before it is a second or third level VHF/UHF/FM antenna with 3 large VHF elements, a series of smaller elements and finally the UHF portion. I tried pointing the antenna towards the WRAL 5 transmitter in Raleigh rescanned and got nothing more than the locals minus WB. The only other variable could be the location in High Point. I'm in the Emorywood area just off of West Lexington. The area is a little lower in elevation that the larger area around it but I can't believe that could be the reason I cannot pick up anything outside of most of the locals. I have also tried 2 or 3 different indoor antennas with no luck with the exception of the rabbit ears that pick up almost as well as my aforementioned configuration. Any other sugestions? Do I need a professional?

Has anybody else lost the sound on 45.2?

I lost sound on 45.2 and quit watching.

Foxeng- Well I've had only partial success. After buying and installing a new 300ohm to 75ohm transformer, a new 50ft rg6 coax line and a radioshack preamp-amp combo I can pick up all the Triad locals except WB network by pointing the antenna to approx 335 degrees. The crazy thing is that the gain on the signal booster must be turned all the way down. If it's turned up at all none of the stations come in so I suppose that it's doing me no good at all. The only thing that I have not replaced is the antenna itself. It is about 20 years old but is otherwise in good shape. As I stated before it is a second or third level VHF/UHF/FM antenna with 3 large VHF elements, a series of smaller elements and finally the UHF portion. I tried pointing the antenna towards the WRAL 5 transmitter in Raleigh rescanned and got nothing more than the locals minus WB. The only other variable could be the location in High Point. I'm in the Emorywood area just off of West Lexington. The area is a little lower in elevation that the larger area around it but I can't believe that could be the reason I cannot pick up anything outside of most of the locals. I have also tried 2 or 3 different indoor antennas with no luck with the exception of the rabbit ears that pick up almost as well as my aforementioned configuration. Any other sugestions? Do I need a professional?

OK, let's take these one at a time and see what comes up.

WTWB (WB20) is transmitting below their low power level right now. So you will not be able pick it up well if at all. They also do not do HD at this time.

You will not get any Raleigh stations with an indoor antenna. Too far away and all of the big 4 digital stations are in the low to mid channel 50s (FOX 49, ABC 52, CBS 53 and NBC 55). Not going to happen. You will not be able to pick up all of the locals with an indoor antenna either because of different power levels and locations. When the FCC sets up power levels, they are based on outdoor antennas at 30 feet not indoor antennas. That is the reality of the situation.

If you have changed feedline and added a pre-amp and you find you have to turn the pre-amp down, then that tells me that something strong is interfering. You might want to either turn on the FM trap on the pre-amp or add a FM trap before the pre-amp to reduce the FM signals that come from the towers off of US 220 south (a good idea either way). Since you have a VHF/UHF antenna, the FM band is right next to channel 6 and that antenna makes a great FM receive antenna, it could be causing what is known as frontend overload where a signal you are not interested in is so strong that it causes the pre-amp to go into something called intermod harmonics and all signals are reduced (it swamps the pre-amp). By turning down the pre-amp, you also turn down the frontend overload and the intermod products reduce or go away. It is also possible that the signals of channel 2 and 8 are causing frontend overload too.

When I first put up my dual antenna system (I live on the north side of Greensboro), I tied both together on the same feedline (resulting in the same thing you have now with a single antenna). I had a heck of a hard time receiving any digital signals. After investigating with a spectrum analyser, I saw that the signals of channel 2 and 8 were causing intermod in the UHF band because with the pre-amp. 2 and 8 was so strong it swamped the other signals. I needed to reduce the VHF signals while not reducing the UHF signals. The easiest and cheapest way was to cut the VHF antenna loose and feed it with a separate feedline and combine it after the pre-amp since I didn't need any pre-amplification on the VHF side. After I did that, looking just at the UHF antenna, the channel 2 and 8 signals were reduced enough (because the UHF only antenna doesn't pass VHF as well as the UHF signals) that the UHF digital signals returned at their normal strength.

It sounds from your posts you really do not want to change your antenna, but it would appear you need to change it out to a UHF only and that would really help you out a lot. I suspect the FM signals and the signals of channel 2 and 8 are swamping your pre-amp (you are much closer to the towers in High Point than I am here in north Greensboro) and you need to reduce those signals and the cheapest way to do it is to buy a UHF only antenna and replace your big VHF/UHF antenna. If you buy something like a Channel Master 4228 (around $50), you will have one of the highest gain UHF antennas and that should be enough to pick up not only the Raleigh stations, but the Charlotte stations as well without having the locals swamp you.

That is my take on it.

Foxeng: Thanks for the diagnosis. To clarify The preamp is mast mounted and feeds the powered amp (indoor). The indoor amp has the built in FM trap and to your point the local signals were better with the FM trap engaged and with gain dialed all the way down. At no time with any combination of antenna preamp/amp or total bypass and aiming the antenna could I get even a trace of signal on the signal strength meter from 2 to 69 outside of the locals in the Triad. As you stated there must be alot of FM interference I can't get rid of with this particular antenna. However as I understand the more gain an antenna has the more narrow it's directionality must be to pick up a particular station. I want to avoid the hassel of having to include a rotor setup (the one on it does not work) so would you recommend a good omni directional antenna? If not is there some where locally I could pick up the channel master to give it a try?

Dow Electronics
2606 Phoenix Dr Ste 104
Greensboro, NC 27406-6347 Phone: (336) 856-0930

I want to avoid the hassel of having to include a rotor setup (the one on it does not work) so would you recommend a good omni directional antenna? If not is there some where locally I could pick up the channel master to give it a try?

To pick up all of the locals you will need a rotor. (I use the Channel Master 9521 rotor that has the remote control and will remember in memory different directions for different stations) 2,8,20,45, 48 and 61 digital are all within 5 miles of each other from Randleman to Level Cross, 12 and 26 are on Sauratown Mt north of Winston-Salem and channel 16 is at Reidsville, but depending on the digital turner you have, you will need to fine tune the antenna for 2, 8, 20, 45/48 and 61.

You can buy a 4228 at Dow Electronics off of Holden at Bus 85 in the business park over there.

2606 Phoenix Drive, Ste. 104, 856-0930
http://www.dowelectronics.com/maps.asp?Map=Greensboro%20Map.jpg

Foxeng...Thanks for your help. I take it that an amplified omni directional UHF is not an option. I'll post my results. Man, the trouble I put myself through for HDTV.

Foxeng...Thanks for your help. I take it that an amplified omni directional UHF is not an option. I'll post my results. Man, the trouble I put myself through for HDTV.




Also is it possible to use 2 UHF antennas on the same mast pointed in different directions and use a combiner?

Also is it possible to use 2 UHF antennas on the same mast pointed in different directions and use a combiner?

You can but if you want to use them with the same feedline, you need to be sure that the antenna that is pointed away from the station you are trying to receive isn't causing multipath (ghosting in analog) or you will not receive anything. Some have had good results, others not so good. That one is a crap shoot if you don't have the correct filters and such to make it work right. Good luck if you try it.

And of course you will not get the Raleigh or Charlotte stations since the antennas will be pointed in the wrong direction.

Foxeng...Thanks for your help. I take it that an amplified omni directional UHF is not an option. I'll post my results. Man, the trouble I put myself through for HDTV.

None that I have tried that have worked for any length of time. Even the Square Shooter is a somewhat directional antenna, but that is a $300 antenna. I just hate to spend that kind of money on something that I know isn't what I want. YMMV though.

45/48 need to get their act together. I don't have sound for either 45.2 or 48.2. Both had sound when the network shows started and the SD feeds were shown. But once the HD was turned on, the sound went away. :mad:

I have one of those flying saucer UHF antennas, It's great for some channels with a strong signal (43 miles from WDBJ Roanoke on Poor Mountain), not so good on others, Plus the direction positioning is not very precise.

Well, tonight the still is no sound on 45.2. 48.2 has sound tonight but it is out of sync. Is anybody getting sound on 45.2 when HD is being broadcast? They better get it fixed before next's week season premier of Lost.

I also had no sound last night on 45-2 and I agree they better get it fixed for next week's Lost.

Thought I might share this with you folks (hope I don't get in trouble for posting this, HONEST!)

This happened yesterday, what is called the "stand up" or actually starting to assemble the tower sections as one unit and then standing it up so the "gin pole" or boom can be installed on the tower to lift the remainder of the tower. It took all day and the wind didn't really effect the stand up. This is 180 feet. The yellow thing hanging on the right side of the tower is the gin pole.

http://www.w4cl.net/fox/P9140122.jpg

cat daddy and uncrules......did you actually call WXLV? I'm pretty sure bitching in an internet forum isn't going to do much good if they aren't aware of the problem.

cat daddy and uncrules......did you actually call WXLV? I'm pretty sure bitching in an internet forum isn't going to do much good if they aren't aware of the problem.

roland6465 - Thank you for such valuable insight. Your technical acuity is overwhelming.

So I guess you diddn't, then? Way to answer my question, bud.

Thought I might share this with you folks (hope I don't get in trouble for posting this, HONEST!)

This happened yesterday, what is called the "stand up" or actually starting to assemble the tower sections as one unit and then standing it up so the "gin pole" or boom can be installed on the tower to lift the remainder of the tower. It took all day and the wind didn't really effect the stand up. This is 180 feet. The yellow thing hanging on the right side of the tower is the gin pole.



Glad I'm not the one to climb that thing! (I have an acute case of acrophobia)

Foxeng-Well I dropped by Dow Electronics and because of their policy of "All sales are final", I decided to give up on my quest to pick of some of the Raleigh stations. I purchased a new set of polls and put may original antenna back up minus the broken rotor. Locked in everything local except Pax and WB at approx: 335 deg. Tonight Channel 2 went off the air so I checked signal strength which was very strong so I guessed there must be a problem with the stations transmitter. I rescanned stations and picked up WDBJ 7 and WSLS 10 out of Roanoke and channel 9 out of Charlotte. I guess it must be a night time weather phenomina. Any way thanks for your suggestions. I'll have to settle with getting triad locals; Ah and as I'm typing this ,after about 2 hours channels 10 & 7 just went away but 9 is still here. Oh well thanks again.

For those of you who have Explorer 8300HD boxes from TWC, I have great news! I have just successfully added 250GB recording capacity using a kit from http://www.discountechnology.com/ (pro video link) . Installation was easy with the included instructions, and I've dropped from 51% full to 17% full.

Now I can do me some time shiftin'!

cat daddy and uncrules......did you actually call WXLV? I'm pretty sure bitching in an internet forum isn't going to do much good if they aren't aware of the problem.

I did. I reported the problem with WUPN a couple of weeks ago in this forum, but also sent them an email in case they weren't aware. I have sent a couple more since then, but haven't got no answer.

Last Wednesday I checked WUPN and noticed that it had sound, although a little bit out of sync (which is better than no sound at all), but a few minutes into Veronica Mars they lost sound again, and then they switched off HD and finished the show in 4:3 SD... :mad:

Wow! It's so hard to understand why TWC doesn't want to pay top dollar to Sinclair for such top notch, error free HD content!!!!

On both Saturday and Sunday, ABC did have sound while in HD and it was in sync. Here's hoping that come Wednesday at 9pm both the HD and sound are working and in sync for Lost's season premier.

Wow! It's so hard to understand why TWC doesn't want to pay top dollar to Sinclair for such top notch, error free HD content!!!!

My thought exactly. As there is no more "real" (college) football on ABC until BCS Bowls, my OTA reciever will go back into the closet until January to make room on the shelf.

Tonight while flipping during ads of MNF, I noticed that UPN's HD channel is once again without audio. Seriously, am I the only one with this problem? I have only had my OTA receiver a few weeks, but I have *never* heard audio on the UPN HD channel when they have HD content. Can anyone confirm that they ever have audio please?

Can anyone confirm that they ever have audio please?

They had audio for the Enterprise finale.

I too have noticed this issue for the past couple of weeks. The reason their seems to be no big concern about the audio is because their is not alot of HD content worth watching on UPN. But the station needs to be aware of the issue and have some sort of plan in place to resolve it.

I have had my antenna pointed toward Charlotte for way over a year. This past weekend I moved it toward Winston and GSO. I was surprised that the signals are not as strong as Charlotte. It is nice to see locals in HDTV. However, I did notice that UPN 48 did not have any sound. I hope I haven't made a mistake moving my antenna.

I have had my antenna pointed toward Charlotte for way over a year. This past weekend I moved it toward Winston and GSO. I was surprised that the signals are not as strong as Charlotte. It is nice to see locals in HDTV. However, I did notice that UPN 48 did not have any sound. I hope I haven't made a mistake moving my antenna.

XYWillis- What type of antenna setup do you have and where are you located? I've had trouble getting any stations outside of the Triad. I think my particular location in High Point has as much or more to do with poor reception as a less than ideal antenna.

I am located in Mocksville, so I am somewhat closer to Charlotte. I have a DB4 HDTV Antenna with a Channel Master 7777 Pre-amp.

Today I decided to email WFMY (2 - CBS) and WXLV (45/48 - ABC/UPN) and ask when they planned to begin broadcasting in Dolby Digitial 5.1. (And in 48's case when they planned to add *audio* to their HD broadcasts! :) )

Here's the response I got from WFMY:
Great question...we're not ready to set a date yet, but will keep our
viewers posted. Thanks for asking though.

I'll let you know what WXLV says...

WTVD 11.3 is now simulcasting KTRK-TV Houston's Hurricane Rita coverage. WTVD is branding 11.3 as the Eyewitness News Now channel.

Does anyone know when 8,16,20,61 are going full power? Also, does WB20 broadcast HD? I have FoxHD from Directv. Thanks!

Does anyone know when 8,16,20,61 are going full power? Also, does WB20 broadcast HD? I have FoxHD from Directv. Thanks!

WGHP is in the process of increasing power now. We are building a new tower and new transmitter building as we speak. We hope to be up to full power by the end of the year.

Channel 16, 20 and 61 are not required to be at full power until next summer. Channel 20 does not transmit HD.

foxeng-thanks for the info.

X

Well, I was shocked and delighted to tune into UPN HD tonight, and THERE WAS AUDIO!!!! I was briefly elated, and then I realized I was hearing ABC's audio. This is just a comedy of errors. Do they have monkeys doing the engineering at those stations? Or am I the only one with this issue with UPN?

EDIT: Well now (about 30 mins later) they actually have audio from the CORRECT program! Of course it's not in sync with the video, but I guess we'll settle for baby steps for now. Again I ask, how could TWC NOT want to pay a premium for such quality digital broadcasts?!

No HD on WXLV for the game tonight. Way to go. I'm so glad I bought an antenna for this coverage.....

No HD on WXLV for the game tonight. Way to go. I'm so glad I bought an antenna for this coverage.....

Looks like HD to me.

No HD on WXLV for the game tonight. Way to go. I'm so glad I bought an antenna for this coverage.....

Remember, 45-2 is the HD channel and 45-1 is the SD channel. WXLV and WUPN do it reversed from everyone else. (HD is -1 and SD is -2)

Yeah it looked like WXLV didn't have HD in the early goings, but it's fine now.

And finally, UPN is ok too now. This is the first time I have seen both ABC and UPN in HD with proper audio. Bravo.

Just got set up with HDTV this week so i'm behind the curve. Why does TWC not carry the local ABC station? The quality of the non-digital tier channels is really bad. Watching Lost had me wanting to pick up the phone and get my sat hooked back up. The saleman where I bought my tv said they have plans to take everything digital in the next 6-12 months. Anyone know if this is true?

Welcome Hammer,
TWC and ABC have been going at it for a while now. Sinclair owns our local ABC and is demanding to be paid for their digital channel. TWC refuses, as they should. So the standoff has gone on for over a year now. No end in sight. You should be able to pick it up OTA with an antenna if you really want it.

TWC has already gone "all-digital" in Raleigh, but each franchise is on its own pace, I haven't heard when we'll have a full digital simulcast here in the Triad.

You may want to skim through the last few pages of this thread to answer some of your questions, especially if you're considering an antenna for OTA.

Cheers for the people on UPN-48, who got their act together just in time for the premiere of Veronica Mars on Wednesday...

First time I have been able to watch a UPN show in HD for the entire hour, with in-sync audio!

Thanks!

Thanks for the welcome and the info on ABC. I don't think I can go the Antenna unless the 8300dvr I have has an antenna input. My tv doesn't have a built in tuner. But the biggest problem is that I've had tivo for a long time and have become way to used to time shifting my content. I have been waiting until there was a HD DVR that was affordable and there seemed to be a reasonable amount of HD content. I would have preferred to go HDTivo but I've read a lot on here about the down ressing and high compression of DTV. It was pretty bad on standard def so I could believe it was a problem with HD as well. As far as this ABC standoff goes, is there not some type of must carry law that will force Sinclairs hand?

Unfortunately, cable is a priveledge, not a right. All WXLV has to do is transmit a signal into the air, which they do. The only thing a cable company must carry is the Emergency Broadcast System.

Ok. I thought there was a law in place that required the local cable company to carry the local stations as part of granting them a monopoly. Also, at some point the won't the old analog broadcast go away completely returning those frequencies to the government? Anyway doesn't sound like we'll be getting ABC's hi-def signal any time soon which is too bad.

On another subject it doesn't look like my 8300HD can accept OTA programming so I'm just stuck with the SD version of ABC, which would be ok if it were in the digital tier.

Yeah, the analog ABC station has the worst SD quality of all.

somebody posted around here somewhere that you can get an ota tuner from radio shack for about 100 bucks. might want to look into that with an amplified indoor antenna.

Ok. I thought there was a law in place that required the local cable company to carry the local stations as part of granting them a monopoly. Also, at some point the won't the old analog broadcast go away completely returning those frequencies to the government? Anyway doesn't sound like we'll be getting ABC's hi-def signal any time soon which is too bad.

The law you are referring to is the Must Carry rule. The law is currently written that a station can only impose must carry on EITHER the analog or one channel of digital. At this point in the transition, analog is the must carry of choice. There is a debate in Congress going on right now to get cable to do a must carry on all digital channels a station sends out. Cable is fighting against this tooth and nail, broadcasters are fighting for it tooth and nail.

Also, the only channels that will be given back will be channels 52-69. All stations in that range will have to move to channels 2-51 when there is space available after the transition and all stations are on their permanent channels.

On another subject it doesn't look like my 8300HD can accept OTA programming so I'm just stuck with the SD version of ABC, which would be ok if it were in the digital tier.

No cable STB has an OTA tuner of any kind. You will need a STB for ABC.

Here's my post about the cheap STB and antenna I bought a month ago.

...I can happily receive HD ABC. I went to Radio Shack and bought their inexpensive $89 set top box from Accurian. Link (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=16-3499)

I also bought one of their amplified indoor antennas for $50. Link (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F001%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D1880)

I can receive HDABC easily with this setup. I have a onestory townhouse and live almost in Summerfield (North and slightly East of the airport). I am very happy with this setup...

Thanks for the info guys. I may pop for a STB at some point but for now I'll probaby just live with SD abc feed. I have a dvr on a second set as well and the sd channels look a little better on that set. I live in Stokesdale, so i'm guessing my luck with the setup pwrmetal mentions would work for me as well if I decide to go that route at some point. My plan is too keep monitoring events on DTV and maybe switch back if they can offer local HD feeds and drop the initial purchase price of their equipment. I realize that could be a long way off.

i've searched google a dozen times, i just cant seem to find any kind of lineup for HD channels to be added to time warner. i'm in greensboro, nc. i've called TW and nobody will tell me anything except "very soon" they are going to launch a lot of new channels...

very soon was about 6 months ago -___-

i just dont understand why they dont have abc and wb in hd yet :(

Check with your local thread. They may have insiders who know something. Index here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=453241

i've searched google a dozen times, i just cant seem to find any kind of lineup for HD channels to be added to time warner. i'm in greensboro, nc. i've called TW and nobody will tell me anything except "very soon" they are going to launch a lot of new channels...

very soon was about 6 months ago -___-

i just dont understand why they dont have abc and wb in hd yet :(

Our site, HDTV Magazine (http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/), provides email notification when new HD stations come online in your designated market.

Cheers,

- Shane Sturgeon

i just dont understand why they dont have abc and wb in hd yet :(

Well, WTWB-DT would have to be doing HD in order for TW to carry it, so...

- Trip

I noticed tonight that TWC in GSO has a hundred plus new channnels on their digital box, in the 900 range, are they testing things out for going all digital along with analog? Knowing how they have done things in the past it probably will happen in Jan 2006.

Hi Hammer65!

Looks like we are neighbors and pwrmetal isnt too far away either. I havent checked in here lately but, I seem to recall there are several members close by in Oak Ridge, Summerfield & Stokesdale..good to know!

Anyway, I am off Ellison Rd..if you are ever in the "neighborhood", shoot me a pm and stop by. I have both TWC & D* and you are spot on with your description of the D* picture quality. I have a variety of receivers in this house from D* and it really doesnt matter which ones I use...I still say that OTA & TWC pq is superior and will remain so until D* gets their act together...if that ever happens

At this moment, I am using the D* box for my OTA reception but, I plan on setting one of my Voom receivers back up in the bedroom once I get the perfect setup I want antenna wise. I still have 2 of the Voom receivers that were/are active for OTA signals and they work flawlessly with the small indoor antenna I use currently. (these were subscribed boxes that wil stilll work because I took them down before Voom went dark and supposedly sent out a "hit" to the receivers that were still hooked up...Voom dish is still up but, thats another story)

You can pick the receivers up on Ebay for around 50.00 but, you have to be careful that the box was subscribed and not "hit" when Voom went dark. The small indoor antenna I use to get ALL the local OTA (with apologies to Foxeng ;) ) can be had for around 20.00 and it works wonders for me on this side of Stokesdale. Its 100x better than the OTA antenna that D* originally put up for me which sits unused, bolted to my deck.

This might be of some interest to you. I dont want to come off as trying to sell you on something..thats not why Im posting this response, I plan on hanging on to my boxes just to have them for whatever reason but, if you wanted to drop by and let me show you how I have things "arranged" you are more than welcome to do so! Its a low-cost solution to getting your HD locals and it does work surprisingly well.

IMO, it would be well worth 75-100 to get all my locals OTA HD (I very much prefer to watch my locals OTA instead of switching over to TWC..you may be ok with what 520 & 540 as they are and just need ABC....which comes in perfectly from where I am in Stokesdale)

You can get that and then some just the way I have stated.....Im "guessing" that if at one time you had D*, you didnt have trees in the way so, I would think there would be no reason it would not work for you as well.

If yah want to drop by, we both might learn something and Im pretty sure I can hook one of those receivers up while you are here to give you an idea of how simple it would be..and inexpensive as well!

Ok, so Im just "jonesing" for someone around here to hash HD with :D

You made an excellent "find" coming to the AVS forums....there is a wealth of info and knowledge available here! I do more reading than posting and it along with a couple of other select forums have taught me everything I know :p

*edit*
Just noticed that you joined in 2002 so, Im not telling you anything you dont already know!

ABC keeps wanting TWC to pay to carry the digital signal..........

I would like to see the local news (FOX 8) to do the newscast in either widescreen 480i/480p or 720p. Just use 16:9 cameras, frame the shots for the 4:3 broadcast and fill our widescreens up.

I would like to see the local news (FOX 8) to do the newscast in either widescreen 480i/480p or 720p. Just use 16:9 cameras, frame the shots for the 4:3 broadcast and fill our widescreens up.

Oh, that can be done now. It is called S T R E T C H M O D E out of the converter!

We do not have 16:9 studio cameras and our production switcher is only 480i. To do 16:9 out of it, we would need to buy a modification for it that is many THOUSANDS of dollars. We would also need to to either modify/or buy new graphics equipment for either HD or 16:9 and even though our studio cameras are digital, they are too old to be retrofited to 16:9 (we have already checked) so we would need to buy new ones. It basically means we will have to completelly rebuild our news production facility. But what we produce now is all digital from the cameras in the field through the editing process and through the studio and on to the transmitter.

So even though it is only 480i 4:3, it is true digital all of the way through the system. I think we are the first and maybe the only station to be able to deliver a digital newscast all the way from the source in the field and studio to your digital TV. We will eventually do 16:9 news, but not in the near future like in the next 6 or 12 months. It isn't even in the budget yet.

Not sure if you can pick up WRAL or WRAZ out of Raleigh their news is in HD, and it looks incredible. Too bad they repeat the heck out of their news in the morning. I wake up to Fox 8 even though I only get the analog signal from where I am. Looking forward to them going full power this fall.

I wake up to Fox 8 even though I only get the analog signal from where I am. Looking forward to them going full power this fall.

It isn't as long as it has been. I will be at the factory in a week or so for transmitter training on the new digital transmitter! And thanks for waking up with us. We appreciate it!

Foxeng, it looks like Fox 8 may be having some sort of trouble. Both the NFL pregame and the game itself aren't in HD. I see the gray bars on the side that you guys put out instead of the black bars the network would send out.

Now WFMY has the same problem. The NE/ATL was in HD and as I was watching it, the game dropped out of HD mode.

Edit: WFMY has quickly fixed their problem.

solar transit outage..happen every March & October..

WRAZ has been HD from the start. I'm going to turn my antennae toward Roanoke later today in hope of picking up the Bronco, skins game at 4PM. Go Broncos. From what I've read sounds like the digital might be impossible, hopefully I'll at least have luck with the analog.

Yeah, it is the yearly Sun Transit. It will be back in HD shortly. At this time FOX doesn't have a back up path for Sun Transits yet like they do with SD so we have to stay in SD during those.

It's in HD now. Thanks. Now if Joey Galloway can get going my fantasy football team will be feeling better.