Just like mine. It must be the station. I just went out and spent 60 bucks at Radio Shack for an antenna amplifier but if it is the signal it will do no good. Very frustrating. I just wish WKRG will acknowledge the probelm. At least we can isolate it Thanks!

I just got home and checked on my "My-HD" HDTV Tuner as it has a signal strength meter. While I live a lot closer to the transmitter than most of you do, Blue Angel and Lillian Hwy, (Just off of the east bank of Perdido Bay) I'm reading a steady 93% reception. If youre signal is no longer jumping around, it may have been the HD feed that WKRG was getting from upstream.

Steve

Greetings:

I had a long conversation with Roland Fields earlier this week and I'm very disapointed at what he told me.

First thing is that they, WALA, are aware of a broadcast problem with their digital side.

The Emmis Corp. is pending a sale of 16 stations and they don't plan to modify anything until the sale is approved and completed. Could be months.........

They are "turning off" the WB channel during the NFL games on Fox so that it can be broadcast properly.

Basically each reciever out there has a varying degree of problems receiving Fox from ocassional flicker to totally blacked our picture. Whatever you are getting now is the best there is for the forseeable future. It seems to me that there should be some one we could contact that could help rectify this problem. Anyone gat any ideas?????

The only bright spot during the conversation was the fact that DirecTV had been in contact with them about where to pickup a Digital HD feed for HD locals. Hopefully at some point in time we will be able to get HD localls via D*.

Sorry to be bearer of bad news but I thought you'd like to know.

J C

JC: My WALAHD signal is fine but my WKRGHD signal is all over the place. How is your WKRGHD signal?

My WALA audio goes to a static whine and I have to change channels to get the WALA audio back. Is anyone else having this problem or is it my Dish 811 receiver. It is annoying to try watching football and have this happen. Picture is good.

Just got HDTV, and have been trying to get some locals.

I have a wineguard square shooter and have had no luck yet :mad:

I'm at a good spot in Niceville, about as high as you can get for the area so I think I should be getting something.

Any tips or other reports from niceville would be helpful.. thanks!

What type of HD receiver are you using.

JC: My WALAHD signal is fine but my WKRGHD signal is all over the place. How is your WKRGHD signal?

WKRG is solid.

Where are you located?

J C

Between Airport and Old Shell-close to South Alabama. Goes from 98% strength to 30%-back and forth.

Hey guys, new member from Mobile here. I jsut finally got equipped with a TV that I can get on the HDTV wagon and my first complaint is that Comcast does not have ESPN 2, Fox, or CBS in Mobile. This is amazing considering many other markets have these and more. As I'm sure you guys know I've had no luck asking Comcast, is there any news sites or does anyone have any info on Fox/CBS status for comcast HDTV in the future. Why in the world is it so much of a problem to get a deal to broadcast a local station?

Welcome ElwayLite!

I know about your frustration. Comcast of Mobile is somewhat behind in broadcasting in HD. I was in the same boat, and ended up getting an OTA Receiver/Antenna to get CBS and FOX. It seems that the broadcast stations want Comcast to pay them for their HD content, and Comcast is unwilling so that is why they have not been added. If your TV does not have a HDTV Tuner, Radio Shack has a great deal right now - an Accurain 3000 OTA tuner for 89.99. The Radio Shack on Airport (next to Carrabba's) had them in stock on Friday.

Thanks for the update. It is pretty frustrating being that comcast is the only one in the area and nothing is getting done. I have the comcast box, can it be used as the tuner. My other problem is that I live in an apartment and I'm a little skeptical about the indoor antennas. Plus with having a plasma I don't have a lot of room for the indoor.

Anyone know why the boxin after dark that was supposed to be in HD this weekdn had sidebars. I'm under the impression if it has sidebars it was not HD, is this correct?

Unfortunately, the Comcast box cannot be used as an HD tuner. Depending where you are, an indoor settop Antenna can be used without a problem. In Chickasaw, I was able to get WEAR 3-ABC, WKRG 5-CBS, WALA 10-FOX, WPMI 15-NBC, and WEIQ 42-PBS (only WJTC - 44 UPN was not received) with a $20 Phillips Indoor Antenna.

I'm located at Airport Blvd and I-65. So basically I need to get a tuner and I could try and indoor antenna for the locals, not just the antenna correct? I'm a little new to the OTA HDTV reception stuff. I know one thing, the local stations need to get a clue and work this crap out.

You need to see if your TV is either "HD Ready" meaning you need a tuner, or if it has an integrated HD Tuner. If your TV has a HD Tuner, then all you need is the antenna, otherwise you need a tuner (like the Radio Shack model I mentioned above) and antenna. I would think you should be able to get the channels from a good indoor antenna.

Yeah, mine's just ready, no tuner. I guess I'll just wait, i already get the station just not in HD and its not killing me. Just kinda irritating that people can't get along and the consumers suffer.

Here is a link to the HD Tuner that Radio Shack has on sale right now.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=16%2D3499&site=search

Normally a tuner starts around $200. I found this one, and have been very happy with it.

Thanks. I'll have to consider it, dunno at this point.

Anyone with Comcast, I just got a email reply from Richardson at WKRG and he stated that it would be "soon", but they did not have an exact date yet.

WKRG is back. My signal is fine now. Either they fixed something or it was just weather related. Was having same problems (signal would be 90 and then go below 49 and then come back to 90) with WPMI as well and now that is fixed so I think it might have been weather related.

By the way Elway, I asked Cox a few months ago if they were getting some of the other networks (Fox, CBS, ABC) and they told me "soon". They said they expected Fox to come next real soon, HA. I bought the Radio Shack OTA HD box a couple of weeks ago and it has been great. I'm watching Monday Night football right now and the picture is awesome (I have a plasma too). I know $110 for a HD box and antenna seems like a lot but when you've already spent $$$ for a plasma TV then it makes sense to use it to it's fullest potential. Now is the time to get one during football season and when TV shows aren't in reruns. Just a warning that you shouldn't count on Fox. I think you need an attic or roof antenna to get it and even then peopel complain about the signal. Also they are VHF where all the other stations are UHF. Does anyone know why they are VHF and if they plan on switching to UHF?

WKRG-DT

Digital channel 27 is not back for me yet. I'm still getting readings for them in the 0-30 range with an occasional but brief burst to a big number. All other major stations are pegged out at 100. I'm getting the religious channel 34 at 73 and steady, and Alabama PBS is even coming in OK. I'm having a hard time believing that 27 doesn't have a problem in the aftermath of Katrina.

In the post-analog world, WALA will still be a VHF station. Right now, analog is 10 and digital is 9. They have to choose one of those two, and I think they chose 9. WEAR will stay on 17; WKRG will stay on 27 and not go back to VHF.

Anyone else loose ABC sound last night right in the middle of Lost almost until the end of Invasion, ughhhhhhhhhhh!

Yes - they lost the audio for about an hour on the HD side - the Analog (and 3.2 digital-non HD) were fine. Tried calling and even their Voicemail/phone system was broken . . .

argh, very annoying. Just checked my recording and no audio as well as expected...

argh

argh, very annoying. Just checked my recording and no audio as well as expected...

argh

That's why I record all WEAR shows using both the HD signal and on my cable box. Someday, they'll be reliable....

Steve

Yeah, I just watched the analog in both but I think if I'm ever gone the analog will be recorded by my DVR, not the HD. I'd be pretty hot if i came home to watch my show with no sound.

Unfortunately i record veronica at 7 as well so no options. Argh. A little birdy keeps telling me to buy a 2nd hd tivo but i'm fighting it ;)

Thats one thing i love about the comcast HDTV tuner, its dual tuner :)

i love my dual tuner too, i just want (NEED) a quad tuner :)

WKRG-DT on Thursday, 29 September 2005

At 7 PM, I have no signal whatsoever for Channel 27 but strong signals on every other station including 09, 17, 31, 34, 41, 45 and 47. Anyone else?

WKRG is out. No signal at all. All of the other channels are fine. I hope they get it fixed by Saturday for the Florida/Alabama game.

THANK YOU WKRG ***** ARGH, no survivor recorded because no damn signal, no lost/invasion due to no audio, argh,... all work and no play...

What the hell is going on with DT 47 WPMI 15-1? My HD signal is all over the place. I can't even watch a show it is so bad. Is anyone having similar problems?

WKRGHD is out! I bought my HDTV in July just to have all the tweaks done in time for football season. I have been tweaking my DB4 antenna in the attic all week just so I can see the Ala/Fla in HD on Sat. It's been fine all week except for today. They better have it fixed for Sat.!

WKRGHD is out! I bought my HDTV in July just to have all the tweaks done in time for football season. I have been tweaking my DB4 antenna in the attic all week just so I can see the Ala/Fla in HD on Sat. It's been fine all week except for today. They better have it fixed for Sat.!


Completely out here too, must be a WKRG problem not ours.

Can you guys tell me what you are getting on WPMI 47 15-1?

WKRG is back for now. I am hoping they were just tweaking something to get ready for the game.

WPMI is fine for me. Been watching for 5 minutes with no problems.

WKRG-DT Friday, 9/30 4:45 PM

Yes, they are back broadcasting it seems but they didn't do anything that improved my reception-- still mainly in the 0-30 range with an occasional burst to 80-100 for a few seconds. All other stations are great. Anyone see any improvement?

Stinkin' WKRGHD. Worked great until the Ala/Fla pregame and game. Now it is jumping all over the place. ANyone else having this trouble; or is anyone receving it OK?

I'm receiving it just fine, but remember I'm downtown Mobile and my antenna is in my attic 30 feet up.

Mine came in fine, also my guys installed antennas in spanish fort and dapne and they had no problem as well. One install couldn't get nbc no matter what we did though...

No problems receiving the game in Chickasaw. AL . . .

Game came in perfect in Pensacola, 30 miles from the towers.

Must be my antenna then. Thanks!

My WALA audio goes to a static whine and I have to change channels to get the WALA audio back. Is anyone else having this problem or is it my Dish 811 receiver. It is annoying to try watching football and have this happen. Picture is good.


Jerry, I have the exact same problem as you do. It gets so bad we have to switch over to the SD channel. I'm getting about 83% with a Winegard Sensor II hooked up to an 811.

Lesson Learned!

I turned my antenna mast about 1/16th to 1/8th inch and now WKRG-DT is watchable-- not perfect, but watchable. Any additional movement gave me a little more improvement on 27 but killed some of the other channels. Obviously, antenna direction is critical!

No doubt beachrez, I turned mine to get 80+ on Fox as before I was getting 78%. Others still come in strong as ever. jerry, does your picture breakup any also?

Anyone watching Wb programs on comcast or antenna noticing a scratchy noise that comes and goes. I have comcast digital and my dad who is all the way across Mobile from me has the same scratchy noise, is it a Comcast issue or not?

We noticed the scratchy sound watching Supernatural Tuesday night - Comcast in Chickasaw.

BTW - Does anyone have a contact/e-mail for our local Comcast that they are willing to share??

Unrelated i'm sure but i had a scratchy sound while watching veronica mars on upn via antenna. Also my hd tivo stopped recording it and lost with 10 minutes left. Swapping out hd tivos today... maybe that was the problem.

E-mailed Comcast about putting ESPN2HD on their offerings. Heard back saying they have no plans at the moment to do it. They have the Braves HD channel idle 90% of the time; why can't they put it there?

Yeah, I email them once a week about the rest of the locals and espn 2 and I just get the same crap. I'm sorry, but why add PB-freakin-S ( which they noted in the last email was the newest addition) and the 2 INHD channels and not the other stuff. Pretty frustrating.

What address do you email? The only one I have goes to corporate in PA - which could care less about Mobile, AL

probably the same one, I just email them from the website. I know its a waste but I feel better knowing I'm bugging them in some kind of way! I mean I pay $130 a month for cable and internet so they need to do a little better with HDTV.

Does anyone know the name and or email address of the Station Manager of FOX WALA?

Thanks J C

WALA-DT

This station as well as WB55 is operated out of Orlando. The contact is Joe Addalia (JAddalia@emmis.com). I'm trying to watch the ballgame tonight and it is constantly breaking up. Rumor is that the transmission of four stations (WALA-TV, WALA-DT, WB55 and the widescreen version, or digital version of WB55) is too much for their transmission facility between Orlando and Mobile. They have said that they have a solution for the problem, but they haven't installed it yet.

I sent out my bi-weekly emails to WALA(FOX) and WKRG(CBS) along with comcast about High Def and go this reply from the Jim , comcast was worthless as usual and WALA never replies.

"Very soon, fiber is being installed and equipment ordered. Best guess three to five weeks.

Regards,

Jim Richardson, Chief Engineer

WKRG-TV 5, WKRG-DT 27

555 Broadcast Dr.

Mobile, AL 36606

(251)662-2975

(251)662-2911 FAX

jrichardson@wkrg.com

ARS K4VW "

Anyone have any problems with the USC/ND game, my NBC on comcast was a little blocky at times, the race looks pretty bad too at times.

Oh, the irony of it all...
Comcast had a actual HD commerical on WKRG-DT last night. Really clear OTA. :D

Edited:

Well, it appears NBC is the problem, not Comcast, from the comments here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=592037)

what antenna are you west mobilians using, i am past the airport on snow road in wedgefield.


Thanks.

I just heard back from Emmis and they basically told me not to hold by breath for WALA FOX 10 on Comcast any time soon. They did say Emmis just announced it's sale of WALA so maybe the new owners will reconsider.

I'm using a Winegard Sensar II tied in with Dish Network and Voom. I'm at Snow and Airport also. Only channel i have a problem with is Fox, football and Nascar. Baseball games have been pretty good about no pixelation or sound lockups.

I just heard back from Emmis and they basically told me not to hold by breath for WALA FOX 10 on Comcast any time soon. They did say Emmis just announced it's sale of WALA so maybe the new owners will reconsider.

From the EMMIS website:


As announced by Emmis on Aug. 22, LIN TV Corp (NYSE: TVL) has signed an agreement to purchase WALA-TV (Ch. 10, Fox affiliate) and WBPG-TV (Ch. 55, WB affiliate) in Mobile, Ala./Pensacola, Fla.; WTHI-TV (Ch. 10, CBS affiliate) in Terre Haute, Ind.; WLUK-TV (Ch. 11, Fox affiliate) in Green Bay, Wis.; and KRQE-TV (Ch. 13, CBS affiliate) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, plus regional satellite stations. The sale price for the five stations is $260 million.

I've done a cpl of installs on snow rd near airport and i've had good success with the antennas direct db4.

what antenna are you west mobilians using, i am past the airport on snow road in wedgefield.

I live in Augusta near Dawes and Jeff Hamilton, and I use an 80" antenna from Radio Shack, model VU-90XR. I pair that up with an amplifier that I also got from Radio Shack. I have the antenna setup in my attic pointed just a few degrees south of east, and the setup has worked great for two years running. I have a buddy who lives in Dawes Lake Estates and he went with an identical setup to mine – no problems on his end either. Here's a link to an amp on Radio Shack’s website which looks identical to mine: Radio Shack High-Gain Signal Amp (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&category_name=CTLG_003_001_003_001&product_id=15-2507).

WKRG-DT (again!)

I've been having problems with WKRG-DT since Hurricane Katrina. About two weeks ago, I tweaked my antenna about 10 degrees and had acceptable reception for a week. Now, I'm back to 0 on the 0-100 scale. All other stations (9,17,31,34,45,47) are 100+. Anyone else experiencing problems-- particularly in the vicinity of the Pensacola airport.

I am kinda near the Pensacola airport but not too close, maybe 5 miles. but my house is in the direct flightpath of incoming planes so i do get some problems when they fly over but i'm just using a terk hdtvi indoor antenna. the only thing i don't receive is fox. i'm actually looking at getting an outdoor antenna so i can get everything. i've been to antennaweb and titantv and they recommend the gs-2000 from winegard. i'm mostly 14-28 miles from the transmitters. the only exception is fox, which is 37 miles away. it's also the only one that is vhf. what are you guys using for the best results?

No problems beachrez here in Marcus Pointe. Watched CSI in HD last night. Not sure what your problem is. I would keep messing with your antenna.

colbsullivan, I also use the terk hdtvi indoor antenna. I've been living without FOX now for a little while and am interested what people think would be a good setup for the attic. I'm worried that I'll buy an antenna, do all the installation which would be a pain and then find out I still don't get Fox good. So many people complain about WALA.

yeah i'm in the same boat. i don't mind having to move the indoor antenna around a little bit but i would like the convience of an outdoor antenna so i wouldn't have to adjust it and all that. i feel the same though, i don't wanna spend the money and do all the work just to not get fox again. titantv says it should be coming in "excellent" with a winegard gs-2000 and antennaweb says i would need a medium directional antenna with preamp to get it. i guess the main problem is it's vhf. does anyone in the area get wala?

Looks like WKRG is finally on comcast HD, just noticed they added channel 182 and it didn't have a label, clicked on it and am watching the CBS local news. Guess the guy at WKRG was tellin the truth. I hope they have HD programming going soon tonite, guess it would probably be to good to be true to actually watch threshold in HD toniute.

for people in the pensacola area, do you know if cox cable is planning on getting more local hd channel any time soon? what's up with only offering nbc?

Try contacting the local station via email, thats been my best result. I'm sure cox just gives generic answers like comcast.

Do you guys with OTA HD signals get the flickers of snow every now and then on like half the screen along with the whole screen going snowy for like 2 seconds at times or is that a Comcast deal? Its not bad or annoying really just wondering if its an all around bug or a comcast bug.

does anyone in the area get wala?

I get WALA fine. I'm just off of Blue Angel and Lillian. I use an outdoor antenna that I bought at Home Depot. It's just a standard roof antenna and picks up VHF as well as UHF. I have it up about 15-20 feet from the ground. I get all of the local HD channels as well as a PBS channel over in Mobile. (This is in addition to WSRE)

Anyway, I got the whole setup, Antenna, Cable, hardware, for under $100.

The only drawback to an outdoor antenna is taking it down for every hurricane.

Steve

thanks for the info. did anyone watch the bama/tennessee game on wkrg in hd? normally it comes in fine but it kept dropping off and on sunday it would even go out for several minutes but the signal strengh looked good.

thanks for the info. did anyone watch the bama/tennessee game on wkrg in hd? normally it comes in fine but it kept dropping off and on sunday it would even go out for several minutes but the signal strengh looked good.
Watched entire Bama/Tenn game Saturday with antenna. Perfect HD reception except about 20 seconds of black screen "No Signal" in 3rd quarter.

I watched on Comcast WKRG-DT and at times it had some slight "macro-blocking" i think is what everyone called it like NBC has during ND games. Might just be that WKRG is newly up and running on comcast.

Guys,

I just wanted to throw this out there. My company is growing pretty fast and i need more workers to keep up with the business in our area (baldwin and mobile county.) If you or someone you know might be interested in joining full time or part time as an installer or technician i'd love to talk to you or that person.

Please email me at daniel@absolutehometheater.net

Thanks,
Daniel

What is the status of 10-2, the WB 55 channel? I show it with 93 per cent signal strength, but most of the time get no signal. I checked it this morning, and the signal was coming through fine. Have others had a similar experience?

I have only had my Panny plasma about three weeks and am trying to get all my local digital channnels nailed down.

What is the status of 10-2, the WB 55 channel? I show it with 93 per cent signal strength, but most of the time get no signal. I checked it this morning, and the signal was coming through fine. Have others had a similar experience?

I have only had my Panny plasma about three weeks and am trying to get all my local digital channnels nailed down.
Dear Fellow Lawyer: Call Mobile Bar Association for my number. I will be glad to explain the 10-2 WB 55 situation.

can you explain the wb 55 situation here? i would like to know as well

What is the status of 10-2, the WB 55 channel? I show it with 93 per cent signal strength, but most of the time get no signal. I checked it this morning, and the signal was coming through fine. Have others had a similar experience?

I have only had my Panny plasma about three weeks and am trying to get all my local digital channnels nailed down.

See my post entitled "WALA-DT" on previous page. WALA-DT frequently turns WB55 (10-2) off during sports such as football games or World Series so we can watch 10-1 in a decent fashion. If they don't do that, 10-1 is a mess and it is almost unwatchable.

Does anybody here have news on when Cox will get Fox, ABC, and CBS in Destin? I'm purchasing a plasma TV soon but I'm tempted to hold off until more channels are available.

See my post entitled "WALA-DT" on previous page. WALA-DT frequently turns WB55 (10-2) off during sports such as football games or World Series so we can watch 10-1 in a decent fashion. If they don't do that, 10-1 is a mess and it is almost unwatchable.

Maybe that's why I did not get a signal due to the World Series game being telecast last night on WALA.

When it is turned on, does this channel support any of the WB's high def programming? I would sure love to enjoy this year's new Smallville episodes in wide- screen high def, but have not been able to receive so far.

I do notice that last year's Smallville episodes are being broadcast on one of the Directv high def offerings, HDNet, if memory serves me correctly.

WB55 (10-2) broadcasts wide-screen but standard definition. A digital broadcast channel (channel 9 in this case) doesn't have enough bandwidth for more than one high definition broadcast at a time. They can do one HD channel along with some low bandwidth SD material like 15-1 and 15-2 or 5-1 and 5-2.

Would someone be kind enough to point me to a post or a link which lists the Mobile/Pensacola market stations which are currently broadcasting HDTV and on what channels? Thanks.

i know there are links that someone can post, but in the meantime these are the ones i know.

ABC 3.1 (Digital 17)
ABC 3.2 (Crappy subchannel)
CBS 5.1 (Digital 27)
CBS 5.2 (Crappy subchannel)
NBC 15.1 (Digital 45, i think i get it and 44 confused sometimes.)
NBC 15.2 (Nice Weather channel.)
UPN 44.1 (Digital 47)
Fox 10.1 (Digital 9)
WB 10.2 (Digital 9)
Bama PBS 42.1 (Not sure what digital # it is, i think 41.)
FLA PBS 23.1 (Not sure of the digital.)
Religious (not sure where it's located other than in the 30's.)

Robert I think this is what you want.

http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/Issues/digitaltv/DTVstations.asp

thanks, folks.

Anyone know which game is on cbs at 12? I want to watch the raiders/tenn game and have it set to record it on sunday ticket and To Be Announced on my tivo 5.1 channel, but i'd like to record a different game as well if the raiders/tenn game is showing locally.

Thanks,
Daniel

(snip)
NBC 15.1 (Digital 45, i think i get it and 44 confused sometimes.)
NBC 15.2 (Nice Weather channel.)
UPN 44.1 (Digital 47)
(snip)
FLA PBS 23.1 (Not sure of the digital.)
(snip)


Slight error, it should be:

NBC 15.1 (DTV 47)
UPN 44.1 (DTV 45)

FLA PBS 23.1 (DTV 31)

Does anyone EVER get the CBS NFL game in HD? If not, WHY NOT? :mad:

I'm watching the packers and steelers play right now in HD on WKRG.

looks good on my end...

Not all games are HD. Usually only like 2 of the 4 games CBS has in a time slot are HD. For instance, today, the first game (noon) in our area was not one of the ones being broadcast in HD, but the second one (Packers/Steelers) was.

Thanks for the replys.

I just got my HD set this weekend, and WEAR was coming across on 3-1 and 3-2.

I come home today and its now on 17-1 and 17-2. I just about freaked when I couldn't tune into ABC because I was looking forward to seeing MNF in HD.

At least I found it...

Any thoughts?

My guys just finished an install and i went to fine tune it and they're getting wear as 17-1 and 17-2 as well, strong but mapping wrong. I haven't checked my hd tivo yet.

As an aside we installed a Sharp 45" 1080p lcd and it was beautiful. I couldn't believe how deep the blacks were. I'd have to see it next to my tantus 46" samsung dlp, but it definately had deeper blacks. Also, ran hdmi to the tv and got audio as well, granted normally they will use their surround system, but it's cool to see hdmi completely in action.

oh yeh, talk about make teaching a customer where their hd antenna channels are difficult when abc is at fricking 17-1... :)

Now WEAR is back on 3-1 and 3-2.

Great...

Now WEAR is back on 3-1 and 3-2.

Great...

Just to clear this up. WEAR-HD always broadcasts on the 17-1 and 17-2 frequency. The data in the stream should have coding in it to tell your receiver that it is mapped to channel 3-1 and 3-2. It has to do with the physical broadcast frequency versus the mapped channel number. The same goes for WKRG-HD. The HD signal broadcasts on frequency 27-1 and 27-2 while the logical channel assignment is 5.1 and 5.2. This holds true for all of the HD/Digital broadcasts.

To see it all broken out for this area go to http://www.antennaweb.org and look up your zip code. The frequency assignment is listed in the last column while the mapped channel number is listed in the 4'th column.

The reason they do this is that their assigned frequency is currently being used by their analog channel and will be going away once the federal switch is completed. However, the channel number that everyone recognizes them as will not change. Nobody knows who channel 17 is but everyone knows who channel 3 is...

Steve

I've got a multi-part question for everyone.
1)Who is your content provider: D*, E*, Cox, etc?
2)Are you satisfied with a)quantity of HD programming, b)video quality of HD, c)video quality of SD?

The reason I ask is that I have Cox HD and am generally pleased with the quality of the HD video (NBC aside). BUT, their SD material is horrible (barely watchable) since the vast majority of the SD channels are analog. Add their refusal or inability to add the other networks in HD leaves me very frustrated. I am unable to pick up the locals OTA w/o putting up an outdoor antennae which the fiance has nixed (at least I don't think I can - willing to listen to suggestions). And none of this includes the issues with the 8300 recorder.

So I was thinking of changing from Cox to either D* and E*. I know I will be giving up NBC-HD with either selection but was thinking that the digital SD broadcast of the locals and basic cable stations would be better than the analog broadcasts on Cox especially if the HD quality was comparable to that from Cox.

Any suggestions?

I have directv and am happy with their hd programming, their picture quality and the quality of "most" of the sd programming. I am watching this on a 46" samsung dlp. I have customers who have dish and they are satisfied with them for hd as well, though i personally like directv more (primarily for nfl sunday ticket as well as the new satellites that are up and getting close to adding more hd channels.)

I can't speak for cox, but mediacom has terrible sd broadcasts. The box they use just makes sd look awful. Their traditional digital non hd boxes actually do a much better job with sd. I'm willing to guess cox uses the same equipment, but i could be wrong.

I'd recommend going with directv or dish and putting up an antenna for ota. A db2 or db4 antenna from antennas direct does very well in mobile/baldwin county, however not sure if how it does in pensacola. I only mention it because it has a very small footprint. Another idea is to put an antenna in your attic. This way it's hidden and has high WAF. You will reduce your signal strength but i'm willing to bet you'll pull in at least a cpl stations. Members in your area can tell you more about this.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

Bailiff,
As Daniel said, 17 is the actual channel that your receiver is tuned to. As a conveniance, the DTV receiver can "map" a channel signal to a different number. This is so your receiver will translate a command from your remote for "3" as "3 = tune to WEAR-ABC on channel 17". It knows that "3" translates to "Channel 17" because of information in a bit stream (call the PSIP) from channel 17. But if something was not just right in the last PSIP received from channel 17, the receiver doesn't have the channel remapping info and won't respond to "3" any more. So then you tune channel 17, it gets the PSIP with the signal and now have the remapping info correct and "3" magically works again.

A fix? Well, tuning the actual channel will ALWAYS work. I'm so used to this, I almost alway punch in 17 for WEAR-3, 27 for WKRG-5, 47 for WMPI-15, 31 for WSRE-23, etc. 3,5, 15 all work on my tuner (an ancient Samsung SIR-150 that's about 3 year old), I'm just so used to using the actual channel numbers.

jello212,
I'm using E*, HD is very good, SD is ok, and locals are all SD. I don't have the second dish necessary for CBS-HD and the VOOM-HD lineup, using E* Superdish antenna. Outside antenna for local HD OTA (I'm in Fort Walton). I suggest you check the HD Programming forum here to see how E* and D*compare if you're considering sat.

Thanks Rick and Cinder. While it would certainly be nice to have the locals in HD, I would settle for high quality SD. Like I said, the analog transmissions from Cox look horrible on my Samsung DLP.

I can currently pickup abc, cbs, fox, wjtc, wsre etc with a terk hdtvi indoor antenna. However, the signal can vary a lot in and out. Sometimes it's great, others it's non-existent almost.

Anyway, I'm wanting to put up an outdoor antenna to pull in these channels better (more consistent) and hopefully to pull in our lone vhf channels (fox,wb). I'm soliciting advice on what everyone is using in Pensacola and what your success has been pulling in fox. I live just north of I-10 off of Scenic Hwy (East Pensacola) if that helps. Hopefully, there is someone out there near this area with success.

I'm hoping I do not need to put up anything too huge, but whatever it takes I guess. I was looking at the winegard square shooter (not so bad looking) ss-2000 or their sensaur gs-2200. I think directv actully uses the sensaur when you order an OTA antenna. I'm leaning toward the ss for it's looks, but I have no idea if it will work.

I have pleny of attic space, but outdoor would probably be better for the install. Also, I plan on running it through my directv satellite wiring using diplexers and such. Any advice on this is appreciated too.

Thx.

The SS will not get FOX [vhf]. Get a DB2 or DB4.

Wondering if anyone here (Mobile/Pensacola Area) has tried to get the distant hd locals (LA/NY) from Directv. I assume we wouldn't qualify without getting a waiver from the local stations, but I'm just wondering how many have been down this road recently.

I assume most of you know what I mean if you've been through this, but I can explain further if needed.

Thx.

Running a DB4 in the attic connected to a Sony 34"XS955 super fine pitch direct view CRT. (Have the Panny 77S HDMI DVD upconverted to 1080i) I can get all local channels except channel 44 digital. Don't know why? I live in the Springhill area.

I'm soliciting advice on what everyone is using in Pensacola and what your success has been pulling in fox. I live just north of I-10 off of Scenic Hwy (East Pensacola) if that helps. Hopefully, there is someone out there near this area with success.
Thx.

I'm running a standard TV Pole antenna and live just off Blue Angel near 98. It's up about 15' or so and I pull in all of the local HD/SD channels at 100% on my receiver. (Even Fox) I bought mine down at Home Depot and the whole setup ran under $100.

Steve

I've got a multi-part question for everyone.
1)Who is your content provider: D*, E*, Cox, etc?
2)Are you satisfied with a)quantity of HD programming, b)video quality of HD, c)video quality of SD?

Any suggestions?


When I got my 50" DPL is was stunned at how bad SD looked on Dish. I switched to Directv and saw very little if any improvement. Sometimes it reminds me internet streaming video. Botchy and always fuzzy. There may be other reasons to change to Directv but improving your SD PQ is definitely not one of them.

And regarding the future Mrs. Jello, you need to put your foot down on the antenna issue. It's a must. How can one pass on getting 3 to 4 major networks in HD because the antenna will detract from the asthetics of the house (which I assume is her concern). Priorities man! Priorities! :D Wait till she sees Desperate Housewifes in HD! She'll never want to go back. :)

Wondering if anyone here (Mobile/Pensacola Area) has tried to get the distant hd locals (LA/NY) from Directv. I assume we wouldn't qualify without getting a waiver from the local stations, but I'm just wondering how many have been down this road recently.

I assume most of you know what I mean if you've been through this, but I can explain further if needed.

Thx.


I live far enough away (~60 miles from towers) that WKRG and WALA granted me a waiver. But even at that distance WPMI and WEAR did not. I can't imagine any of these stations granting a waiver if you live in Pensacola. Why don't you just use an antenna? WALA will be the only station you'll struggle to receive.

I live in East Navarre and recently purchased a Radio Shack 190 mile range VHF/UHF antenna with a HD Amplifier. I already had a remote controlled rotor. I can get ABC 3.1, CBS 5.1, FOX 10.1, NBC 15.1, PBS 23.1, and UPN 44.1 all in HD. PBS 42.1 doesn't come in that well, but 23.1 suffices. I am disappointed with DirecTV's HD package, it's kind of expensive considering the limited number of channels. I enjoy WSRE 23.1 HD almost as much as Discovery HD. The Radio Shack antenna was $99.xx and 190 mile range VHF, while Lowes sells a 100 mile range for the same price. One needs to get a rotor to get all the local HD broadcasts, as well as SD broadcasts. A few days ago, I searched for new channels and picked up two stations out of Mississippi--Gulfport, and Pascagoula. Ch 13 I believe. If I pointed the antenna to the East, 13 would be Panama City.

I was granted a waiver from FOX Ch 10 allowing me to receive Ch 88 via DirecTV, or Fox NYC, even though I can get FOX 10.1 with my OTA w/rotor and HD amp.-- most of the time, but not all the time.

Hi there. Is anybody in Gulf Breeze having any success getting OTA locals in HD? If you are, can you tell me what equipment you are using and which channels you're getting?

Thanks.

The SS will not get FOX [vhf].
Mine does. I know it shouldn't. But it does, at least when hooked up to the little signal amplifier. Works better than ye olde (and much larger) outdoor antenna. Honest. Seems bizarre, but it's true.

When we used to install the SS it got fox in about 70% of the installs, mine of course wasn't one of them. Now that we are using the DB4 we get fox in about 90% of our installs (again this antenna should not get fox well either.) Antenna reception is a strange and evil beast sometimes...

Has anyone checked out the Cox information channel lately. Beginning 15 December we'll be getting WTVY (CBS) and WJHG (NBC) added to our lineup. There are a bunch of other channels being added, but those are the only two new HD channels listed.

Ooops, a friend just pointed out, these channels are for Ft. Walton Beach only...

Steve

The FCC should let cable air the network station that cost the least, whether its local or not. Then the networks would have to bid for a cable company to carry it. What a great idea!

I am currently using a 42XG and get everything but Fox. I live off Olive road between Davis and Scenic. Would a DB4 be able to get Fox you think? Also I angled the antenna up a little but I heard that you get maximum gain if it's parallel to the ground. Is this true?

My DB4 gets Fox good but the SS would not. russdog is getting Fox with his SS....go figure.

Has anyone else lost WEAR's signal ? I'm getting a 75-80 signal strengh but no picture . :mad: Can't watch MNF in HD ! :eek:

I'm getting chan 3 at full scale at 57 miles. This past weekend a friend said he lost 3 but was getting all other channels OK. Said 3 is usually his strongest station. Go figure.

Tune in to channel 17. For some reason my channel (3) wasn't working on my box but then I typed 17 on the remote and it came in fine.

argh 3-1 went away and started mapping to 17-1 again, desperate housewives didn't record and i had to rescan to pickup 17-1... i email joe smith so hopefully this is resolved by wednesday so that those with hd tivo's and those that have customers who have hd tivo's don't have to redo season passes...

Thought i'd throw out a new antenna idea. We've been using the db4 primarily in baldwin and mobile county, however we hit an install we couldn't get to work.

It was a house in montrose (between daphne and fairhope for those interested) very wooded area. They had a stealthtenna that didn't work, so we swapped it out for a db2. Worked great, then the wind came and the trees blew and signal fell off. So we switched to a db4, would not work through the trees. We switched to a cm 4228 (this guy is big, we were going to try a db8 but they were out of stock and it was a football emergency.) Again this big bastard wouldn't go through their big oak trees. In desperation i overnighted a new square shooter, the ss 3000. It's actually more like a wand, but retains the SS model with the new 3000 number. One of my installers was out on a job with our ladder so we had to get this antenna working somehow. Their roof is 26' up so my installer decided to throw it in the attic for the weekend and hope it worked. well this little thing pulled in every station rock solid at 90-96% and it's steady. Couldn't believe it, it's overpriced for an antenna (i think it's 150 retail) but it really worked. So while i'll stick with db4's since they usually work and are much more reasonable i'm going to keep one of these suckers in stock for an emergency. Sorry about the rambling words, but this excited me.

As an aside, if any AVSers are looking for some home theater gear for christmas i always give a good discount to fellow members. If you are a DIY type of guy i give an even bigger discount to just deliver gear. Also if anyone happens to be looking for some Lexicon gear or some high end speakers by James Loudspeakers i'm looking to move some inventory before the end of the year and will do them at a very nice price. Shoot me a pm or email me at daniel@absolutehometheater.net

Thanks,
Daniel
(One final aside, this is definately not an advertising spiel, we are doing quite well. I just love to try to help those in the know and teach fellow a/v nuts about gear i run across and get to enjoy that you may not have heard of.)

Has anyone else lost WEAR's signal ? I'm getting a 75-80 signal strengh but no picture . :mad: Can't watch MNF in HD ! :eek:

I noticed that I got nothing but a black screen for 3-1 and 3-2 yesterday morning, however, the signal was perfect for last night's Monday Night Football. Go figure.

What's up with UPN? They don't seem to be in HD anymore...

Hey all:
Cinder linked me to this thread, and I've just spent the entire afternoon and evening working my way through it. It appears from reading this that there has been little movement in getting the majority of local stations in HD on Cox cable.

I had been waiting and putting off getting an HD set until I could get the locals on cable in HD. This fall I realized that the next ice age may start first, so I got an incredible deal on a 50" DLP set. (Note: if I even meet the engineers at TI who came up with DLP technology I'll kiss their feet. That it works at all is impressive; the fact that it works as well as it does is something of a miracle.)

Have any of you heard anything on movement in the last few months. Unless there has been something (which I doubt) I am going to have to do something to get OTA broadcasts.

What's up with UPN? They don't seem to be in HD anymore...

I don't watch Channel 44.1 much, but I noticed the other day that a show running in wide screen did not appear to be in high def. It seemed similar to the WB station. 10-2, in that regard.

yeah i recorded veronica mars on upn and it wasn't hd. i was pissed. also, i'm pretty sure the channel number changed 712 to 714 in the pensacola area. don't know if that has anything to do with it. i checked it OTA and it wasn't hd either.

I emailed the station but have received no reply. Veronica used to be one of the best looking shows in hd, i bragged about it the other day to a customer and now no hd. I hate chris is great in hd as well.

I am in Gautier, MS just west of Pascagoula. I just got my Panasonic 44 in. on the 1299 deal from circuit city. Bought a radio shack VU-120 XR ran a line out of my door to the TV, set the antenna on top of my little girls swingset and aimed toward Mobile, AL.

I am getting every station listed on antennaweborg for the mobile area including Pensecola stations at anywhere from 60-90% strength. I am so shocked. Thought for sure being 50-70 miles from those towers I would not get crap.

Man this is cool. DTV coming to install my HR10-250 Saturday. Cant wait.

Now all I have to do is talk the installer into putting up my antenna insted of the crappy clip on from DTV. I have a feeling it wont pick up anything.

this is not really an hdtv question but does anyone know if cox is using sara or passport software in the pensacola area? i have an 8300hd, anyone know how to find this info on the box itself?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=586837

Hey all:
Cinder linked me to this thread, and I've just spent the entire afternoon and evening working my way through it. It appears from reading this that there has been little movement in getting the majority of local stations in HD on Cox cable.

Have any of you heard anything on movement in the last few months. Unless there has been something (which I doubt) I am going to have to do something to get OTA broadcasts.

I emailed the Cox customer support team a couple weeks ago and asked if they were getting any more local HD Channels (ABC, CBS, Fox) in the Pensacola area, and this was the response they sent me:

"At this time those local networks are not allowing us to have the HD feed of their channels. We are adding CBS to our HD lineup later this year. We hope to add others in the very near future."

I think that "not allowing" actually means "asking too much money for." We shall see...

Fox and WB out. My TV says poor signal quality but the signal reads over 80. I am getting no picture or sound.

ok here.

I emailed the Cox customer support team a couple weeks ago and asked if they were getting any more local HD Channels (ABC, CBS, Fox) in the Pensacola area, and this was the response they sent me:

"At this time those local networks are not allowing us to have the HD feed of their channels. We are adding CBS to our HD lineup later this year. We hope to add others in the very near future."

I think that "not allowing" actually means "asking too much money for." We shall see...

I think that CBS is coming to FWB (?) later in December, but not Pensacola. I wish there was somebody who could do something about this, but there doesnt appear to be anybody willing to do anything.

I would have though that the HD makers would start to put the screws to the signal providers to ensure a good flow of HD content, but they don't appear to be doing it. I hate to say it, but there are quite a few purchasers who, after they bring their HD sets home, tell everybody they know "Don't buy one; there isn't anything to watch on it."

I still have no guide data on my OTA WB 55 (10.2) after two days. All guide data is on the other stations. Anyone else have this? Are any of the main primetime shows on 10.2 in HD?

I receive guide data on my hd tivo on wb. I believe smallville used to be shown in 480p/wide picture quality, not sure if they still do that.

Talked to the engineer at UPN and their HD decoder blew two weeks ago. They are installing a new one and expect to be operational by this coming Monday.

I still have no guide data on my OTA WB 55 (10.2) after two days. All guide data is on the other stations. Anyone else have this? Are any of the main primetime shows on 10.2 in HD?

I too have the HR10-250 DVR and it usually shows Regular Schedule or something like that on 10-2. I also have the DirecTV local channels and WB on standard channel 55 is much beter quality than 10-2.

Fox is trying hard to broadcast both Fox and WB on the same channel and have managed to screw them both up.

Probably not what you wanted to hear.......

J C

I am too far away to get 55 OTA. And I am out of the Mobile DMA. I am still receving Baton Rouge WB so I guess I will set shows up there. (I used to live in BR and they never turned them off)

Anyone have any idea when WB55 (10-2) will start broadcasting in HD?

1. FOX10 and WB55 have been sold (or are in the process of being sold). See previous posts in this forum.

2. There is no indication in the FCC files that WBPG (WB55) has ever applied for a license to operate a digital station.

Therefore, the answer to your question (in my opinion), is that it will be many years before WB55 appears in HD. While they can broadcast an HD channel and a widescreen SD channel simultaneously, they don't have the bandwidth for two HD signals on a single channel. FOX10 has the larger viewing audience so it will be the HD channel.

Greetings:

Spoke with Mr. Fields yesterday @ Fox and he said that the sale of Emmis was complete.
Plans are to move the "Master Control" back to Mobile from Orlando.
Additional equipment will be needed to do this and expect a completion date around March.
He believes that a solid signal will be broadcast at that time, Fox HD & WB ws SD.

Also concerning HD on WB he said that the only way for that to happen is for WB to pick up a digital channel when the Analog is dropped in '09.

J C

Greetings:

Spoke with Mr. Fields yesterday @ Fox ... concerning HD on WB he said that the only way for that to happen is for WB to pick up a digital channel when the Analog is dropped in '09.

J C

Disappointing to hear. I wish Smallville was available in HD. Guess I will be relegated to watching it in HD on HDNet (a season after the original broadcast).

I just found out about a new local TV station WFBD-DT channel 48. Can anyone pick up this station? What are they broadcasting? Since they are a digitial only station, shouldn't that give them must carry rights on cable? Are any cable systems carrying this station?

http://www.uatvn.com/news/index.php?id=146


Urban American Television, serving the underserved African American and hispanic communities.

I've been getting 48-1 OTA for more than a month now. Nothing but paid infomercials and some extremely old movies in 4:3 SD. If you aren't getting this, you haven't missed anything! I don't see that they are serving anyone. The only interesting thing for me is that I it is located 180 degrees away from the Mobile/Pensacola stations and I'm still receiving a strong signal with my antenna pointed 'in the wrong direction'.

But shouldn't this station get must carry status on cable? They've apparentyly been on the air for over a month and I don't see any evidence that any cable system in the Pensacola-FWB area is carying them

I've been getting 48-1 OTA for more than a month now. .... The only interesting thing for me is that I it is located 180 degrees away from the Mobile/Pensacola stations and I'm still receiving a strong signal with my antenna pointed 'in the wrong direction'.

What's more interesting is where (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1082005.html) the tower is located. Not where you expect :)

WFBD did choose a strange location for their tower, in the south east corner of Escambia county Alabama. This is near the previous sight of 98.1 FM, but I have heard that the old FM tower was unusable, so WFBD buiit a new tower. One of Fort Walton's other TV stations, WFGX, has applied to move it's digital tower to the current Pensacola/Mobile tower farm off I-10 in Baldwin County. This makes perfect sense seeing as it gives the station full market coverage. The other two Fort Walton stations, WPAN and WAWD, don't seem to have finalized their DT plans... but if the Baldwin county sight works for WFGX, I don't see any reason they shouldn't try to locate there... thus leaving WFBD out in the sticks with a brand new tall tower.

But shouldn't this station get must carry status on cable? They've apparentyly been on the air for over a month and I don't see any evidence that any cable system in the Pensacola-FWB area is carying them


I believe that Cox has had a notice on their info channel that they will be carrying it as of 15 December.

Steve

But shouldn't this station get must carry status on cable? They've apparentyly been on the air for over a month and I don't see any evidence that any cable system in the Pensacola-FWB area is carying them

Cox has them on 748

Has everyone realized that Alabama vs Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl is going to be on our lovely Fox station? I guess us Bama fans are just screwed in trying to watch this game in HD.

Has everyone realized that Alabama vs Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl is going to be on our lovely Fox station? I guess us Bama fans are just screwed in trying to watch this game in HD.

You should be able to get it just fine OTA. Fox 10 commonly transmits pro games in hd, so I would think the telecast should come through just fine.

Originally Posted by mobilelawyer
You should be able to get it just fine OTA. Fox 10 commonly transmits pro games in hd, so I would think the telecast should come through just fine.
You would think so, but even though 10.1 broadcasts in HD and you receive full signal strength, the broadcast quality can be pathetic if WALA doesn't choose to turn off the 10.2 broadcast which eats up their available bandwidth. The Redskins-Cowboys game in HD last weekend had WAY too many breakups...it was almost unwatchable (except for us 'Skins fans :D ).

I talked to the engineer at WALA this week, and it doesn't look good. They may have a fix in the works by February, or maybe not. He just doesn't know. I also asked them if they could just make it policy to turn off 10.2 during 10.1 HD broadcasts, and he said that wasn't his call.

I also shot off an e-mail to the station manager trying to plead the case or at least make an agreement to grant waivers to satellite subscribers to pick up the national FOX HD channels until this situation is resolved. I'll be surprised if I get a response, but I'll post anything that I do receive.

Informative but disappointing news.

I have all national HD channels [D*] and the PQ is the same as my OTA, but there is no break-ups on Fox ch: 87 or 88.

Anyone know why none of the Mobile Affilliates broadcast their HD programs in 5.1? I thought that was standard with HD.

I have all national HD channels [D*] and the PQ is the same as my OTA, but there is no break-ups on Fox ch: 87 or 88.
Where do you live? I live in West Mobile near the airport, and I just assume that there's no way that any of the locals would grant me a waiver. The only reason I'd want one is to avoid the breakups on Fox. Luckily OTA comes in just fine for me (except for the previously discussed issues with 10.1).

Anyone know why none of the Mobile Affilliates broadcast their HD programs in 5.1? I thought that was standard with HD.
I get WKRG 5.1 in 5.1.

I bet he is out of the Mobile DMA like I am (Miss Gulf Coast)

I get WKRG 5.1 in 5.1.
What programs? I watched a recorded Alias last night and no 5.1. CSI's same deal.

"I have all national HD channels [D*] and the PQ is the same as my OTA, but there is no break-ups on Fox ch: 87 or 88.

__________________
Bobby Ray "


If you are with DirectTV, the PQ is not the same. Direct broadcast HD in HD Lite, which is 1280x1080i, instead of 1920x1080i. Much less quality. The signal is more consistant, which avoids pixalation, but the intent of quality is much less.

Well Jerry I tell you what you can do. Come over to my house and see for yourself. There is "NOT A DIME WORTH OF DIFFERENCE" in the PQ. Do you believe in your wildest dream that WALA is broadcasting full BW-1920X1080i 19.3mb? Not a chance. They never have and never will.

What programs? I watched a recorded Alias last night and no 5.1. CSI's same deal.
WKRG-DT always broadcasts in 5.1 - at least that is what is indicated on my receiver. WALA-DT is in two channel, and WPMI is in two-channel (sometimes 3), but WEAR, WKRG, and WLOX always come in 5.1 for me regardless of what program they are broadcasting.

Sunday football looks beter on WALA Fox than on WKRG CBS. Other than the sound going out three or four times in the game and the pixalation that I get on both stations.

I guess it just depends on where you are. I think CBS' HD quality is superior to FOX's, especially on NFL broadcasts, and I never have any pixelation or sound issues on CBS, whereas the sound on FOX will cut out at least once every minute or 2 and usually more, and that's with full signal strength reception.

I guess it just depends on where you are. I think CBS' HD quality is superior to FOX's, especially on NFL broadcasts, and I never have any pixelation or sound issues on CBS, whereas the sound on FOX will cut out at least once every minute or 2 and usually more, and that's with full signal strength reception.

CBS HD audio and video are superior to anything out there today..............

J C

WALA has turned of 10.2 so for the Bears-Packers game this afternoon...it's a Christmas miracle!!!

WALA, WPMI, WEAR and WKRG broadcast in 5.1 with KRG and ALA being the best and EAR being the worst. Get them OTA. The Cotton Bowl WON'T be HD because FOX is not using HD cameras at the game. Kinda crappy for their only bowl game broadcast.

Update, Update! Fox has announced the Cotton Bowl WILL be HD! Happy New Year!

With Comcast Basic package if I connected a QAM tuner to the cable is there any Digital channels being broadcast "in the clear" that does not require a Digital Package to receive?

Thanks J C

Yes J.C. My tv has a tuner built in and I received WPMI, PBS and some movie and other channels free. No ESPN though.

:eek: What programs? I watched a recorded Alias last night and no 5.1. CSI's same deal.


I purchased the HR10-250 on July 4 from Circuit City in Ft Walton Bch. I have never heard of the update to increase the HD size in the HR10-250. Where can one upgrade the HD to 550 GB and how much does the upgrade cost?

Tom I sent you a PM.

Does anybody know if WEAR is gonna broadcast the Fiesta Bowl in HD?

Thanks

I dont see any reason why they wouldnt. Its broadcast in HD.

hey all,


i live off olive road in pensacola and have a 42XG from antennas direct. the only major channel i can't get is fox. antennas direct recommended the 42xg and i knew it wasn't vhf but i got it anyway. i thought about switching to a db4 but don't know if that will pull in fox either. should i try to the db4 or would i be better getting a uhf/vhf antenna like the V21?

http://www.antennasdirect.com/V21_vhf_antenna.html

I'm not familiar with your area however i have installed the 42xg and the db4 many times. In almost all situations that i've run into, if you can't get fox with the 42xg you most likely won't get it with a db4. I can't get fox myself, though most of my customers can. I've installed one DB8 and it pulled in fox where the db4 wouldn't, but again i'm not sure about your specific area. You may want to talk to antennas direct and see if they'll let you test one, i believe they have a 30 day return policy.

I get Fox with a DB4, I'm about 26 miles from the antenna farm. DB8 would be better if you are going to try this type antenna.

What is up with WEAR's audio dropouts during the Orange Bowl? Anybody else having the same problem?

Yeah, I am hearing, or not hearing, it here (shalimar) and it is very annoying. I just switched to the audio from my cable box. It's not quite in sync with the play or in 5.1 but at least it isn't droping in and out.

Great, now we lost the HD feed. Nice job.

Yes, great job wear :( :mad:

They better staighten this out before tomorrows game.

Yeah, I'm on Comcast and I've gone from HD with no sound to reg def with sidebars and sound. I dunno if NBC or ABC sux more.

No HD Orange Bowl; not good.

with the black bars. It certainly looks better than the SD version to me. Is this some fix WEAR did to account for the sound issues earlier?

It looks better, it's what I've seen em do when Lost HD isn't coming in right. Why they don't have this stuff ready to go for a big game like this I have no idea, it ranks right there with NBC having macroblocking during races and fball games.

Is there any way to raise a stink about this so that TOMORROWS game MIGHT just be shown in HD?

Does D* ever plan on supplying HD locals to Pensacola/Mobile? I know that D's announcement at CES was disappointing, but E* didn't even have Mobile/Pensacola as a potential market for HD Locals.

Does D* ever plan on supplying HD locals to Pensacola/Mobile? I know that D's announcement at CES was disappointing, but E* didn't even have Mobile/Pensacola as a potential market for HD Locals.
Yes in 2007 we are #62 Mobile-Pensacola (Ft Walt)
http://www.nielsenmedia.com/DMAs.html

Is it just me or is anyone else missing WB 10-2?

J C

I couldnt tell you. I took that POS off of my channel list. The PQ was TERRIBLE. So pixelated.

Is it just me or is anyone else missing WB 10-2?

J C

Ain't just you. It has disappeared from my tuner also.

The disappearance of 10-2 is no loss - it's a blessing. JSFord is absolutely right about the PQ, and the issues with HD quality on 10.1 while 10.2 is on the air have been well documented.

The disappearance of 10-2 is no loss - it's a blessing. JSFord is absolutely right about the PQ, and the issues with HD quality on 10.1 while 10.2 is on the air have been well documented.


I agree completely............
Just hope that Fox has decided to have one GOOD channel rather than two crappy ones.

J C

Just received some good news! Cox is adding MTV-HD (yee-haw) and WKRG (about time!) in Pensacola on Monday, the 16th. Unfortunately, no word on ABC or FOX yet. Slowly, but surely!

Looking for some antenna help.

I am ready to put an antenna up, and am considering a few options, and would like some feedback on them.

Well, I live in Niceville, which is as you probably know, about as far away and equidistant as you can get to all the major markets around here, which would be P-Cola, and Panama City, and possibly Dothan. So, obviously I am thinking that height is gonna be needed. I live in a neighborhood that is hilly, and my house is on a hill. Luckily my backyard is on the high end, (the backyard is actually terraced) and that is where I plan on placing the antenna.

The options that I am looking at.

Either a straight pole, hopefully around 40-50 feet, (with guy wires of course) or a triangular set-up, I may have access to a 40' one of those as well.

My concerns.

The biggest one? The wind (hurricanes) we get down here. If I go with a straight pole, I would think that I would need to make it "lowerable", with some kind of pivot near the bottom, and a crank/wire setup to safely lower it once it is un-guy-wired, so that I could somewhat easily lower it in the event of a big one coming in. And as far as a triangular type, I see some around here, many not used/have no antenna, how is everyones experience with these? Can/do they take hurricane strength winds? Or will I need to worry about it crashing into my roof/the neighbors yards? And if triangular is the way to go, are there any companies around here that do the erecting? I know way back in the day (60's, 70's) there were many that did, but with the advent of cable and dishs, they are pretty much extinct.

I will be using a rotor as well, so that will add to the mass at the top, this will probably have an effect on the "lowerable" straight pole setup possibly....

So, what is everybody heres experience, thoughts and recommendations?

Thank you

You could use something like this. May work and then it may not.

WB55 (10-2)

According to the FCC website, the transfer of license of WALA has been approved but that of WBPG has not. There is some interim arrangement in place at this time, but it is possible that at this time WALA doesn't have the legal right to retransmit WB55 (WBPG) on 10-2.

There is also documentation that WBPG has requested channel 25 (or 23 as a second choice) as their digital channel in the post-analog (Feb 17, 2009) period. Up to now, they had never requested a digital channel allocation from what I could see.

I live in Mobile, AL and have a JVC HD-61Z786 (Black) HD-ILA 61" HDTV LCoS Rear Projection TV. HD comes in great on it, but all the other channels are crappy, even the digital channels. On the tv when you switch it too digital cable it gets no signal. Not sure what to do or what to try to do? I'm very new at this. By the way I have comcast cable.

Thanks All!!

You have TV issues. I have no such problem with mine.

Bruce,

You might not need to go so high. I have a friend in Niceville that uses a moderate UHF antenna (Wingard 9032) on his roof. I think he gets the P'cola stations, but I'm sure he gets Dothan and Panama City. His antenna is about 4 feet above his roof peak. I would estimate it to be no higher than 30 feet off the ground. I suggest experimenting before you go to all the trouble and expense of a very elaborate and troublesome tower rig. He does use an amp (with mast mounted preamp) and rotor.

I'll ask him to verify that he gets P'cola.

Is anyone having problems with WPMI? I am picking up ABC,PBS,CBS,UPN, FOX at 95-100. However, NBC is a slide show. I live in Robertsdale and I am using the HD Radio Shack indoor antenna and I have cycled through all positions and gains and have tried different areas. According to antennaweb, I am about 11 miles from the tower. Is it a signal issue or antenna?

I called Cox yesterday to confirm the CBS HD issue on Monday and got a surprise. The lady I talked to said they had just received a memo that they would be adding ABC and CBS HD as of today, Friday. I didn't get a chance to check it out before I left the house this morning but this could make for a good football weekend.... :)


Steve

Bruce,

You might not need to go so high. I have a friend in Niceville that uses a moderate UHF antenna (Wingard 9032) on his roof. I think he gets the P'cola stations, but I'm sure he gets Dothan and Panama City. His antenna is about 4 feet above his roof peak. I would estimate it to be no higher than 30 feet off the ground. I suggest experimenting before you go to all the trouble and expense of a very elaborate and troublesome tower rig. He does use an amp (with mast mounted preamp) and rotor.

I'll ask him to verify that he gets P'cola.

Yea verily, he gets all P'cola but WALA (duh!! ) plus WMBB Panama City and Dothan CBS.

I called Cox yesterday to confirm the CBS HD issue on Monday and got a surprise. The lady I talked to said they had just received a memo that they would be adding ABC and CBS HD as of today, Friday. I didn't get a chance to check it out before I left the house this morning but this could make for a good football weekend.... :)
Steve

Please let it be so. Now if they can just get Fox added, I'll be a happy man.

Yea verily, he gets all P'cola but WALA (duh!! ) plus WMBB Panama City and Dothan CBS.

The thing that needs to be remembered is that WALA broadcasts their signal on the VHF spectrum. Most HD antennas are UHF and receive VHF poorly at best.

Steve

I called Cox yesterday to confirm the CBS HD issue on Monday and got a surprise. The lady I talked to said they had just received a memo that they would be adding ABC and CBS HD as of today, Friday. I didn't get a chance to check it out before I left the house this morning but this could make for a good football weekend.... :)


Steve

Has anyone heard anything about Mediacom in Gulf Breeze adding ABC and CBS HD like Cox ? That would be great, allthough I recieve all channels over-air using a Stealth Antenna and Preamp in the attic.

CBS HD is now on Cox Channel 705 in Pensacola. No sign of ABC yet. It would be nice to have it added by Superbowl Sunday although I will get it on my antenna. I would like to rewind, pause during the superbowl on the cable DVR. Now if only they could get Fox, the only network station I still can't get in HD.

I can confirm what ebuchholz said. Cox added
Wkrg-HD on 705
Wkrg-weather on 717

Acording to their information channel (ch 1 on the box), on monday they add MTV-HD on channel 754. No sign of ABC-HD, though.

I can confirm what ebuchholz said. Cox added
Wkrg-HD on 705
Wkrg-weather on 717

Acording to their information channel (ch 1 on the box) on monday, they add MTV-HD on channel 754. No sign of ABC-HD, though.


It looks like the lady I talked to at Cox was mistaken. Hopefully, ABC is coming soon and she just misread her memo.

Steve

Cox has added WMBB, the ABC affiliate in Panama City. It is carried in Niceville, Destin and Freeport as those communities fall in the Panama City DMA.

Did anyone lose 5-1 yesterday during the indy/pitt game? I had a home show and recorded the game only to get back and see that it didn't record due to there being no signal on 5-1... very annoyed

I watched the game live and did not lose the signal at all.

Did anyone lose 5-1 yesterday during the indy/pitt game? I had a home show and recorded the game only to get back and see that it didn't record due to there being no signal on 5-1... very annoyed

Mine came in just fine.

Must have been an HD Tivo issue, argh. oh well. It showed the that it recorded 5 hours which is what i set it for. Then when i press play, it went immediately to the "do you want to delete" when i said no it went to an error page saying that no signal was detected and had a big error message. Beyond that, i got home around 7 and 5-1 was coming in great live and has a 92% signal strenght... oh well

Rute,
I got an email from someone at ABC (WEAR) and they said that they are not negotiating with cox of Pensacola. WEAR's parent company, Sinclair, is negotiating with Cox to carry all of their stations. When that happens, all Sinclar stations will show up on all cox systems and not until.

I noticed a lot of recurring and severe pixilation and freezing on 42-1 last night, with no adverse weather conditons of any kind. Signal strength seems to be fine, though. Anyone else having reception problem on this channel?

Rute,
I got an email from someone at ABC (WEAR) and they said that they are not negotiating with cox of Pensacola. WEAR's parent company, Sinclair, is negotiating with Cox to carry all of their stations. When that happens, all Sinclar stations will show up on all cox systems and not until.

Thanks. I figured the lady I was talking to at Cox was confusing our ABC channel with the one that just got added for the Ft. Walton area... Oh well, gotta hurry up and wait.....

Steve

Anyone heard any news on WALA broadcasting on Comcast, I emailed them but have gotten a reply. Why in the heck is Wala draggin their feet, this is getting annoying.

Can anyone create and/or post a list of the unencrypted QAM comcast channels in the mobile area?

Please list only the ones you have been able to pick up over your basic analog cable w/ a HDTV PCI card.

Thanks

Can anyone create and/or post a list of the unencrypted QAM comcast channels in the mobile area?

Please list only the ones you have been able to pick up over your basic analog cable w/ a HDTV PCI card.

Thanks

All local HD channels carried by a cable provider are requried, by law, to be unencrypted. Therefore, if Comcast carries the local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, etc in HD, you should be able to receive them with a QAM enabled HD card.

Steve

Thanks for the info about the broadcast channels.

I was mainly looking to see what (if anything) else wasn't encrypted.

Also, what card(s) do you guy's recommend using?

My HTPC (not my main pc) is 1.2 ghz w/ 768 mb ram.

Thanks for the info about the broadcast channels.

I was mainly looking to see what (if anything) else wasn't encrypted.

Also, what card(s) do you guy's recommend using?

My HTPC (not my main pc) is 1.2 ghz w/ 768 mb ram.

Look around in this place.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26

I'm interested in getting HD programming. I'm currently a DTV customer since they do not offer HD locals I’m wondering just how well OTA HD would be in Crestview? Is it possible that the channels would be as clear or clearer than what I’m getting now from DTV or is that a hit or miss thing? For the record, I picked up a HDTV box from Cox on Friday, but I wasn't impressed with their overall digital signal. The HD channels were ok, but the other channels weren't as clear / crisp as DTV so I'm taking the box back Monday. I know DTV doesn't offer local HD channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX) so I requested distanced locals for HD. The CSR said I had a 50/50 chance of getting it approved, if approved I’d get the feed out of New York, he went on to say that there wouldn’t be any additional charges to my bill and I wouldn't loose the locals I'm presently getting. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,
Joe

I'm interested in getting HD programming. I'm currently a DTV customer since they do not offer HD locals I’m wondering just how well OTA HD would be in Crestview? Is it possible that the channels would be as clear or clearer than what I’m getting now from DTV or is that a hit or miss thing? For the record, I picked up a HDTV box from Cox on Friday, but I wasn't impressed with their overall digital signal. The HD channels were ok, but the other channels weren't as clear / crisp as DTV so I'm taking the box back Monday. I know DTV doesn't offer local HD channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX) so I requested distanced locals for HD. The CSR said I had a 50/50 chance of getting it approved, if approved I’d get the feed out of New York, he went on to say that there wouldn’t be any additional charges to my bill and I wouldn't loose the locals I'm presently getting. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,
Joe

Hey Joe I too live in Crestview , I get all the channels except Fox OTA with a Channel Master 4228 mounted outside @ 30ft. DTV gives wavers for FOX so I get that in HD also.

Thanks Lenbo,

Are the channels clearer or just as clear as your DTV channels and what receiver do you have? I called DTV last night and she said I'd have to use a H10 vs a H20 because they haven't upgraded in this area yet. Oh, are there only certain times the station broadcast in HD or is it 24/7?


Thanks agian,
Joe

Thanks Lenbo,

Are the channels clearer or just as clear as your DTV channels and what receiver do you have? I called DTV last night and she said I'd have to use a H10 vs a H20 because they haven't upgraded in this area yet. Oh, are there only certain times the station broadcast in HD or is it 24/7?


Thanks agian,
Joe

The OTA channels are HD and "YES" they are clearer ! I have a Dtv HD Tivo. Most all "prime time " shows are HD on most all the networks. I'm watching the AFC championship game on CBS right now and it looks AWESOME ! :D :cool: :D

I watched the AFC game in HD using Cox's box and it was awesome. To bad Cox's digital channels aren't as clear as DTV. I'm watching the NFC game to bad its not in HD also. I'll probably pick up a H20 in a few days Best Buy has it for $199.99.

Lenbo where did you pickup your Channel Master 4228? If you don't mind me asking, what did the antenna, pole and mounting hardware cost you?

Joe

I watched the AFC game in HD using Cox's box and it was awesome. To bad Cox's digital channels aren't as clear as DTV. I'm watching the NFC game to bad its not in HD also. I'll probably pick up a H20 in a few days Best Buy has it for $199.99.

Lenbo where did you pickup your Channel Master 4228? If you don't mind me asking, what did the antenna, pole and mounting hardware cost you?

Joe
Solidsignal.com for the antenna $38.00 , pole and chimney mount from radio shack maybe $20-$25 .

Thanks for the info about the broadcast channels.

I was mainly looking to see what (if anything) else wasn't encrypted.

Also, what card(s) do you guy's recommend using?

My HTPC (not my main pc) is 1.2 ghz w/ 768 mb ram.


I use the MyHD MDP-130 and am very happy with it. It has two inputs so you can hook up cable and OTA at the same time. You can find it here: http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/mdp130.asp

Steve

To bad Cox's digital channels aren't as clear as DTV. I'm watching the NFC game to bad its not in HD also.

A lot of people don't realize, but with Cox's digital box, the only channels broadcat digitally are channels 100 and above. Everything below 100 is exactly the same as if you had basic cable without digital.

Steve

I live on the other side of Panama City from most of all of you (Mexico Beach), But did anyone notice that was no sound yesterday and last night? I missed all the sound from Golf and Desperate Housewives. I haven't checked this morning.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=03&CAT=&PROD=ANC3020

This is the antenna I use and a 45 foot pole and rotator. I can get channels from Walton if it's turned toward them

If I buy a new HD capable plasma TV with the applicable digital and HD tuners, and subscribe to basic Cox cable (channels below 100 ), are there any digital or HD channels that I will be able to tune in with out renting a digital/HD tuner from Cox?

I guess that the other question is: If I don't subscribe to any premium Cox channels, continue to get basic cable from Cox and can't pull any OTA reception is it practical to spend the extra money for the digital and HD tuners?

I live on the other side of Panama City from most of all of you (Mexico Beach), But did anyone notice that was no sound yesterday and last night? I missed all the sound from Golf and Desperate Housewives. I haven't checked this morning.

There was a problem on the ABC HD channel but not on the SD. Anyway it got fixed about 7 PM last night. Don't know if it was the station or comcast.

I did an advanced search and wasn't able to find the information, so please forgive me if it's already been posted.

First a little backstory. I'm visiting from the Huntsville, Alabama area. My aunt, who lives right outside Mobile in Theodore bought a Panasonic TH-50PX50U today. She has been wanting to go HD since last year. While I was down visiting last year, I called Mediacom (her curently cable provider) for general information, including whether they have cablecards or not. The answer was yes, and I was given the names of a handful of channels.

Today I called and the response was "We don't offer HD in the Mobile area."

So, is this correct? Or did I get a nutty CSR?

Also, if this is true, and she's SOL with Mediacom, who would be a good Cable w/cablecard (IE: non-satellite) provider in the Mobile area? She and my grandmother would definitely benefit from the locals, which isn't the problem. I'm sure they would like ESPN-HD, and DiscoveryHD.

So could someone from the Mobile area please give me some insight?

Mr Zoid

Mr. Zoid,

Shoot me an email at daniel@absolutehometheater.net and i'll get you a direct number to someone high up with Mediacom. I'm sure they can answer your question, i'll ask in the meantime next time i talk to him if you don't email me.

I’m in Crestview just off PJ Adams (on top of the hill). I'm trying to decide whether to purchase a Channel Master 3020 or 4228. I like the 4228 because it’s smaller and since I already have 3 satellite dishes in my back yard I’d prefer the 4228. However, I’m impatient and I can pick up the 3020 at Lowe’s and have a project for this weekend. The thing I dislike about the 3020 is it’s as big as an aircraft carrier, but the plus is it's UHF/VHF. Here are a few questions I have.

1. I’ve called RatShack, Lowe’s, Ace, and Home Depot and Pace Electronics no one local has the 4228. Does anyone know where I can get the 4228 in the local area?

2. If I find or order the 4228 online, ideally I’d like to install it in my attic (pretty sure it will fit) would there be a noticeably degrade in the reception?

3. Once I have the antenna and pointed in the right direction, would I need a rotor or will I be ok in a static position to pick up all the channels? I’ve already have a waiver for FOX-HD with D**, so the channels of concern would be ABC, CBS and NBC pointed toward Pensacola/Mobile.

4. Lastly, the receiver I'm looking to purchase is the H20; I have a multi dish with 3LNBs. Will this setup work? When I called D** she said I would need a H10 and said the only way to get a H20 is to purchase it locally, D** would not provide it. From what I’ve read the H20 is a big improvement for OTA reception.

Suggestions

Thank you,
Joe

For what it's worth i have a CM 4228 in inventory. We bought it for a customer but found the db4 worked fine for them so we got stuck with it. I'll be happy to sell it for my cost just to unload it if you want to head this way (Daphne/Fairhope). Shoot me an email if you want to try it out, if it doesn't work i'll certainly take it back.

Not sure about the H20, you might try calling Sunshine Satellites at 251-989-6900 they are based in summerdale (near foley, al.) So not local to you, but they might be able to find something for you. Just tell them Daniel from Absolute Home Theater recommended you call them.

You'll definately lose signal in the attic, but you can try it there first, if it doesn't work just move it outside.

Daniel

1. I’ve called RatShack, Lowe’s, Ace, and Home Depot and Pace Electronics no one local has the 4228. Does anyone know where I can get the 4228 in the local area?

I got mine at Forbes electronics in Mobile 14 West Midtown Park.


2. If I find or order the 4228 online, ideally I’d like to install it in my attic (pretty sure it will fit) would there be a noticeably degrade in the reception?

I have got mine in my attic in Spanish Fort. Having it inside an attic will definitely diminish signal strength, but the 4228 did give me more signal that the existing Radio Shack antenna I had, and I needed it.


3. Once I have the antenna and pointed in the right direction, would I need a rotor or will I be ok in a static position to pick up all the channels? I’ve already have a waiver for FOX-HD with D**, so the channels of concern would be ABC, CBS and NBC pointed toward Pensacola/Mobile.

Don't know the answer. Mine is pointed in a static direction, but I am near the towers, just down in a valley.


4. Lastly, the receiver I'm looking to purchase is the H20; I have a multi dish with 3LNBs. Will this setup work? When I called D** she said I would need a H10 and said the only way to get a H20 is to purchase it locally, D** would not provide it. From what I’ve read the H20 is a big improvement for OTA reception.


Don't know. I use the Dish HD Recorder and don't have the H20.

Thanks Cinder and mobilelawyer for you inputs.

I ordered a 4228 should have it by the end of the week and a H20 today to be installed on the 3rd.

I truly enjoy this kind of stuff. I grew up in the country back in south east Missouri were we only could get CBS and NBC and if we were lucky ABC on a clear night, to watch Howard Cosell and Don Meredith on Monday Night Football, but of course many times a pipe wrench was required to point the antenna in the right direction.

I’m curious in what provider members in the Mobile, AL / Panama City, FL are using, cable, DTV, Dish, or just OTA. Not that it really matters, just wondering.

If I buy a new HD capable plasma TV with the applicable digital and HD tuners, and subscribe to basic Cox cable (channels below 100 ), are there any digital or HD channels that I will be able to tune in with out renting a digital/HD tuner from Cox?

I guess that the other question is: If I don't subscribe to any premium Cox channels, continue to get basic cable from Cox and can't pull any OTA reception is it practical to spend the extra money for the digital and HD tuners?

1. As far as I know, the built in HD tuners are designed for OTA signals. You need an HD tuner that's capable of receiving unencrypted QAM channels. The key to look for in the manufacturer's write up is "QAM". If it has this, you should be able to receive all Local hd channels carried by your cable company as they are not suppose to encrypt those.

2. This is completely up to you. You'd have to look at what Cox offers for it's basic digital and HD package and the cost.

Steve

If you have a Cable Card TV it has a QAM tuner built in. Normally they have dual tuners, one input is for OTA and the other input for QAM. The QAM tuner will receive unencrypted stream without the Cable Card.

I’m curious in what provider members in the Mobile, AL / Panama City, FL are using, cable, DTV, Dish, or just OTA. Not that it really matters, just wondering.

My HDTV comes OTA and Directv. I missated that I had the "Dish" HD recorder: its the Directv device. Good Luck with the CM 8-Bay Bowtie. You will be shocked when you see how big that box for that thing is. Even after taking the antenna out of the box, it could barely get the antenna through the ceiling hatch to the attic. The antenna does have a lot of gain, though, and that is the payoff.

Has anyone used the DB4 in the attic for ota hd. I am around 15-25 miles from the towers, Cantonment area, and would prefer to have it in the attic if possible. Thanks.

do you mean the DB4? if so we've installed this in numerous attics in the fairhope/Daphne area with a lot of success. Not sure about your particular area, but they do well. Of course they're even better outside.