I have basic cable on my account. ...anything else needs to be done other than unplug the cable from the modem and plug it into a tv or use a splitter. She said no.

Does anyone know if she is correct?Sounds right to me. You don't need a cable box or anything else for basic cable, and if there are any unencrypted digital channel (including HD) your QAM tuner should pick them up. Best thing to do is plug the cable in and see.:D

The Commercial Appeal said that the game today would be in hi def on Comcast channel 866. My guide shows "no data avilable" on my cable box. Does anyone's guide show the game?

Sounds right to me. You don't need a cable box or anything else for basic cable, and if there are any unencrypted digital channel (including HD) your QAM tuner should pick them up. Best thing to do is plug the cable in and see.:D
I finally got the chance to check this morning. I plugged the splitter in and set the tv to cable and I can see some video and audio on some of the channels, but they are mostly snowy or completely snowing and I can't see anything. CSS I can't pick up anything :(. Oh well, they are coming out Tuesday afternoon, hopefully.

I love vacations. I get back in town after a month and discover that my OTA signal for WPTY-DT, which has been 93-100% for three years, is now 54-63%.

No one else has been having trouble with WPTY-DT, I assume?:rolleyes:

Chase

Not trouble, per se, but my signal is lower on WPTY, with an occasional freeze or dropout. Nowhere near as bad as WMC, which is now unwatchable on two of my three HD tuners, but both have definitely dropped off a lot in the past month.

I'm having the same problems with 5-1 and 24-1 OTA with my D* HR10-250. WPTY is unwatchable and WMC has frequent signal drop-outs. I've been having this problem for the last 4-5 months. Both had come in great for the past 3 years.

Has anyone called the stations to see if they have dumped some signal power?

Anyone having problems watching this in HD on Comcast? I tuned to 866 and at first I didn't have a picture or sound, just a black screen. After turning the box off and on, I got a picture, but no sound. Everything is fine on the SD channel, just problems with the HD channel.

My signal has tanked for 24-1 also. On the same line I have it feeding both an HR20 and H20. The H20's signal is unwatchable, but the HR20 is doing just enough to keep a picture with no dropouts. But the signal has dropped from the 90's to low 50's.

5-1 and 30-1 broadcast from the same tower as 24-1, but I'm not having a problem with those.

I'm watching Cal beating UT right now (yea!) and the PQ is outstanding. I'm curious to see what it will look like in the 2nd half when there isn't any more sun.

I too am having problems with 24-1. I haven't been in Memphis that much this summer so haven't watched much HD until recently. Did something happen to me or does 5-1 look much worse to anyone else? It has so much more blocking than I remember last season. Hell even SD programming has blocks everywhere.

:confused:

OK, then.:eek: Looks like it's not just a problem here.:D

No one's tried to contact WPTY for comment? mx? Isn't their engineer the one who has several stations?

Chase

Hi, guys!

My wife and I bought a new LN-T4661F on 8/13 and got new DTV installed last week.

We had previously been using with success both a DVD recorder and a combo unit with VCR and DVD player. She could record her shows to DVD over Vista III Media cable TV.

However, when she tried to record a TV program on our DVD recorder (thru DTV's H20 satellite box) it didn't work.

My wife talked with a tech guy at DTV. He told her that we couldn't record on the DVD recorder. However, he told her how to record on the VCR. But, of course, the quality of the recording is much lower.

I bought her the DVD-recorder recently just so she could record her TV shows on DVDs instead of the poorer quality VCR tapes.

Do any of you know of a way to record on DVD's the shows my wife is used to recording at night and watching later at her leisure?

We'd greatly appreciate any help you might give us!

Hey guys, who does the installs for the Collierville area for D*? Any comments, positive or negative?

OK, then.:eek: Looks like it's not just a problem here.:D

No one's tried to contact WPTY for comment? mx? Isn't their engineer the one who has several stations?
I'll send him an email tomorrow. I honestly didn't know I was having a problem until ya'll mentioned it. Now that college football has started and the new season is about to start I guess its time to pay attention.

Here is a link for some of the newer people to use as needed for PQ or channel issues.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8475053#post8475053

Hi, guys!

My wife and I bought a new LN-T4661F on 8/13 and got new DTV installed last week.

We had previously been using with success both a DVD recorder and a combo unit with VCR and DVD player. She could record her shows to DVD over Vista III Media cable TV.

However, when she tried to record a TV program on our DVD recorder (thru DTV's H20 satellite box) it didn't work.

My wife talked with a tech guy at DTV. He told her that we couldn't record on the DVD recorder. However, he told her how to record on the VCR. But, of course, the quality of the recording is much lower.

I bought her the DVD-recorder recently just so she could record her TV shows on DVDs instead of the poorer quality VCR tapes.

Do any of you know of a way to record on DVD's the shows my wife is used to recording at night and watching later at her leisure?

We'd greatly appreciate any help you might give us!
I'd advise to look in the hardware forum and see if anyone has done it there. Or possibly over at dbstalk.com

Hey guys, who does the installs for the Collierville area for D*? Any comments, positive or negative?
DirecTech out of Eads does the Memphis area.

I've had some success with 2 groups they sent out. They were fairly smart but calling them back directly has turned out to be a waste. It took me 6 tech calls to get a 6x16 switch to cover my 3 tivos and 2 other active stb's at the time. Each time I would call D* they would put the order in for it and when I got the call from the tech I'd ask them what kind of multiswitch they had. Someone from DirecTech kept changing the order to 6x8. :mad:

Then when the 6x16 was sent, the people took the power switch from the Terk multiswitch I was using for OTA and used that for powering the 6x16. The first installed 6x8 didn't have a power cable. My last tech call the guy luckily had a type of cable I can use. It was too powerful for the 6x16 but works with the Terk. But then he told me D* wasn't sending up new sats for a few months.

My parents haven't had much luck either. So good luck.

My wife talked with a tech guy at DTV. He told her that we couldn't record on the DVD recorder. However, he told her how to record on the VCR. But, of course, the quality of the recording is much lower. Never call D* to do anything other than activate a new receiver. They don't know squat about anything technical. Like mx6bfast said, check the hardware section. Or better yet, PM me the details of you setup (model numbers, etc) and how you have everything connected and I'll try and help.

-Robert

I'd advise to look in the hardware forum and see if anyone has done it there. Or possibly over at dbstalk.com

*******************************************************
I'll check out the hardware forum first.

Thanks for your input.

I'd advise to look in the hardware forum and see if anyone has done it there. Or possibly over at dbstalk.com
********************************************************
We'll follow the sequece you recommend. Thanks much for your help.

Never call D* to do anything other than activate a new receiver. They don't know squat about anything technical. Like mx6bfast said, check the hardware section. Or better yet, PM me the details of you setup (model numbers, etc) and how you have everything connected and I'll try and help.

-Robert
******************************************************

Thanks for your info. I'll try to PM you tomorrow.

Channel 5 had the HD turned off during most of the golf today. Holiday crew, I guess. Point of interest. I started the recording of the tournament at 1:00 and started watching at 2:45. Never caught up, but at the end of the match, I checked and I had watched 4½ hours of golf in a little less than 3 hours. The other 1½ hours were commercials. Love that DVR:)

Channel 5 had the HD turned off during most of the golf today. Holiday crew, I guess. Point of interest. I started the recording of the tournament at 1:00 and started watching at 2:45. Never caught up, but at the end of the match, I checked and I had watched 4½ hours of golf in a little less than 3 hours. The other 1½ hours were commercials. Love that DVR:)
I thought the HD wasn't turned on. My reciever was lit up as 5.1.

3-1 didn't have HD turned on early yesterday morning either. Noticed both by flipping thru the channels.

I record from my hr20 to a pye dvd recorder from circuit city using the s video and white/red rca cables. I can record all channels hd (well no hd quality) but you should be able to record shows just like you do a vcr.

Apparently the contact person for WPTY/WLMT has changed. My email did get to him though. He said he recieved another complaint about it and will look into it.

And Comcast was actually pretty prompt. He showed up around 1:45 and was very knowledgeable. So much I am going to call Comcast and give a good report!

So much I am going to call Comcast and give a good report!

They will probably check their calendar to see if it is not April Fool's Day!:p

Apparently the contact person for WPTY/WLMT has changed. My email did get to him though. He said he recieved another complaint about it and will look into it.My signal is back to 93% tonight.

Chase

i logged on a few months ago....with same question...i am in hernando, trying to get OTA digital channels. have the channel master antenna from Crutchfield...can get CBS, and ABC...hard to get FOX and NBC....of course my PBS and ION channels come in perfectly but does not help when i want to watch the NFL kickoff tonight....has anyone else had this trouble? any possible solutions? my antenna is located in my attic...i know am able to receive in the area. have a neighbor who gets NBC pretty good....

NBC is usually the hardest to get for most people. NBC is on the same tower as ABC and CW. FOX is very close to CBS. And FOX and NBC are miles apart. I'd say try to point your antenna in the same direction as your neighbor has theirs.

If some trees, a neighbors house, or some other structure is blocking your signal from some stations, you could try moving the antenna to a different location within the attic. Or better yet, get the antenna up on the roof, so that it is looking over those obstructions.

The NFL game on 5-1 is total garbage. What the hell did they do to the PQ for it to look so bad? Mx can you capture bitrates from the game?

The NFL game on 5-1 is total garbage. What the hell did they do to the PQ for it to look so bad? Mx can you capture bitrates from the game?
Here ya go. Watched a few minutes on my pc. No comment.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/7139/wmc9607bitrateke3.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wmc9607bitrateke3.jpg)

Anyone else with D* having trouble playing back recordings of locals on the R15-100, or either version of HR20 that was recorded on the SD local channel. On the R15-100 playback just shows a black screen, and on the HR20's it plays back but you cannot FF past FF1 and you cannot rewind. Oh and the R15-500 I have playsback perfect. This happened on the HR20's about 2 mths ago and it fixed itself in about a day or 2. Another Memphis member at DSBtalks said he was having the same problem and it happens here out of nowhere. That will bite big time during the fall season. He says it is a local area problem with signal sent to the receivers. Anyone know anything about this and if it will be fixed in time for Fall season.

THX

The Info channel on Comcast says that they will be adding Food HD and HGTV HD on October 1st.

Here ya go. Watched a few minutes on my pc. No comment.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/7139/wmc9607bitrateke3.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wmc9607bitrateke3.jpg)
How can they get away with sending HD at such a low rate? I know they can't be proud of that.

Days like these make me happy I still have OTA. It's about time we are getting a little bit of rain.

Well WREG is back at it again this year for the NFL. First off they joined the Titans game half way through the first quarter. Secondly, someone is asleep at the wheel because the game is NOT being shown in HD.

Seems like we went through this last year.:mad:

Well WREG is back at it again this year for the NFL. First off they joined the Titans game half way through the first quarter. Secondly, someone is asleep at the wheel because the game is NOT being shown in HD.

Seems like we went through this last year.:mad:
The Titans game was the only one by CBS not shown in HD today. What were they showing before they turned the game on?

Ugh, the Sunday night game on NBC looks like garbage. Pretty bad pixelation and even some missing pixels. Frustrating!

The Titans game was the only one by CBS not shown in HD today. What were they showing before they turned the game on?



We were seeing the Jets vs New England game.

Overall the game tonight on WMC isn't too bad.... considering some of their telecast I've seen in the past.

We were seeing the Jets vs New England game.
The Jets/NE game was in HD. Was that one and pregame in HD before they switched to the Titans game?

I was watching the game on FOX because it was in HD.

The Jets/NE game was in HD. Was that one and pregame in HD before they switched to the Titans game?Yes.

I was watching the game on FOX because it was in HD.Yesterday was the first time I have thought the FOX 720p feed from SuperFan was better than WHBQ. There were people over, so I couldn't do a thorough comparison. Wide shots especially looked a tad sharper and/or less noisy.

SuperFan's 1080i feed from CBS, however, was as bad as I can remember it. Every fast-moving graphic blocked. In their defense, it was a bit hard to judge PQ due to the breakup from the storm. 37% signal strength doesn't cut it.

Chase

Yes.

Yesterday was the first time I have thought the FOX 720p feed from SuperFan was better than WHBQ. There were people over, so I couldn't do a thorough comparison. Wide shots especially looked a tad sharper and/or less noisy.

SuperFan's 1080i feed from CBS, however, was as bad as I can remember it. Every fast-moving graphic blocked. In their defense, it was a bit hard to judge PQ due to the breakup from the storm. 37% signal strength doesn't cut it.
I bet whoever was watching the HD game on CBS was pretty upset when they went to the Titans game.

I checked back and forth from OTA and D* and did notice a drop in PQ. Most noticeable was the swimming grass on D*. However it wasn't near as bad as channel 88 was. I thought the OTA feed looked softer, possibly due to so many games on at one time? I read somewhere that D* make a change to the HD to make the whites brighter to hide some of the flaws in the PQ. I'll have to see if I can find the post.

anyone ever had any luck using a Over the air Antenna with a signal booster ? am using OTA antenna currently but some signals are weak.....any luck?

anyone ever had any luck using a Over the air Antenna with a signal booster ? am using OTA antenna currently but some signals are weak.....any luck?
What area of town are you located? Are you having trouble with all channels?

anyone ever had any luck using a Over the air Antenna with a signal booster ? am using OTA antenna currently but some signals are weak.....any luck?

Also what are you using for an antenna? Indoor, outdoor, bow tie, or what? This sometimes makes a huge difference.

am using a channel master antenna(model 3020 i think), ordered from crutchfield.

am located in hernando ms...i have trouble receiving NBC( not at all) FOX ( comes and goes) and ABC (comes and goes) - -i know of people further south of memphis from me and have similar equipment getting these channels with out any problems...

asowell, if you haven't done so already, go to "www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html" and read up on antenna installation and trouble shooting. You will quickly be able to identify what is causing your problems, and find suggestions that should help you solve the problems.

I e-mailed the last time the golf was not in HD....I go a response two days later that they were having issues with equipment.....that's BS because they broadcast clearly in prime.....

So today, I called the news room and asked that they walk to master control and tell them to switch to HD. An hour later, still no HD. I sent another e-mail to the GM and I'm sure I'll get another " oh gosh we're really trying 2 years after the deadline tobe incompliance....."

Killing me

I e-mailed the last time the golf was not in HD....I go a response two days later that they were having issues with equipment.....that's BS because they broadcast clearly in prime.....

So today, I called the news room and asked that they walk to master control and tell them to switch to HD. An hour later, still no HD. I sent another e-mail to the GM and I'm sure I'll get another " oh gosh we're really trying 2 years after the deadline tobe incompliance....."

Killing me
Well the good news about it not being in HD is the pq can't look worse than 3-1. :)

I just called and they said they are having trouble with the equipment. He will page the engineer. Guess I will go watch football. Sure would've liked to watch gold today.

That's exactly what they told me the last two times but somehow made it work later in the same day during prime time. It's not true. If there was a problem with "equipment" it would effect programming all day.

What is everyone's signal stength?

What is everyone's signal stength?
Checked mine this afternoon for the first time and they were in the mid to high 90's.

Checked mine this afternoon for the first time and they were in the mid to high 90's.

I'm running from 82 to 93. I was 87 and above on Saturday

91 to 98 right now on tuner 1, 89 to 98 on tuner 2.

94-98 on tuner 1&2

am using a channel master antenna(model 3020 i think), ordered from crutchfield.

am located in hernando ms...i have trouble receiving NBC( not at all) FOX ( comes and goes) and ABC (comes and goes) - -i know of people further south of memphis from me and have similar equipment getting these channels with out any problems... That should be more than enough antenna for you if you have it installed properly. I'm using a Radio Shack antenna that looks like the UHF portion of yours and I get everything without problems. It's mounted in my attic and pointed towards the Bartlett area. I'm near Getwell and Church so I'm around 24 miles from the transmitters. How far away are you?

-Robert

That should be more than enough antenna for you if you have it installed properly. I'm using a Radio Shack antenna that looks like the UHF portion of yours and I get everything without problems. It's mounted in my attic and pointed towards the Bartlett area. I'm near Getwell and Church so I'm around 24 miles from the transmitters. How far away are you?

-Robert

prob about another 8 miles....i really believe is because of trees in my backyard which is to the east and to the north...could be blocking a lot of my signal...very frustratiing to watch a portion of a game and then have to change b/c of signal losss...

Besides trees, what else is near by? Water tower? Metal buildings? Where is your antenna mounted? How high off of the ground?

-Robert

Hi, everybody!

We are doing some tower work this week, and for the first time we are operating on our auxiliary DTV transmitter and antenna.

Some of you old-timers may remember them from their former life mounted on top of our studio building. Now, the antenna is now mounted 693' high on our transmitting tower. This should be enough to cover Shelby and the adjacent counties (in theory). We can see it on both of our DTV receivers in our studio control room, but our stream analyzer requires a higher signal to give a correct reading. Feel free to report sightings!

It will only be used while the tower work is going on (not during prime-time). Other times we will be back on our high-power transmitter and antenna.

DTV Dave,

Currently zero signal at 3:11PM. I am close to Wolfchase.

Lately, I have had pretty good signal. I think the only recent problems I've had with Fox 13 are due to multipath interference from trees when the wind is blowing. Otherwise, I've got good DTV signal strength from all the Memphis stations.

But, as I said, Fox 13 might as well not be transmitting right now - I've got zilch.

I really appreciate the update about what's happening there - otherwise, I might be on a wild goose chase trying to figure out what's happened.

Please let us know if there is any chance of the main transmitter being down during prime time.

Thanks!

Besides trees, what else is near by? Water tower? Metal buildings? Where is your antenna mounted? How high off of the ground?

-Robert

nothing but trees and a mild hill...antenna is mounted in attic. would rather not mount on exterior of home....about 35 feet off ground.

Hi, everybody!

We are doing some tower work this week, and for the first time we are operating on our auxiliary DTV transmitter and antenna.

Some of you old-timers may remember them from their former life mounted on top of our studio building. Now, the antenna is now mounted 693' high on our transmitting tower. This should be enough to cover Shelby and the adjacent counties (in theory). We can see it on both of our DTV receivers in our studio control room, but our stream analyzer requires a higher signal to give a correct reading. Feel free to report sightings!

It will only be used while the tower work is going on (not during prime-time). Other times we will be back on our high-power transmitter and antenna.
Thank you for not multicasting.

nothing but trees and a mild hill...antenna is mounted in attic. would rather not mount on exterior of home....about 35 feet off ground.Trees and a mild hill shouldn't be much trouble. The antenna height is likely good enough. Attic should be fine at you location...unless, do you have a metal roof? Metal siding? What is in the attic that could mess with your signal? Is the HVAC system up there? Maybe a foil backed moisture barrier, or foil backed insulation? Have you tried an experimental install outside? (I once put an antenna on a 10' mast in my tables umbrella slot:D)

Thank you for not multicasting.

Agreed - call me crazy, but I want the programming I actually care about to look good and clear with as little compression as possible. I have very little use for sub-channels.

Thanks

nothing but trees and a mild hill...antenna is mounted in attic. would rather not mount on exterior of home....about 35 feet off ground. Like Neil said, that shouldn't be a problem. I've got a few metallic air vents plus the units in my attic but they don't cause any problems. Have you tried another antenna? I'm using this one (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103088&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032205&parentPage=family) from Rat Shack. Best $30 I have spent.

-Robert

Hi, everybody!

We are doing some tower work this week, and for the first time we are operating on our auxiliary DTV transmitter and antenna.

Some of you old-timers may remember them from their former life mounted on top of our studio building. Now, the antenna is now mounted 693' high on our transmitting tower. This should be enough to cover Shelby and the adjacent counties (in theory). We can see it on both of our DTV receivers in our studio control room, but our stream analyzer requires a higher signal to give a correct reading. Feel free to report sightings!

It will only be used while the tower work is going on (not during prime-time). Other times we will be back on our high-power transmitter and antenna.

Fortunately, I won't be able to give a Tipton County report as we are presently in beautiful Utah. Visited Cedar Breaks N.P. today, Bryce Canyon tomorrow and Sunday and Zion later. We've been gone for a week in Colorado and having a wonderful trip. No HD in my fifth wheel, but don't watch much TV on the road anyway. You guys keep up the good work.:p

Agreed - call me crazy, but I want the programming I actually care about to look good and clear with as little compression as possible. I have very little use for sub-channels.
I agree. All you have to do is look at the 2 stations that don't multicast and compare their HD to the HD of the stations that do multicast and see the hit the PQ has taken.

I honestly can't remember the last time I watched any of the subchannels.

I found a way to make the blocking on WREG and WMC not look as terrible as it does, PIP with the screen split in half. I was watching the Memphis game on the PIP part via Comcast. (Of course it seemed like everytime I turned the Memphis game on UCF had the ball and was about to score) But the blocking didn't look near as bad, even though it was still there.

I just recently dropped Comcast for DirecTV and the ABC-HD channel looks horrible. I have the new Slimline dish and the HR20-700 DVR. All the other local channels look great except for ABC-HD. Can anyone else here that has DirecTV tell me if they have the same issues? I'm really bummed about the PQ since 90% of the shows I watch are on ABC.

I just recently dropped Comcast for DirecTV and the ABC-HD channel looks horrible. I have the new Slimline dish and the HR20-700 DVR. All the other local channels look great except for ABC-HD. Can anyone else here that has DirecTV tell me if they have the same issues? I'm really bummed about the PQ since 90% of the shows I watch are on ABC.

Have the same problem with 24 & same setup you have. They(Ch,24) just don't have they're act together. OTA reception(Ch.24-1) got so bad I deleted the channel.

What kind of problems are ya'll having? I haven't watched the D* HD feed since the first week of college football. I always watch the OTA feed but I'd be willing to check it out.

What kind of problems are ya'll having? I haven't watched the D* HD feed since the first week of college football. I always watch the OTA feed but I'd be willing to check it out.

The Direct TV feed is the only feed in HD that sometimes looks SD or has a quirky problem of the picture skipping while keeping normal sound. I only record the shows like Grey's' or Housewives. The OTA started pixilating so bad I deleted the channel. All other local HD OTA channels come in fine. This morning at 7:50 AM I'm not getting 3-1 also but have at night. This a hit and miss town when it comes to OTA HD. I'm always wondering if the station workers will "flip on the switch" when an HD show comes on.

I just went to Wal Mart and bought a Phillips MANT510 to see what type of off-air reception I get and right now it still looks like poo. I'll wait until tonight and check out some HD programing and compare the the DirecTV feed and off-air antenna. Living at the bottom of the hill in Rockin' Raleigh doesn't help the off-air reception either. I hope this clears up before Lost returns next year....

I just went to Wal Mart and bought a Phillips MANT510 to see what type of off-air reception I get and right now it still looks like poo. I'll wait until tonight and check out some HD programing and compare the the DirecTV feed and off-air antenna. Living at the bottom of the hill in Rockin' Raleigh doesn't help the off-air reception either. I hope this clears up before Lost returns next year....
Oh yeah, Rockin' Raleigh. :D Is Stage Stop still open? I went there a couple of times in college. Ahhh the good ole days. College, not Stage Stop. ;)

When you say it looks like poo is it breaking up because of a low signal strength? Or are you saying the HD PQ is bad?

I'll check my signal strengths tonight and see if the issue is coming back where the signal strength decreased quite a bit. If it has I'll email the guy from WPTY.

If anyone else wants to send an email to them go to the WPTY website and click on contact us and send an email that way.

I just called DirecTV and told them about the issue. They said they have not has any reports of bad PQ on ABC. I told them it has looked bad since they installed it on 9/14 and that I never had PQ issues when I had Comcast. I don't really think it's an issue with any of my equipment since ALL the other HD channels look great except for ABC. He did say that if I knew anyone else that was having a problem to tell them to call in and report it and the issue will get expedited in the technical department. They will check to see if it's on their end or the affiliates end. As far as what it looks like, it's really blocky especially towards the middle of the screen.

With all these new channels I can't wait to see replays of NFL games on NFL Network just so we can see how bad our PQ here is.

btw...I haven't watched WPTY from D* yet. But I can say I'm not having any signal issues.

I've actually always found 24-1 to be one of the more reliable and consistent OTA performers.

I tend to have the most trouble receiving OTA signals from 10-1, 5-1, and 13-1, but I think it is mostly due to my location and equipment at this point. Most of the time, I can get pretty solid reception - only if it is windy do I start to have problems.

I recently got a new DirecTV dish and HR20-700 also. I haven't done much watching the locals through the sat, though. I did a comparison flipping back and forth between WREG OTA HD and WREG HD through DirecTV. The HD picture coming from the satellite was pretty good, but it seemed softer and more compressed than the OTA picture. A football game was on at the time, which is probably one of the more challenging things for HD to do well. Based on that, I'm sticking with the OTA as much as possible. Fortunately, the HR20 has better OTA tuners than my older HR10-250 HD DirecTiVo.

A football game was on at the time, which is probably one of the more challenging things for HD to do well. Based on that, I'm sticking with the OTA as much as possible.
Football and other sporting events isn't hard for HD to do. However when you start taking away bandwidth to give to the subchannels sports and other medium motion programming suffers greatly.

I guess I should have said that football has a lot of detail and motion, with the entire picture changing frequently. As I understand how MPEG compression works, those are not favorable circumstances for compresssion. Along with the detail visible in the picture (e.g. blades of grass), it is easy to see what's wrong with the picture when watching football.

My main point was that DirecTV seems to be adding more compression than OTA, so the picture coming from the satellite is not as detailed and clear.

I certainly agree that the subchannels make things worse. If memory serves, I used to think WREG's OTA picture during football games was stunningly good. Perhaps that was before the subchannels were added. Lately, it still seems good, but it lacks some of the "wow" factor that it once had. I also notice some pixelation when the big graphics sweep across the screen.

I guess I should have said that football has a lot of detail and motion, with the entire picture changing frequently. As I understand how MPEG compression works, those are not favorable circumstances for compresssion. Along with the detail visible in the picture (e.g. blades of grass), it is easy to see what's wrong with the picture when watching football.
My main point was that DirecTV seems to be adding more compression than OTA, so the picture coming from the satellite is not as detailed and clear.
Correct on both accounts. If the channel is being starved for bandwidth it is easy to see in football. At least it's not as bad as strobe lights!

I certainly agree that the subchannels make things worse. If memory serves, I used to think WREG's OTA picture during football games was stunningly good. Perhaps that was before the subchannels were added. Lately, it still seems good, but it lacks some of the "wow" factor that it once had. I also notice some pixelation when the big graphics sweep across the screen.
I think WREG started multicasting just after the NFL 2004 season started. I remember watching a Dolphins game that was moved up to a Saturday because a hurricane was approaching and the PQ was so......so beautiful. Thinking of it now almost brings a tear to my eye. Then for a few weeks after that it looked terrible. I emailed them to find out what was going on and they tweaked it a little bit and it looked ok. I remember it was a Chiefs game and the red was blocking everywhere.

They did have to repair their equipment after Hurricane Elvis and the PQ got a little better, but I agree, it definitely doesn't have the wow factor anymore. I'd say WPTY leads the way in wow factor right now. FOX's NFL games look soft, probably because they are piping so many games at one time. Although the BSU-OU game earlier this year was magnificent. Most shows that I watch on FOX have a darker look to them so those are harder to judge, for me at least. But the Emmy's looked very good on WHBQ a couple of weeks ago.

Man, all these good times so long ago. Now I have to look to D* for better PQ.

Looks like DirecTV is adding many new HD channels, including CNN HD, History Channel and others.

Any word on when Comcast will respond?

I just recently dropped Comcast for DirecTV and the ABC-HD channel looks horrible. I have the new Slimline dish and the HR20-700 DVR. All the other local channels look great except for ABC-HD. Can anyone else here that has DirecTV tell me if they have the same issues? I'm really bummed about the PQ since 90% of the shows I watch are on ABC.
I got the chance to check 24 from D* and I see what you are talking about. What it looks like is massive motion blocking and it's all over the screen. But the blocks are much bigger and constantly go on and off.

Is that what you are experiencing?

tscallions, I haven't had a chance to check out 24 over the satellite. But, if you are having trouble with it, have you tried setting up an OTA antenna? Depending on your location, you may be able to easily get by with a small Silver Sensor indoor antenna. Especially if you only need the OTA antenna to pull in one station, you can point it optimally for 24. 24 has always been one of the easiest for me to get OTA.

**edit**

I see from your earlier post that you did try to get an OTA antenna, but said 24 still "looks like poo". I don't get what's happening, then. My OTA signal from 24 has always looked good, unless they are broadcasting non-HD content, of course. Unless you are having some kind of reception problem, I would expect the OTA signal to look fine.

I haven't noticed any more problems with 24 on D* vs. OTA (Although I still only have a cheap indoor antenna). I've had some problems with both, I just need to have a free weekend to put up a rooftop antenna.

My signal strength on 103b is crap! everything is in the 17-30 range at best. I have D* coming to re-peak the dish tomorrow. That could help with 24 as well. I'll let you know what I get after that.

(Edit: My Equipment: 5 lnb Slimline dish, HR20-100 using the OTA from the HR20)

When said the it still looks like poo, I was referring to the DirecTV feed. The OTA antenna I purchased at Wal Mart pulls in a great picture... although, I plan to put it in the attic just to get it up a little higher. mx6bfast, that is exactly what I am seeing. I don't know how they even call that HD! Thank God that this box has an OTA tuner built in! Do you think it might be the local uplink to DirecTV?

When said the it still looks like poo, I was referring to the DirecTV feed. The OTA antenna I purchased at Wal Mart pulls in a great picture... although, I plan to put it in the attic just to get it up a little higher. mx6bfast, that is exactly what I am seeing. I don't know how they even call that HD! Thank God that this box has an OTA tuner built in! Do you think it might be the local uplink to DirecTV?
I'll get in touch with the contact person at WPTY and let him know. It's almost like little burst of blocking just wherever it wants to do it on the screen. It's definitely between WPTY and D* because it's not evident on OTA.

Now that tube tv network is gone do you think wmc will replace it with something or will they increase the power on the main 5.1 channel?

I haven't noticed any more problems with 24 on D* vs. OTA (Although I still only have a cheap indoor antenna). I've had some problems with both, I just need to have a free weekend to put up a rooftop antenna.


I tried several antennas, but have had the best overall reception using the Winegard Square Shooter antenna. I think mine is actually branded Terk, but is the same design. If memory serves, I may have gotten it locally at Best Buy.

Now that tube tv network is gone do you think wmc will replace it with something or will they increase the power on the main 5.1 channel?

I hadn't noticed that Tube was gone. I'm really bummed that they took this away. It was the best way to listen for drop outs in the OTA signal without having to actually look at the picture ;). I guess I'll have to pay more attention when I adjust my antenna now.

Hopefully WMC will give the bandwidth back to the main channel and improve the PQ.

Now that tube tv network is gone do you think wmc will replace it with something or will they increase the power on the main 5.1 channel?
I sure hope so. The picture quality on that channel right now stinks. I watched some of the shows I watch and also football and they all look very bad. I almost think they look worse now than they did before. Did they take even more bandwidth away from the HD channel.

3-1 looks pretty bad too, but not as much as 5-1.

I have to agree with everyone on 5-1 looking the worst. Now that I am using a OTA antenna to watch the locals instead of the locals on DirecTV, I have noticed that 5-1 has the worst PQ. I wish DirecTV's uplink with all the locals was as good as what Comcast has.

I have to agree with everyone on 5-1 looking the worst. Now that I am using a OTA antenna to watch the locals instead of the locals on DirecTV, I have noticed that 5-1 has the worst PQ. I wish DirecTV's uplink with all the locals was as good as what Comcast has.
Do the locals on Comcast look better than it does on D*?

Has anyone noticed the left audio on WREG is buzzing? I thought it was my speakers, but it doesn't occur on other stations.

Didn't notice any buzzing on 3-1. 5-1 doesn't look any better tonight than it did last week for Heroes. I sure hope they don't create a new subchannel. Hopefully soon they will take down that message.

When said the it still looks like poo, I was referring to the DirecTV feed. The OTA antenna I purchased at Wal Mart pulls in a great picture... although, I plan to put it in the attic just to get it up a little higher. mx6bfast, that is exactly what I am seeing. I don't know how they even call that HD! Thank God that this box has an OTA tuner built in! Do you think it might be the local uplink to DirecTV?
The person from WPTY said he thinks they fixed the issue. Can you check sometime today and see if the problem is gone? I wont be able to check until later tonight.

mx6bfast: All the locals looked great over Comcast. I will check out the DirecTV feed of ABC 24 tonight and let you know.

pgfitzgerald: I noticed the buzzing last night on the DirecTV feed and OTA feed of CBS. But since there isn't one thing I watch on CBS, I just changed the channel.

Has anyone noticed the left audio on WREG is buzzing? I thought it was my speakers, but it doesn't occur on other stations.
I've got CSI:Miami from last night that I'll check out.

I got the chance to check 24 from D* and I see what you are talking about. What it looks like is massive motion blocking and it's all over the screen. But the blocks are much bigger and constantly go on and off.

Is that what you are experiencing?

I came here to comment on the same thing. D* 24 is horrible. i am going to try OTA and see if it is better, just hope it comes in for me. 24 OTA has been off and on for me as of late as has 30-1.

I came here to comment on the same thing. D* 24 is horrible. i am going to try OTA and see if it is better, just hope it comes in for me. 24 OTA has been off and on for me as of late as has 30-1.
Yeah it's not fixed yet. It almost looks like the screen is just busy, for no reason at all.

I checked it as soon as I got home and it still looks exactly the same. Oh well, it looked great with my OTA antenna.

Ok so which channels tonight will break into HD coverage to give us continual mayoral race coverage and only show about 2/3's of an SD picture? Of course, starting it at 7 pm when the polls are still open.

Ok so which channels tonight will break into HD coverage to give us continual mayoral race coverage and only show about 2/3's of an SD picture? Of course, starting it at 7 pm when the polls are still open.

I am betting that WREG will be the first one to do it.

Jerry

I am betting that WREG will be the first one to do it.

Jerry


Geesh I didn't know there was a chance of a thunderstorm 300 miles away!:eek: But there could be a chance of wind sheer if King Willie doesn't make it back in :D

I'm watching Earl in SD now with a constant crawl saying polls are closed, votes are being counted, stay tuned for results, they will be in the bottom part of the screen,log on to wmctv.com or watch comcast digital channel 4 for continuous coverage. Tune in at 9 for decision 2007. Not to mention the audio is off. They started off wrong all around.

Why the hell are they screwing up the "premium" HD channel? If I cared that much wouldn't I watch the SD channel?

For the record, WREG is showing HD content. I haven't checked WHBQ or WPTY but they are both usually pretty good about not screwing up the HD signal.

Has anyone noticed the left audio on WREG is buzzing? I thought it was my speakers, but it doesn't occur on other stations.

It must have cleared up or was fixed before prime time. I noticed it before and after work, but not after 7pm.

P

For the record, WREG is showing HD content. I haven't checked WHBQ or WPTY but they are both usually pretty good about not screwing up the HD signal.That was only true until 9. What are you all watching now?

Looks like to me, that at the 9:00PM hour, all Memphis stations started showing nothing but election coverage. The network shows will probably be replayed in the wee hours of the morning, but I'm sure they won't be in HD.

That was only true until 9. What are you all watching now?

Looks like to me, that at the 9:00PM hour, all Memphis stations started showing nothing but election coverage. The network shows will probably be replayed in the wee hours of the morning, but I'm sure they won't be in HD.
I saw the first part of CSI that was in HD. WPTY just broke into the middle of Grey's Anatomy with an update. They couldn't wait 2 minutes for the next commercial break?? :mad:

Your right all the 9 pm shows are being pre-empted.

Wow, 5-1 did a terrible job tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No HD at all with the stupid re-occuring crawl at the bottom. Man, way to screw the pooch there. Great decision.

This is why I freakin hate politics and elections... :mad:
They screw up everything. Case in point, the travesty that was Channel 5's "showing" of The Office. Put that freakin crawl on the SD channel for crying out loud! Why screw up the HD channel?. And why the heck does that have to be so freakin huge to take up really what amounts to half the screen! I was so ticked last night, I couldnt even enjoy the show. :mad:


Who do I need to call or send an email to about this? Correct me if I'm wrong, but when this has happened in the past, didnt they only put the crawl on the SD channel and leave the digital sub-channels alone?

This is why I freakin hate politics and elections... :mad:
They screw up everything. Case in point, the travesty that was Channel 5's "showing" of The Office. Put that freakin crawl on the SD channel for crying out loud! Why screw up the HD channel?. And why the heck does that have to be so freakin huge to take up really what amounts to half the screen! I was so ticked last night, I couldnt even enjoy the show. :mad:


Who do I need to call or send an email to about this? Correct me if I'm wrong, but when this has happened in the past, didnt they only put the crawl on the SD channel and leave the digital sub-channels alone?
Here is contact info from post 3601 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8475053#post8475053). I edited it a little bit.

Local station phone numbers and contact email addresses

Please use these to voice your concerns/praises for the HD quality. With the exception of Dave @ WHBQ I don't think anyone from these stations posts here regularly so they wont see what we are talking about. So if you have an opinion on a channel, voice it with these numbers and emails.

For the newer people here are the emails that you need to contact the stations in case you have any issues. These contacts, except for David Brant I pulled from the websites. (Other contacts I haven't asked or gotten permission to provide their names)

WREG: Ron Walter, ron.walter@wreg.com (station president and gm) Contact us link (http://wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=488222&nav=menu93_9_7)
WMC: Lee Meredith lmeredith@wmctv.com (station president and gm) Contact us link (http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=209759&nav=menu59_9_4) or WMC Programming with link to email HD questions (http://www.wmctv.com/Global/category.asp?C=4733&nav=menu59_9_1)
WKNO: wknopi@wkno.org
WHBQ: david.brant@foxtv.com chief engineer, or im DTV Dave
WPTY: programming@abc24.com Contact us link (http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/content/contact/default.aspx)
WLMT: programming@cw30memphis.com Contact us link (http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/content/contact/default.aspx)

ravma gathered this info:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WREG-TV: (CBS 3, OTA 28-1 & -2; cable 803):
Main Phone Number
901-543-2333
News Tip Line
901-543-2111

WMC-TV (NBC 5, OTA 52-1, -2, -3; cable 805):
Main switchboard phone number:
901-726-0555
Main newsroom number (staffed at all times):
901-726-0416

WKNO-TV (PBS 10, 29-1, -2; cable 810):
Main Number
901-325-6544

WPTY-TV (ABC 24, 25-1; cable 807) / WLMT-TV (CW 30, 31-1, 31-2; cable 809):
Main Office
901-323-2430
News Hotline
901-321-7668

WHBQ-TV (FOX 13, 53-1; cable 813)
Main Office
901-320-1313
Newsroom
901-320-1340
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After hours or weekends, call the newsroom or hot line number and ask for engineering or master control.

Has anyone eaten at Chow Time on Riverdale between Captain D's and Steak n Shake? First off it's good food, but they had 4 LCD's or plasmas in the main dining room, and one of them was on ESPNHD.

But it gets even more impressive, in the banquet area that had 3 huge, had to be at a minimum, 60" ers. Man they were big. But those all had regular SD boxes on them.

Thanks for the contact info, being new to town I can use it!

P.S.: About the quality of the D* signal on chanel 24 vs. the OTA, I saw what you were talking about. While watching "Pushing Daisies" the other night, the D* feed was full of noise and blocking while the OTA looked much better.

Thanks for the contact info, being new to town I can use it!

P.S.: About the quality of the D* signal on chanel 24 vs. the OTA, I saw what you were talking about. While watching "Pushing Daisies" the other night, the D* feed was full of noise and blocking while the OTA looked much better.
Can those who are seeing this issue please check tonight and tomorrow and see if it's still happening? D* reset their encoders and think they fixed the problem. I wont really be able to check until tomorrow pm if at all tomorrow.

I'm going to check Sunday and give the guy a call but I wont be able to check until then.

Can those who are seeing this issue please check tonight and tomorrow and see if it's still happening? D* reset their encoders and think they fixed the problem. I wont really be able to check until tomorrow pm if at all tomorrow.

I'm going to check Sunday and give the guy a call but I wont be able to check until then.

5:00 pm Saturday:Watching the Texas vs. OU game on WPTY.The noise and blocking in the D* feed is still there. OTA looks good.

Anyone that has Comcrap.... are you having issues on ESPN??? It is totally unwatchable!!!!!

5:00 pm Saturday:Watching the Texas vs. OU game on WPTY.The noise and blocking in the D* feed is still there. OTA looks good.
I got home in time to watch some of the OSU/Purdue game and saw it during that game. I'll try giving the guy a call today.

Where are my HD sports?? I get the local channels through QAM, and none of the games are in HD. The college games yesterday were fine.

kc vs jags is not in high def. I checked on the cbssports website. You should get the atlanta/titans game in high def.

I spoke with Tom at WPTY. We were on the phone with D* and he mentioned that D* said they thought they saw what we have been talking about here. So give it a few days and we will get an update on it.

I'd just ask that those who are seeing these issues just report and say you are seeing the issue.

I spoke with Tom at WPTY. We were on the phone with D* and he mentioned that D* said they thought they saw what we have been talking about here. So give it a few days and we will get an update on it.

I'd just ask that those who are seeing these issues just report and say you are seeing the issue.

The only OTA ch. I get the ""771 searching for ch." message on Direct TV today is 24-1. Before, when this happened I would do an initial setup of OTA channels and get it back , but I'm waiting till tonight to see if it comes back without going through this process. All other OTA channels are coming in OK.

I have still be seeing the issues on DirecTV feed of WPTY. OTA still looks awesome. I will call DirecTV again tonight and let them know that there is still a problem. I encourage anyone that has noticed the same issue to call DirecTV and report it as well.

Just found this thread and I am so happy to see others in Memphis talking about HDTV. I for one have been happy with my Comcast expanded basic service, up until about 3-4 weeks ago. My clear QAM tuner last month would receive all the local broadcast channels (ABC CBS NBC FOX PBS) in HD over the cable. But a few weeks ago I lost NBC CBS FOX and PBS1/2 they were on 82.2-.5 and 84.2-6 i think, now i only get ABC 24.1 and CW 30.1 I still get all the 83 music crap and around 86.100+ I get nbc cbs fox in SD. Can any one shed some light on this. Were the channels encrypted? Comcast was no help when i called them, they claimed my tv was broken. I get the channels just fine with an antenna, i just hate switching back and forth.

Geesh I didn't know there was a chance of a thunderstorm 300 miles away!:eek:
I didn't realize just how funny this really was the first time around.

ericdkirk I can't answer your question but welcome to the thread.

kc vs jags is not in high def. I checked on the cbssports website. You should get the atlanta/titans game in high def.

I tuned in when the Jags scored in the 4th quarter, just for a little while and I had HD, OTA.

Well its Monday night. MNF is on ESPN HD .... but..... I cannot watch it for the crappy PQ from Comcrap.

We are moving in a few weeks and I am dumping the Cable!!

So when is channel 5 going to dump the image on 5-2? Do we know if they are going to give that bandwidth back to 5-1? Or are they going to create another subchannel or give it to weather minus? I'd rather see the hd picture get better.

mx, can you get a screen shot of how much bandwidth that image is stealing from 5-1?

So when is channel 5 going to dump the image on 5-2? Do we know if they are going to give that bandwidth back to 5-1? Or are they going to create another subchannel or give it to weather minus? I'd rather see the hd picture get better.

mx, can you get a screen shot of how much bandwidth that image is stealing from 5-1?
I'd advise to use the contact information at the top of this page and ask them.

I'll try to get a screen shot tonight.

Anyone know anything about Direct Patch cable? They are the only cable option in the Colonnade apartments I'm moving into. I have D* now, but use Comcast for cable internet

Just to let you know, DirecPath; aka MediaQuest is the pits. Its basically Analog Cable at Comcast prices. No PPV, no DVR, no HD, barely anything I'd call Digital quality.

I'd kill for a clear line of sight for a dish; or at least for DirecPath to be what it says it is on its site

So when is channel 5 going to dump the image on 5-2? Do we know if they are going to give that bandwidth back to 5-1? Or are they going to create another subchannel or give it to weather minus? I'd rather see the hd picture get better.

mx, can you get a screen shot of how much bandwidth that image is stealing from 5-1?
As requested....http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/1269/wmc10907kk1.th.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wmc10907kk1.jpg)

WMC is still sending just under 1 mbps for 5-2, PID 0x0040

Lost Direct TV Starz HD channels & refreshed on the web site 3 times , then reset the DVR but had to talk to a Direct TV CSR who tried to get them back & couldn't ,then she passed it to her supervisor who was busy but would fix it within 30 min. In 10 min. the channels were back my problems receiving OTA 24-1 went away also.

As requested....http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/1269/wmc10907kk1.th.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wmc10907kk1.jpg)

WMC is still sending just under 1 mbps for 5-2, PID 0x0040
Thank you.

I've been trying to figure this out so please bear with me. If I am reading this right then 5-1 is getting less than 13 Mbps? Are you kidding me? :eek::eek::mad: No wonder it looks so bad.
What is the bottom green bar? Is that another subchannel that we don't know about?

Lost Direct TV Starz HD channels & refreshed on the web site 3 times , then reset the DVR but had to talk to a Direct TV CSR who tried to get them back & couldn't ,then she passed it to her supervisor who was busy but would fix it within 30 min. In 10 min. the channels were back my problems receiving OTA 24-1 went away also.
Glad you could get that fixed.

Just found this thread and I am so happy to see others in Memphis talking about HDTV. I for one have been happy with my Comcast expanded basic service, up until about 3-4 weeks ago. My clear QAM tuner last month would receive all the local broadcast channels (ABC CBS NBC FOX PBS) in HD over the cable. But a few weeks ago I lost NBC CBS FOX and PBS1/2 they were on 82.2-.5 and 84.2-6 i think, now i only get ABC 24.1 and CW 30.1 I still get all the 83 music crap and around 86.100+ I get nbc cbs fox in SD. Can any one shed some light on this. Were the channels encrypted? Comcast was no help when i called them, they claimed my tv was broken. I get the channels just fine with an antenna, i just hate switching back and forth.


I noticed the samething a few days ago. I rarely watched the locals on Comcast, but it was nice to know they were there in case I had a problem with my OTA antenna. Aren't cable operators required to carry local stations in the clear?

Were you able to get any new info on this?

Thank you.

I've been trying to figure this out so please bear with me. If I am reading this right then 5-1 is getting less than 13 Mbps? Are you kidding me? :eek::eek::mad: No wonder it looks so bad.
What is the bottom green bar? Is that another subchannel that we don't know about?
No problem. I took this chart last night during L&O during programming, no commercials.

Yes you were reading it correctly. The top box that has PMT PID tells you which feed is which, designated 0x00#0. In the Active PID's box shows how much bandwidth is given to each feed. So it says PMT PID 0x0030 WMC-DT. So all 003x's are for WMC-DT, or 5-1. At this time they were sending 12.15 mbps for video, 384.4 kbps audio, and 3.77 kbps for something else. I can only guess it's stream and/or EPG info. But it's so small it doesn't matter. So add all of those together and you get ~12.54 mbps.

Looking at the Video Bit Rate Chart shows you how much bandwidth that feed has taken up over the 5 minutes. Since there aren't any spikes, 5-1 was getting about the same amount of bandwidth the entire time. I do it this way because if I took a screen shot of a specific moment it wont give the real picture of what the channel is getting.

To answer your other question about the bottom green bar. No that is not another subchannel, it's null data that is not being used. It's there for the taking, but just sitting there twidling it's thumbs. It is what's not being used to fill out the 19.2, or .39 can't remember right now, mpbs each station has alloted to them.

So in this chart this is what you have (roughly, if my math is correct):
5-1: 12.54 mpbs
5-2: .9 mbps
5-3: 1.37 mbps
equals 14.81 mbps
add in null: 3.59 mbps
equals 18.4 mbps
plus other data: 1 mpbs
equals 19.4 mpbs

I noticed the samething a few days ago. I rarely watched the locals on Comcast, but it was nice to know they were there in case I had a problem with my OTA antenna. Aren't cable operators required to carry local stations in the clear?

Were you able to get any new info on this?

I also thought this, and I still believe that the FCC stated that local broadcast stations must be carried in digital format not encrypted on even basic cable. I called comcast and after a long explanation that this was not my tv's fault and since the digital channels are not included in the base 2-73ish channels comcast says that no other channels exist, they tell me that an engineer will call me on Saturday, I never got a call from and one. I mentioned the FCC "must carry" mandate and the manager jumped on me saying that comcast was working within all FCC mandates. I just wish i could find someone who know what the crap I am talking about, since the manger had no clue what a clear QAM tuner was, she said if it is not a STB then it cant be digital. If any one has had any luck with simply finding someone at comcast that has an idea please let me know and I will call them, or back up my idea that this is required by the FCC.

If any one has had any luck with simply finding someone at comcast that has an idea please let me know and I will call them, or back up my idea that this is required by the FCC.
Personally I'd pm DTV Dave and see if he works with Comcast and if could pass along your concerns. Couldn't hurt.

Thinkin of jumping over to Direct for my HD. We want an HD reciever with the DVR. Is there one model I should demand over another??

Do they offer a larger dish for HD??

Thanks,

Email sent to channel 5. Lets see if it will do any good.

Thinkin of jumping over to Direct for my HD. We want an HD reciever with the DVR. Is there one model I should demand over another??

Do they offer a larger dish for HD??

Thanks,


You can ask for The HR20-700 but they won't guarantee what model they will send you. The only way to get the one you want is to buy it at best buy after you open the account. They will still send a tech to do the install but this way you pay full price. being new I am not sure they will give you a deal on the reciever anyway, but you will get a better deal on programing. The HR20-700 is the model the gets all the test software if that kind of thing is of intrest to you. I do this with mine on every update. It gets you new features faster, BUT it is all beta that we test. I have DOD right now even though it is not a national release yet. The downside is a beta is a beta you have to take the bad with the good. If it is a really bad sw version you can always go back to the lastest national release after the test window is closed.

Hope that helped. Also the HR20-100 is buggy IMO.

You can ask for The HR20-700 but they won't guarantee what model they will send you. The only way to get the one you want is to buy it at best buy after you open the account. They will still send a tech to do the install but this way you pay full price. being new I am not sure they will give you a deal on the reciever anyway, but you will get a better deal on programing. The HR20-700 is the model the gets all the test software if that kind of thing is of intrest to you. I do this with mine on every update. It gets you new features faster, BUT it is all beta that we test. I have DOD right now even though it is not a national release yet. The downside is a beta is a beta you have to take the bad with the good. If it is a really bad sw version you can always go back to the lastest national release after the test window is closed.

Hope that helped. Also the HR20-100 is buggy IMO.
I agree. We have a 700 as our main unit and have DOD. If you are lucky enough to get a 700 your all set. I had problems with the 100 at first but those have seemed to fix itself.

D* is working on an HR21 which I think will be a server type deal, but I don't know when that is coming out. The aa21 line doesn't have OTA tuners and the aa20 line does.

As a reference I took these during HD programming. WLMT and WHBQ were both showing the news at this time so I didn't check them.

WREG: http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2653/wreg101007cq6.th.jpg (http://img340.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wreg101007cq6.jpg)

WPTY: http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1851/wpty101007to1.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wpty101007to1.jpg)

Do they offer a larger dish for HD??
I don't know if they install the slimline for non-HD installs, but that's what you will get.

Thinkin of jumping over to Direct for my HD. We want an HD reciever with the DVR. Is there one model I should demand over another??

Do they offer a larger dish for HD??

Thanks,

Direct TV just fired the VP of service , so their installs will probably get better. If you decide not to use Direct TV for the install , there are plenty of local companies locally that can do a good job , but It'll cost you. You can deal with Direct TV for discounts if you buy & install with someone other than them. Costco & Best Buy sell the latest DVR , the HR20-700.

I also thought this, and I still believe that the FCC stated that local broadcast stations must be carried in digital format not encrypted on even basic cable. I called comcast and after a long explanation that this was not my tv's fault and since the digital channels are not included in the base 2-73ish channels comcast says that no other channels exist, they tell me that an engineer will call me on Saturday, I never got a call from and one. I mentioned the FCC "must carry" mandate and the manager jumped on me saying that comcast was working within all FCC mandates. I just wish i could find someone who know what the crap I am talking about, since the manger had no clue what a clear QAM tuner was, she said if it is not a STB then it cant be digital. If any one has had any luck with simply finding someone at comcast that has an idea please let me know and I will call them, or back up my idea that this is required by the FCC.


If you are able to find someone who has a clue at Comcast, I'd be happy to call and back you up by telling the same story. Just post the contact info. Honestly, it's just not worth it to me to take the time to find someone who a) knows enough to understand the issue and b) may be able to make a difference. Life is too short. And, at least in this city, the Comcast people you deal with on the phone are too ignorant.

Thinkin of jumping over to Direct for my HD. We want an HD reciever with the DVR. Is there one model I should demand over another??

Do they offer a larger dish for HD??

Thanks,

If you go with the HD package you'll probably get the oval shaped slimline dish. That's what I got and some folks down the street from me got one a week or two ago.

I have the HR20 -100 DVR. Yeah, it has some bugs but nothing that would be a deal breaker. I like it more than the Comcast HDDVR I used to have.

I don't know if they install the slimline for non-HD installs, but that's what you will get.

No they don't use the slimline for non HD installs. My nextdoor neighbor got the SD service with a regular round dish.

I got an email back from 5. The guy said they are reviewing their multicasting options. He said our input helps with their decisions. Also they have new equipment to make the picture better.

We think the issues with the D* HD feed of 24 are fixed. Can those who were seeing the problems check?

We think the issues with the D* HD feed of 24 are fixed. Can those who were seeing the problems check?

Looks better. General Hospital in SD now. We'll find out more when the next HD show at 8PM , Women' Murder Club, airs. It has occasional audio dropouts on 24 & 24-1.

Watching Men In Trees & 24-1 is much better quality picture than 24 on a Direct TV HR20-700.

I had my my Slimline installed by DTV in April. I know I only get 30 days if there is a problem. There wasn't.... til the HD channels went up. I wasn't getting a signal on 103(b) at all... I adjusted it myself (its on the balcony of my apartment complex - so I could just look at the meter on the screen through the sliding door) using the meter on the screen. It got pretty good and has been fine since. I don't get some of the new HD channels unless I switch to another channel (72 seems to work) and then switch back. Lord knows what THAT has to do with anything... but it seems to work.

BTW... bolts were missing, the azimuth was off by a LOT (I'm surprised I got any signal at all in April)... anyway I'm glad to hear maybe DTV installs might get better...

ANYHOW (the point of this post). I think I'd like to get the dish aligned properly by someone who knows what they're doing... with a meter... to have it done right. I don't want to call DTV... Since I live in Memphis (near Southwind) I hoped that some of the Memphis users posting in this thread would be able to suggest a tech guy locally that I could have come out and do that for me.... preferably in the evening... can anyone of you recommend anyone? If it is outside the scope of this thread to do that I'd appreciate a PM if you've used a good dish aligner and want to recommend them.

Bill

I had my my Slimline installed by DTV in April. I know I only get 30 days if there is a problem. There wasn't.... til the HD channels went up. I wasn't getting a signal on 103(b) at all... I adjusted it myself (its on the balcony of my apartment complex - so I could just look at the meter on the screen through the sliding door) using the meter on the screen. It got pretty good and has been fine since. I don't get some of the new HD channels unless I switch to another channel (72 seems to work) and then switch back. Lord knows what THAT has to do with anything... but it seems to work.

BTW... bolts were missing, the azimuth was off by a LOT (I'm surprised I got any signal at all in April)... anyway I'm glad to hear maybe DTV installs might get better...

ANYHOW (the point of this post). I think I'd like to get the dish aligned properly by someone who knows what they're doing... with a meter... to have it done right. I don't want to call DTV... Since I live in Memphis (near Southwind) I hoped that some of the Memphis users posting in this thread would be able to suggest a tech guy locally that I could have come out and do that for me.... preferably in the evening... can anyone of you recommend anyone? If it is outside the scope of this thread to do that I'd appreciate a PM if you've used a good dish aligner and want to recommend them.

Bill

Ken Bourgeois of Marquis Home Solutions 861-9993 installed my slimline dish on the roof of a 2 story house with a meter and have had no problems. Best Buy or other big box stores also may be able to do a decent job .

Thanks!

Watching Men In Trees & 24-1 is much better quality picture than 24 on a Direct TV HR20-700.

Yeah, I saw alot of noise during Men in Trees on D* feed too. 24-1 looked fine. It's the same thing i've been seeing. I'm using HR20-100.

Yeah, I saw alot of noise during Men in Trees on D* feed too. 24-1 looked fine. It's the same thing i've been seeing. I'm using HR20-100.
I noticed the blocking again during the race Saturday night from the D* feed. It doesn't look like it's fixed after all.

Is anyone else here as upset as me that Comcast has started charging for its HD Tier? I feel that if I'm already paying for the station in SD that I should be getting in HD too without having to pay for it. In fact just remove the SD from my line up and leave me with the HD.

Well, I didn't know Comcast was now charging extra for HD. That is the way it has been all along over here. That is why I have an antenna on a 50' tower to catch CBS, NBC and FOX from Memphis. I used to envy you guys for having some clear QAM channels. Looks like the whole TV industry is looking for ways to make HD bring in more money. I just wonder what will happen after the analog shut-off. Will cable companies go all digital? Will they just drop basic cable? Will they continue to charge as much for the digital tier and HD channels as they do now?

Is anyone else here as upset as me that Comcast has started charging for its HD Tier?

Yes, I am. They had previously included many of the non-premium HD channels (TNT, MHD, Discovery HD Theatre) in the basic digital service. Now there's only the OTA channels and NGC HD.

I called customer service to complain about their dropping the channels and the rep acted like they had always been in the HD Tier along with ESPN.

Sigh. I'm just about disgusted enough to move to satellite, especially with D* getting all the new channels, and nothing coming on Comcast - at least nothing they will tell us.

Yes, I am. They had previously included many of the non-premium HD channels (TNT, MHD, Discovery HD Theatre) in the basic digital service. Now there's only the OTA channels and NGC HD.

I called customer service to complain about their dropping the channels and the rep acted like they had always been in the HD Tier along with ESPN.

Sigh. I'm just about disgusted enough to move to satellite, especially with D* getting all the new channels, and nothing coming on Comcast - at least nothing they will tell us.

I have directv and all the new hd channels are great but they are changing the hd package coming in december and going to basically charge $15 instead of $10 for the hd package (excluding hbo/starz etc if you don't have the sd movie channels) All prices are going up with this stuff but if you like hd I guess we will have to pay it.

Sigh. I'm just about disgusted enough to move to satellite, especially with D* getting all the new channels, and nothing coming on Comcast - at least nothing they will tell us.

Don't be fooled by the numbers being spouted by D* and E*. Most of the new channels will be PPV. They are indeed adding some, but not the vast numbers that they advertise.

Right now I have around 35 HD Channels not including the 4 Locals on DirecTv. I don't subscribe to the Sports Pak, Any Pay Channels, or Special sports packages, and this doesn't include ppv. If I had the movie channels and the sports pak it would add about 15 more. The NHL, NBA, NFL packages add a lot. There are 6 ppv channels today. So the 70 is a bit high, but I am extremely happy with the increase over the 7 I had before.

Has anyone heard of any plans for this? Just curious. The SD picture was terrible thru D* for the TN-AL game. I switched over to 30-1 OTA and it was much better. Just curious about HD CW programs

Has anyone heard of any plans for this? Just curious. The SD picture was terrible thru D* for the TN-AL game. I switched over to 30-1 OTA and it was much better. Just curious about HD CW programs
I asked about this a few weeks ago and I was told no status right now.

For those who saw the problems with the WPTY HD feed from D* are you seeing them again? I am.

I asked about this a few weeks ago and I was told no status right now.

For those who saw the problems with the WPTY HD feed from D* are you seeing them again? I am.


I'll watching WPTY tonight (Pushing Daisies & Dirty Sexy Money) i'll let you know what i see tomorrow.

I asked about this a few weeks ago and I was told no status right now.

For those who saw the problems with the WPTY HD feed from D* are you seeing them again? I am.


Flipped back and forth between OTA and D* feeds of WPTY during "Pushing Daisies" and "Dirty Sexy Money" last night. OTA looked fine, there was some noise in D*'s feed but it didn't seem as bad last night as the week before... or I'm just getting used to it :rolleyes:

Anybody watch My Name is Earl last night? The first half of the show had no dialogue-- only soundtrack and ambient effects. My receiver only saw it as Dolby Pro-Logic, and obviously there was no center channel. The full Dolby Digital popped on about halfway through. We actually watched it anyway, because it was interesting to see a sitcom without dialogue. We could still follow what was happening fine, from the body language and soundtrack.

Has anyone heard of any plans for this? Just curious. The SD picture was terrible thru D* for the TN-AL game. I switched over to 30-1 OTA and it was much better. Just curious about HD CW programs

The Jefferson Pilot games are just awful- no matter how you receive it. OTA is bad, D* is bad, cable is bad. It's just a crappy feed.

I have a ?-

To receive clear QAM channels, you need a QAM tuner- fine. But, are they picked up through your OTA antenna- or a coax cable?

What are people getting in the clear here as far as HD? I might buy a TV Tuner for the PC if I can get a few QAM HD channels like ESPN or something via a OTA Antenna.

To receive clear QAM channels, you need a QAM tuner- fine. But, are they picked up through your OTA antenna- or a coax cable?For QAM you will need not only a QAM tuner but a cable TV subscription. QAM is the digital cable TV carrier (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), so it is picked up via the coax cable feed from your cable company.What are people getting in the clear here as far as HD? I might buy a TV Tuner for the PC if I can get a few QAM HD channels like ESPN or something via a OTA Antenna.OTA you can get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, PAX and PBS. Someone else will have to answer the part about clear QAM, but I read here recently that there are now fewer channels in the clear than there used to be. Over here, where I live, there are zero channels in the clear on cable.:mad:

So, if my cable provider has no HDTV channels at all, there's no chance of picking up them up in the clear- that is mainly what I was wondering. I have a crap cable company at an apartment- Mediaworks/Direcpath

That is correct. Even if the cable provider has HD channels, if they are not in-the-clear, you will have to have the cable providers tuner/decoder box to get the HD channels (along with the extra subscription fees for it).

For example, my cable provider carries all the usual HD channels, but they encrypt all of them (including channels I can get OTA) so that you must use their box to view them. My QAM capable PC tuner card cannot tune them.

But, if your cable provider has no HDTV, then you are right, there is no way you will pick up something they don't provide. But, you might still get some OTA HD channels. Either with your own antenna or the apartments master antenna. Does your apartment complex have an antenna system that distributes OTA signals to each apartment?

Thurs.night's Grey's was slightly better quality on Direct TV 24. Still has occasional shimmering in the background . Has a way to go for best , but is now very good. The OTA seems to be a steadier signal also.

OTA 24-1 has been out all day today. I've also had problems with 13-1 and 30-1. Has anyone else had similar problems?

OTA 24-1 has been out all day today. I've also had problems with 13-1 and 30-1. Has anyone else had similar problems?

No problems with 13-1 or 30-1 as of 6:22 pm. But my 24-1 has been out since at least noon today. WPTY's analog is still working though. I hope they get it together by the time the Ohio St. game comes on!

No problems with 13-1 or 30-1 as of 6:22 pm. But my 24-1 has been out since at least noon today. WPTY's analog is still working though. I hope they get it together by the time the Ohio St. game comes on!

24-1 is still dead here... I am also not getting the analog station OTA...

24-1 is still dead here... I am also not getting the analog station OTA...
I just started checking recently, but I at least have some video. I can tell it's live but it is extremely broken up, no audio. I don't know if that's an upgrade from what ya'll were seeing earlier.

I just started checking recently, but I at least have some video. I can tell it's live but it is extremely broken up, no audio. I don't know if that's an upgrade from what ya'll were seeing earlier.

Just as the game started the analog OTA came back... but the digital station is all broken up... So I am stuck watching the game using the analog station.

well we finally got moved and switched from comcrap to direct and man what a huge difference in PQ!!! I called and complained several times to the cable company and they would send a cluess tech out to the house and they would have no idea.

i've seen a few times where the audio would drop out on direct but my flat screen never looked so good. its a joy to watch tv again!!!:D

That is correct. Even if the cable provider has HD channels, if they are not in-the-clear, you will have to have the cable providers tuner/decoder box to get the HD channels (along with the extra subscription fees for it).

For example, my cable provider carries all the usual HD channels, but they encrypt all of them (including channels I can get OTA) so that you must use their box to view them. My QAM capable PC tuner card cannot tune them.

That would explain a lot so what is the current status of cable companies stance on clear QAM channels?

I have a hvr 1800 in a pvr that is unable to get comcast hd channels. I can tune the analog just fine, but no HD channels this is with Sage TV as well as the wintv program. Don't know it it is tuner, or the cable company.

...so what is the current status of cable companies stance on clear QAM channels?Hard to say...it varies so much from one provider to another. It seems most cable companies encrpyt all the digital channels except for the local affiliates. And from what I've read in the FCC rules and regulations (which are very vague, IMHO) it appears that IF the provider puts the HD channel on the basic tier they must be in the clear. But there is no regulation requiring them to be on the basic tier. So it would make $en$e for the cable provider to but the HD channels in a premium tier, and encrypt them, so they can charge extra for them. That is what my local provider does. So we have zero clear QAM channels.

There are also some very vague "must carry" FCC rules about local broadcast channels. If I remember correctly, the rule is that a cable company "must carry at least one" of a local broadcasters channels on basic cable. So it looks like the way some providers interpret that right now is that if they carry the analog channel of a local broadcaster on the basic tier, they are not required to carry even one HD channel in the clear. That is they way the Paragould cable provider looks at it. About a year ago, the only clear QAM channel they were providing was the weather sub channel of the Jonesboro ABC station, but not the HD broadcast. They have sense stopped that and now encrypt absolutely everything, even the OTA sub-channels. Only thing available on the basic tier is analog, right now. It will be interesting to see what they do when the broadcasters shut off the analog channels. So, with the current FCC rules, they still "must carry" one of the local channels "in-the-clear" on the basic tier, but would it have to be the HD channel? I don't know, but I would hope so.

well we finally got moved and switched from comcrap to direct and man what a huge difference in PQ!!! I called and complained several times to the cable company and they would send a cluess tech out to the house and they would have no idea.

i've seen a few times where the audio would drop out on direct but my flat screen never looked so good. its a joy to watch tv again!!!:D
I went from Comcast to D* also and am enjoying it.

So what's up with 5? They still have that static message on 5-2 even though the channel has been gone for nearly a month. And it looks cleaner so I tend to think they are giving more bandwidth to it.

Thoughts?

So what's up with 5? They still have that static message on 5-2 even though the channel has been gone for nearly a month. And it looks cleaner so I tend to think they are giving more bandwidth to it.

Thoughts?
They are.

Personally I think they are going to create another subchannel to take it's place. I basing this purely on what they haven't done yet, and I truly wish I could be proved wrong. I think this because they haven't taken the message down after a month yet. If they were going to drop the subchannel all together wouldn't they have already dropped it and given that bandwidth back to the main HD channel?

That and seeing the bitrates during HD programming and how much bandwidth that is being wasted on null data makes me believe they don't want to give us premium HD quality.

Thanks for the update Neil L I was thinking about doing an rma of my hvr 1800 but I did not know if it was Comcast or not. The more I look into it the more I think it is the cable co. Especially with the use of sandvine to shape/block p2p traffic.

I am not in a position to switch as I just sold my house, and am waiting to get a better job in the near future. If anyone knows for sure or has a good link to local Comcast practice on Clear QAM please post.

I am setting up my Tivo HD (it looks great!). I just have basic cable with no box. My tivo scanned and found 356 channels. I know many of these are encrypted, but several are not. Is there a way to find out which ones aren't without going through each one. Also, how can I get Tivo to recognize the channel for viewing guide purposes. Like cable 24-1 is ABCHD, but my tivo just says "no programming info avail." Thanks for the help.

O.K. I read thru the last 30 pages of this thread and only 2 of the channels work unencryped at home. 24-1 and 93-2. I take it these channels change from time to time. How do you keep up with it? Also, would I just be better off puting an antenna on and relying more on that signal rather than the QAM? The antenna I used before gave me a lot of stuck displays and was very unreliable. What are you guys using as a discrete antenna behind the T. V.?

I use an inhouse Phillips HDTV Antenna. I'd give it a 2 out of 5. I get clear reception on a good day, break ups on a bad day. The higher up, the better, whoch doesn't help much if you're on the first floor in an apartment.

O.K. I read thru the last 30 pages of this thread and only 2 of the channels work unencryped at home. 24-1 and 93-2. I take it these channels change from time to time. How do you keep up with it? Also, would I just be better off puting an antenna on and relying more on that signal rather than the QAM? The antenna I used before gave me a lot of stuck displays and was very unreliable. What are you guys using as a discrete antenna behind the T. V.?
If they continue to change it might be easier to get an antenna.

Which area of the city do you live?

I take it these channels change from time to time. How do you keep up with it? You don't. Tivo doesn't provide guide data for those channels via unencrypted QAM because they are subject to change without notice. You either need to get a cablecard(s) or an antenna to properly record local HD.

These topics are discussed at length in at the former sister site to AVS, Tivocommunity.com.

-Robert

I take it these channels change from time to time. How do you keep up with it?About the only thing you can do is re-scan every so often. Especially if you start having trouble with a certain channel, that may mean they've moved it.Also, would I just be better off puting an antenna on and relying more on that signal rather than the QAM?Maybe. Depends on what you situation is. OTA reception can be difficult. It sure is for me. Plus, with OTA (and in-the-clear QAM for that matter) you a limited to broadcast networks. You won't have any premium HD content, like DiscoveryHD, ESPN-HD, HBO, etc. Most reliable way to go might be to subscribe to the cable provider's HD package.

Just to let you know, DirecPath; aka MediaQuest is the pits. Its basically Analog Cable at Comcast prices. No PPV, no DVR, no HD, barely anything I'd call Digital quality.

I'd kill for a clear line of sight for a dish; or at least for DirecPath to be what it says it is on its site
I saw a snippet of WHBQ yesterday that apartment owners are being targeted by someone, I think the FCC, to be able to support more than 1 kind of cable co/sat co. They say it's unfair to only support 1 provider.

I saw a snippet of WHBQ yesterday that apartment owners are being targeted by someone, I think the FCC, to be able to support more than 1 kind of cable co/sat co. They say it's unfair to only support 1 provider.

FCC Bans Exclusive Cable Contracts (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Bans-Exclusive-Cable-Contracts-88990)

Jerry

Anyone else lose ESPN-HD on Direct this afternoon ?

Anyone else lose ESPN-HD on Direct this afternoon ?
Yeah I don't have it either. I wonder if D* thinks we are getting one of the games nationally on ABC? I would call but don't have the time.

Looks like WPTY-DT has been acting up again. I saw it earlier but it seemed like it was fixed.

Anyone else lose ESPN-HD on Direct this afternoon ?

I lost it on Comcast as well. I thought it was a cable issue. I guess not.

I lost ESPN-HD on Comcast too. What's up with that?!

I lost all of my Comcast HD programming except for the few that are available OTA (803 through 813). It coincided with an ancient digital box in the bedroom dying, and I got that taken care of Friday (swapped out the box). Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to call and ask about it yet. Anybody know if they used the addition of USA-HD last week as an opportunity to change their packages around so they can charge extra for the other HD's (TNT-HD, DiscoveryHD, etc...)?

Checked out DirecTV's feed of ABC and the it looks like they have fixed the PQ issues. I don't watch anything on ABC on Monday nights, but I did leave it one Dancing With The Stars for about five minutes and the PQ was just as good as the OTA feed of ABC. Hope it stays this way!

Checked out DirecTV's feed of ABC and the it looks like they have fixed the PQ issues. I don't watch anything on ABC on Monday nights, but I did leave it one Dancing With The Stars for about five minutes and the PQ was just as good as the OTA feed of ABC. Hope it stays this way!
Yeah definitely. I noticed 2 weeks ago when they were having problems and we lost the HD feed the D* HD feed was great then slowly had all the blocking all over the place. Then it acted up again this weekend. Maybe this time everything will stay working just fine.

It was really hard to watch the FSU game this weekend.

OK. I am a total HDTV noob and as of right now, I'm planning my TV, SAT receiver, and HD DVD player purchase. I am kind of confused about local HD chanels. Forever, I have had local channels on regular DTV and from reading some of these posts, it seems that you have to buy an OTA antena. WTF? How come you can't receive Local chanels through your receiver? I will be getting a DirecTV HR21-600 reciever. Hell, is there anything else I need to buy?

OK. I am a total HDTV noob and as of right now, I'm planning my TV, SAT receiver, and HD DVD player purchase. I am kind of confused about local HD chanels. Forever, I have had local channels on regular DTV and from reading some of these posts, it seems that you have to buy an OTA antena. WTF? How come you can't receive Local chanels through your receiver? I will be getting a DirecTV HR21-600 reciever. Hell, is there anything else I need to buy?

DirecTV carries CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX in HD in Memphis. They Carry PBS, MyNetwork and CW in SD only. The OTA antenna is a good fallback plan if the sat signal goes out for any reason, or if you watch a lot of stuff on MyNet, CW or PBS. As of the HR20-100/700 models, D* recivers do get OTA DTV signals and add the info into your onscreen guide. It appears the newest HR-21 models will no longer include OTA capibilities.

There is talk of more HD locals after the next new sat goes up.

Depending on where you live in relation to the broadcast towers you may not need a huge expensive antenna. For some folks a set of rabbit ears may be enough. Take a look at antennaweb.org (http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx) to get an idea of what you'll need.

DirecTV carries CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX in HD in Memphis. They Carry PBS, MyNetwork and CW in SD only. The OTA antenna is a good fallback plan if the sat signal goes out for any reason, or if you watch a lot of stuff on MyNet, CW or PBS. As of the HR20-100/700 models, D* recivers do get OTA DTV signals and add the info into your onscreen guide. It appears the newest HR-21 models will no longer include OTA capibilities.

There is talk of more HD locals after the next new sat goes up.

Depending on where you live in relation to the broadcast towers you may not need a huge expensive antenna. For some folks a set of rabbit ears may be enough. Take a look at antennaweb.org (http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx) to get an idea of what you'll need.


Ok, thank you so much. That definitely clears everything up for me.

An antenna allows you to pick up Digital and HD broadcasts from the local stations (including local and national feeds) free of charge as long as either your receiver or TV are capable of receiving the signals.

The HR21 does not have an OTA tuner, so it will not allow local OTA channel reception. The HR20 and the older HR10 HDTiVO both have built in OTA tuners.

With either the HR20 or HR21, you can receive most of the locals in HD (I'll have to leave this to others to confirm, but I think the local line up is CBS/NBC/ABC/Fox).

What else yo need depends on where you live.

Hope this helps.

Ron

Sorry for the duplicate response, Gary beat me to the punch :-)

Don't forget sub-channels. I actually watch the local news on the 3-2 and the weather on 5-2.

If you post your approximate location, someone in your neighborhood or nearby can recommend an antenna.

-Robert

OK. I am a total HDTV noob and as of right now, I'm planning my TV, SAT receiver, and HD DVD player purchase. I am kind of confused about local HD chanels. Forever, I have had local channels on regular DTV and from reading some of these posts, it seems that you have to buy an OTA antena. WTF? How come you can't receive Local chanels through your receiver? I will be getting a DirecTV HR21-600 reciever. Hell, is there anything else I need to buy?
How do you know you will be getting an HR21? If you want OTA I'd call and request an HR20 because not all of your locals are carried by D*. Then maybe call the installer company and request one.

We had a failure last night in our HD IRD and we are working with NBC and Tiernan to get a replacement in here tomorrow. We will be up-converting Prime time tonight (Friday) and we hope to have a replacement IRD delivered Saturday morning. As soon as it comes in we will test and install the unit. Sorry for the inconvenience, we hope to be back to true HD by tomorrow noon.

D Evans
WMC

Dave, thanks for the update. I think it's really cool of you to inform us about what technical difficulties you are having. But, how many here knew what an IRD was, if you are not a broadcast engineer? I didn't. My first thought was, hmmm, an HD IRD failure, so...

But then, I googled and found IRD is Integrated Receiver Decoder. OK, so it's good you are getting a replacement IRD ASAP.

We had a failure last night in our HD IRD and we are working with NBC and Tiernan to get a replacement in here tomorrow. We will be up-converting Prime time tonight (Friday) and we hope to have a replacement IRD delivered Saturday morning. As soon as it comes in we will test and install the unit. Sorry for the inconvenience, we hope to be back to true HD by tomorrow noon.

D Evans
WMC
Thanks for the info. Would this replacement equipment make the HD picture look better? Can you tell us what is up with 5-2? Is it going away?

Is anyone else having trouble with the broadcast of the Auburn at Georgia came on in HD on DirecTV on WREG? Or is it just a glitch in this new HR20 I'm using. It's dropping out every couple of minutes, and then periodically it will drop out for 2 whole minutes.

Nm

Is anyone else having trouble with the broadcast of the Auburn at Georgia came on in HD on DirecTV on WREG? Or is it just a glitch in this new HR20 I'm using. It's dropping out every couple of minutes, and then periodically it will drop out for 2 whole minutes.
I've had it on for about 20 minutes and didn't see any dropouts. Maybe they cleared up by the time I started watching.

On a side note has anyone seen the score of the Navy/North Texas game? It right now is 73-56. :eek: Remind you this is a football game.

Is anyone else having trouble with the broadcast of the Auburn at Georgia came on in HD on DirecTV on WREG? Or is it just a glitch in this new HR20 I'm using. It's dropping out every couple of minutes, and then periodically it will drop out for 2 whole minutes.


I was experiencing the same. I even tried the OTA and couldn't even get a signal. I too have D*, not sure if it was a D* issue or WREG.

Well no problems with WPTY-DT tonight, thankfully. But I do have to say, the D* HD feed looks better than it has the previous weeks. Hopefully this last round of mess ups fixed their D* feed permanently.

Is anyone else having trouble with the broadcast of the Auburn at Georgia came on in HD on DirecTV on WREG? Or is it just a glitch in this new HR20 I'm using. It's dropping out every couple of minutes, and then periodically it will drop out for 2 whole minutes.

I had the same issue OTA several times. Finally resolved in the 2nd half.

Anybody having trouble receiving WMC-DT OTA? I am not getting a signal. If it is down I hope it gets fixed before tonights game.

Jerry

I'm not receiving any signal from WMC-DT OTA either. I am never sure whether it's a transmission problem, or a reception problem way over here.

I'm not receiving any signal from WMC-DT OTA either. I am never sure whether it's a transmission problem, or a reception problem way over here.

I am only 25 miles from the towers, and I rarely have any problems with WMC-DT. Oh well I guess I have to go to the local sports bar to watch the game tonight.

Jerry

Don't know about earlier but saw ya'lls post and I am getting a/v on WMC-DT.

Was the HD feed from D* out also? If so they must get the signal OTA.

Well no problems with WPTY-DT tonight, thankfully. But I do have to say, the D* HD feed looks better than it has the previous weeks. Hopefully this last round of mess ups fixed their D* feed permanently.

I noticed the D* feed of WPTY looked A WHOLE LOT better as of Friday nights "Men In Trees" episode. Haven't seen any problems since!:)

24.1 OTA seems to be better the last week. I hope we all are seeing the rewards of some very good effort on their part to get this right. Overall, all my local OTA have improved seemingly, except 5.1. I wish WMC would get their act together and put out a real signal that can be reliably picked up by the many of us at short distances from their tower.

WMC and FOX HD via Comcast have both been out for me the last 2 days. Couldn't watch the Dallas/Giants game or the Sunday night Colts game. Everything else worked. Anyone else still having issues with WMC?

WMC and FOX HD via Comcast have both been out for me the last 2 days. Couldn't watch the Dallas/Giants game or the Sunday night Colts game. Everything else worked. Anyone else still having issues with WMC?
I'm getting it OTA but not having any issues with it. But I am having issues with the PQ. Heros last night looked terrible. :(

We finally have FSN South and Sports South in HD from D*. Now we just need more HD games.

Anyone else having issues with their new HD channels on D*. All of the my mpeg 4 channels are filled with blocking and pixelation. This has really started in the last couple of weeks. My signal strengths look ok. It's making it unbearable to watch anything in HD. I wanna make sure I'm the only one before I get the protection plan and wait a month before I call them.

Anyone else having issues with their new HD channels on D*. All of the my mpeg 4 channels are filled with blocking and pixelation. This has really started in the last couple of weeks. My signal strengths look ok. It's making it unbearable to watch anything in HD. I wanna make sure I'm the only one before I get the protection plan and wait a month before I call them.
I haven't had any issues with them.

Anyone else having issues with their new HD channels on D*. All of the my mpeg 4 channels are filled with blocking and pixelation. This has really started in the last couple of weeks. My signal strengths look ok. It's making it unbearable to watch anything in HD. I wanna make sure I'm the only one before I get the protection plan and wait a month before I call them.

I had a little break up on the HD channels yesterday when the storms were rolling through, but nothing other than that.

I just purchase a Samsung 4665 HDTV and have Direct tv. The samesung has all the tuners in it to get all air HDTC. How do I go about getting channel 30 HD?

I just purchase a Samsung 4665 HDTV and have Direct tv. The samesung has all the tuners in it to get all air HDTC. How do I go about getting channel 30 HD?
Either put up an antenna or buy Comcast.

Hey everyone. Its been a month or so since I've been here.

About WMC-HD, I flipped over to 5-1 and was shocked to see a picture! We had been unable to recieve any signal for WMC-DT for three or so months. By the way, I'm up in Ripley (TN).

maybe it was the weather messing with my D* signal, I haven't had much of a problem since.

Greetings other Memphians. I live in Cordova and friday purchased my first HDTV. I knew that I could get some/all digital HD local channels just using an antenna so I'm trying to do that rather than upgrade my Dish to HD (mostly to save a few bucks) at least for a little while.

Question - I am using an old antenna (something we had just around the house) and I'm getting GREAT reception on some digital channels, but for some reason can't get Fox (13.1) to come in at all. Anyone have any suggestions? I tried all the settings on the antenna and nothing. I'm curious if I'm missing something or if it is simply because it's an old antenna.

Thanks!

Greetings other Memphians. I live in Cordova and friday purchased my first HDTV. I knew that I could get some/all digital HD local channels just using an antenna so I'm trying to do that rather than upgrade my Dish to HD (mostly to save a few bucks) at least for a little while.

Question - I am using an old antenna (something we had just around the house) and I'm getting GREAT reception on some digital channels, but for some reason can't get Fox (13.1) to come in at all. Anyone have any suggestions? I tried all the settings on the antenna and nothing. I'm curious if I'm missing something or if it is simply because it's an old antenna.

Thanks!

Have you went to the website www.antennaweb.org? You can use you address to get the exact location of the Memphis Towers. I have an old Radioshack uhf/vhf outdoor antenna it is really big mounted in my attic and I live in Tipton county and I pick up all memphis locals. 13 is probably the farthest separation from the other towers. If your antenna is really small that might be the problem but most likely you just need to tweak it some while pointing it.

I did check the website after surfing this thread very quickly yesterday. It is showing the fox tower as one of the closest one's to me. I think I just need to keep playing as 3 & 24 come in cyrstal clear in digital, but I don't get a digital signal from 5 or 13. I think it's just trial & error, but didn't know if anyone had any hints/tips.

I am using an old antenna (something we had just around the house) and I'm getting GREAT reception on some digital channels, but I don't get a digital signal from 5 or 13. Anyone have any suggestions?Just how old is this antenna? Is it VHF only. The first antenna I put up about thirty years ago was VHF only because at the time that was all we needed around here.

Just a guess here, but since the channels you are getting are in the mid-UHF range, and the two you are not getting are way up on channels 52 and 53, maybe you antenna just too weak with upper UHF.

Just how old is this antenna? Is it VHF only. The first antenna I put up about thirty years ago was VHF only because at the time that was all we needed around here.

Just a guess here, but since the channels you are getting are in the mid-UHF range, and the two you are not getting are way up on channels 52 and 53, maybe you antenna just too weak with upper UHF.

The antenna has got to be 10 years old maybe? it has both UHF & VHF. I thought the 2 I'm not getting were 5.1 and 13.1? Should that not be NBC & Fox? I get 3.1 and 24.1 crystal clear.....

I'm pretty new w/ all this, I like to think I'm mildly tech savy, but really I have a lot to learn.....

Just a guess here, but since the channels you are getting are in the mid-UHF range, and the two you are not getting are way up on channels 52 and 53, maybe you antenna just too weak with upper UHF.
I think you might be right.

If he is getting WPTY-DT fine then he shouldn't have too much trouble with WMC-DT since it is on the same tower. Also WREG-DT is pretty close to WHBQ-DT.

The antenna has got to be 10 years old maybe? it has both UHF & VHF. I thought the 2 I'm not getting were 5.1 and 13.1? Should that not be NBC & Fox? I get 3.1 and 24.1 crystal clear.....

I'm pretty new w/ all this, I like to think I'm mildly tech savy, but really I have a lot to learn.....
Yes 5.1 is NBC and 13.1 is FOX. The digital channel they are being broadcast in is not always the same channel number. Even though WMC-DT is being broadcast on digital channel 52, your tuner will remap it to 5. antennaweb.org will show the digital assignments for each channel.

This link shows the digital channels for each station. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11821127#post11821127

This may be the complete wrong place to ask this, but does anyone have Dish HD?? I am thinking about upgrading now that I have an HD TV, but my wife is worried about the costs (we're young and planning kids, so money is sort of tight).... Just curious what the upgrade costs are, and what a "normal" monthly bill might be. I know it's $10 a mo. for their HD package, but the upgrade cost has alluded me so far. We have dish right now, so I'd threaten to switch if it would force their hand. My issue is I HAVE to get an HD DVR. We can live w/ OTA HD local programming for a while, but I don't think I'd survive more than a couple days without my DVR.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light for me so that I don't have to call and deal w/ some idiot csr from Dish network.

This may be the complete wrong place to ask this, but does anyone have Dish HD?? I am thinking about upgrading now that I have an HD TV, but my wife is worried about the costs (we're young and planning kids, so money is sort of tight).... Just curious what the upgrade costs are, and what a "normal" monthly bill might be. I know it's $10 a mo. for their HD package, but the upgrade cost has alluded me so far. We have dish right now, so I'd threaten to switch if it would force their hand. My issue is I HAVE to get an HD DVR. We can live w/ OTA HD local programming for a while, but I don't think I'd survive more than a couple days without my DVR.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light for me so that I don't have to call and deal w/ some idiot csr from Dish network.
No this is the place for it. dogpoobob could provide more info but I do know that E* is offering free HD DVR's to new customers. I don't know if you could get a cut of that deal.

Ok so i found out the answer to my earlier D'network question.. If anyone else is curious here goes -

Currently I have a Dish DVR receiver running 2 TV's with the America's top 200 package.

If (or more likely when) I want to upgrade to the HD DVR essentially Dish's deal right now (hopefully doesn't change anytime soon I guess) is this -

$100 up front at installation for the HD DVR. I was told the HD DVR is "free" as there is a $100 rebate being given, takes 6-8 weeks to process after the installation is complete and shows up as a credit on your monthly bill.

$6 a mo lease fee for the HD DVR (only part that kind of annoys me as I don't pay a monthly fee now, but I couldn't talk the girl out of it).

$20 a mo for the HD programming package, with the first 6 mo's currently being free.

So basically anyone who's in the same boat as me and looking to upgrade w/ Dish - it's 6 months of your normal bill now plus $6, and then $20 a mo more ontop of that $6 after the 6 mo's is over.... Plus your out $100 for about 2 month's while they "process" your rebate.

If anyone here is currently using the Dish HD package i'd be curious to hear your thoughts about how the service is...

I sent an email to channel 5 asking about if 5-2 is going to finally be dropped. The answer was no status. I'm really starting to believe they are going to put another sub-channel there and they could care less about the picture.

Is it really that hard for 3 and 5 to give us decent HD picture quality?

:mad:

Which service provides a better HD picture? It looks like DirectTV offers more for less money. Tivo has an HD DVR for cable, but not for DirectTV. Does the DirectTV DVR record HD? Any other things I should take into consideration?

My understanding is the DTV HD DVR will record HD programming. However the amount you can record is about 1/4 of the normal amount. ie. I think i've seen HD dvr's that say they can record 50 hours of HD programming and 200 hours of regular programming.

I would switch from D* to DTV except that the D* receiver setup fits my house better (the fact i can run 2 TV's off one receiver/DVR is really nice).

As far as the pq i really can't comment on which is better... I'm sure someone with far more technical knowledge might be able to give you a good answer.

I sent an email to channel 5 asking about if 5-2 is going to finally be dropped. The answer was no status. I'm really starting to believe they are going to put another sub-channel there and they could care less about the picture.

Is it really that hard for 3 and 5 to give us decent HD picture quality?

:mad:
Apparently yes.

Which service provides a better HD picture? It looks like DirectTV offers more for less money. Tivo has an HD DVR for cable, but not for DirectTV. Does the DirectTV DVR record HD? Any other things I should take into consideration?

Overall, Comcast has traditionally provided a better picture quality. They don't (or at least didn't used to) do any downressing of the HD feeds, so whatever resolution/bitrate the original source material was provided to them, that's what was passed down to the cable box. DirecTV does the controversial "HD-lite", where they downres 1920x1080 to 1440x1080, or even 1280x1080, to save on bandwidth. Their picture quality has improved some with the new MPEG4 channels, but is apparently still sub-par compared to Comcast.

However, Comcast has a pretty pitiful HD offering compared to DirecTV. They've added a few more channels in Memphis over the past couple months, but nothing that exciting. Of the 4 new channels, I've only watched USA-HD a few times, and that's it. Right now, Comcast is constrained by available bandwidth and will likely roll out far fewer HD channels than DirecTV, who have the new MPEG4 satellites. DirecTV's DVR is much nicer than Comcast's IMO. Comcast also lacks HDNet and HDNet Movies, which is pretty big.

It really all comes down to quality versus quantity.

Which service provides a better HD picture? It looks like DirectTV offers more for less money. Tivo has an HD DVR for cable, but not for DirectTV. Does the DirectTV DVR record HD? Any other things I should take into consideration?
I can't comment on Comcast, since my friend no longer has them, but as someone who wants to see the best HD PQ possible I will say it is very good. The older mpeg-2 channels are still bad, but the new mpeg-4 stuff looks nice. They look much better than 3 of the local stations that we have here comparing OTA. The new HD channels don't turn into a motion blocked mess when there is the slightest of action of the screen. However there is room for improvement for them. And what I have read that comes from the source, not from D*.

I don't watch local HD's from D* so I can't comment on that. I only watch them OTA.

True D* doesn't have a new Tivo for the new channels, but the HD DVR in my opinion overall is better than the HDTivo. I loved my HDTivo, mostly because it was new. I don't love the HD DVR, but I do like it. I doubt Tivo will be coming back to D* anytime soon.

Other things you should take into consideration with all providers is up front costs, monthly costs, and agreement terms. D* has a 2 year agreement when you sign up. Not sure about the others.

If you do decide to go with D*, let me know. I can provide you a number in which we will both get $50 our bills.

D* has a 2 year agreement when you sign up. Not sure about the others.

I might be wrong, or it may be diff for a new subscriber, but I think when I was talking to D* yesterday the commitment is 18 mo's not 2 years. Not that it makes a huge difference, but just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents again.

Out of curiosity mx why do you watch the OTA feeds still rather than D*?? I'm eagerly awaiting getting the HD DVR (after the holidays) because my wife is far more pleased watching something where she can FFW the commercials rather than the MUCH MUCH nicer PQ from the OTA feed. but just wondering if the D* HD programming really isn't much better than their normal feed if i'm better just keeping things the way i have them now.

I might be wrong, or it may be diff for a new subscriber, but I think when I was talking to D* yesterday the commitment is 18 mo's not 2 years. Not that it makes a huge difference, but just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents again.

Out of curiosity mx why do you watch the OTA feeds still rather than D*?? I'm eagerly awaiting getting the HD DVR (after the holidays) because my wife is far more pleased watching something where she can FFW the commercials rather than the MUCH MUCH nicer PQ from the OTA feed. but just wondering if the D* HD programming really isn't much better than their normal feed if i'm better just keeping things the way i have them now.
24 months is for advanced products, ie HD and possibly DVR. http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=105136

Regarding OTA vs D*, OTA will always have the best PQ, of course that isn't saying much for some stations. If D* is getting the feed via fiber from the stations then that could be different. But to my knowledge they are getting them OTA also.

Case in point, we were watching Bones when the season restarted and I thought the PQ looked worse. There was blocking when changing scenes and there wasn't much depth to the picture. Turn out my wife setup the season pass for the D* feed. That also explained why the change over from Bones to House was weird because the OTA feed was setup for that.

Plus OTA doesn't go out during bad storms. Which sometimes doesn't really make a difference because 2 stations, which have weather subchannels go figure, will break into HD programming to advise of a thunderstorm. As someone cleverly mentioned in this thread way out of the way. While 3 other stations don't break into HD programming.

Overall, Comcast has traditionally provided a better picture quality. They don't (or at least didn't used to) do any downressing of the HD feeds, so whatever resolution/bitrate the original source material was provided to them, that's what was passed down to the cable box. DirecTV does the controversial "HD-lite", where they downres 1920x1080 to 1440x1080, or even 1280x1080, to save on bandwidth. Their picture quality has improved some with the new MPEG4 channels, but is apparently still sub-par compared to Comcast.

However, Comcast has a pretty pitiful HD offering compared to DirecTV. They've added a few more channels in Memphis over the past couple months, but nothing that exciting. Of the 4 new channels, I've only watched USA-HD a few times, and that's it. Right now, Comcast is constrained by available bandwidth and will likely roll out far fewer HD channels than DirecTV, who have the new MPEG4 satellites. DirecTV's DVR is much nicer than Comcast's IMO. Comcast also lacks HDNet and HDNet Movies, which is pretty big.

It really all comes down to quality versus quantity.


Great post, Aro. That's basically what I wanted to know. I'm not a fan of Comcast, but I just bought a 52W3000 with stunning picture quality, and I'd rather have the best HD source possible. I checked their channel lineup, and it looks like they have only 12 HD channels, plus the local channels that I already get OTA. I hope the local channels are just as good or better than OTA. 3 of the additional 12 HD channels require additional fees according to their website (ESPN HD, MOJO, and NBC Universal HD).

It looks like $58/month is the cheapest Comcast offers (after the 3 month promotional rate ends), with $61 startup fees. Yikes, makes me stop and wonder if I should stick with OTA and renting Blu-rays from Netflix.

I can't comment on Comcast, since my friend no longer has them, but as someone who wants to see the best HD PQ possible I will say it is very good. The older mpeg-2 channels are still bad, but the new mpeg-4 stuff looks nice. They look much better than 3 of the local stations that we have here comparing OTA. The new HD channels don't turn into a motion blocked mess when there is the slightest of action of the screen. However there is room for improvement for them. And what I have read that comes from the source, not from D*.

I don't watch local HD's from D* so I can't comment on that. I only watch them OTA.

True D* doesn't have a new Tivo for the new channels, but the HD DVR in my opinion overall is better than the HDTivo. I loved my HDTivo, mostly because it was new. I don't love the HD DVR, but I do like it. I doubt Tivo will be coming back to D* anytime soon.

Other things you should take into consideration with all providers is up front costs, monthly costs, and agreement terms. D* has a 2 year agreement when you sign up. Not sure about the others.

If you do decide to go with D*, let me know. I can provide you a number in which we will both get $50 our bills.

Thanks for the info. I didn't even consider D* because someone told me that DirectTv was better. I guess I should look at them too.