No the game was not.
wpty was messed up alot this weekend during the football games and the nascar race yesterday. I tried both ota and directv but both pictures were messed up.
I was told the encoder is going bad and they are working on getting a replacement.

I asked about the games on WLMT and was told they are installing the equipment and it could be months. I asked why new equipment and I haven't gotten an answer yet. Translation - don't expect SEC HD on WLMT

Maybe someone can explain why they would need new equipment for a new feed of HD. I don't know and would like to.

WPTY is really breaking up bad with lots of artifacts on DirecTV. The wife is a huge Dancing w/ Stars fan and is not liking this very much. Anyone know when they will have it fixed?

WPTY is really breaking up bad with lots of artifacts on DirecTV. The wife is a huge Dancing w/ Stars fan and is not liking this very much. Anyone know when they will have it fixed?
Once they find the problem and get the part ordered usually 1 - 2 business days based on previous times with other stations.

I was watching a few minutes of the last part of the Heros special, and watching it reminded me why I don't WMC. PQ is terrible. I'm not even looking to watching it now. Is it me or is it strange that the first channel that had HD news in Memphis also has the worst HD in Memphis? I'm confused, do they care about HD?

And why spend 1.4 mbps telling us the Tube is no longer available. We are about to hit the year anniversary of it being dead.

For those wondering, WMC was sending Heros at less than 13 mbps. Fox was sending Prison Break at a constant higher rate than that.

Just dropped in to see if anyone else had noticed ABC 24 pixelating and it looks like I am not alone. I tried to watch Boston Legal on the DVR and I just ended up turning it off after a minute of constant breakups. The strange thing is, they had this SAME exact problem around this time last year and they ended up having to order some new equipment then as well. Good to hear they are working on it. Also, tried watching Terminator show on Fox 13 and there was no vocals. It sounded like just the surround feed coming through. Anyone else notice this?

Regarding Terminator, was this the entire show? I just checked the first 5 minutes or so (haven't watched it yet) and the vocals were fine. I recorded it from the D* feed not OTA.

I did see some pixelation with Boston Legal and there was some sound problems as well. Almost like studdering.

Regarding Terminator, was this the entire show? I just checked the first 5 minutes or so (haven't watched it yet) and the vocals were fine. I recorded it from the D* feed not OTA.

I did see some pixelation with Boston Legal and there was some sound problems as well. Almost like studdering.
I haven't watched Terminator either but if the D* feed was fine then the OTA was fine also. I'm pretty sure that D* takes the OTA signal from each station. There are a few exceptions nationwide where an actual fiber feed is sent from the station to D*.

WPTY-DT was off air this morning so they must be fixing or replacing the encoder. That's good as my wife would not be happy if she had to endure what I did for the race Sunday during Grey's.

Just dropped in to see if anyone else had noticed ABC 24 pixelating and it looks like I am not alone. I tried to watch Boston Legal on the DVR and I just ended up turning it off after a minute of constant breakups. The strange thing is, they had this SAME exact problem around this time last year and they ended up having to order some new equipment then as well. Good to hear they are working on it. Also, tried watching Terminator show on Fox 13 and there was no vocals. It sounded like just the surround feed coming through. Anyone else notice this?


ABC 24's digital D* feed was off the air for a while yesterday afternoon. Caused my wife to miss one of her soaps she recorded. Don't know if that's related or not.

I watched Terminator recorded from D* digital feed. I didn't have any sound problems.

I was told the encoder is going bad and they are working on getting a replacement.

I asked about the games on WLMT and was told they are installing the equipment and it could be months. I asked why new equipment and I haven't gotten an answer yet. Translation - don't expect SEC HD on WLMT

Maybe someone can explain why they would need new equipment for a new feed of HD. I don't know and would like to.

Funny they can show Smallville in HD but not Raycom Sports HD.
Maybe next year.

Funny they can show Smallville in HD but not Raycom Sports HD.
Maybe next year.
Exactly.

It's like WHBQ saying they can show House in HD but not NFL.

The digital signal on ABC 24 is out via D* again this afternoon. Wife's soap not recorded i'm in trouble.

Digital 24-1 OTA is working but audio is screwy.

Analog 24 seems fine both OTA and from D*

The stuttering and pixelation we saw on ABC 24 WPTY on Monday night was happening on both DirecTV and on OTA SD digital TV. Hopefully it's fixed now.

Sure will be glad when WLMT comes in HD through DirecTV, as our HD receiver is one of those newer ones with no OTA antenna connection. When we got our HD receiver swapped out a few months ago, we gained channel 5 HD (never could pick that up OTA), but then lost 10 and 30 in HD since those aren't broadcast through the satellite in HD yet. :(

The digital signal on ABC 24 is out via D* again this afternoon. Wife's soap not recorded i'm in trouble.

Digital 24-1 OTA is working but audio is screwy.

Analog 24 seems fine both OTA and from D*
Uh-oh, is it time for the VCR? :D

It seems that it was my DirecTV DVR that was causing the audio issues. I fast forwarded all the way to the end and there were no vocals. The DirecTV DVR will automatically start playing the show over again once you get to the end. The second time around the vocals were fine. So that issue was definitely on my end. So channel 30 is finally going to be broadcast in HD over DirecTV? I don't watch much on the CW but it's always nice to have another channel in HD. On a side note, I noticed that MTV showed The Island in full HD last Wednesday. They didn't have that annoying black box frame around it. I usually just use the HD Zoom feature on my TV but it was nice to see it with the correct aspect from MTV. They didn't do it on any of the re-runs so I'm curious to see if they do it again tonight on the new episode.

My wife watches the Island also and I was surprised to see it in HD before I turned it off.

I guess we can't say MTV doesn't do HD anymore. With the live broadcast of the MTV Awards and now premiere of the Island, they have gone up to .001% HD programming.

Uh-oh, is it time for the VCR? :D

Soap net reruns her soap at night. Plus i got all but the first 10 minutes recorded off the analog channel. :cool:



REMINDER: The President is going to make a speech tonight at 8pm. CST.
fredfa is trying to track down the network schedual changes in the Hot Off The Press (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=838060) thread

Looks like ABC 24 HD is fixed now. :)

I'm still noticing some audio stuttering. Anyone else? It's not constant but it's enough that I am noticing it.

Funny they can show Smallville in HD but not Raycom Sports HD.
Maybe next year.

It won't matter much next year since ESPN will be taking over the early SEC football games from Raycom anyhow.

I posted an article about Weather Plus at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14817804#post14817804. If WMC does the right thing and gives this bandwidth back to the main HD channel and gets rid of the ridiculous message that the Tube still isn't available I would probably begin watching them again. There are a few new shows on that I wouldn't mind watching.

the ridiculous message that the Tube still isn't availableSame stupid message has been broadcast...forever...over here in Jonesboro too.:rolleyes:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/oct/15/att-lays-out-cable-plans/



AT&T lays out cable plans for Tennessee rollout

Company working 'as quickly as possible' to deliver U-verse package to Memphis area


By Jim Masilak (http://www.commercialappeal.com/staff/jim-masilak/) (Contact (http://www.commercialappeal.com/staff/jim-masilak/contact/)), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Wednesday, October 15, 2008

AT&T is laying the groundwork for a digital cable rollout in Tennessee, but it's unclear when the company will make its much-hyped U-verse package available in the Greater Memphis area.

In the wake of a new state law encouraging competition in video services, the communications giant in July announced plans to invest $400 million over the next several years on fiber network upgrades, additional broadband deployment and Internet-based technologies to bring new services, including "cutting-edge Internet Protocol-based television," to Tennessee customers.

"We look forward to bringing Tennesseans not only choice and competition but also advanced video, voice and Internet service technology," AT&T Tennessee president Gregg Morton said following the passage of the Competitive Cable and Video Services Act of 2008. "It will take time to enhance our network to offer these exceptional services, but we will move as quickly as possible to compete for Tennessee customers."


In the Nashville area, AT&T has already started installing equipment necessary to deliver what it describes as the "only IP-based television service in the country."

Asked when AT&T might begin work in Memphis, spokesman Bob Corney said the company does not discuss details of its deployment plan.
"We are working as quickly as possible to deliver this to as many people as we possibly can," he said.

In its Tennessee franchise application, AT&T promises to offer U-verse to customers in Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Covington, Dyersburg, Germantown, Lakeland, Memphis, Piperton and Ripley within two years after receiving a state-issued certificate of franchise authority.
Available in packages ranging from $44 to $132 per month, AT&Ts U-verse is expected to mount a challenge to cable behemoth Comcast, which serves much of the Memphis area, and satellite providers such as DirecTV and Dish Network.

While Comcast and AT&T have squabbled in other markets -- Comcast accused AT&T of interfering with its coaxial cable network in Chicago; AT&T responded with claims of false advertising -- things have yet to heat up here.

"We'll compete for the customers in Memphis," said Otha Brandon, Comcast's director of governmental affairs in Memphis. "We've had competition before and we've been able to compete effectively, and we'll continue to do so."

Citing its Triple Play (Internet, phone and cable bundle) and Digital Voice offerings, Brandon said Comcast would "give our customers a fundamentally better experience than our competitors."
U-verse is already available in more than a dozen states, and Wal-Mart and Circuit City have both agreed to carry related products.
Within 24 months TV viewers in the Memphis area will have a chance to see what the fuss is about.

"It does take time to build out the infrastructure to deliver this brand-new service," Corney said. "But in our initial two-year plan to deliver service (in Tennessee), the Memphis area is definitely on that plan."

I used to get 88 on D* as it was a Fox-owned affiliate, but now it's gone. I missed the Giants game yesterday because of it. Anyone else having the same problem?

Anyone know when DirecTV will offer WLMT 30 in HD in this area?

I used to get 88 on D* as it was a Fox-owned affiliate, but now it's gone. I missed the Giants game yesterday because of it. Anyone else having the same problem?

I received a call from D* several weeks back that said we would lose ch #88 because of the availability of local HD channels.

I think it is part of the DNS agreement D* and the networks.

I noticed I lost 88 as well. Oh well. I haven't watched it near as much as I thought I would.

So what is the deal with FS Tennessee? What's going to happen to FS South? IS FST only going to show teams from Tennessee to Tennessee households?

I watched Heros from Monday night and while I know WMC was trying to do the right thing with the 911 outage, they should've not gone to the animated nearly 6 colored bar. It was tons more obnoxious that the strip they had earlier in the episode. I guess the plain black wasn't too flashy for them.

Anyone know why WPTY ABC 24 is sooo much softer than all other local HD channels, or every other channel for that matter, on DirecTV?

I usually keep my Onkyo receiver between 30-35 for normal viewing, and may get it up to 38-39 if the washer and/or dryer or the HVAC unit is running. But then when I switch to ABC, I have to turn it up to 45 or sometimes close to 50 if appliances are running just to hear it.

It's usually only during the programming, too. When the commercial hits, BAM it's sooooo loud because I had the volume turned up!

It's that way for both WPTY and WHBQ. I've noticed up to a 10 decibel difference myself. The dial norm (audio) settings are lower on both, so the audio will be lower on D* also.

I just wish D* receivers had an option to automatically lower volume during commercials like some TV's have.

I noticed I lost 88 as well. Oh well. I haven't watched it near as much as I thought I would.


I still get 88 Fox

I was also wondering about 30 The CW being show in HD on Directv, has anyone heard anything about this. I read that nashville got it a couple of weeks ago

Noticed while visiting home of friend in Oxford that D*'s feed of WLMT is the downcoverted HD channel. (No widescreen for Smallville.)

Noticed while visiting home of friend in Oxford that D*'s feed of WLMT is the downcoverted HD channel. (No widescreen for Smallville.)
Did it have side bars?

Yes. You can also notice the "snap" of the picture when it goes from the SD national feed (letterboxed 4x3) to the HD national feed (fullscreen 4x3). Color is much improved as well. My friend also told me that WLMT said there full HD feed (widescreen 16x9) would be up "by the end of this calendar year."

Yes. You can also notice the "snap" of the picture when it goes from the SD national feed (letterboxed 4x3) to the HD national feed (fullscreen 4x3). Color is much improved as well. My friend also told me that WLMT said there full HD feed (widescreen 16x9) would be up "by the end of this calendar year."

The Auburn vs Ole Miss game last Saturday was broadcast in full HD by Comcast Memphis.:D I recorded it with my HD DVR and replayed it. I couldn't believe my eyes. ;)

Now, if I could just get Comcast to fix A&E HD, HISTORY HD, NAT GEO HD, and etc..... These broadcasts freeze-up and pixellate. They sent a "cable guy" out and he blamed it on the cold weather and turned it over to maintenance. :rolleyes: This has been happening for weeks. :(Anybody else experiencing what I am describing?:confused:

Yes. You can also notice the "snap" of the picture when it goes from the SD national feed (letterboxed 4x3) to the HD national feed (fullscreen 4x3). Color is much improved as well. My friend also told me that WLMT said there full HD feed (widescreen 16x9) would be up "by the end of this calendar year."
I was in the Grove for the game last weekend and thought I saw black bars on the TV I was watching the end of the game on. I didn't think about until your earlier post because you'd have to have a massive antenna to get WLMT OTA down there much less analog.

It's nice to finally see the games in HD on WLMT. However the PQ is terrible. It's like I'm watching games on WMC. I'd rather watch the replays on FS South or SportsSouth on D* that don't have near the amount of motion blocking.

I just got something in the mail from TurboHD saying 1080p programming is available. Is that true? I have not heard of any 1080p HDTV programming yet. Does D* have this coming by chance?

I was in the Grove for the game last weekend and thought I saw black bars on the TV I was watching the end of the game on. I didn't think about until your earlier post because you'd have to have a massive antenna to get WLMT OTA down there much less analog.

It's nice to finally see the games in HD on WLMT. However the PQ is terrible. It's like I'm watching games on WMC. I'd rather watch the replays on FS South or SportsSouth on D* that don't have near the amount of motion blocking.

Yes. Black bars are present. The picture on D* is "matted".

I just got something in the mail from TurboHD saying 1080p programming is available. Is that true? I have not heard of any 1080p HDTV programming yet. Does D* have this coming by chance?
PPV maybe? There aren't any channels that broadcast in 1080p right now.

I think D* is going to have some 1080p VOD, and maybe some PPV, but I'm not completely sure.

Ok my wife is getting caught up on er, and apparently the news that Fullilove has been arrested again is so critical to the city of Memphis that WMC has to keep up the breaking news ticker for at least 10 minutes of er to let us all know. Really?

btw I was watching some more of the UGA game on WLMT today, and while the blocking was pretty bad, shots without a lot of motion looked really good. After UGA scored they showed a shot of the kicker about to kick off and the picture really popped. It really had a 3-d look to it.

PPV maybe? There aren't any channels that broadcast in 1080p right now.

I think D* is going to have some 1080p VOD, and maybe some PPV, but I'm not completely sure.


D* is testing 1080p VOD and PPV programming right now.

Ah I see, PPV is of no interest to me, since we have Netflix already anyway.

If anyone gets the chance go to the Best Buy in the Wolfchase area and go into the theater room. When you walk in on the left is a 40” Samsung LCD and they were playing Phantom of the Opera on a blue ray player. My wife and I walked in there last night and were floored by the PQ. The depth and clarity of the picture was just unbelievable. There were other bigger tv’s around it that were not even close in terms of PQ. Words honestly cannot explain it. It nearly brought a tear to my eye. :)

OK - I screwed up and now there's only a SD postage-stamp version of Terminator on WHBQ-DT. I was installing a redundant encoder, and I managed to get the audio descriptor stuck on 2/0 (stereo) audio, when it is actually being fed full 5.1 Dolby. This resulted in no center channel audio, thus no dialog - only music and sound effects.

I had to go to the SD feed to get the audio back (a different trick that I tried resulted in a complete loss of signal - I'm not sure why).

I'll have it fixed by tomorrow, but in the meantime, sorry about the SD Terminator!

Can you get them to do a 2am replay of it? SD with mono audio is enough for me. I need to follow the story.

-Robert

What about Prison Break? Same thing?

I gave up watching Terminator after that. Basically missed 25% of the show, and it wasn't worth trying to continue watching it.

Is there anywhere you can watch it for free online?

I gave up watching Terminator after that. Basically missed 25% of the show, and it wasn't worth trying to continue watching it.

Is there anywhere you can watch it for free online?


Yep!

http://www.hulu.com/terminator-the-sarah-connor-chronicles

Can someone give me advice on where to buy locally a good indoor antenna?

cheers.

Can someone give me advice on where to buy locally a good indoor antenna?
How far from the towers are you?

How far from the towers are you?

Not too far. I'm near the Pink Palace.

Not too far. I'm near the Pink Palace.
All of the towers are near the Wolfchase Mall. How far are you from that, about 20 miles?

All of the towers are near the Wolfchase Mall. How far are you from that, about 20 miles?

about 12 miles. I just assumed the HD towers were near the stations, which are all pretty close to where I live.

about 12 miles. I just assumed the HD towers were near the stations, which are all pretty close to where I live.
Go to www.antennaweb.org, enter in your address and it will tell you how far from the towers you are. You might be able to get away with an indoor antenna or if you have the room you could get a bigger antenna and stick it up in your attic.

As far as the best place to get one, probably Circuit City at the stores they are closing, but for the most part any store that has them would more than likely do fine. A Zenith Silver Sensor is usually quite good. Even lower end ones are going for $40 range and higher. The good thing about buying now is you might not see many that say "Optimized for HDTV" which is a crock.

On a side note I have and older Radio Shack VU-90 XR antenna (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103085) that I'd be willing to sell for $20 to anyone looking for one. I don't know if I have the 2 pieces sticking up and down. It's been in my attic unused for a few years and I have no need for it. I paid I think $150 for it.

thanks mx6bfast.

Can someone give me advice on where to buy locally a good indoor antenna?

A Zenith Silver Sensor is usually quite good. Even lower end ones are going for $40 range and higher. The good thing about buying now is you might not see many that say "Optimized for HDTV" which is a crock.

Just one word of caution. The Zenith Silver Sensor is a UHF-only set-top style antenna. After February, WMC-DT (NBC) and WHBQ-DT (FOX) will be on VHF channels (5 and 13, respectively). In order to continue receiving these channels after February, you should plan on having an antenna with better VHF capabilities.

The Philips PHDTV3 and the Terk HDTVi are clones of the Silver Sensor (for the UHF part), but also include a set of rabbit ears elements (for receiving VHF). These antennas should have similar performance to the Silver Sensor plus have the ability to pick up VHF stations.

Since you're so close to the transmitters, you should probably avoid the Terk HDTVa (amplified version of the HDTVi) because its built-in amp would probably make things worse due to signal overload.

Best regards,
Andy

If anyone is looking for an antenna tower, I have a Channel Master model 1650 50 ft. Telescopic Mast. orig. approx $150. I ended up not using it. Asking $75

You can see a partial photo at: http://www.channelmasterintl.com/mountaccess.html#masts

I have 2 HD boxes in my living room. The HR20 shows WKNO HD on 10-3 and the H20 shows it on 10-1.

When I tune to 10-1 on the H20 everything is fine, other than signal drops which are my problem. When I tune to 10-1 on the HR20 it says channel not available. Then when I tune to 10-3 my dvr pretty much locks up and I have to change channels and then wait up to 15 seconds for normal video/audio to show up.

I know 10-1 is the new(er) channel number, but even after a rescan the HR20 still had 10-3. 10-2 works fine.

Has anyone else encountered this?

Just one word of caution. The Zenith Silver Sensor is a UHF-only set-top style antenna. After February, WMC-DT (NBC) and WHBQ-DT (FOX) will be on VHF channels (5 and 13, respectively). In order to continue receiving these channels after February, you should plan on having an antenna with better VHF capabilities.

The Philips PHDTV3 and the Terk HDTVi are clones of the Silver Sensor (for the UHF part), but also include a set of rabbit ears elements (for receiving VHF). These antennas should have similar performance to the Silver Sensor plus have the ability to pick up VHF stations.

Since you're so close to the transmitters, you should probably avoid the Terk HDTVa (amplified version of the HDTVi) because its built-in amp would probably make things worse due to signal overload.

Best regards,
Andy

Thanks for that chart, Andy. I just tried a basic antenna..not quite doing the job, especially with WMC, which is odd because according to that chart, they're the closest to me.

Thanks for that chart, Andy. I just tried a basic antenna..not quite doing the job, especially with WMC, which is odd because according to that chart, they're the closest to me.
WMC seems to give people more problems than the others. I live just over 2 miles from the 5/24/30 tower and I get less signal strength on 5 than I do 24 & 30.

Just one word of caution. The Zenith Silver Sensor is a UHF-only set-top style antenna. After February, WMC-DT (NBC) and WHBQ-DT (FOX) will be on VHF channels (5 and 13, respectively). In order to continue receiving these channels after February, you should plan on having an antenna with better VHF capabilities.

The Philips PHDTV3 and the Terk HDTVi are clones of the Silver Sensor (for the UHF part), but also include a set of rabbit ears elements (for receiving VHF). These antennas should have similar performance to the Silver Sensor plus have the ability to pick up VHF stations.

Since you're so close to the transmitters, you should probably avoid the Terk HDTVa (amplified version of the HDTVi) because its built-in amp would probably make things worse due to signal overload.

Best regards,
Andy
Just picked up the Terk HDTVa from Best Buy. Will try it with and without the amplification. Depending on what works, I'll return it and buy either the HDTVi or HDTVa from Amazon...much cheaper there. Thanks for your opinion.

I didn't see it addressed in the past three pages or so, but am I the only one who can't get a decent 3.0 (not 3.1) signal? The Digital channel is great, with a stong signal, but my crap cable company still uses Analog Cable. So my tivo can't record chit on 3.

Luckily I just record it on the PC using 3.1, but still....
Didn't know if it isolated to me or the greater memphis area

Just an fyi...watch 13-1 Christmas Eve at 9:30.

Just an fyi...watch 13-1 Christmas Eve at 9:30.

What's happening then???

What's happening then???
Not telling. ;) If you've seen the commercials for it then you should have a good idea. It's called Home for the Holidays.

Does anyone on here still get QAM from Comcast? We got a tv with a QAM/ATSC tuner and I wanted to play with it a little bit. I didn't know if they still have channels out there. We currently have Comcast internet and get basic cable for free.

I think the answer to that question is Comcast is supposed to have QAM, but according to an Hauppauge they do not have it setup properly. I had a 1800 pvr card and could never get QAM out of the digital ATSC channels. Even if they did the only channels supported would be the locals. This is with Sage TV, and the packaged video software, in fact under Sage I could not even get the card to tune the ATSC before locking up. But it would do the analog channels just fine, I really doubt that it has been fixed.

I have 2 HD boxes in my living room. The HR20 shows WKNO HD on 10-3 and the H20 shows it on 10-1.

When I tune to 10-1 on the H20 everything is fine, other than signal drops which are my problem. When I tune to 10-1 on the HR20 it says channel not available. Then when I tune to 10-3 my dvr pretty much locks up and I have to change channels and then wait up to 15 seconds for normal video/audio to show up.

I know 10-1 is the new(er) channel number, but even after a rescan the HR20 still had 10-3. 10-2 works fine.

Has anyone else encountered this?
I eventually fixed this. I had to enter in a new local area zip, then go back and enter in my local area zip. I am now showing 10-1 instead of 10-3. Now my problem is I still have all of the local digital channels showing for the other city. And let me tell you, NY has a ton of digital channels.

Just an fyi...watch 13-1 Christmas Eve at 9:30.



I checked it out. It looked good and the sound mix was really good.:)


Happy Holidays!

I checked it out. It looked good and the sound mix was really good.:)


Happy Holidays!
Yeah we watched the replay today while opening presents. I just wished it coulda been longer. But good overall.

I setup the tv I asked about QAM and was able to find like 36 channels. 3 or 4 of them were WREG but I couldn;t tell if it would actually send HD. At least 1 channel was letterbox and the others just had black bars on the side. I was able to find in HD: WPTY, ESPN, ESPN2, FX, Speed, WKNO, Fox News Channel. If others do have HD I'll let ya'll know. I might just end up changing the feed to OTA.

I eventually fixed this. I had to enter in a new local area zip, then go back and enter in my local area zip. I am now showing 10-1 instead of 10-3. Now my problem is I still have all of the local digital channels showing for the other city. And let me tell you, NY has a ton of digital channels.

You can go in the antenna setup and clear your settings and then redo your antenna setup and it will correct all of that

Yeah we watched the replay today while opening presents. I just wished it coulda been longer. But good overall.

I setup the tv I asked about QAM and was able to find like 36 channels. 3 or 4 of them were WREG but I couldn;t tell if it would actually send HD. At least 1 channel was letterbox and the others just had black bars on the side. I was able to find in HD: WPTY, ESPN, ESPN2, FX, Speed, WKNO, Fox News Channel. If others do have HD I'll let ya'll know. I might just end up changing the feed to OTA.

A couple of things:

First, I notice a lot of references to QAM tuners. Is that another way of reffering to your HDTVs digital tuner? And second, has anyone mapped out where you would find all the HD channels when you connect COMCAST straight to your HDTV without an HD cable box? Thanks.

A couple of things:

First, I notice a lot of references to QAM tuners. Is that another way of reffering to your HDTVs digital tuner? And second, has anyone mapped out where you would find all the HD channels when you connect COMCAST straight to your HDTV without an HD cable box? Thanks.
1) It's a ATSC/Cable/QAM tuner. I haven't hooked up OTA yet, right now just cable analog and digital. Since I have 2 cable runs right behind the tv I was thinking about using one for OTA and the other Comcast and then joining them together in a splitter and then hooking both of them up. Short of blowing up the tv I wonder what it would do.

2) From reading posts on here in the past couple of years the channels usually change quite often. If I remember or have the time when I get home I'll try to grab some channel #'s and post them. I'm upset that the Quality Adult Movies (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10503631#post10503631) channel is not there anymore. :o

...QAM tuners. Is that another way of reffering to your HDTVs digital tuner?There are two type of digital tuners:
1) ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) is broadcast over the air (terrestrial), and transmits in a 6 MHz channel and uses MPEG-2 video compression and Dolby Digital audio compression. ATSC was adopted by the FCC in 1996.

2) QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) is the standard for digital cable TV. A QAM tuner allows the reception of unscrambled digital programming sent "in the clear" by cable providers, usually local broadcast stations or cable radio channels. Which channels are scrambled varies greatly from location to location and can change over time; the majority of digital channels (or all of them, as is the case here in Paragould) are scrambled because the providers consider them to be extra-cost options and not part of the "basic cable" package.

Since I have 2 cable runs right behind the tv I was thinking about using one for OTA and the other Comcast and then joining them together in a splitter and then hooking both of them up.You'll want to use a switch instead of a splitter/combiner, because there will be cable channels on the same frequency as all the OTA channels. They will interfere with each other and you likely won't be able to receive either because of the interference.

In doing a scan via a digital tuner, I got channels 111-128 thru 111-172. There was actually nothing there to view. Does anyone know what they are?

The scan was done with a Panasonic DVD/VCR using Comcast's standard cable (without a box).

thanks,

My friend also told me that WLMT said there full HD feed (widescreen 16x9) would be up "by the end of this calendar year."

Any word on this, for D*?

Also, commenting on the antenna/OTA discussion at the end of the last page - I picked up a 26" LCD from Target on the Black Friday sale, and was surprised to find that it had a built-in HD tuner. I hooked up a plain old amplified antenna that I've had since probably 2000 or 2001 and it picked up all local OTA digital and HD channels just fine. The only issue was that I had to tilt the UHF loop forward a bit to get NBC HD to stop skipping and pixellating.

However I just hooked up an HD D* box to that TV finally, so no more WLMT in HD :(

Kudos to WHBQ for not having a constant scroll talking about the weather. I've seen it a few times during commercials.

I just hooked up an HD D* box to that TV finally, so no more WLMT in HD :(Why not use both the D* box and your antenna?

I dunno... don't really like having to switch back and forth between inputs just to get a particular channel in HD.

Also, I have the TV speakers turned off and the audio from the D* box going directly to the single input on the bookshelf stereo.

I'm guessing about your set up, but DirecTV does offer this off-air tuner add-on for $50 on their website. Apparently, some people have had difficulty getting DirecTV to give them this when they try to order it over the phone.

-----

DIRECTV® AM21 Off-Air Tuner$50.00 Designed to work seamlessly with the DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR and the DIRECTV Plus® DVR, this specialized tuner allows you to view your local off-air channels. And for added convenience, it integrates them directly into the DIRECTV on-screen Advanced Program Guide®.

Thin and lightweight, the DIRECTV® AM21 Off-Air Tuner is designed to fit perfectly on top of a DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR receiver (HR21) or a DIRECTV Plus® DVR (R22). Just connect it to your receiver via a USB port and enjoy your favorite digital off-air local networks. Keep in mind that you will need a DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR to view the digital off-air locals in HD.

You need a DIRECTV® AM21 Off-Air Tuner if:

You're getting your locals from DIRECTV, but want all the digital off-air locals too
You'll need an off-air antenna (sold in all major electronics retailers) in addition to the DIRECTV® AM21 Off-Air Tuner to view all the digital off-air local channels that are not available through DIRECTV satellites. Those channels will be integrated into your receiver's Advanced Program Guide.

You can't get HD locals from DIRECTV, but want your off-air local HD channels
If you live in an area where you can't get HD locals via DIRECTV satellites, you can still view your off-air local HD channels. You'll need an off-air antenna (sold in major electronics retailers) and a DIRECTV® AM21 Off-Air Tuner, which will integrate the off-air local HD channels into your receiver's Advanced Program Guide.

You can't get any locals from DIRECTV, but want all the digital off-air locals
If you are currently using an off-air antenna to receive all your off-air locals, you'll need a DIRECTV® AM21 Off-Air Tuner to avoid service interruptions after February 17, 2009, when all TV signals will switch from analog to digital. Unlike the digital converter boxes distributed by the U.S. government, the DIRECTV® AM21 Off-Air Tuner will integrate all the digital local off-air channels into your receiver's Advanced Program Guide.

Note: Use of the DIRECTV® AM21 Off-Air Tuner to receive off-air HD local programming can only be accessed if the subscriber has a 5-LNB or Slimline Dish, a DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR Receiver, HD television equipment and HD Access fee. close
The easiest way to watch the digital off-air channels that are broadcast locally
Seamlessly integrates digital off-air locals into the DIRECTV on-screen
program guide
Lets you view and record digital off-air locals just like DIRECTV
broadcast channels
No configuration necessary
One-time setup is automatic
Designed to rest perfectly on top of the DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR
or the DIRECTV Plus® DVR
close

So what the heck is going on with NBC tonight? Why is Knight Rider not on?

So what the heck is going on with NBC tonight? Why is Knight Rider not on?




It aired from 1:35 am to 2:35 am last night. After you posted I set up a recording of all the paid programming after Carson Daly and managed to catch it. They did the same thing to Chuck a few weeks ago but at least they updated the guide data and my DVR caught the replay.

thanks for the warning WMC!

There's no other replays scheduled. If ya can't wait the episode is up on Hulu (http://www.hulu.com/knight-rider).

Uh-oh, David Brant (DTV Dave) is a local celebrity. If you haven't seen the segment on WHBQ they are talking about the switch to digital.

I just saw a Comcast ad for multi-room DVR. It looked like a national ad.

Does anyone know if they are offering it in Memphis? If so, does anyone have it?

Kind of funny don't you think that WHBQ is not ready to begin full power DTV transmission on the analog cut-off date? With all the hype for the past several months trying to get the public ready to "the big switch", and the TV station won't be ready! Hmmm...

Kind of funny don't you think that WHBQ is not ready to begin full power DTV transmission on the analog cut-off date? With all the hype for the past several months trying to get the public ready to "the big switch", and the TV station won't be ready! Hmmm...

Actually, it's more of a technicality. Since we are moving our digital signal to channel 13, we have to install digital transmitters (our channel 53 transmitter can't be used in VHF). To avoid having to turn off our main analog signal for weeks, we are replacing our auxiliary analog transmitter with a digital one first.

The auxiliary transmitter is approved for enough power to replicate our main signal, but since we using our auxiliary on Feb 18th instead of our main, the FCC has a requirement that we get special permission. This also has a tighter interference requirement, so ironically we are having to reduce power slightly even though we are approved to use higher power after the transition is over.

As a result, we will have 2% less coverage at first than we will after the transition is finished. During this time, we will modify our main transmitter for digital use, and then put it on the air for full coverage. Then we can crank up the power on our auxiliary to match the main, so that when we have to use it, it will have the same coverage.

Since we are doing a "phased transition", the FCC requires the announcement you saw.

Well, Dave, it's just that your digital signal (on channel 53) has always been the most difficult of the Memphis stations for us to receive over here. While channel 13 may be the easiest of the Memphis bunch. So I have been waiting for years for digital transmission to move to channel 13, so I can receive a reliable digital signal from WHBQ, only to hear that there are going to be further delays.

We are probably on the fringe of your coverage area as it is, if we are even considered to be within it at all, so the 2% may leave us out for a while. On the other hand, channel 13 should travel farther, even with reduced power, that channel 53 does at full power. So we may be OK over here. We'll see...

It was just a couple of weeks (or a few weeks) delay anyway, was it not?

-Neil

It was just a couple of weeks (or a few weeks) delay anyway, was it not?

-Neil

That's what we hope. We're modifying a fifteen-year-old transmitter, so anything could happen, but that's what we're planning for. I think that you'll find that the 2% calculated reduction won't mean much in the real world. What it will do is reduce the margin for receiving the signal, but since channel 13 isn't affected as much by trees and leaves and such as channel 53, that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

If something should go wrong with the modification that causes it to take longer than we think, we can connect our auxiliary transmitter to our main antenna and restore 100% coverage. We just can't do this on Feb 18th without killing our NTSC signal before then to make the changes.

I have two Vizio TVs - a 22" in the bedroom and a 37" in the living room. Both pick up totally different clear QAM channels. The 22" is pretty much acceptable. I get everything but WREG, which I have pretty much come to deal with.

The 37" is the problem. These are the only HD channels (that are worth anything to me) that I get:

Nick 99-57
Spike 99-55
ESPN2 90-2
ESPN 90-1
WLMT 30-1
ABC 24-1

I am curious if I am doing something incorrectly, or if it is just the TV and that is how it will be.

okay WHY must WREG run the prime-time programming in 4:3 just because they have all the weather closings info on the screen??? So not only do we get a smaller image from the 4:3 (black bars on each side), but now the picture is even smaller in that 4:3 area because of all the closings info at the bottom AND a crawl in addition to that. :mad:

I see that WMC has a similar setup with a smaller image, but at least the WMC background takes up the entire 16:9 screen, and the broadcast is a slightly smaller 16:9 aspect image.

And WHBQ (didn't watch WPTY or WLMT) did it best by only showing it during commercials!

On a separate note 5-2 has finally disappeared from the WMC stream. Only took them ~16 months to drop it once The Tube was pulled.

I wonder what the chances would be that WMC can drop Weather "Plus" so we can not get a motion block filled Super Bowl?

WMC will be either adding back 5-2 or replacing 5-3 with "This TV" some time soon.

- Trip

I bet they will be adding it back. It will probably need more bandwidth than the Tube did so you know what that means? Taking more away from the HD feed.

I was told that WMC will keep the weather channel up during the SB. :(

I just signed up with Comcast for their local stations only package and was wondering if I will be getting any of the local channels in HD. No one at Comcast seemed to know, but I know that in the past people have been reporting HD programming in the upper channels.

I currently have two HDTV sets...a 37" Magnavox LCD and a 42" Samsung LCD

Thanks!

In Collierville, I get 24-1, 30-1, 80-3 (WMC) and, I think TNT. No WREG in HD.

86-100/105 has a set of SD digital that's a bit clearer, but not HD or 16:9.

Why, oh, why do they make it so hard. Why not put 5-1, 3-1 and 10-1 on the channels they're supposed to be on.

Why, oh, why do they make it so hard. Why not put 5-1, 3-1 and 10-1 on the channels they're supposed to be on.

The reason is that cable uses QAM tuners and your TV is using an ATSC tuner for digital over the air reception.

They are alike in many ways under the hood but are different also.

The FCC does not mandate that TV's have a QAM tuner in them.

Wow I did not realize I had not posted for 2 years. I read the board almost every night.

I have actually been lurking here for about 4 years now.

The reason is that cable uses QAM tuners and your TV is using an ATSC tuner for digital over the air reception.

They are alike in many ways under the hood but are different also.

The FCC does not mandate that TV's have a QAM tuner in them.

That he's getting TNT and assorted channels above 100 implies that a QAM receiver is already being used with cable. ATSC doesn't support anything over 99, and most certainly will not get TNT.

In Collierville, I get 24-1, 30-1, 80-3 (WMC) and, I think TNT. No WREG in HD.

86-100/105 has a set of SD digital that's a bit clearer, but not HD or 16:9.

Why, oh, why do they make it so hard. Why not put 5-1, 3-1 and 10-1 on the channels they're supposed to be on.

Technically speaking, the cable companies are supposed to pass along the data to map them as you're describing, but it seems like most of the time they don't.

Some TVs also handle the data differently, as I've heard of some people using different TVs in the same house getting the mapping data while others are on the physical channels as you appear to be. I've even heard of them being on different channels from TV to TV.

- Trip

Comcast came out and so far I am getting all of the full analog lineup and locals in HD in the 70-80 channel range. Since I'm only paying $16.99 for the locals, they obviously didn't put a trap on the line (yet). Fingers crossed that if they ever do, I'll still be able to get the HD locals.

Anyone know if the Memphis stations plan on turning off analog on Feb 17th or do they now plan on waiting until June?

Anyone know if the Memphis stations plan on turning off analog on Feb 17th or do they now plan on waiting until June?
That's a good question. Depends on their budget. ;)

The ones I am more concerned about are WMC and WHBQ since they will be moving to VHF. In my emails with Dave at WHBQ I would think they are going to keep analog up, at least temporarily. I need to check on WMC.

Does anyone tivo anything from WLMT-DT, like Smallville for example? We are on our 3rd episode watched since the season started back up and there are lines of blocks that are popping up all over the screen at various times. Has anyone else seen this?

Does anyone tivo anything from WLMT-DT, like Smallville for example? We are on our 3rd episode watched since the season started back up and there are lines of blocks that are popping up all over the screen at various times. Has anyone else seen this?

I have directv hr20-700 via antenna feed and every once in a while I see this but not always. I figure it is more of an issue with the CW feed to them.

Anyone know if the Memphis stations plan on turning off analog on Feb 17th or do they now plan on waiting until June?

WHBQ will continue analog transmission on Channel 13 until the night of June 12th. I hear that WPTY will also continue their analog transmission until then, but WLMT and WJKT (Fox in Jackson, TN) will turn their analog off on February 17th. Tom over at Newport can confirm this for us.

I'm not sure about the rest. I'm sure that David over at WMC would love to make the change earlier than June, but he may not have a choice.

Does anyone tivo anything from WLMT-DT, like Smallville for example? We are on our 3rd episode watched since the season started back up and there are lines of blocks that are popping up all over the screen at various times. Has anyone else seen this?


Yes I see this on WLMT-DT via Comcast a couple times during any hour long show. The also have the occasional audio drop out.

Can anyone confirm what WLMT uses for STL for the DT signal. I though it may be a wireless T1 network. I know Clear Channel installed some of these for their radio stations. This would have been to allow capacity for multiple streams. The were needed to get additional audio to their HD (Hybrid Digital) FMs.

I'm sure that David over at WMC would love to make the change earlier than June, but he may not have a choice.WMC has already posted on its website that analog 5 will stay on till 6/12. It's probably due to the situation over here in Little Rock, where KETS (PBS) pulled down its old antennas (analog 2, digital 5) on 1/25 to install its new one (digital 7) to launch 2/18, but now can't use it because KATV (ABC) apparently won't vacate analog 7 till 6/12. Thus, KETS might have to return to digital 5; its interference potential with WMC analog is known and acceptable, but it might cause serious problems with WMC on digital 5.

I'm pretty sure KETS-DT has nothing to do with it, and not wanting to be the only big 4 station without an analog signal is a lot more important.

- Trip

Trying to figure out what the Memphis stations are going to do about the DTV transition. Looked at www.wreg.com and www.wmctv.com and they don't say anything about the changeover.

I hope they go ahead and switch. People won't be any more ready in the summer.

Trying to figure out what the Memphis stations are going to do about the DTV transition. Looked at www.wreg.com and www.wmctv.com and they don't say anything about the changeover.

I hope they go ahead and switch. People won't be any more ready in the summer.

Here is the analog cutoff list as I understand it:

WREG - 6/12/09
WMC - 6/12/09
WKNO - 6/12/09
WHBQ - 6/12/09
WTWV - 6/12/09
WPTY - 6/12/09
WLMT - 2/17/09
WBUY - 4/13/09
WPXX - 6/12/09

WLMT cutoff has been approved by the FCC, WBUY is still pending approval.

WLMT cutoff has been approved by the FCC, WBUY is still pending approval.
I didn't know you had to get FCC approval to cut off analog.

I wonder if WLMT is still stating on their website or channel they are still going to cut off analog.

I didn't know you had to get FCC approval to cut off analog.

I wonder if WLMT is still stating on their website or channel they are still going to cut off analog.

Even though the law says that stations can shut down their analog before June 12th if they want to, the FCC makes you jump through hoops, and will not allow you to if they don't think that it serves the public interest.

Stations that are shutting down on Feb 17th have a public education requirement that results in pretty much constant warnings on the air.

Enjoy your favorite shows with an almost constant crawl!

Enjoy your favorite shows with an almost constant crawl!
Which isn't much worse than what nearly every channel is doing now with snipes and bugs and stuff. :)

Oh the days of clutter free tv.....

WLMT turned off their analog. I am sure they will enjoy saving on the power bill. 3 million watts down to 870kw. I wonder why Newport didn't have WPTY sunset their analog.

I also noticed ch 30 has had a crawl running about Millington and Ripley cable users loosing WLMT.

Ok so I've noticed that the NBC Weather Plus channel has moved to 5-2. But 5-3 is full of non-local commercials each time I see what is on that channel for minutes at a time. What is it, the commercial channel?

5-3 is This TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_TV).

- Trip

Anyone having a problem with WLMT?
I am OTA and using a TIVO HD. I have lost channel 30-1 & 30-2. The TIVO shows that there is a digital signal on 30-1 and a channel lock, but it is black with no sound.
30-2 shows searching for signal message on screen. I have noticed that 30-1 & 30-2 have different frequencies. Problem going on 3 weeks +.

Anyone having a problem with WLMT?
I am OTA and using a TIVO HD. I have lost channel 30-1 & 30-2. The TIVO shows that there is a digital signal on 30-1 and a channel lock, but it is black with no sound.
30-2 shows searching for signal message on screen. I have noticed that 30-1 & 30-2 have different frequencies. Problem going on 3 weeks +.

30.1 & 30.2 are working just fine here for me.

have you tried rescanning for all channels and starting over?

WLMT is one of the ones that switched, so on Feb. 17 they moved their digital signal from 31 to 30, but apparently TiVo is unaware of this. I rescanned the channels on my Series3 TiVo and got 30-1 and 30-2 back (on 30), but the program guide data is apparently still linked to the now non-existent channels on 31, so all I get is "To be announced" in the program guide, so I can't record anything. But I can watch.

WLMT is one of the ones that switched, so on Feb. 17 they moved their digital signal from 31 to 30, but apparently TiVo is unaware of this. I rescanned the channels on my Series3 TiVo and got 30-1 and 30-2 back (on 30), but the program guide data is apparently still linked to the now non-existent channels on 31, so all I get is "To be announced" in the program guide, so I can't record anything. But I can watch.
Have you contacted WLMT about it?

WLMT is one of the ones that switched, so on Feb. 17 they moved their digital signal from 31 to 30, but apparently TiVo is unaware of this. I rescanned the channels on my Series3 TiVo and got 30-1 and 30-2 back (on 30), but the program guide data is apparently still linked to the now non-existent channels on 31, so all I get is "To be announced" in the program guide, so I can't record anything. But I can watch.

Umm... WLMT remained on channel 31.

- Trip

WLMT is one of the ones that switched, so on Feb. 17 they moved their digital signal from 31 to 30, but apparently TiVo is unaware of this. I rescanned the channels on my Series3 TiVo and got 30-1 and 30-2 back (on 30), but the program guide data is apparently still linked to the now non-existent channels on 31, so all I get is "To be announced" in the program guide, so I can't record anything. But I can watch.

You might try disconnecting the antenna, doing a channel scan (and finding no channels), then connect the antenna and scan again. I've heard reports of some receivers that, once they see a station on one channel, won't "let go" of it when the station moves to another channel. This forces it to forget.

In this case, the station didn't change channels, but this might help anyway.

If 30-1 is still on 31, why did the Series 3 lose the channel on Feb. 17 (and no amount of rescanning will get it back; I even did a complete guided setup twice)? I mean if all they did was turn off 30, how would that effect 31? I just got off the phone with TiVo support, and they are bouncing it up to the lineup group.

Fortunately, my other TiVo (HR10-250) and my HR20 both get 30-1 just fine (off the same antenna), so I just switched my recordings to them.

TiVo made a bunch of mistakes. There are (were?) a bunch of Sinclair stations that didn't move, but got moved on TiVo for some unknown reason. WLMT is owned by Newport, but sounds like it had the same thing occur.

- Trip

I have a directv hr20-700 and the guide data shows 30-1 and 30-2, I can get a picture on 30-1 but not 30-2.

Ok so where is the Tigers game tonight in HD? At the beginning it said it was. Is it on another channel further in the HD range?

Ok so where is the Tigers game tonight in HD? At the beginning it said it was. Is it on another channel further in the HD range?


The only place I saw it listed was on DirecTV channel 613 CBS College Sports and it's an HD channel.

The only place I saw it listed was on DirecTV channel 613 CBS College Sports and it's an HD channel.
Last nights games were on CSS. They showed later in the 2nd half it was available on channel 688, or something like that.

The games today are on CBS College and tomorrow on CBS. That makes it real easy to follow. :rolleyes:

Since WMC decided to do what many people here thought they would and turn on another sub channel, does the PQ on the HD channel look worse to anyone else? My parents are temporarily borrowing my small antenna I use for my pc so
I can't check the numbers but I know I am seeing a lot more blocking.

Speaking of which does This TV have local commercial breaks? Or are they all national?

...

Since WMC decided to do what many people here thought they would and turn on another sub channel, does the PQ on the HD channel look worse to anyone else? My parents are temporarily borrowing my small antenna I use for my pc so
I can't check the numbers but I know I am seeing a lot more blocking.

Speaking of which does This TV have local commercial breaks? Or are they all national?

Yeah, i was watching 30 Rock last night and noticed some blocking in it.

30.1 & 30.2 are working just fine here for me.

have you tried rescanning for all channels and starting over?

If you get a chance can you go to the digital strength meter under channels in the TIVO menu under settings. When you look at the digital signal strength meter it will show you the frequency for the channels.
Tell me what frequency you have 30-1 & 30-2?
you can also look at the data on the diagnostic screen after being on channel 30-1 and give me that info as well it might help.

Yeah, i was watching 30 Rock last night and noticed some blocking in it.
I got my antenna back so I could record the Tigers game to my pc Saturday and checked the bit rate. At the time I was checking WMC was sending an average about 12.5 mbps for the HD video. :eek: They were sending about 2.5 mbps for weather and this tv each.

Ouch! Now I know why Heros and the opening to er looked so bad.

Has anyone noticed any flickering problems from CBS programming recorded to an HD DVR? I've noticed it 2-3 times in the past week, and it only seems to happen on shows I have recorded. Specifically Eleventh Hour from last Thursday and CSI Miami on Monday night.

Has anyone noticed any flickering problems from CBS programming recorded to an HD DVR? I've noticed it 2-3 times in the past week, and it only seems to happen on shows I have recorded. Specifically Eleventh Hour from last Thursday and CSI Miami on Monday night.
I noticed CSI: Miami from Monday but haven't tivo'd anything since then. Did you see it on live tv?

Has anyone noticed any flickering problems from CBS programming recorded to an HD DVR? I've noticed it 2-3 times in the past week, and it only seems to happen on shows I have recorded. Specifically Eleventh Hour from last Thursday and CSI Miami on Monday night.

I watched it live and had no problem with Eleventh Hour. But, I recorded the Tonight Show last night and there was a lot of break up in it but none in last nights Letterman or Craig Ferguson.

According to this article http://www.cable360.net/ct/news/ctreports/Antennas-Technology-Revisited_34612.html

the FCC has changed the channels for digital migration from 2 - 51 to 7 - 69. Channel 5 was going to stay on 5. What is going to happen now?

According to this article http://www.cable360.net/ct/news/ctreports/Antennas-Technology-Revisited_34612.html

the FCC has changed the channels for digital migration from 2 - 51 to 7 - 69. Channel 5 was going to stay on 5. What is going to happen now?

The FCC has changed nothing. Your author just seems to be misinformed. It's still 2-51.

- Trip

If you get a chance can you go to the digital strength meter under channels in the TIVO menu under settings. When you look at the digital signal strength meter it will show you the frequency for the channels.
Tell me what frequency you have 30-1 & 30-2?
you can also look at the data on the diagnostic screen after being on channel 30-1 and give me that info as well it might help.AFAIK, Tribune (used by TiVo/DirecTV/WMC) fixed the frequency for CW30 in the past few days. If your Tribune and/or DirecTV receivers don't tune the off-air feed of CW30, with guide data, then please post.

AFAIK, Tribune (used by TiVo/DirecTV/WMC) fixed the frequency for CW30 in the past few days. If your Tribune and/or DirecTV receivers don't tune the off-air feed of CW30, with guide data, then please post.
I don't know if this will help, but I have an HR20 that changed WLMT OTA to 31-1 and 31-2. When Smallville was supposed to record it was a blank screen. I couldn't tune directly to 31-1. Later that evening I cleared OTA settings and it changed back to 30-1.

Our H20 however did display a/v on 31-1 Thursday night. I haven't done a setup since then.

I don't know if this will help, but I have an HR20 that changed WLMT OTA to 31-1 and 31-2. When Smallville was supposed to record it was a blank screen. I couldn't tune directly to 31-1. Later that evening I cleared OTA settings and it changed back to 30-1.

Our H20 however did display a/v on 31-1 Thursday night. I haven't done a setup since then.

The same thing happened to my HR20-100 the other day. I re ran the OTA setup and that fixed it.

Maybe its just the tourney, but a usually strong WREG signal has become spotty OTA for me. WMC is still crap.

I have a directv hr20-700 and the guide data shows 30-1 and 30-2, I can get a picture on 30-1 but not 30-2.

I re did my ota settings and I now get 30-1 and 30-2.

I re did my ota settings and I now get 30-1 and 30-2.
Good. Hopefully we wont have all these problems when the switch comes again.

If anyone is considering a switch to DishNetwork, I have some new ClubDish gift cards worth $99 in free stuff. Send me a PM and I'll get you one.

I have two Vizio TVs - a 22" in the bedroom and a 37" in the living room. Both pick up totally different clear QAM channels. The 22" is pretty much acceptable. I get everything but WREG, which I have pretty much come to deal with.

The 37" is the problem. These are the only HD channels (that are worth anything to me) that I get:

Nick 99-57
Spike 99-55
ESPN2 90-2
ESPN 90-1
WLMT 30-1
ABC 24-1

I am curious if I am doing something incorrectly, or if it is just the TV and that is how it will be.

I'm in the same boat as this fella, except I'm also getting Starz HD, NBA TV, and HGTV HD...but not NBC, CBS or Fox HD. Any solution?

Great, the last er and we are going to have it screwed up for continuous weather info. :mad: We are really looking forward to this. :rolleyes:

Too bad WMC can't do like the other stations and roll it during commercials.

Did anyone else happen to see the D* blimp today or yesterday? It's been in the Wolfchase area. Is there something going on this weekend?

I think it's been around since last weekend. I saw it one afternoon earlier this week

Dang what is the deal with CBS's audio cutting out of their HD satellite feed? I'm watching CSI recorded Thursday night and Flashpoint recorded Friday night and both had sections of audio cut out during the show. I had to switch on CC to follow the dialogue.

OTA or D* feed? My CSI OTA was fine last week.

It's the d* feed i'm sure. Mine has been doing the same thing. My OTA is not reliable enough to record anything with it. I'm just in a bad spot it's hard to aim the antenna 2 opposite directions. Hopefully in June when some of them go to VHF it will help

I just remembered. Are you talking about where the audio slowly goes down and then there is no audio for a few seconds? I do recall that happening either last week or 2 weeks ago, but I don't remember what channel/show it was.

Yes it is the D* feed, and the audio cuts out abruptly and then comes back after a few minutes, as if I had switched on mute and then turned it back off.

Anyone know why WPTY was in SD all night tonight? LOST looked like crap.

I called before Lost started and apparently they were having problems with their equipment. Scrubs was in HD. The chick said they had problems last night too. It looked like they took the analog feed because there were all kind of snipes and a scrolling line going up the screen all the time.

Thanks. Fortunately my next ABC show is Monday. Hope it's fixed by then.

Looks like WREG has the ability to insert graphics in HD. But my main question is, if I am watching the digital channel, do I need to have a scroll telling me about the digital transition??? Wouldn't I already be set?

Any idea when AT&T U-Verse will be coming to Memphis?

Any idea when AT&T U-Verse will be coming to Memphis?

Last thing I saw was this article (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14868560#post14868560) in the Commercial Appeal a while back. It said within 24 months from then.

I'm trying to watch the CW using an attena and OTA HD but it's missing from my lineup. I can get the usual CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox but no Supernatural!!!

It's the only thing stopping me from ditching cable :mad:

I'm trying to watch the CW using an attena and OTA HD but it's missing from my lineup. I can get the usual CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox but no Supernatural!!!

It's the only thing stopping me from ditching cable :mad:


Try re scanning for channels or try a bigger antenna. CW 30-1 is there. It's digital only now so you have to have a DTV tuner in your TV or a converter box.

Also where are you located? Do you get WPTY and WMC reliably?

Try re scanning for channels or try a bigger antenna. CW 30-1 is there. It's digital only now so you have to have a DTV tuner in your TV or a converter box.

I will try a rescan. I swear we also used to get ABC and now thats dropped off the list :eek:

Also where are you located? Do you get reliably?WPTY and WMC

We are located in East Memphis, near the Suntrust buliding on Poplar and Estate. WPTY ABC 24 has recently vanished :o

WPTY and WMC

We are located in East Memphis, near the Suntrust buliding on Poplar and Estate. WPTY ABC 24 has recently vanished :o
WMC, WPTY, and WLMT are on the same tower. WMC will be the hardest to get tho.

Here is the analog cutoff list as I understand it:

WREG - 6/12/09
WMC - 6/12/09
WKNO - 6/12/09
WHBQ - 6/12/09
WTWV - 6/12/09
WPTY - 6/12/09
WLMT - 2/17/09
WBUY - 4/13/09
WPXX - 6/12/09

WLMT cutoff has been approved by the FCC, WBUY is still pending approval.
fyi...WKNO has moved up their analog cutoff to Friday, 5-1.

fyi...WKNO has moved up their analog cutoff to Friday, 5-1.

Word is that WBUY will do their analog cut-off on June 12th.

Has anyone else heard the grumblings form other area's of the country that when stations are switching off their analog transmitters the cable companies are dumping their analog feed requiring an upgrade to a digital box and an upgrade in service to still receive that particular station?

Anybody else with D* notice a crackling sound in the background of the audio on CBS? I'm running an optical cable to my Onkyo 7.1 receiver, and this is quite annoying.

Anybody else with D* notice a crackling sound in the background of the audio on CBS? I'm running an optical cable to my Onkyo 7.1 receiver, and this is quite annoying.

Yes! Noticed it during Craig Ferguson Friday night.

Yes! Noticed it during Craig Ferguson Friday night.

And again on CBS Morning Show this morning.

I don't know when it started, but I haven't heard it OTA from CSI Miami and NY from last week.

Has anyone else seen WREG with a news crawl during network programming? All it does it pimp their news coming up. I really hope it doesn't become a regular thing with them, much less other stations. Hopefully it was a one time thing. I saw it during Miami last week.

Still no word on AT&T U-verse?

I'm trying to watch the CW using an attena and OTA HD but it's missing from my lineup. I can get the usual CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox but no Supernatural!!!

I have been having the same problem for about 8 weeks. I am using a TIVO HD. I am OTA. I seem to recall that I used to get 30.1 & 30.2 (WLMT & RTV) in digital but about 6-8 weeks ago it stopped.

Here is the difficult thing::confused:
1. It shows up in the guide.
2. It does NOT show up in a search.
3. there is a digital signal strength of 80-90
4. screen is black with no sound
5. if you press 'info' on the TIVO remote it shows the right program information
6. All the other TV's in my house get the channels
7. When I by-pass the tivo with the antenna my TV gets the channel

I am getting really frustrated :mad: with TIVO support. Problem going on 8 weeks. I call about every 2 weeks. Nothing has been resolved.

I will take a picture of the diagnostic screen and post it soon.

Is anybody with a TIVO HD and OTA receiving 30.1 & 30.2?

Have you contacted WLMT about it?

News that I have heard is they will be launching here in August of this year.

News that I have heard is they will be launching here in August of this year.

Interesting. I have seen the AT&T construction department trucks all up and down Stage Road, laying fiber I assume.

Interesting. I have seen the AT&T construction department trucks all up and down Stage Road, laying fiber I assume.
Might've been just coincidence, but in August Bellsouth was digging near my house and cut the Comcast line. :) I was out of internet for nearly 2 weeks. :(

Comcast has redone the cable-ready (QAM) digital channels in (at least) Collierville.

We now get 3-1,5-1,10-1,13-1,24-1 and 30-1. None of the strange remapping.

Seem to have lost TNT and the other odd channels we used to get, and the 80-x mapping of some HD channels.

All in all, a good trade.

Does WMC air any syndicated programming in HD? WTVA in Tupelo airs Jeopardy, Wheel, Dr. Phil and Oprah in HD along with their local news. Just wondering.

Jeopardy is on WREG (Ch. 3) and NOT IN HD. Wheel is NOT in HD on WMC. I try my best not to watch Dr Phil or Oprah so I don't know about them.

I'm guessing both of those stations don't have the equipment to play those programs back in HD. So far only WMC has local HD news. I'm anxiously waiting for WHBQ news to go HD.

Speaking of WHBQ, I noticed this morning during the news that the D* feed was experiencing the briiip pretty bad. OTA was fine. I didn't get the chance to check our main tv to see if it was doing the same thing. Did anyone else notice this?

I stumbled across an article last night that is saying that the low banders (channels 3-6) are going to have a significant reduction in receiveability out past 30 miles and that repeaters are going to have to be used.

This was the first article I have read that brings this up.

I'll be curious to see how well WMC-TV does on channel 5 with digital.

Ok so I'm getting 13, but not 5. Anyone else out there getting both? Could it be possible my antenna is not low band?

I stumbled across an article last night that is saying that the low banders (channels 3-6) are going to have a significant reduction in receiveability out past 30 miles and that repeaters are going to have to be used.

This was the first article I have read that brings this up.

I'll be curious to see how well WMC-TV does on channel 5 with digital.

FWIW, WTVF here in Nashville seems to be doing well on 5 digital.

Ok so I'm getting 13, but not 5. Anyone else out there getting both? Could it be possible my antenna is not low band?
Just heard on WHBQ that WMC is having problems today. I was watching the D* WMC feed and they never mentioned it.

low banders (channels 3-6) are going to have a significant reduction in receiveability out past 30 miles...I'll be curious to see how well WMC-TV does on channel 5 with digital.It's impulse noise that affects those channels. It was true with analog on those channels too. Only dif is now with digital if you are picking up a lot of noise, you can't lock on the signal at all. At least with analog you would still get a noisy picture.

Since I live 70 miles from the WMC transmitter, I was eager to see what kind of reception I would get, but Ieft home yesterday and won't return until late Sunday. Guess we'll have to wait until next week to see what post transition TV is like.

Ok so I'm getting 13, but not 5. Anyone else out there getting both? Could it be possible my antenna is not low band?

Getting both here at the office @ 8:AM Friday Morning

Getting both here at the office @ 8:AM Friday Morning
I'll check when I get home tonight. Hopefully, for my sake :D, they fixed it if there was a problem. If not I'll try hooking up my big RS antenna which I'm sure is UHF/VHF.

WMC TV's already weak digital signal seems to be further weakened today. I couldn't get it on a channel scan at all.

Are they planning to boost the signal power at all?

I'm in Collierville and was able to get it with some digital artifacts here and there before the DTV switch.

Getting 5 and 13 here in Cordova. 5 is showing 100% signal strength solid on all my receivers (a lovely change from the crappy signal I had been getting the last two weeks which made it unwatchable--I was reduced to recording Conan from the D* retransmission).

The bad news is that both my TiVos (HR-10 and Series 3) have no guide data for 5 or 13. So tonight's Conan will still be recorded on my HR-20 (which does have guide data for the OTA 5 and 13).

Interesting I am getting 10-1 fine but 10-2 in pixelating really bad...

I have a TivoHD and it does not show the programing guide for Ch 5 or Ch 13. I called Tivo today and they said they would have to fix it on their end and it could take up to 5 to 7 days. They did say they had already received one of request for the correction for Ch5 and Ch13. I get my channels from Comcast Clear QAM and OTA for the local HD stations. I understand that without a cable card for the TivoHD I cannot get the guide for the CC Clear QAM.

By the way, I live close to Quincy and Ridgeway and can only get a signal level of 70% with Ch5 OTA even with an antenna in the attic. I get 100% for all the other local stations.

Tivo did have me go into the Channel List screen and hit ENTER, not Select. This gave me a screen to force the TivoHD to rescan for my OTA channels and re-setup my Tivo for all the channel changes. It then downloaded updated information over the network. But this still did not fix the problem with the missing Quide for Ch 5 or Ch 13.

Who knew that the people not ready for the Big Switch would be TiVo?

They've had forever to get ready, and still couldn't have the channel lineups ready for today.

Oh, I also don't get WLMT on my Series 3 anymore even after the complete re-setup (same thing happened on the February switch).

Well, I still don't get 5-1. Argh! I get 13-1 just fine. I'm less than 3 miles from the tower. Guess my antenna is not low band?

Radio Shack
40" Boom Length, 17 Elements Outdoor Antenna for UHF-Only
Model: U-75R | Catalog #: 15-2160

I have a Fusion USB HDTV tuner. I attached it to the above antenna which is in the attic, 3rd floor. Location Quince and Ridgeway. Even though the RS web page claims only UHF, the Fusion is showing a 100% signal with OTA CH5 and 13 even though they are VHF. Ch 3 and 24 also show 100%, Ch 30 only shows 74%, but I have not tried to aim the antenna.

With a 10db booster attached right at the antenna, it even picked up the Ch 7 station in Jackson, TN. This was the first time I had seen that station.

Right now I cannot pickup CH 10 for some reason.

My 2 digital tv's I am not getting wkno 10-1 or 10-2. Are these now 12-1 and 12-2 via OTA? Also the 50-1,2,3,4,5 are gone.
My Directv hr20-700 via ota can not get 5-1,2,3 today but it did work fine until yesterday. My windows media center PC tuner can only get 3-1 and 24-1 the rest I get no signal.

WKNO lost power yesterday (I live right by the antennas, and even the red warning lights were off all night). And WMC went off air right before I lost my own power.

We got power back late this morning, so check WKNO again. I'm watching it right now.

And WMC went off air right before I lost my own power.
Does WMC have power again? Is anyone getting it right now?

Does WMC have power again? Is anyone getting it right now?

I am totally surprised that I have been getting WMC all day. I thought that I would have to do something different to get WMC since it went to low VHF.I am using a attic moounted Radio Shack U-75R UHF yagi antenna. (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103088) BTW I live off of Swinnea south of Goodman road in Southaven. According to antennweb the WMC tower is 15.8 miles from my house.

So far the only channel I am not getting is 50-1, 50-2, 50-3, and 50-4. I do not know why.

Jerry

My Directv hr20-700 via ota can not get 5-1,2,3 today but it did work fine until yesterday.
Are you able to get 5-1 on your HR20 yet? I switched antennas and on my Hughes E86 I can get it mighty strong, along with 40-1 etc now. But I still can't get 5-1 on my HR20.

The others that can get 5-1 do any of you have an HR20?

I live in Midtown (Evergreen a couple blocks off Poplar) with a Radio Shack Double Bowtie in the attic (no amp) running thru a DirecTV HR21/AM21 and receive the following:

3-1 % 3-2 = 100%
5-1, 5-2, 5-3 = 76-78%
10-1 & 10-2 = 82% (some variation in this strength) also no 10-3
13-1 = 90%
18-1 & 18-2 = not locked
24-1 = 97%
30-1 & 30-2 = 79% (some variation in this strength as well)
40-1 = not locked
50-1, 50-2, 50-3 & 50-4 = 100%

Have all the stations re-mapped to their stated frequencies (i.e. WMC now broadcasting on ch3?)?

My antenna should not get the lower frequencies, but I am.

Ron

I am getting 5-1 on my HR20, Series 3 TiVo (now with guide data!), and HR10 (still no guide data), all with 100% signal (I live 3 miles or so from the tower). I've got whatever antenna Directv put on my dish for $49 extra when they installed.

Did you rescan the HR20?

I am getting 5-1 on my HR20, Series 3 TiVo (now with guide data!), and HR10 (still no guide data), all with 100% signal (I live 3 miles or so from the tower). I've got whatever antenna Directv put on my dish for $49 extra when they installed.

Did you rescan the HR20?
I did a rescan last night after I attached the other antenna. Now I'm missing 5 and 50. It's really weird because I can get them just fine on my e86. I checked the connections and everything is fine. I do have one more that I can hookup, a Wineguard which looks like a plane, to see if that makes any difference. If not I'll just hook up the antenna I have been using for the past 4 years or so and just watch WMC from D*. I only watch 2 shows on NBC so I guess it isn't that big of a loss.

I'm about to head to the golf tourney so I'll try it later tonight or sometime during the week.

I'm looking for advice from other midtown Memphians re: outdoor or in-attic to maximize reception for HDTV and local HD radio (104.5-2 is awesome if you are a blues fan). I see that most of our HDTV signals are found in the 50 to 70 degree range to our North West. Is a directional antenna a good idea for that reason or is a small multi-directional adequate? I don't want to put a ladder more then once and my indoor antenna isn't getting it. Thanks, Midtowner2

One other suggestion for the HR20: red button reset. I know it shouldn't make a difference, but I've had those resets fix a variety of problems including some that I thought it couldn't possibly remedy (like one of the tuners having no signal).

My parents live about 65 miles north north east of memphis, and they have a noname tv and a RCA digital box that were picking up everything (3,5, 7(Jackson), 10, 11(Jackson) 13, 16(Jackson), 24/30, 50) in digital, before the transition. Since the transition they have rescanned but no longer get 3, 10, 13, 24/30, 50 and the quality of 5 i really spotty. I am sure there are many older people that dont have some one to call, since all these channels have drooped. Is there anything that can be done for this? They already have a very high quality directional antenna about 40' in the air pointed to Memphis and a booster.
I saw talk of repeaters for channels, is that something that the channels should have done before this?

I'm looking for advice from other midtown Memphians re: outdoor or in-attic to maximize reception for HDTV and local HD radio (104.5-2 is awesome if you are a blues fan). I see that most of our HDTV signals are found in the 50 to 70 degree range to our North West. Is a directional antenna a good idea for that reason or is a small multi-directional adequate? I don't want to put a ladder more then once and my indoor antenna isn't getting it. Thanks, Midtowner2

For TV signals, see my post above. I've had great luck with a $10 antenna since we started receiving HD broadcasts years ago.

We are far enough away from the towers that most directional antennas are pretty successful. FM signals - I have no experience, but I look forward to the advice.

Good Luck.

Nothing changed for 3-1 or 10-1, so I doubt they were getting the digital signal, just the analog, which is now gone, hence no longer gettting them. 65 miles is a long, long way for a digital signal.

Is it just me, or is WPTY broadcasting some sort of bizarre zoomed/cropped SD as its "HD" national feed OTA today?

Is it just me, or is WPTY broadcasting some sort of bizarre zoomed/cropped SD as its "HD" national feed OTA today?

Not only that the audio is about 2 seconds behind the action in the game. This stinks

Even on the commercials the lip sync is way way off

I am getting 5-1 on my HR20, Series 3 TiVo (now with guide data!), and HR10 (still no guide data), all with 100% signal (I live 3 miles or so from the tower). I've got whatever antenna Directv put on my dish for $49 extra when they installed.

Did you rescan the HR20?

Most of the HR20s require you to delete the current channels before re-scanning if you have stations that changed their broadcast channel assignment.

Are you able to get 5-1 on your HR20 yet? I switched antennas and on my Hughes E86 I can get it mighty strong, along with 40-1 etc now. But I still can't get 5-1 on my HR20.

The others that can get 5-1 do any of you have an HR20?

No. I am going to run the ota scan and see what is going on.

Most of the HR20s require you to delete the current channels before re-scanning if you have stations that changed their broadcast channel assignment.
I'll try clearing out the channels and doing a re-scan. Man this is frustrating. :mad:

Tonight at 12:32 AM I am getting WMC 5 in Thayer MO, with a signal strength of 64%. I am 131.1 miles from the transmitter according to tvfool.com.

I use a Radioshack 160 In Outdoor antenna with FM Trap and AMP.
Wow!

Sorry to barge in the middle of all this OTA tuner discussion, but I've got a question for you guys...

I have DirecTV with the HR-20, which is ok, I guess, but we've never loved it as much as the Tivos we used to have. (A couple of D* SD Tivos and the HR10-250). How are the standalone Tivos? Does Memphis Comcast provide cablecards for them, or do you have to do everything OTA? I'd love to have all the cool features of the latest Tivos-- networking, etc.

Cheep --

Firstly, now that Newscorp no longer owns Directv, there will be a new Directv Tivo (I think the announcement said 3rd or 4th quarter this year).

Also, I have a Series 3 TiVo (OTA only) right on top of my HR20. My season passes for most network (OTA) shows are on the TiVo, and for sat-only channels on the HR20 (and overflow from the TiVo). For the last week of Leno and first week of Conan I recorded it on both, because the OTA signal sucked and was sometimes better on the Directv retransmitted version. And when the new Directv TiVo comes out, I just swap it for the HR20.

BTW, I got the Series 3 when it first came out, and had so much trouble trying to get cablecards that I ended up dropping cable altogether, I was so mad. But that was Time Warner. I'm sure Comcast is much better. :-)

-- Wiggo

Cheep --

Firstly, now that Newscorp no longer owns Directv, there will be a new Directv Tivo (I think the announcement said 3rd or 4th quarter this year).

Also, I have a Series 3 TiVo (OTA only) right on top of my HR20. My season passes for most network (OTA) shows are on the TiVo, and for sat-only channels on the HR20 (and overflow from the TiVo). For the last week of Leno and first week of Conan I recorded it on both, because the OTA signal sucked and was sometimes better on the Directv retransmitted version. And when the new Directv TiVo comes out, I just swap it for the HR20.

BTW, I got the Series 3 when it first came out, and had so much trouble trying to get cablecards that I ended up dropping cable altogether, I was so mad. But that was Time Warner. I'm sure Comcast is much better. :-)

-- Wiggo

I also have a Philips 708 Directv on top of a TivoHD. I have basic Comcast at $16.95 a month. To get the cable cards was going to cost me more than I wanted to pay. I use the TivoHD with Comcast clear QAM and OTA. However there is no program guides for Comcast local stations on Clear QAM so it is not practical for recording. I find that when I get into a TV series, I don't really miss HD since I am involved in the plot. I mainly record from the local stations, major networks, so split my recording between the 2 unit. I still find Directv more reliable than TivoHD OTA. I would never depend on Comcast for my recording. They are the last option. I have at least 3 friends who are complaining that Comcast HD is not working right. I even heard one local Memphis preacher discussion how bad Comcast HD was during his morning talk... It took him 6 months to get Comcast to fix his HD and then they wanted $70 for the repair...

I was in a Radio Shack today and the sales person told me that Ch 5, Memphis, still was not broadcasting at full power. He claimed they were waiting until they moved into a new building to increase their power.

I know Ch 5 has the lowest signal strength on my system.

Anyone know the true status of Ch5 broadcast levels?

Clearing out the antenna settings, and then going thru them again got 5-1 fixed on my HR20. I have put my normal antenna back on.

Couldn't get WHBQ, are they broadcasting at the 95 kW yet?

No, they are not. They are broadcasting at 20kw right now.

Anyone know the true status of Ch5 broadcast levels?

They are broadcasting at their maximized full power of 34.5kw. That is more than my Nashville CBS affiliate (RF 5) at just 22kw.

NashDigie signing off.

I am totally surprised that I have been getting WMC all day. I thought that I would have to do something different to get WMC since it went to low VHF.I am using a attic moounted Radio Shack U-75R UHF yagi antenna. (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103088) BTW I live off of Swinnea south of Goodman road in Southaven. According to antennweb the WMC tower is 15.8 miles from my house.

So far the only channel I am not getting is 50-1, 50-2, 50-3, and 50-4. I do not know why.

JerryI use that exact antenna and I am getting spotty reception on 5-1 on my HR10-250. My HR20 isn't connected to an antenna but I may so that I can use it as a backup when the satellite goes out during storms.

-Robert

No, they are not. They are broadcasting at 20kw right now.
NashDigie signing off.

Actually, WHBQ is transmitting 18 kW from the auxiliary antenna at 219 meters HAAT (Height Above Average Terrain). This is under the terms of a phased transition STA (Special Temporary Authority) from the FCC, to allow the main antenna to be converted for use with the DTV transmitters (couldn't do that while it was still being used for analog).

Due to a "Catch-22" with the interference rules while using an STA, the coverage is actually 2% less than what that antenna should be running. The construction permit for that antenna specifies 20 kW, but that can't be used while the STA for phased transition is in effect. Once the main antenna is in use (at 308 meters HAAT), the radiated power for it will be 12 kW. That will result in coverage that slightly exceeds the old NTSC coverage, and matches the full coverage from the auxiliary antenna.

For DTV, the FCC allows the power to be adjusted to compensate for antenna height. That's why the power used by the higher antenna is lower than the power for the lower antenna. That's also why some stations on the same channel in different markets have different powers. Their antennas are at different heights. To compare coverage, you have to take both the power and the HAAT into account.

Right now, both WMC and WHBQ are operating at their full FCC-allowed coverage. After WHBQ starts using its main antenna, the coverage will be increased 2% to the full FCC-allowed coverage under the non-STA rules.

The 95 kW figure that shows up in some databases is from a construction permit for maximized facilities. This would be for a different main antenna that has an oval pattern. It will increase coverage to the northeast and southwest, and will use elliptical polarization (a combination of horizontal and vertical polarization), thus the higher power required. In addition to the coverage increase, it will increase the power density in the rest of the current area (extending the distance that an indoor antenna can work). It is expected to be constructed in the next few years.

Sorry for the information overload, but I was on a roll!

I cannot receive WMCTV and WHBQ any more since the big switch. I have been using digital TV for almost 4 years, never had any problem with these two stations before. My understanding is that WMCTV did not switch to a new broadcast tower and it still broadcasts at full power. So why I cannot receive those channel even though nothing has changed???

I live in Collierville and I did rescan many times.

Thanks for any useful infomation.

Wiggo and lp, thanks for the replies on the Tivo HD. I would only switch from DirecTV if the cablecard/Comcast system worked well, and it appears it does not.

I've been patiently waiting for info on the new DirecTV Tivo, but have heard nothing since the announcement, eons ago. I'm actually ok with the HR20, but my wife has always hated and longs for Tivo again.

I did rescan many times but cannot get WMCTV. I tried to change to channel 5 by pushing 5 directly on my remote. All I got was statics. I know WMC-DT used to be on 5.1, should I try 5.0??

WMC has went back to channel 5, and WHBQ has went back to channel 13!

I was able to pick them up last night. And that was the channels they came on!

But not today. I'm too far out of the viewing area.

I did rescan many times but cannot get WMCTV. I tried to change to channel 5 by pushing 5 directly on my remote. All I got was statics. I know WMC-DT used to be on 5.1, should I try 5.0??
Can you clear out the settings and then rescan? Are you getting any signal at all when you go into the antenna settings?

Yes, I got a lot of channels (most of church channels) from my indoor antenna. I can get WREG, WKNO, WLMT, WPTY, etc without any problem.

Anyway, what's the difference between channel 5 and channel 5.1, My understanding is that the former is an analog channel and using analog frequencies and will never exist again. What exactly does it mean that WMC went back to channel 5?

Thanks!


Can you clear out the settings and then rescan? Are you getting any signal at all when you go into the antenna settings?

Actually, WHBQ is transmitting 18 kW from

Right now, both WMC and WHBQ are operating at their full FCC-allowed coverage. After WHBQ starts using its main antenna, the coverage will be increased 2% to the full FCC-allowed coverage under the non-STA rules.



Sorry for the information overload, but I was on a roll!

Thanks for the great reply. This is the type of information I needed so I could make a decision on how much effort to put into aiming my antenna. Now that I know the power levels are full levels, I can determine if I need an in-line booster or different antenna.

When I check antennaweb.org and tvfool.com they both show from my house that WMC is 346 degrees true azimuth but most of the other stations are grouped between 13 to 23 degrees. Am I correct to assume that WMC will not be moving its towers?

Yes, I got a lot of channels (most of church channels) from my indoor antenna. I can get WREG, WKNO, WLMT, WPTY, etc without any problem.

Anyway, what's the difference between channel 5 and channel 5.1, My understanding is that the former is an analog channel and using analog frequencies and will never exist again. What exactly does it mean that WMC went back to channel 5?

Thanks!
Do you get WHBQ?

The digital assignment is a ##-# format. TV's might have the ability to map 5-1 to 5 on the TV, but you are still watching it from 5-1. I think what he meant was WMC moved its digital channel from 52 to 5 and WHBQ moved from 53 to 13, which were their analog channels.

No, I don't get WHBQ either.

Anyway, I think I have figured out what had happened. This is what I get from the WEB : "Part of the ATSC broadcast signal tells the ATSC tuners what channel number should be assigned, no matter where on the spectrum the station actually happens to be."

That's why I never know 5.1 was broadcasted at channel 52 before, since it has switched to channel 5, maybe all I need to do it to buy a new antenna for VHF. Hope that will work.

Thanks for all the help.

Do you get WHBQ?

The digital assignment is a ##-# format. TV's might have the ability to map 5-1 to 5 on the TV, but you are still watching it from 5-1. I think what he meant was WMC moved its digital channel from 52 to 5 and WHBQ moved from 53 to 13, which were their analog channels.

When I check antennaweb.org and tvfool.com they both show from my house that WMC is 346 degrees true azimuth but most of the other stations are grouped between 13 to 23 degrees. Am I correct to assume that WMC will not be moving its towers?
Did WMC move towers? The used to be with WPTY and CW. Where are they now?

Do you get WHBQ?

The digital assignment is a ##-# format. TV's might have the ability to map 5-1 to 5 on the TV, but you are still watching it from 5-1. I think what he meant was WMC moved its digital channel from 52 to 5 and WHBQ moved from 53 to 13, which were their analog channels.

to add to this...if you only have a uhf antenna, you may have issues receiving these vhf transmissions

Local station phone numbers and contact emails 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. David @ WMC used to, but he hasn't posted in a while. Scott @ WLMT/WPTY also did for a while but he hasn't either. 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@wreg.com (station president and GM)
WMC: not one showing, either im EngDave or email the station prez and gm Lee Meredith lmeredith@wmctv.com
WKNO: wknopi@wkno.org
WHBQ: david.brant@foxtv.com chief engineer, DTV Dave
WPTY: programming@abc24.com
WLMT: programming@abc24.com

ravma posted this a while ago:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, 5-1, -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, -2; cable 809):
Main Office
901-323-2430
News Hotline
901-321-7668

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

All great info Dave !


Thanks for this


Actually, WHBQ is transmitting 18 kW from the auxiliary antenna at 219 meters HAAT (Height Above Average Terrain). This is under the terms of a phased transition STA (Special Temporary Authority) from the FCC, to allow the main antenna to be converted for use with the DTV transmitters (couldn't do that while it was still being used for analog).

Due to a "Catch-22" with the interference rules while using an STA, the coverage is actually 2% less than what that antenna should be running. The construction permit for that antenna specifies 20 kW, but that can't be used while the STA for phased transition is in effect. Once the main antenna is in use (at 308 meters HAAT), the radiated power for it will be 12 kW. That will result in coverage that slightly exceeds the old NTSC coverage, and matches the full coverage from the auxiliary antenna.

For DTV, the FCC allows the power to be adjusted to compensate for antenna height. That's why the power used by the higher antenna is lower than the power for the lower antenna. That's also why some stations on the same channel in different markets have different powers. Their antennas are at different heights. To compare coverage, you have to take both the power and the HAAT into account.

Right now, both WMC and WHBQ are operating at their full FCC-allowed coverage. After WHBQ starts using its main antenna, the coverage will be increased 2% to the full FCC-allowed coverage under the non-STA rules.

The 95 kW figure that shows up in some databases is from a construction permit for maximized facilities. This would be for a different main antenna that has an oval pattern. It will increase coverage to the northeast and southwest, and will use elliptical polarization (a combination of horizontal and vertical polarization), thus the higher power required. In addition to the coverage increase, it will increase the power density in the rest of the current area (extending the distance that an indoor antenna can work). It is expected to be constructed in the next few years.

Sorry for the information overload, but I was on a roll!

Did WMC move towers? The used to be with WPTY and CW. Where are they now?

Aren't they still over off of Pleasant View on that short tower?


Kevin

I can not pick up fox, i have a outdoor roof antenna that has picked up fox on the digital converter box for a long time, now nothing?

I currently pick up 3, 5, 10, 23,24,30,40,50 all with good signals, nothing for 13? any ideas?

Does anyone have any recommendations on a commercial DirecTV installer in the metro Memphis area? Comcast wants $13,000 to install a single cable outlet in a new school building, so we are going to use DirecTV's SchoolChoice programming and equipment program, which provides free service and standard-definition equipment for schools. However, I need to find an installer who does commercial work to install the systems.

Thanks,
Tim Taylor
Technology Coordinator
Marion School District
Marion, AR
ttaylor@msd3.org

After the transition, I too lost WMC and WHBQ.
As was mentioned a few posts back, these stations have changed RF Frequencies with the transition. Relative to my location in the Highland/Walnut Grove area, the direction of the new broadcast signal is nearly the same. It just occurred to me this weekend to go to AntennaWeb and see if the stations had gone from UHF to VHF. And sure enough, these two "missing channels" did.
WMC-DT was 52 and is now 5, WHBQ-DT was 53 and is now 13. This matters to me because I have one of those bowtie/grid UHF only antennas to pickup OTA signals to blend with my Sat reciever. If you've suddenly "lost" those two channels then you may also have a UHF only antenna.

So now I'm gonna have to get a VHF/UHF antenna to replace my little UHF only bowtie antenna. Now I'll have to put up another mast for the new combo antenna. The little UHF bowtie antenna was easier. I just mounted it to the satellite dish mast.

After the transition, I too lost WMC and WHBQ.
As was mentioned a few posts back, these stations have changed RF Frequencies with the transition. Relative to my location in the Highland/Walnut Grove area, the direction of the new broadcast signal is nearly the same. It just occurred to me this weekend to go to AntennaWeb and see if the stations had gone from UHF to VHF. And sure enough, these two "missing channels" did.
WMC-DT was 52 and is now 5, WHBQ-DT was 53 and is now 13. This matters to me because I have one of those bowtie/grid UHF only antennas to pickup OTA signals to blend with my Sat reciever. If you've suddenly "lost" those two channels then you may also have a UHF only antenna.

So now I'm gonna have to get a VHF/UHF antenna to replace my little UHF only bowtie antenna. Now I'll have to put up another mast for the new combo antenna. The little UHF bowtie antenna was easier. I just mounted it to the satellite dish mast.
I'd first see if you can find a small combo antenna before you have to do all that hard labor in the heat. :)

I get 5-2 and 5-3 but I don't get 5-1 anymore. Don't all 3 channels broadcast on VHF 5?

I get 5-2 and 5-3 but I don't get 5-1 anymore. Don't all 3 channels broadcast on VHF 5?
Yeah. That's weird. You should get all or none.

I'd first see if you can find a small combo antenna before you have to do all that hard labor in the heat. :)

Seriously! This heat just sucks the life right out of ya.

From the little bit I've read so far, it seems as though the smaller combos are only good for higher VHF, like 7 and up. I may just have to break down and buy one of those big-honkin-antennas like my Dad and I put up when I was a kid.
When considering the shipping cost for such a bulky package, I guess I'd better look locally for my best deal on a combo antenna. Maybe I could get away with stuffing that sucker in my garage attic and running a coax to the house.


...and yeah, that is weird. It seems like if you get 5.2 & 5.3, you'd get 5.1 too.

From the little bit I've read so far, it seems as though the smaller combos are only good for higher VHF, like 7 and up. I may just have to break down and buy one of those big-honkin-antennas like my Dad and I put up when I was a kid.
When considering the shipping cost for such a bulky package, I guess I'd better look locally for my best deal on a combo antenna. Maybe I could get away with stuffing that sucker in my garage attic and running a coax to the house.
I wonder if your point about channels 7 and up explain why people are having a hard time getting 5 now? They might be using a small antenna? I'm sure you can find something that you need at Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc.

Noticed this morning that WHBQ news has gone HD. Finally! :) Apparently they went HD at the 5 pm news, but I missed those.

It looks REALLY good. Valerie Calhoun was almost glowing. A lot of the field shots look (pretty sure are) HD. The graphics looks sharp. They don't have a whole lot of moving parts in them, just kinda simple. Personally I don't like all the movement in graphic packages, ala SportsCenter. It's kinda weird to see the ticker stop just before the station bug.

Well, I went into Setup this morning for the Antenna and did a Reset on one of my HR20-700's. I then let it scan for channels and I got 3-1, 3-2, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 10-1, 10-2, 13-1, 24-1, 30-1, 30-2. (I got 40 and all of the 50's too but I have them off in my custom channel guide.) On my other HR20-700, I just did a rescan (not a reset first) and I don't get 5-1. I'll do a Reset tonight and rescan.

Oh, BTW I am using the original solid screen CM-4228 8-bay antenna. This is a UHF only antenna so I'm not sure why I can get all of the channel 5's.

Oh, BTW I am using the original solid screen CM-4228 8-bay antenna. This is a UHF only antenna so I'm not sure why I can get all of the channel 5's.

Just because your antenna isn't a VHF-lo doesn't mean you wont get a signal, especially if you're close to the transmitter. Your 4228 is designed to receive channels 7-69 and is large enough that it is capturing the low band signal @ 77.25Mhz. I'd have to do the math to see if that is an odd wavelength, but if it is working well.......


Kevin

I wonder if your point about channels 7 and up explain why people are having a hard time getting 5 now? They might be using a small antenna? I'm sure you can find something that you need at Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc.

Noticed this morning that WHBQ news has gone HD. Finally! http://www.*****************/trafficreport/img/3721/k08t1221bbuq/gdsmile.gif Apparently they went HD at the 5 pm news, but I missed those.

It looks REALLY good. Valerie Calhoun was almost glowing. A lot of the field shots look (pretty sure are) HD. The graphics looks sharp. They don't have a whole lot of moving parts in them, just kinda simple. Personally I don't like all the movement in graphic packages, ala SportsCenter. It's kinda weird to see the ticker stop just before the station bug.

I too have a hard time getting 5.
And the news this morning surprised me too.

I get 5-2 and 5-3 but I don't get 5-1 anymore. Don't all 3 channels broadcast on VHF 5?http://***************/9/P/i.jpg

This is strange you should either get all of them or none :S i'd like to know why this is

This is strange you should either get all of them or none :S i'd like to know why this is

I don't know why, but I did a Reset on my second HR20-700 tonight and then rescanned and I have all of the channels on it too. So, if anyone else is having a problem with 5 or 13, perhaps you need to go into Antenna setup, Reset and then perform the Initial setup.

I don't know why, but I did a Reset on my second HR20-700 tonight and then rescanned and I have all of the channels on it too. So, if anyone else is having a problem with 5 or 13, perhaps you need to go into Antenna setup, Reset and then perform the Initial setup.

This is a frequently noted "bug" in the HR20-700 when a channel changed it's physical broadcast channel.

Have to do a reset first, then rescan.

Well, I went into my Menu options on my Dish VIP722 DVR and rescanned the local channels.
I still got nothing for 5. But I did get 13.1 at about 90% and it's in HD. Nice!

Good advice. I don't know why I didn't think to just try a rescan before.

Now if I can just find a nice minimal antenna that'll pick up 5. I've got the satellite version, but it's in SD. The other thing is that with my DVR I can record two satellite channels plus one local channel simultaneously.
Of course, if I find a VHF antenna to pick up 5, I guess I might as well make that the antenna for all local channels.
The last time I looked for outdoor/attic antennas Lowe's had one model in stock, Radio Shack had none. I ordered the little 2 bowtie UHF antenna online and shipping wasn't really an issue. I'd be glad to order the ideal antenna online but it seems that bulkiness of the bigger antennas drive the shipping cost way up. I don't know all the tech stuff about antennas. I wonder if a combo antenna not intended for low-VHF would do a fine job picking up 5 anyway? According to AntennaWeb, I'm only 3.6 miles from channel 5's broadcast tower.

Noticed this morning that WHBQ news has gone HD. Finally! :) Apparently they went HD at the 5 pm news, but I missed those.

Surprise!

The studio cameras, graphics and weather maps are all HD. The news footage shot in the field, as well as live shots, are shot in 16:9 SD and then upconverted. The field cameras are capable of HD (that's what we used for the HD Christmas concert), but HD takes up too much storage space in the memory cards to use with DV100 compression. Once we upgrade the field cameras to use MPEG-4, we should be able to do HD in the field.

It's still a work-in-progress, so you may see some funky aspect ratio conversions by accident, but we intend to keep everything 16:9 unless it would require distorting the video, then we use side panels.

If we tried to cheat and stretch a native 4:3 image to fit 16:9, and someone watches it in SD using a 16:9 display (that's what I do at home when I'm too lazy to change from SD DirecTV to OTA HD), and the display is set to stretch the 4:3 to fill the 16:9 width, you end up with a double stretch that looks like crap. We won't do that (at least on purpose!).

We should be adding more HD bells and whistles at we go along. Maybe 5.1 audio one of these days!

The big push now is to get the DTV transmitter on the top antenna. That should solve a lot of reception problems (including mine at home). I hope to have it on the air sometime on Friday.

By the way, the antenna elements for Channel 5 need to be at least 3 feet long. For channel 13, they need to be 14 inches.