Thats promising. I'm about to go home. If Leno is on I'll be amazed.

Well Leno is on and in HD. That only begs the question, why didn't neil speak up earlier?

I never know if my reception is just bad or something is wrong at the transmitter. I almost never can get WPTY-DT, and KAIT over here has had trouble with audio and video drop-outs from the get-go. They don't know what to do about it either. I thought I would have three ABC stations to choose from, but so far I can't watch much of anything in HD on ABC. But I'm rambling.

I havn't been around much to watch NBC, but I set my HiPix to record some shows while I was away from home the last couple of weeks, and it didn't record anything! Because there was no signal from WMC-DT. Good thing I had set the VCR also as a back-up or my wife would have killed me!

Hey guys,
I just noticed this tonight. WREG-DT is still on at 11:45, which is kinda nice in the first place, but I am showing 5.1 audio. Has anyone else noticed this before tonight? If so, what programs have you noticed this on? This is gonna be great for football games.

Sweet, we got InHD back! Channel 801 :) .

Seems that ever since WMC-DT came back on the air, I've been seeing all kinds of problems that I didn't see from them before. Sound sync problems, macro blocking of the video, audio and video drop-outs and sometimes the video looks like video used to look in Windows Media Player on a slow computer, all jerky and stuttering.

Has anyone else noticed it?

Also, I noticed tonight that Jake 2.0 is not in HD on WLMT-DT. Any word on if or when they will begin HD broadcasting?

Is anyone having problems with WREG using an antenna? I couldn't watch CSi Miami Monday because of the audio. :( My receiver (a Yamaha) showed the audio was Dolby Digital but it sounded awful - like at the bottom of a well. I had to turn the volume up about twice the level as being broadcast on the analog channel just to hear the sound. I'm using a Hughes E86 Sat. Receiver. I know it isn't the Yamaha because DVD's in Dolby Digital sound great.

Rick

Rick,

I'm getting WREG using an antenna from over here in Arkansas, some 73 miles away. I havn't noticed any sound problems. But, I couldn't get a signal this past Monday because of the weather. Usually they broadcast DD 2.0 sound. My receiver won't down-mix DD 2.0 to pro-logic, so I just use the analog sound from my ATSC receiver to my audio receiver. I know mx6bfast said he saw some DD 5.1 the other day, but I havn't noticed anythink in 5.1 yet. CSI Miami last week wasn't 5.1, but like I said, can't say about this weeks.

Neil

I have noticed that everything I am watching from WREG-DT is showing 5.1 on my reciever. Even commercials. I am using an E86 with a Yamaha 5550 reciever. I have my sound set to Theatre 2 Adventure. I haven't tried changing to another type of sound scheme yet. I might try that Saturday when I'm watching the game. But the sound does seem a little lower, but with more bass.

As far as WMC, I did notice the audio being slightly delayed on Sunday night. If I remember correctly this use to only happen during the shows broadcast in HD before they fixed the equipment again. Looks like it still might be happening.

My mom has a contact at UPN. I have her ask again if any shows on UPN will be in HD. I was told it was but I guess it never is. I'm not at home to check it.

WPXX-DT is multicasting on 51-1 thru 51-4. When they had one channel they showed the Grizzlies games consistently. Now that they have shifted to four channels they only show the games on the analog feed.

Something about that does not make sense to me. I sent an email to the local PAX engineer but did not receive a response.

mx6bfast, I too see the 5.1 digital aunnuniated on my receiver. There's no sound coming out of my surronds. Do you have sound in the surrounds??

It seems Time Warner is finally promoting HDTV...however they still don't have ESPN HD.

I do see they advertise channel 825 as HD "Fox Sports"...I assume this is the standard local Fox station, not Fox Sports.

Anyone have an update on this?

Thanks

There is nothing on 825 contrary to what they advertise, I would look on december 1st. I'd imagine we'll get something new, they have been adding stuff every month for the past 3.

Daniel,
Yes I have sound coming from my surrounds. Although the SEC game sounded awesome, some other programs like CSI I wish didn't have 5.1 as the dialouge is lower with too much base. But at times it sounds really good!!

I lost WMC again Thursday night. My wife said it stopped right before ER. Is anyone getting it?

Dennis

Had CSI Miami on tonight, and my receiver was showing AC3 surround sound, but I was only getting sound from left and right channels. No sound from center or surrounds. I switched to PCM sound, which works much better for me than DD 2.0. However, I think I was getting some DD surround sound from WLMT tonight. Didn't have it on long enough to tell, but was getting sound from center and a little from L+R and surrounds.

We lost WMC just after 7pm last Thursday also. They haven't shown up, that I've noticed since.

The LSU/Ole Miss game was my first game with the surround sound. It was pretty cool. You had the announcers coming in from the fronts and the stadium PA announcer from the rear speakers. I'm assuming it was DD5.1. My receiver doesn't tell me what type Dolby it is, just that it's DD.

Tha sounds like you had the 5.1 working. Does the reciever show you which speakers have the sound coming out of them? Mine just lights up Digital but it also lights up the speakers being used.

i thought that game sounded really good, better than others with the PA being in the back.

In case you didn't see it, WREG is going to have a "What you need to know about HDTV" program Thursday night at 6:30. I might tape it just to see what they have to say. Its pretty cool that they are doing this. I personally would rather see them do this type of program rather than WMC for example do it.

I'm over in Helena, AR, about 90 miles by road to memphis. I'm wondering if I have a shot at getting ota HD from memphis? I havent tried the antenna yet, Radio shack has a 58 tine , 120 mile range. I remember my parents being able to get all the memphis and little rock channels ota, but I know HD is different and not everyone is at full power yet.

thanks in advance

Hi aquacure,

Looks like you are closer to the Memphis towers than I am. Helena is about 65 miles as the radio wave flyes. You really don't need one of those big Radio Shack antennas for HDTV, as all the Memphis stations are UHF. But you will probably want the most antenna gain you can get. Channel Master 4228 or 4248 would be excellent. You may also need a pre-amp for the antenna, and Channel Master makes the best of those too.

I'm getting fairly good reception here in Paragould, which is between 69 and 73 miles from the Memphis stations, with a CM 4228 and pre-amp.

You won't be able to get DTV 24/7 from that distance, but you will likely be able to receive some of the channels most of the time. And all of the full power ones, some of the time. Give it a try!

Neil

Here's what I get from antennaweb.org...

Digital Antenna Type Call Sign Channel Network City State Live Date Compass
Orientation
* blue WPTY-DT 25 ABC Memphis TN Now Live 49°
* blue WREG-DT 28 CBS Memphis TN Now Live 52°
* blue WKNO-DT 29 PBS Memphis TN May 1 2004 53°
* blue WLMT-DT 31 UPN Memphis TN Now Live 49°
* blue WMAV-DT 36 PBS Oxford MS Now Live 103°
* blue WPXX-DT 51 PAX Memphis TN Now Live 51°
* blue WABG-DT 54 ABC Greenwood MS Under Review 166°
violet WREG 3 CBS Memphis TN 52°
violet WMC 5 NBC Memphis TN 51°
violet WABG 6 ABC Greenwood MS 166°
violet WMAV 18 PBS Oxford MS 103°

But I was more impressed with your info neil..I'm gonna give it a try.

thanks

Originally posted by mx6bfast
In case you didn't see it, WREG is going to have a "What you need to know about HDTV" program Thursday night at 6:30.Curious to know what they had to say, I tuned in but didn't see or hear anything about HDTV. Did I miss it? What did they have to say?

Originally posted by neil525
Curious to know what they had to say, I tuned in but didn't see or hear anything about HDTV. Did I miss it? What did they have to say?

I'm curious about this too. Did anyone get a chance to see it??

Well, I taped WREG at that time last night and I got ET. Maybe the program is next week. I'll send an email to see if I can get a correct date.

My mind is about a week ahead calendar wise. I think I have 2 weeks left for Christmas shopping, not 3. Oh well....

I sent an email to WREG and this is my email and the response I got:
--------------------------------------------------
I thought I saw something the other day saying that WREG was going to have a program about all you need to know about HD. If I saw this correctly, can you let me know when it comes on? I thought it was yesterday but I was wrong.

But I do have two questions. I have noticed at the end of the 9 o'clock program, with about 30 seconds left in the show it goes to SD. Is this something that is done locally or does that come from CBS?

And last, is there any chance of keeping the DT feed on later in the evening? I don't get home until 11 pm 3 days a week and every now and then it will still be on, but not for long. Maybe keeping it on until Craig Kilborn is over.

I just want to say that I am enjoying the 5.1, especially during football games. Sometimes it's hard to hear during other shows, but I like it a lot.
------------------------------------------

The special presentation that we had on HD television aired on Thursday during our newscasts, beginning at 4 and going to 6 p.m. We had a panel of experts who answered many viewer questions. Sorry you missed it.

Now, we do go to SD at the end of our 9 p.m. shows to present a preview what will be in our 10 o'clock News. This is a local maneuver, not CBS.

In April of 2004, we will extend our HD broadcast to 18 hours, and part of that will be on the latter part of the broadcast day. Right now, CBS does not have programming after prime time in HD. If they convert Letterman to HD, we will probably broadcast it in HD.

Originally posted by mx6bfast
Now, we do go to SD at the end of our 9 p.m. shows to present a preview what will be in our 10 o'clock News. This is a local maneuver, not CBSEvery time I've watched CSI, orCSI: Miami they do that. Just before the show is over they switch to SD. At least they could wait until the show is over, don't you think?

Originally posted by mx6bfast
I just want to say that I am enjoying the 5.1, especially during football games. Sometimes it's hard to hear during other shows, but I like it a lot.Saturday during the LSU/Georgia game was the first time I had heard CBS 5.1 sound. They were advertising that the game was to be in HDTV with 5.1 sound, and sure enough it was. But I was very disappointed with the sound production choices. I know it has nothing to do with WREG, as it is a CBS production, but I found it very hard to listen to. Nothing like the 5 channel surround sound I'm used to with movies. It sounded more like 5 independent tracks with no blending. Kind of reminded my of the early days of two channel stereo when music recordings would put the drums in the left channel and the guitar in the right channel with no sound-stage spread between the speakers.

What I heard during the game was commentary from the center, with no other sound mixed into the center. On field sounds, and stadium sounds in the left from, and different field and stadium sounds in the right front, but not a mix that would produce a three dimensional sound field. And stadium announcer in the right rear channel, and a little crowd sound in the left rear.

I went back to having my receiver mix the sound to pro-logic. That gave me a more involving surround sound experience than the CBS 5.1 mix did.

A friend of mine just got a new widescreen tv and he has TW cable. I am trying to talk him into getting HD. He lives in an apartment so satellite is not an option. For the guys who have TW-HD, can you let me know which HD channels you currently get? Also, what are the costs of the HD box, any up front costs, monthly costs, and anything else I would have to know about. Maybe an HD tier?

I'm also going to give him the option of getting the locals OTA with a small antenna.

I've been silent lately, but are any of you able to get fox now that the "new" transmmiter is up and running. I've always watched 24 and NFL games from here in midtown, but now have had to move my antenna to 53 degrees to pick it up and have a great signal. (my toshiba STB maps the channel as 13.1 but had to initially use 53).. for the past year Ive been one of the few near enough to pick up the signal.

I didn't know that it was up and running yet. I have tried to see if I have a signal for 53 every now and then but I haven't yet. I get all the others 100%. But that is usually later at night or before 11 am. Can you post what times you have been able to get it?

I know they broadcast at nite and on sundays for NFL, they used to broadcast during daytime also but havent checked that lately, in fact they are broadcasting now at 6:50 PM

I sent an email to the person at WHBQ to see if the programming had been moved to the new tower yet. This is his reply:

------------------------------------------------------
No, we're still waiting on approval to start the construction. I'm hoping that it can start by the first of the year. Once it is complete, I'll be sure to let you know about it. We will be on 24 hour a day with it once it's moved, although true HD programming will only be there when Fox sends it to us during prime time (and on the weekend sports during the day).

I'm also waiting on word on when Fox will switch to 720p format. Once they do, I want to pass it through as soon as possible.
-----------------------------------------------------

24 hours a day, alright! I can't wait. It sounds like he is anxious to get HD rolling as soon as FOX sends it out. I've only emailed him a few times but he has been very helpful in answering my questions and giving me information.

In the meantime, I want to run a cable from John's house to mine. :-)

Got a 60" XBR950 today. Everything seems fine. However the OTA digital tuner has me a bit puzzled. I grabbed some old rabbit ears and attached it temporarily just to see what I could pick up as far as digital stations. However when I'm tuned into one, a few minutes goes buy then the screen goes blank and says Ch 24 is now showing on 25. I press exit then it does it again...25 is on Ch 24. Exit 24 is on 25. Back and forth back and forth. I am assuming (I hope) it has something to do with the antenna but I don't understand what is going on. Can someone enlighten me. Cause you basically can't watch the digital OTA channel at all cause it has you switching back and forth, over, over and over.

Did anyone catch the Grizzly's game on Fox Sports HD (TWC channel 825) on Friday night? I'm curious how it looked.

Do you need to subscribe to the showtime and hbo channels to get the hd digital box from time warner in memphis?

It used to be that way when those were the only HD channels. I'm not sure if that's the case anymore since there are ~6 other channels.

Hi,

I originally posted this in the wrong forum--please excuse--but I'm delighted to find a group of Memphis area hdtv users! I'm in OB, MS and hooked to TWC with a Pace HDTV box. I'm running the signal into an X10 projector.

I'm wondering if any of you TWC customers could give me an answer to my problem. Although reg channels look great, the HDTV channels that are active are 803 (chan 3), 807 (ABC) & 844 (discovery). Of those, I'm only able to get a signal on 807. But on any of the three, when I press the display button on the Pace box, the 'HDTV' light only is shown over the 480i resolution. Am I missing something, or is that the resolution that's being broadcast? Is anyone else getting a signal on 803 or 844? THX!

On the Pace box, press the 'display' button located on the front of the box, the resolution should be set at 1080i, aspect should be 16:9 (unless you have a 4:3 set). 844 is always on and playing. 803 and 807 are on quite a bit but only HD in the evenings and the occasional soap. Your TV's input should be set to the DTV feed... The Pace box will auto adjust it's format so your screen will fill regardless of the signal.

radarme,

When I press the 'display' button, the 'HDTV' light only appears over the 480i resolution setting. Are you saying that this is just the default & must be changed to 1080i? Thanks for your help!

yes... change it to 1080.

villanman,

channel 25 is the DT channel # for 24. That's why those are displaying. Now as far as the issue with it changing back and forth, never heard of that. Does that happen when you go to other channels? Try them for CBS and NBC and see if it keeps switching back. It also could be a bad reciever. Good luck.

Dennis

Villanman,

Not sure what is going on.....may be some channel remapping (some HDTV tuners do that - mine does not.) If no one here is able to provide more info you might try one of the more general forums/threads (either TV set or HDTV based) if you haven't already.

channel 25 is the DT channel # for 24. That's why those are displaying. Now as far as the issue with it changing back and forth, never heard of that. Does that happen when you go to other channels? Try them for CBS and NBC and see if it keeps switching back.


CBS and NBC stay locked in no problems.
Channel 24 which is 24.1 on my XBR will stay for a bit then a window pops up and says "CH24 is now showing on CH25 press Exit"
When you press Exit it then says
"CH25 is now showing on Ch24 press exit"
I press Exit again and it stays tuned in for a while.
CH30 (30.1) is the only other channel that does it. saying CH30 is now showing on CH31. At first I tried just some old rabbit ears I had just to see what I could pick up and it switched over and over and over. Bought a better Ant today and it doesn't do it as often but it still does it.

channel 25 is the DT channel # for 24

that was the first problem..
If I manually turn it to 25.1 I don't have that problem any more
My TV auto added ABC and UPN as 24.1 and 30.1
So that appears the reason it was wanting to switch.

Now I just have to figure out how to add the Channel within my TV
Thanks!

Originally posted by mx6bfast
... I have noticed at the end of the 9 o'clock program, with about 30 seconds left in the show it goes to SD. Is this something that is done locally or does that come from CBS?

----------------------------------------------------------------
[station]
"Now, we do go to SD at the end of our 9 p.m. shows to present a preview what will be in our 10 o'clock News. This is a local maneuver, not CBS." Our Little Rock CBS affiliate, KTHV-DT was doing this back when they first started doing HD. It's *very* annoying to be watching the last dramatic "hook" of a show, only to have the sound "pop" and the picture shrink to 4:3.

Fortunately, after repeated and numerous complaints by local viewers, KTHV-DT stopped this annoying practice until the show completely ends and the credits begin to roll.

If enough people complain by email/phone/letters, maybe your station will also stop doing this. They could wait until the credits roll to switch to SD - if they wanted to.

has any one noticed sound problems with WREG DT dolby 5.1 sound, one nite it was no center channel, another nite it was no lfe?

John,

I haven't been able to get WREG much at all lately, but most of the time the Dolby digital is only two channels anyway. Their won't be a center channel signal or LFE. I did hear DD 5.1 sound for sports one time, but usually I just run my system with PCM sound so my receiver will use pro-logic to make a center channel signal. I really don't like DD 2.0, but that is what most DTV stations are broadcasting right now. WLMT is the only exception I know of. They don't even broadcast HDTV, but their Dolby digital sound consistently has center channel information.

Neil

I haven't noticed any 5.1 problems with Wreg. I do occasionally get a delay however out of WMC

Well, I tuned in WREG tonight. Without a Trace was on, and it was in HiDef, but with DD 2.0 sound. Now, I don't know whether CBS produces this show with DD 5.1 or not, but I was only getting two channels tonight.

I haven't noticed any sound problems with CBS lately. The only thing is there is too much bass at times.

WMC constantly has audio sync problems. It comes and goes. I usually noticed it with HD shows, but Pet Detective the other night had a delay.

Another nite of no lfe on WREG (on both STB and integrated tuner) about to give up and go to 2 ch and DPL2x

John Raymond,
You'll find that's the least frustrating way to listen to OTA DTV for now. Most local stations have not figured out DD.

Has anyone gotten their remote to work with the PACE HD box? I don't really want to have to program each key but I can't find the codes in the supplied manual...

Thanks,
Dan

I just kept mine the same as the SA box.

Originally posted by radarme
I just kept mine the same as the SA box.

So the Scientific Atlanta codes should work? I'll check them out, thanks for the info...

Dan

Just to let you all know sometime this spring TWC will have the new hd-dvr available in this area, already in greenbay and I think syracuse. No firewire or dvi though, here is the dvr link:

http://www.sciatl.com/consumers/Exp8000HD.htm

Is anyone watching 24-1 right now? I was getting a 100% signal earlier but no video. I just put it back 10 minutes ago and it looks like we are getting some kind of national HD feed from ABC. It went back to local commercials for a minute, but its been back on the HD stuff ever since. It showed a space shuttle lift-off and it looked amazing. There was also a voice going "left stereo channel, right stereo channel" coming out of each side. Now there are some funky test patterns. If you get this soon, check it out. It looks like its a demo loop.

24 has been messed up since new years nite here in midtown OTA, thought it was me but both my recvrs act the same

mx6,
That is ABC's HD demo loop you're seeing.

I live in Oxford and I'm wanting to get set up for OTA HDTV. I think I'm going to get a Channel Master 4228 and Channel Master rotor w/ IR remote. Do I also need to get an amplifier? What mounting hardware would I need for an attic? Is putting the antenna in an attic a real bad idea? The zipcode is 38655. I am trying to pick up the Memphis channels, but I would also like to get the channels in Tupelo, West Point and Columbus. I think that if I want Memphis only that I don't need the rotator. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much,

Elliott

Smidgerine,
If you're trying to get Memphis plus your nearby stations, you'll need a rotor and preamp. The CM 4228 is an excellent high gain UHF fringe antenna. I would add a CM 7777 preamp.

Forget the attic if you're serious about trying to get reliable reception from MEM.
Install the 4228 on as high a mast as possible.

Smidgerine,

Get a rotator.Period.

You will be SOOOO glad you did. Even if you only want stations from one direction I have found that with a large antenna (I use vu190 rs) that the wind and other factors (large birds) will tend to move your antenna a few degrees. This can be very detremental to 8vsb singals.

Just having the rotator to fine tune your antenna can make alot of difference (esp if your antenna is 30' off the ground!!)

dirk, I agree about the rotor. The 4228 and other high gain fringe antennas are very directional, which sometimes requires precise aiming for distant stations.

I have been trying to get my new HDTV hooked up. I have all the connections to the TV done but am having trouble hooking up the surround sound through the receiver. I called several service companies but nobody would help me if I didn't buy my TV from them. Also, I have a CM 4228 antenna in my storeroom behind the television. I can get CBS if I turn the antenna just right and sometimes I get NBC although it drops out sometimes. I guess I need to mount the antenna on the roof or on the chimney. Does anybody know of somebody who can do the hookup of my home theater sound calibrate my TV and somebody to install an antenna?
Thanks,
Bob V

I live in Millington and I use a Zenith Silver Sensor and get a great signal on NBC ABC and CBS without any problems at all.
As far as your surround, just route the audio source you want to hear through your receiver and not the TV.
I have yet to find any ISF calibrators in town. Underground sound says they do it but ONLY if you buy something from them.

I have yet to find any ISF calibrators in town. Just because they are ISF doesn't mean that they are any good. Gregg Loewen (http://lionav.com/mgreggloewen.html) will be in the area in March. Or if you have a Mitsu, Craig Miller makes a trip the the area every so often. These guys have a nation wide reputation for excellent work.

Does anybody know of somebody who can do the hookup of my home theater sound calibrate my TV and somebody to install an antenna? It's not that hard. So we don't clutter up this space, send a PM and I'll try to walk you through it.

Also, I have a CM 4228 antenna That's an awfully big antenna for being so close to the broadcast towers. Also, it's very directional. You may have to aim at the individual towers rather than my situation where I aim in the general direction of the tower farm.

-Robert

Originally posted by rlj5242
You may have to aim at the individual towers rather than my situation where I aim in the general direction of the tower farm.

I have been searching the web and cannot find exactly where the towers are. When I use antennaweb it shows the direction of the antennas. I'm just curious if there is a layout map that I can look up that shows exactly where the towers are located? Also so I can know which tower is which. Is the tower farm around the I-40/Whitten exit?

It doesn't make that big of a difference, I'm just curious.

Originally posted by rlj5242
... Gregg Loewen will be in the area in March. Or if you have a Mitsu, Craig Miller makes a trip the the area every so often. These guys have a nation wide reputation for excellent work.... You might also check with Audio Dimensions on Bowman Rd., in Little Rock.
tel: 501 223-1115

Originally posted by mx6bfast
... I'm just curious if there is a layout map that I can look up that shows exactly where the towers are located?...
Go to: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html
Enter the station's call letters, with no suffix, in the "Call Sign" box (i.e. WHBQ).
Hit the ENTER key on your keyboard.

The results will have links to digital & analog station info, and links to several maps on the next page.

The site will also show if the station has a Special Temporary Authority (STA). If they do, you can bet that the station is only operating at the STA reduced power level & tower height, shown respectively as ERP (Effective Radiated Power), shown in kW and HAAT (Height Above Average Terrain), shown in Meters.

Example (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WHBQ-TV)

I do have a Mits, how can I contact Craig Miller to find when he will be in the area to calibrate my set?

If its who I am thinking of, close to the top of one of the pages there is a long post with his information. I think it is in the page 16 range, but I am not completely sure. You might have a scan the pages. But it is a long post.

If you want to manually do it yourself, Avia is a good dvd that can be used to calibrate it, if you want to go that route.


Arxaw, thanks for the info. Cool stuff.

Craig's info is in this thread. Total cost last year was $750 and it can take up to 10 hours to fully calibrate the TV. Avia will get you close and some tweaks from over at Home Theater Spot will make it better. Nothing can beat a few thousand dollars worth equipment and the experience of calibrating hundreds of Mitsubishi TVs a year.

-Robert

Does anyone have any info on when WKNO-DT will be on air? Rumors abound for February but would just like to confirm. Also, are they going to be on digital ch 29?

Antennaweb.org and http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WKNO both show WKNO-DT will be on channel 29.

Antennaweb shows a live date of May 4, but.....

Bob V

Craig & Sue were here (Memphis) back in April. I was fortunate to have him calibrate my Mits. 65909. You wouldn't believe the difference! You can email him at: mghometheater@earthlink.net.

Rick

This is an email I got from the engineer at PBS

we have the antenna and transmitter installed. Awaiting microwave equipment to connect studio to transmitter. PBS HD schedule set to begin end of first or start of second quarter 2004. So we are getting close. On air testing with HD Loop in February I would guess.

mx6bfast,

Great, counting the days.

If you haven't seen PBSHD the quality is right up there with HDNet and Discovery HD. They did a Billy Joel music special about 2.5 years ago that was stunning with 5.1 and it blew your socks off. PBS is the pioneer that set the high standard that HDNet and DiscoveryHD meet every day today.

I used a Unity Motion sat receiver to pick PBSHD off satellite back then. I loaned it to a buddy that didn't have an HD OTA receiver about a year ago.

He just got a TimeWarner HD box and now the UM is up on ebay. Sad to see it go...

I just received my Hughes HDTV Receiver, waiting for DTV to install the dish and get hooked up tomorrow. However I did go buy a Terk TV55 antenna from a local retailer, POOR POOR POOR at best. After spending most of my Sunday fooling around with it and going to and from the attic, I called a friend that told me to go to Radio Shack and get the Low-Profile Onmidirectional Powered Antenna Part and catalog #15-1634. I hung it once, never turned and got all 4 Digital channels last night. I am in zip 38016 (Cordova). It has to be paralell but that is it. Buy this one.

You are lucky WRT your omni. They (like Terk antennas) seldom work well.

DirecTV will be adding CBS-HD and Fox widescreen to their channel lineup: Will I be able to receive CBS-HD from DirecTV in Oxford, MS? I'm 80 miles outside of Memphis and technically can receive CBS's Memphis affiliate WREG's analog broadcast with a mast-mounted, amplified, aerial antenna. I am building a house and having DirecTV HDTV installed. My father has DirecTV so I know I'll be able to receive the local Memphis affiliates through the dish but I really want to be able to receive CBS-HD. My father does not have an HD set.

What are the rules regarding whether or not I am eligible to recieve CBS-HD through DirecTV?

I've been a lurker around here for some months now and have really enjoyed reading your posts. Thank you!

What are the rules regarding whether or not I am eligible to recieve CBS-HD through DirecTV? To receive CBS-HD over satellite you must meet one of the following:
1. Live in a CBS owned and operated market. Memphis is not.
2. Live in a known "white" area that can't pick up any locals. Oxford is officially in the Memphis market.
3. Have a waiver granted by WREG which is very unlikely.

You could try to force a waiver using the SHVA rules but that would require a signal strength test. If the test finds that you are still in a grade B location, then you would be responsible for paying for the test. Since you can pick up the signal with an antenna, I'm pretty sure you are a grade B. Try a good antenna like a Channel Master 4228 on a tall pole.

Good news is that we will qualify for the national Fox ED feed since Memphis' local Fox station is owned by the network.

-Robert

Anyone else have any trouble picking up CBS-HD last night? I installed my antenna about a week ago and haven't had any trouble picking it up until last night. Do they carry the SD signal during the times they don't broadcast in HD?

Originally posted by rgswff3
Anyone else have any trouble picking up CBS-HD last night? Do they carry the SD signal during the times they don't broadcast in HD?

My wife didn't mention that there were any breakups.

WREG does carry the SD broadcast when not in HD. They usually start broadcasting the DT channel close to 11 am for The Young and the Restless, and then usually turn it off right after the news at 10:30 pm

So if I tune to that station before 11am or after 10:30pm, I should still be able to get the SD broadcast on that signal?

So if I tune to that station before 11am or after 10:30pm, I should still be able to get the SD broadcast on that signal?

On the digital signal, No

Replayreb,
I live in Pontotoc and receive columbus cbs digital and West Point fox digital with a near 100 signal. I have an outside mounted CM 4228 and also get PBS HD.
also talked to the chief engineer @ Columbus station and he said that WCBI would be HD by Feb 1st(Super Bowl).

Any place to find more info on the Fox ED feed??

A couple of questions I have, when does it start, and how to get it.

Also I live in pegasux land, I wonder if that will have any affect on my getting the station.

Originally posted by dirk1843
Any place to find more info on the Fox ED feed?? Look in the HDTV Programming forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=34&daysprune=2&pagenumber=1&perpage=30&sortorder=asc&sortfield=replycount), in the top 10 threads.

Anyone out there have trouble picking up WMC NBC? I live inside the loop and have only recently gotten my HDTV Receiver setup. I have put up an OTA Antenna on the roof and get great (top of good on my Hughes receiver bar) reception of digital version of channels 3, 24, and 30. However I couldn't get channel 5 at all. Before I put up the Antenna I had a small Silver Sensor on top of the TV and could receive a bad/normal signal however even with that I would get lots of pixelation and drop outs during HD shows, not to mention the horrible audio sync problems.

Any Ideas would be appreciated.

Originally posted by dtivomem
I have put up an OTA Antenna on the roof and get great (top of good on my Hughes receiver bar) reception of digital version of channels 3, 24, and 30. However I couldn't get channel 5 at all. Before I put up the Antenna I had a small Silver Sensor on top of the TV and could receive a bad/normal signal however even with that I would get lots of pixelation and drop outs during HD shows, not to mention the horrible audio sync problems.

To start, the audio sync problem you are experiencing is normal from NBC. Apparently its nationwide. I read somewhere that someone turned off their reciever, not stb, and turned it back on and it fixed the problem. I haven't been able to test that at my house yet. But its worth a try.

As far as the dropouts and signal, I always had trouble getting only NBC or everything but NBC because of the tower location. I live 3 miles north of Wolfchase. What I had to do was use my antenna for my other channels and then use another antenna, Silver Sensor, to grab WMC & boost PAX. I don't have any signal problems with 2 antennas. Even though that isnt the best way to go, that might help you out.

It'll take some work. Good luck.

I live in Millington and use the Zenith silver sensor and have zero problems picking up WMCTV 5 with the signal meter being right at "good". Wmc seems to always be bad about being out of sinc.
As far as not getting channel WMC at all what time was it? WMC doesn't broadcast there digital station 24/7. They start around noon and I have seen it end before conan obrien was even over with.

I haven't gotten anything from them since I put up the antenna, but I think it must be that I haven't pointed correctly or I won't be able to get all stations at the same time. Although Antenna Web seems to think i can get WREG, WMC, WPTY and UPN (whatever their call letters are) from a 31 degree direction.

I haven't received channel 5 for a few days now, so you might want to wait.
loco

Few Days?
I'm picking up WMC-DT without problem everyday.
I actually Have it tuned to WMC 5.1 as I type.

How does TW's High def picture quality compare to Directv? I am having trouble getting OTA HD local stations and I am considering going with Time Warner just to get the locals in hi def.

I think they are great! We do not get NBC though. ABC & CBS come in very reliably. CBS is sending 5.1 audio on some things.

I'm inside the 240 loop and am getting great signal from all the local stations, digital and analog, except for Pax Digital (50-1).

I find that strange since I used to get their digital signal just fine - and more consistently than Channel 5.

The meter reading on my Samsung 160 indicates a pretty consistent, strong signal from that station, but all I get is a blank screen and no audio.

So, I've had to settle watching the Grizzlies on the Pax analog station.

Anyone else experiencing the same thing?

Originally posted by dandager
... The meter reading on my Samsung 160 indicates a pretty consistent, strong signal from that station, but all I get is a blank screen and no audio. Try removing and replacing your ZIP Code in the Local Networks, in the TS160 setup menu. Then, rescan for OTA digital channels.

Another TS160 fix for unwatchable locals:
Go into Dish Installation menu and temporarily set the dish type to "NO DISH". Reboot the box and rescan for locals. Reset the Dish Type when done.

If none of the above restores the channel and you have a fairly stable & strong signal, contact the station. Strong signal/no picture on the TS160 often points to the station. Either an encoder problem on their end, or they've made some changes to PSIP data, which can freak out the TS160.

Originally posted by dandager
So, I've had to settle watching the Grizzlies on the Pax analog station.

Are the Grizz games still not on the PAX-DT station along with the analog channel? I'm not usually home to watch them, or if I am they are on LP.

Originally posted by dandager
The meter reading on my Samsung 160 indicates a pretty consistent, strong signal from that station, but all I get is a blank screen and no audio.

Anyone else experiencing the same thing? I checked again tonight, and PAX is still broadcasting four channels. And I get the same signal strength reading on all four, but there is no picture or sound on three of them.

The "active" channel is 50-2. There is picture and sound there, not on 50-1. So you will need to do as arxaw said and rescan you channels, so you can watch 50-2.

INHD (801) is finally showing the programming in the guide, perhaps in february it will become a permanent channel. Heres to hoping they add something in a few days.

I have rescanned and changed every possible setting that I could think of. Unfortunately, neither 50-1 or 50-2 provide either a video or audio signal.

I just don't get it...

Originally posted by dandager
I just don't get it... I don't know why, sorry. Tonight (after 10pm anyway) I was getting picture and sound on 50-2 (don't know what the show was), and funny videos were showing on 50-3. But then again, I'm not using the same equipment you are, so that may make the dif.

Neil

dandager,
did you contact the station to see if they have changed anything in the PSIP data recently?

dandage,

I just picked up your last couple of posts...........so I dont know all the specifics of your problem, but try entering the channels manually, 51-2,51-3,51-4.

This is how I got them to come up last night.

change of topic...........................................
I have been having trouble with my signal strength on 5(51-1). On my e86 I am getting about 50% signal. On 3, 24, and 30 getting 100's. On pax (51-1) I am getting about 75%. Is this a know issue with NBC out of Memphis?? I am getting dropouts, and heavy pixelization on that station.

I would like to find out more before the Daytona 500.

Originally posted by arxaw
did you contact the station to see if they have changed anything in the PSIP data recently? I can confirm that they changed PSIP data recently. I don't remember all the details, but there definitely were changes, when they began using four channels. For example, I think my on-screen channel info show one channel to be "PAX west", another just "PAXt", one "worship", and "faith" on the fourth. Anyway, Dan, you need to let the station know you are having trouble.

Originally posted by neil525
I can confirm that they changed PSIP data recently....
Dan, you need to let the station know you are having trouble. Definitely contact the station if they've changed any multicasting channels or made PSIP changes. If you have the TS160, a "strong signal strength, but no video and/or no audio" problem usually points to something the station has done. The hardest part is getting the station to realize they've done something to mess up the TS160.

I have the TS160 and have experienced similar problems after stations made multicasting and PSIP changes. On one station (ABC) it affected the audio on only one of the station's sub channels. On another station (CBS), it caused no video on their radar sub channel.

I have tried to email the engineer and the manager of the station and I never got any response. If you do email them I hope that you do get a response!!!

No one answered this question before so I am going to re-ask it:
Are the Grizzlies games being broadcast on 50-1 along with the analog station? Last I saw there was a different program on the -1 station during a game.

dirk...I live in Memphis and experince the same thing. I can either pick up 3, 24, 30, and barely 50 and like 5% on NBC, or NBC and nothing on the other stations. I'm not sure but I think the antenna's for those channels are in a different area than the other towers. To fix it I had to add another small antenna to pick up NBC and boost PAX only. I know its not preffered that way.

I sent an email to the WMC guys last week about their signal quality and have yet to receive a response. I have a friend that works there and am going to ask her if she knows who might be helpful, if I find anything out about them I will post and update here.

Anyone have problems with Channel 5-1 last night? I could occasionally see a color test with something about "pacific" in it but that was it until finally i lost the signal all together so no ER in HD (even thought it was a rerun, still might have watched had it been in HD).

Thought some of you would find this of interest. It's an email I sent to ABC24 regarding the lack of HD for the State of the Union.

-----Original Message-----
From: Hart, Marshall [mailto:mhart@abc24.com]
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2004 9:49 AM
To:
Subject: RE: State of the Union in HDTV?

Dear Charlie,
Sorry it took so long to answer. Somehow this one slipped by me. It was our fault, and a switch does have to be moved. The pre-info from ABC did not mention it would be in HD, and our operator didn't realize it was until about 30 minutes into the speech.
We're working on a better system.
Thanks for watching,
Marshall Hart
Clear Channel Television
Memphis/Jackson

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 2:07 PM
To: MemphisTV Programming - ABC24
Subject: State of the Union in HDTV?




I am new to the HD world and have had great success in
receiving you station in receiving a beautiful over the
air signal, thank you. However last night I turned to
your station to see the President's State of the Union
address to the nation and it was not in HD. I had seen
an ABC Network press release that stated the network
would be carrying this in HD, I was able to see it on
Channel 3 in HD but I would have preferred to hear
Peter Jennings vs. Dan Rather's commentary.

I guess my question is why would your station choose
not to show an HD feed if it was available? or was
this a problem with someone at the station not knowing
they needed to flip a switch for HD?

Also is there any word as to whether the Oscars will be
in HD?

Thanks.
Charlie Green
Memphis

Anyone have problems with Channel 5-1 last night? I could occasionally see a color test with something about "pacific" in it but that was it until finally i lost the signal all together so no ER in HD (even thought it was a rerun, still might have watched had it been in HD).

Strange night
For a period of time during prime time they had the NBC nightly news playing Back to back..
Then when Leno was supposed to come on, they showed Will and Grace.

Originally posted by dtivomem
if she knows who might be helpful

Who did you email? I have emailed back and forth Derek McMillian, DMcMillian@wmctv.com, a couple of times. He seems to be helpful, but he hasn't responded to the last 2 emails I sent him.

Does anyone else experience a static sound on ABC every about 10 minutes?

MX,

according to antennaweb.org, NBC is still at the same location as the others. Just east,southeast of me(122 degress on the compass).

When i first put up my antenna, NBC was rock solid (the only one) then they had transmitter troubles and have been flaky ever since.

It's official TimeWarner has added:

INHD1 Ch. 851
INHD2 Ch. 852
HDNET Ch. 860
HDNET Movies Ch. 861

Originally posted by BostonT
It's official TimeWarner has added:

INHD1 Ch. 851
INHD2 Ch. 852
HDNET Ch. 860
HDNET Movies Ch. 861

It's also official: the price is $7.95/mo. extra. They call it their "HD Movies Tier" (I just signed up this morning after the free preview ended).

The CS rep also said still no date on HD PVRs, but they are coming relatively soon (this half of the year).

We're getting there. Slowly.

-- Robert

Has anyone been getting pixelation on WREG lately? I usually miss the nighttime shows due to work, but I was off yesterday and noticed some pixelation on Monday night every now and then. Then yesterday at like 9:30 am 3-1 was nothing but pixelation. I was surprised it was even on that early. That's when I noticed that they were multicasting. I thought they stopped that for a while, but it must be going again.

Anyone else noticing this?

I was getting an excellent picture Tuesday night, but the signal is too weak tonight, because of the cloudy weather, for me to really tell whats going on. I also noticed channel 3-2 is identified as NC3A (News Channel 3 Anytime) in the PSIP data. But, again, I haven't watched long enough to see any pixelization problems.

WKNO CH29 IS TESTING!

Just got off the phone with their engineer out at the transmitter site. He said they were up yesterday afternoon and the day before. You might check between 3-6pm during the week; that seems to be the time the transmitter is up.

He said they'll be testing a bunch between now and May 1, which is their official turn on date.

DanielD

Sweet! Now if I can just be home between those times of the day.

Thanks for the info Dan.

Are any other E86 users having trouble tonight??

I am getting nothing on 5, completelly macroblocked pic on 3 and breakups like crazy on 24.

30 and 50 (with all its subs) are rock steady.................

I hope WMC dosent blow it with the Daytona 500 this weekend.............

It's not all your E86, ch52 is in standard def right now, it may have been off air an hour ago. Ch 28 looks like crap right now, macroblocked is a good discription. I use a Dish6000....

I just called WREG engineering, he is trying to fix it now.

It looks good on WREG. He got it fixed...

Does anyone have any email and/or phone numbers for WMC.........??

I sent them a "feedback" message of their website about the lack of reception and my/our hopes for a good showing of the Daytona 500.

I would like to be able to call or email direct if they pull some of their silly stunts like forgetting to switch to the HD feed..............

To me this will be bigger than all the superbowls put together!!

Derick McMillian

DMcMillian@wmctv.com

I had his phone number but I deleted that email.

Has anyone heard when WMC will be carried in HD over TWC?

Looks like WMC is not broadcasting the Busch race in hidef today.... Waaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!

I tuned in some time during the rain delay, and would get unusual results.

I would get a blank screen, a very pixelated screen, a screen of color pixels only (no pic structure at all).

At times I got a still image that didn't match at all what was showing on the SD channel at all. At one point, it appeared to be a movie set back in the 50's. The strange thing is that even though it was not a fully formed image, the quality was very good. At another point I had channel bugs for CBS and ABC on the 52-1 channel.

Here is what I am wondering: is there something in the area that could be interfering with the signal?? I don't think it would be another station necessarily, as I have no problems at all with 51-1thru-4 (pax). I also don't think that it is a physical obstruction between me and the towers, as all others stations have max signal strength.

Another thought I have had is if the frequency used for 52 is somehow subject to more interference that the other channels. Or if it could be a problem with my equipment some how?? At one point I had my antenna feed going through a surge suppressor and then a 5-1000mhz 3 way splitter that had less loss on one leg than the others. This would cause me to get no signal at all from 52, when all other channels were fine.

Has anyone had any other odd experiences with 52-1?? Looks like unless something happens, I at least will be forced to watch Daytona 500 in SD.

dirk,

Signal strength was low on 52 yesterday. Apparently, digital is effected by wx more so than analog. I'm in Olive Branch about 12 miles from the towers.

By the way, once the race started it was in high def. They'll probably do the same thing today. I don't understand how you were picking up all the wierdness though.

HiDef Dan,

Are you getting 52-1 this morning? I was receiving it fine yesterday but am getting no picture this morning. I would say that they were turned off but it looks like I get an occasional hit on the signal strength meter...22-24 max.

Also does anyone have a phone number for WMC that gets past the recordings?


Now appears they are on the air (10:20am). Must be reduced signal strength from the snow. It is gradually getting better for me......got about two hours for it to get good!

I emailed Derick at WMC regarding when/if they would be carried by Time Warner Cable. Derick said they were working on a contract and should be on cable shortly.

This is more weirdness...............

I could get all memphis OTA except WMC. I have my OTA antenna diplexed with sat feed into e86.

I just now went and unhooked the sat feed that went into the diplexer and instantally I got a picture and have signal strenth of 65-70 where before I unhooked diplexer I had 22.

It seems to me that the frequency used for 52 is subjuect to odd happenings when split, or diplexed, or ran through surge suppresor. I guess it could also be an E86 issue..........any other E86 users having this issue??

Getting daytona 500 badly on 52 but they have it on one of the pax channels and am picking it up fine

Hello-

This is my first post. I have recently joined the HD ranks and I'm very happy so far! I have one question though....I have a Channel Guard 4221 antenna mounted on my roof feeding directly (no diplexer) into my Dish Network 811 HD receiver. I get the 4 PAX channels, WMC-nbc, WPTY-abc, and WLMT--upn no problem with a good 70-90% signal strength just outside of Memphis here in Southaven, MS. I just got the antenna up yesterday, and my problem is with WREG-cbs...is this station having problems? I thought this was the most reliable station around, and most of the time I can't get it because its at 49% signal strength, although I was getting it briefly this morning at 70-80%. I have my antenna supposedly pointed directly at their tower, so I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong or if this station is just having problems on their end. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

I had extermely good results untill about the last 50 laps, and started having severe breakups...........makes me wonder if my E86 was heating up.

Was to busy watching Jr win to try and find a fan to cool it down, just switched to SD and it looked lousy compared to the HD.

dirk1843,

I believe the breakup problems were coming from NBC national....even when the screen was blacking out, my receiver was still saying I was getting a 16x9 signal.....just didn't have anything to show. Other than that I think they did a decent job. One look at the SD signal was all it took to drive it home....NASCAR is an ideal sport for HD.

Every time I checked it today WMC-DT was off air....

I also noticed around the last 50 laps that the screen would go blank or half of the screen would be blank, pixelation, and so on. I also think it was a national problem. I haven't checked yet but I was still showing that sound "should've" been coming thru. Usually when the signal locally breaks up I can tell on my Yamaha reciever that shows 2 speakers. They were on the whole time even when the picture went blank.
I checked and was getting a signal of 65-72 pretty much the whole time. I just checked it during the news and was getting 90-100%. Anyone have an idea why this was happening?

Well, I guess no one wanted to answer my question :(

I've been getting WREG pegged at 100 for quite a while now. Some other people here live in Southaven and should be able to help you out.

Kevin no know issues with CBS.

You may find that it is a weather issue, or even an equipment related issue as I have had.

What I can't figure out is why I can get the rest of the channels (pax, nbc, abc, upn) at 70-90%, yet even rotating my antenna and pointing it directly at the cbs tower, which is supposedly the best one and is the closest to me, I can never get better than 49%, and thats not even consistant...it jumps from 0-49%. I've gotten it a time or two briefly at eighty something percent, but most of the time nothing. My antenna is roof mounted and wired directly to my receiver, no diplexer. Any ideas on what the deal is??? It is really irritating that I can't get this channel! Also, which channel is cbs...sometimes I get the 49% on 28, sometimes I get it on 3?

Thanks!

3 and 28 are the same thing. 28 is designated as the digital channel for WREG. What shows up on 3-1 and 3-2 will also show up on 28-1 and 28-2. If you are still having problems, what you might want to do is email the engineer at WREG at ron.walter@wreg.com He might be able to help you out.

Good luck

Thanks, I wrote him...guess we'll see what happens. I live just barely across the state line in MS, and almost into Walls, so I have to point my antenna to 45 degrees to get CBS....I'm wondering if there isn't something off in the distance that I'm not aware off blocking the signal?

Thanks

How close are you to the towers??

At 60+ miles I have no trouble with CBS. I wonder if it is a multipath issue.

You might try a an antenna with less gain and/or more directional.

I am not familar with that particualr anteanna.

Tell us alittle more about it.

The antenna is a Channel Master 4221/3021 medium range (45 miles) UHF directional antenna, its 4"x20"x36" and has 4 bays and 16 elements. I have it mounted on my roof, and directly connected to my Dish Network 811 HD receiver, no diplexer. The cbs tower is the closest to me at 19 miles, but I only get 49% signal, even when I rotate the antenna. The other Memphis stations/towers are actually further from me, but I get all of them....upn, pax, nbc, and abc at 70-90%. I just can't figure out why I can't get cbs...it just doesn't make any sense to me, and they haven't replied to my email. Any help you can give me would be appreciated!

Thanks

You may have just happened to get your antenna in a null for WREG. You could try moving the antenna a few inches forward or back, even up or down, could make the difference. Take a look at these links:

http://www.kyes.com/antenna/propagation.html
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/siting.html

Kevin,
I don't know if I mentioned it when I answered your question at HTF, but it may be your 811. There are some tuner sensitivity issues being talked about in the HDTV Hardware section.

-Robert

Kevin,

I'm in Gtown with a 4228.....no problems at all with WREG. WREG, WPTY, and WLMT (not hi-def just digital) are very consistent on my end. WMC has been spotty but is gettting better (although I do experience an audio sync problem.)

Sorry I missed your post earlier - got tunnel vision on the Daytona 500!

Welcome!

Is there a local Channel Master retailer here in Memphis?

I don't know if there is a local Channel Master dealer or not, I bought mine off the internet at solidsignal.com. I still haven't heard from wreg, I'm wondering if maybe I'm in a dead spot for their signal...I REALLY don't want to move my antenna, so I'm thinking about maybe a second antenna for just that channel. I suppose it could be the 811 receiver, but I get all the rest of the channels no problem...and if it is the receiver, then its all 811 receivers because this is my second one. The first one had problems with the component output so I had it replaced, but it didn't get wreg either. The only problem I have with the channels I do get is nbc...often the audio is out of sync and doesn't match the lips of the people, that and the sound often sounds like its coming out of an echo box!

Thanks

Originally posted by kvou812
The only problem I have with the channels I do get is nbc...often the audio is out of sync and doesn't match the lips of the people, that and the sound often sounds like its coming out of an echo box!


Thats normal for WMC. Although I've never seen an audio problem on Leno.

There is a guy on here with the user name SolidSignal. He is from that company. Send him a PM and see what he has to say.

Well, I guess I was just in a void for WREG. Today I went a got a small amplified indoor antenna and I get WREG with it just fine at over 80%. I spliced both antenna feeds together with a spliter and plugged it into my receiver and now I get all the channels. WMC doesn't like my new small antenna, so I have to turn the small one off when not watching WREG, but I can live with that, at least I get them all now! Thanks to everyone for your help!

What happens when you have both antennas being used at the same time? Are you able to pick up both WREG and WMC pretty good?

I had to buy a smaller antenna to get WMC almost exclusively. I have 2 antennas, a big one in the attic and a smaller one as far away from it as possible and I am not having any problems. Have you tried using both antennas at the same time?

No, the WRC signal goes in the toilet when I switch the small antenna's amp on...the rest of the channels seem to be ok with it as long as the gain is low, but WRC hates it regardless, so I leave it switched off unless I'm watching WREG. The two antennas are pretty far apart, the large one is on my roof at the other end of the house, and the small one is on top of my television. Its not the most ideal situation to have to switch the amp on when watching WREG and off when I'm not, but I can live with it and at least I have it now! I get all the stations now pretty decently...WREG 77%, WPTY 90%, WLMT 84%, PAXX 71%, and WMC 67%...of course these vary, but this is what they are at as I write this.

I talked to a contact at WMC today, confirmed what I thought I already knew. They are indeed having trouble with their transmission facilities for HD. They are waiting on getting a skilled HD Tech to come in to fix among other things the audio sync issues, which is why i'm sure they aren't talking to the public (i.e. replying to email).

Thanks for the info. Personally I think it would have been best for them to say they are having audio problems. But like you said, we all knew what it was.

Your user name reminded me of something I wanted to ask. Does anyone else who uses Tivo have this problem? I record Reba, What I like about you, and Grounded for life on Friday nights from WLMT. I am using an s-video out cable. On only these shows there is a yellow tint. Everything else I watch looks fine. Does anyone else have this problem?

Originally posted by kvou812
...the rest of the channels seem to be ok with it as long as the gain is low, but WRC hates it regardless, so I leave it switched off unless I'm watching WREG... If switching the amp off/on is a hassle, get a wireless AC outlet control (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=61-2667).
http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/61/61-2667.jpg (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=61-2667)

Getting a strong NBC (52-2) test signal right now.
Signal is in the 60's, higher from them, that I've had in a while.

Wow, actually getting SNL, but obviously not in HD.

Originally posted by locomo
Getting a strong NBC (52-2) test signal right now.
Signal is in the 60's, higher from them, that I've had in a while.

I'm not getting anything on 52-2 right now. Are you sure you don't mean 52-1?? I don't even know how to test the signal for subchannels if you even can.

SNL isn't HD.

Obviously.
When I put in 52-1 the screen would kick me to 52-2.
I was getting in the low 20's for a signal from channel 5 (the past few weeks) until I checked last night.
lo

Did anyone catch the Grizzlies special that was on PAX and then WMC last night? It was unwatchable when they were showing Jerry West and Hubie Brown. Not because Hubie is just plain old, but they were constantly moving the camera in and out, from side to side, and then out of focus. It was horrible.

Your user name reminded me of something I wanted to ask. Does anyone else who uses Tivo have this problem? I record Reba, What I like about you, and Grounded for life on Friday nights from WLMT. I am using an s-video out cable. On only these shows there is a yellow tint. Everything else I watch looks fine. Does anyone else have this problem?

I also Tivo Reba and What I like about You. I have always noticed that the color of these programs are bit more orange/yellow. I also find this on the Surreal Life (i know it's a horribly trashy show, but I love to get in the gutter). I have always assumed that is a WB thing, or at least an issue with the affiliate, I don't regularly watch anything else on that channel though.

Has anyone outside of downtown Memphis received the Memphis Fox digital signal (WHBQ-DT #53/ 53-1)? After reviewing this thread, it looks like they're (finally) moving their transmitter. Does anyone know if they are powered up !!! I have received all the other networks from day one - - live in Cordova, near Shelby Farms - - but I've never seen a digital Fox signal !!!

I actually emailed the engineer last week to see if there was any new progress. He said that they are still waiting on approval to move the transmitter so there basically is no new news. He also said that he didn't know about D* carrying the FOX ED channel. If FOX didn't let their stations know about it then thats a little odd.

As far as getting WHBQ-DT, you aren't gonna get it where you are. The tower they are using now isn't strong enough to reach you. But once they do move it you'll definalely be close enough.

Thanks MX6. When I spoke to the Fox engineer last year; he said they had a 75ft antennae on the top of the building transmitting at 200 watts - - no wonder none of us in the "sticks" could receive a signal. By the way, bought a Samsung 50 inch DLP to replace my "old" Samsung rear projection HDTV in late Jan from Circuit City (Wolfchase). Went down today and asked for a price match since the sets have dropped over $500 (internet site). He gave me a $450 refund even though it had been more than 30 days. I can't get over how much that chain has changed in the past few years !!! What a fabulous picture on the new Samsung !

I'm a Samsung DLP owner in Memphis, using Time Warner (the Pace STB) and getting terrible reception on ABC HD (Pixelation and static on sound), All other channels are great. Any one else having a similar problem?

Moose;
Sorry I can't help you. I'm Directv and OTA. I gave up on TWC four years ago (xcept for Road runner). ABC HD over the air is great. Best of luck.

Has anyone heard if/when TW here is going to come out with an HD-DVR? I know a couple of friends who have TW and are looking to get HD but want to keep the DVR who have asked me about it.

Say someone wants to have both a HD and a DVR hooked up to their tv. I'm guessing that the DVR has 2 cables running into it like a D* Tivo. How many cables are inputed into the HD box? If its only 1, could one of the lines be split to run into both the DVR and the HD box? So instead of having 3 lines can only 2 be used?

They would still use the DVR in s-video and the HD component.

According to a TW Engineer I spoke with, it's right around the corner! Will be introduced within 60 days.

Hey Moose. Place a service call with TW and ask them to come check your wiring/signal. I had to do this 3 times before a guy came and ran new wire. The first yahoo put a signal booster on, the second took it off and added nothing else. The third guy was a contractor from out of town and he came over on a Saturday. My existing cable was run just under the sod when the house was built and had since been cut in several places due to landscaping projects. We ran the new cable up under the eve of the house and all is well now. Good Luck!

Been there, done that! The signal is strong, cable is ok?

Dilday TV on Winchester has had one of the TWC HD DVRs since January in their showroom, it's really neat but the firmware doesnt activate the dvi or firewire outputs yet

Moose,
I have noticed that ABC for me will pixelate every now and then. I have not contacted TW about it. Discovery HD is solid. During the Grammys Wreg pixelated a little bit, too.
Mike

Hey guys just to let you know that there is a good chance that Memphis could be shown in HD twice this weekend. Friday at 11:30 am and then again Sunday if they win. Hopefully they will win at least 1 game.

I'm in Jonesboro Arkansas trying to get the Memphis high def channels. I talked to this antenna guy that advertises high def antennas and he told me that all of the high def channels in Memphis were broadcast on UHF. Is this true? If so, it would definitely affect my antenna choices.

I talked to this antenna guy that advertises high def antennas and he told me that all of the high def channels in Memphis were broadcast on UHF. Is this true?

Yes

Hey Randy, good the hear from someone else from Arkansas on this fourm.

I am in trumann myself (no flames please, trying to move :) ) and I have been getting ATSC OTA from Memphis for almost 2 years using a radio shack vu-190.

This is a combo anteanna, and if i had to do it again, i might go with a uhf only, but I wanted it for FM and backup NTSC OTA.

I think your main obstacale will be height.................good luck and let us know how it comes out.

Finally, we have someone from Jonesboro on the forum! Hurray! A hearty welcome to you Randy, from Paragould.

"all of the high def channels in Memphis were broadcast on UHF. Is this true? "

Yes, this is true for now. We don't know yet what the future will hold. But our local Jonesboro station is VHF channel 9, however don't let that stop you from using a UHF only antenna. I have a CM 4228 pointed at Memphis, and can still get a great signal from KAIT with that antenna. And the KAIT signal is hitting the antenna from 90 degrees from it's heading.

BTW if you want to discuss things KAIT check out this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=279304&highlight=kait

Actually, several years ago when I first signed up for satellite television I requested waivers from KAIT and the CBS, NBC and FOX stations in Memphis. KAIT was the only station to refuse the waiver. So, I was actually hoping to get the ABC high definition station in Memphis and not watch KAIT. However, right now KAIT is the only off air station that I can get in high definition and I get that with simple, indoor rabbit ears. Now I can't go back to normal TV. Thanks for the information on the antennas. I think I might try a UHF only model.

Is WKNO actuall channel 29-1??

Originally posted by dirk1843
Is WKNO actuall channel 29-1??

It's supposed to be when it goes live. Have you seen anything on that channel yet?

Is anyone getting the PBS HD from Mississippi? Is it in Oxford? What channel does it broadcast on?

Of course, I'm not getting a signal from Oxford, but here is the info I could find:

WMAV-TV MS OXFORD USA (Digital)

Licensee: MISSISSIPPI AUTHORITY FOR EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION
Service Designation: DS Special Temporary Authority (STA) (digital)

Channel 36 (602-608 MHz) Special Temporary Authority
File No.: BDSTA -20030205AHA Facility ID No: 43193
CDBS Application ID No.: 627097


34 ° 17' 28.00" Latitude Zone:
89 ° 42' 21.00" Longitude (NAD27) Frequency Offset: None
Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 150. kW ERP
Ant. Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT): 426.0 meters HAAT
Ant. Radiation Center Above Mean Sea Level: 535.0 meters RCAMSL
Ant. Radiation Center Above Ground Level: meters RCAGL

Directional Antenna ID: 46259 Pattern Rotation: 0.00°
Ant. Make: Dielectric Ant. Model:
Not in a Border Zone
.

Here is the info I got from the engineer at CBS about tomorrow's broadcasts:

NCAA BASKETBALL SATURDAY 3/20/04 12NOON-9PM


GAME #1: 12:10PM DUKE vs SETON HALL (National)

GAME #2: 2:40PM MANHATTAN vs WAKE FOREST

GAME #3: 4:50PM STANFORD vs ALABAMA

GAME #4: 7:10PM NORTH CAROLINA vs TEXAS

So what did everyone think about the PQ today? I personally thought it was absolutely horrible. I saw some of the game OTA and some TW and it was bad at both. Even the SD games were looking bad. Not only am I disappointed in the outcome, but also that we recieved such a bad PQ here.

Anyone else not getting 52-1 NBC anymore? Mine seems to have gone down the other day and I've been getting no signal since.

I'm not getting it either. Missed Leno in HD last night. :-(

Nothing here since the weekend.

hopefully they're fixing the sync issues and what not. Hope they're back up soon though, I can deal with no Fox and no PBS but NBC I cannot handle for very long. Btw, does anyone know if channel 3 WREG powers down after the 10:00 PM news, because I can never pick it up to watch any Letterman afterwards.

Yeah WREG-DT cuts off right after the news. Every now and then they will leave it on accidentally. I asked the engineer about it and this was his response:

In April of 2004, we will extend our HD broadcast to 18 hours, and part of that will be on the latter part of the broadcast day......If they convert Letterman to HD, we will probably broadcast it in HD.

I wish Craig Kilbourn would go HD also.

arg! NBC 52.1 was working great for a bit again. But since like 11:15 PM last night in the middle of Conan it went down again and is not back up yet. Its driving me crazy!

Has anyone been able to get a signal from WKNO yet?

Also is anyone in Memphis able to get the Oxford PBS? I think I read on here that it was a pretty big tower.

mx6bfast,
nope.

They're supposed to be testing and on full time on May 1. That's as of a few weeks ago.

Their engineer said they would be testing a lot between then and May 1. But as I said, I've never picked them up...

I'm about to get a HD set, and I've got a question for Memphis area TWC subscribers with HD cable. I've seen mention of both the Pace DC-550 and a SA box. The Pace box includes DVI and appears to be able to provide an output from the DVI for all material (assuming the output resolution is set to something other than 480i). Are they using any DVI-equipped SA boxes, and if so does the DVI output function all the time? Which box seems to be the preferred unit these days?

I've got the Pace from TW and have no issues, HOWEVER I get a better PQ with componant cables vs. DVI. the TW guy had both, and after comparing, the componant won by a mile!

Just joined the HD world! I got a Sony GWIII (42we610) and the $99 HD receiver deal from DTV. With the Samsung 360 and a Silver Sensor, I can get all the local OTAs except for WMC. It's in the same direction as the other antennas, I just guess it's too weak for my setup. (I'm in East Memphis, by the way.)

Anyway, how much did the Masters in HD rule? We were amazed.

Correct! The Masters were beautiful. I'm in Countrywood and get 3, 5, 24, 30, and 50 in stunning clarity. Lately 5 has been acting strange. I get the broadcast but only after shifting the antenna once and then its fine. I've got the tosh 57h83 with a samsung t351 and loving it. Wish Fox 13 and WKNO would get their stuff together though.

Yeah, I've tried "shifting" my Silver Sensor to try to get WMC, to no avail. Antennaweb tells me the exact same compass direction for WMC as for WREG and the others that I get very well. Is WMC's transmitter just really weak?

Cheep where in East Memphis are you? I live 3 miles north of the Wolfchase mall. I also had a problem getting anything out of WMC but can get everything else perfectly. I think WMC is pretty much the hardest one to get as other people have pointed out.

The Masters was my 2nd sporting even to watch in HD last year. The first was a basketball game on NBATV-HD. But the Masters was amazing. This year was no different. My neighbor came over to help me move something and he stopped and went "Wow. How come my screen doesn't look like that? (He has a 55" TV)" I told him "HD baby" This weekend he asked if he could come over to watch some of it. I'm trying to talk him into getting HD.
About the Masters, I had to go run errands with my wife, not by choice, so I missed the big battle on the back 9. Luckily we got home just in time to watch Mickelson hit his approach shot to 18.

For the new members, WMC has had many problems of late. Although they were the first to do ATSC out of Memphis they hit a major snag a while back and have yet to fully recover from it.

If you are interested you can search back through this thread and find more info on it.

Good luck and welcome to the forums and to the world of HD!!

Is anyone else getting snow throughout the picture when watching WMC? I noticed this cropped up lasy week.

yea, its snow, some kind of picture defect evidently caused by their crappy upscaling system, possibly because it stretches the picture a bit as well. Anyhow, the primetime HD doesn't have snow because its straight from the source.

can anybody tell me why no hd grizzlies on nbatv on directv the other night
the game was not shown locally

I noticed that too... don't you have to subscribe to the NBA League PAss to get that channel? I don't.

Also, why can't we see the Redwings v. Predators playoff games on ESPN HD this week? I still haven't seen hockey in HD.

I subscribe to NBA league pass and was unable to watch the Grizzlies game in HD or on any other Directv station. I was forced to watch it on cable (channel 40 Fox). I wa really disappointed. Hopefully, tonight's game on ESPN HD will not be blacked out locally.

WMC is also carrying the game tonight also. So there's a chance that it might be. I sure hope not tho. I'd sure rather watch the Griz in HD rather than on WMC-DT.

A little off topic

I went shopping today looking for HT seating. I went to Watsons on Whitten, Furniture Markets on Winchester, and Haverty's over by Wolfchase. Watsons had some nice stuff but it was close to 5K for 4 seats. Anyone else sell HT seating in or around Memphis?

What type of seating do you have?

Thanks

Nothing nice locally, but you can find great stuff, and prices on EBAY!

Search Home Theatre

Looks like WKNO digital 29 won't be up until 1 August.

They're having some problems with the HD feed interfering with the analog feed at the antenna tower.

When they are testing the HD feed they're using a dummy load now so you won't be able to pick them up off air.

Oh well...

:( :( :(

Channel 826 was just added. It's... TNT-HD?! That came out of left field. It looks like they're testing the network, it has the TNT bug in all 4 corners of the screen.

Originally posted by BostonT
Channel 826 was just added. It's... TNT-HD?! That came out of left field. It looks like they're testing the network, it has the TNT bug in all 4 corners of the screen.

Added to what??
:confused:

TWC. They also just added HD OnDemand on channel 850.

Let's hope this HD on Demand channel has it's sound in sync! The "other" new HD channel is about 5 seconds delay. I suspect they are sending the audio out over regular, not digital cable?

TNT is in sync for me.

I found some HT furniture at Room to Room on Austin Peay (just south of Stage / James Road). They are closing this store. The other store (I think on Winchester) is not closing but they do not have the HT furniture. I purchased 5 seats so that I would have a row of 3 and a back row of 2.

I got the cognac (burgundy) color in a leather / vinyl match. A row of 3 is 114 inches wide.

Call or go by, ask for Bob Dunn and tell him I told you about the seats. They are very good quality. They had dark brown and black left on the floor (3 seats each). They ordered the other 2 that I needed so I'm sure he'll order whatever color or arangement you want. BTW, the price is about $500 per seat. This is less than I could find anywhere in Memphis and they are very comfortable.

Rick

I sent the engineer at WHBQ an email about any update and also asking about FOX ED being on D*. This is what he wrote back:

We're hoping to move the small antenna to the tall tower this summer, and might even be at full power by next summer. That last part is still just in the planning stage, but it sure would be nice!

I'll let you (and everyone else I've heard from) know when I have some firm dates, but the work will likely start in July.

I still haven't gotten any official word from DirecTV about a HD Fox feed, but I have gotten a waiver request for DTV, so it must be out there. No one is quite sure how to handle that, since the SHVIA doesn't mention DTV



It sounds like he is ready to get it moved to the new tower. Maybe he is getting it OTA also. But maybe by that time the FOX national feed will already be on D*

FOX-HD will appear on D* when FOX begins HD broadcasting this fall.

>>I still haven't gotten any official word from DirecTV about a HD Fox feed, but I have gotten a waiver request for DTV, so it must be out there.<<

Must have been my waiver. D* sent a waiver request to all the channels in Memphis for me. Needless to say I was turned down.

No longer a Memphian - now a Munfordian.

Rick

Originally posted by mx6bfast
and might even be at full power by next summer.

As usual Fox is way ahead of the curve.
I hope Murdoch allows himself to give us all waivers.

Originally posted by BostonT
TWC. They also just added HD OnDemand on channel 850.

I can't seem to get this one? I have a digital subscription with the Pace HD box.

Don't know what to tell you. They added a bunch of stuff to it last night including SeaBiscuit in HD and some IMAX stuff.

Will WHYBQ-DT and WMCTV-DT ever be on TWC? What's the hold up?

For all Mitsubishi owners, Craig Miller will be travelling through town soon doing calibrations. To schedule a session, contact him via MG Home Theater Calibrations (http://www.mghometheater.com/page/page/886917.htm).

-Robert

How soon is soon? I'm supposed to be on his schedule already but all I know is around the end of May.

Rick

I don't have exact dates since I declined a calibration this time. I'm saving for a projector for the theater room. I'll try my hand at some advanced tweaks from the Spot.

-Robert

Robert what is that website please? A google search brought up a lot of other spot websites.

Other HT Forum (http://www.***************.com)

However, you have to join ($25 / year) to get to the Tweaks section.

Hope this helps.

Rick

Anyone have a TW HD box with firewire and actually recording thru the firewire?

Craig and Sue Miller will be coming through Memphis around the last week of May / first of June. He calibrated my set last year and you wouldn't believe the difference!

I moved recently and they took my set apart to get it upstairs. Craig is coming by to get everything back to wonderful.

Send them an email if you are interested in their services.

mghometheater@earthlink.net

You can also see his website at:

www.MGHomeTheater.com

Rick

Has anyone seen the shorts on ESPN about the scout during Sportscenter? They were playing part 4 this morning and in the background when the 2 guys were talking and I thought to myself that the seating sign was really familiar. They showed a full view at the end and it turns out its AutoZone Park.

Kinda cool

Anyone in the Memphis area with Voom? I seem to be having some issues getting OTA. According to antennaweb.org, I'm only 8.6 miles from the furthest antenna. Trying to find a OTA antenna that works. Already tried the Winegard Square Shooter.

Zenith Silver Sensor whoops arse for me. With my Hughes unit, I get 3, 5, 13, 24, 30 and 50 pretty clear. (East Memphis). I will say not all those came in when my STB was the Samsung 360. The Hughes is much more sensitive, at least with the Silver Sensor.

I'm not sure you can still find them, but I get everything except 13 with the Radio Shack Double Bow Tie in the attic. The best $9 I ever spent!!!

Anyone having audio trouble with 3-2? I am getting video but no audio. 3-1 is fine, just the AnyTime News Channel on 3-2 that has the problem.

tscallions,

Keep us all informed on VOOM. I have DirecTV but they are getting way behind in adding new HD.

You can read my complete journal of how my Voom install has gone thus far at *CAN'T POST THE LINK YET* I will continue to update as I get more info.

This is another post so I can post the link to my Voom install journal.

OK, now here is the link http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=13991

Are you still without local channels?

Yes, I am still without my local channels.

Anyone having audio trouble with 3-2? I am getting video but no audio. 3-1 is fine, just the AnyTime News Channel on 3-2 that has the problem.

Originally posted by HDTV_Duffus
Anyone having audio trouble with 3-2? I am getting video but no audio. 3-1 is fine, just the AnyTime News Channel on 3-2 that has the problem.

Yeah I didn't have any audio yesterday. I usually don't check that channel tho.

I am getting very low signal strength on 3-1, and as usual 5-1.

24-1, 30-1 are full strength and 50-1 is well above what I get from 5-1.

This is all par for the course execpt for 3-1 which is usually much higher.

Any info on this??

Anyone else having trouble with 24-1? I was watching the NBA finals last night and got a lot of audio and video problems. The picture was skipping and the audio was coming in and out. The picture never broke up, just kept skipping. My signal the whole time was around 95 and I wasn't having trouble on any of the other digital stations.

I wasn't. The problem I get with 24 is every now and then there will be some static sound, I think its called digital noise? Not sure. But I never lost audio or video last night. I hate it when they break from the HD feed to show a preview of a story they will be showing on the news.

I'm having audio problems with 24-1 as well. I thought it was just me but I have changed receivers and am still having the same problem. Last night watching the Lakers/Pistons game, the audio seems to be broadcast at an extremely loud and distorted level. I have to turn my receiver basically to minimum and then there is still distortion. Are there any fixes?

BTW - I have a Zenith 520 and a HDTivo receiver.

ps. I just turned to "According to Jim" and both the audio and video was freezing. The audio seemed to be at normal levels. Does anybody know what's going on?

You're seem to be having the same exact problem I am. I also have an HDTiVo. Is it only happening to you on 24-1? I'm watching the pre-game NBA show right now and it is happening again. Very IRRITATING!!!!

What type of signal strength are you getting when its breaking up? What part of town are you located?

My signal strength is around 90. The picture doesn't actually break up. It's more like a stutter with the audio and video. I'm located around Walnut Grove & White Station. It's only happening on 24-1.