Me, I am having a lot of static in the audio... especially when the crowd gets loud. No video dropouts. BTW I am in Southaven.

Jerry

I'm getting the occasional static during the NBA finals also. Usually get it on ABC and ESPN during live HD sports. Gotta be something in their equipment that doesn't "jive" with all receivers.

I Tivo'd the game last night and when I was watching it this morning I was experiencing the same symptoms as everyone else. It really was unwatachable. What kind of reciever is everyone using? I was using an HdTivo. I haven't checked it on my E86 since I'm not at home during primetime. Is it happening during HD shows only or during all programming?

WKNO-DT just showed up on TWC as channel 810. So now we have PBS.

And regarding ABC, sometimes it drops out on the cable, too, usually in bad weather, so I don't think the problem is just with some receivers.

-- Robert

I'm only seeing this behavior on 24-1 with an HDTiVo. All other high-def channels seem to be working fine.

The audio problems on ABC HD have been going on for awhile...even happens when viewing OTA (happened in NHL playoffs and on Monday Night football). The audio problems with ESPN HD are unique to the the RCA DTC 100 (also built into RCA F38301 TV set).

Originally posted by wiggo
WKNO-DT just showed up on TWC as channel 810. So now we have PBS.


Is this channel showing any programming? If so can OTA people get it? I thought that it wouldn't be up for a while.

Originally posted by mx6bfast
Is this channel showing any programming? If so can OTA people get it? I thought that it wouldn't be up for a while.

Yes, they're showing the PBS-HD feed (which is different from the standard feed). But I haven't been able to find it OTA, so they may be just sending the signal to TWC for now.

-- Robert

Yeah, I scanned for new channels last night, and didn't come up with PBS OTA.

Well, it seems the PBS-HD was only a test, as it is not there today.

-- Robert

The engineer a WKNO told me they wouldn't be over the air until 1 August. Maybe TW will be coming up sooner if it's just a fiber link or something. Again, OTA sholdn't be showing up until August.... Hope I'm dead wrong!!!:D

Hey OTA'ers check this out concerning our FOX station getting the splicer equipment: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=3912262#post3912262

Now, as wiggo pointed out, if someone can actually get this feed. Maybe this will push them to get on the new tower quicker.

Can someone check WREG right quick?? I am getting horrible reception from them lately..........contacted them and they said all ok on their end.

Everything is ok for me on all other channels, but WREG is not.

BTW when is the last time WMC sent anything out in HD?? Is this due to NBC or is it just WMC??

Are you getting 5.1 from WPTY?? Our local affiliate KAIT is passing 5.1 which I cant believe.......they were sooo late getting to the ATSC party that I cant believe they are doing 5.1.

What about UPN?? Any news on when they are going to be passing HD?? I believe that some of UPN programing comes HD.

What is going to be the OTA channel for the PBS channel from Memphis........I hear they are doing some testing on cable.

WREG is OK for me in Southaven, MS.

Jerry

1) WREG was coming in fine tonight for me also

2) ER was in HD tonight. Everything else was SD that I knew of. Leno is HD.

3) WPTY isn't doing 5.1 yet. I emailed about it last summer and at that time the tower wasn't setup for it. Hopefully it'll be closer to ready in time for MNF.

4) UPN is supposed to be going HD sometime this year. My mother has a contact there that I emailed about that last year. She said sometime this year. I will email again and see if there is any update on this.

5) WKNO is going to be 29

I have another question, is anyone able to get KIAT, WMAV, WBIILP and WBUY in Memphis? Or more specifically in the Wolfchase area? I am getting the guide data but nothing else.

I need some help with selecting an antenna or antennas.

To keep from starting a new thread I just joined in on this one since it is the closest that I could find. I am from Houston, MS 38851.

I have a Hitachi 57S700 TV and I am wanting to receive the HD broadcasts in my area.

Here is my broadcast information:
Station--VHF/UHF/DTV--Orientation in degrees--miles
CBS DTV 153 11.2
FOX DTV 225 9.9
NBC VHF 225 9.9
ABC UHF 225 9.9


Do I need one antenna or more than one?
Which antenna do you suggest for my situation?
Will I need a rotor?
I am willing to do an attic mount if I need to.

Someone recommended this antenna to me from antennasdirect.com
http://www.antennasdirect.com/VHF%20channel%20listings.htm
The V15 model.

Thanks

Mx,

What STB are you using?? KAIT is the ABC affiliate here in Jonesboro Ar, and on my E86 doesnt show up.

The other you metioned I believe may be in Jackson ms. They show up on my e86 as well, but I have never even got a blip from them.

Thanks for the quick reply about WREG.........they havent changed tower locations have they?? I cant understand why I am getting such poor signal strength from them as of late.

Originally posted by rgswff3
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.

rgswff3:
I have been having the same video and audio "stutter" on 24-1. I'm using a HDTIVO, over the air, and antennae in attic. I'm located just N.E. of the Agricenter with high signal strength on 24-1 (and all other locals except (of course) for Fox. Problem started last week. Have checked all connections, re-aimed antennae, etc.
Does anyone have ABC's Engineer's phone # or email. Are you still having problems ?? Thanks

Anyone know of a good local anteanna installer in the N. Miss and TN area? I have a Solid Signal anteanna that I need put up, but don't really have the time or necessary tools. Thanks, Kevin

tv4u,

as close as you are to the towers I would try and indoor antenna such as the silver sensor or the radio shack double bow tie. I think that you can also buy a nondirectional outdoor antenna as well.............as close as you are and the arrangement of the stations would mean IMHO that you would need something like this.

Kevin,

Unless you are just totally unable to do it, I would recomend trying it yourself. You can buy a push up pole at lowes or homedepot that makes it very easy. As I am not from that area, I do not know of any installers, although the yellow pages or local DBS companies might be a good place to start.

Originally posted by FedExPilot
rgswff3:
I have been having the same video and audio "stutter" on 24-1. I'm using a HDTIVO, over the air, and antennae in attic. I'm located just N.E. of the Agricenter with high signal strength on 24-1 (and all other locals except (of course) for Fox. Problem started last week. Have checked all connections, re-aimed antennae, etc.
Does anyone have ABC's Engineer's phone # or email. Are you still having problems ?? Thanks

I'm still having the same problem. Haven't had time yet to send email or call ABC. If you do, let me know what they say. It's very annoying and I hope it all gets cleared up before Monday Night Football.

This is a copy of the email that I sent to an engineer at 24,

Scott,
Hey I have a question for you that a couple of people here is Memphis have been experiencing. Some of us have the DirecTV HDTivo and are experienced freezing or stuttering issues only on 24-1. I Tivo’d game 5 of the NBA Finals (which looked great btw using my other HD receiver) and the game was pretty much unwatchable. After a couple of seconds the picture will freeze, lose audio and then come right back. It continued the whole game, even pre-game from what others mentioned. The picture isn’t breaking up, it’s just like the picture stops for couple of seconds and then picks right back up. I hope that I explained it right. All of us are still getting very high signal strengths.

Has anyone else mentioned this to you? The problem appears to be mainly with the HDTivo’s. I also have a Hughes E86 and am having none of these issues with 24-1. Could it be that the info being sent out isn’t compatible with the HDTivo or vice versa? Any ideas?

Also, just one other thing. Will you be broadcasting 5.1 anytime soon, like say in time for MNF??



When I get a response I will post it on here.

The Braves are on tonight in high def on channel 827. First night I've seen this channel available. Tonight's game is being carried by TBS so maybe this is the TBSHD channel. The channel guide has it marked as BRAVE.... with no program description.

Hi all. I have been reading these boards for a few months now. I thought I would register and deliver some good news. I picked up my 8000HD this morning. Things are going great so far, except for no pass through. This box doesn't include the firewire ports, a customer service rep who seemed to be somewhat knowledgable said that the DVI port is active. I will purchase a cable tonight and see if this true.
I will keep you all posted.
CYA

Cool! How did you get one of the SA8000HD's? Call or go to a Service Center?

I went to a service center inside Krogers. I was there last nite picking up a few things, and decided to ask if they had the boxes yet. She said yes. I had to wait to go back this morning though because they were about to close last nite.
It appears that the DVI doesn't work. That sucks. Hopefully this will be updated soon.
CYA

Originally posted by memphistrumpet
Hi all. I have been reading these boards for a few months now. I thought I would register and deliver some good news. I picked up my 8000HD this morning.
CYA

Thanks for posting. I called today and scheduled an install next week. Finally, to be able to go out on Sunday nights and still get my HBO fix without looking for HD repeats.

-- Robert

Now we just have to wait for the DVI and pass through update.
I am very happy other than those two things. The 8000HD doesnt seem to be as buggy as my SD 8000.
CYA

This is great news! How is the HD picture quality?

Any advantage in getting the 8000HD to replace my Pace 550HD box? I have a standalone tivo , so unless it can record HDTV I'm not to worried about the PVR features...

I think the picture quality is just as good as the Pace the box I replaced. Take that last sentence with a grain of salt though, because that is purely my own opinion.

Fritz, You can record HDTV on the SA8000HD box.

This is great news. I had canceled Time Warner's service for Voom, which has been nothing but trouble. I think Voom has a great product that has the ability to wipe out Time Warner.....once they get the bugs worked out. Anyway, as soon as I called to find out if they had launched the HD DVR I canceled Voom and ordered cable again. I was saving money by switching to Voom, now I'm saving even more money by going back to Time Warner.

I just made the switch from TWC to DirecTV. I'm getting the TS360 and triple lnb dish installed on saturday.

Originally posted by memphistrumpet
I think the picture quality is just as good as the Pace the box I replaced. Take that last sentence with a grain of salt though, because that is purely my own opinion.

Just out of curiosity, my neighbor just got this new box, I have the Pace, his does not read out "HDTV" when receiving HDTV, is this correct? Reason for asking is that we have identical Samsung DLP's and I do think my reception, on the pace, is far superior to his.
I am curious as to wheather TW hooked it up correctly?

Originally posted by Moose0408
I have the Pace...... we have identical Samsung DLP's and I do think my reception, on the pace, is far superior to his. I am curious as to wheather TW hooked it up correctly?

Thanks for this post Moose. I was wondering if the PQ problem existed here in Memphis. I'm fixing to come back to TWC from D*. Now I know to just get the PACE box and wait until they get the 8000HD PQ problem fixed.

From what I've been reading about the 8000HD there is a PQ problem if the local TWC is using PACE equipment also. This is known by TWC and I assume there will be a firmware fix when SA figures it out.

BTW there is some good info in the SA8000HD DVR - Cox - SARA - Setup and Review Guide thread under HDTV Recorders here. It's for San Diego but it has some interesting info.

Hey fellas, I'm hoping to be on HDTV gravy train next week. How do I find out how close I am to the towers?? Thanks!

In my opinion, the difference in picture quality is not like apples and oranges. I am extremly happy with the quality I get from the 8000HD compared to the Pace.

Originally posted by fsquid
Hey fellas, I'm hoping to be on HDTV gravy train next week. How do I find out how close I am to the towers?? Thanks!

Go to Antennaweb (http://www.antennaweb.org) and put in your address. It will tell you the direction and distance from the towers.

Does anybody know when Fox will be moving their tower and upping the power?

Jerry

Originally posted by memphistrumpet
In my opinion, the difference in picture quality is not like apples and oranges. I am extremly happy with the quality I get from the 8000HD compared to the Pace.

memphistrumpet, just out of curiosity, what size tv do you have?

The reason I ask, since the bigger the screen the difference in PQ will show up more. Since Moose has a Samsung DLP, I assume, it at least a 50". I have a 46" Sony RPTV. If your's is about the same size, or bigger, I might would try the 8000HD first and see how much difference there is between it and Directv.

I'm sure TWC will get this fixed, hopefully, soon.

Thanks.

Originally posted by jawilljr
Go to Antennaweb (http://www.antennaweb.org) and put in your address. It will tell you the direction and distance from the towers.

Does anybody know when Fox will be moving their tower and upping the power?

Jerry

thanks, now what do I do with this info!!!

Originally posted by fsquid
Hey fellas, I'm hoping to be on HDTV gravy train next week.

Why wait, do it now!!! :D

Originally posted by jawilljr
Does anybody know when Fox will be moving their tower and upping the power?

I haven't heard anything back from the engineer at WHBQ yet. His last email said he would let me know when it is being moved. There have been many delays which has slowed it down. But the one saving grace is if you have D* they will offer us the national FOXHD feed when its live since we are in an O&O.


btw...I haven't heard anything back from the person that I emailed at WPTY about problems with the HDTivo. I'm gonna email someone else. Are ya'll still having the same problem? I'm mostly using my E86 now.

what types of antennas are you guys using and do you have DTV?? I do and have a contract for 8 more months.

Originally posted by fsquid
what types of antennas are you guys using and do you have DTV?? I do and have a contract for 8 more months.

I have D*. I am using 2 antennas. One is a Radio Shack VU-120 XR (which is way much more than I need) and a Zenith Silver Sensor. Both are in the attic on separate sides of the house. The SS is mainly for WMC and the RS picks up everything else. You will find that you will spend MANY MANY hours finding the right spot for your antenna(s). Then you might have to redo it later.

I'm sure that is fun, finding the perfect spot and then running the cord through the walls.

Originally posted by fsquid
I'm sure that is fun, finding the perfect spot and then running the cord through the walls.
It's not bad, Ive got an 8 bay channelmaster UHF antenna, CM remote control rotor, cables etc that I'll sell for 25.00, but you"ll have to take it off my roof, I've got a ladder. the rotor makes it easy to dial in the channels, its two years old and I sold my Mits with integrated tuner to get a projector so I use TWC-HD box now for a tuner, but I miss OTA local channels......PM me if interested..

I just went back to TWC after screwing with VOOM for two months and I am unaware of what HD channels I am supposed to be receiving. So far I am receiving WREG-HD, WPTY-HD, TNT-HD, HBO-HD, HBOW-HD, SHO-HD, SHOW-HD, DISC-HD, INHD, INHD2, HDNET, HDNET2. When I pull up the guide info, I see a iCONTROL HD channel but I it says I am not authorized to view it. Is there a reason I am unable to receive this channel or is it this way for everyone? Oh, I'm also receiving a channel called BRAVE but I have no idea what this is.

Originally posted by MarkDu
memphistrumpet, just out of curiosity, what size tv do you have?

The reason I ask, since the bigger the screen the difference in PQ will show up more. Since Moose has a Samsung DLP, I assume, it at least a 50". I have a 46" Sony RPTV. If your's is about the same size, or bigger, I might would try the 8000HD first and see how much difference there is between it and Directv.

I'm sure TWC will get this fixed, hopefully, soon.

Thanks.

I have a 30"
If it won't be to much trouble, why not try the box for yourself using quality cables? On another note, My aunt who recently signed up with Directv loves the picture quality compared to Time Warner. She doesn't have a HD Tv by the way.

Originally posted by tscallions
I just went back to TWC after screwing with VOOM for two months and I am unaware of what HD channels I am supposed to be receiving. So far I am receiving WREG-HD, WPTY-HD, TNT-HD, HBO-HD, HBOW-HD, SHO-HD, SHOW-HD, DISC-HD, INHD, INHD2, HDNET, HDNET2. When I pull up the guide info, I see a iNDEMAND HD channel but I it says I am not authorized to view it. Is there a reason I am unable to receive this channel or is it this way for everyone? Oh, I'm also receiving a channel called BRAVE but I have no idea what this is.

That sounds about right.
HDOD was an active channel about a month ago. IMAX movies were the only offerings. This channel is no longer authorized for me either. TW seems to be clueless about this channel and the two test channels. As for the BRAVE channel they were showing Atlanta Braves games in HD. This channel is only a couple weeks old. I have not checked recently since I am not a huge baseball fan.

Originally posted by memphistrumpet
I have a 30"
If it won't be to much trouble, why not try the box for yourself using quality cables? On another note, My aunt who recently signed up with Directv loves the picture quality compared to Time Warner. She doesn't have a HD Tv by the way.

I thought about going ahead and trying the 8000HD. But I think I'll just get the Pace box and wait until they get all the features added and bugs out of the 8000HD before getting it. I'm afraid if I tried the 8000HD first it would be hard going back to a non-DVR STB :).

I have Directv now. The HD channels look great. The SD channels, some look good and some are to compressed. On my 27" SDTV the compression is not noticable. I'm coming back to TWC because they now have more HD channels than Directv. And I'm tried of the rain fade I get with the afternoon thunderstorms most of the time.

Thanks. I seem to keep getting screwed on my HD channels. When I first got installed I didn't have any of the HD Tier "pay" channels. I called and they "hit" the box and then I had the channels. When they "hit" the box for the HD Tier, I lost WPTY-HD & TNT-HD. So with all the confusion and the lack of the CSR's knowing anything about HD channels I was a little unsure of what I was supposed to be receiving.

Bonus info: It seems the Raycomm Broadcasting is the hold up with adding NBC-HD to TWC's HD lineup. Raycomm is in the process of trying to sign a nationwide contract with Time Warner for rebroadcasting rights. Time Warner of the Mid South says they have fiber piped into all the local affiliates here in Memphis and the bandwidth for the channels is there. They are just waiting on the green light from the broadcasters.

Anyone in the area use an indoor antenna?

I'm using a Radio Shack Double Bow Tie with a Radio Shack amp in the attic with good success (everything except Ch 13). I'm in Midtown.

Originally posted by fsquid
Anyone in the area use an indoor antenna?

I have a silver sensor in the attic. Get everything except for FOX... of course. I am in Southaven, MS

Jerry

Originally posted by fsquid
Anyone in the area use an indoor antenna? I use a Radio Shack Double Bow Tie sitting on top of my TV. I get everything except Fox. I'm about 2 miles south of Snowden Grove Park.

-Robert

When does WHBQ-DT broadcast?

Originally posted by BostonT
When does WHBQ-DT broadcast?

The day after the Super Bowl!!!:D

Jerry

By then I should be able to get the national feed from DirecTV ;)

Originally posted by BostonT
By then I should be able to get the national feed from DirecTV ;)

are they going to that or am I just not on an inside joke? :confused:

Originally posted by fsquid
are they going to that or am I just not on an inside joke? :confused:

D* announced that they will carry the national FOXHD feed around the same time as they announced it for CBS. It wasn't as big because FOX isn't HD yet. Since our local FOX station is an O&O we will be eligible to get the national FOXHD feed. But with our luck, the new tower will probably be up and ready almost at the same time.

I'm not sure if we will have to pay anything extra to get the national feed.

Let me get this straight, so since we are considered "out of the market" we can get it through DirectV in the future?

Originally posted by fsquid
Let me get this straight, so since we are considered "out of the market" we can get it through DirectV in the future?

No. We are in an O&O (owned and operated) area. Meaning that FOX itself owns and operates our local station FOX. So because of this we will have the chance to get FOXHD thru D* without having to fight with the station to obtain a waiver to get the signal.

For example D* has CBSHD, but since WREG is NOT O&O by CBS, we are unable to get CBSHD from D*. You could try but I'm sure you'd get shot down since the WREG signal is really strong in Memphis.

thanks

Speaking or WREG.........I have been having trouble with them for a while now. I came up on this web site http://www.iwantmyhdtv.com/iwanthdtv/state.jsp?zip=72472 and you will note that WREG is listed as "partial" avaiblity OTA. Their defintion of partial is "Partial Availability: These stations operate under STAs (Special Temporary Authorities) meaning they are not providing their digital signal at the same strength as their analog signal"

Is this new, old, or no news?? I am just wondering if this is a new development that this could explain my problem with WREG.

I'm sure this could be causing your problem. Have you emailed the WREG engineer and asked him about this? Or have you asked for a waiver if you are using D*?

No I havent asked for a waiver.........I have never thought of it to be honest. That is a GREAT idea. I have email the station and the reply I got is as follows:

We are not experiencing technical difficulties.
our transmitter is located at Whitten Road & I-40, the other stations are
located close to Arlington.
Depending upon your location, it may be necessary to orient your antenna
between the two locations.
Peaking on one station could cause another to receive a marginal signal.
An outdoor or attic antenna is often required.
Thank you for contacting WREG-DT

The issue for me is great reception unitl a few months back.

How far are you from that area? Near the Wolfchase Galleria? Did you mention that you were able to get great reception until a few months back and you have moved your antenna but you are still having the problems?

Also, do you get a good analog signal? It sucks but that's what they will base the type of signal grade on.

Man I am about 60 miles away in NE Arkansas.

I didnt move my antenna, although it is still pointing in the same general direction (southeast) it could have been moved by strong winds a few degrees.

I still get very good reception on the other ATSC channels.

NTSC (analog) sucks in the on the low VHF (3 and 5) but is better on 13 and great on 24 and 30.

BTW what does "cake or death" mean?? I smile every time I read that.

Originally posted by dirk1843
Man I am about 60 miles away in NE Arkansas.

NTSC (analog) sucks in the on the low VHF (3 and 5) but is better on 13 and great on 24 and 30.

BTW what does "cake or death" mean?? I smile every time I read that.
Honestly I didn't know the video signal could even reach that far. I think the NTSC is about the same at my house also, just using 1 antenna. 2 antennas freaks it out. Good thing *most* channels broadcast DT.

About cake or death, its from a stand up by Eddie Izzard called "Dressed to Kill." I first saw it on HBO a few years ago. He was a transvestite comedian (not sure if he is anymore). He's wierd but it is one of the funniest stand-ups I have ever seen. Below is an exceprt of the whole cake or death bit, (http://www.auntiemomo.com/cakeordeath/d2ktranscription.html). If you haven't seen it, I would recommend renting the dvd.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just don't think that's happening. But you can't do that in Church of England, you can't say, "You must have tea and cake with the Vicar, or you die!" You can't have extreme points of view, you know. The Spanish Inquisition wouldn't have worked with Church of England.

"Talk! Will you talk!"

"But it hurts!"

"Well, loosen it up a bit, will you? Fine..."

‘Cause that's what it would be. "Tea and cake or death? Tea and cake or death? Tea and cake or death!" Students with beards, ( mimes demonstrating with picket signs ) "Tea and cake or death! Tea and cake or death! Little Red Cookbook! Little Red Cookbook!" ‘Cause, "Cake or death?" That's a pretty easy question. Anyone could answer that.

"Cake or death?"

"Eh, cake please."

"Very well! Give him cake!"

"Oh, thanks very much. It's very nice."

"You! Cake or death?"

“Uh, cake for me, too, please."

"Very well! Give him cake, too! We're gonna run out of cake at this rate. You! Cake or death?"

"Uh, death, please. No, cake! Cake! Cake, sorry. Sorry..."

"You said death first, uh-uh, death first!"

"Well, I meant cake!"

"Oh, all right. You're lucky I'm Church of England!" Cake or death?"

"Uh, cake please."

"Well, we're out of cake! We only had three bits and we didn't expect such a rush. So what do you want?"

"Well, so my choice is 'or death’? I’ll have the chicken then, please.

“Taste of human, sir. Would you like a white wine? There you go, thank you very much.”

“ Thank you for flying Church of England, cake or death?"

“I asked for the vegetarian."

"Ah, yes, the vegetarian, yes! There we go, Mr. Hitler. There we go... Like a bit of wine? Thank you very much...you Nazi s***head!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey guys,
Got just a quick poll that I wanted to do for our city.

1) What HD channel do you watch the most during non-primetime hours?
2) Primetime hours?

for me:
1) HDNet & Discovery HD, pretty much split
2) CBS. With most of the shows in HD I started watching more and more of CBS and got hooked on shows I wouldn't otherwise watch

Originally posted by mx6bfast
1) What HD channel do you watch the most during non-primetime hours?
2) Primetime hours?


1. HBOHD, with INHD and HDNET close seconds.
2. CBS, for the same reasons.

-- Robert

WLMT-DT isn't stretching the programming anymore. It's now pillarboxed 4:3. Sweet!

Originally posted by mx6bfast
Hey guys,
Got just a quick poll that I wanted to do for our city.

1) What HD channel do you watch the most during non-primetime hours?
2) Primetime hours?

for me:
1) HDNet & Discovery HD, pretty much split
2) CBS. With most of the shows in HD I started watching more and more of CBS and got hooked on shows I wouldn't otherwise watch


1) HBO & Discovery ~ 50:50
2) CBS - outstanding PQ!

I dont know what stb you are using mx, but with my E86 WLMT was the only ATSC station that I got that I was able to use screen size controls on. (stretch, zoom, letterboxed/barn doors)

Even thought other stations like PAX were only SD, I stll couldnt change the pic size.

It appears that WLMT is now HD! Can it be true? My set shows a resolution of 1280X720 for them now instead of 720X480. Just noticed for the first time yesterday. But there were no HD shows on at the time of day that I had it on.

Oh!, forgot to respond to the poll;

1) Nothin' (only get HD OTA so no non-primetime HD yet)
2) CBS (out of Memphis anyway) ABC (KAIT) is the only station I get 24/7

Hi neil..........good to see ya posting again..............I trust all is well with you and yours??

Is anyone getting video today on 24-1? I'm getting 100% signal but a black screen. Anyone else?

Just curious if anyone else in Memphis is using this cable box from TWC. I am getting a lot of screen freeze. Happens more on some channels and less on others. I also notice screen freeze on just about anything I record and watch later. I'm just about to ask for another one but I'm wondering if my signal is faulty. Screen freeze was not a problem with the PACE I had before.

MX-6bfast;
Just checked 24-1 - - you're correct - - a black screen with the HD TIVO searching for a signal on the OTA antennae. Maybe they're fixing the "stutter" problem that affects HD TIVO reception on 24-1 ????

Next thing you know Fox will have a high power signal from a "real" tower !!!

I am also getting no picture but a strong signal from 24-1. Any word on WKNO? I thought it would supposed to be on in August. Hopefully FOX will get their act together soon, also.

Originally posted by 9ChargerFan
Hopefully FOX will get their act together soon, also.

To be quite honest I have given up on WHBQ. Soon the national FOXHD feed will be on D* and I'll be getting that. I'll just have a backup.

This is a copy of the email that I got from the engineer at WKNO:

WKNO-DT signed on the air today, August 3rd at 9:00am CDT. The station will be operating from 9:00am thru 3:00am daily. Programming on channel 10-1 is a simulcast of WKNO-TV, programming on 10-3 is comprised of wide screen and HD programming from PBS and other program suppliers. I hope you enjoy it.

I am getting a very weak and crazy signal right now and I am only 6 miles from the tower. I am about to go play with my antenna and see if I can get a steady signal.

Thanks for the heads up!!

I did a rescan, and now I am getting a very good signal from WKNO. 10-1 (WKNO-DT)is working great, but I am only getting a black screen from 10-3 (WKNO-HD).

Also 24-1 is now working, I was getting a black screen for a few days.

Jerry

Originally posted by jawilljr
I did a rescan, and now I am getting a very good signal from WKNO. 10-1 (WKNO-DT)is working great, but I am only getting a black screen from 10-3 (WKNO-HD).

Also 24-1 is now working, I was getting a black screen for a few days.


I'm glad WPTY is finally working again. Hopefully they wont multicast the ABC news now thing.

I was getting WKNO-HD strong when I moved one of my antennas, but had to move it back b/c I lost WMC. It was a program with some guys on a ship. Don't know the name of it but it was a great picture. There were 2 bugs which were annoying. I'm gonna work on the antennas next week to see if I can get all of the stations.

I have 3 E86's, and 2 of them picked up 10-1 & 3, but the other one picked up 29-1 thru 4, not the 10's. I was like that's wierd then I left for work. Maybe I ran it and picked up 2 ghost stations for WKNO. I'm gonna scan again tonight or Friday and see what I get.

Picked up 10.1 and 10.3 with excellent signal, then for no reason the signal dropped to the 30's and 10.3 began to pixilate (didn't check 10.1 at the time).


Thanks for passing the word! Now I hope PBS has some exciting programing. Guess it's time to mail in the WKNO donation request I recieved last week.

If it weren't for football season kicking off soon, I'd get rid of the DTV HD package since OTA is watched in our house far more than the DTV package.

More fyi on the tower and others in our area. This info was from a response that I asked him about reception problems I was having:

we are running 400KW power which should be way more than enough. channel 5, 24, and 30 all broadcast from a tower in Brunswick, near Bolton High, the oppsite direction from us. Channel 3 is at I-40 and Witten road, channel 13 is at I-40 and Raliegh La Grange Road. so cbs and wkno are in the same general direction. With respect to power we are running the same amount as WREG, the CBS station,

I got great reception from WKNO tonight............

No dropouts for me............around 60 miles to the towers.

PQ looked really good on the program about trains.

Yep. Tw now has the PBS HD feed. I discovered it this morning. I was pretty happy until I looked at the program schedule and found absolutely nothing that I wanted to see. Oh well

So far, I'm not very impressed with the PBS HD. From what I've seen, it's just not as good as the stuff on Discovery HD and HDNet.

Originally posted by Cheep
So far, I'm not very impressed with the PBS HD. From what I've seen, it's just not as good as the stuff on Discovery HD and HDNet.

I gotta agree. It doesn't look as sharp as I expected reading on the programming forum. Are you using D* or TW? I'm using D* getting it OTA.

What do some TW peeps think?

OTA. The signal is strong, but pic not so great.

Anyone know anything about the status of WB shows? Are we still stuck with after-hours broadcasts on 30? I sure would love to see Smallville in HD this fall...

I just sent WKNO an email expressing your views about poor picture quality. I used to pickup the PBS national satellite feed and know for a fact this is a local issue. Their sat feed quality was as good as any Discovery HD picture or better.

They've obviously cut the bitrate down to accomodate their simulcast of the analog feed.

You guys need to email them and let them know your feelings. You can email them at wknopi@wkno.org .

I posted this question on another site, with very little response (Robert_J, thanks for your response). It may not fit well here, but I thought I would give it a shot.

Thanks in advance.



I am scheduled for an SDTivo install by D* next Saturday and I have a few questions about 5x8 switch grounding.

I have the old 3 LNB dish with the switch on the back of the dish which is grounded to the house's electrical ground (both switch and dish thru 1 wire). I plan to have the 5x8 switch installed in the attic, so my questions are:

1) Should the switch be grounded in the same fashion as the old switch (i.e. single wire pull to the house electrical ground)?

2) The new 5x8 switch will allow me to remove the old switch from the back of the dish, correct (hopefully allowing better weather control for the connections)?

3) Any specific "oops" I should watch for with the installer?

Thanks in advance for your help.

MX6;
Did you get a response from the local ABC affiliate's engineer re. the stutter and HDTIVO ??
Tried watching Monday Night Football - - very frustrating !! I may have to break out my Hughes E-86 just to watch ABC !!!!

Is anyone having trouble with the sound on Channel 3? The volume is really low using my E86. Other channels are fine including 3-2.

Rick

Originally posted by FedExPilot
MX6;
Did you get a response from the local ABC affiliate's engineer re. the stutter and HDTIVO ??
Tried watching Monday Night Football - - very frustrating !! I may have to break out my Hughes E-86 just to watch ABC !!!!

I'm glad you reminded me. No I haven't but I got a soccer buddy who I can send it to and have him check on it for me. Sorry I completely forgot.

Originally posted by Rick Wilson
Is anyone having trouble with the sound on Channel 3? The volume is really low using my E86. Other channels are fine including 3-2.


I haven't noticed a difference in the last couple of days. I was out of town this weekend but I will check tonight. I know that WREG went back to DD5.1 for everything again, so that could be why it seems low. Do you have deeper bass?

I'm not sure if I have deeper bass or not on channel 3. When I turn my receiver up a little past half way, the sound is as loud as a whisper. Please let me know if you have the same problem.

Thanks

I checked last night and also this morning and I was getting normal sound. That's wierd. Are all of your other stations coming in fine?

All other OTA and Sat. channels work great. I didn't check the sound on 3 last night.

I'm new to the whole HDTV thing. Just got my setup thru D*.

Samsung TS360, Triple LNB Sat, and Radio Shack indoor antenna, all thru my Infocus X1.

I love it so far, but a got a couple questions.

I can pick up all the memphis OTA HD channels except for FOX.
What gives?

I've been trying to follow all the talk about FOX broadcasting in HD, and from the limited info I've gathered from the forum here, FOX nationwide is way behind all the other major networks in terms of broadcasting HD.

IS this correct?

Is FOX 13 in memphis broadcasting in HD yet? If so, how come I can pick it up?

If not, when will they be up and broadcasting?

I live in Olive Branch and the farthest antenna away from me is 23 miles and that's ABC, UPN, and NBC. The others are 14,16, and 18 miles away.
I get great reception on all the channels, but I cant find FOX.

Thanks for the info guys!

Originally posted by Rick Wilson
All other OTA and Sat. channels work great. I didn't check the sound on 3 last night.

I found the source of my problem. My Yamaha receiver has A / B speaker buttons. All other channels worked fine. When I pressed A, I got channel 3 fine. Is channel 3 broadcasting differently than the other stations. Pressing A didn't affect any other channels either.

Really strange.

I just hope I remember this if it happens again.

Damon Hill,

For the moment, forget about trying to get FOX-DT OTA. Right now they are broadcasting at a very low power, and the antenna is very low to the ground. So the only people that can get FOX-DT OTA are the ones that live right next to the tower.

There is one nice thing though, Directv will broadcasting the FOX-HD feed to everyone who lives in an O&O market. Since Memphis is O&O by FOX, we should be getting it by sep 12.

Hope this helps.

Jerry

Originally posted by Damon Hill
I can pick up all the memphis OTA HD channels except for FOX.
What gives?


WHBQ is transmitting at a VERY low power right now which is why you can't get it. I think there is only 1 person that I know of on this forum that is able to get it. If you aren't within 3 inches of the tower you wont be able to recieve it.


I've been trying to follow all the talk about FOX broadcasting in HD, and from the limited info I've gathered from the forum here, FOX nationwide is way behind all the other major networks in terms of broadcasting HD.
IS this correct?


You are correct. FOX will be going HD tentatively sometime next month IIRC. If you are using D* then you will be able to get the national FOX-HD feed from D* because our local station is an O&O station.


Is FOX 13 in memphis broadcasting in HD yet? If so, how come I can pick it up? If not, when will they be up and broadcasting?


No, but you said above you can not pick them up. If you are talking about the guide data then that's different. As far as when will they be broadcasting, they have been waiting on approval to be able to broadcast from their new tower. This has been going on for a while now. My guess is you will see FOX-HD on D* before you can get it OTA.


I live in Olive Branch and the farthest antenna away from me is 23 miles and that's ABC, UPN, and NBC. The others are 14,16, and 18 miles away.
I get great reception on all the channels, but I cant find FOX.


Back to above. The tower will be in the same area as WREG & WKNO, probably about a mile or 2 from them.

Welcome to HD!!

Originally posted by Rick Wilson
I found the source of my problem. My Yamaha receiver has A / B speaker buttons. All other channels worked fine. When I pressed A, I got channel 3 fine. Is channel 3 broadcasting differently than the other stations. Pressing A didn't affect any other channels either.


Glad you figured it out. WREG is broadcasting DD5.1 all the time which might've messed you up. Next time there is a football game turn off A and see if you are still getting 5.1 or if it goes back to a whisper.

On a side note I was able to fix things up and now I am only using 1 antenna instead a 2. A personal victory for me!

Originally posted by jawilljr
So the only people that can get FOX-DT OTA are the ones that live right next to the tower.

There is one nice thing though, Directv will broadcasting the FOX-HD feed to everyone who lives in an O&O market. Since Memphis is O&O by FOX, we should be getting it by sep 12.

Hope this helps.

Jerry

Thanks for help. A question about the FOX_HD feed from D*. How do I go about getting that? And it will only be available after sept 12? I would like to get some more details if possible.

Originally posted by Damon Hill
Thanks for help. A question about the FOX_HD feed from D*. How do I go about getting that? And it will only be available after sept 12? I would like to get some more details if possible.

Damon, read this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=348624) for more info.

Jerry

I read through some of it but I am still confused.

Basically, Memphis is one of a handful of large markets that has a O&O FOX Station. So we should get the FOX-HD feed through D*.

However, I went to one of those links that takes you to the D* site to see if you qualify for a waiver.

I put in my address, and it shows that I receive a Grade A signal from Fox-13. Thats the mose idiotic thing ive ever seen.

I cant even get as much as a blip, and it sounds like 99% of the people in Memphis cant get FOX either. So how are we so sure we are going to be able to get FOX-HD thru D*, if they say we have a grade A OTA signal?

Has someone already got confirmation that this is going to be happening for Memphis area HD viewers come Sept. 12th? Or are we just hoping?

Originally posted by Damon Hill
I live in Olive Branch and the farthest antenna away from me is 23 miles and that's ABC, UPN, and NBC. The others are 14,16, and 18 miles away.
Based on this information, you are about a 1.5 miles from me. Which RS antenna are you using? My double bow tie is OK but I get occaisional break-ups.

-Robert

So how are we so sure we are going to be able to get FOX-HD thru D*, if they say we have a grade A OTA signal? Fox has already granted a blanket waiver to everyone in a Fox O&O DMA. It's the exact same thing that CBS did in cities like Chicago, Dallas, NY and LA.

-Robert

Originally posted by Damon Hill
However, I went to one of those links that takes you to the D* site to see if you qualify for a waiver.

I put in my address, and it shows that I receive a Grade A signal from Fox-13. Thats the mose idiotic thing ive ever seen.


We are in an O&O area so that website doesn't mean a thing to us. I thought the website was for analog stations not digital.

Has someone already got confirmation that this is going to be happening for Memphis area HD viewers come Sept. 12th? Or are we just hoping?


Our local station is O&O so we are going to get it per the press release. If they don't go live on Sept 12th then once it is live we will be getting the feed.

Originally posted by rlj5242
Based on this information, you are about a 1.5 miles from me. Which RS antenna are you using? My double bow tie is OK but I get occaisional break-ups.

-Robert

I am using the Radio Shack 15-1880 indoor antenna for $40. It works great. All I did when I got the new receiver hooked up was plug the power in, plug the cable into the OTA antenna input on the back of the reciever and start scanning. I didnt adjust the antenna or anything and it picked up all the memphis OTA HD signals. Except FOX.

I think the signal meter on the new TS360 is suspect though, because when i go to the signal strength meter, it flucuates wildly between 0,45, 69, 20, 0,45, 69, etc. But I dont get many breakups or anything.

check out some info on it here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=426467&highlight=151880

Thanks for the info guys! This sis a relief to hear. One last question:

Do I have to do anything come Sept. 12th to get the feed? Or will I just turn on the receiver on the 12th and walla! I now have FOX-HD?

For some people, they had to call and get D* to hit their card so they could pick up CBS. Keep an eye on the programming section and you will see thread open about 5 minutes after the channel is available.

That's a different looking antenna. I'm using the RS DBT (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F001%5F000&product%5Fid=930%2D0998). I picked it up at the close-out price of $5. It was such a popular model, they brought it back and labeled it an HD antenna. It's a very directional antenna and I have a small rise between me and the towers. I may give your antenna model a try before I run wire to mount an outdoor model.

-Robert

Originally posted by rlj5242
For some people, they had to call and get D* to hit their card so they could pick up CBS. Keep an eye on the programming section and you will see thread open about 5 minutes after the channel is available.

That's a different looking antenna. I'm using the RS DBT (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F001%5F000&product%5Fid=930%2D0998). I picked it up at the close-out price of $5. It was such a popular model, they brought it back and labeled it an HD antenna. It's a very directional antenna and I have a small rise between me and the towers. I may give your antenna model a try before I run wire to mount an outdoor model.

-Robert


Wait a minute! CBS!?! Should I be able to get the CBS-HD feed thru D* also?


I saw that antenna as well, but since the 15-1880 got such rave reviews for an indoor antenna (some felt is was better than the highly rated Silver Sensor) that I figured why not.

A side note. When the D* installer setup my equipment, he was floored at how well the Radio Shack ant. picked up the local channels with no positioning needed. He said that antenna picked up better than the OTA antenna that he usually hooks up for people, and thats the roof mounted one offered by D*! :)

Our CBS is not CBS owner and operated. Their blanket waiver does not apply.

My only problem is an indoor antenna is that I just started moving my equipment into the theater room. It's on the southwest corner of the house and the signal will have to go through a few walls. When it was in the living room, there was a curtain and a glass door between the antenna and the towers.

-Robert

Originally posted by rlj5242
Our CBS is not CBS owner and operated. Their blanket waiver does not apply.

My only problem is an indoor antenna is that I just started moving my equipment into the theater room. It's on the southwest corner of the house and the signal will have to go through a few walls. When it was in the living room, there was a curtain and a glass door between the antenna and the towers.

-Robert

If it means anything, I have eveything upstairs in my theater, with the HD reciever against the front of the room. The antenna sits on top of the box, pointed toward the wall (north). Its about 6 inches from the wall, and its an outside wall. Meaning on the other side of the theater wall is stucco and then the outside world. I am also on the second floor. SO that may account for something.

However, my plan is to mount the antenna farther back then where it sits now. It will actually go in the attic behind my theater and up a little higher. So itll have 2 more walls than it does now to go thru, but hopefully getting it up a little higher will help some. I hope.

Thanks for the antenna info. I also have some some regular home theater questions if you don't mind. I'll PM you so we don't clutter this thread with non-HD stuff.

-Robert

Recently added TW to D* and will keep both for this month.
TW is cheaper (if coming from satellite they have a pretty good deal) and has a HD-DVR and a HD box with Firewire (coming today hopefully), but Direct has ESPN_HD (football) and NFL Ticket (football again). Review to follow at "near" end of month.
However this weekend I NEED to tape the Medal Games for Men's Basketball.
Anyone have a Samsung SIR-T165 or any STB that gets NBC HD and has fire wire output? I have JVC D-vhs that records HD only with FireWire.
I can make it worth your while.
Thanks
lo
East Memphis

I think you'll have a hard time finding something that fits that bill. Sounds like you need to spring for one of those HD-DirecTivos!

Well Lithuania lost so I don't need it after all. thanks.

Is anyone else getting sporadic signals from WPTY and WMC? I was getting droputs from all stations during the storm and now that I am back home I am getting all of them fine now except the 2 above. It's wierd because WLMT broadcasts from the same signal but I am constantly getting 100%. Anyone else?

I still haven't heard anything back from the people at WPTY. I watched a few minutes of the game last night and I didn't experience any of the same problems with the HDTivo. For those who use it exclusively or have taped something recently is it still happening?

My HD Tivo still will not lock onto WPTY (in fact, as it pauses and stutters, it starts getting behind, so that I'm no longer watching live TV without knowing it; during the game last night it got over 15 minutes behind), so I've been watching it on TWC, but it's been breaking up there, too.

And WMC has just been gone for the last two days, no signal at all on the HD Tivo, or the Sammy 360, or the Zenith, which use different antennae (yes, I have many STBs, but more than one HDTV, so two of them are justifiable).

Originally posted by wiggo
My HD Tivo still will not lock onto WPTY (in fact, as it pauses and stutters, it starts getting behind, so that I'm no longer watching live TV without knowing it; during the game last night it got over 15 minutes behind), so I've been watching it on TWC, but it's been breaking up there, too.

Check out this thread: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189426


And WMC has just been gone for the last two days, no signal at all on the HD Tivo, or the Sammy 360, or the Zenith, which use different antennae (yes, I have many STBs, but more than one HDTV, so two of them are justifiable).

Per David from WMC,
We are working on the transmitter and have parts being flown in tonight. There is a chance that we will be back on tomorrow mid-day. If this does not work it will be several more days.

Originally posted by DanielD
I just sent WKNO an email expressing your views about poor picture quality. I used to pickup the PBS national satellite feed and know for a fact this is a local issue. Their sat feed quality was as good as any Discovery HD picture or better.

They've obviously cut the bitrate down to accomodate their simulcast of the analog feed.

You guys need to email them and let them know your feelings. You can email them at wknopi@wkno.org .

Did you hear anything back from them? This is what I sent.

Hi,
I just wanted to say that I am disappointed in the picture quality of the WKNO-HD channel. I have read on various message boards in different cities that PBS was the best looking HD that they have ever seen, even better than DiscoveryHD. So I was really looking forward to getting it here in Memphis. I was surprised and disappointed at the fact that it was no where near what I was expecting. I know that it is in HD but it appears that the bitrate has been drastically reduced. I have had HD for 1 ½ years and I compare this to a DVD movie. The colors aren’t sharp and as vivid as I imagined they would be.

I hope that things will be done and decisions made to make this channel look more like an HD channel and make me be able to brag about the PBS PQ here. I receive WKNO-HD OTA.

Thanks,
Dennis

No, I never did hear anything back from them. They seem to be fooling around with the bitrate though as some nights it is looking much better than a few weeks ago. It's still not where it should be.

:mad: :mad:

Any word on when FOX is ever going to go to full power or at least enough where someone can pick their digital signal up? Thanks, Kevin

Any word on FoxHD on D*?

Can someone recommend a good satellite installer? I need to either have my dish moved or set up a round dish in order to pick up the 119 satellite. Where my current phase III dish is the 119 satellite is blocked by a neighbor's tree.

Thanks,

ESPN-HD is being rolled out on TWC throughout the nation... Any work when it will hit TWC in Memphis?

As far as FOX, no word on what's up with moving the signal to the big tower. The engineer doesn't really know much at about it being on D*. I saw a thread a few weeks ago, but can't find it, saying that it looked like the feed would be pushed back till maybe the 21st. Like I've said before, you will see it on D* before we can get it here.

But the good news, he said the splicer has been installed for those lucky enough to get the signal. But they were experiencing some software problems with it and they will work on it and get it back online soon.

Originally posted by rgswff3
Can someone recommend a good satellite installer?

When I had mine installed I used Broadway Satellite from West Memphis. The person did a good job. Sorry but I don't have a name or number.

ESPN-HD is now on TWC Memphis as channel 855. (Reboot your converter if necessary.)

-- Robert

wiggo,
That's great news.
thanks
lo

Very good! Any news on FOX-HD making it to TWC?

Hey just found this board!! I live in Marion, AR and 3, 10, 24, 30 with high reception 80-90%. I have alot of trouble out of WMC. Like at the moment I can't get a signal at all, does anyone else have problems with them. I have tried emailing their engineers with no help at all. Also, I have noticed when I do get them and something is broadcast in HD the audio is a hair off with the picture. It's quite annoying. BTW, PAX is the sameway but I have only gotten them maybe three times since March. Anyway thanks for the help. Like everyone else I am waiting for FOX HD.

For what it's worth, here is my setup, I am a E* subscriber:

Phillips 34PW850H TV
Sony DAV-S300 (for Surround Sound)
RCA DRC212N (cheap Progressive Scan DVD player, nice though)
Dish 811
My antenna is a Phillips rabbit ear amplified antenna, nothing fancy but it gets the job done.

Yeah, WMC-HD's transmitter is down for the past few days, apparently.

I'm with you on the audio sync problem. I have it on several HD channels, even over the DTV satellite, but it's definitely the worst on WMC-HD. Very annoying.

fyi.....both NFL games this weekend on CBS will be in HD. Next weekend the only one will not be HD. Hopefully the Titans will do well enough this season to continue to get HD coverage.

Welcome to the boards Tigerpaul!!

It is very good for me to see anyone from Arkansas here. I bet if we did a poll Arkansas would have the less per capita membership of any state!!

But anyway...........Nothing on WMC for a while now, there transmitter is down. The lipsynch problem is widespread,my new Denon A/V recievier even has a feature to help with this.

Hey,

Thanks for the responses. Glad to know the WMC problem just isn't me. Hopefully they are upgrading there transmitter or giving it more juice. Anyway, the audio problem only happens on WMC for me, WPTY has some static at times but that is it.

I did a scan of stations last night and got a 9-01, couldn't tune it in but it was there. Any ideas of what that might be?

Originally posted by tigerpaul2000
I did a scan of stations last night and got a 9-01, couldn't tune it in but it was there. Any ideas of what that might be?

It's KAIT-DT, and ABC affliate. You will probably pick up the EPG info for a couple of stations that you can't pick up the programming. I'm getting guide data for like 5 stations.

Did anyone else notice much pixelation this weekend on CBS? I even saw it on my LCD which I never see pixelation on that. (except the Olympics)

Oh man, pixelation was horrible. During the Titans-Colts game, there were huge blocks everywhere. I've never seen it that bad, especially OTA. In fact, this looked quite different from compression artifacts I usually see though DTV. Wonder what the deal was? Local affiliate or national feed problem? Usually CBS is really on the ball when it comes to picture quality.

I'm Back....................

Even though I started this tread a year or so ago, I only rarely watched HDTV because it was only available in me home theater room and we only used it for DVD's. My TV's were SD.

This weekend I received my first DLP HDTV and am now starting to figure this whole HD thing out.

I am using the TWC cable HD box and am very impressed with the picture quality. I have both tiers of HD. I watched the UT vs. FL game Saturday pm in HD and was awed by the picture !!!

Now what to do about NBC ch 5...my most watched local station. I live in EAST Memphis and I guess I need to go buy an antenna. Do ya'll feel the reception is good enough yet to put up an antenna (wife says small indoor, unseen) or should I watch ch 5 in SD for now???

dre

Originally posted by dre
Now what to do about NBC ch 5...my most watched local station. I live in EAST Memphis and I guess I need to go buy an antenna. Do ya'll feel the reception is good enough yet to put up an antenna (wife says small indoor, unseen) or should I watch ch 5 in SD for now???

Right now you really have no other choice but to watch WMC in SD now. Hopefully the tower will go back online soon.

But even before the WMC transmitter went down, it was the weakest HD OTA signal for me. I could get it some of the time with some serious tweaking of my Silver Sensor (indoor antenna), which the other stations don't require.

Originally posted by Cheep
But even before the WMC transmitter went down, it was the weakest HD OTA signal for me. I could get it some of the time with some serious tweaking of my Silver Sensor (indoor antenna), which the other stations don't require.

No kidding. I had to mark on the wall in the attic where to point the SS. An inch off I would lose 30% of the signal. Maybe for our sakes they could be upgrading it?

Talked to a friend of mine at WMC yesterday. They had a lightning strike and are working on getting the tower repaired. It didn't sound like it was going that well and it is also impacting FM 100.

Are ABC, WLMT, and WMC on a tall red tower? I know they all broadcast from the same one. I am really close to the tower but I don't see a red one in that direction. Only a silver one.

What types of towers are used for tv signals?

Thanks for the heads up about WMC!!

Off topic, but a post earlier stated that the problems with WMC were affecting FM100.

Is this true?? I thought the might have dropped their transmitter power.....how about 92.9?? A few years ago I could get them especially at night, now not so hot ever...............did they lower power of change antenna location/height??

Thanks for listening to the off topic questions!!

Wasnt there a post saying WMC was back on-air?? I would have sworn I saw it, but still now WMC for me...................

I recently emailed the Memphis NBC affiliate, asking when they would be transmitting again. Here is their response:

"We are waiting for some parts to come in so we can repairs our HD
transmitter. Our engineering department expects to have it back on air
next week. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Sincerely,
Juli Scobey
WMC-TV"

In regards to the FM100 issues, I am not sure how it was affecting them, I really only ever listen to XM so I didn't ask about what was going on with FM100. The person I was talking to seemed like they were very annoyed at the whole situation. They are usually very talkative about my questions regarding HD but not this time. So it must be a very hot situation.

It appears that WMC-DT 52 is back up!!!

Jerry

It looks like I spoke too soon! WMC died again. :(

Jerry

Originally posted by jawilljr
It looks like I spoke too soon! WMC died again. :(

Jerry

I'm getting it

Originally posted by mx6bfast
I'm getting it

Yeah... it came back... at least WMC is working again... hope it stays that way:)

Jerry

AWRIGHT!!!
WMC finally back online with OTA HD. Pretty good picture quality also (IMHO). Now if only ABC and FOX will get their HD act together!

Scowler

Originally posted by scowler
AWRIGHT!!!
WMC finally back online with OTA HD. Pretty good picture quality also (IMHO). Now if only ABC and FOX will get their HD act together!


I'm not having any problems with wpty. Are you?

I have been seeing some intermittent "freezes" on ABC HD programs and portions of NYPD were unwatchable this week. Anybody else having these problems?

Scowler

I always have problems with WPTY - ABC HD. I believe others have also mentioned this freezing with their HDTivo (which I have). Is WMC at full power? My signal strength has dropped.

Originally posted by scowler
I have been seeing some intermittent "freezes" on ABC HD programs and portions of NYPD were unwatchable this week. Anybody else having these problems?

Are you using an HDTivo? If so that's why.


Originally posted by rebel3
Is WMC at full power? My signal strength has dropped.

I'm getting very low signal strength also. Barely above 50, yet very little picture breakups.

Yes, I do have an HD TIVO, but I observed problems on ABC HD on live TV as well as recorded HD. Can Mx6bfst explain what you mean that HD TIVO is the problem?

The reason he said it's the HD Tivo is because no other STB has the problem, and everyone with an HD Tivo has the problem. I kept my Zenith HDR230 hooked up so I can still record WPTY (I use the HD Tivo for everything else). I also have a Samsung T165 and a TS360, and both of them get WPTY fine, too. So therefore, the problem is with the HD Tivo and the WPTY signal (although whatever TWC is using also has more problems with WPTY than WREG).

Originally posted by scowler
Yes, I do have an HD TIVO, but I observed problems on ABC HD on live TV as well as recorded HD. Can Mx6bfst explain what you mean that HD TIVO is the problem?

I have an HDTivo in addition to 3 E86's. Like wiggo said it is symptomatic only to the HDTivo. For me it seems to be hit and miss. For example we tivo'd LOST, had maybe half a minute of stuttering. Hope & Faith from Friday it was happening maybe 50% of the show. Good thing we taped it on our our non-hd Tivo.

There is a thread in the tivo community which someone thinks they know why it happens. I will search for it and edit this post when I find it.

I have a E86 and am getting freezes and breakups on WPTY and WREG occassionally. IS anyone with an E86 having these problems too?

I can't find the thread. I have found threads of people with the same problem, but no speculation of a fix for it.

In other news, I only saw WMC HD Friday night. Did they show anything HD Saturday or Sunday night? The primetime stuff that should've been HD was SD.

Also, what does everyone think about the PQ on SEC and NFL games on CBS? I think they have gone south quickly. The Miami game the first week was amazing, now everything is full of blocking and pixelation. All the network shows look fine. Anyone else feel this way?

I'm using TWC cable HD and have very little picture quality issues like you have been mentioning. The picture is stable and seems to be high quality. I do have trouble with the OTA reception of most of the stations, especially channel 5, but I thought that was just my indoor antenna issues. But ABC and CBS seem just fine on HD cable !!!

BUT THE BEST IS ESPN HD !!!!!! WOW !!!!!!

I am wanting to get a nicer antenna for the house but not too expensive. I would like to be indoor or in the attic. I was looking at the Terk tv-55 but I read on here where it wasn't the best. I am wanting to improve on my signal strength on WMC and to get Pax for the Griz games, possibly get some of the other stations from J'boro that I get hit or miss at the moment.

If any of you guys aren't watching LOST on ABC, you should. It's some of the best HD I've ever seen. Too bad WPTY doesn't air 5.1 sound, as I've heard it sounds amazing.

The first two eps re-air together this Saturday night. Good stuff.

I'm posting this again since no one said anything last week. The SEC game is having tons of blocking and pixelation. I just got back from the Tigers game and am just now watching. But its amazing how bad it is now.

Please someone else speak up. I'm thinking about sending an email or letter to someone at WREG.

Please do. It's because they are multicasting their stupid continual reruns of the news. Apparently they are incapable of understanding that the only people who can get the multicast are people with HDTV STBs, who would rather see the full bandwidth given to HDTV material. So they keep annoying the only people who can see the multicast. As a result, I absolutely refuse to ever watch 3-2. When I want the news, I go elsewhere.

Oh, and if you'd been home for the start of the LSU-Georgia game, you could have enjoyed 1/2 hour with no announcers until some meathead realized they had to turn on the 5.1 sound.

WREG was once the best HDTV station, and now the only reason they're not the worst is because WLMT isn't HD yet and WHBQ is only broadcasting at 1 watt (if that).

Originally posted by wiggo
Please do. It's because they are multicasting their stupid continual reruns of the news. Apparently they are incapable of understanding that the only people who can get the multicast are people with HDTV STBs, who would rather see the full bandwidth given to HDTV material. So they keep annoying the only people who can see the multicast. As a result, I absolutely refuse to ever watch 3-2. When I want the news, I go elsewhere.

Oh, and if you'd been home for the start of the LSU-Georgia game, you could have enjoyed 1/2 hour with no announcers until some meathead realized they had to turn on the 5.1 sound.

WREG was once the best HDTV station, and now the only reason they're not the worst is because WLMT isn't HD yet and WHBQ is only broadcasting at 1 watt (if that).
You said it well......

Hey all WMC watchers...............we have widescreen on WMC-DT for the NASCAR race.

It also seems like WMC has boosted their signal here lately. I used to get them at 65-70% now I am getting them between 72-76% with and instant lock on my Dish 811. I even got PAX last night at 72%, not pickiing it up today though. Meanwhile WPTY seems to be having some issues with me not locking on as quickly and not getting as high as a signal. I know WHBQ isn't even at half strength but what channel number is theirs? Just wondering.

I agree WREG is going crappy, not even the Colts game today is in HD.

Originally posted by tigerpaul2000
Meanwhile WPTY seems to be having some issues with me not locking on as quickly and not getting as high as a signal.

I've noticed that also, I am getting WILD fluctuations with that channel now. btw...I think the reason they aren't broadcasting HD because on Friday I turned it on and WPTY was having a lot of greens lines when the HD feed was on. I guess they havent gotten that fixed.


I know WHBQ isn't even at half strength but what channel number is theirs? Just wondering.

53. And it seems that its going to be even longer till the national feed is on D*, reading other posts. Great.


I agree WREG is going crappy, not even the Colts game today is in HD.

This game isn't broadcast in HD, neither is the Titans game. These games have a better chance of getting mroe viewers in this area which is why they are being telecasts. So we need to hope that if there is a Titans or Colts game that that game will be in HD. If not we wont be seeing HD that weekend.

Is WHBQ (FOX) still down or are they back up in HD?

I'm not sure, but I don't believe WHBQ was ever down. They are just transmitting from a low tower at their office and at an extremely low power. I think the only people that are able to get their HD signal live across the street from their station. Don't get me started on the blackout restrictions for NFL ST. Even being in an O&O market, D* will not lift the blackout so I can see the locally broadcasted games in HD. Arrrg!!!!!

I have HAD it with Memphis affiliates. Tonight, ABC should be broadcasting in HDTV on 2 shows, but they arent. Tonight, I SHOULD be able to see Cold Case in HD on CBS, but I can't. And Law and Order? Well, hey, at least the fullscreen aspect ratio of the SD matches the crappy DVDs! As for the WB, What WB? WLMT? Well, At least Jack and Bobby is in Widescreen like Angel was, but why should I watch? The quality's so bad on WLMT, analog doesnt look much different from Digital. Oh, yeah... Fox.. Sure, that'll happen in the next 6 months. I really believe that one. At least there is WKNO, but I know that PBS's HD has got to look better than that.

Well, at least WREG is back on HD. Still looks like crap though, but at least it's on. The analogue and digital feeds seem to be VERY far apart however. LOL, and it is gone again....

I can only speculate here, but I think the reason WREG was having such a hard time with the HD feeds was because after 60 minutes they ran an extended commercial break and missed the start time for the national HD feed. That explains why we got the part with all the credits and info and stuff first before the start of the show. Then we got to see the commercials again. yippee!!! Then it came back on here and they tried to go to the national feed, but that was so far ahead they finally stuck with the analog feed. It got so bad I went back to the local D* feed since I was getting sick of what was going on.
To my knowledge there is not any hardware that will record HD and then be able to send out an HD signal (ie WB late nite). Or At least that's what I was last told from WPTY.

My advice to everyone, and I hope that everyone will do this, especially for WREG's murder of football pq, go to the stations website and submit a complaint. the stations wont know how we feel unless we say something about it. I'm gonna do this tomorrow.

Hi guys. I'm glad I found this forum as there is a significant amount of good information here.

I've got something I'd like some input on. I just upgraded DirecTV to HD on Friday. I now have a Samsung SIR-TS360 and the sat. feed works great. The picture is just stunning!

My problem is with OTA reception on WMC (that's a shocker). I live just south of Poplar Pike and just west of Germantown Road so the WMC tower is 13.7 miles away at a bearing of 10°. My Winegard GS-1000 picks up everything local except WHBQ and WMC. I'm not worried about WHBQ given the previous information in this thread.

The installers told me that for the additional satellite reception they had to move my dish to the opposite corner of the house. Not a big deal. I didn't really think about it until after they left but when they did this they used the same RG6 cable into the attic that was already installed. As a result, a run that could have been as short as 30' is now around 130'. Add that on top of two diplexers in the line and I think I'm getting a significant attenuation problem.

Should I call them back out and get them to do it right this time? And if I do, given the problems WMC appears to have, what are the chances that I will be able to receive WMC-DT? Thanks in advance!

E-95

I sent in my comments to WREG and WPTY. I recieved an email back from WREG within minutes. So please make your concerns heard!!!

Originally posted by mx6bfast
I sent in my comments to WREG and WPTY. I recieved an email back from WREG within minutes. So please make your concerns heard!!!

What did they say?

That he was going to look into it. When I get a better response I'll let you know. I've emailed him before and he has been very helpful.

Originally posted by E-95
Should I call them back out and get them to do it right this time? And if I do, given the problems WMC appears to have, what are the chances that I will be able to receive WMC-DT? Thanks in advance!

I would ask them to come back out and fix it. It wouldn't hurt.

As far as WMC, you can test it yourself until they come back out to fix the installation. Just use the antenna and look for only WMC.

I got an email back from WREG:

"Our Engineering Department has made some adjustments in an initial attempt to isolate the problem. Let me know if you don't have better results today."

So guys let me know what you think over the next couple of nights.

I too was disappointed by the SD broadcast of the "Boston Legal" premiere last night. What was up with that? Rhona Mitra just doesn't look as good in SD. Not quite.

Welcome!

Glad you found the forum (and this thread.) I too have found an answer to most all of my HT/HDTV questions.

As far as your installers go - I wouldn't be happy so I'd call. However, I do all my own stuff so I'm not sure what kind of response you should expect from them.

With regards to WMC - I live just around the corner from you (SE corner of Germantown and Stout.) I have a CM 4228 on a 20 ft mast. I get a good strong signal on all stations (including WMC) when they are broadcasting. I'm pointing almost due north with my rig (about 002-004 hdg.)

I am running quad-shield RG-6 for all my lines with no splitters/combiners - straight feeds with only a connection at the wall plates. I'm sure that is overkill but I wasn't taking any chances! ;)

Welcome again and see you around town!

So what does everyone think about WREG tonight? Personally I think it looks much better. It has more of the 3d look again. Anyone else?

We have a decent picture tonight, still blocky, but better. And we have "5.1" sound! Sort of... The Audio channels are ALL messed up. The dialogue is coming from the left front channel! Ah well...

Edit: Actually, left and right, but not centre.

I never could find out for sure by reading this forum or asking around locally whether it was possible to pick up Memphis OTA-HD as far away as Oxford but I took a chance anyway and invested about $180 on an outside antenna rig from www.warrenelectronics.com just hoping I could at least pick up the CBS SEC Game of the Week in HD on WREG. I installed a CM4228A on the chimney of the back of my two story house on just a 6-foot mast since the chimney is already 30 or so feet high with a CM9521A rotator, CM9537 rotator remote and a CM7775 UHF Mast Mounted Preamp and and I get WREG, WMC, WPTY, WLMT, WKNO, WBUY, and PAX and all subcarriers all with a very strong signal. WMC is probably the weakest station and it still it comes in around 95% on the signal strength meter of my Hughes HTL-HD DirecTV receiver as you can see from the screenshot below of tonight's HD episode of "LAX" on WMC. My HDTV is a home theater projector so it's difficult for me to get a decent screenshot. I live on Hwy 6 West about one mile west of the Wal-Mart in Oxford (yes, we only have one ) With the rotator I can also turn the antenna around 360 and pick up WCBI's digital subcarriers (4-1, 4-2, 4-3) out of Columbus, MS. Just thought someone in the Oxford area might want to know that it is definitely possible to get a good signal 80 miles away.

http://www.travisthomasdesign.com/replay/DSC01134.JPG

fawkes,

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm actually on the north side of Mimosa as it turns south and changes to Rosehaven. Just out of curiosity, are you receiving WHBQ as well with your rig?

As far as resolving my reception problem, my first step is to give the installers a call and have them run this cable right. If that doesn't cut it then I'll get a new antenna and perform the setup myself.

I talked tonight with a few of the communications guys on my team and they hit on something that could be the key to the problem. According to the FCC's site, every channel I receive is broadcast in the 536-578 MHz range but the two I don't receive broadcast 698-710 MHz. They suggest that the Winegard GS-1000 simply doesn't receive that range well compared to the 500's. Any thoughts on that guys?

E-95

What happened with WPTY 24-1 last night with MNF!?! :mad:

I was looking forward to seeing the game in HD and seems like they forgot to flip the switch. What a waste!

Ended up watching on normal satellite, but was unimpressed and turned it off before halftime.

Originally posted by Damon Hill
What happened with WPTY 24-1 last night with MNF!?! :mad:

I was looking forward to seeing the game in HD and seems like they forgot to flip the switch. What a waste!


See my post earlier. They haven't been broadcasting HD since Friday night when it was all green and blocky. I'm guessing there is some kind of equipment issue. I starting watching the first couple of minutes but the audio was way ahead of the video, so I watched Tivo stuff.

I just hope they have it fixed by Wed night for Lost. And I hope they upgrade to 5.1 while they are fixing this issue. Doubt it.

Yes, that would be awesome. I got jealous hearing everyone else rave about how great the 5.1 was on Lost. We got the great picture, but the sound was... just ok.

E-95,

No I am not getting WHBQ - I keep wiating to see whether I get them OTA or the FOXHD feed over DirecTV first. Since I'm not a football fan they have until mid February (the 500) to get it going! Surely by then......

While I have always been able to pick up WMC (since I set up my ant), it hasn't been until recently that WMC's siganl strength has been closer to the others (it is still somewhat below - 85 as opposed to 95.) I am not familiar with Winegard's products so I can't help you there - just confirming that the two you are having trouble with are consistent with everyone else - as you had already picked up on I'm sure!

I just found this portion of the forum as well. Glad to know I am not the only HDTV nut in this area. I have HDTIVO. Is anyone getting a PBS HD feed. I have the channel locked in but I do not get a picture. If you are getting it, what channel is it on?

Originally posted by rcoxjd1
Glad to know I am not the only HDTV nut in this area. I have HDTIVO. Is anyone getting a PBS HD feed. I have the channel locked in but I do not get a picture. If you are getting it, what channel is it on?

For some reason that is not showing on the HDTivo. But if you test the signal strength you will get a signal. But I think the reason it wont show up on the EPG because that isn't sent out by the station. Although I was told they do send out EPG.

Welcome

rcoxjd1,
I have an HDTIVO also and I am getting PBS HD at 10-3 OTA.

HDTIVO in MidTown receiving WKNO digital feed on 10-1 and HD on 10-3. The HD has been rock solid since setting up the TIVO. I had breakups (pixelation) on my Tosh DST3000.

No program guide data on either station.

Just to let you guys know, I live in Marion, AR and I just got the Zenith Silver Sensor today and am VERY happy. I was wanting to get PAX for the Griz games (HA! In case you haven't heard their games won't be shown in Memphis, not even Time Warner at the moment, they have their own regional sports channel on Comcast!!) well I got PAX to the tune of 80% and WMC is solid now. Keep in mind I couldn't even get PAX with a small amplified antenna. Anyway I get everything broadcast out of Memphis now at a strong signal except WPTY and they are having issues. I would highly reccomend the Silver Sensor.

Originally posted by tigerpaul2000
I was wanting to get PAX for the Griz games (HA! In case you haven't heard their games won't be shown in Memphis, not even Time Warner at the moment, they have their own regional sports channel on Comcast!!)

You have got to be kidding me!!! I was making sure I got PAX for the games also. Comcast doesn't even have service here do they?

About the HDTivo, yall were right. I can only get 10-1, but to get 10-3 I have to go to the digital designation of 29-2 to view it. The same with PAX sub's and 3-2. I still watch most of my programming on the E86, then switch over for Tivo. Now I just have to figure out how to get them to show up in the EPG.

That's right at the moment games will not be shown locally, except a few. But negotations are ongoing with TW. But even if they get it no games for Satellite viewers.

Now THAT really bites. I was excited that my Silver Sensor picks up PAX well, and I'd get to watch some games this season.

Its true. The Grizzlies started their own channel, called the GRSN, Grizzlies Regional Sports Network. Only problem is it is not currently being offered in Memphis or surrounding areas. There are talks with TW, DirecTV & Dish, but those are looking bleak right now. My suggestion, contact both the Grizzlies and your tv provider thru their websites and tell them you want the channel. If not you will see a very limited amount of games on tv this season.



You can read more about it here: http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/

So I've been hearing all this good stuff concerning Lost. It doesn't appear to be showing in HD? Am I missing something?

E-95

Originally posted by E-95
So I've been hearing all this good stuff concerning Lost. It doesn't appear to be showing in HD? Am I missing something?

E-95

I posted this yesterday. They haven't been broadcasting HD since Friday night when it was all green and blocky.

Originally posted by mx6bfast
I posted this yesterday. They haven't been broadcasting HD since Friday night when it was all green and blocky.

Sorry, head cold is getting the better of me. I got my stations mixed up!

E-95

Hey E-95,

The problems you are having with WMC is probably the long cable run. I live in Olive Branch and I'm right at 23 miles away. When I had my antenna at about 100' cable run I was getting pixelation on WMC. All the other channels were good. I moved the antenna and now have a 30' cable run. That solved my problem. You could try a power amplifier and see if that helps. I tried one on mine and it cleared up WMC but it overpowered the other stations' signals.

Mark

I was told this from someone who works at WPTY:

I just got word from our chief engineer that we received no HD feed from the network for some reason but that it is fixed today. Beyond that, it's a network issue.

Hopefully we will see HD tonight

Originally posted by MarkDu
Hey E-95,

The problems you are having with WMC is probably the long cable run. I live in Olive Branch and I'm right at 23 miles away. When I had my antenna at about 100' cable run I was getting pixelation on WMC. All the other channels were good. I moved the antenna and now have a 30' cable run. That solved my problem. You could try a power amplifier and see if that helps. I tried one on mine and it cleared up WMC but it overpowered the other stations' signals.

Mark

Well, I had the installers back out yesterday and they said the couldn't make any significant change to my cable run due to electrical code. As a result, I'll run new cable myself shortly. Hopefully that will make the difference.

I am curious what type of antenna you have though.

E-95

I have the Channel Master 4221 (aka 3021). I had it in the attic when it was on the 100' run. I now have it in our spare room upstairs which is only a 30' run. If I put it outside on the roof it would be about a 120' run. I would have to put it on that end of the house so I could connect it to the house ground.

Mark

Thanks for the info Mark. I was actually looking at the 4228 of 4221 because of fawkes' post. That makes me a little more confident in selecting the 4221 and placing it in my attic.

E-95

Hey! There's a glimmer of hope for HD on WLMT! During "Enterprise" tonight, they flipped over to the HD feed a half dozen times (just for a few seconds each), and it looked fantastic. They even got the sound to synch during one of the brief interludes.

Here's hoping that they can get the HD feeds up for the few UPN shows in HD. Then we can start complaining about the WB programming (which admittedly will be harder for them, since they tape delay it and don't have live feeds to work with except on Sunday, but maybe we could get "Jack & Bobby" in HD).

A few minutes into the UGA/UT game and there is a little improvement, but not much. I'm going to email the guy again. Everyone please go to the WREG website and use the contact us link and send the email to Ron Walters. That is unless you are happy with the pixelation and blocking when the play is happening. He said that he wants to hear what we all think. So everyone please do this. If not we will be forced to watch this stuff they are sending us all the time.

I'll have to check UPN tommorrow, hopefully they will be "testing" again.

btw...my contact has sent word to the head engineer at ABC that we still aren't getting HD feeds.

For anyone who didn't notice: FOX H/D on D* Oct. 12 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=456185)

E-95

Originally posted by E-95
For anyone who didn't notice: FOX H/D on D* Oct. 12 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=456185)


Awesome.

The race looks really good in widescreen. Thanks for the info Dirk.

Gotta love WMC. They kept forgetting to splice the HD feed, so my brother called them.
WMC: Action News 5.
Bro: Yes, Hi, I was calling about the HD feed.
WMC: Yes?
Bro: Um, could you turn it back on, please?
WMC: I'll let master control know.

Literally 10 seconds later, it was back. That was just COOL to watch. :)
Anyway. it was a good night for HD overall, no major screwups except WMC.

wiggo got me wondering so I used the programming email on the UPN website asking when they will go HD.

"We should begin broadcasting in HD in a few weeks."

Nice. Now if they can just get some kind of equipment that broadcast the late night WB feeds in HD.

Has anyone else noticed that the WKNO-HD EPG is showing up on WKNO-DT?

fyi....even though FOX HD isn't on D* as of this minute, I went ahead and called D* about getting the waiver since we are in an O&O area. The guy said he would send out the waiver for me. OK. Anyways, I just checked my account and it is showing the FOX HD channel.

So if you don't have that under your services I'd go ahead and give them a call.

We have to go through the waiver process? I thought we'd just automatically get it since we're in an O&O area.

Originally posted by Cheep
We have to go through the waiver process? I thought we'd just automatically get it since we're in an O&O area.

I wasn't sure and didn't feel like spending 20 minutes on the phone with the rep in the morning so I went ahead and called. Our process should be:
1) They are in an O&O
2) They get it

I just didn't say anything when he mentioned sending the waiver. HE also told me FOX HD wasn't going to be on D*, so I shut my mouth.

I made the mistake of calling the D* customer support and after a frustrating 10 mins talking with an embarrassingly mis-informed/ uneducated 1st tier rep, was transferred to their "HD" shop. That rep was terrific. She confirmed the Memphis station is O&O and that a waiver was not required for HD (east). She did not know when Fox HD national would be available but assured me the channel would automatically show up on the (TIVO) program guide. I've got my fingers crossed.
By the way, the first rep was adamant that Memphis viewers WERE eligible for NBC/ CBS national but NOT for Fox. He was a real pain in the a** and would not transfer me to 2nd tier until I threatened to drop all service - - what an organization !!! Here's hoping we see Fox HD by the weekend in Memphis !!!!

I called customer retention (800 600-8977), and the first rep I talked was clueless. So I asked for the HD department, and she quickly added FOX-HD to my account. It is now on my online account.

Jerry

When does Fox go live on D*??

Can we get a list of the networks out of Memphis phone numbers to call and let them know when they have HD problems??

I usually do most of my watching one the weekends or at night, and emails just do not help at that time of day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BTW..........I have seen some posts about some ABC's lack of 5.1. I checked into this and WPTY has no 5.1, but (drumroll please!!) KAIT does!!.

So if you can move your antenna, and are high enough to get KAIT, you can go there for you 5.1 fix. I watched some of the football game last night on both channels, the 5.1 was pretty good with all the background noise from the crowd etc.

And on a side note, this dosent really add up to me, KAIT is running 2 subchannels..........8-2 which is a stretched SD version of the main channel, and 8-3 which is that ABC 24hour news network. Now here is the kicker, the PQ on the football game on KAIT was at least as good if not better to my eyes than WPTY. Go figure.

24.1 dropping out while watching on my Panny tonight
Was wondering if anyone else was having this problem. All of my HD channels were working fine but 24.1. For some reason when that channel was on it would drop out for just a second and come back. I called a friend that lived a few miles down the road and his was not doing it. He has a Sony LCD but mine is the Panny ED 37 Plasma Did anyone else have this problem tonight. I was not having this problem the night before Watching Monday Night Football. Was wondering if the Plasma being on all day caused it because I was home watching or if it was a station or reception problem. My signal was up around 82% Thanks for any input. Wanting to make sure I don't have a set problem before my 30 days is up with CC on returns Thanks Guys for any help on this

This is not a problem with your tv.

What stb are you using? When you say drop out did you lose signal or did the screen freeze?

Ok, now that it looks like we won't be getting FOX HD on DTV, we may as well focus on getting it OTA. What's the deal? WHBQ broadcasts in HD... but apparently at ridiculously low levels. Can ANYONE get it OTA?

mx6bfast:

I have the same type of problem......my picture drops and says no signal when watching WMC Channel 52.2 !

I am using OTA built in tuner on my Sony GIV LCD. I am also using an indoor antenna. I live in East Memphis......

I was wondering before I go install an outside antenna if you think that is the problem......poor inside antenna reception ???

What ya think ??

Jerry

Sorry 52.1 !!

Originally posted by Cheep
Ok, now that it looks like we won't be getting FOX HD on DTV, we may as well focus on getting it OTA. What's the deal? WHBQ broadcasts in HD... but apparently at ridiculously low levels. Can ANYONE get it OTA?

I wonder if they will let us bring a power strip and set up in the parking lot so we can get it OTA. :D But they are still "working" on getting the tv stuff moved over to the other tower off 40. And this has been going on for over a year. Check your pm


dre..It might be an issue with the antenna you are using. I assume you are talking about 52.1, not unless there is a .2. Something just might be in the way. I can tell you that WMC was hard to pick up for some people, but they appear to be broadcasting much stronger now. I was using an antenna in my attic and was getting at best, 18 signal strength. Now I am averaging mid 70's and actually saw a 93 last night. <knock on wood> But I would try another antenna or 2 to see if you can pick up the station before having to put an antenna outside. 24, 30 and 5 all broadcast from the same tower if that helps your direction.

quote: What stb are you using? When you say drop out did you lose signal or did the screen freeze?

Well, I had my signal meter up when it was doing this and it stays on 82%

Little more detail on what it is doing. ONLY on 24.1 was it doing this all other HD stations working fine at the time. Here we go. Perfect picture your watching the program and the screen goes black for just a second and it picks back up with the program may go for a min or 2 then screen goes black, you can tell the sound drops just before the picture goes away. The picture only goes black for just a split second just enough to bug you. I just watched Monday night football the night before on this channel and it was fine and I currently have it on now and it is not doing it but I thought it was ODD that my buddies set was working fine as I talked to him on the phone on the same channel and mine wasn't.He has a different HD TV so I'm not sure if that has something to do with it or not but I'm worried that I have a problem with the Plasma. It is the Panny ED 37" that CC is currently selling, just got it last week. I'm using the built in tuner. I have a 75 mile vhf/uhf antenna in the attic. Hope this help with some info. For Directv I'm using a RCA STB but it is hooked up though S-video right now. I haven't gone HD on Sat. Right now I'm just using the built-in on the Panny

At 82 you should have a solid picture with no breakups. Since this is a built in tuner then it could be the set. I'm not familiar with built-ins enough to know. When is does this is the picture breaking up or going straight to black? Are you noticing any stuttering? Is your friends a built in tuner?

Yes my friend was also a built in tuner. However he also stated that he has had a problem with this station in the past. Just not at the same time I was last night. Funny it is not doing it today at all I've had it on this station all morning and is working fine at the moment, also worked fine Monday night. Only thing that gets me is it worked fine on all the other HD channels when it was acting up on 24.1 I'm new to this but looking for some good feed back as to why ABC might be doing this on my set last night. Picture went from perfect to back then back perfect. I guess the tuner could be bad on that one station but why would it be working fine today when they came back on the air? Friend of mine said they have been switching transponders and it could be something that the TV was looking between them..Not sure about that. Thanks for any input on this

Since you are picking up 24.1 OTA there are no transponders involved. Those have to do with D*. Unless someone else speaks up about any problems last night it is looking to be the tuner in the tv. That's just a guess, don't hold me to it. I'd watch it for a few more days. If it keeps acting up I'd have CC swap it out. Is your tv 1080i or 720p? What about your buddies tv?

Outside the box, is there a chance that this could be related to the issue affecting HDTivo's. The only reason I ask is because its intermittant, and he loses picture and sound for a second. Sounds like the same symptoms to me. I have also noticed that watching 24.1 on my E86 the same thing will happen that's happening to our Tivo's. Except my screen will catch up, not freeze completly. I'm almost starting to think that its something that either ABC or WPTY is sending out. Or maybe some incompatibility issues.

Yea, I'm going to check over the next week and see what it does. If 24.1 or any other channels act up again I will give my buddy a call and see if his is doing the same OTA if it is then most likely it is the station if it is not I will try a inside anntena I have to see it that makes a dff. Could be something to do with the one in the attic. Will try everything before I go to the trouble of taking back the Plasma. I would hate to take back something that may not be the problem. Thanks for your input if you run across anything please post I will do the same

Bummer it is still doing it. I tryed a inside antenna and it didn't get any better. I see how things pan out by the weekend but looks like I maybe making a trip back to CC. That is not what I wanted to do! Don't understand all the other channels are working fine but 24.1. For some reason it starts up when the night programming comes on in widescreen but again only on that channel

As mentioned before, there's something funky about channel 24's signal that causes some tuners (the HD Tivo, and unfortunately apparently yours) to freak out. It looks just fine on my Samsung 360, but the "signal strength" meter jumps around constantly like crazy, from 65 to 0 to 30 several times per minute, so there's clearly something weird in their signal.

Yea, I tempted to take a antenna to Circuit City and hook it up to there Display model and see if it does the same thing I think they will work with me on this if I tell them if I can't figure out for sure if it is the channel or the tuner I'm bring it back for a replacement. Sounds like it is the Channel but I would love to know for sure. To bad no one at the forum that lives in the Memphis area has seen this that has a Plasma model like mine. However the more I read here the more it seems like it is a Broadcast problem and not the TV but Still won't be happy until I know for sure...LOL

Was this happening when you were watching Lost?

Yes, Matter of fact that is when it started. Worked fine all day, I was home sick and watched 24.1 most of the day and it was perfect. 7:00pm rolls around and it starts acting up. I'm leaning toward some thing in the transmission. All the other station are working fine. I checked and if it is 720i or 1080i in 4:3 or wide they come in and work fine on all the other stations. I tried the inside antenna and I can count the attic antenna out as a source of the problem. I got my signal from 82% up to 89% but did not affect 24.1 still drops out for just a second and goes black. I would say blinking out would be a better term for what it is doing.

I'm really thinking its the reciever in your tv. The other people having this type of problem are all getting it from ABC.

When I asked about your tv, does it output 1080i or 720p? If you are unsure if you can post a link to your type of tv we can take a look there.

Is anyone else having lip synch issues with WMC-DT??

I mainly notice it on the HD broadcast, seems to go away when cut to commercials. Seems to me the audio is behind the video.

I am using an E86 and 3803 Denon.

Thanks for the input guys.

Quote: I'm really thinking its the receiver in your tv. The other people having this type of problem are all getting it from ABC.


I'm at a loss to your comment, 24.1 is ABC. That is the station I'm having a problem with. As far as input, My TV will receive 720i and 1080i I've watched the other channels and check what they are broadcasting in and there is no link to the problem that I'm having when it comes to res. Thanks for your feed back I'm still looking into some things on my end I'm contacting ABC 24 to see what they say and the Panasonic rep here in town. CC told me next time my TV is doing this to come in and they will hook up a OAT antenna and see if the display is doing this as well. Will keep you guys posted as to what I find out. again thanks

Originally posted by TNHD
Quote: I'm really thinking its the receiver in your tv. The other people having this type of problem are all getting it from ABC.

I'm at a loss to your comment, 24.1 is ABC. That is the station I'm having a problem with.

Correct. WPTY (24) is the local ABC affiliate. What I said was people who are experiencing this problem are all having it from ABC. So since WPTY is the local ABC affialite, WPTY is the channel here that is designated as ABC. WPTY-DT (24.1 or 25.1) is the local ABC digital station that can output HD programs.

As far as input, My TV will receive 720i and 1080i I've watched the other channels and check what they are broadcasting in and there is no link to the problem that I'm having when it comes to res. Thanks for your feed back I'm still looking into some things on my end I'm contacting ABC 24 to see what they say and the Panasonic rep here in town.

Your tv, http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Panasonic-37--Plasma-EDTV--TH-37PD25U-/sem/rpsm/oid/98675/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do , is "actually" not a HD tv. Its Enhaced Definition. So you are not actually viewing what is called HD signals. Your TV will only display a resolution of 852x480, which we would call 480p. Whereas other tv's, other plasma or LCD usually display 1280x768, called 720p, or bigger RPTV's display 1920x1080, 1080i. I'm not trying to say anything bad about your tv, just trying to give you the facts. I have read that people with EDTV's say the picture looks just as good as a regular HDTV. I have never seen one so I can't comment.

CC told me next time my TV is doing this to come in and they will hook up a OAT antenna and see if the display is doing this as well. Will keep you guys posted as to what I find out. again thanks

I would go ahead and have them setup their tv so then you can call them and have them check the same time you are having the problem. Because if its intermittant it might not happen if you take the tv back and have them test it.

While I appreciate your help. I'm fully aware of what type Plasma I have. If you haven't seen the picture on one of the EDs by Panny you should check it out sometime if your ever in the market for a Plasma in the 42" or less size. I understand what you are saying but I never said the tv displayed 720i or 1080i just that it will receive a signal at that res and run it and is doing so on the other HD stations. As in I can pull up 3.1 and hit the info button on the Panny and it display channel and color settings and the broadcast is in 720i or it may show 1080i as to how it is coming in from that station. I understand the ED is limited to the res it can display it as, So I dismissed this as why 24.1 is not working I don't think it has anything to do with what res the station is pumping out since I receive the other stations at 720i or 1080i broadcast res, I hope that makes since.

This ED vs HD is another debate all together and another forum section. This being a ED Plasma with a HD tuner has nothing to do with why ALL the other HD channels LOOK and PLAY perfect and 24.1 doesn't. That is the info I'm hoping to get answers on. Back to my problem,

Sorry if I misunderstood Your comment, which was "It must be your tuner because everyone else is having problems with ABC". Since I'm in the Memphis area and the ONLY way to get ABC OAT is on 24.1 or 25 I thought you might have got your stations numbers confused. Sorry if I'm misunderstanding something.

I have talked with a buddy of mine with a HD Sony since my last post and he also has had problems with ABC (24.1) on his and he told me that his Signal meter was going up and down alot but was holding his picture without dropping out the night my was. I also talked with Panasonic repair center for the Memphis area, Turns out I've know this guy for 20 years since Collage days. He recommended getting a HD antenna. I told him I was using a UHF/VHF that I've had for 3years He said that the HD versions are cut different and that could be the problem. I figured I might buy a cheap desktop HD version to try it and then buy one to fit in the attic if that is the problem. will keep you guys posted if that is the case. Again thanks for you help in trying to come up with a reason for the problem

He recommended getting a HD antenna Remember, there is no such thing as an HD antenna. There are antennas that pick up channels that happen to carry a digital signal.

I've been waiting to grab post #1000 in this thread! :D

-Robert