FYI, I was out of town Sunday and didn't have a chance to watch the olympics in HD. However, I did watch some of it on regular TV in the hotel. The PQ for the snowboarding was awful, with rainbow effects, but the other events seemed OK. And the sound seemed badly mixed, with the background often drowning out the announcers. Again, this is just a regular old TV, but perhaps NBC is having general problems with their signal from Italy.

I'm watching the Olympics luge from 4PM today and the sound is about a zillion times better. There's perfect sound coming out of the center and the surrounds are finally giving surround sound.

Yes, MUCH better alright. Sounds like they got back to work yesterday and dialed in their setup. I wonder if they will have audio switching capability and just haven't set it up yet or not. I hope they do.


ron

I am now able to get OPB quite well. However, I seem to be having trouble with FOX, UPN, and the WB. I am wondering if something has changed with OPB and/or FOX, UPN, WB or if my cat just went into the attic and starting swatting the antenna around.

Watched 24 last night on 12-1 with no problems.


ron

KGW is giving the main channel 14.8 Mbps (including audio) at the moment. Weather+ is getting a healthy 3.9 Mbps..
Tonight the main channel was slightly better with 15.4 Mbps and Weather+ was down to just over 3 Mpbs. Lots of us are happy to finally hear some excellent 5.1 sound from KGW instead of whatever that stuff was we were hearing over the weekend.

Tonight the main channel was slightly better with 15.4 Mbps and Weather+ was down to just over 3 Mpbs.
I haven't hacked any of my DirecTV TiVos, so I can't be certain of how many Mbps they record for locals. But I'd be willing to bet that most SD locals are well under 3 Mbps. So be thankful that KGW is giving you such high quality useless weather information rather than forcing you to get that information from the virus infested Internet. :)

Yeah I'd agree with that Phantom...I can't imagine Weather Plus having anything near 3 Mpbs, it looks crappy on my HD-TiVo as well as my parents Comcast HD box.


UniversalHD is looking pretty damn good though on the dish, USA Hockey is on today at noon.

Weather Plus really is getting 3 Mbps. The sad thing is that quality SD needs more than that so they effectively ruin both channels.

Say, did KGW pull the plug on our 5.1 today? I'm only getting 2.0.

I saw 2.0 as well from KGW on tonight's broadcast. I've been pretty disappointed with the at times shaky audio and picture during the Olympics.

Is it just me? It seems that KGW hum seems louder. I notice it mostly on the Weather at Noon, but it seems to always be there!

Yeah, there's something going on there alright. No 5.1 now and it's been replaced with a humming 2.0 :(.


ron

The good news is that we had 5.1 back for the Olympics. The bad news is that it sounded a whole lot like 5.1 speakers of mono.

I'm curious to know who might have tried an H-20-600 for OTA. This is supposed to have the latest and substantially better multipath rejecting LG tuner in it. I wonder if it can help with the "bus", "airplane", "leaves", "mountain", "large buildings", and "other" multipath sources. It can be used for OTA only for 2bills from bb or OTA and "D" with rebate for 0bills.

I'm getting a Panasonic plasma soon and I'd like to know what my options are for getting local channels in HD.

I currently have a DirecTiVo (non-HD) receiver and it looks like I'd have to pay $600 to buy an HD-DVR with TiVo ($400 after rebate, but with a 2 year commitment). DirecTV says they don't broadcast local channels here in Portland, but someone said I could hook up an antenna...but that would probably be a costly custom install.

Reading Comcast's website, it looks like they offer local channels in HD and no huge install fee and no $400 charge for a new HD-receiver. In fact, I've heard I could get a good discount by "dumping my dish" and switching to Comcast. The only issue is I'd have to use Comcast's DVR with no TiVo (at least for a while). Is it true that Comcast offers HD (including local channels) for so much cheaper than DirecTV?

What other options are there for getting local HD broadcasts?

I am interested in anyone's experiences with UHF or VHF/UHF antennas in Keizer. I get all the local Portland digital stations via cable for HD but no CBSHD. I have given up on Comcast and KOIN completing any agreement anytime soon :mad: and decided to install a rooftop antenna. Would like to get it done prior to the NCAA BB tournament in March and Masters Golf in April. Would like to know the type of antenna you are using, where it was purchased and whether you installed it yourself or had it done. Thanks.

I'm getting a Panasonic plasma soon and I'd like to know what my options are for getting local channels in HD.

I currently have a DirecTiVo (non-HD) receiver and it looks like I'd have to pay $600 to buy an HD-DVR with TiVo ($400 after rebate, but with a 2 year commitment). DirecTV says they don't broadcast local channels here in Portland, but someone said I could hook up an antenna...but that would probably be a costly custom install.

Reading Comcast's website, it looks like they offer local channels in HD and no huge install fee and no $400 charge for a new HD-receiver. In fact, I've heard I could get a good discount by "dumping my dish" and switching to Comcast. The only issue is I'd have to use Comcast's DVR with no TiVo (at least for a while). Is it true that Comcast offers HD (including local channels) for so much cheaper than DirecTV?

What other options are there for getting local HD broadcasts?


If you want to watch KOIN, you have to get an antenna...Comcast doesn't offer it (will suck during the NCAA's)

If you want to watch KOIN, you have to get an antenna...Comcast doesn't offer it (will suck during the NCAA's)

Where does this antenna go and how hard is it to get installed (for someone who has no idea how to install something like that). Might not be worth it...nothing else is on CBS other than occassional sports.

Where does this antenna go and how hard is it to get installed (for someone who has no idea how to install something like that).
Depending on your location, the antenna could sit on your TV set or in your attic or outside.

Might not be worth it...nothing else is on CBS other than occassional sports.
And some of the popular shows on television (CSI, Without a Trace, Survivor, NCIS, Two and a Half Men, etc.). "Occasional sports" includes weekly college basketball games, the Final Four and outstanding SEC and NFL football games.

And some of the popular shows on television (CSI, Without a Trace, Survivor, NCIS, Two and a Half Men, etc.). "Occasional sports" includes weekly college basketball games, the Final Four and outstanding SEC and NFL football games.

I spoke too soon. I forgot about Survivor, although I never got the CSI craze.

They have added a bunch of sd channels now on comcast as well, all the locals are on sd now as well as analog including 6, it's the only one thats not HD of course. I use a Radio shack remote A/B switch and a small UHF outdoor antennae for the times I need channel 6 or when cables down. I get all these channels on extended basic without paying extra for anything. I also get some of the on demand stuff with my LG 4200 I got last summer before they went away. As long as you have full QAM support with the rest you should get anything that's on the system in the clear, even better if you have cable card support which most newer top range sets are getting.

Yeah Comcast has the SD local channels, but that's not why we're all here on these forums. :)

In fact, I've heard I could get a good discount by "dumping my dish" and switching to Comcast. The only issue is I'd have to use Comcast's DVR with no TiVo (at least for a while). Is it true that Comcast offers HD (including local channels) for so much cheaper than DirecTV?
I think the "dump your dish" promotion is a great deal. Comcast also often offers other promotions, but not as good. And as long as Comcast and DirecTV are both playing the game, then you can move back and forth from one to the other as often as their rules allow.

But once you're out of the discounted "teaser" rate from Comcast, things get very expensive very quickly for any of Comcast's "Digital" tiers (which are the only tiers that have anywhere near as many channels as DirecTV). Comcast is counting on inertia from you for them to retain you as a customer.

I think this discussion is OK in the OTA forum while we're still including DirecTV. But Comcast-only discussion should probably move to the Comcast thread.

dnamertz

Be advised: The craze comes with the HD plasma. It also makes you watch other shows you never thought you would watch.

IF someone want to get the CBS OTA for the NCAA tournament it may be well worth the trouble. They have been simulcasting different games on 3 channels. So I would suggest getting on the antenna if that seems worth it.

BTW, anyone know what the plan is for KOIN and the NCAA tournament?

I think the "dump your dish" promotion is a great deal. Comcast also often offers other promotions, but not as good. And as long as Comcast and DirecTV are both playing the game, then you can move back and forth from one to the other as often as their rules allow.

But once you're out of the discounted "teaser" rate from Comcast, things get very expensive very quickly for any of Comcast's "Digital" tiers (which are the only tiers that have anywhere near as many channels as DirecTV). Comcast is counting on inertia from you for them to retain you as a customer.

I think this discussion is OK in the OTA forum while we're still including DirecTV. But Comcast-only discussion should probably move to the Comcast thread.


Dump your dish is a good deal for the money, but Comcast cuts ALL cabling and takes away the dish, which can be a PITA if you decide to switch back to DirecTV or Dish.

I couldn't do it, no matter how cheap Comcast became as I can't stand Comcast's DVR. So un-user friendly compared to the slow HD10-250 or a regular DirecTivo.

Dump your dish is a good deal for the money, but Comcast cuts ALL cabling and takes away the dish, which can be a PITA if you decide to switch back to DirecTV or Dish.

I couldn't do it, no matter how cheap Comcast became as I can't stand Comcast's DVR. So un-user friendly compared to the slow HD10-250 or a regular DirecTivo.They didn't cut my cabling or take the dish, all they wanted was the receiver (which wasn't a DVR). Although you're right, the Motorola DVR Comcast uses has so many bugs it should never have been released. I'll probably switch back to D* after my credit runs out, assuming D* gets HD locals by then, and also assuming they don't limit the resolution like they do on some of their existing HD channels.

... assuming D* gets HD locals by then, and also assuming they don't limit the resolution like they do on some of their existing HD channels.

Well, at least you're not asking too much out of them. :D

Well, at least you're not asking too much out of them. :DI suppose that is asking a lot, but ya know, they keep promising.... <g>

IF someone want to get the CBS OTA for the NCAA tournament it may be well worth the trouble. They have been simulcasting different games on 3 channels. So I would suggest getting on the antenna if that seems worth it.

BTW, anyone know what the plan is for KOIN and the NCAA tournament?

Usually KOIN waits till as late as possible to pick the available games to get a good mix. Lee Wood has been gracious enough to drop posts here with the matchups during madness


Cheers

They didn't cut my cabling or take the dish, all they wanted was the receiver (which wasn't a DVR). Although you're right, the Motorola DVR Comcast uses has so many bugs it should never have been released. I'll probably switch back to D* after my credit runs out, assuming D* gets HD locals by then, and also assuming they don't limit the resolution like they do on some of their existing HD channels.


Hmmm, interesting as I've heard they've been pretty vigilant in taking the dish, a receiver, and cabling so that you can't just hook right back up to the dish. I've got some old regular non-DVR receivers in storage for just in case, but imagine by the time I think about changing, I'd be with FIOS.

My friend is on his 3rd DVR from COmcast and it just broke! What kind of DVR has Verizon been using with it FiOS?

I posted the following in a different thread, but someone said the answer varies by region so since I live in Portland I'm posting it here:

I trying to decide whether to switch from DirecTV to Comcast so I can start getting HD on my new Panasonic TH-50PX50U Plasma (which should arrive soon). However, one thing I keep hearing is that the picture quality of the HD channels on DirecTV is worse than on Comcast. How worse?

I assmue even DirecTV's lower quality will still look great compared to my current non-HD CRT TV...right?

So I can compare Comcast's HD quality vs. DirecTV's HD quality vs. Standard Defintion channels, can I get people to rate all three on a scale of 1 to 10? This will give me an idea how they stack up. You can even throw DVD quality into that scale as well. In fact, how does DirecTV's HD quality compare to DVDs?

I've never had Comcast so I can't comment on that but I've had D* for over 10 years and their HD for more than 4. Of course I've also had OTA HD (which is what this thread is about) for the same 4 years. The D* quality has gone down hill as they added HD channels and began stacking them up on the transponders and lowered bit rate and added filtering to allow them to fit. In the beginning their HD was every bit as good as top level OTA but now is a step below. Of course with the multicasting some of the locals do now their picture quality has also taken a hit in the form of compression artifacts. Either way, it's still a significant margin better than SD, but could be so much better if the providers cared enough to put a priority on producing a top quality product. Sadly, the bean counters control things and a large portion of the viewing audience have very low standards so there's not enough incentive for them to do otherwise :(.


ron

I've used OTA, DirectTV, and Comcast. OTA is certainly best, even when the stations use subchannels. Comcast is next in quality. DirectTV is hit and miss. Some channels (usually premium or DiscoveryHD Theater) are really impressive. Most though, are reduced resolution (to conserve their bandwidth) and not really HDTV. Check out http://www.stophdlite.com for some info on that. Still better than SD, but not true HD quality.

IMO (and opinions DO vary widely), Comcast's SD channels are better than D* as well. D* uses a lot of compression, but many people get very poor reception of the analog channels on Comcast.

DVD's are only standard definition; the best SD it's true, but they can't be compared to HDTV.

I agree with the past couple of posts.

I have DirecTV and some OTA. When it works well the OTA is great, because of hills trees etc. the directv is not nearly as good but consistent and easy to use compared to OTA. As several have shared most of the industry is about number of channels not quality, unfortunate but true.

nater

IMO (and opinions DO vary widely), Comcast's SD channels are better than D* as well. D* uses a lot of compression, but many people get very poor reception of the analog channels on Comcast.
My father just got Dish, and I was over at his place this weekend and I couldn't believe how bad the compression was on some channels (all SD). On the locals the logo watermark would actually morph with the movement on screen. :eek:

IMO (and opinions DO vary widely), Comcast's SD channels are better than D* as well. D* uses a lot of compression, but many people get very poor reception of the analog channels on Comcast.
Comcast has started to do digital simulcast of the analog local channels. So if you have a cable box or a QAM tuner you will get very good "analog" reception. I don't think the rollout is complete yet. Tualatin just went active in the last week or so.

Comcast has started to do digital simulcast of the analog local channels. So if you have a cable box or a QAM tuner you will get very good "analog" reception. I don't think the rollout is complete yet. Tualatin just went active in the last week or so.Haven't seen it yet in Tigard. But I'm one of the lucky ones who gets near perfect analog reception from Comcast, so it doesn't matter too much to me. <g>

I've used OTA, DirectTV, and Comcast. OTA is certainly best, even when the stations use subchannels.

Being new to this I still need some clarification on some terminology. I assume "OTA" meas Over The Air. But does OTA refer to HD signals received via an antenna? If so, does this mean that since DirecTV does not broadcast locals in Portland, that if I use an antenna I will be getting the local channels "OTA"? Since much of the HD content I would watch is on the networks, this would be good for me if I went the DirecTV route and got an antenna, right?

Being new to this I still need some clarification on some terminology. I assume "OTA" meas Over The Air. But does OTA refer to HD signals received via an antenna? If so, does this mean that since DirecTV does not broadcast locals in Portland, that if I use an antenna I will be getting the local channels "OTA"? Since much of the HD content I would watch is on the networks, this would be good for me if I went the DirecTV route and got an antenna, right?Yes, OTA is Over The Air. Any signal received over the air, analog, digital, SD or HD. DirecTV does not carry locals in HD in Portland yet, although they may by next year. So yes, you need an antenna to receive the locals in HD. All the D* HD-capable receivers include an ATSC OTA tuner for receiving HD OTA with an antenna, and it's a good option if you are in a spot where you get good OTA reception now. KOIN HD programming is only available OTA currently, since their former parent company had a long standing feud going on with Comcast.

Yes, OTA is Over The Air. Any signal received over the air, analog, digital, SD or HD. DirecTV does not carry locals in HD in Portland yet, although they may by next year. So yes, you need an antenna to receive the locals in HD. All the D* HD-capable receivers include an ATSC OTA tuner for receiving HD OTA with an antenna, and it's a good option if you are in a spot where you get good OTA reception now. KOIN HD programming is only available OTA currently, since their former parent company had a long standing feud going on with Comcast.

I have a question about the local channels I would receive using an antenna along with DirecTV's HD-receiver (with ATSC OTA tuner). Would those channels (KOIN, KGW, KATU, FOX12) be in what everyone is saying is the superior OTA quality HD?

Also, how do I know if I'm in a "spot where you get good OTA reception"?

I have a question about the local channels I would receive using an antenna along with DirecTV's HD-receiver (with ATSC OTA tuner). Would those channels (KOIN, KGW, KATU, FOX12) be in what everyone is saying is the superior OTA quality HD?
Here in Portland we are fortunate enough to get all the broadcast networks in HD. KATU(ABC), KOIN(CBS), KGW(NBC), KOPB(PBS), KPTV(FOX), KWBP(WB), and KPDX(UPN). Also, KATU, KOIN, KGW, KPTV, and KWBP broadcast in DD5.1, though KWBP had some trouble several months and haven't got the DD5.1 working again yet. PAX and TBN are digital, but no HD.

Also, how do I know if I'm in a "spot where you get good OTA reception"?
You could try going to antennaweb.org and putting in your address and see what it has to say, or, You could give us a better idea of where you live and someone from that area may be able to answer you, or, you could try hooking rabbit ears up to your current TV and see if it pulls a signal. Even if it's snowy or doesn't get all the channels, you have a good chance an attic or roof antenna would work for you.

The first post in this thread gives the location of the transmitters and other good information about our local broadcast stations.

You could try going to antennaweb.org and putting in your address and see what it has to say, or, You could give us a better idea of where you live and someone from that area may be able to answer you,

I went to antennaweb.org and I'm not sure what the results mean. First of all, I didn't know whether to answer "yes" or "no" to the question on the first page because there are a few tall trees near my home, but not many, and there is one building thats four of five stories within two blocks...the local Fred Meyer offices. I answered yes to be safe and it listed a bunch of red-uhf and red-vhf for each of the major networks. Ansering "no" gives me mostly yellow-uhf and yellow-vhf results, again covering all the networks.

For anyone familiar with the area, I live off of SE 26th avenue between Powell and Holgate.

For anyone familiar with the area, I live off of SE 26th avenue between Powell and Holgate.

You'll be just fine. :)
There's a very good chance that an indoor antenna like the Silver Sensor will be all you need. I'm not far from you at all and it's what I've been using for the past two years.
The towers are almost due west at about 5 miles from you.

Earl

edited to add.......In my case, even just using the indoor antenna, I had too much signal. That was easily solved with a $10 variable attenuator from Radio Shack.

Also, KATU, KOIN, KGW, KPTV, and KWBP broadcast in DD5.1, though KWBP had some trouble several months and haven't got the DD5.1 working again yet. You're being far to generous with KGW Earl. That sound coming from their feed is lame. I think we may have gotten about 4 days of 5.1 from them before it deteriorated again. On top of the bizarre "surround sound" they're pumping out, their sync has now been out of whack for the last couple days too :(. If they can't get it straightened out I really wish they'd just turn it off and give us normal stereo so we can let our audio systems do their pro logic magic on it instead.


ron

YES! Even the Olympics sound hollow. I also still hear hum often when the news at noon goes to the weather! I, too, noticed a lip sync issue as well.

You're being far to generous with KGW Earl. That sound coming from their feed is lame. I think we may have gotten about 4 days of 5.1 from them before it deteriorated again. On top of the bizarre "surround sound" they're pumping out, their sync has now been out of whack for the last couple days too :(. If they can't get it straightened out I really wish they'd just turn it off and give us normal stereo so we can let our audio systems do their pro logic magic on it instead.


ron

The only mode that gives me reasonable sound out of KGW's 5.1 mess is "Dolby EX". I don't even know what that is but at least it gives me a center channel and some vague stereo.

heh!! Maybe I just should have said, KGW lights up the 5.1 indicator on my receiver. :)

Ever the optimist, I'm hoping next week when regular programming returns, things will get better.

DirecTV just issued its list of the next 24 cities to get HD local programming in March/April. This will make 36 cities total. Portland is the number 23 market yet is not on the list. This pi**es me off! So for those of us with DirecTV we will be using OTA for a while.

[QUOTE=earletp]You'll be just fine. :)
There's a very good chance that an indoor antenna like the Silver Sensor will be all you need. I'm not far from you at all and it's what I've been using for the past two years.
The towers are almost due west at about 5 miles from you.

Earl
QUOTE]

Thanks, I'll try that when I get new TV ready. I have another question (I'm learning). Can I receive the local networks in HD by just using one of these antennas without having a HD-receiver or CableCard from DirecTV or Comcast? In the time between getting my new TV set up and deciding whether to turn to D*TV or Comcast, can I use get these OTA HD signals with an antenna only?

Also, does DirecTV or Comcast supply these antennas or will I have to get it elsewhere?

I have another question (I'm learning). Can I receive the local networks in HD by just using one of these antennas without having a HD-receiver or CableCard from DirecTV or Comcast? In the time between getting my new TV set up and deciding whether to turn to D*TV or Comcast, can I use get these OTA HD signals with an antenna only?

Also, does DirecTV or Comcast supply these antennas or will I have to get it elsewhere?Yes, your TH-50PX50U has a built in ATSC (digital-OTA) tuner. All you need to do is buy and hook up the antenna.


ron

If your TV has a built-in ATSC tuner then all you'd need is an antenna. If it doesn't then you'll need one, whether you use the one in the DirectTV receiver or buy a stand alone unit.

Comcast has no option for OTA reception, all you can get from the is what they carry on their system. Which means no CBS-HD or UPN-HD.

Someone that has DirectTV will be more knowledgeable, but from what I've read, my understanding is that part of the install fee you pay includes some form of antenna as well as the dish.

(phone rang) too slow posting.... :D

DirecTV has an atenna that fits over the dish but I was told by multiple sources that they didn't work very well - So I didn't get one. My indoor directional antenna works quite well. If you get a DirecTV HD Tivo you can hook the antenna up to the Tivo box and it incorporates the OTA channels into the guide and Tivo features.

DirecTV has an atenna that fits over the dish but I was told by multiple sources that they didn't work very well - So I didn't get one. My indoor directional antenna works quite well. If you get a DirecTV HD Tivo you can hook the antenna up to the Tivo box and it incorporates the OTA channels into the guide and Tivo features.

I don't yet have an HD-TiVo because I can't make up my mind between DirecTV or Comcast, but until I do I'll get an antenna so I can watch the local networks in HD. Out of all the shows that broadcast in HD, probably 75% of the ones I watch are on ABC, NBC, CBS, or FOX anyway...unfortunatly I can't record them in HD until I get an HD-DVR Reciever.

Comcast has no option for OTA reception, all you can get from the is what they carry on their system. Which means no CBS-HD or UPN-HD.




A little blurb in the business section of the O this morning said KOIN HD will be lit up on Comcast sometime next week. An agreement has been reached.

That's great news! Now at least I know I have a viable alternative if D* does not end the down rezzing after their new sats are launched.


ron

That is good news!!
Now we'll only have to hear how terrible KOIN and Lee are when Comcast doesn't show all the extra March Madness games we get OTA. :D

From the Comcast thread, someone called and they said it will be tried by employees first, but we should see it on 706 in a few weeks.

A little blurb in the business section of the O this morning said KOIN HD will be lit up on Comcast sometime next week. An agreement has been reached.

That is good news!!
Now we'll only have to hear how terrible KOIN and Lee are when Comcast doesn't show all the extra March Madness games we get OTA. :D

What does that mean? Not having any type of HD connections yet, I'm not sure how it works...do you get different programming content OTA than you get on the Comcast (or satelite) channels?

What does that mean? Not having any type of HD connections yet, I'm not sure how it works...do you get different programming content OTA than you get on the Comcast (or satelite) channels?Digital OTA broadcasts can contain multiple content streams (subchannels), each taking up a portion of the total bandwidth available, and each carrying different programming. Comcast is under no obligation to carry all of them. However, they do carry all 3 of KOPB's streams: the analog one, the SD digital, and the HD digital, all of which carry different programming.

What does that mean? Not having any type of HD connections yet, I'm not sure how it works...do you get different programming content OTA than you get on the Comcast (or satelite) channels?
In most cases the programming is the same, but there can be exceptions.
Without getting into the sub-channel debate, it is possible to have different programming on the digital channels than the analog ones.
KOPB is a good example of this. They have their regular programming on analog channel 10, PBS-HD on digital 10.1 and PBS-Create on digital 10.2

In my comment you quoted I was referencing some of the things we've seen in the past during March Madness. Many more games are televised than there is time to show. CBS decides which game will be shown in our area and that game has to be shown on analog channel 6. However if that game is not being broadcast in HD Lee has been generous enough to go out of his way and give us an alternate game that is being broadcast in HD on digital 6.1. He also then put up yet a third game on the KOIN-DT sub-channel 6.2. So we had up to three different games running at the same time to choose from. Most times the game on analog 6 is the same one as digital 6.1.

Comcast does not carry the local digital sub-channels. KOIN-DT, KGW-DT, and KOPB-DT are the only local stations broadcasting a sub-channel. KOIN-DT is the only one that provides it's own programming for its sub-channel though. KGW-DT uses the NBC weather plus programming, and KOPB-DT carries the PBS Create programming on theirs, both of which you can find on Comcast.

Normally though, no, you do not get different programming OTA than you do on cable or sat and I was being a bit sarcastic. (my bad...) :o

Comcast does not carry the local digital sub-channels. KOIN-DT, KGW-DT, and KOPB-DT are the only local stations broadcasting a sub-channel. KOIN-DT is the only one that provides it's own programming for its sub-channel though. KGW-DT uses the NBC weather plus programming, and KOPB-DT carries the PBS Create programming on theirs, both of which you can find on Comcast.Saying Comcast does not carry the local digital sub-channels is not quite accurate, since you say yourself they carry the KOPB stuff and even the KGW weather stuff. They've never carried any KOIN digital channels due to the Emmis feud, so I'd say it's still up in the air as to if they'll carry any of KOIN's subchannels once KOIN-HD is brought onboard. So far, one way or another they've carried everything that was available to them to carry.

[EDIT: Oh, except for KPDX-HD, which would be more frustrating if they had anything in HD that was worth watching. <g>]

Saying Comcast does not carry the local digital sub-channels is not quite accurate, since you say yourself they carry the KOPB stuff and even the KGW weather stuff. They've never carried any KOIN digital channels due to the Emmis feud, so I'd say it's still up in the air as to if they'll carry any of KOIN's subchannels once KOIN-HD is brought onboard. So far, one way or another they've carried everything that was available to them to carry.

The KOPB "stuff" are national feeds and KOPB-DT just happens to carry that programming, NBC Weather Plus is similar in that is a national broadcast with some localized info added. All three of those channels could be carried by Comcast even if the locals weren't broadcasting them. In fact, I know I don't know and have not see anything that suggests those feeds are even being picked up locally as opposed to getting them from their main feed.

That is why I also mentioned that KOIN-DT is the only one using sub-channels that provides it's own programming.

To say they carry everything that is available to them is incorrect, they've had the option to carry KPDX-DT all along but have chosen not to.

(edited to add...) heh!! I posted before I saw your edit. Actually Veronica Mars is quite good, and when this issue first came up, it was Enterprise that everyone was missing in HD on Comcast.

With the localized content though, Weather Plus is probably being supplied by KGW.

To say they carry everything that is available to them is incorrect, they've had the option to carry KPDX-DT all along but have chosen not to.

(edited to add...) heh!! I posted before I saw your edit. Actually Veronica Mars is quite good, and when this issue first came up, it was Enterprise that everyone was missing in HD on Comcast.Well, I don't want to start an argument. Time will tell regardless, and I think Comcast is historically fairly unpredictable, so I'm not making any bets!

And anyway, Enterprise was on before I had Comcast, but the few episodes I got OTA were really impressive. Never actually seen Veronica Mars....

Never actually seen Veronica Mars....
You should really check it out. It's one of the better shows on, and the PQ is good too.

I do understand though, there's alot that has transpired in just the two plus years I've been reading here, so there's a lot of history that isn't apparent at first. ;)

Hey, wati!!! You've been reading her longer than I have.... sorry.... :o

I'm the first to admit my opinion of Comcast is clouded by my dealings with them since they took over from ATT. :D

According to the Directv announcement of the next 24 markets to be added with the launch of spaceway 2, Portland is not on the list Bummer

With the addituion of Koin to Comcast, this is one long, long time Directv subscriber who is likely to go over to Comcast!

Spent over 500 dollars trying to get OTA reception with no luck, so that is not an option

According to the Directv announcement of the next 24 markets to be added with the launch of spaceway 2, Portland is not on the list Bummer

With the addituion of Koin to Comcast, this is one long, long time Directv subscriber who is likely to go over to Comcast!

Spent over 500 dollars trying to get OTA reception with no luck, so that is not an optionI know exactly how you feel. Although if DirecTV ever gets their act together, I'd probably move back.

ceccacci, I just checked out the Comcast guide and both PBS-Create and PBS-HD are listed as KOPB2 and KOPBH respectively so you are correct. It seems Comcast is most likely getting those feeds locally.

I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong either. heh!!

ceccacci, I just checked out the Comcast guide and both PBS-Create and PBS-HD are listed as KOPB2 and KOPBH respectively so you are correct. It seems Comcast is most likely getting those feeds locally.

I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong either. heh!!Well, either way I don't think it matters as to the question of what they will carry in the future. I've learned not to believe anything I hear about what channels (or subchannels?) will be available from any provider until I'm actually watching 'em. <g>

In most cases the programming is the same, but there can be exceptions.
Without getting into the sub-channel debate, it is possible to have different programming on the digital channels than the analog ones.
KOPB is a good example of this. They have their regular programming on analog channel 10, PBS-HD on digital 10.1 and PBS-Create on digital 10.2

In my comment you quoted I was referencing some of the things we've seen in the past during March Madness. Many more games are televised than there is time to show. CBS decides which game will be shown in our area and that game has to be shown on analog channel 6. However if that game is not being broadcast in HD Lee has been generous enough to go out of his way and give us an alternate game that is being broadcast in HD on digital 6.1. He also then put up yet a third game on the KOIN-DT sub-channel 6.2. So we had up to three different games running at the same time to choose from. Most times the game on analog 6 is the same one as digital 6.1.

Comcast does not carry the local digital sub-channels. KOIN-DT, KGW-DT, and KOPB-DT are the only local stations broadcasting a sub-channel. KOIN-DT is the only one that provides it's own programming for its sub-channel though. KGW-DT uses the NBC weather plus programming, and KOPB-DT carries the PBS Create programming on theirs, both of which you can find on Comcast.

Normally though, no, you do not get different programming OTA than you do on cable or sat and I was being a bit sarcastic. (my bad...) :o

I currently not and HD subscriber, but when I get my new plasma I will be using an antenna to get OTA local channels in HD for a few months. So, does this mean I will get multiple programming on these channels? Is there something extra I need to do to get these "subchannels" other than hook up the antenna?

I currently not and HD subscriber, but when I get my new plasma I will be using an antenna to get OTA local channels in HD for a few months. So, does this mean I will get multiple programming on these channels? Is there something extra I need to do to get these "subchannels" other than hook up the antenna?

No you don't need to do anything extra. However, there isn't much "extra" programming that is worth watching in my opinion.

I't sure would be nice to have HD through Comcast and be able to record it on my
HR10-250 but it just wont work. I guess the siginal coming from Comcast is not strong enough.


BTW does anybody need a Antenna...I have a DB-4 from Antenna Direct I need to sell.
$50 shipped.

fasteddy0096@yahoo.com

I't sure would be nice to have HD through Comcast and be able to record it on my HR10-250 but it just wont work. I guess the siginal coming from Comcast is not strong enough.

The way that Comcast transmits HD is incompatible with the way your TiVo receives it. TiVo expects 8VSB modulation, while Comcast modulates using QAM.

It has nothing to do with signal strengh. You simply can't use your TiVo to record HD from Comcast.

The cable companies didn't do this simply out of spite. There's actually a good technical reason. By using QAM they can pack twice as many channels into the same spectrum. More home shopping stations for everyone!

BTW does anybody need a Antenna...I have a DB-4 from Antenna Direct I need to sell.
Now I'm confused. The only way your TiVo can receive local HD is OTA. So why sell your antenna?

The way that Comcast transmits HD is incompatible with the way your TiVo receives it. TiVo expects 8VSB modulation, while Comcast modulates using QAM.

It has nothing to do with signal strengh. You simply can't use your TiVo to record HD from Comcast.

The cable companies didn't do this simply out of spite. There's actually a good technical reason. By using QAM they can pack twice as many channels into the same spectrum. More home shopping stations for everyone!


Now I'm confused. The only way your TiVo can receive local HD is OTA. So why sell your antenna?


I ended up getting a DB-8 so I could point the left side of the antenna a little off from the right to get all the stations at once. Where I live I must be getting Channel 8 as a reflected signal and need to be a little more south than the others.

You should really check it out. It's one of the better shows on, and the PQ is good too.


Everyone should see Veronica Mars, but if they're new to it, they should start with season one on DVD. They'll have too much spoiled for them otherwise.

I ended up getting a DB-8 so I could point the left side of the antenna a little off from the right to get all the stations at once.
Cool. That's a nice tip for people with reception problems.

As of this morning (2/28.06)

First post to this forum. Just thought folks would like to know.

Hmm, with KOIN now letting comcast carry their HD signal I wonder if they will be giving waivers out to satellite people? Be a nice back up for those stormy days.

I have tried in the past with no luck
Worth a try but not likely
Remember, Comcast is carrying KOIN's signal with all the local commercials et al. A waiver would mean you are getting the out of market HD signal from LA, with the commercials et al being from that market as well. From KOIN's point of view that would be taking eyes from their signal and reducing their share

I wonder what's up with TitanTV. Yesterday they listed KOIN-DT as "Programming unavailable", today they list them as being "Off-air".

(edited to add) It even shows as Off-Air on the koin.com website programming link. :confused:

So, is it off the air? I'd be pretty surprised if they were going down for repairs or some such, that Lee would not make a brief note here to let everyone know. On a related note, I noticed in todays Oregonian at the bottom of the TV listings page, Comcast had an ad saying KOIN/CBS HD now available.


ron

No, it's broadcasting as normal, that's why it had me wondering what was going on.
I sent KOIN an e-mail but haven't heard back yet.

I also saw a commercial on KOIN-DT last night promoting KOIN HD on Comcast 706.

I still haven't heard back from KOIN but TitanTV and the programming link on koin.com now shows the schedule for KOIN-DT, so at least they got it fixed. :D

I received an e-mail from KOIN this morning confirming that it was an issue with TitanTV that has been resolved.

New member, first post, apologies in advance if I've messed up. Yesterday I lost KOIN 6.1 - still gone as of today (11-11-05) early am. I'm asking because I use the Sony DHG-HDD250 HD DVR as an OTA tuner, and these units are currently having problems nationwide with rebooting, missing TV Guide info, etc. A new channel scan does find 6.1, but "no signal" when I tune to it. Nothing on 6.2 either. Analog 6 is still present. I still have all the other DTV channels like 2.1, 8.1, etc. - only 6.1 is "gone". Just trying to figure out if this is a KOIN problem or if I'm having a problem with my tuner.

Did you ever get 6.1 or 6.2 back? I did the autotune and 6.1 and 6.2 are missing. I am getting the KOIN programing on 40.3 and 40.4 but these do not correlate to 6.1 and 6.2 which are 40.1 and 40.2 respectively.

My TV's tuner is still receiving 6.1 and 6.2 fine so it seems to be an issue with the Sony's software or tuner.

I would not care except that I cannot use the TV Guide to record Channel 6-HD because it does not recognize or list 40.3 and 40.4. If I manually enter 6.1 or 6.2 or 40.1 or 40.2, the screen says "no signal". Oh, one more thing, Channel 6 analog is showing its signature as "NET 6" instead of KOIN.

I talked to an engineer at KOIN and he said that it was probably an equipment issue like with the early Samsung DVRs. He also said that they don't even broadcast on 40.3 or 40.4 which makes the whole thing really strange.

I talked to Sony support for an hour (got bumped up the chain 5 times) and they could not come up with a solution or a work around. They suggested I return the unit to Best Buy. I did and the second unit has the same issues.

Did you ever get 6.1 or 6.2 back? I did the autotune and 6.1 and 6.2 are missing. I am getting the KOIN programing on 40.3 and 40.4 but these do not correlate to 6.1 and 6.2 which are 40.1 and 40.2 respectively.

My TV's tuner is still receiving 6.1 and 6.2 fine so it seems to be an issue with the Sony's software or tuner.

I would not care except that I cannot use the TV Guide to record Channel 6-HD because it does not recognize or list 40.3 and 40.4. If I manually enter 6.1 or 6.2 or 40.1 or 40.2, the screen says "no signal". Oh, one more thing, Channel 6 analog is showing its signature as "NET 6" instead of KOIN.

I talked to an engineer at KOIN and he said that it was probably an equipment issue like with the early Samsung DVRs. He also said that they don't even broadcast on 40.3 or 40.4 which makes the whole thing really strange.

I talked to Sony support for an hour (got bumped up the chain 5 times) and they could not come up with a solution or a work around. They suggested I return the unit to Best Buy. I did and the second unit has the same issues.
Yes the "issue" does seem to be with the Sony HDD250. In my ch list I had acquired 40.3 and (I think) 40.4. When I tuned to those I got KOIN (CBS). The TVGOS showed the CBS icon and had the correct KOIN-DT (CBS) program info. To be able to use the guide to record what I did was select the CBS icon and then pressed the menu button which calls up the info box - in the info box I changed the "Tune to" channel from 6.1 to 40.3. Now I'm able to select the program from the TVGOS and set recordings like all the other ch's. Don't think I did anything with 40.4 - but might have to for "March Madness". My HDD250 has been working flawlessly since that hiccup in November - your mileage may vary - I'm OTA only, no cablecard.

Yes the "issue" does seem to be with the Sony HDD250. In my ch list I had acquired 40.3 and (I think) 40.4. When I tuned to those I got KOIN (CBS). The TVGOS showed the CBS icon and had the correct KOIN-DT (CBS) program info. To be able to use the guide to record what I did was select the CBS icon and then pressed the menu button which calls up the info box - in the info box I changed the "Tune to" channel from 6.1 to 40.3. Now I'm able to select the program from the TVGOS and set recordings like all the other ch's. Don't think I did anything with 40.4 - but might have to for "March Madness". My HDD250 has been working flawlessly since that hiccup in November - your mileage may vary - I'm OTA only, no cablecard.

I went to the Sony HDD250 thread and the consensus there is that it is a KOIN broadcast problem. At first their answer seemed like it might be right because I was getting a NET 6 sig for KOIN analog and "no listing" "no signal" for KOIN 6.1 in the TV Guide schedule. The guys on the HDD250 thread seemed to think this indicated that KOIN was broadcasting the the unmodified network programming without encoding it for KOIN.

But, after a few days I started getting KOIN's sig for the analog and listings for 6.1 in the Guide. The problem still remained, though, that if I clicked on 6.1 from the TV Guide, I got "no signal" and a blank screen. So, I am inclined to think that the Sony tuner is misaligned or that there is a software bug.

I finally was able to reset the "tune channel" in the Guide from 6.1 to 40.3. Now, when I click on the KOIN-DT listing it goes to the KOIN-HD broadcast. I have turned 6 analog off but maybe I will turn it on or change it to 40.4 if I find out that there is alternative programing on either of them.

Here is another aberration. When I tune to 40.4 (SD) I seem to get a better PQ than when I tune to 40.3 (HD). I have only checked programming that is not "in HDTV" So I don't know if this would be true if the program was in a true HDTV format.

Hey all. This is my first post on this crazy place so be kind if I blow some form of AV sensitivity training in the midst of typing.

I just got a Hitachi 42" plasma last week that comes with some form of TV Guide software and has a builtin tuner. I picked up a cheap antenna ~30 at Radio Shack for OTA tuning from my NE Alberta house and I think I get all of the channels in town. I wouldn't know for sure because I have yet to stumble onto an updated listing. I say that because the excellent one on the first page of this thread seems a little stale or perhaps I don't know the numbering schema in the first post.

Thus far I believe I have seen: 2-1 (43), 6-1, 6-2, 8-1, 8-2, 10-1, 10-2, 12-1, 24-1, 24-2, 24-3, and 49-1. This is from memory so mangling is certainly possible. Oddly, I had no idea that 43 was a channel until I just tried it randomly. 2-1 wouldn't come through for me but now after I manually stumbled onto 43 it comes in great.

I guess my question is , where do I go next? I don't care to get Comcast if I can help it but would love to start hacking the other options available to me through this new world of OTA HDTV.

Thus far I believe I have seen: 2-1 (43), 6-1, 6-2, 8-1, 8-2, 10-1, 10-2, 12-1, 24-1, 24-2, 24-3, and 49-1. This is from memory so mangling is certainly possible. Oddly, I had no idea that 43 was a channel until I just tried it randomly. 2-1 wouldn't come through for me but now after I manually stumbled onto 43 it comes in great.

I guess my question is , where do I go next? I don't care to get Comcast if I can help it but would love to start hacking the other options available to me through this new world of OTA HDTV.Sounds like you are already getting everything you are going to OTA (except maybe 32-1?). If you wanted to get Comcast or one of the sat options, you could get a few more HD channels. Depending on the service, DiscoveryHD, TNTHD, ESPNHD, INHD1/2, HDNET1/2, etc. Plus some pay channels in HD. And a whole bunch of mostly nothing in SD. Personally, if I could get all the local channels OTA, I probably wouldn't pay to subscribe to anything else.

thanks for the note ceccacci.

I am starting to get excited about the idea of building a HTPC for my entertainment center that's main role is just to serve as a server and HD recorder. Hitachi has this interesting firewire port plugin on their new plasmas that they tell me records directly to an external drive.

fun fun fun.

I have to tune to 40.1 instead of 6.1 to get the signal. All of the other locals work fine. Also the program data isn't coming through. All I get is 'KOIN DTV Program.'
All of the other stations have program data. Is this all due to the Comcast arrangement?

I have just basic Comcast cable and all the locals come in on HD except KOIN

I have the cable direct into my Panasonic Plasma and get 2.1 8.1 12.1 but just cant get 6.1 ......weird

I have to tune to 40.1 instead of 6.1 to get the signal. All of the other locals work fine. Also the program data isn't coming through. All I get is 'KOIN DTV Program.'
All of the other stations have program data. Is this all due to the Comcast arrangement?

When did you do your last autotune?

What device is your tuner in?

It seems that there have been problems tuning KOIN's digital transmissions recently. The problems are beginning to appear to be signal related rather than reception equipment related.

I have a Sceptre X37SV-NAGA T.V. which I hooked up in late December. It autotuned to KOIN 6.1 which is actually UHF 40.1. It still tunes to 6.1 if I use the Ch up or Ch down buttons. I can also manually tune 6.1 or 40.1.

I hooked up a Sony DHG-HDD250 DVR about 2 weeks ago and it autotuned to 40.3 instead of 40.1. I get a "no signal" msg. on the screen if I attempt to manually tune to 6.1 or 40.1. In spite of this, I am receiving the HD transmission on 40.3.

It is a nuisance but at least I was able to change the "tune to" number on the TVGOS screen (which displayed KOIN-DT correctly as 6.1) to 40.3. Theoretically, I should be able to schedule recording of KOIN's HD progams but have not tried yet.

Yes the "issue" does seem to be with the Sony HDD250. In my ch list I had acquired 40.3 and (I think) 40.4. When I tuned to those I got KOIN (CBS). The TVGOS showed the CBS icon and had the correct KOIN-DT (CBS) program info. To be able to use the guide to record what I did was select the CBS icon and then pressed the menu button which calls up the info box - in the info box I changed the "Tune to" channel from 6.1 to 40.3. Now I'm able to select the program from the TVGOS and set recordings like all the other ch's. Don't think I did anything with 40.4 - but might have to for "March Madness". My HDD250 has been working flawlessly since that hiccup in November - your mileage may vary - I'm OTA only, no cablecard.

When did you first hook your Sony DHG-HDD250 up and when did you do your last autotune?

Is anyone else having problems with the surround audio on American Idol? I noticed things didn't sound right on Tuesday and Wednesday night's broadcast, then realized nothing was coming out of my center channel. The receiver shows 5.1 audio present, and other channels seem to be working fine. Did anyone else notice this?

Thanks

Is anyone else having problems with the surround audio on American Idol? I noticed things didn't sound right on Tuesday and Wednesday night's broadcast, then realized nothing was coming out of my center channel. The receiver shows 5.1 audio present, and other channels seem to be working fine. Did anyone else notice this?

Thanks
I didn't check closely, but it also seemed to me that my center channel was rather quiet.

Looks like the KWBP might be in line for mulit-casting. According to AllAccess.com, Tribune signed an agreement with The Tube. It's some sort of video music channel that will be multicasted. The article didn't say it where specifically it would be on except to say that it would be on 9 of the top 10 markets and 18 of the top 30.

I wonder if Tribune is going to let KWBP powerup their signal before they start multicasting.

Is anyone else having problems with the surround audio on American Idol? I noticed things didn't sound right on Tuesday and Wednesday night's broadcast, then realized nothing was coming out of my center channel. The receiver shows 5.1 audio present, and other channels seem to be working fine. Did anyone else notice this?

Thanks

They've been discussing this in the American Idol thread in the programming forum.
Here's the most informative post about the issue....

I used some of my connections to gather some information about this. What you are hearing is a decision made by the producers of the show. Apparently, due to complaints last season about the vocals being buried in the mix, they have decided to go strictly with a 2.0 mix that can't be altered. In other words, the stereo mix is sent to FOX, and they simply pass it back out, without going through any of the psuedo 5.1 "upmix" gear that is used for the commercials, etc.

I agree this can be a bit confusing when listening on a 5.1 system, but it's the only way they be assured that the mix is going through exactly as intended. My only suggestion would be to send them your comments, which you can do by going to this page on their website:

http://www.fox.com/community/askfox/index.htm

Near the bottom of the page, there's a "feedback" link.

Looking for help. I just moved to the Sellwood area and am trying to receive all of the HD channels. I get every one except Fox (12.1), and all with 67-84 signal strength.

I am using an indoor antenna (RadioShack model 15-1892 - it has the RF Remote and is powered). Is there a better indoor antenna someone would recommend?

Thanks,

Matthew

Looking for help. I just moved to the Sellwood area and am trying to receive all of the HD channels. I get every one except Fox (12.1), and all with 67-84 signal strength.

I am using an indoor antenna (RadioShack model 15-1892 - it has the RF Remote and is powered). Is there a better indoor antenna someone would recommend?

Thanks,

MatthewI think the general consensus is the Silver Sensor works best, same thing is sold under Philips and Zenith names. Amazon used to carry it: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00022O9VM/ref=pd_kar_gw_1/002-9178655-2333615?%5Fencoding=UTF8

They don't seem to anymore, but if you search for "silver sensor" and antenna, you come up with lots of hits.

Of course, nothing indoor is going to work as well as an outdoor, or even an attic antenna.

My Silver Sensor is very directional, even after you find a "sweet spot" to get all channels there is still tinkering to be done on occasion.

Have you tried pulling in Fox at 30.1?

I did try at 30.1 with no luck. I plan on rescanning again (I've done it already, but you never know).

Where do you live? I wonder if my location is the issue.

M

Frys carries the Silver Sensor antenna.

Steve

What about the Terk that looks exactly like the Silver Sensor? Is it really that different?

Thanks,

M

I did try at 30.1 with no luck. I plan on rescanning again (I've done it already, but you never know).

Where do you live? I wonder if my location is the issue.

M

I'd think you would be in pretty good shape in Sellwood, if you can get everything else. I'm at the top of the north side of Bull Mtn. looking straight across to the towers - no hills in between, except snowflakes right now. I need to see if they create any disturbance. Don't recall if I ever tested for that before.

Also, there may be an anomoly with your receiver that shuts out 12.1/30.1. See the posts above about the Samsung issues with KOIN (6.1/40.1/40.3). That's been an issue since I joined in at AVS. Check for threads and posts for your brand here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=7&f=25).

Ok. My TV has a built-in receiver (new Sony 40" LCD). I'll check out the post.

Thank you for your help!

M

My TV has a built-in receiver (new Sony 40" LCD).M

Hmm, I doubt the problem would be with new generation equipment like that. Maybe someone else has a better idea. Good luck! :)

Looking for help. I just moved to the Sellwood area and am trying to receive all of the HD channels. I get every one except Fox (12.1), and all with 67-84 signal strength.

I am using an indoor antenna (RadioShack model 15-1892 - it has the RF Remote and is powered). Is there a better indoor antenna someone would recommend?

Thanks,

Matthew

Maybe a little simple, but have you tried getting a longer piece of coax and relocating your antenna? Not only a change in position but alter its height too. I've found with my Silver Sensor, that even altering it's position by a foot or so can make a difference. I don't know whether it has to do with studs in the walls, the way the signal reflects off some unknown object or what the cause is. I just know that even slight repositioning can make a difference.

It can be tedious finding the "sweet spot" but it is worth the effort.

If you wanted to get Comcast or one of the sat options, you could get a few more HD channels. Depending on the service, DiscoveryHD, TNTHD, ESPNHD, INHD1/2, HDNET1/2, etc.

What kind of programming is on the INHD channels? I've never heard of them on DirecTV, are they Comcast only?

I know this isn't a HDTV issue, but on a side note the Rick Emerson show returns to Portland radio this Monday March 13th from noon to 3PM on 970 AM...for those who've been awaiting its return.

What kind of programming is on the INHD channels? I've never heard of them on DirecTV, are they Comcast only?INHD are cable's answer to HDNet. They are owned by the cable companies, so you won't see them on satellite. Similar programming to HDNet, but not quite as good IMO. You can look at the schedules here: http://www.inhd.com/

You might want to post this on the Comcast thread where it would make sense. :D

Ooops :o

I love how ABC is advertising the Miami/Cleveland game in HD yet it's not coming in. This has been happening all season long except last Sunday they finally got it right and the entire doubleheader was HD. I don't know if it's ABC doing this or KATU. I sent emails to KATU's programming, sports, and engineering departments. So far no response.

:mad:

I love how ABC is advertising the Miami/Cleveland game in HD yet it's not coming in. This has been happening all season long except last Sunday they finally got it right and the entire doubleheader was HD. I don't know if it's ABC doing this or KATU. I sent emails to KATU's programming, sports, and engineering departments. So far no response.

:mad:

I just call direct to the engineering dept and talk to a live person...I get better results that way.

Well they moved over to the HD feed after a commercial break for the last 7 minutes of the Miami game. Now the Laker game is on, feed is back to SD.

Well they moved over to the HD feed after a commercial break for the last 7 minutes of the Miami game. Now the Laker game is on, feed is back to SD.


Laker/Sonic game was SD today anyway, no HD feed.

Does anyone subscribe to Dish Network and use their new DVR. I am a Dish Network customer and just got a new HDTV. I am starting to consider my HD source options.

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2006 – 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
TIP OFF (PT)

9:00 AM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Road to Final Four
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Road to Final Four
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Road to Final Four

9:20 AM
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Wichita State vs Seton Hall

9:25 AM
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Oklahoma vs Wisconsin-Milwaukee

9:40 AM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Boston College vs Pacific

11:40 AM
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Tennessee vs Winthrop
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Marquette vs Alabama

12:00 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Nevada vs Montana

1:55 PM
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) UCLA VS. Belmont

2:00 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Price is Right
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Price is Right

3:00 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Dr. Phil
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Dr. Phil

4:00 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Road to Final Four
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Road to Final Four
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Road to Final Four

4:10 PM
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) George Washington vs UNC Wilmington
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) LSU vs Iona

4:20 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Gonzaga vs Xavier

6:30 PM
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Duke vs Southern

6:45 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Washington vs Utah State
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Washington vs Utah State



FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2006 – 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
TIP OFF (PT)

9:00 AM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Road to Final Four
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Road to Final Four
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Road to Final Four

9:15 AM
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Ohio State vs Davidson

9:30 AM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Arizona vs Wisconsin
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Arizona vs Wisconsin

11:45 AM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) West Virginia vs Southern Illinois
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) West Virginia vs Southern Illinois

11:50 AM
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Villanova vs Monmouth or Hampton

2:00 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Price is Right
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Price is Right
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Price is Right

3:00 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Dr. Phil
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Dr. Phil
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Dr. Phil

4:00 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Road to Final Four
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Road to Final Four
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Road to Final Four

4:10 PM
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Pittsburgh vs Kent State

4:20 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) California vs North Carolina State

4:25 PM
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) Connecticut vs Albany

6:30 PM
KOIN-TV 6 (Analog) Kansas vs Bradley
KOIN-DT 6.1 (HDTV) Kansas vs Bradley
KOIN-DT 6.2 (SDTV) North Carolina vs Murray State

Hey Lee, thank you for taking the time to post the round one schedule for us.
It's appreciated!! :)

Earl

Yes, Lee, thanks a bunch! We know KOIN doesn't have to do this so thank you for posting the schedule and thanks to the new owners for allowing it to happen. Glad to know you're still with us!

Does anyone subscribe to Dish Network and use their new DVR. I am a Dish Network customer and just got a new HDTV. I am starting to consider my HD source options.

Plan on shelling out $299 to lease the new HD DVR (Model 622), or about $650 to buy one. A total rip off.

Does anyone subscribe to Dish Network and use their new DVR. I am a Dish Network customer and just got a new HDTV. I am starting to consider my HD source options.

I've got both their 942 and their new 622 and they're both good units. The 942 has never given me a problem since I installed it.

The 622 is solid also. Has a couple of bumps in it but overall a good unit.

Thanks Lee for the info, looks like HD is 24/7 hoops besides the pregame shows tomorrow!

As of 4pm Wednesday, KWBP-DT is up to 60% power with much better spectrum performance parameters (meets all FCC specs). The totally dead tube has been replaced with a new complete tube and circuit assembly. Unfortunately, the other old tube is deteriorating rapidly and that is why I can't get better than 60% while maintaining spec. It looks like I will be back to corporate to ask for a bunch more money to put in another new tube. At least for now, we will remain at 60% with both tubes running. If the old one dies, I can re-tune and get the power up to about 80% with the single good tube but then I will have no redundancy. Sorry everybody, but this is the best I can do for now. Hopefully, it will help those of you that have had problems with our signal over the past few months.

Pat Shearer
Chief Engineer
Portland's WB
KWBP-TV
Analog ch 32, ch5
Digital ch 33

Good to see you Pat!!
Just tell them they have to ramp-up in preparation for the CW coming this fall. :)

Earl

Thanks for the update Pat. I've been watching this thread for awhile for info on the WB32. I live in McMinnville and channel 32 was the only Portland digital channel I could not pull in. I can actually get a signal now. Unfortunately, it's still not quite watchable. I look forward to when you're at full power. FYI, I have a Channel Master 4228 antenna with a Channel Master pre-amp.

Thanks,
Mike

Good to see you Pat!!
Just tell them they have to ramp-up in preparation for the CW coming this fall. :)

Earl



CW? Is that the short name for the new WB/UPN station?

That will be the name of the new merged WB/UPN network coming this fall (assuming the network-owned KWBP can keep their transmitter running until then!).

Thanks for the update, Pat.

All one has to do is read some of the NCAA threads in the HD programming forum to realize how fortunate we are.
Thanks Lee and KOIN for the great coverage we've been getting so far.

Earl

All one has to do is read some of the NCAA threads in the HD programming forum to realize how fortunate we are.
Thanks Lee and KOIN for the great coverage we've been getting so far.

Earl


So very true, although is anyone getting a slightly buggier picture from 6-1 every now and then (it's nothing to complain about but was wondering if others were getting it). Is 6-3 (which is also HD) taking away some bandwidth?

I'm not complaining about getting 2-3 games at the same time though, thanks for the added bonus Lee!

Is 6-3 (which is also HD) taking away some bandwidth?
6-3? They can't fit two HD subchannels into a single channel in ATSC. They can barely fit two SD channels in with one HD channel.

6-3 is just a remapping of 6-1 when you see it in HD with the same game (same feed).


ron

Yes 6-3...it shows the exact same thing as 6-1 so it could just be a mapping error on the part of the HD TiVo?


Looks like Ron and I posted at about the same time. I wonder why the 6-3 always says "Skycam" when 6-1 will show whatever is actually showing?

Did channel 12 go somewhere? Its been MIA for the last couple days
and some Fox 12 shows(specified as such on the broadcast) are being
broadcast on Fox 12.
ARE WE losing another channel?

I noticed an increase in the number of posts (and phone calls) lately about channels disappearing for off-air viewers. Read this post for an explaination:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=3667051&highlight=summer#post3667051

Usually manually tuning to the station's physical channel (see the first post in this thread for channel numbers) will find it again. However some sets require a full channel scan to memorize them again.

In the Summer, things dry out (right after the Rose Festival most years) and the leaves don't absorb as much. Reception will be pretty stable clear into Fall.
That was a very informative post you made back then Lee. I only have one little squabble with it. Although the Rose Festival ranks right up there, I think it's really more like right after the 4th of July that it actually drys out ;).


ron

I think Lee probably thought he was posting to this thread and not the Comcast one, so I'm going to copy it to here... :D


Thursday, March 23

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2006 – 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
TIP OFF

4:00 PM Road to Final Four........................All
4:10 PM Duke vs LSU.................................Analog, 6-1 HDTV
4:27 PM Memphis vs Bradley.....................6-2 SDTV
6:40 PM Texas vs West Virginia.................6-2 SDTV
6:57 PM UCLA vs Gonzaga.........................Analog, 6-1 HDTV

FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2006 – 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
TIP OFF

4:00 PM Road to Final Four........................All
4:10 PM Villanova vs Boston College.........Analog, 6-1 HDTV
4:27 PM Wichita State vs George Mason...6-2 SDTV
6:40 PM Florida vs Georgetown.................6-2 SDTV
6:57 PM Connecticut vs Washington..........Analog, 6-1 HDTV

SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2006 – 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
TIP OFF

10:00 AM Men's Division II Championship.....Analog, 6-1 HDTV
12:00 PM The Road to the Final Four............Analog, 6-1 HDTV
1:30 PM Regional Final - TBA.......................Analog, 6-1 HDTV
3:45 PM Regional Final - TBA.......................Analog, 6-1 HDTV
6-2 will not be in service

SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 – 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
TIP OFF

9:30 AM NCAA Special (CBS Upconverted)...Analog, 6-1 HDTV
11:00 AM The Road to the Final Four.............Analog, 6-1 HDTV
11:30 AM Regional Final - TBA........................Analog, 6-1 HDTV
1:45 PM Regional Final - TBA........................Analog, 6-1 HDTV
6-2 will not be in service

No leaves blocking my view, thanxs, however, upon further examination,
my lst-3510a reciever decided to delete channel 12/30 while leaving the
that channel highlited to indicate it had been selected.
LifesGood's little joke.
Deleting the channel and then reselecting it allowed me to see fox12 programs
once again. And just in time to see Bones tonight.

I think Lee probably thought he was posting to this thread and not the Comcast one, so I'm going to copy it to here... :D
DOH!

Any recent problems with GEMSTAR TV Guide in the Portland area? Is channel 10 the host channel?

Any recent problems with GEMSTAR TV Guide in the Portland area? Is channel 10 the host channel?

I see your post in the Sony HDD forum. "Something" happened to mine Sunday mid-morning - no guide and got the message "guide is unavailable - based on your recent changes" - but I didn't make any changes. Some was back early this morning after the overnight download. OPB ch10 is the host channel for the Sony. Gemstar or OPB have hiccups like this occasionally - annoying to say the least.

Do broadcasters reduce power at night?
Last night, I was up watching Letterman (KOIN)- and reception was absolutely terrible. I switched to Leno (KGW), and reception was equally terrible. I'm not generally up that late so I'm ignorant here - do our broadcasters reduce power late at night? - or might my crummy reception just be coincident with the coming of Spring?

Reception for me as well was horrid last night. I took it as a sign of spring.

I do have a question, though. Is there any talk of in the future in the Portland area gaining more OTA HD stations? I am happy as a clam at the moment and don't need the shopping network in HD but was just wondering if what we have today is what we will have in ten years.

I would kill for regular OPB programming to be in HD as well as their 10-1 channel.

I do have a question, though. Is there any talk of in the future in the Portland area gaining more OTA HD stations?
Nope. All the stations affiliated with HD networks are already broadcasting in HD in Portland. In fact we might be losing an HD station. I haven't heard what KPDX will be broadcasting when UPN merges with WB in September but I don't expect any HD from them for a while.

kpdx will be broadcasting the new network by fox called mynetwork

I am just getting my feet wet on this OTA HDTV. First I tried a Radioshack amplified indoor antenna but it was hit and miss but mostly miss. I live in Tigard near the bottom of Bull Mountain and I can see a couple of the transmission towers from my son's upstairs bedroom. The house across the street and their large trees block what would be a completely unobstructed view of all of the towers. So I purchased a channelmaster 3016 antenna, installed it in my 1.5 floor attic and sure enough I got all of the available HD channels EXCEPT KOIN ch 6. I checked the analog signal of the antenna on my TV and ch 6 was quite snowy but all other channels looked great again. I re-aimed the antenna to get a good analog ch 6 picture but still was unable to get my HDTV tuner to find channel 6 (DTV40 I think). By the way when I re-aimed the antenna to get a good analog ch 6 I lost nearly all of the other channels. This is very frustrating as KATU/2, WB32 and PAX which I think all transmit from the same tower come in good. WB32 is slightly low signal strength.

Any ideas for me. I can still move the antenna up to my upper attic which would put it 8-10 ft higher than it is now but still in the attic. I am trying to avoid putting it on the roof.

thanx,
jeff

I was watching Ghost Whisperer on CBS (6-1), Vegas (8-1) and Numbers, (6-1) this evening.

While the actual show was playing, my 16X9 HDTV (I've had it for about 2 years now) showed a full screen (with Natural screen size selected - normal beahvior for a Hi Def broadcast on my set), but every time a commercial came on, the the picture narrowed up, with black bar on either side. I'm used to seeing this on some commercials, but this was every commercial. I noticed earlier this afternoon, something similar going on, except it was even during the shows.

The picture was pilor boxed, similar to a SD broadcast (though wider) and it had black bars ( my TV uses gray bars to pillor box 4:3 content).

Later tonight, watching letterman, is was displayed full screen, but commercials were still narrowed up. Same with Leno. But when I switched to Nightline, is was narrow for both the show and the commercial.

Normally this isn't what I see.

Is something going on with the broadcasts? Is there a different signal sent for Network shows vs commercials? I've rechecked all of my settings. Though maybe I did something to change things. But with the main show still looking correct, I'm kinda lost as to what's going on.

Thanks,
Rick

If you've been watching HDTV for two years then by now you've noticed that there are very very few HD commercials on broadcast networks, maybe one out of fifty. What you're seeing is normal.

I am just getting my feet wet on this OTA HDTV. First I tried a Radioshack amplified indoor antenna but it was hit and miss but mostly miss. I live in Tigard near the bottom of Bull Mountain and I can see a couple of the transmission towers from my son's upstairs bedroom. The house across the street and their large trees block what would be a completely unobstructed view of all of the towers. So I purchased a channelmaster 3016 antenna, installed it in my 1.5 floor attic and sure enough I got all of the available HD channels EXCEPT KOIN ch 6. I checked the analog signal of the antenna on my TV and ch 6 was quite snowy but all other channels looked great again. I re-aimed the antenna to get a good analog ch 6 picture but still was unable to get my HDTV tuner to find channel 6 (DTV40 I think). By the way when I re-aimed the antenna to get a good analog ch 6 I lost nearly all of the other channels. This is very frustrating as KATU/2, WB32 and PAX which I think all transmit from the same tower come in good. WB32 is slightly low signal strength.

Any ideas for me. I can still move the antenna up to my upper attic which would put it 8-10 ft higher than it is now but still in the attic. I am trying to avoid putting it on the roof.

thanx,
jeff

Get yourself the zenith silver sensor antenna. You can get one online for around 27.00 shipped. It is small and you won't believe that it actually pulls in signals better than some gigantic attic antenna but it does. I replaced a 6 foot antenna in my attic with this unit and have had no problems.

Here's a web page with some info.

http://www.silversensor.com/

I am just getting my feet wet on this OTA HDTV. First I tried a Radioshack amplified indoor antenna but it was hit and miss but mostly miss. I live in Tigard near the bottom of Bull Mountain and I can see a couple of the transmission towers from my son's upstairs bedroom. The house across the street and their large trees block what would be a completely unobstructed view of all of the towers. So I purchased a channelmaster 3016 antenna, installed it in my 1.5 floor attic and sure enough I got all of the available HD channels EXCEPT KOIN ch 6. I checked the analog signal of the antenna on my TV and ch 6 was quite snowy but all other channels looked great again. I re-aimed the antenna to get a good analog ch 6 picture but still was unable to get my HDTV tuner to find channel 6 (DTV40 I think). By the way when I re-aimed the antenna to get a good analog ch 6 I lost nearly all of the other channels. This is very frustrating as KATU/2, WB32 and PAX which I think all transmit from the same tower come in good. WB32 is slightly low signal strength.

Any ideas for me. I can still move the antenna up to my upper attic which would put it 8-10 ft higher than it is now but still in the attic. I am trying to avoid putting it on the roof.

thanx,
jeff

Jeff: You have a PM - check your messages.

Is anyone else getting a poor signal from KOIN today? I'm in the Salmon Creek area of Vancouver, and normally get signal strength of 85-90 through an OTA antenna fed through a Dish 622 VIP receiver. I'm getting 55-65 today and am swinging erratically without being able to lock the signal in. I haven't had any significant signal loss since...guess when....last April during the Final Four! I couldn't watch last year's games in HD and had to watch the Dish SD feed because of the exact same poor signal strength, which lasted about a week and then cleared up.

Is anyone else having the same problems with KOIN today?

Quote "Any ideas for me. I can still move the antenna up to my upper attic which would put it 8-10 ft higher than it is now but still in the attic. I am trying to avoid putting it on the roof.

thanx,
jeff[/QUOTE]

OTA/ Digital TV signals change in a major way with just a small movement much more so then analog.So the 8-10 ft movement you mention could make it better or worse depending. I'm using a Radio shack indoor Twin Bowtie antenna. (around $15.00 ! ) it like the Silver sensor out perform many outdoor antennas if your not too far from the towers. Moving the Twin bowtie antenna across the room made all the different in the world. Get a perfect picture on all OTA channels.Channel 12-1 is the only one that requires exact antenna placement. The others are more forgiving.

KOIN is coming in 84-86 here as usual. This is the time of year I'm glad I'm line of sight from the towers.

Thanx for all the advice folks-keep it coming.

Ridgefamus actually loaned me his Silversensor and I brought it home and had basically the same luck. I was rather surprised how well it received all of the channels expect ch 6. It was more sensitive to the direction it was pointed but still no DTV/HDTV Ch 6 on channel 40. Seemed like my tuner would spend a little more time searching CH 40 but everytime it would say "no signal" after its search. I must have tried to search CH 40 at least 20 times with the antenna in different directions. The analog picture with the Silversensor was very good. I am starting to wonder if the Humax receiver I'm using has a problem with Ch 40. I jumped in my van with HDTV tuner, antenna, and camcorder all hooked up to view HDTV and then drove to the top of Bull Mountain with a direct line of site view of ALL of the transmission towers and still I could get everything EXCEPT KOIN DTV Ch 40. Maybe I should return the tuner to Amazon and try again or try the Samsung SIR-T451.

More advice is always welcome.

thanx,
jeff

Quote "Any ideas for me. I can still move the antenna up to my upper attic which would put it 8-10 ft higher than it is now but still in the attic. I am trying to avoid putting it on the roof.

thanx,
jeff

OTA/ Digital TV signals change in a major way with just a small movement much more so then analog.So the 8-10 ft movement you mention could make it better or worse depending. I'm using a Radio shack indoor Twin Bowtie antenna. (around $15.00 ! ) it like the Silver sensor out perform many outdoor antennas if your not too far from the towers. Moving the Twin bowtie antenna across the room made all the different in the world. Get a perfect picture on all OTA channels.Channel 12-1 is the only one that requires exact antenna placement. The others are more forgiving.[/QUOTE]

I could get everything EXCEPT KOIN DTV Ch 40. Maybe I should return the tuner to Amazon and try again or try the Samsung SIR-T451.
Well, that ain't right. If you can get KATU, you should get KOIN. Is there some way to totally reset the receiver?

Well, that ain't right. If you can get KATU, you should get KOIN. Is there some way to totally reset the receiver?


Well I should get KOPB and KPTV if I get KGW right? It can come in very spotty if fed directly to the tv, but nothing out of the HD-TiVo.



Anyway, picture looks great tonight for basketball Lee, keep up the good work!

Is anyone else getting a poor signal from KOIN today? I'm in the Salmon Creek area of Vancouver, and normally get signal strength of 85-90 through an OTA antenna fed through a Dish 622 VIP receiver. I'm getting 55-65 today and am swinging erratically without being able to lock the signal in. I haven't had any significant signal loss since...guess when....last April during the Final Four! I couldn't watch last year's games in HD and had to watch the Dish SD feed because of the exact same poor signal strength, which lasted about a week and then cleared up.

Is anyone else having the same problems with KOIN today?

I'm just south of you in the Lakeshore / Felida area (near Columbia River High), and KOIN OTA has been beautiful all day.

I've been getting 87-89 all afternoon.

Quote:
Originally Posted by scowl
"Well, that ain't right. If you can get KATU, you should get KOIN. Is there some way to totally reset the receiver?

Well I should get KOPB and KPTV if I get KGW right? It can come in very spotty if fed directly to the tv, but nothing out of the HD-TiVo."end Quotes

When setting up OTA I excepted that channels on the same towers would work well with the same antenna setting . I've not found this to be as true as expected. After lots of testing etc I have two basic settings for my Rat shack Twin BowTie antenna. One for channel 12-1 and another for all the rest. Testing today I see that at the 12-1 setting I also get 2-1, 6-1 & 32-1 . I can see the towers outside on a clear day. They are apox 2 miles away. The channel 12-1 setting is at apox 90 degrees from where the tower is so it has to be a bounce /reflection but that is the only setting that works. The other channels aren't so fussy in fact chaneel 2-1 come in at nearly any setting! With the exception of the audio/video sync issue which happens more often when they switch to local ads and news promos and usually but not always goes away when they switch back to the network. I can't believe they haven't fixed it after all these months. They also don't respond to email on the subject. So I often have to watch 2 on analogue. Lucky for me I get a great picture there as well.
6-1 today great picture 80% signal with the antenna pointed the wrong direction(12-1 setting)!
PS my Sylvania Tuner seems to lock on any signal apox 40% or better. Evan a bit lower works sometimes.

If you're that close to the towers then you'll have unique reception problems. First your reception will be weaker than farther away due to the way the antennas project the signal. Secondly the towers will be much different directions so any kind of single directional antenna is going to be difficult to use. The fact that you're getting them from reflections instead of directly from the towers is not a good sign at all. These reflections can interfere with the main signal (and vise versa) causing dreaded multipath problems.

You should get KATU, KOIN and KWBP in the same direction since they're in the southern cluster of towers.

I jumped in my van with HDTV tuner, antenna, and camcorder all hooked up to view HDTV and then drove to the top of Bull Mountain with a direct line of site view of ALL of the transmission towers and still I could get everything EXCEPT KOIN DTV Ch 40. Maybe I should return the tuner to Amazon and try again or try the Samsung SIR-T451.You have a direct line of site to the tower, have even moved everything to a different location, and still can't get KOIN... Have you tried putting an attenuator inline? Some people have had problems with too strong a signal.

Radio Shack stocks attenuators. They're a cheap thing to try.

I gave up and am paying $9.45/mo to Comcast. I get all the HD channels except channel 49, plus digital versions of the SD channels. How much is it worth to you for things to "just work" without constantly fiddling with an antenna?

If you do switch to cable, be sure to get a QAM capable tuner. I think the Samsung one is. It won't tune above channel 125, but that's not an issue in this area (at least not so far).

Quote"scowl
04-02-06, 08:06 PM
If you're that close to the towers then you'll have unique reception problems. First your reception will be weaker than farther away due to the way the antennas project the signal. Secondly the towers will be much different directions so any kind of single directional antenna is going to be difficult to use. The fact that you're getting them from reflections instead of directly from the towers is not a good sign at all. These reflections can interfere with the main signal (and vise versa) causing dreaded multipath problems.

You should get KATU, KOIN and KWBP in the same direction since they're in the southern cluster of towers."
end Quote
I'm not having reception issues nor was I complaining ;-) ( well maybe 2-1 audio/sync issues are caused by multipath issues) I was trying to explain to another guy that while it seems antenna should be the same for channels on the same tower it's not always that simple. Channel 12-1 is the only channel i get as a reflection/bounce only. All the others come in when antenna is pointed as expected and also come in from other directions as well with some channels. 2-1 seems no real need to point the antenna.

You have a direct line of site to the tower, have even moved everything to a different location, and still can't get KOIN... Have you tried putting an attenuator inline? Some people have had problems with too strong a signal.

Ridgefamus being so kind to lend me his Silversensor also loaned me two attenuators, one adjustable (RS) and another that came with his HDTV receiver. It tried both of them individually and in series. I have since given up and the Humax receiver is boxed up in the car and heading back to Amazon today. I hate to give up but I think I tried everything. Another person I was in email contact with lives in Sherwood using the same exact Humax receiver gets channel 6.1 without issue on DTV ch 40 so I'm betting my tuner is somehow bad.

Another poster here asked if there were someway to reset the unit and I looked but couldn't find a way to do a complete reset other than unplugging it and even doing that did not remove learned channels so thats that.

As for giving up and going with Comcast I hate to do that as I only want the basic channels and the Comcast package I have now is only ~$9/month. According to Comcast I can add ~5 HD channels for ~$7 more or something like or ~12-17 HD channels but I would have to upgrade to some outragous digital package for way more than I want to spend. Besides with more channels I would watch way too much TV.

I think its time to bite the bullet and buy a new 42" Panasonic Plasma and hope for the best with an attic antenna.

thanx for all the assistance.

Channel 12-1 is the only channel i get as a reflection/bounce only. All the others come in when antenna is pointed as expected and also come in from other directions as well with some channels. 2-1 seems no real need to point the antenna.
What is special about your location that makes this possible?

I am getting ready to move out of the comcast area into the country (antennaweb) says I am 9.6 miles from the towers at about 60degrees +- 3 or so, depending on the channel. I do have large trees infront of my house. The zip code is 97007 and I need a recommendation on an antenna. Antennaweb says I am in both the red and blue ranges (depending on the channel), I was thinking of a channelmaster 3018 with a channelmaster 7777 preamp, but don't want lots of ghosting. I currently have 1 HD ready TV (am using the comcast HD tuner) so I will be shopping for another tuner as well as purchasing a new plasma TV with tuner built in.

Am I looking at the wrong type of antenna or should this work?

I looked into satellite, however, they don't offer HD programming in Portland and after having HD TV for over a year, I don't think I want to go back to SD again. I don't care about getting a zillion channels, the networks are fine for me, I wish I would get Discovery HD over the air, but am not willing to pay somebody else. Maybe less TV will let me have more time on the tractor.

I appreciate your input.

Thanks,

Derek

As for giving up and going with Comcast I hate to do that as I only want the basic channels and the Comcast package I have now is only ~$9/month. According to Comcast I can add ~5 HD channels for ~$7 more or something like or ~12-17 HD channels but I would have to upgrade to some outragous digital package for way more than I want to spend.

If you really and truly want only the "basic" channels in HD, then you already have that with your $9/mo package. You just need a QAM tuner (like the Samsung), and that will get you all HD locals except channel 49 plus it includes digital SD versions of all locals.

Don't listen to the Comcast reps. You don't need to pay more for just local channels. I think the extra $7/mo was for an HD tuner from Comcast. That's an alternative to buying the Samsung.

I am getting ready to move out of the comcast area into the country (antennaweb) says I am 9.6 miles from the towers at about 60degrees +- 3 or so, depending on the channel. I do have large trees infront of my house. The zip code is 97007 and I need a recommendation on an antenna. Antennaweb says I am in both the red and blue ranges (depending on the channel), I was thinking of a channelmaster 3018 with a channelmaster 7777 preamp, but don't want lots of ghosting. I currently have 1 HD ready TV (am using the comcast HD tuner) so I will be shopping for another tuner as well as purchasing a new plasma TV with tuner built in.

Am I looking at the wrong type of antenna or should this work?

I looked into satellite, however, they don't offer HD programming in Portland and after having HD TV for over a year, I don't think I want to go back to SD again. I don't care about getting a zillion channels, the networks are fine for me, I wish I would get Discovery HD over the air, but am not willing to pay somebody else. Maybe less TV will let me have more time on the tractor.

I appreciate your input.

Thanks,

Derek

Derek,

Antennaweb shows me as RED and BLUE also and says I'm 7.3 miles from the tower, between 8 & 16 deg. I tried the Channelmaster 3016 in my attic with no amp and I was getting all of the channels with the only issue being the WB channel was jumping between 50 & 60 and had some cutting out. Basically I think if I had put the antenna on my roof I would be set although putting a larger antenna in the attic might bring in the WB better I suppose. I also have large trees right across the street blocking my view of the towers.

Thanks for the info, our local Lowes carries the 3018, willing to give that a try, if it doesn't work, I can take it back. :-)

I will know more in a couple of weeks once I move, right now I am trying to finish the construction and wrap up all the little details.

Derek

PS: Any recommendations on a good HDTV tuner?

scowl
04-03-06, 01:54 PM
Channel 12-1 is the only channel i get as a reflection/bounce only. All the others come in when antenna is pointed as expected and also come in from other directions as well with some channels. 2-1 seems no real need to point the antenna.
"What is special about your location that makes this possible?"
I'm located around 24th & Pettygrove NW Portland. So I'm right down the hill from the towers apox a bit more then 2 miles. As you pointed out this like most areas has it's issues. I'm so close that a lot of the signal goes right over me meaning a bit farther away will have stronger signals. Also it is very likely this area has multipath issues. It sure does with analog resulting in ghosting issues. Channel 2 being by far the worst. However the UHF Bowtie antenna works fine on both VHF & UHF and careful pointing gets rid of most of the ghosts. It took me a while to come up with the two settings for the antenna that works best. One for 12-1 and one for the rest as most channels come in fine from many different settings. This may also be due to the turner which locks on at 38-40 signal which seems lower then what some people report. I'm just feel lucky I can get a good picture on all the channels.

Thanx for all the advice folks-keep it coming.

Ridgefamus actually loaned me his Silversensor and I brought it home and had basically the same luck. I was rather surprised how well it received all of the channels expect ch 6. It was more sensitive to the direction it was pointed but still no DTV/HDTV Ch 6 on channel 40. Seemed like my tuner would spend a little more time searching CH 40 but everytime it would say "no signal" after its search. I must have tried to search CH 40 at least 20 times with the antenna in different directions. The analog picture with the Silversensor was very good. I am starting to wonder if the Humax receiver I'm using has a problem with Ch 40. I jumped in my van with HDTV tuner, antenna, and camcorder all hooked up to view HDTV and then drove to the top of Bull Mountain with a direct line of site view of ALL of the transmission towers and still I could get everything EXCEPT KOIN DTV Ch 40. Maybe I should return the tuner to Amazon and try again or try the Samsung SIR-T451.

More advice is always welcome.

thanx,
jeff







Jeff I have a Antenna's Direct DB4 I'll sell you for $40.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html

Email me if your intrested

deamda@comcast.net

Ed

Jeff I have a Antenna's Direct DB4 I'll sell you for $40.

http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html

Email me if your intrested

deamda@comcast.net

Ed


Yikes, don't think that antenna would pass the wife test. UGLY!

Please don't take this the wrong way but it had to be said:

You think someone's gonna buy something from an unknown with the tag "fast eddie"?? :eek: :D :D ;)


Maybe it's just his wife that has to worry about being short-changed. :D :D :D

OK, so how does the post I quoted end up after the post I quoted it in. heh!!!

and this one too apparently.... hahaha!!!

let's all do the time warp.... :cool:

OK, so how does the post I quoted end up after the post I quoted it in. heh!!!

Are you sure you're looking at things AFTER you hit SUBMIT REPLY? Previous posts are in reverse order while you are composing a reply.


Edit: When I saw your posts they seemed to be in the correct order. But just now I saw a system announcement that says, in part: Please be aware that some threads are very much a mess in regards to post times.

Are you sure you're looking at things AFTER you hit SUBMIT REPLY? Previous posts are in reverse order while you are composing a reply.


Edit: When I saw your posts they seemed to be in the correct order. But just now I saw a system announcement that says, in part: Please be aware that some threads are very much a mess in regards to post times.

Maybe my original post that earletp quoted will appear next week. I swear I saw it last night but AVS has had a bit of a time with its time stamps.

It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight....

For those of you who posted about and/or are interested in Verizon's fiber optic expansion, today's (April 6) business section of the Oregonian had an article detailing the area that they will be expanding into.

Yes, good article. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they'll be expanding into the City of Portland.

I read that and looked at the map. I'm seemingly right on their border east of 217 at the bottom of west slope. From the map it didn't look like I would be covered.... but I do have Verizon phone service so I think they'd probably get to me.


ron

For those of you who posted about and/or are interested in Verizon's fiber optic expansion, today's (April 6) business section of the Oregonian had an article detailing the area that they will be expanding into. Link to Oregonian article only (no map) (http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/business/1144292110305320.xml?oregonian?fng&coll=7)

Link to Verizon Press Release (http://newscenter.verizon.com/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=93367)

Yes, good article. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they'll be expanding into the City of Portland.


They don't have any services in Portland, there's no way they'll spend the $$$ for a very long time to get into Portland for just plain DSL. That's Qwest's territory.

Portland Comcast Gurus:

Just took the plunge and subscribed to comcast HD with DVR. My TV (older generation Sony Grand Vega II) has DVI input, and the comcast Box has HDMI output. I am Currently using the Comcast-supplied component video cables for connection and it seems to work fine. Has anyone used the HDMI connection (by means of a DVI-HDMI adapter)? Any thoughts on signal quality (vs. component)?

Thanks in advance for your input!

HZ

Portland Comcast Gurus:

Just took the plunge and subscribed to comcast HD with DVR. My TV (older generation Sony Grand Vega II) has DVI input, and the comcast Box has HDMI output. I am Currently using the Comcast-supplied component video cables for connection and it seems to work fine. Has anyone used the HDMI connection (by means of a DVI-HDMI adapter)? Any thoughts on signal quality (vs. component)?

Thanks in advance for your input!

HZ


Wrong Portland OR group, but I'd use the DVI/HDMI first, and the component second. Hook them both up (one at a time of course) and see if you can see any major or minor differences.

Wrong Portland OR group,...

My apologies, must have been a long week. Will post to the proper one!

HZ

I'm trying to get an older Air2PC DVB card to work in my home theater PC. I'm running OpenSUSE 10.0 on my machine. If anyone has a DVB card in their PC, running any flavor of Linux, and is living in or near Portland, OR, I would love to get a copy of your channels.conf file. It's the file that tells the card what frequencies to scan, and it's the last piece of the puzzle for watching OTA digital TV on my computer. :)

-CopperLion

--edit
I figured out why I wasn't able to get the perl script to work, and I now have the channels.conf file I needed. Now I have the card working, but my reception is lousy. I need a different antenna (I'm currently using amplified rabbit ears). Any ideas for a decent inexpensive aerial antenna?

What went wrong with channel 8.1 tonight? About 9:04 the picture froze and then there was a "snap" sound and it was no longer in HD. Or was it my TV, anyone else have this problem?

What went wrong with channel 8.1 tonight? About 9:04 the picture froze and then there was a "snap" sound and it was no longer in HD. Or was it my TV, anyone else have this problem?

I was watching DVD's for most of the night and switched over to the end of L&O CI and wondered why the picture wasn't in HD. Thought I was watching KATU for a second. ;)

Yesterday I thought that ABC was not broadcasting the NBA in HD, again. ESPN re-played the game at midnight and low and behold it was in HD. That tells me that ABC has been broadcasting the games in HD all along and KATU for whatever reason is refusing to pass the HD feed through. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I emailed engineering at KATU which no longer answers my emails. I've been emailing every week because the games weren't showing up in HD and ABC has been advertising ABC HD on the NBA ads. I called ABC and whoever answered the phone said there was no way of them knowing if the game was in HD and that the local station chooses how they want to broadcast. Lame answer.

KATU sure doesn't seem to have a problem with Good Morning America. As usual (right now) it's being broadcast in HD.

I don't want Barbara Walters, I want SPORTS!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

--edit
I figured out why I wasn't able to get the perl script to work, and I now have the channels.conf file I needed. Now I have the card working, but my reception is lousy. I need a different antenna (I'm currently using amplified rabbit ears). Any ideas for a decent inexpensive aerial antenna?
A good place to start would be to search this thread, there's a link to do so at the top of the page. Antenna needs carry vary greatly depending on your location and and obstacles such as trees, buildings, and terrain between you and the towers. Sometimes just adding longer coax and changing the location of your antenna may be enough without changing antenna's.

What went wrong with channel 8.1 tonight? About 9:04 the picture froze and then there was a "snap" sound and it was no longer in HD. Or was it my TV, anyone else have this problem?
From other reports it seems to have been a national problem. Maybe it was raining in NY again.

Yesterday I thought that ABC was not broadcasting the NBA in HD, again. ESPN re-played the game at midnight and low and behold it was in HD. That tells me that ABC has been broadcasting the games in HD all along and KATU for whatever reason is refusing to pass the HD feed through. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I emailed engineering at KATU which no longer answers my emails. I've been emailing every week because the games weren't showing up in HD and ABC has been advertising ABC HD on the NBA ads. I called ABC and whoever answered the phone said there was no way of them knowing if the game was in HD and that the local station chooses how they want to broadcast. Lame answer.

KATU sure doesn't seem to have a problem with Good Morning America. As usual (right now) it's being broadcast in HD.

I don't want Barbara Walters, I want SPORTS!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:I was wondering about this too. Are you sure that ABC is actually sending the games in HD? I seem to remember reading a thread in the HD programming forum that indicated that they wouldn't be until the playoffs? But then I could swear I actually saw one/some of their games in HD in weeks past though... Either way, VERY DISAPPOINTING! If it's ABC's fault and they're just not doing them in HD, it's shameful. If the net is sending them in HD and KATU is just not flipping the switch, there's no excuse at all. Just BS....


ron

I apologize if this has already been covered, but I could not find the answer in a search.

When the WB and UPN combine to form CW, what type of OTA HD can we expect? I currently enjoy UPN in high-quality, high-bitrate broadcast, whereas WB has been....well spotty and fairly low bit-rate (in comparison). My HOPE is that we will continue to see UPN-like broadcasts, or am I only dreaming?

We'll be stuck with low-bitrate KWBP with its flakey transmitter since it's owned and operated by the network. KPDX will be the MyNetwork deal from FOX.

I was wondering about this too. Are you sure that ABC is actually sending the games in HD? I seem to remember reading a thread in the HD programming forum that indicated that they wouldn't be until the playoffs? But then I could swear I actually saw one/some of their games in HD in weeks past though... Either way, VERY DISAPPOINTING! If it's ABC's fault and they're just not doing them in HD, it's shameful. If the net is sending them in HD and KATU is just not flipping the switch, there's no excuse at all. Just BS....


ron


It's not ABC, they are definitely sending them in HD. KATU is the problem. The ESPN broadcast late last night was the replay of yesterday and it was HD. ABC has been doing HD broadcasts all season. I think there was a Sunday here and there they didn't do it, but yesterday had been advertised all last week that it was in HD. The scores table of yesterday's game advertised next sunday in HD. We'll see. KATU is just a lame station. KATU didn't put out HD last Sunday either and I am getting pissed.

It's not ABC, they are definitely sending them in HD. KATU is the problem. The ESPN broadcast late last night was the replay of yesterday and it was HD. ABC has been doing HD broadcasts all season. I think there was a Sunday here and there they didn't do it, but yesterday had been advertised all last week that it was in HD. The scores table of yesterday's game advertised next sunday in HD. We'll see. KATU is just a lame station. KATU didn't put out HD last Sunday either and I am getting pissed.


KATU only cares about football...basketball, golf, and everything else is an afterthought to them.

For those of you who posted about and/or are interested in Verizon's fiber optic expansion, today's (April 6) business section of the Oregonian had an article detailing the area that they will be expanding into.


Spray painted our street the past couple of days, the big trucks with miles of cable aren't too far behind! Already have Verizon DSL so that won't be too much of a change, and the tv won't be here until at least the second half of 2007 so we've got a ways to go on that.

I'm hoping this major change to KOIN news on the 24th includes HD and not just something trivial like a new set or something.

is KATU 2 news at 5pm HD or not? The pic looks higher resolution than standard ch2, but it's cropped on both left and right size? What gives?

Major change at KOIN these days is the firing of people so maybe they will have only one person doing the whole news cast from their basement.

is KATU 2 news at 5pm HD or not? The pic looks higher resolution than standard ch2, but it's cropped on both left and right size? What gives?
None of our local stations have HD news.

Major change at KOIN these days is the firing of people so maybe they will have only one person doing the whole news cast from their basement.
Maybe we'll be the first city in the country to have computer generated avatars giving us the news. :D

is KATU 2 news at 5pm HD or not? The pic looks higher resolution than standard ch2, but it's cropped on both left and right size? What gives?
The SD picture is larger because KATU crops SD at 14:9 isstead of 12:9 but it's not higher resolution. In fact you can see the interlacing artfacts when the anchors talk. It looks like they're wearing braces.

anyone notice that opb now has a 10.3 channel nothing but a test channel it also says in the channel name OPBTEST

I wish I could get an ABC feed out of another city. Whoever runs the HD operation at KATU needs to get FIRED!!!!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

As usual KATU is not passing the NBA through in HD, despite all the advertising that it is in HD. I have no hope for next weekend when the playoffs start that KATU will begin doing HD. ABC is broadcasting the games in HD, KATU is refusing to. No responses from voicemails/emails from KATU. This has been going on for weeks. :mad: :mad: :mad:

ESPN will replay an ABC game tonight probably, and it will be in HD.

anyone notice that opb now has a 10.3 channel nothing but a test channel it also says in the channel name OPBTEST
Yeah, it's been up for several days now, maybe they're trying to figure out how to add the OPB feed back in to the digital transmission.

...or testing to see if we complain about how much the second sub-channel impacts the HD feed. :)

The NBA on KATU is up in HD now... :)

I am so new to HDTV that everyday I am learning something new. So, maybe this is a stupid question, but is all HD OTA sent on a UHF channel? I am trying to determine if my outside antenna is adequate.

Jay

I am so new to HDTV that everyday I am learning something new. So, maybe this is a stupid question, but is all HD OTA sent on a UHF channel? I am trying to determine if my outside antenna is adequate.

JayIt doesn't have to be, but all the locals are.

When the analog shutdown happens and digital simulcasting ends, some stations (KGW, KPTV) will broadcast digital on their VHF channels and pull the plug on the UHF channels they're using today. But that's a long ways off.

Thanks for the answers. Now another question. Several times in this thread, the amount of signal strenth being received from a station is mentioned. How are you measuring this? Is there a meter I could buy or is a meter built into your tuner?

Jay

It's true that all Portland HDTV OTA is currently boardcast over UHF. However Pax/iTV is broadcasting OTA 4 Digital sub channels over VHF channel 4 (22-1,22-2,22-3,& 22-4 ) picture is great for plain Digital and shows at least in Portland VHF works fine for Digital.Also shows what low power VHF can do. I've read that all the local VHF channels except 2 & 6 have asked to use their VHF bands for digital once the test period is over. So far at least one (8?) has been denied that request by the FCC. I understand that digital VHF just like analog VHF covers a much larger area at much lower power then UHF broadcasting. Which lowers costs to the broadcaster in a big way.

I'm moving into a Portland area apartment (I've lived around Portland before, but not since HDTV) and looking at setting up HDTV reception. I've got a fairly good location and I would like to wring out a strong, very stable signal for all stations.

I've been discussing this in another thread but I'd appreciate it if you guys who are familiar with the Portland area would take a peek and offer any comments. I have precisely described my location and have complete coordinates and a map link, so it should be fairly easy. I'd just like to know about any special local considerations I may not be thinking about.

For the sake of brevity and to avoid reposting, here's the original thread I started:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7512815

Thanks for the answers. Now another question. Several times in this thread, the amount of signal strenth being received from a station is mentioned. How are you measuring this? Is there a meter I could buy or is a meter built into your tuner?

JayI'm sure there are meters you can buy, but I think most people are using ones built into the tuners. Some of which are less than completely accurate... the one in my Samsung tuner was pretty useless, for instance.

I'm moving into a Portland area apartment (I've lived around Portland before, but not since HDTV) and looking at setting up HDTV reception. I've got a fairly good location and I would like to wring out a strong, very stable signal for all stations.

I've been discussing this in another thread but I'd appreciate it if you guys who are familiar with the Portland area would take a peek and offer any comments. I have precisely described my location and have complete coordinates and a map link, so it should be fairly easy. I'd just like to know about any special local considerations I may not be thinking about.

For the sake of brevity and to avoid reposting, here's the original thread I started:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7512815I'm not in Vancouver, but with line of sight to the towers you shouldn't have any problems at all. The antennas you linked in your other post should be fine. I'd definitely not recommend amplification, you'd more likely overload the tuner than help things. In fact, I'd recommend you just try a good indoor antenna first, before going to all the trouble of mounting something on your balcony. I'm in antennaweb's "red," "blue," and "violet" zones myself, and still got good reception on many (although not all) of the stations with just a Silver Sensor.

I'm not in Vancouver, but with line of sight to the towers you shouldn't have any problems at all. The antennas you linked in your other post should be fine. I'd definitely not recommend amplification, you'd more likely overload the tuner than help things. In fact, I'd recommend you just try a good indoor antenna first, before going to all the trouble of mounting something on your balcony. I'm in antennaweb's "red," "blue," and "violet" zones myself, and still got good reception on many (although not all) of the stations with just a Silver Sensor.

An indoor antenna may do the trick for most channels, but I'd rather have a solution that is basically guaranteed to work 100% for all stations the first time around. I've learned the value of overdesigning for reliability and future-proofing (low power stations appearing in the future or whatever). I'm planning on locating the actual HDTV tuner (PVR backend) in a corner somewhere out of the way, so running a coax line from a fixed, powerful antenna is probably the best option that enables me total freedom in placing the tuner backend.

You're probably right that an amplifier is probably overkill for this application. With an antenna like the ones I'm looking at, I wasn't planning on an amplifier.

...basically guaranteed to work 100% for all stations the first time around....Ah, well, I wish you luck with that. <g> ATSC reception is still imperfect and sometimes trickier than it should be. Still, it looks like you are on the right track.

Ah, well, I wish you luck with that. <g> ATSC reception is still imperfect and sometimes trickier than it should be. Still, it looks like you are on the right track.

Haha! It's called RF... nothing is perfect. I'm just trying to get as close to the complete solution as possible on the first time around.

Is there a visual guide to Portland broadcast towers anywhere? I'd like to verify that I have line of sight to all the towers, but there's TV, FM, AM, etc all up in the hills and I'm not sure which is which.

SW Skyline and SW Burnside, that's where the towers are. Council Crest towers are not it.

SW Skyline and SW Burnside, that's where the towers are. Council Crest towers are not it.

That's not exactly visual unless I feel like driving there and wandering around. Are there pictures or something anywhere? I want to look out and be like, ok, the tall red and white tower, the black tower, whatever. (OK, I made up the second tower, but you get the idea.) Even exact coordinates would be helpful.

http://www.antennaweb.org


Enter your address, and follow the instructions.

Is there a visual guide to Portland broadcast towers anywhere? I'd like to verify that I have line of sight to all the towers, but there's TV, FM, AM, etc all up in the hills and I'm not sure which is which.

Maybe this wil help, from the first post in this thread....

For antenna aiming, all of the stations are clustered near SW Burnside and Skyline. The Sylvan Site (KOIN, KATU, KWBP and KNMT) are the two equal height tower furthest east. The Skyline Site (KGW, KOPB and KPXG), the tower with a 'forked' antenna mount on the top, is in the center. The KPTV and KPDX sites are the two tall towers furthest west.

Thanks to Antennaweb.org and you fine folk on the forum, I was able to re-align my existing antenna to get all of the Portland HD stations. My Garmin GPS helped me get exactly the right degrees on the compass. OTA HD us so good I am thinking of getting rid of the cable.

Thanks, Jay

Maybe this wil help, from the first post in this thread....

*smacks head*

Hmmm it appears I was thinking in a totally different dimension when I read over the first post... and I did read it over multiple time!

OTA HD us so good I am thinking of getting rid of the cable.

Why don't you see what things are like for a few months before dropping cable? Had any good thunderstorms lately?

blueandwhiteg3,

Looks like your only real concern is going to be air traffic.

blueandwhiteg3,

Looks like your only real concern is going to be air traffic.

Haha!! It's amusing but I wonder if there's substance to that... I hadn't thought about it before... I am about 2.5 miles from the runways, across the river, and the runways are mostly perpendicular to my shot to the HDTV towers. I wonder if a plane is big enough at distance to cause RF issues? Anybody know? I can't imagine they would be a substantial issue at all, but I am now more curious than anything...

well, if the buses did for...I don't remember exactly who...then I would suppose a plan could cause some issues too!

I watched the NBA playoff game today on channel 2 ABCHD (720p). Wow was the picture ever great! This is actually the first full HD basketball game I have watched. My OTA outside antenna and my 42HD Vizio have opened a whole new world of viewing. I find myself, like others have mentioned just watching a program that I might not be interested in, just to enjoy the HD pictures.

Jay

this is the message i have got from opb

Thank you for contacting Oregon Public Broadcasting. We appreciate you taking the time to write.


Regarding OPB's digital signal, there is nothing set in stone at this time for a 10.3 signal. We can tell you that any updates should be announced in our OPB Member Guide, as well as on our OPB website at www.opb.org. Please let us know if you have additional questions. We will do our best to assist you.


Again, thank you for your interest in OPB. It is through your support that OPB remains independent and strong. We could not do it without you.


Sincerely,


Your friends at OPB


The Mission of Oregon Public Broadcasting, an independent not-for-profit corporation, is to provide lifelong learning that informs, educates, and enriches people through the development and delivery of exemplary programming and services.

Well at least you can tune your TV on 10.3 right now!

anyone notice that opb now has a 10.3 channel nothing but a test channel it also says in the channel name OPBTEST


Yeah, I stumbled on that myself. What's funny is that a few weeks back, I emailed all of our local stations (including OPB)asking if any of them broadcast the SMPTE bars at any time in their schedule.

I received absolutely no response.

Then I just stubled on the 10.3 after rescanning my channels when my set lost sound.

Rick

I searched this forum and, surprisingly, found no discussion of the KGW "Newschannel 8" splash logo. Perhaps we can start a letter drive to KGW and NBC national to protest this pointless marketing practice.

KGW started polluting their HD broadcasts during the Olympics with their "Newschannel 8" logo and this silly marketing practice continues to date--often destroying their HD broadcasts during late night TV (Leno and Conan). It's annoying enough to have the screen switch from HD to SD and Dolby 5.1 to 2.0 during the several seconds per hour when the logo airs, but KGW often leaves the entire broadcast in SD even after the logo vanishes! (Does someone forget to switch it back or are the KGW engineers falling asleep during late night TV?) The audio switching from 5.1 to 2.0 is also disruptive and sometimes results in loud glitches from my receiver. On the occasion that the picture remains in SD mode after the splash logo, the viewer is usually forced to watch crappy SD PQ until after the next block of commercials, or they can just turn off the program ;).

Viewers already know they're watching "Newschannel 8" and don't need this disruptive and annoying reminder. NBC is having trouble in the ratings. Perhaps we can convince them to ban this practice by their local affiliates. Please tell them that you spent a lot of money on your HD TV and sound systems and any disruption of HD feeds are unacceptable to you, as a viewer--even brief splash screen logos.

KGW didn't respond to my email. I'll write to NBC national next. Perhaps a hundred or more emails would get their attention!

Thanks!

I believe you'll find it has less to do with marketing and is more the result of the FCC requirement that stations ID themselves at the top of the hour and KGW does not have an HD graphics generator yet.

Does anyone know of a supplier in Portland that carries bulk Belden, or similar quality, RG-6 quad-shield coax?
It's my understanding that the Carol cable that Home Depot carries is only mediocre and if I'm going to go to the trouble I'd rather use something that has a good reputation.

Earl

I believe you'll find it has less to do with marketing and is more the result of the FCC requirement that stations ID themselves at the top of the hour and KGW does not have an HD graphics generator yet.This is a recent practice and the FCC requirement is far from recent. Although the splash screen may fulfill the FCC requirement, it was also adequately fulfilled previously with a simple ID during commercial breaks and they were much less intrusive and annoying!

Does anyone know of a supplier in Portland that carries bulk Belden, or similar quality, RG-6 quad-shield coax?
It's my understanding that the Carol cable that Home Depot carries is only mediocre and if I'm going to go to the trouble I'd rather use something that has a good reputation.

Earl Have you tried Norvac Electronics (http://www.norvac.net/) ?

Does anyone know of a supplier in Portland that carries bulk Belden, or similar quality, RG-6 quad-shield coax?
It's my understanding that the Carol cable that Home Depot carries is only mediocre and if I'm going to go to the trouble I'd rather use something that has a good reputation.

Earl

Belden is a great choice for wiring your home theater. Get the 1694A. It's very low loss and will handle high bandwidth. It's being used in a lot of the TV stations for their transition to digital.

As far as local availability you may be better off using eBay.

Scott

Have you tried Norvac Electronics (http://www.norvac.net/) ?
Thanks, I'll give them a call.

Belden is a great choice for wiring your home theater. Get the 1694A. It's very low loss and will handle high bandwidth. It's being used in a lot of the TV stations for their transition to digital.

As far as local availability you may be better off using eBay.

Scott
I'll take a look on eBay but I'm afraid shipping may be a killer on coax.

DirecTV announced Portland is in it's next group of local HD mpeg4 channels starting in July. Even with my antenna problems (10 and 12), I don't think I'm going to go for this. Anyone else's thoughts?

Just as an update, I called Norvac and all they carry is Carol and General Cable, who makes Carol.

My local Ace hardware is going to order me in some CommScope though, and it is also very good RG-6, and rates up with Belden. So I'm all set. Thanks again for the help.

Earl

DirecTV announced Portland is in it's next group of local HD mpeg4 channels starting in July. Even with my antenna problems (10 and 12), I don't think I'm going to go for this. Anyone else's thoughts?

DISH Network announced the same thing for their system as well. Sometime Q2

DirecTV announced Portland is in it's next group of local HD mpeg4 channels starting in July. Even with my antenna problems (10 and 12), I don't think I'm going to go for this. Anyone else's thoughts?I had DirecTV and would consider going back to them. They certainly had both better equipment and better customer service than Comcast, which I'm using now because of OTA reception issues. However, they also had HD Lite, and the fees for the new MPEG4 DVR seem more than a little excessive. So I'll wait to see how it goes and what initial reports are in July. I'd certainly never use them if they downscale the locals.

Has anyone followed reports about how happy people are in areas where they already carry the locals in HD?

However, they also had HD Lite, and the fees for the new MPEG4 DVR seem more than a little excessive.


They don't have an mpeg4 DVR yet, so I don't know where you're getting the fees part of your question from. The H20 is a receiver only, no DVR abilities and the HR10-250 can't record mpeg4 (which is probably why I'm not going to upgrade as of yet).

OTA will be mpeg2 for a loooooooooooong time, longer than the HR10-250 will last most likely without a new hard drive.

They don't have an mpeg4 DVR yet, so I don't know where you're getting the fees part of your question from. The H20 is a receiver only, no DVR abilities and the HR10-250 can't record mpeg4 (which is probably why I'm not going to upgrade as of yet).

OTA will be mpeg2 for a loooooooooooong time, longer than the HR10-250 will last most likely without a new hard drive.The fees part wasn't a question.

My mistake about the MPEG4 DVR, there had been talk about it coming out in time for the HD locals rollout back at the end of last year, when I dropped DirecTV in favor of Comcast. I guess I just assumed they had released it, when they changed their pricing structure so drastically. And what I mean by that, if the HR10-250 is the DVR they are still using, that's the one you could buy for about $400 last year. Now that $400 only gets you the priviledge of beginning a lease on one. You have to give it back if you disconnect. That's a pretty big change.

It's also pretty useless, if it can't record (or even receive) their HD locals. Nobody who can get good OTA reception on all (or a majority of) the channels is going to care about HD locals. Those of us who need them aren't going to get much use out of an MPEG2 DVR.

I would not sign up with D* at this point. I still have D* because I'm a fool :(. Their HD PQ seems even worse than it has in the past to me. They may begin providing quality HD again once their next batch of sats is up and in working order. But I will believe that when I see it. And it's still a fairly long way off too. It would really be nice if Verizon would rollout the fios here soon, but there's a lot of wrangling to be done before that's going to happen as well. Comcast is sounding better all the time unfortunately. But I just really don't want to go to them either so I sit watching half ass HD. If I actually had to write D* a check every month instead of the autopay I'm sure I'd be with Comcast by now...


ron

... If I actually had to write D* a check every month instead of the autopay I'm sure I'd be with Comcast by now...


ron

Pulling the plug on autopay isn't really THAT hard .... Face it, you just love adversity. :D