used to get WFSB-DT in no problem in east longmeadow but now it is not coming in at all. Have they been messing around with something?

M-HD has been added to Charter.

Channel 798.

Nice! I flipped over when I saw your post and here is the Eagles in 5.1 HD splendor! Thanks for the heads up. It's no NBC or ABC but it's nice. Never heard of the channel before :)

Nice! I flipped over when I saw your post and here is the Eagles in 5.1 HD splendor! Thanks for the heads up. It's no NBC or ABC but it's nice. Never heard of the channel before :)

Looks like they are also adding FSN-HD on 790. Just in time for the Celtics.

Is anyone else having trouble picking up WGGB-DT over the air? I have picked it up fine for the 3 months since I had my Mitsu HDTV and for the last week there is nothing. It's not a problem with my antenna because I replaced it and still the same problem. My other OTA channels are working fine.

Looks like they are also adding FSN-HD on 790. Just in time for the Celtics.

On Charter? 790 is Starz HD already. How did you come across FSN? Is it on now?

Is anyone else having trouble picking up WGGB-DT over the air? I have picked it up fine for the 3 months since I had my Mitsu HDTV and for the last week there is nothing. It's not a problem with my antenna because I replaced it and still the same problem. My other OTA channels are working fine.

I haven't noticed any problem, though I probably haven't tried since last Wednesday's Lost. I just tried it now and it's coming in fine. You scared me considering the big Lost episode is on tonight! Now if only they would put out 5.1!

Thanks Glenn. I'll need to figure out what is causing the problem then at my end. Also relative to your previous post regarding Fox Sports on Charter - it's really on 770, not 790 as was mentioned. There is a placeholder screen there with programming only when games are on (at least it came on for a couple of the Celtics games anyway). There is one tonight if you want to try (before Lost of course).

Ah, yep, there it is. Purty little graphic. Strangely the channel ID put out by Charter says FSPHD. I assume that's for Fox SPorts instead of Fox Sports Network? Weird though if the channel is actually called FSN :p

Is anyone else having trouble picking up WGGB-DT over the air? I have picked it up fine for the 3 months since I had my Mitsu HDTV and for the last week there is nothing. It's not a problem with my antenna because I replaced it and still the same problem. My other OTA channels are working fine.
I can't pick up WGGB-DT through my tv tuner, but i can through my HR10-250.

Did they possibly change any of the specs? This is what mine shows:
Physical Channel: 55
Freq.: 719000 khz
Modulation: 8VSB

Have you tried rescanning for channels on the tv?

Did they possibly change any of the specs? This is what mine shows:
Physical Channel: 55
Freq.: 719000 khz
Modulation: 8VSB

Have you tried rescanning for channels on the tv?

Yeah - it's really strange. It is somehow causing my entire TV to shut off as a self protection. I even called Mitsubishi thinking that maybe it was a problem with my TV and they sent out a repair guy who replaced a circuit board but it's still the same. It's somehow tied into WGGB-TV which broadcasts on digital channel 55. Every other channel seems to be fine. Analog OTA works fine and so does the non-HD WGGB channel on cable.

I've tried rescanning on my tv (hitachi) and I get no picture on WGGB-DT. I do, however, show a signal power of 82. I also bought a pre-amp to bring in Fox 61 and WVIT 30 and received those channels for a couple weeks and now the signal is around 20. This happen with anyone else?

same here no WGGB-DT 40...What gives?

Is anyone else having trouble picking up WGGB-DT over the air? I have picked it up fine for the 3 months since I had my Mitsu HDTV and for the last week there is nothing. It's not a problem with my antenna because I replaced it and still the same problem. My other OTA channels are working fine.

I turned on my TV this morning and there it was - WGGB-DT OTA was working beautifully as was The Tube. I'm guessing it was a problem at the station that has now been fixed.

I turned on my TV this morning and there it was - WGGB-DT OTA was working beautifully as was The Tube. I'm guessing it was a problem at the station that has now been fixed.

Yes, it was a problem with some of the PSIP data...it has now been fixed. Sorry for the problem. Also, I worked on the lip sync and audio levels, should be good now.
Hope to have 5.1 in the next few weeks.
Jim

So that only affected some people? What is the criteria, i.e. what would have broken because of a data issue?

And 5.1? Finally! Can't live without it! It adds as much to the experience of a HD show as the better picture. Thanks!

I was just curious what everyone else is using for an antenna to pick up HD OTA. I'm using the Terk HDTVS with a pre-amp to help pick up some CT channels. I'm a bit disappointed with the results. FOX 61 and NBC 30 come in here and there, but CBS 3 comes in fine. I'm considering other antennas, I just wanted to get an opinion first from other people in the area. Thanks for your time....

I read somewhere on a forum, maybe this one , that terk blows. I know the one I put on my roof 8 years ago did.

I read somewhere on a forum, maybe this one , that terk blows. I know the one I put on my roof 8 years ago did.
Yeah, I wish I had done a bit more research before I bought it. I've been looking at the DB4's and DB8's as a possible replacement.

for anyone living in this general area, especially with tall trees around can you suggest an antenna to be installed outdoors or an inside set top box that works well?

TIA

So for HDTV we must get the receiver from Comcast? I know that at a different area, comcast did not block the HDTV feed, so my friend was watching the HDTV for free.

Well they could be like Charter where I got the broadcast channels via cable automatically when I hooked it up to my new tv. But you only get a few hours of HD programming each day on the broadcast channels. If you want any of the various other HD stations like Discovery Theater, ESPN, TNT, MHD, HBO, MAX, SHO, UHD, NESN, etc, than you will definitely need a stb or a cable card.

What a rip off. Is it everywhere like that?

To watch EPSN, TNT and Discovery I need to have the classic package, wich adds more channels to my line up and allows to watch these 3 in HD? But I do not want additional channels. I thought that by getting the box and paying the extra fee, I can watch the avaiable HDTV channels from my lineup.

This way they know you would like to watch ESPN so they make you by extra channels.

Well they could be like Charter where I got the broadcast channels via cable automatically when I hooked it up to my new tv. But you only get a few hours of HD programming each day on the broadcast channels. If you want any of the various other HD stations like Discovery Theater, ESPN, TNT, MHD, HBO, MAX, SHO, UHD, NESN, etc, than you will definitely need a stb or a cable card.

I thought the fcc mandated that you must be able to receive all unscrambled channels without a set top box? wouldnt this mean that tvs with qam tuners would get the digital cable channels you paid for WITHOUT a cable card or stb?

Well not really. Any of those stations that are part of a special programming tier will be encrypted and the tv cannot decode them. For that you need a cable card. If you put a cable card in your tv (if your tv even supports it) you will get all of the channels you currently get with your digital cable package choices. But even if you get the regular versions of those stations, the HD versions are whole different channels on the dial, they don't just suddenly change the current TNT channel to HD for example, you have to use the upper channel 797 to get HD TNT not the regular TNT channel lower on the dial. All of those upper HD versions of the channels are part of yet another programming tier that you have to subscribe to, pay extra for, and get separately authorized via the stb or cable card. Without anything special, the tv would be able to receive OTA signals, anything on standard cable that doesn't require decryption, and you would be able to get the upper channel HD versions of the local broadcast networks, on Charter that would be cbs, fox, and pbs. Then to add more they have a 'basic' HD package of like TNT, MHD, etc, and a premium one that adds things like espn HD and discovery theater. They suck you dry no matter how you slice it....

Charter is terrible. I've had their HD package since the very beginning and I still can't get ABC-HD and NBC-HD even though they are passed-through by the local affiliates.

Does anyone with DirectTV in the area know if they offer HD network programming on a 5 LNB dish (not the clip-on antenna)?

directv hd locals wont be up in this area for quite a while according to the installation supervisor I spoke to. also this link:

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/2/111055.html

explains why you should be able with a QAM tuner to get the unscrambled hd channels on cable. nothing extra, just the local broadcasters.

this:



FCC Sec. 76.901 (Basic Service Minimums)
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/05dec20031700/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr _2003/octqtr/47cfr76.901.htm

FCC Sec. 76.630 (shall not scramble)
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/05dec20031700/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr _2003/octqtr/47cfr76.630.htm

Section 76.630 ( Basic Tier Encryption Prohibited)
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-225A1.pdf

comments from the EFF to FCC
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publ...CC-03-273A1.pdf

explains the FCC no scramble regs with regard to non premium content and set top boxes.

The way Charter 'gets away with it' is that they simply don't carry the ABC or NBC digital channels *period*. They aren't scrambled or anything, they just don't offer the WGGB or WWLP digital/HD signals on their channel lineup so you don't get them with or without a stb or cable card. <sigh> And still no GSN either!!!

charter is one of the few bad things about living in chicopee. they are a minor league outfit nationwide because paul allen is losing tons of money with them and most likely wont reinvest.

Charter is terrible. I've had their HD package since the very beginning and I still can't get ABC-HD and NBC-HD even though they are passed-through by the local affiliates.

Does anyone with DirectTV in the area know if they offer HD network programming on a 5 LNB dish (not the clip-on antenna)?


Yes, as mentioned, Direct TV won't have HD locals here till maybe late 2007. (If that) I do have D* with the HD package though. I get my HD locals ota with an antenna hooked up to my tivo HR10-250. I was a bit hesitant switching to D* from Charter at first, but I'm glad I did.

ok I have tv currently hooked up. it is literally searching for digital channels as I type.

at the risk of being found adhd [no offense intended for those afflicted, just an attempt at humor] I am now about 65% into the automated tuner search and its found 42 digital channels. now how many I will actually be able to see remains, well, to be seen but in the event that this does actually work its a testament to the value of QAM tuners. and if it doesnt well I never inhaled and furthermore it wasnt me.

ok this works very well. no hd programming on that I can see but its early. QAM rules.

ok I think I have found the hd channels. I think there are 5 of them: 40,22,3,61 and tnt. what is the tube? is that just sd music junk? and is there some reason that they come in on designations that are WAY off the normal 3,40, et.al?

I edited this a lot for which I apologize. long story short: get a tv with QAM. the cheapest 32 inch I have seen that advertised QAM on the box is a vizio at costco for 699.

in my never ending search for hd content I decided to enhance my options by trying out a philips silver surfer classic. it picked up a ton of digital signals but they arent the strongest. I can return this with no problem to get a better set of 'rabbit ears' but I want to know if I can add an amplifier to this and get better reception or should I get ears with built in amplification or just give up and get a roof antenna?

in my never ending search for hd content I decided to enhance my options by trying out a philips silver surfer classic. it picked up a ton of digital signals but they arent the strongest. I can return this with no problem to get a better set of 'rabbit ears' but I want to know if I can add an amplifier to this and get better reception or should I get ears with built in amplification or just give up and get a roof antenna?

You will always get better results with an outside antenna.

You will always get better results with an outside antenna.


...always - there is no substitute.

on the way to watching some broadcast hd over cable [local ota] . I input the channel and it came up not authorised. now this is using my qam tuner and comcast basic subscription. are they able to somehow address the tuners which would make them 2 way? this is in springfield mass and the channels came in wed-friday but now the banner says not authorised. I am not trying to steal cable I just wanted to see what is available on the lifeline sub that I have.

...always - there is no substitute.

ok I gotcha. looks like I will have to order one and have it installed. is there something I should know about having the signal sent to 3 rooms in my house? antenna web says I need a multi directional with pre amp. this should be enough signal to split 3 ways shouldnt it?

ok I gotcha. looks like I will have to order one and have it installed. is there something I should know about having the signal sent to 3 rooms in my house? antenna web says I need a multi directional with pre amp. this should be enough signal to split 3 ways shouldnt it?

I have a CM 4228 8 bay bowtie UHF antenna -

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANC4228&xzoom=Large#xview

and a rotator -

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=03&CAT=&PROD=MTRTR200

which I use to get OTA HD channels 3, 22, 40, 57, 61.

The rotator is a must as the signals are originating from three different locations.

I have the signal coming in with one line and plugged into an indoor amplifier (not a

pre-amplifier) and sent out to two older Sony tuners.

Your mileage may vary.

Good luck.

I have seen that model. I am leaning towards a Terrestrial Digital DB8 UHF HDTV Antenna (DB8) [specs http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=TD-DB8 ]
that is a multidirectional and adding a preamp and taller mast. I cannot believe the difference between ota and cable or satellite hd. I hope to get this done within a month. its too bad no one around here does roof antenna sales and installation.

can someone please shed some light, I have a terk roof antenna for ota channels, I have the one cable from the roof antenna coming into my house in the basement, I also have 8 cable lines ran down into the basement from each room what is the best way to hook this all up with out very much signal loss, i found this splitter on line would this work for my application any suggestions would be great,,,. Maspro GDA38 The amplified splitter provides 3dB forward gain (incoming from the service provider) per port compared to an 11db loss per port on a typical 8-Way coaxial cable splitter. The down-stream band is amplified from 54-1000 MHz and the up-stream band is passed with low loss from 5-42 MHz. Low noise, low distortion and excellent return loss are achieved using an integrated circuit (IC) that is specially designed for these ranges. The amplifier case is made from a solid zinc die-cast plated with nickel to assure excellent weatherability. Since the case is totally airtight, it provides superb electromagnetic shielding and waterproofing performance. For indoor use only.

Happy New Year all......Have a great Hi-Def 2007 :)

And to you. Mine started with my sxrd not turning on new year's day. Flashing red light indicates a cooling problem. Turned on after multiple tries but it happened again this morning and took a half hour to finally start. My HD new year is not off to a rousing start :(

And to you. Mine started with my sxrd not turning on new year's day. Flashing red light indicates a cooling problem. Turned on after multiple tries but it happened again this morning and took a half hour to finally start. My HD new year is not off to a rousing start :(

sorry to hear that... :(

Happy New Year all......Have a great Hi-Def 2007 :)

my 60xbr2 sxrd came in on the 30th so so far my hd 2007 is off to a good start. once my ota antenna arrives this week and my calibration is done in may I will be very happy. I hope.

what are you getting for an antenna?

Fox61 HD on Charter is black for the playoff game, what the H? Is it yet another technical problem with this channel that even on a normal day looks like garbage or is it being blacked out for some stupid NFL contract? It's not on any other channel so it's not like I have an option to switch over. If they carried the Patriots game I'd be rioting right now!

Fox61 HD on Charter is black for the playoff game, what the H? Is it yet another technical problem with this channel that even on a normal day looks like garbage or is it being blacked out for some stupid NFL contract? It's not on any other channel so it's not like I have an option to switch over. If they carried the Patriots game I'd be rioting right now!

Their signal if FUBARed! They are not on the air analog or digital!

The analog channel (10) on Charter is on fine right now but HD is black. I know they had massive problems last week too, I tried to watch Til Death and War at Home on 61 HD and it kept cutting out and breaking up and was unwatchable. That plus the every day gray pillars and screen effect that ruins the picture, what is their malfunction? Do they purposefully WANT people to be unable to watch the only fox affiliate in the area??

The analog channel (10) on Charter is on fine right now but HD is black. I know they had massive problems last week too, I tried to watch Til Death and War at Home on 61 HD and it kept cutting out and breaking up and was unwatchable. That plus the every day gray pillars and screen effect that ruins the picture, what is their malfunction? Do they purposefully WANT people to be unable to watch the only fox affiliate in the area??

they dont broadcast hd all day so the pillars are normal. someone said that 61 is working on their tower so that 'might' have something to do with the reception problems unless someone with ota reception wants to dispel that. I know on comcast with my qam tuner I am having no problems with 61hd. I am trying to understand why comcast is broadcasting tnt hd with picture but no sound. makes no sense to me but I am happy to be getting the hds for so little money.

what are you getting for an antenna?

currently sitting in the boxes in are a terrestrial digital db-8 antenna with a channel master 7777 preamp and a 39 inch winegard mast. I really want to get this installed soon. anyone with leads on an installer would be greatly appreciated.

i got bored once and started reading this thread from the beginning and i think on one of the first few pages there was a name of a local guy that does installs.

they dont broadcast hd all day so the pillars are normal. someone said that 61 is working on their tower so that 'might' have something to do with the reception problems unless someone with ota reception wants to dispel that. I know on comcast with my qam tuner I am having no problems with 61hd. I am trying to understand why comcast is broadcasting tnt hd with picture but no sound. makes no sense to me but I am happy to be getting the hds for so little money.

Pillars are normal but not GRAY ones. It looks hideous and distorts the picture. The same time they switched to gray the screen effect also started so they obviously changed something that day a few months ago. If that is what they are working on fixing now then I'll tolerate the pain to get there.

The HD channel came back on but it's still a little unstable. Great game, they are killing me with this... And FWIW, tnt-hd on Charter is fine.

post# 111 and 113 :D

currently sitting in the boxes in are a terrestrial digital db-8 antenna with a channel master 7777 preamp and a 39 inch winegard mast. I really want to get this installed soon. anyone with leads on an installer would be greatly appreciated.

when you get that up and running let me know how it works out if you can please.

I called larry from larry's leisure electronics after getting the email about your response. he is coming out tuesday to take a look and make recommendations about my stuff.

when you get that up and running let me know how it works out if you can please.

Larry from larrys leisure lectronics has mostly installed my setup. he recommended not using the cm7777 preamp so thats going back to affordable hd. he has oriented the elements of the db8 in northwest and southwest directions. he says he is going to put an a/b switch on to connect the outputs to the 3 rooms I am having the cables run to. when he comes on friday to complete the job I am going to suggest that he just connect the two elements without an a/b. as of right now I receive the following channels from my springfield location:

3,3.1,3.2,3.3,8,8.1,8.2,18,18.1,18.2,20,20.1,20.2,22,22.1,22 .2,24,25,26,28,30,30.1,30.2,38,40,40.1,40.2,50,57,57.1 thru .5,61,61.1,67

for whatever reason, the analog channels dont have sound on my tv, maybe because I turned off the internal speaker and all the sound is digital thru my optical out from the tv. I dont recall what the result was when I put the ota into my directv hd receiver but I am pretty sure there was no sound then either. Larry is going to put distribution amps in my cellar and run the cables from there and then in my tv room I will split the signal to feed the dtv receiver and the tv. its pretty cool how on the channel banner it tells how much time is left in any show as well as the aspect ratio and the audio options. the 60xbr2 is making my 32 inch s2010 look like ass in comparison. definetly going to get the xbr3 40 or 46 for my master bedroom. yeah I know the 32 incher costs way less but it performs way worse too. its also too small. if you are considering a tv to replace a 32 inch direct tube you REALLY should consider going with a 40 incher if you want a flat panel. so in summary and to answer your question I am happy with my terrestrial digital antenna. also with Larry's expertise. he told me he can get an at9 dish to work at my location when 4 directv installers said it was impossible. if youre looking for an antenna that DOES NOT need a rotor, you can try the db8 and you will be happy.

What did the whole setup cost?

What did the whole setup cost?

the antenna was 79.99 and the winegard 39 inch jmount was 19.99 . your cost for his install depends on your requirements. mine involves 3 room cabling and a distribution amp plus at least 3 hours labor at 65 per.

thanks for the info digital...so you can get 22.1 & 8.1 with the db8...thats great....

8.1 is weak. infact today [thursday] I cannot get it. but the rest are no problem.

is anyone else having problems with channel 61.1 today? sometimes its on sometimes not. on basic cable it looks grainy and crappy. [analog channel 61] wouldnt the digital and analog channels both exhibit issues if there were tower problems? or is it just tough to get on windy days?

There's ongoing transmitter work on Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington right now. I don't always get WTIC-DT at my work place in Newington either.

some days the signal comes in at 64 or so, but most days its around 42...

thanks you two.

It's affecting the cable co too because 61 HD is constantly dropping audio and stuttering and stuff, so their reception isn't much better even with the fancy equipment.

is it me or the wind? it seems that the picture is breaking up even on strong signals with the ota today. is that something to expect with high winds?

I don't know if it's the wind or not, but fox61 hit 85 on my signal meter today. I've never seen it that high....

With the recent announcement that DirecTV would be the sole provider of MLB's Extra Innings package (which I think is a terrible move by MLB), I'm looking into the idea of switching to DirecTV (no doubt why they made the deal). I've already learned that DirecTV doesn't carry the local HD feeds (and won't for the foreseeable future), so I wondering if anyone has any experience with what kind of HD reception I could expect with a roof antenna in downtown Easthampton. I assume the Springfield channels would be no problem, but would I pick up the Hartford Fox and CBS feeds? If not, it seems there is no good solution for the time being.

With the recent announcement that DirecTV would be the sole provider of MLB's Extra Innings package (which I think is a terrible move by MLB), I'm looking into the idea of switching to DirecTV (no doubt why they made the deal). I've already learned that DirecTV doesn't carry the local HD feeds (and won't for the foreseeable future), so I wondering if anyone has any experience with what kind of HD reception I could expect with a roof antenna in downtown Easthampton. I assume the Springfield channels would be no problem, but would I pick up the Hartford Fox and CBS feeds? If not, it seems there is no good solution for the time being.

I would try what i did. Get a cheap indoor amplified antenna and then go from there.

no! dont do that. if your house is only 1 floor you can EASILY put an antenna on your roof and run the cable to whatever room[s] you wish. as everyone who responded told me and now I can confirm, the roof antenna is the way to go. you will be amazed the amount of channels digital and analog you can get with the right antenna.

8.1 is weak. infact today [thursday] I cannot get it. but the rest are no problem.


it now appears that I cannot get a signal lock on channel 8.1 or .2 although I CAN get channel 8 analog. yeah I know big whoop. still the amount of channels I can get is amazing, well, to me anyway. I am also amazed at the program info being broadcast. its pretty cool to me how you are told how much of a particular program is left to play. [time remaining]


turns out that the sony tvs that I have do not have tuners that are as solid as the directv hd receivers. the dtvs both can get 8.1 but the atsc sony tuners [1 is from an xbr2 mind you] do not. oh well. I am happy.

I just got a new plasma today, and am curious as to how I can get WWLP better. I get WGGB in HD, but WWLP isn't coming in. I want to watch The Office in HD tonight!!!


EDIT:
This is weird. I'm getting Hartford, Connecticut's NBC affiliate in HD, but I can't pull Springfield's in HD. I LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD!

What am I doing wrong here?

I just got a new plasma today, and am curious as to how I can get WWLP better. I get WGGB in HD, but WWLP isn't coming in. I want to watch The Office in HD tonight!!!


EDIT:
This is weird. I'm getting Hartford, Connecticut's NBC affiliate in HD, but I can't pull Springfield's in HD. I LIVE IN SPRINGFIELD!

What am I doing wrong here?

if you are getting channel 30.1 then what is the problem? 30.1 and 22.1 are not coming from the same direction so thats why you arent getting them. the connecticut stations come from the southwest. 22 comes from the west. your antenna makes all the difference in the world.

The WWLP Digital/HD channel is actually broadcast on VHF channel number 11.

For better reception, try the following:

1) Buy an antenna that is designed for VHF.
2) Mount the antenna in a HIGH place.
3) The WWLP tower is West of Springfield. If you live in Springfield, try putting the antenna on the west side of your dwelling.

get the same antenna I got which gets a ton of channels including 22.1 : terrestrial digital db8.

get the same antenna I got which gets a ton of channels including 22.1 : terrestrial digital db8.

Hey digital, do you have any pictures of your db8 on your roof?

actually its not on my roof. its on a jmount on the back of the top of my house. I will take a picture soon. frankly its not as high up as I would like but with the gigantic trees around my house it may not make any difference when the trees bloom again.

I'm very new to this and am still in the which hdtv to buy mode. I live in the aldenville section of chicopee which seems to be a great location to try the ota. question is which antenna should I chose?

I've found that ota antennas are trial and error. I went with a cheap indoor amplified antenna first, then settled on a outdoor antenna with an amplifier. My friend digital, went out and got a nice setup for himself and spent a few more $'s, but I know he is getting more channels. (i'm a little jealous btw, lol) So it's more of a personal preference.

I live in low lying area by the old oxford country club by the river. I don't get the greatest reception there, but I get enough for now.

I must pass your house every day as I live on East Main :D I'll have to look for an antenna and try to pinpoint you.

Well, hello then neighbor. I'm on Baltimore Ave, but if you can see my antenna I could have you arrested for trespassing. :eek: lol....

I'm having problems with lip sync issues when watching an HD program on WGGB DT. I'm located in Somers CT and the picture quality looks great, but there are very noticeable lip sync issues. Is this a known problem? SD displays and synchronizes just fine. Any information you could provide regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

I have that problem too. I never really watch abc though, so I don't know how big a problem it really is.

They certainly have their issues and that is a common one with even cable-fed HD channels on occasion, though I watched Lost OTA the other night with no lip sync problem. I adjust my receiver's audio delay to sync up HD shows when that happens. Maybe in the 22nd century they will get that right.... :)

Two day ago I noticed that the hd channels were re-mapped. I have a built in qam tuner on my 50 inch panny. I was able to get my locals in hd without a STB. I subscribed just to the basic cable (10.99 a month ) Now channel 22 is on 22.1 3 on 3.1 ect. In the meantime I lost fox 61 and abc40 is nowere to be found on any number . I tried to re-scan many times and still have this problem. Has anyone else noticed this. I just want fox and abc back..........

Try a manually scanning for physical channels 31.3 (FOX61) or 55.3 & 55.4 (ABC40 + The TUBE)

You may need to point your antenna WEST in order to get ABC40

no I don't have a OTA connected , these channels are comming thru the basic cable so I can't adjust any antennas

no I don't have a OTA connected , these channels are comming thru the basic cable so I can't adjust any antennas

I was about to say that your original post makes no sense but you ammended it. I did a channel scan saturday that picked up 2 new channels on the qam but I didnt check to see what they are. in springfield we get 52 digital channels on comcast clear qam but on my sony tvs they come in with weird assignments like 87.1, 86.2 and so on. I just checked and fox is still on. I dont know why you pay 10.99 for basic since you can get it for like 4 dollars without a box.

Or if you still can't receive it, buy a cheap antenna and point it WEST.

I've found that ota antennas are trial and error. I went with a cheap indoor amplified antenna first, then settled on a outdoor antenna with an amplifier. My friend digital, went out and got a nice setup for himself and spent a few more $'s, but I know he is getting more channels. (i'm a little jealous btw, lol) So it's more of a personal preference.

I live in low lying area by the old oxford country club by the river. I don't get the greatest reception there, but I get enough for now.


you wont mistake me for magellan or columbus but isnt that area pretty wide open? perhaps I dont understand how digital signals travel. I would much rather live around that location for ota reception rather than 'old growth anti ota forest, sponsored by comcast' like I do.

I live in chicopee and just got D* w/ the HR20 receiver. I'm looking at getting an indoor antenna to start. From what I've read it looks like the antenna connects right to the HR20 and then you can have the HR20 scan for channels. Anyone have this set up and if so what channels can I expect to get.

I live in chicopee and just got D* w/ the HR20 receiver. I'm looking at getting an indoor antenna to start. From what I've read it looks like the antenna connects right to the HR20 and then you can have the HR20 scan for channels. Anyone have this set up and if so what channels can I expect to get.

www.antennaweb.org

that link is worthless for indoor reception. depending on the terrain around your house you should be able to get 3 22 40 57 61 but you WILL have to move it around to get some of them. as stated previously, outdoor is a MUST when it comes to antennas.

you wont mistake me for magellan or columbus but isnt that area pretty wide open? perhaps I dont understand how digital signals travel. I would much rather live around that location for ota reception rather than 'old growth anti ota forest, sponsored by comcast' like I do.

On the side street i'm on, i have quite a few old big trees and the direction i need the reception there are a few houses taller than mine. :mad: I'd like to get a channel master antenna, but i may be moving. So what i have right now is fine.

I went w/ the RCA (AND525) indoor and I get 40-1, 57-1 through 5 and 22-1 after a lot of adjusting is now coming in pretty consistant.

Hey digital, do you have any pictures of your db8 on your roof?

yes after much delay because sometimes I am lazy here they are.

Finally added ABC-40 HD on channel 784. Nice, very glad to have it, but I could get that one via antenna already so no big gain. Now how about NBC????? 785 is just screaming for content!

I also like the WFSB 3 weather/news digital channel on 750. A bit too little of bandwidth but the info is convenient.

ESPN2 HD was added recently on 771. I'm not a sports fan so couldn't care less, but at least it has programming on instead of that logo-channel FSNHD ;)

Now all we need is for Charter to add WWLP-DT for NBC-HD broadcasts and we have an essentially complete HD lineup. How many years did it take Charter to get this far???

as crappy as charter is why not just move to directv?

as crappy as charter is why not just move to directv?

For me it's because I rent and can't mount a dish and also don't have a good view of the birds. I also believe the current HD quality/bandwidth to be better with cable, though that is likely to change. In addition I run basic cable to the bedrooms without a need for a box or receiver. I also use the built in cable card of the tv, which is infinitely more convenient than having to use a dish receiver or cable box. All of that is why I don't switch to satellite. But maybe some day. Does dtv have all local channels in HD (wwlp, wgby, wggb, wtic)?

Does dtv have all local channels in HD (wwlp, wgby, wggb, wtic)?

Yes they do....and even wshm (cbs3)

I thought that was coming later this year.

Yes they do....and even wshm (cbs3)

D8 doesn't offer hd in the Springfield market do they?

D8 doesn't offer hd in the Springfield market do they?

Depends on what you mean. I have the national HD channels on D*, but no, the locals are not yet available. I get the locals in HD however ota through my hr10-250 tivo. :D

Could anyone who watches the digital version of PBS/Channel 57 with an antenna please comment on how reliable this station comes in for you?

I have a Samsung H260F external tuner connected to an indoor-mounted Channel Master 4228 antenna. The antenna picks up all other area digital stations without problems, including ones like New Haven's Channel 8 that I couldn't get with regular indoor set-top antennas. I also get digital ABC40 flawlessly, and it is broadcasting from Mount Tom like Channel 57.

I have been able to receive digital WGBY in the past with no pixelation, and I leave the antenna pointed in the direction that brings in the channel. But more often than not, my receiver displays Channels 57-1 and 57-2 as a black screen with the message "Weak or No Signal". As a test, I've turned it on at 6:30 on a weekend morning to find it coming in perfectly, but around 7:45AM I notice that the picture increasingly breaks up into long horizontal rows of pixels. By 8:30 AM there is no signal coming through at all on that channel, and the "Weak or No Signal" message continues into the late evening. I usually end up turning to the snowy and ghost-filled analog version of the channel to watch a program.

I've read on the FCC website that digital 57 broadcasts at a lower power than digital 40, and that the station has Special Temporary Authority to be at less power than it intends to be in the future. The map of their coverage area on the FCC site shows that analog 57 reaches down to just south of Hartford. Although digital coverage is generally not as far, I think that it would still include my location in East Windsor, Connecticut. But I also wonder if only my particular brand of receiver is having trouble pulling in this station.

Are viewers in the Berkshires or in northern Connecticut getting Channel 57-1 over-the-air without problems? Thank you for any comments on your reception of digital WGBY.

I don't get anything from Springfield whatsoever here in the south end of New Britain (CT), analog or digital. At my old place east of CT Route 9 about 16 years ago, I used to get 22 perfect while 40 and 57 were snowy but in color and still watchable.

Could anyone who watches the digital version of PBS/Channel 57 with an antenna please comment on how reliable this station comes in for you?

I have a Samsung H260F external tuner connected to an indoor-mounted Channel Master 4228 antenna. The antenna picks up all other area digital stations without problems, including ones like New Haven's Channel 8 that I couldn't get with regular indoor set-top antennas. I also get digital ABC40 flawlessly, and it is broadcasting from Mount Tom like Channel 57.

I have been able to receive digital WGBY in the past with no pixelation, and I leave the antenna pointed in the direction that brings in the channel. But more often than not, my receiver displays Channels 57-1 and 57-2 as a black screen with the message "Weak or No Signal". As a test, I've turned it on at 6:30 on a weekend morning to find it coming in perfectly, but around 7:45AM I notice that the picture increasingly breaks up into long horizontal rows of pixels. By 8:30 AM there is no signal coming through at all on that channel, and the "Weak or No Signal" message continues into the late evening. I usually end up turning to the snowy and ghost-filled analog version of the channel to watch a program.

I've read on the FCC website that digital 57 broadcasts at a lower power than digital 40, and that the station has Special Temporary Authority to be at less power than it intends to be in the future. The map of their coverage area on the FCC site shows that analog 57 reaches down to just south of Hartford. Although digital coverage is generally not as far, I think that it would still include my location in East Windsor, Connecticut. But I also wonder if only my particular brand of receiver is having trouble pulling in this station.

Are viewers in the Berkshires or in northern Connecticut getting Channel 57-1 over-the-air without problems? Thank you for any comments on your reception of digital WGBY.


I will check this out and post my results tonight for you. I can tell you that i can't remember having problems with 57, but i don't watch it enough to give you accurate results.

Yes they do....and even wshm (cbs3)

AFAIK, wshm does not broadcast in HD only in SD, so it is not possible to get them in HD via directv. But then again I could be wrong.

AFAIK, wshm does not broadcast in HD only in SD, so it is not possible to get them in HD via directv. But then again I could be wrong.

No, you're right. I was just letting him know that they carry the station for locals. :)


Edit: I just re-read the post and didn't realize he asked if D* carried those locals in HD. My bad. :(

Does anyone here subscribe to Comcast's "Digital Classic" package? If so, do you receive NESN-HD with it? The channel list on their website is a mess and I can't figure it out. I think I've seen conflicting reports.

I currently just sub to "Basic", around $7 a month. With my TV's QAM tuner (no cable box) I pickup around 80 channels, 6 of which are HD. Most of the other non local network ones are kinda worthless (shopping channels, PPV barkers, League Pass barkers, etc.).

I'm not looking to jump up to a $80 a month package but would love to get NESN-HD. I thought I saw reports of people getting all the HD channels (other than the premium movie channels) including INHD and NESN-HD with digital classic, but can't find those now.

Anyone know for sure?

Could anyone who watches the digital version of PBS/Channel 57 with an antenna please comment on how reliable this station comes in for you?


I checked my signal and it was coming in at 67-69 pretty solid. I don't even have my antenna pointed that way either.

Thanks for checking. My Samsung receiver shows signal strength as a row of ten gray vertical bars that change from gray to blue from left to right as they pick up a channel's signal. ABC40 registers 5 blue bars, NBC22 lights up 8-10 bars in blue, and PBS57 makes only 1 bar turn blue.

Since you are getting the channel with no problem in Chicopee, the problem lies with my receiver and/or possibly PSIP issues.

I appreciate your reply.

No problem, anytime.

I also have the Samsung and am getting a good signal just south of Hartford, on CH 57. Four blue bars here, but it hangs in there. Double bowtie antenna.

Thanks 100/40.

I live in Shelburne Falls and have D*. I get no local or national HD channels. Does anyone know when D* will carry Springfield Locals in HD? I do get White River Junction, VT NBC HD and some PBS HD from NH and VT ota. I think I am blocked from Springfield OTA though.

I haven't heard anything yet, but i'm betting on next year for hd locals. :(

Can anyone recommend a local independent installer in the greater Springfield area who can combine two (or more?) dishes to give me HD reception? Way back when I had them do the original location they said that the trees would prevent 100% reception and the guy wasn't familiar with setting up multiple dishes/LNBs. I think he was holding out for $$$ cash to make it worth his while.

I have seen a few houses with a couple of DTV branded dishes somehow combined to give you the HD Locals and more. When the leaves were down I sometimes got the signals for a few more channels. I'm thinking that maybe if I combined a new 5 LNB dish with another triple, dual, or even single dish I might be better off aiming a lower-mounted dish in conjunction with either my existing triple or a new, bigger, 5lnb dish, maybe I can aim through the trees.

does anyone have a somewhat comprehensive listing of known transmitting digital OTA channels in the springfield area?

does anyone have a somewhat comprehensive listing of known transmitting digital OTA channels in the springfield area?

Go to www.antennaweb.org and find out!

Go to www.antennaweb.org and find out!

its been a while so thanks for making me look stupid [j/k], now how about a comprehensive list of qam available channels for comcast in this market?

I live in the feeding hills area, do you guys get the CW in Waterbury? Any recommendations, i looked at the db-8 from other posts, but is that kinda overkill.. What else do you receive that makes it worthwhile to get the biggest antenna? Thanks in advance...

I live in the feeding hills area, do you guys get the CW in Waterbury? Any recommendations, i looked at the db-8 from other posts, but is that kinda overkill.. What else do you receive that makes it worthwhile to get the biggest antenna? Thanks in advance...


overkill? thats ridiculous. anyway I get channel 8-1 as well as ALL the channels on the antennaweb listing. directv or cable wont look as good on your tv [1080 anyway] as does ota.

WTXX-DT channel 12 (CW, The Tube) of Waterbury actually has their transmitter on the WTIC-TV/DT transmitter at Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington.

Are you using a pre-amp w/ the db-8? It said on antennaweb it can interfere w/ all the yellow listed uhf stations, which is most of stations for me. However I really also want the CW and fox...

Are you using a pre-amp w/ the db-8? It said on antennaweb it can interfere w/ all the yellow listed uhf stations, which is most of stations for me. However I really also want the CW and fox...

if you're asking me the answer is no. my installer said it wasn't necessary so I sent it back. I am not complaining about the results. I do wish there were more ota channels broadcasting digitally in something other than Spanish non hd.

I installed a ota radio shack uhf/vhf outdoor antenna. I can get 3.1 , 40.1 30.1 ,57.1 , 61.1 but can't seem to get 22.1 . all of the others come in around 80 percent. WhaT DO I NEED TO do to get 22.1 ,I have the antenna hooked up to my D* hr-20.

I installed a ota radio shack uhf/vhf outdoor antenna. I can get 3.1 , 40.1 30.1 ,57.1 , 61.1 but can't seem to get 22.1 . all of the others come in around 80 percent. WhaT DO I NEED TO do to get 22.1 ,I have the antenna hooked up to my D* hr-20.


you need to orient your antenna properly. all of those channels do not come from the same direction. antennaweb can show you where they come from. thats why I got the antenna I have so it doesn't have to have a rotor to get channels from multiple directions.

22.1 (digital version of Channel 22) is actually a VHF station

The rest of them are analog.

Try playing with the VHF antenna alignment and/or give an amplifier a shot.

You will most likely need to place your antenna very high up with a clear view to the West. Place the antenna on the West side of your house.

I moved my antenna to a better location and now I can receive 22.1 wwlp.
The signal strength is only about 50-55. But why can't 22.2 or 40.2 (the tube) come in although I get good reception on these channels?

What will WGGB-DT put on 40-2, now that The Tube is no longer on the air?

...But why can't 22.2 or 40.2 (the tube) come in...?

I think that Channel 22 and Channel 40 currently only broadcast on their main digital channel (22.1 & 40.1); they don't have a 22.2 or 40.2. Only Springfield's PBS station multi-streams four or five sub-channels during the day and lowers that to two at night (PBS-HD on 57.1 and World on 57.2).

Part of the reason that The Tube is being yanked from sub-channels around the country is that the FCC requires a certain percentage of programming on digital channels be devoted to educational children's programs. A 24-hour music video channel doesn't meet that obligation. Even Hartford's Channel 3-3, the "Eyewitness News Now" channel that runs weather graphics and promos, was showing programming geared toward pre-schoolers on a weekend morning within the past two months.

Also, the decision to put The Tube on Channel 40 was made at the Sinclair Broadcasting corporate level. But there has been a change of ownership at the station: Sinclair sold ABC40 in early August to Gormally Broadcasting, a business newspaper publisher. After the sale closes, WGGB will be the only major commercial TV station in southern New England that is locally-owned.

I'm in Wilbraham and have a Direct TV. Antenna web says I should get 3 & 61 out of Hartford but Direct Doesn't give me that option when I do a channel search.

I Get 22, 40 and 57 just fine. Any suggestiona?

Thanks for posting that 22-2 isn't broadcasting-it would be nice to have instant weather

I'm in Wilbraham and have a Direct TV. Antenna web says I should get 3 & 61 out of Hartford but Direct Doesn't give me that option when I do a channel search.

I Get 22, 40 and 57 just fine. Any suggestiona?

Thanks for posting that 22-2 isn't broadcasting-it would be nice to have instant weather

You can add an additional market. It's in the antenna setup menu.

That did it- thanks

That did it- thanks

You're welcome!

I think that Channel 22 and Channel 40 currently only broadcast on their main digital channel (22.1 & 40.1); they don't have a 22.2 or 40.2. Only Springfield's PBS station multi-streams four or five sub-channels during the day and lowers that to two at night (PBS-HD on 57.1 and World on 57.2).

Part of the reason that The Tube is being yanked from sub-channels around the country is that the FCC requires a certain percentage of programming on digital channels be devoted to educational children's programs. A 24-hour music video channel doesn't meet that obligation. Even Hartford's Channel 3-3, the "Eyewitness News Now" channel that runs weather graphics and promos, was showing programming geared toward pre-schoolers on a weekend morning within the past two months.

Also, the decision to put The Tube on Channel 40 was made at the Sinclair Broadcasting corporate level. But there has been a change of ownership at the station: Sinclair sold ABC40 in early August to Gormally Broadcasting, a business newspaper publisher. After the sale closes, WGGB will be the only major commercial TV station in southern New England that is locally-owned.

which means that it will probably have a tight budget and or be underfunded.

I have a Vizio VX32L 32" LCD HDTV. For the past 3 months since I bought the TV, there has been no issue with reception of SD clear QAM channels in the range of 82-2 through 83-11. I'm on the Western MA Comcast system (W.Spfld, Agawam, Westfield). The coax comes into the house, to a Motorola line amp with 4-way splitter, through 20' of coax, direct to the Vizio's tuner input. Over this past weekend, the 20 or so channels in this range dissappeared. My Maxent HD monitor with an LG-LST4200 receiver / QAM tuner still receives those channels just fine! I've re-run the channel scan on the Vizio multiple times and no luck. What's strange is that QAM channels from 84-1 through 111-1 still come through fine on the Vizio. Has Comcast possibly sent out a signal, which the newer QAM tuners can recognize, to block reception of that channel range? I can't think of any other reason for this.
John

I noticed last night that Comcast added History channel HD on channel 872 here in Westfield.

They also added Discovery channel HD on 823. This is the simulcast of Discovery channel, they renamed the old Discovery HD Theatre to just HD Theatre because they are launching all their networks in HD.

I'm going to get my parents, who live in Agawam and have Comcast an HDTV for Christmas, but I don't know the specifics on how Comcast handles this...I don't live in the area anymore. Their website isn't very helpful...

Is there an HD box?

If so...do they charge more for an HD DVR than they charge for an SD DVR? Also, do they allow customers to set up the boxes themselves, or do they insist on coming out?

If not, is there anything I need to make sure the TV I purchase has?

Is there a different pricing package for the HD networks? I'd like to make sure they have NESN HD and Discover HD Theater.

Thanks!

I'm going to get my parents, who live in Agawam and have Comcast an HDTV for Christmas, but I don't know the specifics on how Comcast handles this...I don't live in the area anymore. Their website isn't very helpful...

Is there an HD box?

If so...do they charge more for an HD DVR than they charge for an SD DVR? Also, do they allow customers to set up the boxes themselves, or do they insist on coming out?

If not, is there anything I need to make sure the TV I purchase has?

Is there a different pricing package for the HD networks? I'd like to make sure they have NESN HD and Discover HD Theater.

Thanks!


I wish i could help you, but i have direct tv. I just started getting NESN HD along with a bunch of other HD channels that they are now offering.:D
Maybe they would like that instead. ;)

What will WGGB-DT put on 40-2, now that The Tube is no longer on the air?

Local newspapers reported late last week that the new owner of WGGB will show ABC network programs on the station's main digital subchannel (40-1), and will air the Fox Television Network on a second subchannel by the end of December. This new Fox affiliate for Springfield (to be called Fox55) will also replace Fox61 (WTIC-TV) on many MA cable systems.

The owner was quoted as being interested in launching other programming on a third subchannel, possibly leasing it to a national cable channel.

With this arrangement, if ABC and Fox are simultaneously showing a program in high definition, it appears that WGGB-DT's bandwidth restrictions would allow only one network - not both - to be in true HD for over-the-air broadcasts.

Local newspapers reported late last week that the new owner of WGGB will show ABC network programs on the station's main digital subchannel (40-1), and will air the Fox Television Network on a second subchannel by the end of December. This new Fox affiliate for Springfield (to be called Fox55) will also replace Fox61 (WTIC-TV) on many MA cable systems.

The owner was quoted as being interested in launching other programming on a third subchannel, possibly leasing it to a national cable channel.

With this arrangement, if ABC and Fox are simultaneously showing a program in high definition, it appears that WGGB-DT's bandwidth restrictions would allow only one network - not both - to be in true HD for over-the-air broadcasts.

Its a good thing that I can get Ch 61 in my Area then. Sunday I finally got to hooking the Feed from my Outside antenna up to the HD20 from Direct TV that I had for a few weeks. I was amazed I got every single HD channel in the area with an excellent signal. It's been years since I used the antenna, I had a Gen 1 Direct TV box with a built in tuner and back then I had to use an Amp just to get ch 3. Now I get everything and perfectly as well.

That's really interesting, I'd love to have a local Fox channel. It can't be any worse than the incredibly crappy WTIC picture I get with Charter. With the gray side bars and the almost unwatchable screen like pattern that shows up especially on animated shows or screen graphics in sports or whatever. So even if they don't do full HD it will probably be better then what I see now. Is that Charter's doing or WTIC's doing? I know the gray bars are WTIC and the pattern started the same time they changed from black to gray so I assume it's the station pumping out that miserable picture.

But I'd gladly keep the current Fox if we could FINALLY get a NBC HD!

...With the gray side bars and the almost unwatchable screen like pattern that shows up especially on animated shows or screen graphics in sports or whatever. So even if they don't do full HD it will probably be better then what I see now. Is that Charter's doing or WTIC's doing?...

It's the station's doing. I get WTIC over-the-air and I see exactly what you do: the "window screen" cross-hatch pattern marring the picture. I've also noticed lip-sync issues recently with their 10PM newscast. Someone on the Hartford AVS Forum emailed the station a long time ago about the picture quality. He got a response that the station would eventually be upgrading some of their equipment and the problems would be resolved. No timetable was given for the upgrade.

Thanks. It's just baffling to me how a professional television station can be satisfied with that. They've had plenty of time to address it but I guess they don't care. Picture and sound must not be important to their tv station I guess. There is just no excuse to deliver such a horrible product for such a long time that wasn't due to some failure or problem with their transmitter or something. I would never watch this channel for anything if I had an alternative. Bring on local Fox!

Another good thing about Fox 55, we should be able to watch the Sox on saturday's instead of the Yanks....:D

Yeah that will be great, though I still hate the Fox announcers and dread when NESN is prohibited from carrying a game. I don't mind if ESPN has it, except it's usually on very late, but Fox only has some technology going for them, not the commentary :\

Yeah that will be great, though I still hate the Fox announcers and dread when NESN is prohibited from carrying a game. I don't mind if ESPN has it, except it's usually on very late, but Fox only has some technology going for them, not the commentary :\


I agree, sometimes i just mute the tv and put the radio on. As bad as TBS was in the playoffs, i think it was better than listening to Buck and McCarver.

Local newspapers reported late last week that the new owner of WGGB will show ABC network programs on the station's main digital subchannel (40-1), and will air the Fox Television Network on a second subchannel by the end of December. This new Fox affiliate for Springfield (to be called Fox55) will also replace Fox61 (WTIC-TV) on many MA cable systems.

The owner was quoted as being interested in launching other programming on a third subchannel, possibly leasing it to a national cable channel.

With this arrangement, if ABC and Fox are simultaneously showing a program in high definition, it appears that WGGB-DT's bandwidth restrictions would allow only one network - not both - to be in true HD for over-the-air broadcasts.


Anyone hear anything on when Fox55 is going to start up?

so to summarize: wggb is going to carry fox instead of that stupid music channel. the fox station will not be hd. this is not good at all. I am glad I have ota to go with my directv. also gags, have you seen the picture quality of nesn on directv when they broadcast a bruins game or red sox replay yet? its awesome.

Anyone hear anything on when Fox55 is going to start up?

I did some research on the web today, and found a forum at masslive.com where someone thought that the launch might now be in January. But here is the quote from the original masslive.com/Springfield Republican article by Marcia Blomberg from November 16th:

Fox55 "is expected to go on-air by the end of the year [2007], with '15-foot round satellite dishes being installed as we speak [in mid-November],' at ABC40's Liberty Street offices, to receive Fox programming, [Gormally] said."

The full article can be read by clicking:

http://blog.masslive.com/breakingnews/2007/11/tv_station_set_to_launch_fox_a.html

The most recent news about WGGB on the Springfield Republican website is about the letting-go of several employees.

What wasn't mentioned in the original article was how Fox55 will fill its daytime hours (before 8PM when the network feed starts). Fox61 (WTIC) has contracts with syndicators to show the talk shows and off-network reruns that it airs in the mornings, afternoons, early evenings, and after 11PM. These shows (like "The Simpsons" reruns at 6PM) won't be seen on Fox55 unless that station makes its own deals with the syndicators. These programs might also not be seen at all by Springfield area cable viewers once the Massachusetts cable systems replace Fox61 with Fox55.

so to summarize: wggb is going to carry fox instead of that stupid music channel. the fox station will not be hd. this is not good at all. I am glad I have ota to go with my directv. also gags, have you seen the picture quality of nesn on directv when they broadcast a bruins game or red sox replay yet? its awesome.

Yes i have, and i love it. Can't wait to watch the world champs in HD all year. :D

I did some research on the web today, and found a forum at masslive.com where someone thought that the launch might now be in January. But here is the quote from the original masslive.com/Springfield Republican article by Marcia Blomberg from November 16th:

Fox55 "is expected to go on-air by the end of the year [2007], with '15-foot round satellite dishes being installed as we speak [in mid-November],' at ABC40's Liberty Street offices, to receive Fox programming, [Gormally] said."

The full article can be read by clicking:

http://blog.masslive.com/breakingnews/2007/11/tv_station_set_to_launch_fox_a.html

The most recent news about WGGB on the Springfield Republican website is about the letting-go of several employees.

What wasn't mentioned in the original article was how Fox55 will fill its daytime hours (before 8PM when the network feed starts). Fox61 (WTIC) has contracts with syndicators to show the talk shows and off-network reruns that it airs in the mornings, afternoons, early evenings, and after 11PM. These shows (like "The Simpsons" reruns at 6PM) won't be seen on Fox55 unless that station makes its own deals with the syndicators. These programs might also not be seen at all by Springfield area cable viewers once the Massachusetts cable systems replace Fox61 with Fox55.

I frequent the masslive forums and read that too. Ugh, sounds like a mess. Glad i get WSFB & WTIC ota. I can't imagine watching CBS3 for my shows at night.

Does anyone have insight on what Comcast is going to do with the Fox station change? I'd rather have 61 with HD over 55 w/out. I mean it's going to be 2008 and western mass gets SD only? Geesh!

-S

Does anyone have insight on what Comcast is going to do with the Fox station change? I'd rather have 61 with HD over 55 w/out. I mean it's going to be 2008 and western mass gets SD only? Geesh!
-S

I think that I read on that Masslive forum that cable subscribers will get FOX Springfield in HD (probably because the station can transmit it to the cable head-end by fiber optics). People watching on cable would also continue to receive ABC network shows in HD.

Viewers who get their TV signals via an antenna won't be able to get HD on WGGB-DT's FOX and ABC subchannels at the same time because the bandwidth that a local TV station has is not enough to broadcast more than one high definition channel over-the-air. (The bandwidth does allow one HD subchannel and one standard 480i digital subchannel, like PBS 57 broadcasts after 7:30PM weekdays and all day on weekends.)

Maybe on a Sunday afternoon if ABC40 is showing infomercials and the FOX network has a football game in HD, WGGB might transmit the FOX subchannel in high def over-the-air, and broadcast ABC40 in standard digital.

On Thursday evening (12/27), I noticed that a new subchannel appeared on my Samsung over-the-air receiver: 55-3. It was showing an animated graphic (with no audio) that read FOX Springfield Coming Soon WGGB-DT. ABC40 had moved from 40-1 to 55-4.

This evening, Friday 12/28, channel 55-3 has re-mapped to channel 40-2, and it is now showing a continuous loop of promos for FOX network shows (like The Super Bowl). Each promo is introduced with the graphic Coming Soon, and tagged with FOX Springfield WGGB DT Channel 40 DT-2 Coming Soon. The picture is in 480i, 4:3 and stretched to fill the entire screen (no sidebars).

ABC40 is back on subchannel 40-1.

Does anyone know if any of the Springfield/Hartford channels are planning on switching back to VHF after the analog shutoff? I'm in the northern pioneer valley and can currently receive most of the digital channels from both areas, but it's a little spotty with my midsize/range Radio Shack combo antenna. Once the leaves come out in the spring I have a feeling I'm going to lose some of the channels. I'm going to upgrade the antenna. Just wondering if I can get away with a UHF only model.

TIA!

After the analog shut-off, the two LIN-owned stations in the Hartford/Springfield area will be on a digital channel that's on the VHF band. They are NBC affiliate WWLP, Channel 22, which will be on channel 11, and New Haven, Connecticut ABC affiliate WTNH, Channel 8, which will be on channel 10.

Hartford's CW affiliate, WTXX, Channel 20, currently broadcasts their digital version on the VHF band, on channel 12. But after the analog shut-off, they will move to their current analog channel, UHF 20.

Here's a Final Channel Assignment chart for TV stations in the New England states:

http://www.necrat.com/dtv.html (Scroll down, it's a long page.)

You probably won't need WTNH because you can receive ABC via Channel 40, and if you are getting the digital version of Channel 22 now without any problem, you may be able to get by with just a UHF antenna.

You probably won't need WTNH because you can receive ABC via Channel 40, and if you are getting the digital version of Channel 22 now without any problem, you may be able to get by with just a UHF antenna.

Thanks a bunch for the info. Channel 40 is the strongest signal I receive currently. I watched the NFL games on WWLP yesterday and it was fine for the most part. Signal strength is in the low 60's though. About the bare minimum for sustaining lock I think.

I guess I'll put up a 91XG and see how it goes. Could always throw up a separate VHF antenna if necessary.

Well, I put up the 91XG and it does a WORSE job across the board than the midsize RatShack yagi (VU-90 I think) it replaced. Can't find WFSB-DT or WWLP-DT at all. WGBY-DY is about 10 points less and cuts in and out. WGGB-DT is about the same, around 80 signal strength on a DISH 211.

I have a Rat Shack mast mounted amp. Thought that might be the problem so I disconnected it. No signal at all afterwards except for on WGGB, and that strength went down 50% to around 40. Not enough to lock.

I'm disappointed. Really expected a big improvement from one of the most recommended UHF antennas around here. Had to put the Rat Shack antenna back up.

The only thing I'm wondering is if I screwed up putting the thing together. It was quite an erector set, and the directions weren't very clear. It seems strange that all the elements are insulated from the boom by the plastic connectors. I guess it's supposed to guide the signal to the back reflectors? This really isn't the thread for discussing that I suppose.

Well, I put up the 91XG and it does a WORSE job across the board than the midsize RatShack yagi (VU-90 I think) it replaced. Can't find WFSB-DT or WWLP-DT at all. WGBY-DY is about 10 points less and cuts in and out. WGGB-DT is about the same, around 80 signal strength on a DISH 211.

I have a Rat Shack mast mounted amp. Thought that might be the problem so I disconnected it. No signal at all afterwards except for on WGGB, and that strength went down 50% to around 40. Not enough to lock.

I'm disappointed. Really expected a big improvement from one of the most recommended UHF antennas around here. Had to put the Rat Shack antenna back up.

The only thing I'm wondering is if I screwed up putting the thing together. It was quite an erector set, and the directions weren't very clear. It seems strange that all the elements are insulated from the boom by the plastic connectors. I guess it's supposed to guide the signal to the back reflectors? This really isn't the thread for discussing that I suppose.

It's not like anything else is going on in here...:eek:lol...
I have a Terk HDTVS on my roof with a channel master pre-amp and that works just fine. I think i paid around $100 and all i really had to do was drill in the mount for it. I get everything pretty solid now. WSFB, WTIC, WVIT, WWLP, WGGB, WHYN, and a few latin channels i don't watch...

How are you getting WHYN on television? Ha ha! I think WGGB-TV/DT had that as their call letters many years ago. I assume your reception of analog channels 18 and 24 from Hartford are OK? (WEDH-DT isn't available over-the-air yet.)

Thanks. I'm up around the VT border so I've got quite a few miles on you to the transmitters. WTIC is 68 miles away for me. I know that's really pushing things. I've got pretty good elevation though so I was hoping the supposedly high gain 91XG would do the trick.

I guess I'll just wait until the leaves pop out and see how it goes after that.

How are you getting WHYN on television? Ha ha! I think WGGB-TV/DT had that as their call letters many years ago. I assume your reception of analog channels 18 and 24 from Hartford are OK? (WEDH-DT isn't available over-the-air yet.)

lol...I think i meant WGBY. I must have been listening to the radio at the time....:p

Thanks. I'm up around the VT border so I've got quite a few miles on you to the transmitters. WTIC is 68 miles away for me. I know that's really pushing things. I've got pretty good elevation though so I was hoping the supposedly high gain 91XG would do the trick.

I guess I'll just wait until the leaves pop out and see how it goes after that.

Ok, i didn't know you were up in the sticks...:eek: lol...

Anybody know if Fox55 is supposed to be active before Feb. 3rd? (You know, the day of that small athletic event?:D) And what do you think the odds are that if they are operational they'll broadcast the game in HD (and do SD that night for ABC40)?

I'm hoping not, actually. It's bound to have problems initially, and I have to say, the Sunday night playoff game on Fox 61 via Charter was actually stunning. Very crisp, best picture I've seen out of 61 ever. Usually the Fox games look like crap compared to the CBS games. But this time it looked great. I don't want anything to happen that could mess that up for the Bowl! :cool:

Charter has added NBC 30 HD.

Charter has added NBC 30 HD.

I saw that too, last night. I can't believe Charter is so cheap they had to go to West Hartford to get an NBC HD affiliate feed instead of sucking it up to LIN and paying the freight. Customer service is obviously second to making money.

I thought cable companies no longer carried out-of-market stations except for PBS these days? (Comcast of New Britain and Hartford carry WGBY-TV analog on channel 12.)

As for WVIT-DT, they're licesnsed to NEW BRITAIN and their transmitter is in Farmington. It's their studio which is in West Hartford. ;)

I thought cable companies no longer carried out-of-market stations except for PBS these days? (Comcast of New Britain and Hartford carry WGBY-TV analog on channel 12.)

As for WVIT-DT, they're licesnsed to NEW BRITAIN and their transmitter is in Farmington. It's their studio which is in West Hartford. ;)

I'm in Massachusetts. I don't really much care where the transmitter and the licenseholder are. I have a local NBC affiliate broadcasting in HD and I should be able to get it. I don't want a CT station.

Cable companies can provide any station they want to if they are willing to pay the freight.

Having used Charter for roughly 4 years, I can believe that they are that cheap. While I haven't had the billing issues that Comcast in Boston gave me, they are always months/years behind the newest offerings (Remember how long it took them to roll out cable /internet?). The blacking out of NBA games on Logo due to their refusal to carry NBA PPV package (Which I would subscribe to) burns me every time I see the blank screen. I expect they'll offer the NFL Network again in a few decades.

I attempted to put up a dish on my condo, but was given red tape by the board and haven't had time to clear it up due to work. At least Charter are giving me service that is friendly to the wallet. Oh wait, they're not.

I'm in Massachusetts. I don't really much care where the transmitter and the licenseholder are. I have a local NBC affiliate broadcasting in HD and I should be able to get it. I don't want a CT station.

Cable companies can provide any station they want to if they are willing to pay the freight.

OK, sorry about that! Seriously, is all of the programming from WVIT-TV being let through or just the digital programming of WVIT-DT that's in high definition?

I expect that similar to the other locals, the digital HD for WVIT will be passed through without any perceived loss in quality (IE: bitrate starving).

As for the programming, both WVIT-DT (1080i HD broadcast) and the WVIT weather/news subchannel are now part of the Charter lineup.

As for the programming, both WVIT-DT (1080i HD broadcast) and the WVIT weather/news subchannel are now part of the Charter lineup.

Correct. The analog NBC feed is still WWLP Channel 22.

Things will really get screwed up when the local Fox affiliate goes live. Hopefully Charter doesn't take away the Fox HD feed, but I suspect they will, and that means that the ABC and Fox HD programming will share bandwidth.

Today I saw on the Wikipedia entry for WGGB-TV that Fox Springfield is now planning to start on Monday, March 17th. The channel will be called Fox Springfield, and not Fox 55 as The Springfield Republican had reported back in November.

For cable viewers, according to Wikipedia, Charter Communications will drop WTIC for Fox Springfield on basic cable, but beginning on March 17th, Charter customers can subscribe to a digital tier that will include Fox 61. Comcast has reserved channel 298 for Fox Springfield. There is no word on Cox Cable's plans.

Over-the-air since December 28th, the subchannel has been continuously showing three promos for show premieres. The promos, like the one for the Super Bowl, and the one for the January 13th premiere of a new series, are now out-of-date.

As of yesterday (Sunday 2/24), I noticed that my receiver now shows ABC40 as being on channel 55-4. It used to be on channel 40-1. Fox Springfield has re-mapped to channel 55-3; it was on 40-2 as of last Saturday. Maybe the engineers are adjusting the PSIP information.

While I get perfect reception of digital Channel 22, which transmits from Provin Mountain, I get unreliable reception of the two stations that have towers on Mount Tom: digital Channels 40 and 57.

As of yesterday (Sunday 2/24), I noticed that my receiver now shows ABC40 as being on channel 55-4. It used to be on channel 40-1.

I found out through this forum of the change...waaay too late to be able to watch the Oscars in HD OTA. WTF was 40 thinking updating their info on the day of the Oscars. I tried calling the station Sunday and their phone just rang and rang.

I will continue to watch less and less of their programming.

Thank you for confirming that I am not the only one having trouble receiving the digital version of WGGB over-the-air!

An article that appeared today on the website tvnewsday.com says that Monday, March 31st will be the first day of broadcast for Fox Springfield - not March 17th as indicated on Wikipedia. The article quoted the new owner of WGGB as the source of the information.

On cable, the channel will be called "Fox 6 Springfield". Comcast will put it on channel 6, and Charter will assign it to channel 10.

It was on the news this morning that Verizon's FiOS service was expanding to Western Mass and we'd be able to get their high speed internet and TV service soon! This is incredible news, but I can't find any mention of it on the local news sites or the Verizon site. Does anyone have additional details like when it's coming and which communities will be able to get it first? I would kill to get all the HD channels they carry!

Never mind, I found the press release and answered my own question. Seems the ABC40 news report was very misleading and bundled several expansions into one sentence. Even though they mentioned western mass and FiOS tv service in the same breath, it's only the high speed internet service that is expanding to some of the sticks communities. TV service is still not on deck for Western Mass any time this year or probably next :\

http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2008/verizon-to-invest-200.html

:mad::(:mad:

This is what it says on the front page of WGGB.COM just now:

NEW FOX STATION TO BE LAUNCHED

Western Mass. (abc40) -- Fox 6 Springfield will hit the air Monday, March 31. Fox 6 will join abc40 in broadcasting some of the most popular shows, from American Idol, to 24 and House, along with Nascar, Major League Baseball, and the National Football League. David Kaufman, Gormally Broadcasting's newly-named executive vice president and general manager says that programming, combined with local news will be a strong mix. Look for the launch of Fox 6 Springfield News in April. Fox 6 will be carried on Comcast channel 6 and Charter cable 10. You can also get it over the air on digital channel 55.

Is it just me, or should they simply call it FOX Springfield? Also, what does Charter Communications carry on channel 6 now?

They have NBC 30 WVIT from CT on 6 now. The same channel they use for the hi-def feed on 787. They better not drop it!

The long awaited and much anticipated WEDH 24-1 (DT-45) Hartford & WEDN 53-1 (DT-9) Norwich - July 2008, OTA...the sooner the better...we'll see..

Channel 22 stinks.(5 on Comcast) Their regular broadcast picture is terrible and their copywriters for news teleprompters are worse. The talking heads they have are constantly stumbling over their words as well. Maybe it's because the telprompter copy is so poorly written and they hope to catch it before speaking lol. WVIT NBC30 has a much better broadcast picture and more talented talking heads -at least on weekdays. We used to have double of all network affiliates -if they existed- between New Haven and Springfield. We no longer have the choice to opt for quality in either picture or content. Now we're being force fed a new lame Fox station here in Springfield - more local hayseed crap I'm sure. Gormally Broadcasting - blech ! :D

Too bad, with Charter we still have the option. They moved Fox61 to channel 161 so we still get it, and they still carry WVIT and WWLP both.

Too bad, with Charter we still have the option. They moved Fox61 to channel 161 so we still get it, and they still carry WVIT and WWLP both.

Yes, but they also replaced WTIC-DT (FOX61 HD) on Channel 786 with the Springfield, MA FOX station. This is annoying because the new FOX station does not broadcast all of the Hi-Def FOX network programming in HD.

So Charter folks with the HD package can no longer watch every available FOXHD show anymore in full HD glory.

I assume this is because WGGB simulcasts the ABC and FOX on the same digital channel and there is not enough bandwidth to show both ABCHD and FOXHD at the same time.

Lucky for me, I can receive WTIC-DT FOX61HD over the air with a pair of rabbit ears. But it is still annoying because why am I paying Charter extra $$$ for the HD pack if they remove FOXHD and force me to use the rabbit ears.

grrr

Yes, but they also replaced WTIC-DT (FOX61 HD) on Channel 786 with the Springfield, MA FOX station. This is annoying because the new FOX station does not broadcast all of the Hi-Def FOX network programming in HD.

So Charter folks with the HD package can no longer watch every available FOXHD show anymore in full HD glory.

I assume this is because WGGB simulcasts the ABC and FOX on the same digital channel and there is not enough bandwidth to show both ABCHD and FOXHD at the same time.

Lucky for me, I can receive WTIC-DT FOX61HD over the air with a pair of rabbit ears. But it is still annoying because why am I paying Charter extra $$$ for the HD pack if they remove FOXHD and force me to use the rabbit ears.

grrr

I tried 161 on my HDTV tuner without any luck. I have comcast in Holyoke...

Yes, but they also replaced WTIC-DT (FOX61 HD) on Channel 786 with the Springfield, MA FOX station. This is annoying because the new FOX station does not broadcast all of the Hi-Def FOX network programming in HD.
grrr

Have you actually seen that happen? Everything I've tried to watch on Fox this week that should have been in HD was in HD, like Unhitched and Hell's Kitchen. I also flipped through when Idol was on and it was good too. I know there was speculation this might happen but I've not seen it yet. Maybe I just didn't watch the right shows. All I know is the stupid gray pillars are gone and I'm loving that.

However, I have noticed a major problem with sound. The channel 10 analog feed has all the sound on the right, there is nothing from the left. The HD feed had low volume. Also in the bedroom where I dont have a cable box, channel 10 is just gone now, so there is no Fox feed at all for analog users, is that true? It was even gone from the tv guide listings on channel 2.

Seems we are destined to never have a decent Fox feed via cable around here.

Does anyone have any word on when our locals will be available in hd via DTV? It seems pretty overdue....

This week on Mon. 3-31-08 Fox 61.1 from hartford dissapeared, it says not available.
Instead Springfield's new Fox 6 is on 40.2 in SD. Why not HD? This makes me frustrated. Why 40.2 not 55.1?
Why on the same day can I not get 61.1HD anymore?
All I want is FOX in HD.

The same thing happened when Springfield 3 CBS switched to HD. I could no longer get 3.1HD WFSB, now CBS Springfield comes in on 41.1HD and a weather channel 41.3.

Is 3.1HD now blocked? I don't get it.
3.1HD and 61.1 always came in fine where I live in westfield, ma without an antenna, why are they not available anymore?

I am on the Agawam Comcast system, which should be the same feed as Westfield, and Fox 6 HD is on cable as a clear-QAM channel, 720p. On my Vizio HDTV, I had to go into the tuner menu and do a re-scan of all channels to be able to receive it. For some reason, Fox comes through on channel 0-0, with the ID of WGGB HD! Strange ... But it is there.

I did a rescan on my Olevia, and found an HD Fox channel on 87.3
I still pick up WGGB-SD Fox on 40.2.
Hey, I'm just glad I found a Fox in HD.
Interestingly enough and as expected I guess, when I rescanned 61.1, 3.1, and 3.3, didn't come back.

[QUOTE=riker;13555458]Have you actually seen that happen? Everything I've tried to watch on Fox this week that should have been in HD was in HD, like Unhitched and Hell's Kitchen./QUOTE]

Yes, I have actually seen that happen. It was last week, I don't remember the actual show. At the exact same time:
Charter Cable Channel 784 (WGGB-DT/ABC) = 720p and HD content
Charter Cable Channel 786 (WGGB-DT2/FOX6) = 480i and HD content was replaced with SD
OTA "rabbit ears" Channel 61.1 (WTIC-DT/FOX61) = 720p and HD content

However, this week I have just seen 720p broadcast at the same time on 784 and 786 so it looks like the "problem" was a temporary one.

Still have the audio problem, though.

I am also happy to get rid of the stupid grey bars and the horrible upscaling quality of non-national feed SD content.

Channel 22 stinks.(5 on Comcast) Their regular broadcast picture is terrible and their copywriters for news teleprompters are worse. The talking heads they have are constantly stumbling over their words as well. Maybe it's because the telprompter copy is so poorly written and they hope to catch it before speaking lol. WVIT NBC30 has a much better broadcast picture and more talented talking heads -at least on weekdays. We used to have double of all network affiliates -if they existed- between New Haven and Springfield. We no longer have the choice to opt for quality in either picture or content. Now we're being force fed a new lame Fox station here in Springfield - more local hayseed crap I'm sure. Gormally Broadcasting - blech ! :D

I moved from Auburn, Ma with Charter's lineup having the Boston and Providence stations to Brimfield, Ma with Charter's lineup having Springfield and Hartford stations. I MISS BOSTON NEWS.. production quality of the Springfield and Hartford just do not match what I was use to from the Boston stations. Granted, Charter at least has WCVB Channel 5 out of Boston on the lineup. But my biggest bitch is WHY I have Hartford station when they don't offer me anything related to news or weather for my area... when the Boston stations DO! Yes, I can get some from the Springfield station. But I was use to the Boston quality. A quick check on the net shows it's a five mile difference to Brimfield from Boston(60) and Hartford(65).

Now for a Customer service opinion.. Charter has to have the WORST! The house across the street has Charter and also next door. But they needed to send a tech out to see if it was available? Service rep for new installs on the 800 number told me just about a week to get a tech out to check the location but yet the guy came out from Worcester the next day. I'm just getting going.. the service rep said they had no cable on the road when I called the different 800 number on the card the the tech left on my door saying it was available! 3 calls later I was able to get an install scheduled. After the install, I got a call from Charter asking to setup an install date! I lost it on that guy.. feel bad but I needed to tell someone at charter how bad the experience was for me. If I didn't need the high speed internet access I would have gone with DirecTV or Dish. I cannot believe how hard it was to get service and the lack of communications and knowledge of the customer service department.


off my soap box..

Rob
Brimfield, Ma

I feel for ya. Trouble is, my experience is that Comcast and Verizon suck just as much. They all don't deserve our business, but since they have essentially a monopoly, they don't have to try as hard. We just got NBC in HD a month or two ago! :mad:

I feel for ya. Trouble is, my experience is that Comcast and Verizon suck just as much. They all don't deserve our business, but since they have essentially a monopoly, they don't have to try as hard. We just got NBC in HD a month or two ago! :mad:

And your "NBC HD" was WVIT in Hartford because Charter just can't seem to "make it happen" with the local NBC station, WWLP

For the high prices that Charter charges, you think they would offer a better product.

What QAM station are on the Chicopee system for Charter? Last I tried the tuner I have only got 4 stations. 2 WGBY, Fox 61 and NESN. Granted.. HD tuner is in my HTPC and isn't the best for QAM. it needs a good signal to find the stations. It's a Fusion Gold BTW.

Rob

There should be both SD and HD digital stations on Clear QAM in Chicopee Charter.

I would expect the list to be:

WTIC (SD FOX61)
WGBY-DT (SD PBS multicast channels during the daytime)
WGBY-DT (HD PBS)
WVIT-DT (HD NBC)
WVIT-DT2 (SD NBC Weather updates)
WFSB-DT (HD CBS)
WFSB-DT2 (SD CBS Weather updates)
WGGB-DT (HD ABC)
WGGB-DT2 (HD FOX)
NESN (HD)
Comcast Sportsnet (HD)

Make sure that you have a good quality signal up to your HTPC.
Do not use a cheap splitter from Walmart/RadioShack. Get one from a Charter Tech.
Do not use RG59 coax cable. Use RG-6 coax.

If you think that your signal strength is an issue, temporarily move your HTPC to the living room or wherever the "Official" coax cable enters your house and re-scan the channels.
Temporarily remove all knowns splitters for this test.

Also, check any connections outdoors where the cable enters your basement. If there is a splice, check for moisture or a bad connection and clean with "Contact Cleaner" spray if needed.

Good Luck.

thanks for the info. I have a family member who works for one of the install companies.. so the cables and splitters are all 'charter'. But I never thought to pipe the main line into the system and rescan the channels.

Thanks

RobM

Any idea how long the "FOX 6 Springfield" billboard has been up facing southbound I-91 traffic in Springfield? (It has Hugh Laurie, Bart Simpson and Simon Cowell from left to right.) I couldn't catch the fine print at the bottom, but I think it said "Available on Comcast Channel 10".

whats the story with the wshm digital channels? they show up on my ota section of my directv tuners but there is no signal. are they broadcasting? does anyone get them on cable or satellite or over the air? also has comcast remapped the digital channels yet again? I know that with analog cable hrc gets the ones you should but is it standard, irc or hrc for the digital ones? I answered my own question that wshm is in hd on the qam tuner but NOT over the air.

now it appears that channel 22 hd is gone and no hd fox station either using qam on comcast. comcast tech rejects dont have a clue when you ask them why they are remapping and or scrambling the channels we are supposed to be able to get by law.the channels used to be accessible in the 84-87 range on the tuner and now they are scrambled. something wrong is happening here I think and I think its intentionally being done. **** comcast.

ok now the truth can be told. I had a problem with the outdoor wiring to my house. there should have been some rubber gaskets added to the splitters at my house and that was corrected. also there were too many splitters. I don't understand why they don't just put all the connections in the basement of homes so weather isn't an issue. the samsung tuner in my 4071 picks up random ppvs and such but does not get channel 41-1 which is whsm hd or 41-3 which is there equivalent of channel 3-3 wfsb. my sony 60xbr2 DOES get these 2 channels in addition to all the rest of the local hd channels but does not have the ability to get the subchannels the samsung does. also the samsung can choose which band to get digital or analog channels while the sony doesn't offer the choice. the most successful result on the samsung is using the irc band and NOT letting the tuner automatically delete what it thinks are scrambled channels. hopes this helps. also it really blows not getting channel 61-1 anymore and settling for that horrible sd on channel 40-2.

And your "NBC HD" was WVIT in Hartford because Charter just can't seem to "make it happen" with the local NBC station, WWLP

For the high prices that Charter charges, you think they would offer a better product.

Well it seems this issue has finally come to a head. WWLP-TV Channel 22 (Lin Broadcasting) today started a propaganda campaign against Charter. It’s on their home page at www.wwlp.com. They also have a scrolling banner during their local broadcasts. It is unprecedented in my experience. The amusing thing is, they are encouraging all Charter subscribers to sign up with DirectTV.

Charter refuses to pay the rights fees to Lin Television for WWLP-TV broadcasts, so WWLP is going to execute a cease and desist on July 1st. I was not surprised at all that it came to this.

If you ask me, it all started when the local broadcasters were demanding rights fees for their high definition channels. They would throw in the standard definition channels for free if the MSO would pay for the HD feed. Comcast paid the freight, but Charter refused. This went on for years after WWLP-DT HD went on the air. Finally, Charter decided to pick up another NBC affiliate for their HD feed, and put it on their system as NBC-D, instead of WWLP-DT. I’m guessing that this was the last straw for Lin, and they decided to hold Charter to their contract, which expires on June 30th. Pay up or shut it down.

Say it isn't so! NBC is one of the two stable HD networks we get. The morons at WGGB can't get it right and I would pay to have them get dropped and switched. They do all sorts of inexcusable things on ABC40 and Fox6 like switch to the HD feed up to a full 5 minutes after returning from a commercial break, broadcasting the SD feed instead of the HD feed on things like the Sunday night animation block, and probably worst no 5.1 on shows like Lost! Watching the Simpsons you have the Fox logo on the 4:3 section of the screen and ANOTHER one in the black pillar area. It's because they are feeding the SD signal instead of the HD one. You can tell in the picture quality too. And the fact that all the commercials and promos that should be in HD are not. When I watch a night of HD programming on our current NBC30 or CBS3 feeds, everything is as it should be. Shows and commercials in HD with 5.1, few glitches or gaffes. I don't care WHO we get the feed from as long as it's properly done.

sounds like you guys need to go OTA

Can't. I rent a place so can't put a roof antenna or anything, and I get zero reception of any kind of signal in my house, even cell phones, because of aluminum siding and chicken wire in the plaster walls. :mad:

Same reason I can't get DtV. Stuck with Charter.

Can't. I rent a place so can't put a roof antenna or anything, and I get zero reception of any kind of signal in my house, even cell phones, because of aluminum siding and chicken wire in the plaster walls. :mad:

Same reason I can't get DtV. Stuck with Charter.

That's just wrong. I don't wish SD on my worst enemy. Well, maybe i would.:p

Going OTA will not fix the technical problems with WGGB (ABC40 and FOX6) HD although in most places near Springfield you can pull WTIC FOX61 HD in with a UHF antenna. Of course they have the Stupid Grey Bars (tm) and that horrible SD to HD upscaler/deinterlacer but at least they are not asleep at the switch.

As for WWLP, on the one hand I would like the spat between Charter and WWLP to be resolved.

On the other hand, I don't want my cable bill to increase again this time because a local channel was added to the lineup. Personally, I think that Charter should do what it takes to include WWLP-HD as part of their "base" HDTV package, but the realist in me expects them to pass the costs on to the customer if they lose the fight with WWLP and pay up.

I have one question for anyone who knows the answer:

Why does Charter have agreements with all of the other local stations except WWLP?

Is it because everyone else made agreements to let Charter use their signal for free?
Or is it because WWLP wants to charge a higher price than the other local yokels?

Funny thing is that almost everyone in metro Springfield can get Hartford HDTV if they invest in a half-way decent antenna. Heck, I'm in Hill-McKnight and use a pair of 6 dollar rabbit ears I bought at Ocean State Job Lot and I can get everything perfectly, including WTNH-DT and WCTX-DT with that loust little anntenna!

Going OTA will not fix the technical problems with WGGB (ABC40 and FOX6) HD although in most places near Springfield you can pull WTIC FOX61 HD in with a UHF antenna. Of course they have the Stupid Grey Bars (tm) and that horrible SD to HD upscaler/deinterlacer but at least they are not asleep at the switch.

As for WWLP, on the one hand I would like the spat between Charter and WWLP to be resolved.

On the other hand, I don't want my cable bill to increase again this time because a local channel was added to the lineup. Personally, I think that Charter should do what it takes to include WWLP-HD as part of their "base" HDTV package, but the realist in me expects them to pass the costs on to the customer if they lose the fight with WWLP and pay up.

I have one question for anyone who knows the answer:

Why does Charter have agreements with all of the other local stations except WWLP?

Is it because everyone else made agreements to let Charter use their signal for free?
Or is it because WWLP wants to charge a higher price than the other local yokels?

local yokels? I don't think so since none of the local stations is locally owned anymore.

by the way I got a response from the fcc today regarding the HDTV local channels in the clear. the cable companies ARE NOT REQUIRED to transmit the local hd channels in the clear. and this doesn't suck for what reason?

Why does Charter have agreements with all of the other local stations except WWLP?
...Is it because WWLP wants to charge a higher price than the other local yokels?

I think that you hit the nail on the head! According to what I've been reading on the web, WWLP's owner, LIN, wants to maximize the revenue that it gets from retransmission fees. They want those fees to be a major profit-maker for the company. The top executive at LIN wants retransmission fees to be 20% of the company's income, and he wants that percentage to increase in the coming years.

LIN is demanding these inflated fees from Charter and other cable TV companies all over the country, not just in Massachusetts. LIN is probably using Channel 22's position as the dominant TV station in Springfield as leverage in the negotiations.

Today it was reported on tvnewsday.com that the two sides have reached an agreement in principle. LIN TV stations now will be kept on Charter Cable after June 30th even if the agreement hasn't been finalized.

Link to news report: http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/06/11/daily.9/

I think someone earlier said something about the wggb 40-2 being in hd or not. well on my samsung 4071 right now and previously I am watching the wggb hd fox broadcast of the red sox and reds in hd on channel 0-0. dont ask me why this works but I have heard from 2 comcast techs that the samsung qam tuner is one that can pick up tons of stuff.

The morons screwed that all up again, multiple times coming out of commercial they didn't hit the HD button so the game was frustrating more than enjoyable. The best part is when they cut it out again mid-inning and there was no sound at all, nothing. I switched over to WTIC and figured I'd rather watch the game in SD on their channel than in SD/HD/No sound/Sound on the moron channel.

Then I go to put on Cops at 8:00, they have some odd cooking thing on instead so I put on WTIC again to start watching. At the first commercial break I flipped back to the HD feed to check it out, and found that they were using the Cops SD feed instead such that you had the Fox Springfield logo off in the black pillar area, and the network Fox logo on the 4:3 part of the picture. Cops is in HD this season, but not on this idiot channel. They keep saying "your OWN Fox 6!" and I keep yelling back "I dont want it, take it back!". What a useless channel.

local yokels? I don't think so since none of the local stations is locally owned anymore.

As far as I know, WGGB is locally owned.

But my original point still stands:

If Charter is the out-of-line party, why have they reached agreements with all of the other stations that are broadcast locally even if they are not locally owned?

I'm no fan of Charter, but at the same time I don't want a larger chunk of my cable bill being shipped off to WWLP because LIN broadcasting wants more money.

If they don't like their current return on investment, maybe they should do something creative to add value and increase revenues. Or maybe they should sell their "underperforming" stations and let someone else manage them. They can put the proceeds from the sale into subprime mortgages for all I care.

While I am not impressed with the technical performance of the WGGB-DT/ABC40/FOX6 broadcasting, I am very impressed that the new owner executed a plan to double his network affiliates without the need to build a new tower or studios. Smart guy. Now if he can figure out a way to get their master board guy to flick the switch at the right time and boost the volume levels for his new subchannel, that would be nice.

Amen! All that work could be down the tubes all because they didn't hire a competent head end staff. <sigh>

As for the battle, I can only *assume* that the fees they are asking are unreasonable and Charter being the smaller fish in the pond doesn't have the subscriber base to be able to so easily swallow the hit. If nothing else they have gone all these months/years without paying so at least got to save some money by resisting it :) Unless they payed a lot of lawyer fees, I dunno...

is it confirmed now that channel 61 is off the comcast qam tuner list in favor of 40-2? that would suck. not a mets or yankees fan but 61-1 ota is showing the first game of the double header. comcast is not.

Do a re-scan of your t.v. , A HD version of 40.2 (Fox) should appear somewhere. Mine appeared at 87.1 , I have comcast . But there is no OTA version of the new Springfield FOX HD available at the moment , Just a Sd version at 40.2. I hope this changes so I can receive it OTA on my Hr-20 receiver . Also CBS3 41.1 OTA is still not broadcasting OTA at a strong signal yet................

Since some folks here have been bashing WGGB 40 HD maybe I"ll chime in: Why is their audio level depressed at least 50% below other HD channels on cable? At first thought it was Comcast at work but it's the same OTA (with a OnAir GT tuner card). It's annoying to have to crank volume up and down when scanning by this channel. Anyone else noted this?

Yes, I have noticed this.

I have a standard stereo television, no surround sound system.

Do a re-scan of your t.v. , A HD version of 40.2 (Fox) should appear somewhere. Mine appeared at 87.1 , I have comcast . But there is no OTA version of the new Springfield FOX HD available at the moment , Just a Sd version at 40.2. I hope this changes so I can receive it OTA on my Hr-20 receiver . Also CBS3 41.1 OTA is still not broadcasting OTA at a strong signal yet................

some people including myself have found it on channel 0-0. talking about the fox hd. I have never seen wshm springfield/holyoke channel 3 version over the air. yet is IS on comcast qam. 41.1 and 41.3

I have never seen wshm springfield/holyoke channel 3 version over the air.

Last I checked (I don't use OTA much anymore), you can get WSHM over the air as a digital sub-channel on WFSB-DT or channel 33.2 frequency but mapped to channel 3.2 on your receiver.

Last I checked (I don't use OTA much anymore), you can get WSHM over the air as a digital sub-channel on WFSB-DT or channel 33.2 frequency but mapped to channel 3.2 on your receiver.

since this is the hdtv forum it should go without saying that the wshm I was referring to is not the sd version. as I stated, I have yet to see it over the air.

Does WFSB-DT pass through CBS network programming in HD for a cable-only feed? I know I've never seen it on the air (and never will) on 3-2.

NFL in Springfield with "CBS 3" and "FOX 6"?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was just looking a 2008 NFL pocket schedule and a thought came to mind: Could there be weeks when "CBS 3" (WFSB-DT 3-2) or "FOX-6" (WGGB-DT 40-2) air different games from those airing on either WFSB-DT 3-1 or WTIC-DT 61-1? It'd be nice to see the Jets vs Dolphins game here at 1 PM (*), but with the Patriots at home against Kansas City, there's no way that'll happen. As for NFL Sunday Ticket, I'll likely be at work at that point, so that won't be an option.

* - All CBS games in Week 1 are at 1 PM eastern, due to US Open tennis commitments

I had finally had enough of the crappy Charter service and picture quality and switched to the Verizon Triple Bundle with DirecTV. I don't get the locals in HD yet but that's ok, the SD looks fine for now. We should be getting the HD LIL stations within 60 days. The end of October is the date I have.

A quick question for those there in greater Springfield/Chicopee/Holyoke: How is your reception of WEDH-DT (PBS) channel 45 of Hartford, now that it's on the air? It's transmitting from the WTIC-TV/DT tower on Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington, CT.

A quick question for those there in greater Springfield/Chicopee/Holyoke: How is your reception of WEDH-DT (PBS) channel 45 of Hartford, now that it's on the air? It's transmitting from the WTIC-TV/DT tower on Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington, CT.



WEDH DT-45 Hartford, WEDN DT-9 Norwich & CPTV HD

Quote:
Originally Posted by jzareski
Wednesday August 27, 2008:

1) WEDH DT-45 Hartford has been operating today on one power amplifier at approximately 58% power. Additional work is needed to bring the second amplifier on line, which would provide 100% power (465 Kw ERP).
PSIP WEDH-1 pgm 3 only. 4, 5, 6 blank.
WEDH 24-1

2) WEDN DT-9 Norwich is operating at 100% power (1.25 Kw ERP). On February 18, 2008, power will be increased to 4.2 Kw ERP.
PSIP WEDN-1 pgm 3 only. 4, 5, 6 blank.
WEDN 53-1

3) A failure this weekend in the CPTV HD MC has caused a temporary suspension of all HD transmissions. The current transmissions are originating from the CPTV SD MC which are being upconverted to HD. Equipment is on order and hopefully CPTV HD MC operations will be resumed in a couple of days...

4) You'll know it when you see it...!!!.

Saturday August 30, 2008:

FYI Update:

1) At 2:58 PM Friday, August 29, 2008, WEDH DT-45 Hartford has been operating at 100% power (465 Kw ERP).

2) WEDN DT-9 Norwich has been operating at 100% power (1.25 Kw ERP) since 8:17 PM Wednesday August 27, 2008.

3) CPTV hopes to restore CPTV HD MC operations by the end of next week.

4) You'll definately know it when you see it...!!!

Saturday August 30, 2008:

FYI Update:

1) At 2:58 PM Friday, August 29, 2008, WEDH DT-45 Hartford has been operating at 100% power (465 Kw ERP).

2) WEDN DT-9 Norwich has been operating at 100% power (1.25 Kw ERP) since 8:17 PM Wednesday August 27, 2008.

3) CPTV hopes to restore CPTV HD MC operations by the end of next week.

4) You'll definately know it when you see it...!!!

CPTV HD operations was restored at 7:30 AM today, Wednesday September 3, 2008. Enjoy tonights broadcasts...

CPTV HD operations was restored at 7:30 AM today, Wednesday September 3, 2008. Enjoy tonights broadcasts...

I'll have to re-scan to see if i can pick it up...

Speaking of PBS, anyone know what the audio problem is with WGBY HD? I don't know if it's them, Charter, or what. Charter channel 782. The audio is often clipping or whatever it is that results in a crackle sound when the talker hits a high point or something. VERY noticible on Smart Travels Europe in hte early mornings, making that show unwatchable. I record it every day and sometimes it's better than others but even when you think it's gone, at a couple points during the show when he says something just right, you still get the clipping/scratching noise. I've heard it duing most other shows too, antiques roadshow, Rick Steves', making it here, etc. It makes watching most of the shows in HD too painful to bear. It's been this way for months. Not sure who to complain to, does this happen OTA or via comcast too? Anyone else get the problem thru Charter?

Thanks,
Glenn

Oh joy, Charter just added another HD channel. TBS. I am quivering with ecstasy. TBS, the channel that shows maybe one HD show a month. What a waste of bandwidth. With channels chock full of HD goodness like Food, Animal, Science, NGC, Discovery, HDNet, etc, Charter gives us the likes of TBS, TNT, and A&E who show mostly stretched and distorted SD programs before any of those. <sigh>

Must be cheap, just like Charter.

Oh joy, Charter just added another HD channel. TBS. I am quivering with ecstasy. TBS, the channel that shows maybe one HD show a month. What a waste of bandwidth. With channels chock full of HD goodness like Food, Animal, Science, NGC, Discovery, HDNet, etc, Charter gives us the likes of TBS, TNT, and A&E who show mostly stretched and distorted SD programs before any of those. <sigh>

Must be cheap, just like Charter.


I'm so glad i have Direct TV...:cool:

I rent so don't have the ability, or otherwise I'd definitely try it!

So nobody else watches PBS? Or nobody else has the audio problems with WGBY HD?

No WGBY HD on D* yet. Supposedly next month. No audio problems yesterday during the McGlaughlin Group on WGBY-DT.

I had some pretty bad rain fade when the remnants of Hanna came through, but we were getting 2" an hour which is pretty rare. Only the MPEG-4 HD stations went out. The SD stations hung in there but for a few short outages.

Other than that, switching from Charter to the Verizon Triple Bundle has really worked out well.

Riker, do you have a clear view to the southern sky? There are non-penetrating mounts available for satellite service.

Riker? Has Mount Tom in Holyoke been a help to your over-the-air digital reception or a hinderance?

ShovelHD? Are you getting any of your digital over-the-air? If so, how has Avon Mountain and/or Rattlesnake Mountain (Farmington) fared?

KML, I can't get anything OTA. I'm in a hollow between two ridges. I've tried my generic RS antenna in the attic and also a CM 4228 that I held up to a window on the second floor. No dice. This was with an external Samsung ATSC tuner. I haven't tried the internal TV tuner (Samsung HL67A750) or the external DirecTV OTA tuner (AM-21).

I can't receive anything OTA. I can't get good cell phone reception in here either. Between the aluminum siding and the chicken wire in the plaster walls, it's a freakin RF shield. I'm on the first floor of a 3 story house so dont have access to the roof and can't mount anything outdoors or I'd do satellite.

It's not just the damage of the install, the landlord is very particular about his place. He hand picks the loose blades of grass off the lawn every few days, ok? He won't approve an "unsightly" dish... or antenna for that matter.

So stuck with Charter until Fios comes along .... in 2020 :mad:

As of today 10-1-08 HD locals for Spring/Holyoke are up on Directv. They have 6(Fox) 22(NBC) 3(CBS) 40(ABC)

As of today 10-1-08 HD locals for Spring/Holyoke are up on Directv. They have 6(Fox) 22(NBC) 3(CBS) 40(ABC)

Has anyone compare the quality to off the air?

Festivus!!!! A month early!!!

I can't compare to OTA as I can't get OTA, but when I get home I'll compare it to Charter.

It looks like we still get WTIC in SD.

Festivus!!!! A month early!!!

Indeed in the overnight hours DirecTV made some changes in the Springfield MA DMA. It still may be a work in progress:

3 - WSHM - appears to have WFSB programming
6 - FOX6 - new: appears to be WGGB DT2 40-2 SD
22 - WWLP - in HD
40 - WGGB - in HD
57 - WGBY - appears to still be SD
61 - WTIC - appears to still be SD

I've also had the HD feed (on channel 88) for the NYC FOX station (offered upon request at no cost) and that is also still on the system.

Also note: by default the changes were made for the above channels, meaning if you select 22 (or have it in your favourites) you'll get WWLP DT 22-1 in HD, etc. In the favourites programming in your HD box you can actually select both the HD and SD versions. For example, I've got two WSHM 3 and two WWLP 22. Stepping through those channels you will see (on 3) first WFSB (presumption HD) followed by WSHM (presumption SD).

It is likely that DirecTV is going to maintain both HD and SD versions of local signals for some time for those subscribers who don't have HD equipment.

My waivers were rejected by all networks so I can't get Ch. 88.

I hope that the SD versions stay forever as a hedge against rain fade. I lost HD programming for a little while when Hannah went through and it would have been bad without the SD channels as backup.

If Fox 6 is a subchannel of WGGB, then are they sharing bandwidth?

As of today 10-1-08 HD locals for Spring/Holyoke are up on Directv. They have 6(Fox) 22(NBC) 3(CBS) 40(ABC)

Thanks for the scoop. I didn't think they would be up early...

My waivers were rejected by all networks so I can't get Ch. 88.I have DirecTV HD service and called them up (a year or more ago?) and asked about FOX in HD. At the time of my call my DirecTV service only offered (exclusive of ATSC off-air) channel 61 WTIC in SD. They said no problems and added WNYW FOX HD on channel 88 at no additional cost. No waivers were requested.I hope that the SD versions stay forever as a hedge against rain fade. I lost HD programming for a little while when Hannah went through and it would have been bad without the SD channels as backup.If like the cable companies DirecTV may have the SD's for some time - I believe cable will carry SD versions until 2012. But: looks like a lot of the new DirectTV programming is being provided on Ka band satellite transponders - and my experience is that heavy rain really kills off most of my HD DirecTV content. I have a clear view of the sky with probably about the best signal levels possible.If Fox 6 is a subchannel of WGGB, then are they sharing bandwidth?I believe the new DirecTV channel 6 is being provided from the off-air receiption of WGGB-DT 40.2. If that is the case the DirecTV FOX 6 is at best whatever bandwidth is being provided on 40.2. Check tonight during FOX HD programming and see what is there. Unless WGGB has some way to feed DirecTV directly (like they do for Comcast and Charter) I expect the DirecTV FOX 6 channel will be in SD.

I have DirecTV HD service and called them up (a year or more ago?) and asked about FOX in HD. At the time of my call my DirecTV service only offered (exclusive of ATSC off-air) channel 61 WTIC in SD. They said no problems and added WNYW FOX HD on channel 88 at no additional cost. No waivers were requested.If like the cable companies DirecTV may have the SD's for some time - I believe cable will carry SD versions until 2012. But: looks like a lot of the new DirectTV programming is being provided on Ka band satellite transponders - and my experience is that heavy rain really kills off most of my HD DirecTV content. I have a clear view of the sky with probably about the best signal levels possible.I believe the new DirecTV channel 6 is being provided from the off-air receiption of WGGB-DT 40.2. If that is the case the DirecTV FOX 6 is at best whatever bandwidth is being provided on 40.2. Check tonight during FOX HD programming and see what is there. Unless WGGB has some way to feed DirecTV directly (like they do for Comcast and Charter) I expect the DirecTV FOX 6 channel will be in SD.

I don't know if the Fox6 feed will be sd or hd, but it isn't necessarily the same feed as 40.2 ota. Directv is likely getting a direct fiber feed to their uplink.

I got a chance to watch a little of the D* HD locals tonight.

Ch. 3 - CBS - Criminal Minds - Good contrast, pop, and clarity. Gets a little soft with fast motion but doesn't break up. Something with more motion may be more telling (Patriot's game). WSHM has to be quicker on the switch as the DD audio was all noise for at least a minute coming out of a commercial.

Ch. 6 - Fox - Till Death - Stretchovision. This show may not be in HD so I'll give D* a pass for now.

Ch. 22 - no HD right now. I'll check back later.

Ch. 40 - ABC - Private Practice - Too dark, soft, but that could be the program. Unfortunately, it's dropping frames constantly. Unwatchable.

More work needs to be done.