My local stations have finally said they will put up there digital signals. They also in the same breath said they will only broadcast in SD until they can figure out if the area has people able to receive there HD signal. WGGB DT and WWLP DT will begin testing in the next few weeks, but I need anyone in the area to e-mail them and let them know we are out here. I've been waiting a long time for this to happen and would really be pissed if they after all this time only did SD.
http://www.wggb.com
http://www.wwlp.com

Everyone is needed
Thank you all.

I live in central Mass and sent both stations an email!

Mike

Thanks Mike, I just hope that everyone looking at this post is also e-mailing them, or they will think they are right.

I searched both stations' websites and found no information about their plans. Do you have any links that tells what they are attempting to do?

Ralph

Yeah I know there web site has no info on HD at all. I'll get the link for you, it was in are local paper the Union News. They had interviews with both stations managers.
http://www.masslive.com/business/unionnews/index.ssf?/base/business-0/1033222521198965.xml
Just in case link doesnt work goto www.masslive.com go to free news search then look in the business section then look at Sept. 29th. It's not the full story but the interview part is. Sorry for not putting link to story up sooner. Thanks AreBee

ralfy1,

Thanks for the link. That would be a shame to send an upconverted SD signal. It sucks when the networks finally get with the program and give us HD programming, and the affiliates can't (won't) come through.

My emails are out!

Ralph

Thanks allot really appreciate it. Yeah it makes no sense for us to watch SD when they can but wont do HD. You see the manajerk from WGGB say there not going to buy the switching equipment, I know 100,000 isn't cheap but come on why go only half way. Thanks AreBee for sending out those e-mails, I just really hope that again it's everyone viewing this post sending out the e-mails not just those replying.

Even though I live in Connecticut, I find myself watching WGGB and WWLP quite often, their signal seems to come in better then WVIT and WTNH at times. Plus WVIT and WTNH like to sometimes preempt things and I am glad I can get WGGB and WWLP.

I just emailed them to let them know I was not happy to hear that they are not broadcasting in HD. I was looking forward to NBC in HD on WWLP as our NBC here in Connecticut has not got the ball rolling on digital yet.

Just wondering has anyone received a response from your e-mails?

I just fired off an email to each of the stations! Go HDTV!!!
Jay

Thanks again to everyone sending out those e-mails, even if not everyone viewing this post sends one out. Jay , Scott, AreBee, Mike and anyone else thanks for taking the time to send out those e-mails.

No, no reply from eaither.

Please keep writing!

No replies to my emails from either station.

Well, it looks like I got their attention!

Here's what I got back:

Thank you for your recent e-mail regarding our digital transmission plans. The info you obtained from the AVS Forum is only partially correct. Initially our digital signal will be in standard definition only. We are still waiting for delivery of additional equipment that will allow us to transmit in high definition. This equipment will hopefully arrive prior to Jan 1, 2003. We hope to have our digital signal, with standard definition programming, on the air in a few weeks. Our digital channel will be 11. Unfortunately we are at the mercy of equipment supplies and installers. Armed with the above info, hopefully you will be able to move us off your list of short sighted people. Thanks for your interest. Bill Pepin Vice President/General Manager


************************************************************ ****************
***
From: Such

I've heard via the AVS Forum that you are planning to begin digital transmission shortly, but are not planning to broadcast HD signals.

That has to be the most short sighted thing I've ever heard in my life. The ONLY people recieving digital broadcasts are those with Digital HD receivers and HD TV's.

I would be a NEW viewer from CT if you broadcast HD as our local station in Hartford has no short term plans to begin broadcasting HD.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE listen to yoru viewers and broadcast HD signals!!!

Wow, you got a reply, must be the first person. Hey thanks for sending out that e-mail and it's great you got at least some sort of answer concerning HD. Well I guess they have a timetable, but still kinda sucks having to wait til 03 for it. It wasnt a canned reply either nice for him to include short sided in his reply.

I live in Feeding Hills and Sell RPTV's. This is great news. I'll be sure to tell people about it.

22 and 44 going High Def would be great.

People always say that there is no HDTV around here except for 57.1 PBS

I noticed WGGB-TV40/DTV-55 was sending out a signal this afternoon. My HD100 locked on but I was unable to add the station to the guide (no psip?) DTV36/ABC19 out of North Adams/Albany also comes in. Now if only DTV33/3 could settle their tower issues and start broadcasting a stronger signal (I currently get a 37 signal strength from them and have to put up with the occasional dropout from channel 4/30 out of Boston.)

Sweet, it has begun. I just tried to tune in channel 55 (ABC WGGB 40 Springfield) and got a strong signal. Well at least they are on track, havent got a peep from WWLP 22 DT-11 at all. Soon is a long way away, it's hard sitting there knowing it will be months before we get HD off those channels.

Wow Channel 40 WGGB is broadcasting there digital signal right now. It's very low power, I leave really close and I'm only getting between 40 and 50 signal. It's locking on as 40-1 and it's just an upconvert of their regular stuff, but at least it's there. Nothing from 22 (Digital 11)

I got the following in my email this morning from WWLP.

Looks like we ARE being heard!

Thank you for your recent e-mail inquiry regarding our digital transmission
plans. Our digital transmitter is currently being installed. We expect our
digital service, on channel 11, will be operational by mid-October, 2002.
Initially our digital service will be in standard definition. We hope to be
transmitting a high definition signal by the end of 2002.
Thanks for your interest.
Regards,
William M. Pepin
Vice President/General Manager

Here's my reply from WWLP that I received last night.

=================================================

Thank you for your recent e-mail inquiry regarding our digital transmission
plans. Our digital transmitter is currently being installed. We expect our
digital service, on channel 11, will be operational by mid-October, 2002.
Initially our digital service will be in standard definition. We hope to be
transmitting a high definition signal by the end of 2002.
Thanks for your interest.
Regards,
William M. Pepin
Vice President/General Manager
=================================================


Look familiar Scott? The news is encouraging though.

Ralph

Nice, let's not let up on these guy's. Don't know about you but it's mid october here. End of 02 I guess I can live with that. MAY of 03 is not an option.

I am happy that WWLP will be HD by the end of the year. :)

However I have still not heard anything from WGGB.

Anyone else?

Keep on em!

WGGB is testing almost everyday. I havent gotton a peep out of 22 (DT 11). Has anyone else received an e-mail from any of these stations? A letter from WGGB would be nice since WWLP has at least responded. Oh well 2 more weeks for them to go digital anyway. Then 2 months for HD not bad I guess. Has anyone been able to pick up WCDC or WSBK in this area. I get WSBK in analog but nothing in digital. Just wondering.

Don't know if any of you guy's were watching last night, but WGGB was in digital most of the night. The signal wasn't that strong but it was watchable. I still get a signal this morning but it's so low that no picture comes on.

Originally posted by ralfy1
. Has anyone been able to pick up WCDC or WSBK in this area. I get WSBK in analog but nothing in digital. Just wondering.

I can get channel DTV39-1/TV38 here in Goshen most nights after 6pm. A quick test for the boston channels is to tune your tv to channel 44 analog and then turn the antenna till it comes in. If you can make out a picture on 44 (a little snow is okay) you should be able to get the Boston DTV stations.

I too have been waiting for 22 and 40 to come online..checking titantv almost daily to see the live date. Then the date being changed (pushed back). I will send out emails tonight and as I type dtv55 is coming in. Lets keep this local thread going!

bump

Hey CraigD what does bump mean? Am I missing something? Well let me know if theres some meaning to that. Thanx for sending those letting Craig and everyone else.

I'm in Windsor Ct (Just North of Hartford) and I got channel 11 for a while last night and my signal meter was pegged! Since I've been struggling to get WTNH-DT (10) out of New Haven, Ct., this ABC affiliate will be a welcome addition to the digital airways!
Jay

Whoa just tried channel (WWLP 22) DT-11 and it was pegged at 100 and still is at 100. Don't know why but there signal must be alot stronger then WGGB because right now WGGB 40 (DT55) all I'm getting is a signal at 14 and no picture or sound. You guy's must be getting 22 because they are sending out a very strong signal.

Originally posted by jayco59
I'm in Windsor Ct (Just North of Hartford) and I got channel 11 for a while last night and my signal meter was pegged! Since I've been struggling to get WTNH-DT (10) out of New Haven, Ct., this ABC affiliate will be a welcome addition to the digital airways!
Jay

Isn't 11 WWLP, an NBC affiliate?

Do you think I'd have any luck in Manchester? I'm pretty high up on a hill...

Yeah WWLP is a NBC station, but WGGB is ABC and it's testing right now also.

Originally posted by ralfy1
Yeah WWLP is a NBC station, but WGGB is ABC and it's testing right now also.

I just may have to get an STB soon...

Hey scriabinop23 yeah it might be time. Right now I get the big 3 in digital (ABC, NBC,CBS) although CBS (WFSB) is the only one right now that does HD (passed through from the network). Both NBC (WWLP) and ABC (WGGB) hopefully will have HD by the end of the year. Not to mention I also get PBS (WBGY) multicast (4 channels) in the morning and afternoon then pure HD at night after 8pm. Yeah the time has come.

Hey guy's was wondering titan tv show WWLP showing HD as early as tommorrow. Maybe they made a mistake or what, but it shows WWLP show in HD on sunday. Let me know if anyone has heard anything new.

WOW Both WWLP and WGGY's Digital signals are strong here in Newington Connecticut!

WWLP is BREAKING my Signal Meter (For some reason its ABOVE 100%)
WGGB is coming in at 82%!

I can't wait till WWLP goes HD.

ralfy1, bump just keeps the posting fresh on the board so more people have the opportunity to see and therefore respond. I sent emails to both stations with zero replies thus far.

What are the exact numbers for each station that your STB displays? I have 40-1, 57-1, and I cannot get 22 in digital yet...22-1?

My STB ( Mit's SR-HD5) show's both, for ABC WGGB 40 it show's 55-1 and 40-1 for NBC WWLP 22 it also show's both 11-1 and 22-1 same for WFSB out of CT. 33-1 33-2 3-1 and 3-2. For WGBY PBS 57 I get 57-1 57-2 57-3 57-4 57-100 58-1 and 58-2. Oh thanx for letting me know about the Bump thing, never thought of that. WWLP is so rock solid right now my signal never dips below 97, but WGGB is not so good right now. They arent trully on the air yet so maybe it's just that. There Tower is on the same mountain as WGBY PBS so I should get a signal around the same as WGBY wich for me is always above 90. WGGB better hurry up and get there house in order, or we may not get the playoffs and Superbowl in HD. That would suck big time. Oh Criag D if you cant get WWLP in there is something wrong there signal is rock solid, keep trying for channel 11 it's there.

Thanks ralfy1,

I wonder if it's my antenna? I have a channel Master 4228 UHF antenna. Here's a link to Stark's page.
http://www.starkelectronic.com/cmuhf.htm

I can get analog ch 3 and ch8 but not DT8-1. Would I have to come up with some hybrid
to pick up DT11? I am going away for a couple days so thanks for responses in advance for I won't have internet access while I am away.

I also sent nice messages to both stations encouraging them to support HD broadcasting. I got a response from the WWLP VP/GM indicating that they "hope to be transmitting a high definition signal by the end of 2002." It was nice to see their proactive position,

--Marc

Originally posted by CraigD
Thanks ralfy1,

I wonder if it's my antenna? I have a channel Master 4228 UHF antenna. Here's a link to Stark's page.
http://www.starkelectronic.com/cmuhf.htm

I can get analog ch 3 and ch8 but not DT8-1. Would I have to come up with some hybrid
to pick up DT11? I am going away for a couple days so thanks for responses in advance for I won't have internet access while I am away.

DTV11 seems to be just low enough on the RF scale that you'll need a VHF antenna to receive it unless your within a few miles of the tower. For CBS-3 all I needed was a clothes pin and some speaker wire to get a crystal clear display. I have the two piece version of the CM4228 as well as WineGuard VHF antenna combined with a $3 antenna combiner and I get 11/55/58 no problems (and the boston channels if I rotate the antenna's.)
I've never managed to even get a peep out of 8-1 but I do get A signal from NH, VT and Boston, I'm at/around 1400'.

Just wondering are you guy's getting WGGB 40 (DT55). My signal is in the low teens and I get nothing no picture no sound. Just wondering if it's only me. From what I know there tower is on the same mountain that WGBY PBS (DT58) is on. That signal is always in the high 90's but the WGGB signal sucks, shouldn't I get comparable signals.

ralfy1,

yes I am getting WGGB 40 (DT55) "loud and clear". my stb is a panasonic and it doesn't
have a signal strength meter so I cannot fill you in there.

I just noticed that WGGB TV 40 has started thier digital broadcasts. I only got 40-1 channel.

Are there any others?

Is there a list of channels and stations you could get in the springfield area?

Other than 57-1 is there anything else I should try or should be getting?

I don't know it must be the way my antenna is pointing but I get no picture for WGGB 40 (DT55). Don't have a rotor so I might be screwed until they get to full power. My STB is starting to pick up all kinds of channels now, 38-1 39-1 59-1 but cant get a picture on them yet, but man there coming in bunches now. Oh as to why we havent heard anything from WGGB 40 on there plans for HD they are owned by SINCLAIR, so they are in no rush to get things going.

Originally posted by Mfusick
I just noticed that WGGB TV 40 has started thier digital broadcasts. I only got 40-1 channel.

Are there any others?

Is there a list of channels and stations you could get in the springfield area?

Other than 57-1 is there anything else I should try or should be getting?

Originally posted by JasonAndreas
DTV11 seems to be just low enough on the RF scale that you'll need a VHF antenna to receive it unless your within a few miles of the tower. For CBS-3 all I needed was a clothes pin and some speaker wire to get a crystal clear display. I have the two piece version of the CM4228 as well as WineGuard VHF antenna combined with a $3 antenna combiner and I get 11/55/58 no problems (and the boston channels if I rotate the antenna's.)
I've never managed to even get a peep out of 8-1 but I do get A signal from NH, VT and Boston, I'm at/around 1400'.

Thanks for your input JasonAndreas:

I am in West Springfield and couldn't get DTV11 to come in with a roof installed UHF CM4228 w/rotator. I took your advice and for kicks tried my old "rabbit ears" placed in my basement where my home theater is located and voila I got DTV11. Today I went out and bought a combiner. Presently I receive DTV11 (22-1), DTV55 (40-1), DTV33 (3-1, 3-3 [HDTV]), and
DTV58 (57-1[HDTV]) but no Boston or NH stations. I am not sure of my elevation. Little tips can go a long way, thanks again....now if we can only get WGGB and WWLP to broadcast in HDTV...

Originally posted by CraigD
....now if we can only get WGGB and WWLP to broadcast in HDTV...

:D :D :D

bump

Well I'm locking on to channels but not getting a picture on WGGB 40 WCTX UPN38. Hopefully they will increase there power just a bit to let more people get the stations.

What are the station numbers or channels?

WGGB DT channel 55 remaps to 40-1
WCTX DT 39 remaps to 59-1
WSBK DT 39 I just found out WCTX is stronger but WSBK might be messing with my chance of getting WCTX both have the same DT channel 39

When is WWLP and WGGB going High Def?

Digital is good... But I really want High def.

Well WWLP has said they hope to be passing through HD by the end of this Year. WGGB has not replied to anyone here so it's anyones guess. I hope soon, I'm glad WFSB out of CT does HD and the signal is good enough at 58 to stay stable all day.

Originally posted by ralfy1
I'm glad WFSB out of CT does HD and the signal is good enough at 58 to stay stable all day.
I've never seen anything but digital SD 4x3 with no DD5.1 out of DT-33! Can anybody confirm they have ever seen 16x9 HD out of WFSB? If your not 16x9 and at least 720P and DD audio then you ain't HD (IMO).
Jay

Yeah 33-1 is SD but 33-3 is HD, it's HD almost everynight. Tonight the whole primetime is HD. It's HD and it's 16 by 9. Never got DD5.1 out of WFSB but it's HD.

Originally posted by ralfy1
Yeah 33-1 is SD but 33-3 is HD, it's HD almost everynight.
Thanks for the reply, but something isn't making sense to me...My understanding of the ATSC setup is you can broadcast using the entire digital signal bandwidth 1 HD signal or you can share the bandwidth and transmit up to 4 SD signals. It is not possible to send an HD signal on one subchannel and SD on others, there just isn't the bandwidth to do that. Maybe you can use 3/4 of the bandwidth for an "HD like quality" signal and the other 1/4 for the SD signal? I will try to see if there are any subchannels for DT-33 tonight, I thought I tried this and didn't get anything, but I'll give it another go.

Jay

This is definately what they are doing at WFSB. It's my understanding that an HD signal is 12Mb and SD's can vary depending, but 4Mb is plenty for an SD signal. The entire channel is 19Mb/s.

I think 19.2 is the max...isn't it?

19....19.2, Whatever it takes!

OK,
I was able to tune to WFSB 33-2 on my system and I'm getting a 16x9 HD picture that looks pretty good, definitely better then NTSC, but IMO not as good as WGBY's or WTNH's (when I can get it) HD picture. I'm still researching the bandwidth requirements for true 1080i HD, to see if you truly need the full transmission spectrum to send a true HD signal or you can send a full HD quality picture in 3/4 or even 1/2 the carriers BW.
Jay

Well I don't think it matter's, if that's what there sending that's what there sending. Reserching wont make them change what there doing. Tonight there is no HD they must be messed up with the football schedule. They didn't turn on the HD channel. It's just showing the SD stuff on the HD channel. Don't know if that's what your watching tonight or not but the picture will look the same. When they are showing HD it look's pretty damn good, it won't look as 3-D as PBS because I think it is all shot on film. PBS does more video so it wont look as sharp but it does look much better then standard.

Your right it does look pretty good and I did notice that last night they were not in HD. Channel 10 in New Haven does a much better job at HD with DD 5.1 audio and everything. The only problem with them is that channel 3 interferes with their signal so I'm hoping the Springfield ABC affiliate goes HD soon.
Jay

Yeah I don't get channel 10 WTNH, but I'll tell you this WGGB 40 DT channel 55 is in no rush to start passing HD on to us. They are owned by Sinclair and they are jerks when it comes to HD. It's not our fault they own so many stations, the more you own the more money your going to have to spend to get them all Digital and showing HD. So now we have to feel sorry for them for having to spend all this money. Sell the stations if you cant get them ready it's not our problem. Oh well I just get pissed when they know it's coming and they wait till the last possible minute to get things going, I guess we will suffer for the laziness.

Originally posted by ralfy1
I just get pissed when they know it's coming and they wait till the last possible minute to get things going, I guess we will suffer for the laziness.

YUP!:mad:

hey Mfusick did you get my PM you never answered back.

I don't think so.

Still have it, send it again.

When is 40.1 going HDTV???????????


720P ABC is a must!!!

In time for the superbowl?


Will 40.1 do the Superbowl in 720P??????????????????

Just to clear up couple of things. CBS does not broadcast anything in 5.1 anywhere in a country. They will be doing upgrade next year. You can send one HD and one SD channel together. Most stations when they do that use 14Mb for HD and 4Mb for SD. Rest is used for other data.

I don't think the Super Bowl will be in HD for us. WGGB probly wont do anything till there extension runs out 5-30-03, way past the Super Bowl. Oh well we suffer again, guess I've become used to it.

Does anyone get the same jittery picture from DT11 that I'm getting here in Ct? It's so annoying, I don't even bother watching their digital broadcast, with the jitter I'd rather watch NTSC at 480p. :-( It's to bad, because I get a great signal level out of them.
Jay

Humm no jitters here. The signal is almost always at 100. I always have problems with DT55 WGGB some days I get it some days I don't.

Originally posted by ralfy1
I always have problems with DT55 WGGB some days I get it some days I don't.
I get a very weak signal from them also, I believe their currently operating at something much less then full power. I've sent them several emails but have never gotten a response. They are not an issue for me since I get ABC from channel 10 in New Haven, Ct. They broadcast in HD with DD5.1 (most of the time).
Jay

Originally posted by ralfy1
I don't think the Super Bowl will be in HD for us. WGGB probly wont do anything till there extension runs out 5-30-03, way past the Super Bowl. Oh well we suffer again, guess I've become used to it.

SO what channel can we get the Superbowl on??????????

Well man if you can get WTNH Channel 8 out of CT then you'll get it. They do HD, I'm out of luck I can't get it, weak signal on there part.

What about the original header and title of this post...

SHould we still email 22 and 44 and tell them we have HDTV's and we want HDTV?????????

Is there an email adress that can be posted so we can do this?

Do they have websites?

www.wggb.com
www.wwlp.com
Sorry Mfusick, 22 responded to a few e-mails but no one has gotten any response out of Channel 40. Like I said before they are owned by Sinclair and they are in no rush to get things going. I guess we can try e-mailing Channel 40 again, WWLP 22 has been good so far and at least they say they will have HD somtime in December. They appear to be trying, but 40 who know's what going on over there. Yeah I know it sucks man but Superbowl will look crappy this year for us. I've tried to pick up WTNH Channel 8 out of CT but like I said no luck, so we again are screwed by the man.

Originally posted by ralfy1
I've tried to pick up WTNH Channel 8 out of CT but like I said no luck, so we again are screwed by the man.
I was able to get a very strong channel 10 (8 for you analog guys) out of New Haven after I put in a channel 3 trap. Both 3 and 8/10 are in the same direction for me (South from Windsor, Ct.) and channel 3 was over powering my amp. It's a 20 dollar item from Channel Master and it could help. I use a RS VU-190 and a CM7778 pre-amp and I get a very strong signal when I use to get no signal at all!
Jay

Just to contribute my stats... I'm high up in Manchester CT (near hartford) and I recently went HDTV--- bought a used DTC100 recently (the one mentioned in this thread, I think), and here are my average signal strengths:

via my Terk TV42 satellite attached antenna, no amp (omnidirectional):
ABC 10-x: 80-88
the rest is unreliable and drops out with average peaks of 25-35.

via my brand new Radioshack 'Amplified Indoor Antenna' (Color Supreme 170) at $19.95 -- i couldn't find a double bowtie. It has 10 db built in gain and is essentially as standard as it gets :

CBS WFSB 33-x (3-x): 55-65
NBC springfield WWLP 22-x (11-x): 75
PBS out of springfield 58-x (57-x): 75
ABC 40 out of springfield -- something around 50-60s, i forget. but my abc 10 is better, so i don't remember. I also get wcdc 19 out of adams even,

So basically, I get all major networks digital, and everything in Hidef except NBC (since there is no local hidef nbc broadcast). minimal dropouts. With the terk TV42 alone, only ABC was practically useable for me. I don't have to manually switch or combine my two antennas since the DTC100 has two antenna inputs. Perhaps sometime I'll try a combiner, though. Might make things more superfluous.

PBS HDTV demos are soooo beautiful..
I'm a happy guy!

PS--- the cheap radioshack antenna doesn't pick up ABC out of New Haven/Hamden even though it picks up everything else, but the Terk gets it at 88.

Perfect complements. The RS is a extendable rabbit ears UHF/VHF style antenna.

Jayco what's a channel 3 trap, please let me know what it is and what it does. I'm right in downtown SPFLD high building and some high trees around me. I get WFSB DT with no problem hardly any dropouts. WTNH I can pick up there analog signal but no luck like I said with the DT channel. Yeah Mfusick and I are going nut's trying to do anything to get ABC in HD before Super Sunday, I don't think we will get it from our ABC station.

Originally posted by ralfy1
Yeah Mfusick and I are going nut's trying to do anything to get ABC in HD before Super Sunday, I don't think we will get it from our ABC station.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

A freind of mine PM-ed this to me...thought I would share it.



The one that did best in the Atech tests and that's available at reasonable cost is the Channel Master 4248. I got it for about $39 (plus $16 shipping) at Spectravox.com http://shop.store.yahoo.com/spectravox/accessories-tv-antennas-uhf-antennas.html

There is another antenna that did slightly better in a later Atech test, the Blake JBX21. This is made in the UK and sells for about $170. I haven't found a US distributor yet, but I'm going to try the $39 CM before I invest that kind of money.

I'm getting 5.1, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 19.1, 22.1, 40.1, 45.4, 45.6, 45.7, 57.1, 57.2, 57.3 with my current setup. Of these, the only one that is consistently broadcasting in HD is 5.1, WHDH (ABC) in Boston. 8.2 and 8.3 seem to be just weather. 45.4 - 45.7 never seem to have a signal...I don't know if it is because they aren't broadcasting or if my antenna just won't pull them in. I want to try to get more Boston digital stations with the new antenna.

Originally posted by ralfy1
Jayco what's a channel 3 trap, please let me know what it is and what it does.
Ralfy1,
A channel trap is a bandpass filter that is designed to attenuate a specific frequency band. In the case of a channel 3 trap it will pass all frequencies but channel 3 (It actually attenuates the channel 3 frequency range by ~ 20 db). This will allow for a local station that is over powering your pre-amp or tuner to still be received but not interfere with other channels. If your in Springfield and both 10 and 11(22) and in the same (approximately) direction (or worse you have a multi-directional antenna) then you might benefit from a channel 11 trap. If the extremely strong channel 11 signal is over driving your tuner then you could have problems receiving channel 10. The only problem with a channel 11 trap in your case is that the attenuation of 11 will "bleed" into the frequency range that is channel 10 (and 12) because they are right next to each other and the roll-off of the filter is not that sharp. It worked in my case but it may not be applicable for you. Good luck.
Jay

just got a zenith hdv420 and silver sensor indoor antenna tonight, and I am from Granby, MA. I am able to get wwlp, wggb, and the pbs ch. 58.
What else is out there? Do I have to I get an outdoor antenna if I want to get fox and CBS from Hartford(?) too. Because I live in a condo, can I just put the "outdoor" antenna up in the attic? I don't think I will have any problem with my association, I just don't want to drill a hole from the outdoor for the wire.

Thanks,
Rich

What about emailing the stations and asking for HDTV?????????

Should we still do this as the header title of this thread suggests?

What are the email adresses?

Originally posted by richardyc
just got a zenith hdv420 and silver sensor indoor antenna tonight, and I am from Granby, MA. I am able to get wwlp, wggb, and the pbs ch. 58.
What else is out there? Do I have to I get an outdoor antenna if I want to get fox and CBS from Hartford(?) too. Because I live in a condo, can I just put the "outdoor" antenna up in the attic? I don't think I will have any problem with my association, I just don't want to drill a hole from the outdoor for the wire.

Thanks,
Rich

(i'm in Manchester)
My indoor antenna picks up CBS in hartford fine. Look to my other post. Check 33-1,2 and/or 3-1,2.
I don't think FOX is doing anything yet.

anyone having intermedite problem recieving wwlp 22 and the PBS ch.58 tonight (12/11/02)? I am not sure if it is my new attic antenna that is causing it. maybe it is the ice storm? But when I did get the signal, the picture looked really good, maybe they are upgrading to HD now?

thanks,
Rich

It's seems to me that PBS is not on all the time like they used to be. Some night's I get nothing at all. WWLP 22 is always rock solid and I never had a problem with it but they are not HD yet. WGGB 40 is getting alittle wierd these days I still cant watch a full show on it without breakup, but I am now picking up a second subchannel. Before all I was able to get was 55-1 remapped to 40-1 but now when I scan I get 55-2, maybe they will do what WFSB channel 3 is doing 3-1 for SD and 3-3 for HD. That would be nice and it would be awesome if they got it going before superbowl.

bump

I live in the Waterbury, CT area and am able to get WWlP consistently aroung 56 sig strength and no real problem with breakups. The other Springfield stations I can only get between 6 and 20 on the richter scale. They must be transmitting with less power. Correct?

Yeah must be at low power or very directional. I live very close to their tower and can barely get a consistent signal. Some days I get it some days not a peep. The tower is on the same mountain as the PBS station WGBY and I get them in at 80 to 100 signal strength.

Hey just wanted to let you all know, DT channel 46-1 is now live. It's the Spanish channel Univision, it's pretty strong right now. Don't think they will have any HD anytime but just wanted to give you guy's a heads up.

What's up all, havent seen any new post in awhile just wondering how things are going. Quick question has anyone got a peep out of WTXX DT channel 12. I'm a little worried that WWLP DT 11 is so close channel wise that we might not be able to pick it up here. I hope not but that might be the case. I just got a letter from WWLP.

"Thank you for your interest in WWLP-DT. According to the most recent
information I have from our engineering dept., we hope to have a HDTV
picture on the air by the end of January, 2003. Most of the HDTV equipment
has arrived and is currently being installed."
Regards,
Bill Pepin

Well they didn't have it on by the end of the year like they said, hope this turns out more accurate. WGGB suck's plain and simple there signal suck's and they just don't want to answer any e-mails sent to them. I think it's time we flood them with e-mails demanding an answer. We need HD superbowl plain and simple!!!!

Getting both WWLP Ch11, and WTXX Ch12 here in CT.

Damn it must be my antenna. Thanks for replying, I can't get anything out of WTXX. Oh well I'll have to live with it for awhile until they power up. I wont move my antenna because I pull in CBS WFSB perfect and they seem to have the most HD on air and the playoffs coming up I don't want to mess with anything right now.

If I am only get about 60% from WFSB, what is the chance of me getting WTXX? I am in Granby, MA.

richard

I guess the same chance as me, Rich none. I can lock on the channel but the signal is always at 0. Maybe if you have a good antenna and a rotor to fine tune it then maybe, if not we have to wait till all these jerks go to full power. Damn this pisses me off why must we suffer if they F upped and waited so long. At least we can watch the AFC playoffs in HD, but for the superbowl I don't think WGGB will get there act together in time.

What is the best or a good antenna to buy for HDTV and digital reception?

Online link?

Honestly, the better question to ask is--- what is the best antenna for the situation you live:

a) distance from towers

b) direction from towers

c) height relation to towers, including possible physical interferences (hills, etc.)


This may sound funny, but I live in Manchester CT (hartford area) and pick up everything pristinely from Springfield with a $20 radioshack UHF/VHF amplified rabbit ears - indoors. I use my terk Sat. TV42 antenna outside to pick up ABC 10 from New Haven/Hamden, as it seems to work much better for this. The rabbit ears are more directional than the tv42 (which is supposed to be a pretty omnidirectional antenna, probably not ideal for DTV. but it works hell of a lot better than the rabbit ears on just that one station). I even pick up Adams, MA 36-3 without much breakup (sig. 60s i think). I'm high up too - that helps.

it may take some experimentation. A mast, preamp, and large antenna may not be necessary. IF you live within 20-30 miles of your xmiters, you may be able to get away with fairly anything. Start cheap and even at radio shack, as they'll take back what doesn't work. I hear their old not in stock anymore double bowtie is one of the best indoor antennas - but good luck in finding it. (maybe on ebay?) I think directional antennas tend to be better as they generally pick up less multipath than omnis, though. this is the whole theory behind Zenith's 'silver sensor' antennas. but you'll probably want a UHF/VHF capable antenna, as i remember the silver sensor only does VHF I think...

Its kind of fun to try to pull a good signal, especially if you can do it on the cheap.

Rabbit ears, damn I wish I could do that. I live in a brick building so I tried all indoor ant. and none would work. Radio Shack, Silver sensor, Terkk 55 (crap), RCA, JVC and nothing but little peeps.

Anyone hear anything from WWLP-22 regarding their HD equipment? Their estimate was end of 2002.

Yes I heard very soon.

Looks like 40 is never going.... cause the owner's a loser.

Here's the response from them that I got this morning:

Installation of our HDTV equipment is progressing. It may take another 3 or 4 weeks. Regards, Bill Pepin

************************************************************ ****************
***

Sound's like they are close - I think it's great they are responsive to inquiries!!

Yeah thats the response he keeps sending out. But my question is what the hell are they doing, they have been installing it since Nov. If they need help just give us a call, I'm sure we wouldnt mind helping out if it meant HD. So hurry up already.

OT:

actually I have two raido shack double bowtie indoor antenna available. if any of you locals want to get one from me, please let me know before they are gone. I am usually asking $20 on other forum. I am in Granby, MA.

rich

Did anyone else in the Springfield area loose reception of CBS (WFSB) since the big snow storm the other night? Just when the playoffs were coming on, too... woof... :rolleyes:

Anyone know any good Antenna Installers/Dealers where I can get an outdoor antenna installed? I'd like it done professionally, If I muck it up and it looks bad my wife will go nuts...I am waiting on the Zenith HDTV1 but I would love to get signals from New Haven/Hartford as WGGB is not HDTV. Any fellow Western Mass residents have advice??

Westfield, Ma

Yes.

Larry Buchmann is the best DSS and antenna installer around.

Larry's leasuire electronics....

PM me if you need the phone #.....

Yeah WFSB was awful last night During that Enron movie. The signal seems to have jumped back up since then. CSI tonight only had 2 breakups, it has been solid ever since. If the playoffs start and I have people over then it acts up the way it did last night, I will last like an ass. I promise HD football and they get to watch crap. Hope it's nice that day and the sky clears.

Originally posted by Mfusick
Yes.

Larry Buchmann is the best DSS and antenna installer around.

Larry's leasuire electronics....

PM me if you need the phone #.....

For the three people who PM-ed me with the number,

Larry's Electronics number is 222-3348.

Of coarse ask for Larry.

Tell Him Mike Fusick sent you.. He'll take good care of you

This morning (1/25/03) I turned on my set to be greeted by WWLP Channel 22 News (which I ususally can't stand, but that's another issue...) on channel 11-3 (remapped to 22-3) in HD! It looks like the equipment is on line! Can anyone else confirm this?

Yea, its Superbowl weekend and WGGB didn't come through, but I'll take what I get!

Dan Whittemore

I'll check it out ....

Oh yeah Dan it's on. As soon as I read this I went upstairs and there it was, very nice. Cant wait to see a show in HD on NBC and even though I hate Leno, untill Letterman goes HD in september, I will be checkin Leno out now. Damn thats a nice thing to see this morning. Let us all not forget to at lest send a thank you e-mail out to Mr. Pepin, we bothered him enough now it's time to thank him for keeping his promise. If only those jerks at WGGB 40 would do something before Sun. (not a chance) I would be very happy. Oh well, have fun with NBC in HD. Later

Yep, confirmed in HD. I can't believe WFSB and WWLP are HD but WGGB can't get their act together for the Super Bowl.

Sure enough 6:30 pm 22-3 HDTV! Two outta three ( CBS & NBC ) but the most important one for tomorrow is no where in sight!

YA..

40 sucks.

Saturday 8pm Law and Order just an upconvert?

Well the channel is HD but they did not show anything in HD. L&O and L&W SVU were not shown in HD. The shows wether repeat or not did say at the begining in HD were availible. Dont know what happened maybe they dont know how to flip the switch as everyone on this forum talks about. Well at least the channel is up and my listing does say 22-1 DT and 22-3 HD so it's there but the HD isnt. Damn channel 40 they suck bigtime, the biggest event of the year and they dont even seem to care.

TV 40 S U C K S ! ! ! !

Just for the hell of it try channel 5-TV/20-DTV out of boston. Tune your receiver to channel 44 analog and rotate your antenna until it comes in as clear as possible then check for signal strength on 20-DTV.

good luck!

Law & Order did indeed say it was being broadcast in HD where available. My guess is WWLP
is testing and isn't passing through "true" HD. MHO

Just a Superbowl FYI, Channel 5-TV/20-DTV Boston has been dropout free all afternoon for us. We usually don't have too many problems with this station out here in Goshen (15 minutes northwest of NorthHampton) and today we have even fewer problems so there maybe hope for some of you. The signal strength meter is pegged at 100%, usually we are in the low 90%'s.

Originally posted by JasonAndreas
Just a Superbowl FYI, Channel 5-TV/20-DTV Boston has been pretty much dropout free all afternoon for us. We usually don't have too many problems with this station out here in Goshen (15 minutes northwest of NorthHampton) so there maybe hope for some of you.

JasonAndreas:
No go here in West Springfield. You must be much higher than we are down here. I tried to get 19-1 (36 digital) out of North Adams for regular digital picture with similar success...none. I can get analog ch 19 though. Enjoy the game.

Damn, tried it but nothing. I cant believe this, channel 40 analog sucks and even the DT 40-1 wont come in stable. Lucky I didnt hype it up and have people come over it would have been horrible. Oh well enjoy the game in HD guys I will have to stick to ghosty analog. Wow I just came back from West Springfield like 3 min ago. Had to stop at pioneer valley hobby to pick up some things.

No go in Westfield on a hill. Absolutely ZERO signal from channel 20.

I installed an antenna in my attic a few weeks back and I have been able to get WWLP in the 80s. I see that they finally have HD up and running, now we have to hope they remember to flip the switch.


Can anyone confirm the PBS channel WGBY-DT sub channels? Emails to them have gone unanswered.

Here are my brief observations, please correct where necessary.

57-1: Mirrors the analog WGBY during the day, but I don't get sound. Once the HD demo flips on, sound is OK.

57-2: Another PBS station from another city? Programming differs from WGBY analog. Is it HD?

57-3: PBS Kids?

57-3:PBSyou

57-4 and 57-5: I get snow at times, but not at always on these channels which doesn't make sense for digital channels. So, Does anything ever broadcast on these stations?

I have also heard talk of 57-100. I punch it in and it says channel unavailable. Anyone ever seen anything here?


Ralph

Hey Arebee,
How do you know WWLP has HD up and running. I've been watching and have not seen any yet? All SD up converts from what I can tell.

Just saw on TitanTV that they push HD on 22-3. I will have to check it out. Hope I have not missed too much HD!!

Such,

I just saw that! I was looking at Titan TV and saw that 22-3 was listed, so I came to this thread to confirm. You know how unreliable Titan can be. Last week they had DirecTV channel 511 listed as HBO West-HD!

In looking at Titan's schedule, I have come to realize how little NBC I watch. Still it's good news. I wonder how WVIT is doing. Maybe they are still waiting for their exciter!

OK, I'm getting a 16x9 signal on WWLP, but there is no HD tonight.

I have a strange problem with my HiPix PVR card. My Mits STB gets 22-3 just fine. My HiPix has all these strange verticle lines on 22-3, 22-1 looks fine on the HiPix (though stretched, not letterboxed).

Anyone else having this strange reception problem on 22-3?

Well I sent an e-mail to titan asking them to put up channel 22-3. They sent back a reply saying thanks for letting them know and they would contact the station and get program info. Just to let you guys know there has been no HD on WWLP as of yet. No Leno nothing, one night they did Zoom the picture in and it made me think it was HD but it wasnt it was just zoomed in. Hey AreBee yeah those listing are about right 57-100 does come up for me but it just mirrors 57-1 nothing diff on it. WWLP is alittle weird if you scan for 11 it goes to 22-1 SD, 11-3 it goes to 22-3 HD but if you scan for 11-2 it does not remap it just comes up with the same program as 22-3.

I sent them an e-mail yesterday also. Hope they are close.

I recorded Leno on my HiPix last night & got those strange horizontal scan lines (white lines across the screen) - no HD on 22-3 as noted. Hope they go away when they truly start pumping HD.

Yeah, you know what was also weird. When ER was on it was boxed on all sides, it just seems like someone there is not doing something. It's like they might think the HD is on but, someone forgot to hit that last "Switch".

I checked out 22-3 during ER last night and thought that someone was asleep at the switch. I don't think there's a cliche that is more apropos!

I was messing around with PBS channel numbers and couldn't get 57-100. My Hughes would only let me put in 57-10. I swear that I input 57-100 once before. I tried 58-100 with the same result, it jumped to 58-10. 58-4 was identical to 57-1 (HD Demo), but 57-4 was snowy. I'll never figure out what they're doing.

Does anyone get guide information for any of the analog or digital channels for WWLP, WGGB or WGBY? I don't get guide or PSIP info on any of the MA stations.

Such, do we not get the guide info on our Mits/Hughes because of our CT zipcodes? All I get is "Regular schedule".

On a related note, I also do not get guide info for 20-1, or 59-1. Which sucks because I can't timer record with my Hughes box. I forgot how to program my VCR! It's been years!

AreBee

I don't get guide info either. Strange as it seems, both DirecTV and TitanTV get their guide information from the same source Tribune Media Services.

Seems however, that TMS customizes the data for each client with only the information that customer requests. Translation, until DirecTV asks, TMS won't deliver the guide data. I do, however, now get the station banner for WWLP & WTXX. I get the Mass stations banners by adding a second zip code to my Mits reciever. It has a spot for a 2nd/alternat zip code.

I have some "friends" over at TMS, I'll drop them a note to see if I can get them to add the programming info to DirecTV.

Do you put a second zipcode in "Local in 2"? I thought about that and a dialog box came up saying something about not having anything connected and it asks if I want to move it to Ant input 1. Do I say yes at that point? I was thinking I'd erase my current channel list.

Not sure, I have the Mits HD400, and on the Local Channels main screen, it has a place for 2 Zip codes,

Listed something like this:

Cable Operator:
Local Zip 1:
Local Zip 2:


I put an enfield zip code in Zip 1 and my Avon zip in Local 2. Seems to work, though as you note, there are not listings yet for the Mass stations or WTXX (sent a note off to TMS this morning).

I think we're talking about the same menu. I'll check it out.
Worse case, my channel list resets to MA. Now that I know how to add channels without rescanning, it's not a big deal.

I'm going to fire off an email to DirecTV to see if they will ask TMS to add the info.

The only program info I get is for local analog, no HD program info, if that helps you guys.

Here is the email I sent to DirecTV about the guide information. Their response is below my message.
=====================================================
subject: Channel Guide Information

select: Technical

details: I own a Hughes E86 receiver which decodes High Definition local
channels that I receive with a rooftop antenna. Three new digital
stations were added to my channel line-up recently yet I do not receive
the channel-banner program information or the guide schedule. I
understand that you work in conjunction with Tribune Media Services(TMS)
to send out this inofrmation. TMS provides this service to
www.titantv.com and they have the program information listed for these
channels. The channel 12-1 WTXX-DT (this channel remaps to 20-1),
channel 39-1 WCTX-DT (which rempas to 59-1) and 11-3 WWLP-DT(which
remaps to 22-3). From what I have been told DirecTV must ask TMS for
this information in order to get it passed on to consumers. Is this
correct, and if so, can this be done?

Regards,

Ralph Summa
Farmington, CT 06032

=====================================================
Dear Ralph:

Thank you for your inquiry. As you know, DIRECTV makes changes and
additions to our programming line-up from time to time. However, it is a
DIRECTV policy not to discuss upcoming announcements until their
official release date, and at this time we have no official announcement
beyond what we have already communicated to the public. We invite you to
visit the News Releases section of our web site at
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/aboutus/Headlines.jsp for the latest
announcements.

Suzie
DIRECTV Customer Service

=====================================================

That answer was from the team JD Power ranked #1 for Customer Service for cable/satellite providers. :p


Do you think they've answered a few "WILL YOU BE CARRYING ESPN-HD?" emails?

Isnt that the e-mail they auto send to all questions? It sounds like Ive seen that response a few times.

Here's my reply to the message in the previous post and DirecTV's reply.

=====================================================
Good afternoon,

My question from my earlier email seems to have been misunderstood. I am
trying to determine how local channel guide information gets from
DirecTV to my TV. Currently I cannot receive guide information on three
local channels which I have listed below. This makes it impossible for
me to record programs with the receiver. please see my previous email
below for detailed information.

Regards,

Ralph Summa

=====================================================
Dear Ralph Summa,

Thanks for your inquiry. We do not currently offer broadcast networks in
high definition. However, most high definition televisions can display
high definition over-the-air signals from local broadcasters via off-air
antennae. Your DIRECTV dish may act as an antennae so that you may
receive these local channels, however as we informed you earlier we do
not offer these channels in high definition at this time.

As you can imagine, HDTV programming is expensive to produce and is
available in a limited quantity at the moment. We are in constant
discussions with all types of program providers and will continue to
increase the number of high definition programs we offer as they become
available. Please continue to visit DIRECTV.com for news and updates.

Nickcole
DIRECTV Customer Service
=====================================================


This is amazing. They haven't even come close to my question yet. I'm thinging that DirecTV has a computer that searches for certain words and sends out a canned reply relating to those words whether the reply is relevant to the question or not.

AreBee

Yeah that sucks they dont really answer what your asking. Well I just got a response from WWLP 22 about the HD feed, here it is. If you get a chance e-mail him and let him know we are out here. That would let him know it's not only a couple of us. Thanks guys, oh and be nice to him ;)

"We are in the process of installing the required equipment to add the
NBC HD Content to the channel. Hopefully within the next few weeks all
will be complete."

David Cote
Chief Engineer WWLP TV
dcote@wwlp.com

Last night I was surfing and saw that 22-1 was showing Fear Factor and my STB was stretching the picture. 22-3 had black bars on the 4x3 picture and my STB would not change the aspect ratio. This to me seems like they were passing NBC's 1080i feed even though it wasn't a high def broadcast.

Yep AreBee thats the same thing I thought. Damn Fear Factor in HD would be sweet. They have me all tensed up, I watch it everyday to see if the HD feed comes on. Well I dont know what has to be installed but I hope it doesnt take a long time. E-mail that Dave guy and let him know we are out here waiting. Later

I'll send out a letter ASAP. Still no help for guide information from DirecTV. I'm going to ask the guy at WWLP how it works.

Sent out an email this morning and got a quick reply.




Dave:


I am a local High Def owner and have been eagerly awaiting WWLP's high
definition broadcasts. I now get 22.1DTV and recently started pulling in
22-3 HD. It seems as though you folks aren't sending NBC's HD feed?
How much longer before you "flip the switch"?
Thank you for your time and efforts.


The reply:



If all arrives as promised, later this month will flip the switch.

David Cote
Chief Engineer WWLP TV
dcote@wwlp.com

AreBee,
I find you comments interesting.. I too get 22-3 with a 4x3 picture and black bars, all in the proper aspect ratio. The integrity of the picture is intact. But MY STB (samsung t151) does let me ZOOM with terrible consequences. The integrity of the picture is gone on the right 1/3 of the display, with about 100 bogus lines, evenly spaced running horizontally. Of course the aspect ratio is now all wrong in the zoom mode, so I'm not missing anything with this mode being distorted. Funny, but I can't zoom on any other HD broadcast from other stations.... only 22-3. Could it be something weird in the signal that 22-3 is sending?

Larry

Does anyone else in the area have a T151, and are you seeing the same distortion with the ZOOM mode on wwlp-3?
Larry

I checked 22-3 last night during Kingpin and saw black bars on all four sides. I did appear to be 16x9 though and I couldn't change the aspect ratio. Switched to 22-1 and the image was stretched.

I emailed Dave Cote yesterday and received a reply pretty quickly. It doesn't really offer anything new.
=================================================
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 10:48 AM
To: dcote@wwlp.com
Subject: WWLP High Definition Programming

Good Morning Mr. Cote,

I have recently installed a new antenna and I am now able to receive
your High Definition (HD) channel in Farmington, CT. I saw the addition
of channel 22-3 in the last week but I did not see an HD signal coming
through on those shows that are filmed in HD. I was wondering when you
would be sending the high definition broadcasts. There are many of us
waiting excitedly in Connecticut and we look forward to WWLP in HD.

On a related note, I use a DirecTV/ATSC tuner to receive WWLP-DT. The
guide information only says "Regular Schedule". The analog station guide
information has all the programming information displayed. The receiver
uses a zip code data base to access that information, but for some
reason your digital station programming information does not appear. How
does that information get from you to DirecTV? The importance of this is
for the recording of NBC and WWLP programming.

Thank you,

Ralph Summa
===============================================
Morning Ralph,

Thanks for the report. We recently just finished the 22-3 side and have it running in an up-converted mode. Waiting for some equipment to pass the NBC HD side of the world and hope to have that up soon.

As for the programming of the guide I still need to follow-up that
portion of the project. Great things keep coming.

Thanks for watching,

David Cote
Chief Engineer WWLP TV
dcote@wwlp.com
=================================================

As you can see, he is supposedly getting back to me on the missing guide information.

BTW, DirecTV called me yesterday to say that the program guide was a Hughes STB issue. Surprise surprise....


Larry,

Are you getting program info on 22-1 and 22-3 in your T151's guide?

Is anyone else getting the info on a non-Hughes/Tosh/Mits box?

Wow, I like the way Dave respondes so quickly. He seems to want to get things going. Yeah I wonder if the program guide thing is a Mit's STB issue. I have to go to analog program guide to see whats going on. Well it looks like it will happen soon.

I have to go to analog program guide to see whats going on.

That doesn't bother me so much, but I have three digital channels that just say "Regular Schedule" in the guide, and what bothers me is I can't just highlight programs on those channels to timer record. I can't even remember how to program the VCR! I'd tell my wife it's time for a TiVo, but she'd shoot me.

Hey just do what I did, buy hook it up, then tell her the guy at the store gave you an awesome open box buy. Thats what I did, then let her see how it works and when she can record all her stuff and not miss things she will quickly forget. Hope you don't have a conscience.

I checked last night and confirmed that I'm not getting any programming information at all using the T151 over the air. Not a DirecTV subscriber, so I can't comment there...

I also verified my distortion issue. With my Samsung T151 (1080i DTV mode on my Mits 55) on WWLP-3, I view in Full mode with proper aspect ratio on the display, although I do have bars on the sides of the picture. The image appears to be 4x3, and I watch WWLP-3 programming in this mode. What concerns me though is that I can shift the T151 into ZOOM mode on this station (Zoom appears to be unavailable to me on other HD channels!), and when I ZOOM on WWLP-3 I get a corrupted display on the right 1/3 of my screen. about 100 evenly spaced horizontal lines with missing or incorrect video information.

My STB is still only three weeks old, so I'm VERY interested if this is something that other T151 owners might be seeing. If not, then it might indicate a flaw in my unit and I'll exchange it for another this weekend. Are there any others viewing WWLP-3 with a T151, and do you see this problem in zoom mode?

Thanks,
Larry

Wow it happened, WWLP HD is showing the HD feed. The switch looks to have been flipped at 9:57 right at the end of A.U.S.A the screen went full and it was HD. Watching Kingpin in HD right now, the picture looks alittle grainey but maybe it's because it's shot on film. Have fun guys I hope you all noticed it. Later

Originally posted by ralfy1
Wow it happened, WWLP HD is showing the HD feed. The switch looks to have been flipped at 9:57 right at the end of A.U.S.A the screen went full and it was HD. Watching Kingpin in HD right now, the picture looks alittle grainey but maybe it's because it's shot on film. Have fun guys I hope you all noticed it. Later



Thanks for the heads up I just got home and was , am watching Judging Amy on CBS. Switched to 22-3 and lo and behold! Yes! I will be up "late" to watch if The Tonight Show is also fed in HD.

Woh! Did anyone else see that Peacock animation that ran about 10:28 pm on 22-3?
Very weird but cool.

YES!!

Looks awesome, did see the flying Peacock thing, weird. Can't wait to see what Ed looks like tomorrow night.

BTW, my HiPix now works properly on 22-3, high def feed looks/records normally.

THANKS WWLP!!! I'll never watch WVIT again!!

Yeah that peacock thing was weird. Like I said before I dont really care for Leno but I will watch it, just to see the picture quality. Now things are starting to come in place, if only WGGB 40 would go HD then we would be all set. Maybe we should just bombard them with e-mails, just send a few a day until we bother them enough. It probly wont work but it will get us the minority noticed. Later all Lenos almost on.

Oh sorry one last thing, AreBee I noticed that the program guide is coming up on 22-1 but still not on 22-3. It just came up a few days ago, and it only came up when I rescanned my locals.

11pm news on 22-3 is stretched?

Oh sorry one last thing, AreBee I noticed that the program guide is coming up on 22-1 but still not on 22-3.

I thought I saw that last night as well, but something really weird was going on with my Hughes STB last night, so I didn't look into it. That's for the Hardware forum though. I didn't even think to look at 22-3. Further reinforcing my theory that there is nothing for me on NBC! I'm going to send an email to Dave Cote a WWLP and let him know about the change we saw in the guide info.

AreBee

You have accomplished something with DirecTV for over the last two days almost all of the digital program guides appeared on my Sony HD200. Every one had been missing. That includes 20.1, but not 22.1, .3. To answer an earlier question from you in another thread, I am in New Haven/Wallingford area and do get 22 in Springfield very well. Tell Dave Cote in your next message all his ads are reaching this area. WVIT - so long

Everyone else lose the HD feed for WWLP at 8:45 tonight? Bummer, looked pretty good before it cut out.

I didn't get home until after 9:30 last night but what I saw on 22-3 didn't look right. The commercials were filling the screen and then the switch was flipped around 9:50. The commercials were then 4x3 with black bars. I kept doing an A/B comparison with 22-1 and 22-3. During Law and Order 22-1 was stretched 22-3 looked fine. So it looks like the HD feed came back. NBC-HD did not seem as "rich" as CBS-HD or ABC-HD.

I did not notice if the program guide was up for 20-1 or 59-1. I'll check tonight.

AreBee

Program guide is up for Ch 20 on my Mits HD400.

I agree Arbee, the NBC HD conversions/feed did not look as good as CBS/ABC. I watched Ed, not L&O.

Still pretty sweet they got it up though!!

Program guide is up for Ch 20 on my Mits HD400.

That's great. Once the digital program guide is up I can get rid of the analog station from my APG. If it's working on your Mits, I'm sure it will be up on my Hughes. DirecTV was trying to tell me it was a hardware issue. Big surprise...

I don't watch very much on NBC, but getting the HD feed from WWLP is certainly a step in the right direction, and as AFIS said, I can now say "Bu-Bye" to WVIT.

Has WFSB TV3/DTV33 upped their power levels or made any changes? Last night for the first time (even when we've had good tropo in the past) we locked on and just checking a few minutes ago, we still receive their signal. Previously my signal strength meter was half what it is now. Anyone else?

Jason,

You aren't the first to report this. I haven't heard anything official about a power increase for WFSB, and I'm fortunate enough that I always picked it up at 100%, so I can't really tell any difference on the signal meter. I used to have a problem with my commercials pixellating (even with a 100% signal) and that stopped about a month ago.

The official word was that that they would be broadcasting at full power on 6/1/03.

Any New News???

About WesternMA and HDTV???

None that I've heard of. WGGB still sucks, and they have no timetable for turning on the HD network feed. I am every now and then picking up UPN channel 59 DT 59-1. But nothing new.

getting a hdtv cable box from comcast this sat for the TV in the living room, it's 2$ more a month, but I think it's worth it, so I don't have to buy another tuner and run the coax cable all over the place. I've already have an OTA tuner set up for my bedroom. anyone else using comcast cable in western MA to get hdtv?

It's not yet availible in my part of Springfield. But I thought the only channels you can get in HD ar SHO and HBO, nothing else so far. It was in the paper that they are in talks with WFSB channel 3 DT3-1 and HD3-3 to pass on there signal. I get more right now with Sat, so I wont change till they offer more channels.

Well, after a site visit to Tribune Media Services and a call to an inside contact at D*TV, I've finally gotten to the bottom of the guide issue for us folks in CT that are receiving WWLP. Seems there is something screwy with the zip/code and/or blackout zones with D*TV's database. As of early Feb., TMS did start pushing guide info for WWLP on the -1 channel only (as some of you in Springfield reported).

WWLP never notified TMS that the -3 channel was active, so whoever has a contact over at WWLP, could you call them and have them notify TMS that the HD -3 channel is alive.

I'm still working with D*TV for a workaround for those of us in CT so we can get the guide data, will keep you posted.

Originally posted by richardyc
getting a hdtv cable box from comcast this sat for the TV in the living room, it's 2$ more a month, but I think it's worth it, so I don't have to buy another tuner and run the coax cable all over the place. I've already have an OTA tuner set up for my bedroom. anyone else using comcast cable in western MA to get hdtv?

Curious what you think about the comcast box and service??

HOw about local with antenna.. it have local tuner too?

I flipped on West Wing the other night and there were black bars on all four sides. I thought WW was SD-widescreen. Was this a case of someone forgetting to throw the switch or has WWLP not resumed HD feed since the war started? I don't watch a whole lot of NBC so I was wondering about the recent HD programming on WWLP.

West Wing is not an HD broadcast, it is letterboxed SD, so when you view on 23-3 you get black bars on side (from SD upconvert), and black bars on the top/bottom because the show is letterboxed from NBC. Looks rediculous doesn't it. Turns my 55" into a 27" in a hurry.

On another note, I was able to get programming info for WWLP by entering 01105 as the secondary zip code. There is still no programming info being passed for 22-3, only 22-1.

Finally, talking with D*TV last night I got some info on the HD flags for programs. They will finally fix the HD flags for HBO & Showtime HD next week. We will not, however, see HD flags for local OTA ATSC programming "anytime soon" as they have technical challenges between themselves and TMS.

Slow progress........

Arbee, who is your contact at WWLP? Can you ask them to tell TMS they have 22-3 on the air so they begin pushing programming info for that sub-channel.

Originally posted by Mfusick
Curious what you think about the comcast box and service??

HOw about local with antenna.. it have local tuner too?

the box is a motorola 5000 series and the switch over was quick and painless. I am now debating if I want to switch back to the old setup, since there is currently only 2 channels available in HD, HBO-HD, and SHOWTIME-HD. They gave me the gold package free for one month. Since I don't normally subsribe to these channels. The 2 HD channels look really nice, but the regular non-hd channels look worst than before, it is much more grainier with my RPTV. It does not have a OTA tuner bulit in to the cable box, I am using a Zenith DV420 for my CBS, NBC(WWLP), ABC(WBBG) and PBS.

rich

Such,

Dave Cote at WWLP has been responsive in the past, although he did not get back to me about the programming info. Send him an email and I will too. Maybe if we pepper him with emails, he'll take care of it! His address is dcote@wwlp.com

I saw an earlier post in this thread about the 01105 zip code and used it in local 2. It works for only a few DTV channels. It does not work for any of the 57-subs and as you said 22-3. I never tried WGGB because I get WTNH for ABC-DT.

I'll send that email out and let you know.

Ralph

looks like TV 40 is finally boardcasting in HD. I got a 55-2 tonight, and its an ABC station.

rich

Originally posted by richardyc
looks like TV 40 is finally boardcasting in HD. I got a 55-2 tonight, and its an ABC station.

rich

I tried and could not get this.

You sure?

What times?

Yeah nothing here yet either. If they have a second DT channel for HD is there any HD being shown or just showing the SD feed?

WGGB sucks..... I watch channel 8 from CT now...

Screw TV40, they won't do HDTV then I won't watch em...

I have read most of this thread and I am moving to Pelham from Boston,

I had a difficult time figuring out where you all were located (besides W/mass CT) and what equipment you were using to pull in signals.

I am encouraged that there are HD signals to be had in the area, I have been spoiled in Boston with all of everything.

So. . .

Do I need to use an external antenna to get any signal? amp? no amp? rotator? just a bowtie?

The house is halfway up the side of a good sized hill facing south and west.

North and east are the wrong side of the hill. but If I get really crazy I think I could put an antenna up on the top and run a cable.

J

Bump

I'm in cental CT and I don't watch much NBC. When I do watch it, I watch WWLP-DT. My normal signal strength is about 51-58.

I was anticipating watching the Kentucky Derby in HD and pulling in a 51 signal until about 5:00 pm when the signal dropped to 30 and the dropouts/freezes were to frequent to watch. I had to watch the race in SD. THE HORROR!

I tried WWLP-DT again for the Preakness and the signal dropped again around the same time. I was able to hang in at 37 in order to watch the race with only one or two dropouts.

Both days were sunny with no wind. I don't know if it was a coincidence that it happened at 5:00 on both days, or if it is something atmospheric.

Anyone else notice decrease in signal around this time?

Had no problems either day on WWLP (at least no pixelization on my setup so I never checked signal strength).

Greetings:

New to the forum - figured I post a few comments regarding some of the postings here:

As you're aware, WWLP is on ATSC with two channels:

WWLP-DT 22.1 = 5.3 Mbps 4:3 480i SD programming
WWLP-HD 22.3 = 12.8 Mbps 16:9 1080i programming

22.3 carries an upconverted version of the SD programming and automatically switches to HD programming with NBC network feeds.

The horizontal lines that someone noted with the 22.3 broadcast are actually the usually non-visible scan lines of the NTSC signal. This is where information such as closed captioning, among other things, is encoded.

Transmissions are from Provin Mountain in Feeding Hills MA - roughly 10 miles due west of Springfield MA. (This is the same tower that the main WWLP TV22 analogue signal is transmitted from. Channel 65 also broadcasts from another smaller tower at this site.)

WWLP-DT is on channel 11. That's VHF - NOT UHF! If you're distant from Provin Mountain - or have terrain issues between you an Provin - you'll want to be sure you're using a proper antenna for reception of WWLP-DT's frequencies! (Note: there's a BIG frequency jump between VHF channel 13 and UHF channel 14.)

WGGB (ABC) and WGBY (PBS) broadcast both their analogue and digital signals from Mt. Tom. As you know - 40 is on 55 digital and 57 is on 58 digital. For most viewers in western Mass, you may need a separate (UHF) antenna pointed in a different direction to properly receive those signals. It is my understanding that WGGB-DT is still transmitting with low power. I have also noticed the (often) lack of audio on WGBY-DT 57.1 during daytime (when they're running four channels: 57.1 through 57.4).

As most of you are already aware - ATSC signals are either there nor not ... there's no concept of a marginal signal (like local reception of analogue TV signals from distant stations). One poster in Goshen noted the ability to receive digital stations from Boston: that's not the norm! A good directional antenna and fairly clear path would be necessary to accomplish that. (Unlikely anyone in the general Springfield area could receive digital channel 20 from Boston as there is not only terrain problems to the east - but also interference from the analogue channel 20 in CT.)

Often the signal strength readings on digital television receivers does NOT represent the strength of the RF signal, but some representation on how well the signal is being received. For example, when using a PC tuner card like the HiPix - anything from the mid-40's and below will usually result in drop-outs ... signals in the 60 to 70's ranges are typical ... and if you can achieve something 80 or above: you should have a rock solid signal!

WWLP is currently not transmitting any program information in its digital signal. As for Titan, DirecTV and others: hopefully all these other information providers are now up-to-date with local programming information.

BTW: WWLP is a LIN Television Corporation station. Sister stations include WTNH ABC in New Haven as well as WCTX. WTNH-DT (10) went on the air 4 Dec 1998 - first digital station in CT. WCTX-DT (39) went on air 6 Dec 2002. Both stations transmit from Mad Mare Mountain in Hampden CT. If you've got a good location and/or a good antenna (typically outdoor) you should be able to receive these in the local Springfield MA area. (For many users - the general direction would also provide you with digital signals from other Hartford CT stations, too.)

I'll periodically be lurking in this forum thread ... feel free to post questions and observations and I'll try to help if possible.

Does anyone in Amherst/Pelham or further north receive WFSB DT at all?

It measures 55 miles from Pelham at 218* the problem is that it is the only CBS station in the area.

The other locals I should get fine with a small antenna.

Thanks,

J

55 miles seems a bit far ...

WFSB / WFSB-DT is located at:

N41 46 30 = 41.775
W72 48 20 = -72.80555

55 miles looks like New Salem - or nearly the top of Quabbin. The intersection of Routes 9 & 202 is aproximately 41 miles.

If you've got a clear shot - I wouldn't think it would be too much of a problem. A friend of mine west of Springfield has a small UHF dish up about the tree line - and he can pull CT digital dignals no problem at all - including distances much further than what I think you're shooting for.

Cool,

I think I do have a clear shot. I am not moved in yet but the house is on the side of a small mountain (read hill)in Pelham just south of New Salem with a clear horizon south and west.
i do not know the actual elevation but it is significantly higher than Amherst.

Thanks for the help.

I will let you know what happens.

J

Originally posted by RPMcCormick




22.3 carries an upconverted version of the SD programming and automatically switches to HD programming with NBC network feeds.



Bob great to see your post...very helpful. I was wondering if the "stretched" programing such as the
22 news shows is the norm for ch 22.3? I have a 16 x 9 HDTV
and the stretched look is not flattering at all. Any possible solutions? Something I may be doing wrong?
Again thanks for your posts.

Bob great to see your post...very helpful. I was wondering if the "stretched" programing such as the 22 news shows is the norm for ch 22.3? I have a 16 x 9 HDTV and the stretched look is not flattering at all. Any possible solutions? Something I may be doing wrong? Again thanks for your posts.

Thanks ...

I believe in fact that the upconversion of the SD broadcast to 16:9 on 22.3 is indeed always stretching the 4:3 to fit the 16:9 format. How did they used to say at the start of one of those old series? Do not attempt to adjust your TV, we have control of the signal! :D

Seriously ... whilst this may not be that objectionable for scenery and some sporting type events - it surely makes shots of people quite distorted! I'm not sure if the upconverter can do anything different - but this has been escalated to Dave Cote, WWLP's Chief Engineer. Will post more information as I find out.

Bob it's hard to tell if you work for 22 or if you just know alot about them. Your sig makes it look like you somehow work for them. If you do, what do you do. Just wondering, you have lots of good info. It would be great to have someone on the inside. Also if you know anything on those slackers at WGGB 40, it would be appreciated. They just don't seem to want to get things going to HD anytime soon.

I would just like to know how talks are going between WWLP and WGGB for Comcast carriage for HD. I heard that they are in talks and would like to know when they Comcast will be carrying the HD. I have a box from Comcast now to receive HD and it's killing me just watching HBO when everyone else has got the networks in Boston from Comcast.

I have DTV so I get the over the air HD channels. But the thing that bothers me is how long do the talks have to go on for. Comcast and these stations for some reason are taking there sweet time in coming to an agreement. WGGB would be a waist to have on anyway they don't show any HD. I think to get these stations moving faster would be to allow cable companies to bring in stations outside the area that are showing HD. We should be allowed to view Boston HD channels if the local station doesn't show HD. It's not fair for us to have to wait until the get things going. WTNH was showing the Hockey game tonight in HD WGGB was showing crap.

Hi Bob,

Welcome to AVS. I've traded emails with Dave Cote at WWLP in the past, most specifically about the guide data. I'm receiving my data from DirecTV and still nothing shows up on 22-3. I'm just west of Hartford and I pull in WWLP-DT pretty well with my monster attic antenna. I have posted some reception problems that hit me at 5:00 pm on the days that both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness ran. Unfortunately right around post time. Hopefully it won't happen next week during the Belmont. Other than those two instances I have enjoyed NBC programming on WWLP. Is WWLP transmitting their digital signal at full power?

When WVIT-DT, NBC Hartford goes on-line next month, I'll be sure to let them know that I'm watching WWLP!!

Ralph

Did anybody get a response from WGGB 40. They better be ready before monday night football starts.

You can say that again or there are going to be alot of angry people in this town!!

Well that's what I'm wondering. How many of us can get WGGB, if it's enough of us then we have to start plowing them with e-mails letting them know we are not happy. If they think they're enough angry people here then they might get moving but if it's a small number then they probably will drag there feet until they think it's time.

Greetings all - will try to catch up on a few questions ...

I'm a contract engineer at WWLP ... although I'm not directly involved with the digital plant, like most of you - I'm very much interested in this leading technology. (I'm also a ham radio type, too.)

There's nothing over the last few weeks that would explain any drop-outs from the WWLP side of life ... one thing that I have found in experimenting with ATSC is that its very sensitive to multipath and somewhat sensitive to receiver blocking and interference. I think time will tell as the technology is further deployed and things stabilize!

As for power ... WWLP-DT is currently running under what the FCC calls an STA. If you're not familiar with the FCC's on-line database, try out this link:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html

WWLP-DT is currently running at 0.750 kW ERP ... but there are applications for increased power. I'm told this could take some time for approval due to coordination with Canadian authorities. (Any station within a certain distance of the border on either side has to go through this process.) Needless to say, it should only get better! [Also remember: don't compare VHF station power like WWLP-DT with UHF stations - it takes a lot more power to cover the same area with a UHF signal.]

On the FCC's web site you can also lookup other stations (maybe easiest is by call, but if you know your location you can even get a list within a certain distance!). Plots of antenna patterns may also be of interest. (WWLP-DT is pretty much omni but some stations may have directional signals.)

Looks like WGBY-DT (58) is running 50 kW ERP ... and based on their signal strength, I can believe that. OTOH, WGGB-DT (55) says 13.1 kW on the FCC web site - but I don't think they can be running their authorized power as I can't even get a single frame out of them. (I live northwest of Springfield and almost line-of-site to Mt. Tom where both stations are located.)

Out of fairness to WGGB ... hammering them with emails won't have much effect, I'm sure - especially if its to the engineering folks. A polite letter to Kevin LaRoux, WGGB's General Manager, may be more appropriate. I'm sure you can get their address from their web site or the FCC's web site.

There's a lot to building a TV station from scratch, especially using totally new technologies. To further the complexity - we're mixing a lot of old and new technologies together. And there are also financial and government issues thrown in the mix, too.

Regarding the comment about getting a distant station to provide HD signals ... that's a very complex issue. In the most simple terms, broadcasters have/obtain rights to provide programming for the areas they serve. This is why you may sometimes see shows "blacked out" on a distant station when a local station has the rights - and sometimes its even vice versa! I sincerely doubt that we'd see any changes in this in the near term ...

The solution: like in the old days ... get a big antenna and point it to where you can receive signals! WTNH-DT (10) may provide coverage for many people in northern CT and western MA 'till WGGB's plant is fully operational.

As for cable companies providing you with the ATSC signals from local stations: best to ask the local cable company about that. I'm sure there's lots of discussions going on ... and I don't know all the inner workings of all that. But as you can probably guess, from the technical standpoint - all the cable company has to do is receive the signal (either off air or directly fed by the broadcaster) and then get it to you. Note: you'll want to make sure that the cable company passes the signal through without any material degradation - I'd suspect that most will provide the local ATSC signals via a cable company provided STB.

Lastly, someone asked about 57.100. Some tuners won't even show that ... and if it does, most likely you won't be able to do anything with it. I'm told its a data stream ... if memory=correct, it identifies something like WGBYWWW.

Bob,

It took me a while to find out but my place is somewhere between 650-700 ft elevation with a clear shot to the west and South. We are on the next hill to the West of Tower hill where the WFCR tower is located. So i expect with a decent antenna I should be able to pick up Springfield. i hope so because CBS does WAY more than the other networks in HD.

Thanks for poking in.

J

We are on the next hill to the West of Tower hill where the WFCR tower is located. So i expect with a decent antenna I should be able to pick up Springfield.

Sure - know the area well. That's the Caldwell Memorial Forest and environs ...

You'll probably need an external antenna - but by my quick estimate with mapping software you're about 45 miles away from WSFB. You may want to try to contact someone at WFSB to see if they're running full power and what the situation there is. BTW: WWLP (running with the reduced power) is getting good reports from people as far away as 30 miles ...

I figure that I should extpect to get the following channels Digitally easily.

WWLP 11 HD NBC
WGGB 55 not HD? ABC Springfield
WGBY 58 HD PBS
WCDC 36 HD ABC Adams

Then the rest

WFSB 33 CBS HD Hopfully

I see no hope of receiving New Haven And Unless I am wrong there is not a Fox station broadcasting digitally currently in the area. WTIC Hartford sez Nov 03' on antennaweb.

So my wife will miss american Idol. I can live with that. It is the football games I am upset about.

Forgot to mention, WFSB is broadcasting digitally at 1 million megawatts? ( one million something anyway) from 370 odd feet up.

J

I don't know what's going on with WGGB ... I think I saw one other post here that said they saw a hidef signal from them. I can't receive it at my house - and I'm less than 10 miles line-of-sight south east of Mt. Tom. (WGBY and WGBY-DT comes in with a strapping signal).

WGBY typically runs four channels during the day and then one at night - when they run lots of (now to me repeat) HD demo videos. I'm not aware of anything that's regularly transmitted on PBS (via WGBY) that's HD. But go into any A/V store in the area at night - and they'll surely have a set tuned to WGBY-DT. Demos good, too!

Of course, WWLP-DT - for whatever NBC programming is in HD.

You *may* be able to get CDC from Mt. Greylock ... my tuner will detect that there's a digital signal there but I've never been able to receive it. The analogue signal (channel 19) comes in - but not acceptably such that I'd watch it. There's a lot of terrain between me (and you) and Mt. Greylock (even though its the highest point in Massachusetts).

You are correct: in Springfield (something like market 104 or 105) there is NO FOX or CBS station - hence these come from Hartford. We're waiting on WTIC (the FOX affiliate) ... and WFSB has been up for a while now.

In your case - you may be able to mount a fixed an antenna (for both UHF & VHF) pointed south west - and that may cover NBC, CBS and FOX (when it shows up) - and possibly others, too.

As for New Haven (and even Boston for that matter): you'll have to give it a try ... you never know. I have heard of reports of some people in western Mass (i.e., west of Worcester county) being able to get digital signals from the Boston market. But that surely is NOT the norm ... and I've never seen it myself.

As for the football games - don't watch it myself ... does any of the satellite providers provide football in HD?

>> Forgot to mention, WFSB is broadcasting digitally
>> at 1 million megawatts? ( one million something
>> anyway) from 370 odd feet up.

A millioni megawatts?! Gee - let's see - that would be something like an exawatt? :D (I don't remember my prefixes up that high!)

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WFSB

As of this posting, the aforementioned link indicates that WFSB-DT is running with 20 kW ERP (see their STA). But their license is for 1,000 kW (which is one megawatt) at 375.8 meters above sea level. For me, its about 30 miles as the crow flies - and I'm unable to receive them with an indoor antenna.

I do not think Boston is an option. It is 90 ish miles as the crow flies and even though I am at 700 ft I am on the western side of a hill that is a couple of hundred feet higher than I am.

Ahhh 1 megawatt,, Whatever.

I have been spoiled as I currently live in Quincy and receive everything digitaly

is WCDC passing HD signals from the Network? According to Antennaweb I should be able to get it easier than any of the Hartford Stations.

Bob,

Can you explain how the programming information gets to our on screen guides? My DirecTV receiver shows programming info for WWLP's analog 22 and digital 22-1 but not digital 22-3. www.titantv.com does have the info for 22-3. I was trying to find this out in regards to one of our CT channels sometime back and DirecTV said it was the station's responsibility, the station said it was Tribune Media's responsibility and Tribune said it was DirecTV's responsibility. I have never been able to get info from WGBY. The guide shows "Regular Schedule" on all of their digital channels. I also have two digital channels in CT which do the same. It's a little frustrating, because I can't use my DirecTV receiver to timer-record if there is no program to highlight. I end up recording the analog broadcasts which in many cases look horrible.

Ralph

I have been spoiled as I currently live in Quincy and receive everything digitaly is WCDC passing HD signals from the Network? According to Antennaweb I should be able to get it easier than any of the Hartford Stations.

Qunicy: yea - somewhere between 5 and 10 miles from most of the ATSC transmitters?! :) Welcome to western Massachusetts! We still dial 7-digits on the phones out here!

WCDC isn't a real station, but is a full power station relaying WTEN from Albany. I know for sure that WTEN-DT is doing HD but I have no information on whether the WCDC-DT transmissions parallel that. (Football games earlier this year were in HD on 10 in Albany.)

Can you explain how the programming information gets to our on screen guides?
snip

Hmmm ... I've actually seen this one myself but unfortunately I don't have any more information than you have. I've asked Dave Cote (chief engineer) - will see what he can come up with ...

Seems strange that whenever I check the Titan information it seems correct (although a recent NBC show that was listed in Titan wasn't sent in HD when the guide said it was) ... and DirecTV doesn't have the .3 info.

If I get any more info I'll post it back here!

Ah HA! WTEN that explains why I could find no information on CDC anywhere. I will look up Albany and see what I see.

I am hoping that the altitude thing helps. There is nothing on the horizon as high as we are (700 feet) to the west so Greylock may get to us even though it is 50 Miles.

I am encouraged that the JasonAndreaus gets Boston from Goshen that has to be 110 miles. He is according to a post he made at 1400 feet so he has a significant altitude advantage.

J

I cannot see the call letters on your program guide. Is it exactly like the others?

There was a similar problem with WSBK in Boston having to do with a - (hyphen) that was included in the call letters WSBK-DT instead of WSBKDT I think this is a straight Reference database problem where the call letters have to be exact to pull.

just a thought.

J

Can you explain how the programming information gets to our on screen guides?

Hmmm ... I've actually seen this one myself but unfortunately I don't have any more information than you have. I've asked Dave Cote (chief engineer) - will see what he can come up with ...

Thanks Bob!


Seems strange that whenever I check the Titan information it seems correct (although a recent NBC show that was listed in Titan wasn't sent in HD when the guide said it was) ...

Titan is notorious for misinformation. Most frequent problem is HD programs not listed as HD and vice versa.

I also recall them listing DirecTV channel 511 (HBO-Latino) as the HBO-HD West Feed. It changed out of the blue one day. I emailed them and they corrected it.

Their "Stations Coming Soon" listing was usually updated after an email from AVS Forum members.

I can answer the listing question.

This is how it works. The station must inform DirecTV that their sub-channel is on the air. DirecTV then requests the listing from Tribune Media Services who provides them to DirecTV, then they show up on your guide.

I've spoken to Dave Cote at WWLP about the issue, he seemed to know he had to do something to let DirecTV know. He said he couldn't remember the contact at DirecTV, but would look for it and send them a note that they are on the air with 22-3. That was over a month ago. Seems he needs a gentle reminder. Anyone have his number?

I've spoken to Dave Cote at WWLP about the issue, he seemed to know he had to do something to let DirecTV know. He said he couldn't remember the contact at DirecTV, but would look for it and send them a note that they are on the air with 22-3. That was over a month ago. Seems he needs a gentle reminder. Anyone have his number?

I've internally made Dave aware of this - as well as also have sent him your posting. Will post back when we have more information.

That would be great to get the guide info up and running. Thanks again Bob.

Regardless of that, I'll have a houseful watching The Belmont tomorrow in HD on WWLP-DT!

Go Funny Cide!


Ralph

So let me get this straight, WGGB doesn't have any plan to go HIDEF in the immediate future because they can't afford some equipment that is needed?

That is what the probably say, but they are owned by Sinclair. They have money coming out the you know what. We miss the Stanley Cup and NBA Finals and they probably don't even care.

Hope everyone who watched the Belmont race on 22.3 WWLP-DT received it OK! Was received fine at my house ... I didn't get to watch it live but instead viewed a playback later that evening. Too bad Funny Cyde didn't win :(

Regarding ABC in western Mass ... untill WGGB has their DT setup in place you can always try WTNH in New Haven (10) or WCDC on top of Mt. Greylock (36). Both are doing HD programming. (In fact, WCDC I'm told was on with HD before its parent station WTEN in Albany got its digital signal up!)

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Hope everyone who watched the Belmont race on 22.3 WWLP-DT received it OK! Was received fine at my house ... I didn't get to watch it live but instead viewed a playback later that evening. Too bad Funny Cyde didn't win :(

Regarding ABC in western Mass ... untill WGGB has their DT setup in place you can always try WTNH in New Haven (10) or WCDC on top of Mt. Greylock (36). Both are doing HD programming. (In fact, WCDC I'm told was on with HD before its parent station WTEN in Albany got its digital signal up!)

WCDC 36 is the analog station, I think. What is the digital station? I have a hill to the south that prevents me from getting the Conn. stations so this might be an option for me.

Hey, I've got a question for ya, Bob.

I was just reading another thread about HD in CT and it made me think to ask you:

Why do most (if not all) HD stations, including WWLP, have the volume set so low? The SD channel is always louder.

It's an ear killer when you change the channel and forget to change the volume first!

Andy

-KEK-
WCDC 36 is the analog station, I think. What is the digital station? I have a hill to the south that prevents me from getting the Conn. stations so this might be an option for me.
WCDC is on 19 and WCDC-DT is on 36.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WCDC

This is located atop Mt. Greylock, the highest point in the state, in the north west corner of Massachusetts. The antenna pattern directs towards Albany - as Berkshire County is part of the Albany TV market. From the centre of Springfield MA it is about 46 miles to WCDC ... but because of terrain it may not be easy for folks to receive (as there are a number of hills in-between that approach 2,000 feet elevation).

WTNH is on 8 and WTNH-DT is on 10.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WTNH

This is located in Hampden CT and is about 50 miles from downtown Springfield. Though a bit further ... because it is up and down the CT river valley, many people in Hampden County may be able to receive WTNH-DT better than WCDC-DT. (Plus: its on VHF which does have a bit better propagation than the higher UHF channel 36 from Greylock.) I know a number of people in the greater Springfield and surrounding area that are receiving WTNH-DT.

Andy238
Why do most (if not all) HD stations, including WWLP, have the volume set so low? The SD channel is always louder. It's an ear killer when you change the channel and forget to change the volume first!
With my personal setup I'm routinely only able to get WWLP-DT and WGBY-DT ... I did notice on my HiPix system the differences in level but didn't realize how bad it was. I'll have to check that out also on a friend's seutp ...

Maybe you can be a bit more explicit to help trace this down ... are you saying that volume levels between 22.1 and 22.3 are significantly different? Or just in general - the volume levels between any digital channel is a lot lower than the analogue counterpart?

I'll ask around ...

Thanks for looking into it, Bob.

I noticed the lower volume levels on any digital channel versus its analogue counterpart. It's that way on WTNH, WTXX, WFSB, WGGB, WGBY, and WWLP. Those are all the stations I get unless things have changed since I started my HT construction. I've been HD-less for a month or so (and missing it). I've read other posts about it here as well so I don't think it's just my setup.

Andy

Bob,
Any progress on the DirecTV listings issue?

Any new news about anything local?

Originally posted by -KEK-
Any new news about anything local?

Give you a bump

Did anybody else notice that the last couple of days that 57 has been broadcasting the HD PBS feed for more than just primetime? I tuned in to 57 yesterday afternoon and it was high def, I also checked at 11:30pm and it was still on, they usally stop broadcasting the digital at 11:00pm.

I have noticed more and more HD on GBY. Anyone notice that when 57-1 is not broadcasting HD you can't get any sound? I get the sound fine when HD kicks in, and on 57-2,3,4. (Zenith 520 receiver).

I am lucky in that I get channel 8 (10) easily from East Longmeadow. Mounted a Radio Shack 9 ft antenna with a rotor to the chimney. I sent a letter to WGGB 40 complaning about their lack of HD about 2 months ago, obviously they need more of a shove. It's ridiculous that we in Western MA have to go out of market for HD. You are right - they don't seem to care at all.

I get the North Adams station with the rotor, but don't have the need to tune in because of channel 8.

Fox was still scheduled for a November sign on, but I'm not holding my breath. I sent them an e-mail also, and least they responded. Another station that has the cash, but not the marketing knowledge to figure out which of their audience has discretional income.

I have noticed more and more HD on GBY. Anyone notice that when 57-1 is not broadcasting HD you can't get any sound?

This drives me crazy. I have sent three or four emails and I have never received a replay.

Who are you sending the emails too?

I just went to WGBY's website to recall the email address I was using and I found a detailed employee list that I had previously not seen. Ray Miller is the Chief Engineer and might be the guy we're looking for. rmiller@wgby.org

I think I had been using feedback@wgby.org.


My issues with WGBY are:

1. No sound on 58-1 (57-1) at times when showing upconverted SD programming.

2. Guide Data on DireTV receiver reads "Regular Schedule" on all digital channels. Analog 57 iformation is fine.

3. Only 58-1 programming information available on TitanTV. Sub channel information not available.

I'll send off another email today. Let's see what happens.

Ralph

Ray is the guy you want; he responds to email and phone calls (at least he did two years ago when I had reception issues.)

I heard back from Ray yesterday. Very informative and responsive.

Here's an excerpt from his email about the audio on upconverted material.

"To answer your first question about the audio on 58-1 (57-1), we encode our analog ch57 signal with M-Peg audio only. Not all digital receivers can decode M-Peg and look for the ATSC standard of AES or Dolby 5.1 surround sound. We are in the process of converting to that standard and you should be able to get that audio stream soon."

I'm a little confused by that. Does that make sense?



We are also trading emails discussing the guide data issues.

Let me know if I can help with the guide data issue, I have a contact at DirecTV who he can talk to if necessary.

Originally posted by AreBee

"To answer your first question about the audio on 58-1 (57-1), we encode our analog ch57 signal with M-Peg audio only. Not all digital receivers can decode M-Peg and look for the ATSC standard of AES or Dolby 5.1 surround sound. We are in the process of converting to that standard and you should be able to get that audio stream soon."

I'm a little confused by that. Does that make sense?


The part that said "you should be able to get that audio stream soon" sure made sense!

I noticed yesterday that WWLP's (22) digital channel now shows all non HD material in 4:3 with the bars on the sides, they used to stretch it, except the primetime non HD stuff. I don't know if it is perminant or not. I also wonder if they upgraded any equipment to do this or not, if so maybe they added the ability to do 5.1 audio.

Originally posted by -KEK-
I noticed yesterday that WWLP's (22) digital channel now shows all non HD material in 4:3 with the bars on the sides, they used to stretch it, except the primetime non HD stuff. I don't know if it is perminant or not. I also wonder if they upgraded any equipment to do this or not, if so maybe they added the ability to do 5.1 audio.


Thanks KEK for the heads up. Been busy this summer and what with reruns haven't even checked 22.3 for quite a while. There now is a channel 22.2 which seems to be broadcasting weather radar for Western Mass! Non stretch is exactly what I've been waiting for. I will now watch all my local broadcasts on 22.3. Bravo to channel 22.

I don't think NBC sends out 5.1 audio. My receiver shows 2.0.


Now if ch 40 would get their sh... together we could watch Monday Night Football etc.......

I think that Ch 40 and Ch 22 are getting ready to broadcast on Comcast. as you might know by now there are channels allocated on the 800 band for cable, just a hunch here but I would think that 808 would be channnel 40, and channel 822 will be channel 22 as well, they did start wgby 57 today and guess what that channel was 857, things look like they are trying to keep them the same as the regular channels. Only a couple of more weeks till MNF lets get it going!!! As far as Channel 3 huh I'm still holding my breath!!!! HELP I CAN'T BREATH

BOB118,

what kind of equiptment are you using?

I fired off emails to both, hopefully Comcast will add them once content becomes available. I'm hoping they add WFSB soon. WGBY is on there now I just noticed it tonight.

Well I'm ready to get cable as soon as all the locals are on it. But I get more over the air then I would on cable. It's funny but the antenna I have which is pretty much junk, I'm still able to get WFSB channel 3 in strong (low 60's). I really hope comcast strikes a deal with channel 8 out of CT because we wont see a single game of MNF on channel 40 in HD. They suck, and I don't want to hear any excuses for them, they've had years to get this done. We miss all the ABC show's done in HD and now we will miss all of Monday Night Football.

Well it almost makes sense if the channel numbers are corresponding to the actual channels that we get channel 8 and not 40. And I agree I'd rather have channel 8 for all the HD Programminh and not 40 for the SD upconverted programming.

I hope that's what it means, it does make sense if it's listed as 808. That would be awesome, I get local news from 22 anyway so I could care less about channel 40. I have grown to hate them more and more, I can barely get a signal from them and they are on the same mountain as WGBY 57. I get channel 57 (58-1) with a great signal but 40 forget it, drop outs galore.

Have a Comcast Motorola HD box , Sony Amp ,Sony Speakers, Sony DVD 5 Disc player,

Hey a quick question to those that have the cable HD boxes. Do they have that annoying program guide that takes up the whole bottom of the screen. My friend has the regular digital Motorola box and the program guide is the worst thing about it. I think it's done by TV guide. The one thing I really wish they get is a DVR, I have Directv with Tivo service and dont know if I could ever live without it.

The Guide takes up part of the bottom not too bad on a wide screen set. I got a message back from a tech at WWLP I guess they are waiting on the legal end of things as far as getting the HD Feed on Comcast. But the Channel 822 is reserved for them, 840 for WGGB. He said it would'nt be long after the legal end is worked out.

What we really need from Comcast is WFSB in my opinion. They carry the Patriot Games. Hopefully at least some of them will be in true HD.

I just really hope Scarpad that channel 808 is for WTNH channel 8 out of CT. It just doesnt seem like channel 40 will get with the program this year. If we dont get channel 8 then that will suck.

Originally posted by ralfy1
I just really hope Scarpad that channel 808 is for WTNH channel 8 out of CT. It just doesnt seem like channel 40 will get with the program this year. If we dont get channel 8 then that will suck.

The problem is that you live in Springfield, WGGB-40 owns any ABC viewer in Springfield. I can't see them sitting quietly on the side allowing ComCast to broadcast another ABC station in their DMA.