The novice would like to know what is digital feed and SD feed? How are they different and how do I switch between them?

Thanks,

Originally posted by hdnovice
The novice would like to know what is digital feed and SD feed? How are they different and how do I switch between them?

Thanks,

If you are tuned to a station's digital channel you will get either an HD (High Definition) program, or a Standard Definition program.

Not all content on the digital channels is in High Definition. Generally, if the program on the digital channel is in high definition, it will fill a 16 x 9 TV screen entirely. If it is a Standard Definition (SD) program, there will be black bars on the sides of the screen to artificially fill a 16 x 9 TV screen.

You do not need to switch -- it will be one or the other.

However, if you are watching the CBS digital channel, but for some reason which to watch the regular analog channel, you can always switch between the two. There will always be SD on the analog channel.

Thanks,

I knew that. I just wasn't sure what you were talking about. I have another question that might be just with my set. I'll be switching between digital stations and I will lose sound and it won't come back until I switch off that channel (sometimes back to standard cable). Then when I come back it will be okay. Has anyone heard of this or is it a problem with my unit.

BTW. Is anyone still having trouble receiving FOX??

About 2 weeks ago I ran my comcast digital coax feed (from the wall, not STB) into the integrated tuner on my mits. After doing a channel scan (irc & hrc cable) I was able to receive DigNBC DigCBS DigABC and another channel WHHY or something like that. Last tuesday I noticed that I no longer had the CBS channel. Ran another channel scan and nothing. I know CBS was a digital HD feed because I watched a few Monday night shows in HD. There were quite a few other channels including some pay channels (standard def, and strictly music channels that came through).
I want my CBS digital and since comcast doesn't offer it yet I thought this was my answer.

Where are these channels from? Is there a way for me to get CBS back?

If I can offer any more info let me know.

Any response would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Marc

Very interesting Marc. Was the CBS station KYW-DT? Comcast sends the local digital signals out on unencripted QAM which the new MIts. receives will decode and display. When Comcast formally adds KYW-DT, you will be able to receive it and CSN-HD for now at least. I have heard from a source that there is a deal in place now between CBS and Comcast. I also know that Comcast has fiber cable running into KYW to take their analog signal out and the digital as well. Perhaps they were running some sort of in house test of KYW-DT before deployment. Where that the case, you would have been one of the view who could see it other than those with enabled 5100 receivers. Let us know should it show up again.

Yesterday NBC came back up and looked great. I was not receiving FOX though. Today NBC is very spotty and FOX is back PHL also is missing. The trouble with my Mitsu is I don't know the signal strength and don't know where I stand. Does anyone have any info??? or help for me with my Mitsu. Also if what JWhii says above I can run a cable into my digital tuner and my Mitsu will decode it. Is this true.

Thanks,

It is true for the new Mits. sets with the buit in stb

WCAU-DT strikes again. Once again, Leno in glorious standard definition. Is it that difficult to come up with control room procedures to ensure that the switch is flipped on-time, every time?

Has anyone else noticed that ABC WPVI in Philly the last week or so has a deteriorated picture quality? There seems to be some kind of fluttering in dark scenes or dark backgrounds. I see it primarily on my HDTV when I am playing back at 1080i tuner output. If I switch my tuner output to 720p it seems to almost go away, but this is not something I had to do before. Before I just left my Tuner output on 1080i all the time and never saw this before.

Thanks,

Bob

Originally posted by rbtconsultants
Has anyone else noticed that ABC WPVI in Philly the last week or so has a deteriorated picture quality? There seems to be some kind of fluttering in dark scenes or dark backgrounds. I see it primarily on my HDTV when I am playing back at 1080i tuner output. If I switch my tuner output to 720p it seems to almost go away, but this is not something I had to do before. Before I just left my Tuner output on 1080i all the time and never saw this before.

Thanks,

Bob

I have noticed it too, particularly doing commercials for whatever reason. And its not that the comercials are SD there is actually a "fluttering".

I have heard from a source that there is a deal in place now between CBS and Comcast

JWhip,

How long before you think we will see it?

Thanks,

Frank T. Lee

Jwhip, you with the inside information. You rock! :)

So, if they are testing signals, do you all suppose that eventually the people with the 5100 boxes will see the signal test (I don't really understand if that is what I SHOULD understand from the post below)? I have heard of people getting CSN (172) from time to time already. I don't know if they were being truthful, but it would be nice to find out.

Originally posted by JWhip:
Very interesting Marc. Was the CBS station KYW-DT? Comcast sends the local digital signals out on unencripted QAM which the new MIts. receives will decode and display. When Comcast formally adds KYW-DT, you will be able to receive it and CSN-HD for now at least. I have heard from a source that there is a deal in place now between CBS and Comcast. I also know that Comcast has fiber cable running into KYW to take their analog signal out and the digital as well. Perhaps they were running some sort of in house test of KYW-DT before deployment. Where that the case, you would have been one of the view who could see it other than those with enabled 5100 receivers. Let us know should it show up again.

There seems to be some kind of fluttering in dark scenes or dark backgrounds. I see it primarily on my HDTV when I am playing back at 1080i tuner output. If I switch my tuner output to 720p it seems to almost go away,

This has been a problem for over a year now. We're talking about the green lines flickering on black backgrounds. I reported it to WPVI last year and was told they were aware of the problem and were working on it. Since it's still there, and because of several posts on the subject I've seen here, I think it's a result of a 720p signal being converted to 1080i. My set doesn't handle 720p, and I see this all of the time on Channel 6. It's only that channel, and they are the ONLY ones doing 720p.

Originally posted by constabl
About 2 weeks ago I ran my comcast digital coax feed (from the wall, not STB) into the integrated tuner on my mits. After doing a channel scan (irc & hrc cable) I was able to receive DigNBC DigCBS DigABC and another channel WHHY or something like that. Last tuesday I noticed that I no longer had the CBS channel. Ran another channel scan and nothing. I know CBS was a digital HD feed because I watched a few Monday night shows in HD. There were quite a few other channels including some pay channels (standard def, and strictly music channels that came through).
I want my CBS digital and since comcast doesn't offer it yet I thought this was my answer.

Where are these channels from? Is there a way for me to get CBS back?

If I can offer any more info let me know.

Any response would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Marc

What model Mits do you have? I am wondering If I can do the same with my integrated tuner?

Originally posted by rbtconsultants
Has anyone else noticed that ABC WPVI in Philly the last week or so has a deteriorated picture quality? There seems to be some kind of fluttering in dark scenes or dark backgrounds. I see it primarily on my HDTV when I am playing back at 1080i tuner output. If I switch my tuner output to 720p it seems to almost go away, but this is not something I had to do before. Before I just left my Tuner output on 1080i all the time and never saw this before.

Thanks,

Bob

Bob: What kind of TV do you have? Is it a Sony? Was it manufactured between September and December of 2002? If so, check out this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=190083&highlight=34xbr800+vertical

Originally posted by constabl
About 2 weeks ago I ran my comcast digital coax feed (from the wall, not STB) into the integrated tuner on my mits. After doing a channel scan (irc & hrc cable) I was able to receive DigNBC DigCBS DigABC and another channel WHHY or something like that. Last tuesday I noticed that I no longer had the CBS channel. Ran another channel scan and nothing. I know CBS was a digital HD feed because I watched a few Monday night shows in HD. There were quite a few other channels including some pay channels (standard def, and strictly music channels that came through).
I want my CBS digital and since comcast doesn't offer it yet I thought this was my answer.

Where are these channels from? Is there a way for me to get CBS back?

If I can offer any more info let me know.

Any response would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Marc

Constabl:

I tried this as well and it works for me too. Which model MITS do you have.
I have a WS-55859 with Integrated Tuner and Netcommand.

I could only get a few channels. I could get ABCHD, WHYY, HBO, Discovery Kids, ShopNBC, & On Demand PPV. These were from channel 79.01 to channel 114. I did not notice any channel for NBC or CBS. If you find them I would love to know where they are as in what number. Thanks! I wish I would have tried this a long time ago. I have had the TV for over a year.

baeverly,

cbs and nbc were in the 81-83 range I believe. I'm currenly away from home so I'm not positive. NBC was off the air for about a week so I wonder if it is back up or not. CBS was only available for a few days last week. Some of the higher channels were PPV I believe and a bunch of music only channels.

I'll do a re-search and check when I get back home.

Marc(constabl)

What happened during ER tonight? WCAU-DT was a minute or two late in switching to HD mode. They had problems during the middle commercial break (no loss here). Then they missed the entire last segment. I had to switch over to the SD feed to see the end of the show.

Wish I knew. I missed part of the last segment because I thought the black screen was just local commercial insertion time. The channel was still out during most of the news, but they had it back for Leno.

I just don't understand WCAU. After two years of watching their DT channel, I honestly think they don't give a hoot about their digital viewers. Anybody can make a mistake, but please... I wonder if they even have a HDTV monitor in the control room.

Well, WCAU-DT NBC had finally come back for a day or two with great signal quality. But yesterday and today it is off the air. Is it my receiver & location (I'm in North Central, NJ) or is it off right now?

Thanks
tonyo123

I know that this forum and thread are devoted more to the technical/reception issues, but since we are mostly in the Philadelphia area (I live in Center City), I hope no one finds it amiss that I mention the content of this show here.

For anyone who doesn't know, "Hack" is set in Philadelphia and is completely produced here (in high definition, no less). The show has a lot of obvious shortcomings, but it's still fun to watch for the Philly local settings.

Something surprising about tonight's episode: there was a series of scenes set at 19th and Spruce Street, which I think were filmed just a few weeks ago (I remember hearing KYW news radio talking about the traffic tie-ups in that area). Also, some scenes in tonight's episode showed snow on the ground, and we've only had snow in that amount fairly recently. It just surprised me that there is such a quick turnaround between shooting a TV episode and airing it. I alway assumed (naively, I guess) that it took more time in post-production to get an episode ready for air.

I've liked David Morse since his "Saint Elsewhere" days, and I remember a powerful performance he gave on stage at the Annenberg Theater some years back as a VietNam vet in a play called (if I remember correctly) "The Redwood Forest." Andre Braugher is simply wonderful as always (you may remember him from the Baltimore-based "Homicide" TV show).

Anyway, I was just wondering if any other Philly TV fans were watching this show along with me.

--Philly Tim

I have been watchng it all season. It has gotten better and better all season. It is CBS' first Friday night winner in the last few seasons!

I'm in hunterdon county and haven't had CAU the last two days
either. lets hope its the signal.

Aceman

Comcast has announced new higher prices for most of their services. Rental of the HD cable box has gone from free to $6.35/month beginning March 1, 2003. I guess we couldn't expect the good times to last. I was paying $10.95 for the sidecar HD converter so I was surprised when the DTC-5100 was offerred at no additional cost.

BrentHD-- Not a shocking idea, but where did you hear/see this change?

CKarras--

The price increases were announced in a letter sent on 2/1 to Comcast subscribers. I received mine yesterday. Prices are going up 5-6% on almost all services including standard (analog), all digital tiers, and high-speed internet access. The letter states that the price "adjustments" will allow Comcast to continue to invest in the latest technology, etc. etc.

Aceman,

I'm in Hamilton, NJ and just tested a CM4248 on Friday afternoon. The antenna is mounted on a five foot mast at ground level and I was able to receive CAU with no problems. Somewhere between 5 & 6PM I lost the signal and haven't seen it since.

HDMatrix

I haven't been able to receive WPVI 6-1 (64) today and last night the signal strength on my DTC100 was fluctuating between 30-40 when it had been in the 70s to low 80s. 3-1, 17-1, 57-1 are in the 80s and 29-1 is in the 50s just for reference. Any idea what's going on over there in Roxborough?

I just turned off the pro bowl after watching most of the 3rd & 4th qtrs - game got out of hand. OTA digital reception here in wilmington was a-ok, and I'm about 23 miles south of the towers...

When is WPVI going to start transmitting their correct information again..

Originally posted by Rob Egan
I haven't been able to receive WPVI 6-1 (64) today and last night the signal strength on my DTC100 was fluctuating between 30-40 when it had been in the 70s to low 80s. 3-1, 17-1, 57-1 are in the 80s and 29-1 is in the 50s just for reference. Any idea what's going on over there in Roxborough?

I noticed this also. I just upgraded to the Zenith SAT-520 last week and my WPVI-HD reception improved immensely. Saturday and Sunday the signal was 50-60% of what it was. Thought my antennae may have moved slightly.

Anyone else?

Strange thing happen with WPHL today. Usually have it coming in as 17-1. This evening it switched to 54-1. Anyone else experience this. I have the Zenith SAT520. Also, the last few days the signal has been very weak to the point I do not receive a picture, just a NO SIGNAL message.

Who thinks WCAU 10 will be up anytime soon?

Who thinks they care, as their original target was September 2002?

Anyone else notice that ABC quieted down their commercial volume! :)

I was watching Veritas (they remembered to turn on the HD switch this week) and Miracles... and the show volume was great... then the commercials came.. and we couldn't hear em. Best darn thing ABC ever did.. ;)

I'm sure a lot of us put in complaints about how loud it was during the superbowl.

I know I did.

I'm just glad they listened this time.

Originally posted by pabuwal
Who thinks WCAU 10 will be up anytime soon?

Who thinks they care, as their original target was September 2002?

WCAU (NBC-10) has been "up" for quite a while now. They had a problem for about 5 days a little while ago, but have been up for awhile now. If you aren't getting WCAU-DT now, you have other reception issues.

Originally posted by caesar1
WCAU (NBC-10) has been "up" for quite a while now. They had a problem for about 5 days a little while ago, but have been up for awhile now. If you aren't getting WCAU-DT now, you have other reception issues.

You call their ridiculously power up? Everytime someone posts they complain about WCAU while they receive all the other stations fine.

Are you a WCAU apologist?

Originally posted by pabuwal

Are you a WCAU apologist?

Umm, no.

Just telling you that they are in fact broadcasting a digital signal right now. Whether you can receive it in your situation is a different issue that I know nothing about.

Hi Caesar1,

I have always received an acceptable signal from WCAU-DT during good weather. Ever since they went off a few weeks back, I cannot get them. I keep re-scanning and nothing. They may have changed something.

Joe

Originally posted by caesar1
WCAU (NBC-10) has been "up" for quite a while now. They had a problem for about 5 days a little while ago, but have been up for awhile now. If you aren't getting WCAU-DT now, you have other reception issues.

I believe the September date pabuwal was referring to was when WCAU was scheduled to move to the new tower at full power. THAT has not happened yet! While it is true that WCAU has been broadcasting a digital signal for some time now, lots of us can not receive the signal. I'm hopeful that they will move to their new location soon, as I am one of the poor slobs that only get about 10% signal now.

I'm having the same issues with this channel as some of hte other
jerseyites have stated. I was getting CAU until a few weeks ago
when it went down, and haven't had it back since.

Aceman

I hope someone can help me. I have a DST-3000 receiver and I connected my roof antenna to the Ant In port. I am able to get CBS and UPN at 100% in HD, I can get Fox at 40%. ABC, WB and NBC come at 0%. I went to AntennaWeb.org to get the degrees of the towers, and it says that CBS,WB, UPN, ABC and NBC are all at 259 degrees. If that is the case why am I not getting all of them? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have been working on the same issues in the last few weeks and have a couple questions which will help me help you. Where are you located and do you have a guess as to how far you are from the Roxborough towers? What type of outdoor antenna are you using and with what type of cable? Also, are there any structures, hills and trees that could be blocking your view??

I am no expert, but in the last few weeks I seem to be well on my way to figuring many issues out.

I am approximately 15-20 miles from the Roxborough towers. I live in NorthEast Philly. I have a regualr old arrow Antenna on the roof. I have RG59 cable inside the house, I am not sure what is connected to the antenna itself. I have DirecTv, and I was thinking of runningthe antenna and DirecTV over the same line with the VHF-UHF\SAT splitter and condeser because I know that is quality cable all the way through. The reason I have not is because I thought if I get some at 100% with questionable cable, whay would that effect the others???

WCAU-DT was breaking up & pixellating all over the place yesterday & the day before. What's going on with this station? They don't seem to be able to get their act together. All other Philly DT channels come in strong for me.

Originally posted by BrentHD
Comcast has announced new higher prices for most of their services. Rental of the HD cable box has gone from free to $6.35/month beginning March 1, 2003. I guess we couldn't expect the good times to last. I was paying $10.95 for the sidecar HD converter so I was surprised when the DTC-5100 was offerred at no additional cost.

That is the box rental fee, I think. You pay that for any digital box, not just HD.

And if you had a package like I did, it is in the cost of the package. I have the Showtime/HBO package and the HD box comes with it.

Call it what you will but the $6.35 is a new charge. As of March 1 it will not come with the HBO and Showtime Premium package. You will have and extra charge of $6.35. The new rates are as follows:

Basic and Standard service goes from $39.95 to $42.30
Digital Classic stays $9.95 and Digital Plus stays $14.95
Digital Plus with one premium goes from $25.45 to $26.65
Digital Plus with two premiums goes from $34.95 to $36.65
Digital converter with HDTV capabilities will cost $6.35

Since two of the HD channels are HBO and Showtime you would need to get Digital Plus with two premiums to get all the HD.

So the costs would be:

Basic and Standard $42.30
Digital Plus with two premiums $36.65
Digital converter with HDTV capabilities will cost $6.35

Grand Total $85.30

This does not include Internet service which is going up from $39.95 to $42.95.

Costs like this make me want to go to DSS and my YAGI OTA on the roof. It's going to be pretty funny seeing giant antenna on roofs houses again

Hey hdnovice

How did you mount your YAGI when it's still in the FEDEX truck? Long coax?

Just kidding, hope you get it soon.:D


HDMatrix

Originally posted by hdnovice
Call it what you will but the $6.35 is a new charge. As of March 1 it will not come with the HBO and Showtime Premium package. You will have and extra charge of $6.35. The new rates are as follows:

Basic and Standard service goes from $39.95 to $42.30
Digital Classic stays $9.95 and Digital Plus stays $14.95
Digital Plus with one premium goes from $25.45 to $26.65
Digital Plus with two premiums goes from $34.95 to $36.65
Digital converter with HDTV capabilities will cost $6.35

Since two of the HD channels are HBO and Showtime you would need to get Digital Plus with two premiums to get all the HD.

So the costs would be:

Basic and Standard $42.30
Digital Plus with two premiums $36.65
Digital converter with HDTV capabilities will cost $6.35

Grand Total $85.30

This does not include Internet service which is going up from $39.95 to $42.95.

Costs like this make me want to go to DSS and my YAGI OTA on the roof. It's going to be pretty funny seeing giant antenna on roofs houses again

I am a Comcast customer, but only for regular cable (not even digital). I get HDTV over the air (80 inch Yagi on my roof) -- and a Samsung T151 set top box.

I see no reason to go with Comcast HDTV right now -- particularly without CBS.

Down the road, when ESPN, Discovery, etc. are offered in HDTV by Comcast, I'll probably have no choice but to go with Comcast for HDTV. You can't get those channels over the air. But till then, I'll avoid Comcast like the plague.

I don't see the benefit of regular digital cable either. The usual channels (like CNN, MTV, Weather Channel) are all still analog. There is very little offered for digital (stations over 100) that make it worthwhile. I'm sticking with regular non-digital cable and no HDTV for now.

By the way, what's the differnece between Digital Classic and Digital Plus?

Unfortunately, for those of us with out a HD Decoder, we have little choice but to go with comcast for theirs (the reason why I don't have an antenna hooked up). However, being that I go through a little drama with comcast each and every 6 months, I figure this will be no exception. We usually have such big problems with Comcast, that I don't think that we've had to pay full price for our cable since we got it. (I mean that, they usually screw up so royally to apease us, they usually give us every promotion in existence. The only thing we haven't gotten is free cable.)

All,

Check what the notice says, it also says that the CURRENT cost of the Digital converter with HDTV capabilities is already $6.35. I'm 99.9% sure that it's an additional charge ONLY to those wihout Digital Classic or Digital Plus Package.

While I also miss not having CBS, I am looking forward to the NBA All-Start weekend coverage this weekend, and CSN-HD coming soon.

Wait until you actually get your next bill. I'll do my best to get comfirmation of this, but it likely will not be until this weekend.

David



Originally posted by hdnovice
Call it what you will but the $6.35 is a new charge. As of March 1 it will not come with the HBO and Showtime Premium package. You will have and extra charge of $6.35. The new rates are as follows:

Basic and Standard service goes from $39.95 to $42.30
Digital Classic stays $9.95 and Digital Plus stays $14.95
Digital Plus with one premium goes from $25.45 to $26.65
Digital Plus with two premiums goes from $34.95 to $36.65
Digital converter with HDTV capabilities will cost $6.35

Since two of the HD channels are HBO and Showtime you would need to get Digital Plus with two premiums to get all the HD.

So the costs would be:

Basic and Standard $42.30
Digital Plus with two premiums $36.65
Digital converter with HDTV capabilities will cost $6.35

Grand Total $85.30

This does not include Internet service which is going up from $39.95 to $42.95.

Costs like this make me want to go to DSS and my YAGI OTA on the roof. It's going to be pretty funny seeing giant antenna on roofs houses again

Hi caesar1,

I do not have a station listing in front of me right now, and it would probably vary slightly by area, but Digital Plus gives you a number of additional channels over and above Digital Classic.

Something that is fairly new, and available in the Philly area is that with Digital (either classic or Plus) you get Video on Demand. In addition to be able to watch PPV movies for 24 hours, there is also free content. The News from NBS is part of it. So, on the days that I work, I don't get in until after 7:00, I can flip on the TV and cable box, go to OnDemand, and watch the 6:00 news. For OnDemand content (free of pay) it also turns your Digital Box into a VCR (or Tivo) allowing you to stop, rewing, and fast forward through portions of the program.

Hope this helps.


David

Originally posted by caesar1

By the way, what's the differnece between Digital Classic and Digital Plus?

Anyone else get a phone call from Comcast yesterday about CSN broadcasting FLyers games in HD by the end of the month?

My wife erased the message and wasn't sure if it said ALL games or SOME games.

Bill

There's thread that was started awhile back with most of the answers on CSN-HD
:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=172209&perpage=20&highlight=sportsnet&pagenumber=1

Probably time to get that one started again!

So, my question is.. how can comcast charge us for HD if all we are getting is ABC, NBC, CSN (feb 15th), HBO and SHO?

I mean, are they implementing a new pricing scheme cause they are ADDING things?

I'm hoping for an answer here like, yes! CBS, YES! WB, YES! Cinemax, YES! HDNET, YES! Discovery, YES! ESPN... etc.

:)

Titan TV lists the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off as being in HD on 2/8 at 4 pm. I think I remember hearing that WPSG-DT would begin showing a HD movie once a month. Is this true or just another TitanTV screwup?

At the outset, there will be no additional charge for CSN-HD. YOu will be able to watch the Flyers game on 2/15 for free. Not all of the games will be in HD. Not sure how often they will be on but I would expect every third of 4th game between the Flyers and Sixers games as Comcast will be doing a total of 100 games this calander year. Until the new tier goes into efect hopefully in late March or April, CSN-HD is free. Then it will be part of the new HD tier package of premium services for $9.95 a month!

Has anyone seen a DCT5100 Comcast box with DVI output yet?

Originally posted by hdnovice
Call it what you will but the $6.35 is a new charge. As of March 1 it will not come with the HBO and Showtime Premium package. You will have and extra charge of $6.35. The new rates are as follows:

Basic and Standard service goes from $39.95 to $42.30
Digital Classic stays $9.95 and Digital Plus stays $14.95
Digital Plus with one premium goes from $25.45 to $26.65
Digital Plus with two premiums goes from $34.95 to $36.65
Digital converter with HDTV capabilities will cost $6.35

Since two of the HD channels are HBO and Showtime you would need to get Digital Plus with two premiums to get all the HD.

So the costs would be:

Basic and Standard $42.30
Digital Plus with two premiums $36.65
Digital converter with HDTV capabilities will cost $6.35

Grand Total $85.30

This does not include Internet service which is going up from $39.95 to $42.95.

Costs like this make me want to go to DSS and my YAGI OTA on the roof. It's going to be pretty funny seeing giant antenna on roofs houses again


Once again some people use NEW math. Digital Plus INCLUDES the HDTV box fee. So take that 6.35 off your list.

Also, while HBO and Showtime are, as you say, 2 premium channels, you get 12 HBO with one HD and 10 Showtimes with 1 HD. Add to that the ne Demand stuff... Heaven.. I happily send them a check!!

So to be honest, It's not as bad as you say.

I look at it this way. I have 4 sons and a wife. I took them to the movies last weekend. Saturday night I bought 6 tickets at $8.25 each. So they get 49.50 from me at the door. I watch a 93 minute movie that was terrible. Did I mention the Soda, popcorn and Sweet Tarts I bought. Add $17.00 to my total.

3 hours out with my family, no dinner $66.50.

So I buy an HD set, pay 93.00 a month for cable, and get HBO Cinemax, Showtime and TMC on 5 sets in my home. Extra sets are free!!!
I think it is a bargain... Mine doesn't include the 40 dollars for the Internet either which I network to feed 3 computers, but could we return to dial up?? NOT ME!!

I could cry to you about skiing, and other family trips, but I'll stay home and watch cable

Originally posted by JWhip
At the outset, there will be no additional charge for CSN-HD. YOu will be able to watch the Flyers game on 2/15 for free. Not all of the games will be in HD. Not sure how often they will be on but I would expect every third of 4th game between the Flyers and Sixers games as Comcast will be doing a total of 100 games this calander year. Until the new tier goes into efect hopefully in late March or April, CSN-HD is free. Then it will be part of the new HD tier package of premium services for $9.95 a month!

Game will be free to Digital cable customers with HD sidecar or DCT 5100.

Comcast says they offer a broadcast only HD service. Here it would be 11.69 + 6.35 for the decoder. But no FLYERS, 76ERS or PHILLIES !! Wheres my checkbook!!?!?!?

Originally posted by CKarras
Has anyone seen a DCT5100 Comcast box with DVI output yet?

I hear that's all they are buying right now. But maybe they are on back order, mine doesn't have it.

Probably around end of Feb.

Thanks, D. My 5100 is supposed to be installed on Friday. I asked the CSR to note on the work order that a DVI connection is desired. Maybe.... Of course it might be easier to switch component frm the 5100 with my receiver.

Don't need the DVI, would like firewire so I can record.

Does anyone know if WPHL (17-1) has reduced their signal strenght. For over a week I have been having no luck locking on to the signal. I cannot get past a 10 to 20% reading. This station is getting as hard to receive as FOX (29-1). Any one else experiencing these problems.

I'm holding out for the DCT-5200, If Comcast makes this available, then I'm in.

Dennythe man,

What do you mean by extra sets are free. Do you get a seperate digital box for each TV and can see all the HBO/Showtime digital channels?? I understand that you can add extra sets in your house, buit how much extra do you pay for each extra converter box and do these extra boxes have HD capability?

Thanks for the info.

is there a link to the phila station list, and/or pointers to their HD schedules? http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/images/smilies/icon22.gif

nO0b:

I recommend that you explore the following link for HDTV programming information:

http://www.titantv.com/ttv/home/home.asp

You register with your local zip code, and all the program information you could ever hope for (including HDTV broadcasts) are at your fingertips. Most of it is even accurate! :)

--Philly Tim

I spoke to an engineer at WCAU-DT. The signal strength is lower than normal due to the problems a few weeks back. They were down for a few days then but are now back up - but at reduced power. Normally they are at 1/4 power but they are somewhat less than that presently. The issue that happened a few weeks back was software releated and they are still fixing it. He is looking to get back to normal 1/4 power soon.

As for the new site - engineering is waiting for the antenna manufacturer to sweep the antenna and then they can do testing. The engineer did not provide an update to when he thinks the station will be at full power on the new site since many other deadlines slipped. They are dependent on the antenna manufacturer on this. So we just have to be patient.

Joe

Originally posted by jcardani
I spoke to an engineer at WCAU-DT. The signal strength is lower than normal due to the problems a few weeks back. They were down for a few days then but are now back up - but at reduced power. Normally they are at 1/4 power but they are somewhat less than that presently. The issue that happened a few weeks back was software releated and they are still fixing it. He is looking to get back to normal 1/4 power soon.

As for the new site - engineering is waiting for the antenna manufacturer to sweep the antenna and then they can do testing. The engineer did not provide an update to when he thinks the station will be at full power on the new site since many other deadlines slipped. They are dependent on the antenna manufacturer on this. So we just have to be patient.

Joe

Thanks for the info Joe. Very useful for those of us who can not receive WCAU's signal at all. Heck, I've waited since September, what's another month or four. ;) I'll just have to catch all the NBC shows in re-runs!

I too was plagued with WCAU problems. I purchased a ChannelMaster Amp and the problem was compounded furthur. I then applied a Wingardamp (19db) and like magic WCAU in all it's lo power glory!!

I imagine the higher gain CM was overloading WNJT in Trenton causing a total oss of WCAU.

Anyone with similar experiences

Dave

Has anyone heard of the 5100 being implemented with a Firewire output to connect to my Sony KD34XBR2? Would be interested if Comcast is going to implement this.

Originally posted by AVonaBudget
I'm holding out for the DCT-5200, If Comcast makes this available, then I'm in.

I'm with you. They start providing the DCT-5200 and I will say good bye to DirecTV and UltimateTV after 7 years. They better provide it with optional firewire port as well.

My only hope is DirecTV wil let me just get the NFL Sunday Ticket. I hear they will, anyone know for sure?

As posted on their web site - still have not received channle 172 on the lineup but Comcast said it should be there for tomorrow nights HD coverage of the NBA in HD (Comcast using TNT feed).


Comcast SportsNet HDTV Schedule
On Comcast Cable digital systems, Comcast SportsNet HDTV can be found on channel 172.


Flyers in HDTV*
Sat. Feb. 15 Carolina Hurricanes 7 p.m.
Tues. Feb. 18 New Jersey Devils 7 p.m.
Thurs. Feb. 20 Los Angeles Kings 8 p.m.
Thurs. Feb. 27 Chicago Blackhawks 8 p.m.
Tues. March 4 Vancouver Canucks 7 p.m.
Sat. March 8 Colorado Avalanche 8 p.m.
Thurs. March 13 Carolina Hurriances 8 p.m.
Mon. March 24 Atlanta Thrashers 7 p.m.
Sat. March 29 Pittsburgh Penguins 7 p.m.
76ers in HDTV*
Wed. Feb. 26 Memphis Grizzlies 7 p.m.
Fri. Feb. 28 Utah Jazz 7 p.m.
Wed. March 12 Indiana Pacers 7 p.m.
Fri. March 14 Portland Trail Blazers 7 p.m.
Fri. March 21 Atlanta Hawks 7 p.m.
Fri. March 28 Golden State Warriors 7 p.m.
Tue. April 8 Detroit Pistons 7 p.m.
Sun. April 13 New Orleans Hornets 6 p.m.
Wed. April 16 Washington Wizards 7 p.m.

:)

JWhip (or anyone):

Do you have any idea of when FOX 29-1 will be moving to their new tower and increasing their output power? I think on the first page of this thread, it was said that this was expected in the Spring. Any updates or more specific info? Just wondering. Thanks!

--Philly Tim

CSN-HD was added around 9 this morning. Running a test pattern labeled INDemand NBAHD. This coming right from the Phillips Arena I would assume. In regards to Fox 29., the last time I spoke with their engineer, she told me the spring but didn't give a specific date. I would say no later than June. I will call again and ask. They will be at about 1000 feet at 1 megawatt. Given their rather low UHF frequency of 42, I am hopeful that I will even be able to pick them given their increased height. They will not be added to Comcast until Fox goes to 720p, so without OTA, I will never be able to pick them up.

Thank you, JWhip, for the very useful information.

You wrote:

"They will not be added to Comcast until Fox goes to 720p"

Is that a real possibility? I had not heard any news that FOX was contemplating upgrading from 480p. What news?

Or was your meaning, "Fox will never get added to Comcast, since they have no plans to upgrade their signal to 720P"?

--Philly Tim

Comcast people have told me on numerous occasions that they will not add Fox 29's DT signal until they go HD. There has been talk in the forums here of Fox rethnking their position on HD. I know that they are archiving some of their programming in 720p. I was also at a seminar on HD last year where this very possibility was mentioned. The more other outlets go HD, Fox will have to come along at some point.

I watched ABC's showing of Inspector Gadget last night. Apparently, they had the 3rd string on the control board.

About 10 minutes into the movie, we were treated to a few minutes of the ABC HD test feed.

At all of the commercial breaks, the transition was less than smooth. This caused some missed movie as well. By the end of the movie they had it figured out.

I was really disappointed. I've come to expected high quality HDTV from WPVI 6.1.

I agree. Gadget was a joke last night. Was that ABC or WPVI? Whoever it was, they can do better than that. While I was out of the room for a while, my kids switched the channel to the cable. They explained that something else came on. Must have been the HD test feed. I look forward to the day when this stuff is routine, and everything is broadcast in HD.

Although I wasn't around for this, my wife said WPVI started playing a commercial for Monsters Inc.! Then some other strange things that convinced her she was watching another station for about 3 minutes. Very strange indeed!

Saw it as well. Would have rather the test loop stay on! Anyway, this does not happen at KYW and shouldn't happen at WPVI either.

Originally posted by Calabs
Although I wasn't around for this, my wife said WPVI started playing a commercial for Monsters Inc.! Then some other strange things that convinced her she was watching another station for about 3 minutes. Very strange indeed!

I saw it too. My 7 year old is yelling why'd you change the channel! That Monsters Inc Promo may have been the best HD I have seen on my TV, that animated stuff is so sharp on DVD and even better in true HD.

Nice article in Home Theater this month. All about the antenna options to get HDTV OTA in Philly.

Out of curiousity..........anyone notice lately on NBC-HD.............instead of certain commercials.........what you get is various NBC peacock graphics coming in from different sides of the screen? (I am viewing Comcast HD, in Philadelphia)

I'm not getting anything here in Central Jersey...

Originally posted by baeverly
I saw it too. My 7 year old is yelling why'd you change the channel! That Monsters Inc Promo may have been the best HD I have seen on my TV, that animated stuff is so sharp on DVD and even better in true HD.

Was it a preview for Monsters Inc on DVD or ABC?

pabuwal - I don't think it was a preview - I think it was part of the demo loop.

Tachy - I noticed that as well. I think that someone forgot to flip the switch at the commercials.

I have noticed the comercial issue for a couple weeks now. It is always on NBC......and usually effects the last commercial before a tv show comes back on. Maybe you are correct........it might be just someone not remembering to put the commercial onto the HD signal, or maybe it effects only one type of commercial (local or national?)..........actually not a big deal......since it never seems to effect the program.........(I have turned on the non-hd channel..........and the show seems to come back on at about the correct time).

anyone seeing the twi-light zone like hd tests being done right now on concastsportsnet hd?

channel 172 here in philly.

very bizarre. beatles songs flying around all channels and some guy talking about the story of the southeastern indians.

color bars and clouds appearing, coming on and off. getting blury then clear.

The peacock graphic is the absensce of local commercials. I live in the NYC DMA and when I switch back to WNBC when the peacock comes on, it is local commercials. I assume this also puts out the tone which tells the automatic systems to play local commercials. Something really cool is that on the Tonight Show, rather than the peacock you see a Jay Leno logo/still picture similar to that of the intro, and the audio is the band playing really good music.

Originally posted by whotony
anyone seeing the twi-light zone like hd tests being done right now on concastsportsnet hd?

channel 172 here in philly.

very bizarre. beatles songs flying around all channels and some guy talking about the story of the southeastern indians.

color bars and clouds appearing, coming on and off. getting blury then clear.

Yeah, but just now it was like a voice-over coming over the center channel while music playing on the left, right and rear channels. Kind of funky. They've been testing the Flyers-Hurricanes graphics as well. Tomorrow night should be pretty cool....maybe the Flyers will even score a goal, for once......

Originally posted by gkurcon
Yeah, but just now it was like a voice-over coming over the center channel while music playing on the left, right and rear channels. Kind of funky. They've been testing the Flyers-Hurricanes graphics as well. Tomorrow night should be pretty cool....maybe the Flyers will even score a goal, for once......

My bad, I just re-read your post Whotony and realized you said the exact same thing.....I must be tired...

Out of curiousity..........anyone notice lately on NBC-HD.............instead of certain commercials.........what you get is various NBC peacock graphics coming in from different sides of the screen? (I am viewing Comcast HD, in Philadelphia)

>>>>>>

They are showing the raw satellite feed from NBC NY. During local commercials this feed shows a black screen with the peacock changing shapes. Near the end it shows the American flag turning into a peacock, correct? I have a large dish and can get a similar NBC SD feed on the AMC 4 satellite (C band) in MPEG2/DVB. However the one they are getting is the HD feed on KU band.

Joe

Yes.........I agree........that's what I figured was happening with that peacock graphic.........and yes..........it usually ends with a flag and flagpole if I remember correctly.

No peacock graphics coming across OTA ... must be only on Comcast version if local HDTV

WCAU must have gotten their ad server/playback mechanism back up because I haven't seen the local ad peacock anymore. Too bad; the Jay Leno graphic was much better than commercials

I agree.

I am having problems with Comcast Sportsnet (Channel 172). While all of my other HD channels are clear, channel 172 is like watching a mosaic. I tried to watch the NBA All star game and had this problem and just last night I had the same problem with the Flyers Devils game. I am in Ardmore PA. To date this channel has never produce a clear picture for me. I want to determine if it is my box (Motorola 5100) or a general problem in my area before I contact Comcast.

So, is any one else having this problem?

Not I!

I have not had this problem Austor. Must be a problem with the cable system. I have Chester County Comcast out of West Chester. Contaxct your cable office and have them send someone out to check your set up. You should NOT be having this problem.

How much does it cost for comcastsportsnet in HD? thats the only hd channel i want.

Please include all fee's. I want minimum service since i have satellite.

Me too, but Comcrap won't let you just have the HD channel. You have to subscribe to digital cable and the premium lineup, so I guess I'll stay with DTV.
You can't even compare the signal quality between Comcast Digital cable and my Direct tv. Satellite wins hands down. That is why I left Comcast! It looks like they may not get a deal done with ESPN HD soon so I am going for Direct tv for HD Net & ESPN HD!

Thought you might be interested

*****



SEARS AND CBS TEAM UP TO BROADCAST NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL

FINAL FOUR AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES IN HDTV



12 NCAA Basketball Games To Be Broadcast In HDTV And 5.1 Surround Sound



NEW YORK, February 20, 2003 -- Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S), and CBS Television announced today an agreement in which Sears will sponsor High Definition Television coverage of the 2003 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, including the Final Four and Championship games.



Coverage will include 12 High Definition games starting with first-round action from Birmingham, Ala., on Friday, March 21 (four games) and Sunday, March 23 (two games), as well as South Region action in San Antonio, Friday, March 28 (two games) and Sunday, March 30 (one game). The first eight games will be regionalized broadcasts, while the South Region final in San Antonio, the two national semi-final games and the National Championship Game will be national broadcasts.



The telecasts, which will be presented live by CBS Sports, will be "unified" productions produced in HDTV's highest definition format, 1080i, and downconverted for the CBS Television Network's analog broadcast coverage. This production technique also produces a better quality analog picture. Whether watching in widescreen HD or traditional 4x3 analog, viewers will see the same camera angles, replays and graphics and will hear the same play by play.



For the first time, the NCAA Basketball Tournament will be broadcast in 5.1 channels of CD quality surround sound. This addition of surround sound audio to the broadcast, coupled with the clarity of 1080 lines of picture resolution, will bring the stadium experience to the viewer's home. CBS will also be broadcasting the Grammy Awards in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on February 23, 2003.



"The combination of high-definition and CD quality surround sound provides an extraordinary experience for NCAA Basketball Tournament viewers watching the games on CBS," said Sean McManus, President, CBS Sports. "The coverage will really bring the game home for millions of college basketball fans, and we are very pleased to be partnering with Sears in making this experience a reality. This is the fourth consecutive year we have broadcast the Final Four in HDTV, re-affirming CBS's leadership in presenting big-ticket marquee events in high definition."



"While Sears is a leading retailer in the sales of HDTV, we are aware there is a good deal of confusion among consumers about HDTV," said Ray Brown, Vice President/General Merchandise Manager, Electronics for Sears. "With this effort with CBS, Sears is taking a leadership role to help educate millions of consumers about the benefits HDTV offers."



CBS Sports' coverage of the 2003 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Final Four and Championship games will be broadcast live Saturday, April 5 (6:00-11:00 PM, ET) and Monday, April 7 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET) from New Orleans.


James M. Chase
Director Broadcast Operations & Engineering
KYW-TV / WPSG-TV
101 South Independence Mall East
Philadelphia, PA. 19106
chase@kyw.com

So, Jim, how are the negotiations going with Comcast? Any word from the World HQ?

:)

I'm kinda sad that I can't see the Grammys, the NCAA basketball I'm not so worried about.. but I would still love to see my CSI in HD.

That's why I'm over the air for HDTV (antenna and set-top box). I am not using Comcast for HDTV and will NOT use Comcast until they carry every local digital station.

I've been enjoying CBS in HDTV for 6 months (and I live in Comcast territory, just outside Philadelphia).

I have Comcast HD, but I'd really like to get CBS for the NCAA. That alone would not justify an OTA ATSC tuner for my plasma, but if the quality of UPN is much better in OTA DT and there are other stations available in DT, then maybe a $400 tuner or a HDTV PC card is possible.

Can someone give me a quick run down of what is now really available from the Roxborough farm? Antennaweb tells me I should be able to get CBS, NBC, ABC, UPN, FOX, WB and PBS. True?

How does the PQ of UPN OTA DT compare with the analog version on Comcast?

Originally posted by caesar1
That's why I'm over the air for HDTV (antenna and set-top box). I am not using Comcast for HDTV and will NOT use Comcast until they carry every local digital station.

I've been enjoying CBS in HDTV for 6 months (and I live in Comcast territory, just outside Philadelphia).

That's great caesar1, stick to your guns, however, those of us without converters, don't have this luxury.

Hence me asking. Not all TVs come with the digital converters, and it's quite a costly thing to buy at this time. That's why I don't have an antenna, that's why I'm not getting one. That's why I'm sticking to my guns, too. :) (With the current economy, and the way it's personally impacting me, I'm not going to attempt to "save up", either.)

;)

So, Jim, about that question....

They are ALL available over the air from the Roxborough antenna farm: 3, 6, 10, 12, 17, 29 and 57. Also known as CBS, ABC, NBC, PBS, WB, FOX and UPN.

UPN and WB have very limited HDTV programming.

FOX broadcasts in widescreen 480p. Better than regular old TV, not as good as HDTV.

With FOX though, at least you will get the Eagles' games or the NFC game (usually broadcast on FOX) in widescreen and 480p.

The picture quality of all stations (when the content is HDTV), blows away Comcast. When the content of the digital channel is NOT HDTV, it is still better than Comcast (but not astronomically). But you also get Dolby Digital 2.0 for all digital transmissions (whether or not HDTV).

Plus ABC does 5.1 dolby digital (CBS will too).

I bought an open box Samsung T151 set-top box from Best Buy for $360.00. Paid an installer $200.00 to put an antenna on my roof.

Originally posted by bronowyn
That's great caesar1, stick to your guns, however, those of us without converters, don't have this luxury.

Hence me asking. Not all TVs come with the digital converters, and it's quite a costly thing to buy at this time. That's why I don't have an antenna, that's why I'm not getting one. That's why I'm sticking to my guns, too. :) (With the current economy, and the way it's personally impacting me, I'm not going to attempt to "save up", either.)

;)

So, Jim, about that question....


But you are paying a never-ending monthly cost for your HDTV. You had to get digital cable plus the HDTV cable box. My costs for the set-top box and the antenna were a one-time cost. I have no on-going monthly charges for HDTV -- EVER. I am done. You are paying for it every month from here to eternity.

I don't even have Comcast digital cable (which gets you nothing other than some stupid extra channels that no one needs, plus the stupid music and the guide). I have Comcast regular cable.

Even with digital, only the stations above 100 are digital -- (and there is no better picture quality with digital -- only with HDTV). The rest of the stations (below 100) are analog. These stations are all the regular normal cable stations, like CNN, MTV, etc.

So unless you watch a lot of the stations above 100 -- you should dump the digital cable. In about two years, the difference in your current Comcast bill and what it would be with just the regular (non-digital) cable, would be enough for a set-top box.

Over 5, 10 years, etc., with Comcast digital/HDTV set-top box, you could have paid for many set-top boxes and antennas.

Caesar1, You are not considering the NEW HD offering that Comcast gives us, Comcast SportsNet, which trust me is much used..

And you aren't counting the lovely picture we get from HBOHD.

So, I think it's WELL worth it.

And there are plenty of worthwhile channels above 100... BBCA is one of the best channels I get.

You aren't going to convince me... especially after saying...

"I bought an open box Samsung T151 set-top box from Best Buy for $360.00. Paid an installer $200.00 to put an antenna on my roof."

As I said.. I don't want to pay for that, when I'm paying for something I already want.

When ESPN and DiscoveryHD come around to Comcast, I'm going to have that then, too.

So, AGAIN.. before my question gets covered up... Any word on the negotiations, Jim?

Originally posted by bronowyn
Caesar1, You are not considering the NEW HD offering that Comcast gives us, Comcast SportsNet, which trust me is much used..

And you aren't counting the lovely picture we get from HBOHD.

So, I think it's WELL worth it.

And there are plenty of worthwhile channels above 100... BBCA is one of the best channels I get.

You aren't going to convince me... especially after saying...

"I bought an open box Samsung T151 set-top box from Best Buy for $360.00. Paid an installer $200.00 to put an antenna on my roof."

As I said.. I don't want to pay for that, when I'm paying for something I already want.

When ESPN and DiscoveryHD come around to Comcast, I'm going to have that then, too.

So, AGAIN.. before my question gets covered up... Any word on the negotiations, Jim?

Not to trying to cover up your question to Jim (Jim: answer her please), but you are paying throught the nose for that HBOHD also. Just rent the DVDs of any movies you want to see -- almost as good picture quality and better sound.

I agree with you on the ESPN and DiscoveryHD and sportsnet. BUT -- will Comcast charge extra for ESPNHD and Discovery HD.

IF Comcast carries ALL of the non over the air HD channels AND does NOT charge an additional fee, over and above digital cable + cable box, then it might be worth it to move to Comcast for HD.

I'm not sure Comcast won't charge an extra HD package for ESPN-HD, Discovery HD and any other non-Comcast owned channels (unlike sportsnet). But I only watch football (not hockey or basketball), so sportsnet in HD does nothing for me.

You seem to be missing the biggest issue.
COMCASTSPORTSNET HD.
I've been watching Flyers, Sixers, and Phillies since I was a little kid.
Erving to Iverson, Rose to Dykstra to Rollins.
Now you're telling me my beloved teams are available in HIGH DEFINTION.!

With the potential of the Phillies this year, Flyers playoffs, and Sixers playoffs
I keep asking everday, will I pay the minumum $55 for digital cable to see these teams in HD.?
Comcast has Philly sports fans by the balls, kudos to them, and I JUST CALLED DURING THIS POST, set upt tomorrow.
I'm in, and the Flyboys are in HD tomorrow night, YEAH BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOYY!!!!!

Just so everyone understands, at the current time, not all Flyers games are in HD. Right now they are on a home stretch, so there has been a bunch in a row. (how I know this from hearing from the other room, i do not know)

I know that Flyers home games are in HD. I'm not sure if in philly we'll also get to see the other Comcast team, the Capitals in HD when the Flyers are on the road. I know the Sixers are in HD, I'm assuming only at home. Obviously, we haven't heard about the Eagles or the Phillies, yet, since their seasons haven't started, however, you can also get on this channel other sports news. I 've seen footage from Fox (oddly enough) SportsNet. Oddly, because we don't get Murdock's pathetic excuse for "HD" on Comcast either. Not that I want it.

--
Dawn

Originally posted by Plasma George
You seem to be missing the biggest issue.
COMCASTSPORTSNET HD.
I've been watching Flyers, Sixers, and Phillies since I was a little kid.
Erving to Iverson, Rose to Dykstra to Rollins.
Now you're telling me my beloved teams are available in HIGH DEFINTION.!

With the potential of the Phillies this year, Flyers playoffs, and Sixers playoffs
I keep asking everday, will I pay the minumum $55 for digital cable to see these teams in HD.?
Comcast has Philly sports fans by the balls, kudos to them, and I JUST CALLED DURING THIS POST, set upt tomorrow.
I'm in, and the Flyboys are in HD tomorrow night, YEAH BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOYY!!!!!

Well I only watch the Eagles -- don't like other sports on TV (or in person).

Hate to burst your bubble Plasma George, but Flyers and Sixer won't be HD again until next Thursday and Wednesday. :-) And we won't get to see the Washington games in Philly and visa-versa (but there's a whole other thread on that and the schedules...)

And as for Comcast programming, if you're fine with just watching the local stations OTA, great. If you want Comcast, great. Others prefer DirectTV. They all have a lot to offer and a few things that are missing. Some people have issues that prevent them from using some. That will never change. And since most of us have sunk a great deal of money into our sets, I think bringing up the cost of HD programming at this point in time (but maybe not so in the future) is sorta like trying to decide to spend the extra 50 bucks on quality cables when you just dropped 4 grand (or more!) on a TV. :)

I'm new to Comcast, but was just reiterating what the schedule shows on comcastsportsnet.com (could I know more and don't even have Comcst yet)
It shows vs FLA in CSNHD @ 7:00P.
Dawn...the Eagles will never see CSN, but for saying you don't want FOX's poor excuse, you obviously didn't see the Eagles last game at the VET in widescreen.
When the Eagles came out, the canons were firing around the top of the VET, my Mom was in tears.
Yeah it's not HD, but it blows away what Comcast Fox does, the Eagles will only see HD if they're one of Fox's 2 games per week, or vs AFC and one of CBS's 2 games per week, or SNF or MNF.
The AFC playoff games (1080i)...I was on my knees kissing my plasma and the CBS logo.
I'm keeping my DTV box for OTA HD.
Open box $300, $21 for Radio Shack antenna.
I was able to climb into my attic and screw the antenna to a stud, then turn it towards Manayunk.
I think Grandmother could do that...what are you guys paying for.?

Seeing that change now at the bottom of comcastsportsnet for Saturdays game. The HD schedule still shows the Caps for Saturday, but hey, I'm not complaining!!!!

why can't CSN do both in HD.?
Different buildings, different markets, etc.

My understanding is they have only one production truck at this time and that they are driving back and forth between the markets. I think I saw on the other thread that the FU Center will get a permanent facility down the road and the truck will be assigned to DC.

...the schedule at the botom of the home page shows no CSN-HD games.???
Is that wrong.?

HI guys. let me add my 2cents. I can only get KYW-DT and UPN via my antenna due to terrain issues. Therefore, I need Comcast for any other Philly DT stations. No brainer there. The Phillies games will be on in HD maybe three a week or more depending on the schedule. You will likely see a whole series done in HD. It will all depend on the Phillies and Baltimore schedules and how they can be best sync'd up. The first Phillies game is 4/4, the home opener. The remaining schedule should be posted in the next two weeks or so. For Caeser1, do not be surprised to see the Eagles home preseason games in HD on Comcast this year. Also, all Comcast studio programming next year will be in HD when the FU Center is outfitted with new HD equipment also. That means, all of the home Flyers, Sixers, Phillies, Big 5 and Eagles Comcast programming will be in HD in 2004. I have been told that the HD feed will NOT be offered to either UPN57 or WB17 and will be a Comcast exclusive at least in this market. To see Philly sports teams in HD, you will need Comcast, other than for CBS NFL games involving the Eagles. Regarding Channel 3, there was a meeting down at Comcast headquarters three weeks or so ago with Viacom on this very issue. The meeting did not go well at all. I have been told not to expect KYW-DT on Comcast at any time in the forseeable future. Probably not even this year the way things are going. Better get a STB and antenna if you want CBS. WB17 will be on in the fall when their HD programming expands from its present output. No Fox at all until they go true HD. That is a Comcast corporate decision that, while I have argued with people I know at Comcast, will not be changed. Any other questions, please pm me. When I know more, I will let you know. FInally, the Philly and Washington games can not be sent to the other market as they can only use one set of graphics and since they sell advertising on them particular to each market such as Tastycake and Penn Orthopaedics, a Flyers game in D.C. can't be piped up here in HD.

Just confirmed it with the programming people at CSN. No HD of tomorrow's Flyer's game. The next HD game is the Sixers- Memphis game.

Has anyone had any problems receiving NBC this week. Up until this weekend I was getting a great signal and Monday, I could not get any signal. I live in Lansdale and was getting about 80% signal stregth prior to this.

Thanks...

JWhip,

Any word on what the issue is that Viacom and Comcast can't agree on. I can't imagine anything that would be so non-negotiable.
Whatever it is, the market (customer complaints & requests) seems to keep forcing them to meet, and their positions on this issue drive them apart. I'll bet that meeting didn't last twenty minutes("You still feel the same. So do we. Goodbye")

Comcast claims that CBS wants to be paid to carry their O & O stations and that CBS wants them to carry other programming not that I know what that programming is. The funny thing is, that when the Comcast HD offering were first announced in mid 2001, KYW-DT was to be part of the service and was slated to be carried on channel 182. CBS backed out at the last minute, claiming that they did not like Comcast's pricing policy. They have not been able to come to an agreement since, despite meeting and despite the fact that Time Warner has a deal with CBS for the carriage of their O & O stations on TW systems around the country. I have a neighbor who also has a condo in Manhattan and gets TW there and gets ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, WB, HBO and Showtime. They had UPN but dropped it due to technical problems and UPN's complete lack of widescreen programming in either 480p, 720p or 1080i. At least we have CSN-HD!

I note that you say that comcast does not carry kyw because of problems with CBS. Are you aware that in Lancaster we get CBS HD on WHP out of Harrisburg thru comcast? We also get a NBC station and PBS but no ABC or Fox. I don't believe our local ABC station is doing digital yet. I get my ABC and Fox dt out of philly ota.

bmel,

WHP is a CBS affiliate owned by Clear Channel. Comcast is having problems signing up CBS' owned and operated stations. WHTM (ABC) is supposed to light up its digital signal on channel 10 this Fall. Fox 43 is testing right now at low power.

Lancaster is a good spot for getting digital channels from more than a couple markets.

I have not received WCAU-DT NBC (67-1/10-1)over the air for quite a while. Is it broadcasting? I'm located in Central NJ. Everything else from Phily is coming in great.

KYW is a CBS owned and operated station. Therefore, the retransmission agreement for their digital channel must be negotiated with CBS in NY and that is where the hang up is. Where the CBS station is a non owned affiliate, there has been no problem getting them on, like in Harrisburg and D.C.

I live in southwest New Jersey and haven't been able to get good signal strength on the NBC digital station since I bought my STB (howeever, the analog seems to come in fine. Doesn't that mean I should be able to get the digital?). However, I have never had a problem with

PBS digital
CBS digital
ABC digital
FOX digital

Today I was geting geared up for the nascar race and noticed that my signal strength on my FOX station (WTXF) was, at best, 30 on my strength meter when I was getting 80s to 90s a week ago? I tried calling the station, but no was answering on a Sunday. This is disappointing since the races have been broadcast in digital the last two weeks.

Questions
1) What can I do about my NBC station? I am lucky to get 25 on the signal meter. Can I put a signal booster on it? or will that mess with the stations I am currently getting.

2) Has anyone else had problems with the FOX digital station. If so, can you shed some light on my situtation?

Mark Poulton
-----------------
Mitsubishi Diamond Scan 65"
Mitsubishi SR-HD5 STB
Channel Master Stealth Antenna
Channel Master Rotator

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the Forum.

WCAU is currently broadcasting a very weak signal out of Philly. That is supposed to change when they move to the new transmission tower, that the other stations are using. Unfortunately, after multiple delays, the migration is still TBD. I get WCAU once in a great while and the signal meter our of my Dish-6000 is never above the low 50's.

I am currently getting high 50's low 60's from Fox digital. This is my normal range.

Franzius

Did FOX (WXTF 29.1) fall off the air? I couldn't get them at all starting about 5pm yesterday.

Originally posted by MSmith
Did FOX (WXTF 29.1) fall off the air? I couldn't get them at all starting about 5pm yesterday.

Bottom line is the Philadelphia digital situation is a joke. You have 3 stations (NBC, FOX, WB) that could care less.

NBC/FOX seems content to broadcast a digital signal where 10% of it's viewing audience can receive.

WB thinks it is ok to broadcast a digital signal that reaches a smaller audience then its analog signal. I receive the analog broadcast crystal clear, but get a very weak signal for the digial broacast.

I've been having trouble receiving FOX since November. I had been receiving their signal from January 2002 until November with no problems. About mid November they were gone. Last week I could receive them on Wed. early morning and in the evening. (I wasn't at home during the day) Since then they're gone. I e-mailed the station in November about the problem but received no reply. I receive all of the other Philly stations without any problems.

Originally posted by MSmith
Did FOX (WXTF 29.1) fall off the air? I couldn't get them at all starting about 5pm yesterday.

I think so. I couldn't get 29.1 last night either. And I never have trouble with them. I'm only 4 miles from the antenna farm in Roxborough.

Hope the signal returns by Tuesday, in time for "24".

Hi,

What's up with FOX, all my other stations are coming in loud and clear and FOX is in the 30's-40's.

Thanks,

John

Is anyone else seeing a lip sync problem on CBS (KYW 3) last night and tonight? I'm seeing it on both my AccessDTV and my Samsung STB.
Actually I saw it on the Grammys also but thought it was due to the 5.1 but it is still there.

Thanks for your help.

Bob

Bob,
Same problem here on KYW-DT. It was pretty annoying during the Grammy's, but the 5.1 and tremendous video quality offset some of annoyance!
Paul

I noticed the same problem on the Grammys -- the audio and video were out of synch. I have also noticed this other times on KYW. I don't know what causes this.

Same problem on Everybody Loves Raymond. Pretty annoying. Makes me dizzy!!! ;) Last night, however, all was OK with JAG and The Guardian.

I got the lip-sync problem on KYW-DT last night during JAG (about halfway through). I tried changing channels up and down to clear it, but it was still there.

Originally posted by MSmith
I got the lip-sync problem on KYW-DT last night during JAG (about halfway through). I tried changing channels up and down to clear it, but it was still there.

HMMMM...... MSmith, I was busy toward the middle of the show and actually didn't see it. It appeared to be fine toward the end of the show, however.

Calabs
We have been having lip sync problems due, indirectly, to our upgrades for the Grammys 5.1 channel broadcast.
We decided to upgrade software in our Leitch frame syncronizers only to discover that the hardware was too old to support the new software. Leitch has been playing around with this for a few days now and has decided to replace the hardware. Remember, we've been donig this since Oct. 1998, the equipment is getting old.
Last night our engineer realized that the frame syncs we purchased for WPSG-DT were newer and able to support the new software, so he swapped them out. This should have straightned out the problem.
CUL Jim

James M. Chase
Director Broadcast Operations & Engineering
KYW-TV / WPSG-TV
101 South Independence Mall East
Philadelphia, PA. 19106
chase@kyw.com

Thanks for the clarification Jim. It's nice to get information real-time from you. Much appreciated. So does this mean that WPSG-DT will be having a lip sync problem now? ;)

Hmmmm....

What I saw was lip-sync problems during the dock-side scenes with Harm and a few of the disbursement people from the carrier. It could be just that they had to re-dub the scene due to noise when filming, which can look like a lip-sync problem.

Calabs
We found early on that the lip sync problem was not really an audio problem. It was a video problem caused by delay in the various frame synchronizers necessary to time everything. We found that if we started with a source that had a fixed audio/video relationship, and worked from that source, we could match everything up. We ended up starting with a D5 tape machine as the reference. From that we matched up the network receiver, video server, upconverter, and other sources, so that we could seamlessly switch between them. You see the results of that effort every night as we smoothly move between HD, SD, Network, and local.
Since WPSG currently has only one video/audio source, the upconverter, the frame synchronizers are not necessary. We installed them in anticipation of future network distribution and local tape origination. You should see no change on WPSG.
CUL Jim

Jim, thanks again for your attention to us and your detailed explanations.

HI, everyone ,
I've been reading alot of everyones replies and every word writen on this site is very informative and interesting read.
I have few questions maybe that some people can help me out with.First I live about 7 miles from the ant farm (Maple Shade, NJ).
I'm planning on buying a E86 for my Mit 55ws and I'm having alittle trouble in deciding on which OTA to get.Here's the three(channel master 3671,channel master 3020 from Loews or a Radio Shack 15-2156) I don't care about the money I'm justing wondering If any of these are good choices.I like to use the VHF side too because my Comcast 3,6,10 are alittle bad.Is there a way to combine both signals and to multiple set (two or three the most)???I just recently called a number of TV Antenna shops in the area that sell all types and models and they all say something different about what they do and don't do.Like for instance one shop owner said that he has no problem with reception from just an attic ant but its better on the roof for HD reception, Then other shop said that they just recommend using a UHF ant because of how tricky the HD signal is and a possibility bleeding and interference with using a combo ant.Then I called another shop and they said that they cann't sell me the antenna and they had too come and hook it up themselves because they said that" just anyone hooking up an HD ant that is not aligned right will get a bad noticeable picture"he said that he uses a spectrum analizer to align the ant and that I can use the Vhf of the ant too with a combiner splitter.
I Needed advice and fast.Everyone that I called said somthing different.
You guys are the real experience here I think by reading what you guys do.
I appreciate all the replies that I can get here and if I don't reply back it does mean that I'm not gratefull just alittle slow.Thanks

I put the radioshack uhf only one ($21.99) on my roof and i live in Florence, NJ and recieve all of the digital channels out of philly perfectly. Its uhf only but i also recieve cbs, abc, nbc, and fox analog. Although cbs and abc's analog quality isn't too good. Fox's analog quality looks better than what i get over cable.

snooplsm , On that million dollar thing ,I'm self employed and work for some people that have that much and they are very cheapp. LOL

snooplsm , On that million dollar thing ,I'm self employed and work for some people that have that much and they are very cheapp. LOL
But thanks for that info.

Originally posted by superb77
HI, everyone ,
I've been reading alot of everyones replies and every word writen on this site is very informative and interesting read.
I have few questions maybe that some people can help me out with.First I live about 7 miles from the ant farm (Maple Shade, NJ).
I'm planning on buying a E86 for my Mit 55ws and I'm having alittle trouble in deciding on which OTA to get.Here's the three(channel master 3671,channel master 3020 from Loews or a Radio Shack 15-2156) I don't care about the money I'm justing wondering If any of these are good choices.I like to use the VHF side too because my Comcast 3,6,10 are alittle bad.Is there a way to combine both signals and to multiple set (two or three the most)???I just recently called a number of TV Antenna shops in the area that sell all types and models and they all say something different about what they do and don't do.Like for instance one shop owner said that he has no problem with reception from just an attic ant but its better on the roof for HD reception, Then other shop said that they just recommend using a UHF ant because of how tricky the HD signal is and a possibility bleeding and interference with using a combo ant.Then I called another shop and they said that they cann't sell me the antenna and they had too come and hook it up themselves because they said that" just anyone hooking up an HD ant that is not aligned right will get a bad noticeable picture"he said that he uses a spectrum analizer to align the ant and that I can use the Vhf of the ant too with a combiner splitter.
I Needed advice and fast.Everyone that I called said somthing different.
You guys are the real experience here I think by reading what you guys do.
I appreciate all the replies that I can get here and if I don't reply back it does mean that I'm not gratefull just alittle slow.Thanks

I recently went through the same thing and I will give you my two cents. Go for a UHF only antenna. When you buy a combo anything you are getting something that is okay at everything as opposed to really good (optimized) for one thing. I live in Marlton so I would assume that we will have the same sort of issues. Just a note. I was able to get everything but FOX and NBC with a powered set of rabbit ears on top of the set. But I really wanted both FOX and NBC So I tried the Channel Master 3018 from Lowes and I wasn't satisfied (It wasn't as good as the rabbit ears )and it was huge because of the VHF elements. I only tried this because it was available close by and was an easy way out. I had to put mine in the attic because there was no way it my wife wanted it on the roof. After reading many posts and info on the net I bought a Channel Master 4248 from a site on the net for $40 and no shipping. Everything but NBC came in crystal clear. Afetr spending some more time on the net I bought a CHannel Master 7775 UHF only preAmp for $55 and I couldn't be happier. I haven't had a dropout or weak signal since. Email me if you would like info where to get this stuff.

By the way if you are having issues with 3,6, and 10 through your cable it is because there is a leak in your cable line and you are getting some ghosting images from the over the air signals from these stations. Check all of your connections in the house and if they all seem good call the cable company because the problem is theirs and they are required to fix it.

Bert

HI hdnovice, Thanks for the reply and your story.
I just thought that the vhu/uhf combo would help out on my other set.I talked to this one guy that I called in cinnaminson on rt130 he installs OTA for HD in this area sometimes and he never had a bad picture plus the VHF is a kind of bonus which was also a good picture too(better then cable).
Now with the cable in the house I just redone everything I installed a master box in my house with only one splitter.I was still getting a not so good picture so I took the main line too one set and it looked like them all.So its not my cable that I ran,which was RG6 quad.
About comcast well they are a real rip off and I think that they are monopolizing the cable industry. But I'm stuck with it because of Phila sports.So I don't want them anywheres near my house.Matter of fact I was doing an electrical job at this customers house and his cable was totally terrible looking ,he called up comcast about 5 times and they came out five times to try to fix the problem and replaced the mian underground line about 3 times and its still bad .So he keeps calling the main office and they'er giving him free paid channels over and over just so that he can be happy but he is not and the problem still there.
But I don't mean to get mad at you its just the word COMCAST I don't like.But thanks for you input and I'll take it into consideration.Thank again hdnovice

Yea, rupert murdoch is cheap.

Here's a thread I'm guessing you people will be interested in:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=231838

:)

Finally got HD!

Yesterday I went to BestBuy to get tax software but saw an open-box $299 Samsung T-151 (actually there were two); just bought it without thinking.
Last time I checked, they were $349. ;)

Hooked up it to my Sammy 507 and was able to get CSB(3-1), ABC(6-1), WB(17-1), PBS(43-1 -2 -3 -4), and UPN(47-1) right away.
If I move the antenna a little I am able to get another station PBS(12-1) at the expense of CBS (3-1).

It was so cool because I was toying with idea of Comcast cable for watching HD, but I didn't want to pay extra $40-$50 just to get HD (on top of limited basic service I am getting; I am cheap..).
I was not sure about going OTA because I live between Trenton and Princeton, far from Philly antenna farm.
But the combination of Silver Sonsor and T-151 gives me stable reception of those channels!

Wow! CSI looked fantastic and PSB HD demo was really amazing.
Now I understand people complaining lack of HD programming.

By the way this is my first post in this thread.
Hello, Philly HD people!
Thank you for the valuable information about stations, antenna, etc.

Now how do I get NBC and FOX?
Any update on their migration to the new tower, power upgrade, etc?

Checked with Fox yesterday about their new location. Now it looks like it will not be this year at all, let alone spring or summer.

Originally posted by JWhip
Checked with Fox yesterday about their new location. Now it looks like it will not be this year at all, let alone spring or summer.

Hmm.. that's not good.
480p would be certainly nice, but I can live with FOX analog.

What about NBC?
Looks like even some people close to the tower are having trouble getting WCAU-DT.
My T-151 shows "no signal" when I dial in 10(NBC) or 29(FOX).
Maybe I could try moving the antenna to the attic.
Though I hear NBC has only handful of HD contents, getting DD sound alone would be nice enough.

Hi Folks,

I live in Boston, but I am trying to help my father-in-law get HD enabled. On the sticky HD-via cable thread, I saw the channels that are offered by Comcast (ABC, NBC, PBS, HBO, SHOWTIME and in the unspecified future CBS, Comcast Sports Net, ESPN).

Can someone tell me what channels are available via OTA Reception in the Philly area? He lives in Bensalem, (lower Bucks County) very close to the Philly border. I am sure I could find the answer to my question if I slog through this very massive thread, but being lazy, maybe one of you can help me. :) It would also help me if you would tell me the Network of the station and not just the station call letters. I am clueless about Philly area stations.

Also, in Boston basically all of the digital channels come from one antenna farm. So, where I live, I just need a static antenna pointed in one direction to get all the channels (there is a NH PBS that I could get with a rotor or 2nd antenna). Is it the same in Philly, especially if you live just north of the city?

Lastly, are there any plans (or have there been) any broadcasts of Phillies games in HD?

Thanks,
- Hal

nobail - We get Comcast Sportsnet now.

In the unspecified future... we are hoping for (though we have no confirmation or timetable) HDNet(s), ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, CBS, Bravo-HD(once that gets on the air), PPV HD, WB-HD, etc... everything basically... But I'll say it again.. Comcast hasn't told us anything, though they are pushing the HD pretty hard now.

Comcast requires that you have a "new" Motorola 5100 box, and the Digital Package. Plus, in the future, we are speculating that there will be a 10$ a month charge (that's why we are being so optimistic about the other channels that they are offering).

I'm thinking that Comcast Sportsnet will have Phillies games. Right now they have HOME Flyers and Sixers games (most of em, anyways, there's even been a few times where we weren't expecting a HD game, and they broadcast it anyways). Anyways, we've taken to watching Comcast Sportsnet - HD for ALL of the games, since, even if they aren't HD, the Digital picture looks a heck of a lot better than the Analog one on ESPN or CN8.

If you have the 5100 there is no hookup for an antenna, so I personally don't get OTA things, just because I don't wanna buy a HD Converter box (there is one integrated in the 5100).

So, I leave it to someone else for the OTA questions.

BTW. I live in Bensalem, too, so there's your COMCAST answer about the COMCAST capabilities there.

Hope I 1/2 helped.

Thanks Dawn for the reply.

My father-in-law is looking at buying a Panasonic plasma, and they currently have a special with free tuners. It almost sounds like you need to have both OTA and Comcast. Not having CBS, you miss a lot of HD. I watch at least 75% of my HD on CBS via OTA. I hope (for your sakes) that CBS is added soon. And, (if I lived in Philly) I would not be able to live without Comcast HD. There are probably not enough ports on the Plasma to support two HD tuners and a Progressive scan DVD player. Why do they always make things so hard? :)

- Hal

nobail, I have a Panasonic plasma and have an OTA tuner, HD cable box and progressive dvd player all hooked into it with an Inday component switcher with one extra component input to boot that sells for $180.00. It is remoted controlled and works flawlessly with NO signal degradation. Where your father-in-law lives, he will be able to get all of the Philly stations with the antenna ponted in one direction. That includes CBS, ABC, NBC, PBS, WB, UPN and Fox. Comcast Sportsnet will be doing a boat load of Phillies games from the Vet starting with the home opener on 4/4. Comcast will make an announcement hopefully in the next two or three weeks about the addition of ESPN-HD and Discovery HD. Do not expect CBS any time soon so the OTA box is a no brainer.

Bottom line, the HDTV situation in Philadelphia is a joke compared to what it is in Boston. WB, NBC and Fox are all unwatchable for major segments of the viewing population. This is not the case with many other major cities (except for NYC).

Actually, Philly ranks in the top 5 of US Cities with DTV offerings, above Boston:

http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/Issues/digitaltv/DTVstations.asp

But pabuwal is correct that there are issues with signal stength for the WB, NBC, and FOX for some viewers. Definitely depends on where you are and, with all OTA, your terrain. I've got great reception with an indoor Radio Shack antenna of all the stations, but those 3 are my weakest.
But don't forget CSN-HD and the Phillies if you pick up Comcast!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jkurlanski
[B]Actually, Philly ranks in the top 5 of US Cities with DTV offerings, above Boston:

http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/Issues/digitaltv/DTVstations.asp

That's DMA, not quality of digital offerings! DMA is based on population of the metropolitan area!

It's true that all of Philly's stations are broadcasting digitally, but in some cases this amounts to lip service. That is why this thread exists and has grown to be so long.

Thanks for the updates. My father in law looks like he is in good shape. I am jealous of CSN-HD though. If you have even seen a Red Sox game on NESN, you would know why. :)

- Hal

I know exactly what your saying Hal!
FYI: Comcast has the InDemand baseball package that I got specifically for Red Sox games last year (I'm a Maine transplant). Got a bunch of the games last year, but only one problem: sometimes you have to listen to the opposing announcers. I'm not sure I've ever heard anything more annoying than having to listen to the Yankees broadcast during a Red Sox v Yankee's game. :)

JIM CHASE: fyi -- Lip synch problem seems to be continuing on KYW-HD. I noticed it tonight on "My Big Fat Greek Life". It appears that the video is ahead of the audio. I really appreciate the great HD programming that CBS and KYW have been providing, but am curious as to when this lip synch problem might be corrected. Thanks!

Yes - I did also notice that the lip-sync problem is still there on KYW-DT (CBS). The sound is just a little late. Doesn't happen on the other channels, so I'm pretty sure it's not my setup.

Ron

Hey, I noticed that we have a new digital channel in our market tonight, ABC 6-2! It's a digital SD subchannel. Pretty cool, guys!

Also, I noticed that 6-1 and 6-2 are now including program content in their PSIP data. Nice job!

My additional comment about the CBS 3-1 audio: Jim Chase, why do you have the volume turned up so loud? Are you growing deaf in your old age? Heh heh.

Sorry I haven't been around here much, but things have been busy.

Philadelphia DTV rocks!

--Philly Tim

Originally posted by Philly Tim
Hey, I noticed that we have a new digital channel in our market tonight, ABC 6-2! It's a digital SD subchannel. Pretty cool, guys!

Also, I noticed that 6-1 and 6-2 are now including program content in their PSIP data. Nice job!

My additional comment about the CBS 3-1 audio: Jim Chase, why do you have the volume turned up so loud? Are you growing deaf in your old age? Heh heh.

Sorry I haven't been around here much, but things have been busy.

Philadelphia DTV rocks!

--Philly Tim

I second the volume issue with CBS (KYW) 3-1. It is much louder than all other Philly digital stations, causing a mad scramble for the volume controls when channel surfing the Philly digital channels.

Jim: can that be addressed?

I hope the addition of ABC's sub channel (6-2), doesn't degrade the bandwidth allotted to HDTV content on 6-1. Supposedly that is why PBS has pixelation on fast motion shots -- due to the subchannels on PBS. I don't want the same thing to happen to ABC (WPVI).

Originally posted by ResultsOriented
JIM CHASE: fyi -- Lip synch problem seems to be continuing on KYW-HD. I noticed it tonight on "My Big Fat Greek Life". It appears that the video is ahead of the audio. I really appreciate the great HD programming that CBS and KYW have been providing, but am curious as to when this lip synch problem might be corrected. Thanks!

I can't believe you actually watched that show. It looks soooo stupid. ; )

Please don't encourage CBS to air more dumb sit-coms. ; )

The addition of a subchannel; on WPVI is NOTHING to be happy over. If it reamins on during HD content, it will have a very noticable negative effect on the picture quality. Should WPVI do that to their HD broadcasts, it will be a large step backwards in HD in this market.

Jim Chase, KYW-DT -
Add me as another person who saw lip-sync problems on King of Queens last night.

JWhip:

Yes, I see your point, but I think subchannels are a reality that we are going to have to live with. 6-1 seems to still be coming in very strong, but let's do keep a close eye on the HD programming to see what differences are noticeable. Would adding the subchannel have more effect on reception further out (i.e., would it reduce the broadcast range of their signal?), or would the noticeable degradation in PQ be across the board?

I wonder what possible use they could make of a subchannel? The WHYY subchannel 12-4 is almost never in use for anything but the color bars and classical musical audio. I've seen a medical show on there once or twice. Some PBS stations use a subchannel for fulltime kid-oriented programming. I'm stumped to imagine what a commercial channels like WPVI 6 could be planning to do with a subchannel. Does anyone have a contact there to ask?

--Philly Tim

I don't care for sub-channels either. The whole idea of HD is getting the best picture quality possible, so why degrade it just because the technology to air sub-channels exists.

I recently starting receiving OTA broadcasts of Philly locals. I'm in Central NJ. I inputted the zipcode 19188 for the Philly area to get on screen guide info on my STB. Interestingly enough, I get a generic "local channel" listing for UPN (57-1) and WNJT out of Trenton (43-1/2/3/4). Anyone using a Hughes E86 able to tell me if there's a different Philly Area Zipcode (or even a Jersey zipcode that's eligible for Philly locals) that would give me the guide info for those 2 channels?

I recently started a thread for Central NJ area info because I was interested in seeing what NJ residents were doing to get both NYC and Philly locals. I thought this question would be more pertinent here.

Thanks!

The guide info for WNJT showed up on my home zip - 08610. Unfortunately, they aren't setting PSIP right, so you can't tune to 52.1 (where the guide info shows up) and get anything. For some reason, I was getting upconverted SD on 43.1 AND 43.4, with PBS You on 43.2 and 43.3.

57.1 isn't giving guide info to DirecTV yet (or at least it's not getting to us). 17.1 just started this week.

Originally posted by MSmith
The guide info for WNJT showed up on my home zip - 08610. Unfortunately, they aren't setting PSIP right, so you can't tune to 52.1 (where the guide info shows up) and get anything. For some reason, I was getting upconverted SD on 43.1 AND 43.4, with PBS You on 43.2 and 43.3.

57.1 isn't giving guide info to DirecTV yet (or at least it's not getting to us). 17.1 just started this week.

I actually think I was watching a test loop/HD demonstration on either 43.1 or .2. Must say the content, while not particularly stimulating, was visually mind blowing and stunning. I found myself watching it at 11:30 last night drooling in awe :p

I haven't turned my antenna any other direction than Philly so I can't test the NYC PBS channels or New Brunswick PBS channels.

I wasn't aware that UPN didn't have guide info. Does that mean that they aren't carried by D* in Philly? I have 5th/6th generation Plus STB's in my house, so I wasn't able to tell if it was being carried in Philly.

Thanks for the info.

subchannels do not effect reception. By taking bandwidth in the signal away from 6-1 for 6-2 takes away from the quality of the image on 6-1 inducing fuzziness, pixelation and the like, especially on motion.

I have a DCT2000 plus HDD200 HD sidecar (subscribed to HD service last fall). Will Comcast switch them out for the integrated DCT5100 box if I ask (or take it in to their office)? Can I tell them "it's not working right" and get them to switch it? ;-)

I heard they fixed the problem with the 5100 not having a "stretch" mode for analog/SD-digital channels.

I have a Unity Motion OTA box for CBS (and for 24 on FOX!). If I cut down a tree or two (or 5 - I have to shoot right along the ridge I live on in Valley Forge), I might try to reactivate my Dish 6000 box, and in a few months replace it with the Dish 921 dual-tuner OTA/satellite HD-PVR w/ 250GB drive (circa $1000-1200).

Just confirming what others have reported ...6-1 is HD - black side bars and no aspect control, whereas 6-2 is same material in SD with grey bars and aspect control. I'm curious as to their plans for the sub-channel(s).

looks like the gray bars are being added by your stb with the subchannel being a 480i 4x3 signal which is just a complete waste of time.

Not that I'll be watching, but while scanning for WPVI-SD (6-2), I picked up WUVP-DT (66-2) UNI (Spanish Language) out of Vineland, NJ @100% on my Hughes E-86.

jaypb - D* carries UPN 57's SD channel with guide info. They just don't supply guide info for the HD channel yet (as they do for other stations).

It looks to me like WPVI is broadcasting their SD content in 480p on 6.2

This seems like a total waste of time to me. All STB's on the market today can downconvert their 720p signal to something visible on an existing TV. Also, anyone likely to own an STB (at least for now), WANTS the higher resolution.

I suppose that this could be the first step towards simulcasting 480 for poeple with STB's but still using their old TV (after the analog signal is shut off). I'd much rather see them broadcast MORE in 16:9 to push the public and industry towards that aspect ratio.

Question for anyone with the Zenith 520...

It looks like DirecTV just added a logo & channel info for WB 17-1, but my STB refuses to save this channel in my 'Quick Surf' list. It adds fine, but when I get out & come back, the channel is gone. Doesn't happen with any other channel. Anybody else getting this weird glitch w/their 520?

So, I saw a news message on my Comcast box stating that two new channels will be added on April 1. DIY and Fine Living. Now, these are obviously not HD channels, but my question is, do you suppose that since they are adding these channels together, that they'll add HD channels at the same time?

There has been talk about the "final stages of negotiation with Mark Cuban" for the HDNets. There have been rumours about the Discovery HD and ESPN HD channels. And, of course, we are still waiting for CBS.

Anyone in the know? I'm not looking for speculation. If you work or know someone who works for, or you called and asked, tell us what you know!

Thanks!

I just sent email to Comcast (I'm in Valley Forge/Malvern) asking for CBS, HDNet, Discovery, and ESPN in HD. I also asked for TechTV, which I'm in serious withdrawl from after moving to where Dish Network is hard to get. (On the other hand, I have a true line-of-sight to the TV towers from my SE-facing ridge - very pretty at night).

Keep bugging Comcast for more HD content (and put in a good word for TechTV when you do).

Originally posted by Brajesh
Question for anyone with the Zenith 520...

It looks like DirecTV just added a logo & channel info for WB 17-1, but my STB refuses to save this channel in my 'Quick Surf' list. It adds fine, but when I get out & come back, the channel is gone. Doesn't happen with any other channel. Anybody else getting this weird glitch w/their 520?

I am having the exact problem, I have the Sony HD200

regarding WPVI, I noticed that since "-2" came in (720x480i), that both of my tuners dont automatically map the 2 "64" channels to 6-1 and 6-2.

this has happened on my Hipix DTV-200 (which you can override and manual map physical 64 to logical 8) and my Panny TU-HDS-20.

this is a pain since 6-1 now receives nothing. has anyone else experienced the same thing??

Hello,
I am using the DISH 6000 receiver and I am not able to get any reception in 64-1 and 64-2. It looks like it is not mapped to CH 6, but I am not sure how that can be done in the DISH receiver.. At the moment, I get a very lock and good signal, but I get a blank screen in both the 64 channels..
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated since I am really looking forward to watching the Sixers game t'row that is scheduled in ABC..
Thanks
Vasee

I also have the dish 6000 and I live in Feasterville, PA. I get both 64-1 and 64-2 no problems at all . I do wish wpvi would re-map it back to channel 6 instead of 64.

Jesup, my dish goes right through 2 trees. I have better reception in the fall and winter :-) no leaves.. but even in summer still around 80 to 85% signal strengh.

I get 6-1 now on 64-1 and -2. Although today I noticed that 64-1 was not transmitting while -2 was. 6-1 has nothing on it but the program guide. I have the HDS20 and cannot remap. What a pain.

Originally posted by petersbar
regarding WPVI, I noticed that since "-2" came in (720x480i), that both of my tuners dont automatically map the 2 "64" channels to 6-1 and 6-2.

this has happened on my Hipix DTV-200 (which you can override and manual map physical 64 to logical 8) and my Panny TU-HDS-20.

this is a pain since 6-1 now receives nothing. has anyone else experienced the same thing??

I'm using the HD-SAT520 OTA and also get WPVI on 64-1 and 64-2. I used to get it on 6-1 before the -2 came online.

Same here. It's annoying. Hope they remap to 6-1 soon.

Also got "No signal" for WCAU 10-1 yesterday.

Originally posted by Brajesh
Same here. It's annoying. Hope they remap to 6-1 soon.

Also got "No signal" for WCAU 10-1 yesterday.

Speaking of WCAU, anyone hear any news regarding them moving to the new tower? At this rate, I think WNBC in NYC will be up sooner. :mad:
As I'm one that gets "No signal" just about 99.9% of the time for WCAU, I'm getting a bit impatient!

what are you gonna do about it.?

Did any anyone else experience audio drops during Tarzan last night? I lost sound for about a minute at one point, during the scene when he fights with the leopard.

Was Tarzan on ABC? I had huge audio problems during Dragnet last night. Didn't tune into Tarzan, Alias was fine, but then Dragnet was a nightmare. They didn't even flip the HD switch at first. Then they had no sound, then it seemed like only the back channel of the audio came in. I ended up watching it via OTA and listening to the analog from Comcast. Anyone else?

Yes Tarzan was on ABC. Looked great. Sound was great when there was sound. After the way the messed up Inspector Gadget a few weeks ago I thought they would have their act together. I wonder if this a local problem or a national one.

rgc - I lost sound at the same point. I tuned to the DirecTV SD version and back hoping to re-set my receiver (but now I guess it wasn't me).

WPVI is back on the air with 6-1 / 6-2. Looks as if they finally cleaned up there act.

Was everybody loves raymond slightly off last night or was it
just my setup????

Aceman

Was able to pull in 17-1 (WPHL) last night and noticed that Everwood wasn't on in 16:9. Did anyone else notice this? WB 17 comes and goes for me from Philly and was hoping to see how the picture would look last night but when I flipped by it was in 4:3.

Is the show THAT BAD that no one watches it...or was it just me and my E86 having problems?? :D

Aceman
I watched the 8pm to 10pm block last night and did not notice a lip sync problem. Last Monday ( a week ago ) I had one of our technicians monitor at the station while I watched at home. We made a very slight adjustment that appeared to both of us to correct the problem. I watched that night, and last Tuesday night Jag and Guardian and they were all fine.
Judging from comments like yours I wonder if there are problems in different STBs. I have a Samsung 160 and an RCA DCT100 at home that appear to reproduce the audio and video in time. What are you using?
Anyone else notice a problem last night? What equipment are you using?
CUL Jim

James M. Chase
Director Broadcast Operations & Engineering
KYW-TV / WPSG-TV
101 South Independence Mall East
Philadelphia, PA. 19106
chase@kyw.com

My exerience was that the lip sink problem would come and go. I'm using a Sony 34XBR2 television.

Originally posted by Johnr0836
My exerience was that the lip sink problem would come and go. I'm using a Sony 34XBR2 television.

I have a DTC100 and noticed it would come and go also. It was particulary bad during Raymond. Especially on the closeups of Debra, I would just fixate on the lip sync problem.

I also noticed it on Return to Batcave as well.

I flipped to WCBS-DT and did not have this problem.

Originally posted by Jim Chase

Judging from comments like yours I wonder if there are problems in different STBs. I have a Samsung 160 and an RCA DCT100 at home that appear to reproduce the audio and video in time. What are you using?
Anyone else notice a problem last night? What equipment are you using?
CUL Jim

James M. Chase
Director Broadcast Operations & Engineering
KYW-TV / WPSG-TV
101 South Independence Mall East
Philadelphia, PA. 19106
chase@kyw.com

Hi Jim,
I'm using a Zenith SAT-HD520 and did notice a slight lip sync problem on "Raymond". As a note, for what it's worth, other digital stations did not exhibit lip sync problems. I'm routing the STB through a DVI cable into a Sony 34XBR800. At times, I felt like I was watching an old dubbed foreign movie! ;)

Same here ... noticed lip sync problem w/my Zenith 520.

I have the Pansonic STB and watched KYW-DT from 9 to 11 and did not notice any lip sync problem. There are differences between STB's with the issue. PBS was having this issue on their loop a couple of years ago and had to adjust their bit rate after studing several STB's. It is therefore possible that KWY-DT is sending out a synced signal and the STB's are the culprit. All I can tell you is that I watched this very closely last night and saw no problem, not even a minor one.

Jim,

I'm using a DTC100 as well. I too was fixated on the closeups
of Deborah, but not for lip syncs :D

Aceman

Originally posted by jesup
I just sent email to Comcast (I'm in Valley Forge/Malvern) asking for CBS, HDNet, Discovery, and ESPN in HD. I also asked for TechTV, which I'm in serious withdrawl from after moving to where Dish Network is hard to get. (On the other hand, I have a true line-of-sight to the TV towers from my SE-facing ridge - very pretty at night).

Keep bugging Comcast for more HD content (and put in a good word for TechTV when you do).

This was the response from comcast. Note that it appears that they think Malvern is in the Pittsburgh area...

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL. IT WAS SENT FROM AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND REPLIES ARE NOT MONITORED.

Thank you for sending an e-mail to Comcast. At this time, we are unable to respond to messages sent from your local service area. We appreciate the time you have taken to ask your question, and sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. We are working hard to offer all of our customers the ability to contact us through e-mail in the coming weeks. Please check back soon, as we are continually updating our Web site to better serve you.

To contact a customer service representative who can immediately address your questions or concerns, please call us at:

Pittsburgh, PA (800) 532-3779
Cleveland, OH (800) 993-2225
Greater OH (800) 824-2290
Virginia (804) 266-1900
West Virginia (800) 824-2290

I have a Zenith 420 STB and have noticed a problem with lip sync the past week or so on CBS only, last night I noticed it on Everybody Loves Raymond and CSI Miami. I've tried unplugging my STB and replugging and scanning for channels but it does no good. Maybe I should just use the Closed Captioning. I live in Warren County, NJ for what its worth.
Bill

Found a way to fix the problem that Zenith 520 & Sony HD200 have in saving WB17 (since DirecTV updated the logo/channel info.) in the QuickSurf list.

Do a fresh local channel scan, then when you go to the list of all channels (where you can hide/show), highlight WB 17-1 & press the QuickSurf button. The channel should now be saved when you get out of the menus & press QuickSurf.

Jim,

I have a mitsubishi ws55589 HDTV with a built in digital tuner. I was watching JAG last night and noticed the lip sync problem also. I am using a Denon AVR 3803 to process the digital sound signal from the tuner. The 3803 has the ability to dial in sound delay up to 200ms to compensate for video delay. In this case however, the sound actually lags behind the video so there is no way to correct for it.

HDMatrix
I also noticed the lip sync problem when Jag hit last night. Monday night I worked with one of our maint. techs. to set up the lip sync. We did and I watched from 8pm to 10pm and it looked good. Then when Jag hit last night it was a mile off. Required an additional 29ms. delay to bring it back in. You should have noticed the correction around 8:40 last night. I watched the rest of Jag and Guardian and both looked good. So something is drifting around and I don't know what it is yet.
No HD tonight, but we'll be watching CSI on Thursday night.
CUL Jim

Jim, glad to know you & your team are on top of the situation.

Anyone else have extremely low audio on WPVI last night? Noticed it during the 10pm show...."American Girl" or something along those lines. Sound bumped back up for me when the news went on at 11pm.

Happened on 6-1/2 and 64-1/2 which is where the channels map to on my E86.

Right now, the audio levels on most of the Philly locals are all over the place, when compared to the analog channel (for me, received via DirecTV). Some are louder, some are softer.

The biggest problem is that some stations (WPVI comes to mind) have soft programs followed by regular volume commercials, which end up being REALLY LOUD when you have the volume turned up.

Originally posted by MSmith
Right now, the audio levels on most of the Philly locals are all over the place, when compared to the analog channel (for me, received via DirecTV). Some are louder, some are softer.

The biggest problem is that some stations (WPVI comes to mind) have soft programs followed by regular volume commercials, which end up being REALLY LOUD when you have the volume turned up.

I didn't hang around long enough to listen to the commercials...because the show itself was so cheesy :o

I'll have to check it tonight....if WPVI even comes in. I'm hit or miss with pretty much everything from Philly but KYW, WPSG and 44-1/2/3/4 (PBS out of Trenton).

JIM CHASE: The video looked ahead of the audio tonight on CSI on my set. I have a Hitachi 65XWX20B with a built-in tuner and receive KYW over the air. It appears that there is less of a synch problem on Without A Trace, but the video is still a bit ahead. Hope this feedback helps. I continue to appreciate both the great HD programming your station carries and the efforts you personally make to correct problems.

I noticed no lip sync errors at all on KYW-DT on either CSI or Without a Trace using a Panasonic STB running into a Rotel processor.

Did anyone notice WPVI broadcasting non-hd programs last night in Dolby Digital? I was a little shocked when I flipped on Wheel of Fortune and my receiver flipped over to DD. I think it was just 2.0 but even the following show, some reality-based show about the war in Afghanistan, was in SD but sound was DD. This was with Comcast HD...anyone else notice this?

I noticed no lip sync errors at all on KYW-DT on either CSI or Without a Trace using a Panasonic STB running into a Rotel processor.
Same here. No lip sync problems on 'CSI' with my Zenith 520. The volume is still loud compared to other Philly DT stations though.

Jim,

I watched CSI and Without a Trace with my Mitsu ws 55859 and the Lip Sync was fine.

FWIW, I contacted Comcast regarding additional HD channels via the form posted a few pages back. This is the response I got. Not very encouraging...

-------------------------------------------------------
Dear Valued Customer,

Dear Mr. Morris:

Thanks for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate hearing from
our customers.

Please know that is indeed frustrating for us not to offer KYW in HDTV
to our cable customers. We are working to come to an agreement to bring
this channel to our customers as a part of our current HDTV offerings.

I would certainly encourage you to contact the management at both CBS
and KYW regarding your concerns. I have provided their contact
information below.

CBS Television Network
51 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019

Main Number:
(212) 975-4321

Additional channels in this format will follow shortly.


Respectfully,
Your Comcast Customer Care Specialist


Original Message Follows:
------------------------

Name: Mr. Eric Finn

Contact Via: E-mail

Category: Programming/Channel Lineup
Sub-Category: Channel Request

Comments:

I'd like to inquire about when Comcast will start
offering additional High Definition TV channels. I've been an HD
subscriber for 6 months now and we still do not have the local CBS
affiliate in the line-up. This means I miss some of the best HDTV has
to offer including AFC playoff games, NCAA March Madness, Masters
coverage and a complete HDTV prime-time lineup. I'd also like to ask
that Comcast offer Discovery-HD, HD-Net, and ESPN-HD when they are
available.

ResultsOriented & JWhip
Thanks for the feedback. I can see this is going to be a tough one to resolve.
I watched CSI last night and noticed no lip sync problem on my Samsung STB.
I have the maint. techs. checking every night when the first prime HD show hits. They did not notice any problem or make any adjustments last night when CSI hit. We're were using a Panasonic STB at the station.
It seems like the Zenith and Hitachi boxes are having problems and the Panasonic and Samsung aren't.
I am going to forward these last comments to the CBS Lab in NY to see what they think.
CUL Jim

James M. Chase
Director Broadcast Operations & Engineering
KYW-TV / WPSG-TV
101 South Independence Mall East
Philadelphia, PA. 19106
chase@kyw.com

Brajesh & HDMatrix
I should always read all posts before posting a reply. Thanks for the info. I think now with your positive comments I'll assume the problem has been fixed. We'll keep checking each night as the HD programs hit just to be sure.
As always, post here or e-mail me if you see anything unusual!!!
CUL Jim

regarding CBS and Comcast, J. Takiff in the Philly Daily news has an interesting note in which one can gleam that the problem is CBS asking to get paid to carry the signal. Cable reprs believe that since the networks are getting thier spectrum for free, they should not ask to be paid for cable retransmission. This will seem to confirm what I have always been told be insiders that the problem with KYW-DT not being on Comcast was the fact that CBS wants payment. Do not expect KYW-DT on Comcast any time in the forseeable future.

Does anyone have a phone number or e-mail address for WCAU? Particulary someone who can give me info on the progress of the new tower.

Thanks!

Tried sending to comcast again:
Please note: I tried to send this before, and got a message that "we're sorry we can't handle your email request in the pittsburgh area at this time". I'm in the Philadelphia area, in Malvern.

Unfortunately, your bounce message didn't include my original message, so I'll have to try to re-write it now.

I'm writing to request you add more HD channels to the current lineup. I've had HD service through you since last fall.

In particular, I'm interesting in the HDNet channels (Marc Cuban, the owner, has told people you're in negotiations over carrying one or more of them). I'm also very interested in ESPN-HD (launching March 30), CBS-HD, and Discovery HD. HD channel reception is the prime reason I switched from DishNetwork to Comcast; right now the only thing I can't get on Dish or via antenna (which I have to have anyways) is Comcast Sportsnet-HD

One non-HD channel I've been pining for since I stopped receiving DishNetwork is TechTV. I know you carry it in a few markets; please consider adding it to your digital channel lineup.

Thank you for your time.

JIM CHASE: The audio and video on 48 Hours seem to be fairly in synch tonight on my Hitachi using an OTA antenna. Thanks for whatever was done.

Jim,
I watched Hack last night (no accounting for taste) and the lip sync didn't seem quite as bad on my Zenith 420 STB but it was still obvious. I'll see what it's like tonight. Was 48 Hours in HiDef?
Bill

Wayched Hack after Sixers game. No lip sync problems through my Panny.

Iron1 -- 48 Hours is not broadcast in HD.

Originally posted by gkurcon
Did anyone notice WPVI broadcasting non-hd programs last night in Dolby Digital? I was a little shocked when I flipped on Wheel of Fortune and my receiver flipped over to DD. I think it was just 2.0 but even the following show, some reality-based show about the war in Afghanistan, was in SD but sound was DD. This was with Comcast HD...anyone else notice this?

WPVI seems clueless on the audio stuff these days. Constant dropouts, switching between 5.1 and 2.0 randomly and when in 2.0 no center channel. This 2.0 no center channel thing is very annoying because commercials all come out loud on the left and right speakers.

I think this all came about when they decided to broadcast SD as a subchannel. They haven't gotten anything right since then, and I don't think the HD PQ is as good anymore.

Didn't they ever hear "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?"

Bob

Originally posted by rbtconsultants
WPVI seems clueless on the audio stuff these days. Constant dropouts, switching between 5.1 and 2.0 randomly and when in 2.0 no center channel. This 2.0 no center channel thing is very annoying because commercials all come out loud on the left and right speakers.

I think this all came about when they decided to broadcast SD as a subchannel. They haven't gotten anything right since then, and I don't think the HD PQ is as good anymore.

Didn't they ever hear "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?"

Bob

I noticed this morning (around 6am) that neither 6-2 or 64-2 came up on my oneline guide on my Hughes e86. It was there last night when I was tooling around but not this AM. Do they "switch it on and off" at random because I've always noticed it being "active" whenever I was watching TV.

What channel will everyone be watching the war on?

Bill

I was watching CNN last night. And I kept thinking.. this would be a whole lot crisper in HD. I wonder if CNN will go HD someday?

Reply from comcast. No surprises


We appreciate your feelings concerning additional HD programming. Comcast is dedicated to providing you with the best service possible. However, for every programmer who offers HD programming, Comcast has to negotiate a contract. It is illegal for us to simply re-broadcast a programmers' original signal.

With additional equipment, satellite customers can get selected HDTV channels. It is very expensive. With 6 channels in HDTV, Comcast has the most HDTV programming choices available in this area.

Comcast is currently in negotiations with CBS in order to be able to bring this channel to all our HDTV viewers. Until our two companies
can reach an agreement on this matter we will be unable to offer CBS-HD channel. We will use this e-mail as your channel request for the
addition of CBS-HD to your line up, along with the other channels that you mentioned in your letter. This request will be forwarded to our
Marketing Department for future consideration.

CBS.com has a feedback link from their HDTV page. Here is my submittal

"Actually, I'm writing about something I didn't see on CBS Television: HD programming. That's because I am a Comcast customer in the Philadelphia area. I congratulate CBS for the efforts it has made to produce quality HD programming. I am disappointed to miss shows like CSI as well as sports programming, but it doesn't make sense to pay $400 for a tuner/decoder and install an antenna for one channel. You should know that analog broadcasts don't look very good on a big screen, and you are losing viewers by not working out a retransmission deal with Comcast."

Do they care?

I'm getting frustrated with WCAU-DT -- I've been getting "No Signal" 80-90% of the time lately. If all other Philly DT stations can do it right, so why can't WCAU?!

Originally posted by Brajesh
I'm getting frustrated with WCAU-DT -- I've been getting "No Signal" 80-90% of the time lately. If all other Philly DT stations can do it right, so why can't WCAU?!

I'm in the boat with you. I'm in Central NJ and on my E86 the HIGHEST signal I believe I've seen is 6 on my meter! I've installed a CM 7775 Preamp on my CM 4228 antenna and I'm not able to receive WPVI (6-1) rock solid for almost a week (fingers crossed)....yet WCAU barely inched up. I know they are at low power and planning to move to a new antenna but I too was frustrated when I didn't even see a move on my meter after installing the pre-amp.

I haven't done a "walk around" on my roof to see if re=positioning of the antenna would increase the strength...but others in my general area haven't had much luck with WCAU either.

Is their signal more directional right now that the other digital stations out of Philly?

Have you guys been having trouble getting WWHY the last few days?
I used to get it w/ a relatively strong signal and don't seem to have it.

Aceman

Just read on another site that Steve Burke at Comcast announced that Comcast will not carry ESPN-HD if they have to pay extra for it. As that is exactly what ESPN wants, looks like no ESPN-HD here for quite some time.

I don't have comcast, but do they charge extra for HD content?
If they do, thats got to take the cake.

Aceman

Jaypb

I live very close to you and have no trouble with ANY Philly Stations.

I have noticed that antenna alignment is very critical to rxing WCAU. I imagine since they are not at the Roxy tower site you may have to "split the difference" as I did to get them all.

Also, I used the same CM amp and was overloaded by NJN. I now use the Winegard UHF only amp and the smaller Rat Shack Yagi with great results!
Just my 2 cents.
Dave

Originally posted by Dave Korey
Jaypb

I live very close to you and have no trouble with ANY Philly Stations.

I have noticed that antenna alignment is very critical to rxing WCAU. I imagine since they are not at the Roxy tower site you may have to "split the difference" as I did to get them all.

Also, I used the same CM amp and was overloaded by NJN. I now use the Winegard UHF only amp and the smaller Rat Shack Yagi with great results!
Just my 2 cents.
Dave

You lucky dog! If I had the time I'd try moving the antenna around the roof (walking it around to see if I picked up a better signal) and I've added another 5 feet of masting onto the 6 feet or so I have extending above my peak to no avail. I'm at a cross roads I guess...I'll wait it out till they get "to full power" on the new tower (or whatever the hay it is they are going to be doing) I don't expect WNBC in NYC to be active till the end of the summer (I believe it was September) at the earliest....and the wife watches L&O religiously on NBC....so I'll take my lumps for now :cool: