Guess I will be watching Monday Night Football! I was getting so spoiled watching some HD football on the weekends I didn't want to watch Monday nights. That just changed. Thanks TWC.

MNF looks great in high def. Thanks Billy Huggins and thanks TWC.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
Effective immediately, TWC has launched WPDE (ABC Affiliate in the Florence-Myrtle Beach DMA) on Channel 815. WPDE HD appears free on the following lineups to all TWC customers with an HD Converter: Florence


THANKS!!!!!!!!

I missed out on MNF because I was in Atlanta, section 217, watching the Braves lose :(

Hi There,

On the road again to a meeting. Back in the office Friday morning.

Any cable issue, please call Customer Service at 866-892-7201.

Thanks.

Hello,

TWCSC is now broadcasting NBC and ABC in HDTV. Why not CBS? They are already broadcasting HD OTA. I have little hope for FOX.

Does anyone have a name and an email address for WBTW's chief engineer? Maybe we could start a CBS letter writing campaign for HDTV on TWCSC. I would be willing to make first contact. It could already be happening, but I think its worth a try.

Any help?

I called the General Manager at WBTW earlier today and asked him what were their plans. I told him how thrilled people are that WPDE HD has been added to the TWC lineup and hoped to see WBTW soon. I told him that I really hoped they are in negotiations with TWC or planned on starting them soon. He explained that it will be about a year before they would be added. WBTW is bound by a policy set by their parent company - Media General that states that they will wait to be added until all their tv stations are ready to be added. He said that negotiations have to include all the things pertinent to all their television stations. If the Florence Morning News was not owned by the same company, I would suggest that we speak to them about running a story on the HD capabilities in our area. There is probably alot more info to the issue but I only spoke to him for a few moments and did not ask alot of details. He was nice but held firm to the policy.

Gail2magic, thanks for the WBTW update.

HDTV in Florence is frustrating. So TWCSC provides me NBC from Columbia, ABC from Florence, PBS from Sumter, but NO CBS from Florence, NO FOX from Myrtle Beach. So it is possible to get CBS from Florence OTA, but no FOX OTA from MB due to low power. So Fox is remotely possible with OTA from Columbia with bad polar plot. Which both require a $300+ box and $100+ antennas to operate.

WPDE-DT was all messed up tonite. No audio, digitized signal. Anyone else have this problem? Is it my 3100HD box from TWCSC? I did a hard reset to no avail. Anyone watch ABC ota and/or TWCSC? It was cutting to black often last week.

I had a weird problem tonight with the CBS HD -- we were watching Cold Case and after about a minute it started over! No recording light were on and the remote would not "catch up" It just started over. When I went to the two CBS stations in regular TV they both were about a minute ahead. When I put on pic in pic to watch the ball game it was on the CBS HD which was about a minute ahead. It never did catch up but worked fine all during the show! GO SOX!

kjpjr, I was watching Cold Case too, and it was not in HD, so I called WBTW and asked them to switch it to HD, and within about 30 seconds they did switch it, that's what you saw.
I was taping Cold Case, so it ended up on my tape when they switched, no on a DVR.
I have no idea why they weren't in sync though!

There was a problem with WPDE HD broadcast. I emailed Mr. Huggins. He had requested to be notified with problems.

Anyone in Florence/Myrtle Beach DMA getting FOX in HD?

Extreme Home Makeover was all screwed up in HD and the audio was not there either. The screen kept resizing from 4:3 to shadowbox and never trying to go to 16:9 at all. Of course this is the only HD channel I know of that is provided in 480i instead of 720 or 1080. Must have been a garage sale at a real station where wpde stopped by and picked up what was good dt equipment many moons ago. OK I am blonde and maybe I am wrong about this but it is how I see it but if I am wrong tell me as I am a big girl and I can take it and maybe I will learn from it. I don't try to be stupid it is just a haze that bleach will put you in at times LOL

Should we be getting FOx HD? I hope before tomorrow night! GO SOX

We are not getting Fox HD in Myrtle/Florence area as WFXB doesnt have HD and thus doesn't have a contract with TWC and it prob ably will be a long time. ABC HD is breaking up just like last night. Makes watching Benefactor and MNF impossible in HD. Really really sucks!!! It is a station issue also not a TWC issue as you can see WPDEs equipment resize to a green computer type screen in between breaking up over and over again and loss of audio. Maybe WPDE should buy some real 720 or 1080 HD equipment instead of early 90s 480 stuff.

What made you guys think we were going to get Fox HD??

Originally posted by mb2foruaolcom
What made you guys think we were going to get Fox HD??

I just happened to ask a question, "is anyone getting FOX in HD?"

I was hoping that someone was getting it via OTA from Columbia, I guess not yet.

I would hate to buy a LG 4200 just to find out FOX from Columbia was unreceiveable.

Originally posted by FloCobra
I just happened to ask a question, "is anyone getting FOX in HD?"



WTAT out of Charleston is a Sinclair Broadcasting station. They want a nationwide contract for all of their 56 stations. Don't count on it any time soon.


Originally posted by FloCobra
I was hoping that someone was getting it via OTA from Columbia, I guess not yet.



Do you see any antennas in the Myrtle Beach area?


Originally posted by FloCobra
I would hate to buy a LG 4200 just to find out FOX from Columbia was unreceiveable.

It is unreceivable.

mb2foruaolcom, Is WPDE still breaking up on you?
It's ok in Florence for the football game tonight off the antenna, (after 9 pm anyway). There were problems earlier in the afternoon, but it seems ok now. (But in an HD national feed).
It would be interesting to see if everyone has the problems at the same time.

The football game was great and didn't break up at all, was awesome it was so crisp looking. The benefactor was breaking up every 15 seconds and as soon as football came on the feed was solid for the entire game.

I doubt that anyone in florence will be able to pick up any fox (or any other) HD feed from columbia or charleston via an antenna as the HD DT Tx power levels are normally very low power as far as radiated fresnel zones(don't know how to spell it as hubby told me the word) for their FCC license allows them coverage. Example would be channel 13 CBS florence feed cannot be seen in Myrtle OTA as the RF carrier doesn't even register on a spectrum analyzer off a 200 foot tower in Myrtle so a person at home in Myrtle would have no chance of OTA CBS from florence and the same would be true for other city to city coverage as the FCC is trying to prevent intermod between services in the new digital world as unlike in the analog world if intermod occured you at least still had a picture to watch as in if channel 15 in Harrisburg PA would intermod with channel 15 in Florence you still could watch your program. In the digital world that would not be true as significant bit error rate due to intermod would cause total loss of signal. FCC has learned a lot from analog license approvals that should never have occured and the problems encountered from such lack of actual engineering study being done before approval. Good example of FCC failing to follow their own rules was in licensing channels 15 and 21 in same market(and transmitted from same TX tower no less!!) and the engineers from both FCC and the station could not understand why there were many problems for receivers. Take out the calculators and do the math and you will see why that should never occur and even an engineer at the FCC many moons ago knew that as if you dig through all the FCC guidelines for best practices you will find channel offsets that should never be licensed but the FCC signs off on applications after their own engineers years earlier said it should not. But of course it is the goverment and just like congress has no problem spending money they don't have in the bank the FCC doesn't read their own guidelines either. The more I learn about these things I just sit stunned that anything works.

I am 59.7 miles from the Elgin towers over in Columbia. Last winter, I purchased an USHDTV box from Walmart and received several HD Columbia stations. I since retuned it. But I am thinking that FOX was not one of them, since its not in the Elgin tower cluster, but a little farther over.

But with the antennas I have now, via analog OTA, I can get all the stations in Columbia, Florence, Myrtle Beach, two in Wilmington, the one in Pembroke, the one in Fayetteville, and one Charlotte station.

You can't get WBTW in Myrtle Beach, WOW!

Time Warner Cable is pleased to announce the addition of WCIV HD on Channel 815 as of 5pm today. Catch "Monday Night Football," "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" all in High Definition. A HD TV and HD Converter are required to receive HD Channels on Time Warner Digital Cable.

The channel will be on the following lineups:

Summerville/N Charleston
Hemingway
Georgetown
Andrews
Kingstree

Enjoy!

I traded in my SA 3100HD TWCSC cable box for a 3250HD. Wow, what a difference. The analog audio is converted to digital. I used to switch the reciever from Digital to Analog when I tuned in to the analog channels. The stations change faster now. The box is smaller and less hot. I like the ability to upconvert and change the aspect ratios. Thanks Time Warner Cable. I don't watch enough TV to spend on a SA 8000 with DVR.

did you use the DVI output on the 3250? we went to get a box with dvi output and csr didnt know they had them so we didnt get one. if you tried the DVI out how much better is it than the rgb out?

My only choice is Component video. I use a front video projector without DVI inputs. The PQ is better than the 3100.

Couple of General Announcements -

Remember the time changes this Sunday morning. We have a high level of confidence that all the DVR bugs associated with time changes have been resolved, but for my piece of mind, please check your scheduled recordings on Sunday to make sure they are listed at the correct times.


Newest announced time frame for the DVI activation on the SA8000HD is 1st Quarter 2005 - I don't know if that means early in January or late in March. Certainly I will keep you abreast of additional information as it become available on this issue.


Have a fun and safe Halloween!

WPDE-DT is off tonight, so there's no HD Monday Night Football, UGH!
If anyone's receiving it, please post, 'cause I can't get it OTA.

Coming thru fine here on Time Warner.

Monday Night Football looks clear. Vikings and Colts on tap for next week.

Had MNF here fine and was a great game if you are a Jets fan LOL or bet on the game like we did. Picture quality from the Giants stadium was very good considering the lighting conditions in that stadium. Some stadiums have much better picture quality depending on the type lighting and the color scheme in the stadium. Next weeks game in Indy should provide good type setting also. Used to be any game broadcast from the Vet in Philly was so dull and dingy from the dull colors and turf faded with terrible lighting.

I posted this awhile back but wonder if this new announcement might shake things up.

Media General License Challenged
Read the full article at:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA477016.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP&&refPage=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA477016.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP&referral=SUPP


******************
Old Post
I called the General Manager at WBTW earlier today and asked him what were their plans. I told him how thrilled people are that WPDE HD has been added to the TWC lineup and hoped to see WBTW soon. I told him that I really hoped they are in negotiations with TWC or planned on starting them soon. He explained that it will be about a year before they would be added. WBTW is bound by a policy set by their parent company - Media General that states that they will wait to be added until all their tv stations are ready to be added. He said that negotiations have to include all the things pertinent to all their television stations. If the Florence Morning News was not owned by the same company, I would suggest that we speak to them about running a story on the HD capabilities in our area. There is probably alot more info to the issue but I only spoke to him for a few moments and did not ask alot of details. He was nice but held firm to the policy.

WJPM Digital channel 45 SC ETV is up and running in Florence, if anyone's interested.

Did we get a new SARA update? I have noticed for the last few days that when I change channels on the upper digital or HD channels that it is taking much longer. The screen goes black much longer then the video on the new channel shows.

Haven't heard about anything for the 8000 series - I'll check with the engineers in the morning.

Thanks Diana

Good Morning,

Updated listing of NBA Games available on HD Special Events Channel 813 is now available -

http://www.twcsc.com/HDTV_NBA2004.htm

Enjoy!

gail2magic,

No updates to the DVRs to result in that issue. Engineers suggest you do a manual re-boot. If it persists after that, they will take a look at your diagnostics and see if they can identify an issue. Let me know.

I had already done a manual reboot but did it again..same problem. A TWCSC tech came yesterday because of poor reception on some of the channels. He adjusted the signal since it was too high. I did ask him about the slow showing of any picture when I change the upper channels. He said that was normal. There really has been a big difference recently. Until recently, there was just a flicker of black as I would change channels. Now I have to wait and then video shows. Would appreciate any help.

Thank you Diana

Did I mention that the Special Events channel 813 doesn't come up anymore? When I tune 8 1 3 it says that I have to call to subscribe to it.

I was about ready to spring for a new Panasonic or Sony plasma but after reading this thread and the one about the SA8000HD I'm beginning to have doubts whether now is the right time.

We are very happy with our TWC digital service here in Murrells Inlet and the SA8000 DVR works great. We want something better, not problems.

Is the SA8000HD as bad as people make it out to be? I don't want to make a hobby out of trying to make the blasted thing work. I just want to be able to watch and record HDTV.

What do you think?

I feel that my SA8000 HD DVR is very much worth the upgrade. I wish I had more channels but I know that is coming. Have been very pleased with my Sony 30" HDTV (KV-30HS420). You mentioned Plasma so you are wanting a much larger tv than I wanted.
I am also a member of a yahoo group for the SA8000 DVR and SA8000 HD. From reading the posts there, I have come to realize that TWCSC is very much ahead most areas of the United States. We seem to get the updates much faster and they are much more stable. I am very pleased with Time Warner. I have had some issues and will probably continue to have some hehehe but I am *quite picky* and am the first to admit that. It is part of my personality that I will keep asking until all things are working exactly the way they should. Thanks Diana for always being here to help.

I certainly appreciate your insight, gail2magic. I'm leaning toward giving it a shot after I find the right plasma TV.

Thanks again.

gail2magic, are there functions of the SA8000HD DVR that have yet to be activated in SC? I can't get through to a tech in Columbia and the sales reps are not that knowledgeable about technical issues. I am told S Video is not functional. Anything else? What audio choices are there?

This topic is not very active today. I guess that's a good sign that most people have no problems?

I wound up buying the Panny PT-50LC14 LCD rear projection TV and went to my local TWC office and swapped my SA8000 DVR for a SA8300HD DVR. Of course, I was given printed material for the 8000 which didn't help.

Bottom line: Analogs look like crap but digital and HD channels look great. Before I moved from Surfside I had DirecTV in one room with the works and TWC analog on every TV in the house. To simplify the move we got rid of DirecTV and got a great TWC package. TWC is OK but I really miss my NFL package on DirecTV as well as the ALL digital signal.

BPEAR1600

PM me your address and I'll send you the correct manual. Also, if you remember the name of the person at the counter, I'll make sure they receive education on the issue.

Sorry for the inconvenience,

Thanks for the offer, Diana, but I downloaded what I needed from the Scientific Atlanta web site and printed it out. I'm good now. The problem was not recognizing I had the 8300HD DVR when I was reading the 8000 setup instructions which are a little different.

The girl at the counter was fine. No need to educate; just a simple mistake I should probably have not shared in this forum.

It's all good.

Good Morning - Please note this does not impact any HD channels, so I hope its not too great an imposition, but I did want to get this information out for customer reference. Please forgive!

Due to a satellite failure, the following channels are temporarily unavailable: Lifetime Movie Ch, G4TechTV, Biography, History International, Jewelry TV, FUSE, CNBC World, Tennis Ch, Family Net, Canal Sur, PUMA, Cine Latino, IFC, Adult PPV. Service will resume asap.

BPEAR
Am not really sure which features are not activated on the 8000. I am using the 8000 so not sure about the changes on the 8300 either. Perhaps Diana will tell us sometime.
Hope you are enjoying your purchase and the new 8300.

There is a good discussion on the activated features going on in the Columbia Thread - they can probably provide you better details than I.

Just found out - IN HD 1 & IN HD 2 were on the satellite that went down - the engineers are working to restore that feed right now, so it shouldn't be too very much longer!

Sorry - my bad, I checked the other SD feeds from In Demand on that bird, but had a brain freeze that IN HD 1 & 2 are also In Demand product, plus I'm at work with SD, so I couldn't check it anyway....

We were just watching that old Greystroke Tarzan movie and lost the signal twice. When the picture and sound didn't come back after a minute or so I flipped on the guide, chose the next highest channel and then selected Tarzan again and it came back. The same thing happened at 5:45; I did the same thing and got the same result.

Why am I losing the signal? Is it the box or the station?

Nobody has any idea of why I lose the signal from time to time?

Here's another glitch that happened last night. I switched from 810 to 26 and got picture but no sound. I went to 25 and 27 and still no sound. I went to guide and selected 26 and got sound.

Are these software related issues concerning the SA8300HD? If I call Tech support will I get somebody in Columbia or Canada?

Any possible new HD channel additions for the Florence Myrtle Beach area that you can discuss? I am still using the SA 8000HD. I don't think Florence has the 8300 yet. I spoke to TW customer service and they said that Florence does not have them yet. I read on the Columbia board that there are some negotiations but not sure that would affect us.

In all seriousness - I don't know about new HD channels until it happens - I really don't have any sort of inside information.

The 8300s are being distributed throughout the Division now. In all probability the Florence location simply hasn't run out of 8000s yet, that's why none of the 8300s have been delivered to that location. Here's the gist of how it works - a certain number of each general type of converter (Digital Basic, DVR, HD DVR) will be delivered to a front counter location on a regular schedule. Unless its a converter model we no longer want to give out at all, the rule is to fill the days order with existing models (in this instance the 8000) and then if there are not enough of those to fill the day's order, then you reach the quota with the newer models.

Makes total sense on the availability thanks.
As for the future channels, I don't think I worded my question well. I really did not expect you to give out info that is not available yet...was just wondering since you mentioned raycom negotiations on the Columbia board if perhaps there were some you could mention to us....no problem. They will be added when available..got it :)

sorry - I misunderstood.

Current status to my best knowledge.

Raycom FOX in Columbia - Corporate Negotiations
Sinclaire FOX and UPN in Charleston - Corporate Negotiations
ESPN2HD - Corporate Negotiations
Universal HD (formerly Bravo HD) - Corporate Negotiations
FMB FOX and CBS - local negotiations

Thanks

Diana,

What can you tell me about Time Warner Digital phone service?
Since I have broadcast cable and high speed internet, is it $39.95 or $44.95 per month?

Does the unlimited long distance include Canada?

I know it connects to the existing phone jacks, but do they rewire them outside at the cablebox or do they use the existing Bellsouth lines?

What is the total cost, since its $39.95 plus tax plus fees?

Do they add the "FCC authorized charge for network access" or "Federal, Intrastate, Local Universal Service Charges"?

Bellsouth is costing me $26.51 per month with tax without long distance.

FloCobra - how's this for starter's

DP includes all local and long distance calls

$44.95

Long Distance includes Canada

They replace your existing cable modem with a new moduem that includes a port for HSD and one for DP.

There are taxes and fees included the one's you have listed. Total amount escapes me at the moment, but I can get that for you tomorrow.

Our newly revamped web site has more detail on other items included
www.twcsc.com

Earthlink is offering a similar service for $29.95.
Can we get it thru Time Warner Cable since their broadband is available thru TWCSC?

No we don't have Earthlink VOIP service to offer.

Total Taxes and Fees with our service run between $6 to $7 dollars per month.

I recorded Desperate housewives last night on my 8300HD so I could watch the football game.

During playback one segment of the show in between commercials was in 4:3 rather than 16:9. The next segment went back to 16:9. What gives? Is this the station or the 8300HD?

I think the entire show last week was in 4:3 and I recall the show LOST being 4:3 some weeks and 16:9 others. It is not me doing this.

Is it the station?

Originally posted by bpear1600
I recorded Desperate housewives last night on my 8300HD so I could watch the football game.

During playback one segment of the show in between commercials was in 4:3 rather than 16:9. The next segment went back to 16:9. What gives? Is this the station or the 8300HD?

I think the entire show last week was in 4:3 and I recall the show LOST being 4:3 some weeks and 16:9 others. It is not me doing this.

Is it the station?

People on another thread relating to the 8300HD said this is a common issue whether the feed is coming OTA or from TWC. It is the fault of the station and it is recommended to call the station ever occurrence. It only happens to me on ABC's WPDE. If you can't reach an engineer ask for the News Dept. They will pass the info along.

I took the plunge. I ordered a LG LST-4200a OTA and QAM set top box. I returned the TWC SA 3250 today. I hope they get my bill right.

I will give an update soon on how a aftermarket STB works with time warner cable.

Why spend $300 on a box when TWC rents it for $10?
Answer: CBS in HD for NFL playoffs.

No Fox or CBS in HD via TWC.

Go Colts!

I should get WBTW easily from here.

Are you in Myrtle Beach? You don't list your location in your profile. We get CBS HD here and next to no OTA.

Not on subject but we were watching Chasing Liberty live on one of those INHD channels last night and at 10:30 PM the screen went to gray. Monkeying around with stop, go and reverse we got the movie back but it went off again in a few minutes. this time we had to go to Guide, select another channel, go to Guide and go back to the movie in order to get the movie back.

This has happened a couple of times before, always toward the end of a movie and usually on the hour or half hour. Is this common and is there a technical name for this?

I'm asking you since you live pretty near us. Thanks.

bpear1600,

Is it always INHD 1 or 2? I would like to forward as much information as possible to my engineers on this issue.

thanks,

Originally posted by Gary J
Are you in Myrtle Beach? You don't list your location in your profile. We get CBS HD here and next to no OTA.

I am in Florence, SC. The major networks TWC provides in ABC from Florence and NBC from Columbia. CBS is only available via OTA at this time. Pawley's Island must be on the Charleston DMA to get CBS via cable. I can only hope I can pull in FOX HD somehow, right now it doesn't look possible. The NFC playoffs will be on FOX, but the NFC don't have many competitors.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
bpear1600,

Is it always INHD 1 or 2? I would like to forward as much information as possible to my engineers on this issue.

thanks,

I'm not sure, Diana, but I think it has always been on one of those two or the HDMV, or whatever it's called, channel. It has alway happened on the hour or half hour toward the end.

Thanks for your help.
Bob

Originally posted by FloCobra
I am in Florence, SC. The major networks TWC provides in ABC from Florence and NBC from Columbia. CBS is only available via OTA at this time. Pawley's Island must be on the Charleston DMA to get CBS via cable. I can only hope I can pull in FOX HD somehow, right now it doesn't look possible. The NFC playoffs will be on FOX, but the NFC don't have many competitors.
Pawley's Island is in the Charleston DMA but Myrtle Beach gets CBS also.

Originally posted by bpear1600
Not on subject but we were watching Chasing Liberty live on one of those INHD channels last night and at 10:30 PM the screen went to gray. Monkeying around with stop, go and reverse we got the movie back but it went off again in a few minutes. this time we had to go to Guide, select another channel, go to Guide and go back to the movie in order to get the movie back.

This has happened a couple of times before, always toward the end of a movie and usually on the hour or half hour. Is this common and is there a technical name for this?

I'm asking you since you live pretty near us. Thanks.
I think it was probably a temporary signal loss. It happens from time to time on various channels. The technical name is FUBAR.

I don't think Myrtle Beach gets CBS via TWCSC.

Anyone?

Originally posted by bpear1600
I'm not sure, Diana, but I think it has always been on one of those two or the HDMV, or whatever it's called, channel. It has alway happened on the hour or half hour toward the end.

Thanks for your help.
Bob

Thanks - I'll let the Engineers know it is happening on HD Tier Channels on the hour / half-hour.

Happy Holidays,

Originally posted by Gary J
Pawley's Island is in the Charleston DMA but Myrtle Beach gets CBS also.

Not all of Myrtle Beach gets the CBS affiliate out of the Charleston DMA. Its tricky, but there is a dividing line between the two halfs of the Myrtle Beach system with FMB DMA HD Affiliates on the North End and Charleston DMA HD Affliliates on the South End. FMB has ABC and NBC. Charleston has ABC and CBS.

No one has FOX, UPN or WB at this point.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
Not all of Myrtle Beach gets the CBS affiliate out of the Charleston DMA. Its tricky, but there is a dividing line between the two halfs of the Myrtle Beach system with FMB DMA HD Affiliates on the North End and Charleston DMA HD Affliliates on the South End. FMB has ABC and NBC. Charleston has ABC and CBS.

No one has FOX, UPN or WB at this point.
To make it even trickier, I get ABC, NBC and CBS. Everything but UPN, WB and the Super Bowl channel.

Your absolutely right, my bad, since WIS has significant viewed status throughout the Grand Strand, The South Strand does get NBC, but not the Summerville system in the Charleston DMA. So its another 'twist' to the whole DMA issue we have to deal with along the coast.

See what happens when you try to get into vacation mode, while still trying to work - it messes with your head.

I am leaving for Texas tomorrow very early and do have to finish packing etc tonight, so I don't know if I will have a chance to help out with anything more until next Tuesday.

If you do have an emergency between now and then, please call Customer Service at 866-892-7201.

Happy Holidays!

FloCobra, I am in Florence and a lot of nights I get Charleston CBS, and PBS, (digital channels 47 and 49, with channel 47 remapping to 5).

When you get situated, try pointing southish and see what you get.

They are both full power, unlike the CBS and PBS here, so they should be usable overnight on frequent nights, if you're interested (CBS has different shows till primetime and in the morning.)

The ABC from Charleston comes in at times, and with the antenna pointed northward for the Florence stations, sometimes 51 from Greensboro comes in.
The furthest I've gotten is about 400 miles from Orlando, but thats just a fluke. This is with a Zenith silver sensor indoors pointed out the window, so you likely will do better with something outdoors.
Good luck!

Is the signal strength for WBTW-DT lower during the last few days?
Mine sure is.
Is it just me or does anyone else see it?

As 2004 draws to a close,
Florence took some significant steps toward a HD viewing experience. Time Warner cables added NBC via WIS-DT, ABC via WPDE-DT, TNT-HD and ESPN-HD to our cable lineups. CBS via WBTW-DT is full power OTA. We still need a FOX affiliate to have a decent HD line up.

I look forward for 2005 to be a year of continued HD growth and improvements including WFXB in HD, ESPN2 in HD, and WBTW in HD via Time Warner.

I want to thank Diana Smith for her professional and continued support of this forum on local TWC issues.

I want to thank Billy Huggins, the Vice President and General Manager for WPDE, our ABC affiliate in Florence, for signing a deal with TWC to carry WPDE-DT.

I want to thank Gail for our budding friendship.

I want to invite Scott Burns to come back and post some new insights.

I hope others in Florence will take the HDTV leap and find these forums, people don't know what they are missing.

I leave these helpful links:
http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp
http://www.antennaweb.org
http://www.titantv.com/TTV/Grid/Grid.aspx
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/categories.cfm?catid=18

Is anyone getting WPDE in HD for the Tournament of Roses parade? It was supposed to be in HD.

Originally posted by Gary J
Is anyone getting WPDE in HD for the Tournament of Roses parade? It was supposed to be in HD.

It was live in HD on 845.

I received my LG LST-4200a HDTV receiver. I hooked it up to my Time Warner cable. The box remaps the station channels. I am receiving the following channels via QAM:

301-340 as 100-50 - 100-90 Digital Music Choice
800 as 100-1 HDTV-SCETV
801 as 82-19 ETV digital multiplex
802 as 82-21 South Carolina Channel
805 as 118-26 HDTV - NBC WIS
806 as 118-38 WIS Doppler Radar
815 as 100-4 HDTV-WPDE ABC
840 as 118-37 TNT HD
845 as 107-17 Discovery HD Theater

I receive all of the HD stations I got with the TWC SA 3250HD. No on demand or other two-way stations of course.

If you want to find out if you will receive one additional channel, a major network that we shouldn't get in the Florence DMA. You will have to buy the 4200a yourself :cool:

Flo Cobra,

Thanks for the invitation. I haven't logged on to these forums in months. I got caught up in other issues in my life and have not scratched the HD bug in a while. I have a 14 month old son and my wife is pregnant with triplets. I work 200+ hours a month, so I have been pretty busy.

I really don't have any new insights. i have been happy with my OTA setup. i still use Dish Network. i get all the OTA networks either from Florence or Columbia.

I think I was the first in Florence with an HDTV. I got mine around Feb 2000 i think? I know I was the first to post on these forums when Dish released their OTA card. I remember when the only HD channel available in Florence was WRLK-DT out of Columbia. I recieved it sporadically with a 7' parabolic dish mounted 20 feet above my roofline. I wish I still had a photo.

Thinks have come a long way and I guess my passions shifted over time. One thing that has immensely improved is TW cable. They were so resistant to HD early on. They must have thought I was crazy. I also drove management at WBTW crazy when they were digital SD only.

I am glad that the widespread adoption of HD by consumers has driven the marketplace and given so guys so many options.

I am going to take the time to try and read this thread and catch up.

How did it get renamed Myrtle Beach? It was originally started as a Florence/ MB thread. Infact, our local stations broadcast from Dillon.

Scott

Wow. I just read the whole thread. Diana from TW is amazingly helpful. I never thought we would see this level of HD support from a cable company. Perhaps I should rethink my long term commitment to swear off cable. Over the years I had so many bad experiences w/ TW that I switched to Dish and never looked back. Looks like they have made significant improvements.

When I get home I am going to try some channel scans. I haven't looked in months. I did not know that WPDE was doing HD now. I got so used to watching WOLO-DT that I didn;t even bother to check. I also will look for WJPM-DT. I never thought Florence would see that.

So I guess Neilsen decided that MB was more important than Florence. i doubt they have ever visited that overrated tourist trap :) I much prefer the Waccamaw neck/ Winyah bay area.

Scott

Thanks Scott - and I have a great Dish Buy Back deal with your name on it!

If you want more info, just email me at twcscnews@twcable.com

If not, no hard feelings - welcome back and good luck with the triplets!

Diana,

Thanks for the invitation. When TWC carries Fox digital and CBS digital I will consider switching. I currently have Dish top 150 with HD package and Bellsouth DSL. I would probably save money with TW HD and Road Runner. I dont want to complicate my setup though. I still would need my antenna and Dish box for OTA. My Dish 6000 also will not function as an OTA reciever without a satelite signal. So, until I could take down my dish and antenna and get all the local HDTV I am going to hold out.

Scott

Also,

most of you probably don't remember this, but Dish had HBO and Showtime HD the day they first launched back in 2000, years before TWC. THey added Discovery HD only a few weeeks after its launch. So I do feel a little obligation to Dish since they were on the cutting edge long before TW even thought of offering HDTV.

Scott

No worries, TWC will be ready when you are - and we'll save you a ton of money with Digital Phone with our new VIP (Video Internet Phone) package as well!

We are doing everything we can to resolve FOX HD prior to the Super Bowl, but based upon information Gail provided several pages back in the thread, it appears the CBS corporate office has put us on the back burner with their national plans.

Anyone else having problems with INHD1 (Channel 940) and INHD2 (Channel 941)?

It has been off alot here lately. Just spoke with TWC and they are sending out a tech. They said it is working fine there and must just be me but am getting everything else fine.

They just recently replaced the SA8000 box with another one due to hard disk error. Have had some problems with those two channels before the replacement and again today. Was out all day three times in the last few weeks. Off again today. Each time TWC said they do not see a problem there....very odd.

Gail

*** Overlooked your post earlier FloCobra. Happy New Year to you too. Thanks again for all the help you gave me.

Gail,

In future, please email me when you see an outage and I'll call the headend - much faster for VIP HD customers such as you guys.

Thanks,

Thanks

Originally posted by Nottacky
Is the signal strength for WBTW-DT lower during the last few days?
Mine sure is.
Is it just me or does anyone else see it?

WBTW-DT has a lower signal strength for me compared to WPDE-DT and WWMB-DT.

Originally posted by Nottacky
FloCobra, I am in Florence and a lot of nights I get Charleston CBS, and PBS, (digital channels 47 and 49, with channel 47 remapping to 5).

When you get situated, try pointing southish and see what you get.

They are both full power, unlike the CBS and PBS here, so they should be usable overnight on frequent nights, if you're interested (CBS has different shows till primetime and in the morning.)

The ABC from Charleston comes in at times, and with the antenna pointed northward for the Florence stations, sometimes 51 from Greensboro comes in.
The furthest I've gotten is about 400 miles from Orlando, but thats just a fluke. This is with a Zenith silver sensor indoors pointed out the window, so you likely will do better with something outdoors.
Good luck!

I am in Florence and with an antenna I am having no luck getting either Charleston, Charlotte, or Wilmington. Full signal for Florence. I can receive as a backup WIS, WOLO and probably WLTX(one repaired) from Columbia.

My current DTV channels:
ABC: WPDE channel 100-4 via TWC.
CBS: WBTW channel 13-1 via OTA.
NBC: WIS channel 118-26 via TWC.
FOX: none.
PBS: 100-1 via TWC.
UPN: WWMB channel 21-1 via OTA.
TNT: 118-37 via TWC.
DiscoveryHD 107-17 via TWC.

I hope to solve my FOX reception with some careful pointing at Charleston. Since WFXB and WACH seem to be out of the question.

FloCobra,

Fox comes in like gangbusters here in Florence for everybody I have set up. WACH 48 out of Columbia. You shouldn't have any problems with a decent outdoor UHF antenna and preamp.

Superbowl coming soon. We need to get you up and running. Tell me your setup and approximate location (neighborhood) here in town and I will give you some tips. I have been the local HDTV OTA reception guru for quite some time.

Been DX'ing HDTV since Feb 2000, just not too much in the last few months.

Scott

Hey Doc-
Good to see you here..Thought you had went to the big ER in the sky..
Best Wishes!

Originally posted by Scott Burns
FloCobra,

Fox comes in like gangbusters here in Florence for everybody I have set up. WACH 48 out of Columbia. You shouldn't have any problems with a decent outdoor UHF antenna and preamp.



Well I am game, lets give it a try!

Originally posted by Scott Burns

Tell me your setup and approximate location (neighborhood) here in town and I will give you some tips.

I live at aproximately 34.1518 latitude and -79.7161 longitude. :)
My data for Fox is:
WACH-DT, FOX, 48 (57) 275.4° 59.99 mi 520 kW 1522 ft
I am 3 miles SE of Carolina's hospital in a subdivision off of Claussen Road.

My antenna is a Winegard 9095HF that I bought from J&M Supply.
I have installed it in an attic on a radio shack attic mount.
I am using RG-6, the run is less than 60'.

Why the attic? Because my homeowner association only allows for one outside visible telecommunication device. I already have an 1m satellite mounted for my children's education.

With approval, I could possibly mount it behind my room line, as long as it is not visible from the road. The road is on the west side of my house/installation. So I figured 1/2 a house, ie in the attic is better than a full house ie behind the house, for reception for the antenna and the towers in Columbia.

I have a ashphalt shingled roof with wooden trusses, no metal to try and penetrate. There is a equally heighted house 100' across the street in line of sight of Columbia. So I try to angle the antenna appoximately 10 degrees.

I can receive NBC, CBS, PBS and ABC(via my VHF) all with good signal. But the Fox signal is too low.

I was thinking that the 60' run of coax would eliminate the need of a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp. Am I wrong?

Any thoughts?

Bob,

I wasn't dead. I was just hibernating!!!!!! BTW, I think I still owe you a carrott cake from about 2 years ago!. Great to hear from you. just been busy. The thought of TRIPLETS ought to scare the **** out of anyone.

Flocobra,

A few things. Question, do you get any trace of picture on WACH 57 analog? Fine tune your antenna position for 57 analog then scan for 48. If you get a weak signal on 57 but it is watchable, then we can get 48. (If it bleeds we can kill it - Arnold)

The 9095 looks great on paper. I bought 2 back in 2000. Real life results are very marginal with that antenna. Best UHF antenna for the money is the CM4248. I am currently using an "aerial" out of England. Forget the brand.

Preamp is key. Consider that with digital, the tuner needs enough signal to noise ratio to determine 1 and 0's. A slight increase in signal makes all the difference. If you can see a fuzzy 57, then I would try the preamp first. Otherwise change the antenna.

BTW, line of sight to Charleston is further than Columbia. Columbia is much more reliable. Although I get 5-1 and 4-1 almost all the time, if you can't get WACH 48, then you can give hope for Fox digital up I believe.

I still recommend the Channel Master Titan 7777 preamp. Probably can find it at www.consumer-direct.com or www.starkelectronic.com

Next, if adding the preamp and changing antennas doesn't work, then you need to go to a roof mount. It is ILLEGAL for your homeowners association to restrict any reception device within 12 feet of your roofline. Check out www.fcc.gov

Let me know.

SCott

Check out http://www.starkelectronic.com/titan.htm

Also http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

Having been in the goverenvce of a condo for several years it can be illegal for an outside antenna/dish. You must be able to mount it in an exclusive use area.

That would mean if oyu have a porch you could mount it there but if you live in a condo building with several units the outside is most likely not exclusive use and "belongs" to the HOA/CSA but not to you directly. I f you go to the fcc site and put HOA in as a search yu will find the docs in question. We went through this and the dish had to come down. I don't agree with the rules but that is the fcc rules.

Next, if adding the preamp and changing antennas doesn't work, then you need to go to a roof mount. It is ILLEGAL for your homeowners association to restrict any reception device within 12 feet of your roofline. Check out www.fcc.gov

Let me know.

SCott [/B][/QUOTE]

Originally posted by Scott Burns
Bob,

I wasn't dead. I was just hibernating!!!!!! BTW, I think I still owe you a carrott cake from about 2 years ago!. Great to hear from you. just been busy. The thought of TRIPLETS ought to scare the **** out of anyone.


Congrats on the trips; When is the blessed event scheduled?

kjpjr,

I was assuming that he lived in a privately owned house. FloCobra, do you live in a house or condo?

Bruce,

Her EDC (Estimated date of confinment) assuming this were a singleton gestation would be 8/7/2005 (40 weeks LMP-last menstrual period). However, since triplets are always born premature and are also at a tremendously increased risk of morbidity and mortality, we will be really luck if we can get her to around July 3rd (35 weeks LMP). Average gestation for triplets is about 33 weeks. At 24 weeks, her womb will already be the size of a term (40 week) singleton gestation.

Scott

What does multipath look like? I can get 57 analog. But with 48-1, the signal fluctuates from 25% to 50%. I get a picture for a second, then it goes out. I get WIS clearly at 30%. The highest I get is about 50% from the Florence towers. Any more thoughts?

FloCobra? house or condo?

Multipath on an analog channel causes what is known as ghosting. The electron beam in a CRT TV scans from left to right. The primary signal (that which arrives first and is usually the strongest) takes a direct path and traced onto the screen first. The ghost(s) are secondary signals that arrive slightly behind (few milliseconds) the primary signal. They tend to be weaker and are traced slightly to the right of the primary signal.

Hence it looks like a ghost (or shadow) to the right of the main image. In audio this would be perceived as an echo. In video, multipath causes ghosts. The latencies are much less with video and your ear will not percieve echo even if you see ghosts.

SCott

FloCobra,

So you do get 57 analog! Is it clear or fuzzy?. If it is clear, then you tuner is having diffficulty staying synced with the digital signal. If it is fuzzy, then your tuner may not be getting enough signal to noise ratio to properly decode.

I would get the Titan 7777. Make sure you have an uninterrupted run of RG6 Quad Shielded coax between the antenna, preamp, power injector, and TV. If that doesn' fix the problem, then I would spring for the CM 4248 antenna. Might consider a rotor to help fine tune your reception.

If these remedies fail, then you will be forced to the roof. If you own your home, then you are well within your legal right to put an antenna up there. A Cm4248 on a tripod mount is not obtrusive in my opinion, but I am the guy that had a 7' parabolic dish on a 20 foot pole with guidewires!

SCott

Hello Dr. Burns,

I receive channel 57 fuzzy. The picture has diagonal whites lines running across it. I receive 19, 25, and the other analog columbia stations very well. I receive 10-1, Wis very clear, full strength. WLTX is analog only right now. So I can't describe that digital channel. WACH is about 25-75% with a flicker of picture when the signal strength jumps above 50%.

I live in a house. So I move the attic mount to the other side of the house, a move of about 40'. The same results. Then I move the antenna outside at a height of about 4', same results. Then a height of about 10', same results. With about 45minute to an hour or tilting and paning the antenna while my son watches the signal strength and reports to me via walkie talkie at each new location. I was suprised that the signal from the ground was equal to the signal in the attic.

I will see if Lowes has the Titan 7777, so I can easily return it in case of lack of improvement. Stark and Solid has it for $49.

Lowes has the 3041dsb, Channel master's old design? I will try some more ideas next week.

Good Morning,

In reference to the previous rash of audio issues on HD. The offending M-QUAM has not done a spontaneous reboot in the Columbia Area since 7am on 1/7, so it appears to be stable. In addition, there hasn't been a reboot in the FMB Area since 1/4/05. If anyone see's this again, please let me know asap (PM with home phone so I can have Headend look at your converter)

Also, we discovered a Port that was going bad on the QUAM that provides IN HD 1 & 2 in Florence. That has been replaced now (thanks Gail). And, it did turn out to be an issue local to Florence.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
Good Morning,

In reference to the previous rash of audio issues on HD. The offending M-QUAM has not done a spontaneous reboot in the Columbia Area since 7am on 1/7, so it appears to be stable. In addition, there hasn't been a reboot in the FMB Area since 1/4/05. If anyone see's this again, please let me know asap (PM with home phone so I can have Headend look at your converter)

Also, we discovered a Port that was going bad on the QUAM that provides IN HD 1 & 2 in Florence. That has been replaced now (thanks Gail). And, it did turn out to be an issue local to Florence.

Everything is good on the coast, Diana. Thanks for your continued support.
Bob

Thanks Diana for getting this fixed. Appreciate all your help.

Just got this email from Fox. I sent them the bottom part earlier today and the top is what they sent back. Happened to see the ad he refers to that the Super Bowl and the 500 would be on TW in HD -- I will believe it when we see it!

Not a matter of "letting" it is about a $250,000 prospect for us just to pass the signal to around 100 sets that are really set up to receive it, then another nearly 3 million for full broadcast. Not a penny of your cable fees come to broadcast.

But watch WFXB FOX43's coverage of the football game tonight and check out the announcement, then call Time Warner Monday.

Dave

At 12:28 AM 1/15/2005, you wrote:

Why won't you let TW show your HD signal on the cable systems? My wife and I are not watching your station until you do.

David Carfolite
david@carfolite.com
VP & General Manager
WFXB FOX43 Myrtle Beach
http://www.wfxb.com
843.828.4300 x230
fax 843.828.4343
WFXB FOX43 Florence
843.664.2858
fax 843.664.2843

So they are talking just these two events and not the full schedule? And I bet there are thousands of HDTV sets in this area.

When a broadcaster hast to worry about 1/4 million to 3 millions dollars, there is something wrong. Is someone misappropriating funds? Advertising in that market should produce enough to broadcast in HD and SD both. It is Myrtle Beach, a major tourist desination, isn't it? I know of two people who would be willing to buy out the television station. If you cant run it, then give it up.

If Time Warner get WFXB in HD on the air for the Super Bowl, then I will be very happy. But the history of that station provides little hope.

Game over, Falcon's destroy the Rams. A pro team beats a semi-pro team. All brought to us via SD.

I saw the commercial too. It had "WFXB HD coming soon to Time Warner Cable" printed across the screen. It was repeated twice more during halftime.

That sounds like good news.

Diana,

Any updates on FOX on TWC? Now that WFXB let the news out, any ETA?

I will post as soon as I have definitive word.

As I've said before (sorry, Diana - you're the only contact for those of us ranting) it is going to be extremely embarrassing for TWCSC not to have the Superbowl in HD. I really hope they nail this in the next few days.

They've already missed the playoffs for the most part, and I'm surprised your competitors aren't having a field day in the local markets with slogans like "Wanna see the Superbowl in HD? You can't do it with Time Warner Cable..."

Update: I was just informed by the Sales Manager at WFXB 43 in Myrtle Beach (Cathy Hunnicut) that FoxHD will be available on TWC and HTC by the Superbowl. She admitted she was not completely "in the know" but that was her current understanding...

Read back a few posts and you will see this was reported last week. It was even advertised on WFXB.

Did anyone catch the ad? I didn't see it during the Eagles/Falcons game nor had I caught it the week before. What was the ad specifically saying?

Again, read a few posts back. It had "WFXB HD coming soon to Time Warner Cable" printed across the screen. It was repeated twice more during halftime.

Originally posted by FloCobra
When a broadcaster hast to worry about 1/4 million to 3 millions dollars, there is something wrong. Is someone misappropriating funds? Advertising in that market should produce enough to broadcast in HD and SD both. It is Myrtle Beach, a major tourist desination, isn't it? I know of two people who would be willing to buy out the television station. If you cant run it, then give it up.

If Time Warner get WFXB in HD on the air for the Super Bowl, then I will be very happy. But the history of that station provides little hope.


The money a local station has to pay to go HD is a major expense and has a huge impacto to their operations and the fact that the areas demographics is impacted by a large amount of torists actually make that situation much worse for the station as the condos and time shares all these tourists stay in have far fewer video services than the people that live here do and HD sets in these units are almost nil. Just getting a Fox station in Myrtle Beach was a major deal back when it was the Wilmington station channel 26 WJKA I think was the Fox affiliate for the area and the local WGSE was bought by relatives of the Wilmington station to open a Fox station in this area but I think the extremely fierce ad sales market in Myrtle Beach has mad continued operations and budgets difficult at best. That can be seen in how WFXB had real dificulty in starting local news operations and gave up and then came back again after regrouping its efforts again. I would bet the lack of ad sales to drive revenue to pay for just the news wasnt there let alone undertake a major expense like transmitter and studio link upgrades to support HD. Myrtle Beach is extremely competitive market as tourism isnt as much a cash cow as a lot of people think it is.

Other than the previous post at bottom of page 18, has anyone written and heard back from David Carfolite on if this is true on WXFB-DT being on TWC soon? I emailed him, but got no response yet. The Superbowl is getting closer.

What happened to ABC on 815? I got a blank screen all last night and it's still blank today. TWC or the station?

WWMB-DT 21.1(20.1) started sending PSIP program listings guide data yesterday. WPDE-DT 15.1(16.1) was blank lastnight OTA today it's back on but appears to be having freezing/blocking problems every few seconds. My guess is their having problems with the new PSIP software.

WPDE came back on about five minutes after my post and appears OK. I'm watching the News now.

A friend has been pushing me to get Voom but I have been happy with TWC. I like the packaged savings with my Cable and Wireless Cable modem. Looks like they have been sold out http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000303028426/
Always wished we had more HD channels like Voom. Maybe some of the channels they carried will be available to cable not just the company that bought them out. Having HD just makes us want more lol.

While nothing has been set in stone now, conventional wisdom is that Echostar won't even use the new HD channels. Rather they will sacrifice them in favor of using the satellite for provding local into local as the FCC is requiring them to do.

There was an ad in the Sun News Kicks section yesterday that said the SB would be in HD on HTC cable systems channel 817 -- I think that is the one. Is TW going to be a part of this -- if so is it just for the SB or will it become full tie?

Somebody translate this one. What is SB and what is full tie?

Superbowl. Full time, I think.

Seriously, certainly someone at TWC can make a comment by now... It's like a week away. Do those ads on WFXB mean something for real or is it still up in the air?

Could care less about the HTC lawsuit (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA497763.html?display=Breaking+News), provided it doesn't interfere with TWC's ability to proceed.

Can anyone "official" comment on this yet? I'm afraid they going to troubleshoot the system during the game... If you can't comment (Diana), what on earth is holding up the final decision?

In the Matter of:
Horry Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
v.
GE Media, Inc., Licensee of WFXB


) )
) )
) )
)


ORDER
Adopted: January 26, 2005 Released: January 27, 2005
By the Deputy Chief, Policy Division, Media Bureau:


1. On January 18, 2005, Horry Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (“ HTC”) filed an Emergency Complaint pursuant to Section 325 of the Communications Act and Sections 76.64 and 76.65 of the
Commission’s rules alleging that GE Media, Inc. (“ GE Media”), licensee of television broadcast station WFXB (Myrtle Beach, SC), violated the prohibition on exclusive retransmission consent agreements as
well as the statutory obligation to negotiate in good faith for retransmission consent of WFXB’s digital television (“ DTV”) signal. 1 HTC alleged that GE Media has entered into a prohibited exclusive
retransmission consent agreement with a competing cable system for carriage of WFXB’s DTV signal. On January 24, 2005, HTC notified the Commission that it had reached agreement with GE Media on the
matters raised in HTC’s Complaint and requested withdrawal of the Complaint. 2
2. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the Emergency Complaint filed by Horry Telephone Cooperative, Inc. is dismissed.

I saw the same ad about it being on channel 807 on HTC. I didn't even realize WFXB was broadcasting HD. I wish we would hear something, so we could plan Superbowl parties accordingly.

This is the orginal article but it may be null now -- why doesn't TW have Fox in HD?

Cable Company Files HD Complaint
By Ted Hearn 1/19/2005 5:29:00 PM

A cable operator in South Carolina claimed that it won’t be able to show the Super Bowl in HD because the local Fox affiliate has signed an exclusive carriage agreement with Time Warner Cable.

Horry Telephone Cooperative Inc. recently filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission alleging that WFXB in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has violated federal rules by withholding the HD feed based on an exclusive deal with Time Warner.

Brent Groome, HTC’s chief executive of customer operations, said ads are running on WFXB trumpeting Time Warner’s exclusive HD rights to the Super Bowl and the Daytona 500.

“From an image-brand perspective, that’s a big deal for us,” he added.

Federal rules prohibit TV stations from signing exclusive retransmission-consent deals and require all parties to negotiate in good faith.

In an emergency complaint, HTC has accused WFXB (owned by GE Media Inc.) of violating both rules. According to a Jan. 19 public notice, the FCC wants WFXB’s response no later than Jan. 24 and HTC’s reply, if necessary, no later than Jan. 26.

Because the Super Bowl is Feb. 6, the FCC evidently wants to resolve the dispute quickly. “I am thankful for that,” Groome said.

WFXB spokesman David Carfolite did not return a reporter’s call. A Time Warner spokesman did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Groome explained that his cable company, with 35,000 subscribers, competes head-to-head with Time Warner in certain portions of the franchise area. Time Warner is totally deregulated in the market, meaning that it is subject to effective competition under federal law based on HTC’s overbuild penetration in excess of 15% of local households.

HTC carries WFXB in analog, meaning that the vast majority of its subscribers would be able to view the Super Bowl. But HTC customers who have invested in HDTV monitors would not get the game in HD.

“We feel that this is wrong,” Groome said. “Our customers don’t deserve this.”

However, HTC customers with HD tuners theoretically could see the game with antennas.

Currently WFXB is not broadcasting in HD. Installation of the necessary equipment to facilitate their broadcast in HD is going on this weekend. I do not know the impact this weekend's inclement weather will have/had on delivery of equipment and successful installation.

Upon completion of the installation and successful testing of the feed you will see an appropriate announcement from TWC, but until those steps take place there is nothing to announce.

Thanks for the update

Thanks Diana. This makes sense now.

That is some relevant information that makes sense. Thanks so much for the update. So now it looks like we'll just hope for a successful installation and that the testing goes well this week.

At least you know you have tons of beta testers ready to look at the feed once it's up.

:)

Diana,
I have a Time Warner cable question. The physician lounge at Caroliinas Hospital system has a Mitsubishi HDTV, but we have been watching SD cabel through the TV's tuner. I have been hounding administration about an HD digital cable box and they finally got us a SA2100 STANDARD DEFINITION box!!!!!! What specific model number do I need to tell thm to get and who in Florence should I refer our administrator to? Our TV has a DVI and Y,Pb,Pr input. We are trying o get this issue fixed in time for th superbowl. This TV has the potential to show off Time Warner HDTV to 100+ middle to upper income households!

Thanks,

Scott

Model 3250 - DVI is active - same price as the 2100. They should be available at the front counter in Florence, just take in the 2100 and switch it out.

I am sure his is in this thread, but someone please recap.

What channels do we get in HD through TWC free? and with the HD package?

Thanks
Scott

Free
800 - SCETV HD
805 - NBC HD
813 - HD Special Events Channel
815 - ABC HD
840 - TNT HD
845 - Discovery HD Theater

Technically there is no such thing as an HD Package

The HD Tier is $6.95 per month
930 - HD Net
931 - HD Net Movies
940 - IN HD 1
941 - IN HD 2
950 - ESPN HD

CBS too!

CBS is not available in Florence.

CBS from Charleston is available in Florence only via a legally available aftermarket box such as the LG LST-4200A. Check the HDTV hardware section on this forum. The TWC provided SA3250 will not tune it in. Ok so I spilled the beans about CBS.

how are you able to get it via the LG LST-4200A but not the regular twc boxes?

Spoke with the WBTW manager today (Channel 13). He had explained to me awhile back that it would be at least a year before they would be agreeing to TWC carrying their station. He said that their policy that Media General would not be releasing WBTW until all the Media General stations were up and running is still in place. All negotiations with TWC would be done at the same time.
All the talk about Fox had me confused since I was thinking incorrectly that the WFXB was also under the Media General umbrella since WBTW does their news. He said that WFXB is not Media General and that they just have a contract to do their news. He again made it clear that they will be broadcasting in full HD in 2006 and at that time they would be added to TWC. He said it might happen earlier but really did not think it would. He then made a point to tell me that Dish Network would be adding their HD soon.....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...lol. I made it clear that I was not interested in Dish Network and hoped that he could get Media General's act together and work with TWC.
Am looking forward to Fox being added and guess I will *patiently* wait for CBS to be added. Patience is not one of my strong suits lol. Am posting this in case anyone is frustrated with TWC adding CBS. It is certainly not TWC dragging their feet. I think our only hope for now is if WBTW gets sold due to the Media General problems. They are being pressured more lately due to the conflict of owning a local station and a local newspaper.

Originally posted by bransc
how are you able to get it via the LG LST-4200A but not the regular twc boxes?

A festivus miracle?

Very simple, TWCSC must be feeding CBS Charleston on the line and the TWC box is blocking it, while the LG box is receiving it.

The converter isn't blocking it, the Charleston CBS HD feed isn't carried on the Florence lineup. The HD Converter doesn't pick anything up over the air, it simply unscrambles signals distributed via the specific plant line up based upon the service codes placed on the account.

Is anyone receiving WFXB over cable? I got this message saying they are delivering it but darn if I see it on TWC. -

I’m sorry I was not able to respond to your email earlier, but there have been equipment hold ups and ice storms that placed our completion of this project by this weekend in jeopardy. I’m pleased to let you know the following;

WFXB is now and will be delivering HDTV to the Myrtle Beach/Florence marketplace via Time Warner Cable Digital Channel 820 , Horry Telephone Co-operative Digital Cable Channel 807 and soon over the air on Digital Channel WFXB DT 18.

The digital channels that the two cable systems have may require digital converter boxes and the subscription of digital tiers.

The over the air signal is not HDTV today as we are still awaiting certain parts from the manufacturer. We are not yet assured that these will be in place by the Super Bowl. However once installed antennas tuned to Channel 18 should be able to pick up the signal within a 10 mile radius of the Myrtle Beach International Airport.

Thanks for your patience, and I hope your team wins.

(I grew up in Philadelphia so GO EAGLES!)

Dave

I got the same email, but I am not at home to be able to check to see if I am getting this. This is great news though. All 4 networks in HD now!!!

WFXB really needs to speak with an engineer prior to sending emails.

Hopefully this afternoon, but remember guys this is not a promise - I've been doing this too long to do that. Its really not a done deal, until the engineers can get it on the air.

Well, don't get too excited yet. I am at home and like I said it is not on.

Originally posted by Gary J

The digital channels that the two cable systems have may require digital converter boxes and the subscription of digital tiers.



FYI - HD Converter required not Digital converter

TWC NEVER charges additional for HD Broadcast signals, so when WFXB goes on the air, no additional subscription to a tier will be required.

WFXB FOX HD is now available on Channel 820 in the following TWC SC systems:

Florence
Lake City
Johnsonville
Myrtle Beach - North Strand
Surfside Beach - South Strand
Pawley's Island

It is not available in the following TWC SC systems in the Charleston DMA -
Hemingway
Georgetown/Andrews
Kingstree

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
WFXB FOX HD is now available on Channel 820 in the following TWC SC systems:

Florence
Lake City
Johnsonville
Myrtle Beach - North Strand
Surfside Beach - South Strand
Pawley's Island

It is not available in the following TWC SC systems in the Charleston DMA -
Hemingway
Georgetown/Andrews
Kingstree

I'm not getting it yet. Is there something I have to do with the box?
Bob

Minor set back - it should be good now

Still nothing here. :(

Should be there - Headend is double checking the channel map

Had not checked earlier but it sure is showing here now for me in Florence. Thanks

Diana is Queen of the World

I LIKE IT!

Hi,
I have been following the FOX HD thread, and when you said that Fox was on TWC I called and asked if there were any places open. They told me that the surfside location was open until 6pm and that they could give me an HD box.

I just drove 14 miles to get there at 5:30 and the guy behind the desk "Tim" asked me for my phone number and looked stuff up and then said he could give me a box if I show him my television's manual. WHAT THE HECK IS THIS ALL ABOUT???

He refused to give me an HD box. I called TWC up from the parking lot and told this to the person in customer service and they checked with their supervisor and they came back and told me the same thing but offered me a 1 week credit for the inconvienence of driving 14 miles.

I'm sorry but this is ridiculous, that a "manual" is needed to prove that someone has an HDTV. Do you guys need a manual from someone looking to get cable, in order to prove they have a TV??

Thanks
Anthony Kitowicz

Tonykit,

As I responded to your PM, I apologize for your inconvenience, when you called into customer service they should have told you this fact so that you didn't waste your time.

I would like to explain to everyone why this is a policy that we will keep in place throughout SC.

There are many people in our service area who are uneducated about HD Television and services. They think that if they obtain an HD converter from us, they will turn their current standard definition television into an HD Television. Simply put, HD converter cost us quite a bit more than SD converters, so we cannot afford to just let anyone take an HD Converter.

When we first received HD converters, we didn't even allow customers to pick them up at the front counter because we wanted to make sure that the TV was indeed HD - again, its just too expensive a proposition for us to put them out without ensuring they are on HD sets.

This was a very unpopular policy with most customers who were HD savvy and had very high end Home Entertainment Centers. They wanted to be about to pick up the HD converter at a counter and install them on their own.

Requiring an HD Manual at the front counter is our way of reaching a compromise to allow customers to come in, while keeping unnecessary capital expenditures in check.

Diana, I think that is a good policy..but sounds like to needs to be a standard disclaimer when CSR's take HD Convertor related calls..

You'd be surprised how many people out there that see the "available in HD" on their regular TV an think they're in fact watching HD..(well, maybe
YOU wouldn't)...:)

820 must have come on between 4 and 5 some time. Looks good. This is terrific news. Thanks again.
Bob

Originally posted by bdfox18doe
Diana, I think that is a good policy..but sounds like to needs to be a standard disclaimer when CSR's take HD Convertor related calls..



I just sent out a reminder to all Call Center Personnel to please remember to mention this as a way to be considerate of both the customer and their fellow employees on the front counters who receive the brunt end of customer disappointment.



Thanks for all the help with WFXB Bob - by the by Forum Readers, if it wasn't for help from our good buddy Bob, you wouldn't have gotten the HD signal.

Hip Hip HURRAY!

Thanks Diana and Bob
Am looking forward to watching American Idol in HD tonight :)

I noticed that WFXB is not broadcasting in closed caption. WPDE does not either. It must be more expensive for them to do that. Hopefully they will both change that sometime in the future. Have lots of deaf friends who would really appreciate that.

Originally posted by gail2magic
Thanks Diana and Bob
Am looking forward to watching American Idol in HD tonight :)

It's not coming through in HD so far. I hope they get this fixed by Sunday.

Having CC would be wonderful. Thank you for passing it on to them.

It is not in HD yet but wow the quality has already improved greatly. Am impressed they are doing this all in a week...very impressive.

I'm watching American Idol right now and the video is delayed form the audio by about 10-12 frames. I'll follow up later to see if it's FoxHD in general or just that show...

Anyone else seeing this?

Followup: State of the Union video was about 4-6 frames delayed from the audio, so it looks to be a problem with A/V sync at WFXB.

Originally posted by Clint DeBoer
I'm watching American Idol right now and the video is delayed form the audio by about 10-12 frames. I'll follow up later to see if it's FoxHD in general or just that show...

Anyone else seeing this?

Followup: State of the Union video was about 4-6 frames delayed from the audio, so it looks to be a problem with A/V sync at WFXB.

This was a problem with the Fox Network (and ESPN-HD) feed over Direct TV Satellite that was recently corrected. Supposition was that it was a software problem with the Samsung TS-360 D* Hi-Def set top box -- and had many screaming at Direct TV to upgrade software or replace the box. Turned out that the problem was at the broadcast end -- whether software, encoding, or ???.
In any case it was solved at the Direct TV end without any new software download or replacement of boxes. This is the same problem, and it will have to be solved at the broadcast end. It is apparently related to the encoding process and the fact that Fox, like ABC, broadcasts in 720p instead of 1080i, as do most of the other networks. Check this forum under HDTV Hardware for the extensive thread that documents the Samsung 720p Direct TV problem.
This same problem exists with WPDE-DT's (Florence, SC) OTA hi-def programming. Voices are hoplessly out of sync with the lips. Have pointed this out to station management, but they insist it is problem with my receiver -- this despite the fact that I have pointed out that I receive WWAY-DT (ABC from Wilmington, NC) without any such problem. So I guess we'll just have to live with these glitches til the stations finally decide that it really is THEIR problem and address it at their end John

Hi, I am fairly new to the forum, and just wanted to thank everyone for helping me get my HT system setup for HDTV.
It is unbelievable how little information is available about all of the new technologies. This Forum is definitely the best for getting a grasp of everything.

Diana, it is refreshing to find a Cable employee who is so willing to help. You are VERY informative and VERY appreciated.

After finally getting everything straight, I made up a little chart that hopefully will help someone else get started. I know I would have loved to have seen something similar to this when I started searching for information.


http://www.show-center.net/Images/MYR-HDTV.jpg


Diana, if some of this is not correct, please let me know and I will correct it.

also ...I really wondered what possible reason there could be for having to show a HDTV manual to get a STB..kinda makes sense after reading your explanation. Is there a similar reason for a $29.95 Cable-Card install?...seems to me to be no more complicated than using an ATM card, and easy for a HT system user..as is a STB install. Just curious.

Jim

winston4u, the sound sync for WPDE-DT has been bothering my Zenith OTA receiver for many months also, so it's not just the samsung boxes.

Sometimes when it's out of whack, it will correct itself up to a point, otherwise I can shut off the box and turn it back on, and it will be in sync right then.

But after a while, sooner or later the sound will lag the video by a few seconds. It may catch up on it's own or not, it's not predictable at all.

No other stations have this problem, so I'm glad you found out what you did.

Originally posted by JDKSmith


http://www.show-center.net/Images/MYR-HDTV.jpg


Diana, if some of this is not correct, please let me know and I will correct it.

also ...I really wondered what possible reason there could be for having to show a HDTV manual to get a STB..kinda makes sense after reading your explanation. Is there a similar reason for a $29.95 Cable-Card install?...seems to me to be no more complicated than using an ATM card, and easy for a HT system user..as is a STB install. Just curious.

Jim

Channels are correct, I couldn't speak to the Quams though.

The Cable Card installation may be easy, but its rarely smooth. It typically runs 45 min to an hour vs replacing a converter at a whopping 15 min tops. The tech has to first call the headend and sync up the card to the DNCS (may take about 10 minutes) then call dispatch to sync up with the billing system (again, can take a lot longer than one might think it should). So the installation rate is based upon the amount of time that must be devoted to the install.

The QAM tunable NBC & FOX HD channels disappeared yesterday afternoon, and I can't find them anywhere within the QAM range.... coincidence?

Please tell me that TWC has not scrambled these local-HD stations 3 days before the Super bowl!....or is there another explanation?

Jim

Originally posted by JDKSmith

Please tell me that TWC has not scrambled these local-HD stations 3 days before the Super bowl!....or is there another explanation?

Jim

TWC has never and will never scramble HD Broadcast channels.

Engineers are looking into potential reasons for issue.

In order to accommodate the new HD channel, our engineers had to rework the QAM that carries NBC and FOX.

Go to channel 98 and you'll find them.

I just got off the phone with WFXB. The spokesperson said they are unable to broadcast in HD and are "feverishly trying to get needed parts". She was British and seemed unaware of the Superbowl. She did not know whether problem would be fixed by Sunday.

Originally posted by bpear1600
I just got off the phone with WFXB. The spokesperson said they are unable to broadcast in HD and are "feverishly trying to get needed parts". She was British and seemed unaware of the Superbowl. She did not know whether problem would be fixed by Sunday.
Is that OTA? Because it is still not HD on TWC channel 820.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
In order to accommodate the new HD channel, our engineers had to rework the QAM that carries NBC and FOX.

Go to channel 98 and you'll find them.

Thanks bunches Diana, I'll check them when I get home.

bpear1600 and Gary J...FOX HD was OTA last night and this morning(720P).


Jim

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
In order to accommodate the new HD channel, our engineers had to rework the QAM that carries NBC and FOX.

Go to channel 98 and you'll find them.
I just talked to my wife...and she says there is nothing on QAM channel 98.

Jim

Originally posted by Gary J
Is that OTA? Because it is still not HD on TWC channel 820.

I'm talking about 820 on TWC which is not really HD as you know. TWC says it's a WFXB problem so I called them. WFXB admitted they are unable to broadcast in HD at the moment and don't know if the problem can be fixed by Sunday. They need "parts".

I spoke to WFXB also and it is for sure their problem. I know all of us were hoping to have HD for Super Bowl but to be honest..am thrilled with the improvement in their broadcast. It is so much better than it was that I can at least enjoy the Super Bowl this year.
Diana, thanks for all you do for us. I hope all of us are contacting WFXB not you for this. You can only broadcast what is sent to you. WFXB used to send such a terrible feed that it was the worse analog channel I was getting. At least with their working on HD, they have finally improved the feed being sent to TWC. The strange part is that it is not just the great digital quality on 820 but even the feed on channel 7 is much, much better.
Bob, I know you have been helping them. Whatever magic you worked there, thank you too!!! Hopefully the part they need will arrive but if not, I can at least see a great digital feed which I would not have had before this.

I just spoke with Dave Carfolite. They discovered the issue with the FOX National feed and it should be resolved now.

NBC and FOX now on QAM Channel 98 in Florence and QAM Channel 70 in Myrtle Beach.

Hi - just found the forum. What a great place!!!

Watching ch 10 NBC and FOX 43 now.
QAM NBC 98.26
FOX 98.37
NBC RADAR 98.38

My question is - Will they move to other channels from time to time?
Also I am getting Charleston CBS on 107.2
PBS hd on 100.1

I thought I was getting the TNT and Discovery hd channels but can't seew to find them now.

Thank you to every for the info.

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
NBC and FOX now on QAM Channel 98 in Florence and QAM Channel 70 in Myrtle Beach.

There is no QAM signal on Channel 70 in Myrtle Beach as of 4:30pm


Jim

Engineers are looking at it in the MB headend on channel 70

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
Engineers are looking at it in the MB headend on channel 70

There is absolutely NO signal on QAM 70 here. 5:38pm

Jim

Hi All-

I have been posting over in the Columbia thread, but thought I'd start sharing some of my recent experiences with both OTA and cable (TWC) HD reception in the Georgetown area, as we are just South of many of you.

Set: Pioneer 1120 with inboard ATSC/QAM/QPSK tuner. Just added TWC STB (SA8000) yesterday, which works fine, no complaints (well, a minor one which I'll cover in a separate post).

While waiting for the STB install, I tried using the internal QAM tuner with a direct feed of TWC, with interesting results. On auto scan, which took over 20 minutes, it found hundreds of digital signals and dutifully wrote them all into memory. Most come up blank if you tune to them, probably because they are encrypted for conditional access. But it did find a bunch of both local DT's and nat'l feeds "in the clear" which were great to watch, but hard to get to. You either had to scroll endlessly through a bazillion blank channels to get where you want to go, or enter each manually in the format xxx.xxx. WCIV-DT, for example is 104.001 (and no, you can't enter 104.1, it wants all the digits!) I wound up putting a most of the decodable digital signals into favorites to speed up getting to them.

Anyway, now that the 8000 is up and running, I ditched the TWC feed into antenna A, and connected a temporary V/U antenna on the back porch, hoping to get WFXB's low power DT signal from their location at the old AFB, and have had no joy so far. (As you know from Diana's earlier postings, neither WFXB-DT nor WTAT-DT is on the TWC system here in the Georgetow-Andrews system, so tha obvious objective is to get the SB in HD). The set did find WPDE-DT, WWAY-DT, WHMC-DT (3 sub channels), WMMB-DT, along with a bunch of analog-only SD's, however. WWAY in particular surprised me as I think it's about 90 miles to their tower, in almost the same direction as WFXB-DT.

So the question for this group is, who is getting WFXB-DT OTA, and where/how far are you from their MB tower? What kind of antenna, and how high, etc.?

Thanks,

Mike

Originally posted by Satori84

So the question for this group is, who is getting WFXB-DT OTA, and where/how far are you from their MB tower? What kind of antenna, and how high, etc.?

Thanks,

Mike
I got this in an email from WFXB - "antennas tuned to Channel 18 should be able to pick up the signal within a 10 mile radius of the Myrtle Beach International Airport".

Satori84,

The WFXB transmission tower at the airport is only 43 meters high. and I believe it is a low power transmission.

I work at the airport and I can see the tower from my office. I live about 5 miles from the airport and using a Small Amplified Directional antenna the signal is about 75%. Don't think you have any hope of getting it that far away.

I am also receiving a good signal from WWAY today...must be something in the atmosphere...because normally I don't get any signal at all.

My QAM tuner will auto scan the channel for subs...by just typing in the channel number (It finds the sub-channels).

A full scan here does the same as yours...sees hundreds of channels...most with no video. probably the scrambled stuff....maybe Diana can shed some light on that.

I may have to go get a STB tomorrow...to be safe for the SB.


Jim

The QAM channels are really not my area of expertise.

Now we really have FOX HD on TWC!!!

what's up with that annoying blue fox in the bottom right corner though? And it looks like it is half chopped off. Is the picture stretched? Anyways, I am thankful for the HD feed.

Great news thanks

Diana, When will the good folks in Florence and Darlington be able to get CBS TV 13 in HD. Thanks

Mitch

Originally posted by gail2magic
Spoke with the WBTW manager today (Channel 13). He had explained to me awhile back that it would be at least a year before they would be agreeing to TWC carrying their station. He said that their policy that Media General would not be releasing WBTW until all the Media General stations were up and running is still in place. All negotiations with TWC would be done at the same time.
All the talk about Fox had me confused since I was thinking incorrectly that the WFXB was also under the Media General umbrella since WBTW does their news. He said that WFXB is not Media General and that they just have a contract to do their news. He again made it clear that they will be broadcasting in full HD in 2006 and at that time they would be added to TWC. He said it might happen earlier but really did not think it would. He then made a point to tell me that Dish Network would be adding their HD soon.....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...lol. I made it clear that I was not interested in Dish Network and hoped that he could get Media General's act together and work with TWC.
Am looking forward to Fox being added and guess I will *patiently* wait for CBS to be added. Patience is not one of my strong suits lol. Am posting this in case anyone is frustrated with TWC adding CBS. It is certainly not TWC dragging their feet. I think our only hope for now is if WBTW gets sold due to the Media General problems. They are being pressured more lately due to the conflict of owning a local station and a local newspaper.


Mitchell B

WBTW doesn't communicate with us, but above is the latest information I have seen - Much thanks to Gail (date of post 2-1-05)

Well, I went down to TWC in Myrtle Beach this morning and picked up a HD STB because I am not getting the NBC and FOX channels with my QAM tuner like I was told ...on QAM channel 70. Got everything hooked up & guess what,,,,NO CHANNEL 805 OR 820 ON THAT BOX EITHER. Menu & program guide comes up but all I get is a black screen. all the other channels work OK...whatever freq it is supposed to be on doesn't come thru. NO SIGNAL ...nada.

The change that TWC made on Thursday blocked them out, because I was getting them fine via QAM before that change. Nobody at TWC believes me...I called tech and they said they would be glad to come out and take a look Monday. I wonder what the chances are of the SB being delayed til tuesday (lol).

Oh well...guess there are more important things in life....A couple weeks ago I thought there would no chance whatever of getting SB in HD,,,that's life.


Jim

I have the LG LST-3510A HD receiver. PSIP works fine on the stations passing it, Except WWMB-DT 21.1 and WPDE-DT 15.1. For a week WWMB's PSIP worked fine. Now if I turn to WWMB or WPDE and access the guide it says "no program information". But if I turn to the next channel and access the guide I can see WWMB and WPDE's programming info. Anybody else see that. Rescan doesn't help.

JDKSmith - are you in Prestwick by any chance?

Originally posted by DianaTWCSC
JDKSmith - are you in Prestwick by any chance?

No, I am in Forrestbrook.

Jim

JDKSmith

Please PM me your home phone number and we'll get someone out before the game to check it out.

Diana, you are the BEST!.

It was as I suspected, the headend change made on Thursday...moved the NBC & FOX channels into a frequency tier that was being blocked at my cable end. Channels down at the 80 & below are blocked for someone who isn't subscribed to that tier. After the tech got approval from 'The Man'...I was left with a great FOX channel...they were showing a HD picture from the Jacksonville SB Stadium when it popped on...it really looked great!

Those two channels (actually 3, The WX feed was also being blocked) will have to be moved to another new frequency (Higher), on Monday for the system to work as it should.

again Thank-You, Thank-You, Thank-you!...that is going way beyond the call of duty....

I will be writing a letter to 'The Man' to express my thanks for your kind response & handling of the problem.

Jim

I'm just glad your happy - enjoy the game.

Great job TWC and WFXB. I enjoyed the Superbowl in high def.

Did anyone in the Florence area have problems with WFXB Fox 820 last night during American Idol? I was watching something on another channel but had it set to record on the Time Warner DVR. It recorded fine but I ended up with most of the show but in 6 or 7 parts. Had to watch all the parts to get most of the whole show..very odd. My box seems fine and is recording great on another channel.

Thanks
Gail

The FOX & NBC channels went blank about half way thru the show. I think it was related to TWC having to move them to a freq that is not blocked by a 'Broadcast Tier Only' trap, because when it happened, I checked the QAM and NBC & FOX were no longer on QAM 70. I don't know when the TWC Channel 805 & 820 started working again..they weren't up at 11:00 pm last night...but were working this morning.

Diana, can you verify this? also, do you know where they moved the QAM's for NBC & FOX, I haven't had time to do a scan yet.

Jim

Originally posted by gail2magic
Did anyone in the Florence area have problems with WFXB Fox 820 last night during American Idol? I was watching something on another channel but had it set to record on the Time Warner DVR. It recorded fine but I ended up with most of the show but in 6 or 7 parts. Had to watch all the parts to get most of the whole show..very odd. My box seems fine and is recording great on another channel.

Thanks
Gail

No, but my recording of 24 on Fox 820 also came in 6-7 parts. Most of the breaks were around commercials but not all.
Bob

NBC and FOX are back on the QAM that NBC used to have - off the top of my Engineer's head, he thought that was 103.

I also alerted him to the problem described on American Idol and 24.

That sounds like a problem he had early on with ESPN HD, in which the Digital Rights Management (DRM) was not set correctly for copywrite. And, since this is a broadcaster, don't know whether or not TWC or Broadcaster sets that. But they are checking on it.

Thanks Diana...you are always sooooooo helpful.

Gail

NBCHD seems to be not working tonight here in Myrtle Beach. (ch. 805) FOXHD has also been a bit of a pain going out every time a local commerical comes on. Also ESPN is looking really crappy of late. Anybody else having these problems??

No HD for law and order -- Jordan is also in wide screen so my wife is watching it in a zoom mode to get a decent picture. I watch Fox very little. ESPN HD was great for the Duke/MD Basketball last night but did seem a little "weak" for the football. NBC has been screwed up before. We watched an NBC show on the regular channels last week the HD was so letterboxed on all four sides

Yes, no HD for Law and Order.

Did anyone watch NASCAR on Sunday on WFXB Time Warner cable channel 820? Every time I tuned in it was SD rather than HD.

"NBC and FOX are back on the QAM that NBC used to have - off the top of my Engineer's head, he thought that was 103."

For any of you trying to demodulate TWC "in the clear" QAM channels directly, my QAM set found the following on the Georgetown-Andrews system:

103.026 WIS-DT (NBC)
103.037 WFXB-DT (Fox)

and

100.004 WPDE-DT (ABC)
104.001 WCIV-DT (ABC)
107.002 WCSC-DT (CBS)
100.001 PBS-HD (SC-ETV, but can't tell which physical xmtr)

Interestingly, other HD channels also decode from time to time, but not always on the same "channel", or very reliably. Every scan in auto-tune finds a new set of combinations other than those above. My guess is that they are intended to be conditional access (i.e you need the TWC STB to properly demodulate) but the set's tuner can sometimes "find" them anyway.

TWC seems to "recycle" some of the specific QAM subchannels around their SC fiber loop, so you may get different results in your local system.

Mike

More problems with WFXP Fox HD tonight (Time Warner 820). House recorded in 6 segments. I should have kept to recording from Channel 7 not 820 for it too but wanted to check to see if the problem was fixed.
This is a WFXP problem not Time Warner..right?

Absolutely Positively on their side.

Our engineers have told their local engineer what needs to be done and he says he's not allowed to do that. So our Corporate Engineers are now telling FOX Network (the big guy in NY) what's going on, so that they can get the info to the field for resolution.

The FOX engineer in Columbia had no issue with this - I know Bob knows how to fix it, but .....

Originally posted by gail2magic
Did anyone in the Florence area have problems with WFXB Fox 820 last night during American Idol? I was watching something on another channel but had it set to record on the Time Warner DVR. It recorded fine but I ended up with most of the show but in 6 or 7 parts. Had to watch all the parts to get most of the whole show..very odd. Just some additional feedback that I am getting this behaviour as well with all the HD Fox shows I am recording to the SA Explorer 8000HD (House and 24).

Originally posted by Clint DeBoer
Just some additional feedback that I am getting this behaviour as well with all the HD Fox shows I am recording to the SA Explorer 8000HD (House and 24).

Again, this is a WFXB issue with the copywrite setting on their receiver. TWC has informed them of the problem and how to resolve it.

Hey Guys - Annual Girls Weekend to Charleston is about to begin. I'll be away from cell phones, email and internet until Monday.

If you have an issue, please call customer service at 866-892-7201

Have a great weekend and go Illini!

TWC Problems Tonight

Anyone else having significant problems with some TWC HD channels tonight? We're seeing major breakups on 810 (CBS), 845 (DSC-HD) as well as 813, 840, 940, 941. Seems OK on 800 (PBS), 805 (NBC), 815 (ABC), 930 (HD Net), 931 (HDNet Movies) and 950 (ESPN-HD). I figure it's a QAM stat mux issue or fiber problem in the TWC system since the affected channels are a mix of off-air and satellite cable services.

Yes, I called it in to Tech Support, who "reset" our STB but no improvement so far.

Thanks,

Mike

WE have some of the tiling problems but watching Jag and then Numb3rs the sound was the problem. Had to turn it up high for the show and way down for the commericals. Anyone else have this?

Daytona 500 looks great. Go Dale Jarrett!

Daytona 500 looks great. Go Jeff Gordon!

Daytona 500 looks great. Go Braves!

Daytona on WFXB in 5.1?

Agree the video is stunning. My surround sound receiver however is interpreting the audio as Dolby Prologic II, not DD 5.1. Anyone know if WFXB can pass thru the 5.1?

Mike

I am getting 5.1 on TWC.

Thanks, Gary. was an incorrect setting in the option menu.

M

What was up with 810 last night during Survivor and CSI? I lost picture and sound during Survivor and sound intermittently during CSI. The picture also went to SD for a while during CSI.

The problems we are having with HD remind me of the early days of TV around 1950. I don't remember all this trouble when color replaced black and white or any other technology change.

We had similar problems with CSI however it was not all bad -- the sound went out during a couple of commercial breaks. I also have found that if I use just my home theater set up the sound quality is much better. The HD going on and off seems to be a common problem.

Not as bad as WPDE putting extra commercials in the breaks so you miss part of the show when you return. I had forgotten how bad it was since I watched ABC on channel 4. Now that WPDE is in HD we had gone back but they did it twice during NYPD Blue Tuesday so we missed two 30 second blocks of the show. They may have don't it again but we watched the rest of NYPD on channel 4 so we would not miss any more.

This is a question for Diana, I know what you said before about CBS but have there been any updates with getting wbtw cbs 13 any sooner? This of course would be through the cable box. I would love to be able to watch the March Madness tournament in HD as well as the Masters in April. If not is there a plan in place where Time Warner would air this on the never used Special Events Channel??

If neither is possible how likely is it that we will have CBS HD by the start of the NFL season in September?? I would love to have CBS HD for those reasons and more due to the fact that they have the best quality HD programming and camera systems of all the networks.

Other than that I would like to say thank you to Time Warner for the great customer service you provide me whether it is your Knowledgable people at your sales office in Myrtle Beach, the reasonable pricing, great programming selection,
I love the HD set top DVR box and of course you Diana for being on this forum and helping out with questions such as mine. I used to love satalite when I lived in Pittsburgh but got TW when I moved down here and am pleasantly surprised by the difference between you and Comcast. Much better at everything.

Thank You

Thanks for the kind words.

Unfortunately WBTW has not responded directly to any of our requests on this issue. In addition, FCC rules prohibit us from providing a CBS feed from outside the Florence-Myrtle Beach DMA into your area. And, I apologize for the lack of special events thus far this year - this is primarily due to the NHL strike as that channel is used for the bonus FOX Sports games and due to the blackout areas, the only sport SC qualified for this was Hockey. I just cannot provide any input as to when this deal may be completed.

Thanks for the prompt info we'll all hope for the best with CBS.

First time poster - been reading for a long time.

I have been in e-mail contact with WBTW for over a year. The latest response on Jan 25:

"Your right sometimes progress is slow. We are part of Media General and to date, there are no deals with Time Warner with any of our stations.
We have to take a long term approach to this deal as it has long term ramifications."

"Thank you for your patience."

Michael J. Pumo
Vice-President / General Manager
WBTW-News13

Obviously the problem appears to be with Media General, not WBTW management.

This has been a great forum, very useful!

I know this may be at odds with the prevailing popular wisdom, that HDTV is only avaiable by cable or (G_d forbid) satellite, but WBTW is availabe in High Defition over-the-air and has been for some time now. Best of all it's FREE. Broadcast quality is excellent and the sound is Dolby 5.1 digital, since the first of the year. I live just outside of Conway and reception here is as reliable and glitch free as satellite. I only wish that WECT-DT in Wilmington would get their act together so NBC-HD was available OTA. WWAY-DT (in Wilmington) comes in fine so WECT is either on at very low power or is not on the air at all.

Looking for input. I can not get any feed on 13-2 off-air. I am using a samsung sir-360 dtv receiver. I am receiving digital channels 13-1,15-1,21-1,27-1/2/3, 33-1/2/3. 13-2 has the header info but a blank screen. I have rebooted the receiver twice but the same. The signal meter in the receiver reads 60 -75% on ch 13-1. Is this just a receiver issue or something else?

Thanks for the input.
wired

Originally posted by WIRED CUSTOM
Looking for input. I can not get any feed on 13-2 off-air. I am using a samsung sir-360 dtv receiver. I am receiving digital channels 13-1,15-1,21-1,27-1/2/3, 33-1/2/3. 13-2 has the header info but a blank screen. I have rebooted the receiver twice but the same. The signal meter in the receiver reads 60 -75% on ch 13-1. Is this just a receiver issue or something else?

Thanks for the input.
wired
I have the same receiver. No, it's not a receiver issue. You'll find, if you watch OTA HD channels for any length of time, that the stations are "somewhat" casual about simply not broadcasting anything but a carrier on their HD channels at times. Give it a few hours (or maybe a day or two) and you'll find the radar signal on 13-2 will return. You may have noted also that at times WBTW-DT "forgets to turn" on the HD CBS feed, when the broadcast is in HD (CSI-Miami for example) and simply broadcasts the SD signal on the digital channel. I can see how long they'd be in business if they were as casual about their SD channel. Until there are many more HD viewers than there are now I guess we can expect this kind of second rate treatment - we apparently just don't represent that much of their bread and butter market for them to observe first class broadcast practices on HD. Hard to believe when you consider the kind of investment they've got tied up in their HD broadcast equipment.

Thanks for the reply. So your saying the radar feed is off right now? Because I never saw it any yesterday (3/3/5) afternoon either. I dont have it at home it is at a customers house. I guess I will wait and see. Thanks again for the input.

Originally posted by winston4u
I only wish that WECT-DT in Wilmington would get their act together so NBC-HD was available OTA. WWAY-DT (in Wilmington) comes in fine so WECT is either on at very low power or is not on the air at all. WECT-DT in Wilmington has been on for quite some time and at full power. Unfortunately they use a directional antenna pointed more in a N/NW direction.

Originally posted by Daryl L
WECT-DT in Wilmington has been on for quite some time and at full power. Unfortunately they use a directional antenna pointed more in a N/NW direction.

If they're broadcasting mainly toward the N/NW, that probably explains why I don't even get a flicker on my OTA signal strength meter. That being the case I'd assume they don't consider SC (Conway area) to really be part of their MDA. So, I'm wondering, that being the case, if they'd grant a waiver so I could get NBC out of NY via Direct TV? They're the closest NBC HD outlet so I'd guess they'd be the ones to request the waiver from. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

If anyone missed 24 this past week due to Fox WFXB going off the air, they just emailed me that they are replaying it Saturday at 7 pm. I think the HD broadcast stayed on air in most areas and was not interrupted but the last 15 minutes of the SD broadcast was not shown due to a power outage.
The station manager - David Carfolite wanted the word to get out there that it will be reshown. He was able to get Fox headquarters to ok the replay.

Gail

Winston, I live in Myrtle Beach and

Sorry for the error above, but to finish. Winston, I'm in Myrtle and have waivers for NBC and FOX HD for Directv.
Ed

Originally posted by phyz
Sorry for the error above, but to finish. Winston, I'm in Myrtle and have waivers for NBC and FOX HD for Directv.
Ed

Phyz, that's great to hear. How long did the process take and did you actually get a waiver (from WECT and Fox) or did they just allow to get the Networks from Direct TV by simply not responding in the 30 day time window (default approval)? Appreciate the info.

Originally posted by phyz
Sorry for the error above, but to finish. Winston, I'm in Myrtle and have waivers for NBC and FOX HD for Directv.
Ed

Phyz, that's great to hear. How long did the process take and did you actually get a waiver (from WECT and Fox) or did they just allow you to get the Networks from Direct TV by simply not responding in the 30 day time window (default approval)? Appreciate the info.

No more waivers after the new law about a month ago.