Steeler game is unwatchable to me.
I am getting WPXI via OTA and COmcast, and the macroblocking and pixelation is horrendous.
I had the same problem in Upper St Clair. I'm surprised there were not more posts about it. It also started out a little blurry, at least for HD (my 10 year old noticed it also, so it wasn't just me), which I don't know if it got better or just got used to it and was more annoyed with what you described.

WPXI signal was fine OTA during the game ...

well, when NOBODY can contact them to correct the problem, you get events like yesterday. football games with entire second halfs shown in SD instead of HD.

I'm sure they knew, and they were trying to fix the problem as I mentioned when I posted that Game 7 was back to 16:9. No matter how many calls you make, it won't get the problem fixed any quicker. In fact, they won't get anything done if they have to keep picking the phone up every 30 seconds to tell people they know about the problem and are working on a solution.

I ran my college's TV station, and I know from experience that more calls did not equal quick response to a problem. What it did equal was a quick response in taking the phone off the hook.

if that's the kind of broadcast you bought your HDTV to enjoy, more power to you.
:rolleyes:

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. A 4:3 HD game is better than watching it in analog or seeing no game at all.

I had the same problem in Upper St Clair. I'm surprised there were not more posts about it. It also started out a little blurry, at least for HD (my 10 year old noticed it also, so it wasn't just me), which I don't know if it got better or just got used to it and was more annoyed with what you described.

I noticed some problems, with the little I saw switching back and forth between it and Game 7.

Steeler game is unwatchable to me.
I am getting WPXI via OTA and COmcast, and the macroblocking and pixelation is horrendous.

They could have shown that game in 4320p and would still have been u g l y! :)

That said, the pixelation was very noticeable during camera pans, especially from the overhead cam. It's an NBC problem, not the fault of Dave and his crew at WPXI. I watched most of the game on WJAC and observed the same thing.
NBC seems to be trying to mask some of the low quality HD scenes by overlaying a transparent grid over the picture (looks like they're shooting through the negative image of a colander.) They've had some practice at masking imperfections as evidenced by how much filtering the technical crew of the Today Show has to do to make Meredeth and Matt presentable in HD.

What a disaster for the WPXI 11 p.m. news last night. Audio was missing for many parts of the telecast, sports was cut off with no audio, then cameras went back to the anchors who couldn't think of anything to say other than thanks for watching ( 3 times) then they cut to six minutes of commercials and promotions.

HD is great, but they better get their act together or I'm back to KDKA SD.

What a disaster for the WPXI 11 p.m. news last night. Audio was missing for many parts of the telecast, sports was cut off with no audio, then cameras went back to the anchors who couldn't think of anything to say other than thanks for watching ( 3 times) then they cut to six minutes of commercials and promotions.

HD is great, but they better get their act together or I'm back to KDKA SD.

Have patience. They have a new building, new equipment and a new way of doing things. I went through the same thing for about 3 months when we automated here and introduced the second channel. Dave, I feel for ya.

Have patience. They have a new building, new equipment and a new way of doing things. I went through the same thing for about 3 months when we automated here and introduced the second channel. Dave, I feel for ya.

I have only one word, er, you know:

http://www.westminsterfellowship.org/images/scream.jpg

Dave

LOL. During my tumoil, I found a piece of that yellow CAUTION tape that comes on roll and made a sash out of it. After about my 20th day in a row of 12 hour days I started wearing it. Besides breaking the tension, people did leave me alone.

LOL. During my tumoil, I found a piece of that yellow CAUTION tape that comes on roll and made a sash out of it. After about my 20th day in a row of 12 hour days I started wearing it. Besides breaking the tension, people did leave me alone.

Maybe I need to hold off on sending in my DX reception report :D. I picked up WFMJ-DT a few weeks back, marking the first DTV I've picked up that way, when tropo was rocking.

I think you need to smack the WxPlus box, Dave. Ever since the reboot last week, it has completely eliminated Latrobe from the rotation which used to come after Indiana/Pittsburgh. I guess it is still being cranky since I've seen 11-2 go back to the national feed occasionally.

IIRC, there was announcement of an open house at the new studios for the public. Is that still planned?

Sorry, but there aren't any local shows on RTN. That being said, I really like the shows on RTN's schedule.

Dave


Dave, is there any way you can devote more bandwidth to 11-3 (RTN) and give the least amount to that useless 11-2 (Wx Plus)?
11-3 is way over-pixelated and we of course don't want you to take any more bandwidth away from your main HD channel.

I think you need to smack the WxPlus box, Dave. Ever since the reboot last week, it has completely eliminated Latrobe from the rotation which used to come after Indiana/Pittsburgh. I guess it is still being cranky since I've seen 11-2 go back to the national feed occasionally.

IIRC, there was announcement of an open house at the new studios for the public. Is that still planned?

Sorry about the missing Latrobe stats. One of the things I've found is that the data we get from Latrobe is spotty. The only time I'll remove Latrobe from the loop is when the data (specifically, the temperature) is very obviously wrong. In other words, if I see that Latrobe is reporting 80 degrees on a 50 degree day, I disable it. The problem is that I sometimes forget to enable it again. Please drop me a line at dmorrison (at) wpxi.com if you notice this or any other problem with Weather Plus.

Secondly, I understand that there is an open house for the folks around here in the Summer Hill neighborhood...I don't know how widely the invitation has been opened and I'm not sure what the date is on that. But yes, the it is still planned.

Dave Morrison
WPXI-TV

Dave, is there any way you can devote more bandwidth to 11-3 (RTN) and give the least amount to that useless 11-2 (Wx Plus)?
11-3 is way over-pixelated and we of course don't want you to take any more bandwidth away from your main HD channel.

Things will improve once we make the final move from TV Hill to Summer Hill. Please just bear with us a little longer.

Dave Morrison
WPXI-TV

WTAE is finding good use for it's weatherstation this weekend. They're going to show the West Virginia football game on it at noon on Saturday.

Dave, is there any way you can devote more bandwidth to 11-3 (RTN) and give the least amount to that useless 11-2 (Wx Plus)?I don't know if they could. If you watch 11-2 for a few minutes, you'll see that it's very pixelated. It's getting enough BW for its purpose, but I don't know if they could take too much more away from it without making it unwatchable.

Dave, I'm just curious, can you tell us how much of the bandwidth is devoted to each of the subchannels? Or is there some different metric that is used to determine how the channel is divided?

I don't know if they could. If you watch 11-2 for a few minutes, you'll see that it's very pixelated. It's getting enough BW for its purpose, but I don't know if they could take too much more away from it without making it unwatchable.

Dave, I'm just curious, can you tell us how much of the bandwidth is devoted to each of the subchannels? Or is there some different metric that is used to determine how the channel is divided?

Actually, it a little tough for me to do that at this time. Sorry - I didn't really want to sound secretive, but it's a little complicated.

Dave

Sorry about the missing Latrobe stats. One of the things I've found is that the data we get from Latrobe is spotty. The only time I'll remove Latrobe from the loop is when the data (specifically, the temperature) is very obviously wrong. In other words, if I see that Latrobe is reporting 80 degrees on a 50 degree day, I disable it. The problem is that I sometimes forget to enable it again. Please drop me a line at dmorrison (at) wpxi.com if you notice this or any other problem with Weather Plus.

Just went to 11-2 and saw Latrobe is back in the rotation. Thanks Dave.

I know the tower doesn't operate around the clock, which would explain why there would be no observations coming in overnight. However, I've seen the five day forecast missing temperatures and thought those forecasts are done by the mets at the station.

Does anyone have any idea when WTAE local news will go HD ?

Help!

Is anyone having problems getting audio from KDKA... 002-01 ?

All of my HD channels (4, 11, 16, 53...) are working just fine but KDKA has picture but no audio for the past 2 days. I've done 3 resets of my Dish receiver but this has not solved the problem.

The KDKA HD picture is great and my signal is a solid 97

Help!

Is anyone having problems getting audio from KDKA... 002-01 ?

All of my HD channels (4, 11, 16, 53...) are working just fine but KDKA has picture but no audio for the past 2 days. I've done 3 resets of my Dish receiver but this has not solved the problem.

The KDKA HD picture is great and my signal is a solid 97

I haven't noticed any problems aside from the standard crackeling coming back from commercial at one point and the signal breaking up for a second or two during the Steeler game. Other than that, I've had solid reception.

Is anyone having problems getting audio from KDKA... 002-01 ?

I've had no issue with KDKA reception at all.

Does anyone have any idea when WTAE local news will go HD ?

Just a guess, but I suspect they will look at the results of the November ratings to see what impact WPXI's HD news is having on the local "balance of power" - and given that WPXI is having some growing pains (we feel your pain Dave! :o) they may choose to get the bugs out first. One other factor to consider, CBS had indicated earlier this year they planned to have all their owned stations (ie KDKA) running in HD by the end of the year. That could likely force WTAE's hand.
That's the long answer.
the short answer: {shrug}

Just a guess, but I suspect they will look at the results of the November ratings to see what impact WPXI's HD news is having on the local "balance of power" - and given that WPXI is having some growing pains (we feel your pain Dave! :o) they may choose to get the bugs out first. One other factor to consider, CBS had indicated earlier this year they planned to have all their owned stations (ie KDKA) running in HD by the end of the year. That could likely force WTAE's hand.
That's the long answer.
the short answer: {shrug}

That's good reading but timing of WTAE's eventual move to HD local news will not be altered by November ratings. The project is a big one and it will be afforded all the time necessary for a good outcome. The timing is confidential because it 's good business to keep the competition guessing. (And the speculation in these forums is so much more interesting than the truth!):)

That's good reading but timing of WTAE's eventual move to HD local news will not be altered by November ratings. The project is a big one and it will be afforded all the time necessary for a good outcome. The timing is confidential because it 's good business to keep the competition guessing. (And the speculation in these forums is so much more interesting than the truth!):)

Golly, you can't let a guy get away with spouting off an uninformed opinion :D

You're right about the technical hurdles as well as all the other variables that go into managing a project of this scope.

PXI's conversion to HD was a different animal as they were afforded the luxury (so to speak) of being able to build a plant from scratch while not disrupting the other.
It's not as easy for WTAE and KDKA, whenever they make the transition, it's going to be a huge disruption for them.

PXI's conversion to HD was a different animal as they were afforded the luxury (so to speak) of being able to build a plant from scratch while not disrupting the other.
It's not as easy for WTAE and KDKA, whenever they make the transition, it's going to be a huge disruption for them.


A rough comparison can be made to the challenges PennDOT faces in rebuilding major highways in the Pittsburgh area (Route 22 east of Monroeville comes to mind) where they are forced to build a brand new road on top of an existing road while allowing traffic to continue using the old one.
It is a huge undertaking that we at the consumer end don't often think about. The engineering departments at all stations have managed to maintain the existing analog plants while building the new digital infrastructure. Add to that the need to learn an entirely new way of working, while keeping on-the-air problems to a minimum.
If my earlier posts on this topic caused offense to anybody, please accept my apologies.

A rough comparison can be made to the challenges PennDOT faces in rebuilding major highways in the Pittsburgh area (Route 22 east of Monroeville comes to mind) where they are forced to build a brand new road on top of an existing road while allowing traffic to continue using the old one.
It is a huge undertaking that we at the consumer end don't often think about. The engineering departments at all stations have managed to maintain the existing analog plants while building the new digital infrastructure. Add to that the need to learn an entirely new way of working, while keeping on-the-air problems to a minimum.
If my earlier posts on this topic caused offense to anybody, please accept my apologies.

If you're referring to my post, no offense taken. But Mark's comments and your comments above are really pretty much on target. That is the challenge. I liken it to keep an airplane in the air while you change the engines and re-train the crew....

Help!

Is anyone having problems getting audio from KDKA... 002-01 ?

All of my HD channels (4, 11, 16, 53...) are working just fine but KDKA has picture but no audio for the past 2 days. I've done 3 resets of my Dish receiver but this has not solved the problem.

The KDKA HD picture is great and my signal is a solid 97

I have experienced Audio problems from KDKA last week on Ghost Whisperer.At the beginning there was only the background music no dialog till after the commercial break! I think "the old goats" from KDKA of yesterday that knew what they were doing have all retired and they probably have coeds manning the sound and mastercontrol boards, who are busy on their cell phones and let "things" happen. KD should learn a few things from WQED, which so far are doing a fine job!

Just a guess, but I suspect they will look at the results of the November ratings to see what impact WPXI's HD news is having on the local "balance of power" - and given that WPXI is having some growing pains (we feel your pain Dave! :o) they may choose to get the bugs out first. One other factor to consider, CBS had indicated earlier this year they planned to have all their owned stations (ie KDKA) running in HD by the end of the year. That could likely force WTAE's hand.
That's the long answer.
the short answer: {shrug}

You are probably right with the ratings thery,but I'll be willing to eat my words later, but I think WTAE will have HD before KDKA!

If you're referring to my post, no offense taken. But Mark's comments and your comments above are really pretty much on target. That is the challenge. I liken it to keep an airplane in the air while you change the engines and re-train the crew....

Sounds suspiciously like they were having trouble with the Dolby surround. Sometimes when they're having trouble with one of the audio channels.

You are probably right with the ratings thery,but I'll be willing to eat my words later, but I think WTAE will have HD before KDKA!

I figured when they debuted their new set they were gearing up for switching to an HD newscast. It looks like something that would show up well on an HDTV.

Dave, is there any way you can devote more bandwidth to 11-3 (RTN) and give the least amount to that useless 11-2 (Wx Plus)?
11-3 is way over-pixelated and we of course don't want you to take any more bandwidth away from your main HD channel.

It could be me, but RTN has looked much better the last couple of days via Armstrong cable in Butler....

--Clint--

It could be me, but RTN has looked much better the last couple of days via Armstrong cable in Butler....

It has looked better OTA as well. I did notice some macroblocking on WX Plus this afternoon but it appears to have cleared up.

I had previously recorded the news from KDKA on my TiVo everyday, always just keeping the latest telecast just so I could watch whenever I want to.

When WPXI went to HD, I changed over to their news casts. I put up with their frequent growing pains problems (no audio, no script, etc.). I still have problems with the Title of the news (which TiVo uses to record). Sometimes they call it Channel 11 News, other times Channel 11 Newsbeat. No rhyme or reason.

However, I can't put up with Fedko. Worst sportcast in Pittsburgh. Not only is it short, but half of it consists of mentioning which high school games they will cover on Friday.

Guess I'm back to WTAE waiting for their HD.

I'm crossing my fingers tonight that I might actually get correct audio for NBCs nightly lineup instead of the front heavy audio crap that I got out of WPXI all last week.

At this point I don't think it's a national feed problem since no one anywhere else reported having issues with NBC shows last week. It kind of sucks when the analog broadcast has a more correct sound mix than the HD broadcast.

I'm crossing my fingers tonight that I might actually get correct audio for NBCs nightly lineup instead of the front heavy audio crap that I got out of WPXI all last week.

At this point I don't think it's a national feed problem since no one anywhere else reported having issues with NBC shows last week. It kind of sucks when the analog broadcast has a more correct sound mix than the HD broadcast.

Not sure it's the same problem that you've been having, but last night's Sunday Night Football (WPXI) had lousy sound for 5.1 setup. No matter how I adjusted my speakers I couldn't hear the dialogue. The crowd noise (which is usually out of surround speakers) was too high on center channel. I switched to my analog sterio output and I could hear just fine.

Not sure it's the same problem that you've been having, but last night's Sunday Night Football (WPXI) had lousy sound for 5.1 setup. No matter how I adjusted my speakers I couldn't hear the dialogue. The crowd noise (which is usually out of surround speakers) was too high on center channel. I switched to my analog sterio output and I could hear just fine.
It's pretty hard to set up a facility to routinely pass network surround sound OK, and then suddeny have a bad mix on one particular net broadcast. But several times in my experience these type surround audio problems originated at the remote field production unit, and so could not be corrected by the local affiliates in a lot of cases. Not sure what happened this time, but it's my first guess.

Not sure it's the same problem that you've been having, but last night's Sunday Night Football (WPXI) had lousy sound for 5.1 setup. No matter how I adjusted my speakers I couldn't hear the dialogue. The crowd noise (which is usually out of surround speakers) was too high on center channel. I switched to my analog sterio output and I could hear just fine.

Sounds similar. Every NBC show last week had the audio collapsed to the front channels. My receiver was still indicating 5.1 but nothing was coming out of the surround channels at all.

All audio seemed evenly spread at the same levels throughout the front three channels. Dialog wasn't anchored at the center channel. It really seems as if all the audio channels were muxed into a single channel and then repeated x3 across the front. If it were just a regular DD 2.0 mix, then my receiver should be able to properly de-matrix the center and surround information. As it was, I believe I was getting mono sound x3 across the front.

I don't know if it can be fully blamed on WPXI, but I haven't noticed other people complaining about these issues across the country so I doubt the national feed is to blame. I do know that since WPXI has moved to their new location there has only be one week where Dolby Digital audio for network shows seems to have been passed unmolested. Either it's audio dropouts one week, almost non-existent center channel another week, or now it's the front heavy mono mix.

Needless to say, I'm a bit annoyed. 90% of the network TV I watch is NBC so quite a bit of my TV viewing is being degraded in quality. The DD sound with network shows really sounds wonderful when it's passed properly, but as it's being used right now it sounds worse than analog audio.

I don't really have the option to switch to the analog outputs of my comcast box as I get a horrible ground loop hum from them.

Yup, sound is still screwed up.

*sigh*

Yup, sound is still screwed up.

*sigh*

I just fed WPXI through the stereo and it displays "STEREO PCM" and only running 2.1. The other east coast NBC affiliate I get through satellite has 5.1 with the dialog coming through the L/R speakers and the west coast affiliate has it coming through the center channel.

So, maybe it's the East Coast feed that's messed up?

So, I'm sitting here watching the recorded Bionic Woman episode for this week and I can't help but notice the glaring obvious that it's the SD feed on the HD channel. Hey, but at least the sound is right because of it.

*double sigh*

I tried to watch WTAE's Weather & Traffic Watch 4 channel to check the weather and noticed it defaulted to 4-1. Upon checking my channel list 4-2 is no longer listed. At first I thought it might have become a cable-only channel, but I couldn't find it in the Comcast lineup with my QAM tuner either. However, it is still streaming on their site so it must be a problem on the broadcast side.

I tried to watch WTAE's Weather & Traffic Watch 4 channel to check the weather and noticed it defaulted to 4-1. Upon checking my channel list 4-2 is no longer listed. At first I thought it might have become a cable-only channel, but I couldn't find it in the Comcast lineup with my QAM tuner either. However, it is still streaming on their site so it must be a problem on the broadcast side.

I checked 11/17/ and today and receive WTAE 4.2 fine on all my digital tvs.

WPGH stuck in SD since 1:55 PM EST today during the NFL games

pathetic. I will NEVER watch anything on this station again.

When WPGH went to SD on OTA I switched to cable to see if it was any better. Not only was it SD also, but there also was no sound!!

It would be nice to say I'll never watch that channel again, but there are no alternatives for NFC football.

For what it's worth, I've sent an e-mail to Rob Owen (PG) to see if he can find out what is going on here and at WPXI (no 5.1 audio on HD).

I checked 11/17/ and today and receive WTAE 4.2 fine on all my digital tvs.

It returned later that night or Saturday.

Sounds similar. Every NBC show last week had the audio collapsed to the front channels. My receiver was still indicating 5.1 but nothing was coming out of the surround channels at all.

All audio seemed evenly spread at the same levels throughout the front three channels. Dialog wasn't anchored at the center channel. It really seems as if all the audio channels were muxed into a single channel and then repeated x3 across the front. If it were just a regular DD 2.0 mix, then my receiver should be able to properly de-matrix the center and surround information. As it was, I believe I was getting mono sound x3 across the front.

I don't know if it can be fully blamed on WPXI, but I haven't noticed other people complaining about these issues across the country so I doubt the national feed is to blame. I do know that since WPXI has moved to their new location there has only be one week where Dolby Digital audio for network shows seems to have been passed unmolested. Either it's audio dropouts one week, almost non-existent center channel another week, or now it's the front heavy mono mix.

Needless to say, I'm a bit annoyed. 90% of the network TV I watch is NBC so quite a bit of my TV viewing is being degraded in quality. The DD sound with network shows really sounds wonderful when it's passed properly, but as it's being used right now it sounds worse than analog audio.

I don't really have the option to switch to the analog outputs of my comcast box as I get a horrible ground loop hum from them.

I'm experiencing the same weird audio problems on WPXI HD. I'm in Monroeville getting the station through Comcast. The audio mix is messed up and dialog is very muffled. I've noticed this problem for several weeks since Halloween. It's pretty annoying. I'm thinking I might just watch the NBC shows online until this is fixed.

FINALLY. Proper 5.1 audio on NBC this evening. I'm a happy camper again.

FINALLY. Proper 5.1 audio on NBC this evening. I'm a happy camper again.

Glad you're happy. Please keep an ear out and let me know here on the forum if you have any other audio problems on WPXI.

Dave
WPXI Engineering

Glad you're happy. Please keep an ear out and let me know here on the forum if you have any other audio problems on WPXI.

Dave
WPXI Engineering

Will do.

I noticed last night as well that you guys are able to do local weather alerts without dropping back to SD, very nice. I also liked the way the notification ran. Just a plain ticker at the the bottom with all the relevant info, very classy and unobtrusive. It's a far cry from some of the stuff we've seen lately from everyone with a county map taking up a full corner of the screen with animations and sometimes sound effects as well. Weather alerts should be for information only, not as a opportunity to advertise the local news. I hope things stay this way.

Is there a constant problem with WPGH-DT? I just recently picked up an antenna, and the only station that I cannot get is 53 WPGH-DT. I get the regular Air but not the HDTV stuff. The station is only 2.5 miles from my home. I would think that I could get it.

Joe

Any reason why Law and Order SVU was in SD this week
?

Is there a constant problem with WPGH-DT? I just recently picked up an antenna, and the only station that I cannot get is 53 WPGH-DT. I get the regular Air but not the HDTV stuff. The station is only 2.5 miles from my home. I would think that I could get it.

Joe

In a word, multipath. If you're using an indoor antenna you can try turning it or moving it to a different location. If it is an outdoor antenna, you can try rotating away from the WPGH tower. If you're using an amplifier, don't. The AVS Antenna Forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=381623) is an excellent resource you might want to browse.
Good luck.

why not an amplifier. I got an indoor amplified Terk. The one that looks like a silver christmas tree is coming out the side of it.

At any rate, I turned it a different direction, and now I get 2, 4, 11, 13, 22, 53 ... there's a shopping network and a few AIR stations peppered in there as well, but they never seem to have anything I watch on them, so...

I posted this in the Youngstown thread, but perhaps someone here can help me out:

I live in Vienna, OH (just north of Youngstown) and am desperately trying to receive KDKA's digital signal
for the Steelers/Patriots*** game on Sunday. I don't know what kind of antenna I have, since it was here when I bought the house, but it's a large one sitting on top of a tower high above my house. Since I bought a set top box over the summer, I've received Pittsburgh's digital channels with no problem up until about 2 months ago, now I can't get them at all. I've got the antenna pointed at Pittsburgh at a compass orientation of 156, which is what was suggested by antennaweb.org.

Can anyone help me understand why I can't pick up these Pittsburgh channels anymore? BTW, I don't have a real problem getting channel 3 and 5 out of Cleveland, which I don't care about anyway. I just need KDKA for this Sunday. Please help, this is driving me crazy.

why not an amplifier.You stated that you're only 2.5 miles away from the transmitter. The signal can bounce off of objects around you, and then hit your antenna from a different direction with enough strength that if it is 180 degrees out of phase, it will actually cancel out the line-of-site signal.

yeah, but channel 4 is all the way across town. I'm not turning off the thing just for one signal. Doesn't matter anyway... I got everything now. :)

Is there somewhere to find an up-to-date listing for 11-3, RTN Pittsburgh? The PDF file on WPXI.com is from late October and is out of date. Example: PDF file says that Sat at noon is Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew, and the Monkees are on instead. National RTN website under construction and not accessible. Thank you!!

I posted this in the Youngstown thread, but perhaps someone here can help me out:

I live in Vienna, OH (just north of Youngstown) and am desperately trying to receive KDKA's digital signal
for the Steelers/Patriots*** game on Sunday. I don't know what kind of antenna I have, since it was here when I bought the house, but it's a large one sitting on top of a tower high above my house. Since I bought a set top box over the summer, I've received Pittsburgh's digital channels with no problem up until about 2 months ago, now I can't get them at all. I've got the antenna pointed at Pittsburgh at a compass orientation of 156, which is what was suggested by antennaweb.org.

Can anyone help me understand why I can't pick up these Pittsburgh channels anymore? BTW, I don't have a real problem getting channel 3 and 5 out of Cleveland, which I don't care about anyway. I just need KDKA for this Sunday. Please help, this is driving me crazy.

I saw some good suggestions for you on the Y'town site, however, if all else fails, keep that antenna pointed toward us, and watch the game on (analog) TV-2 VHF SD. Sure, not HD, but better than nothing. By the way, following your post over to Youngstown, I learned about the 33/27 news turmoil. Wow.

I saw some good suggestions for you on the Y'town site, however, if all else fails, keep that antenna pointed toward us, and watch the game on (analog) TV-2 VHF SD. Sure, not HD, but better than nothing. By the way, following your post over to Youngstown, I learned about the 33/27 news turmoil. Wow.


Again, I mentioned this in the Youngstown thread, but it's kind of weird how I get the analog channels 11 and 4 almost perfectly, yet analog kdka has the most (moderate) interference. I thought that since I receive the analogs well, I should have no trouble with the digitals.
If the analog kdka came in slightly better I would have no problem watching the game on it, but it's too important of a game this week. If I can't get the digital signal or at least improve my analog signal, I'll be watching at a local Steelers bar.

Does your antenna have UHF elements (bowtie like)? From shaler twp. (5 miles north of the city) I was able to pick up state college stations with a set top UHF antenna.

2, 4 and 11 are VHF. How well you you pick up 53 analog?

To pghturbo88, I think this is a current listing for RTN

http://www.wpxi.com/download/2007/1026/14429614.pdf

As long as it is completely clear - I mean not a cloud in the sky and no leaves on the trees - I get channel 11. So on about 20 days a year, I'll be able to watch NBC?
I love the RTN channel, but, the longest I've had it come in was today for one hour. No amount of adjusting the antenna will bring it in tonight. A total bummer.

If the WPXI engineer reads this, pass along word to management that there are some new fans here! We've been watching it every day that it comes in. If there's anything at all that can be done to boost the power for those of us in the boonies, it'd be greatly appreciated!

Is there somewhere to find an up-to-date listing for 11-3, RTN Pittsburgh? The PDF file on WPXI.com is from late October and is out of date. Example: PDF file says that Sat at noon is Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew, and the Monkees are on instead. National RTN website under construction and not accessible. Thank you!!

zap2it.com seems to have current listings for RTN.

To pghturbo88, I think this is a current listing for RTN

http://www.wpxi.com/download/2007/1026/14429614.pdf



This is the one that is out of date that I referred to earlier.

The one on zap2it.com is up to date, AND it gives you episode titles. Thank you very much for the great tip!! zap2it now bookmarked!

Again, I mentioned this in the Youngstown thread, but it's kind of weird how I get the analog channels 11 and 4 almost perfectly, yet analog kdka has the most (moderate) interference. I thought that since I receive the analogs well, I should have no trouble with the digitals.
If the analog kdka came in slightly better I would have no problem watching the game on it, but it's too important of a game this week. If I can't get the digital signal or at least improve my analog signal, I'll be watching at a local Steelers bar.

Don't forget that the analogs are VHF, and the digitals are UHF. I kind of have the same issue with WTRF-7 in Wheeling -- I can get a solid, watchable signal via analog, but nothing via digital.

I've also read some stuff in the threads that the current Samsung set top box digital tuner unit is very good at pulling in weak signals and signals with a lot of reflection. Something like $ 150 at Best Buy if I remember correctly. You could always try that, and take it back if it doesn't work. Maybe somebody that frequents this board could report on the Samsung's performance. Just trying to help a fellow Steelers fan...

Don't forget that the analogs are VHF, and the digitals are UHF. I kind of have the same issue with WTRF-7 in Wheeling -- I can get a solid, watchable signal via analog, but nothing via digital.

I've also read some stuff in the threads that the current Samsung set top box digital tuner unit is very good at pulling in weak signals and signals with a lot of reflection. Something like $ 150 at Best Buy if I remember correctly. You could always try that, and take it back if it doesn't work. Maybe somebody that frequents this board could report on the Samsung's performance. Just trying to help a fellow Steelers fan...

I do have that Samsung that you're talking about and finally was able to pull in the two WPGH digital channels. Maybe with a little more tweaking I'll be able to pull in KDKA.
Here WE Go.

I finally pulled in 2-1 on my Samsung late last night. The good news is that the channel is saved and I no longer have to search for it. The bad news is that I woke up this morning and had no signal. Oh well, at least it's there and all I need to do is adjust my antenna and look at the screen to find it instead of programming the Samsung everytime I adjust and hope to get it.

But that leads to another question: Is KDKA's digital signal always operating at full strenth or just when they are broadcasting HD? My hope is that it's not at full strenth now and they turn the power up for the 1:00 games so I know I'll get it for the Steelers game.

Is KDKA's digital signal always operating at full strenth or just when they are broadcasting HD? My hope is that it's not at full strenth now and they turn the power up for the 1:00 games so I know I'll get it for the Steelers game.

It's full strength. You're experiencing atmospheric issues.

Again, I mentioned this in the Youngstown thread, but it's kind of weird how I get the analog channels 11 and 4 almost perfectly, yet analog kdka has the most (moderate) interference. I thought that since I receive the analogs well, I should have no trouble with the digitals.

I get WPSU-3, WJAC-6, WTOV-9, and WTAJ-10, but not even a peep from 15, 34, 57, or 32. Most of the problem is that 3, 9, and 10 are not at full power and the distance those signals have to travel to my antenna. I don't know what WJAC did when they installed their antenna, they must have put it on the eastern side of their tower, so I'm not in what should otherwise be their broadcast area.

I've also read some stuff in the threads that the current Samsung set top box digital tuner unit is very good at pulling in weak signals and signals with a lot of reflection. Something like $ 150 at Best Buy if I remember correctly.

I have it for my bedroom NTSC set and it does an equally good job at signal processing as my Samsung set. That was one reason I decided to buy it after my experience with my set. It came to around $160 after I used a Best Buy 12% off coupon and had to buy it in 7% sales tax land.

I get WPSU-3, WJAC-6, WTOV-9, and WTAJ-10, but not even a peep from 15, 34, 57, or 32. Most of the problem is that 3, 9, and 10 are not at full power and the distance those signals have to travel to my antenna. I don't know what WJAC did when they installed their antenna, they must have put it on the eastern side of their tower, so I'm not in what should otherwise be their broadcast area.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/polarplot?temp=69309&rotate=0.00&p0=0.940&p10=0.987&p20=1.000&p30=0.988&p40=0.963&p50=0.936&p60=0.917&p70=0.905&p80=0.900&p90=0.899&p100=0.900&p110=0.905&p120=0.917&p130=0.936&p140=0.963&p150=0.988&p160=1.000&p170=0.987&p180=0.940&p190=0.854&p200=0.733&p210=0.588&p220=0.437&p230=0.302&p240=0.218&p250=0.207&p260=0.232&p270=0.245&p280=0.232&p290=0.207&p300=0.218&p310=0.302&p320=0.437&p330=0.588&p340=0.733&p350=0.854&p360=0.940&

The polarity for WJAC-DT (UHF 34) is about as bad for your location as can be imagined. For all intents, WJAC is transmitting north, south and east but not west.

Per WPSU-DT, I think they're considered to have about all the power they need to replicate their coverage area. They don't consider their coverage area to extend much past Kittaning and Indiana. Their transmitter location in Clearfield county is quite a bit higher than the surrounding area, so LOS to the transmitter is pretty easy to find within their designated coverage area.

WTAJ-DT is just the mountains working against you. If you look on the coverage maps from TVFool.com using Google Earth, WTAJ just gets chewed to pieces between the transmitter and your neck of the woods.

You may have some hope with WTOV come 2009, since they're supposed to be going to VHF 9.

I think we're all a bit hopeful that maybe a few more of the locals will use the upper VHFs. WWCP is for sure. WQED is (which will help my reception up in Punxsy).

Has anyone heard if WPCW has settled on a plan and a date to have a transmitter up and running?

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/polarplot?temp=69309&rotate=0.00&p0=0.940&p10=0.987&p20=1.000&p30=0.988&p40=0.963&p50=0.936&p60=0.917&p70=0.905&p80=0.900&p90=0.899&p100=0.900&p110=0.905&p120=0.917&p130=0.936&p140=0.963&p150=0.988&p160=1.000&p170=0.987&p180=0.940&p190=0.854&p200=0.733&p210=0.588&p220=0.437&p230=0.302&p240=0.218&p250=0.207&p260=0.232&p270=0.245&p280=0.232&p290=0.207&p300=0.218&p310=0.302&p320=0.437&p330=0.588&p340=0.733&p350=0.854&p360=0.940&

The polarity for WJAC-DT (UHF 34) is about as bad for your location as can be imagined. For all intents, WJAC is transmitting north, south and east but not west.

I've seen the plot which is why I hypothesized that they didn't have room at the top for both antennas and temporarily installed the digital one on the side facing the majority of the market

Per WPSU-DT, I think they're considered to have about all the power they need to replicate their coverage area. They don't consider their coverage area to extend much past Kittaning and Indiana. Their transmitter location in Clearfield county is quite a bit higher than the surrounding area, so LOS to the transmitter is pretty easy to find within their designated coverage area.

Considering that I don't fall within their intended coverage area, I look at receiving three as a bonus. Since they are working on a distributed transmission system with a channel 15 transmitter to be built in Johnstown, I'll probably get WPSU-DT that way.

WTAJ-DT is just the mountains working against you. If you look on the coverage maps from TVFool.com using Google Earth, WTAJ just gets chewed to pieces between the transmitter and your neck of the woods.

I know its having to cross two mountain ridges that is the main problem, but it also doesn't help being below full power which is also the problem with WTOV. I've seen TVFool.com's results but take them with a grain of salt since they not only say I get WJAC-DT, but they say WPCW-DT is on the air.

Has anyone heard if WPCW has settled on a plan and a date to have a transmitter up and running?

I'd say it won't be running until February 17, 2009 since no party could agree on a suitable frequency.

I know its having to cross two mountain ridges that is the main problem, but it also doesn't help being below full power which is also the problem with WTOV. I've seen TVFool.com's results but take them with a grain of salt since they not only say I get WJAC-DT, but they say WPCW-DT is on the air.

I've found their Google Earth stuff is a tad more reliable than their online thingie. You can see on the map what color zone you're in so you have a better idea whether your signal is marginal or not.

I've found the maps to be if anything a tad conservative. I'm using a CM 4228 with CM 7777 pre-amp, so I'm about as close to an optimal setup as you can get without ganging 91XGs.

I've found their Google Earth stuff is a tad more reliable than their online thingie. You can see on the map what color zone you're in so you have a better idea whether your signal is marginal or not.

That's what I don't trust. According to their saturation tones, I have the same signal strength from WJAC-DT as I do from WPXI-DT.

That's what I don't trust. According to their saturation tones, I have the same signal strength from WJAC-DT as I do from WPXI-DT.

Wow, that comes as a real surprise. Are you sure there isn't something transmitting on UHF 34 that you're picking up?

At my old house, when the summer weather changed I'd lose WPGH because some low-power analog near Youngstown would overwhelm ch 43.

Wow, that comes as a real surprise. Are you sure there isn't something transmitting on UHF 34 that you're picking up?

The only full power 34 in that direction would be WIVT Binghamton, but nothing except for snow on 34. Not even brighter snow such as what appears on NTSC sets when tuned to a digital channel.

At my old house, when the summer weather changed I'd lose WPGH because some low-power analog near Youngstown would overwhelm ch 43.

I used to get WUAB Cleveland back in the day when tropo ducting would be in high gear, but now WPGH-DT overpowers anything on channel 43.

I used to get WUAB Cleveland back in the day when tropo ducting would be in high gear, but now WPGH-DT overpowers anything on channel 43.

Guess that answers a long-standing question for me.

What is your antenna setup? Attic, outdoor?

I ask because I'm wondering about grounding. A while back I was having trouble getting WATM (which also has a poor polar plot if you're northwest of it). When I updated and brought all the grounding up to code WATM finally came along.

Guess that answers a long-standing question for me.

What is your antenna setup? Attic, outdoor?

It's outdoors up about 20 feet.

Hi:

Noticed today for the second time this week that the audio levels during the NBC news with Brian Williams are about 20 db lower than the spots. During the intro, Williams' voice was buried in the surround mix, but the announcer came in at normal level. The transition from program to spots blew me out of my chair - kinda like the old memorex tape ads..What's up with that? Is anyone riding gain for the audio mix either at summer hill or 30 Rock? I think it's a network issue. Thanks.

Hi:

I'm new to the forum and the idea of OTA HD. I live in the Irwin area (15642) and have been reading reviews and discussions about antennas and issues surrounding the use of them and I'm looking for some input (not sure if this is the right place or not). According to antennaweb I'm about 20 miles from most of the Pittsburgh stations, and I was thinking about purchasing the Channel Master 4221 and installing it in the western end of my attic. My main concern is how to connect it into my existing Dish Network setup. I'm not sure of the model of receiver I have but it has two wires coming out of the external dish into a small box that has one wire coming out of it. Then it runs into just behind my receiver where there is another inline box that splits it into two wires before going into the receiver. Then there are two co-axial wires coming out of the receiver each going to separate TV's in the house (a new Sharp 42" 1080P LCD and an older Sony 43" 4:3 "HD-ready" TV that's about 5 or 6 years old). Is it possible to introduce the signal from an antenna into the same co-axial cable that the Dish system uses? I have probably 10 other questions, but I figured this was a good place to start. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! :)

Hello everyone. A quick question for you Armstrong customers. My wife and I are moving to Mars, PA next week and I decided to go with the Armstrong bundle package to start things off. I would've liked to have gone the DirecTV route but couldn't find any internet access at a reasonable price so Armstrong's $100 a month bundle offer was what I felt comfortable with at this time. I must say that I'm not too thrilled with the small amount of HD Armstrong is offering right now. Is there a place on the net where I can find updates on Armstrong Cable's services and operations? It seems like I can't find anything. Also, I'm a very big hockey fan and am extremely disappointed that they don't carry Versus HD, the NHL Network or that they're unable to give me the option to purchase the NHL Center Ice Package. This all is so frustrating but my hands are tied right now. Can anyone give me an update on their plans or point me a direction to go to? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

J

My main concern is how to connect it into my existing Dish Network setup. I'm not sure of the model of receiver I have but it has two wires coming out of the external dish into a small box that has one wire coming out of it. Then it runs into just behind my receiver where there is another inline box that splits it into two wires before going into the receiver. Then there are two co-axial wires coming out of the receiver each going to separate TV's in the house (a new Sharp 42" 1080P LCD and an older Sony 43" 4:3 "HD-ready" TV that's about 5 or 6 years old). Is it possible to introduce the signal from an antenna into the same co-axial cable that the Dish system uses?

Most if not all of Echostar's boxes have an antenna in coax connection, which with the aid of the TV/VIDEO button, you can select between an antenna or satellite. I imagine with two outputs, that would affect the source being viewed on both sets. If you want, you could use a channel combiner (http://www.skyvision.com/store/mi3000075.html) so that each set could show something different than the other.

I came across this article (http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2007/12/10/daily27.html) on HD offerings coming to Comcast in the area. Paragraph five caught my eye:

Additionally, beginning this week, local Comcast customers will see five new HD channels -- History HD, USA HD, Discovery HD, Sci-Fi HD and WPCW HD.

I don't know from where Crapcast plans on getting this phantom "WPCW HD." I thought it might be a cable-only operation for the time being, but there is no mention of the DT anywhere on either KDKA's or WPCW's site.

I came across this article (http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2007/12/10/daily27.html) on HD offerings coming to Comcast in the area. Paragraph five caught my eye:

I don't know from where Crapcast plans on getting this phantom "WPCW HD." I thought it might be a cable-only operation for the time being, but there is no mention of the DT anywhere on either KDKA's or WPCW's site.

Is it possible they're running them a line with the programming in HD? I know sometimes the TV stations in the absence of a better option will run a hardwired signal to the cable co. It's not common, but my understanding is it is not considered an extreme measure.

Just a theory.

I came across this article (http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2007/12/10/daily27.html) on HD offerings coming to Comcast in the area. Paragraph five caught my eye:

Quote:
Additionally, beginning this week, local Comcast customers will see five new HD channels -- History HD, USA HD, Discovery HD, Sci-Fi HD and WPCW HD.


I don't know from where Crapcast plans on getting this phantom "WPCW HD." I thought it might be a cable-only operation for the time being, but there is no mention of the DT anywhere on either KDKA's or WPCW's site.

As MeowMeow points out, using a fiber connection is not unheard of. WWCP in Johnstown used just such a system to provide FOX HD programming to Atlantic Broadband and Comcast in this area prior to upgrading their broadcast plant to HD.

As MeowMeow points out, using a fiber connection is not unheard of.

Most stations feed cable and satellite companies their signals directly via fiber. However, as I mentioned, there is no word anywhere about an impending launch. At the very least I would think there would be an announcement somewhere on 19's site saying "coming soon" even if a channel had not been finalized. I guess the deal isn't finalized so they don't want to be innundated with phone calls.

It still surprises me CBS engineering hasn't put a SD version on 2-2 at least for the interim. Not like KDKA has numerous subchannels to begin with that putting another would break the bandwidth bank.

It still surprises me CBS engineering hasn't put a SD version on 2-2 at least for the interim. Not like KDKA has numerous subchannels to begin with that putting another would break the bandwidth bank.

CBS has made a religion of not using subs on their company-owned local stations.

I now that KDKA's transition from SD to HD is very flaky. At the beginning it would freeze my TV, then that stopped for a good while. But now (about a week ago) it is back, as anyone else experienced this?

CBS has made a religion of not using subs on their company-owned local stations.

However in those other markets, their sister CW O&O stations have a digital presence. Even though it wouldn't be HD, at the very least, WPCW would have a digital signal on the air and come transition day, KDKA could go back to their shunning of subchannels.

I asked this several weeks ag, but don't think I ever got an answer. I am now getting KDKA-HD on 2.1 and on 53.1. In fact I have two stations on 53.1, KDKA and WPGH-HD. When I input 53.1 on the remote I get KDKA. Then when I channel up I get WPGH-HD also called 53.1.

Anyone else have this and/or an explanation?

I asked this several weeks ag, but don't think I ever got an answer. I am now getting KDKA-HD on 2.1 and on 53.1. In fact I have two stations on 53.1, KDKA and WPGH-HD. When I input 53.1 on the remote I get KDKA. Then when I channel up I get WPGH-HD also called 53.1.

Anyone else have this and/or an explanation?

I do not nor have heard of this problem.

The only thing I suggested was doing a rescan because it sounds like something in your set's memory has become corrupted. Or you could manually delete the phony KDKA on 53-1, which might fix the problem. Failing that, I would contact the manufacturer and would do that even if the above works.

Hi:

Noticed today for the second time this week that the audio levels during the NBC news with Brian Williams are about 20 db lower than the spots. During the intro, Williams' voice was buried in the surround mix, but the announcer came in at normal level. The transition from program to spots blew me out of my chair - kinda like the old memorex tape ads..What's up with that? Is anyone riding gain for the audio mix either at summer hill or 30 Rock? I think it's a network issue. Thanks.

It is kind of weird to see him talking, don't hear him, but the music is at full level.

It is kind of weird to see him talking, don't hear him, but the music is at full level.

Isn't this a middle channel issue with 5.1 sound? If the middle channel is mucked up, it ends up sounding like there is only background sound.

I now that KDKA's transition from SD to HD is very flaky. At the beginning it would freeze my TV, then that stopped for a good while. But now (about a week ago) it is back, as anyone else experienced this?

Happened to me during the Steeler game yesterday. Game was in HD then went to SD for quite a while. Locked up during a commercial. Tuned to another HD channel and back to KDKA-DT and it cleared it and the HD was back.

It is kind of weird to see him talking, don't hear him, but the music is at full level.

That's an NBC problem. In fact that is where they got their name:

Not Broadcasting Centerchannel (NBC).

Related to the above. When CBS switches from their pregame show to the football game at 12:59 p.m. every Sunday there is a 45 second intro with music & graphics, but no dialogue on HD. If I switch to SD there is dialogue. It only lasts until the two talking heads pop up.

hey guys, i live in the north hills, and i dont get fox's hd channel (53.1)

also, i was thinking of spending the extra $10 a month to get comcasts HD package.. is it worth it? and i dont have to get digital cable, correct?

also, in the link posted above about new channels comming.. i assume that is for people that have comcasts hd box?

hey guys, i live in the north hills, and i dont get fox's hd channel (53.1)

also, i was thinking of spending the extra $10 a month to get comcasts HD package.. is it worth it? and i dont have to get digital cable, correct?

also, in the link posted above about new channels comming.. i assume that is for people that have comcasts hd box?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=283087&page=39

I think this is the thread where you should ask the Comcast question.

Hey JK.

Over in the Johnstown thread someone posted that WPSU is aiming to have a signal out of Altoona in Fall 2008. The hold-up is that WPSU is trying to convince the FCC to allow them to use a distributed transmission system that would allow the tower to use channel 15, also.

Thought I'd mentioned it, considering our earlier conversation.

Anyone having any issues lately with WPGH HD (53.1)?? Seems like over the last week or so I've started having dropouts. The signal strength on both my HDTV's and D* boxes has dropped by about 20% give or take on their respective meters compared to the last time I looked which was probably back earlier in the fall. I'm over in the northern panhandle of WV and everything else is fine. Nothing has changed with any of the other Pittsburgh stations we receive, just 53.

Hello everyone. A quick question for you Armstrong customers. My wife and I are moving to Mars, PA next week and I decided to go with the Armstrong bundle package to start things off. I would've liked to have gone the DirecTV route but couldn't find any internet access at a reasonable price so Armstrong's $100 a month bundle offer was what I felt comfortable with at this time. I must say that I'm not too thrilled with the small amount of HD Armstrong is offering right now. Is there a place on the net where I can find updates on Armstrong Cable's services and operations? It seems like I can't find anything. Also, I'm a very big hockey fan and am extremely disappointed that they don't carry Versus HD, the NHL Network or that they're unable to give me the option to purchase the NHL Center Ice Package. This all is so frustrating but my hands are tied right now. Can anyone give me an update on their plans or point me a direction to go to? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

J

Most likely, you will have North Pittsburgh Telephone as your provider for phone service. They are running some good deals right now on DSL if you get their unlimited calling package (which you'll need, as just about everywhere you call is a toll call.) I just got the DSL after having dial-up, and it's great! I'd look at that, along with DISH or Direct TV service. Both satellite services are offering some good deals as well, especially with HD service for new customers. I would then supplement your viewing with OTA channel reception, as discussed here (don't buy local channels from the satellite folks -- the quality of OTA is far superior.) I used to be an Armstrong customer for years, and now after having DISH and OTA, I will never, ever go back.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

Two questions regarding our local Fox stations:

1) I've looked back at past threads, and did not see this posted, but, why isn't the Channel 11 News on Fox 53 at 10 PM in high def (kind of false advertising to hear them say "weather in high definition" when it really isn't when seen on 53)?

2) When and why did WWCP 08-1 recently go to SD? Very disappointing!

Thanks in advance for the answers!

2) When and why did WWCP 08-1 recently go to SD? Very disappointing!

Ice storm knocked out part of their system. They are working to get it back up. Check the Johnstown thread, because there seem to be several people up on the issue there.

Over in the Johnstown thread someone posted that WPSU is aiming to have a signal out of Altoona in Fall 2008. The hold-up is that WPSU is trying to convince the FCC to allow them to use a distributed transmission system that would allow the tower to use channel 15.

Altoona wouldn't be good for me, but if they can clear that hurdle, perhaps the one planned for Johnstown will follow.

Anyone having any issues lately with WPGH HD (53.1)??

I've noticed that the signal strength on 53 has dropped off. My set used to register 9-10 bars out of 10, but it has gone down to 4 bars. No problems on WPMY-DT even though its at the same location.

You won't need a fireplace to create a holiday feel: http://www.wpxi.com/news/14876987/detail.html.

I've seen WPIX-11's which has been a tradition in New York for years and both satellite companies in Canada put a Yule Log channel in their line ups for the month of December.

I've noticed that the signal strength on 53 has dropped off. My set used to register 9-10 bars out of 10, but it has gone down to 4 bars. No problems on WPMY-DT even though its at the same location.

Thanks JK, at least I know its not just me/my setup. I'm seeing the exact same thing as you; 53 has dropped off but WPMY is still at/near 85% where its been for me. Since D* doesn't supply us any locals I DVR all of the network programing from OTA. Hopefully its just a glitch that will be corrected by the time there's new programming again so I don't have to catch hell from my wife about her shows not coming in..... ;)

Thanks JK, at least I know its not just me/my setup. I'm seeing the exact same thing as you; 53 has dropped off but WPMY is still at/near 85% where its been for me. Since D* doesn't supply us any locals I DVR all of the network programing from OTA. Hopefully its just a glitch that will be corrected by the time there's new programming again so I don't have to catch hell from my wife about her shows not coming in..... ;)
I knew something was up with them guys. Although I can get the picture, its choppy for me.

It looks like the ship has be righted at the Jennerstown stick as I just checked 8-1, it rescaned as "WWCP-HD" and the information box displayed "HD" instead of "SD."

Just a quick note on another one of those HD programs that came across in SD: ABC's Disney Christmas Parade was HD, but came on in SD on WTAE-4. Was HD on WYTV 33.

Just a quick note on another one of those HD programs that came across in SD: ABC's Disney Christmas Parade was HD, but came on in SD on WTAE-4. Was HD on WYTV 33.

I was totally suprised that WTAE didn't have the Disney Parade in HD. I wanted to record a certain segment, but wanted it FULL SCREEN so luckly I receive WATM 8.2 . It was SD, but at least it was FULL SCREEN.O well, maybe next Christmas 4 will have it in HD. PS,Santa please give us WTAE news in HD in 2008!:confused:

Happy New Year to all.

Beginning today, you will be able to apply for the government discount coupons for converter boxes. You can apply at either https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx or via the 24-hour hotline at 1-888-388-2009. The first 22 million will be available to any household.

Dave, why is WPXI broadcasting the 1st tonite show back from the writer's strike in low-def?

I understand that there were some network problems last night. I don't know the extent of the issue. Sorry for the lo-def...I'll try to find out whats going on.

Dave

Happy New Year to all.

Beginning today, you will be able to apply for the government discount coupons for converter boxes. You can apply at either https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx or via the 24-hour hotline at 1-888-388-2009. The first 22 million will be available to any household.

Be careful about getting them too early. They expire in 90 days and right now there are only 5 boxes certified. There will probably be more to chose from later in the year.

I just finished watching Wednesday's episode of Law & Order (I have Tivo). Although I recorded it on WPXI HD (on Comcast) it was in 4x3 Letterbox, which means I had bars on top/bottom & sides. Real nice. Anyone else get this? Anyone know if other NBC feeds were the same? How about OTA? Don't know if I should blame NBC, WPXI or Comcast.

I just finished watching Wednesday's episode of Law & Order (I have Tivo). Although I recorded it on WPXI HD (on Comcast) it was in 4x3 Letterbox, which means I had bars on top/bottom & sides. Real nice. Anyone else get this? Anyone know if other NBC feeds were the same? How about OTA? Don't know if I should blame NBC, WPXI or Comcast.

FWIW I only surfed through L&O briefly, but it was HD on WJAC.

Channel 11 HD continues to have it's audio problems especially with their newscasts, but I've noticed a new one. I have Digital Optical to my receiver for the DD 5.1 sound. When Ch-11 switches to an SD commercial the sound is very low. Kind of nice.

Shhh! Don't tell them.

Be careful about getting them too early. They expire in 90 days and right now there are only 5 boxes certified. There will probably be more to chose from later in the year.

I don't think it's going to be too much of an issue which you choose, the coupons are pretty stringent about the requirements of the box. For example, it cannot have any HD outputs.

Just out of curiosity, when all go to digital only, will the signal strength be improved (higher power or something). I have frequent dropouts on 4.1 as well as the other channels. I must be only about 6 miles from the WTAE tower and could probably get 4-0 on a front loading washer! Have to be careful to turn the antenna 90 degrees from their location to avoid ghosting on 2 or 11 standard definition channels. Have a big UHF/VHF and a second multiple bay UHF(about 4 ft by 4 ft) pointed to 4 to get it. Frequently have to tweek the UHF antena direction to keep 4 from going into pixellation.

I don't think it's going to be too much of an issue which you choose, the coupons are pretty stringent about the requirements of the box. For example, it cannot have any HD outputs.

Probably not a lot of differences, however a few of them do not have s-video outputs. I would avoid those.

Echostar & Slingbox have announced one that has a 7 day EPG and an auto-tune timer to sync with vcr players. It will sell for $39.99. Free after rebate.

Frequently have to tweek the UHF antena direction to keep 4 from going into pixellation.

Pixelation, if that's all you're getting, with no dropouts, is usually caused by electrical noise, not a weak signal.

It would unusual to see a source strong enough to overwhelm line-of-sight UHF at your range, but it is possible.

Pixelation, if that's all you're getting, with no dropouts, is usually caused by electrical noise, not a weak signal.

It would unusual to see a source strong enough to overwhelm line-of-sight UHF at your range, but it is possible.

If you're that close, you're probably overdriving your tuner. Channel 4 is 1 megawatt.

Echostar & Slingbox have announced one that has a 7 day EPG and an auto-tune timer to sync with vcr players. It will sell for $39.99. Free after rebate.

Yeah, I was eyeing that one up. It looks like it should be avaliable within the 90 day window as well. Not that I have a huge use for them at this point, but I may at some point in the future.

Don't forget, only the first 22mil people that sign up that say they have cable/sat on at least one TV will be able to get the coupons. The rest are for people who don't have any alternative. That's not to say that you couldn't lie to get a coupon and say you don't have cable/sat, but still.

Just out of curiosity, when all go to digital only, will the signal strength be improved (higher power or something). I have frequent dropouts on 4.1 as well as the other channels. I must be only about 6 miles from the WTAE tower and could probably get 4-0 on a front loading washer! Have to be careful to turn the antenna 90 degrees from their location to avoid ghosting on 2 or 11 standard definition channels. Have a big UHF/VHF and a second multiple bay UHF(about 4 ft by 4 ft) pointed to 4 to get it. Frequently have to tweek the UHF antenna direction to keep 4 from going into pixellation.

In short, most stations are at their full power (WQED is a special case, since they will actually reduce power when they switch back to ch 13).
As others have already commented, you may be getting too much signal from WTAE. I face a similar situation in Johnstown. The WJAC tower is in full view outside my living room window (about 3 air miles away) -- I can literally use a paper clip to pull in that signal -- but in practice use a rooftop antenna (:rolleyes:). But it plays heck on pulling in the Pittsburgh stations. If you're using an amplified antenna you might want to try something amplified.

Just out of curiosity, when all go to digital only, will the signal strength be improved (higher power or something).

Currently WTAE-DT has to protect analog channel 51 out of Newark, OH so I'm also wondering if reception will improve when that channel goes dark.

Anyone notice that when "The News Hour With Jim Lehrer" is on that 13-1(OTA) is blank then returns back to regular programing after that?
It is fine on 13-2.

I've been experimenting at home with a digital television antenna and I think I've had pretty good success. I'm interested in hearing what antenna system you are using, your location, your elevation and the channels you receive solidly.

I decided to put together an antenna system for a new TV I purchased using existing gear that I have. Yes, it's a little unconventional, but it seems to be pretty good. Here are my details...

Antenna:
- Radio Shack VHF/Hi-UHF Scanner Antenna - Model 20-176 - $25.99
- Radio Shack In-Line Signal Amplifier (10 dB) - Model 15-1170 - $36.99
- 50' Coax between attic mounted antenna and TV

Location:
- Penn Hills

Elevation:
- approximately 1100' above sea level

Channels:

- All local Pittsburgh stations: 2-1, 4-1, 4-2, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 16-1, 22-1, 22-2, 40-1, 53-1, 53-2 -- and a bonus: 8-1, 8-2 in Johnstown. I'm on the hairy edge to receive WFMJ in Youngstown (ch 20), and WJAC in Johnstown (ch 34).

I am eager to hear what's working for you.

Dave Morrison
WPXI Engineering

Dave,

If I'm on the "hairy edge", you should be able to get WKBN 27-1, 27-2 also. Digital ch 41. You might get adjacent channel interference from 22-x on ch 42.

If I remember correctly, I think I saw something trying to get through on 41. I'll double-check. I haven't been able to pull in any of these signals, but I see S-meter readings in the 30's.

Dave

At various times (not often really)..When I get a DX opening on my HDTV here in Canton , Ohio (Southwest end) I have pulled in:

Pittsburgh:
2, 2-1

4, 4-1

11-1, 11-2 (Love RTN on 11-2)

22, 22-1, 22-2

40 Analog only

53 Analog Only

9, 9-1, 9-2 Steubenville

8, 8-1 and 8-2 Altoona, Pa. (Overpowering WJW Cleveland, which I almost never get)

44, 44-2, 44-3, 44-4, 44-5 Cambridge, Ohio PBS

Amazed at the quality of signal I get with just Indoor antennas when these channels do come in..I normally just get Cleveland Analog UHF's, and Akron-Canton/Youngstown stations..

From my place near Latrobe with an old Radio Shack VU-110 at about 20 feet above ground, I get 2, 4, 8, 11, 22, 40, and 53 full time with 13 and 16 coming in every so often.

Ok WTAE, throw a stupid news ad on the screen in bright white and red during a dark jungle scene during Lost at a pivotal moment to warn us about how we really need to watch WTAE news to get an update on the impending freezing rain.

Screw you WTAE. It's bad enough when the network does stuff like this, the local stations should not be allowed unless it's an emergency alert.

Ok WTAE, throw a stupid news ad on the screen in bright white and red during a dark jungle scene during Lost at a pivotal moment to warn us about how we really need to watch WTAE news to get an update on the impending freezing rain.

Screw you WTAE. It's bad enough when the network does stuff like this, the local stations should not be allowed unless it's an emergency alert.

Clearly WTAE is in cahoots with the DHARMA Initiative. :rolleyes:

But seriously, you don't think a major freezing rain event is worth mentioning?

Clearly WTAE is in cahoots with the DHARMA Initiative. :rolleyes:

But seriously, you don't think a major freezing rain event is worth mentioning?Well I for one don't, at least not right during the program. Unless it is an imminent threat there was no need to have these animated banners during the 9 o'clock hour. This nonsense was just a shameless promo for the 11 p.m. newscast, plain and simple. It was not a weather alert. The morning forecast just gave them something to tease.

But seriously, you don't think a major freezing rain event is worth mentioning?

They weren't informing, they were advertising. There's a big difference. They should only be allowed to interrupt programming for national weather service alerts, not to cash in on Lost's ratings to advertise their news.

20 minutes later they came on again with "Tips to keep your car windows from freezing. Only on WTAE tonight."

And this "event" was anything but major.

I've been experimenting at home with a digital television antenna and I think I've had pretty good success. I'm interested in hearing what antenna system you are using, your location, your elevation and the channels you receive solidly.

I decided to put together an antenna system for a new TV I purchased using existing gear that I have. Yes, it's a little unconventional, but it seems to be pretty good. Here are my details...

Antenna:
- Radio Shack VHF/Hi-UHF Scanner Antenna - Model 20-176 - $25.99
- Radio Shack In-Line Signal Amplifier (10 dB) - Model 15-1170 - $36.99
- 50' Coax between attic mounted antenna and TV

Location:
- Penn Hills

Elevation:
- approximately 1100' above sea level

Channels:

- All local Pittsburgh stations: 2-1, 4-1, 4-2, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 16-1, 22-1, 22-2, 40-1, 53-1, 53-2 -- and a bonus: 8-1, 8-2 in Johnstown. I'm on the hairy edge to receive WFMJ in Youngstown (ch 20), and WJAC in Johnstown (ch 34).

I am eager to hear what's working for you.

Dave Morrison
WPXI Engineering


Hi Dave,

Antenna system:

Channel Master 4228 UHF antenna
Winegard YA-1713 high band VHF antenna
Channel Master 7777 preamp
rotator
55' tower

Location:

Salem, Ohio

Elevation:

1250' above sea level

Digital channels: (not including received subchannels):

Pittsburgh:

2.1, 4.1 (about 40% of the time), 11.1, 13.1 16.1, 22.1, 53.1

Cleveland/Akron:

5.1, 8.1, 17.1, 19.1, 43.1, 49.1, 61.1, 67.1

Youngstown:

21.1, 27.1, 33.1, 45.1

Steubenville:

9.1

Cambridge:

44.1

Here's my scoop Dave,
(and I'm surprised you are struggling to get WJAC over in the eastern suburbs)

Attic mounted Radio Shack DA-5200 amplified UHF antenna. Powered via inline power supply, power supply down at TV, about 50 feet coax, runs through my surge protector outlet strip (yes, I lose some db's, but better than frying the TV tuner in a lightning storm.)
Channel Master Rotor
Sanyo CRT HDTV w/integral tuner

Location: Adams Township, Butler County, >1200 ft elevation
Main channel only shown:
4-1 WTAE
8-1 WWCP Johnstown
13-1 WQED
16-1 Waste of digital stream
20-1 WFMJ Y'town
22-1 WPMY
25-1 KDKA
34-1 WJAC
36-1 WYTV Y'town (comes in with consistency w/ no leaves on trees)
40-1 Cornerstone TV
41-1 WKBN Y'town
45-1 WNEO Alliance PBS
48-1 WPXI
53-1 WPGH
57-1 WTOV Steubenville

They weren't informing, they were advertising. There's a big difference. They should only be allowed to interrupt programming for national weather service alerts, not to cash in on Lost's ratings to advertise their news.

20 minutes later they came on again with "Tips to keep your car windows from freezing. Only on WTAE tonight."

And this "event" was anything but major.

Agree with all on this. The freezing rain wasn't starting until after midnight. And we don't need Steven Cropper's face on the banner, either. This was nothing but self-gratutious promotion, but hey, it's sweeps month, so what do you expect. I actually thought that the ABC ad-nauseum ads for the Eli Stone show were even more annoying. But channel four should be ashamed. Lost is one of the best shows to watch on HD, and their banner ads take away from the viewing experience. Could be worse -- have you ever seen all of the maps, "Snowbird," and such WTOV Steubenville throws into their picture?

Just saw something interesting come up in my lineup: I now have 27-1 with the tag "WKBN-SD," 27-2 "WYFX-SD," and 27-3 "WYFX-HD." It's in the black right now, but obviously, the WKBN folks are up to something.

Just saw something interesting come up in my lineup: I now have 27-1 with the tag "WKBN-SD," 27-2 "WYFX-SD," and 27-3 "WYFX-HD." It's in the black right now, but obviously, the WKBN folks are up to something.

I am guessing since the Super Bowl is on Fox this year, they have shifted their HD allocation from 27-1 to the WYFX subchannel.

Just saw something interesting come up in my lineup: I now have 27-1 with the tag "WKBN-SD," 27-2 "WYFX-SD," and 27-3 "WYFX-HD." It's in the black right now, but obviously, the WKBN folks are up to something.

If you're seeing black, I would re-scan your tuner. We have been up with Fox HD programming since yesterday afternoon. Here is the post I put on the Youngstown thread yesterday:

Due to the great interest and demand for the Superbowl in HD over the air we have done a bit of slicing and dicing with our bandwidth and made a TEMPORARY change to our program stream. We have added WYFX-HD on 27.3. This comes at a price and that is why this is a temporary change. In order to accommodate enough bits for WYFX-HD we had to make WKBN on 27.1 an SD channel. We also have to maintain 27.2 as WYFX-SD because other program providers use this channel to distribute our Fox programming. Note that the reduced bandwidth of WYFX and the SD operation of WKBN only affect the over the air signals. Those of you who get us via cable (Armstrong or Time Warner) will continue to receive the full bandwidth HD signals.

This is made possible only because of the significant investment that New Vision is making in this facility to consolidate the WYTV operations here. We are in the process of rebuilding our Master Control making it fully HD from start to finish. No HD news at this point though.

I would be interested in hearing your opinions and observations of this "experiment." There are no guarantees here, but if this works out it may be possible to do this for other major events in the future. Also, since this is more or less an experiment, if there are any problems with this mode of operation we will immediately switch back to the "normal" mode of operation. An SD Superbowl is better than no Superbowl at all. I know that some would debate that.

Thanks for the detailed explanation, WKBN Chief. Awesome to have the behind the scenes perspective! Yes, the black was due to the scan of my tuner. Your experiment will affect more so those in the Mahoning Valley and not me. I can get Pittsburgh and Johnstown Fox HD, so I'm pretty much covered there. Nice to see you are accommodating the folks up there with a clean HD picture of the big game, as well as future events (NASCAR?). Now if only 93.3FM could come in as clean and crisp (as your digital TV signals do for me) for my daily morning fix of "Bob and Tom." :-)

Here's my scoop Dave,
(and I'm surprised you are struggling to get WJAC over in the eastern suburbs)

Remember, I'm just using a lousy little Radio Shack scanner diskcone antenna...and it's the one with only 3 disk elements and 3 cone elements.

I'd be curious to hear what people think of the Antennas Direct DB4 or DB8.

Dave Morrison
WPXI Engineering

I've been experimenting at home with a digital television antenna and I think I've had pretty good success. I'm interested in hearing what antenna system you are using, your location, your elevation and the channels you receive solidly.

Model numbers escape me right now but here's some info off of the top of my head.

Antenna:
- Radio Shack VHF/UHF roof antenna (about $99 I Think)
- Radio Shack In-Line Signal Amplifier - It's the variable power model that I believe goes up to 30db (its cranked up all the way) - $59.99
- About 40' Coax between roof mounted antenna and distro point in basement then between 15 and 40 more feet to various TV's.

Location:
- New Manchester, WV

Elevation:
- approximately 1150' above sea level

Channels:

- All local Pittsburgh stations: 2-1, 4-1, 4-2, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 16-1, 22-1, 22-2, 40-1, 53-1, 53-2; Youngstown stations 21.1, 27.1, 27.2; Johnstown 8-1 & 8-2 but normally only in the evenings; Steubenville 9-1, 9-2; Wheeling 7.1 & 7.2

I get all the Pittsburgh and the Steubenville station without turning the antenna away from Pittsburgh. To get the Youngstown or Wheeling broadcasts reliably I have to turn the antenna.

With a little over a year to go before the big switch, Sinclair has finally decided to put actual EPG data into their signals rather than their generic "WPGH-DT-1, HD Programming: 12:00 PM ~ 12:00 AM."

WPCB-DT and WQEX-DT are now the odd men out. Which is a shame, because I'm sure we'd all like to know when "Swiss Watch Extravaganza" or "Electronics Spectacular" is on 16-1 :D.

You know, WQEX-DT makes me angry. There's a whole channel there being used to show an SD digital broadcast of a shopping network when WPCW can't have a digital station until 2009.

I wonder if CBS has ever approached them about leasing space on their channel. Hell, they could even broadcast the CW in HD since the shopping channel is only using SD right now. That's plenty of bandwidth.

Did WPXI improve something on its digital transmitter?

I'm up in Punxsutawney, and WPXI used to be real jerky, especially if there was nearby ground noise. No amount of atmospheric effect changed that fact.

The last week WPXI has been rock solid. Even in the fall when there were still some atmospherics left, WPXI wasn't this solid.

Not that I'm complaining, but I am curious if you guys changed something.

In WPCW's FCC DTV Transition Report filed today, it now seems CBS will file for a new CP in June with construction of the digital plant to begin on 2/17/2009.
They plan to follow the FCC's recommendation and move to channel 11 at 2.4 Kw once WPXI vacates. The filing indicates they will change their transmitter location from Monroeville to KDKA's tower, if a waiver is granted.

KDKA and WPXI have also filed their transition reports; both indicate they will keep their analog transmitters on the air until the deadline.

Back by popular demand, 27.3 WYFX-HD is up and running for the Daytona 500. It will be up until sometime after the race is over. At 9:00PM the HD programming starts on WKBN and it will definitely be returned to the normal state by then.

Now I know that the remake of Knight Rider may end up being a crappy mess, but I was kinda looking forward to watching it. I'm a bit dismayed to see that someone fell asleep at the HD switch over at WPXI. Hopefully they'll right things soon.

Edit: Woo, finally.

I wonder what happened.... the grand finale of American Gladiators was on in HD with no problems...

Actually, it may not have been WPXI's fault. I saw a reference on another board about the beginning not being in HD, it may have been a national feed problem.

With the analog-dark-date closing in, i'm carefully considering an outdoor antenna. I've been limping by with a SilverSensor while rewiring the house with Cat6 and RG6QS.

Does anyone know which stations will be UHF and which will be VHF after the transition? Basically, will a VHF antenna be necessary at all? (bolded so the question doesn't get lost in my rant below) ;)

(And don't even get me started on how poorly organized our government has been with getting good info out. Even the stories on the nightly news are woefully inaccurate and needlessly confusing. I can't even imagine on how a non-techie could wade through all the nonsense. A single sentence could replace nearly all of the needlessly confusing info. "If you use an antenna or rabit-ears, you'll need a new TV that has a digital-tuner, or an inexpensive digital-tuner box for your existing TV". Notice, that sentence didn't include the phrase "converter box" ;) <gripe mode off>)

After seeing just how confusing and incorrect the local stations have been with getting the word out, I'm hoping people here can shed light on possible frequency changes involved with the switch. There may or may not be channel swapping planned. But given the quality info currently being made available, I don't trust that the lack of info means no changes are planned.

So... who's vhf after the switch?

All of the full power stations in Pittsburgh are staying on their current digital channel with the exception of WQED-DT,which will move its digital broadcast to channel 13 on 02/17/09. I also think that one of the low power stations will be moving to channel 11. Additionally, WTOV-DT, Steubenville and WTRF-DT, Wheeling will be moving to channels 9 and 7 respectively on 02/17/09.

Does anyone know which stations will be UHF and which will be VHF after the transition? Basically, will a VHF antenna be necessary at all? (bolded so the question doesn't get lost in my rant below) ;)

WWCP from Johnstown is moving its digital from 29 to 8 sometime this summer or fall.

WPCW is supposed to transmit on channel 11 after Feb 2009.

WQED is moving its digital from 38 to 13 on the transition date.

I am assuming that WTOV from Steubenville will be moving its digital to channel 9, they transmit in space being auctioned off.

Looks like Pittsburghers will need to maintain VHF reception for WQED on channel 13. Or if they want to receive VHF stations from other cities.

(Now... off to the HDTV reception hardware forum to find out if any new antennas are already being produced for the slightly different frequency ranges that will exist after the switch. Good thing I love this stuff. I'm hoping to get as narrow a band antenna as possible to eliminate noise from other sources.)

With the analog-dark-date closing in, i'm carefully considering an outdoor antenna. I've been limping by with a SilverSensor while rewiring the house with Cat6 and RG6QS.

Does anyone know which stations will be UHF and which will be VHF after the transition? Basically, will a VHF antenna be necessary at all? (bolded so the question doesn't get lost in my rant below) ;)

(And don't even get me started on how poorly organized our government has been with getting good info out. Even the stories on the nightly news are woefully inaccurate and needlessly confusing. I can't even imagine on how a non-techie could wade through all the nonsense. A single sentence could replace nearly all of the needlessly confusing info. "If you use an antenna or rabit-ears, you'll need a new TV that has a digital-tuner, or an inexpensive digital-tuner box for your existing TV". Notice, that sentence didn't include the phrase "converter box" ;) <gripe mode off>)

After seeing just how confusing and incorrect the local stations have been with getting the word out, I'm hoping people here can shed light on possible frequency changes involved with the switch. There may or may not be channel swapping planned. But given the quality info currently being made available, I don't trust that the lack of info means no changes are planned.

So... who's vhf after the switch?


In Pittsburgh, WQED will return to ch 13.
WPCW will take over ch 11 once WPXI ends analog operations.

From Johnstown, WWCP will return to ch 8, but not until the analog deadline.

To the west of the Burgh, WTOV Steubenville will switch over to ch 9 on 2/18/09 at reduced power. They hope to be up to full power by July 2009.
WTRF Wheeling returns to ch 7.

Some other West Virginia and eastern Ohio stations you may be interested in:

WFMJ Youngstown is settled in on ch 20
WYTV Youngstown is final on ch 36
WKBN Youngstown is rocking oput on ch 41 (I occasionally pull them in from Johnstown)
WNEO Alliance will return to 45 and cease analog by November 2008
WBNX Akron good to go on 30


I have a post on the Johnstown forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13188621#post13188621) regarding transition plans for Johnstown and Pittsburgh. There's also a comprehensive effort underway on the Official upcoming final DTV Table Of Allotments/channel change thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=823166&page=23) you may want check out.

WFMJ Youngstown is settled in on ch 21
WYTV Youngstown is final on ch 36
WKBN Youngstown is rocking oput on ch 27 (I occasionally pull them in from Johnstown)
WNEO Alliance will return to 45 and cease analog by November 2008
WBNX Akron good to go on 30


I have a post on the Johnstown forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13188621#post13188621) regarding transition plans for Johnstown and Pittsburgh. There's also a comprehensive effort underway on the Official upcoming final DTV Table Of Allotments/channel change thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=823166&page=23) you may want check out.

WFMJ is on digital channel 20
WKBN is digital channel 41

WFMJ is on digital channel 20
WKBN is digital channel 41

Oops, thanks for catching that.

Oops, thanks for catching that.

NP. After all this time I still have to refer to the table of allotments. Now with the auto scan feature on all the tuners, channel numbers really don't matter.

I got my hands on the Zenith coupon eligible converter box. So far it has been very impressive. I have one TV in my kitchen with the rod type rabbit ears that they used to ship with the TV. They are on a plastic post that slips into a hole on the back of the set.

Last night I took the Zenith stb home and attached it to the kitchen TV. I didn't touch the alignment of the antenna and used the RF out of the stb on ch 3 into the TV.

I live about 6 miles from WFMJ, WYTV, WKBN and about 15 miles from WNEO. I am able to get slightly ghosty pictures from the Youngstown stations and a very snowy picture from WNEO in Salem. I have to adjust the antenna for each station otherwise the picture fades, ghosts, and the audio gets noisey when I move around the kitchen.

After the Zenith did it's auto scan I was able to get all the above stations perfectly with no breakups without moving the antenna. The Zenith has a signal meter that showed almost full scale in the "GOOD" zone on all channels. I adjusted the rabbit ears to optimize the digital signal level and got pretty much unwatchable pictures on analog.

In other words the Zenith box impressed me. It has RF out and video/stereo audio outputs. The EPG is simple and shows "now" and "next". It has all the closed captioning. It does NOT have an analog tuner and does NOT have a QAM tuner. It's also pretty small - about 9" wide and 6" deep. It does come with a remote which I think can be programmed to your TV set, but I haven't done that, mainly because I didn't read the manual.



I was never able to get perfect pictures on analog, but now I can even get a perfect picture on PBS which was pretty much unwatchable.

Now with the auto scan feature on all the tuners, channel numbers really don't matter.

This is true unless you receive stations from many different directions. In that case, it is imperative that the STB have the option of adding channels manually. Doing a complete scan every time the antenna is rotated would be a royal pain. Does the Zenith have the capability of adding channels manually?

Thanks for the info everyone! Those links to other threads got me pointed in the right direction as well.

Why is it that the term "converter box" has caught on? It seems that "digital TV tuner" would be more accurate and less confusing to non-techies.

[edit] Removed most of my commentary on "converter box". Realized that it was hopelessly off subject ;)

This is true unless you receive stations from many different directions. In that case, it is imperative that the STB have the option of adding channels manually. Doing a complete scan every time the antenna is rotated would be a royal pain. Does the Zenith have the capability of adding channels manually?

Yes, you're right, and yes, it does have a manual add. It also has an easy add that will do a scan without removing existing channels.

It also has an easy add that will do a scan without removing existing channels.

That's a great feature! Thanks.

Does the Zenith box, when scanning, display the channels that it is searching? The reason I ask this, is that my TV just shows 0 - 100% of the scan. Experience has shown me, for example, that 50% is WYTV Youngstown (seems to take a bit longer to lock in.) It would be nice to know what some of the places are that my tuner stops at, but will not lock on to.

In WPCW's FCC DTV Transition Report filed today, it now seems CBS will file for a new CP in June with construction of the digital plant to begin on 2/17/2009.
They plan to follow the FCC's recommendation and move to channel 11 at 2.4 Kw once WPXI vacates. The filing indicates they will change their transmitter location from Monroeville to KDKA's tower, if a waiver is granted.

They are reading my mind, or just my AVSForum posts (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11929137#post11929137). Maybe I should submit my consultation fee to CBS :D.

I got my hands on the Zenith coupon eligible converter box. So far it has been very impressive. I have one TV in my kitchen with the rod type rabbit ears that they used to ship with the TV. They are on a plastic post that slips into a hole on the back of the set.

Last night I took the Zenith stb home and attached it to the kitchen TV. I didn't touch the alignment of the antenna and used the RF out of the stb on ch 3 into the TV.

I live about 6 miles from WFMJ, WYTV, WKBN and about 15 miles from WNEO. I am able to get slightly ghosty pictures from the Youngstown stations and a very snowy picture from WNEO in Salem. I have to adjust the antenna for each station otherwise the picture fades, ghosts, and the audio gets noisey when I move around the kitchen.

After the Zenith did it's auto scan I was able to get all the above stations perfectly with no breakups without moving the antenna. The Zenith has a signal meter that showed almost full scale in the "GOOD" zone on all channels. I adjusted the rabbit ears to optimize the digital signal level and got pretty much unwatchable pictures on analog.

In other words the Zenith box impressed me. It has RF out and video/stereo audio outputs. The EPG is simple and shows "now" and "next". It has all the closed captioning. It does NOT have an analog tuner and does NOT have a QAM tuner. It's also pretty small - about 9" wide and 6" deep. It does come with a remote which I think can be programmed to your TV set, but I haven't done that, mainly because I didn't read the manual.



I was never able to get perfect pictures on analog, but now I can even get a perfect picture on PBS which was pretty much unwatchable.

That's a lot of bang for the buck. Guess I better snag my coupons right away.

Does the Zenith box, when scanning, display the channels that it is searching? The reason I ask this, is that my TV just shows 0 - 100% of the scan. Experience has shown me, for example, that 50% is WYTV Youngstown (seems to take a bit longer to lock in.) It would be nice to know what some of the places are that my tuner stops at, but will not lock on to.

It gives a status bar and the channel it's presently on. It also gives you a count of channels found. I guess if you're quick enough you can figure out what dtv channel it just found.

The EZ add feature is great for those that need to reposition their antenna since it does a scan without removing the existing scanned channels.

For the past couple of nights, I've noticed that programs will sound like the dialog is coming out of a tin can and the video becomes slightly fuzzy. It happened once during Kimmel and last night during the Myron Cope tribute so it is on both network and local sources. Anyone else noticed this problem?

I noticed the same thing occasionally on ABC (WTAE) over the past two weeks or so.
Have you observed the tinny sound on more than just WTAE?

I had assumed that it was a flaw of the new HD tuner I recently switched to.

[edit] Re-reading your post, i noticed the subject line points to WTAE specifically.

For the past couple of nights, I've noticed that programs will sound like the dialog is coming out of a tin can and the video becomes slightly fuzzy. It happened once during Kimmel and last night during the Myron Cope tribute so it is on both network and local sources. Anyone else noticed this problem?

I have noticed this audio problem about 2 weeks ago, but no problem with video.It does sound like string thru a tin can!:confused:

You know, WQEX-DT makes me angry. There's a whole channel there being used to show an SD digital broadcast of a shopping network when WPCW can't have a digital station until 2009.

I wonder if CBS has ever approached them about leasing space on their channel. Hell, they could even broadcast the CW in HD since the shopping channel is only using SD right now. That's plenty of bandwidth.

You hit the nail on the head. I couldn't agree with you more!By the time WPCW goes digital, all the shows I watch will be cancelled.

You hit the nail on the head. I couldn't agree with you more!By the time WPCW goes digital, all the shows I watch will be cancelled.

While it is a waste of a full-power OTA channel to broadcast a cable network, the anger is directed in the wrong direction. QED Communications has a right to 26 as any other broadcaster with a full power station has a right to a companion channel.

Anger should be directed to CBS who could have taken 30 which was assigned to then WNPA, or the FCC who gave them a channel already being used by a Class A LPTV.

If anyone hasn't looked at antennaweb.org lately, the predictions now show the stations as they will appear next February. I am excited to see WTRF show up on my list, as it is a great channel to have during March Madness!

If anyone hasn't looked at antennaweb.org lately, the predictions now show the stations as they will appear next February. I am excited to see WTRF show up on my list, as it is a great channel to have during March Madness!

The TV Fool reception prediction tool (http://www.tvfool.com) has also introduced a post-transition model option.

The final DTV Table of Allotments (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-72A1.pdf) was released today by the FCC. As expected, WPCW will be granted channel 11 - however the FCC intends the station to transmit from the Wall, PA site (south of Monroeville) that had been proposed for ch 49. CBS would rather use the KDKA tower in Pittsburgh.
No other big news locally. The complete table can be found here. (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-72A2.pdf)

Apologies upfront for being off topic -- Has anyone else noticed that on WPXI's commercial teasing their weather department, that they have an older blue GM pickup approaching the camera, driving through high water. If I am not mistaken, the front license plate is from Virginia. I'm wondering if that footage was local, or if they pulled it from some "extreme weather" bulk footage file elsewhere. Nitpicking here? Sure, but it is fun to discuss!

Apologies upfront for being off topic -- Has anyone else noticed that on WPXI's commercial teasing their weather department, that they have an older blue GM pickup approaching the camera, driving through high water. If I am not mistaken, the front license plate is from Virginia. I'm wondering if that footage was local, or if they pulled it from some "extreme weather" bulk footage file elsewhere. Nitpicking here? Sure, but it is fun to discuss!

They got it from some stock footage library.

A couple of years ago, WTAE would run promos about Sky 4's ability to see breaking news and traffic that showed a clip of congestion on a 10-lane expressway.

I just noticed tonight that the Channel 11 News on Fox 53 at 10 PM is now being aired in 16:9 instead of 4:3.

I just noticed tonight that the Channel 11 News on Fox 53 at 10 PM is now being aired in 16:9 instead of 4:3.

I believe the P-G had a little something a week or two ago about the move to HD news on 53 -- some long awaited equipment had finally arrived and been installed.

NBC Sunday Golf- Bayhill in 4:3 SD since broadcast started.

garbage. then again, most of the show is on SD handheld cameras anyways :rolleyes:

NBC Sunday Golf- Bayhill in 4:3 SD since broadcast started.

garbage. then again, most of the show is on SD handheld cameras anyways :rolleyes:

Same SD for the golf here too. Very annoying.

Same SD for the golf here too. Very annoying.

call to WPXI went nowhere, was told they were just passing what network gave them.

went to HD the instant the clock struck 4:00
*rolls eyes*

yeah. it was annoying, but I figured they would switch it over eventually.

Does anyone know if KDKA will be broadcasting other feeds on their sub channels this year. I thought they did this a few years ago but don't remember if it has happened since.

Does anyone know if KDKA will be broadcasting other feeds on their sub channels this year. I thought they did this a few years ago but don't remember if it has happened since.

It would appear not. Rob Owen of the Post Gazette fielded a similar question last Friday in his TV Q&A column:
Q: Do you know if KDKA will be providing multiple feeds for the first 2 rounds of the NCAA tournament? Many CBS cities multicast (offer all 4 matchups on digital sub channels). I couldn't find an answer on their Web site about it. If they are going to multicast, will they offer the feeds over the air only or pass them to Comcast?

-- Anthony, Brookline

Rob: According to KDKA general manager Chris Pike, "In the past when our primary game was not available in HD we have provided different games on our analog and digital channels. When the primary game was broadcast in HD then we had the same game on both channels.

"We have not yet received telecast information from the network so our plans for this year are not yet clear. In any case, we will not be multicasting. If all of our primary games are available in HD we will have the same game on our analog and digital channels."

I got my hands on the Zenith coupon eligible converter box. So far it has been very impressive. I have one TV in my kitchen with the rod type rabbit ears that they used to ship with the TV. They are on a plastic post that slips into a hole on the back of the set.

Last night I took the Zenith stb home and attached it to the kitchen TV. I didn't touch the alignment of the antenna and used the RF out of the stb on ch 3 into the TV.

I live about 6 miles from WFMJ, WYTV, WKBN and about 15 miles from WNEO. I am able to get slightly ghosty pictures from the Youngstown stations and a very snowy picture from WNEO in Salem. I have to adjust the antenna for each station otherwise the picture fades, ghosts, and the audio gets noisey when I move around the kitchen.

After the Zenith did it's auto scan I was able to get all the above stations perfectly with no breakups without moving the antenna. The Zenith has a signal meter that showed almost full scale in the "GOOD" zone on all channels. I adjusted the rabbit ears to optimize the digital signal level and got pretty much unwatchable pictures on analog.

In other words the Zenith box impressed me. It has RF out and video/stereo audio outputs. The EPG is simple and shows "now" and "next". It has all the closed captioning. It does NOT have an analog tuner and does NOT have a QAM tuner. It's also pretty small - about 9" wide and 6" deep. It does come with a remote which I think can be programmed to your TV set, but I haven't done that, mainly because I didn't read the manual.



I was never able to get perfect pictures on analog, but now I can even get a perfect picture on PBS which was pretty much unwatchable.

I purchased a ZenithDTT900 box, and I love it! The receiver pulls in WFMJ great! I purchased my second box the InsigniaNS-DXA1 ( I know it's identical, opened both and both have the same chip numbers) Both have a Dec 07 date on the box. This Insignia recognises WFMJ, and has a 40-50% signal strength, but still does not play. With the Zenith I have no problems even with a 40% signal day or night. I returned the box and the replacement acts the same. I will keep it, as the locals work and the store does not believe my story.I have several friends and seniors I plan to help with the transition,but I will definately not buy another Insignia.

I purchased a ZenithDTT900 box, and I love it! The receiver pulls in WFMJ great! I purchased my second box the InsigniaNS-DXA1 ( I know it's identical, opened both and both have the same chip numbers) Both have a Dec 07 date on the box. This Insignia recognises WFMJ, and has a 40-50% signal strength, but still does not play. With the Zenith I have no problems even with a 40% signal day or night. I returned the box and the replacement acts the same. I will keep it, as the locals work and the store does not believe my story.I have several friends and seniors I plan to help with the transition,but I will definately not buy another Insignia.

Thanks for the info. I have two of those government cards in hand, and have been awaiting some feedback on this board before buying one. Where did you buy them, and what are the costs?

It would appear not. Rob Owen of the Post Gazette fielded a similar question last Friday in his TV Q&A column:

So far, every game that I have seen on KDKA has been in HD. Go for it if you can get WKBN -- there always seems to be a different game on there than on KDKA. While we're on the subject of CBS and the NCAA, when will Billy Packer retire? He is probably one of the worst announcers, yet he is on CBS' top announcing team with Jim N. I dread watching games that he does.

Thanks for the info. I have two of those government cards in hand, and have been awaiting some feedback on this board before buying one. Where did you buy them, and what are the costs?

In answering your questions, I purchased the Zenith from C City and the Insignia from B Buy. The initial cost was $59.99+$4.20 tax= $64.19- $40.00 = $24.19 final cost.

This Insignia recognises WFMJ, and has a 40-50% signal strength, but still does not play.

I bought two Insignias for my parents and they haven't noticed any reception problems between them and their HDTV with its built-in tuner. In fact, when I was setting up the one, it managed to lock in WPSU-DT which their set won't even acknowledge.

I purchased a ZenithDTT900 box, and I love it! The receiver pulls in WFMJ great! I purchased my second box the InsigniaNS-DXA1 ( I know it's identical, opened both and both have the same chip numbers) Both have a Dec 07 date on the box. This Insignia recognises WFMJ, and has a 40-50% signal strength, but still does not play. With the Zenith I have no problems even with a 40% signal day or night. I returned the box and the replacement acts the same. I will keep it, as the locals work and the store does not believe my story.I have several friends and seniors I plan to help with the transition,but I will definately not buy another Insignia.

Aw geez! I was afraid this was going to happen. I'll have to pick up an Insignia this week and see what happens here. Do you get the same 40-50% signal strength on the Zenith?

I picked up an Insignia today. I guess the good news is it picked up WFMJ just fine along with all the other stations in town. It seems, to me anyway, to have the same sensitivity as the Zenith box and it definitely blows the doors off my Generation 2, 3, & 4 STB's. I have one spot I can use as a test that the older STB's can't get all the stations, but the Insignia did, often with the signal quality meter going from 90-50%.

I feel somewhat relieved it's not some abnormailty in My PSIP. :rolleyes:

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/15705399/detail.html

The same thing happened to me. The cashiers rang up the Insignias and applied the 6% sales tax, then took off the $40 which brought the total to $23.59. If calculated properly, the total should only be $21.19.

Luckily the Best Buy bill hasn't come so I still have the receipts.

Aw geez! I was afraid this was going to happen. I'll have to pick up an Insignia this week and see what happens here. Do you get the same 40-50% signal strength on the Zenith?

Yes I do get the same signal strength on the Zenith. I simply connect it to the same antenna (a rooftop 91XG with rotor) but the Insignia keeps breaking up. I'm imbarrased to return it again,as the store employees think it's me, but I am not satisfied with the product. Even the local stations occasionaly take a hit.The Zenith never blinks. I just bought 2 more Zeniths for a senior citizen I know and installed them both on her tv sets. The only problem she has, is that she can't get used to the power button being so small.:(

OTA HD newbie question,

I just purchased a 20 inch Samsung for my work (mainly weekend golf and sports). (Samsung - 19" 720p Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HDTV Model: LN19A330)

I think I'm going to get the Samsung HD reciever. (Samsung - HDTV Digital Terrestrial Receiver Model: DTB-H260F )

What cost friendly antenna should I get? and Should I be able to get all local stations in crisp HD without much trouble?

Any tips for the best picture possible?

HD (digitial) is different than analog. As long as you have enough of a signal for the tuner to lock, you'll get the same quality of picture regardless of signal strength. Once the tuner starts to lose the lock you'll get picture breakup or loss. I get a bunch of very snowy channels in analog. I get all of those channels in perfect digital reception with the exact same antenna.

As to what antenna, that depends a lot on where you are in relation the potential stations that you will be able to pick up. You can start with whatever you have and see what you get can tune. You might be surprised. I have an omni-directional antenna on my roof and I pick up Pittsburgh, Youngstown and Johnstown channels.

HTH!

OTA HD newbie question,

I just purchased a 20 inch Samsung for my work (mainly weekend golf and sports). (Samsung - 19" 720p Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HDTV Model: LN19A330)

I think I'm going to get the Samsung HD reciever. (Samsung - HDTV Digital Terrestrial Receiver Model: DTB-H260F )

What cost friendly antenna should I get? and Should I be able to get all local stations in crisp HD without much trouble?

Any tips for the best picture possible?


I would recommend you try the TV Signal Locater tool at TV Fool.com (http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29). Enter either the address or gps coordinates where you plan to set up the TV and you will get a radar plot and a small spreadsheet showing the stations, their direction, and relative strength at your location. That information, in turn, will help determine what type of antenna system you'll need.

OTA HD newbie question,

I just purchased a 20 inch Samsung for my work (mainly weekend golf and sports). (Samsung - 19" 720p Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HDTV Model: LN19A330)

I think I'm going to get the Samsung HD reciever. (Samsung - HDTV Digital Terrestrial Receiver Model: DTB-H260F )

What cost friendly antenna should I get? and Should I be able to get all local stations in crisp HD without much trouble?

Any tips for the best picture possible?

I don't care about any HD channels other than Pittsburgh. I plan to use just my Samsung reciever and rabbit ears.

My miles to staions are:

KDKA-3.1 miles
WTAE-21.4 miles
WPXI-5.0 miles
WPGH-3.7 miles

Should I have any trouble picking up great clear HD stations?

BTW, I will be using the TV in my office at a golf course

I don't care about any HD channels other than Pittsburgh. I plan to use just my Samsung reciever and rabbit ears.

My miles to staions are:

KDKA-3.1 miles
WTAE-21.4 miles
WPXI-5.0 miles
WPGH-3.7 miles

Should I have any trouble picking up great clear HD stations?

Considering that you're practically on top of 2, 11, and 53, and the Samsung STB is a very sensitive box, you won't have trouble with those. WTAE might be a problem, but I live about 20 miles from WWCP-DT and I can get it with WinTV and its whip antenna. As others have said, your reception is dependent on many variables but it doesn't hurt to try.

OTA HD newbie question,

I just purchased a 20 inch Samsung for my work (mainly weekend golf and sports). (Samsung - 19" 720p Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HDTV Model: LN19A330)

I think I'm going to get the Samsung HD reciever. (Samsung - HDTV Digital Terrestrial Receiver Model: DTB-H260F )

What cost friendly antenna should I get? and Should I be able to get all local stations in crisp HD without much trouble?

Any tips for the best picture possible?


Double check the specs on this TV. I think it has a built in tuner:

Product Description
19" widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * high-gloss black finish * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * 1440 x 900 pixels *

You might not need the Samsung STB.

Should I have any trouble picking up great clear HD stations?

BTW, I will be using the TV in my office at a golf course

I've had lots of good luck with the Philips active rabbit-ear antenna. I runs about $45 or so, but does a very good job.

Dave Morrison
WPXI Engineering

Hi,
Any one know if it's worth trying to recieve OTA digital signals in the Indiana, Pa. area? Just bought a DVR and would like to eliminate the chokehold the Comcast presently has on my viewing capabilities, but am wondering if it is even possible to get these Pittsburgh signals here.
thanks for any help....
Boony

Hi,
Any one know if it's worth trying to recieve OTA digital signals in the Indiana, Pa. area? Just bought a DVR and would like to eliminate the chokehold the Comcast presently has on my viewing capabilities, but am wondering if it is even possible to get these Pittsburgh signals here.
thanks for any help....
Boony

I'm up in Punxsutawney and I have no trouble with a CM 4228 antenna just on top of my back porch.

Can't imagine you'd do worse down in Indiana.

Hi,
Any one know if it's worth trying to recieve OTA digital signals in the Indiana, Pa. area? Just bought a DVR and would like to eliminate the chokehold the Comcast presently has on my viewing capabilities, but am wondering if it is even possible to get these Pittsburgh signals here.
thanks for any help....

You're only a few more miles out from Pittsburgh than me, and I have no problems with the full power stations. WTAE and WPGH might give you some grief as they've throttled down the power due to issues with analog stations in Ohio.

I know you'll get one station I can't: WJAC.

Thanks for the help. Appreciated....will try an attic antenna and see what I can get.

Hi,
Any one know if it's worth trying to recieve OTA digital signals in the Indiana, Pa. area? Just bought a DVR and would like to eliminate the chokehold the Comcast presently has on my viewing capabilities, but am wondering if it is even possible to get these Pittsburgh signals here.
thanks for any help....
Boony

Before you buy, check out the signal finder tool at TV Fool (http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1). It provides an excellent estimation of the stations you can pull in from your location.

Anybody here? Two weeks of inactivity. Anyway, I have a question for those of you who watch PBS-HD via WQED-DT OTA. I don't -- I watch via Comcast, but I want to know if the problems I'm seeing are with WQED or Comcast. This will indicate who I should complain to, not that either will likely do any good.

We have been watching a number of PBS-HD shows in recent weeks. Masterpiece on Sunday nights, the American Experience show on Roberto Clemente the other day, plus some others. In every single show, without exception, there have been numerous intermittent partial picture breakup/freezing and audio dropouts. These are very distracting, especially when you lose key dialog. I'd estimate probably 4 to 6 times each half-hour on average. Has anyone seen these glitches watching OTA? Or is this perhaps a problem with Comcast's channel? I don't see the same problems on any other Comcast HD channel with this frequency.

Note, these problems are in addition to the normal macroblocking artifacts that are always showing up due to the reduced bandwidth they now give to the HD channel because of all the subchannels they've added. For example, the dark red background on the Masterpiece introduction segment with Gillian Anderson is just a mess of blocking artifacts every time.

I watch on a 58" Pioneer Elite 610HD RPTV.

Anybody here? Two weeks of inactivity. Anyway, I have a question for those of you who watch PBS-HD via WQED-DT OTA. I don't -- I watch via Comcast, but I want to know if the problems I'm seeing are with WQED or Comcast. This will indicate who I should complain to, not that either will likely do any good.

We have been watching a number of PBS-HD shows in recent weeks. Masterpiece on Sunday nights, the American Experience show on Roberto Clemente the other day, plus some others. In every single show, without exception, there have been numerous intermittent partial picture breakup/freezing and audio dropouts. These are very distracting, especially when you lose key dialog. I'd estimate probably 4 to 6 times each half-hour on average. Has anyone seen these glitches watching OTA? Or is this perhaps a problem with Comcast's channel? I don't see the same problems on any other Comcast HD channel with this frequency.

Note, these problems are in addition to the normal macroblocking artifacts that are always showing up due to the reduced bandwidth they now give to the HD channel because of all the subchannels they've added. For example, the dark red background on the Masterpiece introduction segment with Gillian Anderson is just a mess of blocking artifacts every time.

I watch on a 58" Pioneer Elite 610HD RPTV.

We watch a lot of QED programming OTA, and we have not seen the problem that you describe. (However, I did not watch those specific shows that you reference.) The last QED HD show I watched was the NOVA show on cars the other night, and there were no problems, at least on my end.

Cnet says that the Zenith DTT900 has the best reception of the converter box models that they tested. I'm all for picking up the most channels, so I am wondering if anyone has read of a better (more sensitive) tuner. (My coupons expire at the end of May.)

We watch a lot of QED programming OTA, and we have not seen the problem that you describe. (However, I did not watch those specific shows that you reference.) The last QED HD show I watched was the NOVA show on cars the other night, and there were no problems, at least on my end.thanks for the feedback. That could indicate that it is a Comcast issue. If you watch a lot of QED then I'm pretty sure you would have seen this because it has been on a number of different shows at all different times.

Cnet says that the Zenith DTT900 has the best reception of the converter box models that they tested. I'm all for picking up the most channels, so I am wondering if anyone has read of a better (more sensitive) tuner. (My coupons expire at the end of May.)

For the price you will not find a better tuner. I love my Zenith. I have suggested it to all my friends also.Remember to select mono in the audio section of preference,it will then produce the best sound quality.

... the American Experience show on Roberto Clemente the other day, plus some others. In every single show, without exception, there have been numerous intermittent partial picture breakup/freezing and audio dropouts.

I watched this show OTA and saw none of the problems you described.

Dave Morrison
WPXI Engineering

Just ordered a DB8 antenna for installation on my roof in Scottdale.
Wondering if others in that area of Pennsylvania have experience with this antenna regarding digital reception.
I have an old yogi antenna mounted on back porch picking up Altoona-Johnstown-Pittsburgh digital but no WV public television and no Ohio digital.
I'm curious if DB8 will make a difference.
Apologies if I'm posting in the wrong place.
Thanks in advance.

It's been suggested before, but bears repeating, use the TV Signal Locater tool at TVFool.com (http://www.tvfool.com) to check on which stations you might receive, their relative signal strength and direction from your home.
You might also click on over to the AVS Antenna Topic (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=381623) forum where you'll find plenty of opinion, insight, and information on all things OTA.
Happy viewing!

Just ordered a DB8 antenna for installation on my roof in Scottdale.
Wondering if others in that area of Pennsylvania have experience with this antenna regarding digital reception.
I have an old yogi antenna mounted on back porch picking up Altoona-Johnstown-Pittsburgh digital but no WV public television and no Ohio digital.
I'm curious if DB8 will make a difference.
Apologies if I'm posting in the wrong place.
Thanks in advance.

Maybe having your "old yogi antenna" assume the lotus position would help? :)
Sorry, I just couldn't resist that and mean no offense...it's "yagi".....a "yogi" is someone who practices yoga. :)

a "yogi" is someone who practices yoga. :)

Who'd a thunk it?! I always thought Yogi was Boo Boo's buddy in Jellystone Park!:D

Maybe having your "old yogi antenna" assume the lotus position would help? :)
Sorry, I just couldn't resist that and mean no offense...it's "yagi".....a "yogi" is someone who practices yoga. :)

I get the joke! He shouldn't be offended. Hay rluyster are you able to receive any Pittsburgh stations from Canton?:D

I wish "sweeps" month would go away, as Channel 4 is up to its usual hijinx. During Thursday's episode of "Lost," up comes a banner advertising some dumb feature upcoming on the 11 PM news (I think it was about lip gloss.) We as viewers are subjected to their promos during the commercial breaks, and unless it's an emergency, local promos during network shows should be off limits. I guess they still need a way to reach the people using TIVO and DVR's.

I wish "sweeps" month would go away, as Channel 4 is up to its usual hijinx. During Thursday's episode of "Lost," up comes a banner advertising some dumb feature upcoming on the 11 PM news (I think it was about lip gloss.) We as viewers are subjected to their promos during the commercial breaks, and unless it's an emergency, local promos during network shows should be off limits. I guess they still need a way to reach the people using TIVO and DVR's.

You pretty much nailed their reasoning. As I've written previously on the Johnstown thread, the unfortunate fact is we the viewers are not the customers; we are the product. The more eyeballs glued to a channel, the more attractive that channel is to advertisers. :(

I get the joke! He shouldn't be offended. Hay rluyster are you able to receive any Pittsburgh stations from Canton?:D

Sorry to be so slow in responding...was a few days behind with my forum reading. Yes, with a Winegard HD8200P yagi :) type antenna, Winegard preamp atop a 50 ft. tower, I can receive analog ch. 11 and ch. 53 usually with fair signals, channels 2,4,13,40 with snowier signals. Ch.2 would probably be better if ch. 3 from Cleveland didn't have its digital station on that frequency. Ch. 16 also is there but suffers a lot of interference from a local station on channel 17.
During the summer months, I get almost daily/nightly reception of the digital transmitters of ch.s 11, 13, 22 and when conditions are a little better, digital from 2, 4, 16 and rarely, ch. 53. Again, ch. 2's digital would probably be better if we didn't have a Cleveland analog station on ch. 25. I get strong analog and digital signals from WTOV, Steubenville. (I watch them regularly for their local news as I'm originally from the Belmont/Harrison OH county areas.) I used to get a fair signal from Wheeling WV ch. 7 analog but that's been much more problematic since they've been on reduced power for reported tower work. Their digital on ch. 32 only pops through briefly/rarely owing to their low power. When tropo conditions are good, I get the Johnstown/Altoona stations, analog and digital.
I also receive WOUC-DT, Cambridge OH all the time with a strong signal and WHIZ-DT, Zanesville fairly often. WHIZ ch. 18 is usually receivable with a poor to fair quality analog signal. That's kind of a quick rundown on reception here. What do you get from over this way? :)

The only thing that I've gotten from Canton is some channel that has nothing on it but infomercials (WOAC 67?). I used to also get WUAB on tropo days so I could watch "The Tube Network" but since it (The Tube) went bankrupt, I don't try anymore. I've also gotten Ch.8 from Cleveland, but I also don't try that anymore, because my TV blanks out WWCP-8 from Johnstown, and I need to do an entire relearn to get everything back. I can usually get analog Channel 3 from Cleveland with a fair bit of snow. I can pull in everything from Y'town with regularity, except for WYTV-33, which is a bit more challenging.

Sorry to be so slow in responding...was a few days behind with my forum reading. Yes, with a Winegard HD8200P yagi :) type antenna, Winegard preamp atop a 50 ft. tower, I can receive analog ch. 11 and ch. 53 usually with fair signals, channels 2,4,13,40 with snowier signals. Ch.2 would probably be better if ch. 3 from Cleveland didn't have its digital station on that frequency. Ch. 16 also is there but suffers a lot of interference from a local station on channel 17.
During the summer months, I get almost daily/nightly reception of the digital transmitters of ch.s 11, 13, 22 and when conditions are a little better, digital from 2, 4, 16 and rarely, ch. 53. Again, ch. 2's digital would probably be better if we didn't have a Cleveland analog station on ch. 25. I get strong analog and digital signals from WTOV, Steubenville. (I watch them regularly for their local news as I'm originally from the Belmont/Harrison OH county areas.) I used to get a fair signal from Wheeling WV ch. 7 analog but that's been much more problematic since they've been on reduced power for reported tower work. Their digital on ch. 32 only pops through briefly/rarely owing to their low power. When tropo conditions are good, I get the Johnstown/Altoona stations, analog and digital.
I also receive WOUC-DT, Cambridge OH all the time with a strong signal and WHIZ-DT, Zanesville fairly often. WHIZ ch. 18 is usually receivable with a poor to fair quality analog signal. That's kind of a quick rundown on reception here. What do you get from over this way? :)

rluyster,

I have a question for you. I live in Green zipcode 44319. This is not to far from canton. Have you tried other antenna's or is the HD8200P the only one?
I have a CM 4228 with CM 7777 pre amp. With this set up I can sometimes get analog Channel 11 WPIX and most times get WTOV. Of Course both have snowy pictures. I have not been able to recieve either with the RCA digital converter box. I am going to try to move the antenna around the roof and get a 10 degree upwards tilt. Now I am wondering if I don't even have the correct antenna. Thanks for any input.

zff36

kind of ot --

does anyone know of any decent bars inside the city that actually have proper hd? i'm a very big fan of both hd sports and mixing sports with alcohol, but it seems like not a damned single bar manager in this city actually has his/her hdtvs configured properly. i love how some of them even brag about the hdtv, then don't actually have high def ("over 36 hdtvs!" (and they all look like sh*t!)). i need a place to go for the pens game on fri with some friends, and none of the many, many bars i often go to have real hd... anyone have any favorites?

dan

kind of ot --

does anyone know of any decent bars inside the city that actually have proper hd? i'm a very big fan of both hd sports and mixing sports with alcohol, but it seems like not a damned single bar manager in this city actually has his/her hdtvs configured properly. i love how some of them even brag about the hdtv, then don't actually have high def ("over 36 hdtvs!" (and they all look like sh*t!)). i need a place to go for the pens game on fri with some friends, and none of the many, many bars i often go to have real hd... anyone have any favorites?

dan

What area are you in (N/S/E/W)? Dive bar? Middle of the road? Upscale?

I'm with you, I get so annoyed watching stretched SD on a nice HD set.

Oh and bad news - as of right now the game is only in SD on Vs. (They're showing GOLF on Vs/GLF HD).

i'm in shadyside, but i go all over. to give you a sense of my taste: my usual haunts include doc's and mardi gras in shadyside, kelly's (east liberty), the cage (squirrel hill cafe), gene's (amazingly awesome dive in oakland), the elbow room, monterey pub (northside), silky's (sq. hill... the bloomfield one is kinda... well, dead most of the time), the take a break bar (lawrenceville), the brillobox (lawrenceville), spice cafe (oakland), max's (northside), mario's (south side), piper's pub (south side)... i think that's it.

heh... i drink a bit. in other words, i'm not big on bars in the burbs (fox and the hound), or meathead places (hi tops, margarita mama's), but other than that i'm good most places. anyway, NONE of those places have correctly hooked up HD. not one. nor has any place i've been to on walnut street or ellsworth ave in shadyside EVER shown a correct hookup. it really is pretty sad...

Sorry to be so slow in responding...was a few days behind with my forum reading. Yes, with a Winegard HD8200P yagi :) type antenna, Winegard preamp atop a 50 ft. tower, I can receive analog ch. 11 and ch. 53 usually with fair signals, channels 2,4,13,40 with snowier signals. Ch.2 would probably be better if ch. 3 from Cleveland didn't have its digital station on that frequency. Ch. 16 also is there but suffers a lot of interference from a local station on channel 17.
During the summer months, I get almost daily/nightly reception of the digital transmitters of ch.s 11, 13, 22 and when conditions are a little better, digital from 2, 4, 16 and rarely, ch. 53. Again, ch. 2's digital would probably be better if we didn't have a Cleveland analog station on ch. 25. I get strong analog and digital signals from WTOV, Steubenville. (I watch them regularly for their local news as I'm originally from the Belmont/Harrison OH county areas.) I used to get a fair signal from Wheeling WV ch. 7 analog but that's been much more problematic since they've been on reduced power for reported tower work. Their digital on ch. 32 only pops through briefly/rarely owing to their low power. When tropo conditions are good, I get the Johnstown/Altoona stations, analog and digital.
I also receive WOUC-DT, Cambridge OH all the time with a strong signal and WHIZ-DT, Zanesville fairly often. WHIZ ch. 18 is usually receivable with a poor to fair quality analog signal. That's kind of a quick rundown on reception here. What do you get from over this way? :)
It sounds like you are getting a good selection of stations from your location. You should also receive 24.1 (33) from Morgantown W Va.In answering your question , the only Ohio station I receive is WFMJ 21.1&21.2 great stations! I wish I could receive WTOV for in the summer Jamboree in the hills would be nice to get. My western sky is restricted due to houses across the street. My roof antenna still can't get past the houses, maybe if I had a 50ft tower and I know my neighbors wouln't like that.

players championship on WPXI in SD as of 3:30-350PM EST today. didn't tune in earlier, but i only can assume it was SD then too. tried calling the station and no answer. what a disgrace. the tournament so important it almost got a 2nd round replay on vs/golf hd instead of the live pens-flyers game, and we can't even get a competant live broadcast of it on a big 4 network affiliate.

lmao

just got a person on the line who told me that I need to contact my calbe provided if i'm not getting the broadcast in HD. LMAO



new channel added to the boycott list in ...3..2..1....

miraculously at exactly 4:00 PM EST, shortly after my call and being told it's the cable company's fault, the broacast 'switches on to HD'

*rolls eyes*



too bad WPXI, i'm turning your station off !

I feel your pain for the many glitches and stupid things these stations and companies do. But if you keep whacking them pretty soon you're just going to be sitting in a quiet room reading novels. Or are you currently boycotting book publishers too? :)

I feel your pain for the many glitches and stupid things these stations and companies do. But if you keep whacking them pretty soon you're just going to be sitting in a quiet room reading novels. Or are you currently boycotting book publishers too? :)

:D

rluyster,

I have a question for you. I live in Green zipcode 44319. This is not to far from canton. Have you tried other antenna's or is the HD8200P the only one?
I have a CM 4228 with CM 7777 pre amp. With this set up I can sometimes get analog Channel 11 WPIX and most times get WTOV. Of Course both have snowy pictures. I have not been able to recieve either with the RCA digital converter box. I am going to try to move the antenna around the roof and get a 10 degree upwards tilt. Now I am wondering if I don't even have the correct antenna. Thanks for any input.

zff36

The only other antenna I have used is Winegard's PR-7037 in their Prostar series. It is somewhat smaller than the HD8200P and although not rated as highly for distance reception as the HD8200P, seemed to work just about as well here at this location. I think the most important factor was getting the antenna up as high as possible. I've never experimented with tilting the antenna but have read that people do this with some success.

Hey has anyone noticed that KDKA has slightly "gray" side bars? Noticed it for the first time in todays newscast.

Hey has anyone noticed that KDKA has slightly "gray" side bars? Noticed it for the first time in todays newscast.

Yup. Saw that on the CBS Evening News. I don't know what it means, if anything.

Got my Zenith DTT900's with my coupons. I like that I can check channels individually, rather than be at the mercy of some auto scan. I will also echo previous comments that they dropped the ball by not letting the antenna signal "pass" when the converter box is off. This is a pain for me, as for our upstairs TV, I combined the line from my DISH network receiver (squawks on UHF 60) with an antenna. Now I need to split this signal, and do an A/B switch. (A for locals, B for DISH programming). Very nice reception with these boxes otherwise.

It sounds like you are getting a good selection of stations from your location. You should also receive 24.1 (33) from Morgantown W Va.In answering your question , the only Ohio station I receive is WFMJ 21.1&21.2 great stations! I wish I could receive WTOV for in the summer Jamboree in the hills would be nice to get. My western sky is restricted due to houses across the street. My roof antenna still can't get past the houses, maybe if I had a 50ft tower and I know my neighbors wouln't like that.

Because you receive WFMJ-DT, 21.1 & 21.2, I'm surprised that you don't receive WKBN-DT, 27.1 & 27.2, which also broadcasts from Youngstown. It broadcasts on real channel 41. Its antenna is much taller (about 1400 ft.), and its signal is much more powerful.

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT603946.gif

I feel your pain for the many glitches and stupid things these stations and companies do. But if you keep whacking them pretty soon you're just going to be sitting in a quiet room reading novels. Or are you currently boycotting book publishers too? :)

some! :eek:


seriously, i pay(paid) well to get hdtvs, and hdtv programming. i no longer watch sd shows with maybe a 1% exception rule. i find myself watching a lot less tv overall than i use to. ditching another channel here or there isn't gonna kill me. the only thing on WPXI i routinely watched anymore was L+O:SVU anyways

Hey has anyone noticed that KDKA has slightly "gray" side bars? Noticed it for the first time in todays newscast.

CBS must have changed from black to gray on 4:3 formatted content because they are there during The Late Late Show.

seriously, i pay(paid) well to get hdtvs, and hdtv programming.

Didn't we all, but if you're going to stop watching channels over technical glitches, then you might as well just sell your set.

You should be thankful you have an HDTV. There are people in this world who can't afford one, and with gas prices going ever upward, have better things to worry about such as how they are going to get to work rather than if a golf tournament is in 16:9.

Humanity managed to survive 50 years with 480i 4:3 SD television that was not without problems, we can survive technical glitches in the digital era. Look at it this way, atleast WPXI wasn't knocked completely off the air.

Didn't we all, but if you're going to stop watching channels over technical glitches, then you might as well just sell your set.

You should be thankful you have an HDTV. There are people in this world who can't afford one, and with gas prices going ever upward, have better things to worry about such as how they are going to get to work rather than if a golf tournament is in 16:9.

Humanity managed to survive 50 years with 480i 4:3 SD television that was not without problems, we can survive technical glitches in the digital era. Look at it this way, atleast WPXI wasn't knocked completely off the air.

its not so much the technical glitch, but the outright lie 'to my face' over the phone as if i were some idiot with no clue (i'm one tier above that :D ), and please don't get me started about how dumb our nation is laid out. whoever thought that suburbia and global/transnational shipping of all products would be sustainable should be retroactively aborted. i just want to enjoy some awesome hidef content before the world goes mad max in 10 years

Because you receive WFMJ-DT, 21.1 & 21.2, I'm surprised that you don't receive WKBN-DT, 27.1 & 27.2, which also broadcasts from Youngstown. It broadcasts on real channel 41. Its antenna is much taller (about 1400 ft.), and its signal is much more powerful.

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT603946.gif

I would love to receive WKBN,and have so last summer due to tropo conditions, but I have not received it since.As I said my western view is not clear due to houses blocking the open sky. My east is wide open and I receive WWCP with rabbit ears and WJAC with a home made 4228 antenna just held up to the window.

Didn't we all, but if you're going to stop watching channels over technical glitches, then you might as well just sell your set.

You should be thankful you have an HDTV. There are people in this world who can't afford one, and with gas prices going ever upward, have better things to worry about such as how they are going to get to work rather than if a golf tournament is in 16:9.

Humanity managed to survive 50 years with 480i 4:3 SD television that was not without problems, we can survive technical glitches in the digital era. Look at it this way, atleast WPXI wasn't knocked completely off the air.

I agree with you totally. I can live with a few glitches after growing up with black and white TV up untill 1968. And then we had rabbit ears with aluminum foil at the ends to try to remove the ghosts from the picture. This DTV to me is the greatest thing to come along in a long time. I tell all my friends about it whenever I can, but they all have cable and seem to not mind the $80.00 + fee they blow each month.

I'm over in Punxsutawney and WKBN is a cinch. It's actually easier for me than some of the Pittsburgh channels (WQED, WTAE and WPMY give me fits).

Not that I really need three CBS affiliates, but I ain't stickin my nose up at the occasional extra out of market game during football season.

Not to overstate the obvious, but in case anyone missed it, WTOV-9 Steubenville has thrown up Super Doppler 9000 on ch 9-3.

Not to overstate the obvious, but in case anyone missed it, WTOV-9 Steubenville has thrown up Super Doppler 9000 on ch 9-3.

I did thanks to low power and a directional antenna :D.

guys -

i'm moving to a new apartment in a building in west friendship/east bloomfield. i have a big outdoor balcony on the 2nd floor of a 3-story building, so i was thinking of taking this opportunity to ditch my cable bill and ride the airwaves with an outdoor antenna. i was looking at something like the channelmaster 4220, or something like it. obviously i'm a little concerned about being able to pick up 4.1/wtae, but other than that, i'm fairly well positioned to pick up pgh stations with an outdoor wall facing the northwest. i'm intrigued by the possibility of picking up some stations from ohio or other areas in the region. does anyone have an antenna recommendation? i'm in the city, so i might have to go with something directional to get reliable reception, but i'd like to be able to bring in those far-off signals, if for no other reason than to get wtae reliably. anyone in or around this area having real success with a particular antenna?

thanks.

dan