Thanks Ken H!

Tonight, WDRB Fox HD picture looks fine with no problems on cable Insight HD.

OTA continues to break up -- this does not appear to be a lack of power issue from my prospective. My reception is currently at 53% as it has always been.

My expierence in trying to get Insight HD has been frustrating and even offending. The Motorolla 6208 HD reciever only gives a letterboxed picture when the setting are on 480I or 480P. On 1080I i get a full 4:3 picture on HD programs and black bars on both sides on non HD material, which is of course not the way it should be on my Tosh 50X81 set. All combinations of setup have been tried without joy. After enduring 3 telephone techs who were unfamiliar with HD (two told me 480I is HD), and one home tech who admitted no HD expierence, another who offered to watch"dirty movies" with my daughter (called supervisor), and the last who did actually understand the problem, but did not know how to fix it, I'm getting frustrated. My NEC HT1000 projector is being serviced untill next week, so I havn't been able to check it on that yet, but I have watched alot of HD on my Toshiba from OTA, Direct and Dish, so I know its not my set. Has anyone else had any aspect issues with Louisville Insight?

Originally posted by bone_fide
My expierence in trying to get Insight HD has been frustrating and even offending. The Motorolla 6208 HD reciever only gives a letterboxed picture when the setting are on 480I or 480P. On 1080I i get a full 4:3 picture on HD programs and black bars on both sides on non HD material, which is of course not the way it should be on my Tosh 50X81 set. All combinations of setup have been tried without joy. After enduring 3 telephone techs who were unfamiliar with HD (two told me 480I is HD), and one home tech who admitted no HD expierence, another who offered to watch"dirty movies" with my daughter (called supervisor), and the last who did actually understand the problem, but did not know how to fix it, I'm getting frustrated. My NEC HT1000 projector is being serviced untill next week, so I havn't been able to check it on that yet, but I have watched alot of HD on my Toshiba from OTA, Direct and Dish, so I know its not my set. Has anyone else had any aspect issues with Louisville Insight?

Try this....go to

http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/downloads/DCT6200-08_UserGuide.pdf

page 10

Thanks, but I'm now very familiar with those settings, but to no avail.

Just to start out I just found this site and it is going to take me some time to digest all the info. I have tried a couple of searches and it is hard to find an answer becasue there is so much info.

I currently have DishNetwork (E*) with a 811 reciever, local channels, and the HD Package. I want to set up an antenna to recieve OTA HD but have a few questions. I purchased the CM3018 atenna from lowes and was wondering if this will work or do I need a different one. I live about 15-16 miles from the towers off Breckendrige close to six mile. I would like to install it in the attic but I could install it on the roof if needed. I tried it out last night and the picture looked good with the antenna in the dinning room.

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff:
I've learned the only way to pick up a solid OTA signal is through trial and error. Your signal will vary depending on terrain (mainly trees), distance from tower, weather, antenna height, antenna orientation and the quality of your receiver, coax cable, and antenna. Lots of variables. The experts say antenna height is the most important element.

I have a channel master 3023 (UHF antenna) in my attic with a cheap Radio Shack distribution amp. I spent a month determining the right location and amp for my antenna. I was surprised to find that antenna orientation is an important element... a couple degrees off can impact signal strength. Also, I tried more expensive amps designed for antennas from RS, but found a cheaper "4 way distribution amp" worked best in my case (cat no. 15-1168)

I would first try the attic, but run enough coax to place antenna outside if needed. I'm 20 miles away and now receive a solid signal. Hope this helps.

Ugh, weather is killing WDRB-DT, as it did WHAS earlier today. Couldn't watch the football game in DT and now can't watch the WS in HD. I get so frustrated sometimes.


Sorry, just venting.

Originally posted by Buckett
Sorry, just venting.

Not to mention WLKY forgetting about SEC Football in HD again ;)

Originally posted by bone_fide
...another who offered to watch"dirty movies" with my daughter (called supervisor)...

WTF? Okay, you HAVE to elaborate on this! :D What lead up to it and what was the reaction of the supervisor? This is too funny.... sounds like the idiot was trying to get fired!

When this guy knocked on the door, I was in another part of the house, and my 33 year old daughter answered the door. The perv stood there, just inside the house and looked at the TV and said "so do you have HBO?", to which my daughter said, yea, he then said " we should get together and watch some porno some time" to her horror. She told me what happened when he went back out to his truck, but asked me not to say anything to him till she left, since she was on her way out. After she left I told him to pack it up, since by then I could see he did'nt know the first thing about my problem (HD aspect ratio) and I informed him that I'll be calling Insight as soon as he left, and repeated to him what my daughter said he said. He at first apologized, then said he was just checking to see if she knew how to set parental controls, then said he knew it was wrong, then started to write down a name and number for me to call, to which I told him not to bother, I'd be calling through the main number. The supervisor was shocked and apologetic and assured me that action would be taken. I will never allow another serviceman to come into my house without my being here because of this.

Insight also cannot provide me with a HD reciever that will put out 1080i letterbox. I'm getting a full screen on the 1080i setting and letterbox on 480, which is reversed of how it should be. They and I have tried every combination in the Motorol 6208 set up. I'm watching HD from OTA on the very same set through an old Directv DTC100 so I know the problem is not the set (Toshiba 50X81). When my HT1000 projector comes back from service this week, if I still can't get the correct aspect, I'm going back to satelite, and I'm considering suing them for sending a pervert to the house.

Argh... The Colts vs Jacksonville is an HD game and 32-1 is not showing HD... 4:3 with sidebars. :(

-AKH

2nd half now and nothing has changed. It's listed as HD on the schedules and my friend with Indy cable is watching it in HD. Either something is broke at WLKY DT or they've dropped the ball...

I guess that would be called a fumble... :(

-AKH

Originally posted by akh
Either something is broke at WLKY DT or they've dropped the ball...


I'm thinking something (or several somethings) got fried at WLKY last week. The WLKY and WAVE DT's were off air until ~4:30 ish PM most of the week and WLKY analog was either off air or on a low power backup for 3 days.

Bone fide,
You need to change the setting on the TV to compress when watching 16X9 material (be it 480i/p or 1080i) .

The settings on the cable box should read as follows:
TV Type: 4:3 Letterbox
Y Pb Pr Output: 1080i
4:3 Override: 480i or 480p

Scott,
There is no setting on this set to compress. I have tried that setting on the cable box, no joy. I have used Dish and Direct recievers with good results and I'm viewing Monday night Football in HD from my DTC100 OTA in 16:9 right now. I don't get it because I know that there must be 100s of HDTV's set up by Insight by now. Thanks for trying to help though.

Originally posted by bone_fide
There is no setting on this set to compress. I have tried that setting on the cable box, no joy. I have used Dish and Direct recievers with good results and I'm viewing Monday night Football in HD from my DTC100 OTA in 16:9 right now. I don't get it because I know that there must be 100s of HDTV's set up by Insight by now. Thanks for trying to help though.

My stab at it:

First off the 50H81 is a 16:9 Widescreen set, so I'm assuming what you really have is a 50H71 which is the "equivelent" 4:3 version. Page 25 of the user manual for this set tells you how to use the "pic size" button on your remote to enable "letterbox" or "squeeze mode" for widescreen format sources (like HD running through the HD1 or HD2 component inputs) ... Of course you may have a completely different set ...

PS: This is my first and last attempt at solving the problem ;) :D

I did misstate the model # in my first post as a 50H81, I see, however it is a 50X81. (TN50X81) I checked the remote for a "pic size" button, but its not there. I reread the owners manual but I could not find any reference to "letterbox or squeeze mode". Thanks anyway for the reply.

PS: I found the owners manual for the 50H71 online and I see the settings that you mentioned, but on my set that button is called "strobe" and does not adjust aspect ratio.

Originally posted by bone_fide
I did misstate the model # in my first post as a 50H81, I see, however it is a 50X81. (TN50X81)

Ah ha ... helps to have correct input especially concerning Tosh model numbers ;)

Edit: Ok ... I guess you are officially hosed without an STB to do the work for the set ... congrats on being an "early adopter." I wasn't aware that Toshiba had ever made any 4:3 "HD" sets without the squeeze mode.

I would be out of luck on that set it seems, but I have a happy ending afterall, as everything works great on my NEC HT 1000 projector, fresh from servicing. I'll continue to use the OTA HD on the Tosh, since most HD viewing will be on the 100" screen anyway. Thanks for taking the time though. I enjoy the challenges of being an early adopter, I'm building a XP MCE 2005 machine right now.

Several questions regarding the state of the HD state here in louisville.

1: WB & UPN - any plans on these locals sending out the HD feed?
2: ABC/NBC macroblocking issue, etc. - Any idea when/if they are gonna fix this problem?
3: KET - Understand this is broadcast in 1080i? Thats the same as HDNET, but the quality of these 4 channels is horrendous compared to HDNET. The only thing I've ever seen that looked good was Great performances hosted by Peter Jennings featuring don quixote. This was good. PBS generally has a lot of programming I'd watch, but I skip most of it due to the quality... Is this a situation where only select programs are really 1080i?
4: 760 on insight (i think) - this is the "special programming" channel that insight offers. I've never seen this channel active, nor have I ever seen any info regarding upcoming programming ANYWHERE! I've even talked to insight about this but they were clueless about their own channel. What gives?
5: Any word if insight is going to add TNT and SCIFI to the HD lineup (i understand both of these channels have HD)
Lastly, any advice (and email addys) regarding contacting local/national channels, etc. to complain/suggest/beg/plead for resolutions and more channels? I've got Bill Lamb's email addy, but do not know who to contact to get the best results at other places. Is there a link that lists them all? Maybe a seperate thread with this info is warranted? I think they're in this thread somewhere, but 100+ pages is a bit much to scan thru....

Thanks!
CoSh

2) WHAS ABC might drop "ABC News" sub-channel after election. NBC WAVE has no plans to drop the unnecessary sub-channel.
3) KET4 or 15-4 broadcast in 720p @ 8Mbps.(10/31 correction: should be 720p @ 12Mpbs) Insight HD picks up this channel, instead of the more desirable 68-1 which pushes 14Mbps. 68-1 broadcasts in 720p and is only available OTA. I think 68-1 looks fantastic !
4 & 5) Several members here on avsforum have written Insight (Karen Stokes?), and she has made no commitments on adding additional HD programming.

Argh Argh Argh.... AGAIN WLKY DT is not showing the Colts game in HD yet it is listed as an HD game on Directv's Sunday Ticket. But I can't get that feed because I am in an area showing the game (OTA).

They WERE just broadcasting the HD feed of the NFL pregame show because it had the CBS logoed sidebars.

If anyone down that way (louisville) who knows how to rattle their chain could call and let them know this game is supposed to be HD and get them to 'flip the switch' I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd appreciate it.

-AKH

looks super.

Originally posted by klinecr
looks super.

Yes... and soon after that happened the Samsung HD TV took a crap. Shut itself off and then came back on and convergence was massively screwed. Especially the red. It wouldn't accept any changes in the convergence menu to get it back to acceptable. I had to drag out the 27" Sony to watch the 2nd half.

My day just didn't go well at all! :(

I won't even mention the final score of the game. :(

-AKH

Actually, KET4 is now running almost 12 Mbps when in HD mode.

Originally posted by William Smith
Actually, KET4 is now running almost 12 Mbps when in HD mode.
There was something on last night about sperm whales. The quality was pretty good but still just not quite as vivid as other HD productions I've seen.

Originally posted by cosherer
Several questions regarding the state of the HD state here in louisville.
4: 760 on insight (i think) - this is the "special programming" channel that insight offers. I've never seen this channel active, nor have I ever seen any info regarding upcoming programming ANYWHERE! I've even talked to insight about this but they were clueless about their own channel. What gives?
Thanks!
CoSh

The special events channel on Insight is 770. It is used primarily for sporting events which are broadcast in HD that are on a std def channel that Insight carries, but not normally in HD. For example, early rounds of the US Open tennis tournament are broadcast on USA network. The SD broadcast is on USA and the HD broadcast is on 770. I do agree that there should be a better way of notifying customers of upcoming programming on this channel.

Boy, WDRB-DT absolutely sucks today. I am getting more time of NO SIGNAL than any at all.

If you wonder what causes signal loss, it is when there is something that channel that I want to watch.

Originally posted by Buckett
Boy, WDRB-DT absolutely sucks today. I am getting more time of NO SIGNAL than any at all.

If you wonder what causes signal loss, it is when there is something that channel that I want to watch.

Wish I could get WDRB-DT down here near E-Town.

Also, has WLKY-DT changed their power, I cannot get any signal from them in about 3 weeks, and before it was very strong?

Mike T near Cecilia

I am next to Glendale here and can pick up WLKY, WAVE, and WHAS but I have to plug in an in-line amp to pick up WHAS WAVE and unplug it for WLKY. With no shot at WDRB....they are broadcasting at a very low power kw.......I have a Dish 811 and get a 49% on WDRB sometimes but I have to have 60% or greater to lock it in. Hope that Bill Lamb, general manager WDRB (I believe), realizes that he is losing viewership when I will watch something in HD on another channel before I watch SD on WDRB. Any ideas on improving digital reception of channels are greatly welcome.

I live in Floyds Knobs and get great HD antenna signals ( 70 - 90). However, I get occasional loss of the picture ( digitalization?). I have my antenna in the upstairs bedroom with about 100 feet of cable back to my TV in the basement.

Should I add a booster to my Silver Surfer or get a channel master or is the occasional loss of picture something that we all live with since HD is so new.

Originally posted by coachO
I live in Floyds Knobs and get great HD antenna signals ( 70 - 90). However, I get occasional loss of the picture ( digitalization?). I have my antenna in the upstairs bedroom with about 100 feet of cable back to my TV in the basement.

Should I add a booster to my Silver Surfer or get a channel master or is the occasional loss of picture something that we all live with since HD is so new.

Do you mean a "Silver Sensor" antenna? I used to use one (about 1 year)as you described with a long cable to my HD setup in the basement. I had to get an in-line amp from Radio Shack to boost signal across the 75' (in my case) of cable to go to the basement from the upstairs antenna. I still got drops and was very glad to finally get Insight HD cable. It is not perfect but it was better than my antenna setup. I live in east central Louisville.

Hope the in-line amp helps. Some here have had success with the channel master, I just couldn't bring myself to go with a big antenna on the chimney. If OTA doesn't improve there is always cable/sat. I am "treed in" where I live so sat is not an option, but overall Insight has been an improvement over OTA.

I live about 15 miles from the towers - near 71 and the Gene Snyder. I am able to pick up NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, UPN and PBS with my Indoor Antenna(Radio Shack 15-1880).

I can get WB and someother PBS if I move the antenna around.

Interesting, I've been having the same problems. I'm in Brandenburg which should be about 30 miles or so from the transmitters. I am using an indoor Radio Shack amplified antenna facing north out of a back bedroom window. WAVE and WHAS are fine, but WLKY, WKPC, WKDJ all dropped off in power in late October. After repositioning the antenna all is well. WDRB never used to come in on my 811. However, just when the world series started, I was getting 75 to 80% on FOX. WLKY is my strongest station with 90%, then WAVE with 85%, then WHAS with 80%.

Mark

Originally posted by J_Slimz
I am next to Glendale here and can pick up WLKY, WAVE, and WHAS but I have to plug in an in-line amp to pick up WHAS WAVE and unplug it for WLKY. With no shot at WDRB....they are broadcasting at a very low power kw.......I have a Dish 811 and get a 49% on WDRB sometimes but I have to have 60% or greater to lock it in. Hope that Bill Lamb, general manager WDRB (I believe), realizes that he is losing viewership when I will watch something in HD on another channel before I watch SD on WDRB. Any ideas on improving digital reception of channels are greatly welcome.

anybody know the NBC control room number in L'ville? This special is in HD elsewhere in the country... Not HD at the moment out of L'ville!

What a mess HD was last night locally! Did anyone catch the wonderful time-shift/HD to SD shift that was going on with Spiderman on WDRB last night? Every 10 seconds or so for about 20 minutes it would shift from one scene in the movie in HD to a completely different scene in the movie in SD for about 5 seconds and then back again..over and over again!

We also got to se the last 3 minutes of the Seinfeld special in HD when WAVE finally (!) flipped the switch.

Guess the Thanksgiving shift doesn't get the best resources at any of the Louisville stations.

Let's hope XMAS and the new years day games are a little better!
-Alex-

WHAS 582-7840
WHAS NEWS (for nights and weekends)582-7223

WAVE 585-2201
WAVE NEWS (for nights and weekends)561-4150

WLKY 893-3671
WLKY NEWS (for nights and weekends)891-4932

The HD channels on Insight have been pixelating like crazy lately. Is anyone else having this problem or is it just me?

Scott:

I watched ESPN Sunday Night football and Sportscenter last night with no reception problems. Though Insight interrupted Sportscenter around 1am with their weekly "Emergency Test" which goes on for 5 minutes! I'd prefer to get my emergency info elsewhere.

Hmmm...just caught "Backdraft" on UHD via Insight on channel 774. Is this a new channel? I know it stands for Universal High Definition, but has it been on for awhile and I just didn't notice?
-Alex-

NBC Universal relaunced UniversalHD replacing BravoHD+. BravoHD+ is no more.

Old Site:
http://www.bravotv.com/HDPlus/

New Site:
http://www.universalhd.com/

Learn something new every day!

Thanks Cambus!
-Alex-

I just called WLKY about the lack of the HD feed for today's games, and was told by someone at the news desk that they've "blown a transformer or something" and won't be able to broadcast digital or HD until Tuesday (12/7).

Standard Def. presentation according to my receiver.

Anyone know anything about the UK vs. UL game being in HD?

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tvlistings/schedule?date=20041211&network=1

Says not HD. MichaelZ, Who is your source?

RE: UL / UK Game

Buckett: Probably not HD as ESPN does not have the game listed on their HD schedule.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tvlistings/espnhd/index

That's what I figured. meh

If you've noticed that your previously pristine CBS-HD feed from WLKY has developed a bad case of macroblocking, there's a reason. WLKY has started multicasting a radar subchannel on 26.2 (32.2) ...

HDTV: a nice idea while it lasted ...

Originally posted by HDTVChallenged
If you've noticed that your previously pristine CBS-HD feed from WLKY has developed a bad case of macroblocking, there's a reason. WLKY has started multicasting a radar subchannel on 26.2 (32.2) ...

HDTV: a nice idea while it lasted ...

At leate it is useful information ... not :mad:

Originally posted by MichaelZ
Screw HD OTA (since it's not HD anymore) let's wait for the HD-DVD's at least they won't sub-channel that (I think?). :(

It's not just OTA, there are no longer any unadulterated "HD" feeds available at my address. ... Well I guess FOX might come close once they come back to the airwaves, but most of FOX-HD looks more like upconverted 480p to me.

Was anyone able to enjoy MNF last night? Insight 760 was pixelating last night. That was the only HD channel that was bad, so I assumed it was a WHAS problem.

I was having problems with insight also so I switched to OTA and it was fine...not a great picture but watchable unlike insight

WKMJ-DT 's PBS- HD feed is out due to ice on the dish at the transmitter site..

Can't say when it will be back yet...

William

Does anyone that posts here use the dish network 811 HD receiver? I heard that it can be used to pick up Over the air stations as well. How does it perform in this area?

Just got the Motorola 101 ota stb & have a couple of questions? When the unit scanned for the digital/hd channels, it did not pick up WBNA. According to the information I found, they are broadcasting from the same proximity as WAVE, WLKY, WHAS, WDRB & WKPC. I live in Shepherdsville, shouldn't I have been able to receive it. Also, seems like it takes longer for the unit to lock onto the WDRB signal. I have also noticed that the WDRB picture & sound freeze up for seconds at a time & then back to normal. I have read other posts that this is a fairly common problem with WDRB & not a problem with my stb.

It found channels 3, 32 and PBS 68 digital channels. I live in Eminence, kentucky

Originally posted by purvis
Does anyone that posts here use the dish network 811 HD receiver? I heard that it can be used to pick up Over the air stations as well. How does it perform in this area?

Purvis,

I have the Dish 811 receiver and I use it to pick up the HDTV OTA channels from Louisville. I am down in Brandenburg, and I can pick them up with both my outdoor antenna and with a little Radio Shack indoor amplified antenna.

OTA on the 811 will work only when you are locked on to the satellites. Thus, you would need to have it hooked up to a dish 500 sat dish. Not sure if you need to subscribe to programming, but it needs to be locked on to one of Echostars birds.

Mark

anyone know if insight plans on getting the motorola 6412?

Our remote monitoring is showing the KET HD feed is back on 68-1. Can someone confirm this for me..

Originally posted by William Smith
Our remote monitoring is showing the KET HD feed is back on 68-1. Can someone confirm this for me..

Yes it is.

Originally posted by silvermaxd
anyone know if insight plans on getting the motorola 6412?

Insight told me 1st quater '05 when I asked them a few weeks ago, but I vaguely remember someone else saying it will be Mar-May '05. Don't know if there will be an additional cost relative to the 6208.

WLKY-DT is a joke. Anyone else TRYING to watch the Jets/Rams? Don't even think about HD... oh wait, it is HD... oh, now its gone again. Now its the Pitt/Buff game HD. Now it's the Jets/Rams SD. Nice.

Originally posted by Buckett
WLKY-DT is a joke. Anyone else TRYING to watch the Jets/Rams? Don't even think about HD... oh wait, it is HD... oh, now its gone again. Now its the Pitt/Buff game HD. Now it's the Jets/Rams SD. Nice.

I just tuned in and saw the SD broadcast. I then double-checked to see that it was SUPPOSED to be HD. I guess I missed the switching back and forth you mentioned. I suppose this doesn't bode well for the Colts vs Broncos later today (which is also a HD game).

Has anyone contacted the station?

-AKH

How hard is it for WLKY to make sure the HD football feeds are used when available for WLKYDT?

I can think of several times this season where either entire games or significant portions were sent from WLKYDT in 'glorious' SD :(

So far, today's no different.

I don't remember these problems from last year.

-AKH

Can we generate a seperate post with contact info for each affiliate? (I suspect a lot of it is in this thread, but who is going to look thri 106 pages of content...). I suggest email and phone numbers for specific people/departments. We could all look in the phone book or submit emails via their websites, but who knows who or when we'd actually be contacting. This way, we could direct our concerns as quickly and specifically as possible and try to remedy the situation as they occur.

So far, I've only had success emailing one person directly (Bill Lamb at Fox - blamb@fox41.com) and he replied relatively quickly (2-3 days - not fast enough to resolve an immediate problem tho...) with an answer. He was very honest and seemed genuinely concerned about the state of their HD (this was just prior to them going live with HD). Also, kudos to them (fox41) for their HD info as listed on their website - the others have little or no real info regarding their HD content or policies. And also to PBS - their KET4 channel is getting better (but the other 3 I never watch as I never see anything but SD content).

Then, once we have a complete, up-to-date listing, we can each begin to rattle the cages locally.

On another tangent, anyone have any suggestions as to who/how to voice our concerns regarding the various sub-channels in use and the growing prevalence of "HD-LITE"? ABC's monday nite football is a prime example of this...

CoSh

Originally posted by cosherer
Can we generate a seperate post with contact info for each affiliate? (I suspect a lot of it is in this thread, but who is going to look thri 106 pages of content...). I suggest email and phone numbers for specific people/departments. We could all look in the phone book or submit emails via their websites, but who knows who or when we'd actually be contacting. This way, we could direct our concerns as quickly and specifically as possible and try to remedy the situation as they occur.
See the post on this site (http://louisvillehdtv.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=60) for station phone numbers.
On another tangent, anyone have any suggestions as to who/how to voice our concerns regarding the various sub-channels in use and the growing prevalence of "HD-LITE"? ABC's monday nite football is a prime example of this... I've complained A LOT to the local affiliates who all say the decision to multicast comes from the networks. Locally they don't have any choice whether to multicast or not, they've claimed.

Please feel free to let your voice be heard a the network level. Unfortunately, I don't think there will be a change to quality from quantity any time soon. I don't know who they think will be watching all those poor quality SD digital sub-channels - I sure won't.

If you have deep pockets one short term solution may be to subscribe with a Canadian DBS satellite provider for US network feeds. Ironic isn't it that we in the US have to go to the DBS provider of another country if we want quality US network feeds.

Well, the Colts vs Broncos game is being broadcast in HD on WLKYDT so obviously there wasn't a technical reason why the Jets vs Rams game was not in HD as well since it was one of CBS' HD games for today.

I'm still having a hard time understanding what is so difficult about making sure that HD games are broadcast in HD this season? Is the network dropping the ball in informing affiliates exactly which games are HD? Is it really that much trouble at the local level to check their games against the CBS Sports website to check on what games are HD? Do they not have the ability to preview CBS HD feeds and SEE what is being broadcast in HD and notice whether or not the game they (WLKY) are showing has an HD feed they should be using?

It is frustrating to have HD equip and not be able to receive the HD that should be available to me.

-

On the subject of multicasting... Why would the networks WANT their affiliates to multicast? I would think, at least until/unless the networks feed the content to be multicast, that they would want the stations to only broadcast network material in the best quality possible.

-AKH

Originally posted by akh On the subject of multicasting... Why would the networks WANT their affiliates to multicast? I would think, at least until/unless the networks feed the content to be multicast, that they would want the stations to only broadcast network material in the best quality possible.

-AKH
Here is a response I got in August:The addition of 11.2 was mandated by Corporate as a cooperative effort between ABC and their affiliates across the country.

Bill Brown, Asst DOE
WHAS-TV

PBS is not a network its a source for programming...In fact KET pays a good chunk of our programming budget to them...


Point to Rick214, I used your complaints to me about KET and HD programming to make the case to let us run the HD feed on 68-1 when we signed it on in 2003...

I've answered many of these questions before:

1. Stations multicast because they have more material available to them than can fit in a single program stream per day and they are in a competition for eyeballs. The more differentiated the programming the better chances for someone to watch them.

Most HD programming is during primetime or on the weekends so stations have a lot of options.

2. Why SD instead of HD?

HD programming is expensive to produce on its own. Most of the studios are switching from film based production for shows to high def video as HD is cheaper than film.. This is why most of the primetime shows are now available in HD on the networks. PBS is a different case as there is no cost savings incurred as no member stations produce shows on film anymore and have long ago switched to SD videotape.

3. Why don't stations respond to your emails?

I've always answered the questions put to me if I could. Most stations are not interested in being bashed all the time.Be constructive in your correspondence and you will get better results. The history of this forum is that no one in the broadcast industry gets a fair shake on anything..

Originally posted by William Smith
Point to Rick214, I used your complaints to me about KET and HD programming to get management to let us run the HD feed on 68-1 when we signed it on in 2003... I certainly have respect for a company that is willing to communicate with their viewers to help us understand your positions. I appreciate your efforts to improve PQ of the HD feed. The improvement in HD quality on 68-1 is very noticeable. Thank you.

I live about 4 miles east of Middletown (in Eastwood), which is about 22 miles from the broadcast antennas in the knobs. Directv put in a high def satellite dish and an OTA antenna. Since October, I have only been able to get the WAVE hd digital signal (with a 80% strength) and the PAX sd digital channels. The WLKY (cbs) signal shows 0% ... and every once in a while flashes to 60% ... but not long enough to lock onto a picture. I never get any signal strength with WHAS or fox-41. Although the 3-lnb satellite feed is being fed through a 4x8 multiplexer, the antenna feed is routing direct to the one feed that goes to my high def receiver. I have contacted Directv to see what can be done. The response from the tech who came to my house was that I needed either a bigger antenna than the one purchased from directv, an in-line booster/amplifier, or a new receiver.

I also inquired about getting the hd feeds via satellite, since the product they sold me doesn't work for 3 of the 4 networks. They told me that no waivers have or will be granted in the louisville area, so I can't even pay extra to get hd network feeds.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? If so, what possible solutions/remedies do I have? Is there a local company that can actually get my system to work before superbowl time? I am willing to pay for whatever is needed, but I don't want to pay for additional equipment/installation of antennas just to find out that it won't solve the problem.

ps. I can't get Insight to put in a cable connection to my house. They did a site survey, and they say it would take a run of 2000' (even though I live between two subdivisions that have cable!). So I'm left with satellite and/or OTA, and I want the superbowl in HD!!

Thanks for tolerating my newbie post and rant.

Friar,

You don't mention the type or height of your antenna setup, but let me provide a couple of tips.

Because all of our digital channels in Lou are above 13 (sans PAX), I would try an UHF antenna. I live in Middletown and use a $50 Channel Master UHF Antenna in my attic and receive all the digital stations without a problem.

The most important variables with antennas are height, orientation and the brand/type of antenna.

Height: Outside is best, or 2nd story attic
Antenna: I would try a good UHF like http://www.channelmaster.com/Pages/TVS/UHFAnts.htm
Orientation: www.antennaweb.org to determine best orientation ... several degrees can impact signal strength!

Friar:

If the new antenna does not work, have you seen this thread?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=489188&perpage=30&pagenumber=1

Steve

Friar,

I live in the Polo Fields, probably not far from you. I just had Marty Miller of Miller Electronics install a winegard PR-8800 in my attic for OTA reception. I'm a DISH customer with their 921 HD receiver. Initially, I got everything OK except WAVE and WHAS. Marty worked at it until he got it right. It wasn't easy and I really appreciated the fact that he stuck to it. My signal strength is above 100 on all stations. Contact me directly if you want info on how to reach him.

Over the past week or so it looked like WLKY quit broadcasting on 32-2. I had hoped that this was to conserve bandwidth for thier 1080i channel 32-1, but now they seem to be broadcasting on 32-3 in 1080i with identical programming as 32-1. Anyone have any information on this?

I'm not seeing any sub-channels with my OTA tuner (myHd).

Using "HDTV to MPEG2" I show the primary (and only) channel is 32.1 @ 18.8 Mbps.

Originally posted by Inkog
but now they seem to be broadcasting on 32-3 in 1080i with identical programming as 32-1. Anyone have any information on this?

Either the PSIP is pointing everything back to 26-1 *or* your receiver is defaulting to 26-1 since it can no longer find the pids associated with 26-2.

Thanks, fkasten. I just sent you a PM to see if I can get more info.

Cambus - I should have been more specific. The directv folks mounted an outdoor "bat-wing" type antenna (that's what they called it) on the top of my roof over my garage. They said it was a directional UHF antenna, but I am also picking up the analog WAVE (3) and WHAS (11) stations along with the analog wlky (32) and wdrb (41) ... so I am guessing that this antenna picks up both VHF and UHF. The analog stations come in pretty good via antenna (not great, but good).

I have been to the antennaweb.org site, and verified that the orientation is correct for my house (295 degrees), and also had the directv tech go up on the roof and move it around to see if we could get anything by changing direction. This didn't help much (in fact, as he rotated it a full 180 degrees, I only saw a slight decrease in signal). Perhaps the antenna they provided is not a directional antenna, but is omnidirectional? If anyone has any knowledge about this "bat wing" antenna, please let me know.

Also, I went out and purchased an antenna booster from radio shack. Adding this booster onto the feed did increase my reception somewhat:

NBC 90%
CBS mostly 0%, with flashes of 60%
FOX mostly 0%, with flashes of 10%
ABC mostly 0%, with flashes of 10%
and now I get the PBS channel 68 to sometimes come in ... it occasionally shows 50-60% long enough for me to get a picture and sound for a few seconds, then if fades to 0-30% and goes blank. So it seems that the booster did help somewhat, but not enough to get me any more network HD.

So, since I have already exhausted the height option (its already on the roof), and have checked out the orientation, this leaves me with replacing the antenna. I live on the downhill side of a little valley, so I think that I am going to need the absolute best antenna there is for picking up non-line of site signals. Any recommendations? I know that there are some antennas that can pick up the signal from 70-120 miles away with a good line of sight, but I am not sure if these same antennas would be the best for my non-line of site application.

Thanks!

I was curious to hear from others that watched last nights National Championship game OTA on ABC. I had just hooked up my formerly mothballed 15 yr. old Radioshack VHF/UHF/FM antenna in the attic with a 25db line amp and for the 1st time was able to pull in ABC (digital channel 55). I enjoyed the 1st half and most of the half time show before the picture went south in a big way. I had no drop outs in the 1st half and almost all drop outs (even occasionally no signal) in the 2nd half. Not that I missed much (what happened to OU?), but I was just curious if the network was having problems or if the weather killed my signal. I did check the weather channel and it looked like HEAVY rain over southern IN at the time.

Originally posted by FirstKnight
... I enjoyed the 1st half and most of the half time show before the picture went south in a big way. I had no drop outs in the 1st half and almost all drop outs (even occasionally no signal) in the 2nd half. Not that I missed much (what happened to OU?), but I was just curious if the network was having problems or if the weather killed my signal...

The network was fine as I was getting WTVQ out of Lexington for the entire game (or at least as much as I watched... 9 minutes left in the 4th)

btw, what was up with the halftime show...yikes

Thanks chuckgr...I had a feeling it was my (lack of) reception/signal...probably due to the weather (I hope). Only time will tell. ABC is by far the hardest station for me to pull in here in Louisville. All other stations broadcasting HDTV come in great. And since they are upconverting network 720p to 1080i the picture is not as good as say CBS.

FirstKnight, where did you get the 25db line amp? The amplifier that I purchased at Radio Shack was only a 10db booster. Maybe if I try a bigger amp, I might be able to pull in more stations.

Thanks.

And I agree btw...Ashley Simpson should stick to lip syncing ;-) Yikes is right lol

I bought the amp at Home Depot last night. It's an RCA model with a single line in and a single line out with an FM trap - $35. I'm sure I could have found it cheaper somewhere but I was trying to get everything hooked up before the game ;-)

It's funny I checked out Radio Shack online out of curiousity since that's where I bought my antenna 15 years ago and they have the EXACT same antenna (down to the model number) for sale - $53 lol

Originally posted by FirstKnight
I was curious to hear from others that watched last nights National Championship game OTA on ABC. I had just hooked up my formerly mothballed 15 yr. old Radioshack VHF/UHF/FM antenna in the attic with a 25db line amp and for the 1st time was able to pull in ABC (digital channel 55). I enjoyed the 1st half and most of the half time show before the picture went south in a big way. I had no drop outs in the 1st half and almost all drop outs (even occasionally no signal) in the 2nd half. Not that I missed much (what happened to OU?), but I was just curious if the network was having problems or if the weather killed my signal. I did check the weather channel and it looked like HEAVY rain over southern IN at the time.

I watched the game in SD and had a few times when the picture showed some pixelation (hope that is the correct term). It seemed to occur after they showed an instant replay and then back to live action. This only happened a couple of times. The digital picture was better than the analog even though I could only watch in 480i. Just wondering how much more impressive the hd broadcast would have been. Even though I can only watch the SD broadcast, I sure enjoy the dolby sound track.

FIrstKnight...

I originally purchased that same amp at HD. Later, I took it back and bought one of the Channel Masters from Lowe's. They were about the same price, but the Channel Master has worked much better for me.

I am not crapping on your amp. I just wanted to let you knopw that there is another good alternative that can be picked up locally, if you have the same experience I had with the RCA.

Glad you could get it in time for the game.

Ashley Simpson... no comment.

Thanks for the feedback bnewt! I noticed a slight amount of pixelation as you described while watching the game in HD in the 1st half. Nothing really bad. I can tell you IMO the difference between SD and HD is DRAMATIC, especially when watching a football game. The differences in detail, color and the increased viewing area make watching sports a new experience...assuming you can get a solid feed OTA of course ;-) I watched the Colts-Broncos last w/e on CBS (which seems to come in the best by far for me) in HD 1080i on a new Panasonic 53" widescreen and I was blown away. That was with powered rabbit ears. With a 'real' antenna in my attic now all 'Louisville' HDTV signals look great. Only time will tell how consistently I get a good signal from ABC though. Anybody have an explaination as to why ABC is such a pain to receive? Are they transmitting at a much lower power level? Using an inferior transmission tower? I realize that bandwidth is an issue with quality, but I'm mainly curious as to why (in my case) all other stations are relatively easy to pickup and ABC is very picky reagding the position of my antenna.

I'm not promoting the amp, although it works for me (so far) I'm SURE there are much better amps available. I'll probably pick up something better if I ever get my A/V equipment mix to stablize - I seem to keep acquiring new gear, you might say my configuration is in a perpetual state of flux (I'm looking at DVI/HDMI cables right now as a matter of fact lol). I always welcome a recommendation for better equipment, especially based on real world experience...THANKS! Is the Channel Master 25db as well?

Thanks FirstKnight. I ran over to Home Depot at lunch and bought it. I'll give it a try tonight and see what it does. I've got someone coming out next week to put in a Winegard antenna... unfortunately he's unwilling to try out a tripod setup on top of my roof (says it's too dangerous). He's going to install it in the attic. I notice that several of you have had very good success with the in the attic installation, so I am hopeful that it will work.

However, if this "in the attic" installation still doesn't get me the strength I need, I will need to take Cambus's advice and go back to the outdoor antenna mount (with a more powerful antenna than I currently have). Does anyone know of a company that will mount a large (winegard or channelmaster) directional antenna on the top part of my roof? There is no chimney to attach to the pole, and the roof is a 45 degree pitch with a two story walkout off the back (so I am not getting my fat behind up there ... I hear that they don't have High Def reception at the hospital recovery ward!)

Thanks,
Friar

Oh, and thanks to Cambus for the link to the thread. I am first going to try every possible "legit" means to get network HD, but this option (and/or the RV option) may be forced upon me due to geography, etc.

friar, I just sent you a PM.

Was watching the UK game last night on WAVE and wondered why the picture on 3-2 had pixelation, but when I switched to 3-1 everything was fine. Are the sub-channels broadcast at a lower power? Is that the same for all stations?

Originally posted by Buckett
FIrstKnight...

I originally purchased that same amp at HD. Later, I took it back and bought one of the Channel Masters from Lowe's. They were about the same price, but the Channel Master has worked much better for me.

I am not crapping on your amp. I just wanted to let you knopw that there is another good alternative that can be picked up locally, if you have the same experience I had with the RCA.

Glad you could get it in time for the game.

Ashley Simpson... no comment.

Buckett, I picked up the RCA booster at HD yesterday, tried it out, and got some improvement over the radio shack booster ... but not enough to get me the ABC and FOX locals in HD. I saw the Channelmaster booster at Lowes ... it looked like you were supposed to mount it outdoors right next to the antenna according to the box. Is this the one you used? If so, what were the differences in performance that you experienced between the RCA from Home Depot and the Channelmaster?

Friar

Yes, that is the one. Part of the amp mounts on the mast, next to the antenna. Then there is another part that goes inside next to your receiver that plugs into the wall and supplies the power for the amp (the coax runs through this part also).

I went from partial reception of two channels (WAVE and WLKY) to receiving all channels with high signal strength. The only exceptions are WDRB (cuts out when weather is bad (more attributed to tree blockage and low transmission strength)) and WB (180* from where my antenna is aimed).

I think that each person has to find the right combination for their setup, but this one worked better, by far, than anyhting else I treid.

BTW, I use an outdoor mounted CM3021 antenna, and I live off of Beulah Church Rd. (south of 265).

Has anyone heard whether Insight will be offering ESPN2 HD? It is supposed to debut today, and the UofL - Southern Miss game will be on ESPN2 HD on 1/11. Thanks!

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tvlistings/espnhd/index

Insight is not real good about telling their subscribers anything. Something will just show up outta nowhere. They are a piece of work

And don't even TRY to ask about their special channel (760 I believe) that they advertise for special events! I've had HD for 6 months and have never seen the channel active once! Nor have I seen ANY advertisement for it. And even when you call, they can never tell you what is on, what has ever been on or what will be coming on at anytime in the future! Total piece of work.
As for espn2 - wouldn't hold my breath - there are several other major national channels out there that broadcast in HD, but insight will not (or can't) get them. I've heard some of these are due to contractual issues in how they are provided by their broadcast owners.
All I know is I want it all, I want it now and I want it in true HD (not HDlite)!

CoSh

ISF Calibration help needed!

The ISF website lists three companies in Louisville that are ISF certified but one of them (Trend) doesn't do calibrations anymore and the other two (SMD and Digital Lifestyles) won't return calls for scheduling after repeated attempts with both. Has anyone had their set calibrated in Louisville? By whom ? Thanks.

I use Gregg Loewen who does calibration tours. Here (http://66.201.107.3/services.html) is his website for info.

Originally posted by fkasten
ISF Calibration help needed!

The ISF website lists three companies in Louisville that are ISF certified but one of them (Trend) doesn't do calibrations anymore and the other two (SMD and Digital Lifestyles) won't return calls for scheduling after repeated attempts with both. Has anyone had their set calibrated in Louisville? By whom ? Thanks.

The guy who runs Digital Lifestyles is Tony. Ask for him next time you call, or stop by their location on Shelbyville road in Middletown (across from the McDonalds). I haven't used him yet for any calibration, but I had him give me a bid on a complete home theater/security/phone system when we were building, and he seems very knowledgable. Hope he returns your call.
Friar

Just to let you guys know, I use the silver sensor and get all the digital stations ( I am very close though :)) . However, I had a little pixalization ( right word?) so I got the radio shack booster and it did give me quite an improvement. It is amazing that the local digital channels are better than D* satellite and when they broadcast in HD the picture is amazing.

My HDTV is so awesome that I also use it for a monitor for my computer and watching DVDs through my computer gives a better picture than using my DVD player. I just wish WB and UPN were HD in the area, but I download the HD versions and they are still quite awesome.

So I'm sitting here trying to watch Desperate Housewives and Boston Legal, and I just can't do it... audio sync problems make it unwatchable. :(

How can WHAS not have this down by now? So annoying....

Is anyone else having trouble pulling in a consistent signal from Fox 41? I'm using a SilverSensor into a D* HR10-250 receiver.

All of the other big 3 channels (NBC, ABC, CBS) have rock solid signal strength at 90+. But, Fox jumps up and down from 0 to 60 -- and mostly in the 40s where the picture comes and goes.

My only guess is that Fox is using a very low powered transmitter since all of the antennas are in the same spot -- the Knobs.

Anyone had luck adding a pre-amp to the SilverSensor to boost reception?

I live in Taylorsville, KY and I now get a decent signal from WDRB-DT and WHAS-DT. These are the two that I had a problem with. I raised my chimney mounted Radio Shack (High Gain HDTV UHF) antenna an additional 10' with the use of the Channel Master Rotor. At the same time I also added the RS HDTV Mast Mounted Pre-Amp.

I now get every channel in the Greater Louisville Area. WDRB is generally about 70% signal and WHAS is about the same.

However, yesterday during the playoff games I stll got an occasional drop of 70% to 0% (up and down) on WDRB for several seconds (seemed like an eternity).

I'm just not so certain that it's our setup as much as something originating at the source (either WDRB or the network feed). I'm no expert but it seems to logically point in that direction.

Would be great if someone from WDRB-DT could or would respond to that.

Good Luck,
Mike

Originally posted by briancail
Is anyone else having trouble pulling in a consistent signal from Fox 41? I'm using a SilverSensor into a D* HR10-250 receiver.

All of the other big 3 channels (NBC, ABC, CBS) have rock solid signal strength at 90+. But, Fox jumps up and down from 0 to 60 -- and mostly in the 40s where the picture comes and goes.

My only guess is that Fox is using a very low powered transmitter since all of the antennas are in the same spot -- the Knobs.

Anyone had luck adding a pre-amp to the SilverSensor to boost reception?

I was having real problems with most of the digital channels, until I had an installer come out to my house. I asked him to order the most powerful UHF antenna ... and he came there with a Channelmaster 4228 8-bay antenna. I had already purchased the channelmaster pre-amp from lowes (thanks to advice from previous posters). Because of the pitch of my roof and the height, the installer opted to first try this big antenna out in my attic area.

Results:................DirecTV provided............................Channelmaster
.............................regular OTA antenna on roof.........4228 8-bay

WAVE (nbc)...........................70%......................... .............90%
WHAS (abc).............................0%........................ ..............80%
WLKY (cbs)........................0-60%...............................90-100%
WDRB (fox)..............................0%....................... ..........60-70%

Because of my location (in a valley in the Eastwood area), I am thrilled that I was able to get this kind of reception in my attic. Now I need to call directv to have the come out and take that piece of junk OTA antenna back that they charged me extra for.

If you want the installer's number, PM me.

Friar

Originally posted by MichaelZ
I talked got an email from the GM at WDRB and he said that they would be running at reduced power at least until June, when a new high-power tower should be built/finished.

Ahhh so they are going to retire the coat hanger that they currently use hanging out the window? ;)

Does anyone know when/if WHAS plans to increase their power permanently? I know a couple years ago they ran a couple of tests at higher power but nothing since then.

No ABC OTA HD for me unless they increase their power... unless a long planned antenna upgrade actually breings in WRTV DT out of Indy.

-AKH

Originally posted by akh
Does anyone know when/if WHAS plans to increase their power permanently? I know a couple years ago they ran a couple of tests at higher power but nothing since then.

They will almost certainly increase to "full" power on Ch55 by July 1, 2005 ... OTOH, they've "elected" to wind up on Ch11, once analog is shutoff and all the smoke clears.

Originally posted by HDTVChallenged
They will almost certainly increase to "full" power on Ch55 by July 1, 2005 ...


Is that due to FCC 'Use it or lose it regulations' or some other reason?

Why the delay when WLKY and WAVE have been at full power all this time?


OTOH, they've "elected" to wind up on Ch11, once analog is shutoff and all the smoke clears.

Do you mean move back to 11 for their DT feed or do you mean 'wind up on 11' as in 'cease operations on 11'?

-AKH

Originally posted by akh
Is that due to FCC 'Use it or lose it regulations' ....

... Do you mean move back to 11 for their DT feed

Speculation mode on:

Right ... they already have the equipment installed for full power operation on Ch55, so there's no sane reason for them to not abide by the July 1 deadline.

I suspect the main reason they remain at reduced power is the electricity bill. And yes they've elected (or at least applied for) Ch11 as their post transition digital channel.

I further suspect that they were originally hoping to run at reduced power on Ch55 until the final move back to Ch 11, but the FCC threw a monkey wrench into that plan ;)

As for WAVE and WLKY, I'd bet that they are planning to keep their current digital channels for their post transition assignments, so it made more sense to build out full power plants from the start.

The "Great Speculator" has spoken ;)

I will be doing work on the PSIP for the WKMJ-DT system tonight and may just turn if off while I'm updating it.. If its not there don't panic..


Updates are finished for WKPC-DT.

Cambus, Try your My HD card and see if it can record now..

WKMJ-DT has an EPG now.. ( well it will when progamming get me the data)

Well, my post disappeared and the sync issue got better, then I see ABC Engineering Lab feed with a guy clicking a scene shutter bar. Looks like they fixed it or are working on the problem as I type this now.
Mike

Hi guys. It's been awhile. How bout them Cards?

Any news on how long before Insight gets ESPN2-HD running for us?

Here's hoping sooner than later.

Originally posted by William Smith
WKMJ-DT has an EPG now.. ( well it will when progamming get me the data)

William,

Is there any chance of getting the PBS-HD program data integrated with WKLE/KET4 program data (via Tribune/D*)? I seem to remember a week back in summer/fall when it magically appeared but then things reverted back to the regular Annenburg schedule.

We're working on it ... Data has to merge from three different databases into the correct form for the PSIP generator to read it..

Hooray UofL vs UTenn on ESPN HD

It's not in HD: sux

Well... Hmmmm... I just lost WLKY-DT (OTA) with the game about to start.

Wave DT is just fine.

I assume I am not alone... anyone else?

-AKH

Yep!!! Me too! All other channels are OK! Perfect timing :(

WLKY is back up and Running. It's game time!!!!!!!

I'm getting no signal for WLKY-DT OTA right now during the Steelers game. Anybody else having an issue?

Originally posted by robjulo
I'm getting no signal for WLKY-DT OTA right now during the Steelers game. Anybody else having an issue?

It was out between pregame and kickoff but came back in time for kickoff.

-AKH

Right before kickoff, WLKY digital 26 went black on OTA and Insight. I had several people over last night to watch the game, and it was an ugly site when I switched over to analog WLKY 32 on my screen.

I called the WLKY newsroom and the women who answered the phone said they were unaware of any problems. She was very friendly and told me she would inform programming "right away". Within 5 minutes the digital signal was back on.

Call the station when something is wrong:
http://www.louisvillehdtv.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=66

Cambus,,

Did you get a chance to test your PC card to see if it likes KET's signal any better?


William

Hello all. Wanted to drop in a say I'm a new HD view in the New Albany area. Using a DVico FusionHDTV on my PC. Just had my first experience with HD sports by watching the Steelers/Pats game last night and I was amazed. Can't wait for the funds to purchase a large DLP/LCD unit.

Chris

Welcome to the forum Chris

EPG data should be on WKMJ-DT now..

Let me know if its not....

William:

EPG Data is present for KET1, KET2, KET3, KET4, KET5, KET6, KET-HD, KET-2

Problems:
68-1 Picture is all black except for WKMJ logo in lower right
Channel listing in EPG is out of order (might be a myHD problem)
KET5 and KET6 Black, with full signal strength

See EPG screenshots:
http://www.louisvillehdtv.com/digital_guide.aspx

PBS tripped up the HD receiver at Cooper Dr. tonight.. I'll bet the one at WKMJ also took the hit as well... It may have to wait until morning before someone can get up there...


KET5 and KET6 are off the air during primet time..

Thanks William. Does Insight Cable have any plan to broadcast WKMJ?

Its in Insights court.... As far as I know they havn't asked us...

Anyone tried using the FusionHDTV card to pick up Insight HD channels? The card is QAM compliant and wondered if Insight broadcasts any HD channels in the clear.

Thanks

What possesed WLKY to start zooming their local upconverts ... I guess some folks just can't leave well enough alone :D

Just FYI,

I just posted a picture from the top of the Madisonville tower (997 ft) looking down in the Lexington thread.

I was excited to hear that ABC News Now may finally be over and that ABC would no longer have a sub-channel. I just switched to my OT A tuner to check it out. Bad news. Now they are broadcasting a weather radar on the sub-channel! How many weather radar channels do the locals think we need!?

Originally posted by JThree
I was excited to hear that ABC News Now may finally be over and that ABC would no longer have a sub-channel. I just switched to my OT A tuner to check it out. Bad news. Now they are broadcasting a weather radar on the sub-channel! How many weather radar channels do the locals think we need!?

And let's not forget the zoom on 32.1! Please all join me and call and complain.

WLKY (CBS) 893-3671

Why zoom??

Because cable companies may be taking an off air of the DTV as a replacement for the analog. This way the station controls the aspect ratio on those 4 X 3 sets watching analog cable..

Originally posted by William Smith
Why zoom??

Because cable companies may be taking an off air of the DTV as a replacement for the analog. This way the station controls the aspect ratio on those 4 X 3 sets watching analog cable..

But when they zoom, they are cropping off the top and bottom parts of the image. This wouldn't be good for the cable companies as a replacement for the analog, would it? Sometimes you can't read "important" info on ads, which won't make advertisers very happy if phone numbers are chopped off. It seems to me that they should just keep the black bars on the sides of the 1.78:1 picture and give us the full 4:3 data in the middle. 480i being converted to 720p already looks bad enough ... why try to fill my screen with only 400i??

Friar

On another note, does anyone know if Fox 41 will ever get some HD cameras for the Cards games this year or next year? Seeing the Cards in HD is my newest fantasy.

Friar

Originally posted by friar
On another note, does anyone know if Fox 41 will ever get some HD cameras for the Cards games this year or next year? Seeing the Cards in HD is my newest fantasy.

Friar

Your wish is scheduled to come true...
ESPN HD has the Feb 17th Marquette rematch on the schedule (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tvlistings/espnhd/index?gamesOnly=true#espn1)

:D

Wow! UK is scheduled for Sat February 19th, 9-11pm ! ESPN HD

Originally posted by Briands
Your wish is scheduled to come true...
ESPN HD has the Feb 17th Marquette rematch on the schedule (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tvlistings/espnhd/index?gamesOnly=true#espn1)

:D

Thanks, Briands!

Searched this thread but found nothing like the problem I having...

Pretty much all DT stations come in great ... Except WAVE.

Using a Winegard HD9095P antenna with a RCA amp into a Sony 50" HDTV.

All stations (execpt WAVE) show a solid 85-90% signal. WAVE's will show 85% then drop to 40% for a couple of seconds, lost signal, then it comes back. Completely random...

The only thing I can figure is the airport.... But all the transmitters are all in the same site, why WAVE.

I live in Highview and looking at a map the SDF approach is directly between me and the transmitters.

Tryed with and without amp... Same results. Sony KDF-50WE655

Sounds like a trap. Is your antenna wire close to or touching the antenna or mast? If so, go to Lowe's and get some "standouts". If that is not the problem, first try rotating your antenna ever so slightly in either direction.

Let me know if either helps. Are you getting WDRB?

BTW, I live in Highview also, off Beulah Church.

I live off Beulah Church too. We could be neighbors!

Small world!

Originally posted by Buckett
Sounds like a trap. Is your antenna wire close to or touching the antenna or mast? If so, go to Lowe's and get some "standouts". If that is not the problem, first try rotating your antenna ever so slightly in either direction.

Let me know if either helps. Are you getting WDRB?

BTW, I live in Highview also, off Beulah Church.

What do you mean by 'trap'?

-AKH

Originally posted by Buckett
Sounds like a trap. Is your antenna wire close to or touching the antenna or mast? If so, go to Lowe's and get some "standouts". If that is not the problem, first try rotating your antenna ever so slightly in either direction.

Let me know if either helps. Are you getting WDRB?

BTW, I live in Highview also, off Beulah Church.

Fernhaven off Fegenbush

41.1 comes in solid and I'm not touching anything until the Superbowl is over....

Antenna is in the attic. RG6. Not near the antenna. What about all this stuff about a FM trap?

Originally posted by Briands
Your wish is scheduled to come true...
ESPN HD has the Feb 17th Marquette rematch on the schedule (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tvlistings/espnhd/index?gamesOnly=true#espn1)

:D

Hate to quote myself, but I noticed something odd on ESPN while watching last Wednesday nights game against Marquette on the ESPNHD feed from insight. Now the feed was NOT in HD and this was obvious from the lack of clarity, but I think they may have been shooting widescreen but masking the edges with the ESPN pseudo gray bars. The way I have my projector setup I can see the overscan right at the edge. On that part, I can see a sliver of screen above the gray bars and it appears to be part of a wide screen shot. Then late in the second half, there did a diagonal split screen of an interview with Pitino ovelaying a shot of the game. Both of these screens were wide screen! Did anyone else notice this?

I'll take a look during tomorrow nights game and maybe try to snap a picture.

I have no idea why they would not go ahead and show the WS on the HD channel if they have it though.

Trap is term that the guy from ChannelMaster used when I called tham about a similar problem. The way he described it (short version) when the cable is close to or touching the antenna, or mast, some sort of loop or "trap" can occurr, where ceratin frequencies are repeated or disrupted, causing that violent signal fluctuation.

Please go easy on any flaming. This is simply how I understood what he told me. You may be able to get better advice, but I thought that I would chirp in with my experience since your problem sounded similar to what I had.

Originally posted by cambus
Anyone tried using the FusionHDTV card to pick up Insight HD channels? The card is QAM compliant and wondered if Insight broadcasts any HD channels in the clear.

Thanks
Is it QAM compliant? I don't see that mentioned on their website.

If it does, would it be possible to order Insight HD and avoid having to have the DVR box (and save the monthly fee)?

Oh wait...I see it mentioned here:
http://www.dvico.com/products_mul_hd3.html

Any one else having trouble with channel 41's digital feed tonight. When I first turned on the ota stb, I keyed in 41 & got nothing. Then I tried just using the channel up/down buttons, still nothing on 41-1 or 58-1. Had the stb rescan for channels, & 41-1 shows up as 49-3 & still nothing for channel 58's digital feed. Why does channel 41 have so much trouble?

Originally posted by bnewt
Any one else having trouble with channel 41's digital feed tonight. When I first turned on the ota stb, I keyed in 41 & got nothing. Then I tried just using the channel up/down buttons, still nothing on 41-1 or 58-1. Had the stb rescan for channels, & 41-1 shows up as 49-3 & still nothing for channel 58's digital feed. Why does channel 41 have so much trouble?

When American Idol started I had to call the news desk to get the HD feed going... Antenna showed a 90% signal but no signal...

Maybe it was a network problem..

I recently purchased a Mits. 65813 and had Voom installed. I love Voom and find myself watching more TV due to the great offerings Voom has. As I am sure you are aware, Voom has sold its only satellite to Dish. There are lots of questions out there about when/if Voom will shut down or if they will find a way to continue their service. I will be with them until the end...

Anyway, I am planning for the worst. If Voom does shut down, whom to go with next. I already have an OTA antenna compliments of Voom and I doubt that they will request it back if they go dark. My priorities are:
1) Quality and Quantity of HDTV channels (I don't care about locals since I already receive these in HDTV)
2) Lease or reasonable purchase price of HDTV DVR
3) Quality of non-HDTV channels

From what I have read, D* is over compressing their HDTV channels resulting in less than ideal picture quality. E* has no immediate plans for adding more HDTV channels - although that might change with the purchase of the satellite from Voom. What I am lacking is info about Insight. How does their HDTV picture quality compare to D* or E*? What about non-HDTV channels? Anyone have their HDTV DVR? Any idea if they plan on adding more HDTV channels in the near future?

Thanks!

MichaelZ-
I sent an e-mail to Insight asking them when they will offer a dual-tuner DVR and the response that I got back was they were planning on offering it 1st quarter 2005. I am guessing that the dual-tuner model will also offer more storage space. What is it about their current DVR that you don't like?

All of the HD channels on Insight look great except UniversalHD. I've noticed a lot of pixelation on this channel.

Alto101: Great to hear Voom is working for you. If Voom goes dark, will the OTA HD tuner still work?

Originally posted by bnewt
Any one else having trouble with channel 41's digital feed tonight. When I first turned on the ota stb, I keyed in 41 & got nothing. Then I tried just using the channel up/down buttons, still nothing on 41-1 or 58-1. Had the stb rescan for channels, & 41-1 shows up as 49-3 & still nothing for channel 58's digital feed. Why does channel 41 have so much trouble?

I was switching between all four local HD broadcasts of the State of the Union last night at 9:00pm. NBC, ABC, and CBS all had good looking feeds (but the audio on CBS was way too loud in comparison to the others). The Fox (wdrb) looked very fuzzy ... kind of like they were broadcasting only 480i, but were doing it in a wide screen mode. I found this comparison interesting last night because it seemed that all four networks were using the exact same feed from a common HD camera. Maybe the Fox network decided to only feed the Fox News Channel (non-HD) feed to all of their affiliates. If that is so, then how did they get a 16:9 ratio (non-stretched) broadcast? Or did they do some kind of weird down-conversion on 41-1?

Friar

No idea if the OTA tuner will work if Voom goes dark, but my TV, Mits. 65813, has a built in HD tuner which I have never tried.

If Insight were to offer a good HD DVR and TNT HD it would make my post Voom choice so much easier. I really enjoy TNT HD and right now the only other company that carries it is E*.

Is anyone aware if Insight has the capacity to add more HD channels in the very near future?

Originally posted by cambus
All of the HD channels on Insight look great except UniversalHD. I've noticed a lot of pixelation on this channel.

Alto101: Great to hear Voom is working for you. If Voom goes dark, will the OTA HD tuner still work?

I love my insight DVR except for the noise it makes. Is everyone's DVR noisy or is it just mine?

Friar, I was doing the same thing - switching channels. I noticed the sound too which confirms what I have noticed in the past. I also thought some channels provided a slightly better picture too. I included the D* HD national feeds.

Alto: I get better SD local channels using ota antenna than I get with D* but D* is equal if not better on my HD channels.

The only issue I ever have is the pixelization effect on fast moving scenes such as football. I have never been quite sure whether this is the station or my Sammy DLP.

Has anyone had the channels for 41 & 58 remap as 49-3 & 58-3 instead of 41-1 & 58-1?

Mine is still at 41.1 and 58.1. However, I have not scanned again for new channels either.
Mike

Originally posted by silvermaxd
I love my insight DVR except for the noise it makes. Is everyone's DVR noisy or is it just mine?

Mine seems to be noisier at some times than others. There are times it sounds like a VCR tape rewinding , but the majority of time it has low audible hum. It is barely audible and it is not distracting unless it is totally quiet in the room. It is much quieter than my HTPC (except at those few times it sounds like a VCR).

Originally posted by MichaelZ
I hope WLKY is not starting to mess up again, last night I had a lot of drop outs during CSI.

Same here (9pm showing) ... it also got pretty bad during "Without a Trace," but then again, I'm on the fringe.

Has anyone called WLKY? Most of the time they have no idea they have a problem.

WLKY (CBS) 893-3671

Originally posted by MichaelZ
I haven't checked 58 but 41 is 49-3 on MyHD and my old DTC-100.

I hope WLKY is not starting to mess up again, last night I had a lot of drop outs during CSI. It seemed like the last couple of weeks local OTA was really doing well, esp. since WDRB has there problems straightened out (at least to me they do).


Thanks for confirming what my stb shows. I called WDRB about this this a.m. & they said to rescan & that would take care of it. I rescanned last night with the same result. I also do not have any channel or program info displaying. He told me that they were working on the program guide Wednesday, which concides with my change in channel mapping.

Weird buzzing sound on the audio tonight on CSI. Amp is in plex mode. I thought this show was Dolby...

G.

Yes bad sound on WLKY DT. I do not believe they have installed DD gear. They say they have the gear just not installed. That was some months ago they told me that.

Anyone experience pixelation & audi drop outs during the super bowl? Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, I had both on ota reception.

I was switching between OTA and Insight (mostly watched on Insight so I could replay stuff) but I don't remember any problems.

Originally posted by bnewt
Anyone experience pixelation & audi drop outs during the super bowl? Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, I had both on ota reception.

Zero problems...of course when you have a big honkin' 2-6 VHF antenna on the roof it tends to help a bunch ;)

In the 3rd and 4th quarter, I also experienced very brief (1/8 sec) audio drop outs with my OTA tuner. When I switched to InsightHD I did not have any problems.

Also, did anyone else notice the picture being over saturated and bright? I had to turn down the brightness, contrast and saturation. Otherwise I thought this was Fox's best NFL picture to date.

Looked perfect to me on insight. X1 calibrated with Avia.

WAVE refuses to switch to HD mode tonight. Called the news desk and they said they would check on it... No go...

Originally posted by gdarwin
WAVE refuses to switch to HD mode tonight. Called the news desk and they said they would check on it... No go...

Yea, I noticed during the West Wing that they were broadcasting in a letterbox format ... inside a letterbox format. Very frustrating. Then, around 9:40 pm, they suddenly switched to full screen 16:9. This however only lasted for about 10 minutes, and then the screen suddenly shrunk back to the same "box-in-a-box" look. It seemed that the changes both occurred after commercial breaks. You would think that their engineers would have a basic checklist that they need to go through before flipping the switch (or at least be looking at an actual monitor that is picking up their OTA broadcast to see what they are sending out).
Friar

Last 6 minutes 4:3 - dolby turned off. I'm beginning to wonder what is going on...:mad:

I got this e-mail from Karen at Insight this morning. It doesn't say much, but I thought I'd share:

Dear Mr. Shanks:

Thank you for your HD inquiry. We anticipate offering the dual tuner DVR
during the 2nd quarter of 2005.

Unfortunately, I do not have any information regarding the launch of new
High Definition channels because we are still in the process of eliminating
analog premium channels and revising our existing channel lineup
http://www.insight-com.com/. Rest assured, we will be sure to keep our
customers posted as more information becomes available.

For those that have ESPN HD, don't forget about the UL / Marquette game tonight at 7pm.

Also UK plays Mississippi St Saturday on ESPN HD starting at 9pm. The "College Game Day" segments will be broadcast from Lexington throughout the day Saturday (unsure if those will be in HD).

As an extra bonus, UL plays again in HD next Saturday the 26th!

Hello everyone

I am trying to figure if I am going to move to Insite Cable or Dish Network. My old C-band system is nearly twenty years old and all the channels going!

The Dish Network top 180 looks like a good deal. Even though it is up to $52.00 a month now. If I go with the 811 receiver and get the hd programing package it would be about $62.00 a month.

I got a brocure from Insite digital cable the other day. It appears to me that they really push up the prices by breaking everything down into smaller "add ons". It seems from looking it over there is:

Basic Service ( 23 channels ): $14.48
Classic Servic( 44 channels ): $30.47
Movie Pack: $4.00
Sports Pack: $4.00
Family Pack: $4.00
.....................
$56.95
This about equals the channels offered by dish in their top 180, but you also need:

Digital Gateway receiver: $7.95
Additional receiver: $3.95

$68.95

Of course, If I want the HD pack I will have to get their HD receiver / recorder for $5.00 extra per month:
$73.95
And, if I want channels like ESPH HD It would add another $7.95!
$81.90

Of course, if I get the digital phone ( $13.00) and the $2.95 long distance plan I would be looking at : $98.00!

What is every's experience around the Louisville area between these two options???

Purvis,

I was in a similar dilemma and did a quick comparison. I do not have my numbers, but overall, given my needs, the pricing would have been a wash either way.
The channel structures were basically the same.
Satellite did not have broadband - cable does. And you get a 10.00 discount
If I did not need broadband, then satellite would have been cheaper for me.
With satellite I would have to have a box for each tv.
Cable can serve the whole house with no additional boxes.
Phone is not a problem - we have cell phones and no land lines. Have been set up this way for years and its saving loads of $! The only issue on this is no DSL and no voom (I considered voom, but it apparently must connect to a phone).

Either way you go you will likely be dropping a lot of $ each month.
For me, Cable is around $120 and includes broadband, HD DVR box, basic, classic, sports, family and hidef paks plus hbo.
satellite would have been around $75 for the same, but I would have to go with either cable or dsl for broadband and that runs around $50, so back to the $125 range.

I wish insight would do the a'la'carte thing - there are only about 15 of the 100+ channels I ever watch and the rest are a waste. But those 15 are spread into each package, so in order to get them, I have to have a full boat of options. sigh...

CoSh

I went from Insight to Dish to save money. I had two boxes and Internet. Subscribed to all the packages. When I bought the TV - to add the HD box from Insight was going to make my bill $200.00 a month.

With the Dish offer for new susbscribers I got 4 receivers, one is the HD receiver. With this I get 2 more boxes. Subscribe to the 180 package plus 3 movie package groups. Total Dish bill is around $100.00 a month.

Kept Insight Internet at $44.99 a month.

For me this comes out to a $50.00 a month savings plus two more receivers.

MichaelZ - Who is your HDTV provider?

Cosherer - How do you have one cable box serving the whole house if you have the Hi-Def pack. Are your other TV's not getting the digital pack?

I'm on Directv and continue every few months to compare Insight to see if I can save a few bucks on a bundled package b/c I currently use them for internet service.

Thing I most hate about Directv - the landline requirement for my Directivo and NFL package.

What's holding me back from ever considering Insight:
Lack of a dual tuner DVR with true season pass functionality. Dual tuners is a must have. Hopefully this will change when the 6412's come out.

Lack of NFL Sunday Ticket - not likely to change with Directv continuing to have an exclusive deal with the NFL

Cost - Everytime I price insight to have digital service to 3 TV's it is still twenty bucks plus higher by the time you rent each digital box for about $12 a month. Though being forced to have a phone with Directv drives up that cost so it is a wash.

Sorry, guess i should clarify. cable is run throughout the house, as it is in most homes. I get regular cable (1-69) on two other tvs (no hidef, no hbo, no dmx, no channels above 69). The one with the box has everything.

As I understand it, with satellite, you MUST have a box on each tv to receive any content at all - is this correct? And that you can only watch 1 or 2 channels at a time (depending on the dish). Meaning that 3 people could not watch 3 different channels on 3 differerent sets at the same time. Again, is this correct?

As for the DVR - yea, the box doesn't hold much HD content (8 hours I believe), but other than that, I've had no technical issues with the box. And I have never had another DVR box, so have no basis for comparison as to whether it is better or worse than any other box. I've never heard anyone actually like the insight box, so I wonder if I simply have a rare gem that works or are other boxes really vastly better and I just don't know the difference?

Cosh

Tivo plans to release a CableCard Tivo in early 2006 which will record both HD and non-HD material. An early alpha version at CES had HDMI and component video out.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1749528,00.asp

I have had VOOM hooked up in east Louisville for two months now. The service is incredible, I am watching 41 HDTV channels on three televisions for $100 a month, with no installations charges and no equipment to buy.

Here is my question. The locals are tuned through the VOOM box via OTA antenna. This is digital only, no analog. It works great with WAVE, WHAS, WKPC, WLKY, WDRB, WFTE, and WKET. But I simply cannot get any OTA signal from WBKI. I normally would not care too much, but my daughter loves some shows on the WB and I just don't get them. My signal strength is basicaly nil on the WB. Is anybody having any luck with the WB Digital OTA in Louisville?


Chris

WBKI tower is in the direction of Bardstown. I use a Channel Master Rotor to tune my antenna toward the WBKI tower and receive it just fine. I just have to program (very simple) the rotor remote to turn to the correct compass heading. All I have to do then is punch 34 on the rotor keypad and the antenna automatically turns to the compass heading for WBKI. Works good for me.

You can use this website:
http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp

Simply input your Lat/Longitude and find the exact direction of the tower from your house.

Mike

Originally posted by Mikeebob
WBKI tower is in the direction of Bardstown. I use a Channel Master Rotor to tune my antenna toward the WBKI tower and receive it just fine. I just have to program (very simple) the rotor remote to turn to the correct compass heading. All I have to do then is punch 34 on the rotor keypad and the antenna automatically turns to the compass heading for WBKI. Works good for me.

You can use this website:
http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp

Simply input your Lat/Longitude and find the exact direction of the tower from your house.

Mike

Another option is to go to www.antennaweb.org and just put in your address. Then click on the show street level map icon, and it will show you the direction you need to point your antenna to get this station. Note that the direction is shown based on frequency assignment, so WBKI digital (34.1) is actually frequency 19

Friar

Insight implemented a new EPG last night. I like the new look. It is much better than the previous version. The one thing I did not care for is that there appears to be only two Fast Forward and 2 Fast Rewind speeds. Before there were 4. There are a few more tweaking options with this EPG as well that are nice. What does everyone else think?

I like the look but I found when I was on a HD station and I brought up a menu screen, when I close the menu screen down I got a big line down the left side of my screen.

the line was gone last night but now when I record an HD show it won't let me FF or Rewind it. They better fix this or I'll really be pissed. I didn't try to record a SD show

I'm in the east end of Louisville(Beckley Station road) and I'm only pulling in 3-1, 32-1 signals. Well actually, just this past weekend, 11-1 started to come in?? What can I do to get 41-1, 58-1, etc.? Obviously the problem is with the location of my ant., but what is the best solution? I've contacted D* and they won't/can't help.

Steve,
I recorded "The Firm" off HBO (night before last). I didn't have any problem with FF/RW. I hope this is not a new problem.

I fixed the black line the schedule left by adjusting the screen position in the setup menu.

this problem just started last night Scott. The black line disappeared but now this. Guess I'm gonna email or call Insight

Originally posted by jharp07
I'm in the east end of Louisville(Beckley Station road) and I'm only pulling in 3-1, 32-1 signals. Well actually, just this past weekend, 11-1 started to come in?? What can I do to get 41-1, 58-1, etc.? Obviously the problem is with the location of my ant., but what is the best solution? I've contacted D* and they won't/can't help.

jharp07, I had the same problem. I got in touch with a guy who was able to put in the right kind of antenna for me. I live off of Long Run road (a bit further away than you from the broadcast), and we got rid of the D* batwing antenna on top of my house. This guy put in a big UHF channelmaster antenna with a booster, and I can get all the OTA HD channels now. By the way, the antenna he installed is inside my attic, and it still pulls in all the stations, while the D* was mounted on top of the roof and could only get me 3-1. I finally got D* to credit me back $50 on the antenna. I'll try to PM you with his contact info.

Friar

Thanks man! Why would D* even waste their time installing the "bat wing"? You'd think they would do their homework and bring the best ant. for the area of the install. Go ahead and send me your guys info.

Thanks,
John

Any one notice any lip sync problems last night on Lost?

Yes. Made it unwatchable. Had to SD tivo it and watch later

Is there an email address that we can use to send complaints to all of the locals?

Originally posted by silvermaxd
the line was gone last night but now when I record an HD show it won't let me FF or Rewind it. They better fix this or I'll really be pissed. I didn't try to record a SD show

I've only had that problem one one show I recorded. All the others FF/RW fine. I noticed they've added a time counter on the FF/RW now which is nice. The line problem seems to of gone thankfully.

Originally posted by Scott Shanks
Insight implemented a new EPG last night. I like the new look. It is much better than the previous version. The one thing I did not care for is that there appears to be only two Fast Forward and 2 Fast Rewind speeds. Before there were 4. There are a few more tweaking options with this EPG as well that are nice. What does everyone else think?

I like it better than the old one, but would it kill them to allow a wide screen option???

Originally posted by bnewt
Any one notice any lip sync problems last night on Lost?
It was pretty bad Oscar night, too. Was that because they were having trouble synching with the 5 second delay or was that another problem?

Originally posted by bnewt
Any one notice any lip sync problems last night on Lost?

Yes and the audio would go way up when they went local. I watch OTA and it has been this way for some time now.

Originally posted by MichaelZ
Where was the lip sync issue at? I have it recorded and I don't see it, except at one small place in the opening scene where Hurley is talking to Jin. What are you using for OTA?

The entire show. I watch on a 65" and use a Sony HD 300 receiver.

ESPNU launched today. With a college town like Louisville, Insight would do well to sign up this and ESPN2HD!

As I watched the opening sequence of "Joan.." dissolve into macroblocks, said to my self "hummm - time to rescan." Sure enough, the RADAR sub-channel returneth ...

It would be nice if they'd at least bit-starve the thing so as to minimize the impact on 32.1 ...

Can someone confirm 68-1 is up for me?

Thanks
William

it's up 8:43pm

Thanks

I don't like how Insight threw in those music channels between the digital stations and the regular stations. Just takes longer to get thru them to the digital stations...annoying! Who really uses those anyway.

Originally posted by silvermaxd
I don't like how Insight threw in those music channels between the digital stations and the regular stations. Just takes longer to get thru them to the digital stations...annoying! Who really uses those anyway. I agree. Those music channels really get in the way.

Originally posted by MichaelZ
Where was the lip sync issue at? I have it recorded and I don't see it, except at one small place in the opening scene where Hurley is talking to Jin. What are you using for OTA?

I also had a problem the entire show. I recorded it on my dish dvr & watched it without a problem, but watching it via the ota stb was terrible.

Saw in yesterday's sports section that during the NCAA tournament, WLKY will be broadcasting different games on 32-1,32-2 & 32-3. Did anyone else see that. Didn't know that 32-3 was available?

Last month, channel 41-1 & 58-1 produced no signal. After rescanning, they appeared as 49-3 & 51-3. Now the picture & sound are back, but I no longer receive the channel call letters or program information. I called WDRB and asked them about the problem, but they told me nothing had changed & to rescan again. I did but still, the same. Anyone else experiencing the same thing.

Originally posted by bnewt
Last month, channel 41-1 & 58-1 produced no signal. After rescanning, they appeared as 49-3 & 51-3. Now the picture & sound are back, but I no longer receive the channel call letters or program information. I called WDRB and asked them about the problem, but they told me nothing had changed & to rescan again. I did but still, the same. Anyone else experiencing the same thing.

That happened to me once with my Directv HD receiver. The tech then went back into the setup menu on the receiver and put in my zip code, pulled down some info ... then we re-scanned for all channels. This straightened it up. I'm not sure, but I think that there is some link-up that directv uses to coordinate the actual frequency for WDRB digital (49) and re-assigns it on the directv display as 41-1 (which corresponds to the analog frequency).

Friar

I have an ota stb, not direct tv. I think that it is something that WDRB did to their data stream. I will call them again.

Ive been recording Idol using the feature where you can schedule the same show week to week(Insight dvr). The two shows I've watched from recording like this have not been able to ff/rw/pause. I was wondering if this is some new thing the station did or possibly a problem with the week to week feature. Any feedback would be great.

Originally posted by weswar
Ive been recording Idol using the feature where you can schedule the same show week to week(Insight dvr). The two shows I've watched from recording like this have not been able to ff/rw/pause. I was wondering if this is some new thing the station did or possibly a problem with the week to week feature. Any feedback would be great.

I'm having the same problem....Idol seems to be the only program doing this or maybe just Fox...weird and annoying

Idol problems again last night.....I recorded it on my D-VHS deck also and just skipped thru the commercials with that. Good thing I didn't get rid of this deck yet!

I'm beginning to think it's just Fox. I recorded the Simpsons on Sunday it wouldn't let me FF/RW. How can this happen?. I know Fox really likes their commercial breaks (I think the 1 hour AI show consists of 40 minutes of commercials it sure seems like it) but being forced to watch them defeats the whole purpose of DVR.

I emailed Insight about the FF/RWD problem and this was the response:

Thank you for your cable inquiry. We are aware of the problem and our
engineering team is working on resolving the issue.

Sincerely,
Ms. Stokes
Insight E-mail Support

cool. I think I will ring their bell as well. The squeakiest wheel and all that.

Ever since the new format took place, I've been having trouble rewinding live TV more than about 15-20 minutes. Before I believe I could go back an hour? Anyone else having that problem? Also, I hate that when I press up to scroll channels, the number go down. Just wanted to get others opinions on the new format.

Thanks,
K13

Originally posted by bnewt
Saw in yesterday's sports section that during the NCAA tournament, WLKY will be broadcasting different games on 32-1,32-2 & 32-3. Did anyone else see that. Didn't know that 32-3 was available?

There is no 32-3. They will have 3 of the four games available. One on the SD channel, and two on the two digital channels. They actually showed a commercial tonight for it.

Quick question, what are channels 32-1, 32-2? Are these channels that are received OTA or can I receive them with the box?

Thanks,
K13

I get them OTA. I also saw the commercial - anyone explain why they are doing this - seems to customer oriented :)

Originally posted by Kleve13
Ever since the new format took place, I've been having trouble rewinding live TV more than about 15-20 minutes.

I've got the same thing going on....must be another "feature", I wonder do they even bother polling some customers that use the service before they decide to make these changes. Hurry up Myth!

Originally posted by bnewt
Saw in yesterday's sports section that during the NCAA tournament, WLKY will be broadcasting different games on 32-1,32-2 & 32-3. Did anyone else see that. Didn't know that 32-3 was available?

(rant #1) I'm wondering if CBS will be broadcasting any of the first or second round games in HD (especially the UK & UL games!). I was pretty disappointed that the Conf USA final on Sat AND the SEC final on SUN were NOT broadcast in HD. You'd think that CBS would put some money into the cameras if they are promoting the NCAA tourney so much.

(rant #2) I wonder if by putting up the extra broadcast, WLKY will be opting out of some HD feeds and going with the SD feeds instead ... broadcasting 3 different games instead of one analog, one HD digital, and one SD digital. I know I'll be ticked off if I'm getting a SD signal and I see a "CBS HD (where available)" flash up on my screen!

Friar

Originally posted by Kleve13
Ever since the new format took place, I've been having trouble rewinding live TV more than about 15-20 minutes. Before I believe I could go back an hour?

I don't know if there are 2 different boxes but mine never rewound live TV more than 15 minutes. Recorded material of course wound rewind the length of the program

friar:

I believe WLKY will broadcast 3 games: one on analog 32 and the remaining 2 games on their digital channel. The 2 games on their digital station will probably be a High Def game 1080i game (32-1?) and a 480i game (32-2?)

Expect some some pixelation as HD basketball consumes a lot of bandwidth and needs the max 19.2Mbps.

Here's the story from the WLKY website.

http://www.thelouisvillechannel.com/collegecorner/4261891/detail.html

Hey, all.

Just got off of the phone with an engineer at WLKY. He was very informative (and excited) about the upcoming NCAA tournament.

What WLKY will do is broadcast a game on the analog channel and up to 2 different games on the digital channels (as cambus wrote above.)

As far as bandwidth, they're going to monitor Thursday's games and see how the split (pretty much 15/4 right now) will affect the quality of the HD channel. If there is noticeable artifacting/pixelation, they'll consider shutting down the -2 channel and funneling full bandwidth for the UofL game on Fri.

UofL's game will be shown on both analog and the HD channel on Fri. night.


Oh, he also said they should have the schedule of games on their website sometime soon for the Thursday games. They just got the info from CBS on what will be shown and won't know about the Fri. game schedule until probably Thur.

Originally posted by NightowlKY
Hey, all.


UofL's game will be shown on both analog and the HD channel on Fri. night.




NightowlKY, regarding the Friday night U of L game - did you understand them to mean:
1. They will show the U of L game on both 32 and 32-1, but they will both be the SD feed (like last weekend)?
2. They will show the U of L game on 32-1 in HD?
3. They won't know until later in the week if the feed will be available in HD?

Thanks for any clarification that you can give.

Friar

I'd love tp know the status of WLKY's 5.1 sound on live sporting events. The next time you are communicating with them, can you ask for an update? Thanks.

Originally posted by friar
NightowlKY, regarding the Friday night U of L game - did you understand them to mean:
1. They will show the U of L game on both 32 and 32-1, but they will both be the SD feed (like last weekend)?
2. They will show the U of L game on 32-1 in HD?
3. They won't know until later in the week if the feed will be available in HD?

Thanks for any clarification that you can give.

Friar

I read from the NCAA post in the programming forum that the U of L game will be in HD. I'm sure that's why the engineer was talking about possibly shutting down 32-2 during the game, thus giving all the bandwidth to 32-1.

Sorry for the repetitive posts, but I'm still confused on what other channels there are besides 763 & 5 on cable (I have the DVR box). What are 32-1 & 32-2? Could someone please explain?

Thanks for the help!
K13

K,
Here is an excerpt from the article linked above:
The additional games will be carried on Insight channels 126 or 127 or both, depending on the number of games being played simultaneously. Those games available in high definition will continue to air on WLKY's digital 32-1 and on Insight's high definition tier (for subscribers) on channel 763.

I assume games on 32-1 will be on 126 and games on 32-2 will be on 127.

Originally posted by NightowlKY
If there is noticeable artifacting/pixelation, they'll consider shutting down the -2 channel and funneling full bandwidth for the UofL game on Fri.

LOL .... IF?????

Good grief ... you can "notice" it on regular primetime fare with just the radar ... Given their equipment they'd probably be better off going to 720p when the -2 channel is active.

Lest ye doubt my PQ assessments, remember I can (and have) easily A/B compare(d) WKYT-DT and WLKY-DT in various setup modes. ;)

When will they make that decision? Halftime? or when it is too late...

This doesn't have to be this hard...

Tim

When will we have Directv HDTV of locals? Any word?

Tim

Originally posted by friar
NightowlKY, regarding the Friday night U of L game - did you understand them to mean:
1. They will show the U of L game on both 32 and 32-1, but they will both be the SD feed (like last weekend)?
2. They will show the U of L game on 32-1 in HD?
3. They won't know until later in the week if the feed will be available in HD?

Thanks for any clarification that you can give.

Friar

My take was that the UofL game was going to be in HD and shown alongside the analog channel. The -2 channel may be dropped (or bitrate lowered as much as possible) if the artifacting is too noticeable on today's games.

HTH

32.1 looks pretty darn good right now! Still no DD 5.1...:(

Originally posted by stflush
I read from the NCAA post in the programming forum that the U of L game will be in HD. I'm sure that's why the engineer was talking about possibly shutting down 32-2 during the game, thus giving all the bandwidth to 32-1.

Might as well give all the bandwidth to 32.1... 32.2 looks and sounds terrible right now..

I receive ABC (WHAS DT) OTA using a Sony HD 300. There has been a lip sync problem on this station only for the last few weeks. Are others noticing this?

Yes

Originally posted by gdarwin
32.1 looks pretty darn good right now! Still no DD 5.1...:(

not for me :( I can get both WKYT and WLKY from my location at the same time (pointing at L'ville and getting WKYT on the backside) and the less bandwidth is VERY noticable.. The wide shots you can see real problems if you look at the refs... WKYT was MUCH better...even the SD channel was better.

The did showed different HD feeds yesterday for a couple of games and I was able to switch back and forth based on the status of the game, so that was good..

We'll see how it goes today...

Chuck

Just as long as they shut down 32-2 tonight at 7:10 (and all following UL games), I will be happy. I have kind of enjoyed being able to pick which game to watch.

I also receive 32's signal (analog & digital) via an antenna. 32-1 was pretty good, a few hiccups, but 32-2 was watchable, but a lot worse than 32-1.

Anyone see this?

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7212897/

I'm hoping this is a mistake (Syracuse v. Vermont on HD at 7:10 instead of UofL???)

Looks like they are doing the same thing Saturday for the KY game...

http://www.thelouisvillechannel.com/sports/4287860/detail.html

I called WLKY 5 minutes ago and spoke with 2 people and they have no idea what the HD schedule is. They are clueless, and the GM is out.

This press release on their site:
http://www.thelouisvillechannel.com/sports/4287860/detail.html
updated at 1:30pm says Louisville game is not in HD

Cancel the party!

I'm gonna have to say that the games listed for 32-1, 32-2 are actually what will air on 32-2. Or atleast I hope. They have been airing seperate broadcasts on the different subchannels. I assume that they will continue this. From what I understand UofL will be on 32-1 and Syracuse will be on 32-2. This ofcourse is speculation.

I sincerely doubt that WLKY would not air the UofL game in HD. CBS has it listed as an HD feed.