It's not necessary to get ABC programing via bittorent unless you just want to. You can stream all their shows from the past month or so for free. And the quality is surprisingly good. That's how I discovered Pushing Daisies.

Right, but if you watch over their streams you get annoying commercials and it doesn't look as good as it could possibly. With torrents you can get them in pretty close to true HD depending on your source with NO commercials at all. :) Thats why I go that route. :)

Seems KATV found the solution, use the HD feed and just chop off the sides for the analog viewers.Dave, Is D* taking a 16:9 OTA digital broadcast of katv, cropping it to 4:3 and uplinking it for D* subscribers, or is katv doing that on their analog OTA broadcast station?

it's also on E*. Didn't check the analog OTA

Directv is using the HD feed and chopping it to 4:3. Analog 7 OTA has a big ABC logo right above the right end of the score ticker, HD OTA doesn't, it has HD logo on far right. Directv chopping HD logo off right and part of the ticker on left. Guess that answers how they are going to maintain the SD feed :)

On the bright side, if they do that for KTHV it will get rid of those ugly grey bars.

Finally got my HR20 to log on my NAS mediaserver.... Love being able to use remote to browse videos. Now if they add codecs for playing .VOB and .Divx files, Ill be in heaven.

"Davenlr;12303951]On the bright side, if they do that for KTHV it will get rid of those ugly grey bars."


That's good. Apparently nobody at KTHV-DT knows how to get rid of them on 11-1.

Enjoy the gray bars while they last.

When the stations get graphics insertion capability for pillar bars, the bars will be replaced with whirling, spinning, flashing, distracting logos and eventually.... ads.

... Guess that answers how they are going to maintain the SD feed :)Guess so.

If D* was using cropped HD for the SD LIL feed, you'd think the picture quality would be a little better than it is. It's totally unwatchable on a large screen TV. I wonder what the resolution on those D* channels has been lowered to...

Does anyone else have a problem with KTHV's signal when it's raining? I live in Maumelle, so I should have a very strong signal, but everytime it starts raining, the signal starts dropping out.

Anyone else have this problem?

Lightning will cause KTHV (and PBS) to drop out. Just plain rain shouldn't, unless you are getting moisture in your feedline, balun, etc.

Davenlr,
I sometimes get dropouts in the rain on KAFT-DT, VHF channel 9. Of course, I also get lightning dropouts on that channel, too. I do not get those pesky annoyances on any UHF digital channels.

I suspect the rain causes some arcing in the transformers and power lines which probably contribute to it as well. Easy test is to tune to an analog channel and see if there is any noise in the picture, while remembering the analog transmitter on high vhf is 2 to 3x stronger.

Bottom line: It doesn't happen on UHF.

man, is it already time for KATV's LF Sports basketball crap again? One of my favorite new shows, Pushing Daisies, will be bumped this Wednesday for Missouri vs. Arkansas. It's not even an in-conference game. I had a hard time keeping my mouth shut when I met a KATV engineering head last night. Turns out he's a member of my church...at least he's not the guy I've sent those e-mails to...

maybe next time I see him I'll ask if a HD timeshifter is coming soon...

man, is it already time for KATV's LF Sports basketball crap again? One of my favorite new shows, Pushing Daisies, will be bumped this Wednesday for Missouri vs. Arkansas. It's not even an in-conference game. I had a hard time keeping my mouth shut when I met a KATV engineering head last night. Turns out he's a member of my church...at least he's not the guy I've sent those e-mails to...

maybe next time I see him I'll ask if a HD timeshifter is coming soon...

I hate to break it to you, but we would be losing Pushing even if the Razorcraps weren't going to be on. They were supposed to show "Shrek The Halls" and the 40th Anniversary of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" instead. They are pushing those back until 12:36 a.m. so all the little kids can get up in the middle of the night to watch good wholesome family entertainment. We all know how basketball is so much better than childrens/family entertainment anyway, so it's no great loss.

Next time you see that guy from KATV, tell him that there are more people than you that thinks his station is complete garbage. I am even starting to go as far as to boycott any and all companies that do local advertising on KATV.

Pushing Daisies' promo said it would be on at a special time of 9/8c...it's now showing on Friday at 12:35am, what better time to watch a primetime show?

Oh, guess I missed that promo. I hardly ever watch any commercials if I can help it, so that might explain why I missed it....unless they said it during the "next week on...", then I have no excuse :)

Again, all of this damn time shifting is what makes my love of torrents live strong! I can get what I want, in what quality I want, when I want it, and have NO commercials in it.

well I watch ABC's college football live so I see the commercials then...other than that, I skip past the commercials because I work most evenings and record my shows anyways. I will, however, stop for an HD commercial if it looks really good. I'm an HD fanatic...

You guys seriously need to move to Mena.

I have been wondering that if I were a sponsor would I want my spot's audio to be high or low as there seems to be no middle ground at KTHV-DT. Some commercials are so loud that everyone jumps for the remote and others are so low as to barely be heard.

To whomever is in charge at that place: Please, please install a limiter or teach someone to ride the audio level at KTHV-DT. Only station in the market with such problem as far as I can tell.

Ok, you guys keep saying that stuff about "moving" to Mena and what not, I would like to ask some questions about that. How difficult is it for someone to go about doing that? Does it just have to be in the records only and you getting your bill via email or how does that work in regards to your actual account? Is there a chance of being caught doing that? What happens if you are busted doing that? And what address would you use in Mena to do this? Namely, how do you know what to tell them and it be a good address with someone not already living there and all?

steveken,
In a nutshell, it involves having separate service and billing/mailing addresses on file at D*. Local channels and HD DNS (NY HD channels) eligibility are based on your specific service address.

Don't attempt this unless:
1. You know someone locally who can do your own D* repairs, dish alignments and future equipment upgrades.
2. Are familiar with the process.

People who do this aren't stealing - they're only trying to get a decent HD network signal that may not be available by the local affiliate(s), due to local employee apathy/icompetence, or intentional pre-emption of network programming by the local affiliates' owners. In the unlikely event you got caught "moving" your real service address would be reinstated in your records and your HD DNS channels would be shut off.

Additionally, once the LR HD locals are added to D*, new customers in Mena will no longer qualify for HD DNS channels.

I consider it civil disobedience...I can't afford a multimillion dollar lobbyist in Washington protecting me from being forcing into watching substandard crap. I consider it anti-american having the govt protecting some half bit broadcaster. Almost like forcing you to buy a Ford and banning Toyota. They just need to butt out. Till they do, Ill "move" to where I can watch what I want.

Wow, I am sitting here trying to watch Wheel on KATV and the damn signal keeps dropping out. Watching the signal meter, it goes from in the 70's to nothing a LOT. I don't know what their deal is, but their OTA signal is almost unwatchable tonight because of how much it drops out. BTW, this is on both my HR20-700 and my H20-600 that this is happening on.

And as soon as I say that, everything seems to have calmed down. For now at least. It is still screwing up a little, but its easier to watch.

KATV still sucks. :)

Here at my diggings the KETS SD video looks better off the D* satellite than KATV-DT's SD video looks OTA.

hmm, sitting here checking out The Weather Channel HD on DirecTV and I noticed something. When the weather people are on screen, the volume is good and loud like it should be. When they play back clips of stories and stuff, however, the volume is really low. Anyone else notice this? I would think this is a TWC problem, but am not sure. Who would we talk to about that?

It would be a problem with TWC. They are currently building out their new HD studio. The current studio shots are non in dolby digital. Like a lot of stations, the commercials are really compressed and sound lots louder. I'm not sure if they switch to dolby for their HD programming or not, but if so, that could be one reason for the volume change.

I have noticed it in the past. It is a weather channel problem, not D*. Contact TWC through their web site's "contact us (http://www.weather.com/interact/contactus/)" page.

They have a "Contact" site but nothing on that site fits the volume problem. I just sent a complaint to "Weather on the 9's"

Yes, some commercials contain "enhanced" audio but not to that extent. The same at KTHV-DT; nothing or nobody riding audio levels.

Most stations don't want to admit they have any "technical" problems.

Right now, TWC-HD's audio level problems are as bad or worse than yesterdays' THV.

After ten minutes of non-HD Golf, I called KARK's "master control", via the newsroom, and asked them to please switch to HD.

The "switcher" did not even know the program that KARK was airing was in HD. Probably one person doing the work of three.

Hello out there KARK people in charge. I certainly hope that you get your people trained to perform their duties before the LR HD locals are offered by D*. If not, your station manager is going to get a whole bunch more complaints.

After ten minutes of non-HD Golf, I called KARK's "master control", via the newsroom, and asked them to please switch to HD.

Please post that number up here for the rest of us. Also, if you have the numbers for anyone else, please post them. I figure if we call these stations enough times when things are screwed up, then maybe the rest of the viewership will benefit and enjoy the programming that much more and maybe things will get fixed at the stations.

I used to have Alison Fletcher at KTHV's number from when I did a job interview with them (the job for which I got turned down for and still wonder why because I could have easily done a great job), but don't anymore or else I would post it up here too.

Seriously, we need these numbers to keep people at the stations on track. Back in the 80's when I used to hang out with my dad up at KAIT Channel 8 in Jonesboro when he was Lead Anchor and Producer, you would have never seen anything happen like things that happen now. They were much more on the ball. Now adays people rely on computers too much to do their jobs right.

I think I was on a rant there, so I apologize and /rant.

Master control at KWBF uses computers to program the whole days programming for well over 15 stations. There were times when one person would be riding shotgun over all of them at once. I won't mention that no one was in there at all when that one person went to the bathroom :)

KATV- 501-324-7760 for the news department or 501-324-7777 for the regular contact

KARK- 501-340-4444 (only number listed, labeled main line)

KTHV- 501-376-1111 for the main or 888-848-6397 for news tip line

KLRT- 501.225.0016 for main or 888-367-1616 for news tips

[gathered from the respective websites]

I'm going to try these sometime. Most of my TV viewing is timeshifted though..

After business hours, the newslines are likely the best numbers to call, unless of course, you have a direct line to the control room. Tell them about the problem and ask to forward the problem report to the control room.

Confirmed via Titan TV...

Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer re-airs at 7pm Dec 4 (Tuesday) on KTHV-DT. In HDTV with OAR of 4x3. :D

Later that evening KTHV-DT preempts, as usual, the VS Fashion Show (9pm). The CW Network usually airs it in HDTV about a week later, and KASN-DT will air the CBS feed in SD on Dec 4th. (KTHV's alternative programming @ 9pm is titled "Fighting For Life", a possible St Jude Infomercial/taped telethon?) :confused:

preempt the "fashion show" for content reasons or is that just a timeslot they can use for local programming?

My DirecTV and Windows Media Center program guides both say that the VS show will be on both 11 and 38 at 9pm. THV's website apparently uses Titantv, and it says that "Fighting for Life" crap whatever it is will be on at 9. Kind of makes one wonder what will be on during that time. I would guess, being the pessimist I am, that it will be the "Fighting for Life" program. There is no hint of the show being on the CW anytime soon, at least not until the 10th which is all my DirecTV shows for some reason (should have at least another week in the guide).

Thank you again, local TV affiliates, for giving me an excuse to download my favorite programming via **********s (Although the proper term for it is simply a torrent as ********** refers to a specific program/company. There are other programs that use torrent files such as azureus. Therefore, its more appropriate to simply call them torrents). It is your lack of interest in giving us what we want that makes me more than willing to bypass ALL of your sponsors commercials and watch the programming I want, uninterrupted by commercials of any type by going to torrents for my television viewing needs. The programming I get via torrents is often better looking than you would think. With the encoding schemes used by most people, the picture is only slightly lower than complete, true HD, but at a fraction of the file size. Also, the programming is most of the time in HD when you, the local affiliates, insist on falling asleep at the wheel and making us watch things in SD.

Again, thank you local affiliates for giving me an excuse to go to another source for my television entertainment needs while bypassing your stations completely.

Edit: HAHAHAHA, I notice this sites screening software doesn't like the term I put in there. The words in ***'s are supposed to be bit torrent put together. That is funny that it allows the two words separately like that.

...Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer re-airs at 7pm Dec 4 (Tuesday) on KTHV-DT. In HDTV with OAR of 4x3.At least it's not stretch-o-vision.

FWIW, Universal HD (http://www.universalhd.com/FAQ/) shows some older programs originally shot on film as 4:3 HD. Example: Northern Exposure

"kevincburns;12381633]KATV- 501-324-7760 for the news department or 501-324-7777 for the regular contact

KARK- 501-340-4444 (only number listed, labeled main line)

KTHV- 501-376-1111 for the main or 888-848-6397 for news tip line

KLRT- 501.225.0016 for main or 888-367-1616 for news tips

[gathered from the respective websites]

I'm going to try these sometime. Most of my TV viewing is timeshifted though.."

I can tell you right now that most of the calls are going to be to KARK-DT (switching errors) and KTHV-DT (switching errors, audio levels).

yeah. most of my calls will be to KATV since LOST is the only thing I watch live unless it's sports.

Just called Directv and asked about HD locals they just said next year.
Next year when?
don't know next year is all we are told.

anyone get an inside track?

All I can remember is growing up with 7 in one direction and 4 and 11 in the other so you never got a good pic from one or the other.

HOW is HD ota and what are you using for ota that gets good reception in LR

A local installer told me last week that they expected Direct TV to offer LR locals by mid-Feb......take that for what it's worth:confused:

A local installer told me last week that they expected Direct TV to offer LR locals by mid-Feb......take that for what it's worth:confused:

LOL, that has to be THE funniest thing I have heard today. Believing ANYTHING an installer says? LOL I just can't stop laughing at this one. I feel like a tickle-me-elmo doll here!

The things an installer says tend to be about as trustworthy and reliable as my 2 year old predicting the weather.

"The things an installer says tend to be about as trustworthy and reliable as my 2 year old predicting the weather."


Or, the used car salesman on tv that thinks he has to yell to sell you one.

Etrin: Welcome. Directv will ha9e LR locals sometime AFTER two months AFTER their next sat is launched, which just got postponed again because Sealaunch scrubbed the launch ahead of them cuz the sea weather and currents were to strong. Next year is a good guess:)

Locals are STILL in two directions, but with the current atsc tuners and the right antenna, you USUALLY can get most all the stations by pointing halfway between them unless you live in West LR where multipath will drive you nuts. Tell us where you are and we can give you hints and tips.

Just called Directv and asked about HD locals they just said next year.
Next year when?
don't know next year is all we are told.

anyone get an inside track?

All I can remember is growing up with 7 in one direction and 4 and 11 in the other so you never got a good pic from one or the other.

HOW is HD ota and what are you using for ota that gets good reception in LR

Etrin,

Welcome to the boards. Do you currently have D*, E*, or cable? HDTV OTA in Little Rock for those living near there is tricky because of being stuck between two antenna sites. Its somewhat easier in SE Arkansas, but the major problem where I am is the distance as I'm on the fringe for KARK-DT, KTHV-DT, and KLRT-DT (location and my antenna system help in my case).

As antennas go, its also tricky. KETS-DT the public TV station operates on RF channel 5 --low vhf for HD (until Feb 2009, when it goes to RF channel 7). KTHV-DT (CBS) is high vhf RF ch 12. The others are UHF.

If you need KETS-DT then a traditional VHF/UHF combo antenna (medium gain, not the larger ones) would work. The Channel Master CM 4221 4 bay UHF antenna would work for all the other stations and might bring in KTHV. The CM 4228 is the stacked 8 bay version of the 4221 and works quite well for high (7-13) VHF. But its more directional, but one poster here uses his with the screen removed and does well.

I would generally avoid the high gain preamps in Little Rock/NLR proper due to possible overloading issues. Generally outdoor mounted antennas are preferred for best signals.

yeah. most of my calls will be to KATV since LOST is the only thing I watch live unless it's sports.

Here is a very old post with katv contact numbers (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=3082153&postcount=317).

Not sure how many of those numbers are still good, but worth a try when they're asleep at the switch or (doing what they do best>) pre-empting network programming.

One thing that you have to remember, guys and gals. At a broadcast station, the Sales Department rules and revenue is the name of the game. Everything except Sales in a broadcast station is a necessary evil.

I am in west little rock rodney parham and reservior road.
so its just like 1963 again LOL

you get 4 and 11 or 7 maybe some 16 and 2 looks like fuzz
I hope its a little better

just trying to get the HD channels in our area...I thought nothing in AR was HD except your trucks exaust

...I thought nothing in AR was HD except your trucks exaustcute. not

I am in west little rock rodney parham and reservior road....A small CM 4221 (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4221.htm), aimed compass direction ~220° S/SW may get you ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW.

Unless you're in a valley surrounded by hills. If so, you'll need something better, installed on a tall mast as possible.

I am in west little rock rodney parham and reservior road.
so its just like 1963 again LOL

you get 4 and 11 or 7 maybe some 16 and 2 looks like fuzz
I hope its a little better

just trying to get the HD channels in our area...I thought nothing in AR was HD except your trucks exaust


One important thing to remember though, that is different than 1963, the digital signals will not look like fuzz. As long as you have a strong signal, the picture will be clear. Lose signal strength, however, and you get pixalization, and audio and video dropouts. Personally, I get 4, 7, 11, 16 & 38 (digital versions I mean) fine. I've noticed a major drop in my strengths on both channels 2 and 42 since the summer.

42 only gives me a 40 signal and I can physically see their tower out on chenal from my roof. 4, and 16 are 100, and 11 is 95. 2 is 55 usually.

Noticed a bit of enhancement tonight. kwbf-dt in @ 63% strength. Meanwhile KARK-DT @ 97% and KLRT @ 86%.

KWBF still doing stretchovision though on 42-1 :confused:

The annual HDTV blackout of the CBS airing of the VS Fashion Show has begun in Little Rock. KTHV aburptly switched to a Paid Program for St. Jude's Hospital. Meanwhile KASN started out showing the SD feed.

UPDATE: Suddenly @ 9:04pm the feed switches to HD. Thanks KASN for busting the blackout.

Yeah, and me being the idiot I am, knowing full well that KTHV would bend us over and screw us without so much as a kiss first, had my damn computer recording on 11-1 instead of 38-1. I finally remember its on at 9:40, so, obviously, it was too late. Oh well, hopefully it will be on some other time that I can catch it or I can find a torrent of it. At least I got to see the Spice Girls. lol Am I being serious? Am I saying that tounge-in-cheek? I'll leave that for you to decide.

Tonights VS Fashion show on CBS (via KASN) was a pixelated mess during the runway scenes. The combination of strobe lighting and KASN's parasite subchannel (38-2) made those scenes almost unwatchable with macroblocking. Otherwise, it had a soft look about it. Audio was 2.0, and the local cut-ins for ads were a bit slow as there were at least a couple of seconds when returning from local ad breaks. At least KASN's audio didn't bust the eardrums when going to a local commerical.

Give KASN credit though, they at least tried to show it in HD.

I didn't notice anything wrong with the runway scenes while I was watching it. Again, it was only the last 20 minutes of it, but I didn't notice anything wrong at all with the entire amount of the show I saw. And that was even with it going from the D* HD receiver in my office to my computer's tuner card. That conversion made it look a little softer than it should have, but all in all it looked just fine to me. If I had gone straight HDMI through the tv it would have been outstanding.

Yeah, and me being the idiot I am, knowing full well that KTHV would bend us over and screw us without so much as a kiss first, had my damn computer recording on 11-1 instead of 38-1. I finally remember its on at 9:40, so, obviously, it was too late. Oh well, hopefully it will be on some other time that I can catch it or I can find a torrent of it. At least I got to see the Spice Girls. lol Am I being serious? Am I saying that tounge-in-cheek? I'll leave that for you to decide.

I could have done without the Spice Girls "music".

The CW usually airs this a week or so later, in HD. Partly due to Viacom's ownership of both The CW and CBS.

if THV cut away why did their EPG have it listed? do they get their primetime listings from CBS or another source or did they just mess up?

I sent KTHV a email with my displeasure of this evening's actions. Also noticed on the contact page that one of the female anchors is a grad of, drum roll please..... Bob Jones University (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Jones_University), a college that forbids students from watching DVDs on student's computer DVD drives.

Pathetic.

At least KASN's audio didn't bust the eardrums when going to a local commerical.

Give KASN credit though, they at least tried to show it in HD.

Well, on occasion, at least KTHV-DT does do something I like. Sometimes their audio on local cut-ins is so low you have to strain to hear it.

It's just that you don't know when a commercial comes on if it will be so loud that you need the remote in your hand to turn the gain down or so low you can't hear the audio. I prefer the latter.

Just wait until some sponsors start watching their paid ads run on 11-1 with viewers unable to hear the message that they paid to have broadcast or, so low that the potential customer can't hear the message. Then, something will be done to correct it.

The CW usually airs this a week or so later, in HD. Partly due to Viacom's ownership of both The CW and CBS.

I have looked through the program guide on my D* box and my Media Center computer and do not see any mention of the CW having it on yet. I guess its going to take more than a week this time, huh?

f

To answer the question previously asked, here is the offlicial HD list for new markets through mid 2008:
The 11 local markets to receive HD programming from DIRECTV include:
-- Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y. -- Paducah, Ky.
-- Cedar Rapids/Waterloo, Iowa -- Tucson, Ariz.
-- Flint/Saginaw/Bay City, Mich. -- Waco/Temple/Bryan, Texas
-- Lincoln/Hastings, Neb. -- Wichita/Hutchinson, Kan.
-- Louisville, Ky. -- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa.
-- Omaha, Neb.

To answer the question previously asked, here is the offlicial HD list for new markets through mid 2008:
The 11 local markets to receive HD programming from DIRECTV include:
-- Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y. -- Paducah, Ky.
-- Cedar Rapids/Waterloo, Iowa -- Tucson, Ariz.
-- Flint/Saginaw/Bay City, Mich. -- Waco/Temple/Bryan, Texas
-- Lincoln/Hastings, Neb. -- Wichita/Hutchinson, Kan.
-- Louisville, Ky. -- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa.
-- Omaha, Neb.

You know, I could have sworn we were on that list once upon a time. Guess things change.


And, can someone PLEASE explain to me how fracken Waco, Tx gets HD locals before we do!?! Are they really that much bigger than us? I mean, hell, I don't think some of those others are very big compared to us, but are getting them before us.....like Paducah and Wichita. Man, I get so frustrated at times like this when I see things aren't going the way they should.

steveken,
This post at dbstalk (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1319373&postcount=17) explains how the markets are chosen. Also, the list above is for existing D10 satellite. LR will still be on the D11 sat., but launch has been delayed by SeaLaunch (not D*'s fault).

"this list" being the one Dave put up? If so, I took his "through mid-2008" to mean including the launch of D11, so thats why I posted what I did. If it was not intended to include the D11 launch, then that makes sense.

"this list" being the one Dave put up? If so, I took his "through mid-2008" to mean including the launch of D11, so thats why I posted what I did. If it was not intended to include the D11 launch, then that makes sense.Yes. The list dave posted.

D10 still has a lot of yet unused capacity for the markets he posted. But DirecTV is probably reshuffling their HD locals list, due to spot beam problems on D10. Some of the spot beams are weaker than anticipated, and don't reach some markets they previously planned to add.

LR will be on D11, assuming the launch is successful.

Posting here because the KAFT signal reaches into north central Arkansas.
Feel bit melancholy to post this; the previous employee there died last month.

http://www.aetn.org/employmentopps/employmentopps.html

sadly,
Kelly

Didn't mean to be confusing, the list I posted was in the Directv shareholders newsletter. No mention was made of which satellites were to be used, just that the list posted was to include all their plans through mid 2008. Wasn't trying to start anything, just passing along the info I found.

The CW will rebroadcast the VSFS on December 11 @ 8pm CST. From this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12404227#post12404227).

Interesting to see a head to head comparison of CBS's vs The CW's feed, although KASN's useless subchannel is still a leech for bandwidth.

The CW will rebroadcast the VSFS on December 11 @ 8pm CST. From this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12404227#post12404227).

Interesting to see a head to head comparison of CBS's vs The CW's feed, although KASN's useless subchannel is still a leech for bandwidth.

AHHHH, finally someone says when. I looked in my Windows Media Center program guide and it just lists Reaper as being on. Well, at least on the one with OTA digital channels only, my other main tv one that has the D* list says the VS show is going to be on as does my D* receiver. Hmmmm, I guess the OTA one just hasn't grabbed the newest list yet.

Betya $5 it isn't going to be in HD. Anyone wanna take that bet? hehehehehe

Meh, no biggie. I already downloaded the HD torrent of it. I can just watch it that way when ever I want.

...Betya $5 it isn't going to be in HD. Anyone wanna take that bet? hehehehehe


It won't be for cable customers in Pine Bluff (WEHCO Cable), since neither KLRT-DT nor KASN-DT are available (and yet PBC/WEHCO carries AETN and all four SD streams) as verified by my parents QAM capable SDTV some time ago.

Sorry, but betting is not on my list of vices ;)

You know, I could have sworn we were on that list once upon a time. Guess things change.


And, can someone PLEASE explain to me how fracken Waco, Tx gets HD locals before we do!?! Are they really that much bigger than us? I mean, hell, I don't think some of those others are very big compared to us, but are getting them before us.....like Paducah and Wichita. Man, I get so frustrated at times like this when I see things aren't going the way they should.
arxaw's link is pretty accurate at how the satellite companies add these cities. While Waco is certainly smaller than LR, Wichita is actually bigger (although the MSA is smaller by a tad).

At least you guys have some -DT stations that you can complain about. :p

I'm in between four markets and can't get anything reliably from any of them (Grenada, Miss.) Technically this is the Greenwood-Greenville-Lake Village market. There is no NBC, CW or MNTV affiliates. Fox is carried as a subchannel on the ABC affiliate, so no HD there. And the low powered amateur hour that carries CBS doesn't do any HD at all with their digital channel.

Cable here carries that ABC HD affiliate and that's it. The rest of the lineup comes from Columbus/Tupelo and Memphis. DirecTV does not offer any locals at all for us.

The only way to get HD solidly here is by erecting a tower and praying. Some folks get the CBS from Columbus that way but I've had no such luck with my limited antenna capabilities. WTVA, the Tupelo-based NBC affiliate, hasn't even set up a digital channel yet. After being admonished by the FCC for failure to build out, they said they would just put NBC on a subchannel of their ABC (lower power) station. So no NBC-HD for the forseeable future for this poor souls.

At least here, PBS is pretty solid out of Oxford. The picture is kinda smeary and washed out thanks to two subchannels (SD and PBS Create) but at least it's somewhat reliable.

Luckily, I moved here from out of state and took my DirecTV with me. When the installers came and hooked up the new 'HD' dish, they failed to change my service address. :cool:

Any of you guys know the limits of component cables? I plan on running three 75 ohm rg-6qs cables about 50' from my video center under the house to the hdtv in the bedroom, one each for Red Green and Blue, and then use a 50' stereo cable for the audio. Will I have any problems with signal loss going 50' with component?

Dave, I haven't used component cables, but have run composite & audio L+R cables about 75', using RG6 cable terminated in RCA connectors. No problem.

If you have some scrap RG6, connect it temporarily and see how it looks.

impressed with THV's HD capabilities. Now, they don't have to switch to the SD version to put the weather warnings and radar on the screen! I'd prefer for the lesser warnings (winter storm warning or watch in extreme NW Ark. don't they have their own CBS affiliate?) not to have anything on my screen but at least they don't mess up the HD

kthv is on some NWA cable systems. It is on the Eureka cable system. So, they do have viewers up here. And the only other CBS affiliate on Cox Cable, Eureka is KOLR out of Missouri.

KFSM, the Ft Smith/Fayetteville affiliate is not carried by Cox here.

Comcast HD question. What is the current list of Comcast HD channels?
My TIVO HD indicates that Sci-Fi HD is on Comcast channel 427, but when going to that channel there is a message of "No Signal." I am wandering, therefore, if this is a new upcoming channel, or do I need to get a re-initialization from Comcast?

Have not seen any comments on CableCARDS and Comcast in Little Rock recently, so decided to add my latest information from a call today.

1st Card- free
2nd Card - $6.95

The Comcast website says "up to $1.91 for the second CableCARD", but there is a disclaimer at the bottom. I didn't get very far with arguing the point, but YMMV.

http://www.comcast.com/Customers/FAQ/FaqDetails.ashx?Id=2651

The agent said cards are in stock at all locations and can be picked up and installed myself. If there is a truck roll, add $39.99.

Also, if you have had TivO and lifetime service for a long time (since 1999 for me), TiVo will make a one time exemption and transfer the lifetime service to your new TiVo HD. The CS people were great.

samcguire

excuse me for being behind the times, but what does the CableCARD do exactly? I see all the headlines for it but don't completely understand its advantages or what it's for..

Basically, its like a directv access card. Without it,you get digital decryption of any digital channel that is open access. On directv, its the preview channels and the setup channel. On cable, its the local hd channels. Cablecard allows third party manufacturers (Tivo) to decode encrypted cable channels (digital, not sure about analog) without having to "switch" a cable converter box. Since the new HD Tivo has two tuners, it required one cablecard for each tuner (why I don't know).

Have not seen any comments on CableCARDS and Comcast in Little Rock recently, so decided to add my latest information from a call today.

1st Card- free
2nd Card - $6.95

The Comcast website says "up to $1.91 for the second CableCARD", but there is a disclaimer at the bottom. I didn't get very far with arguing the point, but YMMV.

http://www.comcast.com/Customers/FAQ/FaqDetails.ashx?Id=2651

The agent said cards are in stock at all locations and can be picked up and installed myself. If there is a truck roll, add $39.99.

Also, if you have had TivO and lifetime service for a long time (since 1999 for me), TiVo will make a one time exemption and transfer the lifetime service to your new TiVo HD. The CS people were great.

samcguire


Sam,
It gets worse. The rates vary depending upon who answers the phone at Comcast. For example, I have three cableready HDTV, and two TIVO HD units. I asked for an explanation of my charges and got four different answers each time I asked. For example, the first cablecare "outlet" if free, and others require a $6.95 "additional outlet" charge. The rate schedule sent in the mail to Comcast customers doesn't list any charges so the individual person makes up a rate on the spot. The "additional outlet" charge is for a set-top box, and when I asked one of the Comcast phone anwerers, why I was charged for a box when I didn't have one, she was flumoxed and basically implied since she didn't have rates for cablecards she was charging me as if it was a box.

As you know, the Comcast website refers to the first card free and an additional $1.91 for an additional card on the same "outlet" -- not for a non-existent set-top box you don't have.

In addition, Comcast charges $6.95 PER UNIT for HD service. So the total cost becomes $13.90 per TV! What a rip-off. I intend to complain to the FCC, since I have a notion this overt price gouging is not what the FCC had in mind when they require cable companies to provide Cablecards to be used in third party devices.

Comcast is a classic example of a monopolistic business -- their sales/telephone answerers are clueless and the customers are paying for their incompetence.

Tivo is a great service with excellent customer-centered business. By the way, Comcast never offered to allow me to pickup the Cablecards for self-installation (a completely no-brainer exercise). The insisted that their "technical" people have to perform the complex task of inserting a card into a slot.

Sam,
It gets worse. The rates vary depending upon who answers the phone at Comcast. For example, I have three cableready HDTV, and two TIVO HD units. I asked for an explanation of my charges and got four different answers each time I asked. For example, the first cablecare "outlet" if free, and others require a $6.95 "additional outlet" charge. The rate schedule sent in the mail to Comcast customers doesn't list any charges so the individual person makes up a rate on the spot. The "additional outlet" charge is for a set-top box, and when I asked one of the Comcast phone anwerers, why I was charged for a box when I didn't have one, she was flumoxed and basically implied since she didn't have rates for cablecards she was charging me as if it was a box.

As you know, the Comcast website refers to the first card free and an additional $1.91 for an additional card on the same "outlet" -- not for a non-existent set-top box you don't have.

In addition, Comcast charges $6.95 PER UNIT for HD service. So the total cost becomes $13.90 per TV! What a rip-off. I intend to complain to the FCC, since I have a notion this overt price gouging is not what the FCC had in mind when they require cable companies to provide Cablecards to be used in third party devices.

Comcast is a classic example of a monopolistic business -- their sales/telephone answerers are clueless and the customers are paying for their incompetence.

Tivo is a great service with excellent customer-centered business. By the way, Comcast never offered to allow me to pickup the Cablecards for self-installation (a completely no-brainer exercise). The insisted that their "technical" people have to perform the complex task of inserting a card into a slot.

You know, this is a prime example of why I left Comgouge to go back to D*. This kind of sh1t is common for them. They do this to people everywhere. This is why all of you need to call up the BBB and complain to them about what is going on. If you want, you can even go into their local office. Its right around the corner from me. Its on Kanis Road, east of Bowman just over the hill next to the construction.

And another thing that makes their treatment of customers bad is the fact that Saturday night/Sunday morning the completely shut off their ENTIRE system! And I do mean ENTIRE! I was on the Internet just after midnight when BAM!, it went down. I tried the tv too (I still have the basic basic package to make my costs lower for the Internet), and it was out too. I put all of this in my blog which is at the link in my signature if you want to go read it. They did all of this supposedly because the government "requires" them to do maintenance and they claim they can't send out advance notices to everyone as its too big of an area.

Anyway, like I said, its on my blog if you wanna read it. I am so completely fed up with them. I would LOVE to do something like that old lady did a while back and take a hammer to all of their garbage.

OK OK, end rant. :)

Anyone notice KTHV-DT has lost the gray bars?

Or, was I seeing/not seeing things last night?

Anyone notice KTHV-DT has lost the gray bars?

Or, was I seeing/not seeing things last night?

Nope, looks like they are gone. I just turned it on to there (Golden Apple Awards instead of Extra thank god) and there are no gray bars.

One annoyance down. Think maybe the gray bars are incompatable with the weather map showing a pink spot in Bentonville? hahaha.

I view it (no pun intended) as a sign of that station's attempt at progressing even more into the digital and HD age of broadcasting. Now, if they could do something about their wide range of audio levels and a couple of other things . . .

You know, I find it funny you guys talk and complain about the levels on 11, but I have noticed something far more annoying. EVERY single digital station around here (well, the ones I get) all have audio level well below the SD channels. That causes me to have to turn up the volume quite a bit when watching them and having to turn it back down when I switch to an SD channel. That is what is annoying to me. I would think that its something to do with my D* box, but even when I record stuff on my other media center box that has two HD cards in it and only records the digital channels and nothing else, I still have to turn up the volume beyond normal. Whats up with that?

The audio levels at KTHV-DT are during a local cut-in or during a news show. The audio on the commercials that they air varies from one to another and then back to studio for another level. The levels on KTHV-SD are more constant. It's as if they are not controlling the digital transmitter levels as consistantly as they are with the analog transmitter.

It is really irritating to the point where I don't watch KTHV-DT except during their network shows, where their commercials are not as frequent as in news shows. I am tired of reaching for the remote every five minutes.

steveken I saw where you said comcrap shut everything off sunday.
I was going to wally world sunday morning about 5am and there were comcrap trucks working on lines around bowman curve...I wondered what was up with that. Wrong day and time for them.

If they hadn't bought off every politician in the state we would have good service and channel lineup

I remember asking about comedy central and scifi channel...WE CANT carry them we dont' have the capacity. After D* hit we got it in 3 months....WOW instant capacity. RIP OFF for soooooo many years now they own it all...stupid ass americans let the politicians rape us and sell us for change.

=====================================
I asked last week about off air HD on reservoir road.
Getting new HD tonight or tomorrow and building a homemade antenna for grins right now...this is fun
now all I got to do is find one more coat hanger ROFL

Thats why I have always said and continue to say that our entire government needs to be completely gotten rid of and started over from scratch. Its quite apparent that it has become extremely corrupted over the years and I believe that a complete overhaul of the entire system would do wonders for everyone.

In any case, yes, it takes a competitor doing what the people want before any company is willing to put forth the time and effort to go through all the negotiations necessary to get the task accomplished. Comcast is only going to do what is best for one thing......their bottom line. The customers are not worth the time or effort in their eyes to keep them happy. That is why they do the stupid crap they do and give you lame ass excuses. I'm sorry, but when did we go back to 1823 where we didn't have very good mail service to send out announcements of upcoming system maintenance? We didn't? Well, then Comgouge is full of sh** telling me and probably others that they can't notify everyone in the area of complete outages that are planned before they happen.

I think every time I talk about Comsh** and their services I will do nothing but get bent out of shape over it. I am sorry, its not intentional, I am just very opinionated in regards to being raped without even so much as a kiss first.

I view it (no pun intended) as a sign of that station's attempt at progressing even more into the digital and HD age of broadcasting. Now, if they could do something about their wide range of audio levels and a couple of other things . . .

I agree on most points. Although I hate their programming decision concerning the VSFS KTHV preemptions pale in comparison to the ABC affiliate. I still remember during the pre-Gannett era when KTHV used excuse after excuse to not air Sunday Morning when after Gannett purchaced KTHV late in 1994 that Sunday Morning finally airing locally in 1995 (1 year after its former host Charles Kuralt retired) that was the true beginning of the present-day KTHV as we know it. I predict KTHV will introduce a HD local newscast before or very shortly after KLRT introduces one of their own.

Fix the audio issues, dump Craig O' Neil from sports, and don't cave to the wingnuts--my advice to KTHV.

Craig O' Neil ....ahhhh perfect face for radio...he needs to go back there.
Thinks he is funny...not
Typical Razorback fan....they can do no wrong...excuse after excuse that is all he does.

correct...dump him

HD news would be real nice but it cost money and until another station does it no way.
SO we have all the stations waiting on the other to do something.
they probably all met last year and said no way.

I know they take a beating here (and rightfully so), but I thought I would offer up my recent experience for anyone who may be sitting on the fence with regard to Comcast. After months of bagging (now did I mistype the "b" or the "a"? ;) ), I finally relented and got cable for my wife. Somehow, after ordering the service through WalMart, the Comcast CSR gave me the best deal I have ever heard of for Comcast in LR: 6 months digital starter with HBO for 19.95, with a $100 rebate to boot. Nothing I have ever seen previously (or was offered when I called) was ever even close. So if some of you are on the fence, it might be worth looking into (and good luck).

Anyway, even though I don't have their HD service (digital starter only), I'm still looking at doing things with QAM. My Samsung plasma found a bunch of stuff already, and I'm going to be using an HVR1600 to timeshift soon (hopefully). Unfortunately, one channel I didn't happen to notice was CW in HD. Does anyone happen to know the number for this? I would really like to watch Smallville in HD tonight if at all possible.

I know there was a full QAM list that I think steveken did a few months ago, but I can't seem to find it now for the life of me.

TIA

[QUOTE=haley-SEAFix the audio issues, dump Craig O' Neil from sports, and don't cave to the wingnuts--my advice to KTHV.[/QUOTE]


I could not have said it better myself. Heck, they could try about 20db pad in his mic for starters and then progress up to a gag if needed.

The audio problems would not have lasted this long with the FCC we had twenty year ago.

Now, broadcast TV stations apparently don't have to air a station ID after being off the air and coming back on. Used to be mandatory.

Fox news has such a sharp picture now, they should just go widescreen 480i in the studio. KLRT has a great picture quality.

I'm surprised KARK isn't HD, since the moved to a brand new studio not that long ago. I would have expected them to have wired the new studio for digital. I expect KATV will go HD at about the same time as the fcc mandates 3d-HD in 2025.

I know there was a full QAM list that I think steveken did a few months ago, but I can't seem to find it now for the life of me.
TIA

Sorry about not getting this up sooner for you. Just thought about checking it a few minutes ago. The list you are referring to that I did is here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11569222#post11569222

I don't know how much of that has changed, but it might still be relatively close. As far as I know its still all clearQAM, so you might be able to at least watch the channels you want.

If you are wanting to get a tv tuner card like the HVR1600 to get the clearQAM to record, good luck with that. You won't get it working. I spent MANY hours trying to get that crap to work with no joy. It's Hauppauges fault with the crappy drivers they have out. It just doesn't work worth a crap.

Well, let me say that my remarks are from my attempts several months ago. They might have put out new drivers recently to make it actually work, but I wouldn't count on it. There is an HVR1600 forum on here if you wanna go hit that up for some help. I need to look there again myself.

Anyway, that should help you out there.

Steve

Dave, I thought that KARK's news WAS in HD. At least the few times I bothered to attempt to watch it they had claimed it was HD I thought. Wait, what am I saying, of course they aren't. :) I know that NBC's Nightly News looks gorgeous compared to the garbage that the other two big networks put out.

I doubt the Memphis stations do HD local news, although its done in Dallas. Only the NBC Nightly News is the only evening show in HD and nothing on the local level (although KARK's SD looks much better than its competitor on Main Street ;) ). As long as Katie "S.D." Couric anchors the CBS News, it will be SD (she left right before NBC went HD for Today).

The audience for the 5-6pm newscasts is shall I say it a bit on the grey side. Many of these watch out of habit and have watched one channel for local news for years on end. The cable news outlets (okay, that's stretching it a bit at times ;) ) and the Web have taken much of the appeal of these newscasts from a generation or two. What is left is crime stories, Razorback cheerleading, canned medical features, canned consumer features, happy talk, and little real news between the 3 minutes of "sports" and "weather" each. Why wait for a 5:30pm or 6pm "local" newscast only to hear who, or what is has the latest weightloss pill out?

KARK will never produce a HD newscast as long as Nexstar runs the joint. Those guys lack the funds to have KARD (FOX, Monroe LA) in HD presently much less put HD local news in Little Rock.

steveken,

Thanks for the link to that list. I have no idea why all the searches I ran yesterday didn't work. From what I can tell at first glance, the only current difference (and it might not even be one) is that 103-7 is the CW HD feed. Thankfully I found it yesterday before Smallville, and it looked pretty good overall (I noticed compression artifacts during the opening credits, but that was it).

I'll keep you posted if I get the HVR1600 working.

Looks like KARK-DT's transmitter was sputtering again tonight during "The Tonight Show." Pixelated with funny-sounding audio, then to black two or three times over the period of a few minutes. OTA signal strength, normally at 90-100%, was down to 50-60%. Minutes later it was back to 90-100%. All other Shinall signals were at normal levels for me, 90-100% during this time Anyone else notice this?

Looks like KARK-DT's transmitter was sputtering again tonight during "The Tonight Show." Pixelated with funny-sounding audio, then to black two or three times over the period of a few minutes. OTA signal strength, normally at 90-100%, was down to 50-60%. Minutes later it was back to 90-100%. All other Shinall signals were at normal levels for me, 90-100% during this time Anyone else notice this?

Noticed the same thing. Thought it was me. Thank you for saying something. I noticed during commercials it was fine.

Nothing wrong with KARK-DT transmitter. The Problem was bad weather in NYC. When they have bad weather,they will switch the feed to Burbank ( which does not do HD to the affillates) All the HD feeds come from NY. Leno is feed HD to NY on a "backhaul feed" that is not offered to the affilliates.

It wasn't just the Tonight Show, I happened Friday on the Today show.

Nothing wrong with KARK-DT transmitter. The Problem was bad weather in NYC. When they have bad weather,they will switch the feed to Burbank ( which does not do HD to the affillates) All the HD feeds come from NY. Leno is feed HD to NY on a "backhaul feed" that is not offered to the affilliates.

It wasn't just the Tonight Show, I happened Friday on the Today show.

I normally receive KARK-DT at 100%. However, KARK-DT drops out at times leaving me with a blank screen and no program video or audio and the message, "Searching for signal on OTA antenna." During these dropouts on KARK-DT, KLRT-DT remains at 90-100% with program audio and video. These freqs are too close together to be something weather related causing problems on one station and not the other. Makes me think transmitter or something sputtering.

I will have to say that KARK has great resolution, with no audio level problems that I have experienced. KARK and KLRT's studio shots are well lighted and camera resolution looks good at bot shops. Compaired with the other two LR stations KARK and KLRT are way ahead of the curve. Just my $.02 worth.

I finally got around to watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas that KATV forced me to record at 1am and what do I see? They screwed us all out of half of the show. All of the sudden during a commercial break just after the Grinch got all the stuff up to the top of the mountain, it freezes on an ad for Pushing Daisies and then goes to a fricken paid advertisement for some con-artist and his "how to sell on ebay" scam. All I can say about KATV is laskaf;lja a;lkjasd;lkas lk;agj; a;l aj;lags;lkjag ;asg;ljalk bla;jkb ;lkasdlk;jfal;k fasd. And you can quote me on that!

I finally got around to watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas that KATV forced me to record at 1am and what do I see? They screwed us all out of half of the show. All of the sudden during a commercial break just after the Grinch got all the stuff up to the top of the mountain, it freezes on an ad for Pushing Daisies and then goes to a fricken paid advertisement for some con-artist and his "how to sell on ebay" scam. All I can say about KATV is laskaf;lja a;lkjasd;lkas lk;agj; a;l aj;lags;lkjag ;asg;ljalk bla;jkb ;lkasdlk;jfal;k fasd. And you can quote me on that!

Complaints:
http://cfc.katv.com/contact.cfm

After you send, hit your BACK button to send the same comment to another department (works in Firefox, not sure about other browsers).

That's the one thing I miss about living in SE Wisconsin... I had OTA reception from Milwaukee, Chicago, Rockford, and Madison...FOUR choices for a network affiliate with the turn of a rotor, not to mention lots of independants. Little Rock sux in that regard... Just to far from Memphis and Fayetteville/Ft Smith. If only Pine Bluff had its own DMA we could get a real ABC affiliate out on Shinall Mt.

Noticed tonight KARK tried to switch over to their HD feed for SNL and it was a pixellated mess, so they switched back to the SD network feed. Apparently they have a major problem with the wind and dish alignment or their receiver has been infested by the KATV virus :)

That's the one thing I miss about living in SE Wisconsin... I had OTA reception from Milwaukee, Chicago, Rockford, and Madison...FOUR choices for a network affiliate with the turn of a rotor, not to mention lots of independants. Little Rock sux in that regard... Just to far from Memphis and Fayetteville/Ft Smith. If only Pine Bluff had its own DMA we could get a real ABC affiliate out on Shinall Mt.

Pine Bluff has the misfortune of being too close to Little Rock....and being Pine Bluff.

I only get one other digital station outside the LR DMA, that being KTVE-DT (RF 27) from the Monroe-El Dorado market. And as of January 1, it will be owned by Nexstar :( WABG-DT Greenwood/Greenville MS is 20mi too far to be received here or I would have a choice for ABC OTA.

Just checked out ###stopshop and the Channel Master 4221 UHF Outdoor Antenna is cheap but do I still have to have a Matching Transformer?

I think this is the same as others DB8 antenna....will a DB4 work or is the range to short here?

Noticed tonight KARK tried to switch over to their HD feed for SNL and it was a pixellated mess, so they switched back to the SD network feed. Apparently they have a major problem with the wind and dish alignment or their receiver has been infested by the KATV virus :)


Something is not right at KARK-DT.

I am using the same antenna (a UHF 4-bay) for KARK-DT Channel 32 as I am for KTHV-DT Channel 12. When KARK-DT drops out, KTHV-DT is solid at its usual 90%, as are the other Shinall Mtn. signals. This tells me there is a problem somewhere and it's not my antenna.

Just checked out ###stopshop and the Channel Master 4221 UHF Outdoor Antenna is cheap but do I still have to have a Matching Transformer?

I think this is the same as others DB8 antenna....will a DB4 work or is the range to short here?The 4221 is equivalent to a DB4, but should cost less. AFAIK, both include a 75ohm connector. I know the 4221 from warren (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4221.htm) does. Warren is a very reputable online dealer. I have used them many times and their FedEx shippping has always arrived fast and in good condition.

The 4221 should be plenty antenna for Reservoir @ Rodney Parham area. Unless you're down in a hole surrounded by hills. Then, it's a crap shoot.

thanks arxaw I will order one. Wanted to do the gheto build on one but after 6.99 for the cable adapter I might as well buy one.

do these have a plug already present for the rg6 or am I back to finding an adapter?

Is channel is 16 in HD ?

hell I can't live without sunday night simpsons and family guy LOL
Man I only watch educational channels so I have to get southpark as well.

D* won't be out till thurs to change it out to an HD dvr...I am watching Lord of the Rings in grainy mess right now...cry

...do these have a plug already present for the rg6 or am I back to finding an adapter?Yes. Go back and read post # 3867. The "75 ohm connector" is what you connect the RG6 to. Also known as a matching transformer. Also known as a "balun."

Is channel is 16 in HD ?Yes, on some Fox programming.

Button punchers asleep at the switch again. Almost 15 minutes into Sunday Night Football and KARK-DT is still in SD mode.

Hello KARK-DT person in charge. If you are having technical problems, then please air an apology.

Don't keep us guessing as to when someone will switch to HD.

Geesh!

I think their HD network feed is down. Maybe they need to get Directv.

Looks like they finally fixed it. Amazing isn't it??? We live in podunk.

I think their HD network feed is down. Maybe they need to get Directv.

If their net feed is down, then AIR AN APOLOGY. Does anyone at KARK know what an apology is? This is in the area of "Good Engineering Practices" or it used to be.

Broadcast stations are required to answer all FCC complaints.

I was watching the Redskins - Giants game and it was SD until half time and even then it was a little choppy.

and back to SD.

Looks like they finally fixed it. Amazing isn't it??? We live in podunk.heheh, FWIW, it's no better up here in NW Podunk (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12508792#post12508792). We have stations that go off every time it rains, stations that go off for weeks at a time and a station that hasn't had a center channel on local news for a year. And the L+R channels are out of phase.

Don't expect any quality product from these bottom market stations. Because it ain't gonna happen.

heheh, FWIW, it's no better up here in NW Podunk (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12508792#post12508792). We have stations that go off every time it rains, stations that go off for weeks at a time and a station that hasn't had a center channel on local news for a year. And the L+R channels are out of phase.

Don't expect any quality product from these bottom market stations. Because it ain't gonna happen.

They have problem but I doubt is is with the "feed" from NBC. WNBC is not having a problem.

Downgraded my HR20 to the NR to see if the audio from MP3's only playing through my TV speakers and not being sent on to my stereo was a fault of the CE, now I can't get the frackin Music & Photos selection to show up anymore. Don't know why its not there. Nothing has changed. Oh well, guess I really don't care. I will use my 360 for anything like that....far easier. :)

I e-mailed kark last night about the ball game they said it was nbc problem also i got the chief eng cell number Dan Stalnaker 501-765-1838 :)

I'm just guessing here but I believe hdmi is coded so that you cannt "convert" or "pass-thru" a hdmi signal. That's probably the copy protection in you tv preventing it from converting to pcm and passing thru on the coax. Only solution I know of is to get a receiver with hdmi switching...If that indeed is the case.

I take it you are talking to me, Dave? If so, your logic forgets one thing. EVERY other piece of audio going through my system works just fine (when I have "Music & Photos" available, which I don't anymore). DD from HD channels goes across the HDMI from the D* box to my TV, then out through the Digital output on the TV to the Digital Coax input on my stereo. It is ONLY on MP3 audio that this problem occured, and only after putting the CE's on my box. The other time I tried it out with the NR, it worked perfectly.

No offense, but your logic there reminds me of the SuperVolcano person on the other board telling me that it is something broken in my TV. A situation like this is not something that is explainable through any methods when ALL other audio sources work perfectly through the device.

They disabled mp3 support in the last CE according to the release notes.

I was just going to post that, dave.

well, thats funny because I was hearing the audio from my mp3's through my TV speakers. It was doing that as well on the CE prior to that, thats why I have been trying to figure out what the deal is. Its not really that big of a deal to me as I don't listen to mp3's out there much at all, but just knowing it was doing that was enough to make the tech in me figure out what the heck was going on.

So, with that said, if htey disabled mp3 support, how was I still hearing the audio through my TV speakers which was only connected to the HR20 via the HDMI cable? And then plugging in my optical cable straight to my stereo allowed me to hear the mp3's correctly as they should have? I bet it was this "disabling" that started my "problems" which weren't really problems to start up.

Most people play mp3s using a third party mediashare program like Tversity or Mediaplayer... On mine, I cannot play mp3s natively off the hard drive without using tversity to transcode them to pcm audio first. Then my HR20 will play them.

Mediashare is a train wreck right now, and from the notes it appears they are more concerned with colored buttons and menus than fixing bugs right now.

oh, I thought you meant completely disabled. Yeah, I was using TVersity as well. Still I think it was something with the CE that screwed it up. I am beginning to wonder why the music & photos feature isn't showing up back on the NR (01BE) I have on it. I have everything the way it was. Anyway, I guess I am just going to give up on this crap. I will just use my 360 and not worry about the D* box doing something its not really supposed to do in the first place.

I was looking at the 4221 on a link I saw. It was only like $27, but then I would have to worry about finding a place to mount it, the wire run into the house and how to hide it, and then if I would have to use a rotor to flip it around. I just wish I was more confident in putting up stuff like that. My ham radio license should be taken away for not being able to get this stuff done.

Hahaha. I grew up (really) hanging off towers. I put up a 4221 on top of a tower to pick up the first uhf tv station in Milwaukee, back when you needed an external uhf tuner box because the TV's didn't have UHF tuners built in. I was like 12 or so.
Got ham license when I was 18. Got the pleasure of being a DX station in the Canal Zone before we gave it back to Panama.

I don't know why it doesn't show up in the NR. Probably will start working again next Friday.

I would like it to work, so I can just view/listen to add my dvds and vidcaps, and music on one box. I hate having to use the computer and the mouse, then having to grab the keyboard. Much easier with just the remote and the HR20.

Still looking at that 4221 from the link arxaw put up.

Since I am basically in the middle between Shinall and Redfield, do you think it would work pretty well for me? And would I need to take off the screen to get both directions?

Also, my wife is asking me "where would we put it though". I was thinking maybe start off with it in the attic just to see how well it would work. I figured there would be less stuff interfering up there because the antennas I have rigged inside the house work, there isn't much siding on the house up there, and its above everything else in here.

What do you guys think? Besides that, I don't know where I would put it. I have a push up mast that is under my deck right now that I could set up, but I wouldn't know what to do in regards to running the wire. Any ideas? I think she might go for it since its that cheap, I just wanna make sure it will do us good and how I would set it up.

Well, hmm, nevermind then. I just talked to her more about it and she says "what we have works well enough since it is only a temporary problem anyway". I tried to say thats only as long as they get us up on the bird soon and if there is no bad weather and as long as nothing else happens. Shes like "I just see it as spending more money and effort when we don't really need it." So, I guess there goes that idea. I tried arguing that its for long term reliability and quality, but that didn't float. Oh well, maybe it won't be an issue.

Still looking at that 4221 from the link arxaw put up.

Since I am basically in the middle between Shinall and Redfield, do you think it would work pretty well for me? And would I need to take off the screen to get both directions? Hypothetical questions. If you decided to go ahead an install a 4221:

What direction is Redfield from your house?
What direction is Shinall Mtn. from your house?

Hypothetical questions. If you decided to go ahead an install a 4221:

What direction is Redfield from your house?
What direction is Shinall Mtn. from your house?

Well, like I said, I am in the middle. Shinall is pretty much due west of me and redfield is kinda southeast-ish.

PBS REP: Are you guys ever gonna show NOVA in HD?? I don't understand why you can't feed through the network feed. Why must you time shift it and how it in SD? Then after all the money I spent to GET the station, you run a telethon asking for donations? I'd donate to PBS National HD *if* I could get it without investing a couple $Thousand for your network link. Are we going to have to wait til 2009?

Well, like I said, I am in the middle. Shinall is pretty much due west of me and redfield is kinda southeast-ish.If you're in NLR:
Enter your home address at: http://www.antennaweb.org
Get the compass direction for NBC KARK-DT
Get the compass direction for ABC KATV-DT
Add the two directions together
Divide the total by 2 to get the "middle" compass direction.
Aim the 4221 at that compass direction.
Do not remove the screen.

Example. At this address, the 4221 should be aimed 224°
http://i14.tinypic.com/6y4it8m.png

And while I am ripping PBS, let me give you kudos for the Christmas Concerts in HD tonight. The audio is absolutely jawdropping, and video is excellent. Only a couple dropouts when my neighbor flips a light switch, not to bad tonight. Thanks.

Thanks for the kudos. I'll pass those along.

And while I am ripping PBS, let me give you kudos for the Christmas Concerts in HD tonight. The audio is absolutely jawdropping, and video is excellent. Only a couple dropouts when my neighbor flips a light switch, not to bad tonight. Thanks.

Hi Dave;

Not really much I can answer to this, beyond saying it was a decision made by Programming Department.

The HD feed can be passed to air. It cannot, as yet, be timeshifted. [That's in the works, but I don't have a timeline for it.] As to why and how the decision to timeshift was made; I don't know. And as much as I may dislike it or disagree with it, it is their decision to make, not mine. (And stated in message 3482, I think it was, I can't/don't/won't answer questions regarding program selections.)

You are welcome call them.

As for the fundraiser's, my understanding is that money goes to obtain programs.

Kelly
-----------------------------

PBS REP: Are you guys ever gonna show NOVA in HD?? I don't understand why you can't feed through the network feed. Why must you time shift it and how it in SD? Then after all the money I spent to GET the station, you run a telethon asking for donations? I'd donate to PBS National HD *if* I could get it without investing a couple $Thousand for your network link. Are we going to have to wait til 2009?

If you're in NLR:
Enter your home address at: http://www.antennaweb.org
Get the compass direction for NBC KARK-DT
Get the compass direction for ABC KATV-DT
Add the two directions together
Divide the total by 2 to get the "middle" compass direction.
Aim the 4221 at that compass direction.
Do not remove the screen.

Example. At this address, the 4221 should be aimed 224°
http://i14.tinypic.com/6y4it8m.png

Well, I don't think I will be able to get one. The wife doesn't want to spend the money. But, to show where I am better, KARK is 305 and KATV is 145 from me. so, that shows you that I am damn near dead center between the two. :) So, according to my calculations, I should point an antenna at 225 to get them, but I question that since I am where I am. Seems it would be very difficult to get them all like that.

I tried building my own little 4 element antenna like I saw on here and a couple other sites, but it didn't work out real well for some reason. Maybe if I stuck it outside it might. I just wish I knew of a better way to get stuff without spending any more money.

Your coordinates are a bit of a stretch for aiming in the sweet spot, even w/ a 4221, which has a fairly wide beam spread. It would be a crap shoot, but still might work.

You only buy an antenna once. The programming you get is free, unlike cable or sat. To me, the price is very small, compared to all the other electronic TV crap I've purchased. But if you don't want one, don't buy one.

I didn't say I didn't want one. I said my wife didn't agree with me on the expense of buying one. There is a difference.

With those directions to the station, you would probably have to run the antennna without the screen and point it at redfield.

Since you are so close to being in the middle, mount a quad loop cut to the channel 22 frequency and try that with the loop facing the stations. With no reflector, you should get about 1.5 db gain and it should be good with multipath. If I remember right, each side of the square loop would be 1/4 wave, and the feed impedance will be between 50 and 75 ohms.

Oh yea, and feeding it at the bottom gives you horizontal and feeding the side gives you vertical polarity. You want horizontal.

LOL, while I know what all that means, it doesn't mean I know what to do with any of it. :) How does one make a quad loop? Or is that what the 4221 is called? And what length is that for channel 22? If its something that can be made, I might be able to do that (I hope) if I have the stuff here.

While what I have works (sometimes barely with dropouts), I certainly would like to do something that would give me better strength than what I get now. I know that I should be getting more than I am. I am always tweaking what I have to get more out of it. If I can actually get something that works and gets a better signal, I can finally leave it alone. :)

I thought I would give a quick update on my timeshifting of Comcast's clear QAM HD material.

Using the HVR1600 tuner card and GBPVR software, I am now successfully tuning and timeshifting several HD channels through cable. For some reason, GBPVR shows these on different channels than my TV does, but so far, I have verified that I do have an HD feed for most of the networks. The frustrating part thus far has been that some station locations do seem to switch around a bit, but I am still in the very early stages of messing with this, so I may be able to correct that. In case anyone is interested, these are the settings I'm getting

PBS HD (the gorgeous national feed) - 103.1 or 103.3
KASN-DT 103.1 or 103.2
KATV-DT 114.1
KARK-DT 90.1 (sometimes erratic behavior, but I'm chalking that up to recent KARK weirdness overall)
KTHV-DT 114.2
TNT HD 58.1

Because of my current (temporary) PC config, I haven't verified sound through all of these stations yet, but I hope to soon (and TNT is really the only one I'm concerned about based on my TV's reception). I'm hoping to verify KLRT tonight...they just haven't had much HD programming on lately, even in prime time.

A quad loop is a 4 sided square, with each side being 1/4 wavelength. To figure, use (462/freq)*2 to get the total length. Use wire or coathanger. frame of wood or pvc. Feed the center of the bottom wire exactly in the middle one side braid, other side center conductor. I don't know offhand what frequency channel 22 is. Should be able to find it on the net.

Using the HVR1600 tuner card and GBPVR software, I am now successfully tuning and timeshifting several HD channels through cable. For some reason, GBPVR shows these on different channels than my TV does, but so far, I have verified that I do have an HD feed for most of the networks.

I gave up on GBPVR because I couldn't get any program guide information....well for free if I remember correctly. Where are you getting your guide data? If you can help me out with that part, it would help me out immensely. I would then be able to do the same as you.

The frustrating part thus far has been that some station locations do seem to switch around a bit, but I am still in the very early stages of messing with this, so I may be able to correct that.

In my experiences they don't hop around at all, they are always in the same spot on my tv.

In case anyone is interested, these are the settings I'm getting
PBS HD (the gorgeous national feed) - 103.1 or 103.3
KASN-DT 103.1 or 103.2
KATV-DT 114.1
KARK-DT 90.1 (sometimes erratic behavior, but I'm chalking that up to recent KARK weirdness overall)
KTHV-DT 114.2
TNT HD 58.1

When I tune my tv to the clearQAM, PBS HD is on 103.8. The other PBS that I don't think any of us care about are scattered around a little bit from there. I think they might be listed in the lineup I put a while back that I reposted for you. KASN-DT is on 103.7. KASN-DT 2 is 103.9. Unfortunately, ABC, NBC, and CBS are all mapped on my tv as 5-1 (NBC), 8-1(ABC), and 10-1 (CBS), so I can't help on those channels. I am not sure why they would be on those channels. I would think the others should be on the same channels as I get on my tv. You know, I could be wrong about all this. :)

Because of my current (temporary) PC config, I haven't verified sound through all of these stations yet, but I hope to soon (and TNT is really the only one I'm concerned about based on my TV's reception). I'm hoping to verify KLRT tonight...they just haven't had much HD programming on lately, even in prime time.

Yeah, some of my channels don't have audio, like NBA TV, HBO, and I think G4 was one, cause they are scrambled according to my tv, yet I get the video for them just fine. Now, note, none of those are HD, but they still don't have audio. But anyway, if you have gotten this going and can hook me up with info on how to get guide data for GBPVR, then I will give er a shot.

steveken,

RE: channel mappings
I see what you see on my TV (5-1, 8-1, etc), and I have no idea why they're so drastically different on the HVR1600. And the movement only occurs on the HVR1600 as well. It is certainly very odd, but hopefully I can pin it down though. I'm trying to get the WinTV software to work just to see what that turns up, but so far, I just agree with everyone who says it's crap. :)

RE: EPG data
There is a CT TV listings place that provides 4 days of guide data for free. I haven't had time to configure it yet, but I did successfully set up my account and mess with it a bit. Of course, there seems to be no PBS HD data, but this is a very common issue.

I'll keep you posted.

Please help: How accurate is the date of February/March 2008 for local HD channels being provided by our local satellite system? I'm trying to upgrade my dad's satellite system to HD for Christmas but I don't want to waste my money on an OTA antenna if this is true. Thanks for any input.

Please help: How accurate is the date of February/March 2008 for local HD channels being provided by our local satellite system? I'm trying to upgrade my dad's satellite system to HD for Christmas but I don't want to waste my money on an OTA antenna if this is true. Thanks for any input.

Don't count on it. Just go on the basic assumption of "it'll be here when its here" and you will be fine. When you try to plan on anything with either sat company, you end up being disappointed.

Even if it was true, they aren't going to carry all the locals. Only the big 4, and none of the sub channels. Antennas are also a great backup for either cable or sat outages.

Please help: How accurate is the date of February/March 2008 for local HD channels being provided by our local satellite system? I'm trying to upgrade my dad's satellite system to HD for Christmas but I don't want to waste my money on an OTA antenna if this is true. Thanks for any input.

A OTA antenna is *NOT* a waste of money because.....

A) backup for weather-related sat outages (and cable outages).

B) Local PBS stations, The CW are typically not availible in HD on typical LIL and DNS packages

D) allows one to receive the other three SD subchannels of AETN

E) Protection against Cable/Sat-local broadcaster squabbles involving retrans consent rights (when a local stations threatens to pull a station from a cableco or sat provider).

F) Nomrally better PQ vs some cable and sat feeds

DXing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-skip#Tropospheric_propagation)

Tulsa's KJRH-DT (56) and KOTV-DT (55) in briefly during the 9:00-9:35am period--in addition to several analogs and some Faytteville/Ft Smith area stations. Have not logged these two in 2 years.

RE: channel mappings
I see what you see on my TV (5-1, 8-1, etc), and I have no idea why they're so drastically different on the HVR1600. And the movement only occurs on the HVR1600 as well. It is certainly very odd, but hopefully I can pin it down though. I'm trying to get the WinTV software to work just to see what that turns up, but so far, I just agree with everyone who says it's crap. :)

I have a HVR1800 that came with my computer that I use too. Its supposed to be able to do QAM as well, but for some reason when I get GBPVR to scan with it, it doesn't find anything. I am not sure why. Guess it might just be something incompatible with the cable system or something. When I do a scan with my HVR1600 I find a lot of channels, but only a couple actually show up. I am not sure what is going on, but its kinda bumming me out. Really was hoping it would work.

I'm fearing there's going to be more of this as we get closer to Feb 2009.....

Read the FUD here (http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g5kkwHkkBo--j-hgVkH2R3qaDn6w)

ummm, yeah, nothing to worry about. Just more whining from people that just don't matter. It's going to affect so few people, it's a non-issue.

Tripper: Get the antenna regardless, your parents will need it during severe weather, trust me.

Haley: I used to love DXing...just wished I wasn't always at work when the best DX comes in. I miss my 70' tower.

Sam,
It gets worse. The rates vary depending upon who answers the phone at Comcast. For example, I have three cableready HDTV, and two TIVO HD units. I asked for an explanation of my charges and got four different answers each time I asked. For example, the first cablecare "outlet" if free, and others require a $6.95 "additional outlet" charge. The rate schedule sent in the mail to Comcast customers doesn't list any charges so the individual person makes up a rate on the spot. The "additional outlet" charge is for a set-top box, and when I asked one of the Comcast phone anwerers, why I was charged for a box when I didn't have one, she was flumoxed and basically implied since she didn't have rates for cablecards she was charging me as if it was a box.

As you know, the Comcast website refers to the first card free and an additional $1.91 for an additional card on the same "outlet" -- not for a non-existent set-top box you don't have.

In addition, Comcast charges $6.95 PER UNIT for HD service. So the total cost becomes $13.90 per TV! What a rip-off. I intend to complain to the FCC, since I have a notion this overt price gouging is not what the FCC had in mind when they require cable companies to provide Cablecards to be used in third party devices.


With the TIVO box, if you have a Series 3 model (and maybe a series 2-check the manual), you only need one cable card as long as it is a M-type (multistream). Motorola doesn't make or sell the S-type card anymore, so insist that Comcast provide you an M card. (That's the way it is working in some other markets - non-comcast).If they don't have them or refuse I guess you could complain to the franchising authority and get your city fathers to take up your case.

Or complain to Mike Wilson at Comcast if you could ever get through to someone in management.

I have a HVR1800 that came with my computer that I use too. Its supposed to be able to do QAM as well, but for some reason when I get GBPVR to scan with it, it doesn't find anything. I am not sure why. Guess it might just be something incompatible with the cable system or something. When I do a scan with my HVR1600 I find a lot of channels, but only a couple actually show up. I am not sure what is going on, but its kinda bumming me out. Really was hoping it would work.

Did you try looking for QAM in WinTV or GBPVR with the HVR1800. My understanding was that HVR1800 support in GBPVR was spotty at best.

I agree that a QAM scan with the HVR1600 in GBPVR turns up WAY more channels than are actually accessible. That's why I posted the mappings I saw (with the weird frequencies) so that someone wouldn't have to go through all of them manually again (it sure was tedious). Especially since things don't seem to turn up where one would expect.

Did you try looking for QAM in WinTV or GBPVR with the HVR1800. My understanding was that HVR1800 support in GBPVR was spotty at best.

I agree that a QAM scan with the HVR1600 in GBPVR turns up WAY more channels than are actually accessible. That's why I posted the mappings I saw (with the weird frequencies) so that someone wouldn't have to go through all of them manually again (it sure was tedious). Especially since things don't seem to turn up where one would expect.

Yeah, I did. And even scanning with the 1600, it didn't find the stuff you listed. I am not getting anything at all that is useful, only black channels. When I did the initial scan it came up with something that looked like toon disney, but was probably a ppv. Oh, and I think I remember getting the audio for that Jacob the Liar trailer and I seem to remember getting a glimpse of The Messenger trailer. Thats all though. I am not sure its not associated with my machine being screwy though. Here lately files have come up missing and I have to reinstall them to use wintv. Its happened more than once.

okay, part of it was the splitter I was using it looks like. I had it going from the wall in another room, through a splitter where my bedroom tv was hooked into it, then through my hall into here where it was hooked into another splitter where it went to my clearQAM receiving Vizio, then the other side of that went into another splitter where it went into my computer. I took one splitter out and am receiving a lot more channels. We will see what I get.

Just wondering. Has LR station KVTN-DT Channel 25-1 recently increased their power? I have been able to receive them OTA this week for the first time. No changes here with antennae.

Apparently they did something. Went from 0 to 72 percent on my system. I never checked them. On the few occasions I watched that station, I always watched it on channel 26 from Hot Springs analog, as 25 from LR was always so full of ghosts. Looks like I can watch the digital version now.

Now the only station I can't get from my antennas direction setting is 42-*...No loss there. I see 42-3 is running a never ending advert selling an Elvis collection hahaha.

Also interesting to note: KWBF and subchannels are the only LR digitals that do not display the guide data for upcoming shows. Guess that's why Directv never has the right guide data for them. They know we don't care so don't bother typing it in :)

For some reason I had it on 25 the other day when I was doing the QAM bit and I saw a banner running across the bottom. I don't know exactly what it said, but it was something that sounded like they were indeed increasing power, so thats why you guys can get it now.

ORPhD:
I don't know if you saw my other post about the splitter, but it looks like I can get more than I was getting, but not all. It did not detect channel 58-1 like you said you get for some reason. Is there a way to manually tune channels with the GBPVR software to see if it just missed anything?

I don't know if you saw my other post about the splitter, but it looks like I can get more than I was getting, but not all. It did not detect channel 58-1 like you said you get for some reason. Is there a way to manually tune channels with the GBPVR software to see if it just missed anything?

I'm not surprised the splitter was causing lots of problems before as I've heard of that being a common culprit...forgot to mention it though.

I don't know how I got it to tune 58.1 when doing the autoscan, but I did. Unfortunately, I still haven't verified sound with it (for almost a week now I've been too sick to go into my crawlspace and run the necessary speaker wire). I know of no way to get it to manually tune channels, which IMO is a major oversight. I'm hoping to finally verify the location of KLRT HD today during football, and thankfully the location of PBSHD and KASN-DT has been stable the last several days (103.2 and 103.2 respectively).

90.2

I have no idea why these are so different from the frequencies my TV finds, but at least I know I will be able to record and timeshift all of the locals without having to deal with the nutty bidirectional transmission reception anymore.

Apparently they did something. Went from 0 to 72 percent on my system. I never checked them. On the few occasions I watched that station, I always watched it on channel 26 from Hot Springs analog, as 25 from LR was always so full of ghosts. Looks like I can watch the digital version now.

KVTN-DT in @ 96% here (pointed toward Shinall antenna farm) a while ago. Its not a channel I'd normally watch, but at least they are not pretending to be Educational and Non-Commercial like a certain few FM group licensees.

Now the only station I can't get from my antennas direction setting is 42-*...No loss there. I see 42-3 is running a never ending advert selling an Elvis collection hahaha.

Oh, the Spanish channel (formally "LatTV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAT_TV)")? Now the *real* reason KWBF probably doesn't simulcast KLRA-LP on 42-3 anymore---Univision probably doesn't want its local relayers preempting programming for infomercials. I've noticed English-language (and Spanish) infomercials during pre 6:00am DXing sessions while prowling the bands.

Yea, 42-3 is now "RetroJams"...urban music videos and music related infomercials. audio sounds mono, video quality sucks...as it would, music videos are fast moving high bitrate affairs. It will give the urban rabbit ear viewers something to watch once the shut off analog.

Yea, 42-3 is now "RetroJams"...urban music videos and music related infomercials. audio sounds mono, video quality sucks...as it would, music videos are fast moving high bitrate affairs. It will give the urban rabbit ear viewers something to watch once the shut off analog.

I flipped over there. They're playin' an old ABBA video. PQ resembles a VHS tape on YouTube. Barely coming in strong enough to lock w/o dropouts. I rescanned my E* vip211 box and it shows up as "Retr".

A bit off topic, but during the height of Friday nights tropo duct to Missouri KYTV-DT 44 Springfield Mo (as well as KARK's sister station KNWA-DT) was locking here. Very rare since KWBF-DT increased power beyond lightbulb range

That's pretty sad when you can pick up Springfield Mo from South Ark right over the top and on the same channel as a LR station :)

Wow. Nature on PBS tonight was Christmas in Yellowstone... Ill say one thing, when PBS kicks off the subs and shows a high quality show in HD, I don't think I've ever seen a sharper quality picture. This show had amazing PQ. I coud get a foot from my 48" display and couldn't see any blocking. Sure wish they would show all their HD shows in HD. Its just the best quality I've ever seen... I want Nova in HD for Christmas PBS.

Wow. Nature on PBS tonight was Christmas in Yellowstone... Ill say one thing, when PBS kicks off the subs and shows a high quality show in HD, I don't think I've ever seen a sharper quality picture.

I was watching the Redskins/Vikings...and blogging. With no distant thunderstorms to cause dropouts, I've seen and heard what KETS-DT is capable of. Dang, I missed it. :(

I don't know how I got it to tune 58.1 when doing the autoscan, but I did.

..... the location of PBSHD and KASN-DT has been stable the last several days (103.2 and 103.2 respectively).

Can you look in config for GBPVR for me and copy and paste what you get for the 58.1 entry? I can probably manually plug it in there and it will work. Worth a shot anyway.

And, don't know if you realized it or not, but you put 103.2 for both pbs and kasn. :)

7PM in HD on local ABC affiliates, including Little Rock.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
The classic 1966 TV special, not the recent movie
(note NBC is re-airing Its a Wonderful Life @ 7pm, not indicating HD, which for that network is typical ;) )

8PM on PBS (KETS-DT)

Chirstmas With The Mormon Tabernacle Choir


9pm on PBS (KETS-DT)

Christmas At Belmont

Can you look in config for GBPVR for me and copy and paste what you get for the 58.1 entry? I can probably manually plug it in there and it will work. Worth a shot anyway.

And, don't know if you realized it or not, but you put 103.2 for both pbs and kasn. :)

D'oh! I sure did. I meant 103.1 for PBS.

I was able to successfully get free EPG data downloaded last night, so for the first time, I am in HD PVR heaven (solid signal for all channels, EPG, complete control over the recordings). I used CT Listings, which is linked directly in GBPVR (1.1.5, at least). The only station I'm having issues with at the moment, is PBS HD, since I haven't found a listing for that yet (a common problem from what I understand). I currently have it mapped to KETSDT for when they simulcast (better than nothing I guess :rolleyes:). I still have some ideas to try for how to fix that, though I'm not holding my breath.

TNT's tuning request is
T:58,58,1~P:3~V:2048~A:2051~PMT:48~PCR:2048~E:T~N:>58.1 Unknown1 (000(AC3))

Hope this helps.

What are you guys playing with? A cable tv dvr card?

Well, it's happened. D* took away six (6) of the new HD channels and is going to charge extra per month for them. The missing channels are: 74, 78, 79, 255, 267 and 332 and include the MGMHD and Smithsonian HD channels.

I knew they would do this. :(

What are you guys playing with? A cable tv dvr card?

Yes, the widely available Hauppauge HVR1600 will tune clear QAM stations. Software support was, for a long time, a major issue with getting QAM on an HTPC, but there are a couple programs now that work with this particular card.

More digital F.U.D. (http://www.usnews.com/blogs/daves-download/2007/12/24/many-tv-stations-wont-make-the-digital-switch.html)

BelElDel: HDnet (ch 79) is *NOT* part of the new extra charge pack. HDnet sued Directv to stay in the basic tier.

Lots of pissed off people on DBSTALK.COM about it. I really didn't expect them to launch two billion dollar sats and all new HD infrastructure and not charge more. I just didn't like the way they did it. I won't subscribe to it until they either add more channels to it, or MHD starts showing some concerts I want to watch. Then Ill just drop a movie channel or Sunday Ticket Superfan. Either way, I'm staying at or under what I have budgeted for TV.

Blockbuster just tried to raise my rates to $12 so when I cancelled they asked why, and I told them. They then offered me the same package I just had raised for $4.99 per month. I just told em too late, you blew it, and hung up. So for the month I am +$9.95/mo. Waiting to see what they are going to try to rip me off for Major League Baseball in HD this year. May drop it too, if they raise the HD fee up from the current $39.

Arxaw: That's NOT good news. It means that awful LP channel 9 in downtown LR will continue to block KAIT in Jonesboro, unless KAIT moves digital back to ch 8... and the mess of LPTV stations Equity has spread all over will continue to interfere with digital dx. I would think for Low Power stations, a digital station would be cheaper to run.

BelElDel: HDnet (ch 79) is *NOT* part of the new extra charge pack. HDnet sued Directv to stay in the basic tier.

Thanks, Dave. The CSR that I spoke with today, when I discovered channel 74 was missing, gave me the six that she said were no longer available in the basic HD package. I just went ahead and eliminated it from my favorites without checking. You know, it's been my experience with D* that if you call and talk to five CSR's you will get five different answers to you question(s). Left hand, right hand.

Arxaw: That's NOT good news. It means that awful LP channel 9 in downtown LR will continue to block KAIT in Jonesboro, unless KAIT moves digital back to ch 8... and the mess of LPTV stations Equity has spread all over will continue to interfere with digital dx. I would think for Low Power stations, a digital station would be cheaper to run.All of the STBs for the ATSC coupon program are ATSC only. They do not have NTSC tuners. Since LP stations not on cable depend on OTA viewers, it will be in their best interest to dump analog ASAP, because Joe Rabbit Ears won't bother mucking with two tuners. And with the even-more-vast-wasteland opportunities of multicasting, I don't think they'll stay around in analog land very long.

I also doubt the accuracy of the article. Since the FCC isn't granting analog license renewals any more, how would these stations continue to (legally) broadcast?

More digital F.U.D. (http://www.usnews.com/blogs/daves-download/2007/12/24/many-tv-stations-wont-make-the-digital-switch.html)

I've went back and read several of Dave LaGeese's articles on digital TV. For someone that admits to being a OTA only digital viewer (since 2006) and tech "savy", he misses the boat on several of his columns.

You know analog's days are numbered when KVTN's digital signal and coverage area is more powerful than its analog.

Arxaw: That's NOT good news. It means that awful LP channel 9 in downtown LR will continue to block KAIT in Jonesboro, unless KAIT moves digital back to ch 8.

Dave, what does the Ch9 LPTV in LR broadcast? I've never logged them due to a weak-moderate signal from KETG-9 analog.

I've noticed K55GE (3ABN) on ch 55 analog hasn't drifted in recently. They have applied for a CP for a LD (low power digital) on ch 27 under the K55GE call. Also TBN has applied for ton of flash cuts for its relayers including K34FH on ch34.

However, i've not seen any applications/CP's for Equity to convert KKYK-CA ch 20 or KLRA-LP ch 58 to digital. And nothing out of that mystery station KJLR-CA ch28 (which the last time i logged them was running The Sportsman's Channel?).

... i've not seen any applications/CP's for Equity to convert KKYK-CA ch 20 or KLRA-LP ch 58 to digital...Maybe they'll go dark and end up as digital sub channels on some other POS equity station.

KLRA-LP must vacate ch 58 by Feb 17, '09.

CH28 is running Music Mix USA., never actually checked to see what their programming was like during the day.. I can barely get ch 9, just enough to cause interference...its all ghosts here, with snow. They run OLD B/W movies a lot, or used to. Think its on a downtown building. 55 is to weak to get, as is 14. 36 comes in OK, just another Equity station running Daystar (which they pick up with an old Directv recever in their master control, or did a few years ago, because when & storm came through, we got the "searching for satellite").

i am a noob to all of this hdtv stuff... we got a new hdtv and i am trying to decide if i want to get directv due to the hd content. right now i have regular comcast cable. does anyone know what all of the channels in the 80's, 90's, and 100's are? i know some of the 80's are the comcast on-demand movie channels, which is great since we are getting the movies for free, but we just don't know what is coming on and when it starts... any help would be appreciated. also anybody have directv? do you get all of the locals in hd, or do you have to use a ota antenna for those?

welcome, jp1979.
There are several members in this thread with DirecTV and lots of information on the subject if you will just read some of the previous posts.

Hi JP. Where are you located? I can't answer much about comcast. I can tell you Directv is you best bet for HD both content and price wise. Currently Comcast or OTA is your best choice for locals. Once we find out where you are, I can better offer suggestions.

i am a noob to all of this hdtv stuff... we got a new hdtv and i am trying to decide if i want to get directv due to the hd content. right now i have regular comcast cable. does anyone know what all of the channels in the 80's, 90's, and 100's are? i know some of the 80's are the comcast on-demand movie channels, which is great since we are getting the movies for free, but we just don't know what is coming on and when it starts... any help would be appreciated. also anybody have directv? do you get all of the locals in hd, or do you have to use a ota antenna for those?

If your TV has a QAM tuner, it should pass the digital locals without having to subscribe to "digital cable". However to get ESPN-HD, etc you would need to get digital cable + HD package + STB rental, On comcrap (i was a sub at one time while living in LR before my HD days) it will run up quickly. Upsides is no OTA antenna installation, and if you can live with just them in HD plus the SD versions of cable networks, the "analog" cable will work.

DirecTV (D*) has currently the largest selection of HD channels and is scheduled to offer HD locals within the next year. Dish (E*) offers a larger selection of HD than Comcast, but has no plans to offer HD locals for Little Rock.

Or you can go the "Netflix and Rabbit Ear" route and dump cable and stick to OTA only. This works if your not that interested in sports (especially NASCAR) and most of your viewing is network prime-time programming.

Read the back posts, and ask questions. Many of the issues concerning reception and local station foibles have been discussed.

Welcome to the HD world.

Hi JP. Where are you located? I can't answer much about comcast. I can tell you Directv is you best bet for HD both content and price wise. Currently Comcast or OTA is your best choice for locals. Once we find out where you are, I can better offer suggestions.

i am in North Little Rock. i think we are going to switch to D* to get the extra hd content. trying to decide if it would be wise to get in on the current promo or wait until after 12/31 to see what they are offering...

thanks for the suggestions and the help!!!

i am in North Little Rock. i think we are going to switch to D* to get the extra hd content. trying to decide if it would be wise to get in on the current promo or wait until after 12/31 to see what they are offering...

thanks for the suggestions and the help!!!

Thank you for making this decision. I didn't know if I would have to go on my anti-Comcast rant again. :) I hate those bas***ds so much. While Comgarbage does have quite a few HD channels now (probably much more than when I switched off them), they just are the very definition of an indifferent corporate entity around here. They will shut down service for "maintenance required by the federal government" without any prior notice and tell you they can't notify every one of their customers even though they can send out bills and spam mailings about their digital voice service easily. And the fact that their customer service people in this city are among the WORST you will ever encounter. Anyway, I think you might want to try to get in on D* now because they might want to start changing their offerings.

The ONLY downside right now is the fact that in order to get HD OTA, you are probably going to be out of luck if you want to get a HD DVR from D*. The reason? They seem to have run out of HR20's that I have been able to discern. You will most likely get an HR21 which does NOT have an OTA tuner built in, so you will have to use your TV's tuner to get those. You MIGHT get lucky, however, and find an installer that has a HR20, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

As haley-SEA said earlier, you won't have to worry about the HD locals much longer we hope. They are supposedly going to get them up with the new satellite launch in January. Unfortunately, it usually takes them a couple months to turn on the channels after they do all their tests, so I wouldn't expect the locals until maybe April or May. I hope no later than that.

Anyway, all in all, great choice. There have been rare occasions where I have been unhappy with D* (once is when they wouldn't help out a LONG time customer with a free HD DVR, thus forcing me to Comgarbage for a while), but all in all, they are a great company that I have been very happy to call my provider for a while.

Thank you for making this decision. I didn't know if I would have to go on my anti-Comcast rant again. :) I hate those bas***ds so much. While Comgarbage does have quite a few HD channels now (probably much more than when I switched off them), they just are the very definition of an indifferent corporate entity around here. They will shut down service for "maintenance required by the federal government" without any prior notice and tell you they can't notify every one of their customers even though they can send out bills and spam mailings about their digital voice service easily. And the fact that their customer service people in this city are among the WORST you will ever encounter. Anyway, I think you might want to try to get in on D* now because they might want to start changing their offerings.

The ONLY downside right now is the fact that in order to get HD OTA, you are probably going to be out of luck if you want to get a HD DVR from D*. The reason? They seem to have run out of HR20's that I have been able to discern. You will most likely get an HR21 which does NOT have an OTA tuner built in, so you will have to use your TV's tuner to get those. You MIGHT get lucky, however, and find an installer that has a HR20, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

As haley-SEA said earlier, you won't have to worry about the HD locals much longer we hope. They are supposedly going to get them up with the new satellite launch in January. Unfortunately, it usually takes them a couple months to turn on the channels after they do all their tests, so I wouldn't expect the locals until maybe April or May. I hope no later than that.

Anyway, all in all, great choice. There have been rare occasions where I have been unhappy with D* (once is when they wouldn't help out a LONG time customer with a free HD DVR, thus forcing me to Comgarbage for a while), but all in all, they are a great company that I have been very happy to call my provider for a while.

i have a dumb question... do i really need my locals in HD? as far as i can tell nothing "local" on kark, kthv, etc.. is actually in hd. would i still get the national nbc, abc, cbs, and fox feeds in hd so i could watch shows like ncis???

also, i have seen that the hddvr price is dropping to 99 on 1/10/08, so i think i will wait. of course they will probably do away with the $20 off for a year or something...

one more thing i can't seem to find anywhere. do these recievers have to have a phone line plugged in? i know they say they do, but will they work the same without it. i don't have a phone jack at either of the two tv's i am needing recievers for...

JP-
They will work fine without a phoneline. I haven't had mine plugged in since 2000. The only issue is you won't be able to remote order PPV's.

i had a d* account in my name at a different address about 5 years ago. would i be considered a new customer now?

The phone line is strongly suggested by D* (and some installers may say it's necessary). But it's not a mandatory requirement. If an installer insists, politely tell them "No thanks, I'll run my own phone jack." Then tell the installer to tell D* it's connected when he turns up the order. Then forget about it.

The only things the phone line are necessary for are:
On-screen caller ID.
Ordering PPVs with the remote.
You can order PPVs at directv.com without the phone line. And if you order them online, they will be viewable on all your receivers. If you order with the remote, it will only be viewable on the receiver you order it on.

DirecTV installers got in hot water in Florida (http://www.local6.com/problemsolvers/9164122/detail.html) over the phone line requirement controversy.

i had a d* account in my name at a different address about 5 years ago. would i be considered a new customer now?
Yes. But call and ask to make sure. When you call, say the word CANCEL at the voice prompt. That will connect to the Customer Retention Department. They can give you the best offers available.

If you want a DVR with OTA capability, try to find one locally at some place like best buy, etc.
HR20 has OTA tuners.
HR21 doesn't have OTA tuners.
Ask customer retention if you can obtain one locally.

i have a dumb question... do i really need my locals in HD? as far as i can tell nothing "local" on kark, kthv, etc.. is actually in hd. would i still get the national nbc, abc, cbs, and fox feeds in hd so i could watch shows like ncis???...You cannot get the national (NY) HD networks unless your address qualifies.
Enter it here (http://directvdnseligibility.decisionmark.com/app/AddressForm.aspx) to see.

If it doesn't qualify, you'll need OTA capability, either in the receiver/dvr or use your TV's OTA tuner.

i have a dumb question... do i really need my locals in HD? as far as i can tell nothing "local" on kark, kthv, etc.. is actually in hd. would i still get the national nbc, abc, cbs, and fox feeds in hd so i could watch shows like ncis???

also, i have seen that the hddvr price is dropping to 99 on 1/10/08, so i think i will wait. of course they will probably do away with the $20 off for a year or something...

Like arxaw says, you can't get the HD nationals since you live in NLR. You won't qualify. And yes, you DO need your locals in HD. Noone gives a crap about the news and their glorious infomercials, but if you want to watch My Name Is Earl, NCIS, Ghost Whisperer, or other shows like that in HD, you HAVE to get an OTA antenna for now. The antenna could be as simple as speaker wire hooked to the end of some coax (what I am using now) or one of these elaborate setups like DaveNLR is running.

As far as the HD DVR for $99, I can darn near guarantee that it will NOT be an HR20. It will most likely be a HR21. This means NO OTA HD for you through that box. The quicker you act, the quicker you might get a HR20 which is what you would really want. I don't know why anyone would want the 21 other than they don't care about the OTA ability. To me, OTA is a necessity. You would be doing yourself a favor to try to get a HR20.

Oh, and YES, you would probably be a new customer considering it has been 5 years. I was not a new customer when I went back because I was only away for one year. And no, phone line not required. They did away from that. The HR20's (and maybe HR21's) connect to D* via the internet, so it doesn't need a phone line anymore as long as you have your network plugged into the box.

Like arxaw says, you can't get the HD nationals since you live in NLR. You won't qualify. And yes, you DO need your locals in HD. Noone gives a crap about the news and their glorious infomercials, but if you want to watch My Name Is Earl, NCIS, Ghost Whisperer, or other shows like that in HD, you HAVE to get an OTA antenna for now. The antenna could be as simple as speaker wire hooked to the end of some coax (what I am using now) or one of these elaborate setups like DaveNLR is running.

As far as the HD DVR for $99, I can darn near guarantee that it will NOT be an HR20. It will most likely be a HR21. This means NO OTA HD for you through that box. The quicker you act, the quicker you might get a HR20 which is what you would really want. I don't know why anyone would want the 21 other than they don't care about the OTA ability. To me, OTA is a necessity. You would be doing yourself a favor to try to get a HR20.

Oh, and YES, you would probably be a new customer considering it has been 5 years. I was not a new customer when I went back because I was only away for one year. And no, phone line not required. They did away from that. The HR20's (and maybe HR21's) connect to D* via the internet, so it doesn't need a phone line anymore as long as you have your network plugged into the box.

can you do a wireless network adapter for the hr20 or 21? that is what i have on my tivo now and it works good. i had wanted to use custom satellite, because they will come back to your house for any service issues for one year for free... but they don't have any hr20's left. who does D* use as their installers in NLR?

Another NLR guy (hey, use my name so we can bith get $50 J/:)...
If you want to see D* HD in action, you are welcome to stop by for a demo. I'm off Camp Robinson. Can help with OTA stuff too, if you decide to go that route.

Ironwood does the installs here. Some are good, some suck. I do my own. Yes, the HR20 uses the network adapter, however, you have to be running the beta version, and its not 100 percent working on the phone line replacement part for ordering PPV, but they do have the media share getting close to working, and the Video on Demand via internet is working fairly well.
HD locals will be here as soon as they launch and test their next satellite, estimate 4 months or more from now...

There is a posting on another forum that the D* HR21 will have an external OTA tuner available in early 2008. Just FYI.....cause it is my understanding that the HR20's are hard to come by these days.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/114107-hr21-get-ota-tuner.html

I heard its going to be an external usb tuner, like they use for computers, but no one at Directv will confirm. If it works and records, I'd be ok with it. Like the BBC's, its easier to replace parts vs the whole unit. If all else fails, a MyHD card in a PC would dvr the HD locals OTA, just have to hook the pc up to the HDTV monitor.

There is a posting on another forum that the D* HR21 will have an external OTA tuner available in early 2008...So, if it's like the LR HD locals on D* promised in '06, look for it two years after "early 2008." :D

OTA beats sat locals anyway :)

Anyone know the best place to buy a Outdoor Diplexer in the Little Rock area? I'm trying to tie in my Dish Network DishPro 500 and my Outdoor Antenna. I've been using a clip-on, but lately the reception has been getting worse and worse so I figured I would go ahead to get a new antenna.

I had an extra "inside diplexer" and tried it outside but apparently the DC side only goes one way, wasn't sending power to the LNB therefore I got no SAT reception.

Try Broadway satellite. If they don't have them, you will need to find a dealer who has an account with Perfect 10 in NLR. They won't sell direct to comsumers, but carry all that stuff in their warehouse.

Hunter844,

Best Buy used to have them, but I haven't been in a BB in over a year...

Have you checked your address at antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org) for antenna suggestions and aiming directions?

Hunter844,

Best Buy used to have them, but I haven't been in a BB in over a year...

Have you checked your address at antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org) for antenna suggestions and aiming directions?

Yeah I've done all that. I'll probably just go to Radioshack and get whatever they have. It will no doubt be overpriced, but it will be the same thing Best Buy carries. Over the internet it's a $5 part, at Best Buy or Radioshack it's $20:(

OTA beats SAT locals is why the HR21 has no ANT OTA input. "They" know thand and don't want you to receive it any other way except by their SAT.

OTA beats SAT locals is why the HR21 has no ANT OTA input. "They" know thand and don't want you to receive it any other way except by their SAT.


The custom satellite dude on 103.7 The Buzz said he expected DirectTV to be able to offer HD Locals in this market by the 3rd quarter of 2008. I prefer OTA, not nearly as compressed if compressed at all.

NFLN-HD via E*, CBS via KTHV-DT, NBC via KARK-DT (and KTVE-DT).

Already major issues with NBC. Despite only 2.0 audio, NBC forcing a faux 5.1 feed and no center channel audio and of that most is coming out of the left side. Plus NBC *has* to add a clear bug of their own (4x3 framed of course).

CBS, the usual loud audio from KTHV (but not forcing fake "5.1"). They also added the familar clear CBS bug, in ULHC framed for 16x9 though.

NFLN. Somewhat better audio (still 2.0 though), but delayed a bit (couple of seconds) over the OTA stations due to uplink, downlink lag.

I'm sticking with NFLN due to PQ, mpeg4 feed, and no added bugs

Hunter844: So far, directv isn't changing the res on the mpeg4 locals, so I would expect the quality to match OTA, maybe even better is they get the feed before the local station adds in the subchannels via fiber.
3Q 2008 sounds about right if D11 launches in March as is currently the schedule.

KARK fell asleep at the switch for the game tonight for at least 10 minutes. So we switched to THV and haven't gone back. I would have called KARK but since it's on both I don't really care.

OTA beats SAT locals is why the HR21 has no ANT OTA input. "They" know thand and don't want you to receive it any other way except by their SAT.I think the real reason is money.

HR21 users have to subscribe to locals to record them. HR20 users can record local HD channels OTA, and with a "No Locals" account they save $3 a month. It's only 3 bucks a month. But for every million DVR accounts D* forces to sub to locals so they can record them, that's another 3 million dollars profit.

Haley, I was getting that game on NINE channels.
KARK
KYTV-DT
KFSM-DT
KOLR-DT
KTHV
KNWA-DT
WCBS-DT
WNBC-DT
NFL-HD
Of the HDs, NBC looked the worst by far. NFL-HD looked the best.

Haley, I was getting that game on NINE channels.
KARK
KYTV-DT
KFSM-DT
KOLR-DT
KTHV
KNWA-DT
WCBS-DT
WNBC-DT
NFL-HD
Of the HDs, NBC looked the worst by far. NFL-HD looked the best.

Yep, NBC was horrible with the 4x3 framed bug and p**s poor audio. I didn't stay there long, stuck with NFLN-HD. I didn't check out KTVE-DT since I didn't want to rotate the antenna, and seldom watch. BTW, they (KTVE) are going to be aquired by Nexstar on Jan 1.

Don't worry haley, you didn't miss anything on KTVE-DT... sound was terrible, as always. The picture looked half-way decent, though.

I hope you all had a great Christmas! I apologize for being absent from the board for the past couple months... working in the grocery business during the holidays is a killer! Now that the first of the year is about here, I'll be on AVS a little more often :) BTW, haley, I've been reading your blog...nice screen caps from Tulsa and Central MO!

haley-SEA 08:12 PM Yesterday
"NFLN-HD via E*, CBS via KTHV-DT, NBC via KARK-DT (and KTVE-DT)."

"CBS, the usual loud audio from KTHV (but not forcing fake "5.1"). They also added the familar clear CBS bug, in ULHC framed for 16x9 though."

Can't anyone at KTHV figure out how to control their OTA audio on Channel 12? All the other stations including stretch-o-vision and KASN have theirs under control. Oh well, it took them a year to figure out how to get rid of the gray bars. Like many others, after the first commercial break I went to the NFLN-HD channel for the football game. I am tired of turning the sound up and down on my remote.

I was reading up on diplexers on wikipedia and in the residential section it says and I quote "Diplexing will not work with HDTV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDTV) DBS systems, as they use the low broadcast/cable range (and the high range all the way up to 3 GHz) for the additional satellites.[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)] This can itself be considered a form of triplexing."

I have the Dish Network original HD subscription package on MPEG 2 with the 811 receiver so I don't have a triple LNB (or higher). This is essentially saying that when I upgrade I cannot expect to use a diplexer to funnel in both my satellite and OTA signal: is this correct?


Also my outdoor antenna at the lead end appears to take a dive into a cluster of trees about 50 yards away and my signal is so so (Kthv, kark, and klrt is all I can get in Ward). If I somehow got this antenna pointed more verticle would that help? I have a RCA ANT3036W.

The antenna elements should be horizontal to the ground, as should the boom. Diplexers will work even with KA band sat systems if the base band converter is located before the first diplexer and the run from the first diplexer to the receiver is with very high grade coax, or very short. Sounds like you may just need a higher gain antenna. How many elements for uhf does yours have, and how many for vhf?

... (Kthv, kark, and klrt is all I can get in Ward). If I somehow got this antenna pointed more verticle would that help? I have a RCA ANT3036W.The antenna boom needs to be level with the ground. The mast should be as tall as possible.

If you have a compass, try aiming the antenna ~220° SSW. You may be able to get KATV and KASN too. If you don't have a compass, Wallyworld has 'em cheap.

Also, there are better antennas (http://warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228.htm) for your location. There are folks on this board in Searcy using it with excellent results.

The antenna boom needs to be level with the ground. The mast should be as tall as possible.

If you have a compass, try aiming the antenna ~220° SSW. You may be able to get KATV and KASN too. If you don't have a compass, Wallyworld has 'em cheap.

Also, there are better antennas (http://warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228.htm) for your location. There are folks on this board in Searcy using it with excellent results.


Yeah I would probably get something like that if it hadn't been for the fact that I bought this one for deer camp a couple years ago and never really used it.

I've been dinking with it a bit more and I've got it picking up KLRT, KARK, and KTHV "above normal" according to my TV's tuner....better than I had it going this morning.

Really my biggest problem is height (it's up like 10 feet right now) but my back yard is so mushy right now I'm not even going to try to work back there too much more. I have it pointed more like 240 degrees, tried 220 before and didn't get much (I think the tree is throwing it off). Once everything dries up I'll try to get it on up there about 20 feet or better.

Trees really don't affect uhf that much. Ward should be a good spot for not only LR, but also good skip from Memphis in the spring. Don't know how "into" it you are, but with a little expense, you could pick up lots of stuff from there.

For those stuck at home or hosting a party and wanting to watch the ball drop live, better have DNS because it won't happen in Little Rock.

While WABC will air Dick Clark's show live, KATV subjects its viewers to reruns of According to Jim, and a "All About Arkansas" special. The DCNYRE show will be on a delay and SD.

WNBC airs the New Years Eve With Carson Daly live at 10:35pm. KARK meanwhile will air for that hour between 10:35 and 11:35 something called "Wonders of Winter". Any chance that the NBC NYE show will be in HD, probally not unless KARK uses a live Mountain Time zone feed.
[south of here KTVE-DT has "TBA" on its programming betweeen 10:35-11:35, so that leaves them out]

People in Arkansas are not all stupid. We know that Eastern Time is one hour ahead of the Central Time zone. The stations need to start thinking above us instead of pander to the idiots that consider the latest celebrity gossip as breaking news, and that everyone here "loves the Hogs". Not that i'm a big fan of the Dick Clark show (his musical acts are less than stellar from what i've seen) or that of Carson Daly, but please at least get out the Big Shootout era for broadcasting television folks. HDTV is now becoming the mainstream and when local stations prevent us from getting shows in their original format that is inexcusable.

For those stuck at home or hosting a party and wanting to watch the ball drop live, better have DNS because it won't happen in Little Rock.

While WABC will air Dick Clark's show live, KATV subjects its viewers to reruns of According to Jim, and a "All About Arkansas" special. The DCNYRE show will be on a delay and SD.

WNBC airs the New Years Eve With Carson Daly live at 10:35pm. KARK meanwhile will air for that hour between 10:35 and 11:35 something called "Wonders of Winter". Any chance that the NBC NYE show will be in HD, probally not unless KARK uses a live Mountain Time zone feed.
[south of here KTVE-DT has "TBA" on its programming betweeen 10:35-11:35, so that leaves them out]

People in Arkansas are not all stupid. We know that Eastern Time is one hour ahead of the Central Time zone. The stations need to start thinking above us instead of pander to the idiots that consider the latest celebrity gossip as breaking news, and that everyone here "loves the Hogs". Not that i'm a big fan of the Dick Clark show (his musical acts are less than stellar from what i've seen) or that of Carson Daly, but please at least get out the Big Shootout era for broadcasting television folks. HDTV is now becoming the mainstream and when local stations prevent us from getting shows in their original format that is inexcusable.

All the stations here think that all their viewers are HOG fans. They are not. The station managers here also think that they know what their viewers want to see. They don't.

Thank goodness for DNS.

I still wonder if we'll get to keep HD-DNS after the LR local channels get on D* in HD.

Some people in Arkansas will get Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve live OTA.

In the Fayetteville/Fort Smith (http://khbs.titantv.com/apg/ttv.aspx?siteid=53475), Shreveport LA (http://titantvguide.titantv.com/apg/ttv.aspx?siteid=51155), Memphis (http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/entertainment/listings/default.aspx), and Jonesboro (http://kait.titantv.com/apg/ttv.aspx?siteid=49840) markets.

Meanwhile KATV, and WABG-DT in Greenwood/Greenville MS in a BOTTOM 30 market delay the show. Since KSPR-DT Springfield MO doesn't broadcast HDTV OTA or have a signal to speak of they don't count.

I still wonder if we'll get to keep HD-DNS after the LR local channels get on D* in HD.

Apparently Fox16 will run their show from 11pm to 12:30am.
Doesn't show to be in HD though.
It will be interesting to see if any of the locals can timeshift HD. For God sake, they could just subscribe to Directv and use a HR20 to timeshift an hour. Surely they could give themselves a waiver for DNS :)

I also noted Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN-HD is supposed to be live at Times Square at 10pm cst if you want a live feed.

For those stuck at home or hosting a party and wanting to watch the ball drop live, better have DNS because it won't happen in Little Rock.

While WABC will air Dick Clark's show live, KATV subjects its viewers to reruns of According to Jim, and a "All About Arkansas" special. The DCNYRE show will be on a delay and SD.

WNBC airs the New Years Eve With Carson Daly live at 10:35pm. KARK meanwhile will air for that hour between 10:35 and 11:35 something called "Wonders of Winter". Any chance that the NBC NYE show will be in HD, probally not unless KARK uses a live Mountain Time zone feed.
[south of here KTVE-DT has "TBA" on its programming betweeen 10:35-11:35, so that leaves them out]

People in Arkansas are not all stupid. We know that Eastern Time is one hour ahead of the Central Time zone. The stations need to start thinking above us instead of pander to the idiots that consider the latest celebrity gossip as breaking news, and that everyone here "loves the Hogs". Not that i'm a big fan of the Dick Clark show (his musical acts are less than stellar from what i've seen) or that of Carson Daly, but please at least get out the Big Shootout era for broadcasting television folks. HDTV is now becoming the mainstream and when local stations prevent us from getting shows in their original format that is inexcusable.

We all need to pound these bas**rds phones today and royally bi*ch them out for screwing us over. I am just fed up with this BS.

Its almost enough to make me want to move for real. I can just move to Dallas, St. Louis, or Memphis and get better sh*t than these jackas*es offer us!

I do NOT love the hogs, in fact, I am at the point where I despise them based upon the amount of shoving down my throat that I get with all the reporting of them. I am sick of the redneck stupidity that is running these stations.

I don't like to watch Springer, I don't like to watch Montel, I don't like to watch the damn hogs, I don't like judge shows.

I mean, COMEON! If you can't put on better programming than this, just shut off your transmitters and save us the trouble. I have been watching movies for the past few weeks because of the lack of decent programming!

Thank God for ESPN. I hope the writers stay on strike for a year,and put all the networks down the tubes. It would just serve them right. I see the upcoming season is just full or reality shows. American Idol is the only one I will be watching. I'm just gonna fork over the $$$ for the Major League Baseball HD package from Directv and watch baseball this year, and Nascar when its not on "macroblock NBC sports".

has anyone used custom satellite for their install? if so, have you had any problems?

Thank God for ESPN. I hope the writers stay on strike for a year,and put all the networks down the tubes. It would just serve them right. I see the upcoming season is just full or reality shows. American Idol is the only one I will be watching. I'm just gonna fork over the $$$ for the Major League Baseball HD package from Directv and watch baseball this year, and Nascar when its not on "macroblock NBC sports".

I'm watching far less Network TV (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) than in the past. Partly due to the influx of "reality" TV (and poor shows of that genre to boot), one affiliate's stubbornness, and time constraints. There are some nights I'll just put on one of the cable news outlets for their spin briefly if there is nothing else on.

The Writers Union is diggin' their own grave. Its going to be an interesting reaction when Jay Leno and Conan O' Brian do their shows w/o Union writers. With HD programming getting more scarce outside of sports because of the strike viewership will continue to plummet.

Even the better "reality" shows this past summer weren't on OTA broadcast networks.

"We all need to pound these bas**rds phones today and royally bi*ch them out for screwing us over. I am just fed up with this BS."

Good luck talking to anyone today that can give you an answer. I have tried and get transferred to voicemail.

I think the only station I really miss is PBS here. I love Nature and Nova, but just can't stand watching it in SD with a big screen.
Why they won't feed us the HD national feed from 7-10 is beyond me. Guess they figure the few of us that can pick it up aren't worth it.

OMG Dave, are you fricken serious? You are going to watch that complete garbage American No Talent Other Than Singing Idol? I mean, geez man, Springer is better than that complete crap. That is one show I would actually pay money to NOT see in my program guide! What kind of "talent" is that to sing? Those freaks need to cut that crap out and get people that are actually struggling that can play instruments, actually read sheet music, and can write their own material.

Bel, yeah, I know, but if we fill up their voicemails today, then they will be in hell wednesday and maybe consider not doing crap like this anymore. Every time they pull this kinda crap, we all just need to fill up their voicemails with bitching. If it happens often enough, I think they will get a clue...........I hope.

Not sure what the ratings are for that Dick Clark special but it seems like I remember hearing last year being among the worst in ratings nationally over the history of that show. This has nothing to do with why our local stations won't air it in HD...what's the big deal don't they just have to plug it in and go with it? Does it cost more? Is it because of a limited staff at these stations?


I'll 2nd the need for KETN to give us PBSHD...I miss watching that channel. I realize that it's a low budget operation that relies on donations from "viewers like you" but I don't watch it now so I damn sure aint going to donate.



On another note....I couldn't give a rats a$$ about any of the New Years Eve shows, but I'm a debbie downer anyway. Oh and Go Hogs Go!!! :)

wiseass




j/k :)