Is anyone getting 36.1 at all and if you can is it in HD?

Was anyone here successful in getting through to Master Control at WCIV yesterday to get them to switch back to HD during the Indy 500 delayed restart? Or did they figure that out all by them selves? I tried calling Master Control and only the engineer's voice mail. Tried calling the News Line and it was constantly busy.

Too bad it rained in Indy, cause that was shaping up to be a great race/finish.

Is anyone getting 36.1 at all and if you can is it in HD?

I did a re-scan, 36.1 is now 35.2, or my ota tuner is screwing up the psip.

Changed to 35 on mine also.

Anyone getting a lot of digital artifacts with all digital stations on Comcast? I called Comcast and they are setting up an appointment as they are saying they are having no issues elsewhere. It did this a little on Saturday and also a couple of weeks ago.

I did a re-scan, 36.1 is now 35.2, or my ota tuner is screwing up the psip.


WIERD! Rescan and I get it on35-1 wth strong signal and good pic and sound! 36-1 now has low (red) SS and still nothing. I have done a number of rescans in the past but it always came up 36-1 with high SS but no pic or sound. Maybe they are working on it?

I did rescans on my Sony HDTV and D* HR20. The Sony picked up 35.1, but the HR20 did not.

Is there any way to do a manual add with the HR20?

Currently the WMMP HD Mux in down and we are on the air however without PSIP. We are waiting for a power supply to get everything back to normal. If you rescan it should come up as 35. I will inform everyone here when we get the Mux repaired and are back up in HD and on 36.1.

Thanks.

Still searching...

I have not been able to find anyone who can install my monster 51-element antenna on my roof/house. I have tried Google/Yellow Pages online and nothing seems to come up. If anyone knows anyone who might be worth a recommendation, please let me know. Feel free to email me (admin @ cvh360.com ... obviously remove the spaces before and after the "@"). Or if you have some advice for where to better search, please post ideas here.

Thanks in advance...


I have been away for a long time so I hope this is not to late. I used to install antenna's back in the day. Your best option is a telescoping mast going from the ground up to about 10 feet above the peak of your roof. You can get an eves mount to attach it to the side of your home and drive the bottom in about 6 inches or so. This should keep it stable enough unless we are talking over 50'. You can use guy wires to steady it more if needed but that is not the norm.

Good luck.

I have been away for a long time so I hope this is not to late. I used to install antenna's back in the day. Your best option is a telescoping mast going from the ground up to about 10 feet above the peak of your roof. You can get an eves mount to attach it to the side of your home and drive the bottom in about 6 inches or so. This should keep it stable enough unless we are talking over 50'. You can use guy wires to steady it more if needed but that is not the norm.

Good luck.
Thanks for the input. Though I think I am going to leave the final placement and design to the professionals. :)

The D* installer who came out last week says he will do it next time he is in the area. SO nothing firm has been planned, but fingers crossed. In the mean time, if I can find someone else who wants to help, I will. I am fairly patient, but don't want to wait 2 weeks if I don't have to.

Do you still do installs? Or can you specifically recommend someone?

Thanks again...

Thanks for the input. Though I think I am going to leave the final placement and design to the professionals. :)

The D* installer who came out last week says he will do it next time he is in the area. SO nothing firm has been planned, but fingers crossed. In the mean time, if I can find someone else who wants to help, I will. I am fairly patient, but don't want to wait 2 weeks if I don't have to.

Do you still do installs? Or can you specifically recommend someone?

Thanks again...


I do not professionally install anymore. I have moved into management but I do know what and how to do it. I installed thousands of them in my day. I do not know anyone that does antenna installs in this area (I used to work in the upstate). Well, that is not totally true, I know a guy that installs them for the state but I do not know if he would be interested or not. I will call him today and ask. He is also in Goose Creek. The install is quite simple so I can direct anyone to do it... as long as you have a ladder that will reach the peak of the house.

We have received and installed the power supply for our MUX and are back on air with PSIP information. You may have to rescan again to pick us up.

Michael Kordek
Director of Engineering and Operations

Hi -
Long time, no post for me. I did a cursory search and didn't see anything on this topic, and although it may be beating a dead horse, I thought I would bring it up.
I just switched from Comcast to Dish Net when I moved, and somewhere along the way I missed the *minute* detail that Dish doesn't carry the local digital feeds. Again, this is probably not news to any of you, but it shocked me that I have two (count 'em, 2) feeds for each local station from Dish, but neither is digital.
I dug through my boxes and dusted off the ol' Silver Sensor (and pulled the CM4228 out of the Goodwill pile) and connected it to the STB right there in the living room, and the results were pretty good - all channels come in from about 60-100 with only WTAT dropping off every now and again.
I guess I can live with the setup, but it just pains me to go back to the days when I was stringing antennas all over the house to get my HD fix, especially now that I have multiple HD sets.
All of that said, does anyone have any idea when the satellites will begin to carry local digitals??

Thanks for any info as well as letting me vent just a bit...

-McLeod

I just signed with Dish and am happy with their HD content, locals didnt bother me because I have a good attic antenna.

Good thing about OTA and the 622 is that you can record 3 programs at once.

Echostars plans right now are 2 sats in December to create a all mpeg4 service early next year. With the locals they have in place and the plans to add up to 6 more HD nationals this year, I wouldnt expect Charleston locals in HD in 2007.

We have received and installed the power supply for our MUX and are back on air with PSIP information. You may have to rescan again to pick us up.

Michael Kordek
Director of Engineering and Operations

Thank you for the info. :) Can't speak for others but it is natuurally aggravating when problems come up, and of course they will, but it makes me really angry to waste hours trouble shooting my equipment just because I couldn't find out about the broadcaster. If the other stations would take a minute to post here on problems it would certainly improve customer relations.

I just switched from Comcast to Dish Net when I moved, and somewhere along the way I missed the *minute* detail that Dish doesn't carry the local digital feeds. Again, this is probably not news to any of you, but it shocked me that I have two (count 'em, 2) feeds for each local station from Dish, but neither is digital.
...
All of that said, does anyone have any idea when the satellites will begin to carry local digitals??

I am pretty sure that you meant HD, not just digital. All sat signals are digital by their very nature. Not picking, just making sure we're on the same page here. ;)

As for the Chas DMA, we will not likely have LIL-HD from any carrier this year. D* is ahead of E* in the sat launch line and should have first launch (of 2 planned for this year) sometime in the next week to 10 days. After launching and acquiring, they should be able to fully roll out their HD explosion sometime around September. Depending on how well the launch and acquisition goes, we could see some national HD channels sooner (or later) than September.

The Chas DMA is currently #100 and D* has rolled out through about #65 (with a few scattered above that as well). They were on a pace to roll out about 12-20 per quarter, so if they hold to that timetable, we could be looking at the very earliest sometime around LATE Decemeber/early '08.

In other words, I wouldn't hold your breath, but good times are on their way (with D*) and good times for E* will be about 6-12 months behind D*, if all goes well for them. :p

June 15th - Golf/Versus HD - Channel 843
July 19th – ESPNU – Channel 160
June 1st – The Jewelry Channel - Channel 1117
May 21st – Journey TV On Demand – Channel 1107

I am pretty sure that you meant HD, not just digital. All sat signals are digital by their very nature. Not picking, just making sure we're on the same page here. ;)

As for the Chas DMA, we will not likely have LIL-HD from any carrier this year. D* is ahead of E* in the sat launch line and should have first launch (of 2 planned for this year) sometime in the next week to 10 days. After launching and acquiring, they should be able to fully roll out their HD explosion sometime around September. Depending on how well the launch and acquisition goes, we could see some national HD channels sooner (or later) than September.

The Chas DMA is currently #100 and D* has rolled out through about #65 (with a few scattered above that as well). They were on a pace to roll out about 12-20 per quarter, so if they hold to that timetable, we could be looking at the very earliest sometime around LATE Decemeber/early '08.

In other words, I wouldn't hold your breath, but good times are on their way (with D*) and good times for E* will be about 6-12 months behind D*, if all goes well for them. :p


The Business of Television
"DirecTV-10" is delayed
From Kazakhstan Today May 31, 2007

BAIKONUR -- DirecTV-10" space craft start planned on June 20 from Baikonur is delayed, the Federal Space Center "Baikonur" reported to the agency.

According to the press-service, American telecommunication satellite "DirecTV-10" start date was rescheduled on July. "Foreign producers of the satellite asked to reschedule the date because of its preparation and transportation to Baikonur", - informed the press-service.

The exact date of satellite start with a help of "Proton-М" rocket carrier will be defined later once the satellite will arrive on cosmodrome and will depend on foreign partners' readiness.

As the press-service explains, Russian partners execute all start preparation works on time. In installation center of the 92А-50 placement the work on "Proton-M" rocket carrier installation and "Briz-М" boost block, which arrived on cosmodrome on May 28, testing are being executed.

"DirecTV-10"space craft belongs to American company "DirecTV" which is the largest operator of satellite television in the US. "DirecTV-10" satellite with weight of more than 3 tones will enlarge satellite group of 9 space crafts working on near-earth orbit. The satellite is figured for 15 years of exploitation and was made for digital television translation with high clearness resolution in HDTV (High Definition Television) format through cable and national network on the US territory including Alaska and Hawaii.

Its analogue "DirecTV-8" satellite was orbited with the help of "Proton-М" rocket carrier from Baikonur on May 22, 2005, and with the help of "Briz-М" boost block was successfully orbited geostationary.

http://eng.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=91874


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10674635#post10674635

Well that sux :(

Only delayed till early July, I wouldnt sweat it. They need to get it up asap to put some heat on Dish, that way our two can get on up there.

Only delayed till early July, I wouldnt sweat it. They need to get it up asap to put some heat on Dish, that way our two can get on up there.
Yeah, I know, but two weeks now usually means 3 weeks immediately after launch, then 3 weeks turns into a 5 week delay....the unfortunate nature of business. but I could just be a little sour right now ;)

It could be worse, it could pull a sea launch :p

What clear QAM channels are you guys getting on TWC in summerville?

By "HD Nationals" do you mean nationwide channels like ESPNHD and DISCHD or some NBC or CBS affiliate shown nationally?? I am guessing it's the former and I am still going to be using an antenna. Takes me back about 5 years when I was last on the roof / in the attic running antenna wire...

Yepp, thats what I meant. Satellite is behind on the HD locals curve. Honestly though, now that I have an OTA antenna, Id rather have my 622 recording OTA than my SA8300 recording Comcast local HD.

By "HD Nationals" do you mean nationwide channels like ESPNHD and DISCHD or some NBC or CBS affiliate shown nationally?? I am guessing it's the former and I am still going to be using an antenna. Takes me back about 5 years when I was last on the roof / in the attic running antenna wire...
National (or CONUS) channels would be the traditional "cable channels" like ESPN, A&E, Discovery, etc. The plans are quite impressive and I am really looking forward to this fall when just about everything I want will be in HD.

You can always get the locals in HD via OTA, and like Elway says, you may do better depending on your location and equipment to stick with OTA. But you will at least have that choice when the time comes.

What clear QAM channels are you guys getting on TWC in summerville?

I don't have cable but if I did I would ask TWC why If I didn' get every channel in the package I paid for clearly. :)

I'm trying to decide if I should buy a QAM card for my knoppmyth box. I don't have a QAM tuner on my TV, so not sure what, if anything, I would get.

I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me what clear HD and SD QAM channels they are getting on TWC in Summerville.

Thanks!

Anyone notice SS changes in 5.1? For the last 3 weeks it dropped to 83-85 on me, today its back to 96-97.

Anyone notice SS changes in 5.1? For the last 3 weeks it dropped to 83-85 on me, today its back to 96-97.
I had noticed the drop but haven't watched to day to see improvement. The last few weeks of CSI were almost completely unwatchable due to large segments of "missing" video/audio feed.

Channel 5 has always been the most consistent channel to lock into and then recently it has been somewhere down around Channel 2 or 4 in SS. Be nice to have them back at full strength.

I did not have any problems recording the last few weeks of the csi's and the unit, but thought it was strange that it dropped 10-15 pts out of nowhere.

Nows it back up out of the blue.

Is 24-1 down, got 0 ss, all other ch are ok

Is 24-1 down, got 0 ss, all other ch are ok

12:45 PM same here

FOX HD is out on TWC here in Summerville as well.

1:30 PM and Fox HD 24-1 OTA and Ch 434 on Comcast still out.

Is 24-1 down, got 0 ss, all other ch are ok

Just checked 24-1; 0 signal. Stuck watching Nascar on DTV Locals. :(

24-1 back on (at least as of 8:00pm)

Race will be on at 12 noon monday.

I just signed with Dish and am happy with their HD content, locals didnt bother me because I have a good attic antenna.

Good thing about OTA and the 622 is that you can record 3 programs at once.

Echostars plans right now are 2 sats in December to create a all mpeg4 service early next year. With the locals they have in place and the plans to add up to 6 more HD nationals this year, I wouldnt expect Charleston locals in HD in 2007.
Oh, the days when you questioned Dish and thought Voom was all filler... :D
Glad you're enjoying it. :)

Yepp. Ill admit Im eating my words on MonstersHD.

Okay... I have a cheap 32" Westing House that has the OTA tuner and cable tuner mixed into one input. This means that I can tune 77, 102, and 116 digital channels. I also have a Samsung TX-R2779H that has the Air and Cable inputs seperated and the Air only tunes to channel 69. I think that I can only tune HD signal over the Air tuner. I didn't know if anyone here knows a cheap way around that... My thought was to "copy" the channels to another. The exact way I was going to do this was with an old VCR, but both of the ones I have sitting around my house kill the channels to a blue screen and don't reproduce them. Because of this I don't even know if this idea would work. Anyone know another way to do this?

Also does anyone know if there are any special service menus I can get access to in my samsung? Maybe to expand the range of antenna channels? I know that one is a bit of a stretch, but one can dream...

BTW, I know this has alot of off topics, but I figured it might fit in here because some of you could relate to my problem. Also I'm new here and have no idea where to post this...

Any help is MUCH appreciated!!!

77,102 and 116 are cable chan. If you want cable hook to cable chan.input on TV
Air chann do not go above 69, it Charleston none are above 50

This may sound off the wall, but since there is only one "cable" (F-connector) on this set, can you combine the digital feed and the OTA feed into one and just let the TV figure out what it should do? Or have I missed the point of the questions?

Another surefire option is to find a used STB (like an old Voom receiver) that still has OTA functionality, then output that signal as HDMI or Component. This would allow you to have two individual input streams that are both capable of displaying HD signals.

Good luck, and welcome!

OK.. here is the deal. If you set your system up in cable mode, the OTA signals are bumped up higher than normal. Example.... 24 would show up as 77 and so forth. In order to see the OTA stuff, you need to be in normal antenna mode. That is why your channel numbers are all screwy. Change modes, and all will show as it is supposed to do and you will get the local OTA stuff. Of course, you will have to go back to Cable mode for cable stuff.

BTW, they are right, OTA only goes to 69. The upper numbers you see are due to the improper setup.

Hope that helps.

FWIW with only one "F" connector on the set, I think you'd have to choose to let it be either an OTA input (which would give you any receivable off-air channels between 2 and 69), OR a CATV input (which would only give you analog channels 2 to about 80, and only the digital channels in HD or SD, that are not encrypted, but not both.

I assume however that the Westinghouse TV has other Video/Audio inputs such as component or HDMI, which could be used with an outboard "tuner" for the other service. This would be a natural to connect an OTA antenna to the F connector, and then let a cable or sat service provide through its set top box a V/A input to the TV.

Oh and don't be fooled by CATV channel designations way up into the 800's or even 1100's; the actual frequency assignments correspond to channels 2-125, but are "mapped" by the CATV system into number blocks for convenience.

The Samsung is an HDTV and has inputs to handle most of the basic situations. Is the Westinghouse an HDTV? IF NOT you don't need both the ant and cable on it, only cable is needed if you get locals over the cable/sat. If you have HDTV and cable the ant value is to get all local OTA HD in a usually better pic, depending on location, for only the price of the ant itself. Note: This assumes you get the local analog channels over your cabel/sat.

I see "D*" mentioned quite a bit in this forum. What is "D*"? It's impossible to search for using a search engine.

D*=Directv
E*=Echostar=Dish Network

And to add to that:
TW or TWC=TimeWarner Cable
K* = Knology
C* = Comcast

I'm trying to decide if I should buy a QAM card for my knoppmyth box. I don't have a QAM tuner on my TV, so not sure what, if anything, I would get.

I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me what clear HD and SD QAM channels they are getting on TWC in Summerville.

Thanks!

Anyone?

Anyone else getting audio dropouts on ABC, CBS, FOX HD channels on Comcast? Bad enough to make a show unwatchable. NBC is fine. All other channels are fine. I hope it's not just me or my cable, Comcast recently just replaced all the lines from the street into my house. I'm really getting tired of all these issues with Comcast.

Ive been watching them OTA and haven had any issues, so maybe it is a Comcast issue.

Anyone else getting audio dropouts on ABC, CBS, FOX HD channels on Comcast? Bad enough to make a show unwatchable. NBC is fine. All other channels are fine. I hope it's not just me or my cable, Comcast recently just replaced all the lines from the street into my house. I'm really getting tired of all these issues with Comcast.

mtiffe

We did have an issue on the 12th and were able to resolve it in the same day. Please let me know if you see anything. My direct line at the office is 266-3050 or my email is chris_george@cable.comcast.com.

Thanks

Chris

question for all of you OTA users:

I jsut bought a secondary HDTV for the bedroom.....what type of antenna should i get for ota hdtv? i.e. best buy has an indoor one for 69 bucks.....do they work ok?

I guess I don't need "perfection" since the main rig is downstairs.....i just wantto be able to carry the reception in my upstairs bedroom with an antenna....

any suggestions?

thanks!

question for all of you OTA users:

I jsut bought a secondary HDTV for the bedroom.....what type of antenna should i get for ota hdtv? i.e. best buy has an indoor one for 69 bucks.....do they work ok?

I guess I don't need "perfection" since the main rig is downstairs.....i just wantto be able to carry the reception in my upstairs bedroom with an antenna....

any suggestions?

thanks!

Since it is upstairs, Id also try for an indoor first since you have the height. Might make the return harder but you can find the replacement(forget the name) for the Silver Sensor online, it always had good recommendations.

Someone else here might can give you input on one they own.

Well, WCIV/ABC forgot to flip the switch last night for Kyle XY's season premiere. :mad: I was out and DVRed it so I couldn't call to remind them. :(



EDIT: <Message to certain "member" removed.> You're not worth my time or anyone else's. :rolleyes:

Since it is upstairs, Id also try for an indoor first since you have the height. Might make the return harder but you can find the replacement(forget the name) for the Silver Sensor online, it always had good recommendations.

Someone else here might can give you input on one they own.
ElwayLite is right, try the Silver Sensor.
The TERK at Best Buy is over price JUNK and just a copy of the SS at 3 times the price

Hey, give this a try. Built one last weekend, out performs my Silver Sensor !!

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9613&st=0

off topic: r.i.p. charleston firemen.....you will be missed

off topic: r.i.p. charleston firemen.....you will be missed
All will be missed, but for me, especially Capt. Lewis Mulkey. He was a classmate of mine high school and was always a good guy during and well after high school. I mourn for him and his new wife, as well as all the other brave men who gave the last great measure to put out that damn fire.
:(

All will be missed, but for me, especially Capt. Lewis Mulkey. He was a classmate of mine high school and was always a good guy during and well after high school. I mourn for him and his new wife, as well as all the other brave men who gave the last great measure to put out that damn fire.
:(

A very sad day. I just find it hard to believe we've lost 9 fireman in one incident. Its just not right.

I am relocating to the summerville area in august, (currently in cola) Looking to see how everybody's off air hd antennas are working, I am able to get all the locals here and hoping to achieve the same there. I am on direct tv and dont plan on switching primarily because of the sunday ticket

Im close in the Goose Creek area and get all the channels with darn neart 100% SS with the listed antenna in my sig. Its in my attic(two story). I had a HR20 and it worked great with my setup and recorded reliably too.

ComcastCG - Are there any plans for Comcast to get ESPNU? I was hoping you would have it in your sports package.

Thanks!!

Im close in the Goose Creek area and get all the channels with darn neart 100% SS with the listed antenna in my sig. Its in my attic(two story). I had a HR20 and it worked great with my setup and recorded reliably too.
Thanks, I have a terk slim fit, Mounted it on the same mount as my direct tv sat, but facing the opp direction, works great here in cola. Was debating leaving it for the buyer of our home, but I dont think so now since you guys are getting good reception.

Thanks, I have a terk slim fit, Mounted it on the same mount as my direct tv sat, but facing the opp direction, works great here in cola. Was debating leaving it for the buyer of our home, but I dont think so now since you guys are getting good reception.

All the towers are in the same spot in awendaw, so it makes for easy aiming.

All the towers are in the same spot in awendaw, so it makes for easy aiming.
Sounds great our abc station tower is not in the same area as the others so I spent alot of time moving the antenna inch by inch until I could get all of the stations to come in. Thanks for the heads up

No problem. If you have issues with the indoor, you can for sure get reception with a outdoor/attic.

Ive been recording OTA HD with my dvr's for many months and havent had one issue. The stations here are pretty relaible.

I live off Trolley near Publix and pick all of them up with a pair of rabbit ears (with UHF loop) on the first floor. It is on the side of the house facing where the towers are.

No problem. If you have issues with the indoor, you can for sure get reception with a outdoor/attic.

Ive been recording OTA HD with my dvr's for many months and havent had one issue. The stations here are pretty relaible.


Do you get 36-1 pic and sound? I have seen this question a few times but no one seems to answer. This matters to me as I have OTA only and most of you have cable/sat. I have >90 SS but no pic/sound. It was this way when I started with HD in Feb '06. last summer it started coming in and then when out again last fall. All other ch are >90 and no problem. Just wondering since you regularly mention excellent reception OTA which I also get except 36-1.

Do you get 36-1 pic and sound? I have seen this question a few times but no one seems to answer. This matters to me as I have OTA only and most of you have cable/sat. I have >90 SS but no pic/sound. It was this way when I started with HD in Feb '06. last summer it started coming in and then when out again last fall. All other ch are >90 and no problem. Just wondering since you regularly mention excellent reception OTA which I also get except 36-1.


Last time I checked I had it fine.(that was when they moved it to 35.1 for a few days). Im out of town, will have to remember and check when I get back in.

Last time I checked I had it fine.(that was when they moved it to 35.1 for a few days). Im out of town, will have to remember and check when I get back in.


Please do. Interestingly I got it then (35.1) also. But after they "fixed" it no pic/sound again (36.1).

Ill make a note on my calendar to check it when I get back in sat pm. I actually still think my tv is set to 35.1 because I never watch that channel. Ill reprogram the channels and see what happens.

Hello all,
I will be moving down to the Charleston area from Indianapolis, In. If someone would be as kind to give me an idea of how the locals are doing there and what Cable providers I may be forced to deal with.

I have been active on the Indianapolis thread.....and will be Managing a HH Gregg store there in Charleston.

Thanks in advance.


Randy

Depends on where you live. In the area you have Comcast, Time Warner and Knology.

OTA towers are all in the same spot are so its pretty nice and fairly easy to get great reception.

and will be Managing a HH Gregg store there in Charleston.

Randy

Where is that store going to be?

ComcastCG - Are there any plans for Comcast to get ESPNU? I was hoping you would have it in your sports package.

Thanks!!


I wish I had a clear cut answer for you. All I know is that Comcast and ESPN are negotiating. That is all of the information I have heard at my level.
Sorry

All right, I'm fed up with the issue with WCBD and their audio drops. I'm trying to watch Last Comic Standing and I miss half the jokes from this. I wish this could be figured out as to what the problem is.

As I've mentioned before, while watching OTA it is a video blip, but on Comcast it seems to become an audio and video thing.

EDIT: I switched it over to OTA for the last five minutes and not a single issue. While on Comcast it was every minute or so there was an audio drop.


Chris George,

Having issues with VOD again. Error message is:

There is a session problem.
Version: 02.00.E1
Location: 102 Code:2102

What's up with WCIV (4-1, ABC)? I haven't seen any HD on there in a while.

What's up with WCIV (4-1, ABC)? I haven't seen any HD on there in a while.
Are you referring to shows that are tagged as HD and not being presented in HD? Or the overall lack of quality programming because of the summer series? :rolleyes:

What's up with WCIV (4-1, ABC)? I haven't seen any HD on there in a while.
The technicians have been slackin' off on flippin' the switch big time. :rolleyes: Either a few minutes late or not all. They've forgotten to flip the HD switch entirely for Kyle XY since its season premiere 2 episodes ago. I'm always out Fri. nights so I can't call to remind them. :mad: But I have sent 2 very angry emails and called the old master tech's number and left a heated voice mail. We'll see if they've listened this friday.

I know last Sunday's Brothers and Sisters was in SD the whole show. I DVRed it and just FFed through to check. All SD. :mad:

Slackers. :rolleyes:

Are you referring to shows that are tagged as HD and not being presented in HD? Or the overall lack of quality programming because of the summer series? :rolleyes:

Shows that are tagged HD and not being presented in HD.

Just checked 36.1 and now it comes in with sound and pic! Hasn't for months and I check at least once a week. As I said I have only OTA and they run more movies on 36.1 so it is a useful member of OTA local group. Somebody watching here and flip a switch? Coincidence Elwaylite said he would be back Sat PM? :D

Just checked 36.1 and now it comes in with sound and pic! Hasn't for months and I check at least once a week. As I said I have only OTA and they run more movies on 36.1 so it is a useful member of OTA local group. Somebody watching here and flip a switch? Coincidence Elwaylite said he would be back Sat PM? :D

Yepp, I drove by the station on my way home and hit the engineer in the back of the head
:eek:

Yepp, I drove by the station on my way home and hit the engineer in the back of the head
:eek:

Thanks, of course you realize that is now part of your job description. Mess up and be blamed forever. Fix it and it's your responsability forever. :D :D :D :D

Thanks, of course you realize that is now part of your job description. Mess up and be blamed forever. Fix it and it's your responsability forever. :D :D :D :D

Yepp, build a thousand bridges then ........ (you know the rest) :)

I know this is off of the subject, but the home I am building has a 3rd story unfinished attic. I am turning that it my cave. I am going to build a bar up there and wanted to know if anybody knows where I may be able to find cheap durastone or granite counter topping in the area there. It is not going to be a very big bar but wanted to know if there is any mom and pop shops anyone has come by.

I know this is off of the subject, but the home I am building has a 3rd story unfinished attic. I am turning that it my cave. I am going to build a bar up there and wanted to know if anybody knows where I may be able to find cheap durastone or granite counter topping in the area there. It is not going to be a very big bar but wanted to know if there is any mom and pop shops anyone has come by.

Theres a place on Ashley Frustrate (Ashley Phosphate) that sells top soil, mulch, stepping stones, things like that. They might have what you're looking for.

Comcast CG...

I saw a Comcast installer van on my street yesterday. Very odd because, to my knowledge, Comcast doesn't service my area. Has this changed? I called Comcast customer service and they werent able to tell me with any certainty. When I entered my address on the website it basically said the same thing, maybe maybe not.

We're serviced by Knology and TWC on this street. Do you know of a Comcast phone number that I can call to get a definitive answer?

I know this is off of the subject, but the home I am building has a 3rd story unfinished attic. I am turning that it my cave. I am going to build a bar up there and wanted to know if anybody knows where I may be able to find cheap durastone or granite counter topping in the area there. It is not going to be a very big bar but wanted to know if there is any mom and pop shops anyone has come by.

Here's a few:
http://www.lowcountryfireplaces.com/740044.html
http://yellowpages.superpages.com/profile~SRC_google~C_Building+Materials~LID_SjghTRz4jVh8P675 J8MJVA%3D%3D.htm
http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=33562805
http://www.creativecountertops-sc.com/
http://www.jilcokitchenandbath.com/

Good luck, and of course, be sure to post your successes (and failures) with each company so the rest of us can learn from your effort... :p

Thanks for the info, I am really excited about the project. The house is going to be done on Sept 10 and I have the chance to work from scratch on the space. So I am in the planning stage right now, but since the builder sent me the blue prints online I am able to play with them to get the plan all measured out from the start. I found some soundproofing that serves as insulation as well as far prewiring the surround sound that tv placement and that stuff should be the easiest part. Right now I am focusing on the bar and finding theatre style seating. As I get into the project I will take photos and note the major pitfalls and any discounts or good deals I find in the process.

All I know for now is that is will be south east of the Northwoods mall. Still waiting to hear when I head south.


Randy

All I know for now is that is will be south east of the Northwoods mall. Still waiting to hear when I head south.


Randy

Unless my internal compass is off, and it very well could be, that might in the area of the Tanger Outlets.

Or possibly right across the street or catty-corner in the BB shopping center.

Not sure what kind of footprint an HH Gregg store has but there are several possibilities along 26/Rivers Ave

There was a short article in the paper last week about it with a Rivers Ave address. Search charleston.net. Think it was Business section.

Breaker Breaker ch 36.1 YOU ARE DEAD AGAIN! Jeeeez

We are currently have an issue with our HD upconverter and are working to get it resolved as quick as possible.

There was a short article in the paper last week about it with a Rivers Ave address. Search charleston.net. Think it was Business section.

That article is here: http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/jun/30/hh_gregg_open_n_chas/

7260 Rivers Ave is the Best Buy shopping center. They're going into what used to be sofa express which was between the Barnes and Noble and the Michaels.

We are currently have an issue with our HD upconverter and are working to get it resolved as quick as possible.

Not working :(

Know it is not my equipment and not have to waste time checking :)

Know that responsable party is aware :)

FYI from other local stations in the past :mad: .

<rant on>
I mean how hard is it? It's broke, we know it wer'e fixin it (Thanks Directork). I know that there are those from other stations that come by this thread. Can it be that your customers are the only ones that know that it's more then like the olden days anymore, tilt the rabbit ears to the left a little more?
<rant off>

I have a question about antenna levels. I get 80% on all of my OTA channels, i noticed macroblocking (i think that's the term) on occasion. My question is, if i get a higher powered antenna, will i notice a better picture quality, or is the difference between 80% and 95-100% roughly the same?

80% is usually great. What are you tuning with? I watched tv fairly reliably with 80's on my outdoor antenna before I went to an attic antenna.

Ive used my Panasonic TV, Sony TV, Directv HR20 Tuner and Dish 622 Tuner and all have been very good.

Could be the unit that you are using as a tuner is sensitive. I do get macroblocking on NBC sometimes and some sports but I think thats a broadcasting problem.

A higher powered antenna won't give you better picture quality with digital. With digital, you either get the signal, or you don't. It's not like analog broadcasts where adjusting the rabbit ears improved or degraded the picture. The 1's and 0's are all the same. When I lived in Phoenix, I used a paperclip stuck in the RF connector on the back of my TV for an antenna.. worked great.

man you guys are fast :) thanks for the replies. ah, ok, i was wondering if there would be a difference. i had a feeling it was the network that was at issue (it was NBC by the way) but, you know it's always the thinking that if 80% looks this good, then i wonder what 100% would look like....

sorry, i forgot to mention which antenna i'm using. just a $20 radio shack combo with the ears and the hoop thingy

Elwaylite, how come you went to an attic antenna if you were getting a strong signal with your outdoor antenna?

Comcast CG...

I saw a Comcast installer van on my street yesterday. Very odd because, to my knowledge, Comcast doesn't service my area. Has this changed? I called Comcast customer service and they werent able to tell me with any certainty. When I entered my address on the website it basically said the same thing, maybe maybe not.

We're serviced by Knology and TWC on this street. Do you know of a Comcast phone number that I can call to get a definitive answer?


Shuttermaker

Send me your home address to my work email. chris_george@cable.comcast.com
I can look it up for you.

Chris

sorry, i forgot to mention which antenna i'm using. just a $20 radio shack combo with the ears and the hoop thingy

The hoop thingy is the part that matters. It is the UHF part which is where the digital channels are. Don't judge by ch 2.1(NBC). They have been extremly poor for at least a month or more now.

man you guys are fast :) thanks for the replies. ah, ok, i was wondering if there would be a difference. i had a feeling it was the network that was at issue (it was NBC by the way) but, you know it's always the thinking that if 80% looks this good, then i wonder what 100% would look like....

Yeah, NBC has had some issues in the past with macroblocking, the NBC affiliate here is no different.

If you have 80 and its fine, you dont have to mess with it, 80 in the summer could be higher in the winter, and with digital you either get it or you dont.

I live in rental townhomes and had a CM4228 outside about 13 feet up, they did not like it so I took it down. I got 70's and 80's most of the time which worked well. I bought a big lowes 51 element to go in my attic(20ft), now I have 90-100 on everything all the time. I think the main difference is the height.

Thanks for your replies guys. I'll just stick with the antenna i have now. It's weird that on NBC, the only programs that look good are Leno and Conan. I don't know whether it's the format, but their other shows don't like nearly as well

Doesn't WCBD (NBC) still carry The CW on the same bandwidth as NBC? Spreading the bandwidth thin and therefore killing the broadcasts quality.

Doesn't WCBD (NBC) still carry The CW on the same bandwidth as NBC? Spreading the bandwidth thin and therefore killing the broadcasts quality.

I assume so, CW is 2.2

Yes, I think it is true also. That is why you see even more of it on PBS, 7.1,2,3. But 2, with CW, was not as bad as it has been recently. The upside for us OTA only users is almost 50% more programing options. Note that Leno is an actual High Definition broadcast not just Digital as the majority of all shows are.

More HD coming to Dish. Theyve been quiet but they were obviously working on an answer to Directv and cable.

7-11 (RSN's)
SNY HD
FSN Arizona HD
FSN Northwest
FSN Cincinnati
FSN Pittsburgh
FSN Detroit
FSN North
Sportstime Ohio

17 total RSN's with these

8-15
MHD
Discovery HD(not theater, simulcast of normal channel)
TLCHD
Anim Planet HD
Science Channel HD
Golf/VS HD

9-1
HistHD

This will give them 39 nationals on 9-1

Mid Sept
???(somethings coming)

Its also been rumored that they will ad the HBO's as they go HD

With the competition heating up between sat and cable, its great to be a HDTV owner.

Thanks to satellitguys.us for the info.

Scrolling through the TWC Guide today I stumbled on a new channel, at least new to me. On our headend it's on channel 847 and called "HD Showcase-On Demand".

While I was initially excited to have another HD channel on the TWC lineup, after some viewing, I'm not impressed - yet. So far there's not much to see, mostly warmed over material off MOJO (the former INHD channel). It's nice to be able to call these shows up whenever desired, saving DVR space for more important things, but frankly I've already seen "Three Sheets-Jamaica" once and that was enough, thank you very much.

My hope is that now that TWC has set the channel up and allocated some space on their servers, eventually we'll get some good stuff worth watching.

Scrolling through the TWC Guide today I stumbled on a new channel, at least new to me. On our headend it's on channel 847 and called "HD Showcase-On Demand".

While I was initially excited to have another HD channel on the TWC lineup, after some viewing, I'm not impressed - yet. So far there's not much to see, mostly warmed over material off MOJO (the former INHD channel). It's nice to be able to call these shows up whenever desired, saving DVR space for more important things, but frankly I've already seen "Three Sheets-Jamaica" once and that was enough, thank you very much.

My hope is that now that TWC has set the channel up and allocated some space on their servers, eventually we'll get some good stuff worth watching.

TWC had better start rolling out some info on new National HD channels. Between the future programming of HD on DirecTV and Dish. TWC is slacking BIG TIME. I will have no reservations about switching.

TWC had better start rolling out some info on new National HD channels. Between the future programming of HD on DirecTV and Dish. TWC is slacking BIG TIME. I will have no reservations about switching.

Ive seen where TWC "expects" to carry all the HD HBO's and pledged to keep up with D*, but thats it so far.

I thinking about changing to satelite from cable. I would like to hear pros and cons on both Directv and Dish Network. Thanks for your help. I have a antenna for OTA from both Charleston and Savannah.

I thinking about changing to satelite from cable. I would like to hear pros and cons on both Directv and Dish Network. Thanks for your help. I have a antenna for OTA from both Charleston and Savannah.
The bigger your display the worse the picture quality from the overly compressed satellite HD signal.

The bigger your display the worse the picture quality from the overly compressed satellite HD signal.

This is true. This is also whats holding me back from switching to DirecTV. However, they just launched a new satellite and its supposed to increase HD capability. The question now is, will this new satellite increase HD channels while maintaining or further degrading the already poor quality of the HD broadcasts. Or, will it expand HD channels and also increase the PQ.

Nobody seems to have a definitive concrete answer. So, everyone waits to see the results.

There is also another DirecTV satellite scheduled to sent into orbit before the years end. The same questions remain to be answered.

I thinking about changing to satelite from cable. I would like to hear pros and cons on both Directv and Dish Network. Thanks for your help. I have a antenna for OTA from both Charleston and Savannah.

The Charleston market wont have their HD locals supported by DirecTV for some time to come. So, an OTA solution is all there is if you chose satellite.

Since I moved here last June, Ive had Comcast, D* and E*.

Direct is the worst of the 3 with PQ and the HR20(which has gotten better) was not so hot.

Comcast has good PQ but is behind E* in their offering, plus the DVR sucks.

E* has a great dvr the 622, can record 3 things at once if you have OTA.

If you dont have OTA and can live without the newer HD channels, Id stay with cable if they have your hd locals. If you have OTA, Im happiest with E*.

And to the compressed comment, all HD at this time is not top quality, but ALL providers are working to make it the best. Much is thanks to D* for their big ad push which is forcing everyone else to get on the ball.

If all providers were equal, Id choose E* because the 622 is the best Ive had yet.

And to the compressed comment, all HD at this time is not top quality
I don't know about Comcast but TWC SC re-transmits all HD exactly as they receive it.

I don't know about Comcast but TWC SC re-transmits all HD exactly as they receive it.


Comcast claims the same.

Comcast claims the same.
Well there you go - top quality!

Well there you go - top quality!

Or better said as good as it gets right now until the networks and stations get serious. :rolleyes:

Or better said as good as it gets right now until the networks and stations get serious. :rolleyes:
So how does a full bandwidth, uncompressed, non-rate-shaped signal get more serious?

So for the majority of the country who have a HDTV which is 720p, they can tell a difference between 1440x1080 and 1920x1080 with a 1280x720 tv?

I still do not believe Comcast, because their HD looked the same as E* when I switched to E*. Maybe its just because I have a 720p tv. TWC and Comcast claim to be passing along exactly what they get just like Charlie Ergen says E* does(few weeks ago).

Makes you wonder if E*, Comcast and TWC are lying, or is there a loophole in the "we pass along what we get" copout.

So how does a full bandwidth, uncompressed, non-rate-shaped signal get more serious?

You missed my point. Feeling picked on :D ? You are passing on what you get. I have OTA only and I'm saying the networks and local ststions are not paying full attention like they will have to in 2009.

You missed my point. Feeling picked on :D ? You are passing on what you get. I have OTA only and I'm saying the networks and local ststions are not paying full attention like they will have to in 2009.

Your comment made me remember a vital point about that. Comcast claims they pass along what they get(just like TWC and E*). Why is that CBS HD(for example) programming looks noticably better OTA than thru Comcast?

You missed my point.
Yep, I'm feeling dense today because I'm still missing your point! :confused:

This is true. This is also whats holding me back from switching to DirecTV. However, they just launched a new satellite and its supposed to increase HD capability. The question now is, will this new satellite increase HD channels while maintaining or further degrading the already poor quality of the HD broadcasts. Or, will it expand HD channels and also increase the PQ.

Nobody seems to have a definitive concrete answer. So, everyone waits to see the results.

There is also another DirecTV satellite scheduled to sent into orbit before the years end. The same questions remain to be answered.

Is Dish network any better than Directv?

Yep, I'm feeling dense today because I'm still missing your point! :confused:

Does the phrase Garbage in, Garbage out from the "olden days" help. If networks/stations give you garbage you can only pass on garbage.

Your comment made me remember a vital point about that. Comcast claims they pass along what they get(just like TWC and E*). Why is that CBS HD(for example) programming looks noticably better OTA than thru Comcast?

It looks better then the other locals OTA also.

So, is Dish Network better than Directv?

Does the phrase Garbage in, Garbage out from the "olden days" help. If networks/stations give you garbage you can only pass on garbage.
I answered the posters question concerning switching from cable to satellite. If you have evidence that TWC has is not receiving and sending full bandwidth HD channels I'd like to hear about it. If you are talking about bandwidth eating sub-channels OTA that's a whole other story.

So, is Dish Network better than Directv?

Ive never had Dish Network so I cant give a good comparison. However, DirecTV claims to have more national HD channels by years end than anyone else.

Dish just came on line with a few new HD offerings...i think they were listed a few posts back in this thread.

Your comment made me remember a vital point about that. Comcast claims they pass along what they get(just like TWC and E*). Why is that CBS HD(for example) programming looks noticably better OTA than thru Comcast?


Just a guess but, maybe because the signal travels through miles and miles of cables and hundreds of junction boxes (for lack of a better description).

OTA, if im not mistaken, is a signal straight from the towers in Awendaw to your home antenna.

Atmospheric conditions being the only constant wild card in your reception.

I'm just tied of Charter with picture problems and only a few HD channels. Dish Network has 27 HD channels now and also plan to add more. One thing I do like and thats the DVR box which handles two tv's. One HD and the othe SD. The remote for the second tv is UHF which is nice. They furnish all equipment and the 200 channels is $54.95 and goes up $20 in tens months. I can get a package thru my local phone company with dsl for around $110 for the first 10 months.

If i had my choice, it would be Verizons FIOS.

If i had my choice, it would be Verizons FIOS.

I don't have that choice. Its directv, dish or charter.

I don't have that choice. Its directv, dish or charter.

FIOS is in its infancy still. Not many people have it as a choice.

http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm

Just a guess but, maybe because the signal travels through miles and miles of cables and hundreds of junction boxes (for lack of a better description).

OTA, if im not mistaken, is a signal straight from the towers in Awendaw to your home antenna.

Atmospheric conditions being the only constant wild card in your reception.

How far the signal travels via cables, etc. doesn't matter since it's digital, the 1's and 0's either make it or they don't, but I think you're on the right track.

I would assume that Comcast gets the HD signal via OTA. I assume they then take the signal and recompress it to fit into the bandwidth they have allocated for each channel. Each time the signal gets uncompressed and recompressed using a lossy compression like MPEG-2 you're going to lose some quality. With OTA, you're getting the same quality that Comcast starts with, but avoiding anything Comcast could be doing to the signal downstream of the OTA reception.

I thinking about changing to satelite from cable. I would like to hear pros and cons on both Directv and Dish Network. Thanks for your help. I have a antenna for OTA from both Charleston and Savannah.

This post is not intended to be slanted, but may come across that way...this is just my personal experience and knowledge... :p

I have had everything from E* to V* to D* and Comcast and Knology scattered in between. I would have to say that OTA (weather depending) is the best signal. The sat co's both allow OTA integration, so you are golden there. The PQ thing seems to spark a lot of debate depending on the channel, receiver, TV model, and ultimately the viewer of those channels. I am not going to say I think D* is better than E* right now because I haven't seen an E* transmission in close to three years and things could be different. My TV is different now too, so that would make a difference.

What I can say is that with the launch of D10 last weekend, the future is bright. Not just for D* sub's, but anyone who wants more HD. Competition is a good thing!!! In about 2 months, D* will have quite a bit more HD offerings than anyone else. Will they stay in the lead? Maybe for awhile, but someone else will come along and pass them, then D* will pass them and so on.

The locals in HD for Charleston will not be a reality on D* until probably summer '08 at the earliest. But again, if you have OTA, then not that big a deal to wait. Fro what I have read from other posters on SatelliteGuys.us is that the D* HD-LIL is comparable to OTA since it is now a better compression format: MPEG4. I am no scientist so I can't explain what specifically makes MPEG4 better than MPEG2, I just know that it is better.

D11 was originally supposed to go up this fall, but with the SeaLaunch "oops" from earlier this year, they got delayed. Then it was pushed back to late Q1/early Q2 2008. Now it appears to be moving back into early to mid Q1 '08. Who knows, it might happen even sooner... fingers crossed. The reason I mention this is because our HD-LIL is dependent upon D11. D10 will not carry any significant increase in local HD expansion. It will be primarily for MPEG4 CONUS signals.

And with the RSN's supposedly going CONUS this fall, this could be the most entertaining Football and Basketball season to date, at least in terms of being able to see "your team". Fortunately, my teams are local/regional so my chances are already pretty high, but can't hurt to have more choices.

****
So back to the point of who to choose...
If you go with D*, you will likely have to agree to a 2-year contract. Within that 2 years, though, you should see your HD options growing to over 100 channels (local and national combined). If you go with E*, then you will probably have a contract as well, though I don't know what it will be. Let's say that theirs is also 2 years...if this is the case, you are "stuck" with only 30-40 HD channels for now, but the potential for more channels a year down the line - or however liong it takes to buy, build, launch, and light-up a new satellite.

Cable: until a fully functional fibre optic solution is introduced in this area - don't hold your breath - you will be bumping into bandwidth constrictions on the existing wired network. This should change a little around 2009 when they switch to pumping out all digital signals. Until then, the analog just hogs so much of the pipe there isn't as much room to wiggle and introduce a flood of new HD channels.

I would certainly suggest that you do your due diligence when deciding to go with satellite, but it is probably the safest bet over cable that will allow for the most room to grow for the next few years (in this market).

Oh, and I don't think anyone is really pumping a full 100% HD signal anywhere. Of course it looks better than the SD offerings, but it is still not 1920x1080 from any source...other than HD-DVD or BluRay. ;)

That says a lot about quantity of HD channels but not much about quality. The bigger the display the bigger factor compression becomes on satellite.

Cable: until a fully functional fibre optic solution is introduced in this area - don't hold your breath - you will be bumping into bandwidth constrictions on the existing wired network. This should change a little around 2009 when they switch to pumping out all digital signals. Until then, the analog just hogs so much of the pipe there isn't as much room to wiggle and introduce a flood of new HD channels.


No mention of SDV technology on cable which will alleviate much of the bandwidth constrictions and already is here in South Carolina.

Also, TWC says they have no plans to eliminate analog in 2009.

atp, I agree with most of your points.

I do feel that Comcast will be quickly dumping more analogs into digital and freeing up tons of space. D* and E* may be leading the way in # of channels but they do need to work on the PQ a bit.

I do not feel Comcast and TWC are going to get left behind. It is a great time to be a HD customer because of all the pressure.

Its also good with the addition of BR and HDDVD. People are demanding better PQ because of those two, and Ive heard rumors about a provider announcing 1080p support at CES Jan 2008. This is really going to put the pressure on other providers.

No mention of SDV technology on cable which will alleviate much of the bandwidth constrictions and already is here in South Carolina.

Also, TWC says they have no plans to eliminate analog in 2009.
I only have a straight-line feed for Comcast (clear signal HD only direct to my TV) so this SDV technology is not something I have or will have, and therefore I have no experience or knowledge on that subject. So if you say so, then I will believe you... ;)

And as for the analog to digital conversion, I can't imagine why a cable provider would choose to keep analog. I realize that there will be costs to distribute STB's to all analog customers so that they can continue to downgrade their incoming digital to analog, but the bandwidth savings should/will be huge. Enough to offset the cost of the STB's.

But back to the original question of which is better, a lot of it really does come down to personal preference. Find several friends who have the different services and ask to take a few minutes to come over and watch and see how it looks to you. Maybe cable is the best option for you, maybe not. I am not dissing on the cable co's, just reading the cards that are being displayed right now and in the immediate future.

I agree. I am most pleased with E* because of the dvr, and its diff. for everyone.

And as for the analog to digital conversion, I can't imagine why a cable provider would choose to keep analog. I realize that there will be costs to distribute STB's to all analog customers so that they can continue to downgrade their incoming digital to analog, but the bandwidth savings should/will be huge. Enough to offset the cost of the STB's.

The only bandwidth being saved is in the OTA broadcast spectrum and that is being put up for bid for other uses. And there is no technical reason why a analog signal need be inferior to a digital one. An analogy would be film has more resolution than a digital picture can ever have.

The only bandwidth being saved is in the OTA broadcast spectrum and that is being put up for bid for other uses. And there is no technical reason why a analog signal need be inferior to a digital one. An analogy would be film has more resolution than a digital picture can ever have.

Isnt the main reason so that they can obtain space. Analog uses more than digital?

Isnt the main reason so that they can obtain space. Analog uses more than digital?
Sure but supplying everyone with converter devices is viewed as an expensive, time consuming, messy proposition somewhat mitigated for the time being by SDV technology and a limited number of signed deals for HD channels.

The only bandwidth being saved is in the OTA broadcast spectrum and that is being put up for bid for other uses. And there is no technical reason why a analog signal need be inferior to a digital one. An analogy would be film has more resolution than a digital picture can ever have.
Maybe, but have you seen how big the film cannisters are at the movie theaters? Can you imagine Blockbuster renting all those cans of film instead of DVD's? :p

I fully understand the value of analog. As a real estate Virtual Tour provider, it is in my best interest to have the best possible photo equipment available to shoot my clients' homes. We don't use anything like a 12MP SLR because our equipment does not/would not fit. So the best common-ground camera we can use right now is a 7+MP digital camera. This one camera allows us to fit three unique lenses on it to shoot all of our tours. Is it the best? No. But it is the best single solution we have right now. Is it better than the cameras we used 5 years ago? Hell yeah! But no matter how many pixels we try to fit into a single frame, the celluloid of analog will always present better, more natural, warmer pictures. But the other problem with celluloid is the digital transfer process. No matter how hard you try, when you convert to digital from a true analog source, you lose quality and increase quantity (file size)...more so than if you were to simply start with digital.

So what does this have to do with TV signals? Everything. Pure analog is nice; but pure digital is better, faster, cheaper, more compact, etc.

Weird Question of the Day!!

When the TV stations switch to digital, will the radios that have a TV Band still be able to tune to the audio of the TV stations? I would not think they would but got to thinking about it while looking for a new radio and several of them had TV bands.

My knowledge of this is less than weak, but I would imagine that if you are looking for a new radio, be sure to look at ones that are "HD-Radio" compatible. I would imagine that this multi-band signal would also include the ability to receive terrestrial digital TV signals too.

any news or rumors on when or if charleston comcast will EVER get ESPNU????????

Why the hell don't we have it?

any news or rumors on when or if charleston comcast will EVER get ESPNU????????

Why the hell don't we have it?


Dish network does :p

any news or rumors on when or if charleston comcast will EVER get ESPNU????????

Why the hell don't we have it?
D* has the "U" :D

When the TV stations switch to digital, will the radios that have a TV Band still be able to tune to the audio of the TV stations?

No. The present NTSC TV transmissions are analog, with video on a vestigial sideband AM carrier, and audio on a separate FM carrier. It is fairly easy to add a "band" on radios that already have FM capability to receive the FM sound carriers, especially the VHF band, because channels 2-6 are just below the FM radio band and channels 7-13 are a short distance above it. A few get UHF 14 and above but that's less common.

ATSC digital TV transmissions embed a Dolby Digital audio signal (I think it's AC3?) with the digital video MPEG in a bitstream, so pulling out the audio will first require decoding the complete ATSC signal, then decoding the Dolby substream. More than one chip and two wires to add, I suspect! That's not to say no one will ever offer a radio that can receive ATSC audio, but I'm not aware of any that exist yet. Maybe as the price of the ATSC chipsets come down it will become feasible.

You bring up an interesting point regarding public safety, however. Here in the hurricane-prone Southeast, many of us use battery operated multiband radios to receive TV audio when the utility grid is down, so that is going to become more difficult after the analog shut-down. Hadn't thought of that SNAFU 'til you brought this up!

OBTW HD radio is a whole other animal. It permits enhanced FM and AM radio quality using low power digital subcarriers, but it's technical standards are very different from ATSC television. I doubt we'll see TV audio bands on HD radios anytime in the near future, but my crystal ball is fuzzy on that one.

Let's see, if I put an ASTC tuner card in my PC, an antenna on the roof, and a honkin' big UPS to power it all, maybe I can cobble up something to get ATSC during a power outage...

Isnt the main reason so that they can obtain space. Analog uses more than digital?
I'm a computer guy and not a broadcast engineer, so this probably has a couple inaccuracies, but I think you'll get the gist:

Both NTSC analog and ATSC digital channels take 6 MHz per channel slot. ATSC digital channels can multiplex multiple program channels into one broadcast slot.

At a fundamental level, what the cable company transmits comes over a limited number of channel slots, including your cable internet data, and this is the system capacity or bandwidth. Cable-ready TVs understand the channels, but not the scrambled, multiplexed or non-TV channels.

A cable company can multiplex multiple channels into one analog channel slot, but the customer must use a digital cable box or a QAM tuner to de-multiplex the individual channel. Using compression, I think they can squeeze 4-6 channels in one analog slot. Many of the companies encrypt most of the channels, so even if you have a QAM tuner, you can't display many of the channels without a cable card (to ensure you pay for the content.) [Effectively, the satellite companies do the same multiplex process with their transponders and receiver boxes.]

A cable company could use an ATSC digital source for either an analog channel or a multiplexed digital slot, but obviously the conversion and/or compression would remove the HD quality from better than SD broadcasts. I understand from Eldon (former engineer at WCSC) that a cable company near Beaufort does that for some channels where the DT channel reception at the headend is better than the TV channel reception. (Given what WCBD-TV looks like on Knology (3), I wish they'd do that here!)

Thanks to backward compatibility with cable-ready TVs and older set-top boxes, most cable companies send a large part of their lineup, usually the "basic" tier, on analog channels, even if the source of the channel is a digital satellite feed. That conversion to analog has a quality impact, and is why many channels look better on satellite than on cable.

If the cable company decided to go all digital, that doesn't mean all HD. They could take the channels they send in analog (generally the channels below 100) and multiplex them together, giving lots of room for new channels both HD and SD. Switched Digital Video (SDV) also increases the effective bandwidth. But one full ATSC channel still takes the same room one NTSC channel did on the system, unless they compress it and multiplex it.

I suspect the cable companies would like everyone to go all digital, as it would allow them more flexibility to package their program offerings. and would generally improve their overall quality. I don't know what the penetration of set-top boxes is in the installed cable base, or what the ratio of digital/analog set-top boxes is, so can't speak to the investment required to go all digital.

On a somewhat different topic, I don't think digital TV reception is an all-or-nothing equation. Since it is a continuous one-way stream of data, there is some threshold level above which you will get picture and/or sound. This would mean that the quality of the network from end-to-end (how many connections, loose connections, wire problems, etc.) could degrade your DT cable signals, just as atmospheric conditions do so OTA. There is not the retransmit capability that you have on a computer network. I've noticed that sound tends to drop out on HD before picture, and that quality can be different between OTA and the cable. You'd think cable would be better quality, but that hasn't always been my experience.
-JFS

any news or rumors on when or if charleston comcast will EVER get ESPNU????????

Why the hell don't we have it?

I just want to know when we are getting the NFL Network here on TWC!

I am moving to Goose Creek and thinking about getting Dish over Comcast, I like their HD-DVR better and their HD offerings. Anyone in this area I have 2 questions, how often does it go out? Also, how is the OTA antenna strength with the $50 antenna they provide?

Thanks

Also, on a side note the house I am moving into has a place for a plasma over the fireplace, it has a 120 VAC recepticle and coaxial output, is there anyway for Dish to run HDMI or Component or somehow or another get a HD signal up there without me having to put a HD box in another area and running the HDMI myself?

Hello all,
I will be moving down to the Charleston area from Indianapolis, In. If someone would be as kind to give me an idea of how the locals are doing there and what Cable providers I may be forced to deal with.

I have been active on the Indianapolis thread.....and will be Managing a HH Gregg store there in Charleston.

Thanks in advance.


Randy
Hi Randy,
I just read that the real estate transaction had problems, so the N. Charleston store is on hold indefinitely. Can you say or characterize what happened? Any revised plan? Thanks in advance!
-JFS

I am moving to Goose Creek and thinking about getting Dish over Comcast, I like their HD-DVR better and their HD offerings. Anyone in this area I have 2 questions, how often does it go out? Also, how is the OTA antenna strength with the $50 antenna they provide?

Thanks

Also, on a side note the house I am moving into has a place for a plasma over the fireplace, it has a 120 VAC recepticle and coaxial output, is there anyway for Dish to run HDMI or Component or somehow or another get a HD signal up there without me having to put a HD box in another area and running the HDMI myself?
I do not think the provide a OTA antenna, if they do see what it is

I am moving to Goose Creek and thinking about getting Dish over Comcast, I like their HD-DVR better and their HD offerings. Anyone in this area I have 2 questions, how often does it go out? Also, how is the OTA antenna strength with the $50 antenna they provide?


I have the vip622 and the AT250 programming. I had signal issues a couple of times per month using just the 1000.2 dish they install. I added a 2nd D500 dish just for one of the 3 satellites and this helped my SS. I only drop SS during a very thick water cloud and its never been more than 5 minutes.

Comcast has good HD PQ and an ok selection, but the HDDVR does lack. The 622 can record 3 programs at once if you have OTA which is great.

I am unaware what kind of antenna they install because I already had one in my attic.

I have the vip622 and the AT250 programming. I had signal issues a couple of times per month using just the 1000.2 dish they install. I added a 2nd D500 dish just for one of the 3 satellites and this helped my SS. I only drop SS during a very thick water cloud and its never been more than 5 minutes.

Comcast has good HD PQ and an ok selection, but the HDDVR does lack. The 622 can record 3 programs at once if you have OTA which is great.

I am unaware what kind of antenna they install because I already had one in my attic.


I'm currently using Home Telecom and a Motorola HD-DVR, I forget the model #. I like Dish for the added HD channels, but I do want my locals in HD. The only advantage I see with Comcast is an easier, worry-free install and they will allow me 2 HD-DVR's without having to buy one like Dish (I know I get one for free)

What is the comparsion on SD channels between Dish and Comcast?

Sd channels looks better on Dish. Many have found a way to get TWO leased 622's by emailing ceo@echostar.com

Did I miss something, what happened to the NFL Network on Comcast. Went searching for it and couldn't find it.

Did I miss something, what happened to the NFL Network on Comcast. Went searching for it and couldn't find it.

You now need to subscribe to the sports and entertainment package in order to get NFL Network. It is about 5 or 6 dollars a month. I think they are running a special for it for half price for 6 months .

The past few days there have been a number of weather-related warnings and crawls needed. I want to congratulate WCSC for buying and installing the gear needed to superimpose these as HD graphics over the HD program, without having to drop back to SD on the DT side. I also like the tiny inset WX radar/warnings graphics placed in the far lower left corner. They are perfectly legible in HD, without taking up very much active picture space.

I hope this means they are gearing up for a full-fledged HD Master Control, adding HD servers/tape, etc. so that delayed network programs, syndicated shows, and maybe even eventually local news and programming will all be in HD. In the meantime the bar has been set for the other Chas locals. Let's see how long it takes for them to get on the bandwagon.

Thank you WCSC!

Mike

The past few days there have been a number of weather-related warnings and crawls needed. I want to congratulate WCSC for buying and installing the gear needed to superimpose these as HD graphics over the HD program, without having to drop back to SD on the DT side. I also like the tiny inset WX radar/warnings graphics placed in the far lower left corner. They are perfectly legible in HD, without taking up very much active picture space.

I hope this means they are gearing up for a full-fledged HD Master Control, adding HD servers/tape, etc. so that delayed network programs, syndicated shows, and maybe even eventually local news and programming will all be in HD. In the meantime the bar has been set for the other Chas locals. Let's see how long it takes for them to get on the bandwagon.

Thank you WCSC!

Mike




SECOND THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)

You now need to subscribe to the sports and entertainment package in order to get NFL Network. It is about 5 or 6 dollars a month. I think they are running a special for it for half price for 6 months .

What a bunch of BS, it's bad enough I have to pay for digital service and the main channels I use that for are Noggin and PBSKids for my children and of course that is only on one TV as it requires a box. Before we know it $300/month for cable and internet will be the norm, right now I pay about $130 with no premium channels and now I have to shell another $5 to watch football this season.

I guess since it is now on a pay package that they won't be putting the HD matches on INHD this year. How much more money do these cable companies want from us? Do I need to tell my kids I'm sorry they can't go to college because we had cable while you grew up? I know, someone will say it's not the cable companies, it's the stations. Either way, someone get it worked out or we won't be able to afford it.

The past few days there have been a number of weather-related warnings and crawls needed. I want to congratulate WCSC for buying and installing the gear needed to superimpose these as HD graphics over the HD program, without having to drop back to SD on the DT side. I also like the tiny inset WX radar/warnings graphics placed in the far lower left corner. They are perfectly legible in HD, without taking up very much active picture space.

I hope this means they are gearing up for a full-fledged HD Master Control, adding HD servers/tape, etc. so that delayed network programs, syndicated shows, and maybe even eventually local news and programming will all be in HD. In the meantime the bar has been set for the other Chas locals. Let's see how long it takes for them to get on the bandwagon.

Thank you WCSC!

Mike

Great news. Hopefully WCIV will get on board so they don't interupt Lost HD with their damn logo. I know what station I'm watching, I don't need a WCIV logo to pop up and remind me as all I care is it NBC, CBS, ABC, or FOX, local call letters mean nothing.

I have the at250 with dish.

$49.99 dvr advantage
$20 HD
$10 AT250 addition

Dropped cable HSI for 768 dsl ($45) per month with phone line.

Dunno what your cable bill would be with the addition of the $6 plan.

I have the at250 with dish.

$49.99 dvr advantage
$20 HD
$10 AT250 addition

Dropped cable HSI for 768 dsl ($45) per month with phone line.

Dunno what your cable bill would be with the addition of the $6 plan.

So you basically pay about the same as my $130 of which $45 is for HSI. I guess the only luxury I have is I can hook a TV up and get basic cable with no added cost.

Yeah. The at250 offers other stuff and dish has more hd, but its a big inconvenience to swap providers for one channel.

The past few days there have been a number of weather-related warnings and crawls needed. I want to congratulate WCSC for buying and installing the gear needed to superimpose these as HD graphics over the HD program, without having to drop back to SD on the DT side. I also like the tiny inset WX radar/warnings graphics placed in the far lower left corner. They are perfectly legible in HD, without taking up very much active picture space.

I hope this means they are gearing up for a full-fledged HD Master Control, adding HD servers/tape, etc. so that delayed network programs, syndicated shows, and maybe even eventually local news and programming will all be in HD. In the meantime the bar has been set for the other Chas locals. Let's see how long it takes for them to get on the bandwagon.

Thank you WCSC!

Mike
:) :D :) I had missed this, but this is great news. WCBD may have been the first to transmit local-origin HD content (Arthur Ravenel Bridge special), but this is a significant step towards local market domination by WCSC. Though I wonder if I really want to see HD local news with Bill Sharpe (and his 13 chins) and Debi Chard (and her caught-in-headlights racoon look). :p Just kidding guys...more HD is almost always great news.

Thank you WCSC!

Mike

I forwarded your comments to the station manager, my former boss, at WCSC. She emailed back: "Mike Gurthie our Chief Engineer is steering us in the right direction with our HD graphics and he is also working on our Master Control. We always appreciate your comments and feedback!"

I was the technical director for The Open Championship on ABC 2 weeks ago, we worked hard to provide 16x9 SD from Scotland, which actually looks quite good, but my girlfriend said WCIV had the weather bug in all day and kept doing cut-ins so it was 4x3. We're at St. Andrews this week for the Womens.

It really is exciting to think about the future and significally more REAL HD! If the stores Would set up a small enclosed show room with HDTV and a surround sound system, tell the customer "you can get this with a set of rabbit ears OTA and free" they couldn't keep them in stock. When the techs have the equipment and do their job right it is SO AWSOME! :D

Well, this is probably my answer on whether or not Comcast will still show HD NFL Network games on one of the other stations. After reading the article it would seem that they wouldn't as they have picked up NFL Network HD is select markets. I like how the article doesn't mention Comcast screwing everyone and making it a pay channel.
http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastnfl080107.htm

Well, this is probably my answer on whether or not Comcast will still show HD NFL Network games on one of the other stations. After reading the article it would seem that they wouldn't as they have picked up NFL Network HD is select markets. I like how the article doesn't mention Comcast screwing everyone and making it a pay channel.
http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastnfl080107.htm


I saw that today. Prob why they want you to pay extra.

Comcast has always had ALL HD except premiums under the HD plan, maybe they are going to make the NFL Network a premium I guess.

I have it on Dish, curious to see how their HD looks next week during the preseason game.

Good Morning,

I wanted to let everyone know that we are going to be launching HGTV HD (Channel 415) and Food Network HD (Channel 414) later today!

As for the NFL network, It did move to the Sports Entertainment Tier in June. You will need to subscribe to get the NFL games on that channel. We are working on getting the regular season games in HD for those who do subscribe to the Sports Entertainment Tier. I do not have complete details at this time. The first regular season game on the NFL network is Thanksgiving Day.

Chris George
Comcast

Thats good for you Comcast guys. I love FoodHD!

Chris,
If you're going to stick the HD games on INHD again, can someone edit the name of the show during that hours so we can DVR them? I was the technical director of the NFL Network games last year and I never got to see how the games looked at home until our 7th game of the season!

Chris,

It's nice you're adding channels but I had much rather have ESPNU. I realize it is probably a national Comcast issue and you don't have much you can do locally. If you ever get a chance to have input on channels to add that would be my #1 wish.

Also, do they ever update Comcast's website when you add channels? They still haven't changed the channel listing to reflect the channels (A&E HD, NG HD etc) you added back in May(?). I posted a comment about this on the website but so far nothing. Is there some other place you can go (besides stopping by an office) to get an up-to-date channel listing.

Thanks!!

Good Morning,

I wanted to let everyone know that we are going to be launching HGTV HD (Channel 415) and Food Network HD (Channel 414) later today!

As for the NFL network, It did move to the Sports Entertainment Tier in June. You will need to subscribe to get the NFL games on that channel. We are working on getting the regular season games in HD for those who do subscribe to the Sports Entertainment Tier. I do not have complete details at this time. The first regular season game on the NFL network is Thanksgiving Day.

Chris George
Comcast

What about all the pre-season games they are showing in HD? Guess it doesn't matter as I'm not giving in and buying the sports package. As a Comcast subscriber please log my displeasure with the whole thing.

The link I posted came from a post on AVS and there was some talk in regards to it being a specialty channel and not everyone is interested in it and therefore why force all those people with the added cost, but my question is, isn't Digital Cable, where it was, an added cost to begin with and which contains many stations that tend to be specialty in nature? I'm sure there are many people out there that only receive basic cable, so NFL Network was never affecting them.

Im really surprised in making this a pay channel. Youd think NFL Network SD and HD would be carried normally so HD viewers could enjoy it.

Well my team (Saints) will be on NFL Network Sunday night. This will hold me over until the home games are played (season ticket holder). I like Jake Delhomme, but he is on the wrong team :). :D

Im looking forward to it. I wonder if the preseason games on NFL Network will be hd?

Chris,
If you're going to stick the HD games on INHD again, can someone edit the name of the show during that hours so we can DVR them? I was the technical director of the NFL Network games last year and I never got to see how the games looked at home until our 7th game of the season!


I can look into doing that. We are still working out the details for the HD games.

Chris,

It's nice you're adding channels but I had much rather have ESPNU. I realize it is probably a national Comcast issue and you don't have much you can do locally. If you ever get a chance to have input on channels to add that would be my #1 wish.

Also, do they ever update Comcast's website when you add channels? They still haven't changed the channel listing to reflect the channels (A&E HD, NG HD etc) you added back in May(?). I posted a comment about this on the website but so far nothing. Is there some other place you can go (besides stopping by an office) to get an up-to-date channel listing.

Thanks!!

ESPNU is on the list of Channel Requests. As soon as ESPN and Comcast work out an agreement, I am sure the channel would go up quickly. As for the Website, I apologize for the inconsistencies. I will work on getting the website updated.

There are a couple of ways to get a channel listing: 1) The Comcast stores all have the line up cards. 2) I can mail you a line up card. The line up cards are printed quarterly. 3) If you subscribe to the Channel guide, the list of all the channels are updated monthly.

If you would like me to mail you a lineup, email me your address. My office email is chris_george@cable.comcast.com.

Thanks

Chris

What about all the pre-season games they are showing in HD? Guess it doesn't matter as I'm not giving in and buying the sports package. As a Comcast subscriber please log my displeasure with the whole thing.

The link I posted came from a post on AVS and there was some talk in regards to it being a specialty channel and not everyone is interested in it and therefore why force all those people with the added cost, but my question is, isn't Digital Cable, where it was, an added cost to begin with and which contains many stations that tend to be specialty in nature? I'm sure there are many people out there that only receive basic cable, so NFL Network was never affecting them.

Lancer

The pre season game will not have a seperate HD channel assigned to them. I did check in on the game last night. It was the HD feed on a digital channel.

I can understand your displeasure. Give me a call in the office when you get a minute. My office line is843-266-3050.

Thanks

Chris

Hi Randy,
I just read that the real estate transaction had problems, so the N. Charleston store is on hold indefinitely. Can you say or characterize what happened? Any revised plan? Thanks in advance!
-JFS

__________________
John F. Schroeder
Charleston, SC (James Island)

Call me a mushroom.....no one has given me the official version. All I have been told is that there was a last minute roadblock....Like they called me 3 weeks ago and told be to get packing and then 3 hours later told me that things were on hold.

I know that we are looking for a new piece of real estate and that I was told to expect January or February as my moving date.

All I can say is that we are still coming.....exact date is unknown to me.... and we have employees from BB and Circuit waiting in line for jobs.


Randy

Coverage of the PGA Championship on TNT was pretty crappy today. Lot of stops and stutters in the picture. Must be the heat.

Well,being a Redskins fan I went ahead and signed up for the NFL channel (which coincidentally gets you 2 fox college sports channels, 2 soccer channels, and i think an nba channel) so I could see the pre-season games.

In my conversation with the comcast telephone rep they will not be showing anything in HD (as far as she knows) on channel 180 or any other "parallel" NFL Network channel.

Am I to assume that I will see all the preseason games and then NOTHING on this channel until Thanksgiving?? Oh well. It IS only $2.99/mo currently, and she said it was "an ongoing promotion" in reponse to my query as to how long it would be discounted down from the normal $5.

I saw this HD Channel launch schedule posted in another forum.

August
Animal Planet
Discovery
TLC
The Science Channel

September
Cinemax (MoreMAX)
HBO (HBO2, HBO Family, HBO Signature)
History
Starz (Starz Comedy, Starz Edge, and Starz Kids)
TBS
The Weather Channel

October
CNN

October/November
Cartoon Network
CNBC
FX
SciFi
USA Network

December
Tennis Channel

1Q '08
ABC Family
Disney Channel
Toon Disney
ESPNews

Which Forum? Is this for Comcast? If so, I wonder how much of these lauches are nationwide versus local...I saw that NFLNetwork is HD in only a few cities...

Anybody know?

The list shows the actual launch (startup) of channels. It is up to the individual cable and satellite systems to decide what to carry and when to carry them. I thought everyone would like to know this since there have been discussions about what channels the various cable and satellite systems carry versus what is available.

I'm unable to get WMMPDT2 which is listed on zap2it and hdtvmagazine. I get WMMPDT just fine.

I'm also unable to get a lock for WCSCDT, though it got picked up on the scan. According to antennaweb (which appears hopelessly out of date), it's in the same direction as most of the other channels (which I can pick up just fine). I can also pick up WCBDDT, which is in the opposite direction from where the antenna is pointed.

I'm also not seeing WCSCDT2 in the scan.

Is there something wrong with my setup or are these stations just not working?

Where should I begin in diagnosing the problem?

I have no info on the WWMP2. I believe the WCSC2 was a doppler radar they dropped several months back.

All local towers are in the AWENDAW area Now. WmmpDT2 was an all music video format which I dosen't appear to be there any more (no loss IMO).

"Where should I begin in diagnosing the problem?"

Lots of variables but now you know they are all in the same place and whats there. Look at a map and aim for Awendaw, (North of Mt Pleasant), adjust from there.

What kind of ant are you using and where are you located?

Update on NFL Network HD

We are currently work on getting all of the NF L network regular season games in HD. The first game of the year will be on Thanksgiving Day. You will have to subscribe to the Sports Entertainment Tier to receive the HD broadcast of the games.

As soon as I get more details I will post them.

Take Care,

Chris

I saw this HD Channel launch schedule posted in another forum.

August
Animal Planet
Discovery
TLC
The Science Channel

September
Cinemax (MoreMAX)
HBO (HBO2, HBO Family, HBO Signature)
History
Starz (Starz Comedy, Starz Edge, and Starz Kids)
TBS
The Weather Channel

October
CNN

October/November
Cartoon Network
CNBC
FX
SciFi
USA Network

December
Tennis Channel

1Q '08
ABC Family
Disney Channel
Toon Disney
ESPNews
As previously asked/mentioned, not sure if this is for Comcast/Knology/TWC, but here is the DirecTV HD lineup going on line soon. Some news this morning indicate that D* could go live with their new HD offerings as early as 9/4!! :D
List courtesy of http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/98205-directvs-hd-100-list-grows.html

DirecTV's HD 100: The List Grows

A&E (Sept.)
Altitude (RSN; Dish launching in HD this fall)
Animal Planet (Sept.)
Big Ten Network *
Bravo *
Cartoon Network *
Chiller
CNBC
CNN *
Comcast SportsNet Chicago HD
Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD
Discovery Channel (Sept.)
Discovery HD Theater (channel 76)
ESPN HD (channel 73)
ESPN2 HD (channel 72)
Food Network *
FSN Arizona
FSN Bay Area
FSN Detroit
FSN Florida
FSN New England
FSN North
FSN Northwest
FSN Ohio
FSN Prime Ticket
FSN Rocky Mountain
FSN South
FSN Southwest
FSN West
FX *
HBO HD (channel 70)
HDNet (channel 79)
HDNet Movies (channel 78)
HGTV *
MTV *
NGC HD (channel 98 - sneak peek only)
New England Sports Network HD (channel 623)
NFL Network *
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 1
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 2
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 3
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 4
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 5
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 6
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 7
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 8
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 9
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 10
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 11
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 12
NFL Sunday Ticket – game 13
Pay-Per-View HD (channel 99)
SCI FI Channel *
Showtime HD (channel 71)
Showtime West *
Speed *
SportsNet New York HD (channel 625)
SportsSouth (RSN; now in HD on Dish)
Starz East coast feed (Sept.)
Starz West coast feed (Sept.)
Starz Comedy (Sept.)
Starz Edge (Sept.)
Starz Kids & Family (Sept.)
Sun Sports (RSN now in HD on Dish)
TBS *
The 101 (part-time HD)
The History Channel (Sept.)
The Movie Channel *
The Science Channel (Sept.)
The Tennis Channel *
The Weather Channel (Sept.) *
TLC (Sept.)
TNT HD (channel 75)
Universal HD (channel 74)
USA Network *
Versus *
YES HD (channel 622)
+ 2 TBA Discovery-owned networks

HD channels launching in 2008:

ABC Family
Disney Channel
ESPNEWS HD
Toon Disney

* Announced

Why is it when I use my OTA antenna I get the Charleston CW station, but if I use the Directv it comes up with a Baltimore station?

Why is it when I use my OTA antenna I get the Charleston CW station, but if I use the Directv it comes up with a Baltimore station?


Dish is the same way, thats the sat provided local. Why not use the OTA feed thru the directv rcvr to get the local CW?

I do on the main TV, but the other one does not have an antenna connected.

The CW network has some HD progs listed but 2-2 local is a 480i sub channel. Can you get the actual HD over the D*?

Anyone know what's wrong with the CBS tower?
No picture on 4.1, 5.1 or 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3.

I just checked, mine are down too.

Thanks COMCAST for Food-HD and HGTV-HD ... its eye-candy most of the time.

I bought a 1080p LCD and these two channels and MOJO really make for an enjoyable experience. Discovery HD is too compressed. ETV is mostly unwatchable for the same reason.

On a non-HD related issue ... Comcast, could we please get a dedicated Bloomberg Channel ... instead of broadcasting it a few hours every morning on the E! channel ... Please give it a dedicated channel ... just like you do in other markets. Are we not worthy There are lot more people in Charleston who would switch from other providers to cable if that were the case.

Also ... are we getting any better DVR boxes or better software ? .. the quality of the user-interface on the 8300HD is still very lame. Things have not improved over the last few years. I was hoping Cisco would put some sense into this mess ... oh well.

Does anyone know the QAM channels for TWC in Summerville? I just got a second HDTV and wanted to see what I could pick up without a box...not everything got tuned (to include NBC DT). I was searching this thread with no answer.

Also, does TWC just charge for renting the second box (9.95)...and I will get identical programming to what I get on my main TV? Or do I have to pay for a "second" digital service?

Sorry I cant answer any of those questions but, what TV did you get?

Sharp 32" LCD

Sharp 32" LCD


Sweet, im trying to convince myself that my next set will be LCD.

Does anyone know the QAM channels for TWC in Summerville? I just got a second HDTV and wanted to see what I could pick up without a box...not everything got tuned (to include NBC DT). I was searching this thread with no answer.

Also, does TWC just charge for renting the second box (9.95)...and I will get identical programming to what I get on my main TV? Or do I have to pay for a "second" digital service?

Ok, if you get a non DVR box with TWC, you will get the same programming for 9,95 but if you want the DVR, you have to pay 16 something. I purchased my 2nd HD LCD last night and called them today about it.

Now, the NBC QAM channel is 66-1. I can give you what my Samsung picked up the stations as but some of them show on a different channel on my mothers non HD digital. So, I am not sure what is going on there.

MY Local TWC QAM channels as of today are....

NBC 2 = 66-1
CW = 80-2
Fox 24 = 87-37
SC Channel (ETV 2) = 87-39
ETV HD = 100-1
CBS 5 = 100-2
ETV 7(1) = 102-19
ABC 4 = 107-25

There are some others including GemsTV and the Jewelery Channel and a lot of movie previews that come in free also.

Good Luck. If those numbers do not work for you, I will try to get a list from my mothers SDTV tomorrow.

I have been away for a while and have not read a lot of the weeks of posts. I hope that I am not repeating one. Anyway, I installed the new HD last night. It is the first one in the house with QAM. So, when I looked at the pictures, everything was great except for some junk in the NBC digital feed. After a lot of playing, I looked real close at the Old HD (now 5 years old) and it is there as well. I hooked up an OTA antenna and sure enough, it is there also. The new HD has such a strong picture, it is really noticable. Is anyone else seeing it? It looks almost like the old school electrical interference in analog. Since I am seeing it on two different sets and via OTA, QAM, and SA8300 on TWC, I feel pretty sure that it is a problem with the station. So, is there any news on this?

NBC 2 = 66-1
CW = 80-2
Fox 24 = 87-37
SC Channel (ETV 2) = 87-39
ETV HD = 100-1
CBS 5 = 100-2
ETV 7(1) = 102-19
ABC 4 = 107-25

Do the engineers at the cable co's jut throw darts at a chart on the wall to come up with these frequency assignments? Can they not put the ETV's all together? And why are some channels "-1" or "-2" while others are "-37" or "-39"? Is there some science to these assignments?:rolleyes:

Sweet, im trying to convince myself that my next set will be LCD.

I am very pleased with a Vizio 32" LCD I bought for the bedroom. Costco has them as well as some other places. Very good prices and a very nice picture. It of course doesn't compare to a well calibrated CRT RP set, but very nice and compact and on the wall.

My set is a 720p set, but they have some nice pricing on larger 1080p sets, maybe for my next purchase :rolleyes:

Ok, if you get a non DVR box with TWC, you will get the same programming for 9,95 but if you want the DVR, you have to pay 16 something. I purchased my 2nd HD LCD last night and called them today about it.

Now, the NBC QAM channel is 66-1. I can give you what my Samsung picked up the stations as but some of them show on a different channel on my mothers non HD digital. So, I am not sure what is going on there.

MY Local TWC QAM channels as of today are....

NBC 2 = 66-1
CW = 80-2
Fox 24 = 87-37
SC Channel (ETV 2) = 87-39
ETV HD = 100-1
CBS 5 = 100-2
ETV 7(1) = 102-19
ABC 4 = 107-25

There are some others including GemsTV and the Jewelery Channel and a lot of movie previews that come in free also.

Good Luck. If those numbers do not work for you, I will try to get a list from my mothers SDTV tomorrow.

Thanks! I have found the same (NBC was elusive being that far down...had to sift through analog cable channels to get to the digital one). Too bad "free" HD channels aren't "in the clear" such as TNT, Disc, ESPN, etc...

Thanks! I have found the same (NBC was elusive being that far down...had to sift through analog cable channels to get to the digital one). Too bad "free" HD channels aren't "in the clear" such as TNT, Disc, ESPN, etc...

That is my thoughts exactly. If they are free, let us see them! Why do I need to pay for another box to get what I am given for free? Besides, I already pay for the stuff anyway.

Here is more info on the QAM channel line up. This will make it a little more confusing. Remember I mentioned my mothers TV? Well, she has an off brand SDT on TWC with QAM and here is her local channel line up....

NBC 2 = 66-001
CW = 80-001
Fox24 = 87-001
SC Channel = 87-003
ETVHD = 100-001
CBS 5 = 100-002
ETV 7 = 102-006
ABC 4 = 107-002


Here is the real funny stuff....

Off Brand on Jewelry Channel = 117-003
Samsung on Jewelry Channel = 119-5356

Now, that is a difference. There are others that way as well. As you can see, it appears that different TV's translate QAM channels differently or something.

Does anyone know if the NCAAF PPV games (ie, USC-UL Laff) and the ESPN gameplan games are in hi-def?

(on comcast)

Does anyone know if the NCAAF PPV games (ie, USC-UL Laff) and the ESPN gameplan games are in hi-def?

(on comcast)


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10367407&&#post10367407

This post is what I go by to see if a game is broadcast in HD.

Hope it helps.

For the last 2 years, NBC's HD football coverage has been sketchy at best. Im glad to see they improved the PQ for todays Notre Damn/GT game :rolleyes:

Yes, looking good!

NBC really should be embarrassed.

NBC really should be embarrassed.

Consider yourself lucky. Obviously you didnt watch the Gator game on the MyTV network.

Another fine Lincoln Financial broadcast.

Yeah, I usually avoid MyTV. LF is horrible too.

Consider yourself lucky. Obviously you didnt watch the Gator game on the MyTV network.

Another fine Lincoln Financial broadcast.

The difference is that MyTV doesn't pretend to be a HD station. Our local NBC station is a joke. If you saw any replays of the ND game on ESPN you can see what the NBC feed quality should have been. With WCBD splitting out their signal to run CW the HD signal suffers dramatically, especially with sports. Fortunately, I'm not a ND fan (I used to be a Michigan alumnus, but I don't think I want to admit it) so I don't watch much of the the ND broadcasting network for College football. Unfortunately for us all, Sunday night football on NBC will suffer as well.

Andy

NBC really should be embarrassed.

Don't blame NBC it is all a local problem, just check out highlights on any other network, and you will see that the NBC is not bad.

Ok I just moved from DI where I had Home Telecom, bad HD offerings, but good equipment and support. Now I am in Goose Creek, and because I was worried about getting my locals in HD over an over the air antenna with Dish.

So, first I wanted 3 lines hooked up, but since all of the lines come out at one place, the installer was nice and said he would hook them all up with a few splitters, not exactly time-consuming or expensive. But of course, I get my first bill and Comcast charged me for all 6 lines.

Well, because he split it so many times, I had signal loss, so I called support to get some help, figuring you know like most cable companies, it's free, little did I know it was $36.95, unless I pay $2.95/month for a support agreement, which I would, but no one at Comcast in my 2 discussions with them about setting the account up told me!!!

They did take $25 off my bill for the extra line installs, but refuse to take the tech service call off. This is crazy, it's not like it was my problem, it was the installer's problem for not checking the signal strength.

Mind you I am spending about $140/month on cable/internet, 2 HD-DVR's the whole works.

Is this how Comcast works?

If so, can someone let me know if the locals come in well with the OTA dish that DISH network installs?

Ok, so just to test it, I hooked up my indoor antenna, and I have 95 signal strength on all of the HD channels. This is a lot better than I had over on DI, of course this is on the upstairs TV, but I am thinking if I get that strong of a signal with an indoor antenna, the outdoor should pick everything up no problem, right?

I'm in Goose Creek (Crowfield) and have a 51-element Phillips ant. and it gets just about everything very well. PBS and WMMP are weak, but the major networks come in fine. Mine is attached to my chimney about 15-20 up and there are plenty of trees and my neighbors 2-story house directly in the LOS of the signal from Awendaw. I could do better if I raised the ant any more, but works fine as is.

ComcastCG is the forum rep from Comcast. He's a nice guy and you might want to PM him and see if you can reach some sort of amicable decision with him.

Yeah having already ran speaker wire in my attic, I do not want to attempt running an antenna up there, that is not worth the switch to Dish, but if I can get it with their OTA antenna that is standard for $50, I would switch.

$36.95 for a service call because you didn't get the signal strength checked? Cheap!

I agree, if it was the installers fault (you paid for the install), Comcast should not charge you.

Ok ComcastCG, if you are around, let me know what I should do, if Comcast cannot help me out with this, I am switching to Dish. I was told by the local Comcast employees that there is nothing they can do.

Also, if I am getting 95 signal strength on my HD locals with an Indoor OTA, I am guessing I can expect the same or better with the outdoor one that most installers around Charleston will install with the Dish install?

I think you will find most Dish installers do not do OTA and if they did I would find out what they were going to use. post it here and see what it cost
If you go with dish, get the 722 or no less than 622.
See how your indoor ant works first, do not let anyone sell you some useless over priced so called HD ant. like TERK

Any idea when HD locals will come out on Dish/Directv without an additional OTA antenna. The installer in Charleston with Dish wants $350 for a 8 gain outdoor antenna.

I think you will find most Dish installers do not do OTA and if they did I would find out what they were going to use. post it here and see what it cost
If you go with dish, get the 722 or no less than 622.
See how your indoor ant works first, do not let anyone sell you some useless over priced so called HD ant. like TERK

Yeah my indoor antenna worked well last night, but I have 2 HDTV's, one of which is mounted over a fireplace, and I really don't have anywhere to put another antenna.

I would just rather have an outdoor antenna so that it is ran in through the existing coax without it costing me an arm and a leg, and/or for Comcast to quit being stupid and charging me for their own installation issues.

Can anyone tell me if WTAT digital is able to be picked up by a QAM tuner on Charleston Comcast? I've scanned all the channels and it seems to be missing. Thanks!

Can anyone tell me if WTAT digital is able to be picked up by a QAM tuner on Charleston Comcast? I've scanned all the channels and it seems to be missing. Thanks!
Mine comes in at 24-1 with a Vizio TV. May be different with others. I haven't watched it in a couple of weeks, so I can't answer if it is now working, but it was.

Any idea when HD locals will come out on Dish/Directv without an additional OTA antenna. The installer in Charleston with Dish wants $350 for a 8 gain outdoor antenna.

That is crazy, what ant was it? I am 71 miles from tower and get them with an ant that cost $60

Mine comes in at 24-1 with a Vizio TV. May be different with others. I haven't watched it in a couple of weeks, so I can't answer if it is now working, but it was.

Thanks! I did a rescan and it magically appeared. Strange.

Thanks! I did a rescan and it magically appeared. Strange.


STRANGE and MAGIC

Common words in the new digital world

This forum will protect you from the spirits :D

Ok - I'm relatively new to the area and have been pretty successful at receiving HD OTA here in Charleston (more specifically Hanahan). I have one problem channel and am looking for some advice. I just can't seem to get a good signal from WCSC - every other local channel is crystal clear.

I'm using an antenna in my attic from radio shack - could this be the problem? - here's the link:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?parentPage=family&summary=summary&techSpecs=techSpecs&currentTab=custRatings&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032205&custRatings=custRatings&features=features&accessories=accessories&productId=2103088&support=support&tab=summary

Also, I'm using HD-20 from Directv - could this be the problem?

I just tried adding an amplifier and removing the splitter to no avail today. Also, if it helps to mention - I'm diplexing the line to run to the receiver.

I'll get 100% signal strength (based on what the HD-20 says) for anywhere from 15-30 seconds up to a few minutes and then it fades to about 80 for a while and repeats. It wouldn't matter if the reception wouldn't get all pixelated:). Any ideas? Do I need a bigger antenna or should this one be fine? There's not a whole lot more room in the attic for something much bigger, but I'm willing to try.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the help and for the help just from the previous posts from others that I've read as I've learned quite a bit from just reading this forum over the past few months.

Greg

I just tried adding an amplifier and removing the splitter to no avail today. Also, if it helps to mention - I'm diplexing the line to run to the receiver.



Try removing the splitter and the amplifier. Also, diplexers are usually a problem, from my past experiences.

I am with shuttermaker on this one, Trash the diplexer and run a cable just for ant.

I am with shuttermaker on this one, Trash the diplexer and run a cable just for ant.

Thanks - I'll have to get some more cable to try that so it might be a while before I can test that:)

Also, when I originally put the antenna up in the attic I did run some (outside of the wall) for testing. However, I remember that being worse than the diplexed signal (the diplexer was a last ditch effort as I wasn't getting much of a signal and my wife was not liking the viewable cable run:)). Anyway, it seemed that the 'power' on the Directv lines helped the signal for the other channels ... anyway, I tried removing the splitter and amplifier (the latter which I just added yesterday as a test) which left me with the same result.

Unfortunately, my only problem channel is WCSC, which I'll need to resolve before the first CSI of the season or first big SEC game on cbs:) Just wondering if am I too far away to get this channel? Or if there is a better antenna that I should try as well? Thanks again!

Have you moved the ant around any? a few deg right or left may solve your problem.
I would put it outside before adding an amp, could be somthing in attic messing with signal and if you get a signal of 100 sometimes.it sounds like it bouncing off somthing

"a few deg right or left may solve your problem"

I can vouch for that. Takes time but makes the difference. Even though they are all in same area a little left or right can help. If all the rest are good it is hard to believe it is ant.

Question for Comcast users/support:

I'm considering replacing at least one of my HDDVR's with the new HDTivo. I hate the SA software with a passion. I would need to get two cablecards in this case obviously.

I was curious if anyone has had luck getting comcast cablecards to work (I've read where some of the upper/HD channels are touchy), and how much they paid. Every city has different prices apparently, some just have a small one time install charge of like $15 and zero monthly fees or at the most $1.50/month. I called 1 800 comcast and was told the monthly fees for the cards are the same as the HDDVR rental. That makes no sense, a card can't possibly cost the same as a whole DVR. I'll try calling 1800 comcast again and see if I get someone else.

Also, it would be great to know if/when we would get Comcast provided DVR's w/ the Tivo software - that would preclude me having to spend $300 for the HDTivo. If that is years away, then assuming the cablecards work and they don't cost $15/month HDTivo is a no brainer for me.

Comcast Chris: I tried calling your direct number you provided in previous posts but it doesn't accept voice mail.