Was wondering how large our HD community is here in Charleston, so I thought I'd post a poll and figure out how many there are and how often you visit.

Please just answer the poll once and we can get a rough idea.......

Where is the poll?

The poll is a separate thread, should be somewhere in the first couple of pages.........

I wanted to attach it to this thread, but didn't know how.

The thread is at:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=254659

I'm curious why no one has mentioned the NBA games Time Warner has shown on channel 813 the past couple of nights. These broadcasts were amazing; definately the best HD pictures I've seen on my set. An NO drop outs! Too bad the channel is now "blacked out", as I believe it was only an April promotion to TW cable outlets. Hope they pick it back up.

Anyone know when to expect more HD programing on Time Warner?

I have had my 3100HD from TWC since the middle of April. They assure me that ESPN-HD and Discovery Channel-HD will be added in the very near future. I have not been able to pin down a date.

planenut:
thanks for the link to the poll, didn't even think about that

usrsld:
hello. you and pcm19 are the only members that i know that have TW HD service. DirecTV has been showing some of these NBA TV games on their HD-PPV channel for free as well, but it's not all the time. I don't know if the games you saw corresponded with those shown on DirecTV or not. There's a thread at the top of the HD Programming Forum that discusses this NBA-TV in more detail.

Last year Hdnet carried the Derby as well as NBC didn't they. It doesn't show on their web site so I guess they couldn't work out the deal...?

Last year HDNet basically did the HD Production and passed it on to NBC, just like the Olympics. This year NBC is doing it by themselves and apparently HDNet is not involved at all.

update from Tony at ABC:


Transmitter is in, We had RF on our ant.but no video.Next week thay are
coming to install the rest of the equipment.Let me know if you need more
info.I will be busy next week helping to install the rest of the RF
equipment.William when we are ready to test the equipmet "I WILL EMAIL YOU A
DAY AHEAD SO YOU CAN LOOK AT THE RF SINGAL.DO EMAIL ME BACK TO LET ME KNOW
HOW OUR SINGAL LOOKS.

TONY

Planenut:
Thanks for the update. I'm really hoping that the May 15th date will be met.


Admittedly I have primarily been watching the Stanley Cup playoffs, but during intermissions I'll jump over to 47 and see what's happening, check picture quality etc..... Anyone else notice a decrease in drop-outs? I can't remember the last time I saw one. Didn't know if I just had good timing or if they might have corrected the glitch.

Hey guys:

I am out of town and I was wondering if WCBD has done anymore testing or is on the air with the digital signal yet? I thought that they were further ahead of WCIV but it looks like they might be on air first based on the post by planenut.

HDSC:
Don't know of any more testing.
Not on the air.
Not sure why.

I received a letter from Time Warner yesterday indicating that HBO HD and Showtime HD go live May 6th. They also stated that they will carry the local's HD broadcasts as soon as they begin transmitting.

pcm19: Any word on ESPN HD on Time Warner?

Not specifically. The last sentence of the letter reads "In addition, we are working to provide HD versions of your favorite cable channels". I assume this means ESPN, Discovery etc...

pcm19:
Thanks for the update!

Just a guess here, but WCBD might be negotiating with Time Warner about carriage and that may explain why they're not on the air. Although you would think the demand would be higher if they were already broadcasting.
I'm reaching for a reason that WCBD has not flipped the switch.

I'm thinking they are just saving whatever it costs to run that transmitter until they HAVE to turn it on?

WCBD your time is running out! Federal mandate or voluntary compliance? These members of the (avsforum) CHS area HD threads will remember when you start pitching your HD promos. Flip the switch and make us all happy:)

Sorry to be late, but WCBD was broadcasting this past Friday during the day on 2.1. I saw some John Walsh show on; but of course they stopped in the evening

I noticed 5-1 and 5-2 were off air so I emailed him to make sure he knew and he gave an immediate reply. I wish the other channels would respond like Eldon...


It's not just you. We are off the air right now trying to fix some cooling leaks (bad solder joints) that have been bothering us for some time. They aren't serious, but have to be fixed. I hope to be back up by mid afternoon, but have told the factory guy we must be back up in time for prime time. I had intended to warn everyone, but let it slip past me. I hope it doesn't cause too much trouble.

Eldon

Now that is service, WCSC is tops on the list. I sent an email to WSAV 3-1 in Jan and have not rec a reply yet. Eldon need to get paid more for his outstanding work.
Jim in Beaufort

new update from Eldon just came in...

Some of you noticed our DTV signal was off the air today. We had some transmitter cooling leaks to repair. We did get most of them fixed (it turned out to be a bigger job than we expected), but we will have to go off again tomorrow to finish the job. Hopefully it won't take as long. We did run into another problem when we brought the transmitter back up. Part of the high voltage circuits for one of the cabinets (there are two) quit on us about ten minutes after we turned it on. If you notice a lower signal tonight than normal, it's because we are at half power. Of course it happened after 5 PM so we couldn't get the piece ordered tonight. We will get back to full power as soon as we can.



Thanks for your patience,



Eldon

I think that the other two stations wish it away. At least (5) communicates and explains. WE CAN HANDLE THE TRUTH! How about you?

Got word today from a source at WCBD that Channel 50 will go live this coming Monday at 2 pm. They plan to broadcast from 2 pm until 2 am every day.

Great news! Now I can see Leno in HD.

When they go live...will it be full power?

Anyone notice audio "crackling" on 5-1?

Great news on 50. Hope the source is right.

Planenut
I have the same crackling, must be from 5-1, not on 11-1

shuttermaker:
I'm assuming that it will be full power, relative to their location.

It's a new source and one that I "accessed" indirectly, but he's been reliable in the past according the guy I got the information from.

Is that four whole days prior to the deadline? assuming May 15 was still a deadline for ABC and NBC... :)

From Eldon:

Sorry about missing the aquarium and "over Charleston" video this week. It has not really been a normal week, with the transmitter work Monday and the weather Tuesday. We will try again next Monday and Tuesday at the same time, 7:30 PM.



We did get all the cooling leaks fixed. The new part to get us back up to full power came in today, but it is broken. It looks like it was bad from the factory and should not have ever been shipped. They have promised me we would have another one tomorrow. We'll see. In the meantime, we are still at half power.



We are still trying to isolate the cause of the dropouts. We have narrowed it down to one of three boxes, and we are working with the manufacturer to test each box. One of these boxes is a computer, and the other two are computer controlled, so files are being emailed back and forth. We have nothing definitive yet, but we are hopeful.



Thanks for your patience.



Eldon

Originally posted by KTrout
Got word today from a source at WCBD that Channel 50 will go live this coming Monday at 2 pm. They plan to broadcast from 2 pm until 2 am every day.


Does anyone know if the problem with tuning Channel 50 in with DirectTV STB's is fixed. It seemed like people were saying that since the DirectTV guide info was incorrect that they wouldn't be able to find 2-1. I have had 2-1 in my guide with every scan, but of course there hasn't been any signal. When it comes up will I see it on this 2-1? BTW, I have a Samsung TS-160 STB.

Thanks, Andy

Andy:
The answer is I don't know. Won't know until they start checking again. I'm pretty sure DirecTV hasn't corrected the problem because it's hard to find someone there that understands it. I haven't had a chance to try it out with the new zip code entered. I'll let you know. By the way, I've had that same 2-1 for a long time and have not ever seen a signal on it.

Not sure how your STB adds new ch, but on my 151 I just punch in 50 and if the signal is on it will change to 2-1 and add to ch mem. as 2-1. I never use scan it will drop ch that I can not pick up due to direction ant is pointed.

Andy
I just did a DirecTV setup again yesterday and the STB still thinks 2.1 is on 57 instead 0f 50. If there is a signal ,then I can do an auto program for local channels and it checks D-Ant, Ant and cable for signals and it will add 50 as 2.1. I can also manually add one channel with my STB. I just select a station to manually add (i.e. 50) and it checks for a signal at 50 on D-Ant, Ant and cable again. If it finds it then I can add it, if not then I can type in 50.1 to get to it and then add it to my favorites list.

Andy
On my STB if I type 50 and it finds a signal it will add to my mem. list, If it does not get a signal it can not be added. I can add any ch to fav list if it is in ch mem.
Jim

Thanks for all of your advice regarding tuning in 2-1. I guess I will wait and see. My box is both a ATSC and analog tuner, and I have cable hooked up in one input for local analog broadcasts, since it is effectively free (with discounts) when you have internet access. If I type in 50 it looks for 50 analog, which I doesn't exist on Knology. Maybe once WCBD signal is up it will scan the digital spectrum as well and tune it in.

Regarding dropouts, 1 last night on CSI at ~9:39.
Might just be me, I am back to 77% signal (damn trees!) I am getting a bigger antenna this weekend for the attic.


Andy

Hi Guys,
Just for kicks and grins, I wanted to let you know that many mornings here in Newberry, SC, I can pick up channel 5's DT signal (47). It only lasts until about 7-7:30am normally, but it's fun to see such a good picture from that far away.
By the way, if anyone doesn't know where Newberry is, we are about 35 miles west of Columbia just off of I-26.
Corey

cohbraz : What kind of setup do you have?

pcm19:

How do you feel about the 3100 Box? Does it do a pretty good job? How does the upconverted SD picture look? Let us know when you get a chance.

Thanks

Originally posted by shuttermaker
cohbraz : What kind of setup do you have?

Well, I own a shop that sells and services HD TV sets and sell terrestrial HD tuners, so I have tried both the Samsung SIR-T151 and am currently usind a Zenith HDV-420. For the TV, I have a Zenith R56W28, made by Hitachi.

I have tried different types of antennas
Channel Master UHF Yagi (4248?) did extremely well.
Winegard HD-7082 VHF/UHF was fair.
Antennacraft C480 did good.
And right now I am using a Channel Master 3679 VHF/UHF combo which works very good.
With all of these antennas, I am using a Winegard AP8700 amplifier and a Channel Master 9521 Remote Controlled Rotor. This antenna is chimney mounted on my house.

I also sell and install the antennas, so it makes it easy to test these units.
At my shop, I use a freight damaged Antennacraft C480 with a Channel Master 0064 amplifier and 9521 rotor. As my main HD display TV, I use a Zenith C34W23-2 with the built-in tuner, tuned to SCETV's HD demo channel.

If anybody has any questions about these antennas or tuners, I may be able to help. Just let me know!
Corey

Ktrout

I've been satisfied with the 3100 so far. The upconverted SD signel is much better than the analog signal from channel 5. Unfortunately I am having a problem recieving HBO HD and found out from the tech that others are having the same problem as well. Seems there is a software bug. They are working it out with Scientific Atlanta to get things straight. My wife reminds me to be patient, that there are always bugs in new technology.

pcm19:

thanks for the response, unfortunately for you i'm not done.

After I did a bit of research I have a few questions...... do you have any aspect ratio control with the box, ie. stretch to fill the screen to avoid burnout? and do you have any video quality issues with output to vcr?

thanks in advance.

ktrout:

If there is I haven't discovered it, they didn't provide an owner's manual. They provide copies of the manuals for their older units on their website (twcsc.com) and hopefully the 3100 with be added as they roll more into the hands of customers. I looked on SA's website and all I could find was a connection guide. My TV is a 60" Sony LCD projection that will not burn in, I can also fill the screen with the TV controls in several modes, "wide zoom" providing the best viewing because it zooms vertically and horizontally rather than stretching the picture to the sides of the screen. VCR output is fine using the composite video & audio out out. I use the digital coax out to my Dolby Digital surround receiver. For HD I use the component video out (no RGB port) and audio out directly to the TV in order to just watch the TV without the surround unit on.

Hey Guys,
Just thought I would subscribe to this thread to see if anyone could see WLTX-DT in Charleston and the area? Also if you have any questions for me, feel free to ask away.

Dan Stalnaker
Director Operations/Technology

Dan'sHiPix : I don't personally know anyone that can receive the Columbia stations . OLjim is about the only persona I could think of that might have a chance of pulling it in .


I turned on my TV and did my typical HD scan for the day and low and behold channel 50 WCBD was braodcasting ! Hopefully it's for good so we can have a little variety in HD material ! Now all we need is channel 4 to get on the ball and join the other stations in the low country !

Dan'sHiPix:
Like JeffD, I don't know anyone in this area able to pull in your station. I thought about trying to pull in your stations but figured the aggravation of being on the fringe would only compound the obvious local situation.

My scan still didn't work with the 29406 area code, however I can punch in 50-1 and pull it in. That's not a WCBD issue, it's a problem with DirecTV. The signal wasn't very good, jumping between 25 and 65. As a matter of fact if I didn't have it amplified I don't think I would have gotten it at all. I'll have to see how Leno looks. If I wasn't configuring my wife's laptop this evening I'd post all the NBC shows being broadcast in HD.

I don't know if WCBD is broadcasting in full power or not. Will have to ask.

Thanks to WCBD for joining the HD movement here in Charleston.

Im not able to pull in WCBD signal at all.

shuttermaker:
did you get your amplifier yet?

Here's NBC Shows from their website:
American Dreams, Boomtown, Crossing Jordan, Ed, ER, Frasier, In-Laws, Hidden Hills, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno are currently broadcast in HDTV.

Not sure if they are all still airing or not.

I hope WCBD (NBC) is added to TIme Warners lineup soon. Anyone have any info on a timetable? I know WCSC came on TW about a week after the station went live.

KTrout: Not yet...soon I hope.

I am getting wcbd now and guess what< The Tonight show host Leno has been replaced by Katie Couric. I knew that we had been waiting along time for digital signals, but this is disturbing! Next thing you know Leno will show up on the morning show :). PS: Mapped to 50 (manual) which remapped to 2.1 Signal strength appears to be low.

Originally posted by usrsld
I hope WCBD (NBC) is added to TIme Warners lineup soon. Anyone have any info on a timetable? I know WCSC came on TW about a week after the station went live.


usrsld:

Have you been able to view HBO HD on TWC (channel 901)? It is supposed to be available to HBO subscribers with the 3100HD box but I am not able to get it and they can't figure out the reason. Thanks for any insite. As far as adding WCBD, they told me TWC would add each local as soon as the local was live and agreed to be xmitted on TWC.

Good news re: remapping Channel 2-1!

Hughes just called me back from several weeks ago. They have made a fix that will take care of this problem as well as futured added channels. The fix is in the final testing stages. The fix will go out to DirecTV and be transmitted on 5/21 at 1:00 am. All will happen automatically on our end.

I'm not sure how this will help the non Hughes owners with this problem but maybe they will happen at a similar time.

That is good news.....now if I could only get above a 6% signal for WCBD I may be in business.....

Thanks planenut

Has anyone noticed?..

My signal seems inconsistent today. up and down between the low 70's and 100 percent. maybe it is just the wind blowing the antenna around but I haven't seen it like this before. It holds true for both 47 and 50. I haven't tried fox/upn.

They have parts being delivered and people coming to install.... Hope to be on air the 27th or so. Might see some hockey after all.

planenut:
Thanks, you just saved me a frustrating call to DirecTV this evening.

no problem...

pcm19: I have channel 901 on my guide and can change to the channel, but I don't subscribe to HBO and can't access the programing so I'm not much help.

Around 9 this evening I did a scan with my Samsung TS-160, and it found 2-1. Changed to it and the picture came in great for Frasier, but the sound was screwed up, loud buzzing in both front speakers.

I have had 2-1 in my guide come up for weeks, but this is the first time I have received a signal. The signal strength is 69%. If the sound was tolerable I would be watching right now. Anyone else have the sound problem. I think that DirectTV must have fixed the guide problem.

Andy

No luck w/ my DST3k w/ the scan. Only going to favorite punched in as 50-1. I'm hoping that the fix planenut orchestrated will take care of my problem.

AndrewG : While I was watching Frasier for what I could stand I was getting the same buzzing noise on mine . It would not do it during the commercials but once it switched to HD it would start . I just checked the Tonight Show and all seems well now . Also I am amazed at how good the Tonight Show looks !

Got back from trip last night and found 2-1 is on, seems like signal is up and down. Are they at low power, temp ant or what? Saw 5-1 had the fish on last night at 7;30
Jim

AndrewG: sorry this is so late, but i don't recall ever having any audio problems.

oljim: again you surprise me being able to pick-up a little bit of channel 50. they're supposed to only be broadcasting at 11kW and that's probably what they're doing right now.

jeffd:
tried to catch Leno on Monday night but it didn't appear they flipped the switch, was it definitely HD last night?

Additional Update on WCIV

Engineer indicated that they would be broadcasting 5.1 as soon as they go on air for source programs with 5.1 from ABC.

5.1 is definitely a bonus w/ hockey.

IF WCIV holds true to their schedule we'll see all Stanley cup games broadcast on ABC.

Check out Law and Order on WCBD at 10 this evening (between the first and second periods, eh).

Is ER not HD. I am thinking it is just letterbox as it doesn't fill my screen??

Pretty sure it's supposed to be in HD, but i thought i'd seen a few threads where some weeks it's in HD others it's not.

If I'm home in time from the Matrix tomorrow night I guess I'll find out.

Actually it was a brain thing... I was actually referring to West Wing. I checked Galaxy and it isn't listed as HD.

Law and Order looks great. DD 2.0 audio, but the pictures makes up for it. Too bad NBC doesn't have much HD. I think ER should be tomorrow, right.

By the way I installed the Radio Shack U-75R UHF-only antenna in my attic tonight. I am not sure the angle I have it aimed but it is somewhat NE, I don't think it is aimed at any of the stations directly. I got 2-1, 5-1, 5-2, 24-1, and 36-1 tonight, just two to go!.


Andy

Hey guys,

For what it's worth, I have had no luck with CH 50 in the St. George area. Someone back up this thread indicated that CH 2 may go full power immediately, but that seems to not be the case. This also seems to be confirmed by KTrout when he says they are only at 11kw. We have all waited a long time, but you all in Charleston can at least be thankful that you're already getting 2 and 24. I get neither, but find myself watching a lot more of Ch 5!

Daryal.

Originally posted by KTrout

jeffd:
tried to catch Leno on Monday night but it didn't appear they flipped the switch, was it definitely HD last night?


Mark it was definitely HD the past 2 nights ! Hell my wife even complimented on the Leno show , she wondered why the pic looked so good . I finally got to tell her thats what real HD content looks like ! Let's hope ER looks good tonight in HD since it is the season finale .

WCBD is not broadcasting ER in HD. It is still the best it has ever looked to me compared to all previous analog versions.:D

Leno looked great last night in HD, so we know they can do it.

Andy

Dan's HiPix,

I live in St. George, near the intersection of I-95 and I-26. I did a channel scan last night, and picked up WLTX 19-1 and 19-2. This really surprised me since my antenna is in the attic, pointed at Charleston. Previously, the only signal I was able to receive was CH 5 in Charleston. While I was glad to see another channel, I was also disappointed that it was a CBS affiliate. It would be nice to get some other networks. It is difficult, if not impossible, to rotate my antenna without disassembly. Also, it is the same antenna that I use for analog reception, so I doubt that I will be rotating it. It would be interesting to see if I can pull in any other Columbia channels.

Daryal.

Daryal
Put the ant outside then you should get 19-1/2 CBS, 25-1/2, ABC 41-1/2 NBC, 57-1. FOX I know where you can get the CM 9521 rotor/rem for $50 w/no tax or ship.
Jim

oljim,

I have plenty of space for an outside antenna, including a chimney that's about 35 ft high, but the wife is rather sensitive to the appearance. Can't really say that I blame her. I have lived in the country for all my life (36 yrs), and we only had OTA until I finally got DirecTV about 4 years ago. Never even considered putting the antenna in the attic until we built the new house, and my electrician suggested it. I must admit that it does look a little better, and I like not having to worry about winds and such. Do you know how the Columbia stations compare in location and power? Unless 19 is much closer, or much stronger, I was thinking maybe a cheap UHF from RS might be worth a try, pointed toward Columbia. It would be 180 degrees from Charleston.

thanks for the feedback!

Daryal.

You could get a R/S U 75 UHF for about $23, and point it at Columbia. Only problem is 25-1 is on Vhf ch 8. You would need a 2nd run of RG-6 and an A/B switch. Hooking 2 ant to one down lead is not good with DTV signal.
Do you have room to turn inside ant?
Jim

The U 75 is only 38 in long

I could rotate a small VHF only, but not the huge existing RS UHF/VHF combo. I would like to get the other networks, but not at much cost or time, as eventually I will get the same programming from Charleston. Problem with a rotator is that the same antenna serves many TVs on the analog side.

I may try the RS 75 and just see if I get the UHF channels, or get a smaller combo and connect only to HD receiver. Will probably use an A/B switch between the two antennas at the HD receiver for now.

The biggest hurdle is time, as three boys during baseball season doesn't leave much time for watching TV, much less working on it!

thanks again for the help.

Daryal.

Keep the big ant for all the reg ch and use the U 75 just for DTV, then you would not need A/B sw and you could turn the U75 with rotor.

I just got back from Orlando. Glad to see WCBD in digital now. But seeing all the channels in Orlando in HDTV or EDTV sure made me jealous. They also have PBS HDTV along with Showtime HD and HBO HD on Time Warner cable. They had a Charleston presentation on PBS while I was down there that looked awesome.
I also found a display model of the JVC D-VHS recoder at Circuit City while I was down there. Nice to be able to record HDTV now. Now I can tape Leno instead of having to stay up til 12:30!

LuvThatHDTV
What kind of tape does the JVC D VHS use and how do you like it so far

oljim: I love it!!! It use a D-VHS tape which looks identical to a VHS tape but costs alot more. A tape which can record 4 hours of HDTV at full resolution costs about $25. But it records perfectly; I can't tell the difference between live and the taped version.
The only thing is, you need a TV with a built in tuner and firewire ports (or possibly in the future, a STB with firewire ports) in order to record HDTV. My Mit does have the firewire ports.
The strange thing is; when recording DTV I have two channel options. 2 and 5; there's no mention of 5.1 and 5.2. But when I record 5 I get two outputs. The S-video output from the VCR has the 5.2 recorded and the firewire output has the 5.1 recorded. It's still very much a learning experience. Next I have to buy some pre-recorded tapes to watch; probably Daredevil whe it comes out.

I do not have a firewire on my STB. What mod Mits do you have? I have a friend with a 65 Mits w built in d tuner. we have yet to get it to pick up anything. He has a lot of trees but I could get 5-1 3-1 11-1 (Sav) and 4-1 (Jax) on my Sami 151 on his ant. His book has very little info on the DTV tuner. Not sure what the mod # is but it says Platinum on the front.

Looks like channel 2 went off the air for awhile to fix their problems they were having earlier .


Also on another note how about channel 4 ( ABC ) ? Shouldn't they be up and running by now ?

LuvTHatHDTV and other Mits owners:
Glad to hear that your D-VHS is working wonderfully!!! I also have a Mits (55511) and was wondering if you knew about Mits finally giving up on the firewire and caving into the DVI market. All future Mits products will have Firewire AND DVI.....so where does that leave us with HD-DVD and other DVI required viewings?????

At the HomeTheatreSpot, there is a discussion on this if you want to read it http://www.********************/htsthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB10&Number=400691&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

Wasn't sure if you were aware of it or not....
Paul, owner of the Spot, is in the process of writing a letter to Mits and before he sends it, we all plan on signing. If you don't follow the Spot also, I will let you know when it is ready for signing if you want to.

I am ready for Stanley Cup in HD/5.1!!! HDNet spoiled me throughout the year with NHL and now they have MLS in HD. Can't say I am a fan of Soccer but I watch it cause it's in HD......

I wonder if other broadcasters realize how much more viewing they would get if broadcasted in HD (even if the shows aren't any good). We watch stuff we wouldn't normally watch JUST cause it is in HD.

I was just looking at antennaweb and it has no listing for WCIV-DT. What DTV ch will it be on. No listing for WCBD DT
Jim

Originally posted by AndrewG
WCBD is not broadcasting ER in HD. It is still the best it has ever looked to me compared to all previous analog versions.:D

Leno looked great last night in HD, so we know they can do it.

Andy

Is there someplace I can check on whether NBC is broadcasting a show in HD. I know that WCBD dropped the ball on Thursday and didn't send the ER HD feed out to us. During the opening credits on ER there is a banner that says Broadcast in HD where available. I thought it was available to us now ;) . I always am excited to see that on CBS shows.

I get the impression that Law and Order:CI is HD but we don't see it. I just don't know for sure so I wanted to find some source.

Andy

Andy:
I think all the Law and Orders are in HD and it looked like it was in HD last night as well. Didn't watch it, but checked to see. I e-mailed TitanTV to let them know WCBD was now broadcasting in HD so they could add them to the local area. They wrote me back and said they were in the process of verifying that with the station.

JeffD:
WCIV indicated to me earlier that a technician is on site right now and that they should be up by the 26th. We'll see, but it might just happen in time for the Stanley Cup.

I was in Knoxville over the weekend and nearly drove off the road checking out their TV towers. Looked like the CBS affiliate was staging to pull their transmitter up and secure it to the tower.

Well gotta get back to work.

Oh by the way, did you all catch how LuvThatHDTV talked about a HD show on PBS when he mentioned his D-VHS recorder? We all know that he's probably already put his Bikini Destinations tapes on order!

Yes, Law & Order, L & W: CI, and L & W: SVU are all broadcast by NBC in HD. ER is also in HD. I don't know about any other NBC shows; those are the only ones I watch on NBC.
Corey
Audio Video Electronics

To see the DTV listings for the Charleston market go to www.100000watts.com
They list all of the tv stations for each market along with the DT stations. Thats how I found out the channel assignments for the upstate,columbia, and charlotte markets, of which I get Dt from each.

oljim: I started replying last night and when I went to submit the reply the forum was down so I lost it. I have a Platinum Plus WS-65611 and the tuner is kinda lame since there is no signal meter on it. But if his antenna works correctly then maybe he's connected to the wrong input. There are 2 regular cable/antenna inputs, 1 cable/antenna loop out put and a DTV-ANT input on my TV; maybe he's connected to the wrong input. But if you're sure he's connected to the right input then he needs to do an auto channel memory scan, or he can manually add the channel. But to add the channel he needs to add 47 or 50, not 5.1 or 2.1. I didn't get my tuner to work until I did the autoscan.

10137two: Thanks I'll check it out..

Ktrout: Nope, the live-in won't let me do the Bikini Dest., but I gave it a heluva try!

Originally posted by enoree
To see the DTV listings for the Charleston market go to www.100000watts.com
They list all of the tv stations for each market along with the DT stations. Thats how I found out the channel assignments for the upstate,columbia, and charlotte markets, of which I get Dt from each.

Thanks, but I was looking for a listing of what is on HD each night. I know TitanTV would have it but it currently does not have WCBD listed as active.

Tonight the Tonight Show is not in HD. Someone is literally asleep at the switch lately at WCBD.

Andy

LuvThatHDTV
I had ant going to the DTV ant input, Did the ch scan and it did add 11-1 (15) and 3-1 (39) several times but never did we get any pict or sound.. I am going out and try a UHF ant in different location. He has a lot of big pine trees. I also picked up a rotor to give 5-1 a try, his ant is pointed at Sav Ga now

AndrewG:

You can add WCBDDT to your guide on TitanTV. Just go into the My Guide section and customize the Digital section. You enter the channel number and call letters and you can thn get the info. For example, it shows on the guide that Frazier and Leno are the only things in HD for NBC tonight. I have tried to add WCIV but can't because they aren't active.

Originally posted by pcm19
AndrewG:

You can add WCBDDT to your guide on TitanTV. Just go into the My Guide section and customize the Digital section. You enter the channel number and call letters and you can thn get the info. For example, it shows on the guide that Frazier and Leno are the only things in HD for NBC tonight. I have tried to add WCIV but can't because they aren't active.

Thanks, that worked. I tried a few days ago, maybe last week and it wouldn't take the information.

Andy

oljim: That's odd about getting no picture or sound, he's not using an antenna amplifier is he? My amp has a "FM trap" switch and didn't work correctly with the FM trap on, but works fine with it off. It would be nice if the DTV tuner had a signal meter to help tune it in. Good luck with it, maybe his tuner is bad?

We had an amp, but I took it off. Hope to get out and work with it some more next week

Originally posted by pcm19
For example, it shows on the guide that Frazier and Leno are the only things in HD for NBC tonight.

Frazier was not in HD last night! Is there a contact person at WCBD we could call?

Andy

I don't want to sound like a broken record (people still remember those?) but no HD during Law and Order again tonight. I left feedback on the web page and a voice mail for the General Manager regarding the lack of HD retransmission.

It is possible they don't realize it maybe no one there is watching :confused:

Andrew:
Jack indicated that the switching was supposed to be automatic, obviously for one reason or the other it's not happening.

Call the station, punch whatever number is required to get the news desk, and then ask for engineering. Sometimes they're not too busy to pick up the line. If they don't, explain to the news person that the show is not being broadcast in high definition and ask them to have someone "flip the switch". Usually within ten to fifteen minutes it's corrected.

I would suggest that you maybe check the forum to make sure it's being broadcast nationally first though. Sometimes, it's a national problem.

Telephone numbers can be found here Charleston HD Contacts (http://www.markuyak.com/schdtv/schdtv.htm)

Well, I did try, hoping to get the final L & O in HD tonight, but no answer to any numbers or extension, news, engineering, programming, etc, just voice mail. I will contact them tomorrow during business hours.

Andy

I just e-mailed Jack and asked him to look into it as well. Lucky for me I've been watching hockey and not noticed.

Mark any word on when Comcast is going to roll out the beta testing ?

I had a phone call from the General Manager at WCBD this morning and an email from Jack Becknell this morning regarding the lack of HD lately at WCBD. Here is the explaination from Jack:

NBC developed a problem with their high definition network
equipment in our station. The network has not deployed back-up High
Definition equipment yet, so if the HD system goes down, we must use
standard definition as the back-up. We have a replacment system on the way,
and will be back on the air in HD very shortly.


Andy

Bad News: I'll start with info that AndrewG has already divulged. Got the same info from Jack. The NBC HD receiver died. No time frame was given for when replacement would be here.

Good News: Eldon let me know that they might have discovered the specific piece of equipment that might be causing the drop-outs. They tried several things suggested by the manufacturer without any luck and are now getting shipped a new one. Could be problem solved.

Bad News: WCIV might not be up before the end of the Stanley Cup. They are still waiting on a piece of equipment and the expected date is now "the first week in June". Ouch.

Good News: Can't get too specific here but it looks like COMCAST will have HD capability well before the end of the year.

Well that's about it for now. Anyone else have anything to add?

I e-mailed WCBD regarding the black bars on the sides of SD material on Channel 50 and it doesn't look like they've had a chance to change them or don't want to.

I noticed the following channels in my Comcast guide today:

181 - WCIV
182 - WCSC
183 - WTAT
185 - WMMP

Looks like they are starting to test HD.

-brian

Originally posted by KTrout

Bad News: WCIV might not be up before the end of the Stanley Cup. They are still waiting on a piece of equipment and the expected date is now "the first week in June". Ouch.


It seems they are always waiting on a piece of equipment . I remember in January they were waiting for a piece of equipment :rolleyes: .

from a source at comcast... They are Alpha testing starting tonight. Whatever Alpha testing is?

Here's info from Jack at WCBD.

"Got the new receiver, put it in, and it was worse than the one we had! NBC had a
serious HD encoder failure in New York about a week back, and the system has not
worked right since. We now have a problem in the NBC dish and downlink
electronics. Standard def (digital signals too) are OK, but the HD is still out
to lunch with annoying video flashing. NBC has not deployed a HD back-up system
yet - standard def is the only backup. A new SD and HD system is rolling out
this fall - thank goodness.

NBC is working on our problem, and we should be back in HD soon. Just when we
get all the switching system working right, there goes the rest of the system.
Thanks for watching. Feel free to share this info. Tell everyone to call NBC [I'm sure he means National NBC] and
complain until it gets fixed!"

Jack

Anyone had any luck with the re-mapping fix DirecTV indicated would happen back on the 21st? Tried a scan last night and didn't see a difference and then discovered that my amplifier might be gonzo. And that's where I left it.

I also just tried a DirecTv setup and still get the same thing

I tried the DireTV thing also...no change

I have not been home much lately. Is NBC back up? If not, are the transmitting a SD image upconverted or nothing at all? I guess ABC is still waiting on a part?

We've decided to go ahead and set a date and see what happens.

Next Tuesday night, June 3rd @ WCSC's main studio, Eldon will give a tour of the equipment that makes thing happen at Channel 5. For those that went on the tower tour, a continuation of sorts.

Unfortunately, there's only room for about 12 or so people, so if you are interested please contact me as soon as possible. Probably the best way is to PM me unless you've already got my e-mail. Doesn't really matter. Please only reply if you are serious in going.

Which I think most of you would be, it's pretty cool to see behind the scenes and see what has to happen for information, analog and/or digital/HD, to get to us.

We'll meet in the lobby by 7pm and then go wherever we go. It shouldn't take longer than an hour / hour and a half (depending on the number of questions). Mike will probably be there to help as well.

Again, please let me know.

Thanks,
Mark

From Eldon at WCSC :

would appreciate it if you all would do me a favor. Please watch the next few days for dropouts and let me know what you see. I think we have it fixed, but the last time I thought that they were just happening when I wasn't looking, so I am not ready to say it is fixed until we go a couple of days without dropouts.



Thank you for your help,



Eldon

I emailed him and told him I would keep a log for the next couple of days

Anyone else for the tour??? We've got some spots to fill.

Originally posted by KTrout

Bad News: WCIV might not be up before the end of the Stanley Cup. They are still waiting on a piece of equipment and the expected date is now "the first week in June". Ouch.



I'm working for ABC on the NBA finals, and we're doing the largest HDTV broadcast ever done in history. That's the bad news: you won't get to see any of that in HD. I'll tell you that it looks great from the TV truck though- but talk about a technical nightmare getting everything up before the show. If you only knew what went on behind the scenes...

Mike

Is this the 2000 NTA Emmy award winning Mike Tiffee?

Mike,
Is the technical nightmare more process or politics? I was under the impression that ESPN was actually handling a lot of the HD "producing" and passing it on to ABC. Is that correct? Is that also part of the problem?
Or is it more with the increased demand from a cabling perspective? We've got the time if you care to expand, not asking you to shovel dirt or anything, but I'm curious as to what makes it more difficult.

Originally posted by KTrout
Is this the 2000 NTA Emmy award winning Mike Tiffee?

Mike,
I was under the impression that ESPN was actually handling a lot of the HD "producing" and passing it on to ABC. Is that correct? Is that also part of the problem?


Yes, the same Mike Tiffee. I'm working the ABC shootaround show, which is the pregame to the ABC NBA game. I do it onsite, interfaced with the game truck. I also do halftime, sports center, and ESPNews from there.

Yes, ESPN is producing the entire product and just piping (actually fiber) it to ABC. But that doesn't make it any more difficult, it really doesn't matter. The difficulty lies in the fact that it's never been done before, much of what we're doing. The HD truck, NMT HD4, is fresh on the road, and the show just keeps getting bigger and bigger. This is the biggest show ESPN has ever produced. We have something like 38 cameras??

I'm in the Atlanta airport right now heading to San Antonio. I'll know more tonight and tomorrow, and if I have time, will post more info here.

I also brought my digicam so I can take some pics.

Mike

Sure would be nice if ESPN and DirecTV could reach an agreement on broadcasting ESPNHD

Mike:
Thanks for the post. I look forward to hearing from you, although I would be more excited if you were heading to Anaheim!!!!

38 cameras does seem like a lot. Like most people we're not privy to ESPN-HD right now, but I have noticed during some of the basketball coverage that the overhead "cable" cam does not appear to be an HD camera. Is there a physical or technical reason for this? I don't really know anything about the way these things work but am curious. I don't think that wireless has gotten to the point where that amount of information could be thru-put (reliably), but again I simply don't know.
I'll try to think of a few more things that you could answer (time permitting) and post them later.

Thanks again for contributing and have a safe flight.

Tried 34 again tonight before the game started, and didn't have any luck. No chance for HD hockey this evening.

Mike:
Is the Alamodome "pre-wired" for HD? I read about certain venues already having the fiber / cable network to support HD in place. Does that make it easier for you or do you find that only having some of what you need in place just cause more work? Any favorite locations as far as pre-wiring?

And what exactly do you do? I'm guessing production manager / editor / director...... :) (what didn't I cover there)

Tour tomorrow night at WCSC.

Later,
Mark

WCIV Update

Channel 4 is still waiting on Microwave to arrive and be installed. Don't know when that will happen. Everything else is in place.

I'll update as I know something.

John S.:
If you get this in time you're welcome to come to tour.

Just wanted to say a big, public
THANK YOU
to Mark (KTrout) and especially Eldon and WCSC for the marvelous tour of WCSC's facility!

My wife is doubly jealous that she didn't get to attend since that storm knocked out our power for almost the entire time we were at the station.

We were fortunate to catch Bill Walsh do a weather break live - it's a lot harder than it looks, and he ends up being like a maestro bouncing between several computer systems highlighting various information.

Where is the video of Eldon giving the finger to the HD box that was causing the dropouts going to be posted? (Didn't actually happen, the finger that is!)

Now I just need a refresher on the HD display resolutions (still a little confused over 720P vs 1080i displays, even though I'm a computer guy). A few thousand extra bucks wouldn't hurt, either!
-JFS

jfschroeder:
Here are a few links which may help your confusion over the 720p vs. 1080i.

http://www.audio-etc.net/articles/hdtv_formats1.htm
http://www.audio-etc.net/articles/hdtv_formats2.htm
http://www.henninger.com/library/hdtvfilm/
http://www.dtvcity.com/resources/dtvchart.html
http://www.avguide.com/how_to/digital_video_1.html#2

It's Official - No Stanley Cup on ABC this year.

Microwave to arrive this week and installer arrives next Tuesday. Ugh.

KTrout,
I monitor this site even though I'm in Newberry. Mainly I just monitor it because Charleston is my favorite vacation spot, actually Mt. Pleasant.

It's a shame that you can't see the Stanley Cup finals in HD. I can receive it from WOLO 25 in Columbia and from WSOC channel 9 in Charlotte. Unfortunately, there aren't many people here that care about hockey. They look great. It's amazing how much better I appreciate the broadcast networks now that I can see them in HD. Just wait until college and pro football starts. CBS showed most of their major games in HD this fall. It was unreal.
Anyway, hope you have HD on all channels soon.
Go Ducks.
Corey

As it says, looks like Channel 2-1 has their HD signal for Law and Order tonight, but unfortunately no audio.

Slightly off topic, but good HD news for DirectTV subs. July 1 D* will carry a HD package: HDNet, HDMovies, DiscoveryHD Theater, and best of all ESPN-HD. See this thread in programming:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=266202

Andy

Are me and Andrew the only ones with no audio on NBC 50-1?

I noticed it a couple of night ago but thought it was just me?

I was out of town last week and didn't get back in time for the tour of the WCSC facility. I know it's a lot to ask, but is there any chance that there will be another tour. I would be very interested. Maybe there were others here who were unable to make the last one and would also be interested?

Regardless, it is really nice to see the kind of community concern there is with Eldon and folks at WCSC.

Another note: I forwarded my concerns to Jack at WCBD this morning regarding the audio problem.

Andy

AndrewG:
My amplifier has decided to give up on me, so I'm not able to get WCBD right now. Can't help you with the audio problem. Initially WCBD had an audio problem by trying to "create" 5.1 from another source. I suspect they might be trying it again since they received the equipment from NBC that went down on them and are back on the air.

Eldon has indicated that he'd be willing to give another tour at a later date if more people were interested. Stay tuned.

Planenut:
please e-mail Eldon with a working e-mail address. he asked about it during the tour, you must have been kicked back on a group e-mail.

Cohbraz:
I appreciate the sympathy. Actions always speak louder than words and I brought up two things for the "brass" at WCIV to strive for back in October in regards to getting HD on the air - the Superbowl and Stanley Cup. I was given hope for both of them, and then.............. I don't blame people here locally, corporate writes the checks which most likely makes the schedule. Simply, I don't think they care. This attitude also most likely explains their market position here in Charleston.
Why not use ABC's broadcast of both the Stanley Cup and NBA Finals as a marketing tool for your station? For that matter, why not have things up in time for the Superbowl?
I'll get off my soap box now and get back to work

Originally posted by KTrout

Mike:
Is the Alamodome "pre-wired" for HDAnd what exactly do you do?
Later,
Mark

Sorry for taking so long to get back, but we've been going nonstop setting up. We're at the SBC center not the Alamodome and we're on ABC HD, not ESPN HD.

Just a little info on how we wire for HD. Most all major venues are prewired with Triax which is what we've been using for years to SD connect between the truck and the cameras. 720p HD can use this triax cable. 1080i HD requires a SMPTE fiber cable. So when CBS does shows, they have to run "homeruns" to all their cameras from the trucks. Very few venues have SMPTE fiber cable pre wired.

The SBC center is prewired with triax, but there are no connectors where our TV trucks are parked, which is outside. We have lots of mobile units and satellite trucks, and we couldn't all fit in the loading dock area. So we have a huge cable run from upstairs to downstairs. I've been taking pictures, but didn't bring the cable to download to my laptop, so you'll have to wait until I get back.

Between the game truck and pregame truck, we have 37 cameras and 47 tape machines. 31 of those cameras and 28 of those tape machines are HD. Some of them are upconverted- like the super slo mos, freeflight, above the rims, floor cam, blimp, etc.

My job is technical director for the pregame, 1/2time, sportscenter, ESPNews. We have our own truck and crew of probably 40-50 people. We have 6 cameras and 19 tape machines. If you don't know, my job is to make sure everything is working in the truck, and during the show, I live switch between video sources, cutting cameras, tape machines, adding graphics, etc. lots of button pushing.

You can see my show at 8pm EST on ABC on game days. If you can get ABC from columbia or something, I'd recommend checking it out. The game is still officially the largest HDTV live broadcast ever produced. You'll notice on my show, which is produced in SD, we add "pillar bars" to the left and right side of the 4x3 signal for the 16x9 viewers.

Mike

Mike,

Thanks for the post. I can't get Alamodome out of my head when talking about that place.

Unfortunately, I can't get anything out of Columbia, probably could if I wanted to spend the time and money with Oljim's help, but it was inconceivable to me that ABC wouldn't be up yet back in December.

Anyway, couple of questions...........

1) Is wireless on the horizon in regards to camera to truck broadcasts?
2) Any physical reason freeflight camera is not HD?
3) Can the triax be "shared" or is it the case that whoever has broadcast rights get use? Do they charge you or lease the lines to you, or is that all part of the deal in coverage rights?
4) Does ABC radio utilize a portion of your truck or do they have their own deal going on?
5) How do the competing companies, CBS i.e., do a radio broadcast with you guys having such a large presence. Are they responsible for their own crap so to speak? (Kinda goes back to is pre-wired shared?)
6) Will another truck be used in Jersey, or will this one have to travel there?
7) If the truck you're in now stays, how much, if any, do you leave "hooked up"?
8) Will the same 40-50 people see this production through to it's end, or is there a substantial amount of turn-over between venues?

OK that's enough, that's all you need is to talk about work when you're not doing it. Look forward to some pics.

If you get a chance and you want some good Tex-Mex, try Pappasitos Cantina - they're on I-10 West - Tel. No. 210-691-8974

Mark

Mike,

Pappasito's is good but they're a chain! For true San Antonio flavor
Tex-Mex go down to the Riverwalk. There are several fantastic family run resturants down on the river. I went to high school there and try to get back whenever I visit family in Texas.

Phil

1) Is wireless on the horizon in regards to camera to truck broadcasts?
I seriously doubt it. Wireless technology isn't there yet, and with interference issues, etc. it can be a real mess. We do have 1 wireless camera (camera 20) that uses some new technology that allows it to travel anywhere in the arena- it's pretty amazing, but the wireless receivers are still in the building then sent to the truck via wire.

2) Any physical reason freeflight camera is not HD?
Camera doesn't exsist yet. Right now the camera is an analog 16x9 camera. The camera is housed inside a gyro pod, much like a heli pod.

3) Can the triax be "shared" or is it the case that whoever has broadcast rights get use? Do they charge you or lease the lines to you, or is that all part of the deal in coverage rights?
There may be a fee, I'm not sure. I know we're charged for power, but when a network signs a rights contract, that kind of stuff may be included. There are usually enough cables and plugs to take care of 2 or 3 trucks. Usually the national broadcast rights holder has priority over the others.

4) Does ABC radio utilize a portion of your truck or do they have their own deal going on?
no, they have their own thing going on.. probably a small studio setup, usually it's just a table in the arena with some ISDN lines. There are many many media outlets out here, and they all are self contained.

5) How do the competing companies, CBS i.e., do a radio broadcast with you guys having such a large presence. Are they responsible for their own crap so to speak? (Kinda goes back to is pre-wired shared?)
it gets crowded.

6) Will another truck be used in Jersey, or will this one have to travel there?
There are only 3 trucks in the country that can do this show. We have NMT HD4 here, and NEP SS20 in Jersey. For the pregame show, we have NMT DX-8 here and in Jersey we have NEP SS9, so different trucks. Tomorrow is going to be a taxing day. We leave on a 6:15 am flight to Jersey and will probably work all night up until game time on sunday. We had 3 days to setup here, and only 1 in Jersey. We do have a "go ahead" crew that has been setting some stuff up today, but the core crew will travel will be traveling on saturday.

7) If the truck you're in now stays, how much, if any, do you leave "hooked up"?
We'll leave almost everything hooked up. We'll bring in the physical cameras, but leave all the cables, tripods, monitors, etc.

8) Will the same 40-50 people see this production through to it's end, or is there a substantial amount of turn-over between venues?
There are probably 250 people here working for us, and probably 175 of them will travel with us to Jersey. I'm guessing here on the numbers.
We have like 8 office trailers, we use as conference rooms, command centers, etc. so there's lots of people that do office type jobs, crew coordination, errand running.

Gotta get back to work.
Mike

WCSC Drop-outs???

Guys, anybody experienced one since Eldon asked us to check it out? I admittedly haven't been watching much TV lately (save for hockey), but I did have 47 on last night for nearly two hours to monitor it and didn't have a single drop-out.

Shuttermaker: What have you noticed, I know you stayed on top of it in the earlier log. Also, did something come up, didn't see you at WCSC's tour???

Pretty interesting stuff from Mike. Anyone else have any questions for him? I had to laugh when discussing all this behind the scenes technical stuff that the only comment so far has been where to get good Tex-Mex. :)

For someone who has lived away from Texas for 13 years, finding good Tex-Mex is no trivial matter!

I do appreciate the technology info, I just wish we could see the games in HD!

Mike:
Do the celebrities involved with halftime "entertainment" ever put "restrictions" on what is shown for example?
Since I think I know that answer, what's the craziest request or demand that you've ever been a part of.

No dropouts tonight, through the beginning of CSI:Miami. Will update Eldon.


Also no dropouts during CSi:Miami. I was probably the only one watching since I am not really a hockey fan. Although I would have watched if it had been in HD :D


Andy

Got a message from Tony. Installer is in town and they will be working this evening on getting the microwave link up and if all goes well will be broadcasting HD tomorrow night during primetime. :)

I recorded CSI Miami and also had no dropouts. Looks like they might have fixed the problem!

Originally posted by KTrout
Got a message from Tony. Installer is in town and they will be working this evening on getting the microwave link up and if all goes well will be broadcasting HD tomorrow night during primetime. :)


Now that is some great news ! I am glad we will be able to see Monday Night Football this year in HD ! Sorry we missed your NHL playoffs but atleaset there is NFL to look forward too ! Are they able to do 5.1 ?

AndrewG and LuvThatHDTV:
Thanks for the feedback, Eldon will be happy to read that!

JeffD:
Tony indicated that they would be 5.1 capable right away! I normally don't watch the NBA too much, but I'll tune in tomorrow night and a) check out what mtiffee is doing and b) see if 5.1 is available. Although I just remembered that ABC / ESPN was doing "circle surround" or something like that, not sure what it is, but now I'll have to find out.

Reminder - Channel 34 is going on w/ Low Power so you might have to wiggle antenna around to get it.

Originally posted by KTrout
Got a message from Tony. Installer is in town and they will be working this evening on getting the microwave link up and if all goes well will be broadcasting HD tomorrow night during primetime. :)

I think I am going to make a call to Gary Bettman (NHL Commissioner) to see if we can extend the Stanley Cup to the best of 9 games so that we can see a game in HD.

Originally posted by KTrout
Reminder - Channel 34 is going on w/ Low Power so you might have to wiggle antenna around to get it.

How low, are they broadcasting from Awendaw at low power or from their studios like 2-1? Makes a big difference for those of us in West Ashley right?

Andy

Andrew G:
Yes it does make a difference. And from what I've learned, it's very dependent on how high the signal originates off of the ground.

They share WCSC's transmitter so it's being broadcast from Awendaw. They just don't have as much signal power being put into the multiplexar as WCSC. I wouldn't expect anyone in the immediate Charleston area to have a problem with reception because it's point of transmission is so high off of the ground. I don't know the specific power yet, will ask Tony once they are on the air. This afternoon I'm going to try and get confirmation that they'll be on the air tonight.

Thanks for all the good info. However, for those beyond the immediate Charleston area, like myself, most of these signals are still beyond our reach.

Ktrout, thanks for the offer to seek more info on CH 34. I would like to know when they expect to be at full power, if you get the chance to ask. With CH 47, Eldon said they were starting off at reduced power, and I expected 50% at best. Turned out it was closer to 90%, and I got their signal as soon as they turned it on. Probably asking too much to hope CH 34 has a similar situation...

Also, does anyone have an updated schedule for WCBD going to full power? They still have to move to the Awendaw tower, right?

Daryal

Just got e-mail from Tony requesting that I check to see if Channel 34 was live...... :)

Anyone that can, please check and let him know...... tukrainzow@wciv.com

I'm at work and can't do it right now.

I get a signal on 34 but no picture or sound and does not remap to 4-1 sig is 0-60 up and down
Jim

Same here, I get signal but no picture and no sound. The signal is very weak

where do i look on DirecTV?

DTV ch 34 should remap to 4-1 just like ch 47 remaps to 5-1

Im getting from 3 to 9 for a signal strength on CH 34...i usually get from 37 to 44 strength for CH 47 thru DTV

I am getting a signal as well but no picture . I'm getting atleast a 50% - %70 signal strength . Mine has not remapped to 4-1 yet .

signal 86-93 percent in Hanahan

No Audio/Video

Mine didnt remap to 4-1 either.

Just got home. Seeing about 60 here in Park West w/ Indoor antenna. Also don't see any re-mapping. Just e-mailed Tony w/ other indications you guys have given.

Hopefully, in an earlier e-mail he indicated they were going to try and broadcast in primetime tonight, and that means he won't put anything on line until then. Don't know for sure.

uhhh, guess again Beavis.

Still nothing here. Apparently D* still hasn't corrected the mapping issue for NBC either.

Anyone getting audio/video?

I only have a signal...

Well I guess we won"t see the NBA in HD tonight. Let's hope by the next game they will work everything out.

Nothing here either ! Damn I wanted to see some NBA in HD ! Plenty of signal but no picture !

anyone have 34 remap to 4-1 ? I stiil have no picture or sound.

As Sgt. Schultz would say - I See Nothing, Nothing.

Just talked to Master Control at the station and there's nothing he can do to change what we're seeing. Guess we'll have to wait to hear from Tony to see what's going on.

Got E-mail from Tony this morning, they still had some problems last night but everything is supposed to be corrected.
Anyone out there at home that could check and post results?

Thanks

Just talked to Tony, he's looking for feedback.

I have been on 34 for about 5 min, signal is down from last night. can not get it to lock in, signal is in and out. will see what is does for next few hrs and let you know.
Jim

just checked. Signal is better for me 100 percent. Still no pic or sound though..

Thanks guys, just passed it on to Tony, if anything changes please let me know. He was going to contact the Harris guys.

Is anyone getting a signal now or did they shut down to fix whatever was wrong.

100 percent signal. no pic/sound

Planenut,are you using an indoor antenna and if so do you use some type of in-line signal amplifier. If my signal is weak is it feasible to purchase an in-line antenna to use with my indoor antenna?

yes, ESPN/ABC encode SRS 6.1 surround. The difference between 5.1 and 6.1 is that 6.1 is discreet stereo rear, and 5.1 is mono rear. SRS and Dolby are the brand names used to encode. There's also a new format, 7.1 that adds "height" information into the signal. So an airplane flying overhead, would sound overhead.

There are still many receivers that don't decode 6.1 as it's a newer format, but it looks like 6.1 is gaining popularity. We have a blue box in the truck, that can actually "ping" the customers receiver, and automatically set it up with the proper settings on the users end. It's a feature on some receivers, but pretty cool, seeing how there's so many formats.

Mike

mheyward1,
I have an outdoor antenna.

CM 4228 about 35 feet up with a CM rotator. I don't think I need it nearly that high but I was trying to get Columbia stations which didn't happen.

for what it is worth,

Last night and this morning it said channel unavailable.
Now it says Local: regular channel.

Still no pic or sound though.

Mheyword
an amp may hurt more than help, save time and money, get an outside ant. I can get 5-1 with a $23 R/S U 75 and I am 75 miles from tower.

Originally posted by planenut
for what it is worth,

Last night and this morning it said channel unavailable.
Now it says Local: regular channel.

Still no pic or sound though.

What kind of STB do you have, I have the Samsung TS-160 and I typically get similar statements, but I am curious because i don't know how to force remapping and if I just put in 34, the STB looks for analog 34.

Andy

AndrewG,

try 34-1 not 34.
Mine is the Hughes HIRD E86

Plenty of signal and still no picture or sound . And still no remapping yet either .

same here Jeff

Not sure if I'm doing anything differently/wrong, but I haven't been able to pick up anything from our friends at WCIV. I'm using DirecTV with an amplified indoor, on which I get the CBS signal at 90-95 percent and the NBC signal at 75-85 percent.

When I turn to 34 and 34-1, the system doesn't do anything -- as if the signal just doesn't exist. There's no remapping for that reason, I'm assuming.

Spoke with Tony about 45 minutes ago,

He had found a switch he thought was wrong. I checked but had the same old thing. Strong signal, no picture or sound. Too bad.

Tony won't be in tomorrow but someone else will be working the problem he said and calling the Harris Group for support. I think it was the Harris Group.

Anyway he is aware we are hoping to see the NBA game tomorrow.

Cross your fingers!

tthorsen:
when you say you "turn to 34 or 34-1", are you doing that while checking the signal strength of the local channels via the installation portion of the STB menu?

Originally posted by KTrout
tthorsen:
when you say you "turn to 34 or 34-1", are you doing that while checking the signal strength of the local channels via the installation portion of the STB menu?

If I understand you correctly, the answer is "no." Actually, I haven't found a way to test signal strength for WCIV, yet. I seem only to be able to check signal strength for NBC and CBS. And the way I check is by going to the Antenna Info section, though I'm at work now and can't remember how I usually get there. When I try to check signal strength for 34, it doesn't let me. I'm watching on an F38310 with a built-in tuner -- I think it's the DTC-100, if that makes any sense.

tthorsen:
from the looks of things, it seems like you might want to try a "Quick Search" to update the list of channels you are receiving. Then go to the Getting Antenna Info section and check signal strength.

See attached from your instruction manual:

Im getting a signal of 3 to 15 thru my DTV STB. Not enough for picture or sound. Still no remapping from 34 to 4-1.

Originally posted by KTrout
tthorsen:
from the looks of things, it seems like you might want to try a "Quick Search" to update the list of channels you are receiving. Then go to the Getting Antenna Info section and check signal strength.

See attached from your instruction manual:

Cool. Thanks. Everything went so smoothly for 50 and 47. All I had to do was manually enter those channels and everything else took care of itself. I should have known that it'd get more difficult.

Thanks again.

I have a feeling that if 34 was configured properly that you wouldn't have had a problem.......

let us know if it works when you get a chance.

Originally posted by KTrout
I have a feeling that if 34 was configured properly that you wouldn't have had a problem.......

let us know if it works when you get a chance.

Thanks for the head's up. I'll hit you with a reply tomorrow. If they're still sending a signal, I'll check when I get home. Can anybody tell if they're still trying?

I have a Sony STB and it seems to act differently than most with WCIV from what I've been reading. For one thing, I can't manually tune to a digital channel unless I have manually added it to my list; and it won't add it to my list unless it has signal strength and can remap it. When I go to manually add 34 it takes a few seconds and then says station not available. If I randomly pick a station that doesn't exist it immediately says the station doesn't exist. So I'm obviously getting some signal but I think that since it can't remap it I can't see the signal strength since I can't tune to it. And my integrated tuner doesn't have signal strength indication and only says channel not available when I tune to it.
I get CBS at about 95% and NBC at about 80% with rabbit ears and a radio shack amplifier so I think it will be good once I can remap.
Can't wait to see what 720p looks like converted to 1080i!

My PJ is 720 so I am anxious to see how 720 looks also. Currently I have only seen 1080i converted....

Must I say it?

I don't think much of ABC. Three days they have known they have a problem. It is Friday after 5:00 pm and it still doesn't work. Not much chance of NBA finals in HD tonight...

They will probably be up after the NBA Finals are over. It would stand to reason it would have been good PR to be up and running before the Stanley Cup and NBA Championship Series.

Well, though it probably goes without saying, I'm in the same boat as everyone else. LuvThat, I think you described the same issue I'm having better than I did.

Sure is disappointing to see ABC drop the ball so badly when the Stanley Cup Finals and NBA Finals were just sitting there waiting to be broadcast locally.

Way to drop the ball ABC ! I will be highly ticked off come Monday Sept 8th if it is not working !

Anyone know when channel 2 will start showing HD again? I got an e-mail from jim Bucknell about a week ago and he said that they should be in HD mode by this week. Well the week is over and no HD programming.

Wake up WCIV. If I had the money you are spending for power to send out a useless signal, I could add 50 ft to my tower every day.

:)

Any new news today from Tony?

My son took a message today from Tony,

He says Power Supply is down and that is why we don't get video. Assuming message is accurate from my son... :)

WCSC:
I know it has probably been said before but the only local network that took this digital/HD transition seriously and by the horns was WCSC. When they had problems they e-mailed you to let you know what to expect for the evening and did everything in their power to ensure you had a digital picture to view. Score: A+

WCBD:
Now WCBD was a little late getting out of the starting gate and I know some things have happened that might be out of their control. However for the short time they had the capability to transmit HD material they were plagued with problems. I think I've only seen the Tonight Show twice in HD since they have been on the air. Score: C-

WCIV:
I really don't want to take up the time to let people know of my disgust.
You missed the Stanley Cup and NBA Finals. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.
Score: F

Talked to Tony @ WCIV late this afternoon. He was in the middle of attempting to contact the equipment manufacturers. The power supply has been replaced, but the status on the audio / video hasn't changed. Now the thought is that the equipment is incorrectly configured to only transmit video / audio when receiving an HD feed from network and that it is not doing any upconverting.
I find this possible simply because a co-worker informed me on Monday morning that he scanned and was able to pick-up 4-1 and 4-2 at some point over the weekend. I didn't pursue any details because I figured someone else on this forum would have noticed the same thing and posted it.

So bottom line, check ABC later on tonight, they've got some sitcoms on in HD and maybe we'll get something.

KTrout:

Do you know at what percentage of power WCIV is transmitting at currently. Im getting a signal of 3 to 15...usually closer to 3.

shuttermaker:
no, i don't. i'm pretty close to antenna and only get 50-60 or so (indoor, but still get 93-100 on 5-1). i'll try to remember to ask Tony.

Didn't see anything this evening on 34-1 although I didn't check until 9:30 or so.

So much for optimism.

Did someone say they had a lead on a descent priced CM4228 Antenna here in Chas?

Think Id like to purchase one this weekend.

shuttermaker
Planenut has a CM 4228, he had some info on it back on pg. 24 post #473
I found the CM 9521 rotor for $50 but that deal is gone now.

PICTURES! PICTURES!!

I've finally posted some behind the scene pictures from the NBA finals- now that I've finally slept more than 4 hours in a night. Nice to be home, even if it is cloudy and rainy.

There are two galleries on line.. one for you guys, and another which is a bunch of behind the scenes photos in a thumbnail gallery format. From the pictures I posted for ya'll there's a link to the other gallery. Some fun stuff, a few celebrities, J-Lo's butt, some city scenes, etc.

This link takes you to a page with some large pictures.. I left them that way for detail. I figured if ya'll have HDTV sets, surely you have DSL or Cable...
http://www.miketiffee.com/NBAHD

enjoy

These pictures are GREAT. Thanks for posting them for us. By the way did you try the Tex-Mex on the Riverwalk?

I am getting a picture and DD5.1 on 4-1 or 34-1. I'm not sure if it is upconverted or true HD.

Tony says 1Kw for power. Does that sound right?

Where are you and what kind of antenna are you getting 4-1. I haven't even received the signal without picture in West Ashley so I am curious. Is the info in the DTV guide if you have a DTV receiver? I will scan tonight when i get home.

Andy

I wonder what the power out is for 5-1/5-2 WCSC. I have 34 in and out but no remap to 4-1 so far.

neither 4-1 nor 34-1 shows up in the guide... I just type it in in the remote. The dash is just below the number 9 on my remote. I am in Hanahan and have a CM 4228 and a CM 9521 Rotor about 30' feet high. The signal is 93 to 100 percent here.

i live in vance,sc and i am receiving 4-1 great.

So im assuming that Vance SC is next door to the tower?...lol

I have a surge protector that i run all my A/V equipment thru. I also have my satellite and OTA ant cables running to it as well. Should my SAT/ANT cables go to the signal amplifier and then the surge protector or should i run the cables to the surge protector then to the signal amplifier?

Signal of 0 to 6 on 34. Still no remapping to 4-1.

Planenut : Can you point me in the direction of a local CM 4228 for sale? I will want to get the rotator the following week.

i'm sorry ! vance,sc is about 60 miles from charleston . it's by lake marion about half-way between holly hill and santee,sc.

I got mine from Wholesale electronics on East Bay street. They had to get it from their Columbia store so it took one day. The rotor they had in stock. I think the antenna was around 40-45 dollars.

Or try warrenelectronics.com and order it. I've never used them but I like their web site and prices.

Well it looks like 34-1 is back off the air... Don't know what happened?

shuttermaker
What kind of amp do you have, all inside or amp on ant and power supply inside.

Amp on antenna with PS inside.

Does the coax conn on protectors pass voltage, if it does I would set it up with cable from outside going to surge protector then to power supply and sat rec. Not all surge protectors will pass low voltage unless made for sat use.

Im not sure if the coax conn passes voltage and have since missplaced the destructions...2 of the coax connectors is labled SAT IN/OUT and the other 2 has ANT IN/OUT RCA SCTV160

http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Accessories/SurgeP/RCASCTV160.htm

I would say the ones marked sat in/out will pass v the ones marked ant/cable will not. Do you have a volt meter? Are you using both sat in/out for sat, if not use one for amp

i am using both sat in and out...satellilite comes in from dish then out to the satellite box.

Mike,

Thanks for the photos. We had a tour of Channel 5 and got an idea of the "boards" required to do a show, but that cabling is crazy. Is all that cable hauled around with you???

Where's work going to take you next? Channel 4 could use you to get their HD online :)

Thanks again for the photos.

shuttemaker I would try the ant jack, on the SP if your ota signal goes out, then put the power supply on the ant side. The TV and sat will still be protected but not the power supply.

At 9:05 I had my highest signal strength ever from WCSC...72. Its now resting at 21.

This is how i routed the coax, from dish to diplexer from diplexer i took the OTA straight to the PS then from PS to STB. Satellite signal from the diplexer to the surge protector then to the STB.

I received the high signal from WCSC at the very same moment that i was rerouting coax. I immediately thought my actions were causing the improvement or that i had some faulty coax. guess i just caught a break at that moment...back to 21 now where it is normally 35 to 45. No signal at all currently from WCIV.

Do you have a single cable in from dish and ant by use of diplexers.

yes

ok I would run that cable from out side to the sat in/out on SP then put diplexer and all stuff on the safe side of the SP.
PS if it was mine I would dump the diplexers and run a cable in from ant and use the other for the dish

Hey all. Does anyone know if the WB is available here in HDTV or digital OTA. If so, what is their channel number and compass direction to set the STB to. Thanks.

dogabaloo:
I don't believe we have the WB OTA here locally. FOX and UPN are the only non big network stations that broadcast OTA (except there might be a small spanish station somewhere). Think WB is available through cable only.

FOX is Channel 40, UPN Channel 35. They broadcast low power signal from very low "tower" from Arco Lane, between 526 and Aviation I believe.

Do the diplexers reduce signal strength?

Some more than others, I find any conn will reduce some and any joint or conn can reduce signal or voltage. I have seen multi switches drop voltage to ant amp and LNBs. I have seen SP drop sat signal by 20 points. Some amps do not work good with DTV. Even little things like sharp bend in coax can act just like a smashed water hose.

Thanks for the info. Think i might purchase the new antenna and rotor this weekend. Supposed to be good weather. Il check my coax runs and see about losing the diplexers as well

We could use some good weather for a few days, The CM ant and rotor should help with your DTV signal

34-1 is back up. Just got off the phone with Tony, Someone had turned off the transmitter....

does anyone have any idea when wcbd will have their tower firmed-up enough , so that they ,wtat and wmmp will be able to start transmitting from it?

I have some great news about my reception. I removed the diplexers from within my coax runs. I can now receive 100 percent signal on 5-1 and 5-2. I also receive a signal of 86-90 on WCIV. I tuned into 34-1 on my DTV STB and it remapped to 4-1. Needless to say Im a much happier camper. Thank you so much for the tip oljim. Still no reception on NBC..FOX or UPN. but im twice as good as i was before :)

Another update...I just entered 50-1 and it remapped to 2-1..to my surprise I had sound and picture from WCBD..the signal is from 45-63

Woo Hoo :)

Bellvg:
Don't kill the messenger.
Permanent facilities for WCBD, WTAT and WMMP at WCBD's facility in Awendaw.

"Sometime in 2005 or 2006"

Happy to help

I noticed that 2-1 doesnt lock in with picture or sound unless i input 50-1 with the remote and let it manually remap to 2-1

Any one on this board live in the Goose Creek area and receiving 34-1?
I get 5-1 and 2-1 great but still no 34-1(4-1).

I was watching WCIV at 8pm...beautiful video..they we conducting an audio test....left channel...right channel...worked great

Just got home and happened to see an engineering test feed on WCIV. As shuttermaker said, picture looked great and it was in 5.1

Bring on MNF!!!!

r.jones:
are you not receiving a signal at all? There are some people that regularly visit here that live in Goose Creek. If you are getting a signal, have you entered 3 4 - 1 when trying to pull in station?

Well I finally got WCIV. I had to move the rabbit ears around a bit but I can get about 60% and DD audio. It's real finicky with the antenna, more so than NBC or CBS, but the SD I saw looked better than CBS SD, about as good as NBC SD. Can't wait to see some HD signals on it! (and hear some Dolby Digital!)

Im wondering if replacing my radio shack ant with a CM 4228 would make a noticable difference.

No I'm not getting a signal on 34-1. I have a radio shack UHF antennae (can't remember the model number but it looks like a Herring Bone) on a twenty foot mast. I usually get between 50 to 70% signal strength on 5-1 and 2-1 (sometimes better). I think I will mounting the antennae to the chimmney. I will probably gain an extra 10 foot and shorten my cable run also. I was really hoping WCIV would come in as good as the other stations
but I guess you can't have everything.