:mad: WAKA not only has not even attempted to enter the digital arena but refuses those access to those folks who do. I live in Auburn, AL which is located nearly 100 miles from WAKA's transmission tower. I couldn't receive an OTA from them with a 300 ft antenna of my own. It is so far, in fact, that our cable company here in Lee county doesn't even carry WAKA. My nearest CBS provider is WRBL in Columbus, GA. When requesting a waiver, I learned, incredibly that not only did I have to get a digital waiver from WRBL but also from WAKA. Some jerk sitting at desk in Washington DC apparently decided WAKA should have say so over Lee county residents as well. To make a long story short, WRBL granted me a waiver to receive the digital from Direct TV. WAKA granted me a Analog signal but refused to grant me a digital, citing a policy not to grant anyone in their viewing area digital signals. Their reason copyright infringement. Since I am not in their viewing area, how am I violating their copy rights? This is just a classic case of a broadcasting cooperation abusing the little guy. It's too bad that our government officials and politicians are selling their votes to the big money guys at the expense of the little folks that put them in power. WAKA has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO GAIN BY REFUSING ME THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE A DIGITAL SIGNAL. I hope those of you who read this remember what kind of screwball operation you're dealing with in WAKA.

Merged.

Only WSFA (analog & digital) and WCOV (analog) are on the WSFA tower. WRJM (analog) is down towards Troy, east of Hwy. 231, across the road from WBMM. Don't know the name of the community.

AntennaWeb has it wrong then... (which really doesn't surprise me)

WRJM 67 UPN TROY AL 23° 17.1 miles from me...
WSFA 12 NBC MONTGOMERY AL 23° 17.1 miles from me...
WBMM 22 i TUSKEGEE AL 42° 29.3 miles from me...


You must be in a hole. I get 8 almost 360 degrees. Its the same compas orentation as 32
Antenna web puts it at 325 degrees 32 is 327 degrees.
But 20 is 28 degrees.
I am aimed due north for Ch 8 digital as the strongest signal level, the same place for Ch 32 Analog.
I get Ch 8 Signal level at about 96.

WAKA 8 CBS SELMA AL 315° 41.0 miles from me
WNCF 32 ABC MONTGOMERY AL 316° 39.3 miles from me

With my antenna pointing due north, 32 is much clearer than 8. According to the cable company we are sitting fairly high. One of their techs came out here to see if they could see their wireless tower from our house and his computer software of the terrain was showing high elevation for us. I'd say we are fairly high up, definitely not in a hole... unless it's one of those "poor reception ghost holes" (whatever they are called).


gaz... I understand your frustration and just north of you in Piedmont is a zip code that will allow you to get the distance networks in HD from Directv. However, I would only subscribe to the ones I could not receive via an OTA antenna and I would only watch programs when in HD on those channels... if it were me. I wrote Shelby twice and got responses twice and it was amazing how he explained there wasn't much he could do and that the big networks pretty much were in control. You are right... it's a shame because theirs not much we can do about it and they know this.

:mad:

Have you read http://www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/shvera.doc carefully? It may cover your situation to some degree.

Distant digital signals: Satellite carriers are not required to offer distant digital signals. If your satellite carrier offers distant signals, you may be eligible to subscribe to them if you one of the following situations applies to you.


This one won't get it because you may be in a Grade B area for analog...

Alternatively, you may be eligible for distant digital signals if you are “unserved” by over-the-air analog signals. “Unserved” means your household cannot receive, with a stationary outdoor rooftop antenna, an over-the-air signal of Grade B intensity, as defined by the FCC. If your household is predicted to be “unserved” by the analog signals of a network station, you qualify for the distant digital signal of that network, if it is offered by your satellite carrier. If your satellite carrier offers local-into-local analog service, you must subscribe to it in order to qualify for distant digital signals. If you qualify for distant signal service, you can only receive signals from stations located in your same time zone or in a later time zone, not in an earlier time zone. Ask your satellite carrier which distant digital signals it offers in your area.


Catchy because whether you get digital depends on what grade signal your analog is.

This next one may be your only hope... but it will 2006 or 2007 before you it will help you:

A third alternative, created by the 2004 SHVERA statute, will allow for signal testing at your household to determine if you are “served” by a digital signal over-the-air. In some cases, if you are shown to be “unserved,” you would be eligible for distant digital signals, provided you subscribe to local-into-local analog service if it is offered. However, this digital testing option is not available until April 30, 2006 (in the top 100 television markets) and July 15, 2007 (in all other television markets). In addition, your satellite carrier may refuse to arrange for the digital signal test, and in that case, you may arrange and pay for a test yourself, under the supervision of the satellite carrier. Your satellite carrier can tell you whether you are in a top 100 market and whether it will help you to arrange for a digital signal test once the testing provisions take effect in 2006 or 2007.

Just wait till the get the broadcast flag waver over turned and you cant record any digital signals on your $800 HD recorder. Its coming. The Gvt. Is NOT by the people for the people its By the corporations for the corporations.

Sonnie: I agree Antenna web is pretty poor. Im suprised that you cant get 8.1 though. For me its as strong or stronger than 12.1. I checked the SS on 32 vrs 8 and my antenna is almost exactly the same direction.

Gaz: Whats also bad is I can get about 3 different CBS digital stations 2, NBC and NO ABC. You can probley get several ABC and no CBS. The coverage is not equal for all. I also have C-Band and a few years ago when many PBS stations scrambled their stations, they cited that their signal was propitary and only ment for the local area and for us to receive PBS from all over the country hurt their fund rasing because we had to support our local station. Meanwhile the bulk of the PBS money was comming from the GVT. Just who is the GVT anyway?

Just who is the GVT anyway?


Crooks! hee hee

What do you think would happen if lowly folks were allowed to get CBS,NBC,ABC signal from anywhere they want? Do you think a mass exit from the locals here would occur? AS long as they have no competition, joining in progress because of Church service and stupid weather maps over golf holes and race tracks will go on.

WAKA is about the only other one I'd be interested in that I think I'm gonna be able to get. I'm already pointed north to 20 and 32 and can't get them.

Your reasonable OTA choices are to (1) use a rotator or (2) just put up a second antenna. Point one to Grady and one to Gordonsville. Use a splitter. Should work nicely. And, remember, the better the antenna, the more directional it will be, which could be useful if you use two antennas.

With two or more antennas coupled to the same feedline you are getting into the realm of experimentation. Myself, I would opt for rotation.

What do you think would happen if lowly folks were allowed to get CBS,NBC,ABC signal from anywhere they want? Do you think a mass exit from the locals here would occur? AS long as they have no competition, joining in progress because of Church service and stupid weather maps over golf holes and race tracks will go on.

Thats one of my pet peeves also. Last week CH12 broadcast a weather map of the entire state at the bottem right, their logo, the words, tornado watch and flood watch to the left of that, with 3 counties in the upper left of the map blinking. This took up about 100 sq inches of my 61" screen. All in color, moving and opaque. Then after a commercial, an opaque banner that came in from the left and went across to the map saying you are watching bla, bla, bla, then a couple to 3 commercials on what is coming up in the next 2 hours. If there is any text at the bottom at the beginning from the program it was unreadable.
Now I ask you, how many people turn into a program in progress and dont know what station or program it is? Why does a weather watch have to be posted the whole time the program is on? Why does it have to show the whole State in color and parts moving? Why do they even need their logo on screen at all? Are people so dumb they dont know what station they are watching? This practice keeps getting worse and worse and more and more.
I wrote them and asked if I was supposed to stand by the window and WATCH in case one of the items happened, if it did then they would surely post a warning. I also explained that this practice is way over blown and I sometimes tape a piece of cardboard over the corner just so I dont get distracted by the color moving logo which you cant see or read through, which defeats the reason it was there. That a banner across the bottom at the time needed would be far more affective and that it be transparent for those of us not affected. I told them they should just put a small square in the middle with the program and use up all around it so I could watch the program without something being plastered all over the program.
I know they dont care, but I felt better.

klyde... I know exactly where Bullock is... do you know Steve and Becky Prescott?

Btw... my 1162 is on a rotor and is about 20' off the ground. We live on top of a hill too. I may have to get it up higher anyway. I also don't want to have to rotor the antenna all the time.

Sonnie: What receiver do you have, maby that is the problem. I have a Voom and the Rat Shack that was on sale for $89, both are about the same, I also have a UM1000A that is about 1/2 as good.

I also explained that this practice is way over blown and I sometimes tape a piece of cardboard over the corner just so I dont get distracted by the color moving logo which you cant see or read through, which defeats the reason it was there.

Hey, save some for WAKA. Their weather bugs or maps are even messier and hard to make out, especially when watched on a normal-sized 4x3 screen. Don't forget that these stations have genuine registered meterologists on staff and they have to do something to keep busy. I like the cardboard idea. You could draw your own logo on it with never a worry about it "burning in."

Anyone have any idea when we will be able to get WAKA and WCOV on Charter Montgomery?

Hey, save some for WAKA. Their weather bugs or maps are even messier and hard to make out, especially when watched on a normal-sized 4x3 screen."

I can get ABC and CBS off C-Band Sat in Hidef and several CBS stations OTA. SO when Ch 8 has their storm maps I change stations.
Also dont forget that both stations use part of their Bandwidth for a Weather station. So if you can get 12.1 you can also get 12.2 wheather. The same for Ch 8. They just like taking up real estate on the screen. Heres a copy of the letter I sent to all the heads at the station I could find. Also the only answer. The next day, their logo was clear and NO tempreature displayed. I dont know if my letter had any affect or not.

Larry - I am forwarding your e-mail to our Chief Engineer, Craig Young.

Hoyt Andres

Dear Mr. Andres:
I live about 60 miles south of Montgomery and would like to voice my
complaints to you about a couple of things that cause me to ovoid
watching Ch 12 as much as possible and seek other solutions. I have a
$3000 HDTV, 2 OTA HD receivers, 2 tivo's, DVD recorder, C-Band Satellite
as well as DVB satellite setup and other devices.
Tonight was a good example of what I dislike about WSFA. At 8pm
Law&Order CI was broadcast by NBC and as it seems to be more the norm
lately something about the HD broadcast was screwed up. The sound was
dropping in and out. I had to watch the HD broadcast and listen to the
sound from the Analog broadcast through my Amp. This sound problem has
been showing up pretty much every other time I try to watch a HD program
on Ch 12 (14.1). If not this then pixellation from drop outs even though
I get the signal in the high 90's with 2 different HD receivers. Then
the 2nd hour just before Crossing Jorden the sound went out and you
switched to broadcasting the Analog signal in SD instead of the HD feed.
Rendering the SD picture worse than the Analog picture on Ch 12 analog.
This I have also seen before on Ch 12. (14.1 Digital). Ch 8 has just
started to broadcast HD and has far fewer problems than CH 12 HD already.
The 2nd thing, is the practice of placing an Large opaque logo in
the bottom right side of the picture and most nights a large map of the
whole state with tornado watch and flood watch or some other warning for
a few or as little as 1 counties some as far away as 300 miles from my
location for the complete broadcast of the program. I think this is a
lot of over kill. Then after the commercial you scroll more bright
opaque commercials about upcoming shows across the bottom of the screen
for the first 30 seconds of the program, all of this you cant see
through and colors are brighter than most program material. If any
program is showing text at the same time it is totally blocked by this
practice since you cant see through your logo, warnings and local
station commercials.
I also dont need to know the temperature at WSFA for the whole time
Im watching a program, more unnecessary junk taking up screen real
estate. I have my own thermometer and the temperature at my house bears
no resemblance to the temp at Ch 12.
Since I have a 61" TV this logo and or map takes up approx 100
square inches of my screen. Anyone that is watching Ch 12 does NOT need
to see this warning and map through out the whole program. I doubt that
1% of the viewers tune in after a program starts and would miss the
warning. An occasional scroll would be far less intrusive and a better
warning since many people such as my family try everything to ignore or
block out such screen robbing items. Sometimes I even tape cardboard
over the corner then to be distracted with the bright unnecessary junk
at the same time rendering the warning useless to me. We also have
tornado warning sirens for tornado's. What good is a tornado watch or a
flood watch? Am I suppose to watch out the window for it? A screen crawl
when necessary to warn of such a potential disaster is more than
adequate. If the watch was just shown at the beginning and OVER the
commercials instead of the complete program it would be tolerable.
However It appears that your station (and others) would like nothing
better than to take up as much real estate of the screen with as much
junk as you can. Station, ID, Temperature, Brought to you by Ch 12 news
or weather, Watch the weather at 10pm and other unnecessary junk. You
already have 3 stations broadcasting digital with one dedicated to
weather and now commercials. Maybe you should just show the program in a
small box in the center and run your junk around the edges. I long for
the good old days when stations started programming on time and only
interrupted with an emergency and NEVER plastered their obtrusive logo
on the screen during programming, to remind viewers which station their
watching, like if they already didnt know.
Since I have installed a tower and rotor I can pick up digital
broadcasts from as far as Mobile, Georgia and Birmingham. unfortunatley
CH 12 digital is the Only NBC HD channel I can get reliably at this
time. I will soon install an antenna amplifier and will be able to watch
NBC Mobile, Georgia or Birmingham soon and won't have to bother with Ch
12 at all. The extra expense is worth it to me. Our family has changed
our TV watching experience because of this. We now mostly record
anything on CH 12 that we cant receive any place else and watch another
network in real time HD. Since we are also a Nielsen family with Tivo
our habits are recorded.
I also doubt that I am not the only consumer that is aggravated with
this practice. I realize your station is not the only station that does
it, but your logos are especially bright and opaque as opposed to
unobtrusive and see through like PBS has gone to. I'd just a soon wait
for a cable station to pick up a show than watch it OTA from Ch 12.
I realize that this email will more than likely fall on def ears and
my families opinion doesn't carry much weight but for every one that
complains 100 or more say nothing.
At least I got it off my chest.

Sincerely

Larry Williard

Good letter. I agree with everything you said, but, they just don't care. They have all this fancy eqipment and by GOD there going to use it. :(

Larry,

Methinks you being a Neilson household probably got their ear. :)

As to cable, the cable companies use an outside antenna (possibly not at tweaked out at what we own) to get the OTA signal and rebroadcast it. Plus they run it thorugh miles of cable which gives it even more ways to get degraded. You won't gain anything as far a minimum graphics and picture quality will probably be worst.

With all the good programming available with OTA digital and all the cable/satellite channels, there less and less reason for us to waste our time with poor signals and grossly overdone graphics. I think PBS' transparent logo is tastefully done and wish other stations would follow their lead.

I do take issue about the weather map during bad weather. There have been times when I though we were only having a normal rain shower and later found out that we were under a tornado allert or warning. This is when I had satellite. With Brighthouse cable, they'll interrupt all channels to make a warning. On the one hand, I hate the interruption, but on the other, I'd like to know if I'm about to get blown into the next county.

Larry,

Methinks you being a Neilson household probably got their ear. :)

As to cable, the cable companies use an outside antenna (possibly not at tweaked out at what we own) to get the OTA signal and rebroadcast it. Plus they run it thorugh miles of cable which gives it even more ways to get degraded. You won't gain anything as far a minimum graphics and picture quality will probably be worst.

With all the good programming available with OTA digital and all the cable/satellite channels, there less and less reason for us to waste our time with poor signals and grossly overdone graphics. I think PBS' transparent logo is tastefully done and wish other stations would follow their lead.

I do take issue about the weather map during bad weather. There have been times when I though we were only having a normal rain shower and later found out that we were under a tornado allert or warning. This is when I had satellite. With Brighthouse cable, they'll interrupt all channels to make a warning. On the one hand, I hate the interruption, but on the other, I'd like to know if I'm about to get blown into the next county.
You are correct about the weather map..but, they do not have to keep it up all the time. We can remember what they just told us. Put the warning up for a minute take it down for 5.

Anyone have any idea when we will be able to get WAKA and WCOV on Charter Montgomery?

I've asked them (via email) many times. Charter is not a customer friendly company. Here's what will happen if you e-mail customer service with a question about any of their programming, or lack of it. You will get an auto-generated email back with their current price list. That's it. I did reply to that email and re-asked the question. Some brainiac at customer service replies with a standard answer of "We are in negotiations with the stations".

That's it. No get well date, no status on their progress....nothing.

To fix that, I bought an OTA set top box HD receiver and an indoor HD antenna. I get all five Montgomery HD stations now. And the picture looks great. Well, except when the stations themselves are having problems.

Aw, c'mon guys..how did our parents and grandparents survive to old age without tv weather to save them???

You are correct about the weather map..but, they do not have to keep it up all the time. We can remember what they just told us. Put the warning up for a minute take it down for 5.


.........unless you're channel surfing and miss it.

Sonnie: What receiver do you have, maby that is the problem. I have a Voom and the Rat Shack that was on sale for $89, both are about the same, I also have a UM1000A that is about 1/2 as good.

I have the Hughes HR10-250. I moved my antenna just a little west, 12 and 8 analog both pretty clear and I am now able to get both in digital. Once I moved the antenna they just popped up on the menu.

Now... if we could just work out something to get 20 and 32 digital. I wonder what the chances of getting a digital waiver with them would be.

Btw... great letter... I may do the same. I hate those weather and logo bugs.

Squash the bugs!

More news from your "we keep our audio AND video up at the same time and don't
put weather maps over the HD signal" station*" WAKA will be going on Brighthouse cable
channel 216 (8-1) and 217 (8-3) on Monday. No news from Charter. All companies were
negotiated at about the same time; seems Charter moves slower.

*Guess this makes us the station with the happy difference!

More news from your "we keep our audio AND video up at the same time and don't
put weather maps over the HD signal" station*" WAKA will be going on Brighthouse cable
channel 216 (8-1) and 217 (8-3) on Monday. No news from Charter. All companies were
negotiated at about the same time; seems Charter moves slower.

*Guess this makes us the station with the happy difference!
I swear the last time the map was up, I checked both and it was on both.

I swear the last time the map was up, I checked both and it was on both.


That's WSFA, not WAKA. :)


Welcome aboard to Brighthouse!!!

That's WSFA, not WAKA. :)


Welcome aboard to Brighthouse!!!
I humbly apologise

More news from your "we keep our audio AND video up at the same time and don't put weather maps over the HD signal" station*"

Do you mean that your HD viewers don't have access to the same timely weather information that your analog viewers do?

Do you mean that your HD viewers don't have access to the same timely weather information that your analog viewers do?


Trouble maker :D

Trouble maker :D
I'm quickly sensing you can't win here :)

I'm quickly sensing you can't win here :)

Just kidding with you, Mark. HDTV viewers don't need weather information because they are safe in their concrete block home theater shelters. ;)

Is WSFA going in and out? Can't lock on this evening.

Is WSFA going in and out? Can't lock on this evening.
Crossing Jordan is rock solid on my indoor antenna.

Why couldn't WSFA have the SEC game on analog and the BUSCH race on HD channel? May be to complicated. Since race is not on, I am watching Texas on ABC.

No HD signal for TN-GA. I just called the station and there is nobody to fix the problem. :mad:

Unfreaking believable, I tuned in to get the UGA/TN game and I get the big words loss of input signal. I guess I'll watch it in crappy SD. Hey somebody run over to WAKA and plug them back up!!!! Unreal

Unfreaking believable, I tuned in to get the UGA/TN game and I get the big words loss of input signal. I guess I'll watch it in crappy SD. Hey somebody run over to WAKA and plug them back up!!!! Unreal

I was looking forward to this game in HD. Guess I'll make do with cable SD signal.
At least I'll have Penn State/Ohio State in HD tonigh (along with LSU/Vandy) but the games overlap.

I take back all my cursing!!! Somebody done plugged the signal input up!! LOL Looks pretty good

Big thanks to whomever resolved the problem (or flipped the switch, etc.). Looks and sounds great.

My signal is on and off

My signal is on and off

Mine in Montgomery is fine. Was going to watch the race, but WSFA is stinking things up as usual.

My signal is on and off

My signal is crazy here, too (Elmore). The signal strength goes from 90% down to 0 and then back. It was perfect, then I began getting a few drop outs and now the signal drops out so often it is pretty much unwatchable. I've switched over to my SD signal. At least it's not Alabama playing.

My signal is crazy here, too (Elmore). The signal strength goes from 90% down to 0 and then back. It was perfect, then I began getting a few drop outs and now the signal drops out so often it is pretty much unwatchable. I've switched over to my SD signal. At least it's not Alabama playing.

The probem (whether it was an atmospheric anomaly or a technical problem) seems to be resolved.

Who is the freakin' brainiac at WCOV that decided to air the Saints at Packers tomorrow? Why do we have to watch two teams that are at the very bottom of their divisions? I don't get it. Who decides what game gets aired? We are NOT in the Saints market, contrary to popular belief. On the upside, the game is scheduled to be aired in HD. Keyword in that last sentence is "scheduled".

Actually, all the games, including Nascar, are scheduled to be aired in HD. Anybody want to bet on whether all three stations airing those events can "flip the switch" on time and keep the switch flipped during the entire game/race?

Anybody want to bet on whether all three stations airing those events can "flip the switch" on time and keep the switch flipped during the entire game/race?

Whose turn is it to not flip?

WSFA did a great job during last Sunday's Nascar race at Talladega. It was in HD all day long. They can't go two weeks in a row. I'd bet something goes awry with the race. Although, WAKA is notorious for screwing up as of late. Here are the odds on messing up the signal. e.g. 3 to 2 that WSFA screws up....meaning that it is highly likely they will screw up.

WSFA - 3 to 2
WAKA - 2 to 1
WCOV - 12 to 1
Bonus Evening game odds
ESPNHD - 1000 to 1

WSFA - 3 to 2
WAKA - 2 to 1
WCOV - 12 to 1
Bonus Evening game odds
ESPNHD - 1000 to 1

Does that mean that WSFA will mess up 2 out of 3 times, whereas ESPNHD will mess up 1 in 1000? I really don't understands odds.

No HD signal for TN-GA. I just called the station and there is nobody to fix the problem. :mad:

Remember, the news department is in their own little world and doesn't know
what the problem is, and certainly who may or may not be there to fix it.

The problem was with the CBS receiver. It had decided to go loco and took
a few minutes to troubleshoot. I think we had it back within 20 minutes.
Growing pains, guys. You don't see these problems with analog because
we have double redundancy with automatic switching...and i'm sure CBS will
get their digital system to that stage one day, but not now. CBS is quite impressive with their system for analog traffic (reference March madness)
but the digital is still just a baby.

Who is the freakin' brainiac at WCOV that decided to air the Saints at Packers tomorrow? Why do we have to watch two teams that are at the very bottom of their divisions? I don't get it. Who decides what game gets aired? We are NOT in the Saints market, contrary to popular belief. On the upside, the game is scheduled to be aired in HD. Keyword in that last sentence is "scheduled".

Actually, all the games, including Nascar, are scheduled to be aired in HD. Anybody want to bet on whether all three stations airing those events can "flip the switch" on time and keep the switch flipped during the entire game/race?

I know-i'm not Fox, but i'm sure it works the same way as CBS: The local
stations are assigned games based on a rather complicated agreement with
the NFL. CBS gives us an opportunity to "comment" on the pick, but unless
there is "compelling local interest", a change is not granted. Seems CBS translates "compelling local interest" to mean "there is nothing in Montgomery, Alabama that would change our minds".

Hey as a lifetime hater of the Falcons and Saints, do you think I enjoy the early FOX games??? That's all that is shown....yuck...at least I got to watch my Cowboys utterly destroy the stinky old Eagles yesterday!! I didn't watch CBS so I can't comment on the picture for the Falcons game although I'm glad they lost!! WAKA, that is interesting that the digital signal is able to troubleshoot itself, I was just happy that the ballgame Saturday came back in and I got to see all but a couple of minutes of it. Beautiful picture.

I know-i'm not Fox, but i'm sure it works the same way as CBS: The local
stations are assigned games based on a rather complicated agreement with
the NFL. CBS gives us an opportunity to "comment" on the pick, but unless
there is "compelling local interest", a change is not granted. Seems CBS translates "compelling local interest" to mean "there is nothing in Montgomery, Alabama that would change our minds".


Interesting how the industry decides these things for us. Although I'm not a sports fan, I would still make a strong argument that airing games for teams at the bottom of the ranking in a market that's not interested serves no one's interest other than perhaps the network's contractual obligation to the NFL.

Now I don't feel quite so bad about zipping through commercials on my DVR. :D

Two Sundays in a roll no major screw ups in HD Sports Land. Good job local stations! So I called Knology and ordered their HD-DVR package for a extra $13.95 a month which will put my cable bill all channels at $95 a month. Just doesn't feel right when I can get locals free OTA. but I will get ESPN-HD, DISCOVERY, HDNETS, UNIVERSAL, HBO-HD AND STARZ-HD. Maybe they will add TNT-HD etc.

...snip...

WAKA will be going on Brighthouse cable
channel 216 (8-1) and 217 (8-3) on Monday. ...snip...

*Guess this makes us the station with the happy difference!

Just checked and didn't find WAKA in the program guide along the 200 series of number. Tried to direct input 216 and 217 and didn't show up.

Thought you might want to know...... :)

...edit...
At around 6ish, the channels appeared. :) Program guide also shows the channels number with "No Data" in the fields that normally show what programs are coming up. Guess they'll load the program guide soon.

At around 6ish, the channels appeared. :) Program guide also shows the channels number with "No Data" in the fields that normally show what programs are coming up. Guess they'll load the program guide soon.

Now if they would just get around to the content on the channels ;)

I'm really glad Brighthouse got WAKA added this quickly. Considering how long we've been waiting for WCOV HD from them, I didn't expect CBS for a LONG time.

I'll needle them about WCOV Wednesday (and ESPN2 HD while I'm being annoying). I had another Motorola HD DVR go belly up this weekend. It decided it doesn't want to record any more, but it is being nice enough to let me view all the recorded content before I replace it.

I'm going to add a second HD DVR for the house while I'm there. It sure would be nice to have a larger drive like the SA box I was used to with Knology.

Needmoretoys,

For whatever reason, Brighthouse won't hand you a DVR over the counter. You have to have them deliver it to your home.

Just checked and didn't find WAKA in the program guide along the 200 series of number. Tried to direct input 216 and 217 and didn't show up.

Thought you might want to know...... :)

...edit...
At around 6ish, the channels appeared. :) Program guide also shows the channels number with "No Data" in the fields that normally show what programs are coming up. Guess they'll load the program guide soon.

Yeah, Brighthouse told me they were having some issues with Motorola loading
some data, so some sets could actually see nothing but a blank screen. They assure me everything will be up by tonight (Tuesday).

Will someone who has brighthouse let me know about quality of HD.I don't have anyway to compare with Dish network and OTA.
Thanks

sarasdad,

I've got Brighthouse, but not Dish (and would like to know about Dish).

Not sure how we can make a comparison.

Any suggestions?

Dish hd Tier is as good as ota depending on program.To me the best hd sports on outside antenna are fox cbs nbc abc in that order.I guess compare with outside antenna

sarasdad,

I'll pm you my phone number for you to call so we can discuss in detail. Either option has its advantages as well as problems.

Needmoretoys,

For whatever reason, Brighthouse won't hand you a DVR over the counter. You have to have them deliver it to your home.

Yep, I found out when I called yesterday. What's even more odd is they did hand me the last one over the counter, but are coming Thursday to "install" the second one.

What a waste of time, especially since the projector it is going to hook to isn't arriving until Friday. I guess I'll have them hook it to my computer monitor since it is the only other HD display in the house at the moment. :(

JimP, I did not get number and would like to talk.I am off today

Knology hooked up (I helped) my SA 8300HD DVR yesterday and I am very impressed with it. Record 2 programs at the same time while watching another recorded one. The locals look almost as good as OTA but comparing them last night I have to say OTA wins buy a thread.

Think the PM system has gone hinky.

Its XXX-XXXX. I'll delete this post as soon as I hear from you.

You better delete it quick! Some loon (like me) might look up your address, find out that you are about a mile away and force you to drink a beer :)

You better delete it quick! Some loon (like me) might look up your address, find out that you are about a mile away and force you to drink a beer :)

yeah, you never know about these internet types. lol

I noticed last night that Charter/Montgomery has added Cinamax-HD to its line up. That was a nice surprise. We are now up to 7 HD channels although we are still lacking WAKA and WCOV. HD Net would be nice too. I tried to submit my request for these channels but got the standard automatic e-mail response. Also, The Montgomery Advertiser weekly sports media column has mentioned a few times now that Charter has no response as to when WAKA-DT will be added. It's a wait and see situation.

Charter sucks....their internet is great, but their cable and customer service sucks.

I wish WAKA had put their tower closer to WSFA. I'm finding that during the day I
have to adjust my antenna to get a consistent signal from WAKA (but then I loose
a consistent signal for WSFA). I don't have a rotor on my antenna, but luckily it is
ground mounted right outside my patio door so it's not a problem to go out and
adjust it (I keep the mount loose enough that I can adjust it from the ground).
At night I can generally get a good signal from both WSFA and WAKA from the same antenna position (as well as the other channels). It's not generally a probem except
today there are two football games on at the same time both in HD (one on WAKA and one on WSFA). Both are games I wanted to see so I planned to just switch back and forth between channels. I can't do that so I just have to watch one in HD and switch to the other on my cable feed. Not asking anything just wishing all our towers were in the same general direction. If Brighthouse had all the locals as well as the majority of the national HD channels I might be tempted to go back to cable for something other than internet (particularly now that they have an HD DVR-although I do like my HD Tivo).

I was also having problems with getting all locals in HD without turning my indoor antenna which is a pain if you are watching sports. Sometimes I would lock onto the Sweet Spot. I finally got Knology HD-DVR and now watching football and baseball with both DVR and STB and just loving it...

Actually, if I had something with a QAM tuner I could get the locals BrightHouse offers since they are in the clear signals and I have "lifeline" cable. LG has a
DVR with QAM tuner but it is way too much for just convenience (and I bought my
HDTV over 4 years ago so it has only one HD input-and component at that) so I would have to get a component switcher or upgrade my TV or watch in 480P.
I kept my second TV for almost 15 years (and it was still going strong). Since that time I have had 3 different TVs and am talking about upgrading again. Of course,
high def DVDs are just around the corner (unless the format war keeps it from getting off the ground--the consumer electronics companies can't agree on a format--so we all lose). Ain't tecnology wonderful.

If Brighthouse had all the locals as well as the majority of the national HD channels I might be tempted to go back to cable for something other than internet (particularly now that they have an HD DVR-although I do like my HD Tivo).

Brighthouse is getting close. The only local HD that is missing is WCOV. They told me that WCOV wanted an insane amount of money to rebroadcast an over the air station. I really wish they would work this out. I hate it when consumers are held hostage over things like this. It doesn't benefit anyone.

Brighthouse is getting close. The only local HD that is missing is WCOV. They told me that WCOV wanted an insane amount of money to rebroadcast an over the air station.

If they said that much did they say how much the "insane amount of money" is? Cable companies have been reselling local stations' products for many years without paying any compensation at all. A penny per subscriber is probably insane to them. Wonder what they are willing to pay. Did they say?

Stan and others,

Since WCOV is the only HD station that Brighthouse doesn't carry, you can have the Brighthouse DVR on one input and your OTA HD receiver on another. That's would also allow you to do picture in picture on many sets.

Ladies and Gentlemen...we get The Falcons against the Saints. Hurray.

Am kind of spoiled about choice. Yesterday I was watching the Notre Dame game, and the Penn State game at the same time. Have ESPN game plan. Not able to get NFL choice on DISH.

Stan and others,

Since WCOV is the only HD station that Brighthouse doesn't carry, you can have the Brighthouse DVR on one input and your OTA HD receiver on another. That's would also allow you to do picture in picture on many sets.

I thought about doing that since I already have the signals coming into my house
but would also require me to get a component switcher (or I could use my A/V Receiver) since my "old" (by today's standards) TV has only one HD input. I'll probaly just wait until I get a new TV (the new SED sets which should be out next year really sound promising--from what I've read they will have the brightness of plasma with the black levels of CRT-might be worth waiting for).

Stan,

SED sounds interesting. Will they go 70" ish?

Stan,

SED sounds interesting. Will they go 70" ish?

From this month's "Widescreen Review": "SED technology (Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display) produces flat panels with such attributes as: large size
(greater than 50 inches wide). high resolution, high-speed response, low power
consumption, light weight, and thin profile." The article doesn't say how big the
glass panels can go but it sounds like they can go quite large. The first one's out will be 50 inches with larger ones to come. Mass production is supposed to start in 2007 and Toshiba has already announced that they are dropping plasma production and are refitting a plant in Japan for $1.7 billion for production of SED displays. Canon is investing $180 billion in a research facility in Japan to develop
cheaper SED production techniques to make the pricing competitive (Canon and Toshibi are in a joint venture). With the amount of money going into it, SED sounds for promising. The pricing should be competitive with Plasma and with the way prices are dropping should be reasonable.

Ok WAKA switch the NE/DEN to HD please.
---------------------------------------------------
OOPS! MY BAD! I was on the analog WAKA, switched to 902 on Knology and its HD.

Stan and others,

Since WCOV is the only HD station that Brighthouse doesn't carry, you can have the Brighthouse DVR on one input and your OTA HD receiver on another. That's would also allow you to do picture in picture on many sets.


I was doing some comparisons in cost between Brighthouse and D* and for a little less than I am paying DirecTv +Brighthouse (Roadrunner and "lifeline" cable)
I could go with Brighthouse for everything. If they would just get WCOV and ESPN
2. Things are really reversed now--at one time Satellite had the big advantage on programming and price but not anymore. Of course, if I did make the switch, than D* would increase their HD channels but they some intent now on putting up all the local HD signals (but since we are the 116th DMA it will probably be a while for us--D* doesn't even have the local SD channels). Things change so quickly now that you don't know what to do--today's leader in HD may be tomorrows also ran and then a little later the roles will reverse. Although, for the time being, I may invest in some things for the house (like I just bought a new stove and refrigerator) and need to remodel my kitchen as well as my bathrooms,
new carpet for the living room, etc--my home theater itch has taken precedence so far but I guess I need to move my priorities else where for a while.

Just saw on the Brighthouse site that you have to subscribe to digital cable in order to get the DVR. So I guess I wouldn't be able to use it to get the the local
HD signals from my basic cable feed.

WAKA only had one HD game today. I had a sneaky feeling that they couldn't keep the signal up past halftime. I was right.

Disappointed again...

Okay...it's back.

Stan,

I totally agree. In 6 months or a year, who has the best deal may have changed again. Then, later on, it will change again.

Thought I recalled seeing ESPN in the program guide as one of the HD channels. It is and its channel number 780.

Stan,

I totally agree. In 6 months or a year, who has the best deal may have changed again. Then, later on, it will change again.

Thought I recalled seeing ESPN in the program guide as one of the HD channels. It is and its channel number 780.


Hi Jim, It's ESPN 2 that I can get on D* but Brighthouse doesn't carry yet. They have as much HD as the main ESPN channel has. I'm mainly concerned about it
during football season. If Bright House had WCOV as well as ESPN 2 I would seriously consider switching. Are the Brighthouse HD signals full bandwidth?
All D* has right now is HD lite. The only real hesitation I would have is that I
spent $1,000 bucks on an HD Tivo a little over a year ago. I could sell it on E-Bay
but the going rate for the HD Tivo is quite a bit less now than when I bought it.
Of course, like you said, the best deal may be with D* or E* or cable or even with
the phone company. Maybe in a few months we will get into rate wars between the various factions. Once D* gets its' new satellites up and migrates to MPEG
4, who knows (although D* seems more interested in getting the locals up than
adding national programming).

Stan,
From what I can tell, the channels that Brighthouse has in HD from their satellite receivers(HBO, TNT,etc)appear as good as they get . What you have to keep in mind is that some of the content they receive (Law and Order comes to mind) it isn't HD to start with and shows up on the HD channel. TNT will sometimes stretch it which makes it worst. In a conversation with an engineer over at Brighthouse, I was told that Brighthouse doesn't compress anything with their current system. He was looking forward to someday upgrading his equipment, so who knows (other than the engineer) if compression will enter enter the mix then.

Stan, regarding selling the HD TIVO, once DirectTV switches over to mpeg 4, isn't it still a gamble whether or not they'll offer a free swap out to a new DVR?? Last time I checked, it sound like they were still quiet about what they were going to do.

One thing I have to say about Brighthouse is that they're still having growing pains with their HD stations. Not fun to be watching Desperate Housewives and in the last 5 minutes the picture starts freezing. Switch over to OTA and the HD feed was fine.

For those considering switching to Brighthouse, you are probably going to want to keep your OTA antenna up. ...at least until they get these problems ironed out.

....I was told that Brighthouse doesn't compress anything with their current system.

What sort of modulation are they using? It is my understanding that 256 QUAM has a bit rate of around 5-6MB, which enables several stations on the same channel bandwidth. If so, wouldn't that qualify as compression?

What sort of modulation are they using? It is my understanding that 256 QUAM has a bit rate of around 5-6MB, which enables several stations on the same channel bandwidth. If so, wouldn't that qualify as compression?


At the time, he said that with the new equipment (which they don't have)would provide for Quam which would allow for TV tuners to do something that they can't currently do. I think it may have to do with cablecard. Some of the other channels also have problems with the audiog, but I don't normally watch them so its not a problem for me.

My overall impression is that its very unlikely that they'll be getting this "new equipment" anytime soon. I based that on it taking so long for them to offer cable internet and so long before they started providing any kind of HD at all. Can't help but wonder how fast Brighthouse will add some of the cable only channels when they become available in HD.

All I can say is that for "right now", most of the channels look pretty good. Audio wise, something is screwy with the SciFi channel which I watch a lot. All the sound comes out of the center channel. When I had Voom satellite, the audio on the SciFi channel was multichannel as one would expect, so its not the content providers. Some of the other Brighthouse channels also have "interesting" problems such as all the sound coming out of the front left channel only. With my preamp, I can reassign mono sound to come out of the front 3 if I want to, so I do have a work around.

Jim, they have stated that they will swap out mpeg2 for mpeg4 equipment when it becomes necessar (whether that refers to the HD Tivo is a little unclear). However, since the first uses of MPEG 4 will be for local channels and the current HD channels will remain MPEG2 my Tivo will probably die a natural death before I
would need something to receive MPEG 4 since we are not even in the top 100 DMAs. I really think that after football season I may very serioulsy think about switching unless D* can start providing full bandwidth and bit rate. Of course, theres always the chance that after I switch then D* would make changes to make it more attractive than satellite. Another thing that bothers me a little is that the HD Tivo can record up to 30 hours in HD while the Bright House DVR is only 11 or 12 hrs although I generally watch my recordings within a day or so of recording them so that shouldn't be a problem. By switching and bundling cable with internet I could save over what I pay to DirectTv + Brighthouse and actually get more channels. For what I am paying now I could have the entire BrightHouse package (of course as soon as I switch they will up their rates). Maybe they have some deal for switching from satellite. It is nice though to actually have some viable options for programming. E* might be an option but I have read where they are beginning to donw-rez some of their HD too.

Stan,

Regarding Brighthouse requiring you to have digital cable to get cable internet. Over the last couple of years, I've spoken to them on a couple of occassions about having just cable internet. First time, they told me I had to have digital cable service too. The second time they gave me a price for just internet. If you're interested in getting just internet from them, you probably could call them once a week until they give you the answer you want. ;)

It would seem that in the long run satellite would have to be cheaper than cable. But it also seems more likely that cable would have a better signal. Time will tell.

Jim, I have RoadRunner and "lifeline" cable (when I originally went to Satellite no
locals were available so I kept cable for that). I compared prices recently and BrightHouse was cheaper for a comparable package. The main reason is that RoadRunner goes down to $39.95 a month if you have digital cable. Right now I am paying $44.95 a month and $6.95 for the basic cable. I could actually get the entire cable package (Internet, all digital cable channels-including all of the premiums,and DVR) for less than I am paying now-and I only have two of the premiums (HBO/Showtime). Of course, that's not including tax but cable has become a viable option (I never thought I would say that, at the time I went to satellite there was no comparison-at least favorable-between cable and satellite).
I've seen a lot of complaints about customer servcie with cable companies, but,
the few times I have called Brighthouse they have sent someone out the next day
and the problem was resolved. It would be nice not to have to deal with the vagaries of OTA reception (although it doesn't sound like BrightHouse is perfect with their HD channels). Stan

Is anyone having trouble with channel twelve WSFA. I have a strong signal but picture is breaking up and sound is dropping out.

Is anyone having trouble with channel twelve WSFA. I have a strong signal but picture is breaking up and sound is dropping out.
WSAF is doing fine here

I'm picking up WSFA-DT on 14.3 now.

My problem was during football game at 11:30. It was corrected about the start of the third quarter. All other stations were great. Just wondering if it was just me?
Thank you.
Game was Georgia and Arkansas

Anybody else picking up WCOV on 16 now instead of 20? I just turned it to Fox NFL Sunday and the STB auto-switched to channel 16. It's in HD, so I really don't care what channel its on. But, was just curious.

Anybody else picking up WCOV on 16 now instead of 20? I just turned it to Fox NFL Sunday and the STB auto-switched to channel 16. It's in HD, so I really don't care what channel its on. But, was just curious.

WSFA and WCOV have changed.

Also like to thank WSFA for showing NASCAR countdown to the Race. In past years they JIP(joined in Progress). :)

What is the model receiver Brighthouse is using for their HD DVR?

What is the model receiver Brighthouse is using for their HD DVR?


Motorola DCT6412/2000.

Somebody at WNCF threw the HD switch tonight, but forgot to throw the corresponding "sound" switch. HD w/o sound. Guess you can't have it all LOL! Oh, well...guess I'll just watch the World Series on FOX.

Ran across this, if of any interest (Fox HD Football games):

1PM ET
---------
GREEN BAY @ CINCINNATI
WASHINGTON @ NY GIANTS
MINNESTOTA @ CAROLINA
ARIZONA @ DALLAS
CHICAGO @ DETROIT

4PM ET
---------
PHILADELPHIA @ DENVER

Ran across this, if of any interest (Fox HD Football games):

1PM ET
---------
GREEN BAY @ CINCINNATI
WASHINGTON @ NY GIANTS
MINNESTOTA @ CAROLINA
ARIZONA @ DALLAS
CHICAGO @ DETROIT

4PM ET
---------
PHILADELPHIA @ DENVER

As much as I like the folks at Brighthouse, this really reminds me how much they need to work things out with WCOV.

I quess I was the only one who had trouble with 8 HD yesterday?

Anyone else? :o

I watched Football game with no problems.There were a few dropouts but nothing bad. I have decided my best OTA channels so far are 8 cbs and fox 20

I watched Football game with no problems.There were a few dropouts but nothing bad. I have decided my best OTA channels so far are 8 cbs and fox 20

Thanks..have to check my antenna..8 kept dropping out. What you doing up so early?

I always get up about 5 then sleep off and on during day

I always get up about 5 then sleep off and on during day


Me too. Makes it tough driving as I frighten the other drivers. :D

WSFA and WCOV have changed.

Also like to thank WSFA for showing NASCAR countdown to the Race. In past years they JIP(joined in Progress). :)


Want to retract what I said about 12..they are back to thier old tricks.

I was wondering if anybody was going to say anthing about that. I know it is the Rosa Parks Memorial Service, but, man...there are other channels it can be show on. I'll be glad when Nascar goes back to FOX next year!

I respect Miss Parks as well as anyone..But the folks at 12 could have put the race on one of the digital channels as you stated. No one over there thinks.

Just sent this to handres@wsfa.com. He's usually pretty good about answering. We'll see what he says.

Hoyt -

You have three (3) digital over-the-air channels. Can you not show NASCAR on one of them?

Sounds like the NASCAR feed was pre-empted by the network.

Sounds like the NASCAR feed was pre-empted by the network.


Not by the Network...local yocals.

I watched Football game with no problems.There were a few dropouts but nothing bad. I have decided my best OTA channels so far are 8 cbs and fox 20

For me it's WCOV and WNCF. The only problem I've had with WAKA is that its' tower is seperated from the other towers by a good distance and, during the day especially, I can't find an antenna position from which to get all channels (it's not generally a problem at night).

Well..we'll just have to run over and move that sucker!!.

Perhaps you just live in the wrong place? :D

Just sent this to handres@wsfa.com. He's usually pretty good about answering. We'll see what he says.

Hoyt -

You have three (3) digital over-the-air channels. Can you not show NASCAR on one of them?

Hoyt replied with the following: "NBC will not allow us to carry any of their programming only on our HD feed. "

I guess that means that they can't show NBC programming on one channel and the local programming on another....even though they have the 3 digital channels.

I guess that means that they can't show NBC programming on one channel and the local programming on another....even though they have the 3 digital channels.

That is correct. the rights to the programming are owned by the networks and the program producers. Just becuase there are "additional" channels does not mean that the local stations can show what they please. A little research on your part will go a long way towards understanding. :rolleyes:

That is correct. the rights to the programming are owned by the networks and the program producers. Just becuase there are "additional" channels does not mean that the local stations can show what they please. A little research on your part will go a long way towards understanding. :rolleyes:

Don't have to do a lot of research about our local NBC station..They suck..will not watch NASCAR on NBC..only FOX, Speed, TNT. I am tired of being screwed.

Anyone else on Brighthouse having problems with dropouts and freezes on WNCF-DT , ABC?

Tuned the OTA ATSC and get the station just fine. "Rock steady." It would appear that its something with Brighthouse, but I wanted to check with you guys before calling them this morning. Tough watching stuff live when you get use to the DVR.

That is correct. the rights to the programming are owned by the networks and the program producers. Just becuase there are "additional" channels does not mean that the local stations can show what they please. A little research on your part will go a long way towards understanding. :rolleyes:


I did my research....I asked the General Manager of the station!

What did I learn? The same thing as GrandpaTrain! They suck.

Good. and comments like that pretty much assure they'll ignore you..

Boys, boys! Let's be nice! Can't we all just get alone? Nobody knows nuthin' here. Even Bob's views are disclaimed. This is uncharted territory for the most part. Let he who has an adequate antenna cast the first stone.

Good. and comments like that pretty much assure they'll ignore you..

Did you read the post? "They" did not ignore..."they" answered my question, as "they" always do. That is one good thing about WSFA. Hoyt Andres will answer your questions. I just happen to disagree with his programming choice this past Sunday. No big deal. It's done.

Oh, and tonight WNCF sucks. For MNF, they threw the HD switch, but have failed to throw the corresponding sound switch. Did they not do that last week as well?

Good. and comments like that pretty much assure they'll ignore you..
I have been complaining about them joining programs in progress on Sunday mornings before NASCAR was on. They have been ignoring me and saying Church is more important. Enough is enough. :mad:

Yes, I read the posts. and again, a good way to make stations ignore you with such immature, impolite comments.

And, WNCF didn't forget to throw the audio switch, ABC is having problems. We had the problem here as well.

You said they "ignored" me. They did not ignore me.

Definition of Ignore: refuse to acknowledge

I think YOU need to read the posts.. The word was ignore, not ignored. Your replies only re-inforce my opinion of you. Obviously, you don't seem to take hints very well, sad to say.. Perhaps we should point Hoyt to your comments?

Point away, CrackPot, point away. Here's his e-mail address. handres@wsfa.com

[QUOTE=bdfox18doe]Well..we'll just have to run over and move that sucker!!.

Thanks for the offer. My back yard's available :D. It's generally not a problem. Usually at night I can get a good signal for all channels from one position. I some
times have to adjust it for Saturday afternoon football. Just one of the reasons I am considering going back to cable (but, from the comments here, everything is not great there either). It's nice to have viable choices though.

bdfox18doe

I think we're getting getting wrapped around a pole largely due to one person's immature behavior that's not representative of the rest of us that participate on this thread.

Just want you to know that your participation is appreciated and hope you stay around.

From a technical standpoint, is it even possible for one of the networks to send the local affiliate two different digital feeds for rebroadcast??

bdfox18doe

I think we're getting getting wrapped around a pole largely due to one person's immature behavior that's not representative of the rest of us that participate on this thread.

Just want you to know that your participation is appreciated and hope you stay around.

From a technical standpoint, is it even possible for one of the networks to send the local affiliate two different digital feeds for rebroadcast??

Who's immature behavior are we talking about??

Who's immature behavior are we talking about??


Not you. :)

.. Perhaps we should point Hoyt to your comments?

Threatening to tell on someone is not immature?

[QUOTE=bdfox18doe]Well..we'll just have to run over and move that sucker!!.

Thanks for the offer. My back yard's available :D. It's generally not a problem. Usually at night I can get a good signal for all channels from one position. I some
times have to adjust it for Saturday afternoon football. Just one of the reasons I am considering going back to cable (but, from the comments here, everything is not great there either). It's nice to have viable choices though.


Stan,
There is a way to mount a second antenna and use filters to seperate which antenna is receiving what. Then you don't have to bother with rotating it. Still have that 6 ft parabolic laying around?? :) Suspect you were using it to see if you could get anything off of Mars last week. :D

bdfox18doe

From a technical standpoint, is it even possible for one of the networks to send the local affiliate two different digital feeds for rebroadcast??

Yes, But WAKA isn't really equipped to handle that, WLTX here in Columbia quite often takes some of the extra SD feeds, at the quality expense of the Hd feed..

the networks haven't openly embraced that for fear of diluting the primary audience.

FYI....the local stations supply the abc, nbc, cbs, fox, upn signals to the cable systems in the Montgomlery market, they do not get the signals directly from the networks. Some systems pick up an off the air signal, some have a fiber optic link with the stations to get a clean signal at the cable head-in. This is the same for analog channels as well as the digital signals.

[QUOTE=SD4934]


Stan,
There is a way to mount a second antenna and use filters to seperate which antenna is receiving what. Then you don't have to bother with rotating it. Still have that 6 ft parabolic laying around?? :) Suspect you were using it to see if you could get anything off of Mars last week. :D


Jim, Actually, that parabolic is no longer with us. It was really getting weather worn and I wasn't too gentle with it taking it down so it ended up in the trash.
At least, between it and my new antenna I got comfortable getting on and off the roof. Lately, WAKA has been coming in pretty good from a position where I get all of the other channels. As far as cable, it comes down to who can give me the most full bandwidth and non-bit starved HD (and the best HD DVR). Like I said, it's nice to finally have viable choices (but like anything there are pros and cons to each choice-like my current choice-D*-has arguably the best HD DVR but is transmitting HD lite).

FYI....the local stations supply the abc, nbc, cbs, fox, upn signals to the cable systems in the Montgomlery market, they do not get the signals directly from the networks. Some systems pick up an off the air signal, some have a fiber optic link with the stations to get a clean signal at the cable head-in. This is the same for analog channels as well as the digital signals.

On which OTA channel is the UPN affiliate transmitting digital? What do they have in the way of HD content?

FYI....the local stations supply the abc, nbc, cbs, fox, upn signals to the cable systems in the Montgomlery market, they do not get the signals directly from the networks. Some systems pick up an off the air signal, some have a fiber optic link with the stations to get a clean signal at the cable head-in. This is the same for analog channels as well as the digital signals.


Would you happen to know if Brighthouse gets their signal OTA or fiber optic?

Would you happen to know if Brighthouse gets their signal OTA or fiber optic?
Brighthouse is the only area cable system that gets our (and I believe the other)
local stations via off air pickup.

[QUOTE=SD4934]


Stan,
There is a way to mount a second antenna and use filters to seperate which antenna is receiving what. Then you don't have to bother with rotating it. Still have that 6 ft parabolic laying around?? :) Suspect you were using it to see if you could get anything off of Mars last week. :D

Maybe it's time for history to repeat itself:
For the old-timers, remember the "Montgomery special" antenna? Sold all over the place (such as Woolco!) and was a box with 3 antennas in it: cut yagis for
12, 20, and 32. Box came from the manufacturer labeled "Montgomery special".
You can still see them in older parts of town on the original aims of Adrian Lane (20), Harrison Road (32) and Mount Carmel (12)....none of which are accurate anymore. Poor PBS (NET back then?) was never represented, but I think they
were mainly for classroom use in the day....my elementary school had a huge
double stack channel 2 yagi up about 50 feet to get Dozier which I assume was put up before 26 went on the air...but maybe they kept using it because 26 was so hard to distribute without loss to all the classrooms until converred to
a VHF channel.

Boys, boys! Let's be nice! Can't we all just get alone? Nobody knows nuthin' here. Even Bob's views are disclaimed. This is uncharted territory for the most part. Let he who has an adequate antenna cast the first stone.

I'd just like to point out that the station with the happy difference hasn't been written up here in awhile :)

I'd just like to point out that the station with the happy difference hasn't been written up here in awhile :)

Please define "happy difference." I get all of the local DTVs with an indoor antenna except for WAKA-DT. Not even a vestige of a signal there. Guess that would be "unhappy difference" for me.

Please define "happy difference." I get all of the local DTVs with an indoor antenna except for WAKA-DT. Not even a vestige of a signal there. Guess that would be "unhappy difference" for me.

I would think that has to do with your location and obstructions. Here in my office, on rabbit ears I get WAKA and WCOV best, then WSFA (which can go hours
without a trace) then WNCF, which I cannot get at all. At home, the situation
is different. I can't get WCOV at all; the others pretty well.

Well, I'll go back into hiding now.

Please define "happy difference."

Well, I'm sure there's a pretty broad definition of that term! :D

I would think that has to do with your location and obstructions. Here in my office, on rabbit ears I get WAKA and WCOV best, then WSFA (which can go hours without a trace) then WNCF, which I cannot get at all. At home, the situation is different. I can't get WCOV at all; the others pretty well.
Do you know how to rotate your rabbit ears? That might help.

Well, I'll go back into hiding now.
Don't do that. We always enjoy hearing from you.

Did anyone see GMA in HD this morning?

I did, but of course we air it from here..looked very good I thought for a first effort..

I did, but of course we air it from here..looked very good I thought for a first effort..

I asked because...it was HD for five minutes then went back to sd. I checked the strngth and it was comming in at 85. Maybe having problems over here in Dalraida area.

GP,
I looked at it for a few minutes at 730am, and our mco was watching, so there must have been a local issue there with WNCF..

GP,
I looked at it for a few minutes at 730am, and our mco was watching, so there must have been a local issue there with WNCF..
Thanks, I"ll wait and see if anyone had the same problem as I did.

Thanks, I"ll wait and see if anyone had the same problem as I did.

Is it true that if it is a delayed Broadcast it won't be broadcast in HD? Our ABC affiliate delays the Broadcast of GMA.

Sorry to say Yes. WAKA does NOT have the ability to delay HD broadcasts, Nor does WNCF.. None of our stations do..the cost (as well as operational complexity) to delay HD broadcasts is prohibitive especially considering no additional financial return.

Sorry to say Yes. WAKA does NOT have the ability to delay HD broadcasts, Nor does WNCF.. None of our stations do..the cost (as well as operational complexity) to delay HD broadcasts is prohibitive especially considering no additional financial return.

Thanks..Well I have not watched GMA for ten years and thought since it is HD I would give it a try. Back to Fox and Friends I go.

Thanks..Well I have not watched GMA for ten years and thought since it is HD I would give it a try.

I've never even seen GMA in the 30 years it's been on. Always watched Today, beginning with Dave Garroway.

Clicked on the wrong thread by mistake, so I thought I'd read the last few entries while I was here.

bdfox18doe:
Sorry to say Yes. WAKA does NOT have the ability to delay HD broadcasts, Nor does WNCF.. None of our stations do..the cost (as well as operational complexity) to delay HD broadcasts is prohibitive especially considering no additional financial return.

The above post caught my eye. Out west, EVERY network feed is time shifted, except live programming such as sports. As a result, almost EVERY station has the ability to time shift programming. They have to. Otherwise, GMA would be broadcast before the roosters woke up.

Apparently the cost is prohibitive in the Central time zone because the stations are spoiled since most of the programming is via live feeds, shown an hour earlier than Eastern time. But "operational complexity", give me a break. Sounds like a kid who can't figure his math. If that were the case, I wouldn't have any OTA HD.

Out west, EVERY network feed is time shifted, except live programming such as sports. As a result, almost EVERY station has the ability to time shift programming.


The stations don't have the need to time shift. The networks feeds are adjusted for the various time zones - by the networks.

The stations don't have the need to time shift. The networks feeds are adjusted for the various time zones - by the networks.

I don't believe you are correct. To the best of my knowledge, all non-live network feeds are time shifted. For example, Letterman on KGWN - Cheyenne typically runs 2-4 minutes ahead of the time its shown on KCNC - Denver. KCNC shows more commercials after the news before showing Letterman. Both stations transmit it in HD. I don't know how that 2-4 minutes difference could happen with a live feed.

Perhaps I'll watch the beginning of GMA on Monday before I go to work and let you know if it's in HD here in Denver.

Milehymikey,
Please explain your credentials to know more than those of us who work in the broadcast industry, especially specific to our local stations infrastructure, and who do this for a living...So as to substaniate your claim..Perhaps you' like to come over and show us how to do our math?

PS..This is a local thread for Montgomery AL, not HR Colorado.. ;)

I don't believe you are correct.

I stated that they don't have the "need" to time shift, not that they don't have the capability. Denver is a major television market.

bdfox18doey,

There are folks who apparently just don't like to be questioned. When I watch Letterman on 5.1 and then switch over to 4.1 and see the same portion of the program I was watching on 5.1 two minutes later on 4.1, there's no math involved. It's called time shifting.

Sorry I mistakenly trodded upon your thread, but I didn't know I needed a permission slip to offer my opinion.

There are folks who apparently just don't like to be questioned. When I watch Letterman on 5.1 and then switch over to 4.1 and see the same portion of the program I was watching on 5.1 two minutes later on 4.1, there's no math involved. It's called time shifting.


I seem to recall that you "accused" EVERY station out west of doing that. While it is obviously possible to do what you offer in your example, I would venture that that is an almost singular exception.

I have Charter Cable now but I want more HD channels so I am considering Dish or Direc TV. My question, which is better for my needs? I want a DVR and realize I will need a OTA reciever (my set does not have one.) I live in Deer Creek. What type of antenna will I need to get the local HD station broadcasts in this area? Any info will be helpful. Thanks

kapugi,

How many HD channels are available through Charter?

Charter has WSFA and WNCF along with ESPN, Discovery HD Theatre, HBO, SHO, and Cinamax.

kapugi,

No TNT, WCOV, WAIQ and WAKA??

For the moment (as things are rapidly changing), for satellite companies I'd go with Dish. This is with the understanding that to get local HD, you'll probably have to put up an outdoor antenna for WAKA-DT. You might only need an indoor antenna for the rest of the locals. Not so sure that the Dish Networks program guides includes the local HD information to help with DVR functions. Also be careful as to which receiver you get as the length of the programs guides vary with model.

You might also want to look into other cable providers. Some might be further along than others. A temporary solution to consider is to get the locals OTA until Charter catches up.

As to reception over cable, I don't know if its common to all cable HD in general or just Brighthouse. There always seems to be something. Now I'm getting periodic dropouts over most the HD channels. Not all the time, just during important parts of the show and never during commercials. (conspiracy theory at work here) When I check those channels that I also have available with my OTA system, the show is playing like it should. Its a better bet to record the analog station, but I didn't go high def to watch my programming in SD. (rant over)

bdfox18doey,

Sorry I mistakenly trodded upon your thread, but I didn't know I needed a permission slip to offer my opinion.

milehighmike - Just ignore bdfox18doe. He's the resident bully of the thread.

Go BRONCOS!

What happened to the HD on FOX? The pre-game show was in HD. They switched to the game and it is in SD. It is advertised to be broadcast in HD.

Just to add to the "time-shifting" debate. Some stations do indeed time-shift. When I lived in San Antonio, the local CBS station delayed Letterman by 30 minutes so they could air old Seifeld episodes immediately after the 10 o'clock news.

We couldn't see Letterman till 11:00 Central time. 11:00 minus 10:30 (as aired by CBS) = a 30 time-shift. Easy Math!

What happened to the HD on FOX? The pre-game show was in HD. They switched to the game and it is in SD. It is advertised to be broadcast in HD.

ATL/MIA? I'm getting it in HD.

Just to add to the "time-shifting" debate. Some stations do indeed time-shift. When I lived in San Antonio, the local CBS station delayed Letterman by 30 minutes so they could air old Seifeld episodes immediately after the 10 o'clock news.

We couldn't see Letterman till 11:00 Central time. 11:00 minus 10:30 (as aired by CBS) = a 30 time-shift. Easy Math!

Not all that uncommon for analog. Are you saying it was HD that was being delay at that time?

Of course, the original question was about HD time shifting in Montgomery..

Of course, the original question was about HD time shifting in Montgomery..

He is correct..I asked about GMA on our local ABC affiliate..no matter what you call it, we are delayed broadcasted and are not getting it in HD.

ATL/MIA? I'm getting it in HD.

Yeah, It didn't switch to HD till about the 2nd quarter.

Not all that uncommon for analog. Are you saying it was HD that was being delay at that time?

My bad. I was speaking about thier analog broadcast. Sorry.

He is correct..I asked about GMA on our local ABC affiliate..no matter what you call it, we are delayed broadcasted and are not getting it in HD.

I could go over numerous scenarios, but IN MONTGOMERY as far as GMA and Today (7-9am central) you are watching a NETWORK GENERATED delay of 1 hour for the CTZ (Central Time Zone). For CBS Early Show, you are watching it live BECAUSE we take the show 6-8am central...the only station in the CTZ to do so (another happy difference)...but in general, the networks provide a 7-9am local
time zone FEED (some zones delayed) no matter where you are. Now, for other times, the networks provide a east coast and west coast feed. We take the east coast feed...no problem. CSI Airs at 9pm in the ETZ and 8pm in the CTZ. But the MTZ stations (Mountain) are kinda the left out guys. The PTZ (pacific) feeds are too late for them; the ETZ (Eastern) too early. So, with a few exceptions, the
MTZ stations have always delayed network LOCALLY (e.g. video tape) as a normal
way of doing business. I believe the delay is 2 hours, making CSI air at 9pm...which really makes the CTZ the only zone to air most network programming
at a different "local" time. SOOOOOOOO...I can imagine the Denver stations
would have some sort of HD delay capacity; it would really be necessary. Smaller
markets in the MTZ, I would think, would also....but what a financial burden just
because you're in the MTZ. Now if you really want to talk wild west network scheduling tactics, there would be Hawaii........

yea..what he said... :eek:

Quote from shoncb:
milehighmike - Just ignore bdfox18doe. He's the resident bully of the thread.

Go BRONCOS!

Appreciate the support.


bdfox18doe,
As I stated I would do, I checked GMA this AM. It was broadcast in HD. I contacted an engineer at KMGH, our ABC affiliate in Denver, this AM. He stated that GMA is recorded on a $250K HD video recorder, as is all prime time evening HD programming. They also have a $10K tape based recorder used as a backup. The programming is received from an east coast feed two hours earlier than the time it is broadcast. The engineer also told me that all Mountain time zone stations need to record network feeds (both SD and HD) because there aren't any live feeds for the Mountain time zone, other than live events, such as sports.

The next time you want to play Mr. Know-it-all because you're in the business and the author of a particular post is not, you need to do your homework. Your credibility with me, and I hope others in this thread, is near zero. And by the way, you need to change your location identifier, unless you actually do reside in North Carolina. If that's the case, maybe you shouldn't post on this thread either.

Quote from shoncb:


Appreciate the support.


bdfox18doe,
As I stated I would do, I checked GMA this AM. It was broadcast in HD. I contacted an engineer at KMGH, our ABC affiliate in Denver, this AM. He stated that GMA is recorded on a $250K HD video recorder, as is all prime time evening HD programming. They also have a $10K tape based recorder used as a backup. The programming is received from an east coast feed two hours earlier than the time it is broadcast. The engineer also told me that all Mountain time zone stations need to record network feeds (both SD and HD) because there aren't any live feeds for the Mountain time zone, other than live events, such as sports.

The next time you want to play Mr. Know-it-all because you're in the business and the author of a particular post is not, you need to do your homework. Your credibility with me, and I hope others in this thread, is near zero. And by the way, you need to change your location identifier, unless you actually do reside in North Carolina. If that's the case, maybe you shouldn't post on this thread either.


Everyone...DUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I made no comments or claims in regards to Denver stations. My claim was in regards to the
Montgomery stations only. Therefore my post is accurate. I have been to not only WAKA multiple times, but other stations in Montgomery as well.

As to my posting in this thread, the encoding sytem for WAKA was designed, purchased, and built by me. WAKA was #7 of the 9 stations I have done. Encoding,Mux and PSIP control for WAKA as well as 6 other stations are originated here under my (and my staff's) control. One of my best friends, as well as two of our staff members,(plus WAKA staff) did the transmitter install for WAKA. I've been doing tv for 23 years, and HD since 1996..So I
do know a bit about it. Again, please provide your credentials to be the expert you claim to
be, as I have provided mine.

So..who has no credibilty here?

Bob,

As my last post to this thread, I conclude with the following:

1. I'm sure you have tremendous knowledge of broadcasting from the many years of experience you have in the industry. I am not being facetious!
2. You may have very little experience in HD time shifting since the operational complexity of it that you refer to in an earlier post is apparently somewhat routine technical work for stations in cities such as El Paso, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Cheyenne, Denver, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, Tucson, and other mountain time zone stations that broadcast HD. While cost may be a valid consideration, citing operational complexity for not time shifting GMA is bull.
3. I never, in any of my posts, claimed to be an "expert".

Have a nice day!

HD time shifting is EASY if you have automation. Smaller market stations such as WAKA, do not..which means it has to be done by hand, and is overly complex manually. Your numbers above clearly prove the point that is isn't feasible from a cost standpoint, especially for an aged ANALOG plant such as WAKA.

Regards,

HD time shifting is EASY if you have automation. Smaller market stations such as WAKA, do not..which means it has to be done by hand, and is overly complex manually. Your numbers above clearly prove the point that is isn't feasible from a cost standpoint, especially for an aged ANALOG plant such as WAKA.

Regards,

Would it not be great if we could choose an affliate in a bigger market, say Atlanta, so we would not be penalized for living in a samller community.

Clicked on the wrong thread by mistake, so I thought I'd read the last few entries while I was here.

bdfox18doe:


The above post caught my eye. Out west, EVERY network feed is time shifted, except live programming such as sports. As a result, almost EVERY station has the ability to time shift programming. They have to. Otherwise, GMA would be broadcast before the roosters woke up.

This is flat out wrong if you're referring to individual stations' ability to time shift HD. The network supplies a separate feed for the west coast, so the need to time shift out west doesn't exist for the most part. Even in some larger markets, like Seattle, where a station delays late night programming by 5 minutes to extend the local news - they end up supplying recorded SD feeds of the network late night programming because they are unable to time shift HD.

Just for the benefit of those who may be lurking in the peanut gallery - Bob not only has a lot of past experience with a number of different stations, he is currently involved with quite a few stations (representing multiple networks). You may not always agree with some of the decisions his stations, or he makes, but his engineering expertise in this area has been demonstrated numerous times on AVS.

If he is involved with a station in your area, be thankful. He's very pro-HD and will spend whatever he's allowed to make it the best possible. Sometimes it seems he is one of the few engineers (or any local station employee) who actually have HD personally.

Just for the benefit of those who may be lurking in the peanut gallery - Bob not only has a lot of past experience with a number of different stations, he is currently involved with quite a few stations (representing multiple networks). You may not always agree with some of the decisions his stations, or he makes, but his engineering expertise in this area has been demonstrated numerous times on AVS.

If he is involved with a station in your area, be thankful. He's very pro-HD and will spend whatever he's allowed to make it the best possible. Sometimes it seems he is one of the few engineers (or any local station employee) who actually have HD personally.

Bob, I think I can speak for the majority of the members of this thread and say
we appreciate the work you've done and the way you have kept us up to date with what is going on at WAKA as it gets into the digital age. A couple of people don't speak for the majority here. Stan

Would it not be great if we could choose an affliate in a bigger market, say Atlanta, so we would not be penalized for living in a samller community.
Hey Grandpa. Got to say this.

Yes you can! BUT if you employ a carrier (Echostar, Directv) to do so, SOMEONE
must pay copyright on that signal. Gues what? The Atlanta affiliate isn't going to do it...and so far neither has Echostar of Directv. And you can't (assumption here)
afford it. Quite pricy. This is the big catch for distant stations and "waivers". Everybody picks on the local stations, but we are just the local gatekeepers for the law. If we are so enpowered to keep everyone from receiving distant stations, why do numerous cable systems "import" duplicate network stations
without us pouncing on them? Simple: they pay the copyright. I was at a cable
system yesterday in our DMA. They have 2 each ABC, NBC, CBS. We have some
systems in the DMA with more than that. So the next time Echostar or Directv
denies a distant affiliate from someone you know, ask them to pay the copyright.
If they do, you get the station. But all you'll get as a response is silence.:)

But one mighty tall antenna at your place gets you a selection of copyright-free
signals...which is fine with us. I watch WXIA Atlanta (with some snow most of the time) with an attic antenna.

HD time shifting is EASY if you have automation. Smaller market stations such as WAKA, do not..which means it has to be done by hand, and is overly complex manually. Your numbers above clearly prove the point that is isn't feasible from a cost standpoint, especially for an aged ANALOG plant such as WAKA.

Regards,

Right he is. MTZ stations have a staff to do this, too.

Just for the benefit of those who may be lurking in the peanut gallery - Bob not only has a lot of past experience with a number of different stations, he is currently involved with quite a few stations (representing multiple networks). You may not always agree with some of the decisions his stations, or he makes, but his engineering expertise in this area has been demonstrated numerous times on AVS.

If he is involved with a station in your area, be thankful. He's very pro-HD and will spend whatever he's allowed to make it the best possible. Sometimes it seems he is one of the few engineers (or any local station employee) who actually have HD personally.

Very true.
Go Bob!

Grandpa

Maybe I'm missing your point. Is your issue with having the same program available at different times?? If so, DVRs would take care of that.

Grandpa

Maybe I'm missing your point. Is your issue with having the same program available at different times?? If so, DVRs would take care of that.

No..I would like the choice to watch another station if the local ones don't listen to their viewers, because they don't have to. Example: WSFA for the longest time would Join in Progress NASCAR, because they were showing a Church service on Sunday. If I had a choice I would watch the NBC affiliate out of anywhere else.

No..I would like the choice to watch another station if the local ones don't listen to their viewers, because they don't have to. Example: WSFA for the longest time would Join in Progress NASCAR, because they were showing a Church service on Sunday. If I had a choice I would watch the NBC affiliate out of anywhere else.



I see what you're saying. Sounds like the problem with Nascar has been resolved, though.

Did anybody else have a problem with "Medium" in HD on Tuesday night?

Third week in a row that my DVR didn't record it. Don't know if its something I'm doing wrong or what.

Okay, bdfox18doe - I have to ask a question. I'm not tyring to be an ass, but have noticed a trend with our Montomgery HD broadcasts.

Why is it that I can watch programs in HD all week long with no problems. (Although, I see that JimP had a problem with "Medium" on Tuesday).

However, EVERY Sunday, there is one problem after another with the NFL and NASCAR broadcasts? For instance; FOX is on all the time in HD, but right now @ 1:07 PM on 11/13/2005, the MIN@NYG game is not in HD. It started in HD and is supposed to be in HD, but has switched to SD.

Why is that? I really want to know. What is different on Sunday? Monday thru Saturday seems to be really good. Sunday...no good.

Is it something as simple as everybody is at church?

again...not trying to bash y'all, but as I said...it is a trend.

Thanks for your support!

Ok,
Seems to me overall, there are more problems on Sundays as you say. I know my phone tends to ring more on Sundays, with Friday nights a close second for some reason.

Could be several things, and maybe not a simple answer for all..some stations use the B staff on weekends, and have little to no engineering staff should there be a problem. Not all stations give the HD the time and attention that others do. I know that Mark at WAKA
takes it seriously and attempts to quickly resolve any issues or problems. With the hard shut-off looming near it's beginning to really matter, and now is the time that stations need to wake up and pay attention to the hd and learn how to make it work properly and consistently. Unfortunately, not all are there yet for one reason or another.

As to the NFL on FOX..with 6 games going on Sundays, there is a lot more traffic and changes to go wrong, and the splicers can be quite cantankerous at times. If the game began in HD but now isn't, most likely the local station had a burp in the splicer that caused the issue. Or, there was a national feed issue, which happens occasionally. With all FOX has going on during Sundays. Network Operations, especially with 6 games, are incredibly complex. With FOX (unlike the other netwroks) they ALWAYS have program on the Hd feed, so stations can always take the HD feed to air during network time periods. Other networks don't do this, which leads to missed HD switches and feeds.

The best thing to do is in a polite, firm manner let your local stations know you are out there
and watching and expect the HD to work. Most stations have way more to do than just HD, such as keeping the analog going, especially if there is news involved, with not enough engineering and operational staff to go around. Thank the bean counters for that.. I'm sure many of you here on the forum have seen that happen in your companies.Unfortunately, HD still is a money loser, and few if any stations have backup equipment at this time. But, that will change for the better over the next few years, it will have to.

WSFA has failed us on HD for the race today. 2:42 P.M. It's in SD and the sound is out of synch with the picture.

btw - Thanks for the answer, Bob!

WSFA has failed us on HD for the race today. 2:42 P.M. It's in SD and the sound is out of synch with the picture.

btw - Thanks for the answer, Bob!


Nothing new...that's what they do. Thank goodness for Football. :)

GT - I know. It is typical for them. At least we got to see the start of the race today...no church pre-emptions! ha ha

Hey...I see it is in HD now. It took 139 of the 312 laps, but they got it!!!!!!

I'm getting no HD on WCOV ("House") or NBC ("L&0). Did somebody forget to flip the switch or are the weather "bugs" only available for standard def. WNCF is
showing the HD feed.

I'm getting no HD on WCOV ("House")...... <snip>

House and Bones did not air in HD last night. This was due to an operator error.

Thanks. WSFA did not have any HD last night either. Either operator error (or inaction) or they can't run their weather announcements during an HD broadcast.

Anyone curious about what's going on with Brighthouse cable, the service guy came back out to my house last week (different guy from the other 3). Took one look at my TV and disappeared for 5 minutes. Said that he had something to check out on the outside of the house. When he returned, he said that he had to replace some bad connections. Wish I had followed him around.

All I can say is that my HD channels now lacks the freeze up, tiling and dropouts that I've been experiencing. Even recorded "Medium" this week.

Brighthouse still hasn't worked out the agreement with WCOV over HD. I just about don't care, I'll watch something on the HD stations that Brighthouse does carry instead. The 2 shows I do watch from WCOV, I'll just DVR off of the analog channel.

The Motorola DVR that Brighthouse uses has been running great this week. Not a single glitch and very easy to program.

I've posted this previously and it stands to be repeated. I think picking a HD service provider is like trying to hit a moving target. This month, one provider is ahead , six months later a different one is ahead. I'd say that for now, if you can work through the glitches, that Brighthouse system is the one to go with. As satellite will be adding more HD national channels, I can only hope that Brighthouse will do the same.

No WSFA digital signal tonight, again. Not that they are showing an HD program, but I like the digital OTA signal over the Charter signal.

Wow. Been awhile lurking this thread. Glad to see alot of local eng involded now.
I have Brighthouse. Been thinking about testing their HD box. I also have Directv HD box that does local over the air HD feeds. Been kinda lurking on the sideline awhile to see what happens.

I would like to throw my two cents in also about the switching between high def and sd for AD's on the high def broadcast. I like the way FOX keeps it on all the time. and lets the AD's play in a box. That's fine with me. All that switching gives my audio receiver a workout. :0) Guess I will be glad when Commercials are in high def to. Who would'nt want to see a Victoria's Secret commercial in HD. LOL

Charter has WSFA and WNCF along with ESPN, Discovery HD Theatre, HBO, SHO, and Cinamax.

With directv you will get All locals (by over the air) ABC,NBC,CBS,FOX. oh and PBS. Along with what you have with Charter you will get HDNET, HDNET MOVIES, and Universal HD. They dont have Cinamax in HD tho. Now I do not have the PVR because all that's gonna change so I'm still waiting.

I saw a Coor's Light commercial in HD, too bad it wasn't the Coors Light twins! Well, I say it was in HD, it was full-screen like the HD broadcast I was watching. I think it was a football game.

Question: Does anybody know what is going on with WSFA's OTA HD signal? Or, any of their digital OTA signals?

Question: Does anybody know what is going on with WSFA's OTA HD signal? Or, any of their digital OTA signals?
Just checked mine for you..seems to be working here..whats up?

GT - My indoor antenna was pointing in the wrong directions (had the carpets cleaned this week/must of got displaced then). All signals are coming in strong now! Thanks for the check! I appreciate it!

It figures, WSFA is NOT in HD. I hope they have that fixed prior to tommorrow's NASCAR race. It's the last one WSFA has to air...thank GOD!

It figures, WSFA is NOT in HD. I hope they have that fixed prior to tommorrow's NASCAR race. It's the last one WSFA has to air...thank GOD!
I quess they fiqure everyone will watch Aub and Al...but there are ND fans here..probably saving money on Engineers. I am NASCAR fan but will not watch on 12.

Watching the AL/Auburn game. I'm having a problem though. The Alabama offensive line seems to be missing from the picture. Do I need to adjust something?

:D owwwwchhhhh...

Even with the clarity of HD, you still can't see it??? :D

:D owwwwchhhhh...

Even with the clarity of HD, you still can't see it??? :D


Actually, they seem to fade in and out now (along with the rest of the offense).
(And I'm an Alabama fan.)

Watching the AL/Auburn game. I'm having a problem though. The Alabama offensive line seems to be missing from the picture. Do I need to adjust something?


Oh, how many ways this could be answered. :D

Hey all. Been readin this thread and learnin where the towers are. I live in Auburn and do better getting Montgomery channels than Columbus even though they are closer. I have clear horizon to Montgomery, guess thats why im picking them up. I mapped out all the towers with Google earth so I could get a good bearing from my location. Thought some might like to use it as reference.

Had to zip it to allow this board to post it. You will need Google Earth to view.

Cheers
Mike

I mapped out all the towers with Google earth so I could get a good bearing from my location.



Interesting. WCOV-DT is not presently operating from where you show them. They are at 32-20-06, 86-17-16. WCOV-TV (analog) is operating from the same site as WSFA-DT.

Star Wars II not in HD on WCOV-DT. Recorded it and just got around to watch it on my SA8300-HD and its 4X3 in DD 2.0. Darn..Deleted it. Over in the Programming forum folks were posting on how great it looked and sounded. Also on WSFA 12 the Macy parade was not pass to us in HD either. Has anyody seen any HD content from the locals lately?

I also noticed that. In fact in the morning when I turned on the parade 12.1 was off. I had to tune to 14.1 to get it and it was 4:3. I checked Ch 4 in Dothan which I also get and they were NOT showing HD either. I havent a clue what the problem is with the stations we get. Ch 8 always has problems also. I did see that they both had HD during Prime time though.

Larry

Star Wars II not in HD on WCOV-DT. Recorded it and just got around to watch it on my SA8300-HD and its 4X3 in DD 2.0. Darn..Deleted it. Over in the Programming forum folks were posting on how great it looked and sounded. Also on WSFA 12 the Macy parade was not pass to us in HD either. Has anyody seen any HD content from the locals lately?
Watched Stars Wars with our Grandson...it was HD here...If I am not mistaken we are not allowed to watch the Parade live, it is a delayed broadcast. :(

Star Wars II not in HD on WCOV-DT. Recorded it and just got around to watch it on my SA8300-HD and its 4X3 in DD 2.0. Darn..Deleted it. Over in the Programming forum folks were posting on how great it looked and sounded. Also on WSFA 12 the Macy parade was not pass to us in HD either. Has anyody seen any HD content from the locals lately?

It was in 16x9 at my house and appeared to be HD. Maybe you need to check your setup, Barry. Didn't watch but a couple of minutes, however. Pesky company, you know.

It was in 16x9 at my house and appeared to be HD. Maybe you need to check your setup, Barry. Didn't watch but a couple of minutes, however. Pesky company, you know.

Maby they only showed part in HD. When I got up the wife was watching it in SD so I switched it through the HD receiver. Neither of my HD receivers had it in HD. It was about 2/3 into the parade. I didnt check Star Wars though.

Larry

Checked the set up. Nothing changed. Watching fooball in HD now on ESPN. Must have been a Knology Cable CO problem. Now that I think about it, I could have recorded it off the analog side but I'M not admitting it. HA! HA! ...

Ch-8 is showing a football game in HD, Ch-12 is in SD. I think the daytime Engineer doesnt know how to run the HD equipment. I have never seen Ch_12 in HD except prime time and 1/2 the time its either off or in SD.

Anyone know if WAKA powers their antennas down during the day hours or something? Everyone morning and night I get WAKA Ch 8 just fine in SD or HD. BUt afternoon hours I lose the signal. I am in Auburn... my WSFA and ABC32 stay up no problem, just WAKA.

Missing my Football in HD and it's starting to tick me off.

Anyone know if WAKA powers their antennas down during the day hours or something? .


No, WAKA runs at full power always, unless there are transmitter problems. Legally, you can't selectively change power at will. Remeber, we are on Ch-55.

Then what channel am i picking up on Channel 8-1 , 2 , 3 ?? It says WAKA. I cannot get 55. I am located in Auburn.

My TV picks up 8, 12, 32 in digital and get HD on those stations when broadcasting in HD ?

Mike

Then what channel am i picking up on Channel 8-1 , 2 , 3 ?? It says WAKA. I cannot get 55. I am located in Auburn.

My TV picks up 8, 12, 32 in digital and get HD on those stations when broadcasting in HD ?

Mike

Your cable provider has his own numbering scheme. Confusing, isn't it. :)

Well this is OTA. I have a JVC HD TV and those are the stations I get when I do a channel scan. ;)

You're actually receiving WAKA-DT from Channel 55..Via the PSIP software we tell your receiver to display the "received" channel as 8-1.. :)

So, you may need to revisit your antenna, it may not be optimized for Ch-55 reception..can you give me some details?

Bob,

I am receiving the signal just fine now. About right after your post it picked back up. Of course currently the CBS feed has stadium sound but no announcers and I suspect the is a CBS issue, not WAKA.

I have a ChannelMaster 3018 (113" span). I am also using a CM boost box at the antenna which is located in the attic. Its pointed pretty much directly at WAKA.

Signal strength for WAKA is currently: 71

For WFSA is around 94 and WNCF around 75.

WAKA signal drops off completely during the day hours. Typically from around 11 am to 4pm. Im wondering if it is the sun as the direction of the antenna is where the sun sets. ;)

Thanks for any info.

Thanks..that antenna should be fine..remember that WAKA's signal originates much further away from you, the tower is out off Highway 12 near Gordonsville..whereas WNCF is in-town Montgomery..I'm not sure of WSFA'-DTs transmitter location, Mark or W4IMM could answer that.

If possible, it would be good to put the antenna outside, also, you may not be aimed ideally for WAKA..

Audio is fine here on CBS via WBTV-DT..

Thanks..that antenna should be fine..remember that WAKA's signal originates much further away from you, the tower is out off Highway 12 near Gordonsville..whereas WNCF is in-town Montgomery..I'm not sure of WSFA'-DTs transmitter location, Mark or W4IMM could answer that.

If possible, it would be good to put the antenna outside, also, you may not be aimed ideally for WAKA..

Audio is fine here on CBS via WBTV-DT..
Audio is local problem here..not working

I have reports the audio on CBS was bad in Columbia SC as well...

WAKA signal drops off completely during the day hours. Typically from around 11 am to 4pm.

Depending on where you are, Auburn is about 82 miles from WAKA-DT and about 59 miles from WSFA-DT. That 23 miles is a killer because of atmospheric absorbtion and the fact that you are curving away. It ought to be even worse in the summer. Let us know six months from now.

I too have Ch-8 SS problems, I live in Brantley, 60 miles S of Montgomery. I get it with good SS but its much more directional during the day. In other words I have to turn the antenna exactly. Seems at night I can be more sloppy in the pointing. Normally I point the antenna at Ch-12 and can get 8 but in the day I have to point at 8 exactly and the signal drops off very fast to the sides. I have a CM 4228.

Mraburn: When you scan with a HD receiver the receiver locks the RF channel but that is different from the Channel numbers. Ch-8 is RF 55 and Ch-12 is RF 14. You should be able to tune either of them the RF or Channel number but you dont get the guide or station Id on the RF. I have found out that sometimes I cant get ch12 at all but do get a signal on Ch 14, even though I get 12 in the high 90's SS. When its working.

I also noticed that. In fact in the morning when I turned on the parade 12.1 was off. I had to tune to 14.1 to get it and it was 4:3. I checked Ch 4 in Dothan which I also get and they were NOT showing HD either. I havent a clue what the problem is with the stations we get. Ch 8 always has problems also. I did see that they both had HD during Prime time though.

Larry

Uh....the parades were not offered in HD.

Ch-8 is showing a football game in HD, Ch-12 is in SD. I think the daytime Engineer doesnt know how to run the HD equipment. I have never seen Ch_12 in HD except prime time and 1/2 the time its either off or in SD.

That's one of those happy differences.

Thanks..that antenna should be fine..remember that WAKA's signal originates much further away from you, the tower is out off Highway 12 near Gordonsville..whereas WNCF is in-town Montgomery..I'm not sure of WSFA'-DTs transmitter location, Mark or W4IMM could answer that.

If possible, it would be good to put the antenna outside, also, you may not be aimed ideally for WAKA..

Audio is fine here on CBS via WBTV-DT..

WSFA transmits from Grady, which is much closer to Auburn than Gordonsville.

Audio is local problem here..not working

We were on the phone with CBS about this during the game. Seems they have
had other complaints today from affiliates. Not sure what the issue is/was.

Anybody know what the idiots at Ch-12 are doing now to wreck the HD broadcast? Im trying to watch Surface but he picture is shrunk on both sides as well as the top and bottem. have about 40 inches of picture on my 61" TV.
They dont seem to have any trouble breaking into the show for 5 minuits with POSSIBLE tornado warnings.
Unfortunatly Ch-12 is the only NBC station I get and they seem to be screwed up 1/2 the time. God help us when they shut down the analog feed.

So far we got 5 min of show, 5 min of possible tornado updates and 5 min of commercials every 15 min. They wouldnt dare break ino the commerials with the warnings only the show.

Anybody know what the idiots at Ch-12 are doing now to wreck the HD broadcast? Im trying to watch Surface but he picture is shrunk on both sides as well as the top and bottem. have about 40 inches of picture on my 61" TV.
They dont seem to have any trouble breaking into the show for 5 minuits with POSSIBLE tornado warnings.
Unfortunatly Ch-12 is the only NBC station I get and they seem to be screwed up 1/2 the time. God help us when they shut down the analog feed.

So far we got 5 min of show, 5 min of possible tornado updates and 5 min of commercials every 15 min. They wouldnt dare break ino the commerials with the warnings only the show.
Thats what they do and will never change. I solved the problem, during bad weather in Alabama, I watch some other channels besides WAKA and WSFA. Last night it was Football on 32. I usually watch Medium, but I will not watch when they screw things up. I have the internet, weather channel, and weather radio to keep up with storms.

Grandpa Train

What WSFA hasn't figured out is that after about the second interruption, a lot of viewers are just going to switch channels. As large as their coverage area is, someone two counties away is just not going to be interested in weather that doesn't affect them. If they can't follow their show due to an excess of interruptions, why bother watching it at all??

Would it not be better for WSFA to put a flashing "weather alert, tune to " message in the lower right corner when an alert occurs?? Those who think they might be affected could check to see what's happening. As it is, they're likely to switch to another channel that doesn't have any kind of alert system just to avoid the annoyance factor. Then they miss the one alert that does affect them.

Edit: Sorry, I meant WAKA rather than WSFA. :o

Grandpa Train

What WSFA hasn't figured out is that after about the second interruption, a lot of viewers are just going to switch channels. As large as their coverage area is, someone two counties away is just not going to be interested in weather that doesn't affect them. If they can't follow their show due to an excess of interruptions, why bother watching it at all??

Would it not be better for WSFA to put a flashing "weather alert, tune to " message in the lower right corner when an alert occurs?? Those who think they might be affected could check to see what's happening. As it is, they're likely to switch to another channel that doesn't have any kind of alert system just to avoid the annoyance factor. Then they miss the one alert that does affect them.
Lots of folks have been asking that for a few years. As stated before they don't care. On top of that, the weather forcaster on WAKA, guy named Baxley I think, is so annoying .

Edit: Sorry, I meant WAKA rather than WSFA. :o

This confirms what A.C. Nielson discovered long ago, that viewers don't know what channel they're watching. Sorry. Couldn't help myself. :o

This confirms what A.C. Nielson discovered long ago, that viewers don't know what channel they're watching. Sorry. Couldn't help myself. :o

As a broadcaster, I understand our side of the picture..But, As a viewer, I don't care what channel I'm watching..I'm NOT watching because it's WAKA, (unless it's our news!!) I'm watching because I want to see NCIS.. and, thank you very much, my granddparents survived to ripe old ages without the TV weatherman to save them.. :)

As a broadcaster, I understand our side of the picture..But, As a viewer, I don't care what channel I'm watching..I'm NOT watching because it's WAKA, (unless it's our news!!) I'm watching because I want to see NCIS.. and, thank you very much, my granddparents survived to ripe old ages without the TV weatherman to save them.. :)
Right you are.... :)

What is NCIS?

What is NCIS?

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/ncis/index.shtml

Obligatory HD text:

WAKA looks great in HD since Brighthouse added it. I've got my theater up and running with an Optoma H78DC3 and a 106" screen. I'm even watching shows I thought were crap before if they look good, or have great sound :)

My first complaint in a couple of weeks...here goes. :)

I see that CBS switched from the boring TEN@IND game (a predictable blowout), to the more exciting CIN@PIT game. CIN@PIT is broadcast in HD....except on WAKA. Why is that? Does the HD equipment not work well with the stupid, infamous weather graphics?

Anyway, I hope this is all cleared up by the time DEN@KC comes on! hint, hint, hint.

My first complaint in a couple of weeks...here goes. :)

I see that CBS switched from the boring TEN@IND game (a predictable blowout), to the more exciting CIN@PIT game. CIN@PIT is broadcast in HD....except on WAKA. Why is that? Does the HD equipment not work well with the stupid, infamous weather graphics?

Anyway, I hope this is all cleared up by the time DEN@KC comes on! hint, hint, hint.

during a flex situation (CBS switching us from the parent SD game), the HD will not "follow" in the current receiver configuration CBS has at most stations. As you saw, the DVR/KC game was in HD; it was a parent HD game. As CBS reconfigures
to make HD the primary to SD, this will change. Probably won't be soon.

ALSO, you have NEVER seen a weather warning map or crawl on WAKA-DT,
(during HD broadcasts) so we do NOT go non-HD in those situations. Please don't confuse us with
brand X. During weather severe enough for us to break in LIVE, we would
interrput the DT....but this would be truly bad weather. Cmon....we're the
ones who put up US Open Tennis on the DT when a telethon is on the analog....
we're the BIG 8....your friends!

WAKA - You are right. I saw no weather graphics on the HD broadcast. KUDOS!!!!

When I wrote that, I was watching the SD version of CIN@PIT, with the weather graphics. I saw that the game was supposed to be in HD. So, I assumed that y'all were not in HD because of the graphics. However, like you mentioned, DEN@KC was in HD with no graphics and no problems. I really did enjoy that game.....well, except for the fact that the Broncos lost! :-(

Thanks for the explanation on the "flex" situation.

WSFA, screwed up HD again. Tonights 2nd Vegas broadcast is not in HD. The first one looked ok but was a rerun, I didnt watch it. It looks better than the SD broadcast but has black bars on both the top,bottem and sides, I have seen this screw up many times befor.
I hate Ch-12 WSFA, the only thing they can get right is the thunderstorm watch graphics, when there is a possible thunderstorm anywhere in the state they put up the graphics, bigcolorful and usually moving. As soon as I can get another NBC station, I will switch off CH-12 forever.
Even there web page is full of unnecessary junk and you cant find a link to complain to anybody. if you cal during prie time nobody is working except the news team and there tired of hearig complaints about the broadcast.

WSFA, screwed up HD again. Tonights 2nd Vegas broadcast is not in HD. The first one looked ok but was a rerun, I didnt watch it. It looks better than the SD broadcast but has black bars on both the top,bottem and sides, I have seen this screw up many times befor.
I hate Ch-12 WSFA, the only thing they can get right is the thunderstorm watch graphics, when there is a possible thunderstorm anywhere in the state they put up the graphics, bigcolorful and usually moving. As soon as I can get another NBC station, I will switch off CH-12 forever.
Even there web page is full of unnecessary junk and you cant find a link to complain to anybody. if you cal during prie time nobody is working except the news team and there tired of hearig complaints about the broadcast.
Hate to keep saying this...but they do not care. They are the only team in town. The weather folks have to have something to do to earn their money and bothering us is fun for them.

Even there web page is full of unnecessary junk and you cant find a link to complain to anybody. if you cal during prie time nobody is working except the news team and there tired of hearig complaints about the broadcast.

Larry - Call the Master Control Operator at 613-8242. If that doesn't work, try Hoyt Andres. He is the Vice President & General Manager. handres@wsfa.com