WAKA is putting a new twist on their self-acclaimed phrase "happy difference". CBS Sunday Morning is really nothing more than a radio program. There is no picture whatsoever. Not a good sign considering they have both NFL games today.

The picture is now back. I'm happier!

Interesting commentary in today's Montgomery Advertiser concerning the local television station choices on cable.

MEDIA WATCH (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051211/SPORTS/512110333/1002)



Spend some time out of Montgomery, and it doesn't take long to discover that what's available on cable here is inferior to what's offered in other areas of the state.

I'm not talking about the service offered by either Knology or Charter. I'm talking about what channels you actually receive via cable at your home.

I just spent a week in Arab in north Alabama. The population is about 8,000. There is one cable company -- ironically, it's Charter.

The difference is, in Arab and other smaller areas located between major cities, there are two channels of each network available on cable. In Arab's case, there are Fox, CBS, ABC and NBC affiliates in both Huntsville and Birmingham available on the one cable system.

Think this type of set-up wouldn't work wonders in Montgomery? What are the odds that two separate NBC affiliates would both have Jefferson-Pilot contracts? That means when WSFA shows us the SEC game of the week during football season, the other NBC affiliate could show the Notre Dame game.

Same goes for WAKA and its telethon, which interrupts the CBS coverage of the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Let's just say it would be nice to have options. Competition, in this case, would benefit the viewer.

It might also lead to stations being more creative. The Fox affiliate in Birmingham -- WBRC -- runs a contest during the week during the NFL season. It asks viewers to go to its Web site and vote on which Fox game they want to see on Sunday.

It's called, "Fans' Choice." What a concept!

"We've done it at least the last two years," said Rick Karle, the station's sports director. "Viewers have until noon on Thursday to vote. We talk it up on our newscasts. It generates interest and it's helpful when 12:05 rolls around on Sunday and people call and complain what game they're getting. We can say, 'Well, the people voted.'"

What's more, the Fans' Choice has three local sponsors. WBRC benefits in multiple ways -- and so do its viewers.

Interesting commentary in today's Montgomery Advertiser concerning the local television station choices on cable.

MEDIA WATCH (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051211/SPORTS/512110333/1002)
He is absolutely correct. This Christmas I will be spending Christmas in a small town, Waterloo, N.Y. They get stations from Syracuse and Rochester, they have a choice of two stations from ABC,CBS,NBC, Fox. The stations are so much better than any here. COMPETITION.

Just curious, its not the town that has multiple stations of a network, it's that the town is located between cities with these stations?

Yes, Jim is correct.

Just curious, its not the town that has multiple stations of a network, it's that the town is located between cities with these stations?
Dah !! Really :rolleyes:

Interesting commentary in today's Montgomery Advertiser concerning the local television station choices on cable.

MEDIA WATCH (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051211/SPORTS/512110333/1002)

Actually, he IS talking about the service offered by Knology and/or Charter.
They can carry anything they want by paying a copyright fee.
Historically,
smaller cities have earlier systems. The sole purpose of cable in the early
days was to bring in anything available to these more rural areas, and that
would only be TV stations. Where
I grew up, the cable system had 5 CBS stations, 2 NBC, 2 ABC, PBS, WTCG,
(TBS to you youngsters) and a black and white dials-whiz-by weather station.
Anything to fill the channels...and most of the stations faded in and out...but wow! 12 channels of selection was quite a bump-up from 1 or 2. In the cities, cable came later and there were other choices by then (HBO, USA, ESPN) to take up the channels. Also, the cities always
had their local affiliates without cable (a main reason cable wasn't "needed" in the city) so no one cared. Over time, cable systems
that had multiple same affiliates have slowly dropped them because of the enormous duplication of programming involved and bandwidth limitations.
As you've heard me say before, we have more than a few systems in our DMA
with multiples....but getting fewer all the time.
Again, Knology or Charter could pick up anything they want.

Guess things are going pretty good in this area. No comlaints in a week.

Well now Im just stumped... :)

Set up my HD tuner in my MCE (windows media center). I get ALL the channels BUT WSFA 12-1. And it is my strongest signal. MCE downloads content guide and frequency assignments from the FEDS. So I have to assume its requesting ch. 14 for 12-1. BUT I get NO signal. On my TV HD tuner Im picking it up just fine with strength of 94.

Is there another freq. assignment for WSFA I could try? MCE allows me to add DT channels and their assignment.

Any insight appreciated.

Mike

Well I was able to add the channel manually and now have FULL strength, but cannot be displayed. I know Im outside the norm here but anyone with MCE experience, feel free to jump in. :)

Well I was able to add the channel manually and now have FULL strength, but cannot be displayed. I know Im outside the norm here but anyone with MCE experience, feel free to jump in. :)

What you are seeing on the meter may not be from the station you're trying to receive. Try turning your antenna to different directions irrespective of the signal meter indication. The meter could be indicating something nearby but off the frequency you're attempting to tune. Same thing happens with my HD Wonder PC card.

You gotta say one thing about Montgomery's NBC Channel....they sure are consitent. They sure know how to NOT flip the freakin' HD switch. Earl is not in HD tonight, although advertised to be so on the website and on the show itself. On the brightside, they lost their NASCAR contract to ABC/ESPN, which have no problems flipping the switch. The bad news is they picked up Sunday Night Football. So, expect problems next fall with the NFL.

shoncb

By any chance, did you see Medium? It looked like it was reduced in size (so that it had black bars all arround) during most of the show, then towards the end it went full screen. When it went full screen, major tiling. Think the last time this happened it turned out to be the network.

No, I didn't see Medium. You are right, it may very well be the network. However, it would make no sense for the network to keep pushing their "Available in HD" graphics when it really isn't available in HD. It's been my experience, more often that not, that WSFA failed. I got an e-mail into them, we'll see what they say. I expect another "sorry" response.

The only program on NBC that I consistently watch is Leno. I record it and then watch it the next morning (I need my sleep). For about a week it has been SD.
Not sure if this is network or WSFA. It didn't record it last night because it was a repeat but I did watch the first of the program before I went to bed--no HD.

Just got the Motorola HD DVR box from my cable company this past week. BH. Been doing pretty good so far. Had to unplug it a few times but been doing pretty good on recording my shows. Both SD and HD. Problem with guide data I guess makes it miss the first part of some shows. And Guild data does not show programs that last under 30 min. sometimes. (Adult Swim). The Firewire ports are active but dont count on archiving any HD stuff. All so far have been coded. I have'nt tried anything live yet tho.

Anyone else notice WSFA's 4.1 surround tonight?? The center channel was missing. Kinda need that for dialog. lol. Does look like they were getting HD video from the network. When switching to 12-3, I could get the voices, but it didn't sound like mulitchannel.

Anyone else notice WSFA's 4.1 surround tonight?? The center channel was missing. Kinda need that for dialog. lol. Does look like they were getting HD video from the network. When switching to 12-3, I could get the voices, but it didn't sound like mulitchannel.

I noticed that. Lately, I've been getting a lot of dropouts, picture freezes, etc. on
WSFA OTA. The signal strength is in the 90's and doesn't fluctuate much so it isn't a signal strength problem and the problem appears to be in the signal or maybe
atmospheric. Hope this makes sense, I've spent most of the day assembling a bookcase. I once said I would never buy furniture again that needs assembling.
I guess I have a masochistic streak.

Stan,

Been reading up on using accoustical treatments for home theater. Did you know that you can use that bookcase loaded with varying size books as a diffuser?

Does anyone knows where to get 4" thick 2' X 4' rigid fiberglass panels around here?

Stan,

Been reading up on using accoustical treatments for home theater. Did you know that you can use that bookcase loaded with varying size books as a diffuser?

Does anyone knows where to get 4" thick 2' X 4' rigid fiberglass panels around here?

Jim, I hadn't thought of that--I'll have to see if I can tell a difference. I gave myself a new subwoofer for Christmas so I'll see if the bookcase interacts with the subwoofer some--may have to do some adjustments. Does Lowes carry that
size fiberglass panels? On another topic, have you or anybody else here been in Cohens lately? I got my new subwoofer there--it was the first time I had been in there in about 2 years.
They've expanded into the space next door and now have several dedicated home theater rooms. When you first go in they have a very impressive
display of TVs in a very low light environment. I was almost ready to put down my money down on one of the 1080p models but I am going to wait until at least the second generation or maybe third (whenever they decide to include the ability to accept a native 1080p signal on the set-I know there are no commercial signals now but there will be).

Stan,

You're not talking about the Best Buy store, are you?

Stan,

You're not talking about the Best Buy store, are you?


Jim, I had Lowes on my mind. I meant Cohens. Over the years I've bought most of my A/V equipment there and their remodeling looks really good. Stan

(I've got to get in the habit of proof reading my posts before I submit them.)

Stan,

Yeah, Cohen's has done a lot with setting themselves up as a high end store. A few months ago, I saw a 50" Fujitsu (sp?) plasma in there. Best picture I've ever seen.

By the way, which sub did you get? Years ago I got a 12" M&K from Cohen's I recently hooked up (Velodyne amp was in for service) and it played like a champ.

Stan,

Yeah, Cohen's has done a lot with setting themselves up as a high end store. A few months ago, I saw a 50" Fujitsu (sp?) plasma in there. Best picture I've ever seen.

By the way, which sub did you get? Years ago I got a 12" M&K from Cohen's I recently hooked up (Velodyne amp was in for service) and it played like a champ.
They do have a good store, use to shop there. Then a few years ago the Cohen's decided the military were getting a good deal not paying taxes on Televisions and etc. they bought on base. Mr. Cohen decided that the tax exception should be done away with. They thought it hurt his business. Now buy Televisions and other appliances at Sears and Wal-Mart.

Stan,

Yeah, Cohen's has done a lot with setting themselves up as a high end store. A few months ago, I saw a 50" Fujitsu (sp?) plasma in there. Best picture I've ever seen.

By the way, which sub did you get? Years ago I got a 12" M&K from Cohen's I recently hooked up (Velodyne amp was in for service) and it played like a champ.

Jim, I got the Def Tech Supercube 1 (1500 watts amp). I'm replacing an older Velodyne. I considered ordering on line (another Velodyne or SVS) but the Def
Tech has gotten some really good reviews in "The Perfect Vision" and other home theater mags (and I could just drive to Montgomery and pick it up and take it back if there was a problem). I've been rewatching movies ("Return of the King," "Das Boot," etc.) and I am happy with the sub. (And, even though I don't have to worry about the WAF--it looks good and its' gloss piano black finish matches my gloss black piano.)

They do have a good store, use to shop there. Then a few years ago the Cohen's decided the military were getting a good deal not paying taxes on Televisions and etc. they bought on base. Mr. Cohen decided that the tax exception should be done away with. They thought it hurt his business. Now buy Televisions and other appliances at Sears and Wal-Mart.



You mean Cohens got the U.S. government to end tax exemptions for on-base purchases world-wide? The Cohen's family has more power than I thought.

Jim, I got the Def Tech Supercube 1 (1500 watts amp). I'm replacing an older Velodyne. I considered ordering on line (another Velodyne or SVS) but the Def
Tech has gotten some really good reviews in "The Perfect Vision" and other home theater mags (and I could just drive to Montgomery and pick it up and take it back if there was a problem). I've been rewatching movies ("Return of the King," "Das Boot," etc.) and I am happy with the sub. (And, even though I don't have to worry about the WAF--it looks good and its' gloss piano black finish matches my gloss black piano.)

Nice find. Does it have an equalizer system?

If not, you might want to take a look at the Velodyne SMS-1. I picked one up and really like. Even willing to do an in home demo for a really good cup of coffee.

Nice find. Does it have an equalizer system?

If not, you might want to take a look at the Velodyne SMS-1. I picked one up and really like. Even willing to do an in home demo for a really good cup of coffee.


Jim, no it doesn't have an equalizer but I am very happy with it--it seems to integrate very well into my system. I saw a review of the SMS-1 on this forum
but I'm not sure it would be worth another $800 or so for me.

Stan,

Actually, its $600 from OneCall.

You can basically do the same thing with a BFD. Its just more of a hassel without an onscreen display.

You mean Cohens got the U.S. government to end tax exemptions for on-base purchases world-wide? The Cohen's family has more power than I thought.
Of course not...but they tried. I quess he thought military only bought on base.

Of course not...but they tried. I quess he thought military only bought on base.

Thanks for the clarification.

I too remember a story in the local paper about it. It read like all military was saving a lot money buying at the BX. Just did not happen. Besides at that time there was not much of a choice in TVs, just some 19 to 27 inch direct views at the BX. I too still boycott Cohens. He would have been better off given a military discount to us instead of trying to take away a benefit.

Thanks for making my mind up as to what to watch this morning . Any channel with no weather map. Again we are not stupid. :) :) :) :) :)

Now GP..You know well and good that without the TV weatherman to save us we'd all be dead in a month! :)

Now GP..You know well and good that without the TV weatherman to save us we'd all be dead in a month! :)
You're probably right. My weather bug on my computer is good to. We sure did live a long time without constant weather alerts on television. :rolleyes:

You're probably right. My weather bug on my computer is good to. We sure did live a long time without constant weather alerts on television. :rolleyes:


You've got a weather bug on your computer that you must have installed and yet complain when the stations put one on?? :eek: :eek:

You've got a weather bug on your computer that you must have installed and yet complain when the stations put one on?? :eek: :eek:
Let me explain. The weather bug is out of the way. I only see it if I want to check on the weather. It does not take up any room on the screen if I have it minimised.
When there is an alert it sounds a alarm I bring it to check and then it is minimised again, and not interferring with the screen. Hope that clears it up. :) :)

Ohh..So you already have an omigod we're all gonna die alarm signal!

Ohh..So you already have an omigod we're all gonna die alarm signal!
YUP!!!!!!! But you can turn it off and just have a nice blinking Icon. And then we all die.

YUP!!!!!!! But you can turn it off and just have a nice blinking Icon. And then we all die.


Well, if that's the case, lets all get one. :)

Has anybody else been having issues the last few days w/ WSFA's signal bouncing around like crazy. It makes the channel unwatchable. My antenna is in the attic so it hasn't moved nad my other stations are coming in good w/ no change in signal strength.

I'd say their stream is corrupt based on what you describe...

yeah it's really weird, I've had a great signal and then a couple of days ago it dropped in strength of about 25% and from there it fluctuates enough to cause the signal to drop in and out.

WSFA clearly has problems. They've had them for some time. Hopefully, they get them straigtened out soon!

Speaking of problems. We have the color bar test pattern on the WCOV (Fox) HD feed this morning. Not good considering they have the first NFL Playoff game at noon today. C'mon guys....flip that switch!

UPDATE: The bars are gone...we have HD on FOX!!! :-)

WSFA clearly has problems. They've had them for some time. Hopefully, they get them straigtened out soon!

Speaking of problems. We have the color bar test pattern on the WCOV (Fox) HD feed this morning. Not good considering they have the first NFL Playoff game at noon today. C'mon guys....flip that switch!

Looks like they flipped it a bit early. Better early than late, I always say.

Has anyone called them and asked what the problem is with their HD signal? I tried E-mail, but never got anything back.

Has anyone called them and asked what the problem is with their HD signal? I tried E-mail, but never got anything back.
It just came to my mind that I was watching Sat night live and had sound problems about 2 weeks ago.

I watched Earl and the Office last night on WSFA. It was in HD the entire time, but, did skip, or blink out for about half of a second every once in a while.

I don't want to get everyone all excited, but looks like Charter will have our
HD up soon. Don't have a firm date, though.

On another note, have any of you noticed any audio distortion or level variations
on our local newscasts? If you have, please identify your view (SD or HD) and
your method of reception. We may have a small gremlin building a nest, but
the problem--if it exists at all--is small (so far). The more ears the better!

The only good thing about the problems, there is nothing to watch anyway, and you have one less weather map to see. :) :) :)

I did DVR Earl and Office but they were unwatchable. Drop outs etc. Only had 11 mins of Earl and 15 mins of Office recorded. I guess it was a loss of signal from WSFA. No other problems with other stations.

blp - That's about right. Those dropouts might have caused the DVR to cut off. I was watching live and they didn't last too long...like I said maybe about half a second.

I did DVR Earl and Office but they were unwatchable. Drop outs etc. Only had 11 mins of Earl and 15 mins of Office recorded. I guess it was a loss of signal from WSFA. No other problems with other stations.

Are you using one of the Motorola DVRs??

If so, there is a trick that seems to work to get past the bad places in the recordings. When you get to a freeze, press the rewind button to back up a couple of minutes on the time code. Then press play, then fast forward, then the right arrow up higher on the remote just right of the enter key. That will advance you to a 15 minute mark. Then rewind till you get close to where it froze, then press play. Certainly a real pain, but works.

I'm using a SA8300HD and it only had 11 and 15 mins green time and the rest was all red on the recorded bar.

WCOV is suffering from the "dropout disease" today. During the NFC Divisional Playoff game at around 5:50 P.M., the signal is on for about 7 seconds, then drops out for 1 second. It's a vicious cycle and makes watching the game in HD unbearable. I had to switch to the SD version on cable. :-(

WCOV is suffering from the "dropout disease" today. During the NFC Divisional Playoff game at around 5:50 P.M., the signal is on for about 7 seconds, then drops out for 1 second. It's a vicious cycle and makes watching the game in HD unbearable. I had to switch to the SD version on cable. :-(
What is even worse, 24 COMES ON AFTER THE GAME!!!!!!!!1 :mad: :mad:

WCOV is suffering from the "dropout disease" today. :-(

WCOV has lost their HD encoder. Transitions between Fox and local will be a bit "dirtier" than usual. Local will be 480i instead of being converted up to 720p. There is a possibility that switches from Fox to local, or vice-versa, might result in some receivers losing their "lock," necessitating re-scanning.

.

Does anybody use Titan TV for a guide? I am setting up my HTPC as a way to record HD, and am using the Titan Guide but they dont show all the HD channels, like 32. Is there a way that I can get that guide on Titan? or is there a better place to ask?

BTW I am way south of Montgomery about 60 miles and get Ch 12 SS in the 90s but am also having massive drop outs. I though this was normal for Ch 12. They must have High School kids running the station. About the only thing they care about is weather, news and more banners and overlays.

Thanks

I have used it and 32 HD is there with zip code 36109. I wonder when WCOV-HD will be back. Nothing on cable and did a OTA scan and found 20.2 SD. How about a update W4IMM. Thanks

I have used it and 32 HD is there with zip code 36109. I wonder when WCOV-HD will be back. Nothing on cable and did a OTA scan and found 20.2 SD. How about a update W4IMM. Thanks

I'm never clear enough, I guess. Fox HD is alive and well on Channel 20.2. Only the local, upconverted stuff is 480i instead of 720p. I've been watching it for the past couple of nights and it all looks fine OTA. The program guide is not available at the moment. I can't speak to why WCOV is not on Knology cable. I guess nobody has complained to them. I'll "try" to call them today, but if you've ever tried to talk to the cable companies about anything other than paying your bill..............

but if you've ever tried to talk to the cable companies about anything other than paying your bill..............

And then, they only know how to add on, not take off.. :)

I would like to know if Brighthouse in Elmore county has channel 20 Fox and 8 CBS in HD. If no anyone have info

I would like to know if Brighthouse in Elmore county has channel 20 Fox and 8 CBS in HD. If no anyone have info

WCOV is a big no on being carried as HD on Brighthouse. You can get them OTA in HD if you're willing to put up an antenna, have a HD tuner and stars are in proper alignment. Since I now watch most my shows off of the Brighthouse HD DVR, they're only a couple of shows I record off of the analog WCOV channel.

CBS got picked up by Brighthouse in HD a few months back. Looks and sounds very good. Now I can see all those dead bodies on CSI in detail. :rolleyes:

I'm never clear enough, I guess.

Listen carefully, our menu items have changed....blah..yak. I did manage to talk with a human at Knology and they have switched their receiver to 20.2, so WCOV should be back. Keep those cards and letters coming, and remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Thanks Jim. I will switch from dish to cable next Wed. I have outside antenna and I guess I will need another hd tuner for OTA fox.The brighthouse DVR will not work for this.

Jim, they also said they were negoitiating with fox

Listen carefully, our menu items have changed....blah..yak. I did manage to talk with a human at Knology and they have switched their receiver to 20.2, so WCOV should be back. Keep those cards and letters coming, and remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Thanks W4IMM for calling Knology and getting WCOV back. I guess nobody there checks the stations/channels. Speaking of stations, here it is 2006 and no UPN HD or WB HD in Montgomery and don't see a coming soon date. On well not that I watch them that much.

. Keep those cards and letters coming, and remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease.[/QUOTE]
Speaking of squeaky wheels, maybe WAKA will listen? Turned into watch Still Standing at 7:00 PM last night. Not only do you have to see about 12 minutes of commercials, you have to see a commercial for Law Talk during the program. So what we have now is commercials showing during the program. They put banners at the bottom of the screen while the program is on. Watched about 15 minutes of the show and saw two banners. Turned to College basketball on ESPN HD.

That's to help the kids watching Still Standing to learn to read.. :D

. Keep those cards and letters coming, and remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Speaking of squeaky wheels, maybe WAKA will listen? Turned into watch Still Standing at 7:00 PM last night. Not only do you have to see about 12 minutes of commercials, you have to see a commercial for Law Talk during the program. So what we have now is commercials showing during the program. They put banners at the bottom of the screen while the program is on. Watched about 15 minutes of the show and saw two banners. Turned to College basketball on ESPN HD.[/QUOTE]

You'll have to talk to CBS about the commercials...except the 90 seconds or so
we get in the show. It would be impossible for you to see the banners on the
HD, since that stream doesn't flow into Lake Banner, so I assume you were watching the SD?

Is WCOV HD still broke? There's a football game on tommorrow!

WAKA (CBS) is in HD on Charter channel 782 now. Great timing, right before the AFC Championship game.

Does anybody use Titan TV for a guide? I am setting up my HTPC as a way to record HD, and am using the Titan Guide but they dont show all the HD channels, like 32. Is there a way that I can get that guide on Titan? or is there a better place to ask?
Thanks

TitanTV has a form you can fill out to have them look into missing channels:
http://ww1.titantv.com/ttv/menu/contact.aspx?type=IL

They added a missing Knology HD channel after I filled out the form last year.

WCOV is a big no on being carried as HD on Brighthouse. You can get them OTA in HD if you're willing to put up an antenna, have a HD tuner and stars are in proper alignment. Since I now watch most my shows off of the Brighthouse HD DVR, they're only a couple of shows I record off of the analog WCOV channel.

CBS got picked up by Brighthouse in HD a few months back. Looks and sounds very good. Now I can see all those dead bodies on CSI in detail. :rolleyes:

Jim I sent you my number in private message. I talked to you on phone about brighthouse and dish 4 or 5 months ago If you have time call me I have questions about connections to cable.
Thanks, Charles

I just got cable and was wondering how you all are connecting to tv.DVI OR HDMI OR COMPONENT

I got the DVR and OTA HD receiver hooked up via Component cables. I use the DVI input for my DVD player.

Now to a totally different but very germane subject for this time of year: I finished
doing my taxes yesterday (or at least Turbo Tax did). Not good. I will not be filing until the last minute. In the meantime, I need some more deductions. Anybody know how do deduct the cost of home theater gear (and no, I can't take a home office deduction, believe me I would if there was any way to do it legally)?

Stan

Well Stan, I guess we could consider you as an official unpaid WAKA-DT HDTv consultant, but somehow I don't see that helping you much!

Did you get the 37 free-after rebate (that you have to buy first!) programs that come with
TurdoTax?

Stan,

Considering the therapeutic benefits of HT, it would seem that you ought to be able to get it in with medical deducts. :)

Bob, I did get the Turbo Tax freebies--didn't help on the taxes owed though.
Jim, that's an idea but I've never been audited and that might be just the red flag the IRS is looking for.

The sun is out ...and the MAPS are up. I pray that it doesn't rain during the OLYMPICS. I am sure it is raining some where in Alabama.

The sun is out ...and the MAPS are up. I pray that it doesn't rain during the OLYMPICS. I am sure it is raining some where in Alabama.

I'm not getting a signal at all right now from WSFA.

I'm not getting a signal at all right now from WSFA.


It's back, now it's not, back again. I'm getting a lot of signal fluctuation.

Hello Fellow Montgomerians.

Scott Smith here from the Wares Ferry road area.

I work in the Home Audio Video industry so I'l be glad to help in any way I can.

I have dish Netwok HD and OTA HD locals.
I thought all the problems were with my equipment so it's nice to know it was the broadcasters.

Only way I had any luck with OTA was with a rotor and point 165° for WSFA and 210° for Fox, CBS, ABC
Didn't WNCF move their tower towards Selma?

My Equipment

Mitsu WD-52628
Denon DVD-1920
Denon AVR-3806
Dish 811 (Waiting on the MPEG4 622)
Klipsch RB-35 fronts
Klipsch RC-25 Center
Klipsch RSX-4 Surround
Harmony 880 Remote

Did you guys watch 24 tonight? Great episode.

Audio has to be one of the best programs around.

Hello Fellow Montgomerians.

Scott Smith here from the Wares Ferry road area.

I work in the Home Audio Video industry so I'l be glad to help in any way I can.

I have dish Netwok HD and OTA HD locals.
I thought all the problems were with my equipment so it's nice to know it was the broadcasters.

Only way I had any luck with OTA was with a rotor and point 165° for WSFA and 210° for Fox, CBS, ABC
Didn't WNCF move their tower towards Selma?

My Equipment

Mitsu WD-52628
Denon DVD-1920
Denon AVR-3806
Dish 811 (Waiting on the MPEG4 622)
Klipsch RB-35 fronts
Klipsch RC-25 Center
Klipsch RSX-4 Surround
Harmony 880 Remote

I live on Dalraida, back gate of Gunter. I receive all OTA HD channels without the use of the rotor. All come in fine. Luck of the draw.

I also have Dish network with the 811 receiver. Are you definitely going with the Vip622? I have also been thinking about the Vip211. I guess we can start ordering tomorrow. Where will you get your equipment from?

Mark

I also have Dish network with the 811 receiver. Are you definitely going with the Vip622? I have also been thinking about the Vip211. I guess we can start ordering tomorrow. Where will you get your equipment from?

I'm a dish Network dealer but will probably go through the same channels you go through to get my own.
Dow, my dist wont have any 622s till they sell out of 942s and they are predicting the middle of Feb for that.
I'm going to do the trade out program with one of my 625s

What antenna are you using?

I'm a dish Network dealer but will probably go through the same channels you go through to get my own.
Dow, my dist wont have any 622s till they sell out of 942s and they are predicting the middle of Feb for that.
I'm going to do the trade out program with one of my 625s

What antenna are you using?
I have a DB4 HDTV antenna, I Bought online from Antennas Direct. I still can't decide to get 221 or 622.

I want the 622 because it's a DVR. That way I can pause and rewind Live TV. ;)

Yall sure are quiet unless your having problems. :D :D

Since it looks like some of the stations peek at this forum I'm courious.

How did Bob Howel and Dan Atkinson end up back at WSFA?
Bob had moved to WNCF and Dan had left WSFA years ago to work at The Weather Channel then to WNCF and now they are both back at sfa.

Looks like I'm going to have to settle for a 211 if I want ESPN2 buy the 12th to watch NHRA in HD. The 622s are delayed atleast 14 days due to a software issue.

Looks like I'm going to have to settle for a 211 if I want ESPN2 buy the 12th to watch NHRA in HD. The 622s are delayed atleast 14 days due to a software issue.
I ordered the 211 yesterday..should be here in 4 or 5 days. I am going to try and install myself. I have all the dishes (two) I need. If I have any problems you would gladly help wouldn't you??? :D :D :D

I ordered the 211 yesterday..should be here in 4 or 5 days. I am going to try and install myself. I have all the dishes (two) I need. If I have any problems you would gladly help wouldn't you??? :D :D :D

Sure just E mail me @ mdh_scott@hotmail.com

What was the upgrade cost? Your swapping an 811 correct?

What Satellite antennas do you have? Super Dish and a wing dish pointed to 61.5 with a DPP44 switch?

Sure just E mail me @ mdh_scott@hotmail.com

What was the upgrade cost? Your swapping an 811 correct?

What Satellite antennas do you have? Super Dish and a wing dish pointed to 61.5 with a DPP44 switch?
Upgrade cost from 811 was 49.00. Have 300 pointed at 61.5 and dish 500 pointed at 110,119,105 with a DPP44 switch.

Dish 500 can only pick up 2 birds.
You mean Super Dish don't you?

http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Dishnetwork/Dishes/SuperDish2.jpg

Dish 500 can only pick up 2 birds.
You mean Super Dish don't you?

http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Dishnetwork/Dishes/SuperDish2.jpg
Yep...your right.

If anybody planned on watching anything on WAKA or WSFA tonight, be prepared to watch the weather instead. There's some rain just entering AL from MS and they got the maps fired up in full force already!

If anybody planned on watching anything on WAKA or WSFA tonight, be prepared to watch the weather instead. There's some rain just entering AL from MS and they got the maps fired up in full force already!
As of now, they don't have maps on HD broadcasts.

I watched Numbers on CBS. They ran over several times with the weather anouncements..

Hey Grandpa, Fired up my VIP211 tonight. :D

I'll have to put up a wing dish tomorrow.

ESPN2 HD and Universal HD are on 61.5 / 129.


(3) 311s
(1) 625
(1) 211

America top 180 Plus HD and HBO Cinomax

137 smackers a month. :eek: :eek:

I watched Numbers on CBS. They ran over several times with the weather anouncements..

Hey Grandpa, Fired up my VIP211 tonight. :D

I'll have to put up a wing dish tomorrow.

ESPN2 HD and Universal HD are on 61.5 / 129.


(3) 311s
(1) 625
(1) 211

America top 180 Plus HD and HBO Cinomax

137 smackers a month. :eek: :eek:
Any trouble with getting it activated? You had to upgrade your HD package did you not? I think I have to upgrade to the ATI 180 + HD Gold package to get ESPN2 and the newer HD programs.

What do you think of the 211?

Where did you get the 211 so fast???

I ordered the 211 from my wholesale warehouse.
Paid full price so it's not a leased peice of equipment.

Hookup was simple.

Connect your cables, turn it on and run a switch test, then let it download the newest software, and then when you get the activation screen call dish tech support.

Oh btw, the remote is IR only, not UHF/IR like the 811 was.

As far as HD package I'm not sure of the exact steps you have to take there.

I didn't have HD programing at all on my account because I was using our showroom 811.

The HD pack is 20 bucks plus whatever other package you have.

Top 60 + locals + HD pack = Bronze
Top 120 + Locals + HD pack = Silver
Top 180 + Locals + HD pack = Gold

Everything = Platnum

The HD pack is now 28 HD channels.

As of now, they don't have maps on HD broadcasts.


For whatever reason, WSFA is back in the 14s. This happens periodically, not good for any DVR programs that were scheduled.

I DVR'd Letterman last night and was just watching it. I want to thank WAKA for inserting a DQ commercial, a local Y-102/CBS-8 grammy trivia spot, and an Almost Antiques/Paravicini's commercial during the program - (non-commercial break part). Good job keeping us "happy"!!!!

Bet Mark will be thrilled to hear that..

LOL! That’s why I mentioned it. They didn't interrupt anything important, like “Will It Float.” They inserted their commercials during the first part of the Diddy interview. No big deal, but did want to razz him a bit!

They inserted their commercials during the first part of the Diddy interview.!

I didn't see the show..do you mean "poop doodie"??? :D

Knology has lost FOX again. Fired up my OTA box and its back at 20-1. Not going to call them(pain just talk to a CSR) till NASCAR starts.

Knology has lost FOX again. Fired up my OTA box and its back at 20-1. Not going to call them(pain just talk to a CSR) till NASCAR starts.

Not sure I understand.
I thought FOX was UHF channel 16 mapped to 20.1 and how does that effect knology?

I seriously considered Knology but decided to stick with Dish and I think I'm glad i did.
28 HD channels plus Local OTA which has worked flawlessly on the new VIP211

The deciding factor was when I asked Knology's sales manager face to face what the short term future of additional HD programing on Knology was. He said there wasn't any.

I thought the Voom package with Dish was going to be a bunch of useless programing but I have to say I'm beside myself. :p
Rave is a modern day MTV in 5.1 surround HD
When I use the word MTV I'm refering to the early 80s when MTV only played music.

Something about FOX had to go to 20-2 last month and Knology did not switch whatever and now FOX is back at 20-1 and Knology needs to switch back on their end. Knology rep I talked to says they are running out of space. Go figure.

Something about FOX had to go to 20-2 last month and Knology did not switch whatever and now FOX is back at 20-1 and Knology needs to switch back on their end. Knology rep I talked to says they are running out of space. Go figure.

Yea I see it now. I was setup on 20-2 and didn't realise it.

With D*s down rezzing of HD content (popularly referred to as HD-Lite around AVS Forum) I am seriously considering going with either E* or (can't believe I'm saying this) cable. E* would require a $299.99 up front charge for the privilege of leasing a HD DVR as well as a $49.99 fee uness I agreed to an 18 month commitment but there would be no up front charges with cable. Brighthouse in this area actually has more national HD channels than D* but not as many as E* (although most of the VOOM channels I don't care much about).
The cable charges (with Road Runner) would be about the same or a little less than my current D* charges plus my charges for Road Runner from the cable company. I e-mailed Bright House and asked them when or if they would be carrying ESPNHD 2 and WCOV-DT. Someone called back today and left a message. They are in negotiations for ESPNHD 2. The person that called back said he didn't know what WCOV-DT was so I'm not sure about the outlook for that channel on Bright House. I guess I'll hang with D* a little longer, but unless they improve their quality and add some more national HD channels I'll be moving either to E* or cable. It's hard to believe that cable seems to have the upper hand now.

Stan,

Sarahsdad was telling me something about Brighthouse giving a big discount to lure satellite users. If he's reading this, maybe he can jump in.

Stan,

Sarahsdad was telling me something about Brighthouse giving a big discount to lure satellite users. If he's reading this, maybe he can jump in.

Thanks Jim, I'll have to call or e-mail them (was hoping maybe they would offer me something when they replied to my e-mail). I wish they would go ahead and get
WCOV-DT. My OTA tuner is in my HD-Tivo which will become an expensive boat anchor if I switch. I'm not worried about ESPNHD 2 until football season (last season they carried several Alabama and other SEC games in HD). Stan

They are not to bright at Brighthouse,but I did get everything they have except roadrunner for half price for first year.25% off secod year.Appx. $ 56.00.The price has changed since I got cable .HD not as good as OTA. NO FOXHD, digital stations better than dish.

digital stations better than dish.

How can you say that?
Hard to beat Dish for HD right now. I know Dimhouse doesn't have 28 HD channels.

I did not say HD

I did not say HD

My bad, I thought we were in an HD thread so I just assumed.

They are not to bright at Brighthouse,but I did get everything they have except roadrunner for half price for first year.25% off secod year.Appx. $ 56.00.The price has changed since I got cable .HD not as good as OTA. NO FOXHD, digital stations better than dish.

I switched from E* to D* a couple of years ago becuse D* was offering a HD package and E* was not. Of course, not long after I switched D* began carrying the same channels that I switched to D* for. E* is sending full resolution on the main national channels but sending the VOOM channels over in HD-lite (1280 x 1080i I believe). I'm afraid if I switch to E* (along with the upfront costs) they will shortly go to HD-Lite for all of their channels. Does Bright House transmit full band-width HD channels? If so, once they get WCOV-DT and ESPNHD 2 in their channel line-ups I might have to switch. Although, if OTA HD is better than cable I might have to think about it. Stan

Recieved my VIP211 , hooked it up, called for activation, was up and viewing in about 20 minutes. The screens are a little different than the 811, but I like them better. Had one probelm, I got a black screen, all of a sudden the picture went black. Had to reboot.

I'm pretty happy that WAKA started Letterman in HD, but switched to SD halfway through the broadcast on Wednesday night! :cool:

I switched from E* to D* a couple of years ago becuse D* was offering a HD package and E* was not. Of course, not long after I switched D* began carrying the same channels that I switched to D* for. E* is sending full resolution on the main national channels but sending the VOOM channels over in HD-lite (1280 x 1080i I believe). I'm afraid if I switch to E* (along with the upfront costs) they will shortly go to HD-Lite for all of their channels. Does Bright House transmit full band-width HD channels? If so, once they get WCOV-DT and ESPNHD 2 in their channel line-ups I might have to switch. Although, if OTA HD is better than cable I might have to think about it. Stan


Stan,
I think it would be better to assume that Brighthouse is not going to get WCOV-HD. If you ask Brighthouse, they say they're in negotiations. If you ask WCOV, they'll say they're not and that they gave Brighthouse a price and that is it. With OTA receivers (and possibly hard drive recorders) there is a work around.

I'll check for full bandwidth HD on Brighthouse if you can tell me how to do it.

I don't see a difference between Brighthouse and the same OTAs. Sarasdad and I have discussed this. On his system, he sees a difference. It may have something to do with our displays. We're not sure.

One thing that bothers me about cable vs. satellite is that with cable, there seems to frequently be things that occur that adversely affects signals. For instance, if we have one of those day long rains, it may take 2 or 3 days for the signal to return to where you have a minimum of dropouts. With Voom satellite (may they rest in peace) with the larger dish(not the standard 18"model) I had as rock solid a signal as you'd ever see. Not that with cable. At best, I still have an occassional audio dropout. If I could get all my channels on satellite without down res., I think I'd go with satellite as I think they are fewer things to go wrong not having the signal routed through miles of cable.

Recieved my VIP211 , hooked it up, called for activation, was up and viewing in about 20 minutes. The screens are a little different than the 811, but I like them better. Had one probelm, I got a black screen, all of a sudden the picture went black. Had to reboot.

That's happened to me also. Try turning off the inactivity standby. Menu / 8 / 7

That's happened to me also. Try turning off the inactivity standby. Menu / 8 / 7
Just did, will let you know if black screen happens again.

Stan,
I think it would be better to assume that Brighthouse is not going to get WCOV-HD. If you ask Brighthouse, they say they're in negotiations. If you ask WCOV, they'll say they're not and that they gave Brighthouse a price and that is it. With OTA receivers (and possibly hard drive recorders) there is a work around.

I'll check for full bandwidth HD on Brighthouse if you can tell me how to do it.

I don't see a difference between Brighthouse and the same OTAs. Sarasdad and I have discussed this. On his system, he sees a difference. It may have something to do with our displays. We're not sure.

One thing that bothers me about cable vs. satellite is that with cable, there seems to frequently be things that occur that adversely affects signals. For instance, if we have one of those day long rains, it may take 2 or 3 days for the signal to return to where you have a minimum of dropouts. With Voom satellite (may they rest in peace) with the larger dish(not the standard 18"model) I had as rock solid a signal as you'd ever see. Not that with cable. At best, I still have an occassional audio dropout. If I could get all my channels on satellite without down res., I think I'd go with satellite as I think they are fewer things to go wrong not having the signal routed through miles of cable.

Jim, I guess I'll stick with D* for now and see how things go. They've just announced the addition of TNT-HD and rumours are that National Geographic
HD may be coming (especially since it is owned by one of Murdoch's companies).
The lack of WCOV-DT on Bright House would make me really hesitant to switch at this time. I've switched from cable to E* and then to D*. I guess I'll stay where I am unless there is a really compelling reason to switch (quality might be it if one provider has the best combination of HD channels and quality--and the price is right). Stan

Stan,
I think it would be better to assume that Brighthouse is not going to get WCOV-HD. If you ask Brighthouse, they say they're in negotiations. If you ask WCOV, they'll say they're not and that they gave Brighthouse a price and that is it. With OTA receivers (and possibly hard drive recorders) there is a work around.

I'll check for full bandwidth HD on Brighthouse if you can tell me how to do it.

I don't see a difference between Brighthouse and the same OTAs. Sarasdad and I have discussed this. On his system, he sees a difference. It may have something to do with our displays. We're not sure.

One thing that bothers me about cable vs. satellite is that with cable, there seems to frequently be things that occur that adversely affects signals. For instance, if we have one of those day long rains, it may take 2 or 3 days for the signal to return to where you have a minimum of dropouts. With Voom satellite (may they rest in peace) with the larger dish(not the standard 18"model) I had as rock solid a signal as you'd ever see. Not that with cable. At best, I still have an occassional audio dropout. If I could get all my channels on satellite without down res., I think I'd go with satellite as I think they are fewer things to go wrong not having the signal routed through miles of cable.

Jim, I guess I'll stick with D* for now and see how things go. They've just announced the addition of TNT-HD and rumours are that National Geographic
HD may be coming (especially since it is owned by one of Murdoch's companies).
The lack of WCOV-DT on Bright House would make me really hesitant to switch at this time. I've switched from cable to E* and then to D*. I guess I'll stay where I am unless there is a really compelling reason to switch (quality might be it if one provider has the best combination of HD channels and quality--and the price is right). Weather problems with satellite for me have been very minimal--in heavy storms there is some rain fade but it usually last for only a short time. Stan

Did anyone else have problems with the Olympics last night on HD? Could not watch because of signal breakup.

Grandpa Train,

I recorded it on the Brighthouse DVR and only review a little of it and it was breaking up pretty bad. Couldn't figure out if it was due to the local station or courtesy Brighthouse.

Are you on OTA or what?

I watched it OTA on WSFA and didn't have any problems at all.

But, my antenna is 35 feet in the air and I have had zero OTA problems since I got my VIP211. They must have improved the tuner.
NASCAR and NHRA tonight WOOOHOOO!!

Grandpa Train,

I recorded it on the Brighthouse DVR and only review a little of it and it was breaking up pretty bad. Couldn't figure out if it was due to the local station or courtesy Brighthouse.

Are you on OTA or what?
I am OTA. Was unwatchable.

I am OTA. Was unwatchable.

Wow I guess the extra height paid off with my antenna.

Wow I guess the extra height paid off with my antenna.

I didn't watch all of it but I did watch about the last 45 minutes and had no breakups at all. It looked great. I am watching OTA with my antenna a few feet about my roof peak.

On Channel 12 HD I am getting a signal strength of 75%, but cannot lock in. Checked connections and rescanned, everything seems to be OK. What could be problem?

On Channel 12 HD I am getting a signal strength of 75%, but cannot lock in. Checked connections and rescanned, everything seems to be OK. What could be problem?

A typical Ch12 problem I have seen many times from their bunch of monkey engineers. Tune to 14.1 an you will get the feed. 14.1 is the digital designation and 12.1 is the assignment channel, they can't keep it straight.

A typical Ch12 problem I have seen many times from their bunch of monkey engineers. Tune to 14.1 an you will get the feed. 14.1 is the digital designation and 12.1 is the assignment channel, they can't keep it straight.
I should have been more clear, I scanned on 14 but still doesn't lock in.

This is strange but last night it worked perfect and tonight I have 75% but will not lock. I'm watching in SD since I can't get HD OTA.

I recorded HD last night and it was good through the whole 3 hours. Tonight they cant keep it locked, I still dont get 12.1 only 14.1 Im about 55 miles south of the transmitter. I have 2 HD receivers one is a RS Acurian and one is the MyHD pc card. I noticed that when 14.1 drops signal also 14.2 and 14.3 also goes but the SS stays the same and the analog feed is still OK. So I have no doubt its them. I just wish I could get another NBC feed. Hopfully when my pre amp gets here I can keep the Panama City Beach and Pensacola stations locked.

They've switched to just the SD feed now. Hope NBC gets things worked out for the rest of the Olympics.

They've switched to just the SD feed now. Hope NBC gets things worked out for the rest of the Olympics.

Any more details why?

Over here with Brighthouse and OTA, while trying to watch some of the Olympics tonight, sometimes I can still get WSFA HD with OTA even when Brighthouse is tiling or frozen and other times OTA and Brighthouse are both dropped.

In other words, Brighthouse is contributing to the signal problems.

What's strange is I've had them out as recently as last week about this. What appears to be part of the problem is that the signal can be stable during the day when they do their service calls, but in the evenings the signal can vary. Does anyone know if the number of TVs turned on in a cable systems has anything to do with the signal strength??

Stan, this is exactly what I was complaining about a few post ago.

Went on their web site, they do not have a section to keep people posted on transmitter problems. They should look at WCOVs web site.

Went on their web site, they do not have a section to keep people posted on transmitter problems. They should look at WCOVs web site.

Yes, WCOV does have a nice website.

http://www.wcov.com/technical/

By the way, just learned that others around the country were having problems with the network feed of the Olympics. So, its not a WSFA issue.

Yes, WCOV does have a nice website.

http://www.wcov.com/technical/

By the way, just learned that others around the country were having problems with the network feed of the Olympics. So, its not a WSFA issue.
But why can we not pick up WSFA OTA Digital feed at all?

But why can we not pick up WSFA OTA Digital feed at all?


Are you saying that you've lost total OTA from WSFA-HD? If so, you've got an equipment problem.

Are you saying that you've lost total OTA from WSFA-HD? If so, you've got an equipment problem.


It's Sunday morning. My ATI not-so-Wonder PCI card will indicate only 14-1 at the moment for WSFA, but that varies between the SD weather stream and the 480i regular program stream. Can't seem to get the 1080i stream at all. YMMV but I would think it's a PSIP generator issue.

Are you saying that you've lost total OTA from WSFA-HD? If so, you've got an equipment problem.
Yes that is what I am saying...I can't get OTA WSFA feed at all...all other OTA feeds are fine????????? I am getting a 76% strength reading but will not lock. :(

Yes that is what I am saying...I can't get OTA WSFA feed at all...all other OTA feeds are fine????????? I am getting a 76% strength reading but will not lock. :(

Same for me. :confused: :confused:

YMMV but I would think it's a PSIP generator issue.

Yup..most likely PSIP generator has crashed, corrupting the PAT/PMT so that only the program pids are present.. that's a common result when doing dynamic PSIP
and the generator crashes.. drives most receivers nutso.. :mad:

Yup..most likely PSIP generator has crashed, corrupting the PAT/PMT so that only the program pids are present.. that's a common result when doing dynamic PSIP
and the generator crashes.. drives most receivers nutso.. :mad:
Thanks for the info..What do they have to do to fix it??

I just went to the menu to manually add 14 and it shows 75% in red and says "Not Locked"

Thanks for the info..What do they have to do to fix it??

Usually, reboot the PSIP generator and multiplexor, but that statement can be an oversimplification of the solution..It's not something the master control operator should be doing, it takes an InjunEar.. :)

Usually, reboot the PSIP generator and multiplexor, but that statement can be an oversimplification of the solution..It's not something the master control operator should be doing, it takes an InjunEar.. :)
Could that be the reason it is still broke....InjunEars don't work on weekends :) :)

I do..otherwise I wouldn't be here..

Over here in Jasmine Hills (north of Montg), I'm getting WSFA HD just fine at 1:09 PM. That kinda looks like NASCAR. Hmmm, wonder what my neighbors would say if I drove one of those babies through the neighborhood.

Maybe Bob can enlighten.

Scott and Grandpa, are you south of Montgomery?

I'm getting WSFA HD on 14-3 just fine. From what I read in another area of this site the problems with last night's HD Olympic broadcast was related to the weather conditions in New York. Like Jim, I wonder if the problems that Grandpa
and Scott are experiencing are location specific?

I'm getting WSFA HD on 14-3 just fine. From what I read in another area of this site the problems with last night's HD Olympic broadcast was related to the weather conditions in New York. Like Jim, I wonder if the problems that Grandpa
and Scott are experiencing are location specific?

This PC card is only setting up on 14-1 but I found out that if I click back and forth between stations enough times I can make it change streams. Finally got it to lock on the HD stream. Nascar in HD looked better on Fox - to me.

I'm getting WSFA HD on 14-3 just fine. From what I read in another area of this site the problems with last night's HD Olympic broadcast was related to the weather conditions in New York. Like Jim, I wonder if the problems that Grandpa
and Scott are experiencing are location specific?
I think scott and I both have DISH Networks new VIP211 receivers, could that be problem.?

We are in the waresferry road area (near Alabama Christian Academy) I point 160° to WSFA.
Last time I checked (around noon) it wasn't working. WAKA, WCOV, WNCF are working fine.

We are in the waresferry road area (near Alabama Christian Academy) I point 160° to WSFA.
Last time I checked (around noon) it wasn't working. WAKA, WCOV, WNCF are working fine.
Scott, I hooked up an old HD receiver I had and WSFA is coming in fine, I think we have a problem with the VIP211.

On WSFA-HD, is anyone else getting extra bass boost?

I'm having to mute the sub to keep from getting a headache.

Grandpa, just for kicks I'm going to go delete all the channel 12 entries and start over.

Scott, Let me know outcome.

I recorded the Olympics again today in HD and all was fine of what I saw but only 14.1.
I was making a chart of my SS, rotor settings and stations and went to wsfa home page to gather some information and noticed that nowhere on the home page did I see what network they were. The only station I checked that didnt list it, I also could not find any email addresses. I know they are their but not easy to find. They are more interested in everything except their programming.

Scott, Let me know outcome.

Didn't come out good. I wasn't able to re aquire any of the WSFA freqs.

Didn't come out good. I wasn't able to re aquire any of the WSFA freqs.
Have any Idea what we should do next?

Still has to be WSFA's problem since all of the other OTAs work fine.

Still has to be WSFA's problem since all of the other OTAs work fine.



Doesn't it sound like your new satellite boxes have weaker OTA tuners?

Doesn't it sound like your new satellite boxes have weaker OTA tuners?
When I first turned on the new receiver, everything worked fine. WSFA HD was working. Then it started to have pixlation problems then quit altogether. According to the antenna web site WAKA tower is 36mi and WSFA is 28miles away.

Doesn't it sound like your new satellite boxes have weaker OTA tuners?


No actually they are a major improvement over the 811.
If all of the other OTA stations are working fine (some of which are weaker than WSFA) then how can it be the receiver?

Just in case there was any doubt. :) :)

http://bumracing.com/albums/album01/Dscn3057cr.sized.jpg

http://bumracing.com/albums/album01/Dscn3058cr.sized.jpg

http://bumracing.com/albums/album01/Dscn3059cr.sized.jpg

http://bumracing.com/albums/album01/Dscn3060cr.sized.jpg

http://bumracing.com/albums/album01/Dscn3061cr.sized.jpg

So..you have to edit the channel name? Dish still hasn't gotten withe the program and learned to read PSIP?

So..you have to edit the channel name? Dish still hasn't gotten withe the program and learned to read PSIP?
Not reading the PSIP correctly have anything to do with why we can't lock in? And if yes, what can we do about it?

No

No
Have you got any ideas what is wrong?

This is what it looks like without any editing.

http://bumracing.com/albums/album01/Dscn3062cr.sized.jpg

Well WSFA is magically back!

A-Ma-Zing what an engineer can do... :cool:

FYI..WAKA inserts "FULL" PSIP..if the receiver reads it, all channels will have data..

:)

A-Ma-Zing what an engineer can do... :cool:

FYI..WAKA inserts "FULL" PSIP..if the receiver reads it, all channels will have data..

:)

Can you splain that in laymans terms? :D

We're required by FCC regs to put full program guide info into the transport stream..channel names & descriptions, program titles, ratings, descriptions, and audio info..which we do for all channels....Unfortunately, receiver manufacturers
aren't required to add full functionality..

What that means..in your screen grabs above..where it says 008-2 WAKA..(it should read 8-2 WAKA-DV) and "digital service" (should read CBS SAP Descriptive Video Service) is that the receiver isn't smart enough to read the data..basically, we're providing full and complete program guide info (EPG) and the receiver's designers cut corners so as to not add that functionality.. I have a Dish 6000,
and this newer receiver does little more than it does..Sadly most recievers do a
poor job with EPG..despite our being required to properly transmit it..

Most likely, the info for WAKA 8-0 and 8-1 comes from the satellite data and not our local PSIP info..provided by TV guide..

I don't see any V-Chip ratings data either..so how do you parentally control the receiver via program ratings, without knowing the rating?

Bob,

Regarding the program guide in the PSIP, how many days out will it be? Are there any FCC requirements on this?

FCC requires a minimum of 12 hours.. we send 48..but, there has been some concern that the receivers don't have enough memory to handle that much data.. the old RCA DTC-100,
did PSIP better than any so far, and had seperate memories for satellite and OTA data.

Bob,

Thanks.

I've been thinking about getting a OTA receiver with a built in HD hard drive recorder that's name based. I like the way the motorola HD DVR cable box is setup, but I'm running out of patience with picture problems in the evening with my cable company. Doesn't happen during the day and I'm wondering if in the evening with more people turning on their TVs, the signal is somehow weakened.

You wouldn't happen to know if local cable networks have devices that monitor signal strength and adjust automatically as needed.

No, I'd say the cable problem is temperature related..

Look at the Sony HDD-250.. I have one of those..

Since its temperature related, is there anything that can be done or is this the nature of HD over cable?

Since its temperature related, is there anything that can be done or is this the nature of HD over cable?


No, It's the nature of bad cable probably between you and the street. More than likely it has water infiltrated into the cable.
If they pull a new run from the street to your house the problem will probably go away.
Convincing a 8.00 an hour cable jockey of that will be a diffrent story.

Does anyboydy else have a video/audio synch problem with WCOV OTA? I am having this problem at 7:35 P.M. on Feb 14.

No, It's the nature of bad cable probably between you and the street. More than likely it has water infiltrated into the cable.
If they pull a new run from the street to your house the problem will probably go away.
Convincing a 8.00 an hour cable jockey of that will be a diffrent story.


Are you saying that the water infiltration plus the cold temps at night are causing this and if I replaced the cable all would be right????

Keep in mind that its not doing this during the day.

Jim are you with Dim House?

If it's not a bad cable or a bad line amp the only other theory I have is the Broadband internet is eating up all the bandwidth on your Node.
There should be prioritizing on the line but who knows.

Nice to know TWC isn't the only one having such problems!

Scott,

Yep, I'm with Brighthouse.
Last night, I didn't have any problems. Go figure.

Scott,

Yep, I'm with Brighthouse.
Last night, I didn't have any problems. Go figure.

Brighthouse went through fits trying to get my HD working properly. It would tile up a couple times an hour in the day for a few seconds, and just flat lock up for minutes at night.

All the house wiring and the home run from the street are new wire.

They added an amp to the house since there are 7 TVs, but that caused the two DVR boxes to tile up worse, so they cut the signal back at the pole slightly. They tell me that too hot of a signal causes problems with them and the signal gets hotter the colder the temperature is since the wire resistance lowers (like at night).

I've had a couple DVRs and a regular HD box. They were trying to determine if it was equipment related.

Finally, they had a tech inspect every connection from the home run back up the street. He found one center connector that was too short to get good contact up the road. They replaced it, and all seems pretty good now.

It has been a few weeks and I get an occasional tile for a second or so at random intervals on different channels, but it is really hard to pin the cause for these at this point.

It took a LOT of whining to get this fixed.

If cold weather lowers wire resistance causing a hotter signal that tiles the picture, could you use an attinuator to cut the signal when its cold??

Incase I haven't said it lately "Cable Sux" :D :D :D

I know this is not HDTV related, but does anyone have the number to WAKA (CBS) engineering department? The damn severe weather alert map of Alabama they put up with there's the slightest chance of a shower pisses me off to no end when I am trying to watch a sporting event and the score gets covered up for the entire game. They did the same thing during March Madness last year and it'd ridiculous. They can't think of a better way to do this? A scrolling ticker perhaps? Smaller map? Put the map on the other side of the score?

If anyone has a number to WAKA that actually knows something about how to change this or fix this please let me know. Thanks.

PS...i know this doesn't happen on the HD channel, but there are certain instances where I have to watch the SD channel and it's annoying to see the severe weather bug.

<<does anyone have the number to WAKA (CBS) engineering department?>>

The engineers have nothing to do with this. Calling on theweekend will not change anything. Send your complaints to the general manager of WAKA.

But don't expect anything to change. it would be no different if it were WSFA... :(

Thanks for the quick response. It's sad that they need a map that huge to show severe weather. It'd even be mildly understandable if it was just for a few minutes every hour or so. But for almost the entire game is kind of crazy. I seriously hope they get they fix it before March Madness because it was absolutely crazy last year with the maps and putting the basketball game in a tiny window while the weatherman was in a huge window telling us about severe weather for the whole game. Sorry had to vent.

That's fine... But You should be grateful for the info.... if not for TV weather, we'd all be dead by now..the human race as we know it today would cease to exist... :eek:

But don't expect anything to change. it would be no different if it were WSFA... :(

Right! Nothing will change - especially at WSFA. They have more invested in just their weather operation than some stations have invested in their whole station. It wouldn't surprise me if those weather alarmists were flying around seeding the clouds.

Right! Nothing will change - especially at WSFA. They have more invested in just their weather operation than some stations have invested in their whole station. It wouldn't surprise me if those weather alarmists were flying around seeding the clouds.
We have been complaining for years--WSFA and WAKA are run by morons.

...if not for TV weather, we'd all be dead by now..the human race as we know it today would cease to exist... :eek:

It must be a miracle that humans survived all kinds of weather prior to the invention of the "selinum camera" in 1877 by George Carey.

It seems Charter is screwing up the NBC HD signal from WSFA. The audio is out of synch with the video. I swith over to the OTA HD signal and all is well.

Nevermind....after looking at it. ALL the Charter chanels are screwed up. All are out of synch.

It's bad enough that we have to deal with weather maps during the slightest period of rain. But, WAKA has stooped to a new low. We now have a CBS-8 Financial Line banner accross the entire bottom of the screen...during Survivor @ 7:17.

Yes I called them twice already, you get the question of the day, what resturant makes the best sweet tea. I dont give a crap, I want to watch the program not a damm banner that is in themiddle of the picture. They suck.
Its gone during the commercials though.

Thats enough, Im switching to Ch 4 Dotahn FU Channel 8

To make matter worse, if you dial the number 334-420-3212, you get some sort of porn line. I heard what sounded like a bar scene. This couple starts talking about going back to the hotel, and breathing heavy.......etc. You get the point.

To make matter worse, if you dial the number 334-420-3212, you get some sort of porn line. I heard what sounded like a bar scene. This couple starts talking about going back to the hotel, and breathing heavy.......etc. You get the point.
What is that number? I called it but don't get anything but ringing. Interesting that the number contains 20-32-12.

Yeah...I don't know. I called it, somebody picked it up and then all I could hear is people talking/breathing. It was really weird. Do you think somebody hacked into the TV station? I have no idea...but it was annoying and weird.

What is the signifigance of the numbers?

Man oh man....I thought we left substandard (or non-existant) High Definition coverage last year with NBC, or specifically WSFA. Well, FOX (WCOV) is off to a rocky start already. The picture was not matching up with the audio, now HD is not on at all. What is with NASCAR that no station is capable of just broadcasting in HD through the ENTIRE race?

Man oh man....I thought we left substandard (or non-existant) High Definition coverage last year with NBC, or specifically WSFA. Well, FOX (WCOV) is off to a rocky start already. The picture was not matching up with the audio, now HD is not on at all. What is with NASCAR that no station is capable of just broadcasting in HD through the ENTIRE race?

Nascar lip sync? You mean Zip, ZIp, Zip, Zip didn't match? Or was it the Rrrrrr, Rrrrr, Rrrrr, Rrrrr? I saw some of the commercials and the lip sync was OK on them. What about the color bars and tone instead of NBC Nightly News a couple of nights ago?

Ch8 sound tonight seems overcompressed tonight (cold case) sounds like the sound is comming out of a pipe.

I think he means that the # 17 car blew by as someone yelled "woooooo dale! Lookit that
too-fore Kar go!"... and thus thought the lip sync was off!

Bob,
Are you with Direct?

I was wondering if they were actually doing any Mpeg4 stuff yet?

Yes, but for LIL HD's only..

Yes, but for LIL HD's only..

I guess I should know this but I don't know what LIL is.

Local-into-Local

(IE..you pay us money for what you can get free with an antenna..)

Local-into-Local

(IE..you pay us money for what you can get free with an antenna..)

Oh OK.
Are Atlanta Locals up yet?

Second Question.
Can all of Direct's Programing, SD, HD, HD locals be received off of the three main birds? 101,110, and 119?

I wish Direct would get off the stick and pickup Montgomery Locals.
That would put the brakes on Dish's dominance here.

See:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=501777

Is it just me or is WAKA's digitals down?

OH MY GOD! Why does WAKA have to have a big A** banner that takes up 20 % of the screen, that reads "Barry Mask 4269 and Bobby Payne 2981"?

There is no indication that this is an election (which I assume it is), nor what office they are competing for. It's just names and numbers. VERY ANNOYING. Almost more annoying than those big a** weather maps. At least they serve some sort of purpose, albeit a very small purpose. This freakin' name and number banner serves no purpose. If people want to know election results, they should tune in to the freakin' NEWS! I, for one, have never thought to myself. "Gee, I wonder who is winning the election. I think I'll turn into the Amazing Race and find out."

---shown at various intervals during the Amazing Race---

WAKA has lost its self-acclaimed reputation as the Happy little station.

What is that number? I called it but don't get anything but ringing. Interesting that the number contains 20-32-12.

Oh, dear.....you didn't dial THAT number, did you...that clever combination of local channels with the "dopey" 420 prefix :)... That's the secret
consolidated line all the local TV stations' Meteorologists use to coordinate
the sizing and placement of those maps, crawls, and banners on all the screens.
This is a highly coordinated effort and is super secret. That porn sound you heard was actually a verification code. Luckily, you didn't know what the secret password was for the day, or the maps would have disappeared and south alabama would be destroyed due to lack of weather advisories.

Oh, dear.....you didn't dial THAT number, did you...that clever combination of local channels with the "dopey" 420 prefix :)... That's the secret
consolidated line all the local TV stations' Meteorologists use to coordinate
the sizing and placement of those maps, crawls, and banners on all the screens.
This is a highly coordinated effort and is super secret. That porn sound you heard was actually a verification code. Luckily, you didn't know what the secret password was for the day, or the maps would have disappeared and south alabama would be destroyed due to lack of weather advisories.
This is one of the problems with the local channels. They never take anything serious. They own the local airways and they will do what they want.

This is one of the problems with the local channels. They never take anything serious. They own the local airways and they will do what they want.

Sorry for the moment of lightness. Didn't know we were in church.

I don't
control the weather graphics placement, but we are BROADcasters...a free service...and must serve our viewers in a number of ways that may inconvenience some....because we are BROADcasters. In my opinion, do the weather people
overdo it? Hell yes. But it's just the accepted way in 2006. Any BROADcaster who
has a news department does it. In my opinion, is there some dog and pony mixed in? Yep. But that's just being in competition with the other guys who are
doing the same thing. You know if Wal Mart starts selling soap that smells like a
fart, Target will too.

Now about that financial info banner. Yes, it is an intrusion, but the news department has decided they want to have experts
available to answer questions to our viewers. Since we are BROADcasters, some of our viewers may not be as blessed in the normal day to day knowledge of their
money. Just so you know, we got so many calls that night that we almost crashed our phone switch. That's why you got whatever you got when you tried to call in. So there is some service involved here....just not to everyone in this case....because we are BROADcasters. Dog and pony included.

Sorry, we don't own the airwaves. We are granted a license and pay dearly for it....then jump through many many hoops to keep it. Some of those hoops are
serving the public, which we gladly do.

Again, if we were a pay service, and not a BRAODcaster, we could do all kind of
things like narrow our programming, NOT put up weather graphics (or probably do news at all because that costs LOTS of $--but hey, we're now getting YOU to pay
the freight so why not???).
But we are NOT a pay service, we are a BRAODcaster
and have to serve you the same way we do that family in a mobile home in Marengo County who can't get any other station on a stormy night clear enough to see AND has no idea how to get ahead in life with their finances, etc.

How's this: We'll give you a credit on your
WAKA bill for the intrusion. Oh, wait....our channel is free. Nevermind. And none
of that "I pay for cable" crap. We don't get any money from them. We're BROADcasters...and that's just another hoop we have to face.

Sorry for the rant, Grandpa....nothing personal. Just had to do some 'splaining.

You do own the airwaves..if we want to watch CSI ,we have to tune into your station because we have no other choice. If we could pick up another CBS and NBC station I would.

Since we are BROADcasters, some of our viewers may not be as blessed in the normal day to day knowledge of their money.




Say What? I do believe that that is a sexist remark. I'm reporting you to Dan Rather and Uncle Walter.

You do own the airwaves..if we want to watch CSI ,we have to tune into your station because we have no other choice. If we could pick up another CBS and NBC station I would.

But you'll never know, Gp. This may be the lesser of evils anyway. Some of those big market stations are probably zooming out and using L-bars and chimes. Be glad you're here in the sticks with just the weather fairies with which to contend.....

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson tied for first, 3rd rd. DORAL open: we Get Tenn. Vandy. Both going nowhere. Case closed.

Cable signal experience.

I was again having the freezes and tiling that I've complaining about before and decided to see if I can lower the signal strength to the Brighthouse/ Motorola 6412 DVR. Someone had commented earlier that the cool weather is lowering the resistance of the underground cable, thus increasing the cable signal to the level that it was becoming a problem for the DVR.

Originally, I was looking for an attinuator but couldn't find it. Did come across a splitter. Wired it in the cable circuit with one leg empty. Picture immediately stopped tiling and freezing. Wanted to verify that this did in fact fix it, so I put it back to where it was and the tiling returned.

Its working great now. Can't help but wonder if I'll have problems when it warms up outside.

Generally the threshold is wider than that.
If you put a 2 way splitter in line you killed it by 3.5 db.

Unushual to have too much signal. Ushally it's the other way around!

Scott

Evidently, a 3.5 db cut is what it needed. :)

Frankly, I would think that these cable boxes should be able to self regulate the input signal so that this wouldn't happen.

AND.......if this is happening to me, its probably happening to my neighbors as well.

Sorry for the moment of lightness. Didn't know we were in church.

I don't
control the weather graphics placement, but we are BROADcasters...a free service...and must serve our viewers in a number of ways that may inconvenience some....because we are BROADcasters. In my opinion, do the weather people overdo it? Hell yes. But it's just the accepted way in 2006. Any BROADcaster who has a news department does it. In my opinion, is there some dog and pony mixed in? Yep. But that's just being in competition with the other guys who are doing the same thing. You know if Wal Mart starts selling soap that smells like a fart, Target will too.

Now about that financial info banner. Yes, it is an intrusion, but the news department has decided they want to have experts available to answer questions to our viewers. Since we are BROADcasters, some of our viewers may not be as blessed in the normal day to day knowledge of their money. Just so you know, we got so many calls that night that we almost crashed our phone switch. That's why you got whatever you got when you tried to call in. So there is some service involved here....just not to everyone in this case....because we are BROADcasters. Dog and pony included NOT put up weather graphics (or probably do news at all because that costs LOTS of $
.....snipped


Heres some Ideas.. How about showing the News at News time only, Not during Primetime, How about putting the Weather graphics out of the main picture especially on the Digital feed. How about puting Law Call on other than Prime time, and how about not taking up so much screen real estate with graphics that cant be seen through. Then maby you will make everybody happy. Everybody now has access to Pizza Pan dishes DTV and Dish, this kind of crap drives people away from local broadcast to other soulitions in order to see the program they want. It also hurts the sponsors when I tune away because I cant enjoy the show because of un-necessary crap on the screen. Now that some networks are selling the shows on the internet Im concerding purchasing them and burning a DVD to watch the show without the crap attached. You may not be responsable but you can pass the word to the Dumbells that run the station.
The stations are now using the Digital bandwidth to support lite HD and a SD station with the same content and a full time weather station. Whats the point? Is that cost effective? A crawl to tune to the Weather feed would be enough instead of a thunderstorm watch warning showing the whole state. What are we supposed to do watch out the window for the storm. Why are Thunderstorms all of a sudden such big news?

Did anybody else have problems tonight? I was trying to record PBS Ch 2 and lost lock, then CH 26, I did a rescan and started getting stations up to 256 miles away and multiple channels with the same numbers. 2 different receivers. I finally had to watch the show from Jackson Miss 256 miles away because I couldnt get any Alabama PBS stations. I am now getting Pensacola, Mobile, Panama city stations better than local ones. I cant even get Ch 8 and Ch 12 at the same antenna setting.

larrylwill
That's you get for ticking off WAKA. :)

In all fairness though, I suspect there are things going on at these TV stations that are mandated by the parent company that owns them. The locals have very little discretion.

What I would like to see is more competition for the same national networks. Wouldn't it be better if each station could broadcast a couple of the national feeds. Then it would come down to whoever does a better job gets the viewership.

larrylwill
That's you get for ticking off WAKA. :)

In all fairness though, I suspect there are things going on at these TV stations that are mandated by the parent company that owns them. I too don't see much point in a weather map eating up screen space when they have an entire seperate digital station that someone can tune to for the weather. But I can also see that someone elderly who doesn't have digital reception won't see weather information unless its on the primary screen. If it was your elderly parents, would you be so eager to want them to remove the weather information?

What I would like to see is more competition for the same national networks. Wouldn't it be better if each station could broadcast a couple of the national feeds. Then it would come down to whoever does a better job gets the viewership.

And you don't want to see Mark MAD!! :eek:

Most of this is driven by what the competition does at the local level, and not the parent company. Besides, we all want bragging rights to be able to say we were the first to tell you the world was ending.. :D

And you don't want to see Mark MAD!! :eek:

Most of this is driven by what the competition does at the local level, and not the parent company. Besides, we all want bragging rights to be able to say we were the first to tell you the world was ending.. :D

What's funny is who really cares which station reported the hurricane. In most people's mind, its all a mish mash anyway. Lets say that 3 stations heavily report Ivan and the 4th didn't but carries a shows viewers prefer. After the bad weather is gone, who do you think they're going to watch?

We don't do the OMIGOD-WE'RE-ALL-GONNA-DIE Weather here..if it's really bad then yes, but for the most part we don't..

We don't do the OMIGOD-WE'RE-ALL-GONNA-DIE Weather here..if it's really bad then yes, but for the most part we don't..
Travel around the Northeast and Southeast alot...these locals are the worst.

Travel around the Northeast and Southeast alot...these locals are the worst.

You must have missed Birmingham, where they switch to wall-to-wall coverage
of weather, except they do put the entertainment program in a small box in the
corner with that audio on the SAP channel. Once they start, this goes on for
hours....and naturally when one of the stations started it, the rest followed.

Remember my theory about the fart-smelling soap:)

I think what we do is (way) overkill...YOU REALLY ARE PREACHING TO THE CHOIR...
and I do bring this up and mention this forum in meetings, since I believe it is one
of the few ways our viewers express opinions in honesty.

Heres some Ideas.. How about showing the News at News time only, Not during Primetime, How about putting the Weather graphics out of the main picture especially on the Digital feed. How about puting Law Call on other than Prime time, and how about not taking up so much screen real estate with graphics that cant be seen through. Then maby you will make everybody happy. Everybody now has access to Pizza Pan dishes DTV and Dish, this kind of crap drives people away from local broadcast to other soulitions in order to see the program they want. It also hurts the sponsors when I tune away because I cant enjoy the show because of un-necessary crap on the screen. Now that some networks are selling the shows on the internet Im concerding purchasing them and burning a DVD to watch the show without the crap attached. You may not be responsable but you can pass the word to the Dumbells that run the station.
The stations are now using the Digital bandwidth to support lite HD and a SD station with the same content and a full time weather station. Whats the point? Is that cost effective? A crawl to tune to the Weather feed would be enough instead of a thunderstorm watch warning showing the whole state. What are we supposed to do watch out the window for the storm. Why are Thunderstorms all of a sudden such big news?

...just have to remind you that WAKA:
1. does not put weather graphics over the hd feed
2. does not do law line
3. does not devote massive amounts of bandwidth to anything
but the big show--our guys in charlotte made sure you'd
get a great HD picture. did you notice the olympics had
major quality issues with motion? you wouldn't see that
on the big 8 thanks to the way our guys designed it.
don't want you thinking we're the other guys:)

My apologies. its WSFA that does that. However I suspect that since they do it WAKA will soon follow, as you said, monkey see monkey do.

two-four-six eight who do we appreciate? WAKA CBS 8!! yea!!..... :>)

Late this month, WCOV will begin airing an SD stream with - you guessed it - weather! You just can't get enough of a good thing, I always say.

How can a TV station make any money with Weather stations?
I use the Indian rock weather station. Its a rock tied to a stick in the yard.
If I can see it its daytime or very cloudy. If its wet, its raining, If its dry it aint. If its standing out to the side its a hurricane.

Late this month, WCOV will begin airing an SD stream with - you guessed it - weather! You just can't get enough of a good thing, I always say.


I'll e-mail you the NEW super secret 420 weather number. Had to change it due to
the thread exposure above. Also got a ionosphere-changing number we all like to
dial into. Just being developed, but you see how it screwed up larrywill's reception the other day. It's great to own the airwaves!!!:)

I have no problem w/ WAKA they have a pretty good picture on sports but I will say I don't watch all the time so I haven't seen some of the stuff brought up here, but I do know about Birmingham channels and if you hate the weather coverage down here try looking at the Weather folks from FOX 6, NBC 13 and ABC 33/40 everytime it sprinkles or there is a gust of wind over 20 mph w/ a little rain, they shut the programming off and it's all weather all night BABY!!!! It got really bad after the tornado in 98 and James Spann and his little patch of hair became a airhogging celeb, the rest jumped right in line trying to outdo them and it snowballed from there. I think they are currently working on Super Doppler 1 zillion and once one of the stations gets that, the next step will be for one to get Super Duper Doppler 2 zillion plus!!!

Unnecessary comments removed.

Doc

Unnecessary comments removed.

Doc
Sad day when you remove true comments.

Did anybody else have problems tonight? I was trying to record PBS Ch 2 and lost lock, then CH 26, I did a rescan and started getting stations up to 256 miles away and multiple channels with the same numbers..

Larry,
that's called tropospheric ducting..when atmospheric conditions are just right, signals from many miles away are carried in and dropped over top of the locals. It's worse on some frequencies than others, and varies dependent upon conditions. Not much you can do about it, at times it can be rather strong.

Here are some links:

http://home.cogeco.ca/~vem3ont22/propagation/tr-modes.htm

http://home.cogeco.ca/~dxinfo/tropo.html

Bod:
I looked at that map for the days I was having this trouble and both days or should I say nights (it was about 11pm untill I went to bed past 2:30) It was fair to moderate. Over South Alabama. I have no doubt that it but the models must be wrong as to its strength.

Sad day when you remove true comments.

Censorship is running rampant in this country.

Bod:
I have no doubt that it but the models must be wrong as to its strength.


They are just that.."models"..kinda like the weather forecast.. :)

They are just that.."models"..kinda like the weather forecast.. :)

Also, temperature inversions can be very short lived. While models are helpful in defining more favorable than other conditions, they have limited usefulness. The MUF tables for HF propagation tend to be more reliable, but not for TV.