I'm having a similar problem with my 8300 DVR. I have it hooked up via HDMI to my HDTV. I don't get the green screen, but I'm getting the "Polergeist" static. When I switch inputs from the tv to my xbox or dvd and then back to the tv... the tv screen is static. I get sound but no picture. I have to unplug the DVR to reset it. I called Time Warner and they told me to bring the box back to exchange it. But while I was on the phone with them (and the screen was staic), I changed the channel and I got the picture back. At least it's an easy fix when it happens again.

Didn't we hear that the new software update fixed the 'drop to live' bug? Still happened to me last night while watching the Sopranos on a ten minute delay.

Pffft. TW couldn't fix their way out of anything. Some people, apparently it's fixed on, but I've only been able to have it NOT drop me out ONCE.

All the other times, it kicks me out.

I'm returning my DVR at the end of the month (it's so pathetic and unreliable, I'll suffer with SD Tivo and watch HDTV live).

The minute FIOS TV comes here, I'm dropping TW like a hot potato. If they're not here by Sept, then I'll switch to DISH. I'm tired of being butt-raped for their cable fees.

Didn't we hear that the new software update fixed the 'drop to live' bug? Still happened to me last night while watching the Sopranos on a ten minute delay.

Yup..kicked me out too last week and last night watching Sopranos. Friend of mine that was over said it doesn't happen to him any more. Weird!

There should be some kind of refund that TW should provide for this crap. We pay enough....this issue should have been fixed a long time ago. This problem has been happening for years!!

I'll be kicking Time Warner to the curb soon enough!!! Fios here I come!!! :cool:

John,
I exchanged my 8300HD DVR box at TWC office and the new one has the same 'green' screen problem when turned on. The new firmware seems to have screwed up the hdmi handshaking between the box and the tv when they are turned on. If you have it on the same channel it will stay green for a long time, if I keep changing channels the color will come back to normal. Also, if I change inputs on the tv to watch my dvd player and then go back, it will be green again.
I'm going to try calling Toshiba one of these days when I have time to see if they might have an updated firmware for the tv to fix this problem. I read on a different thread that someone got a firmware upgrade for his toshiba plasma to fix some cablecard issues. Toshiba provided the firmware upgrade on an sd card , then you just pop it into the sd slot on the tv to upgrade it.

Update: I called Toshiba and they are sending me a firmware update for my 50HPX95 which the tech said 'should' resolve the problem. I'll let you know when I get it and if it fixed the 'green' problem. I should get it in 5-7 days.

I received my software update from toshiba on a sd card and upgraded my 50hpx95 to software version 1.3.1 dated 2/1/2006. It still did not fix the 'green' color problem with turning on the tv and hd8300hd dvr box. I called toshiba back and they cant to anything else for me. They suggested I call the local toshiba service center ( lake electronics ) and setup a service appt.
This really sucks !! A friend of mine has a 1.5 year old panasonic plasma and does not have this problem after time warner flashed his box.

GTG at Across The Street Pub
Tuesday, April 25th, 7:00 pm.

1238 Western Avenue • Albany, New York
ph: 518.482.9432
Located approx. 1 mile east from the Crossgates Mall.

In an effort to energize the local HT community, a GTG (Get ToGether) will be held at the Across The Street Pub on the above mentioned date.
Having participated in these kind of events myself, it has always been fun to talk with fellow enthusiasts and be able to associate a human face with posts from the internet. It is also a great environment for picking up tips on system tweaks, product info, how to's, or just to VENT! ;)

Tuesday night is Wings And a Pint night at the Pub, $4.00 gets you an order of wings and a pint (or so I've been told). :)

Please plan on attending. You might make new friend, learn something new or just drink beer :cool: . Who knows, it may blossom into system demos or potentially regular GTGs with alternating locations.

If interested, please PM me.

Jeff

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f95/JeffD2/PUB.jpg

It's been quite a while since I've seen a local station forget to switch to HD when available. Tonight it's Medium on WNYT. Could someone who has their Master Control number maybe call and mention it to them?

Today I saw a Verizon truck with a huge spool of wire stringing it along Rt. 9 in Latham. Traveling east by the Hoffman's Playland.

They were attaching it to the poles.

Please oh please oh please let it be soon (for FIOS that is).

Of course, once they string it up Rt. 9, they still gotta string it up in my back yard.

No takers on the GTG so far... on either of the local boards. :(

I've realized a lot people go on vacations this week, so perhaps it wasn't the best time to post. I'll give it till Tuesday AM. Otherwise postponed.

Dammit, I'm tryin' :D

Expect a bump if we turn a new page. ;)

No takers on the GTG so far... on either of the local boards. :(

I've realized a lot people go on vacations this week, so perhaps it wasn't the best time to post. I'll give it till Tuesday AM. Otherwise postponed.

Dammit, I'm tryin' :D

Expect a bump if we turn a new page. ;)

I'd probably go, but I've got a work meeting that night (sigh).

The original "get together" (GTG) post was written using white letters, which are virtually invisible to my customized AVS Forum background. So I'm reposting it and hoping we get hundreds of people to show up. Rumour is $4 gets you wings and a pint of draft.

Tuesday, April 25th, 7:00 pm.

The Street Pub
1238 Western Avenue • Albany, New York
ph: 518.482.9432

This place is across the street from the uptown SUNY Albany campus on Western Avenue.

PM me or JeffD2. if interested.

--SimpleTheater

My 8300HD DVR is connected via HDMI. When I turned on my TV yesterday, I got sound but no picture. There was just the "Poltergeist" static. I had to unplug the DVR to reboot it. It seemed to take a long time for the clock to turn on, but once it did all worked fine again.

I Have a Hitachi 60VX915 and I am running my TWC SA 8300 to it using HDMI. I have the same issue. I turn on all devices using my TWC remote, for now, and they turn on in the following order, SA 8300 -> TV -> Sony Audio Receiver. The isse I have is that the TV turns on before the cable box is completly started and my video singnal is nothing but snow. If I turn the TV off and wiat for the lamp fan to turn off so it is off completely and then turn the TV on the video signal is fine. I cannot change the power on/off order on the remote. The only work around I have is to turn each individual device on separately instead of the ALL power key. I am also considering buyin a Harmony 880 or 890 ans setting the TV to turn on last.

GTG is on for tonight!

Across The Street Pub 7:00 pm. Look for Budweiser racing shirt. :eek:

I Have a Hitachi 60VX915 and I am running my TWC SA 8300 to it using HDMI. I have the same issue. I turn on all devices using my TWC remote, for now, and they turn on in the following order, SA 8300 -> TV -> Sony Audio Receiver. The isse I have is that the TV turns on before the cable box is completly started and my video singnal is nothing but snow. If I turn the TV off and wiat for the lamp fan to turn off so it is off completely and then turn the TV on the video signal is fine. I cannot change the power on/off order on the remote. The only work around I have is to turn each individual device on separately instead of the ALL power key. I am also considering buyin a Harmony 880 or 890 ans setting the TV to turn on last.


I have the Harmony 880 remote and am still, sometimes, getting the snow. I need to change the channel to a 18-- (high-def) channel to get a picture. I'd rather not turn the TV off and then back on.

Does anyone else get a lot of audio dropouts on Fox HD on Time Warner?

Everybody here please email TWC and share your thoughts on new HD channels.
We all have a couple minutes to spare to post here so please Email Corporate.

Fred.Dressler@twcable.com

Let's be civilized.

What new HD channels?

What new HD channels?

TMC-HD
CINEMAX-HD
ESPN2-HD
National Geographic-HD
MHD
STARZ-HD
HGTV-HD
Food Network-HD

Are these announced channels or do we want those channels?

Only if they drop their stupid rates. I'm switching to FIOS if and when it ever comes here (either that or by Sept, I'm switching to DISH).

Since Oct 2004, my bill (no change in service) has gone up $30/month. Swines

They can add all the HD channels they want, but they'll keep jacking up the rates and their DVR rots (stupid thing can't even handle Daylight Savings)

Are these announced channels or do we want those channels?


nothing is announced, if you want them, email them and tell them to add it. If you don't care about TWC adding new HD channels don't email them.

JeffD2 and I got together last night and had a blast talking about everything from HD-DVD to power cables. We both agreed that next time it would be a rip roaring time if we could get a few more members together.

--SimpleTheater

Does anyone else get a lot of audio dropouts on Fox HD on Time Warner?

Yes. I don't know if it happens "live" though. I DVR all my shows and I get a lot of audio dropouts while watching Prison Break and 24 on channel 1808.

The GTG was held Tuesday night. Unfortunately only one other AVS/local member showed up (SimpleTheater) but none the less we engaged in informative conversation, drank some beers, shared some laughs and otherwise had a pretty good time. This experience just reinforced what I had already known. Anytime you get together with fellow AVSers it’s a positive, pleasant, fun time. We chatted for a good 2½ hours and the time just flew by. Never was there an awkward lull in the conversation as one topic segued into the next. Chris is a great guy, very affable, extremely smart and it was a pleasure to get to know him.

Some of the numerous topics we covered:
• How we got hooked on HT
• Cable/Dish television reception
• The new Toshiba HD-DVD players
• Compression of HD signal from content providers
• Various video displays and technologies
• Video calibration (we tore into the TVs at the Pub)
• Cables, connectors and wiring and how to conceal them
• Speakers and Subwoofers
• Audio calibration and how to’s
• The phenomenon of psycho-acoustic listening
• Amps & receivers and myths about power ratings
• Home theater construction
• Internet forums, the politics and marketing aspects
• What it takes to get a thread locked down or get yourself banned.
• WAF

I’m sure I prolly left out a few topics, but you get the idea.

Hopefully there can be another GTG in the future with more participation from forum members. Just try it once and you’ll see…. :cool: :D

Yes. I don't know if it happens "live" though. I DVR all my shows and I get a lot of audio dropouts while watching Prison Break and 24 on channel 1808.
I don't have a DVR. I watch American Idol, 24, and House on 1808 and for the past week or so have been getting terrible and consisten audio dropouts on that channel.

Doesn't happen on any others.

• Amps & receivers and myths about power ratings
Because of which, I started the "All Channels Driven" (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7561158#post7561158) thread.
• What it takes to get a thread locked down or get yourself banned.

The quickest method being to start a thread about SVS subwoofers.

--SimpleTheater

I recently viewed DOOM on PPV (my son just HAD to see this) and I didn't feel like driving to HV to rent it.

Funny, the movie suffered video break up just like the commercials TW airs to dissuade people from the Dish. There was 5 or 6 times the video froze up for a few seconds.

Also, audio was Dolby 2.0, WTF?

With TWC you get the movie for 24 hrs. If I drive to any rental outlet, its 5 days.

I've viewed other PPV movies from TWC that had DD5.1. Not happy. :mad:

Lately TW has been terrible. WB 15 last night had funky sound going on during Supernatural.

I've had several channels go all pixelated. I called on that one and they said nothing was wrong, but they'd send a tech out. Next day the tech shows up and goes 'yep, I reported this yesterday it's due to the compression that TW is using and one of the modules or something has a problem in it".

2 weeks later it still shows up.

Can't wait for FIOS TV.

I noticed the audio & video freezing last night while watching Las Vegas in HD via TWC.

I was watching it via a 8300HD DVR about an hour after it was originally broadcast.

Why is it that WRGB cant get their stuff together?

Another Monday night of dvr'ing gone to waste due to constant breakups and pixalization making my viewing unbearable.
This seems to be an ongoing problem that hasnt been solved for months on end...funny, no other channels seem to be having issues, so whats the problem? maybe its time they invest in some new equipment or get some people who know what they are doing. I'm so sick of this.

WRGB was the first station to broadcast OTA HD in this area, too bad they are the worst when it comes to delivering the goods.

http://kittyfingers.com/wrgb1.jpg
screencap from tonight..

and previously,

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7126841&&#post7126841

I don't use my TW DVR anymore (it got returned because it sucked). Do you know if this is a WRGB issue or (more likely) a TW issue?

I've been having serious problems with TW the last 2 months. Audio fade in/fade out (they're aware of the problem). Random pixelation (it's a local problem confined to my area apparently because their compression doohickey is acting up).

So I'm guessin FIOS is near. There's a big-ass cable hanging in my back yard (where Verizon so thoughtfully crushed my plants in my garden, thank you very much). I would've thought they would actually attach the cable better (it's literally hanging across the fences through the entire neighborhood except the few spots where it's tied to the cable lines on the poles).

I'll try to take a picture and post over on AlbanyHDTV

Do you know if this is a WRGB issue or (more likely) a TW issue?I saw the problem on WRGB-HD OTA. Switched to cable; it was OK there. This has happened a few times before, and they can fix it temporarily by rebooting something (Encoder? Multiplexer? Don't remember).

It looks a bit like marginal reception, but the signal is strong enough, and 6-2 isn't breaking up. IIRC, they said their demod doesn't show the problem, so they don't know they have one until someone tells them.

I don't use my TW DVR anymore (it got returned because it sucked). Do you know if this is a WRGB issue or (more likely) a TW issue?

I've been having serious problems with TW the last 2 months. Audio fade in/fade out (they're aware of the problem). Random pixelation (it's a local problem confined to my area apparently because their compression doohickey is acting up).

I doubt it was the DVR, since this audio issue is happening across the board on non-DVR STB's, Cablecards and on tv's connected directly to the cable coax. Several of my neighbors whom have standard analog cable are complaining to TWC about the audio dropouts. I have complained. TWC has sent tech's out and find nothing wrong with the cabling or equipment, yet several tech's have seen first hand the audio dropouts in my home...TWC states there is nothing wrong on their end...what gives???

So I'm guessin FIOS is near. There's a big-ass cable hanging in my back yard (where Verizon so thoughtfully crushed my plants in my garden, thank you very much). I would've thought they would actually attach the cable better (it's literally hanging across the fences through the entire neighborhood except the few spots where it's tied to the cable lines on the poles).

I'll try to take a picture and post over on AlbanyHDTVVerizon is running cable like mad... in the Slingerlands/Guilderland area, I hope it comes down my street soon. ;)

Friends that live in the Vale at Normanskil development (off Dr. Shaw Rd & Rt 155 in Guilderland) report Verizon is installing underground cable. They also report ripped up lawns, disturbed flower beds, and damaged sprinkler systems.

Correct, I live "near" that development and can verify it's true... I wonder how the folks in "Prescott Woods" will react when their lawns/plantings get damaged by Verizons contract staff? :eek:

Why is it that WRGB cant get their stuff together?

Another Monday night of dvr'ing gone to waste due to constant breakups and pixalization making my viewing unbearable.
This seems to be an ongoing problem that hasnt been solved for months on end...

Your last post on the subject was on Feb 13. That is over 10 weeks ago. If you are having problems more often than your posts indicate, please let us know.


I saw the problem on WRGB-HD OTA. Switched to cable; it was OK there.

Which is ironic considering the same stream is fed to both.


maybe its time they invest in some new equipment or get some people who know what they are doing.

As with some of our home equipment, we are at the mercy of the manufacturer to release bug fixes.


This has happened a few times before, and they can fix it temporarily by rebooting something (Encoder? Multiplexer? Don't remember).

It is true that every 2 months or so we have to re-boot the HD encoder (which we did this morning). We have learned that updates to the stat-muxing software and encoder firmware are now available that may fix this issue. We will try to make these improvements as soon as possible.


IIRC, they said their demod doesn't show the problem, so they don't know they have one until someone tells them.

That is also sometimes true. We have various models of tuners on our benches in the tech areas and master control including: Radio Shack, Samsung, Sylvania, LG. The LG box was the only one that exhibited the problem this morning.

Please continue to inform us of any problems that you detect before we do.

WRGB EngDept -

Thanks for keeping us informed, its just frustrating when I cannot watch some of my favorite CBS shows and forced to watch garbage like Wife Swap on ABC. woot! :rolleyes:

Have you fixed this yet? I had the same problem on a SA8300 and Toshiba 51H84. I've found a work around: turn on the TV first; if the screen looks green, turn it off. Wait 15 seconds, then turn it on again. Then turn on the 8300.

Sounds stupid, but it works. TWC in Raleigh, NC tried to blame this on cabling, it's a software issue of some sort that impacts the "handshake" that has to happen when you fire up your equipment.

I have my 8300HD connected with HDMI. Since Friday 3/31 all channels are green in color. My Toshiba 50HPX95 has 2 HDMI ports and both are doing the same. I assuming that the firmware upgrade broke something on my 8300HD.
If I unplug the 8300 and plug in back in, it will look ok once it boots. But once I power off the tv and 8300 and turn them back on, the screen is green again.

My dvd is hooked up to component and there is no problem with it.

Is anyone else experiencing the same problem with HDMI after the firmware upgrade?


Have you fixed this yet? I had the same problem on a SA8300 and Toshiba 51H84. I've found a work around: turn on the TV first; if the screen looks green, turn it off. Wait 15 seconds, then turn it on again. Then turn on the 8300.

Sounds stupid, but it works. TWC in Raleigh, NC tried to blame this on cabling, it's a software issue of some sort that impacts the "handshake" that has to happen when you fire up your equipment.

(Sorry for the double post -- bit of a newbie.)

WRGB EngDept said
Quote:
Originally Posted by ebo
I saw the problem on WRGB-HD OTA. Switched to cable; it was OK there.


Which is ironic considering the same stream is fed to both.
Ironic perhaps, but consistent with other times it has happened, as confirmed by you in your post #1944 (10/18/05) in this thread:
Had been watching cable most of the evening and didn't see a problem. When I saw the post, called the Master Control operator who reported the picture was fine from their demod. Switched to OTA and noticed the same problem on my TV at home. Very unusual that cable was not also affected; it's the same transport stream. Re-booted the HD encoder during Craig Ferguson.
There must be some different hardware between your OTA transmission and cable feed, unless cable is getting it OTA. Do you feed TW the same multiplexed package (WRGB-HD, WNYA-SD and radar)? Even if you do, they split them out and reencode 6-1 and 6-3 onto physical channel 104. Apparently they don't carry 6-2; if they do, it's not in the clear as it should be. Maybe their demod is like most of yours and it handles the problem.

Ironic perhaps, but consistent with other times it has happened...Maybe their demod is like most of yours and it handles the problem.
Point well taken, at the end of the day it is just another brand of decoder. That's why we ask to be informed of any problems that we may not be able to detect.
Do you feed TW the same multiplexed package (WRGB-HD, WNYA-SD and radar)? Even if you do, they split them out and reencode 6-1 and 6-3 onto physical channel 104.
TWC is fed via fiber from the same DA that feeds the transmitter. They don't really re-encode, they do strip PSIP data, may apply rate shaping and do re-multiplex.
Apparently they don't carry 6-2; if they do, it's not in the clear as it should be.
They don't carry 6-2

they do strip PSIP data, may apply rate shaping and do re-multiplex.

Do you know why they strip the PSIP data? I was told by TW Tech that it is stripped because there is no contract in place to retransmit PSIP data with the broadcast station like they have with the PBS station for the tvguide data.

My argument is that they shouldn't be stripping anything from the signal and re-broadcast as received. What's your take on this matter?

I attended a Phillies game Thursday night from the last row on the highest tier, behind home plate.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f95/JeffD2/fiosfast.jpg

This was the pitch speed display. It says "FIOS FAST". Though one might think otherwise. Hope they lay cables in this area as fast! ;)

I believe it is time to go another route.

George.Bodenheimer@ESPN.com
VP of Programming at ESPN

The David Letterman Show not being shown in HD t'nite on WRGB.
No problems with the WNYT and WMHT HD broadcasts at this moment.

With one HDTV using the SA3250HD and three SD tv's connected direct by coax cable, CBS6 consistently has the worst PQ. 10 & 13 look fine while watching local news broadcasts on the SD's. On the HD set, even the coax direct looks better than through the box. Yeah, I know I put this issue out for discussion before, but the question begs if this is a TW or a WRGB issue.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f95/JeffD2/CablevsSD.jpg

Do the 8300 users see this problem as well?

Unfortunately I cannot assist you with that. Based on your screenshots, yes, "direct" looks much better.

Unfortunately my 8300 is hooked up to the only TV that does not have a decoder, OTA, or Cable Card slot. My other TV that has a direct QAM tuner, (via TW, NOT via OTA) does not have the 8300 unit (doesn't even have an HD box--I have Tivo with the "regular" SD box at this point).

Although from what I've been told, TW is compressing all the channels (in groupings of 6-8 per signal, I believe), so perhaps that's what is doing it.

Plus, I believe the 8300 is using an internal scalar (do you have it set for Pass Thru?) in which case you could be seeing a diff. between your TV's scalar and the TW box.

With one HDTV using the SA3250HD and three SD tv's connected direct by coax cable, CBS6 consistently has the worst PQ. 10 & 13 look fine while watching local news broadcasts on the SD's. On the HD set, even the coax direct looks better than through the box. Yeah, I know I put this issue out for discussion before, but the question begs if this is a TW or a WRGB issue.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f95/JeffD2/CablevsSD.jpg

Do the 8300 users see this problem as well?I get worse picture quality on Time Warner channels 1808 & 1813 versus 1806 & 1810. 480i up converted to 720p looks particularly nasty.

WRGB EngDept -

for what its worth, I am getting constant breakups and pixelization on CBS via MyHD pc card, signal strength is a constant 81% with no audio dropouts. (rebooted,re-scanned,etc)
Unlike the previous problems mentioned before, this is only affecting MyHD card and my 2 stb's dont exhibit this problem.

WRGB EngDept -

for what its worth, I am getting constant breakups and pixelization on CBS via MyHD pc card, signal strength is a constant 81% with no audio dropouts. (rebooted,re-scanned,etc)
Unlike the previous problems mentioned before, this is only affecting MyHD card and my 2 stb's dont exhibit this problem.I'm seeing it too, and it looks exactly like previous episodes: intermittent breakups on 6-1 OTA, seen on all of my digital receivers: LG LST-3410A, MyHD MDP-120 and MDP-130. 104-4 on cable is clean on the LG and 130 (the 120 can't tune QAM).

Looks like it's time to reboot the encoder. Glad I didn't drop my Basic Cable subscription.

Plus, I believe the 8300 is using an internal scalar (do you have it set for Pass Thru?) in which case you could be seeing a diff. between your TV's scalar and the TW box.

The SA3250 is set to AutoDVI (my connection), I believe its the same as pass-thru when using component. I have all resolutions enabled in the advanced setup menu. I agree the scaler in my (anyone's) display should be better than the SA product.

INTERESTINGLY this weekend wifey complained about our phones dropping out. We have the "all 'n one" service. I myself have done all the wiring for phone, cable, computers, etc., and use RS Quad sheild coax, premium type F connects, and splitters from TW, no junk. I should not have and ingress or leakage from sh!tty connections. Anyway, I checked the block where all my phone lines connect. One of the RJ11 jacks was loose. I snugged it up and the phones worked fine.

This morning I watch CBS6 news and the picture is vastly improved. Even the wife notices. Vertical noise line is also abscent from SD sets. I'll have to do an A-B test just to make sure.

This begs to three questions:

1) "Digital Cable". If it's digital, why was I seeing analag PQ and artifacts thru the box? I think we're all agreement here that if its digital, you either get it or you don't.

2) Is the box itself contributing to picture noise since the direct coax is better? Presuming the lower spectrum of channels are more suseptable to ingress.

3) Will UNSHIELDED phone wiring contribute to ingress and degrade PQ on all SD sets connected?

FWIW- 1806 has always looked "soft" compared to the other HD offerings on my display.

I'm seeing it too, and it looks exactly like previous episodes: intermittent breakups on 6-1 OTA, seen on all of my digital receivers: LG LST-3410A, MyHD MDP-120 and MDP-130. 104-4 on cable is clean on the LG and 130 (the 120 can't tune QAM).

Looks like it's time to reboot the encoder. Glad I didn't drop my Basic Cable subscription.

See if it's better now. BTW, we have just ordered a MyHD MDP-130 for ourselves. This card seems to be sensitive to problems sooner.

The SA3250 is set to AutoDVI (my connection), I believe its the same as pass-thru when using component. I have all resolutions enabled in the advanced setup menu. I agree the scaler in my (anyone's) display should be better than the SA product.

INTERESTINGLY this weekend wifey complained about our phones dropping out. We have the "all 'n one" service. I myself have done all the wiring for phone, cable, computers, etc., and use RS Quad sheild coax, premium type F connects, and splitters from TW, no junk. I should not have and ingress or leakage from sh!tty connections. Anyway, I checked the block where all my phone lines connect. One of the RJ11 jacks was loose. I snugged it up and the phones worked fine.

This morning I watch CBS6 news and the picture is vastly improved. Even the wife notices. Vertical noise line is also abscent from SD sets. I'll have to do an A-B test just to make sure.

This begs to three questions:

1) "Digital Cable". If it's digital, why was I seeing analag PQ and artifacts thru the box? I think we're all agreement here that if its digital, you either get it or you don't.

2) Is the box itself contributing to picture noise since the direct coax is better? Presuming the lower spectrum of channels are more suseptable to ingress.

3) Will UNSHIELDED phone wiring contribute to ingress and degrade PQ on all SD sets connected?

FWIW- 1806 has always looked "soft" compared to the other HD offerings on my display.


In regards to #1: The way it was explained to me by the TW tech: If you can enter the service menu, it'll show # of retransmitted packets (errors or something, I can't remember the exact name of the stat.) So the signal may be digital, but the information is being sent in bits and pieces and some of those pieces get lost, so hence the artifacting. Although personally I think TW service has gone downhill as of late.

2) There's some problems in the SA box to say the least (or how TW is sending the signal). I'm having problems with cable, but ONLY when it goes through the SA box (all the boxes exhibit the problem).

3) I'm not sure how unshielded phone cable could interfere with the RG-6 tv signal. Phone wire is RJ-11 (or RJ-14 or whatever). Not even the same signal type (that I'm aware of) that's being transmitted on the coax. On a traditional land line there's a bit of electrical current being sent that I suppose could affect the cable if it somehow came in direct contact with the F connector. I've got a wiring panel in my house that has tons of cables all sitting together with no interference (granted, it's a mix of RG-6, Cat5e and 1 "regular" RJ-11 phone cord). PQ has been great (except for recently due to some problem at the local gear that TW knows about and is taking their sweet time to fix).

See if it's better now. BTW, we have just ordered a MyHD MDP-130 for ourselves. This card seems to be sensitive to problems sooner.Watched a couple hours on 6-1 Saturday night, using the MDP-130. Saw no problems.

Hope you like your MyHD card. I've been surprised by the almost total lack of stand-alone off-air HD DVRs. There's the discontinued LG and a couple of Sony models which may also have been discontinued. HD tuner cards for computers are the only other option, and the typical homeowner is not going to want to set up an HTPC in his living room.

Watched a couple hours on 6-1 Saturday night, using the MDP-130. Saw no problems.

Call me crazy but I watch alot of CBS programming and I notice that most of the problems occur during Monday night prime time programming. Everything clears up by mid-week thru the weekend, but Monday primetime seems to be hit or miss.

Stopped at Stewarts this morning and encountered a Verizon representative handing out promotional materials for FIOS Internet service, so I engaged her in some conversation….

FIOS Internet service is available NOW in Latham, Guilderland and Delmar. They will be continuously expanding their network to other outlying communities. They will not be doing anything immediately on the Rensselaer side of the river :mad: but plan to be there within 1-2 years.

TELEVISION: Television service is not yet available. They still must complete construction of a broadcast hub tentatively located in the Saratoga area and finish negotiating contracts for broadcast rights. She stated a 1-2 year time frame for completion of television service.

TELEPHONE: Verizon will offer Internet phone service but unfortunately will still be regulated as a phone company and therefore subject to the same taxes and usage fees they are now. IIRC, Verizon is fighting this, I’m sure dkennedy is all over that story and we all know where to find his great info.

FIOS Internet service is available NOW in Latham, Guilderland and Delmar. They will be continuously expanding their network to other outlying communities. They will not be doing anything immediately on the Rensselaer side of the river :mad: but plan to be there within 1-2 years.Verizon has been running fiber like mad in my area, Guilderland/Slingerlands. They have been burying service in some of the larger residential developments. My (?) is... can the conduit/fiber be run along the poles used to carry other utilities (e.g. cable/phone)? If not I'll probably be SOL.TELEVISION: Television service is not yet available. They still must complete construction of a broadcast hub tentatively located in the Saratoga area and finish negotiating contracts for broadcast rights. She stated a 1-2 year time frame for completion of television service.My Verizon DSL service has been so good... I don't have any real incentive to try their broadband connection, but I'm very interested to see how their DTV service compares to Time Warner.

.....My (?) is... can the conduit/fiber be run along the poles used to carry other utilities (e.g. cable/phone)?...
I wish I knew for sure. What I can say with accuracy is that Verizon has been spooling wire along Rt. 9 on the poles, NO digging. Recently I saw National Grid trucks working poles at an intersection only to see Verizon trucks at same location the next day.

......but I'm very interested to see how their DTV service compares to Time Warner.
Me too. Unfortunatly, I'm on the wrong side of the Hudson, so let me know how it turns out. :(

Hopefully, some other forum members will encounter the Verizon sales reps and pose more questions. I was a bit surprised that the one I met seemed quite knowledgable, not just a pretty face, well dressed, attractive, hot, sexy....

g2g now! :D

From a vendor of fiber optic cable:

Armored Cable: Cable installed by direct burial in areas where rodents are a problem usually have metal armoring between two jackets to prevent rodent penetration. This means the cable is conductive, so it must be grounded properly.

Aerial Cable: Aerial cables are for outside installation on poles. They can be lashed to a messenger or another cable (common in CATV) or have metal or aramid strength members to make them self supporting.

Full text here (http://www.lanshack.com/fiber-optic-tutorial-cable.aspx)

A good piece from a guy who documented his FIOS install with pics here. (http://www.bricklin.com/fiosinstall.htm)

On Route 2 in Latham, just west of the circle, there is a Verizon building next to the Vanilla Bean.

There is a box truck parked on the front lawn with Verizon Fios advertising painted all over it.

I have not seen any Verizon crews installing fiber in the Carman Road section of Guilderland. I can't even get DSL in my neighborhood.

Stopped at Stewarts this morning and encountered a Verizon representative handing out promotional materials for FIOS Internet service, so I engaged her in some conversation….

FIOS Internet service is available NOW in Latham, Guilderland and Delmar. They will be continuously expanding their network to other outlying communities. They will not be doing anything immediately on the Rensselaer side of the river :mad: but plan to be there within 1-2 years.

TELEVISION: Television service is not yet available. They still must complete construction of a broadcast hub tentatively located in the Saratoga area and finish negotiating contracts for broadcast rights. She stated a 1-2 year time frame for completion of television service.

TELEPHONE: Verizon will offer Internet phone service but unfortunately will still be regulated as a phone company and therefore subject to the same taxes and usage fees they are now. IIRC, Verizon is fighting this, I’m sure dkennedy is all over that story and we all know where to find his great info.

1-2 years for TV? That sucks. Guess that answers my question about whether or not I should buy a Series 3 Tivo. Nope. Guess it'll be DISH for me this fall. That's too bad that they're gonna wait so long for TV service (I'd originally heard that Colonie/Guilderland was supposed to get TV late this year/early next year).

Sigh. Just can't keep forking out the massive rate increases to TW and their PQ and service the past 2 months has been crappy. Audio fade in/fade out, pixelation on digital channels. The annoying "green/bright white" bar on the left-hand side when watching in wide screen (thanks for burning in my plasma, TW).

Anyone notice that the Coca-Cola 600 broadcast on Sunday was not in HD??? I just watched this event off my TiVo HD, and it was in a 4-3 format.

I noticed this, too. I looked on the main HD board and it seemed other areas of the country were getting the race in HD.

I tried to contact WXXA's chief engineer on Tuesday, but he is on vacation this entire week.

Anyone notice that the Coca-Cola 600 broadcast on Sunday was not in HD??? I just watched this event off my TiVo HD, and it was in a 4-3 format.
Yes, and I was PISSED. I too checked the main forum and posted as such. One guy replied it was HD on and off. Apparently no one else in the country had problems.

I sent an email to FOX23 production dept. They replied right away, saying they "had a technical problem with the HD encoder and a new one is being installed this week". Apparently it has affected other programs as well.

From a vendor of fiber optic cable:

Armored Cable: Cable installed by direct burial in areas where rodents are a problem usually have metal armoring between two jackets to prevent rodent penetration. This means the cable is conductive, so it must be grounded properly.

Aerial Cable: Aerial cables are for outside installation on poles. They can be lashed to a messenger or another cable (common in CATV) or have metal or aramid strength members to make them self supporting.

Full text here (http://www.lanshack.com/fiber-optic-tutorial-cable.aspx)

A good piece from a guy who documented his FIOS install with pics here. (http://www.bricklin.com/fiosinstall.htm)What a "fantastic" piece at "bricklin's" web-site. :)

Now there is renewed hope for those of us who do not live in BIG developments. :) :)

Verizon is burying fiber all-over my area... but need to use aerial cable along the utility poles to come down my street. They were working on my street (complete with flagmen and all) two weeks ago... maybe I got lucky. :)

A little off topic but it seems I have lost the Sirius radio terrestrial repeater in Albany after t'nites storm. I usually get full strength terrestrial and zero bars satellite. Now I have zero everything.

anyone else..? Bueller?...... Bueller?

A little off topic but it seems I have lost the Sirius radio terrestrial repeater in Albany after t'nites storm. I usually get full strength terrestrial and zero bars satellite. Now I have zero everything.

anyone else..? Bueller?...... Bueller?

How do you know Sirius has a repeater in Albany? The reason I ask is because I work in downtown Schenectady and can't get a signal.

How do you know Sirius has a repeater in Albany? The reason I ask is because I work in downtown Schenectady and can't get a signal.

Actually I don't know, but I do notice a considerably stronger signal when my antenna is placed towards the city, the same holds true for my workplace. I get to play around with cars equipped with Sirius and XM radios and I have noticed that the overhead doors that face Albany (east) affect signal strength depending if the door is opened or closed. I dont get anything when the antenna is pointed away from the city(west).

Signal strength at home is pretty solid, I can throw my antenna underneath the couch and still get full bars terrestrial. :)

Sirius has a repeater in Albany.

My radio has separate "satellite" and "local" meters, and I see signal on both. Besides, when I'm in my parking garage downtown where there is no possible way to get a satellite signal, I get full strength on the "local" meter and everything comes in fine.

Same with XM.

Schenectady is too far away for the local repeater to work. A single repeater only covers a radius of a couple of miles max.

The problem with WRGB-HD is back. As usual, OTA only, not cable. Seems worse than before; it breaks up all the time now instead of every few seconds. WRGB EngDept, time to pluck your magic twanger (guess that dates me!). Also, if the station has its MyHD card up and running, this would be a good test.

I also see the breakups but only with the MyHD card, my OTA receiver (Zenith HD-SAT520) has no problems. Just refreshed a scan of the channels and same problem occurs.

Note: I am now starting to see the same pixelization on my Zenith OTA STB.

The problem with WRGB-HD is back. As usual, OTA only, not cable. Seems worse than before; it breaks up all the time now instead of every few seconds. WRGB EngDept, time to pluck your magic twanger (guess that dates me!). Also, if the station has its MyHD card up and running, this would be a good test.

The MyHD card does indeed show the problem nicely.

We recorded the stream to try to check it later, but the playback does not seem to show the problem. Is that usual for anyone else?

We recorded the stream to try to check it later, but the playback does not seem to show the problem. Is that usual for anyone else?

How weird is that?... I was not recording on Sunday night so I cannot comment on playback quality, for what its worth the previous problems I have noticed before also affected recording and playback.

I have not seen any problems tonight with the WRGB stream.

I noticed this, too. I looked on the main HD board and it seemed other areas of the country were getting the race in HD.

I tried to contact WXXA's chief engineer on Tuesday, but he is on vacation this entire week.
Keith Galley has been delegated to HD switcher in the chief engineer's absence. :D ;) :eek:

Hey everyone. I'm a complete n00b to this whole HD thing, having just purchased my first set, and I have a question. I live out in the hills of Esperance, and between my 20 foot antenna and amplifier, I seem to be able to get every local HD station beautifully, except for 23-1, which both WXXA and this forum says should be at channel 7. When I go to channel 7, it is recognized as 23-1, but there is 0 signal strength, according to my set. I've read in this channel that WXXA has been having encoder problems recently, and I'm just wondering if I should sit tight for a bit, because they're not currently broadcasting, or seek out a better amplifier.

Thanks,
Francis

The MyHD card does indeed show the problem nicely.

We recorded the stream to try to check it later, but the playback does not seem to show the problem. Is that usual for anyone else?I've seen an effect like that before. It's been a while and I may have the details wrong, but it was something like: on direct viewing, video broke up but audio was OK. On playback the video was OK (or at least cleaner) but audio kept dropping out. Not even sure it was WRGB I saw it on.

I recommend saving a short recording when it's working properly and another when it's not. Run both through MPEG2Repair and TSReader Lite, both free programs available from www.videohelp.com. Look for significant differences in MPEG2Repair's error logs and TSReader Lite's extensive report of transport stream specs.

I live out in the hills of Esperance, and between my 20 foot antenna and amplifier, I seem to be able to get every local HD station beautifully, except for 23-1
hey sp0r,

what type of antenna you using? If it helps, WXXA digital broadcast on the VHF frequency so a VHF dedicated antenna helps here. And yes, WNYT is VHF as well but may not exhibit the same issues as WXXA depending on your setup.

And whens the last time we have heard from MasterFX1? You still around bro'?

Still here. Now that everyone's HD is up and running both OTA and TWC, there's not much to report. There IS a little race developing to see who will be the first station(s) to originate HD. Originating in HD refers to things like local stations producing the local news in HD or producing and broadcasting local commercials in HD. Stations have been slowly upgrading the necessary components to do this. Who will be first?, who will get it right? Who's news anchor will be too damn ugly in HD to continue on?

I know I have Verizon FiOS TV in my future... now how about a 2-way CableCARD.

........ Who's news anchor will be too damn ugly in HD to continue on?
[sarcasm/on]
MasterFX1, I'm offended! The P.C. question should be who is the most Hi-Def, ISF calibrated, aesthetically challenged?
[sarcasm/off] :D

I know I have Verizon FiOS TV in my future... now how about a 2-way CableCARD.

ha! TW (and I think Comcast as well) are going to basically make the cable card completely useless by switching to Switched Digital Video (I think that's what SDV stands for). Basically you'll STILL have to rent a stupid STB from them if you want the SDV channels. Apparently not even CC 2.0 covers that because cable wants to use OCAP to do SDV and OCAP can't be done by cc 2.0. TW states they will have all SDV rollouts within 3 years.

Verizon has a diff. idea of how that should be done (although I don't remember their slide show indicating in detail HOW to do it).

Well, not only is this bad news for the consumer... but this is also bad news for Time Warner and Panasonic. I assure Time Warner they will lose a digital cable customer (I have already dropped RoadRunner) the "instant" I can subscribe to Verizon FiOS TV. After buying two HDTVs from Panasonic I will not purchase a 1080p PDP and still be "held hostage" to any cable provider's STB.

Short of cutting off my nose to spite my face, I refuse to pay more for content that I cannot enjoy the way I want, while being precluded from using the best technical solution(s) available.

My prediction is Time Warner will be losing customers in droves... so they better "wake up" because once an alternative becomes available many astute subscribers will remember how they were treated during the past 20 years.

Although, if NYS voters are an indication... many shall remain CATV sheep.

Freedom to buy Tribune's WCWN/Channel 45
The Business Review (Albany) - 11:12 AM EDT Monday

Freedom Communications is purchasing its second television station in the Albany, N.Y., market.

The Irvine, Calif., company, which already owns Schenectady CBS affiliate WRGB/Channel 6, has agreed to buy WCWN/Channel 45 from the Tribune Co. for $17 million.

Tribune (NYSE: TRB) paid WMHT Educational Telecommunications of North Greenbush $18.5 million for Channel 45, then known as WMHX, in 1999.

Dennis FitzSimons, chairman and CEO of Tribune, said the sale is part of the Chicago company's plan to divest non-core assets as part of the stock repurchase strategy announced May 30. Tribune plans to acquire up to 75 million shares of its common stock, sell at least $500 million in assets, and reduce operating expenses by $200 million over the next two years.

WCWN, which until May 15 was known as WEWB, is the smallest of Tribune's 26 television stations, in the smallest market. It is also the only station Tribune owns in upstate New York. It has only a small studio and offices at 14 Corporate Woods Blvd. All of its programming, including local weather updates, originates at sister-station WLVI in Boston.

WCWN carries the WB Network, but this fall will become an affiliate of the new CW Network to be formed from the merger of WB and the UPN network. Ironically, local UPN affiliate WNYA/Channel 15 is housed at WRGB and shares its advertising staff. This means Freedom will control the advertising sales on three Albany area stations.

In September WNYA, which is owned by Venture Technologies Inc. of Los Angeles, will become an affiliate of MyNetworkTV, a new network from Fox Television.

Time Warner Cable Has added Starz-HD & Cinemax-HD in Austin & San Antonio, ask them about your area receiving these channels.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/sanantonio/programming/updates.html

For the early adopters- an interesting read:
http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/10reasonsHDDVDsfailed.php

EDIT- and if you haven't seen it one more (http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/blurayHDDVDupperhand.php).

For whomever is in charge, WRGB is doing tha funny pixelization thingy again. MyHD signal strength is @ 87%.

For whomever is in charge, WRGB is doing tha funny pixelization thingy again. MyHD signal strength is @ 87%.

We do not see a problem here on our MyHD card. Perhaps you were watching something that was recorded prior to July 7th. The encoder was last reset on Friday.

Same thing is happening tonite, except its also affecting my 2 Zenith OTA receivers as well as MyHD.

....A good piece from a guy who documented his FIOS install with pics here. (http://www.bricklin.com/fiosinstall.htm)

Do you who that 'guy' is? The software revolution he helped start?

Too funny. I clicked the link and read the article - not knowing who wrote it. Then I noticed - it was by Dan Bricklin.

redjr... :)

Hi guys,

Just discovered this thread, and thought I'd say hello. I'm in the North Troy area and just got my HDTV set(going on 2 weeks). I'm using TWC with a SA8300HD DVR STB(isn't everyone?), and for the most part have been pleased with the HD programming. I have noticed a little pixelation on the DiscoveryHD channel from time to time. But, I have to say I'm impressed with most HD content on my spanky Westy 37" 1080p LCD monitor. I think WMHT has the best 1080i PQ though.

I'm also playing with both the MDP-130 and Ati HDTV Wonder PCI cards - trying to decide which one to use in an HTPC box I've put together - using MCE 2005. WMV HD files played through the computer looks absolutely stunning in 1080p format.

redjr... :)

Do you who that 'guy' is? The software revolution he helped start?

Too funny. I clicked the link and read the article - not knowing who wrote it. Then I noticed - it was by Dan Bricklin.

redjr... :)
Just thought it was a good documentation of his FIOS install, nothing more, nothing less.

Just thought it was a good documentation of his FIOS install, nothing more, nothing less.

I wasn't implying anything. It was a good write-up. I enjoyed it. I just didn't notice the author right away.

BTW, I didn't know how close FIOS was to being rolled out across the river in a couple of locations. Interesting..

redjr...

I wasn't implying anything. It was a good write-up. I enjoyed it. I just didn't notice the author right away.

BTW, I didn't know how close FIOS was to being rolled out across the river in a couple of locations. Interesting..

redjr...
Sorry, should've put a :) after my response. Welcome to the local board! :D

Sorry, should've put a :) after my response. Welcome to the local board! :D

No problem. Thanks.

redjr... :)

Hi redjr and welcome to the thread,

Any other MyHD users seeing pixelization on WRGB? I've seen the problem on Mon, Tues, Thurs nights of this week. Signal strength is 81% - 93% with no audio dropouts. Is it just me?

I have been seeing bad breakups on 6-1 on my Sony DHG-HDD500 all week long.

I have been seeing bad breakups on 6-1 on my Sony DHG-HDD500 all week long.
Oh thanks for the reply MFX1, I was just getting ready to toss the MyHD but I guess its not just me.

WRGB EngDept ??????? ...... Bueller?.... Bueller?

Any other MyHD users seeing pixelization on WRGB? I've seen the problem on Mon, Tues, Thurs nights of this week. Signal strength is 81% - 93% with no audio dropouts. Is it just me?I saw the usual symptoms while watching Criminal Minds on Wednesday. Video breakup for a while, then OK for a bit, then repeat. Audio OK except on the worst of the breakups. I put my LG DVR up on the projector and the MyHD overlay on a computer monitor so I could watch both and verified that they broke up at the same time. Recorded short segments on both to test playback. LG playback had the same problems as live. MyHD playback had near-perfect video, even on parts that broke up when I recorded it, but sound dropped out more. Still, the overall result was much improved. It made no difference if I recorded the full stream or just 6-1. As always, the cable feed (104-4) was fine.

I also tried timeshift on the MyHD, and found that it cleaned up the video just like record/play. That's because it's always playing from the HDD even when the timeline says "Live." I verified that by watching the MyHD while listening to the LG and the lipsync was off. Normally the two are in sync.

That raises one possibility why WRGB's MyHD might not see the problem. If they have Full Time Timeshift turned on, they're always looking at HDD playback (I assume they're watching OTA, not cable).

Hey ebo, I think WRGB should put you on their payroll to look after them. nice work. :)

Hey ebo, I think WRGB should put you on their payroll to look after them. nice work. :)Actually they did, briefly, over 30 years ago. Temporary; they were remoting their transmitter, and someone who knew he would be let go decided to jump before he got pushed. So they needed a fill-in for a few months. It was my first job in television.

Does anyone know how to program a SA3250HD box to SKIP a channel while surfing? I would rather bypass the Latino channels in the HBO tier. :confused:

Surfing OTA channels this morning I discovered "The Tube" broadcasting on 45-2. "The Tube" appears to be a 24 hour music video channel, kind of like MTV back in the early 80's.

I am also now getting severe breakups on both 45-1 and 45-2 since discovering the new channel. Previously, I had no reception issues with 45-1 using my rooftop antenna.

I am also now getting severe breakups on both 45-1 and 45-2 since discovering the new channel. Previously, I had no reception issues with 45-1 using my rooftop antenna.I'm not seeing any problem on either of my receivers (LG DVR, MyHD PCI card). Are you still seeing it? Maybe just a startup problem they found and fixed.

Also tried a brief recording with the LG and it was OK. I remember a time when 45-1 was OK to watch but recordings broke up on the LG (but were OK on the MyHD). I'll try to grab the next Smallville; the opening always pixelates, and I'll see if it's worse now.

I must say, the LG is MUCH easier than the MyHD for seeing what's available. The MyHD requires a rescan. With the LG I just Channel Up.

Still getting the breakups with my rooftop antenna, but on another tuner with a UHF loop (indoor antenna) I was able to move it around and get a locked signal. Perhaps they adjusted their transmitter antenna's coverage map in a way that is unfavorable for my location. Who knows. I will not be moving my rooftop antenna since it is already ideally aimed for all the other (more important to me) stations.

This is my first post..so bare with me...I have searched the forums and got some good information but I am alittle confused about my over the air antenna. I just bought a DB4 to pick up my local channels in HD, Through my H20 DT receiver, I am receiving all of them but channel 13.1 and 23.1(7 i believe-fox wxxa) from what I have gathered I have a bought a uhf antenna and these two channels are VHF? So have i bought the wrong antenna or is there one that gets both vhf and uhf ? Right now the antenna is at ground level facing out my window and pictures are great (signal 70% on all channels i pick up) but no signal on 13 and 23. I will be moving the antenna up to the attic and mounting it on the second floor but not if i need a different one!Will I pick up these two channels after I get it up in the attic or is it not possible with this type of antenna(says uhf antenna on box)Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!! Sorry for such a long post...

Live south of Saratoga and North of albany..using db4 antenna with DT* receiver H20 with Panasonic TH-50PX600U (JUST GOT IN MONDAY..AWESOME TV)

loudaman:

Did you go to antennaweb.org and see where you should have your antenna aimed? This site will also recommend an antenna type.

I use a Channelmaster #3016, which is a UHF/VHF/FM antenna. It's mounted in my attic and I get every channel from the digital tower in the Helderbergs.

While the UHF/VHF antenna works for me, others in this forum have said they receive both UHF & VHF on a VHF only antenna if it is aimed properly (Breakstuff).

Good luck and welcome.

Actually I started out using the Channel Master #3021 (UHF Only) with great reception in the UHF band and not so great reception with VHF. I would get pixels and dropouts on 23-1 and 13-1. Not surprisingly both these channels broadcast on the VHF spectrum and didnt work well with my UHF only antenna.

A few months ago I purchased the Channel Master #3016 VHF/UHF combo antenna with horrible results with the UHF channels with only 20-40% signal strength on most UHF channels. I spent the next 2 days trying to zero in the community tower with poor results. So basically the #3016 didnt work for me and sits in the attic for now.

Thinking back my #3021 didnt do such a bad job considering a 100ft coax and split between the htpc and stb. Installed a brand new one since the original showed signs of damage from being re-installed multiple times.Replaced cables and splitters and VHF reception is pretty decent @ 45-60% while the UHF channels are 80+%.

My locale is fairly close to the tower so your mileage may vary depending on location. And to note all my antennas were purchased from Stark Electronics with no complaints.

Does anyone know when TWC will have the NFL Network? I would hate to have to switch to Direct TV.

Does anyone know when TWC will have the NFL Network? I would hate to have to switch to Direct TV.

Not soon. There is a whole thread on new HD Channels for TWC here. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=652328) You should read it, as it contains info on NFL Network.

Have you called TWC to request NFL Network? You can also request any channel via their website. Click on the "Use our feature request form" link on this page. (http://www.timewarnercable.com/Albany/customer/contactus/)

I have seen similar results with my UHF only beam. It's an old Archer UHF only TV antenna (don't remember the M#). In fact it's old enough to still have twin lead connections (I use a match xfmr). With this beam pointed right at Fred's tower I can recieve (SIR-T451) all DTV channels EXCEPT for 23 WXXA. I live in Ctr Brunswick, on rte7 in the area of the Agway. I am literally facing the backside of Bald Mtn, on its east side. I have a pretty good perch at my QTH (720'), and have a decent shot to the Helderbergs/Pinnacle. For the longest time I could not recieve DTV 13.1(12), and in talking to Fred it was probably because I was being desensed by the local analog signal on 13. I am that close, and it makes sense. I was using a rabbit ears setup at the time. Since I put up the beam my results have been mixed. Like I said, in the current beam heading I get everything except 23/WXXA.DT. But if I move the beam to a different heading, I can get 23DT but then I lose something else! From my location there doesn't seem to be one magic beam heading (with this UHF beam) for all channels.
On another note, a buddy of mine who lives right in the Helderbergs, who has a similar whiz bang UHF/VHF antenna, on a 50' tower, recieves barely anything! He gets better results on the VHF (13.1,23.1) and 9.1 out of Vermont. But that's it. He's using the same Samsung SIR-T451 reciever.
I'm glad to find this place to compare notes, and to find out who is online with OTA HDTV in the Albany area. I think we are a small group at the moment!
73 de Dave

Thanks for everyones help... I think that i have settled on the channel master crossfire 3677 for my location. ANyone have any thoughts on this? Like i said previously, zip code 12118, and I have a b4 antenna now and receive all the UHF digital channels except fox 23 and channel 13 which I now know are VHF channels.I want all the local channels so I believe this antenna will do it, unless any other suggestions? The antenna will be put in the attic on the third floor and all stations are located 25 miles away within 2 degrees of each other i believe! Antenna lists at fringe- 45miles UHF/ 45 miles VHF. Anyone think this is not big enough for an attic installation or should i go bigger? I dont want to have to buy another antenna( two is enough! :rolleyes: ) Thanks again for all the help, being new to all this stuff its like a different language to me :(
Oh, I was getting signal strenth on all the UHF channels in the high 60's low 70's whith the b4 on the first level of the apartment, with a good picture and good weather, if that helps at all! Thanks again!

have a dish network 622 and fox stopped tuning in a couple days ago (not sure exactly when). I get a signal strength of 92% but it's not Locking on anything. Thought it may be a PSIP thing but i tried to delete it and readd it and it won't come back at all now. Anyone else?

I wont mention any call letters but it sure looks like someone needs to reboot the HD encoder again..

(not related to your problem splat)

update: same problem seen affecting SD broadcasts as well as the HD signal.

Tuesday, April 25th, 7:00 pm.

The Street Pub
1238 Western Avenue • Albany, New York
ph: 518.482.9432

This place is across the street from the uptown SUNY Albany campus on Western Avenue.

PM me or JeffD2. if interested.

--SimpleTheater


Damn, right in my backyard and I wasn't following the forums at that time. I live right by the fire station on western a few blocks away.

I was just getting caught up since I'm in the process of putting up an antenna for OTA. The internal antenna works ok on occasion, but it's just not reliable enough. I'm looking at an 80" 32 element UHF/VHF on the chimney and an amp in the basement going to 2 ATSC tuners and a FM tuner. I really need to be positive to receive PBS analog for the guide data. Besides watching out for CBS looks like OTA is pretty well settled in the area.

. . . I'm in the process of putting up an antenna for OTA. The internal antenna works ok on occasion, but it's just not reliable enough. I'm looking at an 80" 32 element UHF/VHF on the chimney and an amp in the basement going to 2 ATSC tuners and a FM tuner.With that rig and a rotor you might even pick up Utica. I get solid reception of the locals in Delmar with an old 4-bay bowtie in the attic. Although it's UHF, it does well on the two VHF digitals (7 and 12). At work near the Office Campus I have no problem with a Zenith Silver Sensor ( a small UHF desktop antenna) looking out a ground-floor window. That includes the VHF digitals. If I hold it just right sometimes I can pull in WYPX out of Amsterdam. I'm sure the only reason the Zenith doesn't work for me at home is that I have aluminum siding.
I really need to be positive to receive PBS analog for the guide data.Are you sure you get it from them? I've never gotten usable guide data from WMHT. I used to get it from WTEN but now it comes from WRGB. Which is a problem for my receiver (LG LST-3410A) because if I reassign WRGB's guide listing from 6 to 6-1 it won't get guide data anymore. WTEN has separate listings for 10 and 10-1.

I'm getting my analogs from cable, digitals OTA with cable as a backup. And TW may be stripping guide data on some channels. Also there are two data formats, and my receiver only recognizes the older one. Maybe WMHT broadcasts the newer format.

Slightly OT rant: the local TVGOS does NOT list WMHT-HD, a continuous feed of PBS-HD. It does list WGBY-DT, which carries PBS-HD at night. So I use that, but it's wrong during the day. I use either TitanTV or Zap2It for correct listings. /rant.

Besides watching out for CBS looks like OTA is pretty well settled in the area.WRGB's recurring encoder problem (which only shows up on certain receivers, including all of mine) is one reason I'm glad I kept my minimum cable subscription (~$13/mo.) when I dropped RoadRunner. But cable doesn't carry a couple of SD digitals: WNYA (6-2) and WMHT-DT (17-1).

Hi again. Forgive my ignorance, how do I "reboot the encoder"? If that refers to a power cycling, that happens at my place at least once a month. National Grid/NIMO does a good job of dropping power at least once a month in my area! Seriously, I do power down the Samsung often, as in complete unplug from AC mains.

My issue is truly RF in nature. My observations (along with my buddies) suggest that there is some kind of directionality to the transmit antenna. Which doesn't make sense since I've been to the site and know that the antennas are community shared. I can't explain why one beam heading towards the antenna don't yield the same signal strengths for all channels.

Incidentally, I brought my Samsung camping with me, to Thompson's lake a couple of weeks ago. (LCD VGA monitor,speakers,+ Samsung w/rabbit ears all powered by deep cycle battery,400w inverter) By standing on the beach up at that campground, you can literally see Fred's tower. You would think I could recieve all HD channels balls-on perfect with rabbit ears, but not so. My campsite wasn't on the beach of course, and I did have some trees around me. DT45 was my trouble channel. DT6 had issues too. Everytime a car went by (on the park road) it affected the signal. It wasn't horrible by any means, but I would have expected stronger signal strength being so close to the big antenna.
In any event it was very cool to have music videos (The Tube) and live Doppler radar (WRGB 6.3) whilst camping!

Hi again. Forgive my ignorance, how do I "reboot the encoder"? If that refers to a power cycling, that happens at my place at least once a month. National Grid/NIMO does a good job of dropping power at least once a month in my area! Seriously, I do power down the Samsung often, as in complete unplug from AC mains.

If you are refering to the CBS thing, you can't reboot the encoder that's something that the station has to do.

My issue is truly RF in nature. My observations (along with my buddies) suggest that there is some kind of directionality to the transmit antenna. Which doesn't make sense since I've been to the site and know that the antennas are community shared. I can't explain why one beam heading towards the antenna don't yield the same signal strengths for all channels.

While there may be some directionality the more obvious answer is that not all stations are transmitting at the same power level. Also depending on the frequency they could be reflected or obstructed by slightly different items.

Incidentally, I brought my Samsung camping with me, to Thompson's lake a couple of weeks ago. (LCD VGA monitor,speakers,+ Samsung w/rabbit ears all powered by deep cycle battery,400w inverter) By standing on the beach up at that campground, you can literally see Fred's tower. You would think I could recieve all HD channels balls-on perfect with rabbit ears, but not so. My campsite wasn't on the beach of course, and I did have some trees around me. DT45 was my trouble channel. DT6 had issues too. Everytime a car went by (on the park road) it affected the signal. It wasn't horrible by any means, but I would have expected stronger signal strength being so close to the big antenna.
In any event it was very cool to have music videos (The Tube) and live Doppler radar (WRGB 6.3) whilst camping!

If you are that close you can actually be overwhelming the tuner with such a strong signal. RS actually sells a signal attenuator for strong signals.

I am looking for an antenna for HD stations in bolton landing, ny (on lake george's northwest bay). I never really considered buying one as I figured I wouldnt be able to pick up anything.

I am looking for an antenna for HD stations in bolton landing, ny (on lake george's northwest bay). I never really considered buying one as I figured I wouldnt be able to pick up anything.

what does antennaweb say about your address.

http://www.checkhd.com/aw/welcome.aspx

I am looking for an antenna for HD stations in bolton landing, ny (on lake george's northwest bay). I never really considered buying one as I figured I wouldnt be able to pick up anything.

You may be right because Bolton landing is surrounded by hills. Try this:
http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/y10713.htm
The antenna is high band VHF only. You have three VHF possibilities, WXXA on channel 7, WVER on channel 9 and WNYT on channel 12. A preamp such as the Channel Master 7777 will be needed. If you are successful, you can add a Channel Master 4228 UHF antenna to try for the others.

I was looking for the local channels in HD but antenna web dosen't show any of them. I would say its impossible then. :(

I was looking for the local channels in HD but antenna web dosen't show any of them. I would say its impossible then. :(

Antennaweb is slightly conservative. After entering your address, click on display map, and move your location around a bit. If you happen to see reception slightly up the hill from your house, a high gain antenna might just work for you. The analog signals are a good starting point. If you can see channel 10, you should get DTV 7 and 12. If you can see channel 17, DTV 26, 34, 39, and 43 should make it. Channel 19's DTV signal comes over the Lake on channel 36 and WVER's PBS DTV is on channel 9 and also across the Lake.

Stupid question, one I don't know if there is an easy answer for.

Why did the FCC put two stations in the Albany market in VHF rather than UHF? It makes setting up an antenna more difficult ( I can get UHF on a simple indoor antenna, VHF is spotty ).

Stupid question, one I don't know if there is an easy answer for.

Why did the FCC put two stations in the Albany market in VHF rather than UHF? It makes setting up an antenna more difficult ( I can get UHF on a simple indoor antenna, VHF is spotty ).

There is no rule that says that indoor antennas must work. In fact, with outdoor antennas, VHF goes much further than UHF, especially in this hilly area. These stations choose VHF assignments to maximize their coverage, not to make indoor reception easier. In any event, the FCC actually assigned those stations channels 4 and 15, not 7 and 12.

Make sure that your indoor antenna is capable of VHF reception. That rules out Silver Sensors and similar UHF only products.

Make sure that your indoor antenna is capable of VHF reception. That rules out Silver Sensors and similar UHF only products.

It's a dual and I have been able to get them in the past. When I relocated my setup to the first floor I lost VHF coverage. I have an 80" UHF/VHF antenna going up on my roof in the next day or two in order to take care of any signal problems I'm having.

I was just curious why the FCC would split a market up like that especially with the already confusing DTV reception issues. Had our market been UHF only I could have gotten away with an antenna that was half the size of the one I'm installing ( without paying twice the price ).

I am a current TW customer (in the Scotia/Glenville) area but am thinking of switching to DirecTV. I know I will have to get local HD through an antenna. My questions are:

1. Am I better off ordering the service though a local store such as Best Buy or Circuit City to order it online through DirecTV website or it makes no difference?

2. For the Off-Air Antenna does it make a difference if I purchase my own or if I buy the $49.00 from Direct TV?

3. If I purchase my own Off-Air Antenna will the DirecTV installer install it for me?

Thanks in advance.

1. Am I better off ordering the service though a local store such as Best Buy or Circuit City to order it online through DirecTV website or it makes no difference?


DirecTV went to a "lease" plan this year. So you would think the equipment would be free but it's not. One can pay upwards of $300 for equipment (HD DVR) you would not own. Being a new subscriber though, you should be able to work a deal. Just have to call them to see.


2. For the Off-Air Antenna does it make a difference if I purchase my own or if I buy the $49.00 from Direct TV?


This all depends on where you live and the distance to the towers. I think Scotia isn't too far away. I used a generic Scotia zip code for antennaweb.org and it looks like it's about 16 miles. I would guess you would have good luck with the DirecTV antenna unless there is a hill between you and the towers. Put your real info into antennaweb.org to see what size antenna they suggest.


3. If I purchase my own Off-Air Antenna will the DirecTV installer install it for me?


The installer did for me a few weeks ago. But YMMV as he told me after that he wasn't "supposed" to install it.

Damn, right in my backyard and I wasn't following the forums at that time. I live right by the fire station on western a few blocks away...........

Maybe we'll try for another GTG in October/November. I'll be attending Craigsub's tentative GTG in Erie, PA somewhere in that time frame. So, we'll see.

Anyone gonna show up this time? :rolleyes:

PS- I should have my SVS PB-10 (excellant condition) for sale about that time as well.

Maybe we'll try for another GTG in October/November. I'll be attending Craigsub's tentative GTG in Erie, PA somewhere in that time frame. So, we'll see.

Anyone gonna show up this time? :rolleyes:

PS- I should have my SVS PB-10 (excellant condition) for sale about that time as well.

Assuming I'm not dealing with other important stuff I'm sure I can make it out for a beer ( my first child is due in october sometime ).

I finally got the antenna up last night ( without breaking my neck ). I now get over 30+ SNR on all channels without amplification. The problem that I had last night was that the season premere of Bones kept breaking up as the show went on. Was this something in my reception or was it that way for everyone?

If it is a problem I'll just add a channelmaster pre-amp to the system to take care of any lingering obstructions.

The problem that I had last night was that the season premere of Bones kept breaking up as the show went on. Was this something in my reception or was it that way for everyone?I recorded Bones (OTA) on my LG DVR. Didn't watch it coming in. I just checked it through the opening credits. It was clean except for one momentary glitch. I'll report back if there are serious breakups later in the show.

Slight change of topic: I'm seeing a reversal of the recurring problem with WRGB OTA vs. cable. In the past, OTA broke up intermittently but cable was clean. Now OTA is OK but cable is breaking up constantly on both of my receivers, both video and audio. First noticed it last night.

I was also getting abnormally low signal from WNYT OTA last night and this morning, but it's OK now. Maybe they were on reduced power. I use a UHF antenna (4-bay bowtie) but it normally gives me plenty of signal on the VHF channels WNYT (12) and WXXA (7).

Slight change of topic: I'm seeing a reversal of the recurring problem with WRGB OTA vs. cable. In the past, OTA broke up intermittently but cable was clean. Now OTA is OK but cable is breaking up constantly on both of my receivers, both video and audio. First noticed it last night.

Yes, we are aware. I noticed it from home last night; started sometime between 10pm and 1am. We called Time Warner this morning (they had already received other calls last evening) and after trying various things throughout the day they finally rebooted their multiplexer a little after 4pm. It is now fixed.

Yes, we are aware. I noticed it from home last night; started sometime between 10pm and 1am. We called Time Warner this morning (they had already received other calls last evening) and after trying various things throughout the day they finally rebooted their multiplexer a little after 4pm. It is now fixed.It's interesting to note that 480i upconverted to 1080i looks much better on WRGB & WTEN than is does on WNYT... why?

It's interesting to note that 480i upconverted to 1080i looks much better on WRGB & WTEN than is does on WNYT... why?


I though WTEN was 720p?

But the results are the same. WNYT is appreciably softer than 6 ot 10

I though WTEN was 720p?

But the results are the same. WNYT is appreciably softer than 6 ot 10
I get 720p for WTEN thru TWC. The best HD I've seen on WNYT is Leno or NASCAR. But then I don't watch a lot of TV in the first place.

I though WTEN was 720p?

But the results are the same. WNYT is appreciably softer than 6 ot 10I was on the road & still am when I made that post... so I could not verify if WTEN was 720p or 1080i. Regardless, WNYT is soft by comparison. Our local FOX-HD station also looks bad on TW cable. BTW... Verizon FiOS is available in my area. I plan on dropping HBO & Showtime/TMC, on-Demand and return a PACE STB because the program content has been so poor lately.

If that was the best PQ we're going to get for HD football on WNYT-NBC on TW, then I'm officially depressed. It looked terrible on my FP rig.

If that was the best PQ we're going to get for HD football on WNYT-NBC on TW, then I'm officially depressed. It looked terrible on my FP rig.I want my FiOS TV! :D

Me too! Hopefully they'll get a NY Franchise agreement or a federal one. I was hoping they'd do something in Colonie but supposedly one of the people on the board is "buddy buddy" with TWC and they're holding things up. Or so I heard. (I thought I'd read somewhere in the paper about a year ago that they were in franchise talks with Colonie, Guilderland, and Delmar, but obviously nothing has come of that yet for any of those places).

Well, I read pretty much the entire post and I'm still a little confused. I bought the Terk HDTVi (I Know it gets bashed, but I live in an apartment). I am getting pretty good signals from every station (between 70 and 80%), but WRGB 6-1 has been having alot of pixelation. The sad thing is that it has the strongest signal of all of the channels. Is it me, or is it WRGB that is causing this? Please Help!!

Thanks!!
Greg

I want my FiOS TV! :D

I just want WRGB to broadcast a half decent signal... doesnt have to be perfect, just watchable without breaking up every 3 seconds.

Well, I read pretty much the entire post and I'm still a little confused. I bought the Terk HDTVi (I Know it gets bashed, but I live in an apartment). I am getting pretty good signals from every station (between 70 and 80%), but WRGB 6-1 has been having alot of pixelation. The sad thing is that it has the strongest signal of all of the channels. Is it me, or is it WRGB that is causing this? Please Help!!

Thanks!!
GregIt's not you. If you read back through this thread you'll see that WRGB has an intermittent problem with their HD OTA transmission. They're aware of it and they can fix it temporarily by rebooting their encoder, but it keeps coming back. Whatever the error is, some receivers reportedly handle it just fine and others don't. The same bitstream goes to TW cable, and their receiver (or whatever they use) apparently handles it, because their turnaround of it is good.

This weekend it's the worst I've seen it. My MyHD card shows nothing but pixelation and freezes, but the audio is good. If I record a segment and play it back the video is OK or nearly so, but there's no audio except for momentary snippets.

I also have TW's Basic package (~$13/mo.) which lets me tune most of the digital locals because they're not encrypted. If I'm watching a show "live" and it's breaking up I can switch to the cable feed. But it's a real nuisance for scheduled recordings unless I tell it to record off cable.

Well, I read pretty much the entire post and I'm still a little confused. I bought the Terk HDTVi (I Know it gets bashed, but I live in an apartment). I am getting pretty good signals from every station (between 70 and 80%), but WRGB 6-1 has been having alot of pixelation. The sad thing is that it has the strongest signal of all of the channels. Is it me, or is it WRGB that is causing this? Please Help!!

Thanks!!
Greg

Channel 6.1 is all messed up what the hell is the problem with them!!! This is opening weekend of Football season and all we can see is Pixal boxes on the screen...........All the other channels are fine it's always them why? Do they not have people wirh experience on their staff? Are they not aware of the problem? Can anyone answer these questions for me?

Channel 6.1 is all messed up what the hell is the problem with them!!! This is opening weekend of Football season and all we can see is Pixal boxes on the screen...........All the other channels are fine it's always them why? Do they not have people wirh experience on their staff? Are they not aware of the problem? Can anyone answer these questions for me?
The Jets game isn't in HD anyway. Why can't CBS commit to all HD football like FOX?

I also have TW's Basic package (~$13/mo.) which lets me tune most of the digital locals because they're not encrypted. If I'm watching a show "live" and it's breaking up I can switch to the cable feed. But it's a real nuisance for scheduled recordings unless I tell it to record off cable.


I have their Basic Package as well. How do you go about tuning the digital locals?

I have their Basic Package as well. How do you go about tuning the digital locals?

You need a QAM-Capable digital tuner. Just do an autoscan and it'll find them.

Arghhh, don't have one, oh well. Thanks for all the info!!!

I just want WRGB to broadcast a half decent signal... doesnt have to be perfect, just watchable without breaking up every 3 seconds.I pay $100 per month for cable TV :eek: don't ask me why... I just do. :rolleyes:

You need a QAM-Capable digital tuner. Just do an autoscan and it'll find them.Are you sure... I thought all of TWs digital channels were encrypted?

I pay $100 per month for cable TV :eek: don't ask me why... I just do. :rolleyes:
My bill is higher than that with the All-In-One package, and of course, 2 DVRs all...so I can enjoy that wonderful HD programming. ;)

redjr... :)

Are you sure... I thought all of TWs digital channels were encrypted?


Yes (to the first part). No to the second.

They don't encrypt the digital (non-HD) locals, and they don't encrypt the digital (HD) locals.

Pretty much everything else digital, they encrypt.

Are you sure... I thought all of TWs digital channels were encrypted?

Absolutely. I'm PM-ing you with additional info.

Seems WRGB has fixed the recent problem. Tonights broadcasting has been clean with no issues.

Are you sure... I thought all of TWs digital channels were encrypted?

I'm thinking that TW cannot encrypt local broadcasting due to some FCC safety regulation in case of an emergency. I can see them encrypting everything that goes through the converter or cable card since its their property. Why encrypt the analog signal that can be had with an outdoor antenna? just a guess..

Thanks for the replies, in the past I've tried using the QAM tuner of my 50PX50U w/Time Warner Cable and had no luck picking up any channels. Most likely it's a problem with the TV but I'll give it another whirl soon.

Anybody have a clue as to when DirecTV might pick up the Albany HD channels? Some markets farther down the DMA list are getting them.

Also, my OTA reception of 13-1,2,3 has been pretty spotty. Are they operating on full power?

Thanks for the replies, in the past I've tried using the QAM tuner of my 50PX50U w/Time Warner Cable and had no luck picking up any channels. Most likely it's a problem with the TV but I'll give it another whirl soon.Pay particular attention to RF channels 104, 105 and 108. That's where the locals are in my area, and probably elsewhere.

I removed the CableCARD from my TV last night and did an auto-scan of TWs analog/digital channels. I picked up all of the analog channels in the 1-99 range but the only digital HD channel my TV found was 18-15 (WEWB?). :mad:

I removed the CableCARD from my TV last night and did an auto-scan of TWs analog/digital channels. I picked up all of the analog channels in the 1-99 range but the only digital HD channel my TV found was 18-15 (WEWB?). :mad:In my area, WEWB, a.k.a. WCWN, is on 108 along with an all-advertising station (WRNN, I think). The local HD feeds of Fox, NBC and ABC are on 105. 104 has CBS and PBS-HD (17-3 OTA). The latter's programming is NOT the same as WMHT's normal feed (17-1 OTA), which isn't on TWC in digital. 104 also has several local weather loops and radars. The other local digital station not on cable is WNYA (6-2 OTA), which was UPN and now is some new network I can never remember the name of. Oh, and "The Tube" which is on a subchannel with WEWB OTA. There are a few non-OTA digitals scattered around, but nothing I'd watch long for free, much less pay for. NYS Legislature on 89-1. VOD ads (but not the shows themselves) on subchannels of 118. Worth a scan to see what's there.

18-15 is a virtual channel number. Cable STB users would tune it as 1815. All the locals are on virtual channels in the 1800s, regardless of their real channel numbers, and generally with the last two digits the same as their analog channel numbers on cable. My oldest receiver (LG) ignores virtual channel designations on cable, so I'm more familiar with the real ones.

Does anyone know if Albany Time Warner will authorize the use of a TiVo Series 3 HD DVR (w/CableCARDs installed) on their cable system?

Does anyone know if Albany Time Warner will authorize the use of a TiVo Series 3 HD DVR (w/CableCARDs installed) on their cable system?

Supposedly someone in Niskyuna has one (on the Tivo community forums) and got 2 CC's from TW Cable.

So I'm assuming so.

I personally will not be buying an S3 for the following reasons:

1) You cannot record OTA and Cable card UNLESS you buy two cable cards (which is stupid, IMO).

2) No TTG--yet. Although I doubt Cable Labs will ever permit it

3) No MRV--yet. (again, highly doubt it'll ever happen).

Just not into spending $800 for a box that has half the ability of my Series 2. For me, no MRV and TTG are deal breakers. Means you gotta keep ANOTHER tivo around (and rent ANOTHER STB from TW) just to transfer shows and use TTG. At which point the price factor jumps up even more (now you're STILL renting the STB that the Series 3 was supposed to get rid of, paying for TWO Cable cards--just so you can record OTA and cable, AND having to pay for 2 Tivo's).

Supposedly someone in Niskyuna has one (on the Tivo community forums) and got 2 CC's from TW Cable.

So I'm assuming so.

I personally will not be buying an S3 for the following reasons:

1) You cannot record OTA and Cable card UNLESS you buy two cable cards (which is stupid, IMO).

2) No TTG--yet. Although I doubt Cable Labs will ever permit it

3) No MRV--yet. (again, highly doubt it'll ever happen).

Just not into spending $800 for a box that has half the ability of my Series 2. For me, no MRV and TTG are deal breakers. Means you gotta keep ANOTHER tivo around (and rent ANOTHER STB from TW) just to transfer shows and use TTG. At which point the price factor jumps up even more (now you're STILL renting the STB that the Series 3 was supposed to get rid of, paying for TWO Cable cards--just so you can record OTA and cable, AND having to pay for 2 Tivo's).Sorry, but I'm basically TiVo illiterate (TTG? MRV?). OTA reception is not an option for me, there are too many trees on my lot and I live too close to the Helderberg escarpment. I'm not in to archiving HD content and provided the TiVo Series 3 can time-shift record two shows at the same time I'd like to buy one to replace my SA8300.

Sorry, but I'm basically TiVo illiterate (TTG? MRV?).

TTG = Tivo To Go: transfer your shows from TiVo to laptop

MRV = Multi Room Viewing: Send a show that you recorded on the Family Room Tivo to the Tivo you have hooked up in your bedroom via your home computer network

Anyone from the Berkshires area here? The lame local cable channels won't waive me to get NYC/LA feeds for HD. Is it possible to get HD with an antenna out here? If so which antenna?

Anyone from the Berkshires area here? The lame local cable channels won't waive me to get NYC/LA feeds for HD. Is it possible to get HD with an antenna out here? If so which antenna?

Yes, HD in the Berkshires is possible. Go to www.antennaweb.org, type in your address,and see what it recommends for an antenna for you. If you post the antennaweb results back here, the antenna suggestions can be very specific.

Great, thanks a lot Tower Guy.

DTV Antenna
Type Call Sign Channel Network City State Live
Date Compass
Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
blue - vhf W07AI 7 NBC PITTSFIELD, ETC. MA 207° 8.1 7
blue - uhf WCDC 19 ABC ADAMS MA 38° 7.6 19
violet - vhf WRGB 6 CBS SCHENECTADY NY 294° 39.6 6

That's the results I got.

blue - vhf W07AI 7 NBC PITTSFIELD, ETC. MA 207° 8.1 7
blue - uhf WCDC 19 ABC ADAMS MA 38° 7.6 19
violet - vhf WRGB 6 CBS SCHENECTADY NY 294° 39.6 6

That's the results I got.That's all? No digitals? It should have at least listed WCDC-DT, which I believe is colocated with WCDC. Same as WTEN (ABC) but I don't know if they broadcast in HD.

Most of the Albany analogs and all of their digitals are on the same hill in the Helderbergs, essentially the same distance and direction as the WRGB listing above. See how well you can do at receiving analog stations WMHT (17) and WCWN (45). If you can get them without too much snow (some is OK) then there's a good chance you can get most of the Albany digitals with the same UHF antenna. The only VHF digitals are WXXA-DT (7, Fox) and WNYT-DT (12, NBC). Some UHF antennas might even get them (mine does, at 10 miles) but I wouldn't count on it at that distance. And you may have mountains in the way. See what your neighbors are using.

Great, thanks a lot Tower Guy.

blue - vhf W07AI 7 NBC PITTSFIELD, ETC. MA 207° 8.1 7
blue - uhf WCDC 19 ABC ADAMS MA 38° 7.6 19
violet - vhf WRGB 6 CBS SCHENECTADY NY 294° 39.6 6

That's the results I got.

That says that you live at the corner of Rt 7 and N. Main in Lanesboro. Reception of WCDC-DT should work in spite of what Antennaweb says.

The Albany stations are directly behind Jiminy Peak, so if you want to try it, here's the best that you can get without overspending.

For WCDC, WRGB, WTEN, WMHT, and WCWN, try the Channel Master 4228 http://www.starkelectronic.com/uhf.htm
For WXXA and WNYT try this http://www.winegard.com/offair/vhf.htm
In 2009 WRGB will return to channel 6, so this antenna gets you ready.

You'll need a preamp, I recommend the Channel Master 7777, it has two inputs, one for VHF and one for UHF.

If money is no object, there's a well respected installer from Connecticut with his favorite configuration:
http://www.highdefforum.com/showthread.php?t=14818

In 2009 WRGB will return to channel 6 . . .I'm sorry to hear that. I thought I was done with a big VHF antenna taking up the walking space inb my attic. A bowtie does ell enough down to channel 7, but 6 analog looks pretty bad. Oh, well, maybe I can put up a rabbit ears and a combiner.

Anyone lose WTEN last night? MCE shows 4 bars on the tuner but I have no signal as of last night. I last checked it on Sunday night and it was working perfectly.

Edit: Just got home at 5pm and its back. Odd!

Did anyone else notice that Friday's Yankee-Blue Jays game was shown on YES HD, in addition to the SD feed on Fox23.

Typically, the Friday Yankee games are shown in SD on Fox23. I flipped on YES HD at 8PM Friday 9/29/06 and watched the game in HD. There were no commercials on YES HD. They just kept the shot of the field from behind home plate on...you could see the players warm up and the grounds crew do their Y-M-C-A routine.

I flipped over to channel 1808 (Fox23) and the non-widecreen, non-Dolby 5.1 SD Yankee feed was showing. Pitiful.

What would it take for Fox23 to pass through the HD feed from YES? They must have most of the equipment, as they can pass Fox's HD feed through....

p.s. I hope all the Red Sox fans can find something to do on October evenings. ;)

Are the local tv stations at full power for HDTV? Is there any info on what the locals are going to do when they have to give up their analog spectrum? Some stations use VHF for HDTV while others use UHF. I understand that there are arguments in favor of each spectrum, but I was just curious to know if there is any word on what spectrum the locals will use after they give back their analog spectrum.

Wayne

p.s. I hope all the Red Sox fans can find something to do on October evenings. ;)I'm a die-hard NY Giants fan... but their performance so far this season... has given me a lot of incentive to do the yard work on Sunday's. :rolleyes:

anybody know what the status of FiOS is in our area? i live in scotia by wal-mart and am dying to try FiOS, but the verizon website says its not available.

anyone know how long we can expect till its available? are we talkign months or years?

anybody know what the status of FiOS is in our area? i live in scotia by wal-mart and am dying to try FiOS, but the verizon website says its not available.

anyone know how long we can expect till its available? are we talkign months or years?FiOS Internet service is available for many areas of the Capital Region, but my understanding is FiOS TV will not arrive in upstate NY for at least another couple of years.

damn! i was hoping that was not the case - oh well i guess the wait continues.

Everyone notice "TheTube" on 45-2? Pretty cool, music video channel like MTV was back in the day.

Around 10:45-10:50 pm tonight, during a commercial break in CSI: NY, it appears that WRGB-HD changed scan rate from the usual 1920x1080i to 1440x1080i. I was watching with a MyHD MDP-130, which couldn't handle it in Native mode (or the combination of that and my Sony projector couldn't). It looks OK if I force either 1920x1080i or 1280x720p. Checked my LG DVR and it looks OK in Native mode, so not all receivers will show the problem.

Hello all, new guy here. I just bought my first HDTV last weekend and am loving every minute of it. I'm the only one I know who has one so obviously I have no one to talk HDTV to. Now I guess I've found some. I'm in the Watervliet area with Time Warner Cable and a Pace DC-550 HD box. Hopefully if I have any questions you guys will point me in the right direction.

Anyone know if TW has the PACE hd dvr boxes yet? The SA software sucks, and I'm not spending $800 on a Series 3 Tivo that doesn't have TTG or MRV

my understanding is FiOS TV will not arrive in upstate NY for at least another couple of years.

Where did you get this information?

Look in this forum a few months ago and you'll see.

Although it wouldn't suprise me if it takes that long. Verizon seems to focus mostly on Long Island and in Texas. I think they are secretly hoping for a national franchise, but I doubt they'll get one any time soon.

Plus, at least where I'm at, the town of colonie is all "buddy buddy" with TW Albany, so it'll probably take a few years to even get a local franchise here.

Guess the extra $0.31/month I get to pay for the "privilege" of watching local Colonie tv access (thanks to the town who decided to impose this on all of us Colonie residents without our permission) is lining someone's pockets.

Anyone know if TW has the PACE hd dvr boxes yet? The SA software sucks, and I'm not spending $800 on a Series 3 Tivo that doesn't have TTG or MRV

I have a Pace box but not the DVR. I have the Pace DC-550. I don't think the Albany office had any, at least they didn't offer me one. I told them I wanted to use HDMI and they told me this was the only box they could guarantee to work with it. Are there that many problems with the SA HDDVR that they are pretty much not recommending them for HDMI use?

I'm new to the area and forum. I've got a QAM tuner and can pick up about half of TWC's offerings. I use a TWC STB, but I'd love to be able to get as many of the HDTV channels as possible through my TV tuner for PIP. Whatever help you can provide will be appreciated.

I'm new to the area and forum. I've got a QAM tuner and can pick up about half of TWC's offerings. I use a TWC STB, but I'd love to be able to get as many of the HDTV channels as possible through my TV tuner for PIP. Whatever help you can provide will be appreciated.

You'd need a CableCARD compatible QAM tuner, and rent a CableCARD ($1.75/mo) from TWC to get anything HDTV that's on their HD Tier, which I believe is everything except the local channels, Discovery HD and MSG-HD. Everything else is subscription.

Anyone know if TW has the PACE hd dvr boxes yet?

Pace only have the Tahoe TDC775, an hd dvr for motorola networks

Hello all, new guy here. I just bought my first HDTV last weekend and am loving every minute of it. I'm the only one I know who has one so obviously I have no one to talk HDTV to. Now I guess I've found some. I'm in the Watervliet area with Time Warner Cable and a Pace DC-550 HD box. Hopefully if I have any questions you guys will point me in the right direction.Welcome to our club, glad you're here. ;) Where did you get this information?Look in this forum a few months ago and you'll see.

Although it wouldn't suprise me if it takes that long. Verizon seems to focus mostly on Long Island and in Texas. I think they are secretly hoping for a national franchise, but I doubt they'll get one any time soon.

Plus, at least where I'm at, the town of colonie is all "buddy buddy" with TW Albany, so it'll probably take a few years to even get a local franchise here.

Guess the extra $0.31/month I get to pay for the "privilege" of watching local Colonie tv access (thanks to the town who decided to impose this on all of us Colonie residents without our permission) is lining someone's pockets.Despite the pin-heads (a.k.a. our local politicians) running SmAlbany, it's only a matter of time... :)

You'd need a CableCARD compatible QAM tuner, and rent a CableCARD ($1.75/mo) from TWC to get anything HDTV that's on their HD Tier, which I believe is everything except the local channels, Discovery HD and MSG-HD. Everything else is subscription.
For the PIP I'd be happy with just local HDTV and Discovery, but my tuner can't find them during the auto-find. Does anybody know the channel numbers for TWC-Schenectady?

For the PIP I'd be happy with just local HDTV and Discovery, but my tuner can't find them during the auto-find. Does anybody know the channel numbers for TWC-Schenectady?

If it has a QAM tuner it is odd that it won't find them. Since I have a CableCARD mine only come up as the remapped numbers, so I don't know what channels they come up as without them. I do know that my Sony TV (KDP-51WS655) cannot show any digital TV, QAM or ATSC, in the PIP (TwinView) window, however so maybe that's the issue?

I tried it in normal mode also, but they don't show up at all, so it isn't associated with PIP. Perhaps my tuner (Pioneer) doesn't scan far enough up in frequencies.

Where did you get this information?

Maybe here. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7711171&&#post7711171)

Any info yet on MPEG-4?

DirecTV mentioned the Albany market will be available "shortly" for local HD's.

DirecTV mentioned the Albany market will be available "shortly" for local HD's.

Unfortunately, not in the group that will be in place by the end of the year...

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=914114&highlight=

:(

Yes, I read that too. I guess that is a typical random response at DirecTV from their CSR's. She did, however, try to set me up for an install for the new HR-20 HD-DVR which seems odd if we're not getting local HD channels soon.

Yes, I read that too. I guess that is a typical random response at DirecTV form their CSR's. She did, however, try to set me up for an install for the new HR-20 HD-DVR which seems odd if we're not getting local HD channels soon.

Especially when the OTA tuner is not yet active on the HR-20, effectively eliminating HD watching in the area if this would be your only tuner. I will keep my slowly failing HTL-HD for the time being.

Especially when the OTA tuner is not yet active on the HR-20, effectively eliminating HD watching in the area if this would be your only tuner. I will keep my slowly failing HTL-HD for the time being.
True, and there's only two reasons for me to even consider the HR-20. The first is increased recording capacity (from 30G to 50G of HD), and the second is to get rid of my OTA antenna (in plain sight......looks so antiquated).

However, DirecTV is only, at least in the beginning, offering the main HD feed from the four major networks. That's not a huge deal, but for those subscribers that want PBS, CW, or weather/doppler radar feeds in HD, they would be SOL without sticking with a conventional antenna. Eventually, we'll have to get the HR-20, obviously. I think I'll hold out a while longer, at least until they activate the OTA tuner or add additional HD channels that require a MPEG-4 compatible receiver.

Can someone answer a simple question for me? I have digital cable and an HDTV. I do not understand the Time warner digital tier. Should I be tuning in to ESPN on 24 or the one higher up in the 400s or so. In other words is there a picture difference between identical channels in the 1-100 range (CNBC,TNT etc.) and the ones placed higher up. I know that the HDTV channels are in the 1800's- I'm referring to non-HDTV broadcasts.

Can someone answer a simple question for me? I have digital cable and an HDTV. I do not understand the Time warner digital tier. Should I be tuning in to ESPN on 24 or the one higher up in the 400s or so. In other words is there a picture difference between identical channels in the 1-100 range (CNBC,TNT etc.) and the ones placed higher up. I know that the HDTV channels are in the 1800's- I'm referring to non-HDTV broadcasts.

Only 1869 is digital ESPN-HD. both 601 and 24 are the same... usually analog. They are in the 600s so they fit into the "neighborhood" and at 24 so that older cable ready TVs also get it (where 125 is the maximum).

I, personally, wish TW would either give us the option to, or hide, all the low numbers when using a cable box.

IMO, there is a difference (slightly in favor of the "digital" stations). At least when I playback on my Tivo Series 2 there is.

Hello all... I am new to HD. I am in Amsterdam and just got a Panasonic TH-42PX60U plasma TV and Time Warners 3250HD STB. I am confused in what settings to use on the stb. I did the initial wizard setup using "advanced" and selectd all available formats since they all seemed to display on the TV. Is this correct?

What I would like is to have the TV always display the picture filling the entire screen no matter what channel I'm watching without having to fill or stretch the image with the tv remote on non-HD channels. Is this possible?

Should I only choose the 720P and 1080I formats on the setup wizard?

Are there any other settings on the 3250HD that I should be aware of?

Sorry for all the stupid questions, but I am a newbie at all this.

Thanks,
Judy

p.s. I am using a dvi-hdmi cable from the stb to the tv.

Hello all... I am new to HD. I am in Amsterdam and just got a panny 42" plasma and time warners 3250HD STB. I am confused in what settings to use on the stb. I did the initial wizard setup using "advanced" and selectd all available formats since they all seemed to display on the TV. Is this correct?

What I would like is to have the TV always display the picture filling the entire screen no matter what channel I'm watching without having to fill or stretch the image with the tv remote on non-HD channels. Is this possible?

Should I only choose the 720P and 1080I formats on the setup wizard?

Are there any other settings on the 3250HD that I should be aware of?

Sorry for all the stupid questions, but I am a newbie at all this.

Thanks,
Judy

p.s. I am using a dvi-hdmi cable from the stb to the tv.With your PDP you're best off setting your TW cable box to support 480p (standard), 720p and 1080i signals. If you want to experiment you could turn on/off 720p from the STB so all HD gets scaled to 1080i before it reaches your TV. The PX50U doesn't scale 720p very well so I use all 1080i with my PDP. I'm not sure how the PX60Us handle 720p so you might want to try both settings. If you're paying for digital cable and HDTV take a look at the SA8300HD DVR. If the build date of that series equipment is newer than your 3250 presumably it will have a better internal tuner, scaler and MPEG decoder.

Well i just moved from Rotterdam where my radio shack 80" / 32 element antenna pulled in near 100% signal strenght great, up to wilton off exit 16 where i'm getting low 70's on 13 and 23 and mid 60's on 6,17, and 45. I am getting 0 on 10 but was getting 19 for a while but not anymore (maybe the rain today?).

Anyway's it seems that it's pretty aiming sensitive and i've maxed it out. Any one else up this way getting a better signal? If i step up to the 160" it should be better right? Any idea why 10 isn't working at all? They all transmit from the same place so the signal should be pretty much the same right? Does 10 not have as much wattage? If i can dial in 19 again i can live with that too i guess.

Also i temporarily ran it with RG59 until i can get in the attic (it's in an unused upstairs bedroom right now). would RG6 help?

TIA
Steve

Edit: played with it some more and got 10 ok but lost 6 some (pixelated) but i'm thinking this weather is affecting it some.

RG6 has less loss, but it is not that big a difference in the real world such that you will gain Channel 10, unless the existing wire and its interconnects are somehow defective. Heck, RG11 is even better. I had some and ran it for over the air analog for my mother in law out in the rural valley where she lives and it did not make a huge difference over RG6. Try moving the antenna, even a small change in location can make all the difference.

Richard.

I have the Pace DC-550. I don't think the Albany office had any, at least they didn't offer me one. I told them I wanted to use HDMI and they told me this was the only box they could guarantee to work with it. Are there that many problems with the SA HDDVR that they are pretty much not recommending them for HDMI use?

The digital boxes used by TW with DVI and HDMI outputs are not supported in that mode by TW, according to a tech I got on the telephone last week. They have not perfected the handshake between the digital TV sets and the Box over these digital video interconnects. Sometimes I get a video message that the TV set is not properly copy protected, when I switch back to cable from another input on he TV. When I go past HBO-HD I get a non-subscribed video message (correct because I am not subscribed). But when I tune in another digital HDTV channel on the HDTV tier I get the not subscribed to HBO video message and have to tune off and then on the selected channel to make the video message go away.

Don't you just love copy protection as implemented by TW and the rest of the cable industry? :eek:

Richard.

Well i just moved from Rotterdam where my radio shack 80" / 32 element antenna pulled in near 100% signal strenght great, up to wilton off exit 16 where i'm getting low 70's on 13 and 23 and mid 60's on 6,17, and 45. I am getting 0 on 10 but was getting 19 for a while but not anymore (maybe the rain today?).

Anyway's it seems that it's pretty aiming sensitive and i've maxed it out. Any one else up this way getting a better signal? If i step up to the 160" it should be better right? Any idea why 10 isn't working at all? They all transmit from the same place so the signal should be pretty much the same right? Does 10 not have as much wattage? If i can dial in 19 again i can live with that too i guess.

Also i temporarily ran it with RG59 until i can get in the attic (it's in an unused upstairs bedroom right now). would RG6 help?

TIA
Steve

Edit: played with it some more and got 10 ok but lost 6 some (pixelated) but i'm thinking this weather is affecting it some.

ok not that i've been setup for a while here's my situation. VHF digitals are 85-95% and 10, 17, and 45 are about 68% and keeping lock and not pixelating. Can't get jack on 6. Is WRGB's signal that much weaker? I thought they al broad cast from the same spot?

Anybody have experience with stepping up to radio shack's 160" vhf/uhf combo? I'll spend the $ if i have to. How about if i try combining UHF high gain with my current combo? Will that cause issues of combining signals on top of each other? Would one of these (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?CAT=&PROD=TD-DB4#MORE) get good uhf up here in wilton? I'm getting frustraded and i can't get HD on Dish.

The digital boxes used by TW with DVI and HDMI outputs are not supported in that mode by TW, according to a tech I got on the telephone last week. They have not perfected the handshake between the digital TV sets and the Box over these digital video interconnects. Sometimes I get a video message that the TV set is not properly copy protected, when I switch back to cable from another input on he TV. When I go past HBO-HD I get a non-subscribed video message (correct because I am not subscribed). But when I tune in another digital HDTV channel on the HDTV tier I get the not subscribed to HBO video message and have to tune off and then on the selected channel to make the video message go away.

Don't you just love copy protection as implemented by TW and the rest of the cable industry? :eek:

Richard.

I had a similar problem when I first hooked up the Pace set top box to my TV. I kept getting a message that my TV was not HDCP compliant. It most certainly was and said so in the manual and online (Westinghouse 32W6). I would get sound and picture on the sides but the middle had a black box with the error message in it. I was on the phone with a tech for almost an hour. He finally pushed a software update to my set top box and all was well. Apparently the box could not initiate the handshshake with my set without help. All is well now for almost a month.

I hope they get the HDMI problems worked out soon. I'd love to get the SA HD DVR box.
Dave

After about a week the "not hdcp compliant" message went away. Perhaps they sent through a generic fix for their HD boxes this month.

I stll get a "not subscribed to HBO" messsage whenever I tune past the HBO HD channel and then tune to another channel. I have to retune up or down and then back for it to go away. Perhaps a fix will be found for this soon.

Richard.

What's the deal with DVR boxes from TWC? I notice they charge $7.65/month for the box. Can I purchase my own DVR? Seems like it would be highly cost effective to "roll my own"....

You can buy your own DVR like a Tivo. But I don't believe you can buy a TW DVR (and trust me, you would NOT want to). The TW DVR using the SARA software is the most unreliable POS out there. It will randomly not record stuff, or partially record stuff. It will kick you out to "live" TV in the middle of playback. Oh yeah, and when Daylight savings rolls around you get to delete all your season passes and recreate them because it can't handle a time change.

Oh yeah, and when Daylight savings rolls around you get to delete all your season passes and recreate them because it can't handle a time change.
I'm not a supporter of TWC's DVR, but I did not notice a problem with daylight savings this fall.

I didn't notice an issue with this fall's time change either. IIRC, after the spring time change problem, didn't they tell us it would be fixed for the next change?

Well today I picked up TWC's 8300HD DVR. Seems pretty neat to me. I was asking about buying my own so I could avoid their monthly equipment fee.

Well today I picked up TWC's 8300HD DVR. Seems pretty neat to me. I was asking about buying my own so I could avoid their monthly equipment fee.If you want to be able to record in HD any of the encrypted channels on cable, you pretty much need the cable company's DVR. The alternative is a DVR that accepts a CableCARD, and the only ones I know of are two Sonys (discontinued) and a TiVo (not sure if it's shipping yet). The TiVo requires a monthly fee greater than TWC's DVR, and you have to add the fee for the CableCARD as well.

If you only want the local broadcasts there are several possibilities: a discontinued LG DVR (a great unit when it works, but don't expect it to be trouble-free) and a number of tuner cards or USB devices for computers. Some can receive both OTA (ATSC or 8VSB) and unencrypted cable (QAM). OTA is best if you can receive it; most OTA channels are also available unencrypted on cable. Current exceptions are WCWN (HD), WNYA (SD) and WMHT's local feed (SD). But WMHT-HD (PBS-HD, a different program schedule) is on cable.

The computer-based method gives a lot of flexibility. You can edit out commercials easily and save the programs as long as you like, archiving to external or removeable hard drives or DVDs. But do your homework. The tuners' capabilities differ greatly and some are reportedly plagued by poor software. Some bog down all but the fastest computers while at least one barely taxes the CPU at all. Some will run under Linux (at least one requires it) while others require Windows, preferably XP.

I didn't notice an issue with this fall's time change either. IIRC, after the spring time change problem, didn't they tell us it would be fixed for the next change?


Could be. I gave up after the last two fiasco's and turned mine in.

If you want to be able to record in HD any of the encrypted channels on cable, you pretty much need the cable company's DVR. The alternative is a DVR that accepts a CableCARD, and the only ones I know of are two Sonys (discontinued) and a TiVo (not sure if it's shipping yet). The TiVo requires a monthly fee greater than TWC's DVR, and you have to add the fee for the CableCARD as well.

If you only want the local broadcasts there are several possibilities: a discontinued LG DVR (a great unit when it works, but don't expect it to be trouble-free) and a number of tuner cards or USB devices for computers. Some can receive both OTA (ATSC or 8VSB) and unencrypted cable (QAM). OTA is best if you can receive it; most OTA channels are also available unencrypted on cable. Current exceptions are WCWN (HD), WNYA (SD) and WMHT's local feed (SD). But WMHT-HD (PBS-HD, a different program schedule) is on cable.

The computer-based method gives a lot of flexibility. You can edit out commercials easily and save the programs as long as you like, archiving to external or removeable hard drives or DVDs. But do your homework. The tuners' capabilities differ greatly and some are reportedly plagued by poor software. Some bog down all but the fastest computers while at least one barely taxes the CPU at all. Some will run under Linux (at least one requires it) while others require Windows, preferably XP.

Yes, the Series 3 is out and yes, it's quite expensive. $800 plus fee, plus cable card rental.

For me, the big deciding factor (no) was that it does NOT have their Tivo To Go or Multi-Room Viewing. And I doubt it ever will. Apparently Cable Labs has to "approve" it (and I doubt they'll ever approve recording anything onto your pc or burning to DVD or transferring to anotoher DVR for storage).

Does anyone know why yesterday's Texans @ NYG football game carried by CBS local WRGB on Time Warner channel 1806 wasn't shown in HD?

Does anyone know why yesterday's Texans @ NYG football game carried by CBS local WRGB on Time Warner channel 1806 wasn't shown in HD?

CBS only does 3 HD games per week. How they determine the games I don't know.

I think a recent rumor is that 2007 it will go to 4 games then a full schedule in 2008 or 2009, I can't remember which. This recent rumor is new, they have always said just 3 games a week for the next few years.

CBS only does 3 HD games per week. How they determine the games I don't know.

I think a recent rumor is that 2007 it will go to 4 games then a full schedule in 2008 or 2009, I can't remember which. This recent rumor is new, they have always said just 3 games a week for the next few years.

You can see which games were produced in HD at the following web site;
http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/09-CBS-E.gif

CBS only does 3 HD games per week. How they determine the games I don't know.

I think a recent rumor is that 2007 it will go to 4 games then a full schedule in 2008 or 2009, I can't remember which. This recent rumor is new, they have always said just 3 games a week for the next few years.So who was the "rocket scientist" working for CBS that made the decision not to show a NYG home game in HD to probably their largest, metro NY/NJ, television audience in the 1 - 4 PM time slot? :rolleyes:

So who was the "rocket scientist" working for CBS that made the decision not to show a NYG home game in HD to probably their largest, metro NY/NJ, television audience in the 1 - 4 PM time slot? :rolleyes:

Call me crazy but I still say Lufters is behind all of this.. I think he has possibly expanded his past CBS TWC frustrations to the CBS national feed. Sounds like an inside job to me..:rolleyes:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=3809617&&#post3809617

Call me crazy but I still say Lufters is behind all of this.. I think he has possibly expanded his past CBS TWC frustrations to the CBS national feed. Sounds like an inside job to me..:rolleyes:Maybe I should send the $75 per month, that I'm paying Time Warner, to him instead and dispense with the middle-man. :p

I been messing around with a few indoor HDTV antennas and still have not found one that does a decent job of receiving both VHF and UHF signals with little or no user effort. I use a Zenith Silver Sensor antenna in the bedroom that does an excellent job with UHF but VHF channels are non-existent. My latest choice was this HDTV amplified antenna from Radio Shack.

http://www.kittyfingers.com/RSHD.jpg

I purchased this unit and spent a couple hours playing with the unit to familiarize myself and see if I could dial in those hard to reach VHF channels (WXXA 23 and WNYT 13). The unit does a good job of picking up UHF band and comparable to the Silver Sensor but again the VHF digitals didn't exist. Seems the best antenna type for both bands is still the rooftop type antenna. The unit was returned the next day.

I been messing around with a few indoor HDTV antennas and still have not found one that does a decent job of receiving both VHF and UHF signals with little or no user effort. I use a Zenith Silver Sensor antenna in the bedroom that does an excellent job with UHF but VHF channels are non-existent.At work, about 11 miles from the tower, looking through a ground floor window with no nearby obstructions, I find the Silver Sensor does a good job on all of the locals including WXXA (7) and WNYT (12). But 6 analog is terrible and 10 analog is pretty poor. My home is encased in metal (aluminum siding) so it doesn't work well there unless I look through a window with no screen. Instead I use a 4-bay bowtie in the attic, which also does a decent job on the VHF digitals. I think WNYT's power was fluctuating a few weeks ago, but normally I get strong signals on all the digitals.

A bowtie doesn't take up much room horizontally, so it can often be used indoors in an attic or a window (or anywhere if the walls don't block the signal).

My latest choice was this HDTV amplified antenna from Radio Shack. Antenna amplifiers generally don't help much (if at all) unless they're needed to overcome losses in long cable runs or multiple splitters.

I know this has probably been asked a 1000 times, but my search efforts come up empty. I'm using an 8300HD STB from TWC in North Troy. How do I get to the Firmware version or diagnostic screen of the OS. I've tried the SELECT-EXIT button press to no avail. I've also tried some various diagnostic channel #'s published by other posters.

Thx,

redjr...

Anyone else having problems with 6.1 6.2 6.3, OTA, this morning, 11/11? I am getting pixelation on all 3 channels but my signal is in the upper 70's. All the other local digital channels are fine. Wondering if it is my equipment or a problem with the broadcast channel.

Anyone else having problems with 6.1 6.2 6.3, OTA, this morning, 11/11? I am getting pixelation on all 3 channels but my signal is in the upper 70's. All the other local digital channels are fine. Wondering if it is my equipment or a problem with the broadcast channel.

I was having the same problem, seems to have cleared up now.

Does anyone know if NBC will be showing the Giants/Bears game in HD tonight?

I know this has probably been asked a 1000 times, but my search efforts come up empty. I'm using an 8300HD STB from TWC in North Troy. How do I get to the Firmware version or diagnostic screen of the OS. I've tried the SELECT-EXIT button press to no avail. I've also tried some various diagnostic channel #'s published by other posters.

Thx,

redjr...

I think there's something on the AlbanyHDTV website.

I know this has probably been asked a 1000 times, but my search efforts come up empty. I'm using an 8300HD STB from TWC in North Troy. How do I get to the Firmware version or diagnostic screen of the OS. I've tried the SELECT-EXIT button press to no avail. I've also tried some various diagnostic channel #'s published by other posters.

Thx,

redjr...

Have you tried this thread: SA 8300 HD Tips & Tricks -- SARA
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=471859

Thanks guys. After much 'pain and suffering' I finally found the info I needed. It just took way longer than I thought it should.

redjr... :)

Hello, everyone - Happy Thanksgiving.
I am new to this forum :). I just installed a Radio shack 160" UHF/VHF antenna in the attic of my house in Glens Falls (50.1 miles from the stations in Albany), I can get all the local channels pretty well except the two VHF channels: 13 and 23. I can get ch. 23 with 20-30% strength, but never get any signal of ch 13 at all. I wonder if I can solve the problem by installing a preamp to the antenna?
Thanks

Hello, everyone - Happy Thanksgiving.
I am new to this forum :). I just installed a Radio shack 160" UHF/VHF antenna in the attic of my house in Glens Falls (50.1 miles from the stations in Albany), I can get all the local channels pretty well except the two VHF channels: 13 and 23. I can get ch. 23 with 20-30% strength, but never get any signal of ch 13 at all. I wonder if I can solve the problem by installing a preamp to the antenna?
Thanks

I would try the pre-amp. Outside would be better if you can, people claim that up to 90% of the signal could be blocked being in the attic. I think it's probably not that much unless you have a metal roof. But it certainly does have an impact.

I have the channel master 7777 pre-amp and I'm certain it improves my reception, being around 35 miles away. I have the channel master 4221 UHF outside and it does the two frequencies you mention (7, 12) as well as the other UHF digitals. When WRGB goes back to frequency 6 in 2009, I may have a problem though.

Call me crazy but I still say Lufters is behind all of this.. I think he has possibly expanded his past CBS TWC frustrations to the CBS national feed. Sounds like an inside job to me..:rolleyes:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=3809617&&#post3809617


Who me???...nope! :D

But then again CBS should have all the NFL games in HD by now...it's almost 2007 already.

CBS / WRGB birds of a feather flock together....It is what it is!!!! :cool:

Speaking of WRGB,

It seems WRGB has fixed their encoder issue that has plaqued the OTA broadcast for months, I haven't seen the dreaded pixilation mess for the past few weeks and all has been looking good.

Speaking of WRGB,

It seems WRGB has fixed their encoder issue that has plaqued the OTA broadcast for months, I haven't seen the dreaded pixilation mess for the past few weeks and all has been looking good.

Apparently you were not watching the Lions-Dolphins Game on Thanksgiving. The Game was pixalated and dropping out terribly. They have got to have the worst power possible, I wish they would just get their act together and do it right.

Apparently you were not watching the Lions-Dolphins Game on Thanksgiving. The Game was pixalated and dropping out terribly. They have got to have the worst power possible, I wish they would just get their act together and do it right.

At least the OTA broadcast was HD on WRGB, WNYT didnt flip the HD switch on the Dallas game until sometime during the halftime show. They must think that people have better things to do on Thanksgiving.

Oh, and dont even get me started with DTV Denver-KC broadcast, that was a total mess. WRGB may have had issues, but that was the best looking game of all the games broadcasted that day.

I had the family over for their first view of my new HDTV set, the CBS football game on Thanksgiving. It was the poorest quality HDTV program I have seen, no contrast, poor color saturation, and little detail. I guess the old guys who know how to run the hardware took the day off.

Richard.

I had the family over for their first view of my new HDTV set, the CBS football game on Thanksgiving. It was the poorest quality HDTV program I have seen, no contrast, poor color saturation, and little detail. I guess the old guys who know how to run the hardware took the day off.

Richard.

That was due to the smoke and haze from the pyrotechnics at halftime. The first half looked much better.

At least the OTA broadcast was HD on WRGB, WNYT didnt flip the HD switch on the Dallas game until sometime during the halftime show. They must think that people have better things to do on Thanksgiving.

Oh, and dont even get me started with DTV Denver-KC broadcast, that was a total mess. WRGB may have had issues, but that was the best looking game of all the games broadcasted that day.

Actually WXXA....I tried calling the engineer on duty...he didn't answer. He must have been sleeping or something...pretty pathetic if this wasn't a technical difficulty problem. :eek:

Actually WXXA....I tried calling the engineer on duty...he didn't answer. He must have been sleeping or something...pretty pathetic if this wasn't a technical difficulty problem. :eek:

Probably right when the tryptophan was kicking in.. :D

Actually WXXA....I tried calling the engineer on duty...he didn't answer. He must have been sleeping or something...pretty pathetic if this wasn't a technical difficulty problem. :eek:
WXXA's Chief Engineer Sarge Cathrall was on vacation last week, returning to work tomorrow (11/27/06). He left engineering issues in care of David Palmer.

WXXA's Chief Engineer Sarge Cathrall was on vacation last week, returning to work tomorrow (11/27/06). He left engineering issues in care of David Palmer.
Wow, I hope this guy doesnt get into trouble over what I said.. Hey Sarge, todays game looked great, don't believe these earlier posts, Dave Palmer you da' man!

Is it my setup / location or is WTEN HD having trouble today (maybe all this wind?) I've never had it drop out at all. Started last night with the wind. I've given up and switched to using the analog tuner on my vcr for the wake-gt game

???